Solid State Equipment NZ

Natural gas is a wonderful fuel used worldwide for cooking and heating in domestic, multi-storey apartment, office and factory situations. However, a large building relying on natural gas for space and water heating will often have a large gas-heated boiler in the basement.

In the event of a large earthquake, the gas pipe from where it enters the building at the demarcation point to the boiler can be many metres away and even on a different floor. If this pipe ruptures, the building can become full of a combustible mixture of gas and air — very easily ignited — causing the demolition of the building and the loss of many lives.

Solid State Equipment has been delivering trusted earthquake detection and safety solutions since 1971. Our systems are designed to trigger critical responses the moment seismic activity is detected — isolating gas supplies, shutting down machinery, and protecting lives and property before secondary damage occurs.

The MK6 Earthquake Trigger Recorder

The MK6 is an electronic earthquake trigger and recorder — not a passive mechanical device. Where mechanical seismic valves rely on physical displacement to trip, the MK6 continuously monitors ground acceleration using electronic sensors, detecting the faster-moving P-waves that arrive seconds before the destructive S-waves. That early warning margin is what makes the difference between a controlled shutdown and a disaster.

When measured acceleration exceeds the pre-set threshold, the output relay changes state within 10 milliseconds, triggering any connected safety system. A 6-digit event counter records every operation — tests, false alarms, and real earthquakes — so building managers have a complete, auditable record of every activation.

Sensitivity is field-adjustable from 0.012g to 0.200g, allowing the MK6 to be calibrated to the specific risk profile of each installation, whether that's a sensitive hospital environment or a heavy industrial facility where false triggers must be minimised.

Applications

The MK6 is installed across New Zealand and Australia in a wide range of settings:

• Commercial & multi-unit residential buildings — automatic gas isolation on earthquake detection
• Industrial facilities & manufacturing — safe shutdown of boilers, compressors, and process equipment
• Hospitals, schools & public infrastructure — life-safety compliance in critical buildings
• Gas distribution & utility networks — protection at pressure reduction stations and substations
• Machinery & CNC equipment — protecting high-value equipment from earthquake-generated forces

New Zealand-designed and manufactured since 1971. Contact us to discuss your requirements.