The director of the building industry's research centre (BRANZ) is calling for buildings that are not earthquake safe to be stickered.
The recommendation was made at a public conference in Wellington on Tuesday on what the earthquake prone-capital can learn from the recent big quakes in Canterbury.
Wellington has up to 800 buildings which are an earthquake risk and are built to less than a third of the current building standard.
BRANZ director and seismologist Helen Anderson says that is obscure and challenging for the average person to understand.
Dr Anderson is calling for a simple system to be devised, such as symbols on the windows of buildings, to make people aware of their safety.
People are demanding more reassurance and should also be told of safe ways to leave the city after a quake, she says.
Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown says she will consider Dr Anderson's suggestions.
