Ministry sets strict building standards

•Disabled facilities prerequisite for all structure Government has finally come out with building standards to regulate the booming construction industry in the country. These standards are all outlined in the Building Code and Standards Regulations that was passed by Cabinet on Wednesday. According to Eng. Linda Bihire, the Infrastructure Minister, the regulations will limit unplanned buildings in the country. “This will ensure well-planned, well-maintained, safe, cost effective and decent building developments and human settlements throughout the country,” Bihire said in an interview yesterday. The move comes at a time the housing sector in the country is described as unplanned, unregulated and unregistered. Some studies suggest that up to 80 percent of the buildings are unplanned. As a result of the illegal structures, some buildings have caved in collapsing on builders before they are completed. “The building that collapsed in Remera was unplanned,” Buhire cited a commercial storage building that caved in near Remera Police station last year. With the regulations, developers are now compelled to appoint architects to design a building or a part of it. The regulations also dictate that public buildings including hotels and dormitories should have facilities for disabled persons. “All public buildings will be compelled to have facilities for persons with disabilities; hotels, dormitories or any other building where a group of people are accommodated,” a statement issued by the ministry reads. The Ministry of Infrastructure has also come up with stern penalties for people who fail to comply with the regulations. Reads the statement: “Failure to comply with terms of a notice or conditions issued under these Regulations will be liable on conviction to serious penalties, either fine or imprisonment or both.” The regulation also requires that all buildings are designed, and constructed, so that an occupant is protected against fire. Ends

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Ministry sets strict building standards