Abu Dhabi to Have Unified Building Codes in Early 2010

ABU DHABI , UAE, Nov. 12 /CNW/ - Outside banking and economics, regulators rarely hit the headlines but the rapid expansion of the built environment in burgeoning Abu Dhabi has put the men and women who ensure the safety of those who live and work in the emirate under unusually intense scrutiny.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091112/366651 )

The Abu Dhabi Government has recently signed up to new and rigorous codes in urban and industrial building, enforced by tough and inquisitive regulators, with hundreds of delegates from both private and public sector being despatched to training courses on every aspect of construction from seismic protection to fire control.

The new rules, the Abu Dhabi Building Codes, conform to the most demanding global standards and have been developed in tandem with the International Code Council (ICC), responsible for advising US regulators on their exacting regime.

The challenge is significant not least because of the extraordinary speed of construction growth across Abu Dhabi (construction industry contributed 4.7 per cent to 2008 GDP*) but because of its demanding climate, seismological features and the wide range of industrial activity powering the Emirate's economic expansion.

The regulatory environment needs to be all encompassing but sufficiently clear and practical that developers can act rigorously without slowing Abu Dhabi's infrastructure drive.

" Abu Dhabi has stated clear ambitions not only in providing the best environment in which to live and work but to delivering the services which support that ambition. Top five governments supply this kind of legislative and regulatory framework and that is where we want to be," says His Excellency Rashid Mubarak Al Hajeri, Chairman of DMA and Chairman of the Building Codes Higher Council.

"However, more important than this is the safety and welfare of people in our emirate. On that there is no room to compromise and government and private sector have come together to enhance confidence in our built environment." added His Excellency Al Hajeri.

The International Building Code also takes in energy efficiency and property maintenance in a region where climate soon takes its toll on building fabric. Training and legislation to support the code continues in Abu Dhabi in consultation with the ICC.

Notes to the editor:

* according to the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry as mentioned in Oxford Business Group's THE REPORT Abu Dhabi 2009

Earlier this year, DMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and service agreement with the International Code Council (ICC), the world's leading building code authority and developers of the International Codes to establish the framework for adoption of the International Building Code (IBC), which will take effect by 2010 and the development of the Abu Dhabi International Building Code, the new localised set of standards which will guide the development of Building construction projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi .

About Department of Municipal Affairs:

The Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) commenced operations in May 2007 , following the Abu Dhabi Executive Council's decision to integrate the Emirate's municipal system. As a new government entity, the Department of Municipal Affairs was created to lead, coordinate and oversee three municipalities in Abu Dhabi , Al Ain and the Western Region. The DMA has a regulatory role while the service delivery and operations are at the municipality level.

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For further information: Department of Municipal Affairs, Mrs. Amal Al Jarwan, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]