The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Monday launched the new National Building Codes.
There will be a testing stage for a period of six months to allow contractors and other stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the new codes, which set out the minimum standards for health and safety practices when constructing edifices.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the codes were drafted based on a six-month consultation, surveys and recommendations made by engineers and representatives from the construction industry. They were also done in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Irfaan Ali said at the launch, at the Guyana Conference Centre, at Liliendaal, that the six-month testing period will allow contractors to conduct consultations and training sessions at the community and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDCs) levels, in order to get the input from all stakeholders. He noted that while global warming and an expanding economy puts pressure on the construction industry, the building codes’ specify rules for the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructing edifices.
“This consultation today, is the commencement of the process whereby stakeholders will be educated, trained and familiarised, which will be then, followed by the formation of the codes and then the legislative agenda,” Ali said. He added that the codes were not developed in a vacuum, since the base material used in their development comes from the Caribbean Unified Building Codes (CUBIC), and the Council of Caribbean Engineering Organisations (CCEO).
The GNBS is tasked with ensuring that all rules in the code are met in order to ensure public safety as well as the safety of property. To date, the completed sections of the codes are: enforcement; fire, safety, use and occupancy; electrical; plumbing; use of Guyanese hardwood in construction; concrete and block masonry; structural steel; high rise buildings; foundations and excavations and the design and construction of septic tanks and associated secondary treatment and disposal systems.
The codes were drafted to meet international standards and they are being put into effect immediately, GINA said. “The institutional mechanism is currently being established through which the codes will be enforced,” Ali explained, adding that local bodies such as the NDCs and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development have key roles to play.
“When someone has to go to a number of agencies just to get the approval of a plan, it sometimes take time… when this is done the investor is the one who suffers and so we want to ensure that the institutional mechanism that will be used to enforce these codes will also help to advance and improve efficiencies,” he said.
GNBS Executive Director Evadnie Enniss said that the implementation of the building codes are timely as urbanization has increased, and the building and construction sector has grown into one of the largest global industries.
She noted that currently three and four storey buildings are being constructed and the building codes must be adhered to. “So when we are established building, the factors of climate change should be taken into account. The GNBS has recognised the importance of having codes established, as they will govern safety practices when constructing structures,” she said.
