Builders of new developments in the UAE will soon be required to make sure their constructions are earthquake resistant. The recommendations come after tremors were experienced in parts of the UAE and neighbouring countries last year.
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing is setting up a technical committee of specialists to create a blueprint for developers to work by, and bring together other experts so the country can be better prepared to act if an earthquake strikes.
Ali bin Hamad Al Shamsi, undersecretary at the Ministry of public works and Housing, said the code would include every minute detail of how a building should be constructed so it might withstand the might of an earthquake.
He said: "We all remember the mild quakes which occurred in the eastern coast of the country. Similarly, what happened recently in Iran might also occur anywhere in the UAE."
Al Shamsi was addressing the inaugural session of an international forum on 'Seismology and Earthquakes in the Arabian Region'.
Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, yesterday opened the forum organised by the University of Sharjah along with the Directorate of Civil Defence, Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Unesco.
Several scientists, researchers and government officials gathered at the forum to brainstorm ideas and discuss how they could all pull their ideas together.
Al Shamsi said the code would be passed to the Council of Arab Ministers of Construction for endorsement and the group was planning to set up "The Arabian Centre for Prevention of the Seismic Dangers and other Natural Disasters" in Algeria.
Major General Mohammed Salim Kardous Al Amri, director general of the Directorate of Civil Defence at the Ministry of Interior, said at the forum that a federal scheme to deal with disasters is on the anvil. "There is also urgent need for setting up a national centre for seismic surveillance," he said.
"We hope the authorities will enforce new rules to regulate building operations, ensuring that they are designed to withstand an earthquake."
Dr Ismail Al Bishri, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, added that the creation of the forum came at an opportune time, when seismic activity had increased in the region and around the world.
He said: "It's essential to establish a communication network in the region to share experiences and swap information so we can be better prepared for an earthquake."
Steps to tackle increasing seismic activity
* The Ministry of Public Works and Housing is setting up a committee to create a blueprint for building developers so that the country is better prepared to act if an earthquake strikes.
* The detailed blueprint would be subsequently passed on to the Council of Arab Ministers of Construction for endorsement. There are also plans to set up an Arabian Centre for Prevention of the Seismic Dangers and other Natural Disasters.
* The Ministry of Interior is expected to draft a federal scheme dealing with disasters and set up a national centre for seismic surveillance.
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