ABU DHABI, 30th September, 2013 (WAM)--The Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA), has announced the start of the voluntary implementation phase of the Abu Dhabi International Building Codes on the governmental projects for a period of one year.
It will enter into compulsory implementation stage on all government projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on the first of October 2014. This comes after the Executive Committee of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council formally adopted the codes to be applied voluntarily on the government projects in the Emirate for one year before it is applied compulsory in the public sector. At the same time, the Department of Municipal Affairs will provide in the coming period in cooperation with the private sector and related strategic partners all the support required to enhance the implementation of these codes in all projects implemented in both the public and private sectors, given the positive impact of these building codes on the quality of the projects and the construction industry in the emirate. Majed Ali Al Mansouri, the Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs, said, "These codes come within the framework of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and the pursuit of the municipal system to achieve this vision requirements with respect to municipal work by improving construction standards in the emirate and to achieve sustainable development in this sector."He added that these codes guarantee best practices and standards of construction in the building sector and they will enhance the construction process in the emirate and reflect positively on the economy, environment and society where the codes supports the government's efforts towards the preservation of the environment and sustainable development. Al Mansouri noted that code will help attract investments to the construction sector and strengthen the competitiveness of the local economy, as well as they enhance the quality of life for residents of the emirate and support the establishment of sustainable residential communities with the highest safety and environmental standards, and this is a top priority of the government 's development agenda. On his part, Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al Shareef, the Undersecretary of the Department of Municipal Affairs, said, "These Codes unify construction practices across the Emirate to create better, safer, greener buildings that are more cost-effective and durable, and that are built to even higher health and safety standards, and the formal adoption comes from the keenness of our government on enhancing the standard and best practice in the construction sector and to promote the principles of governance and transparency in this sector."He added the move comes in recognition of the strategic importance of the code and its positive impact on the local economy and community members and the levels of health and safety at the buildings of the emirate. Al Shareef pointed out the effective partnership and constructive cooperation between the municipal system and real estate development companies in implementing these codes even though the implementation process is still voluntary. The six new Abu Dhabi Building Codes consist of the Abu Dhabi International Building Code, the Abu Dhabi International Energy Conservation Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Private Sewage Disposal Code, and International Property Maintenance Code. They are based on the International Codes published by the International Code Council, and have been specifically adapted to provide clear and effective guidelines that address the unique requirements of Abu Dhabi's construction industry.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.