Dedicated workshops prepare construction industry for new regulations

Abu Dhabi, 17 August, 2010: The Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) has embarked on its second phase of its largest ever training programme to prepare the construction industry for new building code regulations to be launched at the beginning of the year 2011.  The workshops started this month and will run until mid-November in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. 

More than 8 experts from the International Code Council (ICC) will lead these sessions that are designed to ensure trade professionals are ready to apply and comply the new regulations.

"The new building codes warrant the largest training of its kind to take place in the UAE," says His Excellency Ahmed Shareef, Undersecretary of the DMA, and member of the Abu Dhabi Building Codes Higher Council.  "Our message to the construction industry is clear: take advantage of this opportunity to get ready for the new codes.  Right now, we are in a process of consultation and training with our industry partners.   By taking the journey towards better buildings together, we can ensure that the transition to the new codes will be a smooth one."

These series of workshops started with the building codes fundamentals workshop as it will help the engineers, consultants and technical staff to understand the interrelatedness of the code requirements and help them to develop a procedure for applying them.

Delegates from the municipal system, relevant government entities, and the construction industry attended the first series of workshops to help prepare them to migrate to the new Codes once they become law.

Eng. Ghaleb Al Rawi, who participated in one of the workshops and is an Architectural Master's degree holder and a specialist at ATKINS engineering consultancy, noted that his company is working hard to become ready and prepared for the building codes compliance phase.  He also lauded the efforts of DMA to prepare the construction industry for this new regulatory system that will become the basis of any construction in the Emirate.

Following on from these first workshops will be a suite of further training courses such as the International Fire Code - covering hazardous materials, International Energy Conservation Code fundamentals, International Building Codes workshops covering  accessibility, means of egress, mixed occupancy and performing non-structural plan reviews.  All these training workshops are currently being offered by the DMA at significantly subsidised rates.

HE Shareef concluded: "We are working hard with all stakeholders to identify their roles and responsibilities in adopting and implementing the new codes.  The training workshops will bring world-class standards and practices to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which will help us achieve a sustainable environment and the Emirate's 2030 vision at large."

- Ends -

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.

On the 5th of May 2008, the Department of Municipal Affairs along with the Abu Dhabi Municipality, Al Ain Municipality and Western Region Municipality embarked upon a new municipal services journey, with the signing of the historic Municipal Charter which aligns the DMA and three municipalities towards greater collaboration and cooperation.

For further information, please contact:                           
Department of Municipal Affairs
Mrs. Amal Al Jarwan
Tel: 971-2-4030311
Email: media@dma.abudhabi.ae 

Impact Porter Novelli
Arwa Alkhatib
Mobile:  971-50-6613082
Email: a.khatib@ipn.ae  

© Press Release 2010