Civic officials for new building codes for Abu Dhabi

Officials of the International Code Council and the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) held a meeting yesterday for setting up revised guidelines for the construction sector of emirates of Abu Dhabi. DMA said in a statement that the new rules discussed in the meeting are aimed to encourage professionalism throughout the sector.

Ahmad Shareef, undersecretary at the DMA said, "The ICC and DMA have been working together to formulate the new Abu Dhabi building codes and to develop the best practice standards in the building and construction industry in the emirate.”

Drew Azara Vice, vice- president of the International Code Council said standardized codes are used in North America, Asia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar as they make buildings safer and sustainable.

The Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) also organized a workshop as a part of a series of sessions and workshops offered during the Arabian Construction Week 2011. Matters related to the environment, health, and safety management system (EHSMS) were discussed at the meeting.