Bahraini.TV

New norms for construction projects

by mahmood on 19/11/09 at 11:32 am · email  · print  

Every construction project in Bahrain will have to conform to a new set of guidelines from today. They were launched yesterday by the Works Ministry, which plans to supervise projects undertaken by ministry-assigned contractors to ensure that they abide by the new requirements.

A 21-chapter booklet stating the new technical requirements has been distributed to all contractors, including those the ministry does not directly deal with.

It took place during a ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, held under the patronage of Works Minister Fahmi Al Jowder.

The guidelines focus on foundation and building work, architectural designs and implementation and finishing touches as well as standards in road and sewage networks and organising central reservations and pavements.

“Unifying all construction requirements is a goal we have been trying to achieve for a very long time and despite difficulties we have finally managed to have it,” said Mr Al Jowder, who is also in charge of the Electricity and Water Authority.”We are a professional establishment that has to do work in high-quality standards that takes into consideration safety and beauty and this requires coming up with standards to ensure that.”The ministry is always looking for the best practises using the newest technologies, whether in the projects we do or that done by others and from here the idea for reference surfaced.

“We want work to be done in a harmonised manner and not in some cases where work is being done without basic criteria being respected.”We hope that contractors will follow guidelines in everything they do and we have selected the best of the best in the booklet we have compiled.” Ministry assistant under-secretary for technical services Efat Redha, who was in charge of compiling the booklet, said that the guidelines were comprehensive and would bring more organisation to construction projects.”The booklet will see changes every time there are advancements in the field, as we try to ensure that the best practices are always the standard for work in the country, whether in the work we do or that done by others,” she said. “It is true that the standards are not compulsory now, but our aim is to make that and we are co-ordinating with the Industry and Commerce Ministry and Bahrain Society of Engineers to reach an agreement that they are turned from just guidelines to regulations.”Those guidelines would certainly be beneficial in combating cheap construction materials in the future besides improper construction work done by a few.” The booklet has been compiled in co-operation with international consultants Halcrow Group Limited.Suggestions to improve the contents of the booklet can be directed through the ministry’s website www.works.gov.bh.