Stakeholders discuss national building codes

AMMAN — Building codes, ways to renew them and ensure they are adhered to were the highlight of a meeting held on Tuesday.

Although barriers to implement sustainable, environment and disability-friendly building codes still in place, whether in terms of resources or legislation, stakeholders said they are committed to ensuring optimal compliance with national building codes.

The meeting, attended by Royal Scientific Society (RSS) President HRH Princess Sumaya, was held to point out shortcomings related to building codes and ways to address them.

Representatives from the Jordan National Building Council, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the RSS, the Greater Amman Municipality, and associations of engineers and contractors took part in the gathering.

The codes for using cranes, fire prevention and thermal insulation were discussed along with ways to take stiffer penalties against violators.

Public Works Minister Sami Halaseh noted that the Jordanian National Building Law stipulates that all construction and renovation works in the Kingdom should be implemented according to studies conducted by engineering firms and accredited by the Jordan Engineers Association.

They should also be executed by a Jordanian contractor, added the minister.

“The Jordan National Building Council checks mega-projects in terms of the safety of the buildings,” Halaseh highlighted.