GCC- GSO ASTM International Workshop on Sustainability in Construction Overview and Timeline for Gulf Building Code Project 24-25 April 2013
Introduction: GSO and GSO Technical Council realized the importance of having a GCC Building Code since 2006. Justifications: Large construction boom and large housing projects. Large projects for high ways, tunnel and flyovers. Susceptibility of the Gulf region to earthquakes from nearby countries. Providing technical infrastructure for the work of the GCC Ministers of Housing. availability of different valuable experience in building codes worldwide, notably the ICC Code. 2
GCC Building Code Forums: The first GCC Building Code: 11-13 October 2010: - Jointly organized by GSO and the Ministry of Environment (represented by Laboratory Affairs and Standardization- Qatar) on 11-13 October 2010. - Attended by large number of specialists from national, regional and international experts and interested parties (ICC, ASTM Int. and NFPA took part). Main topics discussed: - - successful international and regional experiences in issuing building codes. - Experience of GSO members in preparing national building codes. - Experiences about special requirements, conditions and applications of building codes. Panel discussion: put emphasis on the urgent need to have a GCC building codes for GSO members. 3
Recommendations: Formation of a Supreme Committee comprising the Heads of GSO national standards bodies or head of national code committees, and two members maximum from the private sector in each member state. Main objectives to be accomplished by the Committee: - Formation of technical committees/ working groups to study current experiences of member states. - Benefiting from the Saudi Building Code as the main reference because it is comprehensive and takes into account the various climatic conditions in the member states. - Evaluating of successful international experiences i.e. the American, European, Australian, experiences. Preparing GCC Building Code integrating these experiences. 4
Recommendations..2 Setting mechanisms for implementing the code, training requirements and awareness. Approving the draft code and raise it to GSO Technical Council for final endorsement by GSO Board of Directors. Creating the permanent headquarter for the GCC Building Code (Qatar offer to host the headquarter. Will be provided by new technologies, references, staff and hosting all events and meetings relating to the Gulf Building Code. Benefiting from the GCC documents relating to sustainability and green buildings to consider incorporating them in the code. GSO to adopt the standards referenced in the code as GSO Standards Specifications. 5
The Second Forum on the Building Code Kuwait, 27-29 May, 2013 To be jointly organized by GSO, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Public Authority of Industry, Kuwait. Proposed main topics: - The GCC Code: hopes and aspirations - Mechanisms, methodology and policies of technical committees and code development. - Sustainability, rational use of resources and conserving consumption in the codes. - GCC vs. National: harmonization and integration - GCC Building Code: envisaged impact on the construction industry in design, execution and maintenance. 6
GSO Board of Directors Resolutions in favor of the Code: Qatar to host the Technical Bureau of the Draft GCC Building Code, and to bear the financial costs of its operation. Approving the formation of a supreme committee for the Technical Bureau of the Draft GCC Building Code. The Committee members are national standards bodies and GSO. 7
The Technical Committees of the GCC Building Code - Technical Committee for Hygiene (Sanitation) issues (UAE). - TC for Building Maintenance ( UAE) - TC for Architectural issues(bahrain) - TC for Structural issues(saudi Arabia) - TC for Electrical issues(saudi Arbia) - TC for Mechanical issues (Qatar) - TC for Public and Occupational Health (Qatar) - TC for Fire Protection (Kuwait) - TC for Green Buildings and Sustainability (Kuwait) - TC for Energy Conservation (Kuwait) 8
Recommendations of the Supreme Committee Proposing a specialized training center in topics relating to the code (to be hosted by Kuwait). Establishing a center to manage and coordinate the research and development efforts for the GCC Code (to be hosted by Bahrain). Setting technical guidelines for accrediting test centers to conduct testing to verify the research results relating to the GCC Code. Launching of the electronic forums for the Supreme Committee, the Building Code Bureau, and the GCC technical committees. Adopting the Saudi Building Code as a guideline GCC Building Code. 9
Summary of Milestones: Forums: - First GCC Building Code (11-13 October 2010, Qatar) - Second GCC Building Code (27-29 May 2013, Kuwait) The Supreme Committee for the Technical Bureau of the GCC Building Code: - First Meeting: 21-22 November 2011, Qatar - Second Meeting: 2-6 June 2012, Saudi Arabia. - Third Meeting 25-26 December 2012, Kuwait. The Technical Bureau of the GCC Building Code: - First Meeting of the GCC Building Code Technical Committees, 27 February 2012, Qatar. - Second Meeting: 24 December 2012, Kuwait 10
Thank You GSO: Building for Integration www.gso.org.sa 11