Housing and You…Guyana does have its own building codes!

Feb 09, 2014 News

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By Leonard Gildarie
Over the past months, we have been discussing almost everything under the sun as it relates to building a home. Of course, some of the topics were overlapping. We spoke of possible best practices in building, applying for a mortgage, electrical works and of course, the need to have a clear understanding with the contractor.
In recent weeks, as the examinations focused on some of the things we may be doing wrong, I have been receiving an increasing number of comments and calls. I guess the issues have worried many.

One was significant and it will have to be subject of a number of future articles. A regular reader from New York sent a link to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards website (http://www.gnbsgy.org/index.php/nationalbuildingcodes).
I must admit I am a little ashamed. I should have picked up on it earlier. They are very good guides that could take the construction industry to another level – if they are followed. The National Building Codes’ enforcement “measures” were adapted by a special committee of experts only nine years ago. The codes are very detailed and cover areas including enforcement, fire safety, plumbing, hardwood, block masonry, structural steel, high rise buildings, foundation, septic tank and latrine standards.
Before we delve a little in the enforcement section, it would be wise for me to point out again that the codes are too extensive for justice to be done in these weekly columns. Because many new house lot owners would be as ignorant as me, I would suggest that time be found to peruse them – in depth.
Although one can rightfully argue that the lack of enforcement and monitoring by the NDCs, banks, insurance companies and other authorities, leave a lot to be desired as far as the insistence on quality is concerned, not knowing the regulations is worse yet.
We just can’t leave it to the Ministry of Housing or Cental Housing & Planning Authority anymore to handle the housing sector. As stakeholders, because it is our hard-earned monies being spent and borrowed, education and lots of research is the only way to go for us to have a clear understanding of the intricacies.
As we look at the Enforcement section this week, GNBS is saying that the standards were approved by the National Building Code Committee and the National Standards Council in 2005.
In the formulation of this standard, Guyana would have looked at what prevails in the Caribbean, adapting information from the Barbados Building Act.
According to GNBS, this standard was developed for the establishing and enforcement of technical standards for buildings to ensure that they are safe and have means of escape from a possible fire. This particular code also calls for the registration of building practitioners and building review consultants, the regulation of building matters, the granting of building and occupancy permits and the establishing of a building appeal process.
The idea of the enforcement code was to establish, maintain and improve building standards, and facilitate the adoption and efficient application of uniform building standards, GNBS says.
One part that I liked is the encouragement to adopt uniform acceptance of building products, construction methods, building designs, building components and building systems.
The codes were geared to maintain, enhance and improve the safety, health and amenity of persons using buildings, including adequate provisions for persons with disabilities.
Buildings will also have to be constructed in a manner to ensure that they are environmentally efficient.
Another critical part of the enforcement standards pertains to permits. The codes were supposed to ensure measures are in place to provide an efficient and effective system for granting building permits, administering building matters and resolving building disputes and reform aspects of the law relating to legal liability of regulatory agencies.
The codes also looked at education for practitioners, and I suppose this includes contractors, to facilitate uniformity in the education. This means training and qualifications of building practitioners and the recognition of qualifications.
The code was also expected to facilitate the introduction of cost-effective methods for constructing buildings, all leading to a more efficient and competitive building industry.
Now, I have written of a mouthful. I want to stop here and reiterate that this particular enforcement code has been in place since 2005. We may now have to push for authorities to implement them. No need for us to have laws and they can’t be enforced. We would be wasting time as a country.
Enjoy the weekend and continue sending those comments and tips to [email protected] or call weekdays on 225-8491.

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