Oman Building Code to be ready by year end
Published: 05:06 PM,Jun 24,2024 | EDITED : 09:06 PM,Jun 24,2024
The codes will be issued in Arabic and English and aim to regulate the buildings sector in Oman.
To enhance building safety standards, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) entered into an agreement with the International Code Council to design Oman Building Code before the end of this year, with five codes being completed in 2025.
ICC is a non-profit standards organisation that creates the International Building Code (IBC) as well as the International Residential Code (IRC) for countries across the world The agreement was based on the extensive experience possessed by the ICC in formulating building codes in various parts of the world. This agreement aims to customise the building code compatible with the environment, topography, geological diversity and terrain of Oman. It is also consistent with the Oman Vision 2040, as the project is among the recommendations of the National Urban Development Strategy.
Dr Hanan bint Amer al Jabriyah, MoHUP advisor, said: “The Omani Building Code is defined as a set of technical, scientific and administrative systems specialised in buildings, based on practical foundations, natural conditions and engineering rules to achieve sustainability, safety and public health.” The building code is based on six sections: the general code, the energy conservation and sustainability code, the code for existing and heritage buildings, the plumbing code, the mechanical code, and the sanitation code.
These codes will be issued in Arabic and English and aim to regulate the buildings sector in Oman. After their approval, they will represent the basic reference for any buildings that will be constructed or renovated in the country.
It will also contribute to the exchange of experiences between the Sultanate of Oman and other countries and provide job opportunities.
ICC is a non-profit standards organisation that creates the International Building Code (IBC) as well as the International Residential Code (IRC) for countries across the world The agreement was based on the extensive experience possessed by the ICC in formulating building codes in various parts of the world. This agreement aims to customise the building code compatible with the environment, topography, geological diversity and terrain of Oman. It is also consistent with the Oman Vision 2040, as the project is among the recommendations of the National Urban Development Strategy.
Dr Hanan bint Amer al Jabriyah, MoHUP advisor, said: “The Omani Building Code is defined as a set of technical, scientific and administrative systems specialised in buildings, based on practical foundations, natural conditions and engineering rules to achieve sustainability, safety and public health.” The building code is based on six sections: the general code, the energy conservation and sustainability code, the code for existing and heritage buildings, the plumbing code, the mechanical code, and the sanitation code.
These codes will be issued in Arabic and English and aim to regulate the buildings sector in Oman. After their approval, they will represent the basic reference for any buildings that will be constructed or renovated in the country.
It will also contribute to the exchange of experiences between the Sultanate of Oman and other countries and provide job opportunities.