Islambad Property News :Building standards to be enforced: CDA

ISLAMABAD, Jan 1: Capital Development Authority (CDA) is striving to implement ‘Building Standards for Fire Prevention and Life Safety 2010’ so that safety of lives of the people and infrastructure may be ensured.

Directorate of Building Control Service, CDA notified the standards making it mandatory for owners of buildings under category II, III and IV to implement in letter and spirit.

Category II is based on two-storey buildings, industries and all other non-residential buildings except farmhouses whereas non-residential buildings up to five stories (including ground floor) comes under category III and category IV includes all high-rise buildings with six-stories and above including ground floor.

In case of non-compliance, the authority, in exercise of its powers, can get the building vacated or seal it or impose fine on violators up to Rs500,000, Additional Director, Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management, CDA, Ammaduddin said on Sunday.

He said the directorate was conducting surveys both in public and private buildings to check fire safety arrangements and so far, more than 20 buildings in Blue Area had been visited. The authority officials directed the building owners to install necessary equipment.

Initially, the regulations had been conveyed to the owners of commercial buildings and if they did not follow the instructions, notices would be issued while in case of non-compliance, fine of Rs500,000 would be imposed, Ammad added.

CDA building standards have been divided into three clauses; fire prevention, life safety and fire protection.

Islamabad has faced a number of major fire incidents in the past in which many people lost their lives and properties worth millions of rupees were damaged, he said. — APP