He praised the approval of the Council of Ministers on the application system
Dr. Al Kasabi: Saudi Building Code ( SBC)promotes the sustainable development and cultural advancement of the Kingdom
His Excellency the Chairman of the Saudi Building Code National Committee (SBCNC), Governor of SASO, Dr. Sa'ad bin Othman Al Kasabi said that the approval of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz - may God protect him- on the application system of the Saudi Building Code (SBC), is a very important step in the Kingdom's path into an effective application of the technical system, promoting the construction and building sector to encourage sustainable development.
Dr. Al Kasabi emphasized that such approval comes as a continual support by the wise leadership for the building and construction sector in general, and the Kingdom's new breakthrough towards the future, expressing his confidence that the code will contribute to the promotion of the cultural advancement in the Kingdom to achieve leadership and excellence in service and development fields.
Chairman of (SBCNC), has pointed out that developing the first version of the code is a result of the great efforts completed by relevant authorities. In addition, the application of the technical requirements set by the code, will have a significant impact on promoting the construction and building sector which is one of the engines of growth for our national economy, and achieving sustainable development. He stated that the kingdom's system of the Building Code has identified a wide range of technical requirements, and set all engineering rules of construction and building to achieve public health, safety, and sustainability of buildings, in line with modern technologies in the construction and building field.
Dr. Al Kasabi revealed that (SBCNC) started a project of updating (SBC), and will be launching it for specialists' consultations by the end of the fiscal year 2017. This version includes the following requirements: (architectural, loads and forces, inspection and testing, soil and foundations, concrete structures, masonry structures, steel structures, electrical, mechanical, energy conservation, sanitary, fire protection and setting new codes not available previously, and most notably the building code (green, existing, residential) to cover other professional aspects of construction and building.
Furthermore, he has clarified that (SBC) consists of conditions and requirements describing the controlling frameworks of executive rules and regulations, and supplements related to building and construction to ensure public safety and health, in order to facilitate the selection of proper studies and appropriate methods to the Kingdom's environmental conditions, to make it easier for engineers, technicians and citizens to do their jobs in scientific, clear and safe ways, and to put an end to the different and multiple views and conflicts. The (SBC) serves as a legal and technical reference at the national level. Dr. Alkasabi continued by saying: "we always strive to make the Saudi building code (SBC) in line with the consistent and continuing development of experiences of materials and their uses according to local and international standards, and make repairs and protection, and increase the life expectancy of existing buildings, as well as applying the system of green buildings, improving energy efficiency and consumption conservation of water and environmental resources."
Dr. Al Kasabi assured that (SBCNC) is keen that the new codes will be appropriate, God willing, and will be a permanent scientific and geometric reference for construction and building sector and reach ranks of international codes.
It is noteworthy that there are many government bodies involved in (SBCNC), namely (Ministry of Interior, ¬¬¬Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Housing, Transport Ministry, Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministry of commerce and Investment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology(KACST), Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality org.(SASO), Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Council of Engineers, Saudi Geological Survey, Saudi Aramco, along with four specialists from Saudi universities and a member from the private sector).