Saudi: New Buildings Must Follow Seismic Design

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing in Saudi will inform affiliated agencies and engineering offices to apply new directives related to earthquake resistance design while giving approval for new residential buildings in the kingdom according to Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

The new terms align the Saudi Building Code and its amendment through two royal decrees and a ministerial decision issued earlier stated Saudi Gazette.

The amendment in Saudi Building Code Application Law is in regards to fulfilling the requirements for aseismic design of buildings and the procedures to be followed when designing or reviewing and auditing construction plans for buildings in earthquake-prone areas.

The Ministry’s directive is significant in view of the earthquake and tremors felt in the region recently to ensure the construction of quake-resistant, sustainable and safer buildings.