Senate Bill 8-69 will establish rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings.
The main purpose of the building codes is to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures. A safety code will be established under the measure and will apply to the location, design, material, construction, enlargement, maintenance, use, occupancy, and moving of any building or structure within the country except as exempted in this section or by regulation.The proposed measure however exempts structures traditional to Palauan culture such as Bai.The measure requires the establishment of the Building Safety Division which will be under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industry and Commerce. The Division shall be headed by a building safety official. The building safety official shall be a registered architect or engineer or a building official certified by the International Code Council and shall have at least five years of relevant, appropriate experience.The bill stated that the building safety official shall promulgate building safety code regulations specifying codes and standards for all construction including but not limited to, standards in general, and for specific mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations, air conditioning systems, water treatment plants, electrical generators, boiler installations, fire protection and energy and water conservation equipment, procedures and design criteria, as well as procedures for the application and issuance of building and occupancy permits, and inspections.
