KOROR (Palau Horizon) — Del. Noah Secharraimul has introduced a bill that would implement a building code for Palau.
House Bill 6-168 also proposes the appointment of an inspector who would check the structural safety of the establishments.
“It would be in the best interest of the citizens of Palau to enact a building code to standardize the construction, alteration and repair of structures,” Secharraimul said.
The proposed building code will ensure and improve the structural safety of the buildings in Palau, he added.
The bill states that “the Olbiil Era Kelulau believes that the periodic inspection of each building will prevent the collapse of unsound buildings, and insure that the buildings are not healthy for the people working in them.”
Under the bill, the minister of resources and development will devise regulations to implement the building code.
The code is based on the Uniform Building Code published by the International Conference of Building Officials.
It would regulate the construction, expansion, repair and other structural work. It would also provide for the issuance of permits and collection of fees as well as penalties for violations.
The code will require minimum standards of structural soundness for building foundations.
The inspector, for his part, will be tasked to check commercial structures at least once every five years. All building owners will pay a fee, the amount of which will be determined by the Ministry of Resources and Development.
