News
Cascade of failures brought Buwelikada house crashing down
An overwhelming failure in integrity, official due diligence and building standards led to the collapse of a five-storey building last week in Buwelikada, Kandy that killed a family of three, the Construction Development Authority (CIDA) has found.
A crumpled heap: The five-storey building
Alarmingly, CIDA notes that one in two builders flout the rule to obtain certification that building has been carried out according to approved plans.
CIDA’s report said the foundation of the building, which had been designed for two storeys including a basement, had given way under the weight of three more levels added without legitimate approval from the Kandy Municipal Council (KMC).
The house was built on sand, which was riven with waterways under the building, and these factors contributed to the collapse. The Sunday Times learned last week that Buwelikada means “boowella” or loose soil.
There was insufficient attention paid to the multi-level loading of the structure in such weak soil conditions. Reinforcement of the superstructure was inadequate, an onsite inspection by CIDA’s District Inspector found.
Unqualified technical staff and unregulated contractors were engaged on the project.
CIDA’s report, compiled from informal information obtained from KMC approvals and information on contractors, states although the first and second stages of the building had been designed and constructed by qualified professionals the construction company was not registered with CIDA’s National Registration Authority.
The report says official monitoring of construction, including site inspections, was lacking, allowing a loophole for errant builders to ignore official standards.
CIDA said only 50 per cent of builders adhere to the regulation to obtain a Certificate of Conformity (COC) on completion of cnstruction.
CIDA emphasised all clients, builders, consultants and contractors adopt ethical practices to avoid calamities of this nature.
The agency reminds prospective builders that they can avail themselves of CIDA’s online Construction Contractor Monitoring System, which rates registered contractors employed on projects costing more than Rs. 50 million.
A Code of Conduct developed in consultation with the National Construction Associations and Chambers is currently being finalised by CIDA. It is expected that adherence to the code, in addition to voluntary ethical practice, would insulate the system from failure.
CIDA is also contemplating bringing an amendment to section 30 of CID Act No 33 of 2014 to bind this practice by a regulation.
The construction of state buildings and public infrastructure costing Rs.10 million or more must, under the CID Act 33 of 2014, be carried out by qualified personnel who must use standard documents in the process. All such registered contractors must be monitored by the local authorities and CIDA.
| Enforced checks of building work planned | |
| It will soon be mandatory for local authorities to continuously monitor building projects, the Construction Development Authority (CIDA) said. Qualified structural engineers with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and relevant municipal council will under law have to approve building design and structure and engage in continuous monitoring of projects until completion, CIDA Director of Development, Savindra Amarasekera said. CIDA is also working towards bringing all building construction standards and specifications under one umbrella code, the National Building Code. CIA will work with the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) to set up the code with the input of disaster management officials, building administrators and fire officers. Specific training will be made available for industry stakeholders to measure performance and other aspects of construction. |