Department of Municipal Affairs and International Code Council launch the Building Code Training Series

The Department of Municipal Affairs and International Code Council (ICC), commenced the 'International Building Code Training Series' to municipal employees at The construction permits department, relevant government agencies, engineering consultants and construction industry professionals. The training for municipality employees will be followed by similar programs for all other entities throughout the coming six months.

This step comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with International Code Council (ICC), the world's leading building code authority and developers of the International Codes.

H.E. Rashed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Chairman, Department of Municipal Affairs stated:

"The DMA stands committed to its mandates and views this partnership with ICC and in executing such training series as important step in the growth and prosperity of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. There is a need to provide clear and effective regulatory codes and guidelines that address the specific requirements of all sectors, the construction sector is one of the major industries due to the growth that the Emirate is witnessing and therefore requires proper governing laws that is to protect and guarantees the safety of the community."

H.E. Eng Ahmed Al Shareef, Undersecretary, Department of Municipal Affairs "The main purpose of the training series is to introduce and increase the awareness and knowledge for all sectors that have direct relations with the construction industry on international building codes that are developed by ICC, and to prepare these sectors to implemnent these international codes, which we expect to start being implemented before the end of 2009."

The International Building Code Training Series will be ongoing through the adoption and code development stages. It will also be offered on continuous bases in the future to provide professional development opportunities for all concerned in the construction industry.

The training series kicked off with a 4 days session on international building codes 'Fundamentals structural and non structural provisions' and was conducted by Jay Woodward, senior staff architect with ICC´s Regional Office in Kansas City.

The Code Council's curriculum is designed to provide a fluid progression through all stages of career development, beginning with entrance into the profession and on through the various stages of achieving proficiency and excellence. The curriculum is divided into seven components (Fundamentals series, Performing series, Special Topic series, Update significant change series, Administrative series, Architect/Engineers series, Certification series) , each with specific goals and objectives.