The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, represented by the Board of Directors of Saudi Building Code Center, adopted amendments to the executive regulations of the Saudi Building Code, within the framework of developing the regulatory system for the construction sector, raising safety and public health levels, and enhancing the stability and stability of buildings and structures.The amendments aim to define the minimum technical requirements and requirements that ensure the safety and quality of construction, to be applied to all construction works in the public and private sectors without exception, according to the classification of buildings and the nature of their use.
The amendments are intended to be applied to all construction works in the public and private sectors without exception, according to the classification of buildings and the nature of their use.
Ten-year solidarity liability
The regulation stipulates that the designer, execution supervisor and executor are fully solidarity liable to the owner for any damages that may occur within ten years from the date of delivery of the building, whether these damages are total or partial demolition, or the appearance of hidden defects that threaten the durability and safety of the building.<The amendments emphasized that this responsibility does not fall even if the cause of the defect is due to the nature of the land or soil, or even if the employer agrees to carry out buildings or facilities with defects. The amendments also emphasize that this liability is not extinguished even if the cause of the defect is due to the nature of the land or soil, or even if the employer agrees to implement buildings or structures with defects. The regulation emphasizes the invalidity of any condition or agreement aimed at exempting the contractor or the supervising designer from the guarantee or limiting his legal responsibility.
Stages of code implementation over time
The application of Saudi Building Code came gradually through five organizational stages, starting with the first stage that included high government buildings such as hospitals and hotels, and continued until the end of 1440 AH.Then came the second phase until the end of 1441 AH to include community buildings, educational, commercial and industrial facilities, and high-risk buildings.
The third phase extended until the end of 1442 AH, and included wedding halls, cinemas, theaters, health care centers, residential and hotel buildings, and recreational buildings.In the fourth phase until the end of 1443 AH, the application expanded to include business buildings such as airports, banks, television stations, and post offices.
The fifth phase came from the end of the fourth phase until the end of 1444 AH, during which the application of the code was generalized to all types of buildings classified within it without exception.
Roles of the competent authorities and implementation mechanisms
The competent authorities within the ministry are responsible for setting the mechanisms for implementing the code and following up its implementation through the secretariats and municipalities, in addition to supervising the organizational procedures for its implementation.The tasks include following up on the work of the committees for reviewing violations in coordination with the secretariats, setting the rules and procedures of these committees, determining the remuneration of their members, and submitting them for approval by a decision of the minister.
The powers also include receiving observations and proposals related to the implementation of the code, referring them to the center for study and analysis, and proposing what is necessary regarding them.
Scope of application to all building works Requirements of the Saudi Building Code are applied to all building and construction works in the public and private sectors, according to the classification of buildings, and include the phases of design, implementation, operation, maintenance and modification.
After the completion of all application stages, the code becomes mandatory for all types of classified buildings. After the system comes into effect, the code becomes mandatory for all types of classified buildings.
Licensing Controls and Responsibilities
The license applicant is obliged to assign the design, supervision and implementation work to specialists who have professional practice licenses from the concerned authorities, and to submit contracts with them, which clarify their data and means of communication, provided that the contracts include an explicit provision proving their commitment to applying the code. The licensee is obliged to update his contact information, and any notification made through this data is considered valid from the legal point of view.
Occupancy Regulation and Certificate of Occupancy The occupancy certificate includes detailed data including the number and date of the building license, the owner's data, the location of the building and its coordinates, its classification, type of use, the name of the municipal authority
Temporary Occupancy and Supervisory Inspection Temporary Occupancy and Supervisory Inspection Temporary Occupancy and Supervisory Inspection.
Inspections are carried out sequentially during the construction stages, and it is not allowed to move from one stage to another without obtaining the necessary approvals. If violations are found by the accredited inspection bodies through the electronic platform, the competent authorities have the right to request the suspension of the building license at any stage.
Implementation and reporting obligations
Continuous development and updating of the code The role also includes preparing training and qualification curricula, and organizing workshops, seminars and conferences related to the code.
The requirements of the Saudi Building Code apply to all building and construction works in the public and private sectors, according to the classification of buildings, and include the stages of design, implementation, operation, maintenance and modification.
It also applies to existing buildings if they are renovated, changed use, expanded, modified or demolished, as of the effective date of the system, according to the time progression shown in the appendix of application stages.
The thermal insulation and fire prevention and protection requirements are applied to all construction works once the system comes into effect, through technical reports issued by accredited engineering offices that include possible engineering solutions.
No building, renovation, alteration, demolition, change of use, expansion or similar license may be issued unless the plans and documents conform to the building code and are approved by the competent authorities.
The license holder is also obliged to update his contact information, and any notification made through this data is considered legally valid.
Buildings may only be occupied after obtaining a certificate of occupancy from the municipal authority according to the occupancy classification in the Saudi Building Code.
The license holder shall submit an application for issuing the certificate of occupancy after the completion of construction, along with the required licenses, documents, final inspection approvals and executive plans.The application will be decided within a period not exceeding 3 working days from the date of its submission, after verifying that all code requirements are met, and in case of rejection, the applicant will be notified of the reasons.
The occupancy certificate includes detailed data including the number and date of the building license, the owner's data, the location and coordinates of the building, its classification, type of use, the name of the municipal authority, the status of fire protection and protection systems, and the signature of the authority holder.
The Municipal Authority may issue a temporary occupancy certificate not exceeding 180 days, renewable, for temporary and seasonal buildings, events and workers' accommodation in major projects, provided that safety requirements are met.
The disconnection of public services can also be requested in case of direct danger to life or property, with notification to the owner or occupant of the building, and the service is not restored until the cause of the danger is removed.
The license holder or his representative is obliged to notify the inspector when the site is ready for inspection according to the stages of construction, providing all necessary documents and plans. Violations will be seized and penalties will be imposed in accordance with the approved code violations classification list.
It also prepares a mechanism to receive and study comments, and submit recommendations to the Minister of Municipalities and Housing to take the necessary decisions regarding the amendment or update.
Its role also includes preparing training and qualification curricula, organizing workshops, seminars and conferences related to the code, with the aim of raising the efficiency of workers in the building and construction sector.
