MCAST is one of the organisations that will collaborate with the Building and Construction Authority on the implementation of the National Building and Construction Codes. The College was represented by the Director for the Institute of Engineering and Transport Dr Inġ. Stephen Sammut at a recent press conference organised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Addressing the press conference Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction sector, Jonathan Attard, announced an agreement that will bring together the main partners in the construction sector to work with commitment on the implementation of the National Building and Construction Codes.

“This newly signed agreement highlights a collective commitment to develop and implement these codes in clear terms, where the immediate priority will be regulations concerning structures, security, and fire prevention’”, said Minister Attard while praising the strong dialogue between the Government, authorities and stakeholders in the sector.

Referring to the fact that this sector has been left vulnerable for a long time to many challenges, he mentioned that unfortunately there were accidents which had a big impact on our society and the way we look at the construction sector. Minister Attard mentioned, among others, the tragic death of Miriam Pace, which occurred 5 years ago, as well as the inquiry linked to the death of Jean Paul Sofia, which recommended this step towards the codes.

In agreement with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the Chamber of Architects (KTP) will be the main partners drafting the Building and Construction Codes. In an intervention by the President of the Chamber of Architects, Architect Andrè Pizzuto, said he is satisfied that the KTP will be an integral part of this process, which will give another perspective to the construction industry in our country.

Architect Pizzuto also thanked the Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction sector for their constructive and positive relationship with the Chamber of Architects, which, through continuous meetings and discussions not only made a difference for the recommendations of the Public Inquiry to be implemented in the shortest possible time, but also ensured it is executed without blind haste which could lead to mistakes.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has also signed agreements with the Association of Builders and Contractors (ABK), the Malta Excavation, Demolition and Recycling Association (MEDRA), the Malta Developers’ Association (MDA), the Chamber of Engineers (COE), the Planning Authority (PA), the Malta College of Arts, Sciences and Technology (MCAST), University of Malta (UOM), Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), and the Department of Civil Protection (CPD).

These agreements aim at enabling both the BCA and KTP to consult directly with all entities, so that they too participate in discussions to draft the National Building and Construction Codes.

The CEO of the Building and Construction Authority, Architect Roderick Bonnici, said that according to the BCA’s founding act, the Authority has the obligation to establish these codes. He explained that the Building Code will reflect the final product, that is, the building once the construction has been completed. He went on to explain that on the other hand the Construction Code will be reflecting the process to arrive at the final product, namely the finished building.

“The National Building and Construction Codes will be complementing the many works carried out by the BCA in recent years, in particular the licensing of builders and contractors. The first licences are now expected to proceed according to these codes, so that the construction sector in our country will truly move forward and become more professional, in-line with the European one,” concluded Architect Roderick Bonnici.

The agreements binding the parties for 3 years will see the gradual entry into force of 17 building codes and 6 construction codes.