Mur Lura
POINTS FROM SPEECH BY DR FRANCIS ZAMMIT DIMECH, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE THE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO PARTICIPANTS AT COURSE IN "THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FIRE SAFETY DESIGN"
pr1866
07/12/2001
07/12/2001
| The Minister for the Environment, Dr Francis Zammit Dimech said that at | a time when the building industry is again gathering momentum, with production, employment income and the profit component rising and with an increase of 911 jobs in this sector in the past three years, it is important that more attention is given to safety at the place of work. |
| The Minister for the Environment said that that his | presence at this presentation underlines the importance the present administration gives to issues of safety on the place of work, in this particular case with regard to the issue of fire safety. |
| Dr Francis Zammit Dimech said that work on the review | of our Building Regulations started in 1994 when the Works Division took the initiative through the setting up of a number of technical committees in partnership with professionals from the private sector and representatives of the Chamber of Architects and Engineers, the FOI and GRTU. The setting up of the BICC and the BCID should be regarded an impetus to this initiative. Through close co-operation between the BICC and the BDID, the Minister said that the stage has been reached where in the coming months the new regulations will be introduced. This course is also the result of initiatives taken by the BCID to establish contacts with foreign counterparts in Building Control and to explore possibilities of co-operation, experience sharing and financial bilateral aid. |
| Francis Zammit Dimech said that thanks to the | financial backing of the Commonwealth Secretariat for technical assistance the Ministry for the Environment was able to engage the services of Tenos Fire Safety Engineering Consultants who through the sterling work of Dr Adrian Hay drafted the relevant Technical Guidance Document. He added that this co-operation also resulted in an opportunity to organize this course and he was sure that, with the professional background and expert delivery made by Mr. Steve Buckley, the participants were gaining a better understanding of the fundamental principles of the subject. This has also helped the participants to perform their professional duties better. |
| The Minister for the Environment said that fires do | occur in our buildings. Fortunately we rarely witnessed serious injuries, or worst still, fatalities. This may be explained by the traditional use of masonary and concrete construction. He said that however things are changing and being a small densely populated island, space restrictions in built-up areas are creating pressures for higher and more compact complex buildings with the consequence of higher fire risks. Changes taking place in the way buildings are being fitted have also come into play. All this, coupled with pressures from foreign investors and tour operators to upgrade our buildings in accordance with international standards and the coming into force of legislation such as the "Minimum Health and safety Requirements" Regulations 2000 have increased awareness of the need for better local controls connected with fire safety. |
| The Minister for the Environment said that the | introduction of fire safety regulations alone will not solve all our problems. He said that everyone has to work hard to change the mentality and cultural background related to fire safety. Educational upgrading and training to workers and professionals must be provided. He said that the Ministry for the Environment is sure that the Building Control Office within the BCID will adapt itself to act as an advisor and not just a policing agency. For this reason the Ministry will continue to invest in professional development of the present and future staff in this section. He said that the Ministry also intends to provide this section with experts in the various fields of the new Building Regulations, where contacts were already established locally and broad. |
| The Minister for the Environment said that he was | informed that as a first step towards bridging the significant gap between existing and required fire safety design knowledge and practices, the Guidance Document has been structured in a way as to provide easy to follow guidance to common building types rather than seeking to accommodate unusual designs. He said that by presenting straightforward guidance it is hoped that this document will assist an ever increasing number of architects, design engineers and contractors to endorse these fundamental principles and thus pave the way for a smooth transition from present practices to the new requirements of the regulations. |
| Francis Zammit Dimech said that from the outset the | Ministry wanted that the requirements coming out of the proposed Registration of Contractors and Building Control Act indicate universally accepted basic principles for a good and safe building environment. He said that these basic principles will then be adapted according to local constraints which may be updated through the development of innovative designs and evolving construction techniques. |
| The Minister for the Environment reiterated that | these guidance documents do not serve as an end within themselves but should be seen as a tool by which architects and engineers explore more innovative solutions through which they will help in keeping these regulations updated to meet the ever changing demands of our society. |
| Francis Zammit Dimech said that it was a pleasure | noting that the Government’s commitments for new updated regulations for a better and safer environment in the building sector will soon be realized. He said that the participation in this course encourages all to look forward to look in partnership for the advancement and further development of these regulations which in turn will help in keeping the process for change and renovation under constant review. |
| The Minister for the Environment augured that the | fundamentals of fire safety design will be the beginning of a process towards better knowledge of fire safety. He expressed his appreciation to Tenos for their sterling work in drafting these Guidance Documents and for helping the Ministry for the Environment to give the participants of this course the opportunity for continued professional development. |
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