Quakeproofing Buildings Will Only Add 5% to Construction Costs

Maku told the Mehr News Agency that metal or concrete quake-resistant systems, more solid building materials, and thicker iron beams must be used to make buildings earthquake-resistant.

According to a study by the Tehran Municipality, around seven hundred buildings in the city are below the standards for earthquake-resistance, and renovation of them is so problematic that it is probably impossible, he added.

He went on to say that some of Tehran’s buildings can be made quake-resistant through minor repairs such as installing quake-resistant systems in their walls but others are beyond repair and should be demolished.

He said that reconstruction of dilapidated buildings usually requires temporary relocation of the residents, which is one of the most important problems in this regard.

He also noted that, fortunately, buildings constructed after 1996 are more quake-resistant because By-Law 2800 has been enforced since then.

Because of the shortage of standard building materials, especially concrete and thick iron beams, and the lack of an operational control and supervisory system, many of the newly constructed buildings are not safe or earthquake-resistant, he said.

He added that the EA is currently not authorized to supervise construction projects in Tehran, although it has the necessary expertise and is prepared to accept responsibility for this task if called upon to do so.

Maku said that all institutions, including the Municipality, the EA, the Supreme Council of Housing and Architecture, and even the people involved in construction projects, are responsible for the substandard buildings.

Maku also criticized builders for endangering people’s lives by ignoring building codes and construction regulations and said that the Municipality will not be able to renovate all the dilapidated buildings in Tehran by itself.

JH/HG

End

MNA