The participants in the workshop on 'BNBC Administration and Enforcement' discussed the background, necessity, applicability, administrative mechanism and related matters of the BNBC.

The experts laid emphasis on modernisation of some features in the BNBC as the code was originally prepared before 1993. It was made effective through a gazette notification in November 2006.

"In the meantime technology has advanced at a tremendous pace and the construction industry has changed with new knowledge, data and experiences. More particularly provisions for occupancy type, Floor area Ratio (FAR) and parking standards need to be updated in the BNBC," Chief Engineer of Rajuk M Emdadul Islam suggested.

The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), Institute of Architects, Bangladesh (IAB), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) and Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (Rehab) jointly organised the workshop at the Institution of Engineers.

Presenting the keynote paper at the workshop, the Rajuk chief engineer recommended that an effective and attainable administrative mechanism should be devised for enforcement of the BNBC.

The experts suggested that Public Works Department (PWD), Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), Khulna Development Authority (KDA), Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA), Department of Archaeology (DoA), Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI), Urban Development Directorate (UDD), Local Government Division, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), and respective municipalities should be assigned as the administrative authorities for implementing the BNBC.

They also suggested that the administrative authority should exist at district, upazila and municipality levels.

The workshop participants suggested that the authorised officers/executive engineers of implementing organisations of the city authority should be declared as 'Building Official' and they should be trained properly.

The experts also discussed some flaws in the BNBC.

"The penalty for a flaw in a single rod (used for construction of a building) is seven years in prison while the same penalty is suggested in case of collapse of a building. I fear this might lead to harassment of the persons involved in construction industry," said Syed Azizul Haque, executive engineer, PWD and an expert in structural design.

Dr Ghulam Murtaza, a professor at Khulna University, said in his presentation that there is no need for any building code in the first world countries as the professionals in those countries maintain standards out of their professional obligation.

"We are unfortunate that we need it and that is why it is very important to implement the code properly," said Murtaza.

The experts suggested forming a national committee to formulate the administrative mechanism of Building Official and Code Enforcing Agency. A Panel of Experts shall be formed immediately for continuous updating of the BNBC, they suggested.

The workshop participants laid stress on vigorous campaign for public awareness and professional obligations in BNBC.

They hoped that the Ministry of Housing and Public Works will take necessary measures in the related matters.

Public Works and Housing Adviser Dhiraj Kumar Nath inaugurated the workshop. Dr Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, vice chancellor of BRAC University, and Dr AMM Safiullah, vice chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, moderated the programme.