BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, FEB 8
The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has announced the issuance of the Structural Guidelines and Regulations Manual of Buildings at Duqm, which consists of the minimum structural design requirements for projects within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) and its general provisions. The manual provides detailed technical guidance and guidelines for the structural design of buildings.
Eng Abdullah bin Salem al Hakmani (pictured), In Charge of Managing the Operations of the Building Permits Department of OPAZ, explained that the guidelines comprise several key items, which are the general guidelines for building designs, structural submission procedures, and the best internationally applicable and approved codes and standards in the Sultanate, to comply with SEZAD regulations, design programmes, data analysis, structural design criteria, durability and performance criteria, geotechnical examination requirements (soil tests) and building supervision requirements.
Al-Hakmani said that the guidelines aim to provide instructions, requirements, and the minimum requirements for building designs which will give the engineers a general idea and appropriate guidance on the basic requirements of structural designs. It is anticipated that the use of these guidelines will increase the quality of designs and construction, and provide information to architects, consultants, and engineering offices dealing with SEZAD.
Al-Hakmani added that the Structural Guidelines and Regulations of the Buildings at Duqm were prepared by a team of engineers from SEZAD and were reviewed by several expert houses, including a team from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). The Guidelines will be circulated to all investors, developers, engineering design companies, consultants, and contractors, for the Structural Guidelines to be applied in SEZAD.
He added that OPAZ is working on preparing an integrated Manual for the urban and architectural requirements at the special economic zones and free zones, which will serve as a reference for the urban and architectural requirements in the areas affiliated with the Authority.
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