set of rules to build by.

The Planning Department has prepared a new draft residential building code.

The Ministry of the Environment said it will be good news for those in the construction trades who feel the BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators) Code is too complex for traditional construction methods.

Planning will circulate a first draft for comments.

It is anticipated every sector of the industry will respond.

"It is difficult to predict how long it will take to get this document agreed,'' Environment Minister Irving Pearman said. "But I can assure the public that this project is being afforded a high priority and we hope to publish the code during the summer months.

"We will be holding a series of meetings with members of the building industry in late May and early June to resolve any issues that arise from the draft.'' The BOCA code, based on US building standards, was introduced in Bermuda in 1991.

It was accompanied by a supplement which amended or deleted certain regulations to fit Bermuda but many in the trade felt that despite the amendments, the code was still unnecessarily complex for traditional construction, the Ministry said.

"We believe the new code will be much easier to use,'' Mr. Pearman said.

The Bermuda residential building code will consolidate into one concise document all the relevant regulations which apply to building, plumbing, drainage, water storage, sewage disposal, electrical and mechanical work and fire protection, the Ministry said.

The Ministry also said the BOCA code will continue to apply to all commercial and public buildings, such as shops, offices, churches, theatres, hotels and warehouses.

OBM Architecture & Interior Design principal partner B.W. (Jordy) Walker said the new residential building code will be especially useful for those individuals who do their own work.

"They will have a document they can refer to and it will be in manageable form,'' he said. "It's wonderful news. It's been a long time coming.'' ENVIRONMENT ENV