OECS Building Codes

The chain of islands which comprise the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States is historically
subject to the frequent invasions of destructive hurricanes, and in some islands the additional hazard
of earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions are also hazards in at least two of the islands of the group.
Unfortunately also many houses, generally owned or occupied by the poor, are sited in gullies or in
flood plains and are especially vulnerable to floods caused by high rainfall resulting from the frequent
tropical depressions and hurricanes.

The Governments of the OECS have recognised that the damage caused by these extreme natural
events affect the poor to a significant extent, and have placed emphasis on the development of building
standards which would prevent or mitigate the damage so caused. The Governments are also revising
existing planning and building regulations so as to more responsive to the current needs, and to ensure
as far as it possible to do so that all buildings are constructed in a "safe" manner and resistant to the
natural hazards.

The OECS Secretariat has therefore, with the assistance of the United Nations Development
Programme and through the UNCHS/UNDP Project for Programme Support to the Human Settlements
Sector in the OECS (CAR/89/006), developed standard building codes and guidelines which speak
directly to the specific requirement of each OECS country. The codes and guidelines are based on the
Caribbean Uniform Building Code (CUBiC) and other regional codes such as the Bahamas Building
Code, the draft Jamaica National Building Code and the Turks and Caicos Islands Building Code. A
list of codes and standards quoted is appended. The codes and guidelines so developed should become
part of each country's regulatory mechanisms for ensuring adequate building standards.

It is recognised that the large amount of informal housing present in most countries will be outside
of the regulatory stream, and that other mechanisms must be devised to improve such housing. It is
recognised also that the imposition of building code and guidelines may appear to lead to higher costs
of buildings especially for those persons who cannot afford the costs required to construct or upgrade
a house to the minimum acceptable standard. It is recommended that each country encourage house
owners and occupiers to improve their housing to the minimum standards of safety and structural
integrity and that technical advice be offered to such persons who may be applying for permission to
construct a new home or to renovate an existing one. The cost of upgrading a house to the minimum
acceptable standard will in most cases be very small when compared to the costs of complete
rebuilding which may be necessary in the event of damage by a hurricane, flood or earthquake.
The development of an adequately staffed building inspectorate is necessary to ensure that the
minimum standards stated in the code and guidelines are maintained. The inspectorate will be
expected to ensure compliance with the minimum standards set out in the code and also to assist home
owners where possible in understanding the requirements of the code and guidelines.

No code can be expected to provide answers to all of the problems faced by builders. It is considered
however that the code and guidelines produced for the OECS countries are responsive to the
environmental concerns of the countries and in keeping with the accepted building practices in the
Region. The code provides administrative and enforcement requirements relating to the building
practices and use of acceptable materials and building systems. The code also provides for approval
of any system or material which can be demonstratively proven to be resistant to the natural hazards.
In this way new building systems which may be more efficient than the ones in current use can be
accepted without endangering the integrity of the buildings or the lives of the occupants.

The OECS Secretariat is grateful to the UNDP for its assistance in this vital area of the principles of
design and construction of the housing sector.