LDA, PEC team up to raise construction standards

LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has joined hands with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) to adopt the best practices and ensure international standard building codes during construction.

The authority inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the council on Wednesday. LDA Director General Amna Imran Khan and PEC Chairman Engineer Salim Javed signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Under this agreement, the council would extend its cooperation to the LDA to adopt the best practices and implement international standard building codes. The PEC would also lay out the criteria to monitor the construction process at various stages.
Speaking on the occasion, LDA Vice Chairman SM Imran underscored that the construction of quality high-rise buildings in the provincial capital was the need of the hour. He added the horizontal spread of the city was destroying the eco-friendly environment, besides eating away precious agricultural land.

“Seeking the cooperation of the PEC is one of the most brilliant initiatives of the authority and one that should have been taken long ago,” he observed. SM Imran hoped the agreement would allow the authority to take advantage of the universally-acknowledged research of PEC.

He thanked senior PEC officials for their voluntary cooperation with the LDA and ensured the complete support of the authority for this venture. He also appreciated the vision of LDA DG Amna Imran Khan to being change and development to Lahore.

LDA authority members, including MPAs Sadia Sohail Rana from Lahore, Malik Mukhtar Ahmad from Kasur, Umer Aftab from Sheikhupura and Muhammad Atif from Nankan Sahib, chairman of union councils Haji Muhammad Faiz from Lahore, Engineer Amir Riaz Qureshi and LDA’s additional director generals Abdul Shakoor Rana, Zareef Iqbal Satti and other officers attended the MOU signing ceremony.

As per the signed MOU, both parties reached an understanding, in principle, on certain matters. The LDA had requested the council to develop criteria for consultants in certain areas, including environment, soil testing, structure engineers/vetting engineers, mechanical, electrical and fire safety.

It was decided in the meeting that a committee would be formed with key stakeholders from both the LDA and the PEC. The key role of committee shall be to devise plans and proceduresm as required. The committee would develop fire-fighting standards which comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes. These would be incorporated into buildings to be constructed in the public sector.

The MoU would also help develop heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) standard specifications which are compliant to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). In addition, plumbing standards would comply with the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE).

Another committee would establish standards for electrical works and material testing standards in compliance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Both parties will appoint focal person(s) for further cooperation under this MoU. These officials shall communicate frequently, electronically or otherwise.

This MoU shall remain in force for a period of two years from the date mentioned herein, unless otherwise rescinded by either party at 30 days’ notice to the other party to this affect. Any modification must be in writing and signed by both parties. Each party may attend meetings and other activities at its own cost and expense unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Source: The Express Tribune