KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Mayor of Kingston has called for updates to the country’s building code in an effort to strengthen preparedness for disasters.
Mayor Andrew Swaby, speaking earlier this week at a meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), said a review of critical city facilities should also be undertaken.
He stressed the urgency, based on the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread damage across several parishes two weeks ago.
During the meeting, he noted that the current code allows structures to be designed to withstand sustained winds of at least 155 mph.
“This is a clear single that we must update and enforce the regulation under the Building Act without delay. We also need to take a hard look at where our critical facilities are located. Many of our municipal buildings, infirmaries, and fire stations sit in vulnerable areas and must be relocated to higher, more sustainable roads. Additionally, the time has come to establish structured evaluation drills to test how people and traffic move in a crisis, with the coordination of all key agencies,” he said.
Hurricane Melissa also drenched the island with up to 40 inches of rain, causing widespread devastation, particularly across the southwestern and northwestern parishes.
Swaby said planners and environmental experts must have a central voice in the rebuilding process, and local authorities must be adequately equipped and empowered to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
The Building Act of 2018 provides for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient construction, while the Jamaica Small Building Residential Code sets minimum standards for one- to two-family dwellings, townhouses, and small general-purpose buildings up to 300 sqm (3,232 sq ft).
It encourages reinforced concrete designs capable of withstanding hurricane-force winds and earthquakes up to 6.5 on the Richter scale.
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