Buildings must be declared ‘safe’

From next year, building owners will have to be more accountable for properties over five storeys high. — filepic

FROM Jan 1 next year, buildings in Kuala Lumpur which are over five storeys high must undergo periodic inspection every 10 years.

This is one of three additional guidelines drawn up by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to ensure building owners are accountable for their properties.

Periodic inspection of buildings more than five storeys high is now mandatory after the 10th year of commencement of the certificate of fitness (CF) and certificate of completion and compliance (CCC).

“Every 10 years after the CF and CCC have been issued, the building owner must submit a report attesting that the buildings are safe,” said DBKL Building Control Department director Alias Marjoh.

Alias said prior to this, there was no such guideline; but stressed that periodic inspections of buildings were necessary to determine their structural safety, soundness and integrity.

“Building owners shall be fully responsible for their premises and the safety and well-being of the inhabitants,” he said after the launch of the new guidelines for the periodic inspection of buildings in Kuala Lumpur.

The guidelines were launched by Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz at DBKL Menara 1 yesterday.

Alias added that owners must appoint a professional engineer to conduct the inspection and provide visual inspection and structural investigation report.

When asked about the number of buildings in the city that are more than five storeys, Alias said that it was difficult to give an exact figure but estimated there were about 10,000.

On another matter, City Hall is also simplifying the process for commercial property owners applying for business licences.

“Previously, the building owner must also submit the floor plan of the premises but this is no longer necessary,” he said.

“Now we will give them the licence but the owners must submit the plans when required,” he added.

City Hall will also now issue a special permit to developers who are unable to start their projects due to unresolved land matters.

“If developers can show us that they have already submitted the relevant paperwork to the land office more than three months ago, we will allow them to start work,” Alias said.