Guidelines to be drawn up for highrise structures

The Sun 18/4/2006

PENANG: More than a year after the tsunami on Dec 26, 2004, the state has initiated an effort to draw up guidelines for high-risk structures against earthquakes.

"The tsunami, which claimed nearly 50 lives on our shores, was the wake-up call," state public works, utilities and transportation committe chairman Datuk Koay Kar Huah said yesterday.

"We have formed a special committee to gather information on such guidelines from other earthquake-prone countries like Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia."

The committee comprises experts from the Public Works Department (PWD), Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP), Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP), the Department of Environment, the Mineral and Geo-Science Department, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the Institute of Engineers Malaysia.

"Before the tsunami, we used to think there was no need for such guidelines as our country is far from the active seismic region but obviously now, we know that we are not that far and are vulnerable to such threats," he said.

"We do not want to be caught off-guard if such disasters were to happen again.

"It has become a priority for us to ensure all highrise buildings, hillslope developments and high-risk structures like the Penang Bridge are earthquake-proof.

Koay said Penang has more than 1,000 highrise buildings, made up of residential office blocks and hotels.

He was speaking to newsmen after officiating the Institution of Engineers's (IEM) Public Colloquium on Earthquake, entitled "Steady, Your Ground is Moving".

Koay said the guidelines will take some time to be completed as it involved extensive work and research to ensure all information gathered is adaptable and suitable for use.

"The committee will be focussing on creating better building guidelines relating to the foundation and structure of a building to ensure they can withstand up to some level of earthquake tremors," he said.