High-rises here not likely to crumble from light tremors, says expert

FOLLOWING public concerns on building safety due to past tremors caused by earthquakes in neighbouring countries, an expert has come forward to assure that buildings constructed according to the requirements of the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) are able to take a low level of ground shake.

“This is because gravity and lateral wind loads are factored into design consideration. This means existing buildings, especially high-rise buildings would have the inherent strength against low seismic activity and ground tremors,” said Chin Lee Leng, a representative of the Association of Consulting Engineers (ACEM).

The painful lessons learnt from the Highland Tower collapse at Hulu Kelang, Selangor in 1993 have also spurred the authorities to be more stringent with hillslope development, she added.

“There are now guidelines on development planning for hills and highlands in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and other states.

“A task force compromising several agencies sit on the Technical Committee for Environmentally Sensitive Areas to scrutinise all planning approvals of development in these areas,” said Chin.

No official circular or directive was issued for inspections to be carried out on buildings after the incidences of tremors because buildings are subjected to periodic inspection to ensure they are fit for occupancy under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), said Chin.

Buildings exceeding five- storeys in the area of Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s purview, for example, are required to carry out inspections 10 years after the issuance of their certificate of completion and compliance.

Additionally, under normal standard operating procedures for building management and maintenance requirement of high occupancy buildings, there is routine inspection and examination of the building by maintenance crew.

When necessary, qualified third party personnel such as building inspectors or professional engineers will be called in to carry out assessment or maintenance and repair solutions, if any, added Chin.