The International Code Council (ICC) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) have begun a workshop series in Muscat to reshape Oman’s building codes, focused on safety standards, sustainability, and technology integration. This follows an agreement signed in February 2024 to enhance building safety and construction standards in Oman.
This three-day workshop aims to develop six comprehensive building codes tailored specifically to address the unique needs of Oman.
The first series of workshops brought together key stakeholders, including designated government officials, design professionals, and industry experts.
Over three days, the ICC and MoHUP focused on topics such as the project’s scope, findings from the ICC’s exploratory trip, research, local construction practices, and regulatory systems.
These sessions reportedly identified key gaps and concluded with strategic recommendations for Oman building code enhancements.
It was shared that the process built on the ICC’s 2021 International Codes (I-Codes) as a foundation.
However, active involvement from local stakeholders was underlined as key to the success of their adaptation in Oman.
It was noted that through this series of comprehensive workshops, Oman is customising the I-Codes to suit its unique needs.
Dr. Hanan Al Jabri, H.E Advisor for Urban Planning at MoHUP, commented: “This workshop is a crucial step towards achieving the goals of the development of the Oman building codes. The insights and expertise provided by ICC are invaluable as we strive to elevate the standards of safety, sustainability, and innovation in our construction industry.”
Hamid Naderi, Senior Vice President of Product Development at ICC, added: “Our objective is to develop building codes that address the unique needs of Oman while setting new standards for safety and resilience in the region. The active engagement and feedback from Omani stakeholders during this workshop are vital to our success.”