Minister

MoWHS/9/269, 22nd December 2004

NOTIFICATION

Since the northeastern parts of India contiguous to Bhutan are in Seismic zone V (Seismically most active), it can be reasonably assumed that Bhutan is either in Seismic Zone IV or V.Hence, the possibility of a major earthquake is always there.The following table presents a list of historical earthquake events:

Table 1:History of Earthquake in Bhutan

Therefore, the entire country faces a high level of seismic hazard, particularly urban centers with a higher concentration of people, high rise buildings,buildings constructed on the slops, buildings constructed without seismic designs and buildings on which addational floors have been added without regard for structural soundness. While the ministry of Works and Human Settlement is in the process of developing an action plan for earthquake risk management in the capital city of Thimphu, which will involve structural vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of critical buildings, it is extremely important that every land and building owners should understand the serious risk to life anf property from earthquake if buildings are not designed for seismic requirement. Quite often the ministry, city corporations and the Dzongkhag municipal authorities are put under pressure to allow construction of buildings beyond the premissible number of storeys or to allow addational floors on buildings without any regard for structural design.

Through this notification, the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement would like to once again remind every Bhutanese that Bhutan is seismically in a high hazard zone because of which construction of infrastructure facelities particularly buildings should be designed for earthquake resistance. The building code for seismic requirement will be inforced very strictly for which the following measures will be taken:

1. The application (Design and drawings) for Building Permit will be accepted only as per Clause 4.2.2 of the Bhutan Building Rules 2002. Howover till such time that a system of registration of architects, designers and engineers is introduced, the applicant will be required to attached copies of proof of Qualification of their consultant architects/engineers.

2. The construction should be supervised in accordance with Clause 14.3 of the Bhutan Building Rules 2002.

3. The requirement of structural drawings for building approval was made mandatory in 1993 and seismic load as a factor of design was introduced in 19197.Therefore, applications for addational floors (Vertical extension) on the existing buildings approved and/or built prior to 1997 will not be entertained under any circumstances.

4. However, if the owner of such buildings can produce adequate and sufficent proof of the structural strength of the existing building by way of retrofitting or other accepatable methods, the proposal may be considered for review and scrutiny for building permit.

5. Those buildings found not meeting the seismicrequirement during the structural vulnerability assessment will have to be retrofitted ofr if necessary even dismantled at the owner's cost.

6. Occupancy Certificates for buildings will be granted strictly in accordance with clause 4.8 of the Bhutan Building Rules 2002 and only if all the safety requirements are fulfilled.

7. Those quthorities who compromise on the requirenments will be held directly accountable for any consequences resulting out of the decision.

We seek your kind cooperation and support so that we can avoid loss of valuable lives and properties should there be a severe earthquake.

Cc:

1.All Ministers
2.All Secretaries
3.All Dasho Dzongdags
4.Thrompons,Thimphu /Phuntsholing
5.The Editor Kuensel, Thimphu with a request to print this circular in the forthcoming issue and send the bill to the Director,DUDES for Payment.

Copy not in original:
1.Secretary, MoWHS
2.Director,DUDES/SQCA,MoWHS