Abu Dhabi buildings are 'earthquake resistant'

Abu Dhabi is not vulnerable to earthquakes as it is situated outside the seismic belt while its buildings can resist tremors of up to 6 degrees on the Richter scale, according to the emirate’s municipality.

A municipality official made the remarks at a seminar held in the capital under the title “earthquakes and how to deal with them” and they followed light tremors that shook buildings through the UAE caused by earthquakes in neighbouring Iran.

“All buildings and construction projections in Abu Dhabi are subject to the global seismic building code, which provides a high degree of security and safety…hence, buildings in Abu Dhabi are not affected by tremors below six degrees on Richter,” said Awad Al Sarraj, acting director of town planning at the Municipality.

“Abu Dhabi emirate is also located in a safe area outside the seismic belt…but all buildings take into consideration the possibility of any quakes that could cause repercussions here if they take place in nearby countries.”

He said Abu Dhabi Municipality is pushing ahead with a project to set up a seismic monitoring and management centre with the aim of creating what he described as a more effective and accurate seismic data analysis base.

Quoted by the semi official daily Alittihad, Sarraj said all construction projects in Abu Dhabi are subject to strict building codes taking into account all factors, including repercussions of tremors inside seismic belts in other countries.

“We also ensure that building materials of high technical specifications are used in construction while we monitor every stage in such projects and strictly enforce regulations for regular maintenance of all buildings in the emirate.”

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