A CONSTRUCTION QUALITY ASSURANCE MECHANISM FOR GRENADA By Consulting Engineers Partnership Ltd

The Issue Grenada appears to have had one of the most demanding physical development planning approval procedures in the world. Why then were over 85% of houses in Grenada were damaged or completely destroyed during Hurricane Ivan in 2004?

Grenada’s Planning Process 1 Applicants must submit structural engineering drawings that describe the structural arrangement, materials, and connections. The checking of the structural drawings is outsourced to a civil engineer, and no application is approved unless the civil engineer approves the structural drawings.

Grenada’s Planning Process 2 After the planning application is approved, construction of the building can commence. Building inspectors carry out inspections to check that the construction work is in accordance with the approved application. If it is, then a Certificate of Occupancy is issued and the building can be occupied.

The Audit Most of the approved planning applications should not have been approved. Blatant substandard construction was not being identified. Certificates of Occupancy were not being issued.

The Problem The absence of an effective quality assurance system for the design and construction of residential buildings in Grenada, appeared to be the weakest link in the construction process.

The Solution The most effective way of reducing the vulnerability of houses to natural hazards, is the effective enforcement of adequate building standards.

Implementation 1 Workshops were held for the Planning Unit’s planners and inspectors to train them in reviewing structural drawings and carrying out building inspections. Workshops were held for persons submitting application to train them in the new requirements.

Implementation 2 Subsequent audits identified areas of further training, which were carried out. The Physical Planning Unit hired an Engineering graduate. The mortgage and insurance companies demanded Certificates of Occupancy.

Implementation Challenges The critical component of the Construction Quality Assurance Mechanism was the hiring of, or retaining a chartered structural engineer or equivalent. The Physical Planning Unit hired an engineering graduate with limited experience.

Addressing the Challenges Supplementary audits and training was conducted. The option of allowing an experienced structural engineer to work only day each week was suggested.

Conclusion The audits revealed that there is improvement in the structural engineering drawings and building inspections. An experienced structural engineer in the Physical Development Unit remains critical to the success and sustainability of the quality assurance mechanism.

Thank You Consulting Engineers Partnership Ltd Concept, Dayrells Road Christ Church, Barbados Tel: (246) , Fax: (246) Web: