Include Seismic-Grade Steel

Earthquake-compliant reinforcement steel bars must now be included in building material after a Government directive was issued on regulated construction items.

Deformed and plain steel bars, and welded mesh, must be of seismic standard, Trade minister Manoa Kamikamica said. His call comes months after the construction industry pushed for the use the 2019 version of the Fiji Australia New Zealand 4671 code for steel reinforcement material.

In discussions with senior executives of Government, SunBiz learnt that the general approach towards the need for seismic standardisation was zilch. Considering Fiji’s position in the Ring of Fire, the nonchalance was disconcerting.

To build the 40 bridges that Fiji needs, seismic-proof reinforcement steel bars is bare minimum essentials. When Fiji played host to the country’s first international Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar last 2024, the undertone leaned heavily on impacts through integrating environmental, social, climate resilience, economic considerations.

“It is common knowledge that contractors have transported rejected reinforcement bars to their other sites where enginers are not strict,” an industry insider said. “It is the homeowners that will suffer.”

Last month’s earthquakes in Vanuatu wreaked enough havoc to alert regional authorities of the importance of seismic-grade building material. Closer to home, the collapse of a retaining wall at a commercial residential construction site, compelled the complancent to sit up.

Regulated Building Material In a public notice this month, Mr Kamikamica outlined applicable standards that “must be followed” under a list of regulated building materials. “These standards are compulsory standards under the Trade Standards and Quality Control Act 1992,” he said.

“The department as the regulator, issued import licenses to control control the entry of these building materials into Fiji.

“Importers must apply for permit prior to shipment of the mentioned building materials. “The department can collect samples of regulated building material from manufacturers, for testing of compliance.

“It also monitors local manufacturers of steel reinforcement material. “One of the means of achievingthis is the submission of the quarterly reports by manufacturers onthe quantity and quality of steelreinforcement materials that arein stock.”

Building items regulated by thedepartment include: n cyclonic screws, n sheet roof and wall cladding raw material, and n reinforcement steel including deformed and plain bars of 300E and 500E grades.

A fine not exceeding $5000 is meted out for first offenders, while subsequent offences can be fined as much as $10,000, or a prison term not exceeding three years.

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