Some say new building codes pointless

by Nick Delgado

Guam - While legislation is currently awaiting approval up at Adelup that would extend the deadline from July to October 1 for the implementation of the new international building and fire codes, more and more in the community are expressing opposition to the change. Rueben Olivas says that the Guam Fire Department played a big role in developing the new codes; however, he says they are unnecessary.

Olivas said, "We didn't have to go this route, we had something that's in place with the 1994 Uniform Building Code, which is antiquated and something that could take the place of the 1997 Uniform Fire Code."

Olivas says the new codes are misleading and believes that the community can operate with the 2009 inspection version from the National Fire Protection Association.