Osiris de León urges mandatory structural inspections to ensure building safety

[Dolores]

Geologist and member of the Dominican Academy of Sciences, geological engineer Osiris de León, is calling for urgent legal reforms to mandate periodic inspections of building structures across the Dominican Republic. While current laws ensure sound construction practices at the outset, he warned that ongoing environmental stressors—such as seismic vibrations, acid rain, and coastal salt—gradually compromise structural integrity, as reported in Diario Libre.

Furthermore, he acknowledged that while the Dominican Republic has sound laws and regulations governing construction, a critical legal and procedural gap exists: the lack of required follow-up assessments of aging structures.

De León emphasized that public buildings should be regularly assessed to prevent future risks.

He particularly highlighted the risk to hospitals, schools, stadiums, churches, and theaters. “These structures...

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[Jan]

I remember years ago the Bomberos inspected businesses. When I helped out at a gift show in the Colonial Zone the Firemen came in, looked around, checked and put out new fire extinguishers. The same when I worked in Frida's Restaurant (behind the Jaragua). The Bomberos were very thorough. They even gave a document to be displayed that the place was inspected. I even asked if I could have an extinguisher (they were going to bring me one but I quit the next day). This was in mid 2000's so not sure if they still do it. But a building inspection would be a very smart thing to do.

 

[CristoRey]

They been talking about this for years but unfortunately the DR is a reactive society not proactive. Here's an article from 2019.

Earthquakes: Dominican Republic takes actions to reinforce buildings

<p>SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic.- The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) and the Association of Portland Cement Producers (ADOCEM) held a symposium highlighting the importance and need to provide greater capacity to respond to buildings. earthquakes and decrease all...

dominicantoday.com