MENA, American, and European Building Codes

 

1. MENA Building Codes (Middle East & North Africa)

MENA countries adopt a mix of international codes (IBC, BS, Eurocodes) with modifications for local conditions.

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Building Code (SBC) – Based on IBC, NFPA, and ACI
  • SBC 101 – General Building Requirements
  • SBC 201 – Structural Requirements
  • SBC 301 – Loads & Forces
  • SBC 401 – Excavation & Foundations
  • SBC 501 – Concrete Structures (based on ACI 318)
  • SBC 601 – Masonry Structures
  • SBC 701 – Steel Structures (based on AISC)
  • SBC 801 – Timber Structures
  • SBC 1001 – Fire Protection (based on NFPA)
  • SBC 1101 – Energy Conservation

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice
• Abu Dhabi International Building Code (ADIBC) – Based on IBC
• Dubai Building Code (DBC) – Aligned with IBC & British Standards

Egypt

• Egyptian Building Code
  • ECP 203 – Concrete Structures (based on ACI 318)
  • ECP 205 – Soil Mechanics & Foundations
  • ECP 207 – Masonry Structures
  • ECP 208 – Seismic Design
  • ECP 209 – Steel Structures

Other MENA Countries

• Qatar Construction Standards (QCS 2014)
• Kuwait Building Code (KBC)
• Oman Building Regulations

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2. American Building Codes (USA)

The United States uses both national and state-specific codes. The most widely adopted are:

General Building & Structural Codes

• International Building Code (IBC) – Published by ICC
• International Residential Code (IRC) – ICC
• ASCE 7 – Minimum Design Loads & Associated Criteria
• ACI 318 – Building Code for Structural Concrete
• AISC 360 – Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
• ANSI A117.1 – Accessibility Standards

Fire Protection & Safety Codes

• NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code
• NFPA 5000 – Building Construction & Safety Code
• NFPA 70 (NEC) – National Electrical Code

Energy & Sustainability Codes

• IECC (International Energy Conservation Code)
• ASHRAE 90.1 – Energy Standard for Buildings
• LEED Certification (Voluntary)

Specialized Codes

• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) – Accessibility Requirements
• AISC 341 – Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel
• ACI 350 – Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures

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3. European Building Codes

Europe follows the Eurocodes (EN 1990 – EN 1999) for structural design and various EU directives for sustainability.

Eurocodes (Structural Design Standards)

• EN 1990 – Basis of Structural Design
• EN 1991 – Actions on Structures (Wind, Snow, Seismic, Fire)
• EN 1992 – Design of Concrete Structures
• EN 1993 – Design of Steel Structures
• EN 1994 – Composite Steel & Concrete Structures
• EN 1995 – Timber Structures
• EN 1996 – Masonry Structures
• EN 1997 – Geotechnical Design (Foundations & Soil Mechanics)
• EN 1998 – Seismic Design of Structures
• EN 1999 – Aluminum Structures

Other European Standards & Regulations

• EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) – Sustainability
• EN 13501 – Fire Classification of Construction Products
• ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
• BS 9999 – Fire Safety in Building Design & Use (UK)