Costa Rica Has A New Seismic Code

Published on Friday in the La Gaceta, the new seismic code includes changes so that construction projects in the country maintain structural integrity and protect properties and the lives of occupants.

The new code also includes changes in the seismic map for the Central Pacific and Northern zone.

The new code was produced by the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos de Costa Rica (CFIA) - Association of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica (CFIA) - and presented to the public on Monday.

Included in the changes are raising the Central Pacific to a category IV, which is the highest level of sensitivity that can be registered, meanwhile the Northern zone is classified as a II.

The Gran Area Metropolitana (GAM) - San José metropolitan area - is a category III.

Roy Acuña, Chairman of the Seismic Code Commission noted that the structures should be designed to withstand earthquakes of greater strength.

The new coded does not particularly change the type of materials used, rather in most cases, the changes are in the methods of construction.

For her part, the Ministra de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos (Minister of Housing and Human Settlements), Irene Campos, said that "the new Seismic Code provides a set of standards that make buildings safer, especially if one takes into account the multi-family housing policy that is being promoted by the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements ".