Doka targets building codes

Head of marketing Omar Khawaja said formwork systems should be mandated as standard

Austrian formwork company Doka is pushing for Saudi Arabian municipalities to make the use of formwork systems mandatory under new building codes.

Head of marketing for Doka’s Saudi operation Omer Khawaja said they have in talks with municipalities in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam, as well as in Bahrain, which are currently in the process of drafting new codes.

Khawaja said the vast majority of formwork used in Saudi Arabia is simple timber or traditional formwork which is inferior as far as safety, quality and efficiency is concerned.

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“We want formwork systems to be mandated as a standard,” he said.

“The response from the municipalities has been positive so far and we hope that they will come around to the idea. We want the new breed of engineers to be brought into an industry that has a certain level of acceptable standards.”

Meanwhile Doka is rolling out an extensive program of training seminars for clients, consultants and new graduates to demonstrate the benefits of using a full formwork system solution.

Khawaja said they are hoping to hold three seminars per month beginning in October.

Doka is currently the largest formwork company in Saudi Arabia commanding around 40% of the market share.
 

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