Abra is frustrated at the increase in and the difficulty addressing building complaints. Photo: Paul Spiteri Lucas

Members of the recently set up Facebook group Against Building Regulations Abuse (Abra) are demanding more inspections at construction sites as complaints of bad practices increase.

Frustrated members said they were uncertain about who they should approach with complaints and often resorted to contacting different entities only to be directed from one to the other without achieving any results.

The head of the Building Regulations Office, Michael Ferry, said any complaints on building practices should be directed to his unit, which worked closely with Transport Malta and forwarded any complaints that did not fall within its remit. Abra administrator Lino Briguglio said he hoped a “strength in numbers” approach would help bring about change.

“It seems like single reports and complaints are not enough, so maybe a Facebook community will have a better chance of putting pressure on the authorities involved,” Prof. Briguglio said.

The regulations office issues verbal warnings to first-time offenders and then imposes fines if the issue persists. Mr Ferry said the unit was divided into zones to facilitate inspections but it was still difficult to monitor all construction sites. “The island has been split into three zones – north, south and central – with over 1,500 construction sites all over. It can be difficult to keep up with every single site,” he said.

Mr Ferry said the majority of complaints came from the north, especially from Sliema. Most were about noise and dust emissions.

Records on the number of complaints made are not kept by BRO.

Some construction site rules

The owner is bound to repair or replace pavements and streets that are damaged during construction works.

Dust generated on construction sites has to be controlled. Tools with dust extraction systems are to be used.

Sand, screed and other loose building material shall be transported, deposited and stored on site in rigid containers with suitable covers or sturdy sealed bags.

The permissible hours of work for construction works, where noise generated from that activity can be heard from outside the site boundary, are between 7am and 8pm. Between June 15 and September 30, demolition works or excavation shall not be allowed in tourism zones.

Hoarding must be used to protect adjacent areas from the egress of dust and falling materials from within the site and to conceal the on-goings within the site.