Essay Sample 24

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. You should write at least 250 words Present a written argument to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic:

"Safety standards are important when building peoples’ homes. Who should be responsible for enforcing strict building codes – the government or the people who build the homes?"

Use your own knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

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People or commercial constructors build homes for private dwelling or for commercial use- in all cases safety of dwelling is important. It is home maker’s or contractors responsibility to build houses complying with standard engineering requirements and building codes set by the respective governments. I believe that the government should always be there to strictly enforce building codes, and in case of non-compliance authorities should take punitive measures. Enforcement of law is government’s responsibility. Since non-compliance can not only cause hazards to the home-owners, but also to tenants and if in a cooperative or apartment, many co-owners may suffer.

The building codes are regulatory requirements concerning safety and quality of the construction, use of space and others. For example, in an earthquake-prone area the buildings should not be very high and the design and structure must have higher earthquake resistance. Big houses and long buildings (i.e. academic departments, hotels and hostels) require dilatations every 15-20 meters so that in a heavy earthquake, only part of a building collapses, not the whole. More over the quality of the materials used in construction and electric wiring, and gas connection should pass minimum safety standards. Adequate entry-exit facilities, and emergency exists, fire extinguisher are also very important is establishments like factories, hall rooms, discos, party centers.

In cases of wooden house, wood must be coated with fire-resistant paint. In large apartments, office buildings, hall rooms and lobbies of hotels, fire-barriers made of rubber and steel are used to prevent spreading of fire. Similarly, in areas of frequent hailstorm, skylights must not be used, and if so, must be protected by steel shutters.

Many constructors often tend to ignore the minimum safety requirements to minimize costs which jeopardize people’s life. Many private homemakers do not know details of these standards and precautions. It is the responsibility of the government to disseminate such essential knowledge and monitor the compliance of builders, developers and makers of houses. However, the builders cannot avoid their responsibility anyway.

In conclusion, as in modern world, the government is ultimately responsible for its entire citizen’s safely and good life, its governments responsibility to enforce strict building code. If the negligence of the government’s agencies jeopardize people’s life, government will be held responsible.