Ensuring the safety of residential buildings relies on a combination of qualified engineers, certified companies, and strict adherence to regulations, sector representatives said during a broadcast of the “Real Estate Prospect” program.
According to engineering systems company Jetex, it is essential to maintain minimum safety standards and ongoing maintenance, which residents must financially support. Without proper investment, the company warns, systems cannot function properly in the long term.
“Today, the main challenge in the development and construction sector is the shortage of qualified engineers. Even if a project is perfectly calculated and the materials list is prepared, practical changes on site often reduce quality. Small companies can enter the market easily and compete primarily on price, which creates unhealthy practices,” said Rezo Meskhi, head of Jetex.
He emphasized that standards must be upheld: “Different buildings have different requirements. Certification should be mandatory - companies must demonstrate experience and meet minimum qualification standards upon registration. The project manager must be competent enough to ensure systems are properly implemented. Developers are obliged to hire the right personnel to guarantee high-quality work.”
Regarding residential buildings, Meskhi noted that older Soviet-era apartments present significant challenges. “New projects already meet minimum safety standards: fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and other safety measures are installed. Fully equipping older buildings is often impossible, but minimum compliance is necessary. Based on our experience, we continuously engage with residents and offer small service fees. We care about system functionality, but residents often show little interest or willingness to invest financially,” he added.
