The Kamra tal-Periti has confirmed that the first drafts of Malta’s new National Building and Construction Codes, covering structural integrity and fire safety, are now complete, while the body’s investigation into the collapse of the Tania Flats in Paceville are still ongoing.On the anniversary of the collapse of the Paceville building, Lovin Malta sent questions to Malta’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Kamra tal-Periti for updates on the two bodies’ separate investigations into the collapse.President of the Kamra tal-Periti Andre Pizzuto told the newsroom that the chamber’s investigation is still ongoing. “Once the investigations are concluded, the Kamra will determine whether a perit or number of periti have a case to respond to,” Pizzuto said. Asked whether the professional obligations of all architects involved were fulfilled, he replied: “The purpose of the investigation is precisely to establish this point.”When asked whether the Kamra has called for changes to professional standards or regulatory frameworks in the wake of the incident, Pizzuto mentioned that in January 2026, the Kamra had signed a contract with the BCA to develop the codes, which will cover 17 building codes and 6 construction codes grouped into 9 bundles over a period of three years.Pizzuto went on to reveal that industry stakeholder consultation on the first two drafts is expected to take place in the coming weeks, ahead of a final version being submitted to the BCA for public consultation.“I can confirm that the draft of the first two bundles, namely those related to structural integrity and to fire safety, are complete. Over the next few weeks, we shall be undertaking industry stakeholder engagement to take on broader feedback before presenting a final draft to the BCA for public consultation.”The Kamra said the drafts have been informed by insights gained from construction incidents over recent years, including the Tania Flats collapse. “Through its professional conduct investigations, the Kamra has a deep technical understanding of the causes of the incidents and is in a strong position to provide the solutions to mitigate them,” Pizzuto told the newsroom.This is a campaign the Kamra has been waging since long before the Paceville incident. Back in 2020, the Chamber warned that Malta’s construction laws were dangerously outdated, with some regulations dating back to the 19th century, and called for contractors to be trained, licensed and registered, for independent engineering audits on complex projects, and for a new class of Building Construction Inspectors to verify compliance on site.“The Kamra tal-Periti has undertaken a forceful campaign calling for reforms long before this incident. Lovin Malta was a key partner in the Kamra’s campaign,” Pizzuto said in a comment to the newsroom.Five years later, the Tania Flats collapsed. On 11th June 2025, the block of apartments came down just hours after all 32 residents were evacuated following concerns over serious structural defects.A year on, investigations by both the BCA and the Kamra are still not fully resolved.As Lovin Malta revealed yesterday, the BCA confirmed that its investigation, led by independent professionals Dr Robert Musumeci and Dr Adrian Mifsud, has concluded and is currently undergoing an internal review, with no timeline given for when findings will be shared. The Kamra’s own investigation, meanwhile, remains ongoing.Architect Christopher Mintoff, who submitted a deposition as part of the ongoing investigation and was acting on behalf of a neighbouring property owner at the time of the collapse, told Lovin Malta last week that a year on he has still received no official resolution, no published report, and no closure.“I’m still searching for answers, for a resolution. I need resolution on it. It is painful,” Mintoff said.•