This post is a formal response to Carmen who posted a comment in regards to construction methods used on the island and typical in the Caribbean.

The house like many in the region is structured using reinforced concrete block work. This is typically made of 8" external blocks reinforced by 1/4" to 1/2" steel bars placed in every other pocket that are then filled with a mixture of cement, sand and aggregate. A grid work of columns are also utilised at a spacing of 12' to 15' to create a rigid structure. The structural basis of most buildings (residential or commercial) is laid out in the Caribbean Uniform Building Code (CUBiC), notwithstanding Montserrat does not have a ratified building code.