Chapter 5General Building Requirements and Services

5.1 Requirements for Parts of Buildings 5.1.1Plinth

5.1.1.1 The plinth or any part of a building or outhouse shall be so located with respect to the surrounding ground level that adequate drainage of the site is assured. The height of the plinth shall be not less than 450 mm from the surrounding ground level, in case of independent houses and not less than 300mm in case of other buildings.

5.1.1.2 Interior Courtyards and Covered Parking: Every interior courtyard shall be raised at least 150 mm above the determining ground level and shall be satisfactorily drained.

5.2.1Swimming Pool

(1) Definition: A constructed pool or a tank indoor or outdoor, used for the purpose of swimming, bathing, aquatic sports or games, training, treatment (Therapy) or recreation, meant exclusively for human being, having a depth of water not less than that 60cm and the surface area exceeding 23.25 Sq.m both for the use of public or the institution concerned.

a. ‘Capacity of Pools in Relation to Bathers’: The maximum number of persons in bathing attire within the pool enclosures of the bathing area shall not exceed one person per 20Sft (1.86Sq.m) of pool i.e. the area of the water surface.

(2) ‘Hand Rail’: A side handrail extending up above and returning to the horizontal surface of the pool deck curb or coping shall be provided at each side of each ladder.

(3) ‘Depth Markers’: Depth of water shall be clearly marked at or above the water surface on the vertical pool wall and on the edge of the deck or walk-way next to the pool, at maximum points and at the points of break between the deep and shallow portions and at intermediate increments of depth, spaced at not more than 2.5’ (7.62cm) intervals. Depth markers, contrasting with background shall be on both sides of the pool.

(4) ‘Lighting and wiring’: Where submarine lightning is used, not less than 0.5 watts shall be employed per sq. ft. of pool area.

(5) ‘Area Lightning’: Where submarine lightning is employed, area lightning shall be provided for the deck areas and directed towards the deck areas and away from the pool surface so far as practicable, in a total capacity of not less than 0.6 watt per Sft of deck area.

Where submarine lighting is not provided and night swimming is not permitted combined pool lightning shall be provided in an amount of not less than 2 watts per Sft. of total area. All submarine lightning shall be individually earthed and must be water tight and damp proof.

(6) ‘Over Head wiring’: No electrical wiring for electrical or power shall be permitted to pass over within 20 feet of the pool enclosure.

(7) ‘Shallow Minimum Depth’: Every swimming pool shall have a minimum depth in the shallow area of the main swimming area of not less than 0.9m (3 feet), but not more than 1.07m (3’- 6’) from the overflow level to the floor.

(8) ‘Shallow Areas’: In a swimming pool with a diving area, the shallow area of the pool shall be defined as the portion between the shallow end and the break point between the shallow area and the diving area. The slope of the floor shall be uniform from the break point between the diving area and the shallow portion to the outside edge of the shallow portion and shall not be greater than 1 in 2m.

(9) ‘Vertical Wall Depth’: The pool walls shall be vertical at all points for a depth of not less than 0.76m.

5.2.2.1 No Building shall be erected as to deprive any other building of its means of access.

5.2.2.2 Every person who erects a building shall not at any time erect or cause or permit to erect or re- erect any building, which in any way encroaches upon or diminishes the area set apart as means of access.

5.2.2.3 The Means of Access prescribed in the Zonal Regulations shall be considered while sanctioning Building Licence. The portion of the plot required for widening the road to the proposed width shall be relinquished free of cost without claiming any compensation (including DR), before sanctioning Building Licence.

5.2.3.1 The minimum clear width, minimum tread width and maximum riser of staircases for buildings shall be as given as below (see also Part 4 ‘Fire and Life Safety of NBC 2016).

5.2.3.2 Minimum width

5.2.3.3 Minimum tread.- The minimum width of tread without nosing shall be 250 mm for residential buildings. The minimum width of tread for other buildings shall be 300mm.

5.2.3.4 Maximum riser

5.3.2.4.1 The maximum height of riser shall be 190mm for residential buildings and 150mm for other buildings and these shall be limited to 12 per flight. The maximum height of riser shall be 190mm for residential buildings and 150mm for other buildings and these shall be limited to 12 per flight.

5.3.2.4.2 The minimum head-room in a passage under the landing of a staircase shall be 2m. The minimum clear head-room in any staircase shall be 2.1m.

5.2.4 Exit Requirements.- All aspects of exit requirements for corridors, doors, stair cases, ramps, etc. in respect of widths, travel distance shall be as prescribed in these Byelaws.

5.2.4.1 Occupant Load.- The following occupant load shall be considered for calculating the exit requirement of the building

(2). In case of assembly occupancy, all rooms, toilets common areas connected to the assembly occupancy shall be included in the carpet area for calculating the occupancy load.

5.2.4.2 Number and size of Exits.- The requisite number and size of various exits shall be provided, based on the occupants in each room and floor based on the occupant load, capacity of exits, travel distance and height of buildings as prescribed in these Byelaws.

At least one primary entrance to each building shall be usable by individuals in wheelchairs and shall be indicated by a sign. At least one entrance usable by individuals in wheelchairs shall be on a level that would make the elevators accessible.

5.2.4.3 Arrangement of Exits

(1) Exits shall be so located so that the travel distance on the floor shall not exceed 30m for residential, educational, institutional assembly, business, mercantile and storage occupancies, 45.0m for industrial occupancy and 22.5m for hazardous building. For fully sprinklered building, the travel distance may be increased by 50 percent of the above values. Whenever more than one exit is required for a floor of a building they shall be placed as remote from each other as possible. All the exits shall be accessible from the entire floor area at all floor levels, where separate fire separation walls are not provided.

(2) The travel distance to an exit from the dead end of the corridor, if applicable, shall not exceed half the distance as stated above except in the case of institutional occupancy in which case it shall not exceed 6.0m.

5.2.4.4 Capacity of Exits.- The capacity of exits (staircase, ramps and doorways) indicating the number of persons that could be safely evacuated through a unit exit width of 50 cm shall be as given below:

5.2.4.5 Minimum Width Provisions for Passageway/Corridors

The following minimum width provisions shall be made for each passage way/corridor.

(a) Residential buildings, upto 4 dwelling units 1.00m

(b) Apartment buildings, hostels, etc. 1.25m

(c) Assembly buildings like auditorium theatres and cinemas 2.00m.

(d) All other buildings including hotels 1.50m

(e) Hospital, Nursing Homes, etc. 2.40m

5.2.7.1 The open spaces/setbacks, coverage, FAR, parking requirements shall be as per Zonal regulations of the Master Plan

5.2.7.2 Every room that is intended for human habitation shall abut on an interior or exterior open space or on to a verandah open to such interior or exterior open space. In case of High rise the driveway in exterior open spaces around a building shall be of green or hard surface capable of taking load of fire engine weighing up to 45 ton

5.2.7.3 In case, kitchen and toilets do not about either interior or exterior open spaces, mechanical ventilation would be accepted.

5.2.8.1 The whole or part of one side of one or more rooms intended for human habitation and not abutting on either the front, rear or side open spaces shall abut on an interior open space whose minimum width in all directions shall be 3m in case of buildings not more than 15m in height, and in case of high-rise buildings it shall have mandatory mechanical ventilation in addition

5.2.8.2 Sunken Courtyard.- Sunken courtyard up to 3m in depth from the ground level as ‘light well’ within building envelop shall be permitted for light and ventilation for basement area.

5.2.8.3 Skylight.- Skylight in interior open space (courtyard) shall be permitted subject to the fact that it may not act as a covered space on the ground floor and does not violate the maximum/minimum ground coverage rules.

5.2.9.1 IS Codes for lighting and ventilation requirements.- Rooms shall have, for the admission of light and air, one or more openings, such as windows and ventilators, opening directly to the external air or into an open VERANDAH.

Lighting and ventilation requirements of all types of buildings shall be designed and approved in accordance with the provisions of the following two IS Codes –

(a). SP 32 (1986): Hand book on Functional Requirements of Industrial Buildings (Lighting and Ventilation) [CED 12: Functional Requirements in Buildings] and

(b). SP 41 (1987): Hand book on Functional Requirements of Buildings (Other than Industrial Buildings) [CED 12: Functional Requirements in Buildings]

Lighting loads of various spaces of –

(a). Industrial buildings shall be determined as per Clause 1, Section 1 of SP 32(1986)

(b). Non-Industrial buildings shall be determined as per Clause 2, Part 4 of SP 41(1987)

Thermal comfort levels and design requirement of various spaces of –

(a). Industrial buildings shall be determined as per Section 2 of SP 32 (1986)

(b). Non-Industrial buildings shall be determined as per Part 2 of SP 41 (1987) Minimum Fresh Air requirement for –

(a). Industrial buildings shall be determined as per Clause 13 of Section 2 of SP 32(1986)

(b). Non-Industrial buildings shall be determined as per Clause 4 of Part 3 of SP 41(1987)

5.2.9.2 The minimum aggregate area of openings.- The minimum aggregate area of such openings, excluding doors inclusive of frames, shall be not less than one-sixth of the floor area. Openable part of French window shall be considered as openings for applying this clause.

(i). If a window is partly fixed, the openable area shall be counted

(ii) No portion of a room shall be assumed to be lighted, if it is more than 7.5m away from the opening assumed for lighting that portion.

(iii) The area of openings as given above shall be increased by 25 percent in the case of a kitchen.

(2) All habitable rooms shall have for the admission of light and air, one or more apertures, such as window, glazed door, opening directly to the external air or into an open verandah not more than 2.40m in width. In case light and ventilation to habitable space area are through an internal courtyard, the minimum dimensions of such courtyard shall not be less than 3.0m x 3.0m for buildings up to 12.50m in height. For buildings with higher heights, the minimum dimensions of the internal courtyard shall be as given in these Bye-Laws.

(3) Where the lighting and ventilation requirements are not met through day lighting and natural ventilation, the same shall be ensured through artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation as given in part-VII building services Section-1 lighting and Ventilation of National Building Code of India published by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The latest version of the National Building Code of India shall be taken into account at the time of enforcement of the Building Bye-Laws.

5.2.9.3 Ventilation Shaft.- For ventilating the spaces for water closets and bathrooms, if not opening on the front side, rear and interior open spaces, shall open on the ventilation shaft, the size, of which shall not be less than the values given below:

i. For buildings above 30.0m height, mechanical ventilation system shall be installed besides the provision of minimum ventilation shaft.

(ii) For fully air-conditioned buildings the ventilation shaft need not be insisted upon, provided the air-conditioning system works in an uninterrupted manner, also, provided there is an alternative source of power supply. However, it is not mandatory in case of buildings where ventilation is mechanized

5.3.1 Electrical, Air conditioning, Lift and Escalator installations

5.3.1.1 Planning, design and installations of electrical, air-conditioning and lift installations.- The Planning design and installation of electrical installations, air conditioning installation of lifts and escalators can be carried out in accordance with Part-7 Building Services, section–2 electrical installation, section–3 air conditioning and heating, section-5 installation of lifts and escalators of National Building Code of India. However, deviations from National Building Code may be done as per good Engineering practices.

5.3.2.1 Planning, design, construction and installation of Water supply, drainage and sanitation and gas supply system.- The planning, design, construction and installation of water supply, drainage and sanitation and gas supply system shall be in accordance with Part-9: Plumbing Services, Section-l Water supply, Drainage and sanitation (including Solid Waste Management) and Section-2 Gas supply of NBC, 2016.

5.3.2.2 Norms for differently-abled within segregated toilets

(i). One special W.C. in a set of toilet shall be provided for the use of differently abled persons, with essential provision of wash basin near the entrance.

(ii). Minimum clear opening of the door shall be 900mm and the door shall swing out.

(iii). Minimum clear opening of the door shall be 900mm and the door shall swing out.

(iv). Suitable arrangement of vertical/horizontal handrails with 50mm clearance from wall shall be made in the toilet.

(v). The W.C. seat shall be 500mm from the floor.

5.3.2.3 Water requirement and facilities.- Water requirement for the facility may be worked out and enough storage for ½ day operation is to be kept in storage. If municipal water supply is reliable, the toilet blocks may have underground sump that can store half a day requirement and overhead tanks for another half. If municipal water supply is not available, toilet block may have its own water source and pump with or without underground sump.

Alternatively, a hand tube well can be used for storing water in an elevated (not overhead) tank. To minimize the wastage of water, self-closing water taps should be used. The pans must be of Pour Flush (PF) design i.e. with a steep slope. Traps should be of a 20mm water seal. (Use of 50mm water seal traps will require more water for flushing.) If toilet is to be linked to city sewer, a master trap has to be provided at the sewer connection for waste water line (excluding soil line).

(1) For Calculating water demand for visitors, consumption of 15 litre per head per day may be taken.

(2) The Water demand includes requirement of patients, attendants, visitors and staff. Additional water demand for kitchen, laundry and clinical water shall be computed as per actual requirements.

(3) The number of persons shall be determined by average number of passengers handled by stations, with due considerations given to the staff and vendors who are using these facilities.

(4) Consideration should be given for seasonal average peak requirements.

(5) The hospitals may be categorized as Category A (25 to 50 beds), Category B (51 to 100 beds), Category C (101 to 300 beds), Category D (301 to 500) and Category E (501 to 750 beds),

Table 5.8 Sanitation Requirements for Office Building

(Ref. NBC 2016 Part 9, Section 2, Clause 4.2.5.1, Table 1)

Table 5.9 Sanitation Requirements for Factories

(Ref. NBC 2016 Part 9, Section 2, Clause 4.2.5.1, Table 2)

Table 5.10 Sanitation Requirements for Cinema, Multiplex Cinema, Concert and Convention Halls, Theatres and Stadia

(Ref. NBC 2016 Part 9, Section 2, Clause 4.2.5.1, Table 3)

1. Some WCs may be of Indian style, if desired.

2. Drinking water fountains to be provided only when it is a separate block and patients will not use it.

Table 5.16 Sanitation Requirements for Hotels

(Ref. NBC 2016 Part 9, Section 2, Clause 4.2.5.1, Table 9)

(1) Some WCs may be Indian style, if desired

(2) Male population may be assumed as two-third and female populations one-third.

(3) Provision for additional and special fitting where required shall be made.

Table 5.17 Sanitation Requirements for Restaurants

(Ref. NBC 2016 Part 9, Section 2, Clause 4.2.5.1, Table 10)

(1). At construction sites, one toilet must be provided per 20 employees. In a work zone with between 21 and 199 employees, a toilet seat and one urinal must be provided for every 40 employees. For 200 or more workers, regulations call for a toilet seat and a urinal per 50 workers. The toilet must be located within 200 m or 5-minute walk.

(2). Job sites that are not equipped with a sanitary sewer must, unless prohibited by local codes, provide privies, in locations where their use will not contaminate either ground or surface water. Other alternatives to a privy could be chemical toilets, re-circulating toilets, or combustion toilets.

(3). Toilets should be cleaned regularly and maintained in good order, running water, must be provided along with soap and individual hand towels.

5.3.2.5 Temporary Camp Toilets.- Toilet facilities shall be provided within 60 m of the, site, which shall not be closer than 15 m of dining area or kitchen. Make sure that toilet area is cleaned at least once per day, it is sanitary, adequately lighted and is employee safe.

(1) For Special events like open air theatre, religious/political gatherings, mela, etc. for which there are no permanent toilet facilities, contingency toilets/PSUs shall be provided. The following considerations shall determine the number of toilets to be provided for particular event:

(a) Duration of the event;

(b) Type of crowd;

(c) Weather conditions; and

(d) Whether finishing times are staggered if the event has multi-functions and the following guidelines shall be applied with minimum 50 per cent female toilets.

(3) Special Purpose Toilets: Special toilet facilities shall be adequately provided in public projects (transport terminals/ healthcare and other public spaces) in million plus cities for the Third gender with appropriate cleanliness arrangements.