Current Building Code and Regulations in India

If you are a developer, architect, or contractor engaged in building construction in India, it’s mandatory to follow the current building code and regulations in your projects. Also, known as NBC or National Building Code, this set of rules ensures the long life and sustainability of a building along with the safety and comfort of the occupants.

What is the National Building Code?

The National Building Code of India (NBC), a comprehensive building Code, is a national instrument providing guidelines for regulating building construction activities across the country. 

NBC is a set of crucial documents that define the required type, process, and standard for each aspect of building construction in India. It provides essential directions for the construction of institutional, commercial, and residential constructions. NCB ensures the structural integrity of the building and increases safety standards by minimizing the use of hazardous materials.

Why is it necessary to abide by the National Building Code?

The National Building Code (NBC), developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), provides the guidelines for building lasting structures, safety aspects, sustainability, living comfort, and eco-friendliness. It serves as a Model Code for adoption by all agencies involved in building construction works, be they Public Works Departments, other government construction departments, local bodies, or private construction agencies. 

Architects and builders must follow these guidelines in their design to develop structures that comply with the conditions and standards specified in NBC, right from foundation to structural design to building materials (even the density of coarse aggregates and other components), plumbing services, lighting & ventilation, and fire & life safety, to name a few. 

Understanding the NBC is critical for individuals working in the construction sector. It provides them with a clear pathway for incorporating the code’s objectives into the structural design of buildings to develop buildings that are appealing, secure, and sustainable.

How to obtain the National Building Code documents?

NBC is available for purchase at any of the branches of the Bureau of Indian Standard, across the country. You may also place an order online. 

Complete Code comes in Volumes 1 and 2 (Parts 0 to 12 – all sections included) for INR 13760.00

For more information visit https://www.bis.gov.in/standards/technical-department/national-building-code/

In what ways does NBC help with building construction?

Complying with the NBC guidelines helps a building project achieve the following:

• Standardization – The NBC makes an effort to ensure consistency in building processes. This ensures that constructions meet national requirements for safety and quality.

• Structural Integrity and Safety – The primary purpose is to prioritize occupant and public safety by defining requirements for strong and robust structures.

• Health and Happiness – The NBC includes steps to improve building ventilation, lighting, and cleanliness. It offers residents a healthier living and working environment.

• Disaster Preparedness – Improves building resilience to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and cyclones. This reduces the harmful effects of natural disasters on people and property.

• Sustainability – It promotes the use of environmentally friendly products, green building approaches, and energy-saving procedures.

• Efficiency in Construction – It aims to improve building efficiency by increasing space use, boosting accessibility, and simplifying maintenance.

• Regulation and Compliance – The NBC serves as a regulatory tool. It specifies the procedures that contractors, architects, and authorities must follow when working on a project.

• Public Perception – Developers and builders instill public trust in the security and quality of their developments.

• Urban Development and Planning – The NBC contributes to efficient urban planning and development. It encourages the orderly and peaceful growth of cities and towns.

• Professional Advancement – It encourages the development of skilled workers in the building industry. NBC establishes construction standards and best practices.

How does NBC benefit a building project?

• Ensures that buildings meet the safety, welfare, and health standards for better living of the occupants.

• Provides detailed building instructions that cover everything from foundations to room proportions to wall components.

• Ascertains that the staircase, mechanical, and electrical assemblies are properly designed and constructed.

• Building codes in NBC get updated to reflect modern developments in construction processes as well as the ebbs and flows of time.

• Makes developers more confident of the safety and security points embedded in the architecture.

• Encourages the use of cutting-edge building materials and technologies to meet housing goals, particularly those related to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

• Specify fire and life safety guidelines, especially for high-rise residential complexes, to increase building safety standards.

• Encourages building high-quality and secure structures that are environmentally sustainable, meet the needs of inhabitants, and contribute to the country’s progress.

What salient features and provisions in the National Building Code lead to better construction?

• Single window approach and streamlining the application process for Improving the convenience of doing business.

• Computerized plan submission and approval process 

• Certification of the structural safety of the building  

• Peer evaluation of building designs and certification of structural safety.

• Professionals and contractors have well-defined roles and duties.

• Minimum planning standards for cities and municipalities.

• Improved accessibility to buildings and the built environment for elderly and disabled persons

• Advanced planning & development norms, such as TDR (Transferable Development Rights) and AR (Accommodation Reservation).

• Parking provisions for underground or multi-story buildings, as well as hydraulic parking.

• Solar energy usage norms.

• Improved fire and life safety provisions requirements for podium buildings.

• Provisions for disaster-resistant buildings based on research and development.

• Evaluation of the potential for liquefaction and ground improvement techniques.

• Engineered building of bamboo and waste materials.

• Promotion of novel building techniques such as reinforced masonry and rat-trap bonding.

• Use of modern building materials such as self-compacting concrete and steel-reinforced concrete.

• Use of advanced prefabricated building parts to allow for faster construction.

• A new chapter on the structural usage of glass in structures has been included.

• Using alternative building materials and technology to create a more sustainable structure.

• Guidelines for construction project management to ensure timely and cost-effective completion.

• Worker welfare standards on construction sites.

• Lighting techniques have been updated, as have energy consumption considerations.

• Compact substations and energy metres are mentioned.

• Provisions for constructing lightning protection.

• Inclusion of aircraft obstacle lights, charging stations for electric vehicles, and parking lot management.

• Protection against electrical risks and fire caused by current leakage.

• Use of environmentally friendly refrigerants in air conditioning.

• HVAC alternatives that use less energy for heating, cooling, and ventilation.

• The emphasis is on envelope optimization using energy modeling and daylighting simulation.

• Thermal comfort conditions that adapt to your needs for energy-efficient HVAC.

• Fire and life safety provisions, as well as HVAC in metro railroads and stations.

• HVAC provisions for data centers, healthcare facilities, and commercial buildings have been updated.

• System for building automation with web-based monitoring and control.

• Tall-building high-speed lifts.

• Moving walkways and escalators

Conclusion

NBC is required for the design and construction of all types of building structures. It addresses all of the critical aspects of a safe and orderly construction process. Compliance with NBC has become critical in light of the government’s initiatives to lessen the impact of buildings on energy and the environment.