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New national building code released
K. Ramachandran
| It seeks to unify national standards and building byelaws |
NEW STANDARDS: The National Building Code 2005 is set to regulate construction activities in the State.
CHENNAI: Construction industry is all set for major changes. The revised National Building Code 2005, which has just been released, sets new standards for construction of buildings and other infrastructure.
The NBC 2005, formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards, spells out new regulations for adoption by infrastructure departments, municipal administrators, public bodies and private agencies.
Aspects such as rainwater harvesting and landscaping are covered.
The relevant provisions for earthquake resistance are amended following the changes in the seismic zone maps for the country.
The building permit process has been reformed with the need for certification of safety of buildings against disasters by a structural engineer. The code sets out a two-stage permit for high-rise and special buildings.
Those involved in giving shape to NBC 2005 note that it has sought to unify national standards, building byelaws and regulations of local civic bodies.
To account for the various developments in the construction and related industries, the code emphasises a multi-disciplinary approach to building projects.
A.R. Shanthakumar, Emeritus Professor, IIT-Madras, and an expert in structural engineering, says the NBC is now a national instrument that will guide the regulations for construction activity.
It contains mainly administrative regulations, development control rules and general building requirements, fire safety requirements, stipulations on use of materials, structural design and construction and building and plumbing services. It contains all the important aspects relevant for safe and orderly building development.
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