INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING

CODES

Date: 4 Jan 2022

Session 1A: Introduction to Building Codes

Dr. S. K. Ghosh
President, S. K. Ghosh Associates LLC

S-8A SEng PRP

Training Program
 Why Building Codes?

Supporting Building Safety

• All communities need building codes to protect

their citizens from every-day disasters like fires,
weather-related events such as floods, and
structural collapse that follows deterioration
over time of buildings of all kinds.
 Why Building Codes?

Building Codes
• Serve as a means of prevention
• A choice between an ounce of
prevention today and a pound of
suffering in the future
Statistics from 1995 Kobe
Earthquake
 March 11, 2011 14:46
Great East Japan
Earthquake

Moment Magnitude
Mw 9.0
(38.322 N, 142.369 E,
depth 32 km)
Also known as the
Tohoku-Oki Earthquake M7.5 @1508

or
Tohoku Offshore M7.4 @15:25
Pacific Ocean
Earthquake M9.0 14:46

Vertical fault
displacements of up to
5m and horizontal fault
M7.3 @15:15
displacements of over
50m over region 200
km by 450 km

Courtesy: Ian Robertson,

Univ. of Hawaii
Sendai Airport after 2011 Tohoku
Earthquake
Sendai after 2011 Tohoku Earthquake
Tohoku University Building
after 2011 Earthquake
Tohoku University Building
after 2011 Earthquake
Tohoku University Building
after 2011 Earthquake
Tohoku University Building
after 2011 Earthquake
 Coastal Communities
after 2011 Tohoku Earthquake

Courtesy: Ian Robertson,

Univ. of Hawaii
 Coastal Communities
after 2011 Tohoku Earthquake
Earthquake Activity in and around
Bangladesh
Chawkbazar fire of 20 February 2019
 Chawkbazar fire of 20 February 2019

A fire started as a result of a road accident between

a pickup van and a private car. After the collision, a
gas cylinder stored in the private car exploded. The
first place the flames hit was a chemical warehouse
on the ground floor of a five-story building and the
flames then quickly spread through four other
buildings, including a community center where a
wedding party was on, The fire left at least 80
people dead and 50 others injured.
Banani (FR Tower) fire of 28 March 2019
 Banani (FR Tower) fire of 28 March 2019
The FR Tower, which was built before 2006, did not
have a single fire-protected staircase and the main
staircase was filled with choking smoke. At just 0.6-
m (a spiral steel staircase outside) and 1.2-m wide
(the main staircase), the building's two exits were
too narrow for people inside to leave easily. They
were also blocked by obstructions that made the
task even harder. Office workers able to reach the
top of the building were rescued by air force
helicopters.
 Banani (FR Tower) fire of 28 March 2019
According to news reports, the Bangladesh fire
department had sent two letters in the prior two
years highlighting the dangerous lack of safety in
the building.
Authorities knew the multi-story block was unsafe.
The tower building, in fact, was supposed to be just
18-stories high but was illegally extended to 23
floors.
 Why Building Codes?

Building Codes
• Are minimum requirements established by society
that ensure an acceptable level of safety of building
occupants and protection of property
• When they work sufficiently, nobody notices
• When they fail, society demands stronger, more
robust building codes
 Evolution of Building Codes

Codes of Hammurabi – 2000 BC

“In the case of collapse of a defective building, the

builder is to be put to death if the owner is killed by
accident; and the builder’s son if the son of the
owner loses his life…”
Evolution of Building Codes
 Why Building Codes?
Building Codes
• Today the role of Building Codes is more holistic
and they have a greater impact on communities
beyond that of safety of the building occupants
– Focus on higher performance (need to preserve
scarce resources - energy and water efficiency)
– Allow for innovation in building design,
materials, systems and methods
 Why Building Codes?
Building Codes

• Today the role of Building Codes is more holistic

and they have a greater impact on communities
beyond that of safety of the building occupants

– Support affordability in housing

– Community needs for greater resiliency
 Benefits of Building Codes

• Provides safety and security for our loved ones

• Protects one of our greatest financial assets
• Provides more resilient communities
• Helps preserve a country’s building stock
 Not a Static Document

A Building Code needs to be periodically updated

in view of:
 Society’s changing needs and values
 New technology
 New research
 Distress in buildings
 Need to clarify provisions
 Not Retroactive

A Building Code applies to new buildings and not to

existing buildings.
A new code edition becomes effective on a certain date.
From that date on, all applications for construction
permits must be for buildings complying with the new
code edition.
When a new code edition goes into effect, existing
buildings need not be evaluated or modified in any way.
 Not Retroactive

If addition or alteration is made to an existing

building, depending upon the extent of the
addition or alteration, the addition, the altered
portion, or the entire building may have to comply
with the code in effect at the time a permit for such
addition or alteration is applied for.
 Minimum Requirements

A building code provides minimum requirements.

A designer may and indeed should go above or
beyond the code – that is follow more stringent
requirements – if in his or her judgment, the
added stringency is needed for safety and/or
performance.
 More is not necessarily better

An over-reinforced concrete member performs much

worse than an under-reinforced member in an
overload situation. The over-reinforced member tends
to fail explosively and without warning.
The above is particularly important in seismic design.
Structural steel and reinforcing steel strength must
not be more than specified. A structural member must
not contain more reinforcement than required by
design.
 Implementation vs. Enforcement

What is Implementation?
The act of implementing or putting into effect

What is Enforcement?
Enforcement is making sure that rules are followed,
that violations are rectified, that violators are
penalized or punished.
Implementation and Enforcement are not
interchangeable terms
 Implementation of the BNBC-2020

Gazetting of BNBC-2020; happened on 18 February

2020
Have RAJUK update their Bidhimala to BNBC-2020
Launch an awareness campaign
Develop a Commentary to BNBC-2020
Develop support literature
Train design professionals, code enforcement personnel,
contractors, owners, educators, students, and other
stakeholders such as financial institutions
 ENFORCEMENT:
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
 No Fire Safety Plan Review for
Residential Buildings up to 6
Stories in Height

Not Even Indirect Requirement to

Meet BNBC Fire Safety
Requirements
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
No Fire Safety Inspections for
Residential Buildings up to 6
Stories in Height
S-9 Deliverable 4: Enforcement Program Report
Questions?
Thank you
 OVERVIEW OF BNBC 2020

Date: 4 Jan 2022

Session 1B: Introduction to BNBC-2020

Raquib Ahsan, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET
S-8A SEng PRP
Training Program
 Building Codes
 Hammurabi’s Code in 1758 BC
 After the Great Fire of London in 1666, the
Rebuilding of London Act was passed.
 The City of Baltimore passed its first building code
in 1859.
 In 1905, a U.S. insurance group, the National Board
of Fire Underwriters, created the National Building
Code.
 In 1915 the Building Officials and Code
Administrators International (BOCA) was formed.
They published the first Basic Building Code, later
The BOCA/National Building Code in 1950.
 Building Codes
 The International Conference of Building Officials
(ICBO) was founded in 1922. They published the
first Unform Building Code (UBC) in 1927.
 The Southern Building Code Congress International
(SBCCI) was founded in 1940. They issued the first
Standard Building Code in 1945.
 The three model code groups merged in 1994 to
form the International Code Council (ICC)
 The first International Building Code (IBC) was
published in 2000.
 Building Code in Bangladesh
 The Building Construction Act was enacted in 1952
 The first Building Code was drafted in 1993 by HBRI
 The BC Act 1952 was amended in 2006 to empower the Government to
promulgate the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC)
 BNBC was enacted through a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) in
2006.
 HBRI undertook BNBC updating project in 2009
 Final version of the updated code was submitted for approvals in 2015
 It was approved by the Steering Committee and the MoHPW and vetted
by the Law Ministry
 The code was finally gazetted as BNBC-2020 in February 2021
 Purpose of BNBC

 To establish minimum standards for design, construction,

quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and
maintenance of all buildings within Bangladesh in order to
safeguard life, limb, health, property and public welfare.
 Building code is not meant for general public
 Building code is for professionals
 Definition of Building

 Any permanent or semi-permanent structure which is

constructed or erected for human habitation or for any other
purpose and includes but is not limited to the foundation, plinth,
walls, floors, roofs, stairs, chimneys, fixed platform, verandah,
balcony, cornice, projections, extensions, annexes, etc.

 Building also includes the sanitary, plumbing, electrical, HVAC,

appurtenances and all other building service installations which
are constructed or erected as an integral part of the structure.
 BNBC in 3 Volumes
• Part 1: SCOPE AND DEFINITION
• Part 2: ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Volume1 • Part 3: GENERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS, CONTROL

AND REGULATION
• Part 4: FIRE PROTECTION
• Part 5: BUILDING MATERIALS

Volume 2 • Part 6: STRUCTURAL DESIGN

• Part 7: CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES AND SAFETY

Volume 3
• Part 8: BUILDING SERVICES
• Part 9: ADDITION, ALTERATION TO AND CHANGE OF USE
OF EXISTING BUILDINGS
• Part 10: SIGNS AND OUT-DOOR DISPLAY
ADMINISTRATION AND
ENFORCEMENT
PART 2
 Part 2: Administration and Enforcement

 Chapter 1: Purpose and Applicability

 Chapter 2: Establishment of Authority, etc.
 Chapter 3: Permit and Inspection
Establishment of Authority:
 The Government may establish the Bangladesh Building
Regulatory Authority (BBRA).
 The Authority shall consist of the following 5 members.
 Building Official and Building Committee

 The Authority shall designate specific geographical

jurisdiction as the Office of the Building Official.
 The Building Official shall exercise his power and
responsibilities through a Building Construction Committee.
 The Authority may constitute a Board of Appeal to hear and
decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made
by the Building Officials.
 Jurisdiction of Building Officials
Sl. Area Authority
1 Areas under the master plan of RAJUK RAJUK

2 Areas under the master plan CDA CDA

3 Areas under the master plan RDA RDA

4 Areas under the master plan of KDA KDA

5 Areas under any Development Authority Relevant development

authority
6 Areas under any City Corporation Relevant city corporation

7 Areas under any Municipality Relevant municipality

8 Areas not falling under any of the above Office of The Executive
Engineer PWD
9 Special areas, if any To be declared by the
government
 Types of Permits and Building
Categories
Type of Permit Validity Time for Disposal
Land use certificate 24 months 15 days
Large and Specialized Project permit 24 months 45 days
Building permit 36 months 45 days
Occupancy certificate Perpetual 15 days

Building Category Height of the Building Floor Area

I Up to 2 stories Up to 250 m2
II Up to 5 stories Up to 1000 m2
III Up to 10 stories Up to 7500 m2
IV Any height Any size
 Eligible Registered Professionals
Types of Work Registered Professional Minimum Experience for
Building Category
I II III IV
Survey Diploma Engineer NA 3 3 3
Soil Test Civil Engineer NA 2 2 5
Arch Design Architect NA NR 2 8
Struct. Design Civil Engineer NA 2 4 8
Plumbing Plumbing Engineer NA NR 4 8
Mechanical Mechanical Engineer NA 2 4 8
Electrical Electrical Engineer NA 2 4 8
Supervision Architect/Engineer NA 2 4 8
Dip Arch/Dip Engr NA 2 4 NE
Demolition Civil Engineer NA NR 2 8
Completion Architect and Engineer NA 2 4 8
 Permit Not Required

 Railways  Telecommunications
 National Highways  Electronic Broadcasting
Services
 National Waterways
 Any other services which
 National Gas grid
the Government may
 National Power grid declare to be essential to
 Major Ports the community.
 Airways and Aerodromes
 Responsibilities of the Owner
 The owner shall be responsible for carrying out the work in conformity of this
Code.
 Design, execution and supervision work shall be carried out by authorized
Registered Professionals.
 The owner shall allow the Building Officials to enter premises.
 The owner shall obtain permit as may be applicable.
 The owner shall inform the Building Official about attainment of construction
work of different stages.
 The owner shall take proper safety measures.
 The owner shall notify the Building Official of the completion of the work.
 The owner shall preserve at the site a copy of all permits.
 Where the live loads exceed 2.4 kN/m2 design live loads shall be
conspicuously posted.
 Unsafe Buildings

 All buildings that constitute danger to public safety or property shall

be declared unsafe by the Building Official.

 In case the owner fails, neglects or refuses to carry out the repair or
improvement of an unsafe building, the Building Official shall cause
the danger to be removed either by demolition or repair. The cost of
which shall be borne by the owner.

 If the Building Official determines that an unsafe building constitutes

imminent danger, the Building Official shall at once cause such
building to be rendered safe or removed.

 The Building Official may also get the adjacent structures vacated
and protect the public by an appropriate fence.
 Architectural and Environmental Control

 Major public building complexes

 Buildings in the vicinity of monuments and major sculptures
 Buildings near architecturally valuable structures
 Buildings near historic buildings
 Buildings near structures that represent the special characteristics of an
area
 Building that represents special characteristics
 Any development that may have effect on the environment
 The Authority shall appoint a standing committee comprising noted
experts.
 GENERAL BUILDING
REQUIREMENTS, CONTROL AND
REGULATION
PART 3
 Part 3: General Building Requirements,
Control and Regulation
 Chapter 1: General Building Requirements
 Chapter 2: Classification of Buildings Based on Occupancy
 Chapter 3: Classification of Building Construction Type
Based on Fire Resistance
 Chapter 4: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
 Occupancy Classification

A: Residential H: Storage Buildings

B: Educational Facilities I: Assembly
C: Institution for Care J: Hazardous Building
D: Health Care Facilities K: Garage
E: Business L: Utility
F: Mercantile Miscellaneous
G: Industrial Buildings
 Classification of Building Construction
Type Based on Fire Resistance
 GROUP I: Noncombustible  GROUP II: Combustible
subdivision: subdivision:

 Type I-A: 4-hour fire protected  Type II-A: Heavy timber

 Type I-B: 3-hour fire protected  Type II-B: Protected wood joist

 Type I-C: 2-hour fire protected  Type II-C: Unprotected wood joist

 Type I-D: 1-hour fire protected  Type II-D: Protected wood frame

 Type I-E: Unprotected  Type II-E: Unprotected wood

frame
 Other Architectural Issues Covered
 Requirements of plots (drainage, formation level etc.)
 Plot sizes
 Means of access
 Open spaces within a plot (setbacks, ground coverage etc.)
 General height and area limitations (FAR etc.)
 Off-street parking spaces
 Street encroachment
 Community open space and amenities
 Minimum standard of a dwelling
 Requirements of parts of buildings
 Landscaping
 Damp-proofing and waterproofing
 Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
 Scope: Incorporate building concepts having a positive
environmental impact and encourage sustainable construction
practices, allowing efficiency and conservation of energy, water,
and building materials, and to promote resource efficiency
 Site sustainability
 Building envelop
 Energy efficient building systems
 Internal water management
FIRE PROTECTION
PART 4
 Part 4: Fire Protection

 Chapter 1: General Provisions

 Chapter 2: Precautionary Requirements
 Chapter 3: Means of Egress
 Chapter 4: Equipment and In-built Facilities Standards
 Chapter 5: Specific Requirements for Fire Detection and
Extinguishing System
BUILDING MATERIALS
PART 5
 Part 5: Building Materials

Chapter 1: Scope and Definitions

Chapter 2: Building Materials
 Masonry  Doors, windows and ventilators
 Cement and concrete  Aluminum and aluminum alloys
 Pre-stressed concrete  Builders’ hardware
 Building limes  Roof coverings
 Paints and varnishes
 Gypsum based materials and
plaster  Sanitary appliances and water
fittings
 Flooring materials
 Miscellaneous materials
 Steel  CGI sheet roofing and walling
 Timber and wood products
Volume 2
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
PART 6
 Part 6: Structural Design
 Chapter 1: Definitions and General  Chapter 8: Detailing of Reinforced
Requirements Concrete Structures
 Chapter 2: Loads on Buildings and  Chapter 9: Prestressed Concrete
Structures Structures
 Chapter 3: Soils and Foundations  Chapter 10: Steel Structures
 Chapter 4: Bamboo  Chapter 11: Timber
 Chapter 5: Concrete Material  Chapter 12: Ferrocement
Structures
 Chapter 6: Strength Design of
Reinforced Concrete Structures  Chapter 13: Steel-concrete
Composite Structural Members
 Chapter 7: Masonry Structures
Volume 3
CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES AND
SAFETY
PART 7
 Part 7: Construction Practices and Safety

 Chapter 1: Constructional Responsibilities and Practices

 Chapter 2: Storage, Stacking and Handling Practices
 Chapter 3: Safety During Construction
 Chapter 4: Demolition Work
 Chapter 5: Maintenance Management, Repairs, Retrofitting
and Strengthening of Buildings
BUILDING SERVICES
PART 8
 Part 8: Building Services
 Chapter 1: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Services for Buildings

 Chapter 2: Air-conditioning, Heating and Ventilation

 Chapter 3: Building Acoustics

 Chapter 4: Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks

 Chapter 5: Water Supply

 Chapter 6: Sanitary Drainage

 Chapter 7: Rainwater Management

 Chapter 8: Fuel Gas Supply

 Topics of Electrical Building Services

 Lighting protection
 Load estimation  Fire detection, alarm and
emergency lighting
 Fittings, fixtures and
accessories  Earthing
 Wiring  Lightning protection
 Substation and transformer  Telecommunication
 Distribution system  CCTV and access control
system
 Switch and switchboards
 Overcurrent and short-circuit
 Topics of HVAC

 Planning  Ventilation systems

 Air-conditioning system  Energy conservation
design
 Inspection, testing and
 Air distribution system commissioning
 Air-conditioning equipment  Operation and maintenance
 Refrigerating equipment
 Topics of Acoustics

Classification
Planning
Design
Speech privacy
Sound amplification system
 Topics of Lifts and Escalators
 Safety considerations
 Design considerations
 Escalators
 Moving walks
 Energy conservation
 Inspection and certification
 Operation and maintenance
 Topics of Water Supply

 Permit  Storage of water

 Licensing of plumbers  Design of distribution system
 Water supply requirements  Water distribution in tall
buildings
 Estimation of demand load
 Hot water supply installation
 Water sources and quality
 Pipe work
 Inspection and certification
 Cleaning and disinfection
 Water supply system
 Topics of Sanitary Drainage

 Planning  Refuse chute system

 Licensing of plumbers  Basement floor drainage
system
 Drainage and sanitation
requirements  Healthcare drainage system
 Materials and appliances  Inspection, testing and
completion certificate
 Design considerations
 Guide to maintenance
 Topics of Rainwater Management

 Rainwater harvesting  Drainage and sanitation

requirements requirement
 Rainwater harvesting  Materials and appliances
planning
 Construction
 Licensing of plumber
 Inspection, testing and
 Rooftop rainwater harvesting completion certificate
 Artificial groundwater  Guide to maintenance
recharge
 Topics of Fuel and Gas Supply

 Gas piping installation

 Use of LPG
 Installation of appliances
ALTERATION, ADDITION TO AND
CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING
BUILDINGS
PART 9
 Part 9: Alteration, Addition to and Change
of Use of Existing Buildings
Chapter 1: Applicability and Implementation
Chapter 2: Evaluation and Compliance
Chapter 3: Conservation
 Applicability
 No change in use shall be made without permission from the
permitting authority.
 No addition shall be made without permission from the permitting
authority.
 An existing building shall not be altered in such a manner that
results in the building being less safe or sanitary.
 Any construction which does not have approval of the
appropriate authority must be removed before any new addition,
alteration or change of use.
 Implementation

 For the proposed works relating to alteration, addition to

and change of use, the owner of the building shall cause
the existing buildings to be investigated and evaluated by
competent professionals.
 The results of the investigation and evaluation shall be
submitted to the Building Official.
 The Building Official shall determine whether the proposed
additions, alterations or change of use, complies with the
provisions specified in this Code.
 Conservation

 Conservation is the process of retention of existing

buildings or groups of buildings, landscapes etc. and taking
care not to alter or destroy character or detail, even though
repairs or changes may be necessary.
 Restoration is the process of carrying on alterations and
repairs to a building with the intention of restoring it to its
original form. It is generally regarded as more drastic than
conservation.
 Guidelines for Conservation

 Be reversible or repeatable
 Not prejudice a future intervention
 Not hinder the possibility of later access to all evidence
 Allow the maximum amount of existing material
 Be harmonious in color, tone, texture, form and scale
 Not be undertaken by conservator who are insufficiently
trained.
SIGNS AND OUTDOOR DISPLAY
PART 10
 Part 10: Signs and Outdoor Display

 Chapter 1: Scope and General

 Chapter 2: General Requirements
 Chapter 3: Specific Requirements of Various Types of Signs
 Scope of Signs and Outdoor Display

 Permit: A written permit shall be obtained from the Authority.

 Exemption:
• Wall signs (shop signs, building names, name plates etc.)
• Ground signs (official warning signs, direction indicators etc.)
• Temporary signs (construction signs, displays for festivities
etc.)
 Unsafe and unlawful signs: It shall be the responsibility of the
owner to ensure the safety and legality of the sign.
 Restrictions on Signs and Outdoor Display

 Restricted sign zone

 Prohibition on advertisement
 Signs on highways and roads
 Illuminated displays
 Location restrictions
 Projection over public property
 Clearance from power lines
 Specific Requirements for Various Types of
Signs
Electric signs
Ground signs
Roof signs
Projecting signs
Fin signs
Balcony signs
Marquee signs
Questions?
Thank you