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In the wake of recent incidents of buildings collapsing it is very important that you check the quality of construction and safety standards of the house you are planning to purchase. An increasing number of incidents of building collapsing due to faulty construction it becomes imperative that you check the safety standards of your house before purchasing, especially for people planning to buy apartment in high rise buildings must seek safety details of your complex. How to get safety details? The National building Code (NBC) of India 2005 provides guidelines for regulating building constructions across the country. This code gives in detail administrative regulations, development control rules, fire safety regulations, and guidelines regarding construction materials and structural design. Know the regulations Here are some of the key requirements of a residential building: • Fire safety: Builders must have a no-objection certificate from the fire department before they can get a building permit. Part 4 of NBC details the requirements for fire prevention, life safety and fire protection of buildings. This section explains construction and occupancy features that can help minimise the danger to life and property in the event of a fire. For instance, there must be provision of a staircase that can be used as a fire staircase. • Provision of lift: Buildings that are more than 13 meters high must have a lift. The lift should have a minimum capacity of six persons. Section 8 of NBC explains requirements concerning the installation, operation, maintenance and inspection of lifts in order to ensure safe performance. • Building services: Part 8 of NBC also discusses essential requirements for lighting and ventilation of a building. It also explains the requirements for electrical installations that can help ensure efficient use of electricity as well as safety from fire and shock. • Plumbing services: Part 9 of NBC 2005 explains the basic requirements of water supply, plumbing and design of water supply systems. • Construction practices: While discussing construction related practices and management, Part 7 of NBC also dwells upon storage and stacking of materials as well as safety of personnel during construction operations. It also specifies guidelines relating to maintenance, repairs, retrofitting and strengthening of buildings. • Construction permit: Although numerous approvals of civic authorities are required to get a building permit, the procedures are plagued by corrupt practices and therefore lead to a situation where building laws are often violated. Nevertheless, documents such as the Completion Certificate are a proof that the building has been constructed as per the approved plan. Again, the occupancy certificate is required to apply for electricity and water connection. 1. Part II of NBC 2005 contains a series of reforms in the building permit process. There is a provision of two stage permit for high rise residential buildings. In addition, it proposes a periodic renewal certificate of buildings from the point of view of structural, fire and electrical safety. • Construction materials and techniques: Prominent builders are employing advanced techniques that help in speedy construction and achieve, at the same time, high levels of accuracy. For the construction of high-rise residential buildings, developers across cities are using techniques such as heated tunnel forms, large area wall panel forms and aluminium form-work. While discussing the materials used in construction of high-rise buildings in India, Rupali Kavilkar and Shweta Patil, both working as assistant professor in Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum (Karnataka) explain that concrete, although very hard, cannot resist tension loads. Their study reveals that fly ash can be highly beneficial to reduce the cost of construction as well as minimise the damage caused to buildings due to high temperature. A house is a one-time investment for most of us and it is important that as a buyer you check every minute details of the complex before you invest your hard earned money in the project to buy your house.
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