Introduction to National Building Code and Steps in a Construction project

1. Ans

Building codes essential for the modeling/efficiency of drawings in Revit

• Building codes address many of a society's most important concerns, including public health and safety, and environmental protection
• Building codes are used, when we are constructing a building, it gives the standard codes, that prevents from the earthquakes. By using the building codes, we can construct the building with the high-quality design of the buildings.
• Because they are developed by a democratic and deliberative process that applies improvements incrementally, the building codes also address cost efficiency and Investment value.
• In large part, building codes establish a building's quality, safety and energy performance for years to come, because initial design and construction decisions determine operational and maintenance costs for the life of the building
• Building equipment and other components may be replaceable and upgradeable, but many aspects of building performance are designed in at the beginning, and are too expensive and difficult to change.
• Foundations and other parts of the building envelope are typically in place for 50 years or more.
• Building codes and design and construction decisions affect us every day.
• Some requirements such as fire safety codes and structural and seismic standards affect us in obvious ways.
• Others, such as lighting quality, acoustics and the air we breathe also have major effects on our health and productivity
• Building codes are used, when we are constructing a building, it gives the standard codes, that prevents from the earthquakes and any other volcanos.
• It saves the human lives by using the building codes, we can construct the building with the high-quality design of the buildings

A model building code organization is a set of building codes that are developed and maintained by a standards organization. This standards organization operates Independently of the jurisdiction or area in which the building code standards are being developed Local governments or councils can choose to adopt these building codes as they see fit, in order to better oversee construction within their area. Building code organizations establish minimum safety, construction and material requirements for builders to adhere to. To achieve the minimum standards of safety and welfare of residents of a building, the governing body defines a set of guidelines to regulate the construction activities termed as building codes. A building code is a set of rules to regulate the construction activities across the country.

The National Building Code of India (NBC), a comprehensive building Code, is a national instrument providing guidelines for regulating the building construction activities across the country. 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 The Code mainly contains administrative regulations, development control rules and general building requirements: fire safety requirements; stipulations regarding materials, structural design and construction (including safety); building and plumbing services; approach to sustainability, and asset and facility management asset and facility management.

2. Ans

According to NBC Buildings are classified according to use or the character of occupancy in one of the following groups

• Group A - Residential
• Group B - Educational
• Group C - Institutional
• Group D - Assembly
• Group E - Business
• Group F – Mercantile (relating to trade or commerce; commercia)
• Group G - Industrial
• Group H - Storage
• Group I - Hazardous

3. Ans

1. Initiation

• The project initiation phase is very important
• The initiation lays the foundation for all future steps all the way to the project's closure.
• In this stage, you and your team will identify the key issues the new project will strive to solve.
• You will determine how feasible this project is and whether it actually makes sense to go ahead with its execution
• in this stage, management or other authority figures have determined a business need that will require the work of a project manager,
• The project itself could improve business processes, create revenue, or otherwise fill a need in the organization.

2. Planning

• Once the initiation stage is over, your project will enter the planning stage.
• As its name implies, this phase is everything to do with the planning and preparation of the project. Plan everything correctly, and your project is guaranteed to be a success
• The planning phase is when the project plans are documented, the project deliverables and requirements are defined and the project schedule is created.
• It involves creating a set of plans to help guide your team through the implementation and closure phases of the project

3. Executions

• In this stage, your project finally comes to life.
• During the execution, you'll implement your plan and begin to take all the steps necessary to carry out the project.
• This is the longest and most important phase of your project, in which all of the action happens.
• By the end of this stage, you will see the physical manifestation of the pre-execution brainstorming and planning. In the execution, the building blocks are actually, laid down, and brick by brick, your project building is formed.
• After the planning stage is complete, it's time to begin doing the work. Hence the execution stage, or the stage where a project is carried out

4. Monitoring and control

• Monitoring and control are sometimes combined with execution because often occur at the same time.
• As teams execute their project plan, they must constantly monitor their own progress.
• it is the process of consistently monitoring progress during execution to ensure your team is performing as they should.

5. Final Stage

• Tears close a project when they deliver the finished project to the customer, communicating completion to stakeholders and releasing resources to other projects
• This vital step in the project lifecycle allows the team to evaluate and document the project and move on the next one, using previous project mistakes and successes to build stronger processes and more successful teams
• it is the final stage of the project life cycle, and it begins after a project has been completed.

4. Ans

• Construction: Managing the building of civil engineering systems from cradle to grave to include coordination between the owner, contractor and designer.
• Cost Estimation: It include accounting, financial contracts and estimating the cost of activities.
• Contractors effective contract administration is integral to acquiring the next job or project as a construction manager.
• Geotechnical Designing foundations and earthwork systems to support soil itself and transfer loads from structures into the earth while limiting settlements.
• Management: Managing equipment, personnel and supplies to build more effectively, efficiently and economically.
• Structural Designing systems of structural members used to support loads for a specified public function such as bridges, buildings, dams and bell towers.
• Surveying: Measuring physical features to include horizontal distances and elevation differences to determine property lines, lay out buildings and produce maps.

Appropriate multi-disciplinary teams need to be constituted to successfully meet the requirements of different stages. Each team may comprise need-based professionals out of the following depending upon the nature, magnitude and complexity of the project:

The different disciplines involved in construction of a project are as follows

• Architect
• Civil engineer
• Structural engineer
• Geotechnical engineer
• Electrical engineer
• Plumbing engineer
• Fire protection engineer
• Heating Ventilation and air conditioning engineer
• Lift, Escalator and moving walk specialist
• Acoustics specialist,
• Information/communication technology engineer
• Health, safety and environment specialist
• Element sustainability specialist
• Town planner
• Urban designer
• Landscape architect
• Security system specialist
• Interior designer
• Quantity Surveyor
• Project/construction manager
• Accessibility and universal design specialist Asset/faculty manager
• Other subject specialists

5. Ans

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

The Code mainly contains administrative regulations, development control rules and general building requirements; fire safety requirements; stipulations regarding materials, structural design and construction (including safety), building and plumbing services: approach to sustainability, and asset and facility management.

The buildings are classified as

• Residential buildings
• Educational buildings
• Institutional buildings
• Assembly buildings
• Business buildings
• Mercantile buildings
• Industrial buildings
• Storage buildings
• Hazardous buildings

The buildings are placed under each category in the tabular form shown below.

BUILDINGS - CATEGORY

Four-unit apartments

• Group A (Residential Building) - Subdivision A-4

School with capacity of 1000 students

• Group B (Education building) - Subdivision B-2

A single unit shops

• Group F (Mercantile Building) - Subdivision F-1

Multi story Shopping complex

• Group D (Assembly building) - Subdivision A-4

Steel machine factory

• Group G (Industrial building) - Subdivision G-1

6. Ans

ROLE OF DESIGN TEAM

A design team can be a singular individual working on design projects across an organization, up to a team of 50+ designers who have their own department. There's a lot that goes into effectively leading a design team. in building projects various aspects like form, space planning aesthetics; fire and life safety; structural adequacy, plumbing services; lighting and natural ventilation; electrical and allied installations, air conditioning, heating and mechanical ventilation: acoustics, sound insulation and noise control; installation of lifts and escalators: concept stage.

The project requiring such multidisciplinary inputs need a coordinated approach among the professionals for proper integration of various design inputs. For this, and to take care of the complexities of multi-disciplinary requirements, a design building automation, data and voice communication; other utility services Installations; landscape planning and design; urban planning, etc. need to be kept in view right at the team of professionals from required disciplines shall be constituted at the appropriate stage.

The design team for construction projects consists of an architect and engineers. Often, the team itself may consist of an architectural firm and an engineering firm which themselves employ several architects or engineers on smaller projects, you may simply have one architect or engineer who is tasked with your project. Each of these groups can have individuals that specialize in specific areas of design or engineering

Here, it is desirable that the multi-disciplinary integration is initiated right from the concept stage. The team shall finalize the plan. The composition of the team shall depend on the nature and magnitude of the project. Design is an evolutionary and participatory process, where participation of owner constitutes a very important input at all stages, and the same shall be ensured by the design team. (SP 7 GROUP 1 (2016) NCB-4.1 DESIGN TEAM)

ROLE OF MANAGEMENT TEAM

Role of management team is mainly assigned to project managers who are responsible for planning, organizing and overseeing the various tasks involved in a construction project. These project managers are in charge of construction project management, and they represent the builder or contractor hired to perform the work.

The management team is the group of individuals that operate at the higher levels of an organization and have day-to-day responsibility for managing other individuals and maintaining responsibility for key business functions. The objective of project management or construction management is primarily to achieve accomplishment of project in accordance with the designs and specifications in a stipulated cost framework. with a degree of assurance prior to commencement and satisfaction on accomplishment. (SP 7 GROUP 1 (2016) NCB-4.2 PROJECT MANAGMENT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGMENT TEAM)

7. Ans

According to NATIONAL BUILDING COAD OF INDIA

Height limitations:

• As per NBC 2016, Clause C-2.5, the height of the building shall not exceed 15m. page no. 137
• The height of building shall not exceed 15 m
• For buildings up to the height of 15 m, there is no need to provide lifts.
• Housing for the low-income group shall preferably be up to a maximum of two story.
• Buildings for housing beyond 15 m in height should be resorted to in exceptional circumstances and it should be governed by provisions laid down in this Code

About my model

• The height of the building in my model is 7.3m which is less than 15m.
• hence , it follows NBC guidelines

Area limitations:

• As per NBC 2016, C-2.3, page no 137
• According to NBC 2005, the the minimum plot size with ground coverage not exceeding 75%, shall not be less than 40 sq.m in small and medium town and not less than 30 sq.m in metropolitan area.
• The minimum lot size with ground coverage not exceeding 75 percent, shall not be less than 40 m2 in small and medium town and not less than 30 m2 in metropolitan cities.
• Plot sizes below 30 m2 but not less than 15 m2 may be permitted in case of cluster planning, however, in such cases the ground coverage and far shall be 100 percent and 2, respectively.

About my model

• The area occupied by the building in my model is greater than 40sq.m. Floor area of my model is 12.2mx8.23m i.e 100.4 sq.m
• Hence, it follows NBC guidelines.

Room Sizing

• As per NBC 2016, C-3.3, page no 138
• The area of habitable room shall not be less than 9.5 m2, where there is only one room with a minimum width of 2.4 m.
• Where there are two rooms, one of these shall not be less than 9.5 m2 and the other not less than 7.5 m2, with a minimum width of 21 m.

About my model

• In my model the number of rooms in the building is 4 and the total area of the rooms is (42.45 m2)x2 + (36.33m2)x2 = 157.56 sq.m
• which is greater than the value specified in the code. Hence the building is safe.

Wall height

The minimum height of rooms/spaces shall be autoflows

• Habitable room: 2.6 m
• Kitchen 2.6 m
• Bath/water-closet: 2.1m
• Corridor: 21m

In the case of sloping roofs, the average height of roof for habitable rooms shall be 2.6 m and the minimum height at eaves shall be 20 m

About my model

• In my model al the walls have a height of 3m which is greater than the minimum wall height specified in the code. Hence it is satisfied.

Thickness based on fire life and safety

• The thickness for masonry walls is given by the Table-10 of fire and life safety section of NBC 2016

Passageway requirements

• Passageways shall be of width not less than the calculated aggregate width of exit doorways leading from them in the direction of travel to the exit (see Table-1)
• In the case of buildings where there is a central corridor, which is part of exit access, the doors of rooms (except for rooms having assembly occupancy) shall open inwards to permit smooth flow of traffic in the corridor.

8. Ans

The model from week 2 to week 4 has been designed as per the NBC requirements, as shown below