Introduction to National Building Code and Steps in a Construction project

Ans 1. Whenever we plan or do something there are certain rules that we need to follow for smooth functioning. So the building codes are primarily required for the smooth and right functioning of the building . It is required so that the building is strong reliant and is functionable for a long period of time. If the building is designed without codes the building's life will be reduced. If it is designed in earthquake prone region and proper standards are not followed it will be demolised and human life will be at risk and all the money will be vain.

The design codes are basically designed with respect to every region specifically like hilly areas, snow area, dessert area, airport vacinity area, earthquake prone areas, etc. Design codes are different for every country and vary according to needs. If building is not designed with codes and will not be approved by high authorities and your hard work will be in vain and you need to design it once again . So its better to design it with codes well in advance.

Ans 2. From the Natonal Building Code has given a list of groups that can be used for construction od building , They are catagorized in 5 group.

Group 1 :- For development, building , Planning and Related Aspects.

Group 2 :- For Structural Design and Related Aspects.

Group 3 :- For Construction Related Aspects including safety.

Group 4 :- For Aspects Relating to building services.

Group 5 :- For aspects relating to plumbing services including solid waste management.

Ans 3. There are five major steps that occur in project cycle which are specified byLocation  National Building Code.

a) Location/ Siting:-

We need to at first locate the location where the structure is to be constructed , We need to check what are the site parameters and surrounding conditions and what measures are to be taken.

b) Conceptualization and planning:-

Then we need to make layout of you structure just a basic layout and planning of the structure . The basic concept and plan need to be drawn.

c) Designing and Detailing:-

The next step is designing and detailing of the structure . The detail design is to be done so as where will be doors, windows, stuctural and mechanical details.

d) Construction/ execution:-

After the designing process the construction process is started and when the construction is ready it is ready to use and execution is done.

e) Maintainance and repair:-

The final step is maintainance of the structure for future . If any problem or issue is there it needs to be fixed. Regular maintainance of building needs to be done for its long life.

Ans 4. There are different disciplines which are useful in construction which are:-

a) Architect

b) Civil engineer

c) Structural engineer

d) Electrical engineer

e) Plumbing engineer

f) Fire protection engineer

g) HVAC engineer

h) Environment specialist

j) Town Planner

k) Urban designer

m) Landscape architect

n) Security system specialist

p) Interior designer

q) Quantity surveyor

r) Project/construction manager and

s) Other subject specialist(s)

Ans 5. Buildings shall be classified as Residential, Educational, Institutional, Assembly, Business, Mercantile, Industrial, Storage and Hazardous in groups .

a. Four unit apartment - Residential building

b. School with capacity of 1000 students - Educational building

c. A single unit shop - Merchantile building

d. Multi story Shopping complex -Business building

e. Steel machine factory - Industrial Building

Ans 6. There are mainly two roles in consstruction that is the design team and management team.

The design team includes many professionals who are experts in their specific field and design specific aspectslike space planning, aesthetics, fire and life safety, structure,adequacy, plumbingservices, lightening, natural ventillation, electrical and allied installation, air condiotioning, heating and mechanical ventillation, acoustics and etc. It is a very evolutionary process and constitutes a very important role. The role of design team is site investigation or survey preparation of preliminary designs and drawing and obtaining owners approval, preparing preliminary cost estimates also preparation of detailed specification and construction working drawings, preparation of detailed design of each discipline for various services.

Whereas a management team wholly manages all the work done. After the design of drawing , the management team makes sure that all the work is going on smoothly. It manages all the work and sees that the proper execution is done . The main objective of project management or construction management is primarily to achieve acomplishment of project in accordance with the designs and specifications in a stipulated time and cost frameworks with a degree of assurance prior to commencement and satisfaction on accomplishment. The team shall be responsible for day to day execution supervision , quality control ,etc and ensure inter displinary co ordination during construction stage.

So inshort management team manages the project in right way with teh help of design team and the design team hepls in detailing of cinstruction to be constructed with specific parameters.

Ans 7. According to NBC modelling requirements are as follows-

a. Height Limitations- Bathrooms should be enclosed by partitionwith a height prescribed as not less than one metre.

The ceiling height should be a minimum of 0.9 metres and maximum of 1.2 m above road surfce.

The height of all romms for human habitation shall not be less than 2.75 m measured from the surface of the floor to the lowest point of ceiling .

The minimum height of basement should be 2.5 metres and the maximum height 4.5 metres.

b. Area Limitations- The area of habitable room shall not be less than 9.5 m^2,where there is only one room with minimum width of 2.4 m. Where there are two rooms , one of these shall not be less than 9.5m^2 and the other not less than 7.5 m^2, with a minimum with of 2.1m.

c. Thickness based on fire and life safety- Fire Seperation is the distance in m measured from the external wallof building concerned to the external wall of any other building on the site, or from other site or from the side of street or other public space for the purpose preventing the spread of fire.

d. Passageway Requirements- Exit corridors and passageways shall be of widht not less than the aggregate required width of exit doorwaysleading from them in the direction of travel to the exterior.

Where stairways dischargethrough corridors and passageways , the height of corridors and passageways shall not be less than 2.4 m

All means of exit including staircase lifts lobbies and corridors shall be adequately ventillated.