AR 301: ARCHITECTURAL

DESIGN

AAKARSHIT JAIN
B.ARCH III- YEAR (DAY)

REPORT: BUILDING BYE LAWS (DELHI) AND NATIONAL

BUILDING CODE- COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
 CONTENTS OF THE REPORT:

GENERAL NORMS AND PROVISIONS-......................................................................3

ACOUSTICS PROVISIONS:......................................................................................6
SAFE EXITS:..........................................................................................................9
SEISMIC DESIGN:..............................................................................................9
LANDSCAPING NORMS-.............................................................................10
FIRE RESISTANCE NORMS-......................................................................12
LIFT NORMS..........................................................................................15
PLUMBING.........................................................................................17
GREEN BUILDING PROVISIONS......................................................18
PROVISIONS FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED, ELDERLY AND CHILDREN
........................................................................................................18
LIGHTING PROVISIONS:.................................................................20
HVAC PROVISIONS-........................................................................21
GENERAL NORMS AND PROVISIONS-
1. Corridors- Buildings like commercial, institutional and hotels 1.5 m for single loaded and 1.8m
for double loaded.
2. Minimum width of staircase shall be 1.5 m.
3. Atrium/ Atria at any floor shall be permitted in all high –rise buildings and commercial buildings
(including low-rise). Atrium may be enclosed by light roofing or R.C.C as per development
control norms provided in the MPD.
4. No piece of public art shall be more than 2 m in height, if located within the building and 5 m in
height if located outside the building.
5.
6.

7. Where development controls are not stipulated for any premise, the same can be formulated by
the Authority.
8. The mezzanine floor and service floor wherever provided shall be considered as a part of the
total FAR. In case of the buildings with 26m. and more height in all use-zones, Technical
Committee of DDA may permit the following in special circumstances:
 a) In case of provision of stack-parking in stilt floor or basement, minimum height should
be 2.5m.
b) Intermittent service floor may be permitted for installation of equipment and services
required for the maintenance of the building with prior approval of the agencies
concerned and are not to be counted in FAR. The height of the service floor is to be
decided based on the depth of structural members, the height requirement for
providing water-reservoirs, other equipment’s, etc. The height of Service floor in the
building shall be limited to 1.8m.
9. The minimum area for office room/shop/retail or any other space to be used as workspace shall
not be less than 9 sq.m. with a minimum width of 2.4 m and minimum height to be 2.75 m and
maximum height to be 4.8 m.
10. Minimum area for kiosk should be 4 sq.m. for informal sector.
11. The whole or part of one side of one or more rooms intended for human habitation and not
abutting on either the front, rear or side open spaces shall abut on an interior open space whose
minimum width in all directions shall be 3.0 m in case of buildings not more than 15 m in height
unless mechanically ventilated.
12. Sunken Courtyard: Sunken courtyard as ‘light well’ within building envelop shall be permitted for
light and ventilation for basement area.
13. Skylight: Skylight in interior open space(courtyard) may be permitted subject to it may not act as
a coverage space on the ground floor and not violate the maximum/ minimum ground coverage
as per Development Control Regulations.
14.
15.
ACOUSTICS PROVISIONS:
1. Floor finishes are important. The impact noise of footsteps on marble, terrazzo or wood block
flooring, and especially on hardwood strip and batten flooring, can be disturbing both within the
room in which the noise is generated and the rooms below. On solid floors, resilient floor
finishes, such as rubber, cork and linoleum on an underlay, are highly desirable. In the children’s
sections of libraries and museums they are essential. In existing buildings, rubber linoleum or
vinyl asbestos tiles laid over the floor in the traffic areas are often a solution to the problem.
2. In large libraries, museums and art galleries echoes from lofty, large domed or concave ceilings
are often a nuisance. Small noisessuch asfootsteps, coughs, chair scraping and closing of books
are reinforced by reverberation, and concave surfaces even when treated with a sound
absorbent may focusthese noises. Treated flat ceilings, if not too high, obviate these troubles.
Books on shelvesin libraries constitute a valuable wall absorbent.
3.

4. Because of greatly increased outdoor noise, all auditorium buildings now need more care in
siting than formerly. For listening to speech or music, a very low background noise level is
desirable; in concert halls especially the quietest possible conditions should be provided
because the pauses and moments of silence which are essential elements of music cannot
otherwise be given full value. Therefore, sites at crossroads or close to steel railway bridges,
religious places or near churches where bell ringing is practiced, should be avoided unless very
high standards of structural sound insulation are contemplated. Sites adjoining underground
railways may also prove unsatisfactory at basement levels owing to low-pitched noise or rumble
transmitted through the ground; special isolation measure need to be adopted for isolating large
buildings from ground vibration of this sort.
5. TRANSMISSION PATHS OF SOUND
6.
SAFE EXITS:
1.

2.

3. Minimum width provisions for stairways- Assembly buildings and Institutional building -2.0 m.
All other buildings including hotels and Educational building 1.5 m.
SEISMIC DESIGN:
1. Pressure regulating stations shall be designed and installed at critical locations for excess flow
shut off valves. Seismic shut off valve at the main distribution point shall be installed for
buildings in D-6 occupancy and institutional occupancy above 15 m.
2. For high rise buildings, seismic bracings shall be considered for firefighting installations
depending on seismic vulnerability of the region and the type of occupancy.
3. Effects of earthquake-induced vertical shaking can be significant for overall stability analysis of
structures, especially in structures (a) with large spans, and (b) those in which stability is a
criterion for design. Reduction in gravity force due to vertical ground motions can be
detrimental particularly in pre-stressed horizontal members, cantilevered members and gravity
structures. Hence, special attention shall be paid to effects of vertical ground motion on pre-
stressed or cantilevered beams, girders and slabs.

4.
5. For buildings located in Seismic Zones III, IV and V, it shall be ensured that structural
components, that are not a part of seismic force resisting system in considered direction of
ground motion but are monolithically connected, do not lose their vertical load-carrying capacity
under induced net stress resultants, including additional bending moments and shear forces
resulting from storey deformations equal to R times storey displacements.

LANDSCAPING NORMS-
1. For Institutional, Commercial, Industrial, Transportation, Government and Group Housing
schemes, number of trees in the respective premises shall be @ one tree per 100 sq.m of open
space in the plot.
2.

3.

4.
5. Hard landscape materials and their details may be worked out so that sharp corners, injurious
edges and easily breakable materials are avoided in the public landscape.
 6. Plant materials may be selected taking into consideration the possible issues of allergic
reactions or toxicity.
7. Level differences in the open spaces may be treated with adequate care so as to avoid potential
fall/injury. Level differences of a single step may be avoided in landscaped areas since they may
aggravate the chances of tripping and injury.
8. Durable, easy to repair equipment and safety surfacing may be considered for play areas.
International Safety Standards, such as fall zones, safety surface, fall height, and entrapment
concerns may be considered for play equipment and surfaces. The flooring material of these
spaces may be impact absorbing and injury proof.
9. In areas for smaller children, the number of exits and their placement may be limited so that
they are easily monitored by parents and guardians.
10. Creation of hidden areas in the landscape should be avoided. The density of vegetation and
height of the understory planting may be decided so as to keep the view-lines clear.
11. Lighting may be done so as to ensure that all usable areas of the landscape are well lit and there
are no dark spots in the landscape.

FIRE RESISTANCE NORMS-

1. Entrance to fire escape shall be separate and remote from the internal staircase.
2. Fire escape staircases shall have straight flight not less than 1.35 m wide with 25 cm treads and
risers not more than 19 cm. The number of risers shall be limited to 15 per flight.
3. To enable fire services personnel to reach the upper floors with the minimum delay, one fire lift
per 1200 sq.m of floor area shall be provided and shall be available for the exclusive use of the
firemen in an emergency.
4. It shall have loading capacity of not less than 545 kg (8 persons lift) with automatic closing doors
of minimum 0.8 m width.
5. For buildings more than 24.0 m in height, refuge area of 15.0 sq.m or an area equivalent to 0.3
sq.m per person to accommodate the occupants of two consecutive floors whichever is higher
shall be provided as under:
i. For floors above 24.0 m and up to 39.0 m – One refuge area on the floor immediately
above 24.0 m.
ii. ii. For floors above 39.0 m – One refuge area on the floor immediately above 39.0 m
and so on after every 15.0 m.
6. A high rise building having height more than 70 m shall be provided with fire check floor (entire
floor) above 70 m at immediate habitable floor level.
7. Fire Check Floor/ Fire Cut off Floor shall be free of FAR.
8. For all buildings with a height of 15 m and above and Group Housing with a height of 30m and
above, there shall be a control room on the entrance floor of the building with communication
system (suitable public address system) to all floors and facilities for receiving the message from
different floors. Details of all floor plans along with the details of firefighting equipment and
installations shall be maintained in the fire control room. The fire control room shall also have
facilities to detect the fire on any floor through indicator board connections; fire detection and
alarm systems on all floors. The fire staff in-charge of the fire control room shall be responsible
for the maintenance of the various services and firefighting equipment and installations in co-
ordination with security, electrical and civil staff of the building.
9.

10. Buildings having height more than 15 m above ground level shall necessarily be accessible by fire
tender.
11. For buildings having floor area less than 10 000 m2, fire tenders shall have access to at least
one-third of the perimeter of building which shall be minimum 6.0 m wide and having 9.0 m
turning radius
12. For buildings having floor area more than 10 000 m2, fire engine shall have an access to at least
to half of the perimeter of building which shall be minimum 6.0 m wide and having 9.0 m
turning radius.
13. If podium is not accessible by fire tender, the podium may be such that it is not extended
beyond the building footprint to an extent more than 11.0 m on the side where fire tender
access is provided.
14. Such restriction shall not apply in case podium is accessible by fire engine.
15. Minimum 6.0 m driveway width and 9.0 m width at turning shall be available for fire tender
movement all around the podium.
16.

17. If the commercial kitchen/cooking is situated in a building that is not sprinkler protected, the
floor area of the kitchen/cooking shall not exceed 50 m2 .
18. Due diligence shall be exercised before considering protection with sprinkler/water mist
installation particularly for the protection of fryers. No sprinklers shall be provided within 3 m of
cooking equipment and kitchen hoods. Area sensitive to sprinklers shall be protected with wet
chemical suppression systems or other approved systemsfor the type of protection. Water
mistsystems, if approved for use for the type of application (that is, commercial cooking
equipment) by fire tests, may also be considered.
 19.

LIFT NORMS

1. FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED

2. FOR GENERAL PROVISIONS:
PLUMBING
1.
2.

3.
GREEN BUILDING PROVISIONS
1. Water Conservation and Management
a. Rain Water Harvesting (by Recharge)
b. Low Water Consumption Plumbing Fixtures
c. Waste Water Recycle and Reuse d. Reduction of hardscape
2. Solar Energy Utilization
a. Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Panels
b. Installation of Solar Assisted Water Heating Systems
3. Energy Efficiency
a. Low Energy Consumption Lighting Fixtures (Electrical Appliances – BEE Star and Energy
Efficient Appliances)
b. Energy Efficiency in HVAC systems
4. Waste Management
a. Segregation of Waste
b. Organic Waste Management
PROVISIONS FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED, ELDERLY AND CHILDREN
1. Access path from plot entry and surface parking to building entrance shall be minimum of 1.8 m
wide having even surface without any steps. Slope, if any, shall not have gradient greater than
5%. Selection of floor material shall be made suitably to attract or to guide visually impaired
persons
2. a. Surface parking for two car spaces shall be provided near entrance for the differently abled
persons with maximum travel distance of 30.0 m from building entrance.
c. The width of parking bay shall be minimum 3.6 m.
d. The information stating that the space is reserved for wheel chair users shall be
conspicuously displayed.
e. Guiding floor materials shall be provided or a device, which guides visually impaired
persons with audible signals, or other devices, which serves the same purpose, shall be
provided.
3. Every building should have at least one entrance accessible to the differently abled and shall be
indicated by proper signage. This entrance shall be approached through a ramp together with
the stepped entry.
4. Ramp shall be finished with non-slip material to enter the building. Minimum width of ramp
shall be 1.8 m with maximum gradient 1:12. Length of ramp in a single stretch shall not exceed
9.0 meter having 0. 8 m high hand rail on both sides extending 300mm beyond top and bottom
of the ramp. Minimum gap from the adjacent wall to the hand rail shall be 50mm.
5. Minimum& clear opening of the entrance door shall be 900mm and it shall not be provided with
a step that obstructs the passage of a wheel chair user. Threshold shall not be raised more than
12 mm.
6. Entrance Landing: Entrance landing shall be provided adjacent to ramp with the minimum
dimension 1.8 m x 2.0 m. The entrance landing that adjoins the top end of a slope shall be
provided with floor materials to attract the attention of visually impaired person.
7. a. Guiding floor materials' shall be provided or device that emits sound to guide visually
impaired persons.
b. The minimum width shall be 1.5 m.
 c. In case there is a difference of level, slope ways shall be provided with a slope of 1:12.
d. Handrails shall be provided for ramps/slope ways.
8.

9. One special W.C. in a set of toilets shall be provided for the use of differently abled with
essential provision of washbasin near the entrance for the differently abled.
a. The minimum size shall be 1.5 m x 1.75 m.
b. Minimum clear opening of the door shall be 0.9 m and the door shall swing out.
c. Suitable arrangement of vertical/horizontal handrails with 50 mm clearance from wall
shall be made in the toilet.
d. The W.C. seat shall be 0.5 m from the floor.
LIGHTING PROVISIONS:
1. Sunken Courtyard: Sunken courtyard as ‘light well’ within building envelop shall be permitted for
light and ventilation for basement area.
2. Skylight: Skylight in interior open space(courtyard) may be permitted subject to it may not act as
a coverage space on the ground floor and not violate the maximum/ minimum ground coverage
as per Development Control Regulations.
3. it conform to the standard of living rooms as regards lighting and ventilation in case the size of
mezzanine floor is 9.5 m2 or more.
4. Lighting for walkways shall be as given below:
a) Lighting should illuminate the walkway; lighting fixtures not exceeding a height of 4 m
from ground level should be provided.
b) Lighting shall be provided every 20 m to 30m, focusing light not on the car lanes, but on
the walkways.
c) A white light source, for example highpressure sodium, is preferable in city and town
centres for the aesthetic effect and for better colour definition, which benefits those
with poor sight.
 d) White lighting at average 35 to 40 lux is recommended to ensure colour contrast of
tactile blocks and to ensure visibility at night to persons with low vision.
e) Light pole may preferably be located within the tree-planting zone.
f) Lower level light poles are preferred to avoid shadow where there are high trees.
5. Lighting in the corridor and maneuvering zone shall be even, diffused and without glare,
reflections or shadows. Minimum illumination level at the corridor and maneuvering zone shall
be 100 lux.
6. To facilitate lip reading, lighting should provide even illumination. The reading and writing
surfaces at counters, desks and ticket offices shall be illuminated to a level of at least 200 lux in
the room, and on the desk in a range of 350 lux to 450 lux.
7. Adequate provision should be made to facilitate sign language and lip reading. Lighting on the
faces and hands of presenters and people signing should be provided at an angle of 45° to 50°
from horizontal at ceiling level for people with a hearing impairment to be able to read the
presenter’s lips and the signer’s lips and hands. A suitable contrasting backdrop should be
provided, to assist in reading the presenter’s lips and hands.

HVAC PROVISIONS-

1.
2.

3.