1.introduction and Overview of BNBC

S. K.
Ghosh Associates LLC

International Code Council (ICC)
TrainingandCapacityBuilding
Initiativeof
ComponentSͲ09
(Implementationand
EnforcementofBNBCͲ2020)
oftheUrbanResilienceProject
(URP):RAJUKPART
24March– 07June2021
Introduction to Building
Codes
23 March 2021
S. K. Ghosh, Ph.D.
President, S. K. Ghosh Associates LLC
URP S-09 Training

Module G1
www.skghoshassociates.com
1
S. K. Ghosh Associates LLC
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
2
Statistics from 1995 Kobe

Earthquake
March11,201114:46
GreatEastJapan
Earthquake
MomentMagnitude
Mw 9.0
(38.322N,142.369E,
depth32km)
AlsoknownastheTohokuͲ M7.5@1508
OkiEarthquake
or
TohokuOffshorePacific M7.4@15:25
OceanEarthquake
M9.014:46
Verticalfaultdisplacements
ofupto5mandhorizontal
faultdisplacementsofover
M7.3@15:15
50moverregion200kmby
450km
Courtesy: Ian Robertson,
Univ. of Hawaii
3
Sendai Airport after 2011 Tohoku

Earthquake
Sendai after 2011 Tohoku

Earthquake
4
Tohoku University Building

after 2011 Earthquake

5


6
Coastal Communities
after 2011 Tohoku Earthquake
Courtesy: Ian Robertson,

Univ. of Hawaii
Coastal Communities
after 2011 Tohoku Earthquake
7
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.
8
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.
9
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 ensures 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
10
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
11
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 buildings 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 buildings occupants
– Support affordability in housing

– Community needs for greater resiliency
12
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
13
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.
14
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.
15
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
URP/RAJUK/SͲ9Component 31
Implementation of the BNBC-2020

Secure final Government of Bangladesh Approval
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
16
ENFORCEMENT:
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
17
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
18
No Fire Safety Inspections for

Residential Buildings up to 6
Stories in Height
19
Questions?
Thankyou
Overview of BNBC 2020

23 March 2021
Raquib Ahsan, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET
URP S-09 Training

Module G2
20
Building Code in Bangladesh

The Building Construction Act was enacted in 1952
The first draft Building Code was drafted in 1993 by HBRI
The BC Act 1952 was amended in 2006 by giving power to make
Bangladesh National Building Code
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 in 2015
Final version has already been approved by the steering committee and
the MoHPW and vetted by the Law Ministry
The updated code was gazette on 11February 2021
3
21
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 not limited to the foundation,
plinth, walls, floors, roofs, stairs, chimneys, fixed platform,
verandah, balcony, cornice, projections, extensions,
annexes etc.
Will also include the sanitary, plumbing, electrical, HVAC,
appurtenances and all other building service installations
which are constructed or erected as an integral part of a
building.
22
BNBC in 3 Volumes
• Part1: SCOPEANDDEFINITION
• Part2:ADMINISTRATIONANDENFORCEMENT
Volume1 • Part3: GENERALBUILDINGREQUIREMENTS,CONTROL

ANDREGULATION
• Part4:FIREPROTECTION
• Part5:BUILDINGMATERIALS
Volume2 • Part6:STRUCTURALDESIGN
• Part7:CONSTRUCTIONPRACTICESANDSAFETY
• Part8: BUILDINGSERVICES
Volume3 • Part9: ADDITION,ALTERATIONTOANDCHANGEOFUSE
OFEXISTINGBUILDINGS
• Part10: SIGNSANDOUTͲDOORDISPLAY
PART 2:
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
23
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 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.
24
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 Relevantdevelopment

authority
6 Areas under any City Corporation Relevantcitycorporation
7 Areas under any Municipality Relevantmunicipality
8 Areasnotfallingunderanyoftheabove OfficeofTheExecutive
EngineerPWD
9 Specialareas,ifany Tobedeclaredbythe
government
10
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
11
25
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
Struc 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
13
26
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.
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 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.
14
Unsafe Buildings
All buildings to 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 considers that an unsafe building constitute
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.
15
27
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.
16
PART 3:
GENERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS,
CONTROL AND REGULATION
28
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
18
Occupancy Classification
A: Residential K: Garage
B: Educational Facilities L: Utility
C: Institution for Care Miscellaneous
D: Health Care Facilities
E: Business
F: Mercantile
G: Industrial Buildings
H: Storage Buildings
I: Assembly
J: Hazardous Building
29
Other Architectural Issues Covered

Requirements of plots (drainage, formation Requirements of plots (drainage, formation
level etc.) level etc.)
Plot sizes Plot sizes
Means of access Means of access
Open spaces within a plot (setbacks, ground Open spaces within a plot (setbacks, ground
coverage etc.) coverage etc.)
General height and area limitations (FAR General height and area limitations (FAR
etc.) etc.)
Off-street parking spaces Off-street parking spaces
Street encroachment Street encroachment
Community open space and amenities Community open space and amenities
Minimum standard of a dwelling Minimum standard of a dwelling
Requirements of parts of buildings Requirements of parts of buildings
Landscaping Landscaping
Damp-proofing and waterproofing Damp-proofing and waterproofing
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Scope: 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
30
PART 4:
FIRE PROTECTION
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
23
31
CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION
TYPES
GROUP IͲ NonͲcombustible, subdivided as follows:
TypeͲ I A 4 hour protected

TypeͲ I B 3 hour protected
TypeͲ I C 2 hour protected
TypeͲ I D 1 hour protected
TypeͲ I E Unprotected
GROUP IIͲ Combustible, subdivided as follows:
TypeͲ II A Heavy timber
TypeͲ II B Protected wood joist
TypeͲ II C Unprotected wood joist
TypeͲ II D Protected wood frame
TypeͲ IIE Unprotectedwoodframe
MEANS OF EGRESS
A means of egress is an evacuation system with the provisions of reentry

for rescuers and fire fighters where a continuous and unobstructed way
of exit travel shall be provided from any point within a building to a
designated area of refuge for allowable delayed evacuation and ended
up with the exit termination by reaching a street abutting building or plot
or a safe area which is open to air and designated assemblies for
evacuees.
32
PART 5:
BUILDING MATERIALS
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
fitings
Flooring materials
Miscellaneous materials
Steel CGI sheet roofing and walling
Timber and wood products
27
33
Volume 2
PART 6:
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
34
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
30
Volume3
35
PART 7:
CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES AND SAFETY
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
33
36
PART 8:
BUILDING SERVICES
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
35
37
Topics of Electrical Building Services

Lighting Overcurrent and short-circuit
protection
Load estimation
Fire detection, alarm and
Fittings, fixtures and accessories emergency lighting
Wiring Earthing
Substation and transformer Lightning protection
Distribution system Telecommunication
Switch and switchboards CCTV and access control system
36
Topics of HVAC
Planning Energy conservation
Air-conditioning system Inspection, testing and
design commissioning
Air distribution system Operation and maintenance
Air-conditioning equipment
Refrigerating equipment
Ventilation systems
37
38
Topics of Acoustics
Classification
Planning
Design
Speech privacy
Sound amplification system
38
Topics of Lifts and Escalators

Safety considerations
Design considerations
Escalators
Moving walks
Energy conservation
Inspection and certification
Operation and maintenance
39
39
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
40
Topics of Sanitary Drainage

Planning Basement floor drainage
system
Licensing of plumbers
Healthcare drainage system
Drainage and sanitation
requirements Inspection, testing and
completion certificate
Materials and appliances
Guide to maintenance
Design considerations
Refuse chute system
41
40
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
42
Topics of Fuel and Gas Supply

Gas piping installation
Use of LPG
Installation of appliances
43
41
PART 9:
ALTERATION, ADDITION TO AND CHANGE OF
USE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS
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
45
42
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.
46
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.
47
43
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.
48
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.
49
44
PART 10:
SIGNS AND OUTDOOR DISPLAY
Part 10: Signs and Outdoor Display

Chapter 1: Scope and General
Chapter 2: General Requirements
Chapter 3: Specific Requirements of Various Types of Signs
51
45
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.
52
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
53
46
Specific Requirements for Various Types of

Signs
Electric signs
Ground signs
Roof signs
Projecting signs
Fin signs
Balcony signs
Marquee signs
54
47

1.introduction and Overview of BNBC

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

1.introduction and Overview of BNBC

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

S. K.

Ghosh Associates LLC

URP S-09 Training

Why Building Codes?

• All communities need building codes to protect

Why Building Codes?

Statistics from 1995 Kobe

Sendai Airport after 2011 Tohoku

Sendai after 2011 Tohoku

Tohoku University Building

Tohoku University Building

Tohoku University Building

Tohoku University Building

Courtesy: Ian Robertson,

Chawkbazar fire of 20 February 2019

Chawkbazar fire of 20 February 2019

A fire started as a result of a road accident between

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

Banani (FR Tower) fire of 28 March 2019

According to news reports, the Bangladesh fire

Why Building Codes?

Evolution of Building Codes

Codes of Hammurabi – 2000 BC

Evolution of Building Codes

Why Building Codes?

Why Building Codes?

• Today the role of Building Codes is more holistic and

– Support affordability in housing

Benefits of Building Codes

• Provides safety and security for our loved ones

Not a Static Document

If addition or alteration is made to an existing

A building code provides minimum requirements.

More is not necessarily better

An over-reinforced concrete member performs

Implementation vs. Enforcement

Implementation of the BNBC-2020

No Fire Safety Plan Review for

Not Even Indirect Requirement to Meet

No Fire Safety Inspections for

Overview of BNBC 2020

Raquib Ahsan, Ph.D.

URP S-09 Training

Building Code in Bangladesh

Volume1 • Part3: GENERALBUILDINGREQUIREMENTS,CONTROL

Part 2: Administration and Enforcement

Building Official and Building Committee

 The Authority shall designate specific geographical

Jurisdiction of Building Officials

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 Relevantdevelopment

7 Areas under any Municipality Relevantmunicipality

Types of Permits and Building

Building Category Height of the Building Floor Area

Eligible Registered Professionals

Permit Not Required

 Airways and Aerodromes

Responsibilities of the Owner

The Authority shall designate specific geographical

Airways and Aerodromes

All buildings to constitute danger to public safety or property shall

TypeͲ I A 4 hour protected

Chapter 2: Building Materials

Chapter 2: Loads on Buildings and Chapter 9: Prestressed Concrete

Chapter 3: Soils and Foundations Chapter 10: Steel Structures

Chapter 4: Bamboo Chapter 11: Timber

Chapter 5: Concrete Material Chapter 12: Ferrocement

Chapter 1: Constructional Responsibilities and Practices

Restricted sign zone