THE GUIDELINES, PROCEDURE AND

CHECKLIST FOR APPLICATION OF

TEMPORARY BUILDING PERMIT FOR
WORKERS’ ACCOMMODATION AT
CONSTRUCTION SITES

Building Control Department, DBKL

 Content
1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction on the importance of workers’ accommodation
2. Objective
2.1 Objectives of providing proper workers’ accommodation
3. Scope
3.1 The scope of permitting for workers’ accommodation
4. Legal reference
4.1 Legal reference for workers’ accommodation
5. Design requirement
5.1 Design requirement and specification
6.0 Workers accommodation facilities
6.1 Workers’ accommodation facilities guidelines
7.0 Procedure and check list
7.1 Procedure and check list of submission for approval
 THE GUIDELINES FOR
APPLICATION OF
TEMPORARY BUILDING
PERMIT FOR WORKERS’
ACCOMMODATIONS AT
CONSTRUCTION SITES
 Introduction
• Provision of workers’ accommodation or better known by the title “rumah kongsi" is a
necessity as accommodation and facilities to the workers at construction sites.

• These Guidelines were created to reduce the social problems and inconvenience of the local
neighborhood when workers live outside the construction site.

• With these Guidelines, it can facilitate the monitoring work as well as ensure that the
temporary hostel built are uniform throughout the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

• Temporary Construction Permits for workers’ accommodation will be given as stipulated in

Provision 18 of the Building By-Laws (WPKL) 1985.

• This temporary building needs to be demolished/ moved after the construction work is
completed.
 Objective
• Provide facilities to the Developer in providing workers’ accommodation in
the construction site.

• Provide a positive impact in overcoming social issues, public comfort,

safety and control of workers on construction sites.

• The employer/ contractor can provide more organized and conducive

worker accommodation in line with the 3K (Safety (Keselamatan),
Comfort (Keselesaan) and Cleanliness (Kebersihan)) concept.
 Scope
• These guidelines cover all types of new development/ renovation work
within the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

• Workers’ accommodation are allowed to be built within the construction

site of the development or near/ next lot of construction site with
Development Approval.
 Legal Reference
• STREET, DRAINAGE AND BUILDINGS ACT 1974 (ACT 133)
Section 70 (13)(c) states:
“Any person who—
(c) erects a building in contravention of this Act or of any
of the by-laws made thereunder; or
shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty
thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding three years or to both and shall also be liable
to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day
during which the offence is continued after conviction.”
 Legal Reference
• BUILDING BY-LAWS (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA
LUMPUR) 1985

By-Law 18 (2) states:

"A temporary permit may be issued at the discretion of
the Mayor to erect a temporary building and shall be
subject to the payment of fees as set out in the First
Schedule to these By-Laws and such terms and conditions
as the Mayor may impose."
 Legal Reference
• BUILDING BY-LAWS (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA
LUMPUR) 1985
By-Law 18 (3) states:
"Plans or sketch plans in accordance with the
requirements of the Mayor shall be submitted to obtain a
temporary permit under these By-Laws."

* In addition to coordinating all the requirements contained in

the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing And Amenities Act
1990 (Act 446)
 Size and Design
• Workers’ accommodation are hostel in concept and are limited to 3
floors or 3 cabins arranged vertically.

• Room design and number of employees based on the area of one

employee is not less than 3.0 m².

• The height of the walls is not less than 2.4 m.

• Each building block must have adequate stairs and exit/entry access
and take into account the situation during an emergency.

• Openings for lighting and ventilation are not less than 10% of the floor
area of the room or provided artificial lighting and mechanical
ventilation.
 Size and Design
• Workers’ accommodation must be segregated between male
and female employees.

• Employees with families and children are strictly prohibited

from staying in this workers’ accommodation.

• Access to workers’ accommodation should be separate from

the construction site.

• The settlement area shall be equipped with a system and

hierarchy of roads as well as a continuous physical route and
wide enough for the access of fire engines to each building
constructed.
 Building Materials
• The type of building materials for workers’ accommodation
shall be from materials that have a fire resistance level of not
less than one (1) hour.
 Workers’ Accommodation
Facilities (Basic Needs)
Basic requirements for workers’ accommodation facilities:-
• Bedroom.
• Dining area.
• Sanitary facilities.
• Utilities (water, electricity, sewerage and waste).
• Emergency kits and medical supplies.
• Approved fire prevention equipment and assembly point during a
fire.
• Signage is provided.
• Other appropriate needs and facilities.
 Workers’ Accommodation
Facilities (Bedroom)
• Room design and number of workers’ based
on the area of one worker is not less than 3.0
m².
• The height of the walls is not less than 2.4 m.
• The space provided must have natural or
mechanical lighting and ventilation.
• The use of electrical equipment and
connections shall be controlled in accordance
with safe use procedures
• Cooking is not allowed in the bedroom.
 Workers’ Accommodation
Facilities (Kitchen and Dining Room)
• The kitchen floor area should not be less than 4.5m²
and the width should be more than 1.5m.

• The height of the kitchen walls is not less than 2.25m.

• The kitchen and dining area provided must have natural

or mechanical lighting and ventilation.

• Appropriate size sinks and clean water supply are

provided.

• Centrally covered plastic waste disposal sites shall be

provided including ‘waste bin’ requirements as required
by SWCorp.
 Workers’ Accommodation Facilities
(Sanitary Facilities)
• Toilet and bathroom requirements shall be in accordance with the
ratio as contained in Malaysian Standard MS 2593: 2015.
• The bathroom for each worker shall be not less than 1.5 meters x
0.75 meters in size.
• Closed bathrooms should be provided and separated between men
and women.
• Proper drainage for toilets and bathrooms shall be provided and
drained to the existing temporary septic tank or manhole according
to the needs and requirements of IWK.
• The toilet should be separated from the bed and dining area
provided.
• 1 bathroom and 1 toilet should be provided for every 15 workers.
• “Kolah” can be provided.
 Workers’ Accommodation Facilities
(Sanitary Facilities)

Bathroom Toilet “Kolah”

Laundry room and clothes hanger

 Workers’ Accommodation Facilities
(Utilities)
Water supply
• Water supply must be approved and supplied directly from
the water supply authority (SYABAS).
• Water storage tanks should be provided to meet the needs
of users.
• Portable water can be used if there is no water supply and
must comply with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health
Malaysia.
 Workers’ Accommodation Facilities
(Utilities)
Electricity
• Electrical supply and wiring must be adequately
supplied and approved by the electricity supply
authority (TNB).
• If electricity cannot be supplied, a generator set can be
used and safety measures should be taken.
• Lamps or lanterns that use kerosene are not allowed.
 Workers’ Accommodation Facilities
(Utilities)
Waste
• Solid waste and surface waste must be approved and
comply with the standards outlined by SWCorp.
• The solid waste management system must be
constantly monitored by the workers’
accommodation management.
 Workers’ Accommodation Facilities
(Utilities)
Sewerage System
• A proper sewerage system needs to be provided such as
septic tanks, cess pools and needs to be maintained on a
scheduled basis.
Drainage system
• The drainage system should be of suitable size and able
to prevent stagnant water.
 Workers’ Accommodation Facilities
(Leisure, Religious and Canteen Facilities)
Leisure Facilities
• For workers’ accommodation that accommodate more than
100 workers need to provide community space and sports
facilities.
Religious Room
• Provide adequate prayer space.
Canteen
• Canteen facilities and equipment must meet the set
standards and must be provided with adequate dining
tables, chairs and sinks.
• Vector control (pest control) should be implemented
periodically in the cooking and dining areas.
 Safety, Health and Wellness Features

Safety and Health Management

• Workers and management need to ensure the workers’

accommodation facilities are in good condition.
• The person in charge of managing the workers’ accommodation must
report to the health department if there is any outbreak of disease.
• Workers’ accommodation that accommodate more than 40 workers
need to establish a Safety Committee (Safety Committee) consisting of
representatives of management and employees.
 Safety, Health and Wellness Features

Fire Prevention
• Fire prevention equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire
hoses, etc. must be provided adequately and comply with the
requirements of the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia.
Site Evacuation Plan
• An emergency site evacuation plan should be prepared and
placed at an appropriate location. All exits must be
unclosed/locked and free of obstructions. The Assembly Point
is clearly marked for this facility.
 Safety, Health and Wellness Features

Emergency Exit Stairs

• At least 2 emergency exit stairs must be provided close to
the location of the workers’ temporary hostel and there are
no obstacles in its path.
Ventilation and Lighting Systems
• Provide a complete ventilation and lighting system certified
by a Certified Engineer to achieve "effective cross
ventilation" and adequate lighting either naturally or
mechanically.
 Safety, Health and Wellness Features

Safety signage
• Safety signs shall be provided adequately and
completely, clearly and legibly, of durable material
and easy to replace or repair. It should contain
information and clues.
First Aid Kit
• First Aid Kit should be adequately provided and
placed in suitable locations.
 Safety, Health and Wellness Features

Housekeeping
• The site management must provide a daily cleaning
schedule to ensure that the workers’ accommodation is
always in a clean and safe condition.
• Garbage disposal sites should be provided, centralized,
easy to wash and clean and coordinate disposal
schedules. Keeping livestock is prohibited.
 Safety, Health and Wellness Features

Vector Control (Pest Control)

• Vector control must be implemented regularly or a periodic
schedule by the site management for measures to prevent
the outbreak of communicable diseases as required by the
Department of Health and Environment (DBKL).

Public View
• Workers’ accommodation areas shall be protected from
public view.
Video
 THE PROCEDURE FOR
APPLICATION OF
TEMPORARY BUILDING
PERMIT FOR WORKERS’
ACCOMMODATIONS AT
CONSTRUCTION SITES
 Application for Approval of Workers’
Accommodations
• All applications that comply with these guidelines must
be submitted by a ‘Qualified Person’ i.e. Registered
Architect / Registered Engineer (PSP) through the One
Stop Center (OSC) of Kuala Lumpur City Hall to obtain
Temporary Permit approval from year to year under
application code B3.
• Temporary construction permits must be obtained
before works are carried out on site.
 Application for Approval of Workers’
Accommodations
The application submission requirements to the OSC must contain:-
• 2 sets of A3 size Building Plan with clear and complete details of
information signed by the PSP and the Project Manager / Safety Officer.
• The Building Plan shall contain:-
• Location Plan and Site Plan are marked with separate access road to the
hostel from the main entrance of the construction site, emergency
collection site (Assembly Point) together with the floor area table.
• The floor plan of each floor must be marked with the location of the
hostel including the facilities provided.
• The Sectional Plan of the building shall show clear and complete details of
the information.
 Application for Approval of Workers’
Accommodations
• The application fee refers to the First Schedule of
UUKB (WPKL) 1985 Article 8 (h)… RM5.00 for 10
square meters per year. Permits issued must be
renewed every 12 months until the completion of
construction.
• Application for renewal of permit extension must be
made one (1) month before the expiry date of the
permit.
 Application for Approval of Workers’
Accommodations
PSP is required to comply with all conditions and guidelines set by the agencies:-

JABATAN KESIHATAN DAN ALAM SEKITAR, DBKL

PSP is required to obtain a Certificate of Accommodation by the Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Semenanjung
Malaysia (JTKSM) before placing workers in workers’ accommodation.
 Application for Approval of Workers’
Accommodations
APPLICATION FLOWCHART
PSP SUBMIT APPLICATION TO OSC

JKB ACCEPT THE APPLICATION

FROM OSC AND PROCESS

CONDITIONAL
REJECT PASS
NOTICE OF COMPLY WITH
RESULT THE CONDITIONS

PASSED

PERMIT APPROVAL

START WORK
 THE CHECKLIST FOR
APPLICATION OF
TEMPORARY BUILDING
PERMIT FOR WORKERS’
ACCOMMODATIONS AT
CONSTRUCTION SITES
 Checklist
NO ITEM NOTES
1 2 sets of A3 size Building Plan
• Location plan and site plan
• Floor plan
• Sectional plan of the building
• Sanitary layout plan
• Equipment layout plan
2 3 sets of Fire and Rescue Department plan
3 1 Copy of the employee protection insurance document
at the construction site
4 Photograph of building under construction
 Summary
• The establishment of workers’ accommodation can be established based
on the conditions and requirements of the relevant departments and
agencies.
• Maintenance Control Management begins when approval is given to the
Applicant and shall run effectively which includes the physical
maintenance of the building, safety and health, worker safety bases and
neighborhood communities.
• The planning and management of workers’ accommodation in an orderly
and law-abiding manner will have a positive impact in the control of
construction workers and the construction site environment as well as a
standard to be applied.
• Improvements to these guidelines will be made from time to time to
strengthen the existing needs and requirements.
 References
• Street, Drainage and Buildings Act 1974 (Act 133).

• Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing And Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).

• Building By-Laws (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) 1985

• Temporary Construction Site Workers' Amenities and Accommodation -Code of Practice MS

2593:2015, Department of Standards Malaysia.

• Guideline for Construction Workers' Amenities and Accommodation - Lembaga Pembangunan

Industri Pembinaan Malaysia (CIDB).

• Garis Panduan Penetapan Standard Minimum Penginapan Pekerja Asing 2018 - Jabatan Tenaga
Kerja Semenanjung Malaysia, Kementerian Sumber Manusia.
THANK YOU

BUILDING CONTROL DEPARTMENT

KUALA LUMPUR CITY HALL