The National Building Code is a single document in which, like a network, the information contained in various Indian Standards is woven into a pattern of continuity and cogency with the interdependent requirement of sections carefully analyzed and fitted in to make the whole document a cogent continuous volume. A continuous thread of preplanning is woven which, in itself, contributes considerably to the economies in construction particularly in building and plumbing services.

Building codes exist to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare. National Building Codes (NBC) regulate building construction & building use in order to protect the health, safety & welfare of the occupant. You must always take the correct precautionary measures to assure the safety of your family members.

Beginning and history of National Building Code

A Planning Commission was entrusted with the preparation of the National Building Code. For fulfilling this task a Guiding Committee for the preparation of the Code was set up by the Civil Engineering Division Council in 1967. This Committee, in turn, set up 18 specialist panels to prepare the various parts of the Code. The Guiding Committee and its panels comprised of architects, town planners, materials experts, structural, construction, and electrical illumination, air conditioning, acoustics and public health engineers. These experts were drawn from the Central and State Governments, local bodies, professional institutions and private agencies.

First Version - 1970

The first version of the Code was published in 1970. After the National Building Code was published in 1970, a vigorous implementation drive was launched by the ISI to propagate the content and use of the Code among all concerned in the field of planning, designing and construction activities. For this, State-wise implementation conferences were organized with the participation of the leading engineers, architects, town planners, administrators, building material manufacturers, building and plumbing services installation agencies, contractors, etc.

Second version - 1983

The Code, published in 1970 at the instance of planning commission was then revised in 1983. Thereafter three major amendments were issued, two in 1987 and the third in 1997. The 1970 and 1983 versions of the code were recommendatory in nature.

List of Standards along with National Building Code of India 1983

The following list records those standards, which are acceptable as `good practice`, and `accepted standards` in the fulfillment of the requirements of the Code. The latest version of a standard shall be adopted at the time of enforcement of the Code. The standards listed may be used by the Authority as a guide in conformance with the requirements of the referred clauses in the Code.

In the following list the number appearing in the first column within parentheses indicates the number of the reference in this Part.

1. IS: 8888-1978 Guide for requirements of low income housing
2. IS: 6313 Code of practice for anti-termite measures in buildings: IS: 6313 (Part I)-1971 Part I Constructional measures IS: 6313 (Part II)-1971 Part II Pre-constructional chemical treatment measures IS: 6313 (Part III)-1971 Part III Treatment for existing buildings
3. IS: 3792-1978 Guide for heat insulation of non-industrial buildings (first revision)
4. IS: 1634-1973 Code of practice for design and construction of wood stairs in houses (first version)
5. IS: 4838 Anthropometrics dimensions for school children: IS: 4838 (Part I) - 1969 Part I Age group 5 to 11 years IS: 4838 (Part II) - 1969 Part II Age group 12 to 16 years
6. IS: 4963-1968 Recommendations for buildings and facilities for the physically handicapped.

Third version -2005

Considering a series of further developments in the field of building construction including the lessons learnt in the aftermath of number of natural calamities. As a culmination of the Project, the revised NBC has now been brought out as National Building Code of India 2005 (NBC 2005)on 16th September 2005.

It is the third revision compiled under the aegis of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It provides guidelines for regulating building construction activities across the country. The NBC 2005, formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards, spells out new regulations for adoption by infrastructure departments, municipal administrators, public bodies and private agencies. It contains mainly administrative regulations, development control rules and general building requirements, fire safety requirements, stipulations on use of materials, structural design and construction and building and plumbing services.

It has the basic codes for construction materials, services, systems and processes. The NBC lays down the minimum provisions buildings need in order to ensure public safety with regard to structural sufficiency, fire hazard and health aspects. It contains administrative provisions, development control rules and general building requirements.

NBC 2005, in addition to the technical specifications for buildings, has for the first time, focussed on the techno-legal requirements, including the scope of participation of professionals in providing the built environment and also pinning responsibility on professionals for the structures that they create.

What’s new in NBC 2005?

It allows architects and engineers to sanction building plans for smaller plots and less complicated structures. It makes it mandatory for architects and structural engineers to take responsibility for the safety of their structure in case of a natural disaster. It provides for a periodic renewal of certificate for occupied buildings from a structural, fire and electrical safety point of view.

The code has detailed town planning norms for amenities such as educational and medical facilities, fire services, etc. It has revised parking requirements for metro and mega cities. Provisions for buildings and facilities for the physically challenged have been revised.

Contents of NBC 2005

Part – 0: Integrated Approach – Prerequisite for Applying Provision of the Code

This part covers guidelines to be followed for judicious implementation of the provisions of various parts/sections of the Code.

Part – 1: Definitions

It lists the terms appearing in all the parts/sections of the National Building Code of India.  However, some common definitions are reproduced in this part also.

Part – 2: Administration

It covers the administrative aspects of the Code, such as applicability of the Code, organization of building department for enforcement of the Code, procedure for obtaining development and building permits, and responsibility of the owner and all professionals involved in the planning, design and construction of the building.

Part – 3: Development Control Rules and General Building Requirements

It covers the development control rules and general building requirements for proper planning and design at the layout and building level to ensure health safety, public safety and desired quality of life. It provides provisions for covered area, plinth area, FAR, amenities, land use classification, height/ size of rooms, kitchens etc.

Part – 4: Fire and Life Safety

It covers the requirements for fire prevention, life safety in relation to fire, and fire protection of buildings.  The code specifies planning and construction features and fire protection features for all occupancies that are necessary to minimize danger to life and property.

The code cagorises the buildings as follows:

Group A - Residential
Group B - Educational
Group C - Institutional     
Group D - Assembly
Group E - Business            
Group F - Mercantile
Group G - Industrial         
Group H - Storage
Group J - Hazardous

Part -5: Building Material

It covers the requirements of building materials and components, and criteria for accepting new or alternative building materials and components.

29 Materials/ components which have been covered in this part are:

Aluminum & other light materials & their alloys, Bitumen & Tar products, Builders hardware, Building chemicals, Building lime and products, Burnt clay products, Cement & concrete (i/c reinforcement), Composite matrix products, Conductors & cables, Doors / windows & ventilators, Electrical wiring & accessories, Fillers, stoppers & putties, Floor coverings, roofing’s & other finishes, Glass, Gypsum based materials, Lignocellulosic building materials (timber bamboos etc.), Paints & allied products, Polymers, plastics, Sanitary appliances & water fittings, Soil based blocks, Steel & its alloys, Stones, Structural sections, Thermal insulation material, Threaded fasteners & rivets, Unit weight of building materials, Water proofing & damp proofing materials, Welding electrodes & wires, Wire ropes & wire products

Part – 6: Structural Design

This part through its seven sections provides for structural adequacy of buildings to deal with both internal and external environment, and provide guidance to engineers/ structural engineers for varied usage of material / technology types for building design.

Section 1: Loads, Forces and Effects    

It covers basic design loads to be assumed in the design of buildings.  The live loads, wind loads, seismic loads, snow loads and other loads, which are specified herein, are minimum working loads which should be taken into consideration for purposes of design.

Section 2: Soils and Foundations

It covers structural design (principles) of all building foundations such as raft, pile and other foundation systems to ensure safety and serviceability without exceeding the permissible stresses of the materials of foundations and the bearing capacity of the supporting soil.

Section 3A: Timber

It covers the use of structural timber in structures or elements of structures connected together by fasteners/ fastening techniques.

Section 3B: Bamboo  

It covers the use of bamboo for constructional purposes in structures or elements of the structure, ensuring quality and effectiveness of design and construction using bamboo.  It covers minimum strength data, dimensional and grading requirements, seasoning, preservative treatment, design and jointing techniques with bamboo which would facilitate scientific application and long-term performance of structures. It also covers guidelines so as to ensure proper procurement, storage, precautions and design limitations on bamboo.

Section 4:  Masonry

It covers the structural design aspects of unreinforced load bearing and non-load bearing walls, constructed using various bricks, stones and blocks permitted in accordance with this section.  This, however, also covers provisions for design of reinforced brick and reinforced brick concrete floors and roofs.

Section 5A: Plain and Reinforced Concrete

It covers the general structural use of plain and reinforced concrete.

Section 5B:  Prestressed Concrete

It covers the general structural use of prestressed concrete.  It covers both work carried out on site and the manufacture of precast prestressed concrete units.

Section 6: Steel

It covers the use of structural steel in general building construction including the use of hot rolled steel sections and steel tubes.

Section 7: Prefabrication and Systems Building

Section 7A: Prefabricated Concrete

Though desirable for large scale building activities, has yet to take a firm hold in the country. It includes a few recommendations on the need to avoid ‘progressive collapse’ of the structures.

Section 7B:  Systems Building and mixed/ Composite Construction

It covers recommendations regarding modular planning, component sizes, joints, manufacture, storage, transport and erection of prefabricated elements for use in buildings and such related requirements for mixed/composite construction.

Part – 7:  Constructional Practices and safety

It covers the constructional practices in buildings; storage, stacking and handling of materials and safety of personnel during construction operations for all elements of a building and demolition of buildings.  The objective can be best achieved through proper coordination and working by the project management and construction management teams.

Part – 8: Building Services

This part through its five elaborate sections on utilities provides detailed guidance to concerned professionals/ utility engineers for meeting necessary functional requirements in buildings.

Section 1:   Lighting and Ventilation

It covers requirements and methods for lighting and ventilation of buildings.

Section 2:   Electrical and Allied Installations          

It covers the essential requirements for electrical installations in buildings to ensure efficient use of electricity including safety from fire and shock.  This section also includes general requirements relating to lightning protection of buildings.

Section 3:   Air conditioning, heating and Mechanical Ventilation

This section covers the design, construction and installation of air conditioning and heating systems and equipment installed in buildings for the purpose of providing and maintaining conditions of air temperature, humidity, purity and distribution suitable for the use and occupancy of the space.

Section 4: Acoustics, Sound Insulation and Noise Control

It covers requirements and guidelines regarding planning against noise, acceptable noise levels and the requirements for sound insulation in buildings with different occupancies. 

Section 5:   Installation of Lifts and Escalators   

It covers the essential requirements for the installation, operation, maintenance and also inspection of lifts (passenger lifts, goods lifts, hospital lifts, service lifts  and dumb-waiter lifts) and escalators so as to ensure safe and satisfactory performance.   

Part – 9: Plumbing Services

This part through its two sections gives detailed guidance to concerned professionals/ plumbing engineers with regard to plumbing and other related requirements in buildings.

Section 1:  Water Supply, Drainage and Sanitation (including Solid Waste Management)

It covers the basic requirements of water supply for residential, business and other types of buildings, including traffic terminal stations.  This section also deals with general requirements of plumbing connected to public water supply and design of water supply systems. Provisions on Rain Water Harvesting have also been included

Section 2: Gas Supply

It covers the requirements regarding the safety of persons and property for all piping uses and for all types of gases used for fuel or lighting purposes in buildings.

Part – 10: Landscaping, Signs and Outdoor Display Structures

Section 1:  Landscape Planning and Design

It covers requirements of landscape planning and design with the view to promoting quality of outdoor built environment and protection of land and its resources.

Section 2: Signs and Outdoor Display Structures

It covers the requirements with regard to public safety, structural safety and fire safety of all signs (advertisements) and outdoor display structures including the overall aesthetical aspects of imposition of signs and outdoor display structures in the outdoor built environment. Few more terminologies related to signage and explanatory figures have been added.