Short note: Building code and its use

Building code

A building code is a set of rules and standards, prepared by a government authority, that fixes the minimum requirements for the design, materials, construction, safety, health and use of buildings. It is made to protect the life and property of the public.

National Building Code (NBC) of Nepal

Nepal's NBC was prepared in 1993–94 by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) with UNDP/UNCHS support, following the 1988 Udayapur earthquake. It was made mandatory by the government in 2003 (2060 BS) and has been revised since (e.g. NBC 105:2020 for seismic design after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake). It is enforced through the Building Act 2055 (1998) and the municipal building bye-laws. The main groups of codes are:

• NBC 000–114 (professionally engineered buildings): design requirements, e.g. NBC 102 unit weights, 103 occupancy loads, 104 wind loads, 105 seismic design, 109 masonry, 110 concrete, 111 steel, 114 construction safety. Other codes such as 206 (architectural design), 207 (electrical) and 208 (sanitary) give service requirements.
• Mandatory Rules of Thumb (MRT): ready-to-use rules for small, ordinary buildings without detailed calculation: NBC 201 (RC frames with masonry infill), 202 (load-bearing masonry) and 205 (RC buildings without masonry infill).
• Guidelines for rural buildings: earthquake-resistant construction of low-strength masonry (NBC 203) and earthen buildings (NBC 204).

Use

• To design and construct earthquake-resistant, safe buildings.
• A basis for building permits and approval by the municipality.
• A standard for engineers, contractors and inspectors.
• A basis for inspection and legal action against violations.

Requirements

• Structural design for dead, live, wind, earthquake and other loads.
• Minimum material quality and workmanship.
• Fire safety, exits, ventilation, lighting, sanitation and services.
• Architectural requirements: setbacks, room sizes, heights, accessibility.
• Documentation by licensed engineers and submission of drawings.

Quality control

The code also requires quality control: testing of materials (cement, steel, aggregates, bricks), concrete cube tests, inspection of foundations, reinforcement and masonry by an engineer, supervision records, and checking of as-built drawings and completion certificates.