Government unveils revised building code; Builders made responsible for safety of construction

As per the new national building code proposed by the Centre which is to be followed by the states, builders can be made liable for the safety of the structure. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan unveiled the revised code today. The code has been prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the aegis of the Consumer Affairs Ministry. The code is voluntary in nature but the states can incorporate them in their building bylaws. "The code contains provisions on use of new/innovative materials and technologies and on prefabricated construction techniques that can give fillip to speedier construction to meet the objectives of Housing for All by 2022," Paswan said after releasing the code on the occasion of the World Consumer Rights Day.

Now, builders are made responsible for safety of the construction. Builders have to give a certificate saying that the building has been constructed as per the planned design submitted to the local bodies. Apart from making builders liable, the revised code has made necessary changes keeping in view the requirement of modern buildings. For example, the code specifies fire and life safety norms for high rise buildings and a proper horizontal evacuation system in high¬rise hospitals and public buildings. It also provides for universal accessibility for senior citizens and differently abled citizens besides encouraging use new building material and alternative smart technologies. The salient features of the revised code are norms for solar energy utilisation, inclusion of modern lighting technique including LED, updated provision on piped gas supply in houses and hospitals, solid waste management and rain water harvesting, besides high speed lifts for tall buildings. For ease of doing business, the revised code has a detailed provision for streamlining the approval process in respect of different agencies in the form of an integrated approval process through single window approach thereby avoiding separate clearances from various authorities.