BANGLADESH NATIONAL

BUILDING CODE

2006

Lf\1-l:J,-; Housing and Building Research Institute

£. Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution
 PREFACE
Buildings, be it for housing, industry, document ECNEC approved the project.
education, health care or any other use, The Steering Committee prepared detail
constitute the major part of construction for terms of reference for consultancy services
physical infrastructure development of the leading to preparation of the drafts of the
country. A substantial portion of national code and selected a local consulting house,
resource is invested in building construc- Development Design Consultants Limited,
tion in both public and private sectors. In for the job. The consultants started -their
order to ensure optimum return of this work on June 1,1992,and organized a multi-
investment and to achieve satisfactory per- disciplinary team of expertsincluding in it
formance of the building in terms of safety, architects, engineers, planners, scientists,
serviceability, health, sanitation and general research workers from university faculties
welfare of the people, building construction and other professional practitioners,
needs to be controlled and regulated.
Legislative measure for such control has The Steering Committee took on itself the
been taken in the Building Construction Act .responsibility of the editorial board.
of 1952 and other relevant acts, ordinances Although initially an eleven member
and regulations. In urban and municipal Steering Committee was formed, it was
areas, local and development authority later expanded to fourteen members to
rules supplement the Building Construction ensure representation of all major disci-
Act and the regulations promulgated by the plines to be addressed in the code. To assist
government under the provision of this Act. the Steering Committee in giving its com-
Some development and construction ments, observations and suggestions to the
agencies of the government have their own consultant at various stages of preparation
rules and established practices. However, of the code, sixteen editorial subcommittees
these regulations, ordinances, rules and were formed for different topics of the code.
practices are not comprehensive and need The editorial subcommittees comprised
updating, rationalization and unification. It sixty experts in relevant disciplines.
is imperative that a uniform standard of
practice covering all aspects of planning, The preparation of the code was divided
design and construction of buildings, into five stages - inception report, interim
including electrical, mechanical, sanitary report, preliminary draft code, draft code
and other services, be followed in the coun- and final draft code. Codes of the neigh-
try. Such a standard can be provided by a bouring countries and those of some of the
comprehensive building code appropriate western countries were thorough Iy
to the needs of the country. Prompted by reviewed, and considered together with the
this necessity, an inter-ministerial meeting state-of-the-art technology. These were
was convened by the Member, Physical examined in relation to the needs and
Infrastructure, Planning Commission on practices of the country, paying special
June 18, 199t and a Steering Committee attention to the uniqueness of the prevailing
was formed. The Steering Committee was social and economic conditions, technological
given the task of preparing the code in its capabilities, and environmental, mete oro-
entirety, starting from drawing up the project logical, geological and other related
proposal to the final publication of the code. phenomena of Bangladesh. The structure
and content of the Bangladesh National
The Steering Committee took the decision Building Code were chosen keeping in view
to use local expertise and internal resources all these aspects. Meteorological data of
rather than depending on foreign expertise many years regarding wind speed, rainfall,
or fund. Accordingly, a project proposal temperature and humidity were collected
was placed before the Executive Committee and analysed to arrive at the specifications
of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) regarding these aspects affecting planning
by the Steering Committee on December 14, and design of buildings. Earthquake data of
1991. Appreciating the importance of the the region for hundreds of years were
 collected and analysed in relation with the of building construction and services with
geological and geotectonic characteristics of cross references as necessary. Part 1 gives a
the country. A seismic zoning map of general introduction to the code and lists
Bangladesh together with the seismic the definitions and abbreviations of general
design provision was thus drawn up. terms used in the code. Part 2 outlines the
administrative requirements necessary for
In order to ensure wide participation by enforcement of the code. It should be borne
and interaction with the vast number of in mind that enforcement of the code is a
professionals involved in the building continuous activity and requires a standing
construction field across the country, a administrative structure for various
three day workshop was held at the jurisdictions in the country. Considering the
Institution of Engineers premises at Dhaka difficulty of maintaining adequate technical
in May 1993, following submission of the personnel for 'enforcing and verifying
preliminary draft code by the consultant. compliance with diverse provision of the
The workshop was organized into sixteen code, a professional practice-based certifica-
sessions of related disciplines and covered tion, enforcement and administration struc-
SOlTH~ fifty-seven hours of presentation, ture has been prescri bed.
analysis and discussion. Some 185 profes-
sionals representing 125 organizations were General planning and architectural require-
invited to participate in the workshop. ments of buildings, based on classifications
These organizations included professional in accordance with occupancy and fire
societies, technological and general univer- resistance, are specified in Part 3. The spec-
sities, all the Institutes of Technology, ifications cover requirements within the
various government agencies and sector premises of the building plot for all cate-
corporations, city development authorities, gories of buildings. As the area planning
selected municipal organizations, research requirements involve parameters not with-
organizations, consulting firms, construc- in the control of individual building devel-
tion firms, producers and suppliers of oper and are matters of interest to govern-
building materials, non-government organ- ment planners, these are not included in the
izations involved in development projects, building code. The requirements have been
federation of chambers of commerce and set keeping in view the tropical climate of
industry, the legal profession, and concerned the country and the local architectural prac-
government ministries. tices and tradition. In setting the minimum
requirements for various types of buildings,
Another joint workshop of the Steering the urgent need of providing accommoda-
Committee and the editorial subcommittees tion to the lower income majority of the
was held 011 June 12, 1993, to ensure that population was given due consideration. A
comments, observations and suggestions separa te occu pancy class has been recom-
received during the May workshop were mended for such housing, for which lower
being properly incorporated in the subse- minimum standards for various parameters
quent drafts of the code. A review meeting of planning and design have been specified.
was also held at the Planning Commission These lower requirements will, however, be
on August 24, 1993, after submission of the applicable only for designated mass hous-
draft code by the consultant. The meeting ing projects for the lower income people.
was attended by officials of the concerned
departments and chaired by the honourable Arrangement for safety from fire in build-
Minister for Planning. Following submis- ings is of paramount importance, particu-
sion of the final draft by the consultant, a larly in built up or city areas. Part 4 specifies
meeting of the Steering Committee was held the requirements for fire prevention and
on December 28, 1993, where the building protection measures in buildings. The
code was approved for publication. measures are divided into three categories -
precautionary measure to prevent or arrest
This document, the Bangladesh National propagation of fire in buildings, provision
Building Code, has been prepared in ten of life saving means of escape from the
distinct parts comprising different aspects building in the event of fire, and provision

ii
of in-built fire fighting arrangements within subcontinent were also collected from reli-
buildings. Requirements for each of these able sources. These data were statistically
types of protective measures are specified analysed for various return periods and
in this part of the code. These are followed duly considered together with the local nat-
by specific requirements for fire protection ural features. The exercise resulted in the
of various occupancy classes of buildings. preparation of the first design wind speed
The fire protection requirements of the code map of Bangladesh and a revised seismic
are based on the principle of providing rea- zoning map. These and the methods of and
sonable protection within achievable requirements for calculation of various
means. loads acting on the building, including
those due to wind and earthquake, are
Part 5 sets the standards of materials to be specified in this part of the code. The special
used in building construction. Materials requirements for earthquake resistant
covered include all types of common con- design and detailing of buildings made of
struction materials as well as some indige- masonry, concrete and steel are also
nous building materials of the country. The specified. Ferrocement has emerged in the
requirements for materials provided in the recent years as a promising alternative to
building code are based on specifications of common and traditional materials and is a
established standards issued by standards strong and durable building material for
agencies. The agency responsible for issu- low cost construction. The material has
ing standards and ensuring compliance been given formal treatment in the code and
with these standards in Bangladesh is the specifications for design of buildings made
Bangladesh Standards and Testing of ferrocement have been incorporated.
Institution. In general, the building code
specifies compliance with relevant Construction ind ustry in Bangladesh is
Bangladesh standards. Where Bangladesh highly labour intensive and the success of a
standards are not available or are inade- project lies to a great extent on proper site
quate, the most applicable and widely used management and construction practices.
standards of other countries for the relevant Ensuring safety of life during construction
materials have been specified. These will be and minimization of construction hazards
replaced as more and more Bangladesh are the concern of Part 7. Constructional
standards are available. responsibilities regarding planning and
control of the construction as well as the
Requirements governing structural design
that ensure safety and serviceability of protection of public, workers arid property
are specified in this part. The minimum
buildings are specified in Part 6. The speci-
fications cover the design of buildings in requirements of on-site welfare measure for
various structural materials - masonry, rein- health and sanitation of the workers are also
forced and prestressed concrete, steel, tim- specified. The specifications additionally
ber and ferrocement. The requirements for provide for the safe and scientific
design of building foundations on various demolition of buildings, where necessary.
kinds of soil are also specified. Structural
design is influenced by the loads that are A building requires various services -
put on the building both by the occupancy electrical, mechanical, acoustic, sanitary,
and by the forces of nature. Natural forces water supply, gas supply. The specifica-
are purely a local phenomenon and have tions of Part 8 set standards of minimum
been worked out after a thorough study of requirements for the various services
the pertinent conditions of meteorology, required for proper functioning of the
geology and other features of the country. building. It should be noted that not all the
Data of many years for the cyclonic wind of services provided for in the code are
the coastal region as well as the extreme essential requirements of a building, but the
wind data of other regions were collected services when installed should satisfy the
from the Meteorological Department and requirements of Part 8. The actual require-
other sources. Earthquake data of hundreds ments of services for specific occupancy
of years for the north-eastern region of the types are prescribed in Part 3.

111
 It is common in this country to subject a enforcing the Building Construction Act,
building subsequent to its commissioning and regulations framed under this Act, for
to a use different from the one for which it development of buildings in various urban,
was designed and constructed. Alterations municipal and rural areas may adopt the
in the building plan and design by way of code or its portions for application to their
renovation and modification are also com- respective jurisdictions. The administrative
mon. Part 9 specifies the requirements for requirements of the code will guide these
alteration of, addition to and change of use authorities in enforcing the provisions of
of existing buildings and has been incorpo- the code. The government may subsequent-
rated out of a concern for continued safety ly establish a department responsible for
and serviceability of buildings subjected to application of the provisions of the code.
such changes. Special requirements and
waivers for alteration and renovation of Technology is a dynamic field with contin-
buildings of historical and architectural uous advancement and innovations, so is a
value have been specified in this and other building code. The code will require contin-
parts of the code. These special provisions uous update and periodic revisions to keep
have been incorporated with a view to pre- pace with developing technology and needs
serving the cultural heritage of the country. of the changing time. After the National
Building Code has been used and tested in
Signs and hoarding are often posted on the field, many issues will have the oppor-
buildings for advertisement, identification tunity to be judged in practice and the need
and communication purposes. Unregulated for revision of specific requirements will be
posting of signs may hinder the aesthetics felt. Update and revisions of the code will
of the locality, cause concern for safety of have to become a routine affair eventually.
the public, hurt religious or moral feelings However, it is envisaged that for the second
or be objectionable in many other ways. edition of the code, which is expected to be
Part 10 provides minimum standards of issued within the next five years, continu-
design, location, construction and mainte- ous monitoring by a standing committee
nance of signs and outdoor display struc- will be necessary. To this aim, a cell will
tures. These standards aim at safeguarding function within the Housing and Building
life, health, property and public welfare as
Research Institute, the organization respon-
may be affected by the erection of Signs.
sible for publication of this edition of the
It may be mentioned here that the Building
code. The cell will receive observations by
Code is not an independent legislation or and suggestions from the professionals who
act, rather it is a national level approved will apply the code in practice. These obser-
document that shall form the basis for stan- vations and suggestions will be examined
dard of design, construction and mainte- by panels of experts for incorporation in the
nance of buildings. It has been prepared in subsequent edition of the code.
the light of internationally recognized stan-
dards of safety and serviceability achiev- It is hoped that publication of the long
able by application of state-of-the-art tech- awaited Bangladesh National Building
nology within the socio-economic context of Code will usher in a new era and will be
Bangladesh. Through adherence to the var- . treated as a milestone in the building con-
ious requirements of the code, private and struction industry of the country. The suc-
public builders and individual owners will cess of the code will, however, lie in its
be able to ensure a minimum and uniform proper implementation and adherence to its
standard of buildings in the country. The provision by builders and professionals at
government authorities responsible for large.

iv
Summary Table of Contents

xv
Summary Table of Contents
Preface
Steering Committee
Editorial Subcommittees
Consultants
Summary Table of Contents

PART! SCOPE AND DEFINITlONS

Page 1-1 to 1-10

Chapter 1 Title, Scope and General
Chapter 2 Definitions
Chapter 3 Abbreviations

PART 2 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Page 2-1 to 2-20

Chapter 1 Purpose and Scope
Chapter 2 Organization and Enforcement
Chapter 3 Permits and Inspections
Appendices

PART 3 GENERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS, CONTROL AND REGULATION

Page 3-1 to 3-64

Chapter 1 General Building Requirements
Chapter 2 Classification of Buildings Based on Occupancy
Chapter 3 Classification of Building Construction Types Based on Fire Resistance
Appendices

PART 4 FIRE PROTECTION

Page 4-1 to 4-66

Chapter 1 General Provisions
Chapter 2 Precautionary Requirements
Chapter 3 Means of Escape
Chapter 4 Equipment and In-built Facilities
Chapter 5 Specific Requirements for Various Occupancies
Appendices

PARTS BUILDING MATERIALS

Page 5-1 to 5-42

Chapter 1 Scope and Definitions
Chapter 2 Materials

PART 6 STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Page 6-1 to 6-384
Chapter 1 General Design Requirements
Chapter 2 Loads
Chapter 3 Foundation

xvi
Summary Table of Contents (Continued)

Chapter 4 Masonry Structures

Chapter 5 Concrete Material
Chapter 6 Ultimate Strength Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Chapter 7 Working Stress Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Chapter 8 Detailing of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Chapter 9 Prestressed Concrete Structures
Chapter 10 Steel Structures
Chapter 11 Timber Structures
Chapter 12 Ferrocement Structures
Appendices

PART 7 CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES AND SAFETY

Page 7-1 to 7-40.

Chapter 1 Constructional Responsibilities and Practices
Chapter 2 Storage, Stacking and Handling Practices
Chapter 3 Safety During Construction
Chapter 4 Demolition Work

PART 8 BUILDING SERVICES

Page 8-1 to 8-220

Chapter 1 Lighting
Chapter 2 . Electrical Installation
Chapter 3 Air-conditioning, Heating and Ventilation
Chapter 4 Acoustics, Sound Insulation and Noise Control
Chapter 5 Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks
Chapter 6 Water Supply
Chapter 7 Drainage and Sanitation
Chapter 8 Fuel Gas Supply
Appendices

PART 9 ALTERATION, ADDITION TO AND CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS

Page 9-1 to 9-4

Chapter 1 Applicability and Implementation
Chapter 2 Evaluation and Compliance

PART 10 SIGNS AND OUTDOOR DJSPLA Y

Page 10-1 to Ib-16

Chapter 1 Scope and General
Chapter 2 General Requirements
Chapter 3 Specific Requirements for Various Types of Sign
Appendices

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS OF THE WORKSHOP ON BNBC

Appended at the end

xvii
 Part 1
SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS
Chapter 1
Title, Scope and General
Chapter 2
Definitions

Chapter 3
Abbreviations

\
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

Chapter 1 Title, Scope and General

1.1 TITLE 1-1

1.2 PURPOSE 1-1
1.3 SCOPE I 1-1
1.4 EXISTING BUILDINGS 1-2
1.4.1 Addition and Alteration 1-2
1.4.2 Change of Use 1-2
1.5 HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURALLY VALUABLE BUILDINGS 1-2

Chapter 2 Definitions

2.1 GENERAL 1-3

2.2 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS 1-3

Chapter 3 Abbreviations

3.1 ABBREVIATIONS OF NAMES 1-7

3.2 ABBREVIATIONS OF WORDS 1-8

l-i
r
 CHAPTER

Title, Scope and General

1.1 TITLE
The provisions and regulations contained in this document shall constitute and be collectively known and
may be cited as the "Bangladesh National Building Code", abbreviated, where desired, as BNBC, and will
hereinafter be referred to as the "Code".

1.2 PURPOSE

The purpose of this Code is 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, within
achievable limits, life, limb, health, property and public welfare. The installation and use of certain
equipment, services and appurtenances related, connected or attached to such buildings are also regulated
herem to achieve the same purpose.

The provisions of this Code are applicable to all persons of Bangladesh irrespective of class, creed, culture,
religion or sex. The Code does not in any way create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class
or group of persons who will or should be specially protected or benefited by the provisions of this Code.

The expressed intent of this Code is to insure public safety, health and general welfare insofar as they are
affected by the construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, use or occupancy of buildings, structures
or premises, through structural strength, stability, means of egress, safety from fire and other hazards,
sanitation, light and ventilation.

1.3 SCOPE

The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design, construction, use or occupancy, alteration, moving,
demolition and repair of any building or structure and to any appurtenances installed therein or connected or
attached thereto, except such matters as are otherwise provided for in other ordinances and statutes
controlling and regulating buildings.

If for any case different sections of this Code provide different specifications for materials, methods of design
or construction, or other requirements, the most restrictive specification shall govern.

Part 1 1-1
Scope and Definitions

\
Part 1
Scope and Definitions

In case of any conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall
be applicable.

Unle~~ otherwise e?<plicitly sta~e~ in this Code, all references to part, chapter or section numbers or to
provisions not specifically Identified by number, shall be construed to refer to such part, chapter, section or
provision of this Code.

References made to a section without mentioning a part shall be construed to refer to that section of the part in
which the reference is made.

The provisions of any appendix in this Code shall not be mandatory unless they are referred to as such in any
section of the Code or they are specifically adopted by any regulation.

Inspection conducted or permission granted for any building or plan of building, under the provisions of this
Code, shall not be construed as a warranty of the physical condition of such building or the adequacy of such
plan. Neither the Authority administering the Code, nor any employee thereof shall be liable in tort for
damages for any defect or hazardous or illegal condition or inadequacy in such building or plan, nor for any
failure of any component of such building which may occur subsequent to such inspection or granting of
permission under the provisions of the Code.

1.4 EXISTING BUILDINGS

Buildings which are in existence on the date of promulgation of this Code may have their use or occupancy
continued without undergoing any alteration, abandonment or removal unless m the opinion of the Authority
such continued use is hazardous to life and property and provided such use or occupancy was legal on the
date of promulgation of this Code.

1.4.1 Addition and Alteration

Additions, alterations, modifications or repair to an existing building may be made without requirin~ the
existing building to comply with all the requirements of this Code, provided the additions, alterations,
modifications or repairs conform to that required for a new building. Such additions or alterations shall not
be permitted when the existing building is not in full compliance with: the provisions of this Code except when
the addition or alteration wilf result in the existing building or structure being no more hazardous based on
life safety, fire safety and sanitation than it was before the addition or alteration was undertaken.

Any building together with the new additions shall not exceed the height, number of storeys and area
specified in this Code for new buildings having the relevant occupancy and type of construction. Non-
structural alterations or repairs to an existing building or structure which do not adversely affect any
structural member, nor reduce the strength or any part of the building or structure to result In an unsafe
condition shall be made with materials ana components having the required fire resistance.

1.4.2 Change of Use

Change in use or occupancy in an existing building may be made when such change complies with the
requirements of this Code for a new building and provided such change does not render any part or the whole
of the affected building or structure any more hazardous based on life safety, fire safety and sanitation than it
was before such change was effected.

1.5 HISTORIC OR ARCHITECTURALLY VALUABLE BUILDINGS

A building or structure which has been designated by official action as having special historical or
archaeological interest, or a building or structure identified by a legally constituted authority as being
architecturally valuable, may be undertaken for repairs, alterations and additions necessary for its
preservation, restoration, rehabilitation or continued use provided:

i) the proposed repair, alteration or addition to buildings of historical or archaeological Significance is

approved by the legally constituted authority, such as the Department of Archaeology;

ii) the proposed repair, alteration or addition to buildings of architectural value does not impair the
aesthetic quality and architectural character of such buildings; and

iii) ,the restored building or structure will be no more hazardous, if any, based on life safety, fire safety
and sanitation than the existing building.

See also Sec 3.8 of Part 2 and Sec 1.16 of Part 3.

1-2
 CHAPTER 2

Definitions

2.1 GENERAL

Unless otherwise expressly stated, the abbreviations, terms, phrases, words and their derivations listed
below shall, for the purpose of this Code, be construed as set forth in this chapter. Words not explicitly
defined shall have their ordinarily accepted meanings as the context implies as provided in The Concise
Oxford Dictionary of Current English, eighth edition, Allen R.E., Ed., Oxford University Press, New Delhi,
1990; and Chambers Science and Technology Dictionary, W&R Chambers Ltd and Cambridge University Press,
1988 (Allied Publishers Ltd, Bombay, FiIfh Reprint 1992).

The terms defined in this part shall have a general applicability to the entire Code. Other than these, there are
other terminology and definitions provided in different parts, chapters and sections which shall be applicable
only to that particular part, chapter or section in which they are defined. In case of any conflict or
contradiction between a definition given in this part and that in any other part, chapter or section, the
meaning provided in that part, chapter or section shall govern for the interpretation of the provisions of that
particular part, chapter or section. In general, definitions given in a lower level shall override the meanings of
all upper levels for the interpretation of the provisions within the scope of that lower level.

2.2 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

The terminology used in this Code are defined in this section. Irrelevance of gender, tense and number is
implicit in these definitions and throughout the Code. Words in the masculine gender include the feminine and
the feminine the masculine. Verbs used in the present include the future. Words used in the singular include the
plural and the plural the Singular.

ACCESSORY USE: Any use subordinate to the major use which is normally incidental to the major use.

ALTERATION: Any change, addition or modification in construction such as structural, dimensional, or any
removal of any part of a building or any change to or closing of any required means of ingress or egress or a
change to the fixtures or equipment or any change in land use or occupancy or use.

APPROVED: Approved by the Authority.

Part 1 1-3
Scope and Definitions
Part 1
Scope and Definitions

AUTHORlZED OFFICER: An officer appointed by the Government by notification in the Official Gazette to
exercise in any area the functions of an Authorized Officer.

AUTHORITY : The Authority which has been created by a statute and which, for the purpose of
administering this Code or part thereof, may authorize a committee or an official to act on its beha1f. (This
definition of Authority shall apply to all appearances of the term in this Code written with a capital A).

BUILDING: Any permanent or semi-permanent structure which is constructed or erected for human
habitation or storage or for any other purpose and includes the foundation, plinth, walls, floors, roofs,
chimneys, fixed rlatform, verandah, balcony, cornice, projections, extensions, annexes and any land or space
enclosed by wal adjacent to it. The term building will also include the sanitary, plumbing, HVAC, outdoor
display structure, SIgnS and all other building service installations which are constructed or erected as an
integral part of a building.

BUILDING LINE: The line up to which the plinth of a building may lawfully extend. Also known as
SETBACK LINE.

COMMITTEE: A Building Construction Committee constituted for any area in the prescribed manner, if
necessary.

CONSTRUCT, TO : See ERECT, TO.

CONVERSION: The change in occupancy or premises to any occupancy or use requiring new occupancy
permit,

COVERED AREA: The ground area above the plinth level which is covered by a building structure. The
covered area of a building shall exclude gardens, wells, uncovered water and swimming pool, fountains,
drainage structures, boundary wall, gates, Single-storey open porch, uncovered staircase, watchman's cabin,
detached pump house, electrical substations, garbage chutes and other utility structures.

DEVELOPMENT: Carrying out construction of buildings, engineering, mining or other operations in, or over
or under land or water. Includes redevelopment and layout and subdivision of any land. 'To develop' and
other grammatical variations shall be interpreted accordingly.

DRAIN: A conduit or channel for conveying water, sewage, or other waste liquid for subsequent disposal.

DRAINAGE: The disposal of any liquid with a system meant for this purpose.

ERECT, TO : To erect a new building or re-erect an existing building or to convert a building from one
occupancy to another. Also known as CONSTRUCT, TO.

GOVERNMENT: The government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

GRADE: The lowest point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, pavement or footpath within the
area between the building and a line which is the property line or a line 1.5 m from the building, whichever is
nearer the building.

HEIGHT OF BUILDING: The vertical distance from a reference datum to the highest point of the coping or the
parapet of a flat roof or to the deck line of a mansard roof or to the average height of the highest gable of a
pitched or whipped roof. The reference datum shall be the elevation of the nearest footpath, or the elevation of
the nearest road or street or public way at its centre line, whichever is higher.

HIGH RISE BUILDING: Any building which is more than 6 storeys or 20 m high.

OCCUPANCY OR USE GROUP: The purpose for which a building or a part thereof is used or intended to be
used.

OCCUPANCY, MAJOR: The major or principal occupancy of a building or a part thereof which has attached
to it subsidiary occupancy or occupancies contingent upon it.

OCCUPIER: A person paying or liable to pay rent or any portion of rent of a building in respect of which the
ward is used, or compensation or premium on account of occupation of such building ana also a rent-free
tenant. Does not include a lodger and the words 'occupancy' and 'occupation' do not refer to the lodger. In
such cases the owner himself or herself is living in his or her own building, he or she shall be deemed to be the
occupier thereof.

OWNER, OF A BUILDING: The person, organization or agency at whose expenses the building is
constructed or who has the right to transfer the same and includes his or her heirs, assignees and legal
representatives, and a mortgagee in possession.

PERMIT: A written document or certificate issued by the Authority for carrying out a specific activity under
the provisions of this Code.

1-4
 Chapter 2
Definitions

PLINTH AREA: Area of a building measured at the plinth level.

PLOT: See SITE.

PUBLIC WAY: See ROAD.

RELIABLE LITERATURE: See RELIABLE REFERENCE.

RELIABLE REFERENCE: Reference materials such as published article, codes, standards or other material
judged to be reliable by the professional users and specialists in the subject concerned. This may also be
referred to as RELIABLE LITERATURE.

ROAD: A thoroughfare or public way which has been dedicated or deeded to the public for public use. Also
known as STREET. I

ROAD LINE : A line defining the side limits of a road.

ROOM HEIGHT: The clear head room between the finished floor surface and the finished ceiling surface or
the underside of the joists or beams, whichever is lower. .

SANCTIONED PLAN: The set of plans, design and specifications of a building submitted to the Authority as
per provision of this Code and duly approved and sanctioned by the Authority.
. .
SERVICE ROAD: A road or lane provided at the rear or side of a plot for service purposes.

SETBACK LINE : See BUILDING LINE.

SITE: A piece or parcel of land on which a building is intended to be or has already been constructed. Also
known as PLOT.

SPECIALIST: A professional who by education, research, practice and experience specializes in a particular
branch of a broader discipline and is generally judged to be so by the professionals in the relevant discipline.

STOREY: That portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of
the floor above, except that the topmost storey shall be that portion of a building included between the upper
surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above. If the finished floor level directly above a usab1e or
unused under-floor space is more than 1.8 m above the grade, as defined herein, for more than 50 per cent of
the total perimeter or is more than 3.6 m above grade at any point, such usable or unused under-floor space
shall be considered as a storey.

STOREY, FIRST: The lowest storey in a building which qualifies as a storey as defined herein, except that a
floor level in a building having only one floor level shalf be classified as a first storey, rrovided such floor
level is not more than 1.25 m below grade, as defined herein, for more than 50 per cent 0 the total perimeter,
nor more than 2.5 m below grade at any point.

STREET: See ROAD.

STREET LEVEL: The elevation of the centre line of any road or street which a plot fronts.

STREET LINE: See ROAD LINE.

UNSAFE BUILDING: A building which, in the. opinion of the Building Official, is structurally unsafe, or
insanitary, or lacks proper means of ingress or egress, or which constitutes a hazard to life or property.

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 CHAPTER 3

Abbreviations

3.1 ABBREVIATIONS OF NAMES

Names of institutions, organizations and professional societies referred to in this Code are listed below in an
alphabetical order.

ACI: American Concrete Institute; Box 19150, Redford Station, Detroit, MI 48219, USA.

AISC : American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc.; 400 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

AISE : Association of Iron and Steel Engineers; Suite 2350, Three Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15222,
USA.
AISI : American Iron and Steel Institute; Suite 300, 1133 15th Street N.W., Washington, DC 20005, USA.

ANSI : American National Standards Institute; 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA.

ASHRAE : American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, Inc.; 345 East 47th
Street, New York, NY 10017, USA.

ASME : American Society of Mechanical Engineers; United Engineering Centre, 345 East 47th Street, New
York, NY 10017, USA.

ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials; 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.

AWS: American Welding Society; 550 N.W. Lejeune Rd., P.O. Box 351040, Miami, FL 33135, USA.

BOCA: Building Officials and Code Administrators International Inc.; 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago,
IL 60637, USA.

SSI : British Standards Institution; 2 Park Street, London W1A 2BS, UK.

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Scope and Definitions
Part I
Scope and Definitions

BSTI : Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution; 116A Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka 1208,
BANGLADESH .
....
BWDB: Bangladesh Water Development Board; WAPDA Building, Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka 1000,
BANGLADESH.

CGSM : Canadian General Standards Board; Technical Information Unit, Ottawa, CANADA KlA IG6.

FM : Factory Manual; Standards Laboratories Department, 1151 Boston Providence Turnpike, Norwood,
MA 02062, USA.

ICBO : International Conference of Building Officials; 5360 South Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601,
USA.

ISO: International Organization for Standardization; I, Rue de Varernbe, Case Postal 56, CH-12ll, Ceneve
20, SWITZERLAND.

ISSMFE : International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering; University Engineering
Department, Trumpington St, Cambridge CB21PZ, UK.

NFPA, NFiPA: National Fire Protection Association; Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269, USA.

PDB : Power Development Board; WAPDA Building, Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka 1000,
BANGLADESH .:

PWD: Public Works Department; Poorta Bhaban, Segun Bagicha, Dhaka 1000, BANGLADESH.

RCSC : Research Council on Structural Connections of the Engineering Foundation; American Institute of
Steel Construction (AISC).
RMA: Rubber Manufacturing Association; 1400 K Street N.W., Washington, DC 20005, USA.

SBCCI : Southern Building Code Congress International; 3617 8th Ave, S. Birmingham, AL 35222, USA:

SMACNA : Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, 8224 Old Courthouse
Road, Tysons Corner, Vienna, VA 22180, USA.

SPRI: Single Ply Roofing Institute; 104 Wilmont Road, Suite 201, Deerfield, IL 600015-5195, USA.

UL : Underwriters Laboratories, Inc; 207 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

3.2 ABBREVIATIONS OF WORDS

The abbreviations used in this Code are listed below in an alphabetical order. Abbreviations not explicitly
defined herein below shall be construed to have their usual meaning as the context implies.

BDS : Bangladesh Standards; published by the BSTJ

BS : British Standard; published by the BSI

CBF : Concentric Braced Frame

CFC : Chlorofluorocarbon

CGI : Corrugated Galvanized Iron

cps: Cycles per second

CWPC : Cold Drawn Low Carbon Wire Prestressed Concrete

DCP : Dry Chemical Powder (fire extinguisher)

DDT: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane

DPC : Damp-proof Course

EBF : Eccentric Braced Frame

FAR: Floor Area Ratio

FM : Fineness Modulus

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 Chapter 3
Abbreviations

FPA : Flood Prone Area

GI : Galvanized Iron

IMRF : Intermediate Moment Resisting Frame

IS : Indian Standard; published by the Bureau of Indian Standards

LFD : Load Factor Design

LPG: Liquefied Petroleum Gas

MCSP : Multipurpose Cyclone Shelter Programme

OMRF : Ordinary Moment Resisting Frame

RC : Reinforced Concrete

RS : Rolled Steel

RSJ : Rolled Steel Joist

SMRF : Special Moment Resisting Frame

SPA: Surge Prone Area

SRSS : Square Root of the Sum of the Squares

UBC : Uniform Building Code; published by the ICBO

WSD : Working Stress Design

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