C O U N T RY C O D E S

Dar Group – COUNTRY CODES 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• DEFINITION

• OBJECTIVE

• USERS

• F O R M AT I O N

• INCLUSION

• TYPES

• I M P L E M E N T AT I O N

• BUILDING PERMITS

• PERMIT SUBMISSIONS

• REFERENCES

COUNTRY CODES 2
DEFINITION
DEFINITION
What are building codes?
Building codes are sets of rules (governing the following)
that specify the Minimum standards for constructed
objects such as buildings and non-building structures :
• Design
• Construction
• Alteration
• Maintenance
They are the codes which are mandatory standards
used for controlling the Macro and Micro level
development.
The building code becomes law of a particular
jurisdiction when formally enacted by the appropriate
governmental or private authority.

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OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE

The objective of Building Codes are stated as follows:

• To s p e c i f y m i n i m u m s t a n d a r d s t o s a f e g u a r d
l i f e , h e a l t h , p r o p e r t y a n d p u b l i c we l f a r e .
• Regulating and controlling the design,
construction, materials.
• Usage and occupancy
• C e r t a i n e q u i p m e n t wi t h i n t h i s j u r i s d i c t i o n .
• To c o n t r o l t h e d e v e l o p m e n t a t M a c r o a n d
Micro level as per guidelines set by Urban
Authority
• To p r o d u c e C l i m a t e m o d e l s wi t h a c e r t a i n
m i n i m u m r e s o l u t i o n ( i n k e e p i n g wi t h t h e
latest scientific standards)

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USERS
USERS

Building codes are generally intended to be

applied by:
• Architects
• Engineers
• Contractors and Subcontractors
• Regulators
Codes are also used for various purposes by:
• Safety Inspectors
• Environmental Scientists
• Real Estate Developers
• Manufacturers of Building Products
& Materials
• Insurance Companies
• F a c i l i t y M a n a g e r s a n d Te n a n t s

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FORMATION
FORMATION

The formation of these codes are done by:

• Government agencies
• Governmental standards organizations.

Mu n ic ip al / U r b a n Te c h ni c al R e vi e w Ag e n c y o r
D e ve lo p me nt Au th o r i ty Board

G o ve rn men t L e g i s l a ti ve • R e c e i ve s Pu b l i c In p u t
Bo d y • Pa s s e s En a b l i n g L e g i s l a ti on

En a c t s t h e C o d e t o L aw

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INCLUSIONS
INCLUSIONS

These Codes provide information for

Standards in the following mentioned
services:
Urban and Architectural :
• Building Placement
• Size
• Usage
• Fenestration size & locations
• Size & location of rooms
• P a r k i n g a n d t r a ff i c
management.

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INCLUSIONS

Fire & Life Safety :

• Egress Routes
• Stairs
• Wa l l A s s e m b l i e s
• Occupancy Rules
• Accessibility

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INCLUSIONS

Structural :
• Foundations
• F l o o r a n d Wa l l a s s e m b l i e s
• Roof structures/assemblies
• Explosion Resistance
• Resistance to natural disasters
like earthquakes

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INCLUSIONS

Others :
• E n e r g y E ff i c i e n c y
• M e c h a n i c a l Ve n t i l a t i o n
• Plumbing & Drainage Systems
• E l e c t r i c a l & Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n S y s t e m s
Requirements for specific building usage :
• Storage of flammable substances
• Explosives or housing a large number
of people like Stadiums
Special purpose structures :
• Dams
• Bridges
• Tu n n e l s e t c .

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TYPES OF CODES
TYPES OF CODES

01 National Building Codes

02 Model Codes

03 Guidelines

04 Standards

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TYPES OF CODES
National Building Codes

• Developed by the Governmental

agencies and enforced across the
country by the Central Government.
• T h e y h a v e a m a n d a t o r y n a t i o n wi d e
application.

Example:
• India - National Building Code
• Dubai Building Regulation
COUNTRY CODES
• Federal Republic of Nigeria
National Building Code
• Saudi Building Code
8
TYPES OF CODES
Model Building Codes:

• They are developed by Governmental

agencies or private standards
organizations.
• Model building codes have no legal
existence unless they are adopted by
an authority having jurisdiction.
• When referenced in any of these legal
instruments, a particular model code
b e c o m e s l a w.
• A local government can choose to
adopt a model building code as their
o wn .

Example:

• IBC - International Building Code

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TYPES OF CODES
Guidelines

• Generally referred as
‘Guidelines’ or ‘Manuals’.
• Developed by private bodies
or institutions
• Developed for the specific
purpose.
• Not enforced by Law but
referred for a specific
purpose
OUTSIDE
• Referred to achieve a
minimum standard intended.

Example:
• Airport Development Reference Manual • Guidelines by FIFA
by International Air Transport Association • Guidelines for Olympic.
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TYPES OF CODES
Standards:

• S t a n d a r d s a r e c o d e s wh i c h
specify minimum performance
r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r s ys t e m ,
materials & their application.
• Specified as Legal requirements
to achieve the minimum
performance.

Example:

• Design Standards like, NFPA, ADA Standards

• Quality Standards- ISO Standards, BS, EN, IS, GSO
• Specification / Performance - ASTM, ANSI, UL, FM
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IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation
How Codes Are Implemented?

Country codes are implemented by the Government by

controlling the development through various building permits.
Various Building departments review the drawings submitted
to them before construction and issue permits for
construction and development.
The major steps in the process of permit are:
• Permit application and Submission of
d r a wi n g s f o r a p p r o v a l
• P a ym e n t o f a p p l i c a b l e f e e s
• R e v i e w a n d a p p r o v a l o f d r a wi n g s
• Issuance of a building permit
• I n s p e c t i o n s o f t h e p r o g r e s s o f wo r k
• Approval upon completion of construction

COUNTRY CODES 36
BUILDING PERMITS
BUILDING PERMITS
Authorities Involved

General department and authorities

Authorities Example Jurisdictions
Municipal Department Building & construction authority/ Regional Development authority/ Building supervisory authority

Civil Defense FLS (Fire & Life Safety)

FF (Fire Fighting)
FA (Fire Alarm)
HVAC (Heat Ventilation Air Conditioning)
Electrical Department Electrical load and connections

Water Corporation Water supply

Waste water or Drainage
Storm water disposal
Road and Transport Authority Highway / Roads and Parking Authority / Local Government Authority

Green Building Commission Environmental Impact Assessment and Energy Conservation

Telecommunication Telecom, Internet and Security

Building Facade Building Façade Materials and Aesthetics

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BUILDING PERMITS
Authorities Involved

Special purpose
Authorities Example Jurisdictions

Sports Authority Sports facility building

Security Commander Security building

Civil aviation authority Civil aviation building

Note:
• The authority departments change from country to country & jurisdictions to jurisdiction . As such, appropriate
framework for ascertaining /enlisting, the authority departments needs to coordinate per project with the respective
area office.

COUNTRY CODES 41
PERMIT SUBMISSIONS
PERMIT SUBMISSIONS
Submittals
Separate set of drawings need to be submitted to different authorities depending on the required permits.
Typically following data need to be incorporated in the submissions.

• A completed Building Permit Application, with a Case Number.

• Cover Sheet - identifying the project, occupancy type, use, and occupant load, and providing a Code Analysis.
• Demarcation Plan - approved by the City Engineering Department as part of the Site Permit.
• Architectural set of plans with adequate information as per the guidelines set by the concerned authorities
• Building exterior elevations - showing a detailed list of materials with a percentage breakdown on each elevation
• Complete set of structural plans.
• Complete set of mechanical plans.
• Complete electrical plans.
• Complete plumbing plans.
• Any special purpose/usage like Kitchen equipment plan, Industrial equipment plan etc.
• Fire and Life Safety Report
• Design Report

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PERMIT SUBMISSIONS
Submittals

• Permit drawings are different from General Assembly (GA) drawings.

• Base General Assembly drawings need to be furnished with the specific information related to the authority
requirements to be called as permit drawings.
• Authorities review the submitted drawings and comment for non-compliance asking to revise and resubmit
the set complying with the code.
• Major defaults or non-compliance to codes may lead to complete rejection of the submission.
• Certain maximum number of re-submissions are allowed by authorities and fine is imposed on the consultant
afterwards.
• Successive continued rejections/ non-compliances may lead to cancellation of the license of the consultant.

COUNTRY CODES 46
PERMIT SUBMISSIONS
Name Plate

Sometimes, specific name plates

for submission drawings are to be
provided as per standards required
by the authorities.
Example: Civil Defense
The name plate format is provided
to the Authority & typically includes
the following data to be filled

COUNTRY CODES 48
PERMIT SUBMISSIONS
Name Plate

Approving Authority/Department It is necessary to coordinate with Area Office, to

Information by

get this data specific to the submission.

Concerned
Authority

Authority Officer’s stamp & Signature

Note : The submission may get rejected if this data
is not correct.
PS Number

Reviewing Engineer / Date

Consultant Endorsement for Fire

Information by Area Office

Fighting (DAR) in compliance with

applicable Norms and Standards

Engineering Office Name

Client/ Owner

Project Title
Drawing Title

Drawing Number / Revision

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PERMIT SUBMISSIONS
Fire and Life Safety Report

• Specify Reference
codes used

• Show Occupancy and

compliance to travel
distance

• Mark fire zoning and fire

rated walls

• Mark Exit ways

• Issue drawings
indicating fire rated walls

• Legends

COUNTRY CODES 52
PERMIT SUBMISSIONS
Special requirements:

• Study the specialty requirements

and present in the report format for
approvals.

e.g. seating arrangement in stadiums.

COUNTRY CODES 54
REFERENCES
REFERNCES
Insidar

The country codes typically used in DAR projects are readily

available on Insidar under ‘Reference Center’ tab.

NOTE : Please do not refer “N” Drive unless asked to do so, specifically, by the PM.

COUNTRY CODES 57
THANK YOU

Dar Group – COUNTRY CODES 59