Official Gazette no.

Special of 16/04/2019

Ibirimo/Summary/Sommaire page/urup.

Amateka ya ba Minisitiri / Ministerial Orders / Arrêtés Ministériels

N° 028 ryo ku wa 15/04/2019

Iteka rya Minisitiri ryerekeye abakora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga
igihombo……………………………………………………………………………………….2
N° 028 of 15/04/2019
Ministerial Order relating to insolvency practitioners…………………………………………2
N° 028 du 15/04/2019
Arrêté Ministériel relatif aux praticiens de l’insolvabilité……………………………………..2

N° 02/CAB.M/019 ryo ku wa 15/04/2019

Iteka rya Minisitiri rigena ibyiciro by’inyubako n’uburyo bukurikizwa mu gusaba no gutanga
impushya zo kubaka………………………………………………………………..................16
N° 02/CAB.M/019 of 15/04/2019
Ministerial Order determining categorisation of buildings and procedures for applying for and
granting building permits……………………………………………………………………..16
N° 02/CAB.M/019 du 15/04/2019
Arrêté Ministériel portant catégorisation des bâtiments et procédures de demande et d’octroi
des autorisations de bâtir……………………………………………………………………...16

N° 03/CAB.M/019 ryo ku wa 15/04/2019

Iteka rya Minisitiri rishyiraho amabwiriza ajyanye n’imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’imyubakire.47
N° 03/CAB.M/019 of 15/04/2019
Ministerial Order determining urban planning and building regulations …………………….47
N° 03/CAB.M/019 du 15/04/2019
Arrȇté Ministériel déterminant les règlements d’urbanisme et de construction………………47

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ITEKA RYA MINISITIRI N° 028 RYO KU MINISTERIAL ORDER N° 028 OF ARRÊTÉ MINISTÉRIEL N° 028 DU
WA 15/04/2019 RYEREKEYE ABAKORA 15/04/2019 RELATING TO 15/04/2019 RELATIF AUX PRATICIENS
UMWUGA WO KUZAHURA INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONERS DE L’INSOLVABILITÉ
UBUCURUZI CYANGWA GUCUNGA
IGIHOMBO

ISHAKIRO TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE DES MATIÈRES

UMUTWE WA MBERE: INGINGO CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL CHAPITRE PREMIER: DISPOSITIONS

RUSANGE PROVISIONS GÉNÉRALES

Ingingo ya mbere: Icyo iri teka rigamije Article One: Purpose of this Order Article premier: Objet du présent arrêté

Ingingo ya 2: Igisobanuro cy’inyito Article 2: Definition of the term “Registrar Article 2: Définition du terme “Registraire
“Umwanditsi Mukuru” General” Général”

UMUTWE WA II: IMITUNGANYIRIZE CHAPTER II: ORGANISATION OF CHAPITRE II: ORGANISATION DES
Y’ABAKORA UMWUGA WO INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONERS PRATICIENS DE L’INSOLVABILITÉ
KUZAHURA UBUCURUZI CYANGWA
GUCUNGA IGIHOMBO

Ingingo ya 3: Ibisabwa ku kuba ukora Article 3: Requirements to be an insolvency Article 3: Conditions requises pour être
umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa practitioner praticien de l’insolvabilité
gucunga igihombo

Ingingo ya 4: Ubusabe bwo kuba ukora Article 4: Application for being an Article 4: Demande d’être praticien de
umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa insolvency practitioner l’insolvabilité
gucunga igihombo

Ingingo ya 5: Inyandiko ziherekeza Article 5: Documents to be annexed to the Article 5: Documents à joindre à la lettre de
ibaruwa isaba application letter demande

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Ingingo ya 6: Isuzumwa ry’ubusabe bwo Article 6: Consideration of application for Article 6: Examen de la demande d’être
kuba ukora umwuga wo kuzahura being an insolvency practitioner praticien de l’insolvabilité
ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo

Ingingo ya 7: Iyangwa ry’ubusabe bwo Article 7: Rejection of application for being Article 7: Rejet de la demande d’être
kuba ukora umwuga wo kuzahura an insolvency practitioner praticien de l’insolvabilité
ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo

Ingingo ya 8: Itangwa ry’uruhushya rwo Article 8: Granting a licence to be an Article 8: Octroi d’une licence d’être
kuba ukora umwuga wo kuzahura insolvency practitioner praticien de l’insolvabilité
ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo

Ingingo ya 9: Kwamburwa uruhushya Article 9: Revocation of licence Article 9: Révocation de la licence

Ingingo ya 10: Igihe agaciro k’uruhushya Article 10: Validity period of the licence Article 10: Période de validité de la licence
kamara

Ingingo ya 11: Kongerera igihe uruhushya Article 11: Renewal of licence Article 11: Renouvellement de la licence

Ingingo ya 12: Kwanga kongerera igihe Article 12: Refusal to renew licence Article 12: Refus de renouvellement de la
uruhushya licence

UMUTWE WA III: IMIKORERE CHAPTER III: FUNCTIONING OF CHAPITRE III: FONCTIONNEMENT DES
Y’ABAKORA UMWUGA WO INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONERS PRATICIENS DE L’INSOLVABILITÉ
KUZAHURA UBUCURUZI CYANGWA
GUCUNGA IGIHOMBO

Ingingo ya 13: Imenyesha ry’ishyirwaho Article 13: Notification of appointment of Article 13: Notification de la nomination d’un
ry’ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi an insolvency practitioner praticien de l’insolvabilité
cyangwa gucunga igihombo

Ingingo ya 14: Raporo y’ukora umwuga wo Article 14: Report of an appointed Article 14: Rapport d’un praticien de

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kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga insolvency practitioner l’insolvabilité nommé

igihombo washyizweho

Ingingo ya 15: Ibikwa ry’inyandiko Article 15: Keeping records Article 15: Tenue des registres

Ingingo ya 16: Igenzura ry’ inyandiko Article 16: Inspection of records Article 16: Inspection des dossiers

Ingingo ya 17: Igihembo cy’ukora umwuga Article 17: Remuneration of an insolvency Article 17: Rémunération d’un praticien de
wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga practitioner l’insolvabilité
igihombo

UMUTWE WA IV: INGINGO CHAPTER IV: TRANSITIONAL AND CHAPITRE IV: DISPOSITIONS
Z’INZIBACYUHO N’IZISOZA FINAL PROVISIONS TRANSITOIRES ET FINALES

Ingingo ya 18: Igihe cyo kuzuza ibisabwa Article 18: Time for compliance with Article 18: Période de conformité aux
n’iri teka provisions of this Order dispositions du présent arrêté

Ingingo ya 19: Ivanwaho ry’ingingo Article 19: Repealing provision Article 19: Disposition abrogatoire
zinyuranyije n’iri teka

Ingingo ya 20: Igihe iri teka ritangirira Article 20: Commencement Article 20: Entrée en vigueur
gukurikizwa

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ITEKA RYA MINISITIRI N° 028 RYO KU MINISTERIAL ORDER N° 028 OF ARRÊTÉ MINISTÉRIEL N° 028 DU
WA 15/04/2019 RYEREKEYE ABAKORA 15/04/2019 RELATING TO INSOLVENCY 15/04/2019 RELATIF AUX PRATICIENS DE
UMWUGA WO KUZAHURA UBUCURUZI PRACTITIONERS L’INSOLVABILITÉ
CYANGWA GUCUNGA IGIHOMBO

Minisitiri w’Ubucuruzi n’Inganda, The Minister of Trade and Industry, Le Ministre du Commerce et de l’Industrie,

Ashingiye ku Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Vu la Constitution de la République du Rwanda
y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015, Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015, especially in de 2003 révisée en 2015, spécialement en ses
cyane cyane mu ngingo zaryo, iya 121, iya 122 Articles 121, 122 and 176; articles 121, 122 et 176;
n’iya 176;

Ashingiye ku Itegeko n° 23/2018 ryo ku wa Pursuant to Law n° 23/2018 of 29/04/2018 Vu la Loi n° 23/2018 du 29/04/2018 relative à
29/04/2018 ryerekeye igihombo cy’isosiyete relating to insolvency and bankruptcy, especially l’insolvabilité et à la faillite, spécialement en son
n’icy’umuntu ku giti cye, cyane cyane mu ngingo in Article 220; article 220;
yaryo ya 220;

Inama y’Abaminisitiri yateranye ku wa After consideration and approval by the Cabinet, Après examen et adoption par le Conseil des
03/04/2019, imaze kubisuzuma no kubyemeza; in its session of 03/04/2019; Ministres, en sa séance du 03/04/2019;

ATEGETSE: ORDERS: ARRÊTE:

UMUTWE WA MBERE: INGINGO CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL PROVISIONS CHAPITRE PREMIER: DISPOSITIONS
RUSANGE GÉNÉRALES

Ingingo ya mbere: Icyo iri teka rigamije Article One: Purpose of this Order Article premier: Objet du présent arrêté

Iri teka rigenga imitunganyirize, imikorere, This Order determines the organisation, Le présent arrêté détermine l’organisation, le
uburyo bwo gutanga impushya n’igihembo functioning, licensing and remuneration for fonctionnement, l’octroi des licences et la
by’abakora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi insolvency practitioners. rémunération des praticiens de l’insolvabilité.

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cyangwa gucunga igihombo.

Ingingo ya 2: Igisobanuro cy’inyito Article 2: Definition of the term “Registrar Article 2: Définition du terme “Registraire
“Umwanditsi Mukuru” General” Général”

Muri iri teka, inyito “Umwanditisi mukuru” In this Order, the term “Registrar General” Dans le présent arrêté, le terme “Registraire
isobanura umuyobozi ubifitiye ububasha means the competent authority as defined in the Général” signifie l’autorité compétente telle que
usobanurwa mu Itegeko rigenga amasosiyete law governing companies. définie dans la loi régissant les sociétés
y’ubucuruzi commerciales.

UMUTWE WA II: IMITUNGANYIRIZE CHAPTER II: ORGANISATION OF CHAPITRE II: ORGANISATION DES
Y’ABAKORA UMWUGA WO KUZAHURA INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONERS PRATICIENS DE L’INSOLVABILITÉ
UBUCURUZI CYANGWA GUCUNGA
IGIHOMBO

Ingingo ya 3: Ibisabwa ku kuba ukora Article 3: Requirements to be an insolvency Article 3: Conditions requises pour être
umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa practitioner praticien de l’insolvabilité
gucunga igihombo

Ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa An insolvency practitioner must fulfil the Un praticien de l’insolvabilité doit remplir les
gucunga igihombo agomba kuba yujuje ibi following requirements: conditions suivantes:
bikurikira:

1 º kuba ari Umunyarwanda; 1° to be Rwandan; 1° être de nationalité rwandaise;

2 º kuba afite impamyabushobozi mu 2° to have a recognised certificate in 2° avoir un certificat reconnu dans les
byerekeye kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa insolvency practices or its equivalence; matières d’insolvabilité ou son
gucunga igihombo yemewe na Leta équivalence;
cyangwa indi ihwanye nayo;

3 º kuba yanditswe nk’umwe mu bagize 3° to be registered as a member of Rwanda 3° être inscrit en tant que membre de l’Ordre
Urugaga rw’Abavoka mu Rwanda, Bar Association, Institute of Certified des Avocats au Rwanda, l’Ordre

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Urugaga Nyarwanda rw’Ababaruramari Public Accountants of Rwanda, Rwandais des Experts Comptables, le
b’Umwuga, Urugaga rw’Abahesha Professional Bailiffs Association or to be Corps d’Huissiers de Justice
b’Inkiko b’Umwuga cyangwa ari a management consultant; Professionnels ou être un conseiller en
umujyanama mu icungamutungo; gestion;

4 º kuba afite uburambe mu kazi bw’imyaka 4° have at least two years of professional 4° avoir au moins deux (2) ans d’expérience
ibiri nibura; experience; professionnelle;

5 º kuba atarigeze akatirwa burundu igihano 5° not to have been definitively sentenced to 5° ne pas avoir été condamné définitivement
cy’igifungo kingana cyangwa kirenze a term of imprisonment equal to or à une peine d’emprisonnement supérieure
amezi atandatu (6). exceeding six (6) months. ou égale à six (6) mois;

Icyakora, umunyamahanga ashobora However, a foreigner may be allowed to be an Toutefois, un étranger peut être autorisé à être
kwemererwa kuba ukora umwuga wo kuzahura insolvency practitioner, in Rwanda, on condition praticien de l’insolvabilité au Rwanda sous
ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo, mu of reciprocity in accordance with international or condition de réciprocité conformément aux
Rwanda, mu gihe mu gihugu cye nabo batabuza regional agreements ratified by Rwanda. accords internationaux ou régionaux ratifiés par
Abanyarwanda kuba abakora umwuga wo le Rwanda.
kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo
hakurikijwe amasezerano mpuzamahanga
cyangwa ay’akarere u Rwanda rwemeje.

Ingingo ya 4: Ubusabe bwo kuba ukora Article 4: Application for being an insolvency Article 4: Demande d’être praticien de
umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa practitioner l’insolvabilité
gucunga igihombo

Umuntu ushaka kuba ukora umwuga wo A person who wishes to be an insolvency La personne qui désire devenir un praticien de
kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo practitioner submits his or her written application l’insolvabilité adresse sa demande écrite au
yandikira Umwanditsi Mukuru ibaruwa ibisaba to the Registrar General, through a registered Registraire Général, par lettre recommandée à la
ishinganye mu iposita cyangwa itanzwe mu ntoki mail or hand delivery with acknowledgement of poste ou remise en mains avec accusé de
agahabwa gihamya ko yakiriwe. receipt. réception.

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Ingingo ya 5: Inyandiko ziherekeza ibaruwa Article 5: Documents to be annexed to the Article 5: Documents à joindre à la lettre de
isaba application letter demande

Inyandiko ziherekeza ibaruwa isaba ni izi Documents to be annexed to the application letter Les documents à joindre à la lettre de demande
zikurikira: are the following: sont les suivants:

1º impapuro zigaragaza ko usaba yujuje 1º documents testifying that the applicant 1º les documents attestant que le demandeur
ibisabwa byo kuba ukora umwuga wo meets requirements to be an insolvency remplit les conditions requises pour être
kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga practitioner; un praticien de l’insolvabilité;
igihombo;

2º icyemezo cyerekana ko usaba atigeze 2º criminal record testifying that the 2º l’extrait du casier judiciaire attestant que
akatirwa burundu igihano cy’igifungo applicant has not been definitively le demandeur n’a pas été condamné
kingana cyangwa kirenze amezi atandatu sentenced to a term of imprisonment définitivement à une peine
(6); equal to or exceeding six (6) months; d’emprisonnement supérieure ou égale à
six (6) mois;

3º umwirondoro urambuye w’usaba; 3º curriculum vitae of the applicant; 3º le curriculum vitae du demandeur;

4º kopi y’impamyabumenyi ya kaminuza 4º notarised copy of a university degree; 4º la copie notariée du diplôme
iriho umukono wa noteri; universitaire;

5º ikigaragaza ubundi bumenyi usaba afite 5º evidence of any other qualification that 5º une preuve de toute autre qualification du
bugendanye n’ubusabe bwe; the applicant holds which are relevant to demandeur en rapport avec sa demande;
the application;

6º andi makuru cyangwa inyandiko yose 6º any other information or document 6º toute autre information ou document jugé
usaba abona ko ari ngombwa. deemed to be relevant by the applicant. nécessaire par le demandeur.

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Ingingo ya 6: Isuzumwa ry’ubusabe bwo kuba Article 6: Consideration of application for Article 6: Examen de la demande d’être
ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi being an insolvency practitioner praticien de l’insolvabilité
cyangwa gucunga igihombo

Umwanditsi Mukuru asuzuma ubusabe bwo The Registrar General considers applications for Le Registraire Général examine les demandes
kuba ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi being insolvency practitioner once in a quarter. d’être praticien de l’insolvabilité une fois par
cyangwa gucunga igihombo, rimwe mu trimestre.
gihembwe.

Ingingo ya 7: Iyangwa ry’ubusabe bwo kuba Article 7: Rejection of application for being an Article 7: Rejet de la demande d’être praticien
ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi insolvency practitioner de l’insolvabilité
cyangwa gucunga igihombo

Umwanditsi Mukuru ashobora kwanga ubusabe The Registrar General may reject an application Le Registraire Général peut rejeter une demande
bwo kuba ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi for being an insolvency practitioner if the d’être praticien de l’insolvabilité si le demandeur
cyangwa gucunga igihombo igihe abona ko applicant does not meet requirements provided ne remplit pas les conditions requises prévues par
usaba atujuje ibisabwa biteganywa n’iri teka. for by this Order. le présent arrêté.

Umwanditsi Mukuru amenyesha, mu nyandiko, The Registrar General informs, in writing, the Le Registraire Général informe, par écrit, au
uwasabye icyemezo cyanga ubusabe n’impamvu applicant the decision of rejection of the demandeur la décision de rejet de la demande et
bwanzwe mu gihe cy’iminsi ibiri (2) y’akazi application and the reasons for rejection within en indique les motifs dans un délai de deux (2)
uhereye ku munsi icyo cyemezo cyafatiwe. two (2) working days from the day on which the jours ouvrables à compter du jour où la décision
decision was taken. a été prise.

Ingingo ya 8: Itangwa ry’uruhushya rwo kuba Article 8: Granting a licence to be an Article 8: Octroi d’une licence d’être praticien
ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi insolvency practitioner de l’insolvabilité
cyangwa gucunga igihombo

Umwanditsi Mukuru atanga uruhushya rwo kuba The Registrar General grants a licence to be an Le Registraire Général octroie une licence d’être
ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa insolvency practitioner within thirty (30) days un praticien de l’insolvabilité endéans trente (30)
gucunga igihombo mu gihe kitarenze iminsi mirongo after the consideration of the application. jours après l’examen de demande.
itatu (30) nyuma y’isuzumwa ry’ubusabe.

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Ingingo ya 9: Kwamburwa uruhushya Article 9: Revocation of licence Article 9: Révocation de la licence

Umwanditsi Mukuru yambura uruhushya ukora The Registrar General revokes the licence from Le Registraire Général révoque la licence d’un
umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa an insolvency practitioner if he or she: praticien de l’insolvabilité lorsqu’il:
gucunga igihombo iyo ukora umwuga wo
kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo:

1º atagishoboye kuzuza inshingano ze; 1° is no longer able to perform his or her 1° n’est plus en mesure d’exercer ses
duties; fonctions;

2º yahawe uruhushya hashingiwe ku 2° was licensed as a result of false or 2° a été octroyé une licence à la suite d’une
makuru atari yo cyangwa ayobya; misleading information; déclaration fausse ou trompeuse;

3º atacyujuje ibisabwa; 3° is no longer eligible; 3° n’est plus éligible;

4º ahagaritswe n’urugaga rw’umwuga 4° is suspended by his or her professional 4° est suspendu par son corps professionnel;
abarizwamo; body;

5º atubahiriza ibiteganywa n’iri teka 5° does not comply with the provisions of 5° ne se conforme pas aux dispositions du
cyangwa n’itegeko ryerekeye igihombo this Order or provisions of Law relating présent arrêté ou de la loi relative à
cy’isosiyete n’icy’umuntu ku giti cye; to insolvency and bankruptcy; l’insolvabilité et à la faillite;

6º abibujijwe n’icyemezo cy’urukiko; 6° is subject to court prohibition order; 6° fait l’objet d’une ordonnance judiciaire
d’interdiction;

7º ahombye atarahanagurwaho igihombo. 7° is undischarged bankrupt. 7° est un failli non-libéré.

Iyo ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi If a licence is revoked, the Registrar General Lorsque la licence est révoquée, le Registraire
cyangwa gucunga igihombo yambuwe serves a notice of revocation to the insolvency Général envoie un avis de révocation au praticien
uruhushya, Umwanditsi Mukuru practitioner within a period of not less than de l’insolvabilité dans une période de pas moins
abimumenyesha, mu nyandiko igaragaza fifteen (15) days before the revocation takes de quinze (15) jours avant la date effective de la
impamvu zo kwamburwa uruhushya, mu gihe effect and specifies the grounds for the révocation et précise les motifs de cette

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kitari munsi y’iminsi cumi n’itanu (15) mbere revocation. révocation.

y’uko icyo cyemezo gitangira gushyirwa mu
bikorwa.

Kwamburwa uruhushya bigira agaciro guhera The revocation of a licence takes effect from the La révocation d’une licence prend effet à la date
itariki ivugwa mu imenyesha ryabyo. date specified in the notice. spécifiée dans l’avis.

Ingingo ya 10: Igihe agaciro k’uruhushya Article 10: Validity period of the licence Article 10: Période de validité de la licence
kamara

Uruhushya rwo kuba ukora umwuga wo The licence to be an insolvency practitioner is La licence d’être praticien de l’insolvabilité est
kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of valable pour une période d’une (1) année à
rugira agaciro mu gihe cy’umwaka umwe (1) issuance unless it is revoked earlier than its compter de la date de délivrance, à moins qu’elle
uhereye igihe rwatangiwe uretse igihe expiry date. ne soit révoquée avant sa date d’expiration.
uwaruhawe arwambuwe mbere y’uko agaciro
karwo karangira.

Ingingo ya 11: Kongerera igihe uruhushya Article 11: Renewal of licence Article 11: Renouvellement de la licence

Umwanditsi Mukuru ashobora kongera igihe The Registrar General may renew a licence for a Le Registraire Général peut renouveler une
cy’uruhushya ho ikindi gihe cy’umwaka umwe further period of one (1) year upon written licence pour une nouvelle période d’une (1)
(1) iyo abisabwe, mu nyandiko, n’ukora umwuga application made by an insolvency practitioner. année à la demande écrite du praticien de
wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga l’insolvabilité.
igihombo.

Gusaba ko uruhushya rwongererwa igihe An application for renewal of licence is lodged at La demande de renouvellement de la licence est
bikorwa nibura ukwezi kumwe (1) mbere y’uko least one (1) month prior to the expiry of the faite au moins un (1) mois avant l’expiration de
uruhushya rurangira. licence. la licence.

Umwanditsi Mukuru asubiza uwasabye The Registrar General issues a response to the Le Registraire Général répond au demandeur de
kongerera igihe uruhushya bitarenze itariki urwo applicant for renewal of licence not later than the renouvellement de la licence pas plus tard que la
ruhushya rurangiriraho. expiry date of the current licence. date d’expiration de la licence en cours.

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Ingingo ya 12: Kwanga kongerera igihe Article 12: Refusal to renew licence Article 12: Refus de renouvellement de la
uruhushya licence

Umwanditsi Mukuru ashobora kwanga The Registrar General may refuse to renew a Le Registraire Général peut refuser de renouveler
kongerera igihe uruhushya mu gihe ubisaba licence if the applicant does no longer meet une licence si le demandeur ne remplit plus les
atacyujuje ibisabwa biteganywa n’iri teka. requirements provided for by this Order. conditions requises prévues par le présent arrêté.

Iyo Umwanditsi Mukuru yanze kongerera igihe Where the Registrar General refuses to renew a Lorsque le Registraire Général refuse de
uruhushya, abimenyesha uwabisabye, mu licence, he or she informs the applicant, in renouveler une licence, il informe le demandeur,
nyandiko igaragaza impamvu ubusabe bwanzwe, writing and specifies the reasons for refusal, not à l’écrit en précisant les motifs de refus, pas plus
bitarenze itariki urwo ruhushya rurangiriraho. later than the expiry date of the current licence. tard que la date d’expiration de la licence en
cours.

UMUTWE WA III: IMIKORERE CHAPTER III: FUNCTIONING OF CHAPITRE III: FONCTIONNEMENT DES
Y’ABAKORA UMWUGA WO KUZAHURA INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONERS PRATICIENS DE L’INSOLVABILITÉ
UBUCURUZI CYANGWA GUCUNGA
IGIHOMBO

Ingingo ya 13: Imenyesha ry’ishyirwaho Article 13: Notification of appointment of an Article 13: Notification de la nomination d’un
ry’ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi insolvency practitioner praticien de l’insolvabilité
cyangwa gucunga igihombo

Ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa An insolvency practitioner, who is appointed by Un praticien de l’insolvabilité, qui est nommé par
gucunga igihombo washyizweho ku masezerano agreement between a debtor and a creditor or by accord entre le débiteur et le créditeur ou par le
yakozwe hagati y’urimo umwenda n’uberewemo a court, notifies the Registrar General within five tribunal, notifie le Registraire Général dans un
umwenda cyangwa washyizweho n’urukiko (5) working days starting from the date of his or délai de cinq (5) jours ouvrables à compter du
abimenyesha Umwanditsi Mukuru mu gihe her appointment. jour de la nomination.
cy’iminsi itanu (5) y’akazi uhereye igihe
yashyiriweho.

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Ingingo ya 14: Raporo y’ukora umwuga wo Article 14: Report of an appointed insolvency Article 14: Rapport d’un praticien de
kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga practitioner l’insolvabilité nommé
igihombo washyizweho

Ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa An appointed insolvency practitioner submits to Un praticien de l’insolvabilité nommé transmet
gucunga igihombo washyizweho ashyikiriza the Registrar General a report of activities every au Registraire Général un rapport d’activités tous
Umwanditsi Mukuru raporo y’ibikorwa, buri three (3) months. les trois (3) mois.
mezi atatu (3).

Ingingo ya 15: Ibikwa ry’inyandiko Article 15: Keeping records Article 15: Tenue des registres

Ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa An insolvency practitioner keeps records of his Un praticien de l’insolvabilité tient les registres
gucunga igihombo abika inyandiko z’ibikorwa or her activities at his or her office, or at any other de ses activités dans son bureau ou dans tout
bye aho akorera cyangwa ahandi hantu hagenwe place determined by the Registrar General autre endroit déterminé par le Registraire
n’Umwanditsi Mukuru. Général.

Ingingo ya 16: Igenzura ry’ inyandiko Article 16: Inspection of records Article 16: Inspection des dossiers

Inyandiko z’ibikorwa zibitswe n’ukora umwuga Records kept by an insolvency practitioner are Les registres tenus par le praticien de
wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga inspected by the following persons: l’insolvabilité sont inspectés par les personnes
igihombo zigenzurwa n’aba bakurikira: reprises ci-après:

1º Umwanditsi Mukuru; 1° the Registrar General; 1° le Registraire Général;

2º uberewemo umwenda; 2° the creditor; 2° le créancier;

3º urimo umwenda. 3° the debtor. 3° le débiteur.

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Ingingo ya 17: Igihembo cy’ukora umwuga Article 17: Remuneration of an insolvency Article 17: Rémunération d’un praticien de
wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga practitioner l’insolvabilité
igihombo

Ukora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi cyangwa An insolvency practitioner is entitled to Un praticien de l’insolvabilité a droit à une
gucunga igihombo ahabwa igihembo cy’imirimo remuneration for his or her services. The rémunération pour ses services. La rémunération
yakoze. Igihembo ntigishobora kurenga gatanu remuneration may not exceed five percent (5%) ne peut pas dépasser cinq pour cent (5%) de la
ku ijana (5%) by’agaciro ka: of the value of: valeur de:

1º umutungo ukora umwuga wo kuzahura 1° the property which the insolvency 1° la propriété dont le praticien de
ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo practitioner has to deal with; l’insolvabilité doit s’occuper;
yitaho;

2º umutungo ukora umwuga wo kuzahura 2° the assets realised or distributed by the 2° biens qui ont été réalisés ou distribués par
ubucuruzi cyangwa gucunga igihombo insolvency practitioner. le praticien de l’insolvabilité.
yagurishije cyangwa yagabagabanyije.

UMUTWE WA IV: INGINGO CHAPTER IV: TRANSITIONAL AND CHAPITRE IV: DISPOSITIONS
Z’INZIBACYUHO N’IZISOZA FINAL PROVISIONS TRANSITOIRES ET FINALES

Ingingo ya 18: Igihe cyo kuzuza ibisabwa n’iri Article 18: Time for compliance with Article 18: Période de conformité aux
teka provisions of this Order dispositions du présent arrêté

Abakora umwuga wo kuzahura ubucuruzi Current insolvency practitioners are given a Les praticiens de l’insolvabilité en exercice ont
cyangwa gucunga igihombo basanzwe bakora period not exceeding three (3) years starting from une période qui ne dépasse pas trois (3) ans à
uwo murimo bahawe igihe kitarenze imyaka itatu the date of the publication of this Order in the compter de la date de la publication du présent
(3) kibarwa guhera umunsi iri teka Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda to arrêté au Journal Officiel de la République du
ritangarijweho mu Igazeti ya Leta ya Repubulika complete their files in order to comply with the Rwanda pour remplir leurs dossiers
y’u Rwanda kugira ngo buzuze dosiye nk’uko provisions of this Order. conformément aux dispositions du présent arrêté.
biteganywa n’iri teka.

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Ingingo ya 19: Ivanwaho ry’ingingo Article 19: Repealing provision Article 19: Disposition abrogatoire
zinyuranyije n’iri teka

Ingingo zose z’amateka abanziriza iri kandi All prior provisions contrary to this Order are Toutes les dispositions antérieures contraires au
zinyuranyije na ryo zivanyweho. repealed. présent arrêté sont abrogées.

Ingingo ya 20: Igihe iri teka ritangirira Article 20: Commencement Article 20: Entrée en vigueur
gukurikizwa

Iri teka ritangira gukurikizwa ku munsi This Order comes into force on the date of its Le présent arrêté entre en vigueur le jour de sa
ritangarijweho mu Igazeti ya Leta ya Repubulika publication in the Official Gazette of the publication au Journal Officiel de la République
y’u Rwanda. Republic of Rwanda. du Rwanda.

Kigali, ku wa 15/04/2019 Kigali, on 15/04/2019 Kigali, le 15/04/2019

(sé) (sé) (sé)

HAKUZIYAREMYE Soraya HAKUZIYAREMYE Soraya HAKUZIYAREMYE Soraya
Minisitiri w’Ubucuruzi n’Inganda Minister of Trade and Industry Ministre du Commerce et de l’Industrie

Bibonywe kandi bishyizweho Ikirango cya Seen and sealed with the Seal of the Vu et scellé du Sceau de la République:
Repubulika: Republic:

(sé) (sé) (sé)

BUSINGYE Johnston BUSINGYE Johnston BUSINGYE Johnston
Minisitiri w’Ubutabera/Intumwa Nkuru ya Leta Minister of Justice/Attorney General Ministre de la Justice/Garde des Sceaux

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ITEKA RYA MINISITIRI N° 02/CAB.M/019 MINISTERIAL ORDER N° 02/CAB.M/019 ARRÊTÉ MINISTÉRIEL N° 02/CAB.M/019
RYO KU WA 15/04/2019 RIGENA OF 15/04/2019 DETERMINING DU 15/04/2019 PORTANT
IBYICIRO BY’INYUBAKO N’UBURYO CATEGORISATION OF BUILDINGS AND CATÉGORISATION DES BÂTIMENTS ET
BUKURIKIZWA MU GUSABA NO PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR AND PROCÉDURES DE DEMANDE ET
GUTANGA IMPUSHYA ZO KUBAKA GRANTING BUILDING PERMITS D’OCTROI DES AUTORISATIONS DE
BÂTIR

ISHAKIRO TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE DES MATIÈRES

UMUTWE WA MBERE: INGINGO CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL PROVISIONS CHAPITRE PREMIER: DISPOSITIONS
RUSANGE GÉNÉRALES

Ingingo ya mbere: Icyo iri teka rigamije Article One: Purpose of this Order Article premier: Objet du présent arrêté

Ingingo ya 2: Ibisobanuro by’amagambo Article 2: Definitions Article 2: Définitions

UMUTWE WA II: AMABWIRIZA CHAPTER II: INSTRUCTIONS ON CHAPITRE II: INSTRUCTIONS SUR LA
YEREKEYE IBYICIRO BY’INYUBAKO CATEGORISATION OF BUILDINGS CATÉGORISATION DES BÂTIMENTS

Ingingo ya 3: Ibyiciro by’inyubako Article 3: Building categories Article 3: Catégories de bâtiments

Ingingo ya 4: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 1 Article 4: Buildings in category 1 and their Article 4: Bâtiments de la catégorie 1 et leurs
n’ibiziranga characteristics caractéristiques

Ingingo ya 5: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 2 Article 5: Buidlings in category 2 and their Article 5: Bâtiments de la catégorie 2 et leurs
n’ibiziranga characteristics caractéristiques

Ingingo ya 6: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 3 Article 6: Buidlings in category 3 and their Article 6: Bâtiments de la catégorie 3 et leurs
n’ibiziranga characteristics caractéristiques

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Ingingo ya 7: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 4 Article 7: Buidlings in category 4 and their Article 7: Bâtiments de la catégorie 4 et ses
n’ibiziranga characteristics caractéristiques

Ingingo ya 8: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 5 Article 8: Buidlings in category 5 Article 8: Bâtiments de la catégorie 5

Ingingo ya 9: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 6 Article 9: Buidlings in category 6 Article 9: Bâtiments de la catégorie 6

UMUTWE WA III: IBISABWA N’UBURYO CHAPTER III: CONDITIONS AND CHAPITRE III: CONDITIONS ET
BUKURIKIZWA MU GUSABA NO PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR AND PROCÉDURES DE DEMANDE ET
GUTANGA IMPUSHYA ZO KUBAKA GRANTING BUILDING PERMITS D’OCTROI DES AUTORISATIONS DE
BÂTIR

Icyiciro cya mbere: Impushya zo kubaka Section One: Building permits Section première: Autorisations de bâtir

Ingingo ya 10: Ubwoko bw’impushya zo Article 10: Types of building permits Article 10: Types d’autorisations de bâtir
kubaka

Ingingo ya 11: Imiterere y’uruhushya rwo Article 11: Format of building permit Article 11: Format de l’autorisation de bâtir
kubaka

Ingingo ya 12: Inyubako zisabirwa Article 12: Buildings that require building Article 12: Bâtiments qui nécessitent
uruhushya rwo kubaka permit l’autorisation de bâtir

Ingingo ya 13: Ibikorwa bisabirwa Article 13: Activities that require building Article 13: Activités qui nécessitent
uruhushya rwo kubaka permit l’autorisation de bâtir

Icyiciro cya 2: Dosiye y’ubusabe Section 2: Application file for building permit Section 2: Dossier de demande d’autorisation
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka de bâtir

Akiciro ka mbere: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye Subsection One: Requirements for Sous-section première: Conditions requises
y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka application file for building permit pour un dossier de demande d’autorisation de
bâtir

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Ingingo ya 14: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye y’ubusabe Article 14: Requirements for application file Article 14: Conditions requises pour un
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako iri mu for building permit for a building in category dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
cyiciro cya 2 2 d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 2

Ingingo ya 15: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye y’ubusabe Article 15: Requirements for application file Article 15: Conditions requises pour un
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako iri mu for building permit for a building in category dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
cyiciro cya 3 3 d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 3

Ingingo ya 16: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye y’ubusabe Article 16: Requirements for application file Article 16: Conditions requises pour un
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako iri mu for building permit for a building in category dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
cyiciro cya 4 n’icya 5 4 and category 5 d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 4 et la catégorie
5

Ingingo ya 17: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye y’ubusabe Article 17: Requirements for application file Article 17: Conditions requises pour un
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka uruzitiro for fence building permit dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
d’une clôture

Akiciro ka 2: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Subsection 2: Content of application file for Sous-section 2: Contenu du dossier de
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka building permit demande d’autorisation de bâtir

Ingingo ya 18: Ibigize muri rusange dosiye Article 18: General content of application file Article 18: Contenu général d’un dossier de
y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka for building permit demande d’autorisation de bâtir

Ingingo ya 19: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 19: Content of application file for Article 19: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako nshya building permit of a new building d’autorisation de bâtir d’un bâtiment neuf

Ingingo ya 20: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 20: Content of application file for Article 20: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kuvugurura bihindura permit for refurbishment with structural d’autorisation de rénovation avec
imiterere y’inyubako alterations modifications structurelles

Ingingo ya 21: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 21: Content of application file for Article 21: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kuvugurura bidahindura permit for refurbishment with structural d’autorisation de rénovation sans

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imiterere y’inyubako alterations modifications structurelles

Ingingo ya 22: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 22: Content of application file for Article 22: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo gukoresha inyubako occupancy permit de permis d’occupation

Ingingo ya 23: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 23: Content of application file for Article 23: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo gusenya inyubako demolition permit de permis de démolition

Ingingo ya 24: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 24: Content of application file for Article 24: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka uruzitiro fence building permit d’autorisation de bâtir d’une clôture

Ingingo ya 25: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 25: Content of application file for Article 25: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo guhindura ibyateganyijwe modification permit for planned construction d’autorisation de changement de construction
kubakwa prévue

Ingingo ya 26: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bwo Article 26: Content of application file for Article 26: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
kongerera igihe uruhushya rwo kubaka renewal of expired building permit de renouvellement d’autorisation de bâtir
rwarangiye expirée

Icyiciro cya 3: Uburyo bwo gusaba no Section 3: Procedures for application for and Section 3: Procédures de demande et d’octroi
gutanga uruhushya rwo kubaka granting building permit d’autorisations de bâtir

Ingingo ya 27: Uburyo bwo gusaba uruhushya Article 27: Procedures for application for Article 27: Procédures de demande
rwo kubaka building permit d’autorisation de bâtir

Ingingo ya 28: Igihe isesengura n’iyemezwa Article 28: Duration of assessment and Article 28: Durée de l'évaluation et
ry’ubusabe n’itangwa ry’uruhushya rwo approval of application for and granting d’approbation de demande et l’octroi
kubaka bimara building permit d’autorisation de bâtir

Ingingo ya 29: Igihe uruhushya rwo kubaka Article 29: Validity of building permit Article 29: Validité de l’autorisation de bâtir
rumara

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Ingingo ya 30: Ihererekanya ry’uruhushya Article 30: Transfer of permit Article 30: Transfert du permis

UMUTWE WA IV: INGINGO CHAPTER IV: MISCELLANEOUS AND CHAPITRE IV: DISPOSITIONS
ZINYURANYE N’IZISOZA FINAL PROVISIONS DIVERSES ET FINALES

Ingingo ya 31: Inyubako z’ibikorwa Article 31: Agricultural buildings Article 31: Bâtiments agricoles
by’ubuhinzi
Ingingo ya 32: Inyubako ziturwamo zo mu Article 32: Rural human settlements Article 32: Hâbitats ruraux
cyaro

Ingingo ya 33: Ivanwaho ry’iteka n’ingingo Article 33: Repealing provision Article 33: Dispositions abrogatoire
zinyuranyije n’iri teka

Ingingo ya 34: Igihe iri teka ritangirira Article 34: Commencement Article 34: Entrée en vigueur
gukurikizwa

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ITEKA RYA MINISITIRI N° 02/CAB.M/019 MINISTERIAL ORDER N° 02/CAB.M/019 ARRÊTÉ MINISTÉRIEL N° 02/CAB.M/019
RYO KU WA 15/04/2019 RIGENA OF 15/04/2019 DETERMINING DU 15/04/2019 PORTANT
IBYICIRO BY’INYUBAKO N’UBURYO CATEGORISATION OF BUILDINGS AND CATÉGORISATION DES BÂTIMENTS ET
BUKURIKIZWA MU GUSABA NO PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR AND PROCÉDURES DE DEMANDE ET
GUTANGA IMPUSHYA ZO KUBAKA GRANTING BUILDING PERMITS D’OCTROI DES AUTORISATIONS DE
BÂTIR

Minisitiri w’Ibikorwa Remezo, The Minister of Infrastructure, Le Ministre des Infrastructures,

Ashingiye ku Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Vu la Constitution de la République du Rwanda
y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015, Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015, especially in de 2003 révisée en 2015, spécialement en ses
cyane cyane mu ngingo zaryo, iya 121, iya 122 Articles 121, 122 and 176; articles 121, 122 et 176;
n’iya 176;

Ashingiye ku Itegeko n° 10/2012 ryo ku wa Pursuant to Law n° 10/2012 of 02/05/2012 Vu la Loi n° 10/2012 du 05/02/2012 portant code
02/05/2012 rigena imitunganyirize y’imijyi governing urban planning and building in de l’urbanisme et de la construction au Rwanda,
n’imyubakire mu Rwanda, cyane cyane mu Rwanda, especially in Articles 71 and 85; spécialement en ses articles 71 et 85;
ngingo zaryo, iya 71 n’iya 85;

Asubiye ku Iteka rya Minisitiri n° 06/Cab.M/015 Having reviewed Ministerial Order n° Revu l’Arrêté Ministériel n° 06/Cab.M/015 du
ryo ku wa 08/06/2015 rishyiraho amabwiriza 06/Cab.M/015 of 08/06/2015 determining the 08/06/2015 déterminant les instructions sur la
akubiyemo ibyiciro by’inyubako, ibisabwa instructions of categorization of buildings, catégorisation de bâtiments, les conditions et les
n’uburyo bukurikizwa mu gusaba no gutanga conditions and procedure for application for and procédures de demande et d’octroi des
impushya zo kubaka nk’uko ryahinduwe kugeza issuance of building permits as amended to date; autorisations de bâtir tel que modifié à ce jour;
ubu;

Inama y’Abaminisitiri yateranye ku wa After consideration and approval by the Après examen et approbation par le Conseil des
03/04/2019, imaze kubisuzuma no kubyemeza; Cabinet, in its session of 03/04/2019; Ministres, en sa séance du 03/04/2019;

ATEGETSE: ORDERS: ARRÊTE:

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UMUTWE WA MBERE: INGINGO CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL PROVISIONS CHAPITRE PREMIER: DISPOSITIONS
RUSANGE GÉNÉRALES

Ingingo ya mbere: Icyo iri teka rigamije Article One: Purpose of this Order Article premier: Objet du présent arrêté

Iri teka rigena ibisabwa n’uburyo bukurikizwa This Order determines conditions and Le présent arrêté porte conditions et procédures
mu gusaba no gutanga impushya zo kubaka. procedures for application for and granting de demande et d’octroi des autorisations de bâtir.
Rishyiraho kandi amabwiriza yerekeye ibyiciro building permits. It also establishes instructions Il établit également les instructions sur la
by’inyubako. on categorisation of buildings. catégorisation des bâtiments.

Ingingo ya 2: Ibisobanuro by’amagambo Article 2: Definitions Article 2: Définitions

Muri iri teka amagambo akurikira asobanuwe mu In this Order, the following terms are defined as Dans le présent arrêté, les termes repris ci-après
buryo bukurikira: follows: sont définis comme suit:

1° inyubako yo guturamo: inyubako iyo ari 1° residential building: building used for 1° bâtiment résidentiel: bâtiment utilisé
yo yose ifite nibura ubuso bwo guturamo dwelling in which the dwelling area pour le logement et dont la zone
bungana na kimwe cya kabiri (1/2) makes up at least one-half (1/2) of the d’habitation représente au moins la
cy’ubuso bwayo bwubatse bwose. total floor area. Guest houses are moitié (1/2) de la surface bâtie totale.
Amacumbi na yo abarirwa muri izi included in residential buildings; Les auberges font partie des bâtiments
nyubako; résidentiels;

2° inyubako y’ubucuruzi: inyubako 2° commercial building: building used for 2° bâtiment commercial: bâtiment à usage
ibyarira nyirayo inyungu harimo commercial purpose, including office commercial, y compris les immeubles de
inyubako z’ibiro, amahoteli, amabanki, buildings, hotels, banks, warehouses and bureaux, hôtels, banques, entrepôts et
ububiko bw’ibicuruzwa n’amaduka; retail shops; magasins de détails;

3° inyubako z’ubutegetsi: inyubako 3° administrative building: buildings of 3° bâtiment administratif: bâtiments des
z’inzego z’ubutegetsi bwa Leta administrative entites and used for entités administratives et utilisés pour les
zikoreshwa mu mirimo n’ibikorwa bya public services and government services publics et activités de l’Etat;
Leta; activities;

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4° inyubako zijyanye n’imikino: inyubako 4° sports related buildings: built structures 4° bâtiments relatifs au sport: structures
cyangwa ahantu hazitiye h’ubutaka or circumscribed areas of land or water construites ou zones circonscrites de
cyangwa amazi hatunganyirijwe laid out for sports and leisure purpose; terre ou d’eau aménagées à des fins de
gukorerwa imikino n’imyidagaduro; sport et loisir;

5° inyubako yagenewe ibikorwa 5° social, cultural, assembly and worship 5° bâtiment social, culturel, de
by’imibanire, umuco, aho abantu related building: building intended for rassemblement et de culte: bâtiment
bateranira n’aho basengera: inyubako accommodating people for the purposes destiné à accueillir des personnes à des
yagenewe kwakira abantu mu rwego rwo of amusement, entertainment, prayers, fins d’amusement, divertissement,
kwidagadura, amasengesho, inama, meetings, cinema, theater, display of prières, rencontres, cinéma, théâtre,
sinema, ikinamico, imurika ndetse collections and other social and cultural exposition des collections et d’autres
n’ibindi bikorwa bijyanye n’imibanire activities; activités sociales et culturelles;
n’umuco;

6° urwibutso rwa Jenoside yakorewe 6° memorial site for the Genocide against 6° site mémorial du Génocide perpétré
Abatutsi: ahantu hashyinguwe imibiri the Tutsi: a place where bodies of the contre les Tutsi: lieu où sont inhumés
y’abazize Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi, victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi les corps des victimes du Génocide
hari na bimwe mu bimenyetso bya are laid to rest and where some of the perpétré contre les Tutsi et où sont
Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi; facts of the Genocide against the Tutsi conservées certaines preuves du
are kept; Génocide perpétré contre les Tutsi;

7° ivuriro: inyubako igenewe ibikorwa byo 7° health facility: building used for health 7° établissement de santé: bâtiment utilisé
kwita ku buzima nk’ibitaro, amavuriro, care, including hospitals, clinics, health pour des services de soins médicaux, y
ibigo nderabuzima, laboratwari n’ibigo centers, laboratories and specialised care compris les hôpitaux, cliniques, centres
byihariye byita ku buzima, nk’ibigo byo centers, such as birthing centers and de santé, laboratoires et centres de soins
kubyariramo n’ibigo byita ku bafite psychiatric care centers; spécialisés tels que les centres
uburwayi bwo mu mutwe; d’accouchement et centres de soins
psychiatriques;

8° inyubako y’ishuri: inyubako yagenewe 8° educational building: building designed 8° bâtiment d’éducation: bâtiment conçu
ibikorwa by’uburezi nk’amashuri abanza, for various educational activities such as pour différentes activités d’éducation

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ayisumbuye cyangwa amashuri makuru primary, secondary, or higher comme les systèmes éducatifs primaire,
harimo aho abanyeshuri bacumbikirwa; educational systems including students’ secondaire ou supérieur, y compris les
dormitories; dortoirs des étudiants;

9° inyubako y’ibikorwa by’ubuhinzi: 9° agricultural building: building 9° bâtiment agricole: bâtiment conçu pour
inyubako ijyanye n’ibikorwa by’ubuhinzi designed for agriculture and farming des activités d’agriculture et d’élevage, y
n’ubworozi, harimo guhinga no gusarura practices, including but not limited to compris mais non pas limitées à la
no korora amatungo. Inyubako zihariye zo growing and harvesting of crops and culture et la récolte des produits et
guhunikamo no guhingamo na zo ziri mu raising livestock. Barns and greenhouses l’élevage de bétails. Les granges et le
nyubako z’ibikorwa by’ubuhinzi; also belong to agricultural buildings; serres font aussi partie des bâtiments
agricoles;

10° inyubako z’uruganda: inyubako 10° industrial building: building designed 10° bâtiment industriel: bâtiment destiné à
zigenewe gukorerwamo ibikorwa to house industrial operations, to abriter des activités industrielles, fournir
bijyanye n’uruganda, guha abakozi ahantu provide workers with the necessary aux travailleurs les conditions de travail
hakwiye bakorera no gutuma ibikoresho working conditions and to enable the nécessaires et permettre le
by’uruganda bikora; operation of industrial equipment; fonctionnement de l’équipement
industriel;

11° inyubako ibika ibintu byahumanya: 11° hazardous building: building or 11° bâtiment hasardeux: bâtiment ou
inyubako cyangwa ahantu bigenewe structure designed to house substances structure destinée à abriter les substances
gushyirwamo ibintu byashyira mu kaga or products that can cause particular risk ou produits pouvant causer un risque
kihariye ubuzima bw’abantu cyangwa for the public or the environment, particulier pour le public ou
ibidukikije, harimo n’ahatunganyirizwa including waste water treatment l’environnement, y compris les centres
amazi yakoreshejwe; facilities; d’épuration des eaux usées;

12° inyubako y’igihe gito: inyubako imara 12° temporary structure: a temporary 12° bâtiment temporaire: structure
igihe gito yubatswe ku bwumvikane bwa structure built on consent with the land temporaire construite de commun accord
nyir’ubutaka n’ubuyobozi bw’Akarere, owner and the District authority while entre le propriétaire du terrain et
bemeranyijwe ku biyigize, igihe izamara agreeing on the characteristics, lifespan l’autorité de District tout en s’accordant
n’icyo izakoreshwa. Iyo iyo nyubako of the structure and its use. When sur les caractéristiques, la durée de vie de
ikuweho cyangwa isenywe, nta ngurane removed or demolished, no la structure et son utilisation. Lorsqu’il

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nyirayo ahabwa. compensation is paid to the owner. est enlevé ou démoli, aucune
compensation n’est versée au
propriétaire.

UMUTWE WA II: AMABWIRIZA CHAPTER II: INSTRUCTIONS ON CHAPITRE II: INSTRUCTIONS SUR LA
YEREKEYE IBYICIRO BY’INYUBAKO CATEGORISATION OF BUILDINGS CATÉGORISATION DES BÂTIMENTS

Ingingo ya 3: Ibyiciro by’inyubako Article 3: Building categories Article 3: Catégories de bâtiments

Inyubako ziri mu byiciro bikurikira: Buildings are classified in the following Les bâtiments sont classés dans les catégories
categories: suivantes:

1º icyiciro cya 1; 1º category 1; 1º catégorie 1;

2º icyiciro cya 2; 2º category 2; 2º catégorie 2;

3º icyiciro cya 3; 3º category 3; 3º catégorie 3;

4º icyiciro cya 4; 4º category 4; 4º catégorie 4;

5º icyiciro cya 5; 5º category 5; 5º catégorie 5;

6º icyiciro cya 6. 6º category 6. 6º catégorie 6.

Ingingo ya 4: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 1 Article 4: Buildings in category 1 and their Article 4: Bâtiments de la catégorie 1 et leurs
n’ibiziranga characteristics caractéristiques

Icyiciro cya 1 kigizwe n’inyubako zidakoreshwa The category 1 comprises buildings not intended La catégorie 1 comprend les bâtiments qui ne
nk’inzu isengerwamo, uruganda, ububiko for worship, industry, storage of hazardous and sont pas destiné au culte, à l’industrie, au
bw’ibintu byahumanya n’ibyangirika vuba perishable commodities or goods. stockage de biens dangereux et périssables ou
cyangwa ibicuruzwa. des marchandises.

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Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 1 zirangwa n’ibi Buildings in category 1 are characterised by the Les bâtiments de la catégorie 1 ont les
bikurikira: following: caractéristiques suivantes:

1° kudasabirwa uruhushya rwo kubaka; 1° not requiring a building permit; 1° ne pas nécessiter l’autorisation de bâtir;

2° kugira ubuso bwubatse bwose butarenze 2° having a total floor area not exceeding 2° avoir une surface bâtie totale qui ne
metero kare igihumbi (1,000); one thousand (1,000) square meters; dépasse pas mille (1.000) mètres carrés;

3° kuba zitageretse, nta n’igice cyazo kiri 3° being non-storeyed and basement free 3° avoir une structure sans étage et sans
munsi y’ubutaka; structure; cave;

4° kwakira abantu batarenze magana atanu 4° accommodating not more than five 4° accueillir pas plus de cinq cent (500)
(500); hundred (500) people; personnes;

5° kutarenza imyaka ibiri (2) aho zubatswe. 5° existing for a period not exceeding two 5° exister pour une période qui ne dépasse
(2) years. pas deux (2) ans.

Ingingo ya 5: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 2 Article 5: Buidlings in category 2 and their Article 5: Bâtiments de la catégorie 2 et leurs
n’ibiziranga characteristics caractéristiques

Icyiciro cya 2 kigizwe n’inyubako z’ubutegetsi, Category 2 comprises administrative, La catégorie 2 comprend les bâtiments
iziturwamo n’iz’ubucuruzi ukuyemo inganda, residential and commercial buildings except for administratifs, résidentiels et commerciaux à
inyubako zibika ibintu byahumanya n’inyubako industrial buildings, hazardous buildings, and l’exception des bâtiments industriels, des
z’amavuriro. health facilities. bâtiments hasardeux et des établissements de
santé.

Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 2 zirangwa n’ibi Buildings in category 2 are characterised by the Les bâtiments de la catégorie 2 ont les
bikurikira: following: caractéristiques suivantes:
1º kugira ubuso bwubatse bwose butarenze 1° having total floor area not exceeding two 1º avoir une surface bâtie totale qui ne
metero kare magana abiri (200); hundred (200) square meters; dépasse pas deux cent (200) mètres
carrés;

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2º kuba zitageretse nta n’igice cyazo kiri 2° being non-storeyed and basement free 2º avoir une structure sans étage et sans
munsi y’ubutaka; structure; cave;

3º kwakira abantu batarenze cumi na batanu 3° accommodating not more than fifteen 3º accueillir pas plus de quinze (15)
(15). (15) people. personnes.

Ingingo ya 6: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 3 Article 6: Buidlings in category 3 and their Article 6: Bâtiments de la catégorie 3 et leurs
n’ibiziranga characteristics caractéristiques

Icyiciro cya 3 kigizwe n’inyubako z’ubutegetsi, The category 3 comprises residential, La catégorie 3 comprend les bâtiments
iziturwamo n’iz’ubucuruzi, ukuyemo inganda, commercial buildings including warehouses, résidentiels et commerciaux, y compris les
inyubako zibika ibintu byahumanya, n’inyubako except for industrial buildings, hazardous entrepôts, à l’exception des bâtiments
z’amavuriro. buildings, and health facilities. industriels, des bâtiments hasardeux et des
établissements de santé.

Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 3 zirangwa n’ibi Buildings in category 3 are characterised by the Les bâtiments de la catégorie 3 ont les
bikurikira: following: caractéristiques suivantes:

1° kugira ubuso bwubatse bwose butarenze 1° having total floor area not exceeding one 1° avoir une surface bâtie totale qui ne
metero kare igihumbi na magana atanu thousand five hundred (1,500) square dépasse pas mille cinq cent (1.500)
(1500) n’ubuso bw’ikibanza butarenze meters and plot size not exceeding one mètres carrés et dont la superficie de la
metero kare igihumbi (1000); thousand (1,000) square meters; parcelle ne dépasse pas mille (1.000)
mètres carrés;
2° kuba zigeretse rimwe; 2° being two-storeyed; 2° avoir deux (2) étages;

3° kwakira abantu batarenze mirongo itanu 3° accommodating not more than fifty (50) 3° accueillir pas plus de cinquante (50)
(50); people; personnes;

4° kugira ubuhagarike butarengeje metero 4° having total height not exceeding seven 4° avoir la hauteur totale qui ne dépasse pas
zirindwi (7). (7) meters. sept (7) mètres.

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Ingingo ya 7: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 4 Article 7: Buidlings in category 4 and their Article 7: Bâtiments de la catégorie 4 et ses
n’ibiziranga characteristics caractéristiques

Icyiciro cya 4 kigizwe n’iminara, anteni, izindi The category 4 comprises towers and antennas, La catégorie 4 comprend les tours et antennes,
nyubako zose, uretse inyubako z’inganda all types of buildings, except for industrial tous les types de bâtiments, à l’exception des
n’inyubako zibika ibintu byahumanya. buildings and hazardous buildings. bâtiments industriels et des bâtiments hasardeux.

Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 4 zirangwa n’ibi Buildings in category 4 are characterised by the Les bâtiments de la catégorie 4 ont les
bikurikira: following: caractéristiques suivantes:

1º kuba zigeretse gatatu (3) cyangwa 1º being three-storeyed and above with or 1° avoir trois (3) étages ou plus avec ou sans
birenze, zaba zifite inyubako zo munsi without basements, caves,
y’ubutaka cyangwa zitafite;

2º kwakira abantu batarenze magana atanu 2º accommodating not more than five 2° accueillir pas plus de cinq cents (500)
(500). hundred (500) people. personnes.

Ingingo ya 8: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 5 Article 8: Buidlings in category 5 Article 8: Bâtiments de la catégorie 5

Icyiciro cya 5 kigizwe na: The category 5 comprises: La catégorie 5 comprend:

1º inyubako zigenewe imikino 1º sports and leisure facilities, social, 1° des bâtiments de sport et loisir, les
n’imyidagaduro, izijyanye n’imibanire, cultural, assembly and religious bâtiments sociaux, culturels, de
umuco, izigenewe amateraniro y’abantu, buildings, health facilities, educational rassemblement et de culte,
inyubako z’amavuriro, inyubako buildings or other buildings that établissements de santé, bâtiments
z’amashuri cyangwa izindi nyubako accommodate more than five hundred d’éducation ou d’autres bâtiments qui
zakira abantu barenze magana atanu (500) people; accueillent plus de cinq cent (500)
(500); personnes;

2º inyubako z’inganda n’inyubako zibika 2º industrial buildings and hazardous 2° des bâtiments industriels et bâtiments
ibintu byahumanya; buildings; hasardeux;

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3º inzibutso za Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi; 3º memorial sites for the Genocide against 3° des sites mémoriaux du Génocide
the Tutsi; perpétré contre les Tutsi;

4º izindi nyubako zitagaragara mu bindi 4º all other structures not specified in any 4° toutes les autres structures non spécifiées
byiciro. other category. dans aucune autre catégorie.

Ingingo ya 9: Inyubako zigize icyiciro cya 6 Article 9: Buidlings in category 6 Article 9: Bâtiments de la catégorie 6

Icyiciro cya 6 kigizwe n’inyubako zidasabirwa The category 6 comprises buildings, which do La catégorie 6 comprend les bâtiments qui ne
uruhushya rwo kubaka zikurikira: not require building permit. They are the nécessitent pas l’autorisation de bâtir. Ils sont les
followings: suivants:

1º inyubako zihariye z’umutekano 1º specific buildings for national security 1º des bâtiments spécifiques pour la sécurité
w’Igihugu ukuyemo inyubako zijyanye excluding social, residential and nationale, à l’exclusion des bâtiments
n’imibereho myiza, izo guturamo commercial buildings; sociaux, résidentiels et commerciaux;
n’iz’ubucuruzi;

2º inyubako z’agateganyo z’abatahuka, 2º temporary shelter for returnees, refugees 2º des abris temporaires pour les rapatriés,
impunzi n’abakuwe mu byabo. and internally displaced people. les réfugiés et des personnes déplacées.

Icyakora, imirimo y’inyubako zo muri iki cyiciro However, construction works for buldings in this Toutefois, les travaux de construction pour les
igomba gukurikiranwa n’abahanga mu guhanga category must be undertaken under the bâtiments de cette catégorie doivent être
inyubako cyangwa mu bwubatsi. supervision of an architect or engineer. supervisés par un architecte ou un ingénieur.

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UMUTWE WA III: IBISABWA N’UBURYO CHAPTER III: CONDITIONS AND CHAPITRE III: CONDITIONS ET
BUKURIKIZWA MU GUSABA NO PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR AND PROCÉDURES DE DEMANDE ET
GUTANGA IMPUSHYA ZO KUBAKA GRANTING BUILDING PERMITS D’OCTROI DES AUTORISATIONS DE
BÂTIR

Icyiciro cya mbere: Impushya zo kubaka Section One: Building permits Section première: Autorisations de bâtir

Ingingo ya 10: Ubwoko bw’impushya zo Article 10: Types of building permits Article 10: Types d’autorisations de bâtir
kubaka

Ubwoko bw’impushya zo kubaka ni ubu Types of building permits are the following: Les types d’autorisations de bâtir sont les
bukurikira: suivants:

1º uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako nshya; 1º building permit for a new building; 1° l’autorisation de bâtir d’un bâtiment
neuf;

2º uruhushya rwo kuvugurura bihindura 2º permit for refurbishment with structural 2° l’autorisation de rénovation avec
inyubako; alterations; modifications structurelles;

3º uruhushya rwo kuvugurura bidahindura 3º permit for refurbishment without 3° l’autorisation de rénovation sans
inyubako; structural alterations; modifications structurelles;

4º uruhushya rwo gukoresha inyubako; 4º occupancy permit; 4° le permis d’occupation;

5º uruhushya rwo gusenya inyubako; 5º demolition permit; 5° le permis de démolition;

6º uruhushya rwo guhindura icyo inyubako 6º permit for changing building use. 6° l’autorisation de changement de
yagenewe. l’utilisation du bâtiment.

Impushya zo kubaka z’inyongera zishobora Other building permits that may be granted when Les autres autorisations de bâtir pouvant être
gutangwa bibaye ngombwa ni izi zikurikira: considered necessary are the following: octroyées lorsque cela est jugé nécessaire sont
les suivantes:

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1° uruhushya rwo kubaka uruzitiro; 1º fence building permit; 1º l’autorisation de bâtir d’une clôture;

2° uruhushya rwongera igihe cy’uruhushya 2º permit for renewal of expired building 2º l’autorisation de renouvellement
rwo kubaka rwarangiye; permit; d’autorisation de bâtir expirée;

3° uruhushya rwo guhindura ibyateganyijwe 3º modification permit for planned 3º l’autorisation de changement de la
kubakwa. construction. construction prévue.

Ingingo ya 11: Imiterere y’uruhushya rwo Article 11: Format of building permit Article 11: Format de l’autorisation de bâtir
kubaka

Imiterere y’umwimerere y’uruhushya rwo Standardised format of building permit is Le format standard de l’autorisation de bâtir est
kubaka igenwa n’urwego rufite imiturire mu determined by the organ in charge of housing. déterminé par l’organe ayant l’habitat dans ses
nshingano zarwo. attributions.

Ingingo ya 12: Inyubako zisabirwa Article 12: Buildings that require building Article 12: Bâtiments qui nécessitent
uruhushya rwo kubaka permit l’autorisation de bâtir

Uretse inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 1 n’icya 6, Except for buildings in category 1 and category À l’exception des bâtiments de la catégorie 1 et
nyir’ubutaka cyangwa ukodesha ubutaka 6, an owner or lessee of land cannot undertake la catégorie 6, le propriétaire ou le locataire
ntashobora kubaka inyubako atabanje guhabwa any building project without obtaining building d’une terre ne peut entreprendre aucun projet de
n’Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa Kigali permit from the District or City of Kigali. construction sans prélablement obtenir
uruhushya rwo kubaka. l’autorisation de bâtir du District ou de la Ville
de Kigali.

Ingingo ya 13: Ibikorwa bisabirwa Article 13: Activities that require building Article 13: Activités qui nécessitent
uruhushya rwo kubaka permit l’autorisation de bâtir

Ibikorwa bikurikira bisabirwa uruhushya rwo The following activities require building permit: Les activités reprises ci-après nécessitent
kubaka: l’autorisation de bâtir:

1º inyubako nshya; 1º a new building; 1º un bâtiment neuf;

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2º kongera inyubako; 2º extension of a building; 2º l’extension du bâtiment;

3º kuvugurura bihindura imiterere 3º refurbishment with structural alterations; 3º la rénovation avec modifications
y’inyubako; structurelles;

4º kuvugurura bidahindura imiterere 4º refurbishment without structural 4º la rénovation sans modifications

y’inyubako; alterations; structurelles;

5º gukoresha inyubako; 5º occupancy of a building; 5º l’occupation d’un bâtiment;

6º gusenya inyubako; 6º demolition of a building; 6º la démolition d’un bâtiment;

7º guhindura icyo inyubako yagenewe. 7º change of building use. 7º le changement de l’usage du bâtiment.

Icyiciro cya 2: Dosiye y’ubusabe Section 2: Application file for building permit Section 2: Dossier de demande d’autorisation
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka de bâtir

Akiciro ka mbere: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye Subsection One: Requirements for Sous-section première: Conditions requises
y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka application file for building permit pour un dossier de demande d’autorisation de
bâtir

Ingingo ya 14: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye y’ubusabe Article 14: Requirements for application file Article 14: Conditions requises pour un
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako iri mu for building permit for a building in category dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
cyiciro cya 2 2 d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 2

Dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka An application file for building permit for a Un dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
inyubako iri mu cyiciro cya 2 ntigomba kuba building in category 2 does not require d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 2 ne nécessite pas
iherekejwe n’icyemezo cy’impuguke mu certification by an architect or a civil engineer. la certification par un architecte ou un ingénieur
guhanga inyubako cyangwa icy’impuguke mu civil.
by’ubwubatsi.

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Ingingo ya 15: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye y’ubusabe Article 15: Requirements for application file Article 15: Conditions requises pour un
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako iri mu for building permit for a building in category dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
cyiciro cya 3 3 d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 3

Dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka An application file for building permit for a Un dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
inyubako iri mu cyiciro cya 3 igomba kuba building in category 3 must be certified by an d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 3 doit être certifié
yemejwe n’impuguke mu guhanga inyubako architect or a civil engineer. par un architecte ou un ingénieur civil.
cyangwa impuguke mu by’ubwubatsi

Ingingo ya 16: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye y’ubusabe Article 16: Requirements for application file Article 16: Conditions requises pour un
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako iri mu for building permit for a building in category dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
cyiciro cya 4 n’icya 5 4 and category 5 d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 4 et la catégorie
5

Dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka An application file for building permit for Un dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
inyubako iri mu cyiciro cya 4 n’icya 5 igomba building in category 4 and category 5 must be d’un bâtiment de la catégorie 4 et la catégorie 5
kuba yemejwe n’impuguke mu guhanga inyubako certified by an architect and a civil engineer. doit être certifié par un architecte et un ingénieur
n’impuguke mu by’ubwubatsi. civil.

Ingingo ya 17: Ibisabwa kuri dosiye y’ubusabe Article 17: Requirements for application file Article 17: Conditions requises pour un
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka uruzitiro for fence building permit dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
d’une clôture

Dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka An application file for fence building permit Un dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
uruzitiro ntisaba kwemezwa n’impuguke mu does not require certification by an architect or a d’une clôture ne nécessite pas la certification par
guhanga inyubako cyangwa impuguke mu civil engineer. un architecte ou un ingénieur civil.
by’ubwubatsi.

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Akiciro ka 2: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Subsection 2: Content of application file for Sous-section 2: Contenu d’un dossier de
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka building permit demande d’autorisation de bâtir

Ingingo ya 18: Ibigize muri rusange dosiye Article 18: General content of application file Article 18: Contenu général d’un dossier de
y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka for building permit demande d’autorisation de bâtir

Ibigize muri rusange dosiye y’ubusabe The general content of an application file for a Le contenu général d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka ni ibi bikurikira: building permit is as follows: d’autorisation de bâtir est le suivant:

1º ibaruwa isaba uruhushya yandikiwe 1º an application letter addressed to the City 1º une lettre de demande adressée à la Ville
Umujyi wa Kigali cyangwa Akarere, of Kigali or the District, except for online de Kigali ou au District, à l’exception des
uretse aho impushya zisabwa applications; demandes par voie éléctronique;
hakoreshejwe ikoranabuhanga;

2º ifishi y’ubusabe yujujwe; 2º a filled application form; 2º un formulaire de demande complété;

3º kopi y’impapurompamo z’ubutaka 3º a copy of land ownership documents that 3º une copie des documents de propriété
zijyanye n’igishushanyo mbonera. match with the master plan land use. foncière qui correspondent à l’utilisation
des terres du plan directeur.

Ingingo ya 19: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 19: Content of application file for Article 19: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako nshya building permit of a new building d’autorisation de bâtir d’un bâtiment neuf

Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo The content of an application file for a building Le contenu d’un dossier de demande
kubaka inyubako nshya ni ibi bikurikira: permit of a new building is as follows: d’autorisation de bâtir d’un bâtiment neuf est le
suivant:

1º incamake y’umushinga irimo ibisobanuro 1° a project brief including a description of 1° un résumé de projet comprenant la
by’uburyo na tekiniki byakoreshejwe, methods and techniques applied, except description des méthodes et techniques
uretse inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2; for buildings in category 2; appliquées, à l’exception des bâtiments
de la catégorie 2;

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2º ibishushanyo bigaragaza uko inyubako 2° site plan and landscaping; 2° le plan du site et l’aménagement
iteretse mu kibanza n’imiterere paysager;
y’ahazubakwa;

3º kopi y’inyigo z’imimerere y’ubutaka, 3° a copy of geotechnical report, except for 3° une copie du rapport géotechnique, à
uretse inyubako zo mu cyiciro cya 2 n’icya buildings in category 2 and category 3; l’exception des bâtiments de la catégorie
3; 2 et la catégorie 3;

4º kopi y’inyandiko zerekeranye n’inyigo 4° copy of environmental impact 4° une copie des documents d’évaluation
mu kubungabunga ibidukikije, uretse assessment documents, except for d’impact environnemental, à l’exception
inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2 n’icya 3; buildings in category 2 and 3; des bâtiments de la catégorie 2 et la
catégorie 3;

5º ibishushanyo by’imiterere y’inyubako; 5° architectural drawings; 5° les dessins d’architecture;

6º imbata y’ibijyanye n’imiyoboro y’amazi, 6° mechanical, electrical, sanitation, 6° les plans mécaniques, électriques,
amashanyarazi, isuku n’isukura, internet broadband connectivity plans d’assainissement, de connectivité à
ikoranabuhanga ry murandasi no kwirinda and fire safety except for buildings in l’internet haut débit et de sécurité
inkongi, uretse inyubako ziri mu cyiciro category 2; incendie, à l’exception des bâtiments de
cya 2; la catégorie 2;

7º inyigo y’ubukomere bw’ibigize inyubako, 7° structural design comprising plans and 7° la conception structurelle comportant des
harimo imbata yabyo n’uko byabazwe, calculations, except for buildings in plans et des calculs, à l’exception des
uretse ku nyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2 category 2 and category 3; bâtiments de la catégorie 2 et la catégorie
n’icya 3; 3;

8º ingano y’ibizakoreshwa n’agaciro kabyo, 8° bill of quantities and cost estimate, 8° les devis quantitatif et estimatif, à
uretse inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2; except for buildings in category 2; l’exception des bâtiments de la catégorie
2;

9º icyemezo cy’imirimo y’umushinga 9° certification of works signed by a 9° la certification des travaux signée par un
gisinyweho n’umuhanga mu guhanga certified architect or engineer, except for architecte ou un ingénieur certifié, à

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inyubako cyangwa impuguke mu buildings in category 2; l’exception des bâtiments de la catégorie

by’ubwubatsi, uretse inyubako ziri mu 2;
cyiciro cya 2;

10º raporo y’iyubahirizwa ry’ibisabwa 10° a copy of green building minimum 10° une copie du rapport de conformité
by’ibanze ku myubakire itangiza compliance report, except for buildings minimale à la construction écologique, à
ibidukikije, uretse inyubako ziri mu in category 2 and category 3. l’exception des bâtiments de la catégorie
cyiciro cya 2 n’icya 3. 2 et la catégorie 3.

Ingingo ya 20: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 20: Content of application file for Article 20: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kuvugurura bihindura permit for refurbishment with structural d’autorisation de rénovation avec
imiterere y’inyubako alterations modifications structurelles

Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo The content of an application file for building Le contenu d’un dossier de demande
kuvugurura bihindura imiterere y’inyubako ni ibi permit for refurbishment with structural d’autorisation de rénovation avec modifications
bikurikira: alterations is as follows: structurelles est le suivant:

1° incamake y’umushinga irimo ibisobanuro 1° a project brief including a description of 1° un résumé de projet comprenant la
by’uburyo na tekiniki byakoreshejwe, methods and techniques applied, except description des méthodes et techniques
uretse ku nyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2; for buildings in category 2; appliquées, à l’exception des bâtiments
de la catégorie 2;

2° ibishushanyo bigaragaza uko inyubako 2° site plan and landscaping; 2° le plan du site et l’aménagement
iteretse mu kibanza n’imiterere paysager;
y’ahazubakwa;

3° ibishushanyo by’imiterere y’inyubako, 3° architectural drawings, except for 3° les dessins d’architecture, à l’exception
uretse inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2; buildings in category 2; des bâtiments de la catégorie 2;

4° kopi y’inyandiko zerekeranye n’inyigo 4° a copy of environmental impact 4° une copie des documents d’évaluation
mu kubungabunga ibidukikije, uretse assessment documents, except for d’impact environnemental, à l’exception
inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2 n’icya 3; buildings in category 2 and category 3; des bâtiments de la catégorie 2 et la

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catégorie 3;

5° imbata y’ibijyanye n’imiyoboro y’amazi, 5° mechanical, electrical, sanitation, 5° les plans mécaniques, électriques,
amashanyarazi, isuku n’isukura, internet broadband connectivity and fire d’assainissement, de connectivité à
ikoranabuhanga rya murandasi no safety plans, except for buildings in l’internet haut débit et de sécurité
kwirinda inkongi, uretse inyubako ziri mu category 2; incendie, à l’exception des bâtiments de
cyiciro cya 2; la catégorie 2;

6° igishushanyo cy’imiterere kigizwe 6° structural design comprising plans and 6° la conception structurelle comportant des
n’imbata n’imibare, uretse inyubako ziri calculations, except for buildings in plans et des calculs, à l’exception des
mu cyiciro cya 2; category 2; bâtiments de la catégorie 2;

7° ingano y’ibizakoreshwa n’agaciro kabyo, 7° bill of quantities and cost estimate, 7° les devis quantitatif et estimatif, à
uretse inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2; except for buildings in category 2; l’exception des bâtiments de la catégorie
2;

8° icyemezo cy’imirimo y’umushinga 8° certification of works signed by certified 8° la certification des travaux signée par un
gisinyweho n’umuhanga mu guhanga architect or engineer, except for architecte ou un ingénieur certifié, à
inyubako cyangwa impuguke mu buildings in category 2. l’exception des bâtiments de la catégorie
by’ubwubatsi, uretse inyubako ziri mu 2.
cyiciro cya 2.

Imirimo yo kongera inyubako mu gihe cyo During refurbishment, the extension of a Lors de la rénovation, l’extension d’un bâtiment
kuvugurura ntigomba kurenza makumyabiri ku building must not exceed twenty per cent (20%) ne doit pas dépasser vingt pour cent (20%) des
ijana (20%) by’ingano y’inyubako isanzwe. of the size of the existing building. dimensions du bâtiment existant.

Iyo imirimo yo kwagura inyubako irenze If extension activities exceed twenty per cent Lorsque les activités d’extension dépassent vingt
makumyabiri ku ijana (20%) nyir’umushinga (20%) the project owner applies for a building pour cent (20%), le propriétaire du projet
asaba uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako nshya. permit of a new building. demande une autorisation de bâtir d’un bâtiment
neuf.

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Iyo kwagura bihindura icyiciro inyubako yarimo If extension activities change the category of a Lorsque les activités d’extension changent la
bisabirwa uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako building, a building permit of a new building is catégorie d’un bâtiment, une autorisation de bâtir
nshya. required. d’un bâtiment neuf est requise.

Ingingo ya 21: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 21: Content of application file for Article 21: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kuvugurura bidahindura permit for refurbishment with structural d’autorisation de rénovation sans
imiterere y’inyubako alterations modifications structurelles

Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo The content of an application file for building Le contenu d’un dossier de demande
kuvugurura bidahindura imiterere y’inyubako ni permit for refurbishment without structural d’autorisation de rénovation sans modifications
ibi bikurikira: alterations is as follows: structurelles est le suivant:

1º incamake y’umushinga irimo 1º a project brief including description 1° un résumé de projet comprenant la
ibisobanuro by’uburyo na tekiniki of methods and techniques applied, description des méthodes et techniques
byakoreshejwe, uretse ku nyubako ziri except for buildings in category 2; appliquées, à l’exception des bâtiments
mu cyiciro cya 2; de la catégorie 2;

2º imbata y’ibijyanye n’imiyoboro 2º mechanical, electrical, sanitation, 2° les plans mécaniques, électriques,
y’amazi, amashanyarazi, isuku internet broadband connectivity and d’assainissement, de connectivité à
n’isukura, ikoranabuhanga rya fire safety plans, except for buildings internet haut débit et de sécurité incendie,
murandasi no kwirinda inkongi, uretse in category 2; à l’exception des bâtiments de la
inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2; catégorie 2;

3º amafoto agaragaraza inyubako igiye 3º photos showing the building to be 3° les photos montrant le bâtiment à
kuvugururwa. refurbished. rénover.

Ingingo ya 22: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 22: Content of application file for Article 22: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo gukoresha inyubako occupancy permit de permis d’occupation

Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo The content of an application file for occupancy Le contenu d’un dossier de demande de permis
gukoresha inyubako ni ibi bikurikira: permit is as follows: d’occupation est le suivant:

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1º ibishushanyo bigaragaza uko inyubako 1° as built drawings; 1° les plans de récolement;

yubatse;

2º ingano y’ibyakoreshejwe mu kubaka, 2° updated bill of quantities, except for 2° les devis quantitatifs à jour, à l’exception
uretse inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2; buildings in category 2; des bâtiments de la catégorie 2;

3º ubwoko bw’ibyakoreshejwe 3° material and equipments specifications; 3° les spécifications du matériau et

n’ubw’ibikoresho; équipment;

4º kopi y’uruhushya rwo kubaka yahawe 4° a copy of the previously granted building 4° une copie de l’autorisation de bâtir
mbere; permit; précédemment octroyée;

5º uburyo bwateganyijwe bwo gufata neza 5° maintenance plan of the building. 5° le plan de maintenance du bâtiment.
inyubako.

Uruhushya rw’agateganyo rwo gukoresha A provisional occupancy permit may be issued Un permis d’occupation provisoire peut être
inyubako rushobora gutangwa mu gihe kitarenze for a period not exceeding three (3) months délivré pour une période qui ne dépasse pas trois
amezi atatu (3) yongerwa inshuro imwe (1), renewable once (1), depending on the status of (3) mois renouvelable une (1) fois, en fonction
bitewe n’aho inyubako igeze. the building. de l’état du bâtiment.

Ingingo ya 23: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 23: Content of application file for Article 23: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo gusenya inyubako demolition permit de permis de démolition

Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo The content of an application file for demolition Le contenu d’un dossier de demande de permis
gusenya inyubako ni ibi bikurikira: permit is as follows: de démolition est le suivant:

1° incamake y’umushinga irimo ibisobanuro 1° a project brief including a description of 1° un résumé de projet comprenant la
by’uburyo na tekiniki byakoreshejwe, methods and techniques applied, except description des méthodes et techniques
uretse inyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 2; for buildings in category 2; appliquées, à l’exception des bâtiments
de la catégorie 2;

2° uburyo imyanda ituruka ku isenywa 2° management plan of waste derived from 2° le plan de gestion des déchets provenant

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ry’inyubako izafatwa; the demolition; de la démolition;

3° kopi y’inyandiko zerekeranye n’inyigo 3° a copy of environmental management 3° une copie de l’évaluation de l’impact sur
mu kubungabunga ibidukikije, ku plan for buildings in category 4 and l’environnement pour les bâtiments de la
nyubako ziri mu cyiciro cya 4 n’icya 5. category 5. catégorie 4 et la catégorie 5.

Ingingo ya 24: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 24: Content of application file for Article 24: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka uruzitiro fence building permit d’autorisation de bâtir d’une clôture

Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo The content of an application file for fence Le contenu d’un dossier de demande
kubaka uruzitiro ni ibi bikurikira: building permit is as follows: d’autorisation de bâtir d’une clôture est le
suivant:

1º ibishushanyo by’imiterere y’uruzitiro; 1° architectural drawings for the fence; 1° les plans d’architecture de la clôture;

2º ibishushanyo bigaragaza uko uruzitiro 2° fence site plan; 2° le plan d’implantation de la clôture;
ruteretse mu kibanza;

3º ifoto igaragaza ahateganywa kubakwa 3° a photo showing the existing situation of 3° une photo désignant la situation existante
uruzitiro. the plot where the fence will be built. de la parcelle où la clôture sera
construite.

Ingingo ya 25: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe Article 25: Content of application file for Article 25: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo guhindura ibyateganyijwe modification permit for planned construction d’autorisation de changement de construction
kubakwa prévue

Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo The content of an application file for Le contenu d’un dossier de demande
guhindura ibyateganyijwe kubakwa ni ibi modification permit for planned construction is d’autorisation de changement de construction
bikurikira: as follows: prévue est le suivant:

1º kopi y’uruhushya rwo kubaka 1º a copy of existing building permit; 1º une copie de l’autorisation de bâtir
rukoreshwa; existante;

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2º ibishushyanyo by’inyubako byemejwe; 2º approved drawings of the building; 2º les dessins approuvés du bâtiment;

3º inyigo n’ibishushyanyo bigaragaza 3º design and drawings of new modified 3º la conception et les dessins du nouveau
ibigomba guhinduka; project; projet modifié;

4º amafoto agaragaza aho inyubako yari 4º photos showing the current progress of 4º les photos montrant l’état d’avancement
igeze yubakwa. construction works of the building. actuel des travaux de construction du
bâtiment.

Ingingo ya 26: Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bwo Article 26: Content of application file for Article 26: Contenu d’un dossier de demande
kongerera igihe uruhushya rwo kubaka renewal of expired building permit de renouvellement d’autorisation de bâtir
rwarangiye expirée

Ibigize dosiye y’ubusabe bwo kongerera igihe The content of an application file for renewal of Le contenu d’un dossier de demande de
uruhushya rwo kubaka rwarangiye ni ibi expired building permit is as follows: renouvellement d’autorisation de bâtir expirée
bikurikira: est le suivant:

1º kopi y’uruhushya rwo kubaka 1º a copy of the expired building permit; 1° une copie de l’autorisation de bâtir
rwarangiye; expirée;

2º ibishushanyo by’inyubako byemejwe; 2º approved drawings of the building; 2° les dessins approuvés du bâtiment;

3º amafoto agaragaza aho inyubako yari 3º photos showing the current progress of 3° les photos montrant l’état d’avancement
igeze yubakwa. construction works of the building. actuel des travaux de construction du
bâtiment.

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Icyiciro cya 3: Uburyo bwo gusaba no Section 3: Procedures for application for and Section 3: Procédures de demande et d’octroi
gutanga uruhushya rwo kubaka granting building permit d’autorisations de bâtir

Ingingo ya 27: Uburyo bwo gusaba uruhushya Article 27: Procedures for application for Article 27: Procédures de demande
rwo kubaka building permit d’autorisation de bâtir

Dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka An application file for building permit is Un dossier de demande d’autorisation de bâtir
ishyikirizwa Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa Kigali. submitted to the District or City of Kigali. est transmise au District ou à la Ville de Kigali.

Dosiye y’ubusabe bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka The completeness of the application file for L’exhausitivité du dossier de demande
yemezwa ko yuzuye nyuma y’ibiganiro bikorwa building permit is approved after a consultation d’autorisation de bâtir est approuvée après une
hagati y’usaba cyangwa umuhagarariye between the applicant or his or her representative consultation entre le demandeur ou son
n’abakozi b’Akarere cyangwa ab’Umujyi wa and an authorised staff of the District or City of représentant et le personnel autorisé du District
Kigali babiherewe ububasha. Kigali. ou de la Ville de Kigali.

Igihe hakoreshejwe ikoranabuhanga mu gusaba In case of online application for building permit, En cas d’une demande d’autorisation de bâtir par
uruhushya rwo kubaka, dosiye yuzuye ikurwa the complete file is downloaded by an authorised voie electronique, le dossier complet doit être
muri mudasobwa n’umuntu ubifitiye ububasha. person. téléchargé par une personne autorisée.

Isuzumwa rya tekiniki rya dosiye y’ubusabe The technical assessment of the application file L’évaluation technique du dossier de demande
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka ritangira igihe dosiye for building permit starts once the file d’autorisation de bâtir commence dès que le
yemerejwe n’Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa Kigali completeness has been approved by the District District ou la Ville de Kigali a approuvé
ko yuzuye. or City of Kigali. l’exhaustivité du dossier.

Icyakora, Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa Kigali, However, the District or the City of Kigali issues Toutefois, le District ou la Ville de Kigali octroie
bitanga uruhushya rwo kubaka inyubako ziri mu building permit for buildings in category 4 and l’autorisation de bâtir des constructions de la
cyiciro cya 4 n’icya 5 bibanje kwemererwa category 5 after obtaining non objection from the catégorie 4 et la catégorie 5 après avoir obtenu la
n’urwego rufite imiturire mu nshingano zarwo, organ in charge of housing, upon assessment of non objection de l’organe ayant l’habitat dans
nyuma yo gusuzuma ko ibisabwa byose the compliance with all requirements. If the non ses attributions, après une évaluation de la
byubahirijwe. Iyo uko kwemererwa kutatanzwe, objection is not obtained, the issued building conformité aux conditions requises. Si la non-
uruhushya rwatanzwe rufatwa nk’urutariho. permit is deemed void. objection n’est pas obtenue, l’autorisation
octroyée est réputée nulle.

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Umukozi watanze uruhushya atabanje The staff member who has issued the building L’agent qui a octroyé l’autorisation de bâtir sans
kwemererwa n’urwego rufite imiturire mu permit without prior obtention of the non avoir obtenu la non-objection de l’organe ayant
nshingano zarwo aba akoze ikosa ryo mu kazi. objection from the organ in charge of housing l’habitat dans ses attributions commet une faute
commits an administrative fault. administrative.

Ingingo ya 28: Igihe isesengura n’iyemezwa Article 28: Duration of assessment and Article 28: Durée de l'évaluation et
ry’ubusabe n’itangwa ry’uruhushya rwo approval of application for and granting d’approbation de demande et l’octroi
kubaka bimara building permit d’autorisation de bâtir

Isesengura n’iyemezwa ry’ubusabe The duration to assess and approve a complete La durée pour évaluer et approuver un dossier
bw’uruhushya rwo kubaka bwuzuye n’itangwa application file for building permit, and to grant complet de demande d’autorisation de bâtir et
ry’uruhushya rwo kubaka ntibigomba kurenza a building permit must not exceed thirty (30) d’octroyer l’autorisation de bâtir ne doit pas
iminsi mirongo itatu (30) ibarwa uhereye igihe days from the date of confirmation of dépasser trente (30) jours à compter de la date de
dosiye y’ubusabe yemerejwe ko yuzuye. completeness of the application file. confirmation de l’exhausivité du dossier de
demande.

Iyo uruhushya rwo kubaka rudatanzwe mu gihe In case the building permit is not granted within Si l’autorisation de bâtir n’est pas octroyée dans
giteganywa mu gika cya mbere cy’iyi ngingo, the time prescribed in Paragraph One of this le délai préscrit à l’alinéa premier du présent
Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa Kigali bimenyesha, Article, the District or the City of Kigali informs article, le District ou la Ville de Kigali informe
mu nyandiko, uwasabye impamvu y’ubukererwe. the applicant, in writing, the reason of the delay. le demandeur, à l’écrit, les raisons de retard.

Ingingo ya 29: Igihe uruhushya rwo kubaka Article 29: Validity of building permit Article 29: Validité de l’autorisation de bâtir
rumara

Iyo uruhushya rwo kubaka rutanzwe, imirimo When a building permit has been granted, Lorsque l’autorisation de bâtir a été octroyée, les
y’ubwubatsi igomba gutangira mu gihe kitarenze construction works must commence within a travaux de construction doivent débuter dans un
umwaka umwe (1) uhereye igihe uruhushya rwo period not exceeding one (1) year starting from délai qui ne dépasse pas une (1) année à compter
kubaka rwatangiwe, kandi imirimo igomba the issuance of the building permit, and de l’octroie de l’autorisation et être achevés dans
kurangira mu gihe kiri hagati y’umwaka umwe completed within one (1) to five (5) years, un délai d’un (1) à cinq (5) ans, selon la catégorie
(1) n’imyaka itanu (5), bitewe n’icyiciro depending on the category of the project. du projet.
cy’umushinga.

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Mu gihe ibikorwa by’ubwubatsi bitatangiye mu In case construction works have not commenced Si les travaux de construction n’ont pas
mwaka umwe (1), uruhushya rutakaza agaciro within one (1) year, the building permit expires, commencé dans une (1) année, l’autorisation de
karwo, keretse iyo uwaruhawe yasabye kandi unless the person to whom the permit was bâtir expire, sauf si la personne à qui elle avait
akemererwa kurwongera. granted has requested and obtained the été accordée a demandé et acquis l’autorisation
authorisation for renewal. de renouvellement.

Iyo uruhushya rwo kubaka rurangiye mbere In case the building permit expires before En cas d’expiration de l’autorisation de bâtir
y’uko imirimo y’ubwubatsi irangira, imirimo completion, the construction works are avant l’achèvement, les travaux de construction
y’ubwubatsi irahagarara kugeza igihe suspended until renewal of the permit. sont suspendus jusqu’à son renouvellement.
habonekeye uruhushya rurwongerera agaciro.

Ingingo ya 30: Ihererekanya ry’uruhushya Article 30: Transfer of building permit Article 30: Transfert d’autorisation de bâtir
rwo kubaka

Uruhushya rwo kubaka ntiruhita ruhererekanywa The building permits is not automatically L’autorisation de bâtir n’est pas
mu gihe habayeho guhererekanya umutungo. transferred with property transfer. automatiquement transférée avec le transfert de
propriété.

Ihererekanya uruhushya rwo kubaka bigomba Transfer of the building permit requires the Le transfert d’autorisation de bâtir nécessite
kwemezwa n’Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa authorisation of the District or the City of Kigali l'autorisation du District ou de la Ville de Kigali
Kigali byarutanze. that issued it. qui l’a octroyée.

UMUTWE WA IV: INGINGO CHAPTER IV: MISCELLANEOUS AND CHAPITRE IV: DISPOSITIONS
ZINYURANYE N’IZISOZA FINAL PROVISIONS DIVERSES ET FINALES

Ingingo ya 31: Inyubako z’ibikorwa Article 31: Agricultural buildings Article 31: Bâtiments agricoles
by’ubuhinzi

Inyubako z’ibikorwa by’ubuhinzi ni zo zonyine Agricultural buildings are only allowed in Les bâtiments agricoles sont exclusivement
zemerewe kubakwa ahagenewe ubuhinzi. agriculture land. permises dans les terres agricoles.

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Nta nyubako yemerewe kubakwa ahantu No building is accepted in protected wetlands. Aucun bâtiment n’est accepté dans les zones
hahehereye hakomye. humides protégées.

Ingingo ya 32: Inyubako ziturwamo zo mu Article 32: Rural human settlements Article 32: Hâbitats ruraux
cyaro

Ahatura abantu mu cyaro hagomba kuba mu bice Rural settlements must occupy spaces reserved Les hâbitats ruraux doivent occuper des espaces
byagenewe kubakwamo inyubako zo guturamo. for the construction of residential buildings. réservés à la construction des bâtiments
résidentiels.

Inyubako yose yo guturamo mu cyaro igomba Every rural residential building must be Chaque bâtiment résidentiel rural doit être
kubakwa mu mudugudu kandi igasabirwa constructed in group settlement site and requires construit sur un site de peuplement collectif et
uruhushya rwo kubaka mbere yo kubakwa. building permit before construction. nécessite l’autorisation de bâtir avant la
construction.

Inyubako yo guturamo yubatswe ahatari mu Any residential building built out of group Tout bâtiment résidentiel construit en dehors du
mudugudu igomba kuvanwaho. settlement site must be removed. site de peuplement collectif doit être enlevé.

Uruhushya rwo kubaka ruvugwa mu gika cya 2 The building permit provided for in Paragraph 2 L’autorisation de bâtir mentionée à l’alinea 2 du
cy’iyi ngingo rutangwa n’Umurenge, ku of this Article is issued by the Sector, through présent article est délivrée par le Secteur par voie
burenganzira bwanditse butangwa n’Akarere. written delegation of powers from the District. de délégation de pouvoirs écrite du District.

Ingingo ya 33: Ivanwaho ry’iteka n’ingingo Article 33: Repealing provision Article 33: Dispositions abrogatoire
zinyuranyije n’iri teka

Iteka rya Minisitiri n° 06/Cab.M/015 ryo ku wa The Ministerial Order n° 06/Cab.M/015 of L’Arrêté Ministériel n° 06/Cab.M/015 du
08/06/2015 rishyiraho amabwiriza akubiyemo 08/06/2015 determining the instructions of 08/06/2015 déterminant les instructions sur la
ibyiciro by’inyubako, ibisabwa n’uburyo categorisation of buildings, conditions and catégorisation de bâtiments, les conditions et les
bukurikizwa mu gusaba no gutanga impushya zo procedure for application for and issuance of procédures de demande et d’octroi des
kubaka nk’uko ryahinduwe kugeza ubu n’ingingo building permits as amended to date and all prior autorisations de bâtir tel que modifié à ce jour et
zose z’amateka abanziriza iri kandi zinyuranyije provisions contrary to this Order are repealed. toutes les dispositions antérieures contraires au
na ryo bivanyweho. présent arrêté sont abrogés.

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Ingingo ya 34: Igihe iri teka ritangirira Article 34: Commencement Article 34: Entrée en vigueur
gukurikizwa

Iri teka ritangira gukurikizwa ku munsi This Order comes into force on the date of its Le présent arrêté entre en vigueur le jour de sa
ritangarijweho mu Igazeti ya Leta ya Repubulika publication in the Official Gazette of the publication au Journal officiel de la République
y’u Rwanda. Republic of Rwanda. du Rwanda.

Kigali, ku wa 15/04/2019 Kigali, on 15/04/2019 Kigali, le 15/04/2019

(sé) (sé) (sé)

GATETE Claver GATETE Claver GATETE Claver
Minisitiri w’Ibikorwa Remezo Minister of Infrastructure Ministre des Infrastructures

Bibonywe kandi bishyizweho Ikirango Seen and sealed with the Seal of the Vu et scellé du Sceau de la République:
cya Repubulika: Republic:

(sé) (sé) (sé)

BUSINGYE Johnston BUSINGYE Johnston BUSINGYE Johnston
Minisitiri w’Ubutabera/Intumwa Nkuru ya Leta Minister of Justice/Attorney General Ministre de la Justice/Garde des Sceaux

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ITEKA RYA MINISITIRI N°03/CAB.M/019 MINISTERIAL ORDER N°03/CAB.M/019 ARRȆTÉ MINISTÉRIEL N°03/CAB.M/019
RYO KU WA 15/04/2019 RISHYIRAHO OF 15/04/2019 DETERMINING URBAN DU 15/04/2019 DÉTERMINANT LES
AMABWIRIZA AJYANYE PLANNING AND BUILDING RÈGLEMENTS D’URBANISME ET DE
N’IMITUNGANYIRIZE Y’IMIJYI REGULATIONS CONSTRUCTION
N’IMYUBAKIRE

ISHAKIRO TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE DES MATIÈRES

UMUTWE WA MBERE: INGINGO CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL PROVISIONS CHAPITRE PREMIER: DISPOSITIONS
RUSANGE GÉNÉRALES

Ingingo ya mbere: Icyo iri teka rigamije Article One: Purpose of this Order Article premier: Objet du présent arrêté

Ingingo ya 2: Ibisobanuro by’amagambo Article 2: Definitions Article 2: Définitions

UMUTWE WA II: IMITUNGANYIRIZE CHAPTER II: URBAN PLANNING CHAPITRE II: URBANISME
Y’IMIJYI

Inngingo ya 3: Amahame y’imitunganyirize Article 3: Urban planning principles Article 3: Principes de la planification
y’imijyi urbaine

Ingingo ya 4: Amabwiriza agenga Article 4: Urban planning regulations Article 4: Règlements d’urbanisme
imitunganyirize y’imijyi

Ingingo ya 5: Ibikorwa remezo bishyirwa Article 5: Infrastractures serviced in proposed Article 5: Infrastructures installées dans une
ahantu hagenewe guturwa site for human settlement zone résidentielle

Ingingo ya 6: Igenamigambi ry’ishoramari Article 6: Public investment planning and its Article 6: Planification et échelonnement de
rusange n’uko rikorwa mu byiciro phasing process l’investissement public

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Ingingo ya 7: Kurengera ibidukikije Article 7: Environment protection Article 7: Protection de l’environnement

Ingingo ya 8: Gukoresha neza ubutaka mu Article 8: Efficient use of land in urban Article 8: Utilisation efficace des terres dans
iterambere ry’imijyi development planning le développement urbain

UMUTWE WA III: AMAHAME AGENGA CHAPTER III: PRINCIPLES GOVERNING CHAPITRE III: PRINCIPES RÉGISSANT
ISHYIRWAHO RY’IBIKORWA REMEZO PUTTING IN PLACE INFRASTRUCTURE L’INSTALLATION DES
MU MIJYI IN URBAN AREAS INFRASTRUCTURES EN ZONES
URBAINES

Ingingo ya 9: Ibya ngombwa bikenerwa mu Article 9: Urban utility servicing Article 9: Service d’utilités urbaines
mijyi

Ingingo ya 10: Kubungabunga amazi Article 10: Water protection Article 10: Protection de l'eau

Ingingo ya 11: Imicungire y’amazi y’imvura Article 11: Storm water management and Article 11: Gestion des eaux pluviales et lutte
no kurwanya isuri control of soil erosion contre l’érosion

Ingingo ya 12: Imicungire y’imyanda itemba Article 12: Liquid waste management Article 12: Gestion des déchets liquides

Ingingo ya 13: Imicungirey’imyanda irunze Article 13: Solid waste management Article 13: Gestion des déchets solides

Ingingo ya 14: Igenamigambi ry’urujya Article 14: Traffic and transport planning Article 14: Planification de la circulation et
n’uruza n’ubwikorezi du transport

UMUTWE WA IV: AMAHAME CHAPTER IV: BUILDING PRINCIPLES CHAPITRE IV: PRINCIPES DE
Y’IMYUBAKIRE CONSTRUCTION

Ingingo ya 15: Amabwiriza y’ imyubakire Article 15: Building code Article 15: Code de construction

Ingingo ya 16: Ibisabwa by’ibanze mu Article 16: Minimum construction Article 16: Exigences minimales de
myubakire requirements construction

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Ingingo ya 17: Ibikoresho by’ubwubatsi Article 17: Building materials Article 17: Matériaux de construction

UMUTWE WA V: AMAHAME CHAPTER V: PRINCIPLES OF CHAPITRE V: PRINCIPES DE

Y’IKURIKIRANA, IGENZURA SUPERVISION, INSPECTION AND AUDIT SUPERVISION, INSPECTION ET AUDIT
N’UBUGENZUZI BY’IBIKORWA OF URBAN PLANNING AND BUILDING DES ACTIVITÉS D’URBANISME ET DE
BY’IMITUNGANYIRIZE Y’IMIJYI ACTIVITIES LA CONSTRUCTION
N’IMYUBAKIRE

Icyiciro cya mbere: Ikurikirana mu rwego Section One: Technical supervision Section première: Supervision technique
tekiniki

Ingingo ya 18: Ikurikirana ry’imirimo Article 18: Technical supervision of buiding Article 18: Supervision technique des
y’ubwubatsi mu rwego rwa tekiniki activities activités de construction

Ingingo ya 19: Serivisi zo gukurikirana Article 19: Contracted technical supervision Article 19: Services de supervision technique
imirimo mu rwego rwa tekiniki hashingiwe services sur base d’un contrat
ku masezerano

Ingingo ya 20: Uburyozwe bw’ibiro Article 20: Liability of supervising offices in Article 20: Responsabilité des bureaux de
bikurikirana imirimo mu bikorwa buiding activities surveillance dans les activités de
by’ubwubatsi construction

Ingingo ya 21: Ibishingirwaho mu gutanga Article 21: Conditions for issuance of Article 21: Conditions d’octroi de
uruhushya ku biro bikurikirana imirimo mu authorisation to supervising offices in building l’autorisation aux bureaux de surveillance
bikorwa y’ubwubatsi activities technique dans les activités de construction

Icyiciro cya 2: Igenzura Section 2: Inspection Section 2: Inspection

Ingingo ya 22: Igenzura ry’imirimo Article 22: Building activities inspection Article 22: Inspection des activités de
y’ubwubatsi construction

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Ingingo ya 23: Uko igenzura ry’imirimo Article 23: Procedures for inspection of Article 23: Procédures d’inspection des
y’ubwubatsi rikorwa building activities activités de construction

Ingingo ya 24: Inshingano z’ufite uruhushya Article 24: Obligations of a permittee during Article 24: Obligations du titulaire d’un
mu gihe cy’igenzura ry’imirimo y’ubwubatsi building activities inspection permis pendant l’inspection des activités de
construction

Ingingo ya 25: Isuzuma ry’imiterere Article 25: Structural assessment of a building Article 25: Évaluation structurelle d’un
y’inyubako bâtiment

Ingingo ya 26: Ikurikirana ry’abashinzwe Article 26 Monitoring of building inspectors Article 26: Surveillance des inspecteurs et
igenzura n’igenzura and inspection inspection

Icyiciro cya 3: Ubugenzuzi Section 3: Auditing Section 3: Audit

Ingingo ya 27: Ubugenzuzi Article 27: Auditing of urban planning and Article 27: Audit d’urbanisme et de
bw’imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’imyubakire building construction

Ingingo ya 28: Uburyo bw’ubugenzuzi n’uko Article 28: Auditing modes and Article 28: Modes et mise en oeuvre d’audit
bukorwa implementation

Icyiciro cya 4: Iyubahirizwa ry’iby’ibanze ku Section 4: Green building minimum Section 4 : Conformité minimale à la
myubakire itangiza ibidukikije compliance construction écologique

Ingingo ya 29: Uburyo bw’iyubahirizwa Article 29: Green building minimum Article 29: Système de conformité minimale
ry’iby’ibanze ku myubakire itangiza compliance system à la construction écologique
ibidukikije

Ingingo ya 30: Amahame ngenderwaho mu Article 30: Principles of building green Article 30: Principe de construction des
kubaka inyubako zitangiza ibidukikije buildings bâtiments écologiques

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Ingingo ya 31: Iyubahirizwa ry’amahame Article 31: Application of green building Article 31: Application des principes de
ngenderwaho mu kubaka inyubako zitangiza principles throughout building phases construction des bâtiments écologiques dans
ibidukikije mu byiciro byo kubaka les phases de construction

Ingingo ya 32: Inzego za Leta zishinzwe Article 32: Public organs in charge of Article 32: Organes publics en charge de la
ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’uburyo implementation of green building minimum mise en oeuvre du système conformité
bw’iyubahirizwa ry’iby’ibanze ku compliance system minimale à la construction écologique
myubakire itangiza ibidukikije

Ingingo ya 33: Inshingano z’urwego Article 33: Responsibilities of the national Article 33: Responsabilités de l’organe
rw’Igihugu rufite imyubakire mu nshingano organ in charge of housing national ayant l’habitat dans ses attributions
zarwo

Ingingo ya 34: Inshingano z’urwego Article 34: Responsibilities of the national Article 34: Responsabilités de l’organe
rw’Igihugu rufite ibidukikije mu nshingano organ in charge of environment national ayant l’environnement dans ses
zarwo attributions

Ingingo ya 35: Inshingano z’urwego Article 35: Responsibilities of the national Article 35: Responsabilité de l’organe
rw’Igihugu rufite ubuziranenge mu organ in charge of standards national ayant la normalisation dans ses
nshingano zarwo attributions

Ingingo ya 36: Inshingano z’Umujyi wa Article 36: Responsibilities of the City of Kigali Article 36: Responsabilités de la Ville de
Kigali n’Uturere and Districts Kigali et des Districts

UMUTWE WA VI: AMAKOSA CHAPTER VI: BUILDING FAULTS AND CHAPITRE VI: FAUTES ET SANCTIONS
Y’IMYUBAKIRE N’IBIHANO ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS ADMINISTRATIVES
BITANGWA N’UBUYOBOZI

Ingingo ya 37: Ibyiciro by’amakosa Article 37: Categories of Faults Article 37: Catégories de fautes

Ingingo ya 38: Igihano cyo gusenya inyubako Article 38: Sanction for demolition of a Article 38: Sanction de la démolition d’un
building bâtiment

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Ingingo ya 39: Kwishyura ikiguzi Article 39: Payment of demolition charges Article 39: Paiement des frais de démolition
cy’ibyakoreshejwe mu gusenya

UMUTWE WA VII: INGINGO ZISOZA CHAPTER VII: FINAL PROVISIONS CHAPITRE VII: DISPOSITIONS
FINALES

Ingingo ya 40: Ivanwaho ry’iteka n’ingingo Article 40: Repealing provisions Article 40: Disposition abrogatoire
zinyuranyije n’iri teka

Ingingo ya 41: Igihe iri teka ritangirira Article 41: Commencement Article 41: Entrée en vigueur
gukurikizwa

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ITEKA RYA MINISITIRI N°03/CAB.M/019 MINISTERIAL ORDER N°03/CAB.M/019 ARRȆTÉ MINISTÉRIEL

RYO KU WA 15/04/2019 RISHYIRAHO OF 15/04/2019 DETERMINING URBAN N°03/CAB.M/019 DU 15/04/2019
AMABWIRIZA AJYANYE PLANNING AND BUILDING DÉTERMINANT LES RÈGLEMENTS
N’IMITUNGANYIRIZE Y’IMIJYI REGULATIONS D’URBANISME ET DE CONSTRUCTION
N’IMYUBAKIRE

Minisitiri w’Ibikorwa Remezo, The Minister of Infrastructure, Le Ministre des Infrastructures,

Ashingiye ku Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Vu la Constitution de la République du
y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015, Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015, especially in Rwanda de 2003, révisée en 2015,
cyane cyane mu ngingo zaryo, iya 121, iya 122 Articles 121, 122 and 176; spécialement en ses articles 121, 122 et 176;
n’iya 176;

Ashingiye ku Itegeko n° 10/2012 ryo kuwa Pursuant to Law n°10/2012 of 02/05/2012 Vu la Loi n° 10/2012 du 05/02/2012 portant
02/05/2012 rigena Imitunganyirize y’Imijyi governing urban planning and building in code de l’urbanisme et de la construction au
n’Imyubakire mu Rwanda, cyane cyane mu Rwanda, especially in Articles 4, 8, 21, 25, 27 Rwanda, spécialement en ses articles 4, 8, 21,
ngingo zaryo, iya 4, iya 8, iya 21, iya 25, iya 27 and 40; 25, 27 et 40;
n’iya 40;

Asubiye ku Iteka rya Minisitiri n° 04/Cab.M/015 Having reviewed Ministerial Order n° Revu l’Arrêté Ministériel n° 04/Cab.M/015 du
ryo ku wa 18/05/2015 rishyiraho amabwiriza 04/Cab.M/015 of 18/05/2015 determining urban 18/05/2015 déterminant les règlements
ajyanye n’imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’imyubakire planning and building regulations as amended to d’urbanisme et de construction tel que modifié
nk’uko ryavuguruwe kugeza ubu; date; à ce jour;

Inama y’Abaminisitiri yateranye ku wa After consideration and approval by Cabinet, in Après examen et adoption par le Conseil des
03/04/2019, imaze kubisuzuma no kubyemeza; its session of 03/04/2019; Ministres, en sa séance du 03/04/2019;

ATEGETSE: ORDERS: ARRȆTE:

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UMUTWE WA MBERE: INGINGO CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL PROVISIONS CHAPITRE PREMIER: DISPOSITIONS
RUSANGE GÉNÉRALES

Ingingo ya mbere: Icyo iri teka rigamije Article One: Purpose of this Order Article premier: Objet du présent arrêté

Iri teka rishyiraho amabwiriza agenga This Order determines urban planning and Le présent arrêté détermine les règlements
imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’imyubakire. Rigena building regulations. It also determines d’urbanisme et de construction. Il détermine
kandi uburyo bw’ishyirwa mu bikorwa modalities for enforcement of green building in également les modalités d'application de la
ry’imyubakire itangiza ibidukikije mu Rwanda. Rwanda. construction écologique au Rwanda.

Ingingo ya 2: Ibisobanuro by’amagambo Article 2: Definitions Article 2: Définitions

Muri iri teka, amagambo akurikira asobanuwe In this Order, the following terms are defined as Dans le présent arrêté, les termes repris ci-
mu buryo bukurikira: follows: après sont définis comme suit:

1° Uburyo bw’iyubahirizwa 1° green building minimum compliance 1° système de conformité minimale à la

ry’iby’ibanze ku myubakire itangiza system: a mandatory system to construction écologique: un système
ibidukikije: uburyo butegetswe demonstrate compliance by obligatoire pour démontrer la
bugamije kugaragaza iyubahirizwa implementing minimum green building conformité en mettant en œuvre les
ry’ibisabwa mu gushyirwa mu bikorwa features in applicable project; caractéristiques minimales de
iby’ibanze biranga imyubakire itangiza construction écologique dans le projet
ibidukikije mu mushinga bireba; y afférent;

2° Uburyo bwo kugena ibipimo ku 2° green building rating system: a 2° système de notation de construction
myubakire itangiza ibidukikije: voluntary system developed by green écologique: un système volontaire mis
Uburyo budategetswe bushyirwaho building rating agencies to recognise au point par les agences de notation de
n’inzego zigena ibipimo by’imyubakire high-performance green buildings; construction écologique pour
itangiza ibidukikije, bugamije reconnaître les immeubles écologiques
kugaragaza inyubako itangiza ibidukikije de haute performance;
yo ku rwego ruhanitse;

3° inyubako itangiza ibidukikije: 3° green building: a building built with 3° bâtiment écologique: un bâtiment

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inyubako yubatse hagamijwe gukoresha focus on increasing the efficiency of construit dans le but d’augmenter
neza umutungo, mu gihe cyose igenewe resource use through its life cycle from l'efficacité de l'utilisation des
kumara, kuva mu mushinga wayo, design, construction, operation, ressources tout au long de son cycle de
yubakwa, ikoreshwa, yitabwaho ndetse maintenance and demolition, while durabilité, dès la conception, la
no mu inasenywa ryayo, ari na ko reducing negative impacts on the construction, l'exploitation, la
hagabanywa ingaruka mbi ku bidukikije environment and human health; maintenance et la démolition, tout en
no ku buzima bw’abantu; réduisant les impacts négatifs sur
l'environnement et la santé humaine;

4° ufite uruhushya: umuntu ku giti cye, 4° permittee: an individual, private or 4° titulaire de permis: un individu, entité
urwego rwa Leta cyangwa urwigenga, public entity that is issued with privée ou publique autorisée à effectuer
wahawe uruhushya rwo gutangira authorisation for new development, des travaux de développement,
kubaka, kwagura, gusubiramo, extension, refurbishment, renovation, d’agrandissement, de réfection, de
kuvugurura, , gukoresha no gusenya occupation or demolition of a building. rénovation, d’occupation ou de
inyubako. démolition d’un bâtiment.

UMUTWE WA II: IMITUNGANYIRIZE CHAPTER II: URBAN PLANNING CHAPITRE II: URBANISME
Y’IMIJYI

Inngingo ya 3: Amahame y’imitunganyirize Article 3: Urban planning principles Article 3: Principes de la planification
y’imijyi urbaine

Imitunganyirize y’imijyi ikorwa hashingiwe ku Urban planning is based on the following La planification urbaine est basée sur les
mahame akurikira: principles: principes suivants:

1° gukoresha ubutaka n’undi mutungo 1° utilisation of land and other natural 1° l’utilisation des terres et d’autres
kamere ku buryo bunoze kandi resources in a sustainable and efficient ressources naturelles d’une manière
burambye; manner; efficace et durable;

2° gutuza abantu benshi ku butaka buto 2° optimum density in human settlement 2° la densité optimale dans l’habitation
kandi mu buryo budahenze; that is cost-effective; humaine et économique;

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3° kurengera ibidukikije; 3° environmental protection; 3° la protection de l’environnement;

4° guhanga imirimo n’ibikorwa bibyara 4° job creation and economic activities in 4° la création d'emplois et activités
inyungu bigendanye n’ubwiyongere proportion to urban population growth; économiques proportionnellement à la
bw’abatuye mu mujyi; croissance de la population urbaine;

5° ubuzima rusange, isuku n’isukura ndetse 5° public health, hygiene and sanitation, and 5° la santé publique, hygiène et
n’umudendezo w’abaturage; public safety; assainissement et sécurité publique;

6° imibanire y’abantu batandukanye no 6° social diversity and inclusion; 6° l’inclusion et la diversité sociale;
kwisanga;

7° kugaburira abatuye mu mujyi bigendanye 7° food supply in proportion to urban 7° l’approvisionnement alimentaire
n’ubwiyongere bwabo; population growth; proportionnel à la croissance de la
population urbaine;

8° uburyo bw’imyubakire bushingiye ku 8° location-based building typologies; 8° les typologies des bâtiments basées sur
hantu inyubako ziri; leurs localisations;

9° imigenderanire ihendutse no mu 9° safe and efficient mobility and effective 9° la circulation sécurisée et efficiente et
mudendezo n’uburyo bwo gutwara public transportation; le transport publics efficaces;
abantu bunoze;

10° guhuza ibishushanyo by’imyubakire 10° integration of design plans with the 10° l’intégration des plans de conception
n’imiterere karemano y’ahantu; natural environment; avec l'environnement naturel;

11° ahantu hahurira abantu benshi 11° quality public space and green space; 11° l’espace public et espace vert de
n’ubusitani bikoze neza; qualité;

12° isano hagati y’ahantu hatunganyijwe 12° linkage between a planning area and its 12° la bonne liaison entre une zone
n’ahahakikije ishingiye ku buryo surrounding areas in terms of access, d'aménagement et ses environs en

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hagendwa, ubwikorezi, guteganya transport, growth prospects and land use; termes d'accès, de transport, des
ubwiyongere n’imikoreshereze perspectives de croissance et
y’ubutaka; d’utilisations des terres;

13° imitunganyirize y’umujyi yita ku 13° planning that is sensitive to the urban 13° la planification sensible à la
miterere yawo, umurage ndangamuco morphology, cultural and historical morphologie urbaine et au patrimoine
n’umurage ndangamateka; heritage; culturel et historique;

14° ibikorwa remezo n’ibikorwa bishyigikira 14° durable infrastructure and socio- 14° les infrastructures et installations socio-
ubukungu n’imibereho myiza birambye economic facilities that meet the present économique durable qui répondent aux
bijyanye n’ibikenewe n’abatuye umujyi and future needs of urban population; besoins actuels et futurs de la
mu gihe cya none n’ikizaza; population urbaine;

15° guteza imbere ibikorwa remezo mu mu 15° phased infrastructure development in 15° le développement progressif des
byiciro mu bice bitandukanye by’umujyi urban areas with regard to rules and infrastructures dans des zones urbaines
hitawe ku mabwiriza n’ibipimo norms in force. considérant les règles et les normes en
ngenderwaho bikurikizwa. vigueur.

Ingingo ya 4: Amabwiriza agenga Article 4: Urban planning regulations Article 4: Règlements d’urbanisme
imitunganyirize y’imijyi

Amabwiriza agenga imitunganyirize y’imijyi ari Urban planning regulations in Annex I to this Le règlement d'urbanisme en annexe I au
ku mugereka wa I w’iri teka agena ibi bikurikira: Order provide for the following: présent arrêté prévoit ce qui suit:

1° ibishingirwaho kugira ngo ahantu hitwe 1° criteria of defining urban centers; 1° les critères de définition des centres
umujyi; urbains;

2° ibikorwa remezo rusange by’ibanze; 2° basic public infrastructures; 2° les infrastructures publiques de base;

3° impamvu n’ibisabwa mu guteza imbere 3° objectives and requirements of site 3° les objectifs et exigences de
ahantu; development; développement du site;

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4° impamvu n’ibisabwa mu kugabanyamo 4° objectives and requirements for land 4° les objectifs et prescriptions de
ibice ubutaka, gusubiramo no guhuza subdivision, plot restructuring and re- lotissement, restructuration et
ibibanza; plotting; remembrement des parcelles;

5° ibipimo ngenderwaho mu kubyaza 5° plot development parameters based on 5° les paramètres de développement de
umusaruro ikibanza hashingiwe ku zoning principles; parcelle basés sur les principes de
mahame y’ibyiciro by’ubutaka zonage;
bukoreshwa n’ibibukorerwaho;

6° ibyiciro by’imikoreshereze y’ubutaka mu 6° categories of urban land use; 6° la catégorisation de l’usage des terres
mijyi; urbaines;

7° amahame akurikizwa mu gutegura 7° neighborhood design principles; 7° les principes de conceptions du

igishushyanyo cy’umuhana; voisinage;

8° amahame agenga urujya n’uruza; 8° traffic circulation principles; 8° les principes de circulation routière;

9° ibisabwa ku butaka bugenewe imihanda 9° land requirements for urban roads and 9° les conditions requises de terres pour
yo mu mijyi no kunoza urujya n’uruza efficient mobility; les routes urbaines et mobilité efficace;
rw’abantu;
10° la planification du transport et les
10° igenamigambi ry’ubwikorezi n’aho 10° transport planning and transport terminaux de transport;
abagenzi bategerereza ibinyabiziga; terminals;

11° igenamigambi ry’inzira z’abanyamaguru 11° pedestrians circulation and safety 11° la planification de la circulation
n’ umutekano; planning; piétonnière et de sécurité;

12° aho ibinyabiziga bihagarara; 12° parking area for automobiles; 12° l’aire de stationnement pour
automobiles;

13° igenamigambi ry’ikwirakwizwa ry’ 13° water supply planning; 13° la planification d’approvisionnement
amazi meza; en eau;

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14° igenamigambi ry’imicungire y’amazi 14° storm-water management planning and 14° la planification de la gestion des eaux
y’imvura no kurwanya isuri; erosion control; pluviales et le contrôle d'érosion;

15° igenamigambi ry’uburyo bwo 15° planning of solid and liquid waste 15° la planification du traitement des
gutunganya imyanda ikomeye n’itemba; treatment; déchets solides et liquides;

16° ibipimo fatizo bigenderwaho n’uburyo 16° standards and procedures for urban 16° les standards et procédures pour le
bwo kuvugurura imijyi; upgrading; renouvellement urbain;

17° imirongo ngenderwaho mu gushyira mu 17° guidelines to implement urban planning 17° les directives pour mettre en œuvre les
bikorwa inyandiko z’imitunganyirize documents. documents d'urbanisme.
y’imijyi.

Ingingo ya 5: Ibikorwa remezo bishyirwa Article 5: Infrastractures serviced in Article 5: Infrastructures installées dans
ahantu hagenewe guturwa proposed site for human settlement une zone résidentielle

Ahantu hagenewe guturwa hashyirwa nibura A proposed site for human settlement must be Le site proposé comme zone résidentielle doit
ibikorwa remezo bikurikira: serviced with at least the following au moins être équipé des infrastructures
infrastractures: suivantes:

1° ikigo cy’ ubuvuzi; 1° health care facility; 1° un établissement de soins de santé;

2° amashuri; 2° schools; 2° des écoles;

3° ibigo mbonezamubano; 3° social centers; 3° des centres sociaux;

4° ibigo by’imyidagaduro; 4° recreational centers; 4° des centres de loisirs;

5° ibikorwa remezo by’ibanze byo guteza 5° basic facilities for economic growth. 5° installations de base pour le
imbere ubukungu. développement économique.

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Ingingo ya 6: Igenamigambi ry’ishoramari Article 6: Public investment planning and its Article 6: Planification et échelonnement de
rusange n’uko rikorwa mu byiciro phasing process l’investissement public

Igenamigambi ry’ishoramari rusange rishingiye Public investment planning based on local land La planification de l’investissement public
ku gishushanyo rusange cy’itunganywa development master plans is established to guide basé sur les plans d’aménagement locaux est
ry’ahantu ishyirwaho kugira ngo rigenderweho all public investments in urban development établie pour guider tous les investissements
mu ishoramari rusange ryose mu bikorwa activities. publics dans des activités de développement
by’iterambere ry’imijyi. urbain.

Gahunda y’ ishoramari rusange ikorwa buri The public investment plan is designed for a Un plan d’investissement public est établi pour
myaka itatu (3) igaherekezwa na gahunda period of three years (3) and is accompanied by un période de trois ans (3) et est accompagné
y’ibikorwa ya buri mwaka bigomba gushyirwa annual action plan to be implemented in phases d’ un plan d’action annuel devant être est mis
mu bikorwa mu byiciro hagamijwe iterambere for urban development. en œuvre en phases en vue du développement
ry’ umujyi . urbain.

Ingingo ya 7: Kurengera ibidukikije Article 7: Environment protection Article 7: Protection de l’environnement

Mu rwego rwo kurinda ibidukikije amabwiriza For environment protection purposes, Urban Afin d’assurer la protection de
agenga imitunganyirize y’imijyi ateganya Planning regulations provide for activities l’environnement, le code d'urbanisme
ibikorwa bitemewe gukorerwa ahantu prohibited in the following areas: détermine clairement les activités prohibées
hakurikira: dans les zones suivantes:

1° ahantu hateye ibiti n’ahantu haherereye; 1° plain wood areas and wetlands; 1° les zones boisées et les zones humides;

2° amasoko y’amazi, ibizenga by’amazi 2° water sources, water bodies and their 2° les sources d'eau, plans d'eau et leurs
n’ahantu hose akomoka; catchment areas; zones de captage;

3° ahahanamye, amanegeka no ku 3° steep slopes, ridgelines and hilltops; 3° les pentes raides, crêtes et sommets des
dusongero tw’imisozi; collines;

4° amashyamba cyimeza n’amaterano; 4° natural and planted forests; 4° les forêts naturelles et les forêts de
reboisement;

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5° ahakwibasirwa n’imitingito n’ibiza 5° areas subject to earthquakes and volcano 5° les zones de risque sismique et
byaterwa n’ibirunga. related hazards. volcanique.

Ingingo ya 8: Gukoresha neza ubutaka mu Article 8: Efficient use of land in urban Article 8: Utilisation efficace des terres dans
iterambere ry’imijyi development planning le développement urbain

Igenamigambi ryo kubyaza umusaruro ubutaka Urban land development plan is governed by the Le plan d’aménagement du territoire urbain
bwo mu mijyi rigengwa n’amahame yo principles of efficient use of land and specific doit être guidé par le principe de l'utilisation
gukoresha neza ubutaka n’amabwiriza yihariye regulations governing urban land through efficace des terres et la réglementation
agenga ibyiciro by’uko ubutaka bukoreshwa specific zoning regulations. spécifique des terres urbaines par des règles
n’ibibukorerwaho. spécifique de zonage.

Amabwiriza agenga imitunganyirize y’imijyi Urban Planning regulations determine modalities Le Code de l’Urbanisme détermine les
ashyiraho uburyo ikibanza cyagenewe kubakwa of exploitation of a plot of land for construction modalités d’exploitation d’un terrain destiné à
cyubakwamo n’ijanisha ry’ubutaka bw’icyo and the percentage of land coverage. la construction et le pourcentage de couverture
kibanza bwubakwaho. de la parcelle.

UMUTWE WA III: AMAHAME AGENGA CHAPTER III: PRINCIPLES GOVERNING CHAPITRE III: PRINCIPES RÉGISSANT
ISHYIRWAHO RY’IBIKORWA REMEZO PUTTING IN PLACE INFRASTRUCTURE L’INSTALLATION DES
MU MIJYI IN URBAN AREAS INFRASTRUCTURES EN ZONES
URBAINES

Ingingo ya 9: Ibya ngombwa bikenerwa mu Article 9: Urban utility servicing Article 9: Service d’utilités urbaines
mijyi

Ahantu hose hagenewe guturwa mu mijyi Every site proposed for urban settlement must be Chaque site proposé pour l’habitat urbain doit
hagomba gushyirwa nibura ibi bikurikira: serviced with at least the following: avoir au moins les services suivants:

1° amazi meza, uburyo bw’isukura 1° clean water, sanitation and rainwater 1° l’approvisionnement en eau potable,
n’imicungire y’amazi y’imvura; management; assainissement et gestion des eaux
pluviales;

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2° gukwirakwiza ibitanga ingufu; 2° energy source supply; 2° l’approvisionnement en énergie;

3° uburyo bw’imicungire y’imyanda 3° liquid or solid waste management; 3° la gestion des déchets solides ou
ikomeye cyangwa itemba; liquides;

4° ibikorwa remezo bifasha mu bwikorezi; 4° access and transport infrastructure; 4° l’accès et infrastructures de transport;

5° ikoranabuhanga mu itumanaho. 5° information and communication 5° la technologie d’information et

technology. communication.

Ingingo ya 10: Kubungabunga amazi Article 10: Water protection Article 10: Protection de l'eau

Ikizenga cy’ amazi n’imiyoboro yo A water body and water supply networks must be Les plans d'eau et des réseaux
gukwirakwiza amazi bigomba kurindwa protected from any urban planning or building d'approvisionnement en eau doivent être
igikorwa icyo ari cyo cyose cyerekeranye no activity which may have a polluting effect on the protégés de toute activité d’urbanisation ou de
gutunganya imijyi cyangwa n’ubwubatsi quality of water and water catchment areas. construction, qui aurait un effet polluant sur la
gishobora guhumanya amazi n’amasoko qualité de l'eau y compris les zones de captage
y’amazi. d'eau.

Ubuziranenge bw’amazi mu miyoboro yayo The quality of water in the supply network is La qualité de l’eau dans les réseaux
igenzurwa n’urwego rubifitiye ububasha. monitored by the competent authority. d’approvisionnement en eau est contrôlée par
l'autorité compétente.

Amabwiriza agenga imitunganyirize y’imijyi Urban Planning regulations provide criteria for Le Code de l'urbanisme fournit les critères de
ateganya ibikurikizwa mu rwego rwo kurinda preservation of the quality of water. préservation de la qualité d’eau.
ubuziranenge bw’amazi.

Ingingo ya 11: Imicungire y’amazi y’imvura Article 11: Storm water management and Article 11: Gestion des eaux pluviales et
no kurwanya isuri control of soil erosion lutte contre l’érosion

Amabwiriza agenga imitunganyirize y’imijyi The urban planning regulations provide for Le code de l'urbanisme fournit des directives

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ateganya uburyo bw’imicungire y’amazi storm-water management and soil erosion sur la mesure de gestion des eaux pluviales et
y’imvura n’ingamba zo kurwanya isuri. control measures. des mesures de lutte contre l’érosion.

Ingingo ya 12: Imicungire y’imyanda itemba Article 12: Liquid waste management Article 12: Gestion des déchets liquides

Imyanda itemba igomba gutunganywa kandi Liquid waste must be treated and cannot be Les déchets liquides doivent être traités et ne
ntishobora gushyirwa mu kimoteri hakurikijwe disposed in landfills in accordance with doivent pas être éliminés dans des décharges en
imirongo ngenderwaho y’amabwiriza agenga guidelines of the Urban Planning regulations. conformité avec les directives du code de
imitunganyirize y’imijyi. l’urbanisme.

Ingingo ya 13: Imicungire y’imyanda irunze Article 13: Solid waste management Article 13: Gestion des déchets solides

Akarere gashyiraho ingamba zo gutunganya The District puts in place mechanisms for solid Le District met en place des mécanismes pour
imyanda ikomeye n’uburyo bugabanya imyanda waste management and reduction of disposals in la gestion des déchets solides et la réduction de
ijyanwa mu kimoteri hifashishijwe uburyo bwo landfills based on waste avoidance, separation, déversement dans des décharges basées sur la
kwirinda, gutandukanya imyanda, kuyibyazamo recycling and reuse. prévention, la séparation, le recyclage et la
ibindi byagira akamaro no kongera gukoreshwa. réutilisation des déchets.

Ingingo ya 14: Igenamigambi ry’urujya Article 14: Traffic and transport planning Article 14: Planification de la circulation et
n’uruza n’ubwikorezi du transport

Igenamigambi ry’urujya n’uruza n’ubwikorezi Traffic and transport planning must aim at: La planification en rapport avec le transport et
rigomba kuba rigamije: circulation doit viser les objectifs suivants:

1° guhuza ibikorwa remezo by’ubwikorezi 1° integration of transport infrastructure with 1° l’intégration des infrastructures de
n’igenamigambi ry’imikoreshereze urban land use planning; transport avec une bonne gestion des
y’ubutaka bwo mu mijyi; terres urbaines;

2° guhuza imihanda yo mu mijyi hagamijwe 2° integrate transport network for urban 2° le réseau de transport intégré pour
ko umujyi uba nyabagendwa; access; l'accès urbain;

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3° ishyirwaho ry’ibikorwa remezo na 3° provision of public transport services and 3° la mise à disposition des services et
serivisi by’ubwikorezi; facilities; installations de transport public;

4° gushyiraho ahantu ibinyabiziga 4° provision of parking and service delivery 4° la mise en place d’un espace de parking
bihagarara n’ahantu hahagije hatangirwa space; et de service de livraison;
serivisi zitandukanye;

5° korohereza no guteza imbere kugenda 5° facilitation and increase of pedestrian and 5° faciliter et augmenter la circulation des
n’amaguru no kugenda ku magare; cyclists movement; piétons et cyclistes;

6° kutabangamira ibidukikije. 6° environmental compliance. 6° la conformité avec l’environnement.

UMUTWE WA IV: AMAHAME CHAPTER IV: BUILDING PRINCIPLES CHAPITRE IV: PRINCIPES DE
Y’IMYUBAKIRE CONSTRUCTION

Ingingo ya 15: Amabwiriza y’ imyubakire Article 15: Building code Article 15: Code de construction

Amabwiriza agenga imyubakire ari ku mugereka The code of building regulations in Annex II to Le règlement du code de construction à
wa II w’iri teka ashyiraho ibisabwa by’ibanze this Order establishes the minimum requirements l’annexe II du présent arrêté établit les
mu: to: exigences minimales en vue de:

1° kubungabunga ubuzima rusange 1° safeguard the public health; 1° protéger la santé publique;
bw’abaturage;

2° gushimangira umudendezo n’imibereho 2° ensure safety and general welfare of the 2° assurer la sécurité et le bien-être social
myiza y’abaturage hashyirwaho uburyo population by regulating and controlling de la population par la régulation et le
bugena bukanagenzura ibishushanyo building designs; contrôle de la conception des
by’inyubako; bâtiments;

3° kugenzura ubuziranenge bw’ibikoresho 3° ensure quality of building materials; 3° assurer la qualité des matériaux de
byubakishwa; construction;

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4° kunoza isuku mu ngo; 4° ensure sanitation in dwelling areas; 4° assurer l’assainissement dans les zones
d'habitation;

5° gushyiraho uburyo bwo kumurika no 5° ensure appropriate lighting and 5° assurer un éclairage et une ventilation
kubona umwuka bukwiye; ventilation; appropriée;

6° gufata neza ingufu no kwirinda inkongi 6° conserve energy and avoid fire risks; 6° conserver l’énergie et éviter les risques
z’umuriro; d'incendie;

7° kwirinda ibiza bishingiye ku miterere 7° avoid hazards relating to the nature of the 7° éviter les autres risques liés à la nature
y’ahantu ku nyubako n’ibikorwa mu place on buildings and structures in du lieu sur les bâtiments et les
Rwanda. Rwanda. structures au Rwanda.

Ingingo ya 16: Ibisabwa by’ibanze mu Article 16: Minimum construction Article 16: Exigences minimales de
myubakire requirements construction

Amahame y’ibanze y’imyubakire akurikira The following minimum construction principles Les principes de construction suivants doivent
agomba kubahirizwa mu gushushanya, gutegura must be respected in the design, engineering and être assurés dans la conception, l'ingénierie et
umushinga w’inyubako no kuyubaka nk’uko construction for a building as detailed in the la construction d’un bâtiment tel que détaillée
biteganywa mu mabwiriza agenga imyubakire: building Code: dans le code de construction:

1° imitere ihamye, gukomera n’uburambe; 1° structural stability, strength and 1° la stabilité structurelle, résistance et
durabilitity; durabilité;

2° ibisabwa mu mikoreshereze; 2° functional requirements; 2° les exigences de fonctionnalité;

3° umutekano no guhangana n’ibiza; 3° safety and disaster risk mitigation; 3° la sécurité et atténuation des
catastrophes;

4° kubahiriza amahame yo kurengera 4° respect of environmental protection 4° respecter les principes de protection de
ibidukikije; principles; l'environnement ;

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5° kuba nyabagendwa; 5° accessibility; 5° l’accessibilité;

6° imikoreshereze myiza y’umutungo 6° efficient use of natural resources; 6° l’utilisation efficace des ressources
kamere; naturelles ;

7° gukoresha neza ingufu z’amashanyarazi 7° efficienct use of electrical energy and 7° l’utilisation efficace de l’énergie
n’ingufu karemano; natural energies; électrique et des énergies naturelles;

8° uburyo bunoze bwo gufata neza amazi 8° rain and running water preservation; 8° la préservation de l'eau de pluie et des
y’imvura n’atemba; surfaces;

9° urumuri n’ubuhehere karemano; 9° natural lighting and ventilation; 9° l’éclairage et ventilation naturels;

10° isuku n’isukura; 10° hygiene and sanitation; 10° l’hygiène et assainissement;

11° gushimangira uburambe binyuze mu 11° ensuring durability through maintenance. 11° assurer la durabilité par l’entretien.
kwitabwaho.

Ingingo ya 17: Ibikoresho by’ubwubatsi Article 17: Building materials Article 17: Matériaux de construction

Ikoreshwa ry’ibikoresho by’ubwubatsi The use of locally produced building materials L'utilisation de matériaux de construction
bikomoka imbere mu gihugu, bitabangamira that do not compromise the natural ecosystem fabriqués localement qui ne compromettent pas
ibidukikije kandi bikenera ingufu nkeya mu and which use the least energy for their l'écosystème naturel, et qui utilisent le moins
kubikora ndetse no mu kubigeza aho bikenewe production and transport must be emphasized in d'énergie possible pour leur production et
rigomba kwibandwaho hakurikijwe ibikubiye accordance with the building code. transport doit être promue conformément au
mu mabwiriza y’imyubakire. code de construction.

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UMUTWE WA V: AMAHAME CHAPTER V: PRINCIPLES OF CHAPITRE V: PRINCIPES DE

Y’IKURIKIRANA, IGENZURA SUPERVISION, INSPECTION AND AUDIT SUPERVISION, INSPECTION ET AUDIT
N’UBUGENZUZI BY’IBIKORWA OF URBAN PLANNING AND BUILDING DES ACTIVITÉS D’URBANISME ET DE
BY’IMITUNGANYIRIZE Y’IMIJYI ACTIVITIES LA CONSTRUCTION
N’IMYUBAKIRE

Icyiciro cya mbere: Ikurikirana mu rwego Section One: Technical supervision Section première: Supervision technique
tekiniki

Ingingo ya 18: Ikurikirana ry’imirimo Article 18: Technical supervision of buiding Article 18: Supervision technique des
y’ubwubatsi mu rwego rwa tekiniki activities activités de construction

Abakurikirana imirimo mu rwego rwa tekiniki Authorised technical supervisors ensure the Les superviseurs techniques agrées assurent la
bemewe bita ku buziranenge bw’imirimo quality in building activities in accordance with qualité des activités de construction
y’ubwubatsi hakurikijwe ibiteganywa the provisions of the building code. conformément aux dispositions du code de
n’amabwiriza y’imyubakire. construction.

Ingingo ya 19: Serivisi zo gukurikirana Article 19: Contracted technical supervision Article 19: Services de supervision
imirimo mu rwego rwa tekiniki hashingiwe ku services technique sur base d’un contrat
masezerano

Amasezerano yo gukurikirana imirimo Technical building supervision contracts provide Les contrats de supervision technique d’une
y’ubwubatsi mu rwego rwa tekiniki ateganya for at least the following: construction prévoient au moins ce qui suit:
nibura ibi bikurikira:

1° gucunga umushinga hakurikijwe 1° to manage the project in accordance with 1° gérer le projet conformément aux
ibisabwa n’ubuyobozi, n’amategeko na administrative, legal and technical exigences administratives, légales et
tekiniki mu myubakire; construction requirements; techniques de la construction;

2° gusuzuma no kwemeza ibishushanyo 2° to verify and certify building designs 2° vérifier et certifier des plans de
by’inyubako mbere yo kubishyira mu before their implementation; construction avant de leur mise en
bikorwa; œuvre;

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3° gucunga umushinga hakurikijwe 3° to manage the project in accordance with 3° gérer le projet conformément aux plans
ibishushanyo byemejwe; approved designs; approuvés;

4° kwemeza impinduka z’ibishushanyo no 4° to approve designs modifications and to 4° approuver les modifications des plans
gukurikirana ibisabwa byose kugira ngo make a follow up of all requirements for et faire le suivi de toutes les exigences
hatangwe impushya z’izo mpinduka iyo insuance of permits of such modifications pour l’émission des autorisations de ces
bikenewe; if needed; modifications en cas de besoin;

5° gusuzuma ibikoresho, uburyo 5° to test materials, systems and installations 5° tester les matériaux, systèmes et
bukoreshwa n’ibishyirwa ahagenewe for compliance with standards; installations pour la conformité aux
kubakwa hubahirizwa ibipimo normes;
ngenderwaho;

6° gutanga inama ku mategeko ya tekiniki 6° to provide advise on technical and 6° fournir des conseils sur la
n’imyubakire; construction laws; réglementation technique et de
construction;

7° kubika inyandiko, raporo n’inyandiko 7° to keep documents, report and archives of 7° garder les documents, rapports et
zishyinguye z’umushinga; the project; archives du projet;

8° kwemeza ibishushanyo by’inyubako 8° approve building drawings as provided 8° approuver des dessins de construction
nk’uko byatanzwe n’abubaka; by constructors; tels que fournis par les constructeurs;

9° kwita ku mutekano w’abantu 9° to ensure public and on-site safety during 9° assurer la sécurité publique et sur le
n’ahakorerwa imirimo yo kubaka mu construction and enforce building safety chantier pendant la construction et
gihe cy’ubwubatsi no kubahiriza requirements. renforcer les exigences de sécurité de la
ibisabwa mu mutekano w’imyubakire. construction.

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Ingingo ya 20: Uburyozwe bw’ibiro Article 20: Liability of supervising offices in Article 20: Responsabilité des bureaux de
bikurikirana imirimo mu bikorwa buiding activities surveillance dans les activités de
by’ubwubatsi construction

Ibiro bikurikirana imirimo y’ubwubatsi biryozwa A building supervising office is liable for any Un bureau de surveillance de la construction
ukutubahirizwa kw’ibisabwa kose mu gihe na noncompliance during and after project est responsable de toute non-conformité
nyuma y’ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’umushinga. implementation. pendant et après la mise en œuvre du projet.

Ingingo ya 21: Ibishingirwaho mu gutanga Article 21: Conditions for issuance of Article 21: Conditions d’octroi de
uruhushya ku biro bikurikirana imirimo mu authorisation to supervising offices in l’autorisation aux bureaux de surveillance
bikorwa y’ubwubatsi building activities technique dans les activités de construction

Ibiro bikurikirana mu rwego rwa tekiniki A technical supervising office must fulfill the Un bureau de surveillance technique doit
bigomba kuba byujuje ibigenderwaho bikurikira following conditions for authorisation to remplir les conditions suivantes pour obtenir l’
kugira ngo byemererwe guhagararira imirimo supervise building activities: autorisation de superviser les activités de
y’ubwubatsi: construction:

1° kuba ari ikigo cy’ubujyanama cyanditse; 1° to be a registered consulting firm; 1° être un bureau de consultance
enregistré;
2° kugaragaza gihamya ko gikoresha 2° to provide evidence of use of an 2° montrer des preuves d’utilisation d’un
laboratwari y’isuzuma yemewe; accredited testing laboratory; laboratoire d’essais certifié;

3° kuba ari ikigo gikoresha abanyamwuga 3° to be a firm that employs qualified and 3° être une entreprise qui emploie des
bafite ubushobozi kandi bemewe mu certified professionals in the specific professionnels qualifiés et certifiés
bijyanye n’ibyo umushinga uteganya fields relevant to the respective project; dans les domaines spécifiques relatifs
gukora; au projet respectif;

4° kugira aho kibarizwa hazwi; 4° to have known physical address; 4° avoir une adresse physique connue;

5° kuba cyemewe n’urugaga 5° to be certified by its respective 5° être certifiés par son organe
rw’abanyamwuga kibarizwamo. professional bodies. professionnel respectif.

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Icyiciro cya 2: Igenzura Section 2: Inspection Section 2: Inspection

Ingingo ya 22: Igenzura ry’imirimo Article 22: Building activities inspection Article 22: Inspection des activités de
y’ubwubatsi construction

Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa Kigali bashinzwe A District or the City of Kigali is responsible for Un District ou la Ville de Kigali est
igenzurwa ry’imirimo y’ubwubatsi. inspection of building activities. responsable de l’inspection des activités de
construction.

Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa Kigali, binyujijwe A District or the City of Kigali may, through a Un District ou la Ville de Kigali peut, par le
mu masezerano, bashobora guha ukora igenzura contract, authorise a private building inspector to biais d’un contrat, autoriser un inspecteur privé
ry’imirimo y’ubwubatsi wigenga agakora carry out inspection of building activities. d’effectuer l’inspection des activités de
igenzura ry’imirimo y’ubwubatsi. construction.

Igenzura ry’imirimo y’ubwubatsi ryita kuri ibi The inspection of building activities considers L’inspection des activités de construction
bikurikira: the following: considѐre ce qui suit:

1° kurengera ubuzima rusange, umutekano, 1° respect of public health, safety and 1° le respect de la santé publique, la
n’imibereho myiza muri rusange; general welfare; sécurité et le bien-être général;

2° kurengera ibidukikije; 2° environmental protection; 2° la protection de l’environnement;

3° amakosa ajyanye n’imyubakire 3° building related faults provided for in this 3° les défauts de constructions prévues
ateganywa n’iri teka; Order; dans le présent arrêté;

4° gusuzuma ko imyubakire ikurikije 4° verification of compliance of 4° vérifier la conformité de construction

inyandiko z’imitunganyirize y’imijyi construction with the urban planning avec les documents d’urbanisme et les
n’ibishushanyo by’inyubako byemejwe documents and the authorised building plans de constructions autorisés
mu gihe cyagenwe; plans within the required time frame; endéans le délai requis;

5° iyubahirizwa ry’amabwiriza 5° compliance with the urban planning code 5° la conformité au code d’urbanisme et
y’imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’amabwiriza and building code; au code de construction;
y’imyubakire;

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6° iyubahirizwa ry’ibisabwa mu ikurikirana 6° compliance with technical supervision 6° la conformité aux exigences de la
ry’imirimo ku rwego rwa tekiniki. requirements. supervision technique.

Amabwiriza agenga imyubakire ateganya The building code provides for the requirements Le code d’urbanisme prévoit les exigences
ibisabwa ukora igenzura ry’ubwubatsi. of a building inspector. pour un inspecteur de construction.

Ingingo ya 23: Uko igenzura ry’imirimo Article 23: Procedures for inspection of Article 23: Procédures d’inspection des
y’ubwubatsi rikorwa building activities activités de construction

Ibi bikurikira birubahirizwa mu gihe cyo The following procedures are respected while Les procédures suivantes sont respectées lors
kugenzura imirimo y’ubwubatsi: conducting inspection of building activities: de l’inspection des activités de construction:

1° ukora igenzura akora igenzura 1° an inspector inspects a building under 1° l’inspecteur inspecte un bâtiment en
ry’inyubako mu gihe iri kubakwa n’igihe construction and at any time after construction et à n’importe quel
icyo ari cyo cyose nyuma yo kubakwa; construction; moment après la construction;

2° ukora igenzura amenyesha ufite 2° the inspector issues a notice to the 2° l’inspecteur émet au titulaire de permis
uruhushya rwo kubaka amakosa permittee stating the identified une notification indiquant les défauts
y’ubwubatsi yagaragajwe; construction defects; de construction identifiés;

3° igihe amakosa y’imyubakire yoroshye 3° in case of reversible minor construction 3° en cas de défauts de construction
gukosorwa, ufite uruhushya rwo kubaka defects, the permittee must rectify them mineurs réversibles, le titulaire du
agomba kuyakosora bitarenze iminsi itatu within three (3) working days after being permis doit les corriger endéans trois
(3) y’akazi nyuma yo kubimenyeshwa served with a written rectification notice; (3) jours ouvrables après avoir obtenu
mu nyandiko; une notification écrite de rectification;

4° igihe amakosa y’imyubakire akomeye, 4° in case of major construction defects, an 4° en cas de déficits majeurs de
umugenzuzi amenyesha ufite uruhushya inspector issues a notice informing the construction, l’inspecteur émet une
rwo kubaka ko agomba guhita ahagarika permittee a stop building activities, called notification exigeant l'arrêt de toutes les
imirimo y’ubwubatsi, byitwa “Stop notice”; activités de construction, appelée
“kumenyeshwa guhagarika”; “notification d’arrêt”;

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5° ukora igenzura watanze imenyeshwa, aha 5° an inspector who serves any notice, 5° un inspecteur qui a donné une
raporo Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa reports to the District or City of Kigali notification, transmet le rapport le
Kigali ko yatanze imenyeshwa ku munsi about the serving of such notice on the même jour ouvrable au District ou à la
w’akazi ryatangiweho. same working day. Ville de Kigali sur la notification
donnée.

Ingingo ya 24: Inshingano z’ufite uruhushya Article 24: Obligations of a permittee during Article 24: Obligations du titulaire d’un
mu gihe cy’igenzura ry’imirimo y’ubwubatsi building activities inspection permis pendant l’inspection des activités de
construction

Inshingano z’ufite uruhushya rwo kubaka mu Obligations of a permittee during inspection of Les obligations d’un titulaire de permis
gihe cy’igenzura ry’imirimo y’ubwubatsi ni: building activities are: pendant l’inspection des activités de
construction sont:

1° kwemera igenzura igihe cyose we ubwe 1° to accept inspection at any time when he 1° accepter l’inspection à tout moment
cyangwa umuhagarariye wemewe bari or she or an authorised representative is lorsque lui-même ou son représentant
ahakorerwa imirimo y’ubwubatsi; on site; autorisé est présent sur le chantier;

2° kubahiriza imenyesha ryo gukosora 2° to comply with the notice of rectification 2° se conformer à la notification de
amakosa y’imyubakire cyangwa of construction defects or the “stop rectification des défauts de
“kumenyeshwa guhagarika” imirimo notice” of building activities immediately construction ou de “notification
y’ubwubatsi akimara kwakira imenyesha. after receiving it; d’arrêt” des activités de construction
dès leur réception;

3° gutanga raporo z’isuzuma rya 3° to provide laboratory test reports; 3° fournir les rapports de test de
laboratwari; laboratoire;

4° kwishyura ikiguzi cyose gishamikiye ku 4° to pay all the costs due to building 4° payer tous les coûts liés aux exigences
bisabwa na raporo z’igenzura ry’imirimo activities inspection reports des rapports d’inspection des activités
y’ubwubatsi. requirements. de construction.

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Ingingo ya 25: Isuzuma ry’imiterere Article 25: Structural assessment of a building Article 25: Évaluation structurelle d’un
y’inyubako bâtiment

Amabwiriza y’imyubakire ashyiraho The building code provides for the basis of Le code de construction détermine les
ibishingirwaho mu gusaba ufite uruhushya requesting a permittee to conduct a building directives pour exiger au titulaire du permis
gukora isuzuma ry’imiterere y’inyubako. structural assessment of the building. d’effectuer une évaluation structurelle d’un
bâtiment.

Ingingo ya 26: Ikurikirana ry’abashinzwe Article 26 Monitoring of building inspectors Article 26: Surveillance des inspecteurs et
igenzura n’igenzura and inspection inspection

Urwego rw’Igihugu rufite imitunganyirize The national organ in charge of urban planning L’organe national ayant l’urbanisme et
y’imijyi n’imiturire mu nshingano zarwo and human settlement is responsible for: l’habitat dans ses attributions a la charge de:
rushinzwe:
1° guha ubumenyi abakora igenzura 1° giving technical training to building 1° donner la formation technique aux
ry’imyubakire; inspectors; inspecteurs;

2° gukurikirana imikorere y’abakora 2° monitoring inspectors to ensure 2° surveiller les inspecteurs pour garantir
igenzura hagamijwe iyubahirizwa fulfillment of the requirements of public le respect des prescriptions de
ry’ibiteganywa n’igenzura rusange. inspection. l’inspection publique.

Icyiciro cya 3: Ubugenzuzi Section 3: Auditing Section 3: Audit

Ingingo ya 27: Ubugenzuzi Article 27: Auditing of urban planning and Article 27: Audit d’urbanisme et de
bw’imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’imyubakire building construction

Urwego rw’Igihugu rufite imitunganyirize The national organ in charge of urban planning L’organe national ayant l’urbanisme et
y’imijyi n’imiturire mu nshingano zarwo rufite and human settlement is responsible for auditing l’habitat dans ses attributions est chargé de
inshingano zo gukora ubugenzuzi bw’inzego of the local authorities on the compliance with l’audit des autorités locales quant à la
z’ubuyobozi bw’ibanze ku iyubahirizwa urban planning and building documents and their conformité aux documents d’urbanisme et de
ry’inyandiko z’imitunganyirize y’imijyi implementation, in consideration of the construction et à leur mise en application, en
n’imyubakire n’ishyirwa mu bikorwa ryazo, following: tenant compte de ce qui suit:

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hitawe kuri ibi bikurikira:

1° iyubahirizwa ry’ibisabwa mu 1° compliance with requirements of the 1° la conformité aux exigences du

mitunganyirize y’imijyi; urban planning process; processus d’urbanisme;

2° impushya zo kubaka zikurikije inyandiko 2° compliance with building permits with 2° la conformité des autorisation de bâtir
z’imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’imyubakire; the adopted urban planning and building aux documents d’urbanisme et de
documents; construction;
3° imishinga y’ibikorwa remezo ikurikije 3° compliance of public infrastructure 3° la conformité des projets
inyandiko z’imitunganyirize y’imijyi projects with the adopted urban planning d’infrastructure publique aux
n’imiturire; and building documents; documents d’urbanisme et de
construction;
4° ibikorwa byo gutanga impushya zo 4° compliance of authorisation processes to 4° la conformité des procédures
kubaka cyangwa izo gutunganyiriza build or carry real estate development d’autorisation de construire ou de
abantu ubutaka no kububakira with relevant legal requirements; réaliser des promotions immobilières
byubahiriza ibiteganywa n’amategeko; aux dispositions légales applicables;

5° ibikorwa byo gutunganya imijyi 5° compliance of urban planning operations 5° la conformité des opérations
byubahiriza ibisabwa n’amategeko with relevant legal requirements; d’urbanisme aux dispositions légales
agenga imitunganyirize y’imijyi; applicables;
6° ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’ibishushanyo 6° implementation of adopted urban 6° la mise en œuvre des plans de
by’imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’imiturire development plans and human développement d’urbanisme et de
nk’uko byemejwe; settlement; l’habitat adoptés;

7° ishyirwa mu bikorwa rya gahunda 7° implementation of approved phasing and 7° la mise en œuvre des phases approuvés
y’ishoramari rusange mu byiciro nk’uko public investment plans; et plans d’investissement publics;
byemejwe;
8° ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’imikoreshereze 8° implementation of mixed use 8° la mise en œuvre des aménagements
ikomotanyije y’ubutaka bw’ahantu developments in urban residential zones; polyvalents en zones résidentielles ;
h’umujyi hagenewe gutura;
9° ibikorwa by’igenzura ry’inyubako na 9° inspection process and reports. 9° procédure et rapports d’inspections.
raporo zabyo.

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Urwego rw’Igihugu rufite imitunganyirize The government authority in charge of urban L’organe public ayant l’urbanisme et l’habitat
y’imijyi n’imyubakire mu nshingano zarwo planning and human settlement has the power to dans ses attributions a le pouvoir d’arrêter et
rufite ububasha bwo guhagarika no guhana stop and sanction all illegal construction sanctionner toutes les activités illégales de
ibikorwa byose by’ubwubatsi bidakurikije activities when the Districts and City of Kigali construction en cas d’inaction du District et la
amategeko mu gihe Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa fail to do this. Ville de Kigali.
Kigali batabikoze.

Ingingo ya 28: Uburyo bw’ubugenzuzi n’uko Article 28: Auditing modes and Article 28: Modes et mise en oeuvre d’audit
bukorwa implementation

Urwego rw’Igihugu rufite imitunganyirize The national organ in charge of urban planning L’organe public en charge de l’urbanisme et de
y’imijyi n’imiturire mu nshingano zarwo and human settlement establishes the modes of l’habitat établit les modes d’audit, conduit
rushyiraho uburyo ubugenzuzi bukorwa, auditing, conduct audit and publish reports, on an l’audit et publie les rapports annuels y relatifs.
rugakora ubugenzuzi kandi rukanatangaza annual basis.
raporo buri mwaka.

Raporo zatangajwe zishyikirizwa inzego bireba The reports published are circulated to relevant Les rapports publiés doivent être envoyés aux
kugira ngo zishyire mu bikorwa imyanzuro. authorities to implement recommendations. institutions concernées afin de mettre en œuvre
les recommandations.

Icyiciro cya 4: Iyubahirizwa ry’iby’ibanze ku Section 4: Green building minimum Section 4 : Conformité minimale à la
myubakire itangiza ibidukikije compliance construction écologique

Ingingo ya 29: Uburyo bw’iyubahirizwa Article 29: Green building minimum Article 29: Système de conformité minimale
ry’iby’ibanze ku myubakire itangiza compliance system à la construction écologique
ibidukikije

Hashyizweho amabwiriza agenga uburyo There is established a green building minimum Il est établi un système de conformité minimale
bw’iyubahirizwa ry’iby’ibanze ku myubakire compliance system, in annex III of this Order. à la construction écologique, à l’annexe III du
itangiza ibidukikije, ari ku mugereka wa III w’iri présent arrêté.
teka.

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Ingingo ya 30: Amahame ngenderwaho mu Article 30: Principles of building green Article 30: Principe de construction des
kubaka inyubako zitangiza ibidukikije buildings bâtiments écologiques

Iyubahirizwa ry’iby’ibanze ku myubakire Green building minimum compliance is La conformité minimale à la construction
itangiza ibidukikije rireba inyubako zose zo mu applicable to all building structures of categories écologique s’applique à toutes les structures
cyiciro cya 3 n’icya 4. 3 and 4. des bâtiments de catégories 3 et 4.

Uburyo bwo kugena ibipimo ku myubakire Green building rating system is voluntary for all Le système de notation de construction
itangiza ibidukikije bukorwa ku bushake ku categories of buildings. écologique est facultatif pour toutes les
byiciro byose by’inyubako. catégories de bâtiments.

Umuntu wese ushaka kubaka inyubako iri mu Any person who intends to build a building of Toute personne qui veut construire un bâtiment
cyiciro cya 4 cyangwa icya 5 agomba kuzuza category 4 or 5 must abide by the following green classé dans la catégorie 4 ou 5 doit respecter les
amahame y’imyubakire itangiza ibidukikije building principles: principes de construction écologique suivants:
akurikira:
1° gukoresha neza ingufu; 1° efficient use of energy; 1° utilisation efficace de l’énergie;

2° gukoresha neza amazi; 2° efficient use of water; 2° utilisation efficace de l’eau;

3° kurengera ibidukikije; 3° environmental protection; 3° protection de l’environnement;

4° gutunganya neza imitere y’imbere mu 4° indoor quality enhancement; 4° amélioration de la qualité intérieure du
nyubako; bâtiment;

5° gukoresha neza ibikoresho by’ubwubatsi; 5° efficient use of construction materials; 5° usage rationnel des matériaux de
construction;
6° gukoresha neza umutungo; 6° efficient use of resources; 6° utilisation efficiente des ressources;

7° gukoresha neza ubutaka; 7° efficient use of land; 7° utilisation efficace de la terre;

8° guhanga udushya hagamijwe 8° innovation with the aim of protecting the 8° innovation en vue de la protection de
kubungabunga ibidukikije. environment. l’environnement.

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Ingingo ya 31: Iyubahirizwa ry’amahame Article 31: Application of green building Article 31: Application des principes de
ngenderwaho mu kubaka inyubako zitangiza principles throughout building phases construction des bâtiments écologiques dans
ibidukikije mu byiciro byo kubaka les phases de construction

Uwubaka wese agomba kubahiriza amahame Any builder must ensure that green building Tout constructeur doit s’assurer que les
ngenderwaho mu kubaka inyubako zitangiza principles are applied throughout the following principes de construction des bâtiments
ibidukikije mu byiciro bikurikira: phases: écologiques sont appliqués dans les phases
suivantes:
1° guhangwa; 1° design development; 1° la conception;

2° kubakwa; 2° construction; 2° la construction;

3° gukoreshwa; 3° operation; 3° l’opérationalisation;

4° kwitabwaho; 4° maintenance; 4° la maintenance;

5° gusenywa. 5° demolition. 5° la démolition.

Ingingo ya 32: Inzego za Leta zishinzwe Article 32: Public organs in charge of Article 32: Organes publics en charge de la
ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’uburyo implementation of green building minimum mise en oeuvre du système conformité
bw’iyubahirizwa ry’iby’ibanze ku myubakire compliance system minimale à la construction écologique
itangiza ibidukikije

Inzego za Leta zishinzwe ishyirwa mu bikorwa Public entities responsible for implementation of Les établissements publics chargés d’assurer la
ry’uburyo bw’iyubahirizwa ry’iby’ibanze ku green building minimum compliance system are: mise en œuvre du système conformité
myubakire itangiza ibidukikije ni izi zikurikira: minimale à la construction écologique sont:

1° urwego rw’Igihugu rufite imyubakire mu 1° national organ in charge of housing; 1° l’organe national ayant l’habitat dans
nshingano zarwo; ses attributions;

2° urwego rw’Igihugu rufite ibidukikije mu 2° national organ in charge of environment; 2° l’organe national ayant
nshingano zarwo; l’environnement dans ses attributions;

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3° urwego rw’Igihugu rufite ubuziranenge 3° national organ in charge of standards; 3° l’organe national ayant la
mu nshingano zarwo; normalisation dans ses attributions;

4° Umujyi wa Kigali n’Uturere. 4° the City of Kigali and Districts. 4° la Ville de Kigali et les Districts.

Ingingo ya 33: Inshingano z’urwego Article 33: Responsibilities of the national Article 33: Responsabilités de l’organe
rw’Igihugu rufite imyubakire mu nshingano organ in charge of housing national ayant l’habitat dans ses
zarwo attributions

Urwego rw’Igihugu rufite imyubakire mu The national organ in charge of housing is L’organe national ayant l’habitat dans ses
nshingano zarwo rushinzwe ibi bikurikira: responsible for the following: attributions est chargé de:

1° gukurikirana niba Umujyi wa Kigali 1° monitor the City of Kigali and Districts 1° faire le suivi du respect des dispositions
n’Uturere byubahiriza ibikubiye muri iri compliance with the provisions of this du présent arrêté par la Ville de Kigali
teka; Order; et les Districts;

2° guhugura abakozi b’Umujyi wa Kigali 2° to train the City of Kigali and Districts’ 2° assurer la formation du personnel de la
n’ab’Uturere bashinzwe isesengura staff in charge of the assessment of Ville de Kigali et des Districts chargé
ry’imishinga isabirwa impushya zo building permit application and de l’évaluation des demandes de
kubaka n’igenzura ry’inyubako; inspection of buildings; d’autorisation de bâtir et de l’inspection
des bâtiments;
3° gutanga amakuru n’imenyekanisha ku 3° to share information and communication 3° partager l’information et la
myubakire itangiza ibidukikije; on green building; communication sur la construction
écologique;

4° gukorera ubuvugizi imyubakire itangiza 4° advocate for green building; 4° plaider en faveur de la construction
ibidukikije; écologiques;

5° gukurikirana ishyirwa mu bikorwa 5° ensure implementation of green building 5° assurer la visibilité des systèmes de
ry’uburyo bw’imyubakire itangiza systems at local, regional and construction écologique aux niveaux
ibidukikije mu gihugu, ku rwego international level. local, régional et international.
rw’akarere no ku rwego mpuzamahanga.

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Urwego rw’Igihugu rufite imyubakire mu The national organ in charge of housing L’organe national ayant l’habitat dans ses
nshingano zarwo rukorana n’inzego zo mu collaborates with local, regional and attributions collabore avec les organisations
gihugu, izo mu karere n’izo ku rwego international organisations working in the field locales, régionales et internationales œuvrant
mpuzamahanga zishinzwe imyubakire itangiza of green building to achieve sustainably built dans le domaine de construction écologique
ibidukikije kugira ngo hagerweho ibidukikije environment in Rwanda. pour aboutir à un environnement construit de
byubatse ku buryo burambye mu Rwanda. manière durable au Rwanda.

Ingingo ya 34: Inshingano z’urwego Article 34: Responsibilities of the national Article 34: Responsabilités de l’organe
rw’Igihugu rufite ibidukikije mu nshingano organ in charge of environment national ayant l’environnement dans ses
zarwo attributions

Urwego rw’Igihugu rufite ibidukikije mu The national organ in charge of environment is L’organe national ayant l’environnement dans
nshingano zarwo rushinzwe gukurikirana responsible for monitoring the implementation of ses attributions est chargé du suivi de la mise
ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’ibipimo by’imyubakire environment related green building indicators. en œuvre des indicateurs de construction
itangiza ibidukikije bifite aho bihuriye écologique liés à l’environnement.
n’ibidukikije.

Ingingo ya 35: Inshingano z’urwego Article 35: Responsibilities of the national Article 35: Responsabilité de l’organe
rw’Igihugu rufite ubuziranenge mu organ in charge of standards national ayant la normalisation dans ses
nshingano zarwo attributions

Urwego rw’Igihugu rufite ubuziranenge mu The national organ in charge of standards is L’organe national ayant la normalisation dans
nshingano zarwo rushinzwe gutsura responsible for quality assurance, inspection, ses attributions est responsable de l’assurance
ubuziranenge, gukora igenzura, gupima no testing and certification of green building qualité, de l’inspection, des tests et de la
gutanga ibyemezo by’ubuziranenge materials. certification des matériaux de construction
by’ibikoresho by’ubwubatsi bw’imyubakire écologiques.
itangiza ibidukikije.

Ingingo ya 36: Inshingano z’Umujyi wa Kigali Article 36: Responsibilities of the City of Article 36: Responsabilités de la Ville de
n’Uturere Kigali and Districts Kigali et des Districts

Umujyi wa Kigali n’Uturere bishinzwe ibi The City of Kigali and the Districts are La Ville de Kigali et les Districts sont

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bikurikira: responsible for the following: responsables de ce qui suit:

1° guha abaturage amakuru yerekeranye 1° information sharing on green building 1° le partage de l’information avec sur les
n’ibipimo by’iyubahirizwa ry’iby’ibanze minimum compliance indicators to the indicateurs de conformité minimale à la
ku myubakire itangiza ibidukikije; public; construction écologiques;

2° isuzuma ry’amadosiye y’iyubahirizwa 2° assessment of the green building 2° l’évaluation des dossiers de conformité
ry’ibisabwa by’ibanze ku myubakire minimum compliance files through minimale à la construction écologique
itangiza ibidukikije,, mu guha amanota scoring of designs based on green par la notation des conceptions, en
ibishushanyo by’inyubako, hagendewe building indicators provided in this fonction des indicateurs de
ku bipimo by’imyubakire itangiza Order; construction écologique prévus au
ibidukikije bigenwa n’iri teka; présent arrêté;

3° igenzura ry’inyubako rigamije kureba 3° inspection of buildings to ensure 3° l’inspection des bâtiments en vue
iyubahirizwa ry’ibyatangiwe impushya compliance with the approved building d’assurer la conformité à l’autorisation
zo kubaka; permit; de bâtir;

4° ibikwa n’ishyinguranyandiko rinoze 4° proper filing and archiving of 4° le bon classement et archivage des
ry’inyandiko zisaba impushya zo kubaka. applications for building permits. demandes d’autorisation de bâtir.

UMUTWE WA VI: AMAKOSA CHAPTER VI: BUILDING FAULTS AND CHAPITRE VI: FAUTES ET SANCTIONS
Y’IMYUBAKIRE N’IBIHANO BITANGWA ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS ADMINISTRATIVES
N’UBUYOBOZI

Ingingo ya 37: Ibyiciro by’amakosa Article 37: Categories of Faults Article 37: Catégories de fautes

Umuntu cyangwa ishyirahamwe rifite A physical person or legal entity that commits a Toute personne physique ou morale qui
ubuzimagatozi ukoze ikosa ryo mu myubakire, building fault is punished with administrative commet une faute de construction est passible
ahanishawa ibihano byo mu rwego rw’ubutegetsi sanctions provided for in Annex IV of this Order, des sanctions administratives prévues à
biteganyijwe ku mugereka wa IV w’iri teka, depending on building categories on which such l’annexe IV du présent arrêté selon les
hakurikijwe ibyiciro by’inyubako zakoreweho a fault is committed. catégories des bâtiments sur lesquels cette

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amakosa. faute est commise.

Ibihano bitangwa n’Akarere cyangwa Umujyi wa Sanctions are applied by the District or the City Les sanctions sont appliquées par le District ou
Kigali uretse igihano cyo gusenya inyubako of Kigali, except for demolition sanction where la Ville de Kigali, sauf pour le cas de la
cyemezwa na Komite Nyobozi y’Akarere the Executive Committee of the District or City sanction pour démolition qui doit être
cyangwa iy’Umujyi wa Kigali. of Kigali has to endorse. approuvée par le Comité Exécutif du District
ou de la Ville de Kigali.

Icyakora, urwego rw’Igihugu rufite imiturire However, the national organ in charge of housing Toutefois, l’organe national ayant l’habitat
n’imyubakire mu nshingano zarwo ruhana can sanction building faults including decision dans ses attributions peut sanctionner les fautes
amakosa y’imyubakire, harimo no gutegeka ko for demolition of the building in case the District de construction, y compris la décision de
inyubako isenywa, iyo Akarere cyangwa Umujyi or City of Kigali fails to do so without justifiable démolition, en cas de défaut par le District ou
wa Kigali bitahannye, nta mpamvu ifatika. reason. la Ville de Kigali de le faire, sans motif valable.

Ingingo ya 38: Igihano cyo gusenya inyubako Article 38: Sanction for demolition of a Article 38: Sanction de la démolition d’un
building bâtiment

Ku makosa y’imyubakire ahanishwa gusenya On the faults sanctioned by demolition of a En cas de fautes sanctionnées par la démolition
ibyubatswe, nyuma ya raporo y’abashinzwe building, inspectors’ technical report, the et, suite au rapport technique des inspecteurs,
igenzura, icyemezo cyo gusenya inyubako decision to demolish any building is taken by the la décision de démolir n’importe quel bâtiment
gifatwa na Komite Nyobozi y’Akarere cyangwa District or City of Kigali Executive Committee est prise par le Comité Exécutif du District ou
y’Umujyi wa Kigali, ikanagena uburyo which also designates the demolition process. de la Ville de Kigali qui en détermine
bikorwamo. également le processus de démolition.

Komite Nyobozi y’Akarere cyangwa y’Umujyi The District or City of Kigali Executive Le Comité Exécutif du District ou de la Ville
wa Kigali ishobora guha Umurenge ububasha Committee may delegate its powers to the Sector de Kigali peut déléguer au Secteur le pouvoir
bwo gushyira mu bikorwa ibivugwa mu gika cya to implement the provisions of paragraph One of de mettre en exécution les dispositions de
mbere cy’iyi ngingo. this Article. l’alinéa premier du présent article.

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Ingingo ya 39: Kwishyura ikiguzi Article 39: Payment of demolition charges Article 39: Paiement des frais de démolition
cy’ibyakoreshejwe mu gusenya

Iyo nyir’inyubako asabwe gusenya ibyo yubatse If the owner of the building is requested to Lorsque le propriétaire du bâtiment est notifié
binyuranyije n’amategeko ntabikore, Akarere, demolish the building that was built in violation de démolir le bâtiment construit en violation
Umujyi wa Kigali cyangwa urwego rw’Igihugu of rules and regulations and does not do it, des règles et la réglementation et qu’il ne s’y
rufite imiturire mu nshingano zarwo ni byo demolition is done by the District, City of Kigali conforme pas, la démolition est effectuée par le
bisenya iyo nyubako bigategeka nyir’inyubako or the national organ in charge of housing and District, la Ville de Kigali ou l’organe national
kwishyura ikiguzi cy’ibyakoreshejwe mu instructs the owner of the building to pay ayant l’habitat dans ses attributions et ordonne
gusenya. demolition charges. au propriétaire d’en supporter frais de
démolition.

Ibikoresho by’ubwubatsi bivuye kuri iyo All construction materials from the demolished Les matériaux de construction du bâtiment
nyubako birafatirwa bigatezwa cyamunara building are confiscated and auctioned or they démoli sont confisqués et vendus aux enchères
cyangwa urwego rukabifashisha abatishoboye. can be given to indigents. ou peuvent être donnés aux indigents.

UMUTWE WA VII: INGINGO ZISOZA CHAPTER VII: FINAL PROVISIONS CHAPITRE VII: DISPOSITIONS
FINALES

Ingingo ya 40: Ivanwaho ry’iteka n’ingingo Article 40: Repealing provisions Article 40: Disposition abrogatoire
zinyuranyije n’iri teka

Iteka rya Minisitiri n° 04/Cab.M/015 ryo ku wa Ministerial Order n° 04/Cab.M/015 of L’Arrêté Ministériel n° 04/Cab.M/015 du
18/05/2015 rishyiraho amabwiriza ajyanye 18/05/2015 determining urban planning and 18/05/2015 déterminant les règlements
n’imitunganyirize y’imijyi n’imyubakire nk’uko building regulations as amended to date and all d’urbanisme et de construction tel que modifié
ryavuguruwe kugeza ubu n’ingingo zose prior legal provisions contrary to this Order are à ce jour et toutes les dispositions légales
z’amateka abanziriza iri teka kandi zinyuranye repealed. antérieures contraires au présent arrêté sont
na ryo bivanyweho. abrogées.

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Ingingo ya 41: Igihe iri teka ritangirira Article 41: Commencement Article 41: Entrée en vigueur
gukurikizwa

Iri teka ritangira gukurikizwa ku munsi This Order comes into force on the date of its Le présent arrêté entre en vigueur le jour de sa
ritangarijweho mu Igazeti ya Leta ya Repubulika publication in the Official Gazette of the publication au Journal Officiel de la
y’u Rwanda. Republic of Rwanda. République du Rwanda.

Kigali, ku wa 15/04/2019 Kigali, on 15/04/2019 Kigali, le 15/04/2019

(sé) (sé) (sé)

GATETE Claver GATETE Claver GATETE Claver
Minisitiri w’Ibikorwa Remezo Minister of Infrastructure Ministre des Infrastructures

Bibonywe kandi bishyizweho Ikirango cya Seen and sealed with the Seal of the Vu et scellé du Sceau de la République:
Repubulika: Republic:

(sé) (sé) (sé)

BUSINGYE Johnston BUSINGYE Johnston BUSINGYE Johnston
Minisitiri w’Ubutabera/Intumwa Nkuru ya Leta Minister of Justice/Attorney General Ministre de la Justice/Garde des Sceaux

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UMUGEREKA WA I W’ITEKA RYA ANNEX I OF MINISTERIAL ORDER ANNEXE I À L’ARRȆTÉ

MINISITIRI N° 03/CAB.M/019 RYO N° 03/CAB.M/019 OF 15/04/2019 MINISTÉRIEL N° 03/CAB.M/019 DU
KU WA 15/04/2019 RISHYIRAHO DETERMINING URBAN PLANNING 15/04/2019 DÉTERMINANT LES
AMABWIRIZA AJYANYE AND BUILDING REGULATIONS RÈGLEMENTS D’URBANISME ET
N’IMITUNGANYIRIZE Y’IMIJYI DE CONSTRUCTION
N’IMYUBAKIRE

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RWANDA
URBAN PLANNING CODE
(UPC)

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Table of content

Definitions ........................................................................................................................... 7

Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... 9

Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 11

Overview of the Urban Planning Code ............................................................................. 13

Chapter 1: Urban Land Use Planning ............................................................................... 15

1.1 Types and Hierarchy of Cities, Towns, Agglomerations and Economically Attractive and Densely
Occupied Areas ...................................................................................... 15
1.2 Urban Required Servicing and Facilities ............................................................. 15
1.3 Site development requirements ..................................................................... 16
1.3.1 Land subdivision requirements .................................................................. 17
1.3.2 Neighborhood Safety .......................................................................... 17
1.3.3 Fire protection in human settlements ........................................................ 17
1.4 Plot development requirements ..................................................................... 18
1.4.1 Building layouts on the plot ................................................................... 18
1.4.2 Plot level service and sanitation infrastructure.................................................. 19
1.4.3 Plot boundaries ................................................................................. 19
1.4.4 Setbacks from plot boundary ................................................................. 20
1.5 Categories of urban land uses ................................................................... 20
1.5.1 Urban Residential land use ...................................................................... 20
1. 5.2 Commercial land use ............................................................................ 20
1.5.3 Special Economic Zones ......................................................................... 21
1.5.4 Airports and transport hubs ................................................................ 21
1.5.5 Public administrative, institutional and service uses .............................................. 21
1.5.6 Recreational land use ............................................................................ 21
1.5.7 Agricultural land use ............................................................................. 21
1.5.8 Forestry land use ............................................................................ 22
1.5.9 Mining land use ............................................................................... 22
1.5.10 Nature preservation area ....................................................................... 22
1.5.11 Historical preservation .......................................................................... 22
1.5.12 Natural water body......................................................................... 22
1.5.13 Areas of seismic and volcanic hazard .......................................................... 22
1.6 Zoning ............................................................................................ 23

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1.6.1 Plot area..................................................................................... 23

1.6.2 Plot boundary ............................................................................... 23
1.6.3 Plot coverage (PLC) ........................................................................ 24
1.6.4 Floor area ratio (FAR)...................................................................... 24
1.6.5 Number of floors ........................................................................... 24
1.6.6 Building height ............................................................................. 24
1.6.7 Building setback ............................................................................ 25
1.6.8 Setback Front ............................................................................... 25
1.6.9 Setback Side ................................................................................ 25
1.6.10 Setback Rear .............................................................................. 25
1.6.11 Minimum distance between detached buildings ...................................... 25
1.7 Permitted land use development ............................................................. 26
1.7.1 Additional provisions ....................................................................... 27
a) Urban Residential zones ................................................................... 27
b) Special Economic Zones.................................................................... 27
c) Public administrative, institutional and service uses .................................. 28
d) Recreation ................................................................................... 29
1.7.2 Health protection zones ................................................................... 29
1.7.3 Environmentally sensitive areas .......................................................... 30

Chapter 2: Urban Renewal................................................................................................ 32

2.1 Principles of Urban Renewal for Functional Development ................................. 32
2.1.1 Preservation of Valuable Townscapes and Features .................................... 32

2.2 Standards for Urban Upgrading and Renewal ............................................... 33

2.2.1 Minimum access to infrastructure and facilities ..................................... 33
2.2.2 Minimum infrastructure standards ..................................................... 34
2.3 Conditions for the Formalization of Existing Buildings ..................................... 34
2.4 Requirements fornew Land Subdivision and Re-plotting ................................... 34
2.4.1 Standard residential plot area.......................................................... 34
2.4.2 Efficient urban land development for purposes different from residential use ..... 34

Chapter 3: Intra-Urban Transport and Traffic Management ........................................... 35

3.1 Traffic Circulation and Land Requirements for Urban Roads .............................. 35
3.1.1 Traffic Circulation and Access .......................................................... 35
3.1.2 Land requirements for roads ........................................................... 35
3.1.3 Intra-urban and settlement roads...................................................... 35

3.2 Design Requirements for Intra-Urban Roads ................................................ 36

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3.2.1 Sidewalks and footpaths ................................................................ 38

3.2.2 Two-wheel cycle tracks ................................................................. 38
3.2.3 Central reserves .......................................................................... 38
3.2.4 Corners and junctions ................................................................... 38
3.2.5 Road reserves ............................................................................. 39
3.2.6 Utility strips............................................................................... 39
3.2.7 Street lighting ............................................................................ 39
3.3 Transport Planning and Transport Terminals............................................ 40
3.3.1 Pedestrian traffic .......................................................................... 40
3.4 Public Transport ................................................................................ 40
3.4.1 Bus and minibus bays ...................................................................... 40
3.4.2 Bus and minibus transport .............................................................. 40
3.4.3 Bus terminal and depot facilities ...................................................... 41
3.4.4 Taxi stands ................................................................................ 41
3.4.5 Moto-taxi embarkment points .......................................................... 41
3.5 Parking ........................................................................................... 41
3.5.1 Car park design ........................................................................... 41
3.5.2 Bicycle parking ........................................................................... 42
3.6 Location Siting of Petrol Stations ............................................................. 42
3.7 Advertisements in the Public Realm.......................................................... 43

Chapter 4: Urban Infrastructure Services........................................................................ 44

4.1 Water Sources Planning for Water Supply to Human Settlements ........................ 44
4.1.1 Ground water extraction ................................................................ 44
4.1.2 Springs ..................................................................................... 44
4.1.3 Wells ....................................................................................... 44
4.1.4 Boreholes .................................................................................. 45
4.1.5 Rain Water ................................................................................ 45
4.1.6 Surface water ............................................................................. 45
4.2 Storm-Water and Erosion Control Planning and Management ............................. 45
4.3 Planning of Liquid Waste Treatment ......................................................... 46
4.3.1 Sewer systems ............................................................................ 46
4.3.2 Conventional gravity sewer system .................................................... 47
4.3.3 Simplified Sewerage system ............................................................ 47
4.3.4 Decentralized waste water collection and treatment ............................... 47

4.3.5 Domestic grey water ..................................................................... 48

4.4 Waste Water Treatment Facilities............................................................ 48

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4.4.1 General conditions for the siting of treatment facilities ............................ 48

4.4.2 Conditions for the siting of septic tank systems ...................................... 49
4.4.3 Additional conditions for the siting of treatment facilities ......................... 49
4.4.4 Conditions for the use of biogas technology .......................................... 49
4.4.5 Conditions for Leachatefields and soakaways ........................................ 49
4.4.6 Toilets ..................................................................................... 50
4.5 Planning of Solid Waste Management and Location of Facilities ...................... 51
4.5.1 Storage of solid waste ..................................................................... 51
4.5.2 Waste Segregation, re-use and recycling ............................................. 51
4.5.3 Waste transportation .................................................................... 51
4.5.4 Disposal of solid waste .................................................................. 51
4.5.5 Disposal of solid construction waste and building rubble ........................... 51
4.5.6 Waste incineration ....................................................................... 52
4.5.7 Burial of hazardous and toxic waste ................................................... 52
4.5.8 Organic waste ............................................................................ 52
4.5.9 Disposal sites ............................................................................. 52

Chapter 5: Integrated Urban Planning ....................................................................... 54

4.1 Planning Coordination meeting Meeetings .............................................. 54
5.1.1 Responsibilities ............................................................................. 54
5.1.2 Meetings of Planning Coordination meetings ......................................... 54
5.1.3 Openness of Planning Coordination meeting meetings to public ................... 54
5.1.4 Modalities when calling for Planning Coordination meeting meetings ............. 55
5.2 Reporting and publication of Planning Coordination meeting decisions .................. 55
5.3 Monitoring of implementation of Planning Coordination meeting decisions ............. 55
5.4 Non-conformity of projects with Planning Coordination meeting decisions ............. 55

Chapter 6: Urban Plan Notations and Graphics .............................................................. 56

6.1 Notations of Urban Planning Documents .................................................... 56

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Definitions
Advertisement: Any word, letter, model, sign, placard, board, billboard, notice, poster, device
or representation, whether illuminated or not, employed wholly or in part for the purpose of
advertisement, announcement or direction, including includes composite sign posts and
structures used for the display of advertisements, but excluding any traffic sign or signal.
Ancillary building: Building which is incidental to the main building and their use shall be in
support of the use of the main building.
Building: A building is an enclosed structure which is fixed to the ground and accessible to
humans.
Dead-end-street: Street which does not allow through-traffic.
High-rise development: High-rise development is development which is higher than four
floors.
Infrastructure Servicing: Comprises socio-economic services, facilities and public utilities
Listed Building: Building with cultural, historical or landmark significance that needs to be
registered and considered for their future conservation and preservation.
Low rise development: Low rise development is development with ground floor only, or two
floors (G+1). Low rise development may be developed using a variety of design typologies,
i.e. detached house, semi-detached house, cluster housing, compound with principal house and
sub-units, or town house.
Main building: Building predominant on a plot and providing the main use of the plot.
Mid-rise development: Mid-rise development is development with three or four floors (G+2/
G+3).
Projects of Local Importance: Projects of local importance are projects which are assumed
to have an economic, social and environmental impact within the boundaries of one District,
or which involve investment within the responsibility of a District.
Projects of National Importance: Projects of national importance are projects which are
assumed to have an economic, social and environmental impact on more than three Districts,
or for the case of Kigali beyond its city boundaries, or which involve major investment outside
the responsibility of a District Council or City of Kigali Council.
Public utilities: Services required within human settlement to sustain adequate living
conditions, such as water, electricity and fiber optic cables.
Socio-economic facilities: Public and private services required within human settlement to
sustain adequate living conditions, schools and hospitals.
Socio-economic services: Private sector services required within human settlement to sustain
minimum servicing conditions, such as markets, banks and petrol stations.
Urban core residential zone: A mixed use area that accommodates urban dwellers within
economically active areas, and which has a nodal function within the urban network.
Off-core residential zone: Residential areas outside of nodal mixed use or commercial
locations.

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Central and Nodal Business District: Commercial zone in a central or nodal location within
the City of Kigali, Secondary Cities and District Towns.
Off-Core Commercial Area: Zone of commercial use outside of a central or nodal location.

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Abbreviations
b/w Between

FAR Floor Area Ratio

Ha Hectares

Km Kilometers

M Meters

M2 Square meters

Min. Minimum

PLC Plot coverage

UPC Urban Planning Code

SEZ Special Economic Zone

% Percent

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Introduction
The Urban Planning Code (UPC) provides the principles for the sustainable development and
management of land used for human settlement. It is binding for all categories of land within
urban areas for any development and investment project, public institutional, tourist, public
spaces, urban renewal and infrastructure servicing.

The UPC is an important tool for the preparation and implementation of physical plans and
provides a reference for government authorities, planners and professionals who undertake
activities in urban planning and development.

The UPC intends to provide a basis for forward planning, development management and plan
implementation with the following overall objectives:

Elaborating sustainable physical plans;

Improved living standards in human settlements;
Sustainable development of land for human settlement while allocating valuable land
resources and location guidelines for urban land uses and facilities;
Development of housing, socio-economic facilities, and technical infrastructure according
to the needs of the people and applying basic standards to site requirements of development;
and the
Planning of utilities, facilities and services accordingly, with principles for urban land uses
and adequacy of facilities to serve a human settlement.

The UPC may be applied with a degree of flexibility in a way that the community at large will
benefit most from any development.
The UPC shall be a guiding document for future development relating to urban growth and
urban renewal. The acquired right of land owners in view of existing conditions prior to the
publishing of this document shall be assumed. The UPC determines planning requirements,
conditions to be respected in planning for different services and characteristics, and for
servicing requirements in urban areas and human settlement.
The UPC is a document complementary to the provisions of the legal framework regarding
urban planning and building, and the use of land in Rwanda. Administrative procedures of
urban development management are outlined by implementation orders. Technical standard
details are outlines by the responsible authorities regarding each infrastructure and service
sector.
Therefore, The UPC must not be considered as a standalone document but must be
complemented by sectoral details.

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Overview of the Urban Planning Code

Chapter 1 provides guidance to urban services in

Chapter 1 accordance with population size and distance standards, and
requirements for the development or re-development of a
URBAN LAND USE site. It categorizes urban land uses and regulates zoning with
PLANNING the help of plot development parameters to ensure effective
land use.

Chapter 2 provides standards and procedures for urban

Chapter 2 upgrading and renewal, including conditions for the
formalization of existing buildings which were developed
URBAN RENEWAL prior to urban planning documents, or in any way
informally.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3 provides guidance to traffic circulation and land

URBAN TRANSPORT AND requirements for urban roads, transport planning, parking,
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT and the siting of transport and traffic related uses.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4 provides guidelines for water sources planning

and water supply to human settlements, storm-water and
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE erosion control planning and management, and the siting
SERVICES and planning of solid and liquid waste treatment facilities.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5 introduces Urban Planning Coordination

meetings to assure integrated planning, decision-making
INTEGRATED URBAN
and implementation.
PLANNING AND BUILDING

Chapter 6 Chapter 6 provides notations and graphic standards for

urban planning documents.
NOTATIONS AND
GRAPHICS

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Chapter 1: Urban Land Use Planning

1.1 Types and Hierarchy of Cities, Towns, Agglomerations and

Economically Attractive and Densely Occupied Areas

The types and hierarchy of Cities, Municipalities, Agglomerations and Economically Attractive
and Densely Occupied Areas is established as follows:
1) Capital City of Kigali;
2) Secondary City;
3) District Town;
4) Neighborhood center (urban surroundings).
5) Urban Sub-Centers (Urban surroundings) or Trading center (rural surroundings);
The City of Kigali is the national centre which provides central place functions, facilities and
services having impact or influence nationwide, and serves beyond Rwanda as a hub with
importance to the East African Community. To accommodate future urban growth it may
transform into a metropolitan area.
A Secondary City is a sub-national centre comprised of an urban area within a Secondary City
District, which shall provide central place functions, services and facilities having impact or
influence beyond District borders.
A District Town is the main urban center area within a District which is not a Secondary City
District, and which shall provide central urban functions, public facilities and services for a
catchment area of the whole district.
Urban Sub-Centers are decentralized mixed use nodal points within the City of Kigali, the
Secondary Cities and the District Towns serving as socio-economic hubs.
Neighborhood Centers are individual urban cores within urban boundaries, which provide
facilities, services and economic opportunities for every maximum 5,000 urban dwellers.
Trading Centers are urban centers in addition to the main urban centre of a District Area and
serve as a hub of socio-economic opportunities within a predominantly rural surrounding. They
provide socio-economic services and facilities to rural residents, including commercial and
agro-processing functions and basic public services.

1.2 Urban Required Servicing and Facilities

Below services and facilities shall be available to urban dwellers within the specified proximity,
and at the minimum service ratio per population, with both servicing parameters to be fulfilled.
Facilities may be co-located as to form urban core areas or neighborhood centers. An urban
neighborhood shall contain at least one neighborhood center per 5,000 populations.

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Table 1: Minimum servicing requirements for urban areas

Service / facility Maximum Catchment Location
travel distance population
Potable water access point Neighborhood
250 m 2,000
Solid waste disposal point
Day care
Junior school
Community Health Post
Pharmacy
Social hall, community center
Youth center 500 m 5,000
Retail shops Neighborhood
Neighborhood park including picnic area and center
children’s playground
Motorcycle taxi access point
Minibus stop and lorry park
Primary school
Public toilet
Food, vegetable and fruits market 1 km 5,000 Neighborhood
Public internet access point center
Small football pitch
City bus stop
Secondary and vocational school
Health Center with maternal and child health care
Public Library
Police post
Abunzi
2 km 15,000 Urban sub-
Post agent/office and ICT services
Repair shops center
Hotel
Urban center park
Sports facilities (e.g. gym, tennis, public pool etc)
Museum, cultural center, etc
Local court
Gas station (in urban areas) 5 km 15,000 Urban sub-
Fire brigade center
Places of worship
Tertiary education facility City /
Slaughterhouse 45,000 Secondary City
/ District Town
Public transport hub City /
District hospital within each District urban area Secondary City
Police station / District Town
Provincial Referral Hospital
within each Province
At least one prison
National Referral Services National level facilities City
University Teaching Hospital

1.3 Site development requirements

When planning for the development of a site, the following requirements shall be fulfilled:
1) Urban infill development and development on dilapidated and inefficiently used urban
areas shall be prioritized before extending into new settlement areas consuming
agricultural land located within the urban boundaries.
2) Adjacent or neighboring uses shall be compatible with each other.

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3) Planning for urban centers shall take into account the connectivity of uses and modes
of transport, including convenience for pedestrians, circulation and parking areas,
loading and unloading.
4) Siting of residential buildings shall be in a way to form valuable and usable exterior
space, and footprints of new high rise residential buildings shall not be pointed.
5) At least 30 % of a developed area shall have a permeable ground surface area.
6) The use of vegetation shall be integrated into the design or a neighborhood and existing
mature trees shall be retained wherever possible.
7) Set specific densities to ensure optimum land use and where possible plot sub-divisions
of land can be done to make densification possible

1.3.1 Land subdivision requirements

When developing Land Subdivision, Plot Restructuring or Re-plotting:
1) Plots shall be created in the most efficient way of using land and infrastructure.
2) The shorter plot width shall face the road.
3) Newly planned plots shall be rectangular, or as close as possible to rectangular in shape,
depending on the prevailing geographic conditions.
4) A plot shall be directly accessible.
5) The minimum neighborhood servicing requirements shall be respected and measures
be taken to integrate public open space, facilities, infrastructure and utilities.
6) A new building should be located within a properly sub-divided and adequately
serviced area.
1.3.2 Neighborhood Safety
In support of neighborhood safety thorough site planning:
1) Dead-end-streets of more than 100 m shall not be permitted.
2) Street lights shall be provided at minimum along primary and secondary distributor
roads, from local transport nodes and from bus and minibus stops to a neighborhood.
3) Invisible corners and spaces shall be avoided in plot boundary design along roads.
4) Plot owners shall be required to install security lighting on their plot boundary.
1.3.3 Fire protection in human settlements
Site planning shall include the following mitigating measures against fire outbreak and
transmission:
1) Access to all buildings and public spaces must be possible.
2) Design shall mitigate causes of fire and possibilities of fire transmission between
buildings.
3) Every building shall improvise, fix and maintain fire-fighting equipment easily
accessible,
4) There shall be water points and fire hydrants well accessible within a radius to be
specified by the responsible authority.
5) The water rate at water points and hydrants available for firefighting shall be secured
at 25 m3/ hour with minimum availability for 2 hours.
6) If points 3 or 4 above are not fulfilled, the responsible fire brigade shall use firefighting
engines which are equipped with a water tank.

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1.4 Plot development requirements

One plot may be developed with one or more than one building. Development on a plot shall
result from one or more of the following plot development parameters specified in 1.6. Plot
development parameters shall be specified through zoning regulations for each specific area
within an urban planning document:
1.4.1 Building layouts on the plot
Buildings may be detached, semi-detached, or attached in rows, and can be categorized in main
buildings and ancillary buildings.
Table2: Housing typologies
Typology Description
Detached House Freely standing house surrounded by unbuilt space.

Semi-detached A house which is connected to another building on one of its sides.

house

Cluster housing Housing based on a subdivision technique which groups detached

houses relatively close together. It leaves open spaces as common areas
and provides shared facilities, and may result in high densities especially
appropriate for urban areas.

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Town house House within a row of similar houses that are attached together on each
side (except on the two ends of the row) with one or more floors. Town
houses are suitable for medium to high density neighborhoods, and for
low-to mid-rise developments.

Apartment Building containing more than two floors and containing more than one
building housing unit on each floor, with a predominantly residential use, with
about 20 % of the units reserved for retail or small scale commercial use
in the ground floor, or lowest two floors.

1.4.2 Plot level service and sanitation infrastructure

For every plot, service and sanitation infrastructure shall fulfill the following requirements:
1) Clean water shall be accessible on the plot, and where this is not possible, within 250
m travel distance.
2) Leveling shall be in a way to control storm-water runoff, and infiltration into the ground
shall be encouraged. The drainage shall be approved by the Local Authority.
3) Where a driveway crosses storm-water drainage, a culvert shall be constructed.
4) A plot shall have an on-site toilet, and where this is not possible, a communal toilet
within 50 m walking distance shall be provided.
5) Waste water shall be directed to a public sewer where it exists, or to a septic tank where
this is permissible, or to an alternative on-site treatment system.
6) Non-biodegradable refuse shall be stored in proper containers for collection.
Biodegradables shall be separated from non-biodegradable waste and composted.
Where there is no refuse collection organized through the District, non-recyclable
refuse shall be deposited in sites approved by the District.
1.4.3 Plot boundaries
Plots may be, but do not have to be enclosed by hedges, wire fences and walls with the
following requirements:
1) Impervious Fences or wall fences shall be discouraged but where inevitable shall not
exceed a height of 2 m.
2) Walls shall be maintained in an optically clean and structurally safe condition.
3) Wire fences shall be of plain wire mesh.
4) Greening in fencing activities shall be encouraged.
5) Broken glass, electrical wire fence, barbed wire or angled top sections of barbed wire
shall not be permitted.
6) To ensure physical security of the neighborhood, plot boundaries shall be as transparent
or semi-transparent as possible.

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1.4.4 Setbacks from plot boundary

Building setbacks define the minimum required distance from the plot boundary to the building
and shall be determined as part of zoning regulations provided by the Specific Land
Development Plan. Retail commercial uses and other public service uses shall face the road
without any enclosure or setback where feasible.

1.5 Categories of urban land uses

1.5.1 Urban Residential land use

An Urban Residential zone allows for mixed use areas comprising housing and small-scale
commercial activities, which do not substantially disturb the housing. Permitted use shall be
residential buildings, commercial and office buildings, restaurants, public residential buildings
including hotels, business enterprises (e.g. repair shops, small workshops of up to 2,000 m2
area, recycling centers of up to 1,500 m2 area, retail, administrative uses, cultural, social and
recreational uses, gardening and tree nurseries, education facilities, gas stations, religious uses,
health related uses).
Urban residential development shall distinguish between low rise, mid-rise and high rise
development zones. Residential zones shall be developed in a mixed-use approach.
The sub-categories comprise:
1) Urban core residential zone
2) Urban sub-center residential
3) Off-core residential zone
Additional categories may be introduced by city and district level zoning regulations.
1. 5.2 Commercial land use
Permitted within a commercial zone are office buildings, retail, department stores, shopping
malls of maximum 15,000 m2 ground floor area, sales including wholesale of maximum 15,000
m2 ground floor area, restaurants, food courts and accommodation, entertainment, not
substantially disturbing business enterprises and services, including business accommodation,
hotels, motels, repair shops, workshops, crafts, tailoring workshops, carpenters, tinsmiths,
machine shops, recycling centres, religious, cultural, social and health related uses, fitness
centres, gas stations, multi-floor car parking, storage units and small warehouses, including
staff accommodation. In sub-centres, additionally permitted are all business enterprises and
unlimited size of shopping centres if the limitation of disturbance for the surrounding areas is
proven.
Commercial development distinguishes between neighborhood center commercial
development, and central or nodal business district development in the Capital City of Kigali
or District Towns. Other neighborhood level commercial uses may be planned as part of a
residential mixed use development.
The sub-categories comprise:
1) Central and nodal business district
2) Off-core commercial area

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1.5.3 Special Economic Zones

Special economic zones may comprise commercial, warehouse commercial, light industrial
and heavy industrial uses. They may be organized with a specific theme, e.g. as Free Trade
Zone, Technology Park, Information Technology Park, Industrial Park, or other. Permitted are
all commercial activities such as general manufacturing, processing, assembling, handling, and
storing of products and materials, and petrol stations.
A Special Economic Zone may also be designed with a dedicated use outside of the above uses,
e.g. as a Tourism Park, or Shopping Centre, and shall in those cases not contain industrial uses.
The sub-categories comprise:
1) Heavy industry and power plants
2) Agro-industry
3) Light industry and technology
4) Economic development, financial and commercial centre
5) Touristic and recreational
6) Residential buildings
1.5.4 Airports and transport hubs
In this zone, commercial, residential, light industrial, offices and any other development
necessary for a functional airport complex are located.
1.5.5 Public administrative, institutional and service uses
Institutional and public administration uses include administrative entities, civic service,
police, military, posting, judiciary, fire stations, religious, cultural, social, education, health,
and recreation facilities. The sub-categories to be specified in Land Subdivision Plans are:
1) Education and research
2) Health
3) Cultural
4) Places of Worship
5) Communal
6) Administrative entities and other civic services
7) Cemeteries and crematoria
1.5.6 Recreational land use
This zone includes public open space, greenways and green areas, recreation and sports
facilities. This may be public park land, amusement parks etc. and may be complemented by
supporting offices and retail services necessary for the maintenance of the principle use. It can
be distinguished between spaces for passive recreation and spaces for active recreation.
1.5.7 Agricultural land use
Agricultural zones include areas of farming and agri-businesses. Permitted uses in support of
the principle use are designated open space, agricultural use, dwellings, maintenance and
storage buildings, and other uses necessary for the support of the principle use. An agricultural
estate with an area above five hectares must have a Specific Land Development Plan with Land
Subdivision Plan.

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There may be urban land specifically dedicated to urban agriculture and communal gardens.
Vacant urban land may be used for temporary urban agriculture with permission from the land
owner and the District.
1.5.8Forestry land use
This zone includes planted forests and woodlands. There may be forest-based industries,
dwellings, maintenance and storage buildings, and other such uses necessary for the support of
forestry.
1.5.9Mining land use
This zone comprises the operation of mineral extraction, sand mining, brick-making, quarrying,
and other mining-based industries. Supporting facilities include housing units, maintenance
and storage buildings, and others. A mining area is subject to an environmental impact
assessment and must have a Land Subdivision Plan.
1.5.10Nature preservation area
Preservation of ecological resources shall maintain their core value and function. Preservation
may prevent flood damage, attract investment, and boost tourism, and preserves the
environment. Such areas may be declared unavailable for development unless the proposed
development is in tandem with environmental conservation. Preservation areas comprise:
1) Floodplains
2) Wetlands
3) Steep slopes and hilltops
4) National parks
5) Natural and indigenous forests or woodlands
6) Natural open spaces
1.5.11Historical preservation
This category indicated areas and/or buildings, or cultural, geological, or archaeological
features to be preserved for their historical and cultural value.
The City of Kigali or responsible District Authority may list buildings, areas and features as
historically, culturally or environmentally valuable, or recommend to be listed by the
government institution in charge of history and cultural heritage. Historically listed buildings
shall be preserved and restored.
1.5.12Natural water body
This category is comprised of water bodies, such as streams, rivers, and lakes and needs to be
conserved. Adjacent zones may be declared unavailable for development unless the proposed
development is in tandem with environmental conservation.
Water reservoirs and treatment plants: Adjacent zones may be declared unavailable for
development unless the proposed development is in tandem with environmental conservation.
1.5.13Areas of seismic and volcanic hazard
Zones where seismic hazard from earthquakes and hazards caused by volcanic activity within
the proximity of a volcano are possible, with hazards including ash falls, pyroclastic flows and
surges debris avalanches, lava flow, geothermal eruptions, seiches, flooding, ballistic fall,

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volcanic gases, electrical discharges and other secondary hazards. Distinguished should be
between:
1) High risk hazardous areas where construction is not permissible;
2) Medium risk areas where construction of specified public and hazard prone facilities
shall not be permissible, and
3) Tolerable risk areas where construction is permissible when applying seismic building
principles.

1.6 Zoning
Zoning regulations as part of urban planning documents may be further specified the required
development parameters. The regulations may include, but do not have to exhaust and are not
limited to the following Plot development parameters, which shall be further specified by a
Local Land Development Plan. Plot development parameters are:
1) Plot coverage (PLC);
2) Plot area
3) Floor area ratio (FAR)
4) Building height;
5) Number of floors;
6) Floor heights;
7) Building setbacks;
8) Distances between buildings.
Further regulations included as part of the zoning regulations may address, but are not limited
to Morphological characteristics; Material and colour characteristics; Landscaping
requirements; Prohibited uses; Circulation design and parking requirements; Plot boundary
designs.
In the following, plot development parameters are further defined and explained.

1.6.1 Plot area

Plot area is the total area of a plot
within its plot boundaries.
The plot area is calculated by
multiplying the Length with the
Width of a plot.

1.6.2 Plot boundary

Plot boundary is the external definition of a plot in plan.

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1.6.3 Plot coverage (PLC)

Plot coverage is the total allowable
ground floor gross area built per
plot, not including driveways,
landscaping (e.g. summer hut),
covered car parking, and
underground structures (e.g. septic
tank).

1.6.4 Floor area ratio (FAR)

Floor area ratio is the total
allowable gross floor area built,
comprising all levels of all
buildings, per plot area.

1.6.5 Number of floors

Number of floors is the number of
floors a building may have, not
considering floors underground,
with one floor (gross) not being
less than 2.6 m and not being more
than 3.8 m high for residential and
5 m for commercial buildings, and
not including antennas, rooftops
smaller than 25 % of the floor area,
lift overruns or similar rooftop
installations.

1.6.6 Building height

Building height is the height from lowest point of the building above ground to the highest point of the
building, not including antennas, rooftops smaller than 25 % of the floor area, lift overruns and similar
rooftop installations, and not including pitched roofs below 15 degree tilt.

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1.6.7 Building setback

Setback Rear
Building setback is the minimum Setback Front
allowable distance between the
Setback Side
building and the plot boundary,
not considering permitted
intrusions or structures.

1.6.8 Setback Front

Setback Front is the minimum allowable distance between the building and the plot boundary facing the
main access.
1.6.9 Setback Side
Setback Side is the minimum allowable distance between the building and the plot boundary facing the
neighboring plot to the side.
1.6.10 Setback Rear
Setback Rear is the minimum allowable distance between the building and the plot boundary at the rear
of the plot.
1.6.11 Minimum distance between detached buildings
Minimum distance between detached buildings on one plot regulates construction of more than one
building on the same plot, and the distance between the buildings in particular.

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1.7 Permitted land use development

The land use sub-categories allow the zoning regulations as provided in the following table.
Those may be further detailed within the provided framework.

Table 3: Zoning framework with plot development parameters per land use category
Land use (sub-) Max. Max. Density min. Min. distance b/w Setbacks Other
category PLC FAR units/ha detached buildings
URBAN RESIDENTIAL
Urban core 0.6 2.4 70 0.4*Height Front: Min. 20 % of units with
mixed use Max. 6 m non-residential use
Urban sub-center 0.5 1.2 30 0.5*Height Min. 10 % of units with
residential non-residential use
Off-core 0.4 0.8 15 0.6*Height
residential
COMMERCIAL
Central and nodal 0.8 6 80 0.4*Height Min. 20% residential
business district units
Off-core 0.7 2.4 0.5*Height
commercial area
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (SEZ’s)
Economic 0.8 2.4 0.6*Height
development,
financial and
commercial
centre
Touristic and Subject to particular
recreational scheme
Residential 0.6 2.4 60 0.4*Height Min. 10 % retail
buildings commercial units
Heavy industry 0.5 1*Height Front:20 m Health protection zone
and power plants required
Agro-industry 0.6 0.6*Height
Front: 20 m Health protection zone
Side: 6 m required
Rear: 5 m
Light industry 0.6 0.6*Height Front: 10 m Health protection zone
and technology Side: 6 m required
Rear: 5 m
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVE AND SERVICES
Education and 0.5 1.4 0.5*Height See Table 4
research
Health 0.5 1 0.5*Height See Table 4
Cultural 0.7 0.5*Height See Table 4
Religion 0.7 1*Height See Table 4
Communal 0.7 1.2 0.5*Height See Table 4
Civic services 0.7 1.4 0.5*Height See Table 4
Cemeteries and Must not be located in
crematoria urban residential areas
RECREATION
Sports areas and 0.5 1 1*Height Side: 6 m
facilities Rear: 5 m
Parks 0.1 0.1 Min. 90% unpaved open
space; To include
children’s playground
Public squares, 0.1 0.1 Paved Open Space
boulevards and
pedestrian zones

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1.7.1 Additional provisions

a) Urban Residential zones

1) There shall be a total of about 20 % of all units in a building used for retail and small
scale commercial uses.
2) Retail and commercial units shall predominantly occupy the ground floor street zones.
3) At least 5 % of area shall be availed to public facilities and public open space excluding
access, however following the requirements of minimum service in Articles 2.2.1 of
this Code.
4) At least 15 % of area shall be availed to public access and utility infrastructure, however
following the requirements of minimum access, and infrastructure utilities of this Code.
5) At least 20 % of the area in a formerly agricultural area rezoned for residential
development shall remain available to subsistence agriculture for 10 years from its
development.
b) Special Economic Zones
Any new industrial development has to be located in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). All
planning principles and provisions stipulated by this Code and its enacting Ministerial
Order are valid for SEZ’s.
1) Flat land or large flat terraces with slopes less than 5 %;
2) Good accessibility to inland container depots or airport;
3) Good access to major traffic routes, preferably direct access to primary distributor roads
wherever possible to avoid causing nuisance to other noise sensitive uses;
4) Convenient access to business centres in urban areas;
5) Adequate provision of piped water, sewage disposal and waste storage/treatment
facilities, electricity supply and telephone services;
6) Sited to avoid adverse environmental effects (e.g. noise, odour, dust etc.) on residential
areas and designed to mitigate negative effect;
7) Sited to avoid despoliation of the rural landscape, natural conservation sites, water
catchment areas, dry river basins and adverse effect to environmentally sensitive areas,
and designed to minimise adverse impacts.

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c) Public administrative, institutional and service uses

Table4: Minimum site requirements
Use Plot development requirements Other
Plot area recommendation
Education and research
Nursery and preschool Plot area: min. 700 m2  Max. 25 pupils per classroom
PLC: Max. 0.3  Classrooms to have min. 2 m2 per
child for preschool and min. 3 m2 per
child for nursery
 May be affiliated with a primary
school
 Safe access without unsecured
crossing of primary distributor roads
 Playground
Primary school 1.5 ha  Including playfields, administration,
parking
Secondary school 2.4 ha  Including playfields, administration,
hall, parking
Primary and Secondary 2.8 ha  Including playfields, administration,
school combined hall, parking
Higher Education Institutions PLC: Max. 0.3  Including playfields, administration,
(Vocational training centers) Minimum floor area: 0.6 ha hall, parking
Open space: estimated 1 ha  Vocational schools: min. 4 workshops
 Plan depending on the vocation
Higher Education Institutions PLC: Max. 0.4  Including playfields, administration,
(Universities) hall, parking
 Any of the above uses may also require accommodation facilities, which are not included in above area
requirements.
Health
Health post 0.5 ha
Health center 1 ha
District hospital 2.5 ha  Landscaping; incinerator; laundry
Referral hospital 5 ha  Landscaping; incinerator; laundry
Public administrative and civic services
Cell office 0.25 ha
Sector administration office 0.25 ha
District administration office 1 ha
City administration office 1.2 ha
Post office 0.25 ha
Police station 0.5 ha
Fire brigade station 0.5 ha
Places of worship 0.5 ha
Courts 0.25 ha
Regional Public Library 0.5 ha
Cultural Center 0.6 ha
Cemeteries and crematoria
Cemetery 0.9 ha / 1,000 population  4 m² per grave
 Outside of urban residential areas
 Not on rocky ground and in areas with
ground water table higher than 3 m
below ground
Crematorium

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d) Recreation
Recreational uses are sports areas and facilities, parks, public squares, boulevards and
pedestrian zones. There shall be Urban Centre Parks and neighbourhood parks.
Small neighbourhood parks shall provide access to basic public space functions, such as
play and contact with green in an urban neighbourhood.
A neighbourhood park shall:
1) Be accessible to children and elderly in case of the need to cross any primary
distributor road;
2) Have a children’s playground with play equipment;
3) Make small-scale sports possible, e.g. jogging, basketball or football;
4) Have places to support passive recreation including seats;
5) Be designed to ensure safety and security during day and night hours
6) Be capable of being used by all the residents in the development
7) Have naturally shaded areas.
Urban centre parks should offer a large spectrum of activities and features including such
of a neighbourhood park, function as an urban landmark and connect to pedestrianized
zones where possible.
Sport fields and sport pitches shall be evenly distributed throughout urban residential areas.
Sports facilities should ideally be distributed near educational and social facilities and
should be interlinked with parks and other public spaces.
The distribution of stadiums is a strategic decision for each urban area.
Table5: Sports and Play Facilities
Type Pitch size (m)
Junior football pitch 45 x 90
Senior football pitch 100-110 x 64-75
Handball pitch 20 x 10
Netball pitch 15.25 x 30.5
Basketball pitch 15 x 28
Volleyball pitch 9 x 18
Tennis court 11 x 24
Children’s playground Min. 100 m2
Cycling tracks Min. 300 m
Passive Recreation Areas Min. 100 m2

There are other types of public space with no specified standards, such as amusement parks,
botanical gardens, and zoos. There specific concept shall be presented in a plan.

1.7.2 Health protection zones

There shall be a health protection zone against pollution from industrial uses of between 100
m up to 1,500 m around SEZ’s, to be determined by the responsible government agency and depending on the
particular use, applicable to the following sub-categories of an SEZ:
1) Heavy industry and power plants,
2) Agro-industry, and

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3) Light industry and technology.

There shall also be health protection zones as determined by the responsible government
agency around the following uses, independent of whether they are located inside or outside of
an SEZ:
1) Heat and power stations and boiler installations;
2) Sanitary engineering installations and municipal undertakings;
3) Sewage treatment installations;
4) Sewage pumping stations.

1.7.3 Environmentally sensitive areas

The following areas shall be considered environmentally sensitive:
1) Floodplains;
2) Wetlands;
3) Steep slopes, ridgelines and hilltops;
4) Open space;
5) Forests;
6) Areas of volcanic hazard;
7) Natural buffer zones.
In floodplains, the following activities are prohibited:
1) any development, except for irrigation works and dams subject to an Environmental
Impact Assessment;
2) any excavation, filling, or removal of soil, earth or gravel;
3) the obstruction of stream channels.
4) In wetlands, the following activities are prohibited:
 dredging and soil dispersal;
 grading and soil removal;
 placement of buildings and infrastructure including in their buffer areas.
The development in the upland of wetlands shall be controlled to prevent the effects of
sedimentation, which impairs the function of wetlands.
Planning shall integrate connections between wetland areas and other habitats unless those
areas contain invasive species or other threats.
Water sources and their catchment areas including the confining bed of aquifers and water
bodies shall be protected from pollution by:
1) Minimizing impervious land coverage to less than 20 % to reduce storm-water
runoff, downstream flooding, and water contamination and to maintain groundwater
recharge.
2) Not permitting storages, businesses that use hazardous chemicals, solid waste
disposal and facilities, seepage lagoons, hazardous waste storage, pipelines that
transmit oil/gasoline/or hazardous materials, and pit latrines within 100 m of an
aquifer.
On steep slopes, ridgelines and hilltops, the following activities are prohibited:

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1) Their physical alteration when gradient is above 20 %;

2) Any constructed development on slopes with a gradient above 20 %.
Any development on steep slopes, ridgelines and hilltops shall be strictly controlled.
For open space, the following principles apply:
1) Open space shall be preserved in a way to prevent flood damage, attract investment,
revitalize urban areas, and boost tourism along with preserving the environment.
2) Existing vegetation shall be retained in open spaces, and the entire ecosystem shall
be protected, such as habitats of rare or endangered species.
3) Conservation areas may be established to protect ecological systems and
biodiversity, and to provide corridors and connectivity for wildlife.
For areas of volcanic hazard the following principles apply:
1) Siting of key facilities and critical infrastructure shall be out of hazardous areas, as
determined by a hazard map based on scientific information on volcanic hazards.
2) The number of people residing in volcanic hazard areas shall be minimized through
low density development.
3) Essential or hazardous facilities and covered assemblies shall be prohibited in lahar
and pyroclastic flow zones.
4) Development in a rural area subject to volcanic hazards shall depend on ensuring
full coverage of water supply in the event of ash fall.
5) Information related to volcanic hazards and risk shall be incorporated into urban
and land use planning documents, including and hazard maps, as well as social
aspects of planning for hazards.
The following measures shall be promoted in forests and areas of afforestation:
1) Tree planting along rivers, hillsides, homesteads, woodlots, orchards and field
boundaries;
2) Natural woodland management;
3) Agro-forestry;
4) Protection of indigenous tree species.
Natural buffer zones
Natural buffer zones are regulated by a separate provision issued by the government ministry
in charge of natural resources.
Agricultural land protection
There shall be no development on highly fertile agricultural land classified by the responsible
authority. Any conversion of the land use of such land shall undergo an approval process under
the involvement of the Ministry in charge of agriculture and food security.

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Chapter 2: Urban Renewal

The objective of urban renewal is to trigger urban regeneration through the addition of
amenities, and the improvement of buildings and livelihood in previously deteriorating urban
areas.
An area characterized by functional weaknesses and structural problems and / or economic
underutilization of land may be designated as an urban renewal area. A Specific Land
Development Plan shall be developed following the provisions of the applicable Ministerial
Order.

2.1 Principles of Urban Renewal for Functional Development

When undertaking urban renewal, the affordability of a project and its potential cost-effective
replication shall be ensured.
Spatial relationships with the surrounding areas and uses that would serve the development
shall be supported.
During urban renewal, the demolition of existing built structures and relocation of residents
shall be kept to a minimum.
The rezoning of the land use category and/or specific local zoning regulations is subject to
analysis and discussion by the responsible District as part of a plan revision process. It shall be
possible as part of an urban renewal strategy and may be a necessary measure when land is
unused or underused. When rezoning is proposed, it shall be demonstrated that the newly
proposed zoning is suitable for the area and for the community.
Existing built structures and uses shall be formalized when assessed to be in line with the
planning objectives for the area.
The mix of land uses shall be promoted to provide variable socio-economic options for the
area.
Urban renewal may include:

 Re-plotting or plot readjustment to bring small land tracts into a larger plot;
 On-site improvements such as public infrastructure, facilities and services;
 Contribution of land to public infrastructure, facilities and services provision.
 Building structure improvements to increase densities
2.1.1Preservation of Valuable Townscapes and Features
Depending on the Existing Conditions Analysis, preservation of valuable building and features
shall be proposed.
Historically valuable buildings and historic, cultural, geological, or archaeological features,
trees, green areas, and spaces, shall be preserved.

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2.2 Standards for Urban Upgrading and Renewal

Urban neighborhoods should be upgraded to ensure an agreed standard of service provision for
their residents, if the neighborhood is on suitable land which is not health hazardous and:
 not prone to flooding,
 not on weak soil,
 not on sloped terrain steeper than 20 %.
Such initiative requires sufficient primary infrastructure, especially water distribution, ensuring
that neighborhood level infrastructure to be provided or upgraded is able to function.
In case an area must be cleared from residential development for one of the above three reasons,
it shall not be re-developed.
Areas which need environmental protection can be justified to be cleared from polluting
industrial operations, and protected from newly built structures. Trees, green areas, and spaces
shall be preserved and restored.

Planning shall follow the procedures of a specific Land Development Plan, and urban planning
operations as applicable and determined by the respective implementing orders.

2.2.1 Minimum access to infrastructure and facilities

Urban upgrading standards may deviate from standards for new development, while it is
apparent to adhere to public health and safety requirements.
The following minimum standards apply to service provision in upgraded neighborhoods:
Table6: Minimum servicing requirements with facilities for upgraded neighborhoods
Service / facility Maximum travel Catchment population
distance
Public toilet where not all households have access to
80 m 250
appropriate sanitary conditions
Potable water access point
250 m 2,000
Solid waste disposal point
Day care and maternal school
Primary school
Community Health Services
Social hall, community center
Youth center
Retail shops 500 m 5,000
Neighborhood park including picnic area and children’s
playground
Motorcycle taxi access point
Minibus stop
Access to vehicular road

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2.2.2 Minimum infrastructure standards

The following minimum standards apply to infrastructure in upgraded neighborhoods:
1) Every plot shall be accessible by at least a footpath.
2) There shall be a Secondary, Local Distributor Road, or an Access Road within 500 m.
3) Every road shall be accompanied by properly dimensioned storm water channels.
4) Every household shall undertake proper evacuation of solid and liquid waste.
5) Every household shall undertake measures for the proper control of erosion from storm
water and liquid waste.
6) The electricity provider shall be responsible for the safety in areas of electricity cable
networks. No open wiring and underground placement of cables shall be allowed.
7) Sewers must be protected in a way safe for passer-byes and particularly children during
storm water flushes. Safe bridging passage ways shall be provided following the course
of footpaths.
8) Civil engineers and urban planners responsible for the elaboration of the Specific Land
Development Plan may propose to the District to waive the standard width
recommendations for access roads and accompanying uses following a road where there
is insufficient space or the intervention would cause unjustifiable displacement.

2.3 Conditions for the Formalization of Existing Buildings

Existing buildings which were developed prior to urban planning documents, or in any way
informally may be formalized under the following conditions:
1) Provisions from above article are fulfilled;
2) The building structure is in safe condition;
3) The land use is permissible in the area.

2.4 Requirements for new Land Subdivision and Re-plotting

Urban development through building permits and real estate development authorization shall
be guided by the principle of efficient use of land and safe construction following site-specific
zoning regulations.
2.4.1 Standard residential plot area
The standard plot area for residential buildings with a height of G and G+1 is set as follows:
1) Plots with a plot area of up to 300 m2;
2) Plots with a plot area larger than 300 m2 and up to 500 m2.
Development higher than G+1 shall follow the provisions of Plot Coverage, Floor Area Ratio
and minimum densities on approved land subdivision independent of the provisions for
standard plot sizes.
2.4.2 Efficient urban land development for purposes different from residential use
Development of buildings with uses different from residential purpose shall follow the
principles of approved urban planning documents specifying zoning regulations and land
subdivision.

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Chapter 3: Inner-Urban Transport and

Traffic Management

3.1 Traffic Circulation and Land Requirements for Urban Roads

3.1.1 Traffic Circulation and Access

During design stage of traffic circulation and of access to a neighborhood, it shall be determined
whether through traffic should be encouraged or discouraged.
The degree of integration of a site or neighborhood into the urban network shall be determined
through the number of access points.
The design of internal neighborhood streets shall be short, narrow, curvilinear, and tortuous,
and shall optimize the use of land, and minimize cut and fill grading operations in a diverse
topography. Extensive curvilinear patterns shall be avoided in commercial and SEZ zones.
3.1.2 Land requirements for roads
The agency responsible for roads and the responsible District shall be consulted on proposed
alignments and land requirements for new roads to avoid any conflict with other proposed land
uses.
3.1.3 Inner-urban and settlement roads
The inner-urban and inner-settlement roads shall have the following naming and hierarchy:
1) Primary distributor road;
2) Secondary distributor road;
3) Local distributor road;
4) Access road.
Primary distributor roads shall be used in planning to form the primary network within an
urban area and distribute traffic between central and nodal business districts.
Secondary distributor roads shall be used in planning to distribute the traffic between
different neighborhood areas and land use zones of an urban or human settlement area and link
to the primary access network.
Local distributor roads shall be used in planning to distribute the traffic within different
neighborhood areas and land use zones and link to the secondary access network. There may
be major and minor local distributor roads depending on the volume of traffic generated within
the area, and on the types of vehicles allowed.
Access roads shall be used in planning to link individual plots, buildings and open spaces to a
local distributor road. Access roads in housing areas and shopping centers are termed streets
and are further classified into primary and secondary streets. They may be cul-de-sacs or loops.

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3.2 Design Requirements for Intra-Urban Roads

The total width of a road shall be derived from its type and additional uses following its course.
Road design shall respect the Road Design Manual under the management of the agency
responsible for roads and transport.
Civil engineers and urban planners may propose to the District to waive the standard width
recommendations in cases of urban renewal and urban regeneration programs where there is
insufficient space, extremely costly or only minimal budgets available.
The essential uses of cross-section of a road shall be determined by the responsible planner/
civil engineer depending on the road classification, location and requirements. Possible uses
following the main road alignment are:
1) Carriageway
2) Pedestrian pathway
3) Cycle track
4) Two- wheel vehicle drive.
5) Drainage
6) On-street parking
7) Row of trees
8) Hard shoulder
9) Verge, with or without planting reserve and marginal strip
10) Central reserve and traffic island
11) Service road.

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Table 7: Minimum design requirements for intra-urban roads

Road characteristics Intra-Urban Road categories
Primary Secondary Local Access Road
Distributor Distributor distributor road
Road Road
Passage space at general speed
Drive lane for all vehicles 4m 4m 3.25 m 3.25 m
Drive lane for vehicles excluding trucks 3.25 m 3.25 m 2.50 m 2.50 m
and buses
Two drive lanes for all vehicles passing 7.25 m 7.25 m 6m 6m
each other

Two drive lanes for all vehicles, with 6.50 m 6.50 m 5.25 m 5.25 m
trucks passing motor vehicles

Two drive lanes for all cars and jeeps 5.75 m 5.75 m 4.50 m 4.50 m
passing each other
Two drive lanes for motor vehicles (cars 4.50 m 4.50 m
and jeeps) and bicycle

Additional design requirements

Number of lanes 2-4 2 1-2 1-2
Pavement Paved Paved Paved/Unpaved Paved/Unpaved
Pedestrian traffic Separated Separated Separated Yes
sidewalk sidewalk sidewalk
Two-wheel traffic Separated cycle Separated
lane cycle lane
On-street parking Designated Yes Yes Yes
areas

Passage space for urban roads must not be obstructed by any temporary or permanent activity
or installment without prior authorization from the District.

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3.2.1 Sidewalks and footpaths

Road designs of all hierarchy levels except for Access Roads shall include pedestrian ways on
at least one side of the road, including on vehicular bridges. Primary roads shall have sidewalks
on both sides.
The absolute minimum width of a footway shall be 1.0 m. A commonly designed footway shall
be at least 2.0 m wherever possible.
Table 8: Recommended widths of sidewalks
Function Min. Width
Along shopping streets 2.5 m
In SEZ’s 3.5 m
On bridges 1.5 m
Along primary roads 2m
Along secondary roads 1.5 m
Access paths in high density urban upgrading areas 1.2 m

3.2.2 Two-wheel cycle tracks

Two-wheel vehicle tracks (motorcycle and bicycle) shall be included along primary and
secondary roads.
The minimum width of a two- and three-wheel vehicle track shall be 2.5 m.
Two-wheel vehicle tracks may be combined with footways at a total minimum width of 3 m.
3.2.3 Central reserves
The widths of central reserves on intra-urban roads may vary and shall be influenced by street
furniture requirements and planting. It should be used for street lighting posts, and other utility
posts when necessary, as well as landscaping.
The minimum width for central reserves for Primary Roads shall be 2 m, and for Secondary
Roads 1 m.
3.2.4 Corners and junctions
The following minimum design requirements shall be respected in the design of intra-urban
corners and junctions:
1) Traffic signaled intersections shall be used for low and medium traffic flow where there is
limited space available.
2) Roundabouts may be used for low and medium traffic flow where there is sufficient space
available.
3) Priority intersections may be designed as cross roads or T-junctions, and shall be equipped
with give way / stop signs.
4) Staggered junctions shall be preferred to cross roads where possible for increased safety.
5) Junctions must be designed with 90 degree angles to the nearest traffic stream.
6) Y junctions shall be avoided in new development to avoid obscured sight lines.
7) Junctions on the inner side of curves shall be avoided.
8) Roads shall intersect with other roads of the similar hierarchy class, or one hierarchy level
above or below each other.
9) Corner radii and visibility splays have to be respected when designing a road.

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Any other provisions for corners and junctions determined by the agency in charge of transport
and traffic shall be strictly followed.
3.2.5 Road reserves
There may be space reserved for a future road or for the future widening of a road planned in
accordance with an Urban Planning Document and with the Strategic Investment Plan with
dimensions matching the planned type of road and functions.
3.2.6 Utility strips
A utility strip is a space reserved for service reticulation following the course of a road.
Service allocation plans shall be part of any new road planning. Designs shall incorporate
provisions for road crossings.
All utility providers and the agency in charge of transport shall be consulted by the road
engineer from preliminary design stage.
The following provisions shall apply:
1) Any electricity line (underground or above ground) shall be located in the outer space of
utility strip and with a distance of 6 m from edge of the outer drive lane.
2) Any electricity line, if above ground, shall have a minimum height of 6 m.
3) Any telecommunication line/fiber optics cable shall have a distance of 5m from edge of
the outer drive lane.
4) Water mains shall be located in the center space with a distance of 3 m from edge of the
outer drive lane.
5) Storm-water drainage channels shall be located next to the outer drive lane.
6) The minimum horizontal separation between utilities shall be 50 cm.
7) Crossings of any underground cables/pipes shall be at right angles.
8) Where the minimum separation distance cannot be provided, concrete blocks shall be
wedged between the utilities.
Any other provisions for utility location determined by the respective agency in charge shall
be strictly followed in coordination with all involved utility providers.
3.2.7 Street lighting
The following provisions shall apply:
1) Street lights shall be mandatory for primary roads.
2) Street lights shall have an absolute minimum distance of 1.2 m from the edge of a drive
lane; the commonly applied distance shall be 2 m.
3) The placement of street lights should be coordinated with other street elements so that
trees, traffic lights or advertisements do not conflict.
4) Light poles should be no higher than 10 m outside of residential areas, and 8 m within
residential areas.
5) The spacing between two light poles should be approximately three times their height.
Table 9: Design recommendations for public street lighting
Street type Pole Height (m) Spacing (m)
Primary and Secondary roads 8-10 25-27
Local Distributor Road, Access road, Footpath 4.5-6 12-16

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3.3 Transport Planning and Transport Terminals

3.3.1 Pedestrian traffic

Urban Residential zones shall be designed in a way to provide for:
1) Walkable urban space.
2) A continuous network of sidewalks, preferably on both sides of all urban roads.
3) Possibilities for crossings of wide streets at intersections and close to urban neighborhoods,
schools and other public buildings containing uses for social gathering, and retail precincts;
4) Inter-visibility between pedestrians and emerging vehicles where roads cross with
sidewalks and pedestrian walkways.
All Local Distributor Roads and Access Roads within in Urban Residential zones shall be
operated at slow speed below 30 km/h to ensure safety and security of pedestrians.

3.4 Public Transport

3.4.1 Bus and minibus bays

There shall be bus bays provided to enable buses to stop for boarding/alighting passengers
without obstructing other traffic.
Bus bays shall:
1) Have a width of at least 3.25 m over a length of at least 40 m along the carriageway for
buses, or a length of at least 20 m for minibuses;
2) Be located approximately 750 m apart in urban areas;
3) Be considered on primary distributor roads and two-directional secondary and local
distributor roads.
4) In peripheral zones be spaced according to the concentration of population;
3.4.2 Bus and minibus transport
Bus and minibus services shall be encouraged as major passenger carriers in urban areas.
Every bus route requires two terminal points which fall into three categories:
1) Service terminal point which is a simple turning only facility for operation of 1 or 2
routes; Planned parking and landing areas shall be availed at bus stops;
2) Bus terminal which includes bus turning, stacking and passenger waiting facilities and
accommodates a number of bus routes; and
3) Main bus terminal as a public transport interchange for buses, minibuses, and taxis.
All bus termini shall be located off-street as far as possible. In some circumstances a service
terminal point may be temporarily located on-street, provided it does not obstruct vehicular and
pedestrian circulation and other essential kerbside activities.
The land requirement for a bus terminus shall be determined by the number of routes served,
their peak frequency, number of waiting passengers, spaces for bus parking during off-peak
periods, internal vehicle and passenger circulation.

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3.4.3 Bus terminal and depot facilities

Bus terminals shall:
1) Usually be provided in central areas or local commercial areas.
2) Be centrally located and be conveniently accessible on foot to residential, mixed,
commercial and industrial activities.
3) Enable convenient access to the existing and proposed road system with the ingress and
egress points located in a way as not to cause conflict with traffic circulation on the
adjacent road system and to facilitate satisfactory internal circulation.
4) Be sited and designed as to minimize impacts of air pollution and noise.
Main bus stations functioning as public transport interchange shall integrate:
1) Formal taxi stands
2) Park-and-ride facilities,
3) Bicycle parking facilities, and
4) Restrooms.
There shall be bus depots provided in industrial SEZ’s with a land requirement depending on the size of fleet to be
serviced. A reasonable area for a bus depot is 5,000 m2 with a width of about 80 m.
3.4.4 Taxi stands
There shall be taxi stands provided at major public transport termini, the airport, hospitals,
cultural facilities, entertainment or retail centers, in large housing developments and any other
center of demand.
3.4.5 Moto-taxi embarkment points
There shall be moto-taxi embarkment points provided on intra-urban primary distributor roads
for moto-taxis to safely collect passengers without obstructing other traffic. Moto-taxi
embarkment points shall:
1) have a width of at least 2 m over a length of at least 6 m along the carriageway;
2) shall be located approximately 500 m apart in urban areas.

3.5 Parking
Parking must be provided in residential, mixed use, commercial, industrial areas, public
administration and services, as well as in social, sports, religious and recreation areas.
Parking shall be designed in a way to de-concentrate areas dedicated to parking, and related
traffic flows.
The parking space quantity requirements as per provisions of the Building Code shall be
followed.
3.5.1 Car park design
The following minimum provisions apply to the design of car parking:
1) A driveway between parking stalls shall be at minimum 5 m wide when parking is for
cars, jeeps and pick-ups only; 6 m when parking for minibuses shall be included; and
20 m when parking is for busses and trucks.

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2) All new primary, secondary and access roads shall be designed for on-street parking
where feasible. This may be waived in areas of urban upgrading projects.
3) The required width for on street parking shall be 2.5 m for parallel parking, 5.5 m for
perpendicular parking, or 5 m if designed cross wise at an angle of 45 degree.
4) Rows of trees may be combined with on-street parking.
Any other provisions for parking bay dimensions, circulation space and radii determined by the
agency in charge of transport and traffic shall be strictly followed in the design and construction
of publicly accessible parking bays or lots.
Table10: Minimum parking bay dimensions
Vehicle Type of Length of parking bay Width of
parking parking bay
Cars, jeeps, pick ups Parallel 6.5m 2.4 m
Perpendicular 5m 2.5 m
Width of drive lane to access parking bay strip: 7.7 m
Angle 60 o 1 row 5.5 m 2.5 m
2 rows 10 m
Angle 45 o 5m 2.5 m
Width of drive lane to access parking bay strip: 4 m
Minibuses Parallel 6.5 m 3m
Perpendicular 6m 3m
Width of drive lane to access parking bay strip: 8.5 m
Angle 60o 6.5 m 3m
o
Angle 45 6m 3m
Width of drive lane to access parking bay strip: 6 m
Buses and trucks Parallel 22 m 3.5 m
Perpendicular Single truck: 12m 4m
Truck w. trailer: 22 m
Width of drive lane to access parking bay strip: 20 m
Angle 30o Truck w. trailer: 13 m 3.5 m
Width of drive lane to access parking bay strip: 5 m
Angle 45 o Truck w. trailer: 15 m 4m
Width of drive lane to access parking bay strip: 7.5 m

3.5.2 Bicycle parking

Bicycle parking shall be an integral part of transport planning for public areas and facilities,
and facilities shall be provided at least at public transport hubs, public and commercial areas
and facilities.
3.6 Location Siting of Petrol Stations
Petrol stations shall be designed and located in a way that:
1) is easy to turn into, easily visible, recognizable from a distance, and located near the
road;
2) It does not cause a traffic hazard;
3) It is not sited at curves;
4) access is 2-way, or preferably with separate entry and exit, which are clearly marked
and each at least 7.3 m wide;
5) fuel tankers have enough space to turn and avoid blocking any traffic flow within and
outside the petrol station;
6) it contains parking space within;
7) no construction is undertaken above the tanks and pumps.

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3.7 Advertisements in the Public Realm

Only temporary permission shall be given by Districts to the erection of an advertisement.
Continued permission shall be subject to maintenance of the advertisement to be in a clean and
safe condition.
No advertisement shall:
1) Be erected in such a manner that it obstructs free and clear vision, or where its shape,
color, or position may interfere with, or obstruct the view of, or be confused with any
road traffic sign or device, railway signal, signal for the control or safety or navigation
by air, or any other traffic and traffic security device;
2) Obstruct or interfere with a driver’s or road user’s view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic,
visibility at a bend, junction or other hazard, interfere with road- users’ view of traffic signs, or
distract road-users’ attention at hazardous sites;
3) Be blinking and appear from a distance like a traffic safety sign or municipal vehicle
warning;
4) Be illuminated or be a video screen, unless it can be clearly shown that road users will
not be distracted and that the sign will be well maintained. Video screens on roads must
only show very simply to understand messages which do not require much attention, at
low intensity of illumination;
5) Detract from the pleasantness or attractiveness of an area;
6) Be erected within less than 5 m of an edge of road or from a junction;
7) Be made of durable and easily cleaned materials;
8) Be characterized by a type of lettering which ensures ease of reading from a reasonable
distance.
9) Be displayed where the rear of a timber hoarding would be visible and not treated to
match the framing
10) Be supported if it would be out of keeping with the scale of the buildings or land on
which is displayed;

Floodlighting shall not shine into private plots or highways.

The illumination of a structure or building shall only be permitted where the building is of
particular importance and merit.
Zoning regulations may regulate in addition but not limited to:
1) Heights of installation;
2) Maximum sign area.

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Chapter 4: Urban Infrastructure Services

4.1 Water Sources Planning for Water Supply to Human Settlements

A source of water tested for human consumption and serving a human settlement shall be
selected applying the following criteria:
1) Groundwater resources shall primarily be considered;
2) If ground water is not available, surface water like rivers, streams or lakes shall be
considered;
3) If none of the above sources is available locally, a long distance water supply system
shall be considered;
4) Rain water harvesting shall continue to be a priority while considered as a
complementary water supply to other regular sources.
4.1.1 Ground water extraction
Before deciding to extract ground water, hydro geological information shall be collected and
mapped including water table, yield of ground water extraction sources and their water quality.
The maximum extraction for every identified source shall not exceed natural recharge.
4.1.2 Springs
Spring water may be used as a potable water source without treatment. Springs shall:
1) Have sufficient capacity and adequate quality when being selected as a water source;
2) Not be a stream which has gone underground and is re-emerging;
3) Not be polluted by surface runoff including its collection area;
4) Shall be on higher elevation than the area to be supplied, when to be connected to a
piped water system;
5) Be properly tapped and protected from pollution with a constructed structure for the
collection point, and with a protective cover for the catchment area.
A spring tank shall:
1) Not be built on swampy ground, in a flood prone zone or zone prone to erosion;
2) Be designed in a way that the flow from the spring does not cause erosion or damage.
4.1.3 Wells
The following shall be applied when planning for the use of wells as a potable water source:
1) Hand-dug wells may be used to extract groundwater in rural areas for communal or
individual water supply.
2) Wells shall be restricted to soft ground (clay, sand and gravel).
3) Erosion of aquifer material must be prevented.
4) The construction requirements for the lining of hand dug wells as specified by the
Building Code shall be respected.

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4.1.4 Boreholes
The following shall be applied when planning for the use of boreholes as a potable water
source:
1) Drilling boreholes shall not be permitted in areas with more than 30 dwelling units per
hectare.
2) Construction requirements for boreholes shall be specified by the Building Code.
3) A borehole shall have a minimum distance of 100 m from sources of pollution, such as
latrines, septic tanks, refuse dumps, cattle kraals, dip tanks and cemeteries.
4.1.5 Rain Water
The following shall be applied when planning for the use of rain water.
Rain water shall:
1) Be harvested wherever possible from roofs or ground surfaces to reduce the use of
potable water for other purposes than human consumption.
2) Be used to the best feasible extent in irrigation, toilets, and showers or for washing, to
reduce the used amount of treated water where possible.
Rainwater may be considered as source of potable water in areas where access to safe drinking
water is a challenge when:
1) The roofing material is suitable to not pollute the running of water; or
2) The collected water is treated by sand filtration, ceramic filtering, solar water
disinfection, or addition of chlorine, in case the roof material is unsuitable.
4.1.6 Surface water
The following shall be applied when planning for the use of surface water:
1) Surface water collected from lakes and rivers shall be treated before use for human
consumption.
2) The valid standard for design of intakes shall be respected.

4.2 Storm-Water and Erosion Control Planning and Management

The following principles shall be applied in storm water management and erosion control:
1) Sediment and solid pollutants shall be captured and treated before storm water enters
the environment;
2) Natural vegetation and other areas that filter runoff and reduce erosion shall be
preserved;
3) Storm water runoff shall be minimized through the support of infiltration into the
ground by one or more of the following measures:
a. Minimising impermeable surfaces;
b. Allowing water to run in sheet flow through vegetation;
c. Installing permeable material below ground depending on the soil
conditions.
4) Storm-water runoff shall discharge into one of the following:
a. An adequate soakaway or other adequate infiltration system;
b. Swales, basins and ponds if sites are large enough;
c. A watercourse;

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d. A storm water channel or sewer.

5) Infiltration measures shall be combined with rain water collection where possible.
6) Erosion from a site caused by land-disturbing operations shall be prevented or at least
reduced by controlling energy, velocity, and volume of runoff through soil stabilization
and structural measures.
7) Any physical impact on slopes steeper than 20 % and highly erodible soils shall be
avoided.
8) During construction:
a. the physically disturbed area shall be limited;
b. area-wide clearing be avoided, and
c. use of retaining walls to reduce the development footprint be
considered.
A storm-water management and erosion control plan shall: specify road gradation, dimensions
of channels, sedimentation ponds and constructed wetlands, energy dissipaters on steep slopes,
discharge of effluents, erosion control measures and their maintenance, upkeep and inspection.

4.3 Planning of Waste Water Management

When planning waste water management and treatment, the following shall be respected:
1) Treatment facilities shall be located at the lowest point of a human settlement and
ideally of the watershed to allow gravity flow;
2) When establishing a wastewater treatment system, it must be ensured that pollution of
ground water and surface water is prevented;
3) The quality of effluent shall be audited before release into the environment, and the
tolerance limits published by the responsible agency shall be respected;
4) Treatment shall achieve at least 90 % reduction of BOD5 to less than 20 mg/l, and of
suspended solids to less than 30 mg/l.
5) There shall be no physical connection between any potable water supply and effluent
discharge.
6) Soil absorption systems for effluent shall not be located in flood prone areas.
7) There shall be percolation tests performed in the area of discharge to determine the soil
absorbance rate for effluent.
8) There shall be no physical connection or cross-connection between any potable water
supply and effluent discharge.
9) Using untreated waste water for irrigation requires crop restrictions shall be an
accompanying measure, and the District shall keep residents fully informed about
where wastewater is used for irrigation.
4.3.1 Sewer systems
Sewers can be designed:
1) As separate carrying only waste water,
2) Partially combined carrying some storm-water in addition to waste water,
3) or combined carrying the full wastewater and storm-water flows.
The owner or occupant of any premises including of a private sewer, is entitled to connect to
any available public sewer to discharge domestic waste water and storm-water on application
to the District.

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When planning sewer systems, the following needs to be respected:

1) The minimum distance of any sewer line to potable water exit points shall be 15 m.
2) Water mains and sewers shall be separated horizontally, and sewers shall always be
located below water mains.
Waste water conduction through gravity shall always be preferred.
1) A sewer shall be designed to achieve self-cleaning velocity so that at a peak flow, any
deposited material is washed away.
2) The diameter of a sewer shall be calculated from the discharge, self-cleaning velocity,
pipe material, and slope.
3) The design and construction of a sewer including manholes, junction and inspection
chambers, covers, and placement of pumps as far as necessary shall be specified by the
Building Code.
4.3.2 Conventional gravity sewer system
Conventional gravity sewers shall use gravity where possible to convey black- water, grey-
water and storm-water from individual households to a centralized treatment facility, and
pumps where necessary.
1) Conventional gravity sewers do not require onsite primary treatment or storage of the
wastewater.
2) Conventional gravity sewers require a centralized treatment facility that is able to
receive the wastewater.
3) Conventional gravity sewers shall not be used in areas with high groundwater table, or
in flood prone conditions.
4) When a downhill grade cannot be maintained, a pump station must be installed.
5) Primary sewers shall be laid beneath.
4.3.3 Simplified Sewerage system
Simplified sewerage systems may be used in neighborhoods and laid in-block instead of in-
road in privately used land instead of public space, to reduce the length of sewer, diameter of
pipes, and costs.
1) Simplified sewerage systems shall be designed as separate system for waste water only,
but with some allowance for the entry of storm flows.
2) Simplified sewerage systems shall be considered for population densities higher than
150 p/ha.
3) Simplified sewerage systems shall only be considered where a reliable water supply is
available on or near each plot and where total water use is at least 60 liters / person /
day.
4) Settlement tanks shall be considered to precede sewers when water use is lower than 30
liters / person / day.
5) Draining water from yards and roofs to the sewer shall be discouraged.
6) Plots shall have a simple gully trap to attenuate flows to the sewer and catch grit before
it enters the sewer.
4.3.4 Decentralized waste water collection and treatment
The principles of waste water management for real estate development shall be as follows:

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1) If public centralized waste water sewers are not available, new neighborhood and real
estate development shall include waste water collection and treatment facilities.
2) Treatment systems using biogas digestion shall be considered especially for schools,
dormitories, hospitals, prisons, and for public lavatories which serve major market
places and/or public buildings and transit locations.
3) Where septic tank systems and biogas digesters are not possible for on-site sewage
treatment, compost toilets shall be used.
4) Where public sewers become available, buildings shall be connected to the public sewer
within a period determined by the District.
4.3.5 Domestic grey water
For grey water which is generated at domestic level, the following shall apply:
1) Untreated grey water shall not be discharged into the environment, or into pit latrines.
2) Domestic treatment of grey water shall remove settleable solids, fats, oil and grease.
3) Treated domestic effluent shall be discharged on a permeable area on the plot, into
existing drainage channels or into an infiltration trench/ soakaway.
4) The re-use of treated grey water shall be promoted.

4.4 Waste Water Treatment Facilities

Waste water shall be treated in different stages, with primary (mechanical) treatment always to
be provided.
The requirements for treatment systems including their operation, as well as treatment
parameters shall be regulated by the responsible agency.
When a private waste water disposal system malfunctions, the system shall be corrected with
specific conditions provided by the District.
4.4.1 General conditions for the siting of treatment facilities
1) Waste water treatment sites shall be located where they are:
a) Accessible for sludge removal.
b) Sloped less than 5 %.
c) Not on a ridge or hilltop.
d) Not on rocky ground, unless for systems installed above ground.
e) the high water table is not higher 2 m below ground, except for intermittent
sand filter;
f) They are not within a flood prone zone.
2) Prior to obtaining building permits for any portion of the project, waste water
discharge requirements and electrical installation requirements shall be obtained
from the responsible agencies.
3) For communal and central facilities, the long term managerial and financial needs
for the treatment plant shall be determined, including the persons responsible for
maintenance and monitoring, and a 10-year financial plan for operation,
maintenance and repair of the treatment plant which includes depreciation of
equipment, expected replacement times for equipment components and the financial
reserves necessary to meet these operational issues.

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4.4.2 Conditions for the siting of septic tank systems

The following conditions shall to be fulfilled when planning for the use of a septic tank and
anaerobic baffled reactor:
1) There must be a water connection on site.
2) The plot where proposed must have an area of at least 300 m 2.
3) The effluent of a septic tank shall either discharge into a soakaway, leachatefield or
other secondary treatment, or into a public sewer.
4) In Urban Residential zones with more than 30 dwelling units per hectare which are
not connected to a public sewer, large multi-chamber septic tanks shall be shared
for multiple clustered/or aligned housing units.
5) The minimum distance of a septic tank and effluent absorption area shall be 30 m
to fresh water bodies, water access points, boreholes, wells, or springs, and 15 m to
water lines.
6) There shall be no more than one septic tank on a plot located in an Urban Residential
area, and no more than two septic tanks on a plot in commercial, SEZ, or public
zone.
7) Where traditional septic tank systems are not suitable for on-site sewage treatment,
trickle filters, or compost toilets shall be used.
4.4.3 Additional conditions for the siting of treatment facilities
When planning for the use of Percolating filters, Reed beds, Package plants, Sedimentation
ponds, Intermittent Sand Filters, Anaerobic filters or biogas digesters, the following shall be
respected:
1) Stabilization ponds may be planned for neighborhoods and rural communities;
2) Percolating filters may be used for treatment of individual residential, rural,
municipal, or industrial sewage.
3) Reed beds may be planned in neighborhoods or large projects, where primary
treatment ensured;
4) Package plants may be planned for the treatment of industrial waste water when
continuous power supply is ensured.
5) Sedimentation ponds may be used within human settlement areas with low densities
of less than 20 dwelling units/ha or outside human settlements, and shall be coupled
with an on-site drying or composting.
6) Anaerobic filtering technology may be planned for use at household level, for
cluster housing or for small neighborhoods where water use is high and supply of
wastewater is constant.
7) Intermittent sand filters may be planned in large areas with sandy filter media, and
may be applied in conditions of shallow soil cover and high groundwater.
4.4.4 Conditions for the use of biogas technology
Biogas technology shall be considered when off-grid solutions are necessary, and especially
for public buildings with many users, such as schools, prisons, dormitories, etc., and
1) Outside potential flooding areas;
2) Outside areas with regular high rainfall;
3) Outside areas with high ground water level < 2 m, except when built above ground;
4) There is regular water supply on site;
5) When site is accessible for sludge removal by a vehicle.
4.4.5 Conditions for Leachatefields and soakaways
Leachatefields and soakaways shall:

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1) Be used in combination with septic tank, reed bed or percolating filter;

2) Not be placed in areas with regular high rainfall;
3) Be more than 2 m above water table.
Soil absorption sites shall:
1) Not be located on land with a slope greater than 20 %;
2) Not be covered or paved in the area where the effluent is discharged;
3) Be restricted for large vehicles to enter the land above.
The following distances for leachate fields and soakaways shall apply:
1) 1.50 m from plot boundaries;
2) 3 m from roadway ditch;
3) 5 m from residential buildings and swimming pools;
4) 7.50 m from public buildings;
5) 30 m from underground cisterns, wells, lakes, reservoirs, streams, watercourses; and
springs;
6) 15 m from water mains.
Construction requirements for leachate fields and soakaways shall be regulated by the Building
Code.
4.4.6 Toilets
1) Ecological Sanitation certified systems may be permitted:
a. If suitable for the local conditions, depending on space, building height, and
assurance of use or disposal of waste product;
b. When no drainage system or sewerage connection is available.
2) Ecological Sanitation certified systems may be planned for in areas including:
c. Areas with high water table < 2 m and in flood prone areas;
d. Areas with limited water supply;
e. Near a lake and with high predominance of mosquitoes.
3) Dehydration vaults may be used independent of water supply, soil type, ground
water table, and availability of space, apart from space being required when
constructing.
The use of pit latrines may be planned under the following conditions:
1) On permeable soils, when giving special attention to soil stability measures
2) On other soils when provisions are made for pit emptying when full.
3) With a minimum distance of 30 m from any potable water source, and 15 m from
pipes conducting potable water.
4) With a minimum distance of 6 m from any house and 3 m from any plot boundary,
or 4 m from any house, and 2 m from any plot boundary when is is a Ventilated
Improved Pit Latrine (VIP)
5) With a pit which is at least 2 m deep but completely above the water table. Above-
surface Latrines will be encouraged in areas where the water table is near.
6) Outside flood prone areas.
No more than 30 pit latrines per ha shall be permitted except when regular emptying services
and vehicular access to the pit latrine on the plot must are ensured.

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4.5 Planning of Solid Waste Management and Location of Facilities

4.5.1 Storage of solid waste

1) Waste, other than composting material, shall be properly stored.
2) Each business entity or office shall use waste bins for the temporary storage of solid
waste, to be collected by the District Authority or its contractor.
4.5.2 Waste Segregation, re-use and recycling
1) Solid waste shall at the point of disposal be divided into biodegradable, recyclables
(plastics, metals and glasses), other non-biodegradable, and hazardous wastes.
2) Waste collection points, separation and recycling commerce shall be co-located.
3) A segregation area shall:
a. Be located away from direct runoff zone of a river or stream
b. Allow vehicle access
c. Be covered and fenced to keep out rain and animals.
4) The reduction of waste before reaching the landfill shall be encouraged through
waste segregation, recycling of as many waste materials as possible, and reuse.
5) Organic waste materials shall be composted, briquetted, or digested in a biogas
reactor.
6) Districts or lower local level authorities shall support the private sorting of waste
before disposal, combined with recycling businesses.
7) Public institutions, e.g. schools shall be encouraged to participate in recycling.
4.5.3 Waste transportation
1) Waste transportation routes shall follow an agreement with the District.
2) Waste transporting facilities shall ensure that no drop offs or nuisance is caused to
the public during the transfer to the disposal point.
4.5.4 Disposal of solid waste
1) Deposition or disposal of solid waste shall be in a way to not cause a hazard to
human health or environment or any public nuisance.
2) No solid waste shall be incinerated, burned, or otherwise disposed in any place
except at a designated waste disposal site. This does not apply to building rubble
used as fill material, mine trailing, vegetative material from land clearing, and
vegetative agricultural waste.
3) No person shall dispose any pesticide, toxic substance or any other hazardous waste
in other than at a designated site or plant approved by the District.
4) Pesticides shall under no circumstances be dumped or disposed into any sewerage
system.
5) A solid waste disposal site requires official authorization from the responsible
District authorities.
4.5.5 Disposal of solid construction waste and building rubble
Waste deriving from ground preparation or demolition of buildings shall be properly managed,
with a management plan being submitted to the District as part of the building or demolition
permit application.
Building rubble, mine trailing, vegetative material from land clearing, and vegetative
agricultural waste may be used as fill material or reused as follows:
1) Old bricks, tiles, ceramics, metal and other undamaged building materials may be
reused in construction.

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2) Broken materials such as concrete slabs, rubble, bricks and ceramics can be crushed
and used as hardcore for building roads, coarse aggregate for concrete or as filler
material in construction projects.
3) Soil may be cleaned and re-used.
4) Waste wood shall be recovered and recycled.
Toxic and hazardous waste must be removed from building waste before disposal or recycling
and properly be buried.
4.5.6 Waste incineration
1) On-site incineration is recommended in the following exceptional cases:
a. in remote locations away from infrastructure and where removal is not
economically feasible, or
b. in areas where waste collection would result in open dumping or disposal in a
river.
2) Waste incineration requires authorization by the District following standards to
prevent environmental contamination, fire hazard and other public risks.
4.5.7 Burial of hazardous and toxic waste
1) Burial of toxic waste requires an authorization from the District Authority.
2) Management of hazardous waste shall be regulated by the responsible agency.
4.5.8 Organic waste
1) The organic content in a landfill site shall be reduced by either composting or
briquetting of organic waste, to reduce landfill gas released into the atmosphere.
2) Domestic organic waste shall be separated from other wastes and composted on site.
3) The compressing of suitable organic waste into pellets or briquettes for cooking fuel
shall be promoted, while respecting maximum emission parameters when burning
as regulated by the responsible agency.
4.5.9 Disposal sites
1) Drainage of water into landfill and leaks out must be minimized through appropriate
selecting the landfill location considering the surface topography and subsurface
hydrogeological conditions.
2) Municipal landfills shall be lined with:
a. A bottom clay layer to avoid downward movement of organic pollutants from
liquid waste into the soil material to the maximum extent possible, and to
provide a firm base for installment of the remaining liners; and with
b. A geomembrane liner to limit water moving into the clay liner the maximum
extent possible.
3) Leachate collection lines shall be placed within trenches constructed as part of the
liner system, and sloped toward the collection sump where the leachate shall be
removed from the landfill.
4) Requirements for lining, elevation from historic high level of ground water,
collection and treatment of the run-off of surface waters and other liquids and other
authorization criteria for commercial and non-commercial landfills shall be
determined by the Building Code and shall respect international standards where
not sufficiently regulated.
5) Disposal sites shall not be established or expanded within below land uses:
c. Within 100 m of a road;
d. Within 400 m of residential, commercial and public buildings;

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e. Within 1,000 m of a river bank;

f. Within 400 m of a water source;
g. on land used for a water supply system;
h. Within a flood area, flood plain, or wetland;
i. Within dam failure;
j. In any location that could cause water contamination, including the water of a
lake, reservoir, or pond.
k. Within 300 m of a park, monument, recreation area, wilderness or wilderness
study area, wild and scenic river area, ecologically and scientifically significant
area, farmland area, or in “prime”, “unique”, or of “government wide importance” area;
l. Within 400 m of a burial site;
m. Within 3,000 m of an airport runway;
n. Within a subsistence agriculture area;
o. Above an underground mine;
p. Above a fault;
q. Above a salt bed;
r. Near other geologic features which could compromise structural integrity;
s. Within an area of volcanic hazard.
6) A landfill shall be accessible by vehicles at all-time independent of the season.

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Chapter 5: Integrated Urban Planning

There shall be Urban Planning Board meetings at Districts and City of Kigali. For cross boarder
district plans, the inter district urban planning meetings shall be undertaken where applicable.

4.1 Urban Planning Coordination Meeetings

5.1.1 Responsibilities
The responsibility of an Urban Planning Coordination meeting shall be:
 To coordinate and integrate plans and implementing decisions across development
sectors and stakeholders in line with existing plans;
 To assess building permit and real estate development permit applications under their
legal responsibility and prepare the technical decision;
 Take and monitor development decisions in conformity with the applicable planning
documents for land development and urban planning, and taking into account the
harmonization of all technical aspects and various interests for the benefit of the general
public;
 To initiate the development of an interim development strategy, where no urban
planning document exists, while initiating the development of the required urban
planning document;
 To analyze and evaluate feasibility studies and development proposals responding to
public tenders.
5.1.2 Meetings of Planning Coordination
Meetings of the Inter-District Urban Planning Coordination meeting shall be:
 Bi-monthly at minimum, with additional meetings if need arises.
 Notified on a notice board of the Ministry in charge of urban development on its
website, and using a stakeholder mailing list.
Meetings for the City of Kigali Planning Coordination meeting shall be:
 Held every month at minimum, with additional meetings if need arises.
 Notified on a notice board of the City of Kigali, on its website, and using a stakeholder
mailing list.
Meetings of a District Planning Coordination meeting shall be:
 Bi-monthly at minimum, with additional meetings may be called if need arises.
5.1.3 Openness of Planning Coordination meeting to public
Meetings of a Planning Coordination meeting shall generally be open to the public.
Specific discussions may, for reasons to be specified to the Chair of the Planning Coordination
meeting, be restricted to invitees only.

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5.1.4 Modalities when calling for Planning Coordination meeting meetings

The secretariat of a Planning Coordination meeting shall maintain a database of all members
of the Coordination meeting, and of all stakeholders in the urbanisation and rural settlement
sector relative to the area of responsibility of the respective coordination meeting.
The secretariat shall prepare a Planning Coordination meeting calendar with tentative dates
proposed over the course of 6 months.
Invitations to attend a Planning Coordination meeting shall be delivered one week before the
date of a meeting. The invitation letter shall list the projects to be discussed, and shall provide
additional information about each project, including its geographic location.

5.2 Reporting and Publication of Planning Coordination Meeting Decisions

The secretariat shall take minutes of every Planning Coordination meeting, and circulate among
the coordination meeting members within 5 working days after every meeting.
The secretariat shall further publish the decision taken regarding every project on the website
and notice board of the ministry in charge of urban development and human settlement, or the
website and notice board of the respective local government as applicable.
The secretariat shall further inform the applicant for the project in writing of the outcome of
the meeting within 5 working days after the meeting which included the concerned project in
its agenda. In case the agenda had been changed for an unforeseen reason and the project has
not been discussed as planned, the applicant shall also be informed in writing, including
information about the newly scheduled date for the discussion of the project.

5.3 Monitoring of implementation of Planning Coordination meeting

decisions
A database of all projects of National and provincial importance should be regularly maintained
at the Ministry of Infrastructure, and be accessible to all other stakeholders.
A database of all projects of local importance shall be regularly maintained at the respective
District.
The databases should also contain all relevant information including plans, and minutes of the
Planning Coordination meeting meetings.

5.4 Non-conformity of projects with Planning Coordination meeting

decisions
Liability action against violation of decisions of planning coordination meeting is regulated
through the respective orders and instructions regarding the subject matter. The planning board
having the violating activity within its area of responsibility shall be responsible to oversee the
liability enforcement.

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Chapter 6: Urban Plan Notations and

Graphics

6.1 Notations of Urban Planning Documents

Any planning document shall contain the following notation:
1) Scale
2) North
3) Legend
4) Title
5) Date of approval
6) Approving authority
7) Author
8) Geographic location
Any planning document shall use the codes and color codes as below.

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Land Use Code Color Land Use Sub-Category Code Color

Category Code
Urban Residential 255-035-001 Urban core mixed use
255-035-001
Urban sub-center residential
255-117-020
Off-core residential
243-159-024
Commercial 222-076-138 Central and nodal business
222-076-138
district
Off-core commercial area
160-052-114
Special Economic 141-148-141 Heavy industry and power plants
078-084-082 SEZ
Zone
Agro-industry
130-108-052 SEZ
Light industry and technology
141-148-141 SEZ
Economic development,
222-076-138 SEZ
financial and commercial centre
Touristic and recreational
053-104-045 SEZ
Residential buildings
255-035-001 SEZ
Airports and 141-148-141 Airports and transport hubs
141-148-141
transport hubs
Public Education and research
administrative, Health
institutional and 059-131-189 Cultural 059-131-189
service uses Religion
Communal
Civic services
Cemeteries and crematoria
Recreation Recreation
053-104-045 053-104-045
Agriculture Agriculture
000-187-045 000-187-045
Urban agriculture
U
Forestry Forestry
030-089-069 030-089-069
Mining Mining
169-131-007 169-131-007
Nature preservation Floodplains
area Wetlands
189-236-182 Steep slopes and hilltops 189-236-182
National parks
Natural and indigenous forests
Natural open space
Buffer zone
Historical
preservation
248-243-053 ⌂ Historical preservation
248-243-053 ⌂
Natural water body Natural water body
063-136-143 063-136-143
Water reservoirs and Water reservoirs and treatment
141-148-141 141-148-141
treatment plants plants

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063-136-143 063-136-143
Hatched Hatched

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UMUGEREKA WA II W’ITEKA RYA ANNEX II OF MINISTERIAL ORDER ANNEXE II À L’ARRȆTÉ

MINISITIRI N° 03/CAB.M/019 RYO N° 03/CAB.M/019 OF 15/04/2019 MINISTÉRIEL N° 03/CAB.M/019 DU
KU WA 15/04/2019 RISHYIRAHO DETERMINING URBAN PLANNING 15/04/2019 DÉTERMINANT LES
AMABWIRIZA AJYANYE AND BUILDING REGULATIONS RÈGLEMENTS D’URBANISME ET
N’IMITUNGANYIRIZE Y’IMIJYI DE CONSTRUCTION
N’IMYUBAKIRE

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RWANDA BUILDING CODE-VERSION 2 2019 140

REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
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CHAPTER 1:
GENERAL PROVISIONS

RWANDA BUILDING CODE-VERSION 2141 2019

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CONTENTS

PART 1: APPLICATIONS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE ................................... 4

SECTION 1: TITLE & PURPOSE ............................................................................................... 4
SECTION 2: SCOPE & APPLICATION ..................................................................................... 5
SECTION 3: STRUCTURE & CHAPTER SYNOPSIS .............................................................. 6

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PART 1: APPLICATIONS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE

SECTION 1: TITLE & PURPOSE

1.1.1.1. These regulations are hereby introduced to as Rwanda Building Code and shall be
cited as such and are to be referred to as “the Code” and abbreviated as “RBC.”

1.1.1.1. The purpose of this Code is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard
the public health, safety and general welfare. This is done through regulating,
controlling, and monitoring the design, construction, quality of materials, use and
occupancy, location, maintenance, sanitation, lighting and ventilation, energy
conservation, and safety including measures to protect life and property from fire
and other hazards attributed to the built environment, for all buildings and related
non-building structures in Rwanda.

1.1.1.2. This Code is divided into six (6) chapters, fifteen parts (15) and one hundred and
seven (107) sections; each chapter is comprised of at least one part and each part
is comprised of multiple sections and each section is comprised of several
regulations.

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SECTION 2: SCOPE & APPLICATION

1.1.2.1. The provisions of this Code shall apply to site planning, building site operations,
materials selection, construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair,
equipment, use and occupancy, maintenance, removal and demolition of any building or
structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures in
Rwanda.
1.1.2.2. Throughout the world, buildings and other construction works are designed to meet
standard requirements, expressed and established in national and international standards
or regulations particular to a jurisdiction. None of these requirements is replaced or
changed by this Code.
1.1.2.3. The Rwanda Building Code has been prepared by referring to different laws governing
the building construction industry and was given legal effect by the Ministerial Order
determining Urban Planning and Building Regulations.
1.1.2.4. In the event that any part or provision of this Code is held to be illegal or void, this shall
not have the effect of making void or illegal any of the other parts or provisions of the
Code.
1.1.2.5. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of promulgation of this Code
shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this
Code or as is deemed necessary by the Building Consent Authority to comply with the
current master plan or/and ensure the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the
public.

1.1.2.6. For purposes of public safety and accessibility for people with disability, permittees shall
be obliged to comply with the provisions of this Code even if the building was in place
before this Code came into existence.

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SECTION 3: STRUCTURE & CHAPTER SYNOPSIS

1.1.3.1. The Rwanda Building Code performance-based; it is essentially formulated in a

manner that defines objectives, functional and performance requirements for each
element defined and outlined in it the code to ensure compliance with the
regulations.

1.1.3.2. Wherever possible, in performance-based code approach, solutions that minimally

meet the performance requirements are given, while allowing sufficient room for
alternative acceptable solutions generated by or for the end users.

1.1.3.3. Chapters Synopsis: The Rwanda Building Code is structured in 6 chapters, 15

parts and 107 sections. It comprises regulations for design, construction and other
guidelines for the defined components or requirements of buildings and structures
making reference to indispensable national, regional or international standards
and other codes of practice as deemed appropriate.

1.1.3.4. CHAPTER 1- GENERAL PROVISIONS

This chapter is divided into five (5) parts within which they contain a total of
thirty-six (36) sections which establishes the limits of applicability of the Code
and describes how it is to be applied and enforced.

The Code identifies which buildings and structures come under its scope and
defines technical terms as used in this Code and gives reference to other Codes
used while establishing this code. This chapter also details the duties of the
competent authority in charge of enforcement of this Code. Procedures for
obtaining development and building permits, and responsibility of all
professionals involved in the planning, design and construction of the building are
outlined.

The chapter further establishes the classification of building structures and sets
guidelines about development control rules and general requirements for proper
planning and design at the layout and building level to ensure public safety and
desired quality of life including considerations for people with disabilities
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1.1.3.5. CHAPTER 2- STRUCTURE & BUILDING MATERIALS

This chapter provides for structural adequacy of buildings for both internal and
external environment. It prescribes minimum structural loading requirements for
use in the design and construction of buildings and structural components. It
includes minimum design loads, as well as permitted design methodologies.
Standards are provided for minimum design loads (live, dead, wind, rain, floods
and earthquakes as well as load combinations).

The chapter references rely on many internationally recognized design standards.

In particular the chapter covers several components of the building including, but
not limited to:

(i) Soils, Excavations 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.
(ii) Walling and Roofs- It covers or formwork structural design aspects of
unreinforced load bearing and non-load bearing walls, constructed using
various bricks, stones and permitted blocks, covers provisions for design
of reinforced brick and reinforced brick concrete floors, roofs assemblies,
roof structures and re-roofing. It also covers guidelines regarding
earthquake resistance of low strength masonry buildings.
(iii) The masonry provides comprehensive and practical requirements for
masonry construction with required minimum accepted practices and the
use of standards for the design and construction of masonry structures- It
addresses: material specifications and test methods; types of wall
construction; criteria for engineered and empirical designs; required
details of construction including the execution works Masonry design
methodologies include allow-able stress design, strength design and
empirical design. Also addressed are masonry fire-places and chimneys,
masonry heaters and glass unit masonry
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(iv) Concrete - It provides minimum acceptable practices to the design and

construction of buildings and structural components using concrete-both
plain and reinforced, addressing concrete slabs, anchorage to concrete, and
reinforced gypsum concrete and concrete-filled pipe columns.
(v) Floors – It provides minimum acceptable practices to the design and
construction with various types of materials
(vi) 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. It also covers recommendations regarding modular planning,
component sizes, prefabrication systems, design considerations, joints and
manufacture, storage, transport and erection of prefabricated concrete
elements for use in buildings and such related requirements,
Part seven (7) of this chapter deals with materials and includes the
requirements of other building materials and components, and criteria for
evaluating and adopting or alternative building materials and components
and provides guidance to structural engineers for varied usage of
material/technology types for building design. This section integrates the
local Rwandan building materials and the concepts of using local names.

1.1.3.6. CHAPTER 3- FIRE SAFETY

The provisions of this chapter present the fundamental concepts of fire

performance that all buildings are expected to achieve in some form. This chapter
identifies the acceptable materials, techniques and design methods for
buildingability to limit the impact of fire. Types of separations addressed include
fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, horizontal assemblies, smoke barriers and
smoke partitions and interior finishes.

The requirements of these sections work in unison with height and area
requirements in Chapter 1, and active fire detection and suppression systems and
occupant egress requirements that prescribes the minimum requirements for
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active systems of fire protection equipment to detect a fire; alert the occupants or
fire department of a fire emergency; and control smoke and control or extinguish
the fire. Generally, the requirements are based on the occupancy, the height and
the area of the building, because these are the factors that most affect fire-fighting
capabilities and the relative hazard of a specific building or portion thereof. The
general requirements for accessibility and evacuation are set forth in this section
regulating the design of the means of egress and establishing primary methods for
protection of people in buildings by allowing their timely relocation or
evacuation.

Both prescriptive and performance languages are utilized in this chapter to

provide a basic approach in the determination of a safe exiting system for all
occupancies. It addresses all portions of the egress system and includes design
requirements as well as provisions regulating individual components.

The requirements detail the size, arrangement, number and protection of means
of egress components. Functional and operational characteristics are also
specified for the components that will permit their safe use without special
knowledge or effort. This chapter also contains provisions that set forth
requirements for accessibility of buildings and their associated sites and facilities
for people with disabilities. The fundamental philosophy of the Code on the
subject of accessibility is that every building and related facility is required to be
accessible.

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1.1.3.7. CHAPTER 4- BUILDING SERVICES

This chapter elaborates on utilities and provides detailed guidance to concerned
professionals/utility engineers for meeting necessary functional requirements in
buildings. Part eleven of this code contains thirteen sections and is discussed here
under:

(i) Energy Efficiency- The purpose of this part is to provide minimum

design requirements that will promote efficient utilization of energy in
buildings. The requirements are directed towards the design of building
envelopes with adequate thermal resistance and low air leakage, and
towards the design and selection of mechanical, water heating, electrical
and illumination systems that promote effective use of depletable energy
resources.
(ii) Lighting and Ventilation- It covers requirements and methods for
lighting and ventilation of buildings.
(iii) Electrical Installations- It covers the essential requirements for electrical
and related 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.
(iv) 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.
(v) Acoustics, Sound Insulation and Noise Control- It covers requirements
and guidelines for noise control, acceptable noise levels and the
requirements for sound insulation in buildings with different occupancies
(vi) Stairways, Ramps and Guarding- It covers elements of accessibility to
all types of buildings for all its users including people with disability
(vii) Lifts and Escalators- It covers the essential requirements for the
installation, operation, maintenance and also inspection of lifts (passenger

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lifts, goods lifts, hospital lifts, and service lifts) and escalators so as to
ensure safe and satisfactory performance.
(viii) Security systems- It covers all fittings and installations to monitor the
movement of people entering and exiting the building to ensure security in
the premises
(ix) Telecommunication installations- It covers all fittings and related
accessories for broadband/internet in the building
(x) Plumbing & Drainage- Plumbing gives detailed guidance to concerned
plumbing professional engineers with regard to all plumbing installations
with related requirements in buildings like gas, rainwater and drainage. 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 and storage systems. Drainage-
covers the design, layout, construction and maintenance of drains for foul
water, surface water and sub-soil water and sewage; together with all
ancillary works, such as connections, manholes and inspection chambers
within and from the building and their connection to a public or private
sewer, individual sewage-disposal system, cesspool, soak away or to other
approved point of disposal/ treatment work. It also includes the provisions
on solid waste management
(xi) It also 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
(xii) Waterborne sanitation- It covers liquid wastes in the building
(xiii) Non- Waterborne sanitation- It covers all types of pit latrines and their
applications in building
(xiv) Solid waste management- It covers all types of solid wastes resulting
from the use of buildings and appropriate methods of management

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1.1.3.8. CHAPTER 5-CONSTRUCTION SAFETY, INSPECTION,

MAINTENANCE & DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

This chapter covers the construction planning, management and practices in

buildings; storage, stacking and handling of materials, safety of personnel during
construction works and demolition of buildings. It also covers guidelines relating
to maintenance management, repairs, retrofitting and strengthening of buildings.
The objective can be best achieved through proper coordination and working by
the project management and construction management teams. These provisions
deal with alternative methods or reduced compliance requirements when dealing
with existing building constraints. This section allows for a controlled departure
from full compliance with the technical Codes, without compromising the
minimum standards for fire prevention and life safety features of the rehabilitated
building. Provisions are divided by addition, alterations, repairs, change of
occupancy and moved structures. There are also specific allowances for
replacement of existing stairways, replacement of glass and accessibility
requirements. The fire escape requirements in this section are also included.

The chapter also provides regulations and considerations for maintenance of

existing buildings and installations therein, to protect occupants of existing
buildings and structures from health and safety hazards arising from the improper
maintenance and use of those buildings and structures. It also provides guidelines
to protect occupants of existing buildings and structures from health and safety
hazards arising from the improper maintenance and use of those buildings and
structures.

It also contains specific guidelines to the rehabilitation of existing buildings that

may be used as an acceptable alternative to the purpose and context of Rwanda.
The purpose of this section is to facilitate the rehabilitation of vacant, substandard
or unsafe building and non-building structures. It also deals with requirements and
guidelines for inspection of existing buildings, site for new constructions
inspections, post disasters, inspections for refurbishment. It also provides general
guidelines for inspection works during all stages of construction for quality
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assurance as opposed to quality inspection. Guidelines for scientifically based

reporting, measurement and professional assessment are provided as widely as
possible to achieve performance-based Code adequacy. Required forms are
provided in the general provisions with notices and forms. It finally deals with
disaster management considerations for purposes of protecting lives and property;
emphasis is placed on potential hazard assessment, post disaster recovery centers
and mechanisms for alleviation in different classifications of buildings and the
regions of the country. Components of risk mitigation are also included.

1.1.3.9. CHAPTER 6- SPECIAL PROVISIONS

This chapter deals with techniques and local unique construction methods and
procedures to different areas of the country. It also provides requirements for
sustainable design, construction and affordability as well as maintaining and
promoting local approaches in solving engineering, architectural, environmental
and related problems associated with buildings and non-building structures while
ensuring an all-inclusive building Code.

This chapter promotes the use of indigenous knowledge and home-grown

solutions as practically possible but not limited to the following in:

(i) Dealing with special construction exemptions for areas of steep slopes,
problematic soils, disaster prone areas of the country, unplanned areas
specific rural areas, and densely populated settlements, mobile homes,
security facilities and buildings.
(ii) Dealing with green construction practices for buildings and other
structures for resource efficiency, sustainability and affordability aspects
including both optimal land use, waste management, erosion control in
construction zones, sub-structure and super structure systems and multi-
functional public spaces (such as may be used for both recreation
biodiversity maintenance and simultaneous waste treatment and flooding
controls/alleviations).

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(iii) Dealing with possible and appropriate incentives to motivate and

encourage investors to invest in green construction projects as they can be
expensive in the short term but sustainable in the long term
(iv) Dealing with special local materials for walling, binding, roofing, flooring
and interior finishing applications with a focus on local availability and
innovation in addition to the special indigenous techniques and
constructions as well as local materials considerations in the structure and
materials chapter.
(v) Dealing with special communal settlements “Imidugudu” considerations
particularly focusing on engineering, architectural and environmental
aspects of innovating for cost reductions and sustainability as well as
associated general guidelines.
(vi) Dealing with historic buildings, memorial and burial sites considerations
(including mausoleums, museums, memorials and cemeteries, etc) with
regards to location, construction and special maintenance requirements.
(vii) Dealing with incremental building conditions and guidelines geared
towards facilitating partial construction and occupancy for different
functions and uses of buildings.

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CONTENTS

PART 2: INTERPRETATIONS................................................................................................ 17
SECTION 1: GENERAL ............................................................................................................ 17
SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................................... 18
SECTION 3: REFERENCE STANDARDS............................................................................... 79
SECTION 4: OTHER REFERENCE DOCUMENTS ............................................................. 101

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PART 2 : INTERPRETATIONS

SECTION 1 : GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.2.1.1. Interpretation of the Code: The laws, regulations and instructions under
reference in this Code shall be read together with the provisions of this Code.
Where there is conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement,
the specific requirement shall be applicable. Where, in any specific case, different
sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other
requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. The provisions of this Code shall
not be deemed to nullify any provisions of other Rwanda laws.

1.2.1.2. Review of the Code: The Code shall be subject to review, changes and/or
amendments at any time when it shall be deemed necessary in order to keep pace
with changes in the building and construction industry as well as advancement in
building construction science and technology.

1.2.1.3. Reference Standards: For all international referenced standards used in this
Code, Rwanda Standards shall take precedence as and when they are developed,
adopted and/or adapted. And the users of this Code shall ensure they apply
appropriate parts of the latest versions of the standards in force.

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SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS

1.2.2.1. For the purpose of this Code, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

Acceptable Means acceptable, adequate, appropriate, satisfactory or

Adequate suitable:
Appropriate a. in the opinion of any local authority or
Satisfactory
b. in relation to any document issued by the
Suitable
c. Building Control Authority or Building Consent
d. Authority,
e. in the opinion of the Building Control
f. Authority or Building Consent Authority

Escape Door Means an entrance to an escape or emergency route.

Access Opening Entrance leading to a building/structure.
Accessory A device associated with current using equipment or with
the wiring of an installation; for example, a switch, a plug,
a socket outlet, a lamp holder, or a ceiling rose.

Accredit Give authority or sanction to a public or private company,

firm, association, organisation or individual when
recognized standards have been met.
Accreditation Is the process in which certification of competency,
Authority, or credibility is presented.
Additive Material added in small quantities to a liquid or granular
material to produce some desired modification to its
properties.
Adjoining property Means land, including any street, highway, lane, footway,
square, alley and right of way, situated in relation to the
site on which building work is to occur as to be at risk of
significant damage from the building work.
Admixtures Additive substances added to concrete during mixing for
special role.
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Aggregate Granular material, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone,

and iron blast-furnace slag, used with a cementing
medium to form a hydraulic cement concrete or mortar.

Air changes The rate of air entering or leaving a space by natural or

mechanical means in terms of the volume of the space.

Air Conditioning Control System An automatic control system, designed to stop

mechanically induced air movement within a designated
fire compartment, actuated by smoke detectors and
provided with a central, manually operated back up
facility.

Air Conditioning System A system of mechanical ventilation where air that has been
cleansed is supplied to a building under conditions of
controlled temperature, humidity, distribution and
movement.

Air Conditioning The process of treating air so as to control simultaneously

its temperature, humidity, purity, distribution and
movement to meet the requirements of the air conditioned
space.

Air Duct A pipe, tube, conduit or enclosed space used or to be used

in any building for the transmission of air in an artificial
ventilation system.

Air Exhausts Air other than recycled air, removed from an enclosure
and discharged to atmosphere.

Air Gap Means the unobstructed vertical distance through the free
atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or
faucet supplying water to tank, plumbing fixture or other
device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.

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Air-Supported Structure Structure formed by a thin flexible membrane that is

supported by air pressure.

Air-Inflated Structure A structure that uses air-pressurized membrane beams,

arches or other elements to enclose space. Occupants of
such a structure do not occupy the pressurized area used to
support the structure.

Airport Whole of the land and installations necessary for air traffic
serving a town or a region

Annunciator A unit containing one or more indicator lamps,

alphanumeric displays or other equivalent means in which
each indication provides status information about a circuit,
condition or location.

Apartment A living place made up of several adjoining rooms,

situated in a building which has several rooms.
Apparatus Electrical apparatus including all machines, appliances and
fittings in which conductors are used or of which they
form a part.

Appliance Any device which uses electricity excluding a light fitting

or independent motor.

Applicant Any person who makes an application under these

building regulations.
Application A request made under these building regulations.
Approved Plan Refers to the drawing plan retained by the building
consent authority being a true copy of the plan or plans
approved.
Approved Accepted by the Building Control Authority and/or
Building Consent Authority as appropriate.

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Architect A person who is registered in accordance with the law

governing architects and engineers.

Artificial Ventilation System A system in which air is caused to circulate through a

room by means of a mechanical apparatus which forces air
into or extracts air from such room.

Audible Alarm Notification Notification appliance that alerts by the sense of hearing.

Automatic Gate A gate that is intended for use at a vehicular entrance or

exit to a facility, building or portion thereof, and that is not
intended for use by pedestrian traffic.

Automatic Smoke Detection System A fire alarm system that has initiation devices that utilizes
smoke detectors for protection of an area such as a room
or space with detectors to provide early warning of fire.

Backfill Materials used or re-used to fill an excavation.

Backflow The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances

into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from
any source other than its intended source.

Backup Battery This is a rechargeable battery that provides power to the

building security system in the event that the AC power is
no longer functioning.

Balcony Any stage, platform, oriel window or other similar

structure projecting outwards from or recessed into the
wall of a building and supported by brackets or
cantilevered.
Balustrade Is a row of balusters meant for supporting moving
handrails.

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Bamboo Tall perennial grasses found in tropical and sub-tropical

regions, they belong to the family Phocaea and sub-family
Bambusoidae.

Bar Rigid solid section of any cross-sectional area small in

relation to its length.
Barricade Any object or structure that creates a barrier or obstacle to
control, block passage or force the flow of traffic in the
desired direction.

Barrier Something (such as a fence or natural obstacle) that

prevents or blocks movement from one place to another
Base Element that supports the flooring.

Basement Storey Means a storey the floor of which is situated at such a level
that more than half the height of the storey is below the
level of the ground adjoining its perimeter walls for more
than half the length of the perimeter walls.

Basement Shall mean that portion of a building, which is partly or

completely below ground level.

Bath Long open vessel for washing oneself in.

Beam Structural member designed to carry loads between or

beyond points of support, usually narrow in relation to its
length and horizontal or nearly so.

Bidet Low basin for sitting astride on to wash genitals.

Block Any masonry unit which has a length of more than 300mm
or a width of more than 130mm.

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Borehole A sinking made in the ground by the process of boring so

as to obtain water.

Boundary In relation to a building or compartment means the

boundary of the plot or lot belonging to the building.

Boundary Wall Any wall, fence, enclosure or screen built on or along the
boundary line of a parcel of land for the purpose of
separating the land from another adjoining parcel of land.

Bracket Support projecting horizontally from a vertical surface.

Branch Circuit, General Purpose A branch circuit that supplies a number of outlets for
lighting and appliance.

Branch Circuit, Appliance A branch circuit supplying energy to one or more outlets
to which appliances are to be connected; such branch
circuits do not have any permanently connected lighting
fixtures except those that are integral parts of the
appliances themselves.

Branch Circuit, Individual A branch circuits that supplies only one utilization
equipment.

Branch‐ Distribution Board Located in the same floor of a building and connected to
one of the Sub Distribution Boards in the same floor.

Brick Any masonry unit that is not a block.

Builder Any person who is or will be responsible for the works on

site.

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Building Consent Authority Refers to the City of Kigali or District One Stop Centre for
building construction or any other body permitted by the
Building Control Authority to undertake planning and
building control including granting building permits and
inspect building construction works.

Building Control Authority Refers to the authority in charge of human settlement

meant to efficiently organize and manage the building
construction industry.

Building Coverage Means the percentage of the plot area occupied by the
ground area of the primary and all ancillary buildings on
such plot, inclusive of the shadow area created by
cantilevered building projections.

Building Element Major functional part of a building, for example:

foundation, floor, roof, wall, services.

Building Envelope The elements of a building which enclose air conditioned

spaces through which thermal energy may be transferred
from the exterior.

Building Fabric Elements and components of a building other than

furniture and services.

Building Height The dimensional height in metres measured from the

lowest ground level abutting any part of the building to the
level.

Building Line In relation to a site, means a line prescribed in any town

planning scheme or any other law designating the
boundaries of the area of the site outside of which the
erection above ground of any building is prohibited.

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Building Maintenance Work undertaken to maintain or restore the performance of

the building fabric and its services to provide an efficient
and acceptable operating environment to its users.

Building Official An officer of the Building Control Authority or Building

Consent Authority who is responsible for carrying out the
provisions of this Code as well as the enforcement of the
provisions of this Code.

Building Plan/Layout Drawing Is an orthographic drawing of a building on a horizontal

plane and a horizontal section.

Building Professional A person engaged or qualified in a building profession.

Building Refurbishment The action of renovating a building including structural or

aesthetic work, modernizing or restoring to a previous
condition.

Building Any structure constructed to meet the requirements of

sheltering its contents or users which is designed to attain
safety standards as required by the requirements of this
Code.

Bypass This term is in reference to the ability to deactivate

specific zones of the building or home before arming the
system. Bypassing allows for certain areas of the home to
be unmonitored while the rest of the home is monitored.

Cable A length of single insulated conductor (solid or stranded),

two or more conductors, each provided with its own
insulation.

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Canopy A roof like ornamental projection, over a niche, door,

window, etc, a covering, an overhanging shade or shelter
used especially of the firmament.
Capacity of any storage tank means the volume of such tank
between the operating level of the water contained in such
tank and the invert level of the outlet from the tank.

Car Parking A space or building intended to provide for storage of a

motor vehicle, caravan or boat.

Cast Iron Hard alloy of iron, carbon, and silicon cast in mould.

Cast-in-Situ Cast in place; cast liquid in its permanent location, where

it hardens as part of the building, as opposed to pre-cast.

Cavity Wall A wall constructed in two separate thicknesses with an air

space in between; also known as a hollow wall.

Ceiling Rose A ceiling rose is used for terminating the point wiring for a
Light or a Fan in the ceiling.

Ceiling Construction made of plaster, boards, or other material

covering the underside of a floor or roof to provide the
overhead surface of an enclosed space.

Central Station The term “central station” is used interchangeably with the
term “monitoring center.” This refers to the location that
alarm monitoring companies use to monitor alarm
systems.

Certified Valuer A competent person authorized, under this Law, to

conduct real property valuation as a profession in

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compliance with standards and regulations applicable in

Rwanda.

Characteristic Strength Strength of material below which not more than 5 percent
of the test results are expected to fall.

Chemical Closet Closet with a fixed pan, the excreta from which passes into
a tank where it is acted upon by chemicals which sterilize
and break it down.

Chimney A vertical, hollow structure of masonry, steel, or concrete,

built to convey gaseous products of combustion from a
building.

Circuit Breaker A device designed to open and close a circuit by non-

automatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a
predetermined over current, without injury to itself when
properly applied within its rating.

Circuit An assembly of electrical equipment supplied from the

same origin and protected against over current by the
same protective device.

Cladding To furnish, surround, adorn, to cover, conceal exterior of a

building.

A material used for covering a structural element.

Clearance Between Rows of Seats Means the distance as measured between plumb lines
from the rearmost part of any seat to the nearest part,
including armrests if any, of the seat behind it: Provided
that in the case of gravity-operated automatic tip-up seats
such distance may be measured with the seats in the
tipped-up position.

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Client Person who in the course or furtherance of a business,

seeks or accepts the services of another which may be
used in the carrying out of a project for him ; or carries
out a project himself.
Column An isolated vertical load bearing member, width of which
does not exceed four times the thickness.

Comfort, Thermal Condition of mind derived from satisfaction with the

thermal environment. Thermal comfort is the combined
thermal effect of environmental parameters including
air temperature, relative humidity, air movement, mean
radiant temperature (fixed factors) and clothing and
activity level of occupants.

Commercial Building A building, or that part of the building, constructed or

intended to be used for business, trade or entertainment.

Communicator This is a module within the building security system that

digitally dials in to the central station. The communicator
is responsible for relaying information about the home that
is ascertained by the home security system.

Competent Authority The competent authority appointed or approved under

these regulations.

Competent Person Means a person possessing adequate qualifications such as

suitable training and sufficient knowledge, experience
and skills for the safe performance of specific work in
accordance with this Code.

Component Product manufactured as a distinct unit to serve a specific

function or functions.

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Composite Construction A generic term to describe any building construction

involving multiple dissimilar materials and exists when
two different materials are bound together so strongly that
they act together as single unit from a structural point of
view.

Composite Members Structural members comprising prefabricated structural

units of steel, pre-stressed concrete or reinforced concrete
and cast in-situ concrete connected together in such a
manner that they act monolithically.

Compost Toilet Composting toilet is a dry toilet that uses a predominantly

aerobic processing system to treat human excreta,
typically with non-water or very small volumes of flush
water, by composting or managed aerobic decomposition

Concrete Slab Rigid horizontal or nearly horizontal concrete construction

of a large area relative to its thickness.

Concrete A mixture of cement, sand, and gravel, with water in

varying proportions, according to the use which is to be
made of it, in compliance with the specifications for
concrete in these regulations.

Condensate The liquid formed by the condensation of a vapor, such as

water which is extracted from moist air as it flows across
the cooling coil of an air-conditioner.

Condenser A vessel or arrangement of pipes or tubing’s in which

vapour is liquefied by removal of heat.

Confined Space Space which may be inadequately ventilated for any reason
and may result in a deficiency of oxygen, or a build-up of
toxic gases.

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Contacts These are the small sensors that are placed on doors and
windows of the home so that the home security system can
monitor whether a door or window is open or closed.

Contaminant, Airborne An unwanted airborne constituent that may reduce

acceptability of the indoor air quality

Contractor Any person (including a client, principal contactor or other

person referred to in these regulations) who in furtherance
of business, carries out or manages construction work
Control Panel This refers to the main components of the alarm system
which contain the backup battery and the main circuit
board of the system.

Cooling Tower, Water An enclosed device for the evaporative cooling of water
by contact with air

Coping Unit or assemblage placed at the head of a wall and

designed to shed rainwater from the top of the wall clear
of all exposed surfaces of the walling beneath.

Cord, Flexible Cables A flexible cable having large number of strands of

conductors of small cross‐sectional area with a soft PVC
insulation.

Corridor Means a covered passageway, which limits means of

egress to a single path of travel.

Crane Is a type of machine or is a mechanical system designed to

lift and lower heavy materials and transporting them to the
other places.

Critical Radiant Flux The minimum radiant energy a fire needs to sustain flame
propagation on the material. The lower the critical radiant

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flux result numbers, the greater the tendency of the

material to spread flame.

Critical Section It is the net section obtained by deducting the projected

area of bolt-holes from the cross-sectional area of member.

Cross Connection Any physical connection or arrangement between two

otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains
potable water and the other, either water of unknown or
questionable safety or steam, gas, or chemical whereby
there may be a flow from one system to the other, the
direction of flow depending on the pressure differential
between the two systems.

Curing Is the process of preventing the loss of moisture from the

concrete whilst maintaining a satisfactory temperature
regime.

Curtain Wall A thin wall of glass, plain or other, to cover the exterior
surface of the building, supported by the structural frame
of the building.

Cut Out Any appliance for automatically interrupting the

transmission of energy through a conductor when the
current rises above some predetermined value.

Cutting An open excavation through a hill, for carrying a highway

or rail-road at a lower level than the surrounding ground.

Damper A device used to vary the volume of air passing through an

air out inlet or duct.

Damp Proof Course Layer or sheet of impervious material within a floor or a

similar construction or membrane vertically within a wall

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or chimney to prevent passage of moisture, also Known as

damp proofing.
Dead Loads The weight of materials of construction incorporated into
the building.

Debris Actions Impact actions caused by objects transported by flood

waters striking against buildings and structures must be
determined using engineering principles as concentrated
loads acting horizontally at the most critical location at or
below the design flood level.

Deck An outdoor attached to a building made of only wood or

wood like.

Demolition Permit The document issued by the Building Consent Authority

authorizing demolition of all or part of a building.

Demolition Works The works carried out in the process of pulling down of the
super-structure of a building and/or the removal of, or
material alteration to the sub-structure, as may be required.

Demolition Destroy by disintegration of the fabric. To pull or throw

down, reduce to ruin.

Design Strength The product of the nominal strength and a resistance

factor.

Designer Any person (including a client, Contractor or other

person referred to in these regulations) who executes
designs as for works of art.

Developer Any person who has obtained the approval of the building
consent authority to develop any land pursuant to these

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regulations and includes his/her executors, administrators

and successors in title or assigns.
Development Any material change on land.

Diaphragm, Structural A large structural element placed in a building as a wall,

or roof, used to resist horizontal forces such as wind or
earthquakes-acting parallel to its own plane.

Direct Digital Control The use of microcomputer to directly perform the control
logic for control loops.

Discharge Pipe A pipe which conveys the discharge from a sanitary

fixture to a drain, and includes a soil pipe, a waste pipe, a
discharge stack, a branch discharge pipe or a fixture
discharge pipe.

Distribution Board It is a box where the main incoming cable enters and
terminates from the main service feed connection.

Domestic Buildings Buildings used for dwelling purposes including dwelling

houses, flats, student accommodation and residential
homes.
Domestic Effluent Sewage consisting of soil water or waste water or a
combination of both.

Door Includes any shutter, cover or other form of protection to an

opening in a wall or floor of a building or in the structure
surrounding a protected shaft whether the door is
constructed of one or more leaves.

Door and Window Sensor These sensors are usually two parts. One sticks to the door
or window, while the other sticks to the stationary part of
the home.

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Door Frame A solid frame in which a door is hung.

Double Skin Similar to a single skin, but with an attached liner that is
separated from the outer skin and provides an airspace
which serves for insulation, acoustic, aesthetic or similar
purposes.

Down Pipe A pipe (usually vertical) for conveying rainwater from the
gutter to the drain or to an intermediate gully.

Drain Means a conduit or channel used for the drainage of a

building or premises within the same cartilage.

Drainage Installation Any installation vested in the owner of the site and which
is situated on such site and is intended for the reception,
conveyance, storage or treatment of sewage, and may
include sanitary fixtures, traps, discharge pipes, drains,
ventilating pipes, septic tanks, conservancy tanks, sewage
treatment works, or mechanical appliances associated
therewith.

Drainage System In relation to a building means a system of pipes and

sewers used for the sewerage of a building, including any
fitting, appliance or equipment connected therewith.

Drawings Documents in a graphical form, sketches, drafts, and

measured, showing the designer’s general intentions.

Dropped Curb It is the dip in the path and curb that lets you drive up to
your house or facility.

Duct Covering Duct covering includes materials such as adhesives,

insulation banding, coating(s), film and jacket used to
cover the outside of duct, fan casing or duct plenum.

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Duct or Trunking An enclosed space which is used to house and conceal

cables and includes spaces provided in a wall and in the
skirting of walls and partitions.

Duct Enclosing construction formed for the passage of air,

gases, cables, pipes, etc.

Durability of Concrete A durable concrete is a concrete which performs

satisfactorily in the working environment during its
anticipated exposure conditions during service.

Dwelling Unit Means a unit containing one or more habitable rooms and
provided with adequate and safe sanitary and cooking
facilities and is lawfully, used or constructed, adapted or
designed to be used as a residence for one family.

Dwelling A building or structure used regularly or intermittently for

human habitation.

Dynamic Load A load which is not static for example loads due to moving
machinery or earthquake.

Earth Continuity Conductor The conductor, including any clamp, connecting to the
earthling lead or to each other, those parts of an
installation which are required to be earthed.

Earth Electrode A metal plate, pipe or other conductor electrically

connected to the general mass of the earth.

Earth Lead Wire The final conductor by which the connection to the earth
electrode is made.

Earthed In relation to a connection, means effectively connected to

the general mass of the earth.

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Earthworks Engineering works created through the moving or

processing of quantities of soil or unformed rock.

Eaves Lower edges of a pitched roof or the edge of a flat roof

overhanging a wall.

Egress A means of going out or exit.

Elevation A vertical view of a building, element or of a building

component.
Emergency Lifts Is a lift designed principally for a serious situation or
occurrence that happens unexpectedly and demands
immediate action.

Emergency Lighting Lighting provided for use when the supply to the normal
lighting fails.

Emergency Route That part of an escape route which provides fire protection
to the occupants of any building and which leads to an
escape door.

Emergency Stop Push or Switch Is push button or switch provided inside the lift car
designed to open the control circuit to cause the lift car to
stop during emergency.

Endurance Is a measure of the time during which a material or

assembly continues with its ability to provide protection
from it.

Engineer An individual with a degree in engineering from an

accredited educational institution.

Entrance Facility (EF) An entrance facility is a space where telecommunications

outside plant terminates to the inside facilities. The outside

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plant will most likely be fiber optics LAN, CATV coax,

UTP telephone and MaxCell inner duct.

Entry Delay A time delay that allows the building owner a period of
time before the alarm triggers due to an event.

Escalator Is a power driven, inclined, continuous stairway used for

moving passengers from one level of the building to
another.

Escape Door Means a door in an escape route that leads directly to a

street or to any approved open space leading to a street or
public place.

Escape Lighting That part of emergency lighting which is provided to

ensure that the escape route is illuminated at all times.

Escape Route The entire path of travel from the furthest point in any
room in a building to the nearest escape door and may
include an emergency route.
Evacuation Route Means the continuous path of travel from any part of a
building, to a safe place. It is one that a person needs to
traverse before reaching safety.

Evacuation The act or process of evacuating person in the event of fire

or other hazardous materials emergency.

Ex-Filtration Air that flows outward through a wall, door, window,

crack, etc.

Existing Structure A structure erected prior to the date of adoption of the

appropriate code, and one for which a legal building permit
has been issued.

Exit Access That portion of a means of egress system that leads from
any occupied portion of a building or structure to an exit.
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Exit Delay This is the delay after an alarm is armed which allows the
building owner to exit the home before the system
becomes active.

Exit Door Any door that is a component of an escape route from any
room or any door.

Exit That portion of a means of egress system which is

separated from other interior spaces of a building or
structure by fire-resistance-rated construction and opening
protective as required to provide a protected path of egress
travel between the exit access and the exit discharge. Exits
include exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge,
vertical exit enclosures, exit passageways, exterior exit
stairways, exterior exit ramps and horizontal exits.

External Wall An outer wall or vertical enclosure of a building not being

a party wall even though it may adjoin a wall of another
building.

Facilities for PwDs Facilities allowing the use of buildings without assistance
for any person with a temporally or permanent disability
or even external circumstances.

Facility Means something that is built, installed, or provided to

serve a particular purpose. Sensory disability includes
visual and hearing impairments or all or any portion of
buildings, structures, site improvements, elements and
pedestrian or vehicular routes located on a site.

Fan Static Pressure (FSP) The fan total pressure minus the fan velocity pressure
(FSP = FTP – FVP). It can be calculated by subtracting the
total pressure at the fan inlet from the static pressure at the
fan outlet.

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Fan Velocity Pressure (FVP) The velocity pressure corresponding to the fan outlet
velocity.

Feeder Route That part of an escape route which allows travel in two
different directions to the access doors to at least two
emergency routes.

Fence A guard or stop to limit motion.

Fill Deposition of earth materials by artificial means.

Final Pre-Stress The stress which exists after substantially all losses have
occurred.

Final Tension The tension in the pre-stressing tendon corresponding to

the state of the final pre-stress.

Finger Joint Joint produced by connecting timber members’ end-to-end

by cutting profiles in the form of V-shaped grooves to the
ends of timber planks or scantlings to be joined, gluing the
interfaces and then mating the two ends together under
pressure.

Fire Alarm Signal A signal initiated by a fire alarm-initiating device such as

a manual fire alarm box, automatic fire detector, water
flow switch or other device whose activation is indicative
of the presence of a fire or fire signature.

Fire Alarm System A system or portion of a combination system consisting of

components and circuits arranged to monitor and
annunciate the status of fire alarm or supervisory signal-
initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to
those signals or any manually operated system designed to
give warning of fire.

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Fire alarm system comprising components for

automatically detecting a fire, initiating an alarm of fire and
initiating other actions as appropriate

Fire Barrier A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of materials

designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is
maintained.

Fire Control Centre A compartment (situated at street level with direct access
to open air and vehicular approach) containing enunciator
boards, controls, terminals, etc. of the fire protection and
life safety systems within that building/complex.

Fire Damper A closure which consists of a normally held open damper

installed in an air distribution system or in a wall or floor
assembly and designed to close automatically in the case
of a fire in order to maintain the integrity of the fire
separation.

Fire Department Connection Mean a connection for fire service connection use in
supplementing or supplying water for standpipes or
sprinkler systems.

Fire Detection Devices Heat and smoke detectors are the most commonly used
fire detection devices. Heat detectors are designed to
detect a fixed amount of heat present at the detector or a
rapid increase of heat in the area of the detector. Smoke
detectors can detect the presence of smoke in an area
(when it reached the ceiling where the detector is normally
located.)

Fire Detection System Any system designed to detect automatically the presence
of smoke, heat, combustion products or flame and give
warning of same.

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Fire Detector A device designed to detect the presence of a fire signature

and to initiate action.

Fire Door or Fire Shutter A door made of fire resisting material, generally metal
plated, held open by a fusible link which melts in a fire
permitting the door to close, and thus delays or prevents
the spread of fire by confining it to one compartment.

Fire Escape A special kind of emergency exit usually mounted to the

outside of a building or occasionally inside but separate
from the main areas of the building. It provides a method of
escape in the event of a fire or other emergency that makes
the stairwells inside a building inaccessible.

Fire Extinguisher Any of various portable devices used to extinguish the fire
by ejection of fire inhibiting substance, such as water,
carbon dioxide, gas or chemical foam.

Fire Hose Reel A collapsible flameproof hose reeled on a drum attached

to a water outlet to supply water to extinguish a fire.

Fire hose Refers to several different types of hoses specifically

designed for use in fighting fires.

Fire Hydrant Pipe of water from main with nozzle for hose.

Fire Partition Is a vertical assembly of materials designed to restrict the

spread of fire and in which openings are protected.

Fire Pump A pump for fire protection purposes usually driven by an

independent, reliable prime mover.

Fire Resistance Rating Means the period for which a building element or
component shall comply with the requirements for
stability, integrity and insulation when tested to the fire
requirements of approved standards.
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Fire Resistance Testing Determination of the fire resistance rating of any element
by exposing it to the standard of fire such that the
specimen standard temperature should be achieved in a
specified time.

Fire Resistance Means the shortest period for which a building element or
component shall comply with the requirements for
stability, integrity and insulation when tested to the fire
requirements of an approved standards institution.
Fire Safety Functions Building and fire control functions that are intended to
increase the level of life safety for occupants or to control
the spread of harmful effects of fire.

Fire Stop A non-combustible barrier or seal to full thickness of a

wall or floor which would prevent or retard the passage of
smoke or flame within a cavity or around a pipe or duct
where it passes through a wall or floor or between
elements of structure, and “fire stopped” shall be
construed accordingly.

Fire Test Means the fire resistance tests of elements of building

construction.

Fire Wall Is a fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings

which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously
from the foundation to or through the roof with sufficient
structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse
of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.

Flame Spread Index Comparative measure, expressed without dimension

number, derived from visual measurements of the spread
of flame versus time for a material.

Flame Spread The propagation of flame over a surface when item burns.

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Flood Sensor This component detects the presence of excessive water so

that it can alert the monitoring station of a potential flood
concern.

Floor Area In relation to building or a storey thereof, means the total

area enclosed within its external walls, exclusive of the
area occupied by any lift shaft.
Floor Distribution Board (FDB) A box located in each of the floors of a multi-storeyed
building.

Floor The lower surface in a storey on which one normally

walks in a building. The general term ‘floor’ unless
specifically mentioned otherwise shall not refer to a
‘mezzanine floor’.

Flooring Upper layer of a floor providing a finished surface.

Fly Screen on a Vent Pipe A screen which prevents flies from entering the pit and
which also prevents flies that have entered the pit from
leaving through the vent pipe.

Formwork Is temporary structure done for the support of the

reinforced concrete while it is being poured in-situ. It is
provided to contain fresh concrete and support it in the
required shape and size until it has hardened.

Foul Water Means either water-borne human or animal excrement or

industrial solids or waste water conveyed in underground
pipes.

Foundation That part of the structure which is in direct contact with

and transmits loads to the ground.

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Freehold Type of land tenure granting full and indefinite rights over
the land.
French Drain A trench filled with suitable material which is used for the
disposal of liquid effluent from a septic tank or waste
water.

Fresh Air Normal outdoor air not unduly affected by odors, smoke,
effluents, dust, fumes, discharges from mechanical plants
and the like.

Fuse Switch A composite unit, comprising a switch with the fuse

contained in, or mounted on.

The moving member of the switch.

Fuse A device that, by the fusion of one or more of its specially

designed and proportioned components, opens the circuit
in which is inserted when the current through it exceeds a
given value for a sufficient time.

G+0 Ground floor or single storey.

Garage A frame erected on side supports so as to span an area and

support and hoist machinery and heavy materials. Any
premises or part thereof- Used for repairing, painting,
washing, storing, housing or parking of motor vehicles; or
Where a pump is maintained from which petrol or oil is
supplied to motor vehicles.
Glass break Sensor This component detects the sound or vibration from
shattering glass to trigger alarm.

Glazing Cutting and fitting panes of glass into frames.

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Glued Laminated Timber It is a type of structural timber product comprising of a

number of layers of dimensioned timber bonded together
with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesives.

Goods Lift Is a lift designated mainly for the transport of goods, but
which may carry a lift attendant or other persons necessary
for the loading or unloading of goods.

Grade of Concrete Rating of concrete according to its mix ratio and its
compressive strength determined by the crushing test.

Green Building Concept Green building (also known as green construction or

sustainable building) refers to a structure and using
process that is environmentally responsible and resource-
efficient throughout a building's life-cycle.

Grille A louvered or perforated covering for an air passage

opening which can be located in the side-wall, ceiling or
floor.

Ground Level Horizontal plane on the earth’s surface.

Ground Storey A storey the floor level of which is not more than 1m at
any point below the level of the adjacent finished ground
level, or, if there are two or more such storeys, the lower
or lowest of them.

Ground Small section, usually of timber, to which a skirting,

architrave, door lining or similar are fixed and which may
also be used as an edging for plastering.

Guard Is a protective barrier around openings in floors or at the

open sides of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines,
galleries, raised walkways or other locations to prevent
accidental openings through it.

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Handrail Is a rail that is designed to be grasped by the hand so as to

provide stability or support.

Hardwired System This is a system that is installed using physical wires,

often hidden mostly behind the walls of the home.

Hazardous Wastes are wastes produced in the industries, institutes, hospitals

and laboratories., that are dangerous to the living
organisms immediately or in the long run to the
environment in which they are disposed.

Heat Detector This alarm component detects extreme or rapid changes in

heat within an area of the home as a detector for fire.

Heaters appliances whose purpose is to generate heat for building.

Highway the part or parts of the road open to automobile traffic,

that part of the road may have other different parts of road
separated by central reservation;
Horizontal Assembly A fire-resistance-rated floor or roof assembly of materials
designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is
maintained.

Hose Reel Is a cylindrical spindle made of metal, fibber glass, or

plastic and is used for storing a hose.

Hot Water Tanks a vessel for storing hot water under pressure greater than
the atmospheric pressure.

Humidity, Relative The ration of the mole fraction of water vapour

present in moist air to the mole fraction of water vapour
in saturated air at the same temperature and pressure.

Hybrid Alarm System This is a building security system that utilizes both
hardwired and wireless components.

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Image Sensor A motion sensor with a built-in camera that can send
photos captured when the motion sensor is triggered to the
interactive smart device.

Impact Load The load resulting from moving machinery, elevators,

crane ways, vehicles and other similar forces and kinetic
loads, pressure and possible surcharge from fixed or
moving loads.

Impact Noise Sound created when a building surface is struck by an

object.

Incineration Is a chemical reaction in which carbon; hydrogen and

other element in the waste combined with oxygen in the
combustion zone and generates heat.

Incremental Building To be constructed in stages in such a manner that in its

intermediate stages a building can be occupied for the
limited specified period of time necessary to complete it
and that is intended, in its finally approved form.

Industrial Effluent Any liquid whether or not containing matter in solution

or suspension which is given in the course of or as a
result of any industrial, research or agricultural activity,
and includes any liquid other than soil water or storm
water.

Infiltration Air that flows inward through a wall, door, window crack,
etc

Initiating Device It is system component that originates transmission of a

change-of-state condition, such as in a smoke detector,
manual fire alarm box or supervisory switch.

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Inspection Consists of the visual and technical examination of any

construction site and the production of a report that outlines
the state of various components based on the material,
technical tests of finished works, prefabricated material
specifications and techniques used on the date the
inspection is conducted.

Inspector Is a person designated by the Competent Authority to carry

out building activities inspection in accordance with this
Code and is deemed to satisfy the requirements of
professional bodies recognized by the law.
Installer Programming Refers to the ability of the installer (who may also be the
building owner who self-installs an alarm system) to set
characteristics of the security system that customize and
configure it according to the home or business.

Institute of Architects Professional organization of architects tasked with

supervising compliance by its members with the rules
governing the profession.

Institute of Engineers Professional organization of engineers tasked with

supervising compliance by its members with the rules
governing the profession.

Insulating Material Material for preventing or reducing the passage of heat,

sound or electricity.

Insulation Suitable non‐conducting material, enclosing, surrounding

or supporting a conductor, Usually PVC, polymer,
specially treated rubber.

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Interior Floor Finishes Exposed floor surfaces of building (s) together with
coverings applied over a finished floor or stair, as well as
risers.

Joint A connection between two or more bamboo structural

elements.

Kerb or Curb a. The stone, concrete or tile edging which separates a

pavement or sidewalk from a road surface.

b. Also the molded member that borders the front of a

fireplace.

Keypad Also referred to as a touchpad, the key pad of a building

alarm system is the numbered pad on the system that
allows for the homeowner to arm, disarm and otherwise
communicate with the alarm system.

Ladder Steps consisting of two parallel members connected by

rungs; for climbing up or down
Laminated Veneer Lumber A structural composite made by laminating veneers, 1.5
mm to 4.2 mm thick, with suitable adhesive and with the
grain of veneers in successive layers aligned along the
longitudinal (length) dimension of the composite.

Land Reserves Land set aside by public authorities for future

development needs.

Land Subdivision The planning operation aimed at dividing a plot of land

into more than two serviced sites destined for settlement
and/or related activities.

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Land Title A written document confirming a person's rights to land,

which is governed by written laws and delivered according
to the law by a competent authority. It applies to the
emphyteutic lease as well as to the freehold, or any other
form of land tenure legally provided for.
Lateral Load Loads that are caused by wind, earthquakes and other
dynamic forces.

Lease Contract The document of official information on the

characteristics of a plot of land and existing constraints on
it, in the form of a contract concluded between the land
owner and the administration.

Legionella: The motile aerobic rod-shaped Gram-negative bacterium

that thrives in central heating and air conditioning systems
and can cause Legionnaires' disease.

Lift Is an electrical device designed to transport persons or

materials between two or more levels in a vertical or
significantly vertical direction by means of a guided car
.The word ‘elevator’ is also synonymously used for ‘lift’.

Lift Car Is the load carrying unit with its floor or platform, car
frame and enclosing bodywork.

Lift for Person with Disabilities Lift for persons with physical disabilities” means an
elevating device, whether portable or fixed, that travels
between fixed points of a building or structure, that is
restricted as to access, speed, travel and type of operating
device, and that is specifically designed for use by persons
with physical disabilities.

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Lift Pit Is the space in the lift well below the level of the lowest
lift landing served.

Lift Well Is the passable space within an enclosure provided for the
vertical movement of the lift car(s) and any
counterweight(s), including the lift pit and the space for
top clearance.

Lift Well Enclosure Is any structure which separates the lift well from its
surroundings.

Lighting Fittings A device for supporting or containing a lamp or

lamps (for example, fluorescent or incandescent)
together with any holder, shade, or reflector; for example,
a bracket, a pendant with ceiling rose, or a portable unit.

Lining, Duct Duct lining including materials such as adhesive,

insulation, coating and film used to line the inside surface
of a duct, fan casing, or duct plenum.

Live Loads (Imposed Loads) Those loads produced by the use and occupancy of the
building or other structure and do not include construction
or environmental loads such as wind load, snow load, rain
load, earthquake load, flood load or dead load.

Live Electrically charged so as to have a potential different

from that of earth.

Load Bearing Wall Means a wall primarily designed to carry an imposed

vertical load in addition to its own weight.

Load Effects Forces and deformations produced in structural members

by the applied loads.

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Load Any force to which a building is or may be subjected, and

includes dead, imposed, wind and seismic loads and forces
caused by dimension changes of materials.

Lobby A large entrance, reception room, or waiting area.

Local Materials Available on or near the site for construction including

stone and granite, mud or clay stabilized with rice straw,
corral ash and/or cement dust to improve resistance to
erosion and structural properties.

Lumen (lm) SI unit of luminous flux. The luminous flux emitted within
unit solid angle (one radian) by a point source having a
uniform intensity of one candela.

Luminaire A complete light fitting consisting of lamp, holder, starting

gears, reflectors, housing and mounting accessories.

Main Distribution Board (MDB) It is the distribution box where the main incoming cable
enters and terminates from the main service feed
connection of a large building.

Main Distribution Frame Room A room within a building or development that is used to
house a main distribution frame licensees’ installation or
plant.

Main Distribution Frame The frame on which incoming main cables and the local
distribution cables within a building or development are
terminated and cross-connected.

Maintenance Management The organization of maintenance within an agreed policy.

Maintenance can be seen as a form of ‘steady state’
activity.

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Manhole A chamber of a depth greater than 750mm and of such

dimensions that allows entry of a person into such
chamber for the purpose of providing access to a drain.

Market Value Estimated amount for which a property should exchange

on the date of valuation.
Masonry A construction of stone or similar materials such as
concrete blocks or brick.
Master Code A master code is the main code used for an alarm system
that the homeowner uses to arm and disarm the home
security system.

Means of Egress A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and

horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a
building or structure to a public way a means of egress
consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit
access, the exit and the exit discharge.

Medical Waste Wastes from health posts, clinics, hospitals,

pharmaceuticals, and other medical facilities.

Member Means a structural component such as a beam, joist,

column, slab, or foundation.

Membrane Covered Cable Structure A no pressurized structure in which a mast and

cable system provides support and tension to the
membrane weather barrier and the membrane imparts
stability to the structure.

Memorial Sites Sites or building erected for commemoration to honour

genocide victims.
Memorial A monument, marker, tablet, headstone, tombstone,
private mausoleum.

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Memory As with other electronic devices, alarm systems can have

built-in memory.

Mobile Crane Is hydraulic powered crane with a telescoping boom

mounted on truck type carriers or a cable controlled crane
mounted on crawlers.

Mosaic Flooring Panels comprising squares assembled from softwood or

hardwood fingers held together by a removable surface
membrane or fixed flexible backing.

Motion Sensor These usually detect motion based on body heat in a 90-
degree angle and generally up to 15 away.

Multiple-Station Alarm Device These are two or more single-station alarm devices that are
capable of interconnection such that actuation of one
causes all integral or separate audible alarms to operate. It
can also consist of one single-station alarm device having
connections to other detectors or to a manual fire alarm
box.

Natural Ventilation Supply of outside air into a building through window or

other openings due to wind outside and convection effects
arising from temperature or vapour pressure differences
(or both) between inside and outside of the building.

Noise Reduction (NR) Noise Reduction (NR) is a general term for specifying
sound insulation between rooms. It is more general than
Transmission Loss (TL). If all boundary surfaces in the
receiving room are completely absorbent, the NR will
exceed the TL by about 5 dB, i.e. NR = TL + 5dB.

Noise Unwanted sound which may be hazardous to health.

Noise that interferes with communications or is disturbing.

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Nominal Cross-Sectional Area The cross sectional area equivalent to the area of a circular
plain bar of nominal diameter.

Non-Load Bearing Wall A wall which supports no load other than its own weight.

Non-Structural Wall A wall which does not form part of a structure but which
may from time to time be subjected to forces other than its
own weight.

Obnoxious Substances Substances which are highly offensive; odious.

Obstruction Any building or other object which partially or completely

intersects any zone of space serving a window but shall
not include any narrow object such as a pole or railing
which does not materially obstruct the entry of light and
air to the opening concerned.

Occupancy The particular use or to which a building or portion thereof

is normally put or intended to be put.

Occupation Certificate/Permit The document/A permit issued by the building consent

authority to authorise the use of the building by certifying
conformity of buildings with urban planning and building
regulations and with the building permit.

Opening Protective A device installed over an opening for protecting it against

the passage of flame, smoke, or hot gases.

Other Conditions All other conditions of this code apply to risk zones
except where specifically stated.

Outdoor Air Ambient air entering the system or opening from outdoors
before any air treatment.

Over‐Current A current exceeding the rated current for conductors, the

rated value is the nominal current carrying capacity.
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Pail Closet Closet with a removable pail which is systematically

emptied or replaced.

Panel The panel of a home alarm system is the box or “can” that
contains all of the components of the building alarm
system such as the backup battery and the main circuit
board.

Parapet Wall The part of any wall entirely above the roof line.

Partition Wall Means a non-structural internal wall extending to the

ceiling and constructed for the purpose of subdividing a
space.

Partition Is a non-structural interior construction not more than one

storey in height, and generally of lightweight materials,
and may or may not be demountable.

Party wall or Separating Wall Means a wall forming part of a building, and standing on
land of different owners.

Passenger Lift Is a lift designed for the transport of passengers.

Pedestrian Walkway Means a walkway used exclusively as a pedestrian traffic

way.

Permissible Stress Stress obtained after applying factor of safety to the

ultimate or basic stress.

Permitee Any individual, private or public entity that has received

authorization for new development, refurbishment with or
without alteration, renovation, occupation, change of
building use or demolition of a building. And for the
purposes of this Code the permittee shall mean the owner.

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Persons with Disabilities A person who has a loss, or a reduction, of functional

ability and activity and includes a person in a wheel chair
and a person with a sensory disability

Pile A slender deep foundation unit made of materials such as

steel, concrete, wood that transmits the load to the ground
by skin friction, end bearing and lateral soil resistance.

Pipe Fitting Component fitted to a pipe for such purposes as

connecting, controlling, supporting, or changing its
direction or bore.

Pipeline A line of pipe connected to valves and other control

devices, for conducting fluids, gases or finely divided
solids.

Pit Latrine Closet placed over, or adjacent to, an excavation which is

of adequate depth.

Place of Safety An enclosed space in the open-air ground level; or at

ground level having sufficient final exits.

Plain Concrete Concrete in which no reinforcement is included for the

structural purposes but in which reinforcement may be
provided for the purpose of restraining shrinkage or other
movement.

Plenum Chamber An air compartment connected to one or more distributing

ducts

Plot Ratio The ratio of the total area of all floors of a building to the
area of the site it occupies.

Plot The parcel of land which belongs or will belong

exclusively to the building and any ancillary structure.

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Plug A device carrying metallic contacts in the form of pins

intended for engagement with corresponding socket
contacts and arranged for attachment to a flexible cord or
cable.

Plumbing The business, trade or work having to do with the

installation, removal, alteration or repair of plumbing and
drainage systems or part thereof

Plywood A wood structural panel comprised of plies of wood

veneer arranged in cross-aligned layers. The plies are
bonded with waterproof adhesive that cures on application
of heat and pressure.

Portable Fire Extinguisher Is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or

control small fire, often in emergency situation.

Portable Any fire service equipment which manufactured, used or

designed to be hand operated.

Position and/or Direction Indicator Is device which indicates on the lift landing or in the lift
car or both, the position of a car in the lift well or the
direction or both in which the lift car is traveling.

Post-Tensioning A method of pre-stressing concrete in which pre-stressing

steel is tensioned against the hardened concrete.

Pour Flush Toilet Pour flush toilets use a plastic, fiberglass, or cement bowl
or squatting pan set into a concrete platform.

Precast Concrete A construction product produced by casting concrete in a

reusable mold or "form" which is then cured in a
controlled environment, transported to the construction
site and lifted into place.

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Prefabricated Building The partly or fully assembled and erected building of

which the structural parts shall consist of prefabricated
individual units or assemblies using ordinary or controlled
materials including service facilities and in which the
service equipment may be either prefabricated or
constructed in-situ.

Prefabricated Concrete Concrete members which are cast away from the site.

Pre-stressed Concrete Concrete in which permanent internal stresses are

deliberately introduced, usually by tensioned steel, to
counteract to the desired degree the stresses caused in the
member in service.

Pre-Stressing This is the process by which compression stresses are

induced in some parts of unloaded structure, so that tensile
stresses which are subsequently caused by loading; may be
counter balanced and eliminated.

Pre-Tensioning A method of pre-stressing concrete in which the tendons

are tensioned before concreting.

Project Cost the sum to be expended in constructing the building

including the foundations, structural frame, and finishes
and the installation of building services.

Property A piece of land, often with buildings on it, that is owned by

a person.

Protected Buildings Buildings classified as a natural and architectural heritage

for their protection.

Public Building Building intended to be used by many people because of

various activities carried out therein. Those include shops,

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schools, hospitals, buildings for entertainment and public

assembly, churches, mosque, chapel, temple or other
places of worship or religious ceremonies

Public Property Property which is dedicated to the use of the public.

Public Sewer Means any sewer vested in the control of a public body.

Public Way A Street, alley or other parcel of land open to the outside
air leading to a street that has been deeded, dedicated or
otherwise permanently appropriated to the public for
public use.

Purlin Beam parallel to the eaves giving support to roof cladding.

Qualified Person A registered professional with a minimum of three years

post registration experience in the built environment.

Rafter A sloping timber joist extending from the wall plate to the
ridge of the roof, directly or indirectly supporting the roof.

Rainwater Water resulting from precipitation as collected from

buildings or structures.

Ramp Sloping surface joining two different levels, as at the

entrance or between floors of a building. General, it is
inclined surface or roadway connecting different levels.

Rated Load (Escalator) The load for which the escalator is designed and installed
to lift at the rated speed.

Rated Load (Lift) The maximum load for which the lift car is designed and
installed to carry safely at its rated speed.

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Rated Speed (Escalator) The speed at which the escalator is designed to operate. It
is the rate of travel of the steps, measured along the angle
of inclination, with rated load on the steps or carriage.

Real Property Immovable property including land, buildings, fences,

foundations and all other improvements made to the land.

Recycling The act of collecting, reprocessing, and/or recovering

certain waste materials to make new materials or products.
The non-biodegradable materials like paper, plastics,
metals, glass and wood are commonly recycled in useful
materials.

Refrigerant The fluid used for heat transfer in a refrigerating system,

which absorbs heat at a low temperature and low pressure
of the fluid and rejects heat at a higher temperature and
higher pressure of the fluid, usually involving changes of
state of the fluid.

Regular Structure A structure is “regular” if the distribution of its mass,

strength, and stiffness is such that it will sway in a uniform
manner when subjected to ground shaking – that is, the
lateral movement in each storey and on each side of the
structure will be about the same.

Reinforced Concrete Concrete which contains reinforcement, normally of steel,

to improve its resistance to tension, the materials of which
comply with the relevant provisions contained in the
Rwanda Building Code.

Rendering The application of mortar or plasterwork by means of a

float or trowel.

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Residential Building A building or part thereof designed or adapted or used for

human habitation. This includes and any outbuilding and
other covered structure which are intended for the
enjoyment of the occupants of the building or part thereof
or.

Resistances Factor A factor that accounts for deviations of the actual strength
from the nominal strength and the manner and
consequences of failure.

Retaining Wall Wall providing lateral support to the ground or designated

to resist pressure from a mass of other material.

Retractable Awning A cover with a frame that retracts against a building or

other structure to which it is entirely supported.

Reverberation The continuation of an audible sound in an enclosed space

after the sound source has been cut off.

Roof Assembly A building cover and its supporting structure including

any ceiling attached to such a structure.

Roofing Upper layer or layers of a roof providing weatherproof

surface.

Roof Light Construction for closing an opening in a roof intended

primarily for lighting and consisting of a frame and
glazing.

Ruggedness A property of some mechanical and electrical equipment

and other non-structural building components that permits
these items to remain functional after experiencing strong
shaking.

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Safety Shower A piece of equipment designed to wash any chemicals that

may have come into contact with toilet.

Sanitary Fittings Appliances and pieces used in connection with water

supply, drainage and sanitation.

Sanitary Group A combination of sanitary fixtures comprising not more

than one of each of a WC pan, bath, shower and sink and
either two washbasins or one washbasin and one bidet.

Sanitation Accommodation A space containing one or more closets or urinals. Sanitary

accommodation containing one or more cubicles counts as
a space if there is free circulation or air throughout the
space.

Scaffold A temporary arrangement erected around a building for

convenience of workers.
Screed Layer or layers of screed material laid in situ, directly onto
a base, bonded or unbounded, or onto an intermediate
layer or insulating layer, for one or more of the following
purposes: to obtain a defined level; to carry the final
flooring and to provide a wearing surface.

Secondary Material Used materials which have already undergone a process

of transformation; such as demolished building materials
turned into aggregate.

Security System The term “security system” is used interchangeably with

the term “alarm system” and refers to all components of
the system that protect the building.

Seepage or Soak Pit A covered pit dug in the ground in which effluent from the
septic tank is discharged.

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Septic tank watertight tank designed to receive sewage and to retain it

for a determined period to secure adequate decomposition
of sewage.

Service Lift A passenger goods lift meant to carry goods along with
people.

Sewage wastewater, soil water, industrial effluent and other liquid

waste flowing in separate or combined sewer, but shall not
include storm water.

Sewer A pipe or conduit which is the property of or is vested in

the local authority and which is used or intended to be
used for the conveyance of sewage.
Sheet Piling A line of piles driven in the soil to create a barrier or
retaining wall.

Single skin Where there is only the single outer skin and the air
pressure is directly against that skin.

Site plans Plans used to locate the position of buildings in relation to

setting out point, means of access, general layout of site.
The plans may also contain information on services
drainage network.

Slip Form A continuously moving form at such a speed that the

concrete when exposed has already achieved enough
strength to support the vertical pressure from concrete still
in the form as well as to withstand nominal lateral forces.

Slug Soak Pit Pit in which sewage effluent from the house drain is
directly discharged.

Smoke Alarm A single or multiple station alarm responsive to smoke.

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Smoke Barrier Membrane either horizontal or vertical like floor, walls, or

ceiling assembly that is designed to restrict to the
movement or spread of smoke.

Smoke Control System A combination of fans, dampers, warning devices and

other equipment that work together to perform the control
function for any smoke event at any location in a building.

Smoke Damper A device installed in ducts openings to resist the passage

of smoke.

Smoke Detector A device that senses visible or invisible particles of

combustion.

Smoke Developed Index Comparative measure which is expressed as a

dimensionless number, derived from measurements of
smoke obscuration versus time for a material.

Smoke Partition A designed continuous membrane forming a barrier to

oppose the air duct:

A pipe, tube, conduit or enclosed space to use or to be

used in any building for the transmission of air or liquid
from one place to another.

Smoke Proof Enclosure An exit stairway designed and constructed so that the
movement of the products of combustion produced by a
fire occurring in any part of the building into the enclosure
is limited.

Smoke Dispersions of finely divided or liquid in gaseous medium.

Solid Waste Management Disposal The final stage in the solid waste management, with all the
wastes whether they are residential, commercial or from
any other sources are collected and transported to a
disposal site.

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Solid Waste The unwanted or useless solid materials generated from

combined residential, industrial and commercial activities
in a given building.

Sound Insulation The prevention of the passage of sound.

Sound Power The acoustic power of a sound source, expressed in

decibel

Sound Pressure Root-mean-square value of the variation in air pressure

caused by the sound, measured in Pascals (Pa), above and
below atmospheric pressure, caused by the sound.

Sound Source Equipment or phenomena which generate sound. Source

room is the room containing sound source.

Sound A vibration disturbance, exciting hearing mechanisms,

transmitted in a predictable manner determined by the
medium through which it propagates.

Spaced Column Refers to two column sections adequately connected

together by glue, bolts, and screws or otherwise where the
adequate protection is required and design measures have
initially been incorporated to render the structure
serviceable for the required life.

Split A crack extending from one face of a piece of wood to

another and runs along the grain of the piece.

Sprinkler system System of piping and sprinklers connected to a water

supply, which, when actuated by the effect of fire,
automatically releases water.

Stacker cranes Cranes with a forklift type mechanism used in automated

warehouses.

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Stairs A term applied to a complete flight of steps between two

floors.

Stairway Is any component of a building that offers ascending or

descending route of travel formed by a single flight or by a
combination of two or more flights and one or more
intervening landings.

Standpipe Systems Mean an arrangement of piping, valves, hose outlets and

related equipment installed in a building or structure, for
the purpose, of extinguishing a fire through the discharge
of water in streams or sprays from hoses or nozzles
attached to such outlets. The water shall be supplied from
water supply systems or by pumps, tanks and other
equipment necessary to provide adequate supply of water
to the outlets.

Storey That part of a building which is situated between the top of

any floor and the top of the floor next above it, or if there
is no floor above it that portion between such floor and the
ceiling above it (mezzanine floor, open work floor,
catwalk or gallery being taken to be part of the storey in
which it is situated), and in relation to a building:
a. the ground storey shall be taken as the storey in which
there is situated an entrance to the building from the level
of the adjoining ground or, if there is more than one such
storey the lower or lowest of these;
b. a basement storey shall be taken to be any storey of the
building which is below the level of the ground storey;
c. an upper storey shall be taken to be any storey of a
building which is above the level of the ground storey;
d. the height expressed in storeys shall be taken to be that
number of storeys other than a basement.
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Storm Water Drain A pipe, conduit or surface channel, which is used solely to
convey storm water.

Storm Water Water resulting from natural precipitation and includes

rainwater, surface water, sub-soil water or spring water.

Street A road lined with buildings (or so intended) including

avenues, crescents, cul-de-sacs, alleys, closes, courts,
places, lanes and drives.

Structural Relating to or forming part of any structural system.

Structural Addition Any addition made to the existing layout of space in a

structure that requires adding walls or joining a structure
to the one which existed previously.

Structural Alteration Any change, addition or modification in the design,

construction, use or occupancy of any building or
structure; or parts thereof ; or of any appliance or building
service equipment in the building or structure.

Structural Grades Grades defining the maximum size of strength reducing

natural characteristics (knots, sloping grain, etc.) deemed
permissible in any piece of structural timber within
designated structural grade classification.

Structural Members Masonry units or supports that are constituent part of any
structure or building or various assemblies of structural
material including walls, columns, partitions, beams slabs,
girders, linters and other units of structural systems and
resist on the load acting up on them.

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Structural Repair Operations on a building to restore it to an identical condition

as to appearance, structure, and occupancy that existed
before such operations became necessary whether caused
by fair wear and tear or by accident;. repairs shall not
include the complete replacement of a building previously
destroyed.

Structural System The system of constructional elements and components of

any building that is provided to resist the loads acting
upon it and to transfer such loads to the ground upon
which such building is founded.

Structural Timber Timber in which strength is related to the anticipated in-

service use as a controlling factor in grading and selection
and/or stiffness.

Structural wall A wall forming part of any structural system.

Structure A fabric or framework of material parts which is built or

constructed;

An edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work

artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in
some definite manner.

Switch A manually operated device for closing and opening or for

changing the connection of a circuit.

Switch Board An assemblage of switchgear with or without instruments;

the term, however, does not apply to a group of local
switches on a final sub circuit where each switch has its
own insulating base.

Switch Gear Main switches cut outs or fuses, conductors and other
apparatus in connection therewith, used for the purpose of

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controlling or protecting electrical circuits or machines or

other current using appliances.

Symbolic Safety Signs Symbols and signs displayed to caution against hazards.

Systems Building A method of building in which prefabricated components

is used to speed up the construction of buildings.

Telecom Equipment Room Room within building or a development that is used to

house a licensee’s installation, plant or system.

Telecommunication Riser A compartment that is used to house and distribute

telecommunication cables to the individual stories of a
building.

Temperature, Dry-bulb The temperature of a gas or mixture of gases indicated by

an accurate thermometer shielded from effects of
radiation.

Temperature, Mean radiant The temperature of a uniform black enclosure in

which a body or occupant would exchange the same
amount of radiant heat as in the existing non-uniform
environment.

Temperature, Operative Arbitrary index that combines into a single number the
effects of dry-bulb temperature, radiant temperature
and air motion on the sensation of warmth or cold by the
human body.

The operative temperature can be taken as average of mean

radiant temperature and dry-bulb temperature.

Temperature, Wet-bulb Thermodynamic wet-bulb temperature is the temperature

at which water (liquid or solid state), by evaporating into

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air, can bring the air to saturation adiabatically at the same

temperature.

Wet-bulb temperature (without qualification) is the

temperature indicated by a wet-bulb psychomotor,
constructed and used according to specification.

Temporary Building Building which were built in temporary consent with land
owner and Building Consent Authority while agreeing on
the characteristics, the temporary nature of the Building
and its use. When removed or demolished no
compensation is paid to the owner.
Tendon A steel element, such as a wire, cable, bar, rod or strand,
or a bundle of such elements used to impart pre-stress to
concrete when the element is tensioned.

Tenement House Any building in the domestic part of which any living
room is intended or adapted for the use of more than one
tenant or sub-tenant. In this regulation “living room’1
means room intended or adapted as a place for cooking
and or sleeping.

Terrace An enclosed level platform often fitted with a balustrade,

in front of a house;
a gallery or a balcony attached to a house.

Tile Is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as

ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass, generally used for
covering roofs, floors, walls, showers, or other objects
such as table tops.

Timber Both sawn and unsawn logs and all other forms of and
wood deposited for purposes of trade or manufacture,

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other than timber intended for use as firewood, and

include wooden furniture.

Toilet A room in which water, earthen chemical closet and/or

urinals and wash basins are installed.

Transmission Length The distance required at the end of a pre-tensioned tendon

for developing the maximum tendon stress by bond.

Treated Wood Wood impregnated under pressure with compounds that

reduce its susceptibility to flame spread or to deterioration
caused by fungi, insects or marine borers.

Trench Any excavation in the ground where the depth of the

excavation exceeds the width.

Trim Handrails, chair rails, picture moulds, baseboards, door

and window frames and similar decorative or protective
materials used in fixed applications.

Tunnel Form A system which casts walls and slab together like a portal
in a single pour.

Urban buildings Buildings in urban centres as defined by the law governing

urban planning and building.

User Programming Refers to the ability of the homeowner to set behavioral

characteristics of the building security system.

Vapour barrier A moisture-impervious layer applied to the surfaces

enclosing humid space to prevent moisture travel to a
point where it may condense due to low temperature.

Vent A ventilating pipe.

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Ventilated Improved Pit Latrine An improvement of a standard pit latrine with ventilation
intended to eliminate odours (and consequently flies).

Ventilating pipe A pipe which leads to the open air at its highest point and
which provides ventilation for the purpose of preventing
the destruction of water seals, but does not include a
discharge pipe.

Ventilation The process of supplying or removing air, by natural or

mechanical means, to or from any space.

Ventilator A device with an adjustable aperture for regulating the

flow of fresh or stagnant air.

Veranda An open portico or roofed gallery extending along the

front (and occasionally, other sides) of a dwelling or other
building, erected chiefly as a protection or shelter from the
sun or rain.

Voice Dialer This component will automatically call in to telephone

numbers that are programmed into the system. After
calling the numbers, the voice dialer will play a recorded
message (or a live person will be on the line) once the
home alarm system has been triggered to notify the
individual answering the number of the event that has been
triggered.

Walkway A path set aside for walking.

Wall a vertical load-bearing or non-load-bearing member of a

structure whose length exceeds four times its thickness.

Warehouse A building where storage is the principal use and where no

business is transacted other than incidental to such storage.

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Waste Pipe Pipe which receives the waste from appliances such as
baths, sinks (not being slop-sinks), bidets or lavatory
basins.

Water Closet latrine accommodation used with waterborne system of

excreta disposal.

Water Heater Any heating device that heats clean water and supplies it
to the potable hot water distribution system.

Water Main the principal artery of the system, to which branches may
be connected for the purpose of water supply to individual
consumers.

Water Supply System A system consisting of building water supply pipe, water
distributing pipes, and necessary connecting pipes, fittings,
control valves, and all appurtenances carrying or
supplying potable water in or adjacent to the building or
premises.

Wave Actions Wave actions caused by water waves propagating over the
water and striking a building or other structure must be
determined using engineering principles. Wave actions
include wash and wind generated waves.

Wearing Screed A screed that serves as flooring.

Wet Riser Is a system of valves and pipe work which are kept
permanently charged with water.

Wind Load All loads due to the effect of wind pressure or suction.

Window Construction for closing a vertical or near-vertical opening

in a wall or roof that will admit light and may admit air.

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Wired Glass Annealed glass containing a wire mesh which is

completely embedded in the body of the glass during
manufacture.

Wood Structural Panel A panel manufactured from veneers, wood strands or

wafers or a combination of veneer and wood strands or
wafers bonded together with waterproof synthetic resins or
other suitable bonding systems.

Wooden Disc Dowel A circular hardwood disc generally tapered each way from
the middle so as to form a double conical frustum.

Workability Relating to the physical parameters of concrete which

affects the strength and durability as well as the cost of
labor and appearance of the finished product. Concrete is
said to be workable when it easily placed and compacted
homogeneously without bleeding or segregation.

Workshop Building or a space within a building that serves as a work

place for a particular manual activity.

Zone Space Volume of open air outside an opening relating to an

external wall or a portion of such an opening.

Zone A space or group of spaces within a building with cooling

requirement sufficiently similar so that comfort conditions
can be maintained throughout by a single controlling
device.

Zoning Maps These are plans and maps that are produced to guide the
sustainable development in a specific direction of an area.

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATION

% Per cent
°c Degrees Celsius
A/PM Ante/Post Meridiem
AAC Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
AC Air Conditioning
AC Alternating Current Power
ACH Air Changes per Hour
ACI American Concrete Institute
BDF Building Main Distribution Frame
CCTV Closed Circuit Television
Chap Chapter
CLSM Controlled Low-strength Material
cps Cycles per second
CRF Critical Radiant Flux
CV Constant volume
dB Decibels
D.B Distribution Board
DFE Defined Flood Event
DFL Defined Flood Level
DW Weighted Level Difference.
e.g. For example
Ecosan Ecological Sanitation
ECC Earth continuity conductor
EF Entrance facility
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMI Electromagnetic interference
EPN dB Effective Perceived Noise Level in Decibel.
ER/TR Equipment Room/Telecommunication Room
etc Et Cetera
FDC Fire Department Connection
FHL Flood Hazard Level
FSP Fan Static Pressure
FTP Fan Total Pressure
FVP Velocity Pressure
GFA Gross Floor Area
GoR Government of Rwanda
HBN Health building notes
Hrs Hours

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HVAC Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Hz Hertz
IBCCDS In-building Coaxial Cable Distribution System.
ICT Information Communication &Telecommunication
IDF Intermediate Distribution Frame
IEC International Electro technical Commission
IER Institute of Engineers Rwanda
IRPV Institute of Real Property Valuers
IS0 International standards organization
ITCZ Inter Tropical Convergence Zone
ITU International telecommunication union
kg/m3 Kilogramme per metre cubic
kN/m2 Kilo Newton Per Meter Squared
kVA Kilovolt Ampere.
L/min Litre per minute
L/s per m2 Litre per second per meter squared.
LAeq .T Equivalent Continuous Weighted sound Pressure
Level
LAmax Maximum Noise Level
LED Light Emitting Diode
Li Impact Sound Pressure Level
Liter/sec/m2 Litre per second per meter squared.
LPA Weighted Sound Pressure Level
LPG Liquefied petroleum gases
m Meter.
m2 Meter squared.
m/s Meter per second.
m2/h per m2 Meter squared per hour per meter squared.
mA Milli Ampere
MCB Miniature Circuit Breaker
mm Millimeter
mm2 Millimeter squared
N/mm2 Newton per millimeter squared
NA Not Applicable
NC Non-combustible material only
SP Protected by a sprinkler system
USP Not protected by a sprinkler system.
NEC Noise Exposure Categories
NEF Noise Exposure Forecast
NP Not Permitted.

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NRC Noise Reduction Coefficient

Pa Pascal
PA Weighted Sound Pressure.
PDEC Passive Down draught Evaporative Cooling
ppm parts per million
PSV Passive Stack Ventilation
PV Photo Voltaic
PVC Polyvinyl chloride
RCD Residual Current Device
RF Radio frequency
RHA Rwanda Housing Authority
RIA Rwanda Institute of Architects
RBC Rwanda Building Code
RS EAS Rwanda Standard East African Standard
RS ISO/TS Rwanda Standard International Standard
Organization/Technical Specification
RSB Rwanda Standards Board
Sect Section
S/N Serial number
SIL Speech Interference Level
SPD Surge Protective Device
sqm Square metre
TER Telecommunications Equipment Room
TIA/EIA Telecommunication Industries associations/
Electronic Industries Alliances
V Volt
VAV Variable Air Volume
VIP Ventilated Improved Pit
Watts/cm2 Watts per centimeter squared
WC Water Closet

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SECTION 3: REFERENCE STANDARDS

STANDARDS
DESCRIPTION
Chap.
Part.
Sect.
Structural design — Part 2: Actions on structures ―
RS 114-2 Wind actions, 2.6.2
Structural design —Part 1: Actions on structures ―
RS 114-1 Densities, self-weight, imposed loads for buildings 2.6.2

RS 112 Basis of Structural Design 2.6.2

Basis for design structures: seismic actions on
ISO 3010 buildings 2.6.2
Loads due to use and occupancy in residential and
RS ISO 2103 public buildings 2.6.2
Loading for building — Code of practice for dead
RS 106 and imposed loads 2.6.2
Concrete—Part 1: Specification, performance,
RS EAS 131-1 production and conformity 2.6.3
Geotechnical investigation—identification and
RS ISO 14688-1 description 2.6.3

RS ISO/TS 17892-10 Geotechnical investigation—direct shear test 2.6.3

Geotechnical investigation—determination of
RS ISO/TS 17892-4 particles and size distribution of soil. 2.6.3

ISO 2394 General principles on reliability for structures 2.6.3

Geotechnical investigation and testing —Field
RS ISO 22476-2 testing —Part 2: Dynamic probing 2.6.3
Geotechnical investigation and testing —Field
testing —Part 3: Standard penetration
RS ISO 22476-3 test 2.6.3

ISO 2394 General principles on reliability for structures 2.6.3

RS 113 Geotechnical design —general rules 2.6.3

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RS EAS 134 Cold rolled steel sections — Specification 2.6.4

ISO 17959 General requirements for solid wood flooring 2.6.4

ISO 17959 General requirements for solid wood flooring 2.6.4

ISO 10721-21 Steel structures: Part 1— Material and design 2.6.4

Steel—Classification —Part 1:Classification of steels
into unalloyed and alloy steels based on chemical
RS ISO 4948 composition 2.6.4

RS 142 Design for concrete structures— code of practice. 2.6.4

RS 211 Methods of test for mortar for masonry 2.6.5

RS 108 Mortar for masonry specification 2.6.5

Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete
ASTM C76M - 14 Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe 2.6.5
Reaction to fire tests for products-non combustibility
ISO 1182 test 2.6.7
Timber structures—Joints made with mechanical
ISO 16670 fasteners 2.6.7

RS 108 Mortar for masonry—Specification 2.6.8

Concrete — Part 2: Specification of constituent
materials, production of concrete and compliance of
RS EAS 417-2 concrete. 2.6.8

ISO 12439 Mixing water for concrete 2.6.8

Cements — Test methods— Part 1:Determination of
RS EAS 148-1 strength 2.6.8
Cements — Test methods— Part 2: Chemical
RS EAS 148-2 analysis 2.6.8
Cements — Test methods— Part3: Determination of
RS EAS 148-3 setting time and soundness 2.6.8

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Cement — Test methods— Part 4 : Quantitative

RS EAS 148-4 determination of constituents 2.6.8
Cement — Test methods— Part 5:Pozzolanicity test
RS EAS 148-5 for pozzolanic cements 2.6.8
Cement— Test methods— Part 6: Determination of
RS EAS 148-6 fineness 2.6.8
Concrete −Part 1: Specification, performance,
RS EAS 131-1 production and conformity 2.6.8
Cement — Test methods— Part 7: Methods of taking
RS EAS 148-7 and preparing 2.6.8
Cement — Test methods— Part 8:Determination of
chlorine, carbon dioxide and alkali content of the
RS EAS 148-8 cement 2.6.8
Cements ―Part 1: Composition, specification and
RS EAS 18-1 conformity criteria for common cements 2.6.8
Specification for aggregates from natural sources for
RS EAS 180 use in concrete 2.6.8
Steel for the reinforcement and pre-stressing of
concrete — Test methods —Part 1:Reinforcing bars,
RS ISO 15630-1 wire rod and wire 2.6.8
Steel for the reinforcement and pre-stressing of
RS ISO 15630-2 concrete — Test methods —Part2:Welded fabric 2.6.8
Steel for the reinforcement and pre-stressing of
RS ISO 15630-3 concrete — Test methods —Part 3:Prestressing steel 2.6.8

RS 107 Specifications for Building sands 2.6.8

Methods of test for aggregates— Part 1:General
RS 96-1 requirements for apparatus and calibration 2.6.8
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 11:Method of
testing and classifying the drying shrinkage of
RS 96-11 aggregate for use in concrete 2.6.8
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 4:Mehods for
RS 96-4 determination of particle size distribution, sieve test 2.6.8
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 5: Methods for
the determination of particle shape — Flakiness
RS 96-5 index 2.6.8
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 6:Methods of
RS 96-6 determination of shell content in coarse aggregates 2.6.8

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Methods of testing concrete — Part 4:Strength of

RS ISO 1920-4 hardened concrete 2.6.8
Methods of testing concrete — Part 5:Properties of
RS ISO 1920-5 hardened concrete other than strength 2.6.8
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 8:Methods for
RS 96-8 determination of ten percent fines value 2.6.8
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 9: Methods for
RS 96-9 determination of aggregates impact value 2.6.8

RS 142 Design for concrete structures- code of practice 2.6.8

Standard specification for general requirements for
ASTM C935-13 pre-stressed concrete poles statically cast 2.6.8

RS ISO 6935-1 Steel for reinforcement of concrete Part 1:Plain bars 2.6.8
Steel for reinforcement of concrete Part 2; ribbed
RS ISO 6935-2 bars 2.6.8
Steel for reinforcement of concrete Part 3:welded
RS ISO 6935-3 fabrics 2.6.8
Methods of testing concrete — Part 5:Properties of
RS ISO 1920-5 hardened concrete other than strength 2.6.8
Methods of testing concrete — Part 4:Strength of
RS ISO 1920-4 hardened concrete 2.6.8

RS 142 Design for concrete structures- code of practice 2.6.8

Building construction— Modular coordination—
ISO 2848 Principles and rules 2.6.9

RS 142 Design for concrete structures― Code of practice 2.6.9

Concrete — Part 2: Specification of constituent
materials, production of concrete and compliance of
RS EAS 417-2 concrete 2.6.9

RS EAS 179 Precast concrete paving blocks - Specification. 2.6.9

Precast concrete pipes and ancillary concrete
products —Part 5:Specification for ogee pipes and
RS EAS 426-5 fittings (including perforated) 2.6.9

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Precast reinforced concrete box culvert —

RS 62 Specification 2.6.9
Precast concrete pipes and ancillary concrete
products —Part 7:Specification for road gullies and
RS EAS 426-7 gully cover Slabs 2.6.9
Concrete poles for telephone, power and lighting
RS EAS 489 purposes —Specification 2.6.9
Precast reinforced concrete box culvert —
RS 62 Specification 2.6.9
Precast reinforced concrete pipe culvert —
RS 265 Specification 2.6.9
Timber — Determination of ultimate stress in
RS EAS 279 compression 2.6.10
Timber — Determination of ultimate tensile stress
RS EAS 280 parallel to grain 2.6.10
Timber — Determination of ultimate tensile stress
RS EAS 281 perpendicular to grain 2.6.10
Timber structures—Laminated Veneer Lumber—
ISO 22390 Structural Properties 2.6.10
Timber Structures: Glued Laminated Timber—
Component performance and production
ISO 12578 requirements 2.6.10
Glued laminated timber— Method of test for shear
ISO 12579 strength of glue lines 2.6.10
Glued laminated timber— Methods of test for glue-
ISO 12580 line delamination 2.6.10
Bamboo— Determination of physical and
ISO/TR 22157-2 mechanical properties — Part 2: Laboratory manual 2.6.11

ISO/TR 22156 Bamboo —Structural design 2.6.11

Bamboo— Determination of physical and
IS0 22157-1 mechanical properties— Part 1: Requirements 2.6.11

ISO 800 Code of practice for general construction in steel 2.6.12

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Fatigue — Design procedure for welded hollow-

RS ISO 14347 section joints — Recommendations 2.6.12
Specifications and qualifications of welding
ISO 15614-1 procedures for metallic materials 2.6.12
Mechanical properties of fasteners made of carbon
steel and alloy steel — Part 1: Bolts, screws and
RS ISO 898-1 studs 2.6.12
Mechanical properties of corrosion—resistant
stainless steel fasteners — Part 1: Bolts, screws and
RS ISO 3506-1 studs 2.6.12
Mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant
RS ISO 3506-2 stainless-steel fasteners — Part 2: Nuts 2.6.12
Fasteners—general requirements for bolts, screws,
ISO 8992 studs and nuts 2.6.12
Technical drawing—general principle of
ISO 128 presentation 2.6.12

RS ISO 134 Cold rolled steel sections — Specification 2.6.12

Structural steels — Part 3: Technical delivery
RS ISO 630 conditions for fine-grain structural steels 2.6.12
Fatigue — Design procedure for welded hollow-
ISO 14347 section joints 2.6.12

ASTM A123 Structural steel products 2.6.12

Reaction to fire test for products: non combustibility
ISO 1182 test 2.6.13
Glass in building — Glass products for structural
ISO 28278-2 sealant glazing — Part 2: Assembly rules 2.6.13
Specification for structural design of exterior walls,
ASTM E1886-13a curtain walls and doors. 2.6.13
Standard guide for selection design, and installation
ASTM C1242-15 of dimension stone attachment system 2.6.13
Glass in building — Glass products for structural
ISO 28278-2 sealant glazing— Part 2: Assembly rules 2.6.13

ISO 14001 Environmental management 2.6.13

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Glass in building— Glass products for structural

sealant glazing— Part 1: Supported and unsupported
ISO 28278-1 monolithic and multiple glazing 2.6.13
Geotechnical design —Environmental consideration
for the planning and management of
RS 281 telecommunication structures 2.6.15
Reaction to fire tests for products — Non-
ISO 1182 combustibility test 2.6.15

ALUMINIUM
Wrought aluminum and aluminum alloys — Sheets,
ISO 6361 strips and plates 2.7.3
Wrought aluminum and aluminum alloys— Extruded
ISO 6362 rods/bars, tubes and profiles 2.7.3
Wrought aluminum and aluminum alloys— Cold-
drawn rods/bars and tubes and wires— Part 2:
ISO 6363-2 Mechanical 2.7.3
Designation of aluminum and aluminum alloys and
ISO 2107 the temper designation 2.7.3
Chemical composition of wrought aluminum and
ISO 6361-5 aluminum 2.7.3
Friction stirs welding. Aluminum — Design of weld
ISO 25239-2 joints 2.7.3
Welding. Guidelines for a Metallic materials
ISO/TR 15608 grouping system 2.7.3
Qualification test of welders. Fusion welding—
ISO 9606-2 Aluminum and aluminum alloys. 2.7.3

TIMBER 2.7.3
Dimensions for coniferous sawn timber (cypress and
RS EAS 23 pine): Sizes of sawn and planed timber: Specification 2.7.3
Determination of moisture content for physical and
RS EAS 272 mechanical tests 2.7.3
Sampling methods and general requirements for
RS EAS 273 physical and mechanical tests 2.7.3
Timber — Dimensions for coniferous sawn timber
(cypress and pine) — Sizes of sawn and planed
RS EAS 23 timber — Specification 2.7.3

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Timber — Sampling methods and general

RS EAS 273 requirements for physical and mechanical tests 2.7.3
Timber — Determination of the average moisture
RS EAS 274 content of a lot 2.7.3

RS EAS 275 Timber — Determination of volumetric shrinkage 2.7.3

Timber — Determination of radial and tangential
RS EAS 277 shrinkage 2.7.3
Timber — Determination of radial and tangential
RS EAS 278 swelling 2.7.3

PLASTICS 2.7.3
Film and sheeting — Determination of thickness by
RS EAS 480 mechanical scanning 2.7.3
Preparation of PVC pastes for test purposes —
RS IS0 4612 Planetary-mixer method 2.7.3

ROOF COVERS 2.7.3

Tiling materials: 2.7.3

RS EAS 71 Clay roofing tiles — Specification 2.7.3

Ceramic tiles — Part 4: Determination of modulus of
RS EAS 422-4 rapture and breaking strength 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 5: Determination of impact
resistance by measurement of coefficient of
RS EAS 422-5 restitution 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 10: Determination of moisture
RS EAS 422-10 expansion 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 11: Determination of crazing
RS EAS 422-11 resistance for glazed tiles 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 12: Determination of frost
RS EAS 422-12 resistance 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 13: Determination of chemical
RS EAS 422-13 resistance 2.7.3

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Ceramic tiles —Part 14: Determination of resistance

RS EAS 422-14 to stains 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 15: Determination of lead and
RS EAS 422-15 cadmium given off by glazed tiles 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 16: Determination of small
RS EAS 422-16 color differences 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 3: Determination of water
absorption, apparent porosity, apparent relative
RS EAS 422-3 density and bulk density 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 6: Determination of resistance
RS EAS 422-6 to deep abrasion for unglazed tiles 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 7: Determination of resistance
RS EAS 422-7 to surface abrasion for glazed tiles 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 8: Determination of linear
RS EAS 422-8 thermal expansion 2.7.3
Ceramic tiles —Part 9: Determination of resistance
RS EAS 422-9 to thermal shock 2.7.3

Steel Sheets:
Hot-rolled steel sheet of structural quality:
RS ISO 4995 Specification 2.7.3

RS ISO 4997 Cold reduced steel sheets of structural quality 2.7.3

High-strength low-alloy Carbon Steel for hot-rolled
RS EAS 196 sheet and cold-rolled sheet —Specifications 2.7.3
Continuous hot-dip zinc-coated carbon steel sheet of
RS ISO 4998 structural quality 2.7.3

AGGREGATES
Specification for aggregates from natural sources for
RS EAS 180 use in concrete 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates—Part 10: Method of
determination of acid soluble material in fine
RS 96-10 aggregates 2.7.3
Methods of testing aggregates— Part 2: Guide to
RS 96-2 sampling and testing aggregates 2.7.3

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Methods of testing aggregates— Part 3: Methods of

RS 96-3 sampling 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates— Part7: Methods for
RS 96-7 determination of moisture content 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 1: General
RS 96-1 requirements for apparatus and calibration 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 11: Method of
testing and classifying the drying shrinkage of
RS 96-11 aggregate for use in concrete 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 4: Methods for
RS 96-4 determination of particle size distribution, sieve test 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 5: Methods for
RS 96-5 the determination of particle shape - Flakiness index 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 6: Methods of
RS 96-6 determination of shell content in coarse aggregates 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 8: Methods for
RS 96-8 determination of ten percent fines value 2.7.3
Methods of test for aggregates— Part 9: Methods for
RS 96-9 determination of aggregates impact value 2.7.3

BRICKS AND BLOCKS

RS 144 Cement blocks and Bricks— Specification 2.7.3

RS EAS 54 Burnt building bricks—Specifications 2.7.3

RS EAS 179 Precast concrete paving blocks — Specification 2.7.3

RS EAS 94 Burnt clay building blocks—Specification 2.7.3

STEEL
Steel— Classification—Part 1: Classification of
steels into unalloyed and alloy steels based on
RS ISO 4948-1 chemical composition 2.7.3
Steel — Classification — Part 2: Classification of
steels into unalloyed and alloy steels according to
main quality classes and main property or application
RS ISO 4948-2 characteristics 2.7.3

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Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of

RS ISO 15630-1 concrete — Test methods 2.7.3
Steel for the reinforcement of concrete — Part 2:
RS ISO 6935-2 Ribbed bars 2.7.3
Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of
RS ISO 16020 concrete — Vocabulary 2.7.3
Steel for the prestressing of concrete —Part 1:
RS ISO 6934-1 General requirements 2.7.3
Steel for the prestressing of concrete—Part 2: Cold-
RS ISO 6934-2 drawn wire 2.7.3
Steel for the prestressing of concrete —Part 3:
RS ISO 6934-3 Quenched and tempered wire 2.7.3

RS ISO 6934-4 Steel for the prestressing of concrete—Part 4: Strand 2.7.3

Carbon steel for reinforcement of concrete —
RS 63 Specification 2.7.3
Steel bars for reinforcement of concrete — Part 1:
RS EAS 412-1 Plain bars 2.7.3
Steel bars for reinforcement of concrete — Part 2:
RS EAS 412-2 Ribbed bars 2.7.3
Steel bars for reinforcement of concrete — Part 3:
RS EAS 412-3 Welded fabric 2.7.3
Steel bars for reinforcement of concrete — Bend and
RS ISO 10065 rebend tests 2.7.3

METALLIC
Metallic materials — Tensile testing— Part 1:
RS ISO 6892-1 Method of test at room temperature 2.7.3
Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 2:
RS ISO 6892-2 Method of test at elevated temperature 2.7.3

RS EAS 189 Metallic materials — Tensile testing 2.7.3

Metallic materials — Verification of static uniaxial
testing machines — Part 1: Tension/compression
testing machines-Verification and calibration of the
RS EAS 192-1 force measuring system 2.7.3

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Metallic materials — Verification of static uniaxial

testing machines — Part 2: Tension creeping testing
RS EAS 192-2 machines — Verification of the applied load 2.7.3
Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part
1: Test method (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N,
RS EAS 201-1 T) 2.7.3

CONCRETE

RS ISO 1920-5 Methods of testing concrete 2.7.3

Part 1: Specification, performance, production and
RS EAS 131-1 conformity 2.7.3
Part 1: Methods of specifying and guidance for the
RS EAS 417-1 specifier 2.7.3
Part 2: Specification of constituent materials,
RS EAS 417-2 production of concrete and compliance of concrete 2.7.3
CEMENT

RS EAS 148-1 Cements — Test methods 2.7.3

Cements ―Part 1: Composition, specification and
RS EAS 18-1 conformity criteria for common cements 2.7.3

RS EAS 18-2 Cements— Part 2: Conformity evaluation 2.7.3

Cements — Test methods— Part 1: Determination of
RS EAS 148-1 strength 2.7.3
Cements — Test methods— Part 2: Chemical
RS EAS 148-2 analysis 2.7.3
Cements — Test methods— Part3: Determination of
RS EAS 148-3 setting time and soundness 2.7.3
Cement — Test methods— Part 4: Quantitative
RS EAS 148-4 determination of constituents 2.7.3
Cement — Test methods— Part 5: Pozzolanicity test
RS EAS 148-5 for pozzolanic cements 2.7.3
Cement— Test methods— Part 6: Determination of
RS EAS 148-6 fineness 2.7.3

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Cement — Test methods— Part 7: Methods of taking

RS EAS 148-7 and preparing 2.7.3
Cement — Test methods— Part 8: Determination of
chlorine, carbon dioxide and alkali content of the
RS EAS 148-8 cement 2.7.3

STONES

ASTM C615/C 615M-11 Specification for granite 2.7.3

Testing methods for absorption and bulk specific
ASTM C97/C97 M-09 gravity of dimension stone 2.7.3
Test method for compressive strength of dimension
ASTM C170/C170 M-09 stone

BAMBOO 2.7.3

ISO/TR 22157-2 Mechanical and physical properties testing 2.7.3

ISO 22157-1 Specifications for bamboo treatment 2.7.3

GLASS

ISO 14439 Glass in building assembly rules glazing wedges 2.7.3

Glass in building—Determination of light
transmittance, solar direct transmittance, total solar
energy transmittance, ultraviolet transmittance and
ISO 9050 related glazing factors 2.7.3

ASTMC 1036-11e1 Types and quality requirements of glass 2.7.3

PLUMBING
MATERIALS
Concrete pipes and fittings, unreinforced, steel fibre
RS EAS 419 and reinforced 2.7.3
Concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —
Part 2: Specification for unreinforced and reinforced
RS EAS 426-2 concrete manholes and soak ways 2.7.3
Concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —
RS EAS 426-4 Part 4: Specification for prestressed non-pressure 2.7.3

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pipes and fittings with flexible joints

Precast concrete pipes and ancillary concrete

products —Part 5: Specification for ogee pipes and
RS EAS 426-5 fittings (including perforated) 2.7.3
Precast concrete pipes, fittings and ancillary products
RS EAS 426-6 —Part 6: Specification for porous pipes 2.7.3
Concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —
Part 1: Specification for unreinforced and reinforced
concrete pipes (including jacking pipes) and fittings
RS EAS 426-1 with flexible joints 2.7.3
Concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —
Part 3:Specification for unreinforced and reinforced
RS EAS 426-3 concrete inspection chambers 2.7.3
Precast concrete pipes and ancillary concrete
products —Part 7: Specification for road gullies and
RS EAS 426-7: gully cover Slabs 2.7.3
Ductile iron pipes, fittings, accessories and their
RS ISO 2531 joints for water applications 2.7.3
Plastics piping systems ―Polyethylene (PE) pipes
and fittings for water supply ―Part 1: General
RS ISO 4427-1 specifications 2.7.3
Plastics piping systems for water supply and for
buried and above—ground drainage and sewerage
under pressure — Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride
RS ISO 1452-1 (PVC-U) — Part 1: General 2.7.3
Plastics piping systems for water supply and for
buried and above—ground drainage and sewerage
under pressure — Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride
RS ISO 1452-2 (PVC-U) — Part 2: Pipes 2.7.3
Plastics piping systems for water supply and for
buried and above—ground drainage and sewerage
under pressure — Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride
RS ISO 1452-3 (PVC-U) — Part 3: Fittings 2.7.3
Plastics piping systems for water supply and for
buried and above—ground drainage and sewerage
under pressure — Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride
RS ISO 1452-4 (PVC-U) — Part 4: Valves 2.7.3
Plastics piping systems for water supply and for
RS ISO 1452-5 buried and above-ground drainage 2.7.3

RS ISO 6594 Cast iron drainage pipes and fittings — Spigot series 2.7.3

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Fire resistance test — Fire damper for air distibution

ISO 10294-1 system — part 1: Test metheod 3.8.1
Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Building ― Part
RS 186-5 5: Exit requirements and personal hazard 3.8.1
Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Building ― Part
RS 186-1 1: General Principles of Fire Grading 3.8.1

RS 186 Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Building 3.8.1

Code of practice for fire safety of building —Part 2:
RS 186-2. Details of construction 3.8.2
Code of practice for fire safety of building —Part 1:
RS 186-1 General principles of fire grading and classification 3.8.2

ISO 834 Fire resistance test 3.8.2

Thermal insulating materials for building
applications.
ISO 29771 3.8.2
Fire-resistance tests -- Elements of building
ISO 834-1 construction -- Part 1: General requirements 3.8.2
Test for thermo -physical and mechanical properties
of structural materials at elevated temperatures for
ISO/TR 15655 fire engineering design 3.8.2
Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems — Physical
properties and system design — Part 1: General
ISO 14520-1 requirements 3.8.2
Reaction to fire tests for products— Non-
combustibility test
ISO 1182 3.8.2
Fire tests for building elements and components—
ISO 10295-1 Fire testing of service installations 3.8.2

ISO 834-1 Fire resistance test for elements of the building 3.8.3
Fire tests for building elements and components —
ISO/TR 10295-3 Fire testing of service installations 3.8.3
Reaction to fire tests — Spread of flame— Part 1:
ISO/TS 5658-1 Guidance on flame spread 3.8.3
Fire tests for building elements and components—
ISO 10295-2 Fire testing of service installations 3.8.3

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Fire-resistance tests — Elements of building

construction— Part 5: Specific requirements for load
ISO 834-5 bearing horizontal separating elements 3.8.3
Fire-resistance tests — Elements of building
construction — Part 6: Specific requirements for
ISO 834-6 beams 3.8.3
Specific requirements for the assessment of fire
ISO 834-11 protection steal elements. 3.8.3
Fire resistance test—elements of a building, specific
ISO 834-7 requirements for columns 3.8.3
Fire-resistance tests -- Elements of building
construction -- Part 3: Commentary on test method
and guide to the application of the outputs from the
ISO/TR 834-3 fire-resistance test 3.8.3
Fire resistance test for elements of the building
construction Part 2 : Guidance on measuring
ISO/TR 834-2 uniformity of furnace exposure on test samples 3.8.3
Standard Method of Fire Testing of Building
ISO 834-1 Construction and Materials). 3.8.4
Vertical building elements, Impact resistance tests,
ISO 7892 Impact bodies and general test procedures. 3.8.4

ISO 3008 Fire-resistance tests; door and Shutter assemblies. 3.8.4

Ergonomics of human-system interaction— Part 300:
ISO 9241-300 Introduction to electronic visual display requirements 3.8.4
Reaction to fire tests for products— Non-
combustibility test
ISO 1182 3.8.4
Fire resistance tests — Elements of building
construction— Part 11: Specific requirements for the
assessment of fire protection to structural steel
ISO 834 elements 3.8.4
Fire tests for building elements and components --
ISO/TR 10295-3 Fire testing of service installations 3.8.4
Fire resistance tests - fire damper for air distribution
ISO 10294-3 system 3.8.4
Fire tests — Smoke-control door and shutter
assemblies— Part 1: Ambient and medium
ISO 5925-1 temperature leakage tests 3.8.5
Reaction to fire test for floorings
Part1:Determination of the burning behavior using a
ISO 9239-1 radiant heat source 3.8.6
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ISO 6940-6941 Vertical Combustibility Tester 3.8.6

Fire tests for building elements and components —
Fire testing of service installations — Part 2: Linear
ISO 10295-2 joint (gap) seals 3.8.6
Fire protection — Automatic sprinkler systems —
Part 10: Requirements and test methods for domestic
ISO 6182-10 sprinklers 3.9.1
Design, installation and operation of sprinkler
RS 243 irrigation systems — code of practice 3.9.1

RS IEC 60228 Conductors of insulated cables 3.9.2

Basic environmental testing procedures
IEC 68-2-1 3.9.2
Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Building ― Part
4: Selection, installation and maintenance of
RS 186-4 automatic fire detection and alarm system 3.9.2
Fire extinguishing systems such as need for field
installed in commercial kitchen exhaust hood.
IEC 309 3.9.2
Real time system monitoring for fire and fault
aspects.
ISO 15371 3.9.2
Fire protection — Fire extinguishing media —
RS ISO 5923 Carbon dioxide 3.9.2
Condensed aerosol fire extinguishing systems —
Requirements and test methods for components and
system design, installation and maintenance —
ISO 15779 General requirements 3.9.2
Gas cylinders -- Seamless steel CO2 cylinders for
ISO 3500 fixed fire-fighting installations on ships 3.9.2
Fire protection equipment - Carbone dioxide
extinguishing system for use of premises - Design
ISO 6183 and installations 3.9.2
Gaseous fire extinguishing systems-Physical
properties and system design- Part 1 :General
RS ISO 14520-1 requirement 3.9.2
RS ISO 7165
Fire fighting — Portable fire extinguishers —
Performance and construction 3.9.4
RS ISO 11602-1
Fire protection — portable and wheeled fire
extinguishers — Part1: Selection and installation 3.9.4

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RS ISO 11602-2
Fire protection — portable and wheeled fire
extinguishers — Part 2: Inspection and maintenance 3.9.4
Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Building Part 4:
Selection, installation and maintenance of automatic
RS 186-4 fire detection and alarm system. 3.9.5
Rubber and plastics hoses, non-collapsible, for fire-
fighting service -- Part 1: Semi-rigid hoses for fixed
ISO 4642-1 systems 3.9.8
Fire protection — Automatic sprinkler systems—
Part 2: Requirements and test methods for wet alarm
ISO 6182-2 valves, retard chambers and water motor alarms 3.9.8
Building Environmental design : guidelines to assess
ISO 23045 energy efficiency of new buildings 4.11.1
Building Environment Design-Indoor Environmental
ISO 16817 design process for Visual environment. 4.11.2
The installation, maintenance, repair and replacement
RS 214:2014 of domestic solar water heating systems 4.11.2
paper and board-Determination of air permeance
ISO 5636-5 (medium range) 4.11.2

ISO /CIE 8995-1 Lighting of work places 4.11.2

RS IEC 60364-5-54 Earthing arrangement and protective conductor. 4.11.3

RS 116 Electrical wiring of Premises 4.11.3

Electrical wiring of Premises ―Low-Voltage
RS 116-1 installations 4.11.3
Residual current operated circuit breaker without
integral overcurrent protection for household and
IEC 61008-1 similar uses 4.11.3

RS EAS 115 Electric Cables — Spark Testing — Test Method 4.11.3

Copper conductors in insulated cables —
RS EAS 116 Specification 4.11.3
PVC insulated cables (non—armoured) for electric
RS EAS 114 power and lighting –Specification 4.11.3
Plugs, Socket —outlets for house hold and similar
RS IEC 60884-1 purposes ― Part 1:General requirements 4.11.3

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IEC 61386 Conduit systems for cable management 4.11.3

IEC 62305-4 Protection against lightning 4.11.3

RS IEC 60269-1 Low-voltage fuses ― Part 1: General requirements 4.11.3

Metallic conduits and fittings for electrical
RS EAS 204 installations – Specification – Part 1: Conduits 4.11.3
Low-voltage surge protective devices - Part 11:
Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage
RS IEC 61643 power distribution systems - Requirements and tests 4.11.3

IEC 62305-4 Protection against lightning 4.11.3

IEC 60755 Installation and application rules of RCBOs 4.11.3

Luminaires - Part 2—4: Particular requirements —
RS IEC 60598-2 Section 4: Portable general purpose luminaires 4.11.3

RS IEC 60598-1 Fixed general purpose luminaries. 4.11.3

Information technology: heating, ventilation and Air
ISO/IEC 29341.6.11 conditioning device control protocol 4.11.4

RS 236 Acoustics — Noise Pollution — Tolerance limits 4.11.5

ISO 15667 Acoustics guidelines 4.11.5

ISO 4190-3 passenger lift installations 4.11.7

ISO/IEC 27001 Security system 4.11.8

IEC 62642-2-2 Alarm systems-Intrusion and hold up systems 4.11.8

ISO/IEC 27034 Application security guideline 4.11.8

ISO 17799 Physical and environmental security 4.11.8

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ISO/IEC18010 Building telecommunications 4.11.9

RS 187 Rain water harvesting systems — Code of practice 4.11.10

Ductile iron pipes, fittings, accessories and their
RS ISO 2531 joints for water applications 4.11.10

RS EAS 783 Stainless Steel Tanks — Specification 4.11.10

Rotational moulded polyethylene water storage
RS 128 tanks—specification 4.11.10
Plastics piping systems for water supply and for
buried and above-ground drainage and sewerage
under pressure — Unplasticized Poly Vinyl
Chloride (PVC-U) — Part 1: General
RS ISO 1452-1 4.11.10
Ductile iron pipes, fittings, accessories and their
RS ISO 2531 joints for water applications 4.11.10
Methods for measuring the performance of electric
IEC 60379 storage water heaters for household purposes. 4.11.10
The joint rings for pipelines for hot-water supply up
ISO 9631 to 110 C° — Specification of materials 4.11.10
Handling, storage distribution and maintenance of
liquefied petroleum gas in domestic, commercial,
RS 135 and industrial installations 4.11.10
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders— safely in
RS 136- 2 domestic dwellings in accordance 4.11.10
Wastewater treatment systems ― Design and
construction of septic tanks and associated effluents
RS 143 disposal systems― Code of practice 4.11.11
Water quality ― Tolerance limits of discharged
RS 110 domestic wastewater 4.11.11
Water quality ― Tolerance limits of discharged
RS 109 industrial wastewater 4.11.11
Water quality — Determination of the chemical
RS ISO 6332 oxygen demand 4.11.11

RS ISO 10523 Water quality — Determination of pH 4.11.11

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Water quality — Enumeration of culturable

microorganisms— Colony count by inoculation in
RS ISO 6222 nutrient agar culture media 4.11.11

ISO 17025 Testing and calibration laboratories 4.11.11

ISO 3633 Plastics piping systems for soil and waste discharge 4.11.11

RS 126-1 Wastewater treatment plants — Part 1: Vocabulary 4.11.11

Wastewater treatment plants — Part 2: Construction

RS 126-2 principles 4.11.11

Wastewater treatment plants —Part 3: Safety

RS 126-3 principles 4.11.11

Wastewater treatment plants —Part 4: General Data

RS 126-4 Required 4.11.11
Incineration plant for the destruction of hospital
RS EAS 491 waste 4.11.13
Plastics — Guidelines for the recovery, and
RS ISO 15270 recycling of plastics waste 4.11.13

RS 181 Solid waste-handling, transportation and disposal 4.11.13

RS 182 Solid waste disposal sites, guidelines for design 4.11.13

Waste within healthcare facilities — Handling and
RS 209 disposal 4.11.13
Safety procedures for the disposal of surplus
RS 210 pesticides and associated toxic waste 4.11.13
Incineration plant for the destruction of hospital
RS EAS 492 waste 4.11.13
Incineration plant for the destruction of hospital
RS EAS 493 waste 4.11.13
Incineration plant for the destruction of hospital
RS EAS 49 waste 4.11.13

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Solid waste disposal sites, guidelines for safe

RS 180 management 4.11.13
Basic for Design structure: Seismic action on
ISO 3010 structure 6.15.1
Precast concrete pipes and ancillary concrete
products —Part 7: Specification for road gullies and
RS EAS 426-7 gully cover Slabs 6.15.5

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SECTION 4: OTHER REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Bureau of Indian Standards, (1992). Code of Practice for Excavation 3764, New
1
Delhi, India.

City of Cape Town Heritage Advice Pamphlet, (March, 2007), Alterations and
2
Additions in Historic Residential Areas, City of Cape Town.

Department of Building and Housing, (2012), Building Regulations of New

3
Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.

Federal Republic of Nigeria, (2006), National Building Code for Nigeria, Abuja,
4
Nigeria.

GoR (2005), Basic Housing Construction Instructions For Protection Against

5
Natural and Manmade Disasters In Rural Areas, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2006), Ministerial Order No. 001/2006 Dated 26/09/2006 Determining the
6 Responsibilities and Functioning of the District Land Bureau and Land Registries,
Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2007), Law No. 18/2007 Dated 19/04/2007 Regarding Expropriation In

7
Public Interest, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2007), Presidential Order No. 30/01 Dated 29/06/2007 Which Determine the
8
Number of Years for Land Lease, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2008), Kigali City Council Instructions No. 01/08 dated 14/12/2008 that
9
Regulates Building Operations in Kigali City, Kigali, Rwanda

GoR (2008), Ministerial Order No. 001/2008 Dated 01/04/2008 Which Provide for
10
the Procedure for Land Lease, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2008), Ministerial Order No. 002/2008 Dated 01/04/2008 Which Provides
11
For Modalities For Land Registration, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2009), Ministerial Order No. 001/07.05 Dated 19/05/2009 Relating to the
12
National Programme on Rural Settlement in Imidugudu, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2010), Ministerial Instructions No. 007/2010/MINELA Dated 20/08/2010

13 that Relate to the Amount of Fees Required to be Paid For Land Registration,
Kigali, Rwanda.

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GoR (2010), Cabinet Resolutions of 14/04/2010 that Establishes One Stop Centres,
14
Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2010), Law No. 14/2010 Dated 25/11/2010 Establishing the Rwanda
15 Housing Authority and Determining its Organisation and Functions, Kigali,
Rwanda.
GoR (2010), Law No. 14/2010 Dated 25/11/2010 Establishing the Rwanda
16 Housing Authority and Determining its Organization and Functions, Kigali,
Rwanda.

GoR (2010), Law No. 17/2010 Dated 12/05/2010 Which Establish and Organize
17
the Real Property Valuation, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2010), Ministerial Order No. 005/16.01 Dated 15/07/2010 that Provide for
18
Areas that do not Allow Construction, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2011), Ministerial Order No. 009/16.01 Dated 23/08/2011 Which Determine
19
The Procedure For Obtaining A Freehold Land Title, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2012), Basic Instructions Sheet Against Natural and Man-Made Hazards
20
RHA, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2012), Law No. 10/2012 Dated 02/05/2012 Governing Urban Planning and
21
Building, Kigali, Rwanda.

GoR (2012), Law No. 26/2012 Dated 29/06/2012 that Govern the Profession of
22 Architects and Engineers and Establishing the Institute of Architects and the
Institute of Engineers, Kigali, Rwanda.
GoR (2012), Ministry of Local Government Guidelines of 26/04/2012 Establishing
23 One Stop Centres for Land Services, Planning, Habitation and Infrastructure in
Districts, Kigali, Rwanda

GoR (2012), The Rwanda Building Control Regulations, Second Edition, Kigali,
24
Rwanda.

GoR (2013), Ministerial Order No.001/16.1 Dated 30/01/2013 Which Modify and
25 Complete Ministerial Order No. 001/16.01 dated 26/04/2010 Which Provide For
Modalities For Land Sharing, Kigali, Rwanda.
GoR (2013), Ministerial Instructions No. 001/MIDIMAR/2013 of 24/05/2013
26 Which Provide for Construction Modalities for the Prevention of Disaster, Kigali,
Rwanda.

GoR (2013), Law No. 43/2013 Dated 16/06/2013 that Govern Land, Kigali,
27
Rwanda.

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GoR (2014), Prime Minister’s Instructions No. 001/03 of 11/07/2014 Relating to

28 Fire Prevention in Public Buildings, Public Places and Residential Building.
Kigali, Rwanda.

Government of South Africa (2011), National Building Code of South Africa,

29
South Africa.

30 Government of India (2005), National Building Code of India, New Delhi, India.

31 Government of Kenya (2009), National Building Codes of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.

Government of Rwanda (2009), Facilities for Persons with Disabilities in Public

32
Buildings, Kigali, Rwanda.

Green Building Regulations & Specifications: Green Building Regulations and

33
Specifications in the Emirate of Dubai.

Housing and Building Research Institute. (2012). Bangladesh National Building

34
Code, Bangladesh.

Housing and Building Research Institute, (2012), Bangladesh National Building

35
Code, Bangladesh.

International Building Code (2006), International Building Code, United States of

36
America.

International Building Code (2009), International Building Code, United States of

37
America.

38 International Code Council, (1995), ACI 318, Washington D.C., USA.

International Code Council. (2009). International Building Code, Washington

39
D.C., USA.

Lengen, Johan Van, Barefoot Architect (2008). A Handbook for Green Building,
40
Shelter Publications Inc., Bolinas, California, USA.

Margarita Greene, (2008). Incremental Construction: A Strategy to Facilitate

41
Access to Housing, Santiago, Chile.

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Montana State University. (2007) Structuring Housing for Incremental Change.

42
Bozeman, United States.

National Planning and Building Authority, (2014), Building Code of the Republic
43
of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.

Philippines-Task Force for National Building Code, (2006), National Building

44
Code of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines.

GoR, Presidential Order No. 61/01 Dated 21/11/2008 that Modify and Complete
45 Presidential 30/01 dated 29/06/2007 which Determine the Number of Years for
Land Lease, Kigali, Rwanda.

Brownstone, R. (2004). Proposed Western Engineering Green Building. University

46
of Western Ontario, Canada.

47 Republic of Australia (2012), Building Codes of Australia, Canberra, Australia.

48 Republic of Philippines, Building Code of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines.

SABS Standard Division, (2012), South African National Standards, Part Q,

49
Pretoria, South Africa.

Shared Services BC (2012, Security Systems Specification, British Columbia,

50
Canada.

UN-HABITAT, Promoting Energy Efficiency in the East African Community,

51
Urban Energy Technical Note No.01

United Nations Environment Programme (2006), Eco-Housing Guidelines for

52
Tropical Regions, Bangkok, Thailand.

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CONTENTS

PART 3: ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT ........................................................... 107

SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT ....................................................... 107
SECTION 2: PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT & RESPONSIBILITIES ............................ 110
SECTION 3: PERMITS ............................................................................................................ 113
SECTION 4: CONTROL & APPEALS ..................................................................................... 119
SECTION 5: TEMPORARY STRUCTURES & USES ............................................................ 120
SECTION 6: FEES ..................................................................................................................... 121

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PART 3 : ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT

SECTION 1 : ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT

1.3.1.1. organ having jurisdiction: Unless otherwise provided for by the law, the
Building Control Authority shall have overall jurisdiction and shall administer all
matters covered by this Code.

1.3.1.2. DELEGATION OF POWERS FROM BUILDING CONTROL

AUTHORITY TO BUILDING CONSENT AUTHORITIES

The Building Control Authority shall have jurisdiction to efficiently administer

the provisions of this Code and amendments thereto. Through delegation of
power, planning and building control shall be administered activities the
“Building Consent Authority” where the project is to take place.

The building consent authorities shall perform the following duties:

(i) Enforce the provisions of this Code, policies and procedures necessary for
the application of this code.
(ii) Request submission of the building permit application file including plans,
technical specifications, drawings and description of the project for which a
permit is being applied for, examine and check the content of the
application file in accordance with relevant regulations, and upon approval,
issue a permit Inspect all works authorized by any permit under the
provisions of this Code or amendments made thereto and by approving or
condemning any work in whole or in part as conditions may require;
Inspect all works authorized by any building permit under the provisions of
this Code or amendments made thereto, inspect any other construction
works and administer sanctions in case of any faults, as provided by in this
Code;
(iii) Keep a complete record of all building permitting, inspection and project
processing documents for future consultation.

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1.3.1.3. BUILDING OFFICIAL

1.3.1.3.1. Except as otherwise provided for by this Code herein, a Building Official is a
person responsible for implementation of the provisions of this Code through
enforcement of building regulations, orders and decisions made pursuant thereto,
and on field verification of the implementation of the approved plans;

1.3.1.3.2. Building Officials within the Building Consent Authority and Building Control
Authority shall be recruited in accordance with modalities for the recruitment,
appointment and nomination of public servants and/or any other laws in force.

1.3.1.4. QUALIFICATIONS OF BUILDING OFFICIALS

1.3.1.4.1. No person shall be appointed as a Building Official unless he/she possesses the
following qualifications:

(i) A duly registered Building Professional;

(ii) A member of a duly accredited organization of his profession for not less
than two years; and
(iii) Has the required academic and professional qualifications and experience
in building design and/or construction.

1.3.1.5. DUTIES OF A BUILDING OFFICIAL

1.3.1.5.1. In his/her respective area of operation, the Building Official or Officials shall be
responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Code as well as the
implementing rules and regulations that may be issued there under.

1.3.1.6. LIMITED LIABILITY OF BUILDING OFFICIALS

1.3.1.6.1. The Building Officials acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of
the duties required by the Code or other pertinent law or ordinance shall not be
rendered personally liable for damages that may accrue to persons or property as a
result of an act or omission in the discharge of such duties, act or omission in the
implementation of the designs, specifications and approved plans or drawings. A
suit brought against the authorized personnel or Building Official because of such

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act or omission performed by the authorized personnel in the enforcement of any

provision of this Code or other pertinent laws or ordinances implemented through
the enforcement of this Code shall be defended by the Building Control Authority
or building consent authority whatever the case maybe until final termination of
such proceedings.

1.3.1.6.2. The building officials acting in bad faith and malice in the discharge of the duties
required by the Code or other pertinent law or ordinance shall be rendered
personally reliable for the damage that may accrue to persons or property as a
result of such an act or omission in the discharge of such duties.

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SECTION 2: PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT & RESPONSIBILITIES

1.3.2.1. Building Officials: In accordance with the prescribed procedures governing

modalities for the recruitment, appointment and nomination of public servants, the
City of Kigali or Districts Authority shall have the authority to appoint qualified
and experienced technical officers, inspectors, and reviewers of plans from
different disciplines such as engineers, architects, town planners, land surveyors,
Quantity Surveyors, environmental experts, landscape architects, real estate
managers, urban designers and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out
the functions provided for in of this code and as may be deemed necessary
decided. Such personnel should have proven diversified and professional
experience in building design and construction as well as in the other related field
as mentioned in the previous section of this Code. herein before.

1.3.2.2. Requirements for Registration of Professionals into Professional Regulatory

Bodies: The requirements of this Code with regard to professionals shall be
deemed satisfactory only, when the professional satisfies complies with the
requirements of the respective registration and/or accreditation statutes governing
their respective regulatory bodies.

1.3.2.3. Registry of Professionals: For the purpose of this Code, a Building control
authority shall keep a registry of qualified architects and structural/civil designers
and other professionals as provided by their respective bodies and engineers, town
planners, land surveyors, quantity surveyors, environmental experts, real estate
managers and other professionals as may be deemed necessary.

1.3.2.4. Certification of Works: On completion of the building operations with respect to

the buildings of categories 3, 4 & 5 the architect or the engineer, as the case may
be, shall provide the Building Consent Authority with a certificate (see section 17
form 6 and form 7) confirming that the work has been carried out in accordance
with the design and the specifications and complies with the relevant approved
standards and relevant sections of this Code.

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1.3.2.5. Change of Professionals: In case the registered professional associated with the
preparation and signing of plans or for supervision is being changed during any
stage of building/land development process, the owner that professional shall
notify the Building Consent Authority in writing about further non-association
with the project.

1.3.2.6. Notification of Termination and Succession of a Building Professional: If the

owner of a building terminates the agreement with his or her appointed architect,
engineer or any other professional at any time before the occupation permit is
issued, the owner shall immediately notify the Building Consent Authority in
writing. The owner shall also notify the Building Consent Authority of the new
professional who will continue the assignments.

1.3.2.7. Professional Liability: The engineer, architect or any other professional who
undertakes design or supervision works associated with building or non-building
structure shall be liable for such design works for a period of 10 years from the
date of final acceptance of the structure. The contractor is equally liable for the
same period of ten years for works executed, from the date of their final
acceptance.

Note: Developers, General Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects,

engineers and other design professionals may all be held liable for building
deficiencies and failure to meet any of the requirements of this Code in contract
and/or offence, and in some circumstances, for a breach of fiduciary duty.

1.3.2.8. Professional Indemnity: Different professionals involved in implementation of

the provisions of this Code shall be required to hold professional indemnity
insurance from their respective professional bodies or any Insurance Company.

1.3.2.9. Latent defect Liability: Any parties involved in the construction process are
legally required to obtain a latent defect liability—or decennial (10 years)
liability—insurance policy to cover possible structural flaws or problems in the
building once it is in use.

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1.3.2.10. Contractor’s Insurance: Contractor shall be required to have workers'

compensation, general liability and property damage insurance for any accident
and for any part of building and any other risks that may be associated with the
works, including man-made and natural disasters, except those that may occur due
to force majeure.

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SECTION 3: BUILDING PERMITS

1.3.3.1. PERMITS REQUIRED

1.3.3.1.1. No person, firm or corporation shall develop/erect, construct, enlarge, alter,

repair, move, convert or demolish any building or structure or cause the same to
be done, without first obtaining a separate building permit for each of such
development/building from the Building Consent Authority.

1.3.3.1.2. For any building illegally erected without a building permit, the owner shall not
be compensated in case of expropriation for public interest.

1.3.3.2. TYPES OF PERMITS

Subject to the provisions of Article 85 of the Law No. 10/2012 of 02/05/2012

Governing Urban Planning and Building in Rwanda, a permit shall be required
for:

(i) Development /New construction;

(ii) Refurbishment of existing building with structural alteration;
(iii) Rehabilitation and refurbishment without structural alteration;
(iv) Occupancy (Provisional or Definitive);
(v) Change of use/occupancy;
(vi) Construction of Non-building Structure; and
(vii) Demolition.

1.3.3.3. FURTHER REQUIREMENTS

Permits may be further required for, but not limited to, the following:

(i) All Television/Radio Communication Towers, etc., as regulated by the

Public Utility Regulatory Agency;
(ii) Complete new installations of all solar water heating systems or the
complete replacement of existing system with all new components or the
relocating of panels from the roof to the ground or vice versa, along with
plumbing and electrical systems;
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(iii) Construction or renovation of disabled accessible routes from parking lot

to building or from building to building on a lot;
(iv) Water tanks or catchments intended for potable/household use, regardless
of height or size. For additional requirements where water tank or
catchment systems are used as means of fire protection; and
(v) Retaining walls 2 m and higher. (Stepped or terraced retaining walls 2 m
of each other are considered to be one wall when determining wall height).

1.3.3.4. EXCEPTIONS

Subject to the provisions of Article 83 of the Law No. 10/2012 of 02/05/2012

Governing Urban Planning and Building in Rwanda, a permit shall not be required
for:

(i) Temporary structures used during the construction of permitted structures.

(ii) Temporary buildings or temporary tents or other coverings used for
private family parties or for camping on approved campgrounds, platforms
(iii) Site hoarding fences used during a permitted construction without shifting
plot boundary beacons;
Military and police installations meant for National Defence. However,
the works shall be undertaken under supervision of a qualified architect or
engineer;
Temporary shelter for refugees and internally displaced people;
(iv) The Building Consent Authority shall before granting authorization, assess
the intended temporary structure such building in relation to:
a. The intended use and lifespan of the building;
b. The area in which it is to be erected; and
c. The suitability of materials that shall be used Any building intended to
be used for experimental, demonstration, testing or assessment
purposes shall be regarded as a temporary building:
a. When testing or assessment of the completed building is the only way
to demonstrate compliance with the requirements or the regulations;

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b. for a period of time as applied for the erection of the building and for
the performance of any experiment or the demonstration, testing or
assessment of such building;

1.3.3.5. CONSIDERATION OF OTHER LAWS

While assessing the content of the building permit application file, the Building
Consent Authority shall take into account the provisions from other applicable
laws and regulations for layout, building plans, water supply, sewerage, drainage,
electrification, etc The Building Consent Authority shall also take care of the
need for landscape development plan incorporating rainwater harvesting
proposals in the layout and building plans.

1.3.3.6. OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN ISSUANCE OF PERMITS

In addition to the Building Consent Authority, specific approvals shall be

obtained from the consolidated focal persons of the relevant
stakeholders/institutions such as the Government institution in charge of Civil
Aviation, Government institution in charge of regulation of Utilities, Government
institution in charge of Energy, Rwanda National Police Fire Services
Department, Government institution in charge of Environmental Management,
and any such other Building Consent Authority as may be applicable.

1.3.3.7. SPECIAL BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION REVIEW TEAM

In order to facilitate clearance from the above bodies with the concept of a single
clearance centre and thereby final approval by the Building Consent Authority
within the stipulated time frame, the Building Consent Authority may constitute a
special building permit application review team consisting of representative of the
team of building officials or representatives of bodies/organizations from whom
clearance for development/building permit clearance is required.
Recommendations from such team shall be summarily utilized by the Building
Consent Authority in the sanctioning process.

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1.3.3.8. PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN PERMIT APPLICATION

When it is required that documents be prepared by a registered design

professional, the Building Consent Authority shall require the registered design
professionals to review and approve the building proposals including plans and
certify completion of building for issue of related regulatory building permits and
occupancy certificate for residential, industrial and commercial buildings
designed by self or otherwise.

1.3.3.9. CATEGORIES OF BUILDINGS

For the purpose of determining conditions for professional involvement in permit

application, the following categories shall apply:

Table 1.3.3-1: Categories of Buildings

S/N Category of Buildings Description

Category one comprises structures which can be removed without
01 Category 1 compensation and it is characterizes by the following conditions:

i) It does not require construction permit;

ii) It has a total floor area that does not exceed 1000sqm;
iii) It must be non-storeyed and basement free structure;
iv) It Accommodates not more than 500 people;
v) Its validity cannot be longer than 2 years.
vi) It must not be intended for worship, industries, storage of
hazardous and perishable commodities and goods.

Category 2 comprises administrative, residential and commercial

02 Category 2 buildings except industrial buildings, hazardous buildings, health
facilities that are characterized by the following:

i) Total floor area not exceeding 200 m2;

ii) Non storeyed and basement-free ( G+0);
iii) Capacity to host 15 people or less.

Category 3 comprises Residential, Commercial buildings including

03 Category 3 warehouses, except Industrial buildings, hazardous buildings, health

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facilities, and which are simultaneously characterized by:

i) total floor area not exceeding 1500 m2 and plot size not
exceeding 1000m2;
ii) not higher than two storied building (G+1);
iii) Capacity to host 50 people or less;
iv) The total height of the building not exceeding 7m.

Category 4 comprises towers and antennas, all types of buildings,

04 Category 4 except industrial buildings and hazardous buildings which are
characterized by the following aspects:

i) buildings with three (3) storeys and above (≥G+2) with or

without basements,
ii) buildings with the capacity to host people not exceeding
five hundred (≤500);

05 Category 5 Category 5 comprises:

i) sports facilities, social, cultural, and assembly and religious

buildings, health facilities, educational buildings, or other
publicly accessible facilities with a capacity to host more than
500 people;
ii) industrial buildings and hazardous buildings;
iii) Memorial Sites;
iv) All other structures not specified in any other category.

Category 6 does not require building permit and it comprises all:

06 Category 6
i) specific buildings for national security excluding social,
residential and commercial buildings;

ii) Temporary shelter for returnees, refugees and internally

displaced people.

1.3.3.9.1. REQUIRED CONDITIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN

PERMIT APPLICATION

(i) A demand for building permit for Buildings of Category 1 and 2 does not require
certification by an architect or a civil engineer;

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(ii) An application for building permit for Categories 3 shall be certified by an

architect or civil engineer;
(iii) An application for building permit for Buildings Categories 4 and 5 shall be
certified by an architect and civil engineer; and
(iv) Building in category 1 and 6 shall not request a permit but construction works for
Building in category 6 shall be undertaken under the supervision of qualified
architect and engineer.
1.3.3.10. DEMOLITION PERMIT

1.3.3.10.1. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to remove a building or part thereof
shall request for a demolition permit. This provision includes buildings that shall
be demolished during an upgrading and /or construction on sites approved for
construction where removal of parts or all existing structures is required.

1.3.3.10.2. Demolition works shall also be carried out whenever there are grounds justifying
that the use of a building is unsafe. The Building Consent Authority shall notify
the owner, in writing, the reasons for any required demolition.

1.3.3.10.3. The demolition of a building likely to affect or disrupt the normal conduct of
public activities or constitute a danger to the public shall be carried out by
experts.

1.3.3.11. MISUSE OF ISSUED PERMITS

1.3.3.11.1. An issued permit shall not be interpreted as an approval for violation of any
provision of this Code or any other Law or bylaw. Permits implying to give power
to violate or cancel the provisions of this Code or other law shall not be valid.

1.3.3.11.2. The Building Consent Authority has the discretion to request correction of errors
noticed in approved plans and any construction documents, after issuance of
permit. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data
shall not prevent the Building Consent Authority from requiring the correction of
errors in the construction documents and other data.

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SECTION 4: CONTROL & APPEALS

1.3.4.1. BUILDING CONTROL

1.3.4.1.1. Building Consent authority oversights shall be handled by a committee in charge

of building control, referred to as the “Urban Planning Coordination Meeting”, as
provided for in the Urban Planning Code. The committee is established as this
Code comes into force and the building control authority shall determine its
members, powers and functions.

1.3.4.2. APPEALS

1.3.4.2.1. The Urban Planning Coordination Meeting and a representative from Building
Control Authority shall function as the Appeals Committee.

1.3.4.2.2. OUTCOME OF APPEALS

The findings and decisions of members of the appeals committee shall be deemed
conclusive. And in case the plaintiff is not satisfied with the decision of the
appeals committee she/he may appeal to a court of law.

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SECTION 5: TEMPORARY STRUCTURES & USES

1.3.5.1. For any application to erect a building that qualifies to be a temporary building,
the Building Consent Authority may grant authorization for the applicant to
proceed with the erection of the building, subject to compliance with any
conditions or directions specified in the authorization upon submission of a
notice. Such authorization shall be limited as to time of service; the demolition of
these buildings shall be as specified during the application for the authorization,
but not exceeding two years.

1.3.5.2. The building official is authorized to grant extensions for demonstrated cause at
the request of the owner

1.3.5.3. The Building Consent Authority shall, before granting the authorization, require
the owner of the temporary building to submit a site plan with the application
accompanied by layout drawings in sufficient detail, to enable the Building
Official to determine the general size, form, materials of construction and use of
the proposed temporary building

1.3.5.4. Temporary structures and uses shall conform to the structural strength, fire safety,
and means of egress, accessibility, light, ventilation and sanitary requirements of
this Code as necessary to ensure public health, safety and general welfare in
accordance with good practice.

1.3.5.5. Such buildings and temporary structures shall be completely removed on the
expiry of the period specified in the authorisation or before expiry period if
deemed necessary by the Building Consent Authority without any compensation.

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SECTION 6: FEES

1.3.6.1. FEES RECORDS

Every Building Consent Authority shall keep a permanent record and accurate
account of all fees and other charges imposed as authorized by the Presidential
Order establishing the list of fees and other charges levied by decentralized
entities and determining their thresholds to be collected and received under this
Code. The fee shall be deposited in the bank account of the Building Consent
Authority within which the proposed building is to be constructed.

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CONTENTS

PART 4: CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES ....................................124

SECTION 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES ..................................................................................... 124
SECTION 2: USE & OCCUPANCY .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
SECTION 3: CLASSIFICATION BY FIRE RESISTANCE ..................................................135
SECTION 4: MULTIPLE CLASSIFICATION ........................................................................138
SECTION 5: HEIGHT & AREA LIMITATION ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
SECTION 6: DESIGN POPULATION ....................................................................................139

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SECTION 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES

1.4.1.1. The classification of a building or part of a building shall be determined by the purpose for
which it is designed, constructed or adapted to be used /occupied.

1.4.1.2. Buildings or portions of buildings shall be classified with respect to occupancy in one or
more of the groups listed in table 1.4.1-1. A room or space that is intended to be occupied at
different times for different purposes shall comply with all of the requirements that are
applicable to each of the purposes for which the room or space will be occupied. Where a
building is proposed for a purpose that is not specifically provided for in this Code, such
building shall be classified in the group that the occupancy most nearly resembles, according
to the fire safety and relative hazard involved.

1.4.1.3. The Rwanda Building Code has eleven main occupancy groups as well as multiple
subgroups. The occupancy group or subgroup defines the specific use of the building.
Subgroups are numbered based on the perceived risk for the building occupants. The lower
the subgroup number, the higher the perceived risk. Occupancy groups and subgroups are
defined as follows:
Table 1.4.1-1: Occupancy Classification

S/No. GROUP CLASSIFICATION SUB- GROUPS

A ASSEMBLY A-1, A-2, A-3, A- Gatherings/civic/religious/social/recreatio

01
4, A-5 nal

B BUSINESS B-1. B-2 and B-3 Office/Professional or Service

02
(COMMERCIAL) Transactions

03 E EDUCATIONAL E-1 and E-2 Schools

F FACTORY AND F-1 and F-2 Manufacturing/Fabrication/Packaging

04
INDUSTRIAL

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I INSTITUTIONAL I-1, I-2, I-3 and I- Assisted Living/Hospitals/Prisons

05
4

M MERCANTILE M-1, M-2, and M- Display & Sale of Merchandise

06
3

R RESIDENTIAL R-1, R-2, R-3, R- Housing/Apartments/Hotel

07
4, R-5

S STORAGE S-1 and S-2 Non or Low-Hazardous Storage (parking

08
garages)

09 MEM MEMORIAL

10 MIX MIXED USE

11 MISC MISCELLANEOUS Other Structures

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Table 1.4.1-2: Use and Occupancy Classification

Class Sub- Group Description

A - ASSEMBLY These shall include any building or part of a building, where number of persons
not less than 50 congregate or gather for amusement, recreation, social, religious,
patriotic, civil, travel and similar purposes. Examples include theatres, motion
picture houses, assembly halls, auditoria, exhibition halls, museums,
gymnasiums, restaurants, places of worship, dance halls, club rooms, passenger
stations and airports, surface and marine public transportation services, recreation
piers and stadia, etc.

A-1 - Entertainment and public Occupancy where persons gather to eat, drink, dance or participation other
assembly recreation.

A-2 - Theatrical and indoor sport Occupancy where persons gather for the viewing of theatrical, operatic,
orchestral, choral, cinematographically or sport performance

A-3 - Places of instruction Occupancy where school children, students or other persons assemble for the
purpose of tuition or learning for less than 8 hours per week

A-4 - Worship; Occupancy where persons assemble for the purpose of worshipping

A-5 - Outdoor sport; Occupancy where persons view outdoor sports events

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B –BUSINESS Occupancy where transaction of business of non-industrial process is carried out.

Example of use of the building or structure, or a portion may include;- office,
(COMMERCE/SERVICES)
professional or service-type transactions, , airport traffic control towers, Banks;;
Clinic—outpatient; Electronic data processing; Laboratories—testing and
research; Motor vehicle showrooms; Post offices; Print shops; keeping of
accounts and records and similar purposes, Professional establishment and
services (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers, etc.); Radio and
television stations; Telephone exchanges; Training and skill development not
within a school or academic program.

Occupancy where a non-industrial process is carried out and where either the
material handled or the process carried out is liable, in the event of fire, to cause
B 1- High risk commercial service
combustion with extreme rapidity or give rise to poisonous fumes, or cause
explosions.

Occupancy where a non-industrial process is carried out and where either the
B 2- Moderate risk commercial
material handled or the process carried out is liable, in the event of fire, to cause
service
combustion with moderate rapidity but is not likely to give rise to poisonous
fumes, or cause explosions.

B 3- Low risk commercial service. Occupancy where a non-industrial process is carried out and where neither the
material handled nor the process carried out falls into the high or moderate risk
category

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E- EDUCATIONAL Occupancy where school children, students or other persons assemble for the
purpose of tutoring or learning. These shall include any building used for school,
college, and other training institutions for day-care purposes

E 1 – Up to Senior Secondary This sub-division shall include any building or a group of buildings under single
level. management, which is used for students not less than 20 in number

E 2 - All others/training This sub-division shall include any building or a group of buildings under single
Institutions management that is used for students not less than 100 in number.

F-FACTORY AND Places where goods are manufactured or repaired (unless considered "High-
INDUSTRIAL Hazard"

F- 1 - High risk industrial Occupancy where an industrial process is carried out and where either the
material handled or the process carried out is liable, in the event of fire, to cause
.
combustion with extreme rapidity or give rise to poisonous fumes, or cause
explosions

F -2 - Moderate risk industrial Occupancy where an industrial process is carried out and where either the
material handled or the process carried out is liable, in the event of fire, to cause
combustion with moderate rapidity but is not likely to give rise to poisonous
fumes, or cause explosions.

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F- 3 - Low risk industrial Occupancy where an industrial process is carried out and where neither the
material handled nor the process carried out falls into the high or moderate risk
category This shall include any building in which the contents are of such
comparative low combustibility and there are hardly any possibilities for any self-
propagating fire to occur and the only consequent danger to life and property may
arise from panic, fumes or smoke, or fire from some external source.

F- 4 - Plant room Occupancy comprising usually unattended mechanical or electrical services

necessary for the running of a building.

I - INSTITUTIONAL Places where people are physically unable to leave without assistance. Examples:
hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.

I- 1-Place of detention Occupancy where people are detained for punitive or corrective reasons or
[Restrained] because of their mental condition

I -2- Hospitals and health centres Occupancy where people are cared for or treated because of physical or mental
[Incapacitated] disabilities and where they are generally bed ridden

Occupancy where groups of people who either are not fully fit, or who are
I-3- Other Institutional restricted in their movements or their ability to make decisions, reside and are
cared for

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M- MERCANTILE These shall include any building or part of a building, which is used as shops,
stores, market, for display and sale of merchandise, either wholesale or retail.

Mercantile buildings shall be further sub-classed as follows:

M-1-Large shops Occupancy where merchandise is displayed and offered for sale to the public and
where the floor area exceeds 250m2

M-2-Small shops Occupancy where merchandise is displayed and offered for sale to the public and
where the floor area does not exceed 250m2

M-3-Wholesalers stores Occupancy where goods are displayed and stored and where only a limited
selected group of persons is present at any one time

R- RESIDENTIAL These shall include any building in which sleeping accommodation is provided
for normal residential purposes with or without cooking or dining or both
facilities, except any building classified under I (Institutions); Examples: houses,
apartment buildings, hotels, and motels. Residential- shall be further sub-classed
as follows:

Occupancy where persons rent furnished rooms, not being dwelling units

R-1-Hotel

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R-2-Lodging These shall include any building or group of buildings under the same

management, in which separate sleeping accommodation is provided on transient

or permanent basis, with or without dining facilities but without cooking facilities
for individuals is provided. This includes inns, clubs, motels and guest houses.

These shall include any building in which group sleeping accommodation is

provided, with or without dining facilities for persons who are not members of
the same family, in one room or a series of closely associated rooms under joint
occupancy and single management, for example, school and college dormitories,
R-3-Dormitory students, and other hostels and military barracks.

R-4-Domestic
Occupancy consisting of two or more dwelling units on a single site
residence/apartments

Occupancy consisting of a dwelling unit on its own site. May include a garage
and other domestic outbuildings, if any. It will usually be occupied by members
of one or two families and has a total sleeping accommodation for not more than
R-5-Dwelling house 20 persons.

S- STORAGE These shall include any building or part of a building used primarily for the
storage or sheltering including servicing, processing or repairs incidental to
storage) of goods, ware or merchandise e.g. warehouses, cold storage, freight

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depots, transit sheds, storehouses, hangers and stables.

Occupancy where material is stored and where the stored material is liable, in the
event of a fire, to cause combustion with extreme rapidity or give rise to
S-1- High risk storage poisonous fumes, or cause explosions

Occupancy where material is stored and where the stored material is liable, in the
event of a fire, to cause combustion with extreme rapidity but is not likely to give
S-2- Moderate risk storage rise to poisonous fumes, or cause explosions

Occupancy where the stored material does not fall into the high or moderate risk
S-3- Low risk storage category

S-4- Parking garage Occupancy used for storing or parking of more than 10 motor vehicles

MEM- MEMORIAL Sites or building erected for commemoration and honor of genocide victims

MIX – MIXED USE Many buildings may have multiple occupancies. These are referred to as "mixed
occupancies" and the different parts will be required to meet the codes for those
specific areas. An example of this is a shopping mall with apartments on the
upper floors. The shopping area itself is Group M (mercantile), while the
apartments would qualify as Class R (Residential).

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MISC- MISCELLANEOUS buildings often have rooms or spaces different from but accessory or ancillary to
UTILITY the main occupancy. That space or room shall be considered ancillary when it
does not exceed 10% of the area of the story in which it is located. The accessory
occupancy does not need to be accounted for in construction type determination
and related height/area determination for a building. The allowable building area
and allowable building height of the ancillaries are permitted to be based solely
MIX-1- Accessory occupancy on the main occupancy classification(s).

multiple occupancies without a physical separation between them. Occupancies

are individually classified in accordance with this code the requirements of the
code are based on the occupancy classification of the space, except that the most
restrictive requirements for fire safety are applied to the total non-separated
MIX-2- Non- separated occupancy occupancy fire area.

require physical separation by fire barrier walls and/or horizontal assemblies with
a fire-resistance rating between occupancies. Occupancies are located in separate
fire areas, and each fire area is required to comply with the code based on the
MIX-3- Separated occupancies occupancy classification of that portion of the building.

Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures

not classified in any specific occupancy. They shall be constructed, equipped and
maintained to conform to the requirements of this code commensurate with the
fire and life hazard incidental to their occupancy. Examples: Agricultural

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buildings; Aircraft hangars, accessory to a one- or two-family residence; Barns;

Carports; Fences more than 6 feet (1829 mm) 2m high; Grain silos, accessory to a
residential occupancy; Greenhouses; Livestock shelters; Private garages;
Retaining walls; Sheds; Stables; Tanks; Swimming pools …

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SECTION 2: CLASSIFICATION BY FIRE RESISTANCE

1.4.3.1 General: Buildings and structures erected or to be erected, altered or extended in

height or area shall be classified in one of the five construction types defined in
sub-sections 1.4.3.3 through 1.4.3.6. The building elements shall have a fire-
resistance rating not less than that specified in Section 3.8.2 of this Code and
exterior walls shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that specified in
Section 3.8.2 of this Code as per the classifications below:

(i) Type I (fire resistive) Least combustible

(ii) Type II (non-combustible)
(iii) Type III (ordinary)
(iv) Type IV (heavy timber)
(v) Type V (wood frame) Most combustible

1.4.3.2 Minimum requirements: A building or portion of it shall not be required to

conform to the details of a type of construction higher than that type, which meets
the minimum requirements based on occupancy even though certain features of
such a building actually conform to a higher type of construction.

1.4.3.3 Types I and II: Type I and II constructions are those types of construction in which
the building elements are of non-combustible materials, except as permitted
elsewhere in this Code.

TYPE I is supposed to confine fire by its construction. In this type of construction,

the building elements are of non-combustible materials such as concrete and steel.
The roof is also of non-combustible material such as concrete or steel

TYPE II. This type of building has steel or concrete walls, floors and structural
framework similar to type I construction. However, the roof covering material is
combustible. The roof covering of a type II building can be a layer of asphalt
water proofing, with a combustible felt paper covering. Another layer of asphalt
may be mopped over the felt paper.

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1.4.3.4 Type III: Type III construction is that type of construction in which the exterior
walls are of non-combustible materials and the interior building elements are of
any material permitted by this Code. This type of constructed building is also
called a brick and joist structure by some. It has masonry bearing walls but the
floors, structural framework and roof are made of wood or other combustible
material. For example: concrete block building with wood roof and floor trusses.
Fire-retardant-treated wood framing shall be permitted within exterior wall
assemblies of a 2-hour rating or less.

1.4.3.5 Type IV: Type IV construction (Heavy Timber, HT) is that type of construction in
which the exterior walls are of non-combustible materials and the interior building
elements are of solid or laminated wood without concealed spaces. The details of
Type IV construction shall comply with the provisions of this section. Fire-
retardant-treated wood framing shall be permitted within exterior wall assemblies
with a 2-hour rating or less.

1.4.3.6 Type V: Type V - Wood-frame construction is the most combustible of the five
building types. The interior framing and exterior walls may be wood. A wood-
frame building is the only one of the five types of construction that has
combustible exterior walls. These buildings may be built with 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 studs
and load bearing walls, wood floor trusses or wood floor joist and wood roof
framing.
Protected "A" means that all structural members of a building or structure has
additional fire rated coating or cover by means of drywall, spray on, or other
approved method. This additional fire rated coating or cover extends the fire
resistance rating of structural members for at least 1 hour.

Un-protected "B" means that all structural members of a building or structure have
no additional fire rated coating or cover.

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1.4.3.7. Allowable combustible material in type I and II construction: Combustible materials

shall be permitted in buildings of Type I or Type II construction in the following
applications
(i) Fire-retardant-treated wood shall be permitted in:
a. Non-bearing partitions where the required fire-resistance rating is 2
hours or less.
b. Non-bearing exterior walls where no fire rating is required.
(ii) Roof construction, including girders, trusses, framing and decking.
Exception:

(i) In buildings of Type I construction exceeding two stories in height, fire-

retardant-treated wood is not permitted in roof construction when the
vertical distance from the upper floor to the roof is less than 6m.
(ii) Thermal and acoustical insulation other than foam plastics, having a flame
spread index of not more than 25 or other materials as will be specifically
stated in later chapters.
(iii) Piping. The use of combustible piping materials shall be permitted when
installed in accordance with the limitations of this code.
(iv) Electrical. The use of electrical wiring methods with combustible
insulation, tubing, raceways and related components shall be permitted
when installed in accordance with the limitations of this Code.

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SECTION 3: MULTIPLE CLASSIFICATION, HEIGHT & AREA LIMITATION

1.4.4.1. While many buildings may have multiple occupancies, each part of a building must be
classified separately and where there are “mixed occupancies” the different parts will
be required to meet the Codes for those specific areas. An example of this is a
shopping mall with underground parking. The shopping area itself is Group M
(mercantile), while the parking area would qualify as Group S (storage). In this case
where parts have different purposes - if not more than 10% of the floor area of a
storey, being the minor use, is used for a purpose which is a different classification,
the classification applying to the major use may apply to the whole storey. A plant
room, machinery room, lift motor room, boiler room or the like must have the same
classification as the part of the building in which it is situated.

1.4.4.2. In places where the building can be classified in more than one occupancy the stricter
Code provision is usually enforced. An example of this is a restaurant with seating
under 50 which is not addressed in the Code as either mercantile or business (this is a
technical issue, but could be viewed as either or neither). Code enforcement officials
will usually enforce the strictest side of the Code.

1.4.5.1. The maximum height and number of storeys of every building shall depend on the
character of occupancy and the type of construction, considering population density,
building coverage, widths of streets and car parking requirements and shall be in
accordance with the provision of the Urban Planning Code.

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SECTION 4: DESIGN POPULATION

1.4.6.1 The population of any room or storey or portion thereof shall be taken as the actual
population of such room, storey or portion thereof where such population is known, where
such population is not known, the population shall be calculated from the criteria given in
Table 1.4.6-1.
Table 1.4.6-1: Design Population

Class of Occupancy Design Population

A-1, A-2, A-4, A-5, A-6 Number of fixed seats or 1 person per m2 where there are no fixed seats

I-2, I-3, R-1, R-2, R-4, R-5 2 persons per bedroom or actual number of persons, whichever is the
R-7 greater.

F-1, F-2, F3, M-1, M-2 1 person per 10 m2 or actual number of persons, whichever is greater

F4, M-3, S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4 1 person per 30 m2

B-1, B-2, B-3, R6, MISC 1 person per 10m2

I-1, R-3 1 person per 5 m2

A-3, B-4, B-5, E-1, E-2 1 person per 4 m2

1.4.6.2 Any building not covered above shall be classified in the group which most nearly
resembles its existing or proposed use.

1.4.6.3. Where change in the occupancy of any building places is in a different group or in
a different subdivision of the same group, such building shall be made to comply
with the requirements of the Code for the new class or its sub-division.

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CONTENTS

PART 5: DEVELOPMENT PLANNING & GENERAL BUILDING

REQUIREMENTS…………………………………………………………………………….142
SECTION 1: REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING APPLICATION ..................................... 142
SECTION 2: PRESENTATION OF PLANS ........................................................................... 143
SECTION 3: SITE PLANS & PARTICULARS ...................................................................... 146
SECTION 4: LAYOUT DRAWINGS...................................................................................... 148
SECTION 5: DRAINAGE INSTALLATION DRAWINGS PARTICULARS ....................... 149
SECTION 6: FIRE PROTECTION PLANS ............................................................................ 151
SECTION 9: GRADING, EXCAVATIONS, FILLS, NOISE & CONTROL OF DUST ........ 152
SECTION 11: GENERAL PLANNING, SITING OF BUILDING & PARKING .................... 153
SECTION 12: PLANNING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY .......................................... 159
SECTION 13: SUPERVISION & INSPECTION ...................................................................... 163
SECTION 14: CERTIFICATION PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY.................................................. 168
SECTION 15: VIOLATIONS, OFFENCES, STOP WORK ORDERS & FINES .................... 170
SECTION 16: UNSAFE STRUCTURES .................................................................................. 173
SECTION 17: FORMS ............................................................................................................... 175

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PART 5: DEVELOPMENT PLANNING & GENERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 1: REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION

1.5.1.1. Development Permission: No person shall develop or cause to be developed any

non-temporary building on land where development permission has not been
granted, except for specific buildings as outlined in this code.

1.5.1.2. Conditions for issuance of building permit:

Granting building permits shall comply with:

(i) Any existing and applicable urban planning document;

(ii) Planning and building regulations in force (this Code);
(iii) Any provisions established by law, including regulation on road, rail and
waterways network, road traffic, transmission of energy, aeronautics,
protection of water resources, sanitation and environment protection; and
(iv) Any existing public infrastructures and utilities plans.

1.5.1.3. Conditions for the issuance of building permit in area without existing urban
planning documents:

When the area for development has no urban plan in place, in addition to
compliance with articles 1.5.1.1, and 1.5.1.2 on the issuing of building permits,
the Building Consent Authority shall consider that:

(i) The proposed development is not located in an area for which the Planning
Authority has decided to elaborate, update or revise a planning document;
(ii) A plot where development is proposed shall be directly accessible;
(iii) The proposed use of the development is compatible with neighbouring
uses;

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SECTION 2: PRESENTATION OF PLANS

1.5.2.1. Procedure for application for building permit: An application for building
permit shall be submitted to the Building Consent Authority as applicable.

(i) There shall be a consultation between the applicant or his/her

representative and an authorized staff of the Building Consent Authority
as applicable for verification and approval of the completeness of the
building permit application file;
(ii) When using online application through the certified online permitting
management information system, the complete set of documents shall be
uploaded by authorized person;
(iii) The technical assessment of the permit demand file starts once the
building permit application file completeness has been approved by the
Building Consent Authority.

1.5.2.2. Application and Presentation of Plans: An application (see section 17, Form 1),
signed and dated by the owner, shall be accompanied by at least one set of plans,
drawings and diagrams which shall be clear and legible, on suitable durable
material, and shall contain the name of the owner of the plot and shall be signed,
stamped and dated by the architect where applicable, and every alteration
thereafter shall likewise be dated, stamped and signed.

1.5.2.3. Building plans approval or Refusal: The Building Consent Authority may
either approve or refuse the plans and specifications or may approve them with
such modifications or directions as it may deem necessary and thereupon shall
communicate its decision to the person giving the notice. In the case of refusal,
the Building Consent Authority shall quote the reason and relevant sections of the
Code which the plans contravene. The Building Consent Authority shall as far as
possible, advice all the objections to the plans and specifications in the first
instance itself and shall ensure that no new objections are raised when they are
resubmitted after compliance of earlier objections.

Once the plan has been scrutinized and objections have been pointed out, the
owner giving notice shall modify the plan to comply with the objections raised
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and re-submit it. The Building Consent Authority shall scrutinize the re-submitted
plan and if there be further objections, the plan shall be rejected.

1.5.2.4. Grant of Permit and Duration of assessment period: The first response/invalid
notice/non-compliance intimation shall be issued by the Building Consent
Authority to the owner within 7 working days of submission of the plans to the
Building Consent Authority. When all the requirements for the permit are fulfilled
and comply with articles 1.5.1.4, the duration taken to assess and approve a
complete building permit application file and deliver a building permit shall not
exceed 30 calendar days from the date of confirmation of completeness of the file.
In case the permit cannot be delivered within the prescribed time mentioned
above for any reasons, the District or the City of Kigali Council shall inform the
applicant in writing.

1.5.2.5. Expiration: When a building permit has been granted, works shall commence
within two (2) years of issuance and works shall be completed within 1 to 5 years
depending on the Category of Building Project as per instructions by the District
Council or City of Kigali Council as applicable.

(i) Every permit issued by the Building Official under the provisions of this
Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void:
a. After its period of validity as stipulated on the permit, or
b. Two years from the date of issuance if the building or work authorized
by the permit is not commenced by such date.
Extension of time may be granted and shall be of a reasonable length of time but
in no case exceed six months. Requests for an extension must be made in writing
to the Building official.

(ii) Upon expiration of a permit, all work shall cease and shall not be
recommenced until a new permit is obtained. The building official may
waive the requirements for submittal of plans and specifications in
connection with a permit renewal if the work previously permitted remains
the same and no amendments have been made to the building code
affecting the work, and previously approved plans are still on file. When

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the building official determines that plans need not be submitted, the
original plans, stamped and approved by the building official shall be the
renewed permit plans.

1.5.2.6. Building permits extension: The request for extending the building permit shall
be submitted to the Building Consent Authority where the previous building
permit was issued.

1.5.2.7. Obligation to complete construction: In case a building permit expires before

completion, the execution works shall be suspended. Any renewal of the building
permit will be subject to payment as shall be determined by Building Consent
Authority.

1.5.2.8. Revocation of Permit: The Building Consent Authority may revoke any permit
issued under the provisions of the Code, wherever there has been any false
statement, misrepresentation of any material fact in the application on which the
permit was based or violation of building permit or in case of noncompliance
thereof and shall state the reasons for revoking the permit.

1.5.2.9. Restoration of permit: The owner shall be required to modify plans to comply
with regulations before the permit is restored for that purpose.

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SECTION 3: SITE PLANS & PARTICULARS

1.5.3.1. Plans, drawings and diagrams: Shall be drawn to suitable scales but not smaller
than the scales indicated in the following paragraphs:

(i) Site Plans: 1:2500 or 1:1250 or 1:1000 or 1:500 or 1:250 or 1:200 or

1:100;
(ii) Drainage installation drawings: 1:200 or 1:100 or 1: 50;
(iii) Layout drawings (including demolition drawings, if any) 1:100 or 1:50 or
1:20;
(iv) Sections & Elevations: 1:100 or 1:50;
(v) General structural arrangements and details: 1:100 or 1:50 or 1:20 or 1:10
or 1:5 or 1:2 or 1:1
(vi) Fire protection plans: 1:200 or 1:100 or 1:50 or 1:20.

1.5.3.1. Letters: In all cases the scales used shall be stated on the plans, drawings or
diagrams and the letters and symbols adopted shall be not less than 2.5 mm.

1.5.3.2. North point: The North point shall be indicated at the top right-hand corner of all
the site or location plans.

1.5.3.3. Site Plans information: A site plan referred to in sub-articles 1.5.3.1 of these
regulations shall contain the following information where applicable:

(i) Dimensions of the site on which the building is to be erected, the

boundaries of such site with its geo-coordinates, the dimensioned position
of any building line and the position and width of any servitude or right of
way to which such site is subject;
(ii) Registered number or other designation of the site;
(iii) Direction of true north and if required, the natural ground contours at
suitable vertical intervals or spot levels at each corner of the site;
(iv) Name of the street upon which the site adjoins where applicable;
(v) Position of any service main and any connection point to the service main
and of any sewer, storm water drain existing upon such site;

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(vi) Position of the proposed building, existing building to be demolished (if

applicable);
(vii) Any existing and intended point of access from any street, and any tree,
street furniture, apparatus or equipment relative to the access.

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SECTION 4: LAYOUT DRAWINGS

1.5.4.1. Layout Drawings: Any layout drawing prepared in accordance with these
Regulations shall consist of as many plans, sections and elevations as may be
necessary to indicate, where relevant, the position, form, dimensions and
materials of the building proposed to be erected.

(i) The foundations, floors, walls, damp-proofing material, windows that are
fixed or can be opened, fanlights, louvers and other ventilating devices,
artificial ventilation systems, doors, stairs, roofs and chimneys shall be
clearly shown on the plans, drawings or diagrams;
(ii) The layout drawings shall also indicate sanitary fixtures, structural
members, the intended use of rooms and other spaces as well as the
horizontal and vertical dimensions of the rooms and other spaces;
(iii) Where fixed seating is provided, the layout of all rows, seats and aisles,
the position of all exit doors, and the total number of seats shall be shown
on the plans;
(iv) The location, levels and size of any paved areas adjacent to the building
shall be marked on the layout drawings;
(v) Where required by the Building Consent Authority, the layout drawings
shall include the levels of any adjoining verge or roadway, together with a
section along the length of any driveway, which shall show the relative
levels and gradients of the driveway, and storm water drainage;
(vi) The Building Consent Authority office may require the levels of the floors
relative to one another and to the existing ground surface, the proposed
finished ground surface or the surface of any public place or public street
to be marked on the layout drawings;
(vii) Where applicable, the details of any special provisions for persons with
disabilities shall be given on all plans, drawings and diagrams.

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SECTION 5: DRAINAGE INSTALLATION DRAWINGS PARTICULARS

1.5.5.1. Drainage Installation Drawings and Particulars: A drawing of the drainage

installation as required by these regulations shall contain as many plans, sections
and elevations as shall be necessary to show, where relevant:

(i) Position, size, gradient and any connecting point to the drain in relation to
a datum established on the site and the level of the ground relative thereto;
(ii) Position of any point of access to the interior of any drain;
(iii) Position of any trapped gully;
(iv) Position and details of any septic tank, cesspool, soakage pit, conservancy
tank, private sewage treatment plant or sewage pump;
(v) Position of any percolation test hole excavated on the site and any French
drain;
(vi) Position and arrangement of any sanitary fixture served by the drainage
installation;
(vii) Position and size of any soil pipe, waste pipe and ventilating pipe or
device;
(viii) Positions of all openings in the building, such as chimneys, skylights,
doors, windows, ventilation openings and air intakes that could permit the
entry of foul air or gas into such building from any ventilating pipe or
device; and
(ix) Position of any well, borehole or watercourse on the site which may be
affected by any proposed soakage pit or French drain.

1.5.5.2. Other submittals that may be required for drainage: The Building Consent
Authority office may require the owner to submit the following:

(i) Drainage design calculations, which shall clearly indicate the basis for
such design;
(ii) An estimate of the composition and quantity of any industrial effluent
proposed to be discharged into any sewer; and
(iii) Where approval has been given for the industrial effluent to be discharged
into any sewer, plans and particulars of any drainage works and

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installations as required by the relevant water, sewerage and

environmental bodies in terms of the conditions of approval for such
discharge.
Where abbreviations are to be used to signify details on drainage
installation drawings, they shall be as indicated in the following list;
Provided that where there may be a possibility of misunderstanding, the
description shall be written in full:

Access opening AO Inspection eye IE

Air valve AV Invert level IL
Air release valve ARV Kitchen sink KS
Bath B Manhole MH
Bidet BT Non-return valve NRV
Cast iron CI Pitch-impregnated fibre PF
Check valve CV Rainwater pipe RWP
Cleaning eye CE Reinforced concrete RC
Cleaning eye CE Rodding eye RE
Cold water down service Cold CWDS Shower SW
water storage tank CWST Sink S
Concrete CONC Slop hopper SH
Copper COP Sluice valve SV
Cover level CL Soil pipe SP
Fibre cement FC Soil vent pipe SVP
Flexible joint FJ Solar heating panel SHP
Float valve FV Stainless steel SS
Flow meter FM Stainless steel sink SSS
Floor drain FD Storm-water channel SC
Floor trap FT Storm-water pipe SWP
Galvanized mild steel GMS Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride uPVC
Gate valve GV Urinal U
Ground level GL Vent or ventilating pipe VP
Grease trap GRT Vitrified clay VC
Gully G Washbasin WB
Gully trap GT Wash hand basin WHB
Hot water cylinder HWC Wash-trough (dhobi sink) WT
Hot water service HWS Waste pipe WP
Inspection chamber IC Water Closet pan WC

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SECTION 6: FIRE PROTECTION, STREET LEVELS & UNSTABLE SOILS

1.5.6.1. Fire Protection Plans: Where required by the Building Consent Authority office,
a fire protection plan shall be submitted by the owner for approval with respect to
the erection of any building not being a dwelling unit and shall clearly show the
requirements for fire protection in relation to the classification of buildings.

1.5.6.2. Symbols on Fire Protection Plans: Where symbols are to be used to signify
details on fire protection plans, they shall conform to symbols prescribed in the
appropriate sections of this Code and additionally submitted as a separate sheet of
symbols and abbreviations.

1.5.6.3. Street Levels: Where any building is to be erected on a site abutting a made
street, the owner of the building shall, subject to the requirements of this Code,
erect the building in accordance with the levels of such street. Where any portion
of a street abutting the site on which any building is to be erected has not been
made, the owner of the building shall obtain the proposed road levels from the
Building Consent Authority.

1.5.6.4. The Building Consent Authority office shall provide the levels of unmade street
within fourteen working days after the receipt of the request by the owner of the
building. Where the Building Consent Authority office fails to provide the levels
of unmade street, it shall notify the owner in writing to that effect, and the owner
of the building shall determine the finished ground floor level of the building.

1.5.6.5. Slopes and unstable soils: The slope of cut or fill surfaces shall be no steeper
than 2 units horizontal in 1 unit vertical (40% slope) unless a geotechnical
engineering or an engineering geology report or both is furnished, stating that the
site has been investigated and giving an opinion that a steeper slope will be stable
and not create a hazard to public or private property. The construction of
structures without a geotechnical study report shall be allowed on slopes not
exceeding 30%.

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SECTION 7: GRADING, EXCAVATIONS, FILLS, NOISE, DUST & SETBACKS

1.5.9.1. Appropriate erosion control measures shall be installed prior to any grading
activity and shall be maintained in place until vegetation is established for suitable
erosion and sedimentation control. Sediment from grading operations shall not be
permitted to leave the site or enter any surface waters or wetlands.

1.5.9.1.1. All sites shall be cleaned upon project completion. Installation of permanent
organic erosion control measures such as grass seeding, landscaping, or other
organic means of erosion control shall be in place prior to final approval.

1.5.9.1.2. Cuts or fills of 2m in depth or greater shall be set back from property lines by a
minimum of 8m. (Setback dimensions shall be horizontal distances measured
perpendicular to the site boundary).

1.5.9.1.3. The ground surface shall be prepared to receive fill by removing all organic
material, non-complying fill and scarifying topsoil.

1.5.9.1.4. Waste as defined in this Code and detrimental amounts of organic material shall
not be used as fill material.

1.5.9.1.5. Dust and Noise: The owner of any permit where building operations are in
progress shall take precautions in the working area, on surrounding roads, and on
footways to limit to a reasonable level the amount of dust and noise arising from
the operations.

1.5.9.1.6. The setting and height of buildings on any plot including setback for every zone
within the requisite planning document(s) shall be adopted as set out and detailed
in Zoning Regulations.

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SECTION 11: GENERAL PLANNING, SITING OF BUILDING & PARKING

1.5.11.1. COMPLIANCE TO BASIC PHYSICAL PLANNING REQUIREMENTS

1.5.11.1.1. Any person intending to erect a new building or re-erect an existing building shall
comply with the physical planning/local area development/zoning requirement of
the area within which the project is to be implemented and such conditions as may
be imposed by the Building Consent Authority regarding the siting, size, height,
shape and appearance of such building in order to safeguard, maintain or impose
the dignity or preserve the amenity and general appearance of street, square,
public place or have effect on the complemented appearance of such street, square
or public place.

1.5.11.2. SITING OF BUILDINGS

All new buildings shall be so sited on a plot as to ensure hygienic and sanitary
conditions and to avoid as far as possible any nuisance or annoyance to the
owners or occupiers of neighbouring plots.

1.5.11.3. ACCESS OF PLOTS

1.5.11.3.1. PERIMETER/BOUNDARY WALLS

Unless the Building Consent Authority otherwise agrees, the development of any
plot shall include the provision of boundary walls, screen walls, fences or other
means of enclosure of approved materials, construction and design.

1.5.11.3.2. HEIGHT OF PERIMETER/BOUNDARY WALLS

1.5.11.3.2.1. Boundary walls, screen walls, fences or other means of enclosure of residential
plots shall not be erected to a height greater than 2.0m where abutting on to a
street or in front of the building line of the main building, or in any other case.

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1.5.11.3.2.2. All other external boundary walls, screen walls and fences shall be of such a
height as the Building Consent Authority may require and shall use materials that
allow at least 50% transparency.

1.5.11.3.2.3. Razor wire is not permitted in any residential area.

1.5.11.3.2.4. Razor wire, where permitted, may only be fixed at a minimum of 2.5m above ground
level.

1.5.11.3.2.5. Broken glass and similar materials are not permitted on any building.

1.5.11.3.2.6. Electric fencing is not permitted on any residential building.

1.5.11.3.3. OBSTRUCTION TO VIEW

Nothing in this Code shall be deemed to authorize the formation, laying out or
material widening of any means of access or any erection which creates an
obstruction to the view of persons using any street used by vehicular traffic, at or
near any bend, corner, junction or intersection so as to be likely to cause danger to
such persons.

1.5.11.3.4. WAIVER AS TO THE HEIGHT

1.5.11.3.4.1. Where the ground on the line of a boundary wall or fence has such a slope or, in
the opinion of the Building Consent Authority, on the grounds of privacy,
amenity, safety or control, it is necessary or advisable to deviate from the heights
prescribed in this Code, the Building Consent Authority may permit such other
height as it considers adequate in the circumstances.

1.5.11.3.5. KERBSTONES

1.5.11.3.5.1. Every kerbstone shall be not less than 125mm in width, not less than 250mm in
height and not less than 600mm in length.

1.5.11.3.5.2. Every kerbstone in a private street, access roads or cul-de-sac may be constructed
of granite or concrete or any other approved material.

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1.5.11.3.6. GRADE OF MANHOLE COVERS AND GRATINGS

1.5.11.3.6.1. Any manhole cover or grating situated in the carriageway of any private street,
pedestrian sidewalk, cul-de-sac or access road shall be of a grade equal to grade
of the top surface of the carriageway of any private street, pedestrian sidewalk,
cul-de-sac or access road on which it is to be constructed.

1.5.11.3.7. SHAPE OF MANHOLE COVERS

1.5.11.3.7.1. The cover of every manhole, in a private street, cul-de-sac or access road,
pedestrian way or service lane, provided for a drain or sewer provided for the
carriage of foul water shall be rectangular on plan.

1.5.11.3.7.2. The cover of every such manhole provided for a drain or sewer provided for the
carriage of surface water shall be rounded on plan.

1.5.11.3.8. DRAINAGE OF PRIVATE STREETS

1.5.11.3.8.1. Every private street, cul-de-sac, access road, pedestrian way and service lane shall
be provided with channels, drains and sewers for the carriage of rain-water and
surface water.

1.5.11.3.8.2. The size and gradient of every such channelled rain or sewer shall be adequate to
carry off all rain-water falling on and surface water drainage to the private street,
cul-de-sac, access road, pedestrian way or service lane.

1.5.11.3.9. BUILDINGS ABUTTING ON RETAINING WALLS

1.5.11.3.9.1. No domestic building shall be erected against a retaining wall which exceeds
4.5m in height.

1.5.11.3.9.2. A space not less than 1.5m in width shall be left between any domestic building
and the bottom of any retaining wall exceeding 4.5m in height.

1.5.11.3.9.3. Retaining wall forming part of a building

1.5.11.3.9.4. Any retaining wall, which forms part of any domestic building shall:
(i) Be properly waterproofed to prevent dampness in the building; and

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(ii) Be properly insulated to prevent condensation on the internal face of any

room intended for habitation within the building.

1.5.11.3.10. Plot coverage, plot ratio and car parking:

(i) The Building Consent Authority shall determine the plot coverage and plot
ratios depending on the zoning of the urban area and the level of urban
services available;
(ii) Permitted plot coverage and plot ratio shall be as provided for in the
zoning ordinance of the area within which the building is intended;
(iii) For the purpose of this Code, the plot coverage is defined as the
percentage of the plot area occupied by the ground area of the primary and
all ancillary buildings, parking structures and driveways;
(iv) For the purpose of these regulations, the plot ratio is defined as the gross
floor area of the permittable building or buildings on any plot divided by
plot area; and
(v) For the purpose of this Code, the gross floor area means the sum of the
gross horizontal areas of all the floors of a building, measured from the
exterior face of exterior walls or mid-point of common or party walls. The
"floor area" of a building shall include basement floor area, staircase
blocks, planter boxes and ledges, public areas such as landings, and
common lobbies. It shall exclude floor area used for parking facilities.
Basements not utilized for any habitable or commercial purposes shall be
exempt from gross floor area calculations. Mechanical and Electrical
floors with 1.5m or less headroom can be excluded from gross floor area
computation.
Note: Any existing building not affected by the new development should clearly
be stated in the existing gross floor area. Calculations of gross floor area for any
development shall include the gross floor area of all existing developments within
the plot.

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1.5.11.3.11. PARKING

1.5.11.3.11.1. Parking for any building shall be provided depending on the gross floor area of
the building or buildings.

1.5.11.3.12. OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES

1.5.11.3.12.1. Each off-street parking space provided for vehicles shall be as follows:
(i) For car, the minimum parking space to be 3m × 6m when individual
parking space is required and 2.5m × 5m when common parking space is
required;
(ii) Space for motor bikes/two wheelers and bicycles to be not less than
1.25m2 and 1.00 m2, respectively; and
(iii) Area for each equivalent car space inclusive of circulation area is 23m2 for
open parking, 28 m2 for ground floor covered parking and 32m2 for
basement.
1.5.11.3.13. For buildings of different occupancies, off-street parking space for vehicles shall
be provided as stipulated below:

(i) Other Types of Vehicles — For non-residential building, in addition to the

parking areas provided in (i) above, 25 to 50 percent additional parking
space shall be provided for parking other types of vehicles and the
additional spaces required for other vehicles shall be as decided by the
Building Consent Authority, keeping in view the nature of traffic
generated in the city;
(ii) Off-street parking space shall be provided with adequate vehicular access
to a street and the area of drives, aisles and such other provisions required
for adequate manoeuvring of vehicle shall be exclusive of the parking
space stipulated in these provisions; and
(iii) Apart from parking at ground level, provision of underground or multi-
storeyed parking may be permitted. The parking of vehicles at different
levels may also be mechanized. In the case of parking spaces provided in
basement(s), at least two ramps of adequate width and slope shall be
provided, located preferably at opposite ends. In case of

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underground/multi-storeyed parking, special measures with regard to fire

safety shall be taken.

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SECTION 12: PLANNING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

1.5.12.1. All buildings shall be designed to the satisfaction of the Building Consent
Authority in such a manner as will facilitate the access to, and use of, that
building and its facilities by persons with disability. Buildings that have to
comply with accessibility requirements for the disabled include all public
buildings, governmental facilities and institutions, office buildings, residential
buildings, commercial buildings, health facilities, educational institutions
restaurants, recreational facilities, sports facilities, religious buildings and all
other building types normally used by the general public.

1.5.12.2. Initial access for persons with disability -Access shall be provided from a point or
points on the plot boundary to at least one entrance and to a lift such access shall
be free from steps, kerbs other than dropped kerbs, steep ramps, doors or
doorways which would impede the passage of a wheel chair or other form of
barrier which would prevent access by the persons with disability.

1.5.12.3. Parking- Where car parking is provided, at least one car parking space or one
percentage, whichever is the higher and as determined by the Building Consent
Authority, of car parking space shall be accessible from the said entrance and lift.
An additional space of 1.2 meters shall be provided and marked ‘access zone’
adjacent disabled parking spaces can share an access zone.

1.5.12.4. Ramps for persons with disability -at changes in level other than when served by a
lift or at kerbs there shall be a ramp. Ramps shall be designed as follows: ramps
shall be not less than 1.5m wide; a space not less than 1.5m square shall be
provided at the head and foot of every ramp; where a ramp is at a gradient of 1 in
20 or steeper, a landing 1.5m long shall be provided for each 10m length of
horizontal run or part thereof. Any ramp with a rise greater than 200mm, leading
down towards an area where vehicular traffic is possible, shall have a railing
across the full width of its lower end, not less than 1.5m from the foot of the
ramp. No ramp shall be at a gradient exceeding 1 in 12. All ramps shall be
provided with handrails on both sides. Supports shall not cause an obstruction to a
height of 700mm above ramp level.

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1.5.12.5. Dropped kerbs for persons with disability changes in level at kerbs shall be by a
dropped kerb. Dropped kerbs shall be provided at pedestrian crossing and at each
end of the footpath of a private street or access road. Kerbs separating footpaths
or ramps from vehicular areas shall be dropped kerbs. Dropped kerbs shall be
constructed as follows: the length of dropped kerbs shall be not less than 1.2m.
The pavement at dropped kerbs shall be ramped at a gradient of less than 1 in 6
and there shall be a space of not less than 800mm wide at the back of the ramp.
Kerbs adjoining dropped kerbs shall be ramped at a gradient of less than 1 in 6.

1.5.12.6. Lifts for persons with disability access shall be provided to every floor of the
building by at least one lift having minimum internal car dimensions of 1.2m by
1.1m wide with a clear door width when opened of not less than 900mm, essential
lift control buttons or switches not less than 900mm and not more than 1.2m
above the floor of the car and handrails extending to within 150mm of the corners
at the rear and sides of the car which are suitable for use by the persons with
disability.

1.5.12.7. Corridors and lobbies for persons with disability space shall be allowed for
manoeuvring wheel chairs in lobbies, paths and similar areas as follows: areas
shall have a clear width of not less than 1.2m. A space not less than 1.5m square
shall be provided at/ or within 3.5m of very dead end. Any lobby in a corridor
shall be not less than 1.2m long excluding space for door swings. A level area,
extending not less than 1.2m beyond the swings of the doors and not less than
1.5m wide shall be provided on both sides of every entrance which requires
compliance, provided that this regulation shall not apply to lobbies which lead
only to staircases.

1.5.12.8. Doors for use by the persons with disability shall comply with the following
specifications: doors, including where applicable one leaf of a pair of double
doors shall have a clear width of not less than 750mm between the open door and
opposite jamb or other leaf. The unobstructed area adjacent to the door handle on
the leading face of a single door shall not be less than 380mm wide. Doors, if less
than 380mm from the corner of a room shall swing from the side nearer that

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corner. Double-action self-closing doors shall have a check mechanism to prevent

the doors swinging beyond the closed position and transparent panel with the
bottom edge not more than 1m and the top edge not less than 1.5m above floor
level. Door handles shall be not less than 900mm and not more than 1.05m above
floor level, measured from the top surface of the grip. Door thresholds shall not
exceed 25mm in height.

1.5.12.9. Water closet cubicles for persons with disability: The minimum number of water
closet cubicles for use by the persons with disability on each floor level, or on that
part of a floor level which is designed for access by the persons with disability
shall be one where the total number of water closets provided on that level is 20
or less and 2 where the number of water closets exceeds 20. When water closet
cubicles for use by the persons with disability are accessible from a corridor, the
number of such cubicles shall be based on the number of water closets on the
floor level or that part of a floor level which is designed for access by the persons
with disability. When water closet cubicles for use by the persons with disability
are accessible through a room with multiple cubicles, the number of such cubicles
for each sex shall be based on the number of water closets for each sex on the
floor level or that part of a floor level which is designed for access by the persons
with disability.

1.5.12.10. Handrails for persons with disability: Handrails to ramps and steps shall be fixed
not less than 30mm and not more than 50mm clear of walls and additionally or
alternatively other obstructions and with a clear height of 70mm from the top of
the bracket to the top of the handrail. The tops of handrails shall be of a height of
not less than 850mm or more than 1 m above nosing, floor or landing level.
Handrails shall extend horizontally not less than 300mm beyond the first and last
nosing of every flight of steps or beyond the ends of a ramp.

1.5.12.11. Wheel chair spaces: There shall be provided in the auditorium of every building
which is a place of public function such as entertainment, at spectator level with
one wheel chair space for every 400 or part of 400 seats in the auditorium. For the
purposes of this regulation a wheel chair space is a rectangle of 760mm by 1.37m

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with a side of 760mm being toward the stage, podium or screen. Protection of
balconies and verandas every balcony projected from an upper storey of a
building shall have a clear height, upwards from the floor of such balcony, of not
less than the clear height of the storey from which it projects.

1.5.12.12. Protection of openings: Every opening placed on an external wall above the
ground floor of any building shall be protected by a barrier which shall not be less
than 1.1m high. The lowermost 150mm of such barrier shall be built solid. It shall
be so designed as to minimize the risk of persons or objects falling, rolling,
sliding or slipping through gaps in the barrier, or persons climbing over the
barrier. Buildings not to obstruct, endanger or cause nuisances no building or
fixture thereon shall be so constructed that it: obstructs or endangers the users of
any adjacent footpath or street or creates any nuisance; or permits the escape into
or over any adjacent footpath or street at a height of less than 2.4m of any noxious
gases or exhaust from any ventilating system.

1.5.12.13. Merchandise display areas: In accessible shops should be as conveniently located

as possible to a wheelchair user. Angled mirrors can be placed above high shelves
for visibility.

1.5.12.14. In accessible clothes shops: At least one changing room should allow for a full
360 degrees turn of a wheelchair.

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SECTION 13: SUPERVISION & INSPECTION

1.5.13.1. SUPERVISION OF BUILDING ACTIVITIES

Authorized professional building supervisors shall ensure quality in building

activities in accordance with provisions of the Building Code.
The following shall be the minimum scope of contracted services provided by
building supervisors:
(i) Project management in accordance with administrative, legal and technical
construction requirements;
(ii) Verify and certify designs before implementation;
(iii) Project management in accordance with approved designs;
(iv) Approval of design modifications and ensure obtaining of the necessary
permits for modifications if needed;
(v) Ensure appropriate testing of materials, systems and installations for
compliance with standards;
(vi) Technical and legal consulting;
(vii) Documentation, reporting and archiving of project details;
(viii) Approval of as-built drawings provided by contractors; and
(ix) Ensure public and on-site safety during construction and enforce building
safety requirements.
1.5.13.2. Liability of supervising offices or qualified person in building activities :

Without prejudice of the above responsibilities, building supervising office or a

qualified person shall be liable for non-compliance of the execution of the design
during and after project implementation.

1.5.13.3. Conditions for providing authorization to supervising offices in building

activities:

A technical supervising office shall fulfil the following conditions for

authorization:
(i) to be a Registered Consulting firm or qualified individual;
(ii) to provide evidence of use of an accredited testing laboratory where
necessary;

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(iii) to be a firm with qualified and certified professionals in the specific fields
relevant to the respective project;
(iv) to provide physical address of the firm; and
(v) to be certified by their respective professional bodies.
1.5.13.4. Inspections: Generally, all construction or work for which a permit is required
shall be subject to inspection by the Building Consent Authority and Building
Control Authority when deemed necessary and certain types of construction
involving unusual hazards or requiring persistent inspection shall have random
and continuous inspection by special inspectors appointed by the Building
Consent Authority. Risk based inspections shall also be conducted basing on the
nature and magnitude of the anticipated risk of the building.

1.5.13.5. The Building Inspectors: Within the Building Consent Authority entities there
shall be a department of building inspection with competent experienced staff of
different professional background as will be determined.

1.5.13.6. Outsourcing of Professional Inspectors: The work of a team of professionals may

be outsourced by the Building Consent Authority from competent professionals as
may be deemed necessary. The team shall ensure the compliance of laws, by-
laws, natural lighting, ventilation, etc., besides structural and electrical safety.
After checking, the team shall be required to give the certificate for the above
aspects. If any shortcoming/deficiencies or violations are noticed during
inspection, the Building Consent Authority shall ensure the compliance of these
within a specified period of six months. If not complied with, the building shall be
declared unsafe.

1.5.13.7. Inspection Requests: Whenever any work regulated by this Code, or any portion
thereof is ready for inspection, the Building Official shall be notified by the
permit holder that same is ready for inspection. The notice shall be submitted
online where applicable or in writing on forms furnished by the Building Consent
Authority having jurisdiction. The notice shall be filed with the Department of
Building Inspection not less than forty-eight hours and not more than seventy-two
hours before any such inspection is desired.

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1.5.13.8. Void Inspections: Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to

be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this Code or of any other
ordinance. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the
provisions of this Code or of any other ordinance shall not be valid. On the
minimum the following sub- clauses provides highlights.

1.5.13.9. Accessibility: It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to
remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. Neither the building
official nor the District Authority shall be liable for any expense entailed in the
removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.

1.5.13.10. Inspection Requests: The building official shall proceed to inspect the same or to
make inspection arrangements or notify the contractor of a reschedule within
forty-eight hours, not including weekends or holidays, after receipt of such notice.
When work conforms in all respects with the provisions of this chapter, a notice
granting authority to proceed with installations shall be given.

1.5.13.11. Concealment of Works to be Inspected: No permitted work shall be covered or

concealed until forty-eight hours have expired after a scheduled inspection or
until the building official has approved the installation and given permission to
cover or conceal the same. If the permitted work is covered or concealed without
an inspection, the licensed contractor will provide verification that the concealed
work complies with all the provisions of this chapter in a letter stamped and
signed by an architect or structural engineer charged with the works. Should the
building official condemn any of said work or equipment as not being in
accordance with the provisions of this Code, notice in writing to that effect shall
be given to the permit holder engaged in the work or posted at the jobsite.

(i) Within a reasonable time thereafter, the work or equipment shall be altered
or removed as required and necessary changes shall be made so that all
such work and equipment may fully comply with the provisions of this
Code before further work is connected on or with the condemned work or
equipment.

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(ii) In default, where available the general supervisor and contractor shall be
liable to the fines provided. Any owner who undertakes construction
works without contracting services of a supervisor or a contractor shall be
liable to the fines provided for this Code.

1.5.13.12. Required Inspections: To assure quality in building activities, public inspection is

required on the following:

(i) Respect of public health, safety and general welfare;

(ii) Environmental protection;
(iii) Building faults provided for by relevant code elements;
(iv) Compliance of construction with the authorized plans and the Building
Code and of progress within the required time frame;
(v) Compliance with technical supervision according to requirements.

1.5.13.13. Minimum Progressive Inspections: Not withstanding article 1.3.7.1 the building
official, upon notification from the permit holder or the permit holder’s agent,
shall make the following inspection and shall either approve that portion of the
construction as completed or shall notify the permit holder or the permit holder’s
agent if the same fails to comply with this code:

(i) Footing and foundation: Footing and foundation inspections shall be made
after excavations if footings are complete and any required reinforcing
steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in
place prior to inspection. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job
site;
(ii) Concrete slab and under-floor inspections: Concrete slab and under-floor
inspections shall be made after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and
building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary
equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor
sheathing installed, including the sub-floor;
(iii) Framing inspections: Framing inspections shall be made after the roof
deck or sheathing, all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and

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pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough
electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved;
(iv) Inspections: Lathing inspections to be made after all lathing and gypsum
board, interior and exterior, in construction required to be fire-resistive is
in place but before any plastering is applied or before gypsum board joints
and fasteners are taped and finished; and
(v) Final inspection: The final inspection shall be made after all work
required by the building permit is completed.
1.5.13.14. Inspection and Certification Reports: To every stage of inspection, the team of
Building Officials shall make all the required inspections or it may accept reports
of inspections of authoritative and recognized services or individuals, and all
reports of inspections shall be in writing and certified by a responsible officer of
such authoritative service or by the responsible individual or engage any such
expert opinion as he may deem necessary to report upon unusual technical issues
that may arise, subject to the approval of the Building Consent Authority.

1.5.13.15. Modification: Wherever practical difficulties are involved in carrying out any
provision of the Code, the team of Building Officials may vary or modify such
provisions upon application of the owner or his representative provided the spirit
and intent of the Code shall be observed and public welfare and safety be assured.
The application for modification and the final decision of the team of building
officials shall be in writing and shall be officially recorded with the application
for the permit in the permanent records of the Department of Building Inspection.

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SECTION 14: CERTIFICATION PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY

1.5.14.1. No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing
occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be
made until the Building Official has issued a certificate of occupancy therefore as
provided herein. The issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed
as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this Code or of other ordinances
of the jurisdiction.
1.5.14.2. Occupancy Permit/Certificate issuance: After building completion and upon
notification from the permit holder or the permit holder’s agent, the
owner/concerned registered architect/engineer/structural engineer will serve a
notice/completion certificate to the Building Consent Authority in form of
application for Occupation Permit and Freehold Title attesting that the building
has been completed in accordance to the approved plans and in total compliance
with building regulations. The deviations shall also be brought to the notice of the
Building Consent Authority (with relevant documents). The team of building
inspection officials and the focal persons/staff from different bodies or its duly
authorized representative shall then visit the site for verification. After the
building officials has received notification from accredited supervising engineer
or firm attesting that the building or structure has been built as per the approved
plans by the Building Consent Authority and finds no violations of the provisions
of this Code or other laws that are enforced by the Code, the Building Official
shall issue an occupancy permit. The Occupancy Permit should clearly state the
use/type of occupancy of the building.
1.5.14.3. Change of use/occupancy: However, the applicant can apply for change of
use/occupancy permitted within the purview of the Master Plan/Building Bylaws,
where so required.
1.5.14.4. Periodic Occupancy Inspection: After completion of the building and obtaining
the occupancy certificate, all occupied buildings except dwelling house classified
under R-5 (see Table of Use and Occupancy Classification) shall be subjected to
periodic inspections by the Building Consent Authority to ensure the fire safety of
the building and compliance with the provisions of fire and life safety
requirements.
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1.5.14.5. Obligation of the owner: The owner has the obligation to request the inspection.

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SECTION 15: VIOLATIONS, OFFENCES, STOP WORK ORDERS & FINES

Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Code or any
requirements, obligations imposed on him by virtue of this Code, or who
interferes with or obstructs any person in the discharge of his duties, shall be
guilty of an offence and shall be liable to the sanctions provided for in the
Ministerial Order Determining Urban Planning and Building Regulations.

1.5.15.1. Fines: Any person who performs any building activities without authorization
shall be liable to penalties as provided for in the Ministerial Order Governing
Urban Planning and Building Activities.

1.5.15.2. Further Sanctions of the Offender: The conviction of any person for an offence
under the provision of 1.5.15.1 shall not relieve him from the duty of carrying out
the requirements or obligations imposed on him by virtue of the provisions of the
Code. If such requirements or obligations are not complied with in accordance
with an order made under provisions of 1.5.15.1, the Building Consent Authority
acting under the provisions of the Code may, if necessary and advisable, enter
upon the premises in respect of which a violation has been made and carry out at
the expense of the convicted person, the requirements or obligations referred to in
the said order and the expense and if not paid on demand, the amount may be
recovered with cost in a court.

1.5.15.3. Unlawful acts: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect,
construct, alter, extend, repair, move, remove, demolish or occupy any building,
structure or equipment regulated by this Code, or cause same to be done, in
conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this Code.

1.5.15.4. Notice of violation: The Building Consent Authority or the Building Control
Authority as the case may be, shall serve a notice of violation or order in writing
on the person responsible for the erection, construction, alteration, extension,
repair, removal, demolition, use or occupancy of a building or structure in
violation of the provisions of this Code, or in violation of a detail statement or a
plan approved there under, or in violation of a permit or certificate issued under
the provisions of this Code. Such order shall direct the discontinuance of the
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unlawful act and the abatement of the violation and shall be complied with, within
twenty-one (21) working days.

1.5.15.5. Sanction for violation: If the notice of violation is not complied with promptly,
the building official is authorized to institute appropriate proceedings in law or in
equity to restrain, correct or abate such violation or to require the removal of or
termination of the unlawful occupancy of the building or structure in violation of
the provisions of this Code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto.

1.5.15.6. Temporary Structures Violation: Where plans and details have not been submitted
to the Building Consent Authority office or where the Authority has refused to
grant approval of the plans and details, the owner shall demolish and remove the
building without any compensation.

1.5.15.7. Occupancy violations: Wherever any building is being used contrary to provisions
of the Code, the Building Consent Authority may order such use discontinued and
the building or portion thereof, vacated by the notice served on any person
causing such use to be discontinued.

1.5.15.8. Stop Work Order: Upon notice from the Building Consent Authority that work on
any building or structure is being carried out contrary to the provision of this
Code, or in an unsafe and dangerous manner, such work shall be immediately
stopped. The Stop Work Order shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner
of the property involved or to the owner’ s agent or to the person doing the work,
and shall state the conditions under which work will be permitted to resume. No
further work shall continue on any building work on which a Stop Work Order
has been served unless the order is revoked in writing. Any person who shall
continue any work in or about the structure after having been served with a Stop
Work Order except work that has been instructed as abatement shall be liable to a
fine as stipulated in 1.5.15.2

1.5.15.9. Quit premises order: Whenever any building or structure regulated by this code is
being used contrary to the provisions of this Code, or has been declared unsafe,
dangerous and unsuitable for habitation, or is slated for demolition, or is being
used in a manner as to constitute nuisance or hazard, the Building Consent
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Authority may order the building or structure or parts thereof vacated by serving a
quit premises order to the owner or any person occupying the building or
structure.

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SECTION 16: UNSAFE STRUCTURES

1.5.16.1. Unsafe building: All unsafe buildings shall be considered to constitute danger to
public safety and shall be restored by repairs or demolished or dealt with as
otherwise directed by the Building Consent Authority.

1.5.16.2. Examination of Unsafe Building: The Building Control Authority shall examine
or cause to be examined every building reported to be unsafe or damaged, and
shall make a written record of such examination.

1.5.16.3. Notice to Owner, Occupier: Whenever the Building Control Authority finds any
building or portion thereof to be unsafe, it shall, in accordance with established
procedure for legal notice, give to the owner and occupier of such building written
notices stating the defects thereof. This notice shall require the owner or the
occupier within a stated time either to complete specified repairs or improvements
or to demolish and remove the building or portion thereof.

1.5.16.4. Scope of eminent domain: The Building Control Authority may direct in writing
that the building which in his opinion is dangerous, or has no provision for exit if
caught fire, shall be vacated immediately or within the period specified for the
purpose; provided that the Building Consent Authority concerned shall keep a
record of the reasons for such action. If any person does not comply with the
orders of vacating a building, the Building Consent Authority may direct request
the assistance of the eminent domain to forcefully remove the person from the
building.

1.5.16.5. Disregard of Notice: In case the owner or occupier fails, neglects, or refuses to
comply with the notice to repair or to demolish the said building or portion
thereof, the Building Consent Authority shall cause the danger to be removed
whether by demolition or repair of the building or portion thereof.

1.5.16.6. Cases of Emergency: In case of emergency, which in the opinion of the Building
Consent and/or Building Control Authority involves imminent danger to human
life or health, the decision of the Building Control Authority shall be final:

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(i) The Building Consent and/ or Building Control Authority shall forthwith
or with such notice as may be possible cause such building or portion
thereof to be rendered safe by retrofitting/strengthening to the same degree
of safety or be removed.
(ii) For this purpose, the Building Consent and/or Building Control Authority
may at once enter such structure or land on which it stands, or abutting
land or structure, with such assistance and at such cost as may be deemed
necessary.
(iii) The Building Consent Authority and/or Building Control Authority may
also get the adjacent structures vacated in order to protect the public by an
appropriate fence or such other means as may be necessary.
1.5.16.7. Costs: Costs incurred under 1.5.16.4 and 1.5.16.5 shall be charged to the owner of
the premises involved. Such costs shall be charged on the premises in respect of
which or for the benefit of which the same have been incurred and shall be
recoverable as provided under the laws.

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SECTION 17: FORMS

FORM 1: FORM FOR CERTIFICATE FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN SUFFICIENCY

With respect to the building work of erection, re-erection or for making alteration in the building on Plot
No..................................................in District……………………………........Sector ............................
Cell.............................................Village ...........................we certify that the structural plans and details of
the building submitted for approval satisfy the structural safety requirements for all situations including
natural disasters, as applicable and as stipulated under Part 6 Structural Design of the Building Code of
Rwanda and other related approved standards ; and the information given therein is factually correct to
the best of our knowledge and understanding.

Signature of owner with date Registered

Engineer/Structural Engineer with date and registration No.

Name: .....................................................................................

Address: ...................................................................................

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FORM 2: FORM FOR CERTIFICATE FOR ELECTRICAL DESIGN SUFFICIENCY

With respect to the building work of erection, re-erection or for making alteration in the building on Plot
No..................................................in District……………………………........Sector ............................
Cell.............................................Village ...........................we certify that the electrical plans and details of
the building submitted for approval satisfy the electricity safety requirements as stipulated in chapter 4
building service of the Building Code of Rwanda and other related approved standards ; and the
information given therein is factually correct to the best of our knowledge and understanding.

Signature of owner with date Registered

Electrical Engineer with date and registration No.

Name: .....................................................................................

Address: ...................................................................................

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FORM 3: FORM FOR SUPERVISION

I hereby certify that the development, erection, re-erection or material alteration in/of building on Plot
No...............................................................in District……………………………................Sector
............................ Cell.............................................Village ...........................shall be carried out under my
supervision and I certify that all the materials (type and grade) and the workmanship of the work shall be
generally in accordance with the general and detailed specifications submitted along with, and that the
work shall be carried out according to the sanctioned plans.

Signature of Architect/Engineer/Structural Engineer/Supervisor//Urban/Town Planner /Landscape

Architect/Urban Designer1)...........................................................................................................................

Name of Architect/Engineer/Structural Engineer/Supervisor/Town Planner/Landscape Architect/Urban

Designer1).............................................................................................................................. (in block
letters)

Registration No. of Architect/Engineer/Structural Engineer/Supervisor/Urban/Town Planner/Landscape

Architect/Urban Designer1).........................................................................................................................

Address of Architect/Engineer/Structural Engineer/Supervisor//Urban/Town Planner/Landscape

Architect/Urban
Designer1).....................................................................................................................................................

Date: ............................................................................................................................................................

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FORM 4: FORM FOR SANCTION OR REFUSAL OF DEVELOPMENT/BUILDING PERMIT

To

...............................................

...............................................

...............................................

Sir,

With reference to your application no........................................dated ........................................for grant of

permit for the development, erection, re-erection or material alteration in the building on plot No.
...............................................................in District……………………………................Sector
............................ Cell.............................................Village ...........................I have to inform you that the
sanction has been granted/refused by the Building Consent Authority on the following grounds:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Office Stamp........................................................................................................................................

Signature of the Building Consent Authority Authorized

Officer.......................................................................................

Office (Communication) No. ................................................................................................................

Name, Designation and Address of the Building Consent Authority Authorized

Officer.......................................................

Date: .....................................................................................................................................................

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FORM 5: FORM FOR CERTIFICATE FOR EXECUTION OF WORK AS PER STRUCTURAL

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

With respect to the building work of erection, re-erection or for making alteration in the building on plot
No. ................................................in District……………………………....Sector ............................
Cell.............................................Village ........................... we certify:

(a) that the building has been constructed according to the sanctioned plan and structural design (one
set of drawings as executed enclosed), which incorporates the provisions of structural safety as specified
in Part 6 ‘Structural Design’ of the Building Code of Rwanda and other relevant Codes; and

(b) That the construction has been done under our supervision and guidance and adheres to the
drawings and specifications submitted and records of supervision have been maintained.

Any subsequent changes from the completion drawings shall be the responsibility of the owner.

Signature of the Registered Engineer/Structural Engineer with date and registration No.

Signature of owner with date:

Name: .....................................................................................

Address: ....................................... ..........................................

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FORM 6: FORM FOR COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

I hereby certify that the development, erection, re-erection or material alteration in/of building on plot No.
................................................in District……………………………....Sector ............................
Cell.............................................Village ........................... has been supervised by me and has been
completed on ...................................................... according to the plans sanctioned, on permit No.
........................... Dated...................... The work has been completed to my best satisfaction, the
workmanship and all the materials (type and grade) have been used strictly in accordance with general
and detailed specifications. No provisions of the Code, no requisitions made, conditions prescribed or
orders issued thereunder have been transgressed in the course of the work. The land is fit for construction
for which it has been developed or re-developed or the building is fit for use for which it has been erected,
re-erected or altered, constructed and enlarged.

I hereby also enclose the plan of the building completed in all aspects.

Signature of Architect/Engineer/Structural Engineer/Supervisor/Town Planner/Landscape

Architect/Urban Designer 1).....................................................................

Name of Architect/Engineer/Structural Engineer/Supervisor/Town Planner/Landscape Architect/Urban

Designer1).....................................................................(in block letters)

Registration No. of Architect/Engineer/Structural Engineer/Supervisor/Town Planner/Landscape

Architect/Urban Designer1).....................................................................

Address of Architect/Engineer/Structural Engineer/Supervisor/Town Planner/Landscape Architect/Urban

Designer 1).....................................................................

Date: ............................. Signature of the Owner...........................

1Strike out whichever is not applicable.

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FORM 7: FORM FOR OCCUPANCY PERMIT AND FREEHOLD TITLE

The work of erection, re-erection or alteration in/of building on plot No. ................................................in
District……………………………....Sector
...................................................Cell.............................................Village ........................... completed
under the supervision of........................................Architect/Engineer/Structural

Engineer/Supervisor, Registration No.............................has been inspected by me. The building can be

permitted/not permitted for occupation for .............................occupancy subjected to the following:

1.

2.

3.

One set of completion plans duly certified is returned herewith.

Signature of the Building Consent Authority Authorized Officer...................................

Office Stamp

Date: .........................

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FORM 8: FORM FOR APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO ERECT,RE-ERECT OR ALTER

ADVERTISING SIGN

1. Type of sign.........................................................................................................................

2. Location:

a) Building/premises......................................................................................................

b) Location of building/premises with respect to neighbouring streets..............................

3. Dimensions and details of the sign......................................................................................

4. Materials used for different parts.........................................................................................

5. Electrical and lighting details...............................................................................................

6. Structural details showing also supporting framework and anchorages................................

7. Mode of operation................................................................................................................

Name and address of the applicant..........................................................................................

Name and address of the owner of the building/premises.......................................................

Signature......................................................................

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FORM 9: FORM CERTIFYING PROPER PERMIT APPLICATION ASSESSMENT FOR NON-

OBJECTION

With respect to the duties of Building Consent Authority, we..................................................... on behalf

of the District One Stop Centre of ………………. District; certify that the permit application file of
……………………………........ located in …………………… Sector ............................
Cell.............................................Village; was appropriately assessed and was found complete and
deserving a permit. We further certify that the drawings, designs and details of the application submitted
for non-objection satisfy the provisions of the Rwanda Building Code and other related approved
standards; and the information given therein is factually correct to the best of our professional liability.

Date & Signature

On ………………………………………………………….

Name: .....................................................................................

Mobile Line.............................................................................

Director of …………… One Stop Centre

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Official Gazette no.Special of 16/04/2019

CHAPTER 2:
STRUCTURE&BUILDING MATERIALS

RWANDA BUILDING CODE-VERSION 2325 2019

 Official Gazette no.Special of 16/04/2019
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CONTENTS

PART 6: STRUCTURE........................................................................................................ 4
SECTION 1: GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS ............................................................... 4
SECTION 2: LOADS, FORCES & EFFECTS .............................................................................. 5
SECTION 3: GEOTECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS & FOUNDATIONS ............................... 11
SECTION 4: FLOORS ................................................................................................................. 26
SECTION 5: WALLING & MASONRY .................................................................................... 29
SECTION 6: PROTECTION AGAINST FALLING .................................................................. 42
SECTION 7: ROOFING STRUCTURES & RE-ROOFING ...................................................... 46
SECTION 8: CONCRETE .......................................................................................................... 56
SECTION 9: PREFABRICATED CONCRETE .......................................................................... 63
SECTION 10: DESIGN OF TIMBER STRUCTURES ............................................................... 65
SECTION 11: DESIGN OF BAMBOO STRUCTURES ............................................................. 76
SECTION 12: DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES .................................................................. 78
SECTION 13: CLADDING & GLAZING ................................................................................... 81
SECTION 14: SYSTEM BUILDINGS & MIXED/COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION .............. 87
SECTION 15: SPECIAL STRUCTURAL CONSTRUCTIONS ................................................. 91

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CHAPTER 2: STRUCTURE & BUILDING MATERIALS

PART 6: STRUCTURE

SECTION 1: GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

2.6.1.1. Any building and/or any structural element or component shall be designed to
provide strength durability and serviceability in line with accepted principles of
structural design and such that it does not harm the integrity of any other building
or property.

2.6.1.2. Any such building (see 2.6.1.1 above) shall be so designed to avoid progressive or
disastrous collapse that is disproportionate to the original cause in case of accidental
over-loading.

2.6.1.3. Every building and structural element or component shall be designed based on the
code provisions.

2.6.1.4. Every building and every structural element shall be designed according to the
appropriate occupancies classification provided in Part 4 of this Code.

2.6.1.5. Design responsibility of any structure or structural system shall be done according
to the requirements of this code

2.6.1.6. Design considerations for people with disabilities shall be done in accordance with
RS 115.

2.6.1.7. Design risk assessment shall include the risks associated with the initial works, the
buildability and building programme as well as the use, operation and maintenance
of the building or structure and demolition at the end of its lifespan.

2.6.1.8. The designers shall indicate and recommend the materials to be used in the building
of any structure or structural system or its elements or components thereof
according to the material requirements in relevant parts in Part 7 of this Code.

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SECTION 2: LOADS, FORCES & EFFECTS

The following types of loads and/or their combination must be considered in

structural design: dead loads, live loads (imposed loads), dynamic loads (wind
loads, thermal loading, seismic loads and other dynamic loads), lateral soil pressure
and special loads.

2.6.2.1. DEAD LOADS

2.6.2.1.1. For the purpose of calculating the dead load of a building or any part of a building,
the weights of all building material shall conform to RS 106 and RS 114-1. In the
case of materials not mentioned in this standard, the weights shall be determined
by tests to be carried out by an accredited laboratory.

2.6.2.1.2. Where the positions of permanent partitions are shown on the plans furnished to
the Building Consent Authority, the weight of the partitions shall be included as
dead load.

2.6.2.1.3. Where it is intended to erect partitions which are not shown on the plan, the beams
and the floor slabs, where they are capable of distributing the load effectively over
the area of floor, shall be designed to carry, in addition to other loads, a uniformly
distributed load per square meter of not less than 30% of the weight per meter run
of the finished partitions or in the case of a floor being used as an office, the design
shall be based on the calculated load or a load of 1kN/m2, whichever is greater.

2.6.2.1.4. The weights of tanks and any other containers positioned on buildings and of their
contents shall be considered as dead loads calculated when a tank or container is
full.

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2.6.2.2. IMPOSED LOADS

2.6.2.2.1. The imposed loads on the floors, stairs, landings, corridors, balconies, beams,
columns, piers, walls, structural frames or any other parts of the building shall be
derived in accordance with RS 106 and RS 114-1, whichever proves more onerous,
and where it is known that the actual imposed loads shall exceed those derived, the
higher loads shall be adopted in the design.

2.6.2.2.2. Floors must be designed so that they are capable to carry both distributed and
concentrated imposed loads. The concentrated loads shall be applied in the
positions which will cause the maximum stresses and maximum deflections.

2.6.2.2.3. In the design of columns, piers or walls supporting two or more floors in any
building other than plant or machinery or in building designed for storage purpose,
the total imposed floor loads calculated in sub-regulation 2.6.2.2.1 may be reduced
by the percentage specified in Table 2.6.2-1 for a factory or a workshop. The
minimum total imposed floor load for any column, pier or wall shall not be less
than 5kN/m2 on all floors supported.

Table 2.6.2-1: Load Reduction on Columns

Number of Floors Supported Percentage Reduction

1 0
2 10
3 20
4 30
5 to 10 40
Over 10 50

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2.6.2.2.4. Where a single span of a beam supports not less than 50m2 of floor area at one
general level and the floor shall not be used for storage purposes, the imposed loads
as calculated in sub-regulation 2.6.2.1.3 for the design of the beam may be reduced
by 5% for each 50m2 of supported floor, subject to a maximum reduction of 25%;
a similar reduction may be taken into account in the design of any column, pier or
wall supporting the beam.

2.6.2.2.5. For the design of roofs, the following imposed loads shall be allowed in addition to
wind and dead loads:

(i) On roofs where access is provided, an imposed load shall be determined

based on design assumptions.; and
(ii) On roofs where access is not provided other than for maintenance, an
imposed load of 0.5kN/m2 shall be taken.

2.6.2.2.6. For sloping roofs with slopes greater than 10° where access has not been provided,
the following shall apply:

(i) On roofs with slopes shallower than, or equal to 30°; 0.5kN/m2 imposed
load shall be taken; and
(ii) On roofs with slopes greater than 30° but less than 45°; imposed loads shall
be interpolated linearly at 30° and 0kN/m2 at 45°.

2.6.2.2.7. All roof covering and purlins shall be capable of carrying a minimum load of 1kN
concentrated on an area of 100mm2 at any point except that where the roof slope
exceeds 45°, a concentrated load of 0.5kN shall be provided. Any load specifically
allowed for plant or machinery shall not be reduced.

2.6.2.3. DYNAMIC LOADING

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2.6.2.3.1 WIND LOAD

2.6.2.3.1.1. When designing buildings, structures and any other structural components, the
wind load shall be considered. All the wind actions acting on the building shall be
calculated in accordance with RS 114-2.

2.6.2.3.1.2. The grades of exposure to wind shall be in accordance with Table 3 in RS114-2

2.6.2.3.1.3. SEISMIC LOADS

2.6.2.3.1.4. The design for seismic loads shall be carried out in order to prevent all the
impairments which may occur when those forces happen. The design of all building
structures shall conform to the seismic loading and design requirements specified
in RS 112 and ISO 3010.

2.6.2.3.1.5. Building structures shall be designed for forces generated by a maximum credible
earthquake having peak ground acceleration equal to 2.5m/s2, which has a 10%
probability of exceed in 50 years and a return period of 500 years. Approval for
such structure shall not be granted without the explicit scrutiny of the design and
signature of a qualified person.

2.6.2.3.1.6. In computing the effect of seismic forces in combination with vertical loads, gravity
load stresses induced in members by dead load with the design live load, except
roof live load, shall be considered. Consideration shall also be given to minimum
gravity loads acting in combination with lateral forces in reference to RS112.

2.6.2.3.2. DYNAMIC LOADS DUE TO IMPACT & VIBRATION

2.6.2.3.2.1. The dynamic loads resulting from rotating and/or vibrating machines, braking and
acceleration of forklift trucks and any other dynamic loads due to crowds shall be
considered in the structural design regarding their magnitude.

2.6.2.3.2.2. Design for dynamic loads resulting from vehicular movement in building shall be
in accordance with RS 114-1. It shall include the vertical loads, eccentricity effects
induced by vertical loads and impact factors.

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2.6.3.4. THERMAL LOAD

When designing buildings, structures and any other structural components, the thermal load
shall be considered. All the thermal actions acting on the building shall be calculated in
accordance with RS 114-3

LATERAL SOIL PRESSURE

2.6.2.3.3. The pressure exerted by the soil or water or both in the designing of structures of
parts or structures under ground level like retaining walls and other walls in
basement floors shall be duly accounted for and the lateral earth pressure shall be
evaluated for weight of soil diminished by buoyancy and the full hydrostatic
pressure in reference to RS113.

2.6.2.3.4. The requirements for soil pressure for flexible retaining walls or for propped walls
where little movement is anticipated shall be in accordance with RS 113.

2.6.2.4. LOAD COMBINATIONS

2.6.2.4.1.1. All appropriate loads shall be considered, including both earthquake and wind, in
accordance with the specified load combinations. Each load combination shall also be
investigated with one or more of the variable loads set to zero.

2.6.2.4.1.2. The load combinations and partial safety factors to consider in the design shall
comply with RS 112.

2.6.2.5. SPECIAL LOADS

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2.6.2.5.1. The special loads such temperature effects, internally generating stresses (due to
creep, shrinkage, differential settlement), accidental loads, hydrostatic fatigue and
soil pressure shall be suitably taken into account in the design of buildings.

2.6.2.5.2. During construction, the suitable provisions shall be made, including temporary
bracings in order to sustain all the erection loads and considering that dead load,
wind load and imposed loads as would be imposed on a structure during
construction, act together with erection loads.

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SECTION 3: GEOTECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS & FOUNDATIONS

2.6.3.1.1. SOILS

2.6.3.1.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.3.1.1.2. For construction of a storeyed building or any heavily loaded foundations, the
application for building shall be submitted to the Building Consent Authority;
including soil testing documentation (in relation to 2.6.3.1.2 and 2.6.3.1.3) in
accordance with relevant parts of RS ISO/TS 17892. And any sub-soil exploration
shall be ordered and supervised by a qualified and competent person.

2.6.3.1.1.3. The depth of sub-soil exploration shall depend on the type of proposed structure,
its total weight, the size, shape and disposition of the loaded areas, soil profile and
the physical properties of the soil that constitutes each individual stratum.

2.6.3.1.1.4. Design requirements for slope stability and risk factors such as soil type,
groundwater, surface water, surcharging, and guidance on remediation measures
shall comply with RS 113.

2.6.3.1.2. SITE INVESTIGATION

2.6.3.1.2.1. The minimum ground investigation requirements shall be comprised of bearing

capacity, soil classification, plasticity tests, Unterberg limit, water table, friction
coefficient, sliding coefficient, recommendation on the adequate type of foundation
with maximum permissible depth done in accordance with RS113.

2.6.3.1.2.2. Detailed survey shall be conducted to ascertain the topography of the existing
ground and shall be carried out for identification, location, alignment and depth of
various utilities below the surface of the existing ground level.

2.6.3.1.2.3. Before constructing a new building and structure or for alteration of the foundation
of an existing structure, subsoil investigation shall be done by describing the
character, nature, load bearing capacity and settlement capacity of the soil.

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2.6.3.1.2.4. For new works, the ground investigation shall obtain reliable information to
produce an economic and safe design, to assess any physical or chemical hazard
associated with the ground and construction requirements.

2.6.3.1.2.5. In areas which have already been developed, the information shall be made and be
used for designing foundation of lightly loaded structures of not more than two
storeys and also for deciding scope of further investigation for other structures.

2.6.3.1.2.6. The locations of investigation points, pits and boreholes shall be selected on the
basis of the preliminary investigations as a function of the geological conditions,
the dimensions of the structure and the engineering problems involved.

2.6.3.1.3. GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION REPORT

2.6.3.1.3.1. The results of a geotechnical investigation shall be compiled in the geotechnical

investigation report. The geotechnical investigation report shall consist of the
following:

(i) A presentation of all appropriate geotechnical information on field and

laboratory tests including geological features and relevant data; and
(ii) A geotechnical evaluation of the information, stating the assumptions made
in the interpretation of the test results.
(iii) The geotechnical investigation report shall state known limitations of the
results as appropriate. The geotechnical investigation report shall propose
necessary further field and laboratory investigations, with comments
justifying the need for this further work. Such proposals shall be
accompanied by a detailed programme for the further investigations to be
carried out.

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2.6.3.1.3.2. The presentation of geotechnical information shall include a factual account

of all field and laboratory investigations. The factual account shall include the
following information:

(i) The purpose and scope of the geotechnical investigation including a

description of the site and its topography;

(ii) Of the planned structure and the stage of the planning the account is
referring to;

(iii) The names of consultants and contractors;

(iv) The dates between which field and laboratory investigations were
performed; and

(v) The field reconnaissance of the site of the project and the surrounding area
noting particularly:

a. Evidence of groundwater;

b. Behaviour of neighbouring structures;

c. Exposures in quarries and borrow areas;

d. Areas of instability;

e. Difficulties during excavation;

f. History of the site;

g. Geology of the site;

h. Survey data with plans showing the structure and the location of all
investigation points;

i. Local experience in the area; and

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j. Information about the seismicity of the area.

2.6.3.1.3.3. The presentation of geotechnical information shall include documentation of the

methods, procedures and results including all relevant reports of:

(i) Desk studies;

(ii) Field investigations, such as sampling, field tests and groundwater

measurements; and

(iii) Laboratory tests.

2.6.3.1.3.4. The results of the field and laboratory investigations shall be presented and reported
according to the requirements specified in the RS ISO/TS 17892-2.

2.6.3.1.4. SOIL CLASSIFICATION & IDENTIFICATION

2.6.3.1.4.1. The classification of the soil under all portions of every building shall be based
upon the examination of adequate test borings and/or excavations made at the site
and shall be in accordance with relevant parts of RS ISO 14688.

2.6.3.1.4.2. The principles for classification and identification of soil shall follow the guidelines
of RS ISO 14688-2 and Table 2.6.3-1 for bearing capacities.

Table 2.6.3-1 General Classification & Design Bearing Capacities of Rocks & Soils

Presumed Allowable
Category Type of Rocks/Soils Building Capacities (kPa)
Rocks Strong igneous and gneissic rocks in condition 10,000
Strong limestone and sandstones 4,000
Schist and slates 3,000
Strong shale, mudstones and siltstones 2,000
Soft weathered rocks 600
Cohesion- Dense gravel or dense sand and gravel > 600
less Soils Medium dense gravel or medium dense sand < 200 to 600
and gravel

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Loose gravel or loose sand and gravel < 200

Compact sand > 300
Medium dense sand 75 300
Loose sand < 100
Cohesive Very stiff and hard clays 300 to 600
Soils Stiff clays 150 to 300
Firm clays 75 to 150
Soft clays < 75
Peat and Not applicable
Organic
Soils

2.6.3.1.4.3. A specific sampling category shall be selected in order to achieve a required sample
quality class according to RS ISO 22475-1 and care shall be taken in protecting,
handling and subsequent transport of samples and shall be labelled, so that they can
be received in a fit state for examination and testing, and can be correctly
recognised as coming from a specified trial pit.

2.6.3.1.4.4. The allowable bearing pressure shall be calculated using field method in accordance
with RS 113.

2.6.3.1.4.5. Any building constructed on unstable soils and difficulty soils shall depend on
guidelines of Part 5 Section 8 and shall be approved by the Building Consent
Authority.

2.6.3.2. EXCAVATION

2.6.3.2.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.3.2.1.1. Where any excavation related to a building is carried out or is to be carried out on
any site the owner of that site shall notify the Building Consent Authority of that
intention to excavate as required in Part 5 Section 9 of this Code.

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2.6.3.2.1.2. Where the depth at any point in an excavation is expected to be in excess of 3m,
which is not indicated on the approved plans, the owner of the site shall:

(i) Make an application to the Building Consent Authority, in writing, for

authorization prior to the commencement of the excavation;
(ii) Take precautionary measures as may be specified by the Building Consent
Authority; and
(iii) Maintain an open excavations in a safe condition at all times to the
satisfaction of Building Consent Authority office.

2.6.3.2.2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.3.2.2.1. Where any excavation related to a building is carried out or is to be carried out on
any site the owner of that site shall notify the Building Consent Authority of that
intention to excavate as required in Part 5 Section 9 of this Code.

2.6.3.2.2.2. Where the depth at any point in an excavation is expected to be in excess of 3m,
which is not indicated on the approved plans, the owner of the site shall:

(iv) Make an application to the Building Consent Authority, in writing, for

authorization prior to the commencement of the excavation;
(v) Take precautionary measures as may be specified by the Building Consent
Authority; and
(vi) Maintain an open excavations in a safe condition at all times to the
satisfaction of Building Consent Authority office.

2.6.3.2.2.3. Any excavation exceeding 3m below the original ground level or in situations
where special geotechnical considerations exist, shall be designed by a qualified
person.

2.6.3.2.2.4. The minimum slopes for permanent fill and cut slopes for permanent excavations
shall be 50%. The Building Consent Authority shall permit the foregoing limitation
for cut slope upon the soil investigation report.

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2.6.3.2.2.5. The ground immediately adjacent to the foundation shall be sloped away from the
building at a slope of 5% for a minimum distance of 3.1m measured perpendicular
to the face of the wall. Impervious surfaces within 3.1m of the building foundation
shall be at minimum slope of 2% away from the building.

2.6.3.2.2.6. Safety measures for excavation shall comply with regulations of Part 12 of this
Code.

2.6.3.2.3. EXCAVATIONS FOR FOUNDATIONS

2.6.3.2.3.1. Stumps and roots shall be removed from the soil to a depth of at least 0.3m below
the surface of the ground in the area to be occupied by the building

2.6.3.2.3.2. In water logged areas, the excavation depth shall be extended according to the water
table depth of the site location as specified during the site investigation and testing
in accordance with RS113.

2.6.3.2.3.3. An excavation for a foundation shall be taken down to a natural ground which
provides a suitable formation level, subject to assumptions made during foundation
design, and the bottom made horizontal. This shall be indicated on the plans
submitted.

2.6.3.2.3.4. To avoid foundation settlement and lateral translation, no removal of foundations

lateral support shall be done without first of all underpinning them near the
excavation on which the work is being carried out.

2.6.3.2.3.5. Where any foundation is placed on solid rock, the bearing area shall be cleaned so
as to prevent lateral movement of such foundation.

2.6.3.2.3.6. The excavation outside the foundation shall be backfilled with soil that is free of
organic material, construction debris, cobbles and boulders or with controlled low
strength Materials.

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2.6.3.2.3.7. Materials required for excavation such as ropes, planks for gangways and walkways
and ladders, shall be inspected by the qualified and competent person who shall
ensure that no accident shall occur due to the failure of such materials.

2.6.3.3. FOUNDATION

2.6.3.3.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENT

2.6.3.3.1.1. The foundation of every building shall be designed and constructed so as to sustain
any kind of loading (static and vertical combination of dead and imposed loads of
the building, dynamic loads, lateral loads) and to transmit these loads to the ground
in such a manner that the pressure on the ground shall not cause settlement to impair
the stability of the building or of adjoining works or any type of foundation
specified in sub-regulations 2.6.3.3.4, 2.6.3.3.5 and 2.6.3.3.6 of this Section.

2.6.3.3.1.2. Footings supported on soil shall be embedded sufficiently below the maximum
computed scour depth or protected with a scour counter measure.

2.6.3.3.1.3. Foundation shall be so designed that the allowable soil capacity is not exceeded,
and the total and differential settlement are within permissible values.

2.6.3.3.1.4. The machine foundation shall satisfy the criteria for dynamic loading in addition to
that for static loading.

2.6.3.3.1.5. Where eccentric loading of foundation to a wall, column or pier occurs, the member
shall be suitably designed to resist overturning moment.

2.6.3.3.1.6. A foundation in any type of soil shall be below the zone significantly weakened by
root holes or cavities produced by burrowing animals or works. The depth shall
also be enough to prevent the rainwater scouring below the footings.

2.6.3.3.1.7. The foundation for a load bearing member of a building, where constructed as a
strip foundation in plain concrete and situated centrally under a wall or pier, shall
be deemed to satisfy the following requirements:

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(i) There shall be no wide variation in the type of soil over the loaded area and
no weak soil types shall exist below that on which the foundation rests
within a depth equal to the foundation width as it may impair the stability
of the structure;

(ii) The foundation shall be designed so that the maximum pressure according
to the type and condition of soil specified in Table 2.6.3-1is not exceeded.
The presumed allowable bearing capacities for the different types of ground
shall enable a preliminary foundation design to be carried out, which can be
adjusted up or downwards after further testing, geotechnical investigation
and analysis;

(iii) The concrete shall be of a grade with characteristic strength that is in

accordance with RS EAS 131-1 at the age of 28 days; and

(iv) The foundation concrete shall be of a thickness not less than its projection
from the base of the wall, buttress or pier forming part of a wall, and in no
case less than 0.2m.

2.6.3.3.1.8. Where the strip foundation is laid at more than one level, at each change of level,
the higher foundation shall extend over and combine with the lower foundation for
a distance not less than the thickness of the foundation, and in no case less than
0.3m.

2.6.3.3.1.9. Any floor slab forming a foundation shall be thickened so that the width below the
floor slab, or the combined depth of the floor slab and the thickened portion, shall
not be less than that required for a continuous strip foundation.

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2.6.3.3.1.10. The foundation of every building shall be taken down to such a depth or be so
designed and constructed as to safeguard the building against damage by swelling,
shrinking or erosion of the subsoil.

2.6.3.3.2. EMPIRICAL RULES FOR FOUNDATIONS

2.6.3.3.2.1. Any foundation shall be constructed in concrete with a compressive strength of not
less than 10N/mm2 using appropriate proportions of cement, sand and coarse
aggregate or otherwise suitable.

2.6.3.3.2.2. Any continuous strip foundation shall have a thickness of not less than 0.2m width
provided that where the foundation is laid on solid rock, such thickness shall not
apply.

2.6.3.3.2.3. The thickness, length and width of the foundation to any sleeper pier or sleeper wall
shall be not less than 0.2m, 0.5m, and 0.3m, respectively.

2.6.3.3.3. DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

2.6.3.3.3.1. The shallow foundation shall be derived from bearing capacity to spread the load
to the ground at shallow depth and shall be applicable to isolated footings,
combined footings and raft/mats.

2.6.3.3.3.2. The design of foundation concrete structures shall be in accordance with RS 142
and shall comply with the requirements of Part 6 Section 8 of this Code.

2.6.3.3.3.3. Precast concrete foundations shall enclose basements and crawlspaces and to resist
lateral earth and hydro pressures and the panels shall be set into place on levelled,
compacted crushed stone or cast-in situ continuous footing.

2.6.3.3.3.4. Footings shall be provided under walls, plasters, columns, piers, chimneys etc.
bearing on soil or rock, except that footings may be omitted under pier or
monolithic concrete walls if safe bearing capacity of the soil or rock is not
exceeded.

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2.6.3.3.3.5. Where footings are adjacent to sloping ground or where the bottoms of the footings
of a structure are at different levels or at levels different from those of the footings
of adjoining structures, the depth of the footings shall be such that the difference in
footing elevations shall be subject to the following limitations:

(i) When the ground surface slopes downward adjacent to a footing, the sloping
surface shall not intersect a frustum of bearing material under the footing
having sides which make an angle of 30° with the horizontal for soil and
horizontal distance from the lower edge of the footing to the sloping surface
shall be at least 600mm for rock and 900mm for soil;
(ii) In the case of footings in granular soil, a line drawn between the lower
adjacent edges of adjacent footings shall not have a steeper slope than one
vertical to two horizontal; and
(iii) In case of footing of clayey soils a line drawn between the lower adjacent
edge of the upper footing and the upper adjacent edge of lower footing shall
not have a steeper slope than 45ͦ .

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2.6.3.3.4. STRIP FOUNDATIONS

2.6.3.3.4.1. The foundations for the load bearing structure of a single storey building where
constructed as strip foundations of plain concrete situated centrally under the walls
or piers, shall be constructed such that:

(i) There is no wide variation in the type of subsoil over the loaded area and no
weaker type of soil exists below that on which the foundations rest within
such a depth as may impair the stability of the structure;
(ii) Constructed for pressures according to the type and condition of the soil
specified in Table 2.6.3-2;
(iii) The concrete is composed of cement and well-graded aggregate in the
proportion of 50kg of cement to not more than 0.35m3 of well-graded
aggregate;
(iv) The thickness of the concrete is not less than its projection from the base of
the wall or footings, as the case may be, and in no case less than150mm,
except that where the foundation bed is of hard rock only sufficient concrete
need be used to level the foundation in masonry courses provided that in the
case of a single storey domestic building constructed with external walls of
150mm thickness in accordance with this Code, the thickness of the
concrete may be reduced to not less than 150mm if the bearing capacity of
the subsoil is not less than 75kN/m2;
(v) Where the foundations are laid at more than one level, at each change of
level the higher foundations extend over and unite with the lower
foundations for a distance not less than the thickness of the foundations and
in no case less than 300mm; and
(vi) Where there is a pier or buttress forming part of a wall, the foundations
project beyond the pier or buttress on all sides at least to the same extent as
they project beyond the wall.
(vii) In all cases, the width of foundation shall not be less than the width of the
wall.

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2.6.3.3.5. SHALLOW FOUNDATION

Shallow foundations shall spread the load to the ground at shallow depth where the
capacity of this foundation is derived from bearing.

2.6.3.3.5.1. FOOTING

2.6.3.3.5.1.1. Footings shall be provided under walls, pilasters, columns, piers, chimneys, etc.
bearing on soil or rock, except that footings may be omitted under pier or
monolithic concrete walls if safe bearing capacity of the soil or rock is not
exceeded.

2.6.3.3.5.2. RAFT/MAT

2.6.3.3.5.2.1. A raft foundation may be one of the following types:

(i) Flat plate or concrete slab of uniform thickness usually supporting columns
spaced uniformly and resting on soils of low compressibility;
(ii) Flat plates as in (i) but thickened under columns to provide adequate shear
and moment resistance;
(iii) Two way slab and beam system supporting largely spaced columns on
compressible soil; and
(iv) Cellular raft or rigid frames consisting of slabs and basement walls, usually
used for heavy structures.

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2.6.3.3.6. DEEP FOUNDATION

2.6.3.3.6.1. Design, construction and specification of a deep foundation shall be done in

accordance with the used design material.

2.6.3.3.6.2. Footing shall be designed to keep the maximum imposed load within the safe
bearing values of soil and rock. To prevent unequal settlement footing shall be
designed to keep the bearing pressure as nearly uniform as practical.

2.6.3.3.6.3. Footings located in fill are subject to the same bearing capacity, settlement, and
dynamic ground stability considerations as footings in natural soil. The behaviour
of both fill and underlying natural soil shall be considered.

2.6.3.3.6.4. Soil and rock properties defining the strength and compressibility characteristics of
foundation materials shall be required for footing design. Foundation stability and
settlement analysis for design shall be conducted using soil and rock properties
based on.

2.6.3.3.6.5. DRIVEN PILES

2.6.3.3.6.5.1. For driven precast concrete piles, a pile structure capable of being driven into the
ground and able to resist handling stresses shall be used for this category of piles.

2.6.3.3.6.5.2. For driven cast‐in‐situ concrete piles, a pile formed by driving a steel casing or
concrete shell in one or more pieces, which may remain in place after driving or
withdrawn, with the inside filled with concrete, falls in this category of piles.
Sometimes an enlarged base may be formed by driving out a concrete plug.

2.6.3.3.6.5.3. For driven pre-stressed concrete pile, a pile constructed in pre-stressed concrete
shall be a casting yard and subsequently driven in the ground when it has attained
sufficient strength.

2.6.3.3.6.5.4. For timber piles, a structural timber (see Part 6 Section 10 of this Code) shall be
used as piles for temporary structures for directly transmitting the imposed load to
soil. When driven timber poles are used to compact and improve the deposit.

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2.6.3.3.6.6. BORED PILES/ CAST IN-SITU PILES

2.6.3.3.6.6.1. These piles shall be constructed by concreting bore holes formed by auguring,
rotary drilling or percussion drilling with or without using bentonite mud
circulation.

2.6.3.3.6.6.2. Excavation or drilling shall be carried out in a manner that will not impair the
carrying capacity of the foundations already in place or will not damage adjacent
foundations.

2.6.3.3.6.6.3. These types of foundations shall be tested for capacity by load test or for integrity
by sonic response or other suitable method.

2.6.3.3.6.6.4. Under‐reaming drilled piers shall be constructed in cohesive soils to increase the
end bearing.

2.6.3.3.6.7. DRILLED PIER/ DRILLED SHAFTS

2.6.3.3.6.7.1. The drilled pier having a larger diameter more than 600mm shall be constructed by
excavating the soil or sinking the foundation.

2.6.3.3.7. FOUNDATION DEPTH REQUIREMENTS

2.6.3.3.7.1. The foundation shall be taken below the likely depth of surface water scour, organic
matter and animal/termite activity, in addition to bearing on suitable founding material in
line with the engineer’s design considerations are required.

2.6.3.3.7.2. Retaining walls for foundations shall be designed to ensure stability against
overturning, sliding, excessive foundation pressure and water uplift and that they
be designed for a safety factor of 1.5 against lateral sliding and overturning.

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SECTION 4: FLOORS

2.6.4.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.4.1.1. A floor of any building shall be designed with adequate strength to support its own
weight and all imposed loads on it and shall have appropriate fire resistance rating
applicable to its use.

2.6.4.1.2. All floors shall be so framed and secured into the framework and supporting walls
to form an integral part of the whole building.

2.6.4.1.3. The floor design shall consider the accessibility and safety of disabled people.

2.6.4.1.4. Any floor supported on ground shall be constructed of impervious units consisting
of slabs, bricks, natural stones or other approved material of thickness not less than
40mm. Floor shall be constructed on adequate sub-base.

2.6.4.1.5. Adequate water resistance shall be considered for floors of any laundry, kitchen,
shower room, lavatory or room containing a Water Closet pan or urinal.

2.6.4.1.6. If the floor for which sub-regulation 2.6.4.1.4 applies is constructed in concrete,
such concrete shall be designed with a minimum characteristic strength not less
than 15N/mm2 at the age of 28 days, the concrete floor slab shall be a minimum of
100mm thickness.

2.6.4.1.7. In every building, the lowest floor in every part of the building shall resist the
passage of moisture from the ground.

2.6.4.1.8. The requirement of sub-regulation 2.6.4.1.8 shall be deemed satisfied if a floor,

being a solid floor, is itself or its finishes, impervious to moisture or a damp
proofing layer of approved type is inserted within the thickness of the floor.

2.6.4.1.9. The provision of adequate under-floor ventilation shall be made for suspended
timber floors of any building.

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2.6.4.2. FLOOR CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL DESIGN

2.6.4.2.1. Any floor on any building shall comply with the fire requirements contained in the
regulations of Part 8 of this Code.

2.6.4.2.2. For floor construction, under floor membrane shall not be less than 500 gauge
minimum and shall be laid on a surface which shall not contain any sharp object
that may perforate such membrane that shall be turned up around the perimeter and
at least for the full thickness of the slab.

2.6.4.2.3. Any joint in such membrane shall be double-lapped by not less than 150mm and
shall be effectively sealed.

2.6.4.2.4. Any floor on any building shall comply with the fire requirements contained in the
regulations of Part 8 Section 2 of this Code.

2.6.4.2.5. Filling materials under floor shall consist of suitable material and be applied in well
compacted layers not more than 150mm in thickness.

2.6.4.2.6. There shall be prescription of adequate dosage of chemicals for termite’s

protection; such chemicals for anti-termite protection shall be applied to all timber
forming part of the structural works. The application shall be evenly spread to all
surfaces of the timber.

2.6.4.2.7. For each floor or portion of a commercial or industrial building designed to exceed
2.40kN/m2 where there is the live loads, such design of live loads shall be clearly
posted by the owner in that part of each story in which they apply, with durable
signs. It shall be illegal to remove or spoil such notices.

2.6.4.2.8. It shall be illegal to place, or cause or permit to be placed, on any floor or roof of a
building, structure or portion thereof, a load greater than that permitted in Part 6
Section 2 of this Code.

2.6.4.2.9. The structural design and analysis for Reinforced Concrete floors shall comply with
the requirements of RS 142.

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2.6.4.2.10. The design and construction of floors in steel shall include general design
requirements, design of tension members, design of compression members, design
of members subjected to bending, design of members subjected to combined
stresses, design of connections, design of encased members, shall be done in
accordance with RS EAS 134.

2.6.4.2.11. All materials used in structural steel floor construction shall conform to Part 7
Section 3 of this Code and all structural steel, rivets, welding consumables, steel
castings, bolts and nuts, washers and steel tubes shall be in accordance with relevant
parts of RS ISO 4948.

2.6.4.2.12. The specification of steel types to be used particularly in industrial flooring shall
comply with the requirements of Part 6 Section 12 of this Code.

2.6.4.2.13. The floor of the water closet constructed of cement concrete shall have at least
100mm thickness and shall be impervious to moisture.

2.6.4.2.14. The classification and specifications of timbers shall be in accordance with Part 7
Section 3 of this Code, and the structural design for floor shall comply with the
requirements of this Part 6 Section 10 of this Code.

2.6.4.2.15. The laying of all types of flooring of wood and wood products shall comply with
requirements of ISO 17959.

2.6.4.2.16. The installation and use of wood-based panels as primarily a load-bearing surface
shall comply with the guidance given in ISO 17959.

2.6.4.2.17. Composite floors shall consist of a concrete topping cast onto metal decking and
shall be in accordance with Part 6 Section 14 of this Code.

2.6.4.2.18. The structural design for composite floors shall comply with requirements of Part
6 Section 14 of this Code.

2.6.4.2.19. The design, construction and maintenance of ceramic and any other floor tiling shall
comply with the requirements of relevant sections of Part 6 of this Code.

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SECTION 5: WALLING & MASONRY

2.6.5.1. MATERIALS

2.6.5.1.1. Any material to be used in wall elevation shall fulfil all the requirements provided
in relevant sections of Part 7 of this Code.

2.6.5.1.2. The use of locally produced building materials including Adobe bricks that do not
compromise the natural ecosystem and which use the least energy for their
production and transport must be emphasized in accordance with the building Code.

2.6.5.1.3. Specifically, the use of adobe bricks is accepted for all buildings in category two as
provided in the Ministerial Order categorizing the buildings.

2.6.5.2. WALL DIMENSIONING

2.6.5.2.1. The height of a wall shall be measured in the following manner:

(i) The height of the lowest or only storey shall be measured from the underside
of that part of the wall that immediately rests upon the footings, that is the
base, to the highest part of the wall;
(ii) The height of any other storey shall be measured from the level of the
underside of the floor structure above it or if there is no storey to the highest
part of the wall, or in a storey comprising a gable to half the height of the
gable;
(iii)The height of a party wall comprising a gable shall be measured from its
base to the base of the gable; and
(iv) The height of any other wall comprising a gable shall be measured from its
base to its highest part excluding any parapet that does not exceed 1m in
height.

2.6.5.2.2. The length of a wall shall be measured from the centres of dividing walls, piers,
buttresses or any other members dividing the wall into distinct lengths.

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2.6.5.2.3. The thickness of a load-bearing external wall, internal load bearing wall or party
wall of any length shall not be less than 200mm, or any thickness which is
structurally adequate and approved by the Building Consent Authority, provided
that the height of the wall does not exceed 3m.

2.6.5.2.4. Timber framed walls shall have dimensions as specified in Table 2.6.5-1.

Table 2.6.5-1: Permissible Dimensions for Timber-framed Walls

Wall Stud Size Stud Maximum Panel Maximum Maximum

Types (mm) Spacing Length (m) Height* Storey
(mm) Supported Supported (m) Height
Both Ends One End (m)
Structural 100x50 400 4.8 2.4 6.0 4.0
100x50 600 4.0 2.0 6.0 3.0
75x50 450 3.8 1.8 6.0 3.0
Non- 100x50 600 4.8 3.0 - 4.0
structural 70x50 600 4.2 2.4 - 3.0
*Maximum height means height to wall plate of highest storey or height to top of gable, if there is
a gable

2.6.5.3. STRUCTURAL STRENGTH & STABILITY

2.6.5.3.1. Any wall shall be able to support dead, live, and lateral or any kind of load imposed
on it in a safe and sustainable way and shall be capable to transfer such load on
supporting foundation.

2.6.5.4. RESISTANCE TO WEATHER CHANGES

2.6.5.4.1. Any external wall of a building, including any parapet wall to the building, shall
adequately resist the penetration of rain.

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2.6.5.4.2. No wall, pier or column of a building shall permit the passage of moisture from the
ground to the inner surface of any storey of the building or to any part of the
building.

2.6.5.4.3. The requirements of sub-regulation 2.6.5.4.2 shall be deemed satisfied where any
wall of the building in contact with the ground is provided with an approved damp-
proofing course complying with sub-regulation 2.6.5.4.5, which in the case of an
external wall shall be continued to a height not less than 150mm above the surface
of the ground adjoining the wall.

2.6.5.4.4. Other additional barriers to moisture in continuation of the damp-proof course

required by paragraph 2.6.5.4.5 of this regulation as may be necessary to ensure
that dampness from the ground cannot reach any timber or other material that would
be harmfully affected by it or the interior of the walls of any storey of the building,
other than a basement used for storage purposes only.

2.6.5.4.5. The designs and specifications of damp-proof courses shall be in accordance with
the approved relevant standards.

2.6.5.5. CONNECTION WITH OTHER STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

2.6.5.5.1. Any structure elements like roof truss, rafter or beam supported by a wall, provision
shall be made to fix that element to such wall in a secure manner that will ensure
that any forces to which the roof may normally be subjected will be transmitted to
such wall. The joint between the wall and ceiling shall be a good fit to prevent the
spread of fire and smoke.

2.6.5.5.2. Concrete or masonry walls shall be anchored to all floors and roofs which provide
later support for the wall or are required to provide stability for the wall. Such
anchorage shall be capable of resisting the horizontal forces. Required anchor in
masonry walls of hollow units or cavity walls shall enter a reinforced grounded
structural element of the wall.

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2.6.5.6. FIRE RESISTANT WALLS

Any wall shall be constructed to resist a fire in accordance with Part 8 Section 2
of this Code.

2.6.5.7. WALLS SUPPORTS

2.6.5.7.1. When columns and piers are required to be built as supports to walls, they shall be
provided at each end of the wall and at intermediate distances not exceeding 3m
centre to centre of the columns or piers in other to respect the strength and stability
of the structure and they shall have a height not greater than twelve times of their
least lateral dimensions.

2.6.5.8. EXTERNAL WALLS

2.6.5.8.1. The external wall of a building of not more than one storey in height, whose width
in the direction of the span of the roof does not exceed 10m, and whose height does
not exceed 3m, or a veranda, loggia, garage, greenhouse, tool shed, fuel store, water
closet, lavatory, or wash-house which does not exceed 3m in height, and is attached
to the house, shall not be less than 100mm in thickness subject to the following
conditions:
(i) A wall exceeding 2m in height or length shall be bonded into piers not less
than 200mm in horizontal section, or where piers of greater size shall be
required to give stability to the wall of such greater size;
(ii) Where any pier is required, the piers shall be provided at each end of the
wall and at intermediate distances not exceeding 3m centre to centre of the
piers;
(iii) The roof shall be constructed so that the walls are not subjected to any
thrust; and no load other than the distributed loading from the roof shall be
borne on the wall; and
(iv) Where a roof truss, rafter, beam, or any other member forming part of the
roof structure is supported on a wall, provision shall be made to fix the roof
structure to the wall in a secure and approved manner, so that any forces to

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which the roof is normally subjected shall be transmitted to the wall, and to
hold down the roof structure against uplift due to wind forces.

2.6.5.8.2. OPENINGS IN AN EXTERNAL WALL

2.6.5.8.2.1. The distance between any part of an opening or recess made in an external wall and
the outer face of an external return wall shall not be less than one and half times the
thickness of the wall in which the opening or recess is made unless adequate support
at the corner is provided by another approved method.

2.6.5.8.2.2. Adequate means of supporting the superstructure shall be provided over every
opening and recess in an external wall or party wall.

2.6.5.8.2.3. The number, size or position of openings or recesses on a wall shall not impair the
stability of the wall.

2.6.5.8.3. EXTERNAL WALLS IN DOMESTIC BUILDINGS

2.6.5.8.3.1. If external load bearing walls of either single storey or double storeys domestic
buildings to be used only for living accommodation are constructed in accordance
with this Code, they will satisfy its requirements.

2.6.5.8.3.2. The thickness of a wall of an outbuilding not communicating directly with the
building to which it is appurtenant shall not be less than 100mm if it exceeds 2m in
height and 3m in length.

2.6.5.8.3.3. A partition wall shall not be deemed to be a buttressing wall unless there shall be
at least a length thereof of not less than 200mm bonded into the outer wall for its
full height and is not less than 200mm thick with a tolerance of 2mm.

2.6.5.9. NON-LOAD BEARING WALLS, PARTITIONS & INDIVIDUAL PANELS

2.6.5.9.1. Concrete blocks used in non-load-bearing external panel walls must comply with
the strength requirement of this Code. The crushing strength of concrete blocks
shall be determined in the manner provided in Part 7 Section 3 of this Code.

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2.6.5.9.2. A common non-load-bearing wall, partition or individual panel shall be deemed

satisfactory if the size of the wall, partition or individual panel is designed so that
its length or height is not greater than the dimensions specified in relevant parts of
RS 112.

2.6.5.9.3. Where both the length and the height of a partition wall or individual panel exceeds
the specified dimensions, the wall shall be divided into panels by vertical and
horizontal supports of adequate strength and rigidity, and the individual panel shall
be supported along two vertical opposite ends that shall, in addition, be attached to
the main structure by bonding, inserting into a groove, or by other approved
methods of fixing.

Table 2.6.5-2: Thickness of Non-loading Bearing Walls

Wall Thickness(mm) Maximum Wall Height/Length(m)
75 3
100 4.5
125 5
150 6.5
200 8

2.6.5.10. PARTY OR SEPARATING WALLS

2.6.5.10.1. The thickness of a party wall or separating wall built with bricks, concrete blocks,
natural stone or any other approved materials, shall comply with the requirements
of sub-regulation 2.6.5.2.3; where the external walls of any building are 150mm in
thickness, the thickness of the party wall or separating wall shall also be 150mm.

2.6.5.10.2. A wall which is continuous with a boundary, shall be constructed of thickness not
less than that for an external wall, also it shall satisfy all requirements for external
walls as described in this Code, as well as a degree of fire resistance of not less than
the specified period in Part 8 Section 2 of this Code.

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2.6.5.11. FOUNDATION WALLS

2.6.5.11.1. Hollow blocks shall be used neither in sub-structure foundation walls nor in the
chimney construction but shall be used for very light and non-load bearing walls.

2.6.5.11.2. Foundation walls shall be designed to resist forecast action and to support safely all
vertical and lateral loads. The maximum stresses due to combined loads shall be
within the values specified for the materials used in the construction. Unless
properly reinforced, tensile stresses shall not exceed those permitted in plain
masonry.

2.6.5.11.3. The thickness of foundation walls shall exceed that of the wall supported, and the
minimum thickness shall be limited for the various materials of construction as
herein specified.

2.6.5.11.4. A foundation masonry wall shall not have a thickness thinner that the width of its
wall. All foundation masonry shall have 50mm of extra width on both sides
compared to the width of its wall.

2.6.5.11.5. The height of any foundation wall which is not designed as a retaining wall derive
from design calculations. or where the difference in ground level including backfill
exists between the two sides of a foundation wall.

2.6.5.11.6. The difference in ground level as well as backfill existing between two sides of any
foundation wall shall not be greater than 1m unless that wall is designed to also act
as a retaining wall.

2.6.5.12. CHASES

2.6.5.12.1. Chases walls shall not be constructed as to reduce the required strength, thickness
or fire resistance of the wall. The chases shall be designed and constructed as
openings. In the case of load bearing structures, chases shall be cut under the
supervision of a qualified professional with a valid practicing certificate to ensure
quality.

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2.6.5.13. BOUNDARY WALLS AND FENCES

2.6.5.13.1. Boundary walls and fences shall be erected in a vertical plane, shall be constructed
with approved materials, and shall incorporate sufficient, securely fixed supports
to ensure the stability. These structures shall not exceed a height of 2m above the
ground.

2.6.5.13.2. When a plot is required to be protected by a boundary wall for a public building,
the height of the external walls, if built in brick or block work, shall not exceed
three courses. The material to be utilised above this level may be any approved
material that does not obstruct the frontage of the building.

2.6.5.14. RENDERING

2.6.5.14.1. Where rendering is required; a rendering not less than 15mm thick shall be applied
externally on all un-faced stone, bricks, blocks and slabs used in external walls or
another similar treatment may be applied.

2.6.5.14.2. A suitable waterproofing compound shall be necessary, where the permeability of

blocks is required in order to satisfy the requirements of this Code.

2.6.5.15. COPING

2.6.5.15.1. All masonry retaining walls other than reinforced concrete walls shall be protected
with an approved coping.

2.6.5.15.2. Boundary walls, fences and parapet walls must have a coping designed and installed
in such a manner to prevent vertical water penetration.

2.6.5.16. MASONRY WALLS DIMENSIONS

2.6.5.16.1. Masonry walls in buildings shall have dimensions complying with Table 2.6.5-3.
The provision of this regulation 2.6.5.16.1 shall only apply to clay burnt bricks and
cement blocks constructed walls.

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Table 2.6.5-3: Permissible Dimensions of Masonry Walls in Buildings

Nominal Use of Wall in a Maximum Maximum Maximum Minimum

Wall Building Storey Height Unsupported Nominal Unit
Thickness Height Ground Length (m) Strength
(mm) (m) Floor to (MPa)
Top of Hollow Solid
External Units Units
Gable (m)
Non-structural 3 NA 4 7 3.5
internal wall in any
storey
Building to height 3.3 NA NP 7 NP
of 25m
Other than its own 3 NA 4 7 3.5
90 weight
Non-structural 3 NA 6 7 3.5
internal wall in any
storey
Building to height 3 NA 5 7 3.5
of 25m
Structural wall in 3.3 5 6 7 3.5
single storey
building
140 Structural wall in 3 6 6 10.5 7
double storey
building
Non-structural 3.5 NA 8 7 3.5
internal wall in any
storey
Building to height 3.3 NA 7 7 3.5
190 of 25m
Structural wall in 3.5 5.5 7 7 3.5
single storey
building
Structural wall in 3.3 8 7 10.5 7
double storey
building
Non-structural 4 NA 8 7 3.5
internal wall in any
storey
230 Building to height 3.3 NA 8 7 3.5
of 25m

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Structural wall in 4 6 8 7 3.5

single storey
building
Structural wall in 3.3 8 8 10.5 7
double storey
building
Building to height 3.3 NA 5 7 3.5
of 25m
Structural wall in 3 4.5 7 7 3.5
single storey
building
Structural wall in 2.8 7.5 7 14 NP
double storey
dwelling unit
without concrete
slab roof
External infilling 3.3 NA 6 7 3.5
and cladding to
framed building to
140-50- height of 25m
140 to 140- Structural wall in 3 5 6 7 3.5
110-140 single storey
cavity wall building
Structural wall in 3 8 8 14 7
double storey
building
NOTE: NA means NOT APPLICABLE NP means NOT PERMITTED

2.6.5.17. MORTAR

2.6.5.17.1. The mortar to use in wall elevation shall be in accordance with RS 108.

2.6.5.17.2. The methods of test of mortar for masonry shall be in accordance with RS 211.

2.6.5.18. BONDING

2.6.5.19. Walls constructed in bricks, concrete blocks or natural stone, both load bearing and
non-load bearing, shall be bonded with mortar of thickness not greater than 15mm
in bedding joints and 10mm in vertical joints, and the mortar shall satisfy the
requirements of RS 108.

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2.6.5.20. RETAINING WALLS OF MASONRY

2.6.5.20.1. A masonry retaining wall, not being a basement or foundation wall of a building,
shall not be erected where the ground, or fill which it retains, is subjected to the
imposed loads within a distance equal to the height of the retained material unless
the wall is designed by a qualified person.

2.6.5.20.2. The retaining wall intended to support any structure erected at its top shall be well
designed in compliance with this Code provided that a wire fence less than 1.5m in
height shall not be considered as a structure.

2.6.5.20.3. Walls built to retain or support the lateral pressure of earth or water or other
superimposed loads shall be designed and constructed of approved masonry,
reinforced concrete, steel sheet piling or other approved materials within the
allowable stresses specified in this Code and the subsoil drainage shall be required
behind the retaining wall together with sufficient weep outlets in such wall in order
to prevent the accumulation of water.

2.6.5.20.4. No surcharge of fill shall be permitted to be placed behind retaining wall within a
distance equal to the height of the wall unless designed to withstand such loading
by a properly qualified professional

2.6.5.20.5. The horizontal damp-proof course of sheet material shall not be used in any
retaining wall.

2.6.5.20.6. According to the site condition, any masonry retaining wall shall be constructed of
solid masonry units laid in any acceptable fully-bonded pattern and shall have the
limits of height, wall thickness and pier size not exceeding the dimensions given in
Table 2.6.5-4.

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Table 2.6.5-4: Retaining Walls Dimensions

Normal Wall Maximum Piers

Thickness Height of Fill to Nominal Dimensions Maximum Spacing
(mm) Be Retained (m) (Projection x Width ) (mm) Centre to Centre (mm)
190 0.8 No piers required
1.1 300 x 190 2.0
1.3 400 x 190 2.4
230 0.9 No piers required
1.4 360 x 230 2.5
1.5 480 x 230 2.7
290 1.1 No piers required
1.5 300x290 2.7
390 1.4 No piers required

2.6.5.21. CAVITY WALLS

2.6.5.21.1. Where a cavity is formed in an external masonry wall, it shall have a width ranging
between 50mm and 110mm and shall be sealed.

2.6.5.21.2. Any cavity wall shall be with wall ties installed in an even distributed pattern with
a rate of 2.5 ties per square meter of the face area of such wall where that cavity
wall less than 75mm in width and with a rate of 3 ties per square meter of face area
where that cavity is greater than 75mm.

2.6.5.21.3. Where a cavity is formed in an external masonry wall, it shall have a width ranging
between 50mm and 110mm and shall be sealed.

2.6.5.21.4. Any cavity wall shall be with wall ties installed in an even distributed pattern with
a rate of 2.5 ties per square meter of the face area of such wall where that cavity
wall less than 75mm in width and with a rate of 3 ties per square meter of face area
where that cavity is greater than 75mm.

2.6.5.21.5. Any cavity wall shall be protected against moisture by directing it away from the
inner leaf of the wall.

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2.6.5.22. FREE-STANDING WALLS

2.6.5.22.1. Any masonry free-standing wall shall have courses laid in any acceptable fully-
bonded pattern and their dimensions (height, thickness and pier size) shall be
relevant according to the Table 2.6.5-5.

2.6.5.22.2. No damp-proof courses are required for any free-standing wall; there shall be use
of high density bricks with water absorption less than 7% up to 150mm above the
ground in the case of moisture encountered from the ground.

2.6.5.22.3. Any cavities in piers in a wall built of hollow units shall be filled with concrete.

Table 2.6.5-5: Free Standing Walls Dimensions

Nominal Wall Maximum Height of Wall Piers

Thickness (mm) Above Finished Ground (m)

Without With Piers Nominal Maximum

Piers Dimensions Spacing (Centre
(Length X Width) to Centre) (m)
(mm)
90 0.8 1.2 200x290 1.8
110 1.0 1.4 240x230 1.8
140 1.3 1.6 300x290 2
190 1.5 2 400x290 2.5
230 1.8 2.3 480x350 3.5
290 2.2 2.6 400x290 4.5

2.6.5.23. MASONRY CHIMNEYS

2.6.5.23.1. The chimney shall have wall of masonry units, bricks, stones, listed masonry
chimney units, reinforced concrete or equivalent solid thickness of hollow
masonry.

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SECTION 6: PROTECTION AGAINST FALLING

2.6.6.1. APPLICATION

This section shall apply to every building or structures which present the risk of
falling down. It provides the requirements for protection of people from falling
from building and design requirements for structures such as parapets, balustrades,
vehicle barriers and other structures that serve for protection.

2.6.6.2. BALUSTRADES AND PARAPETS

2.6.6.2.1. The thickness of a parapet to an external wall shall not be less than 150mm or the
thickness of the wall on which it is carried, whichever is lesser and its height shall
not exceed six times the thickness.

2.6.6.2.2. Parapet walls shall have a height not less than 1m above the point where the roof
surface and the wall intercept, they must be fire resistant same as the wall upon
which they are erected with non-combustible coping materials also designed and
installed in a manner to prevent vertical water penetration.

2.6.6.2.3. The balustrade walls shall fulfil all the requirements elaborated in this Code.

2.6.6.2.4. Where a solid balustrade wall is provided in structure, it shall be tied to a reinforced
concrete or block columns or bonded into return walls or reinforced brick piers.

2.6.6.2.5. When it is necessary to provide solid masonry balustrade wall with expansion joints
spaced less than 8 m apart and that wall is supported by reinforced concrete or brick
columns or reinforced brick piers, those expansion joints shall be formed in such
columns or piers.

2.6.6.2.6. The brick balustrade wall shall be reinforced with adequate reinforcements in its
bed joints.

2.6.6.2.7. The balustrade and parapets shall be designed to resist the appropriate loads shown
in Table 2.6.6-1.

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2.6.6.2.8. Those forces are considered as forces acting horizontally at a height of 1.1m above
the finalised level of the access platform.

Table 2.6.6-1: Appropriate Loads Acting on the Parapets and Balustrades

Occupancy Use Horizontal Uniformly Point

Uniformly Distributed Loads to
Distributed Loads Applied Part of
Loads to the Infill the Infill
(kN/m2) (kN/m2) (kN)
Other (1) Light access stairs, gangways 0.22 Not applicable Not
occupancy and like not more than 600mm applicable
classes wide.
(2) Staircases, balconies, ramps, 0.36 0.5 0.25
landings or floors within, or
serving exclusively one dwelling.
(3) Staircases in residential 0.36 1 0.50
buildings not covered by (1) or (2)
(4) Staircases, landings ,floors, 0.74 1 0.50
balconies, flat roofs with access,
walkways and edges of sunken
areas not covered by (1) to (3)
or(6) to (8)
Public (5) Balconies or parts of 1.5 1.5 1.5
assembly balconies, stands, etc. having fixed
classes seating within 530mm of the
barrier.
(6) Staircases, ramps, landings or 3 1.5 1.5
floors in theatres, cinemas, concert
halls, assembly halls, stadia, etc.
(7) Footways or pavements, within 1 1 1
building cartilage, adjacent to
access roads, basement or sunken
areas.
(8) Pavements or areas not less 3 1.5 1.5
than 3m wide adjacent to sunken

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2.6.6.3. VEHICLE BARRIERS

2.6.6.3.1. Any wall, parapet or balustrade serving as a vehicle barrier shall be able of resisting
to forces set out in Part 6 of this Code.

2.6.6.3.2. The horizontal force uniformly distributed on a length of 1.5m required to sustain
the impact load of a vehicle shall be obtained by the following formula:

𝟎. 𝟓 ∗ 𝐌 ∗ 𝐕 𝟐
𝐅=
𝐜+𝐛

Where:

M is the gross mass of the vehicle (in kg);

V is the velocity of the vehicle (in m/s) normal to the barrier;
c is the deformation of the vehicle (in mm);
b is the deflection of the barrier (in mm)

2.6.6.3.3. Where the car park has been designed on the basis that the mass of the vehicles
using it will not exceed 2,500kg, the following values are used to determine the
force F:
(i) M = 1,500kg (the mass of 1,500kg is taken as more representative of the
vehicle population than the extreme value of 2,500kg);
(ii) V = 4.5m/s; and
(iii) c = 100mm unless better evidence is available.

2.6.6.3.4. For a rigid barrier, for ‘which shall be taken as zero, the force F appropriate to
vehicles up to 2,500kg gross mass shall be taken as 150kN.

2.6.6.3.5. Where the car park has been designed for vehicles whose gross mass exceeds
2,500kg the following values are used to determine the force F:
(i) M = is the actual mass of the vehicle for which the car park is designed (in
kg);
(ii) V = 4.5 m/s; and
(iii) c = 100mm unless better evidence is available.

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2.6.6.3.6. The force F determined above shall be considered to act at bumper height. In the
case of car parks intended for motor cars whose gross mass does not exceed 2,500kg
this height may be taken as 375mm above the floor level.

2.6.6.3.7. Barriers to access ramps of car parks have to withstand one half of the force F
determined above acting at a height of 600mm above the ramp.

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SECTION 7: ROOFING STRUCTURES & RE-ROOFING

2.6.7.1. ROOFING STRUCTURES

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2.6.7.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ROOFS

2.6.7.1.1.1. The roof of a building shall be designed and constructed so as to sustain dead and
imposed loads, wind or other forces to which it may be subjected.

2.6.7.1.1.2. The roof of any building shall be so constructed that it will be durable, fire resistant,
and waterproof. It shall not allow the accumulation of any rainwater upon its
surface and shall be well insulated. It shall be thermal insulator and shall provide
adequate insulation against sound.

2.6.7.1.1.3. The roof of a building shall be designed and constructed so as part of a roof and
ceiling assembly provide adequate height in any room immediately below such
assembly.

2.6.7.1.1.4. For the design of roofs, the additional loads that apply on it shall be in accordance
with sub-regulations 2.6.2.2.5 through 2.6.2.2.7 of this code.

2.6.7.1.2. REGULATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFS

2.6.7.1.2.1. The roof structure of a building shall be deemed satisfactory if it is designed and
constructed in accordance with Part 6 Section 7 of this Code.

2.6.7.1.2.2. Where any roof is to be supported on the walls of any building, such roof shall be
constructed in accordance with sub-regulations 2.6.7.1.3 and 2.6.7.1.7 of this Code.

2.6.7.1.3. FIRE RESISTANCE & COMBUSTIBILITY

2.6.7.1.3.1. In every building, other than a building that sub-regulation 2.6.7.1.3.2 applies to,
the roof shall be covered, or the building shall be isolated from other buildings so
as to afford adequate protection against the spread of fire into the building or to an
adjoining property.

2.6.7.1.3.2. Where a building exceeds 1000m3 in capacity or forms a block of more than two
dwelling units, the roof shall be covered with material capable of affording
adequate protection against the spread of fire into the building or adjoining
property, and may be constructed as a single block.
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2.6.7.1.3.3. The roof shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of sub-regulations 2.6.7.1.3.1
and 2.6.7.1.3.2 if it is covered with: tiles or slabs of burnt clay; cement, metal or
galvanized steel sheets; tiles of sisal-cement; or any other approved roofing
materials, which are capable of affording adequate protection against the spread of
fire.

2.6.7.1.3.4. The roof assembly in any building shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than
30minutes and where the roof assembly exceeds 10m in height, it shall be
constructed with non-combustible materials.

2.6.7.1.3.5. In the case of any building exceeding 10minheight or that has a roof area
exceeding of 500m2, the roof covering material shall be constructed with
reinforced concrete or other approved non-combustible materials.

2.6.7.1.3.6. A suspended ceiling and the supporting members of a building shall be of non-
combustible materials.

2.6.7.1.3.7. In addition, fire-retardant treated wood roof coverings shall be tested in accordance
with ISO 1182.

2.6.7.1.4. WATERPROOFING

2.6.7.1.4.1. The roof of a building shall be durable, weather-proof, and in the case of a roof
with a ceiling, the latter shall be provided with a door or scuttle to allow access into
the roof space.
2.6.7.1.4.2. The requirements of sub-regulation 2.6.7.1.4.1, as it relates to weather-proof roofs,
shall be deemed satisfied if the roof is designed and constructed in accordance with
the recommendations in Table 2.6.7-1.

2.6.7.1.4.3. A roof of any building and of any profile, or any other surface susceptible to rainfall
shall be constructed to drain effectually to suitable gutters to carry water away from
the building.

Table 2.6.7-1 Minimum Roof Slope

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Roof Covering Roof Structure Roof Slope

Bitumen based/other approved Roofing Concrete slabs 1%

Products

Cement/Clay/Metal Tiles Concrete Slabs 10%

Cement/Clay/Metal Tiles Structural Steel/Timber Trusses 25%

Galvanized Steel/Other Approved Sheets Structural Steel/Timber Trusses 15%

Long Span/Special Profiled Metal sheets Structural Steel/Timber Trusses 5%

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2.6.7.1.5. FIXING & JOINTING GUTTERS & DOWNPIPES

2.6.7.1.5.1. The fixing and jointing gutters and downpipes shall be in accordance with the
requirements of Part 11 Section 10 of this code.

2.6.7.1.5.2. Rainwater pipes, gutters and down pipes made of galvanized iron, mild steel,
concrete or cast iron shall meet the performance requirements of standards ASTM
C76M - 14. They shall also be approved by the Building Consent Authority, and
shall be coated or lined with a durable material.

2.6.7.1.6. DESIGN & SETTING UP THE STRUCTURAL ROOF COMPONENTS

2.6.7.1.6.1. The provisions of this section shall be deemed to have been satisfied in terms of the
roof structure design where the spacing of roof trusses is in accordance with this
Code.

2.6.7.1.6.2. The roof structure can be in timber, wood logs coated with anti-termites product or
metal painted with rust proofing.

2.6.7.1.6.3. Construction of roofs shall ensure adequate structural stability. All members shall
be accurately located. Purlins and binders shall be built in, where necessary.

2.6.7.1.6.4. Where a roof truss, rafter, beam, or any other member forming part of the roof
structure is supported on a wall, provision shall be made to fix the roof structure to
the wall in a secure and approved manner, so that any forces to which the roof is
normally subjected shall be transmitted to the wall, and to hold down the roof
structure against uplift due to wind forces.

2.6.7.1.7. TIMBER ROOF REGULATIONS

2.6.7.1.7.1. All timber for structural use shall comply with the requirements of Part 7 Section 3
of this Code and shall be well seasoned and free from any vermin.

2.6.7.1.7.2. Timber for structural roof components shall be treated against infestation to the
approval of the Building Consent Authority. They shall be pre-treated with
preservative where specified by the designer.
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2.6.7.1.7.3. Timber for external feature work shall be free from waney edges, large knots and
resinous pockets, splits and other unsightly defects.

2.6.7.1.7.4. All timber for structural use shall have a sufficient quality and strength complying
with the requirements of Part 7 Section 3 to support the imposed loads.

2.6.7.1.7.5. Timber roofs shall be designed in such a manner that they shall not impose any
thrust on walls, piers or other means of support unless adequate provision has been
made in the design and construction of such wall, pier or other means of support to
take all the imposed outward thrust due to vertical and horizontal loads.

2.6.7.1.7.6. Timber purlins shall be designed in accordance with the applied loading. They shall
have nominal dimensions not less than 75mm deep by 50mm wide and shall be
spaced at centre-to-centre distances not exceeding 1.2m, or as prescribed in the
approved standards.

2.6.7.1.7.7. Timber roof truss, rafter, beam or wall plate shall be safely fastened down and
connected to their means of support by properly built-in or cast-in galvanized steel
strap or galvanized steel wires or bolts or other approved means to the satisfaction
of the Building Consent Authority.

2.6.7.1.7.8. Timber structural members shall comply with these requirements:

(i) Timber roof trusses and other roof framing shall have all joints accurately
cut, securely made with approved means and so fitted that the component
parts are drawn tightly together;
(ii) Where timber is jointed in its length, it shall be by means of approved tensile
or compressive joint;
(iii) Joints in adjacent truss members, purlins and rafters shall be staggered;
(iv) Any trussed roof shall be provided with approved bracing to prevent
buckling of rafters and tie; and
(v) No member of any truss shall have a length greater than sixty times its least
lateral dimensions.

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2.6.7.1.8. STRAPPING

2.6.7.1.8.1. The joints of wooden roof trusses must be nailed together and tied with metal straps
and other types of connections to provide flexibility so as to prevent collapse under
the force of nature.

2.6.7.1.8.2. Straps shall be ordered to the correct length and with the correct number of bends
and/or twists required by the design.

2.6.7.1.8.3. Straps shall be used, where necessary, to restrain gable and separating walls and
hold down the roof against wind uplift. Restraint straps, or a restraining form of
gable ladder, are required to provide stability to walls. They shall be installed as
shown in the design and at not more than 2m centres for buildings up to three
storeys. Higher buildings straps shall be spaced at not more than 1.25m centres.

2.6.7.1.9. TRUSSED RAFTERS

2.6.7.1.9.1. Trussed rafters shall be protected from damage before and during construction.

2.6.7.1.9.2. Trusses shall be protected against weather to prevent corrosion of truss plates and
deterioration of the timber. Ventilation shall also be provided.

2.6.7.1.9.3. Trussed rafters shall be supported only at the junction between the ceiling tie and
rafter, unless specifically designed.

2.6.7.1.9.4. Trussed rafters shall be braced to prevent distortion. The roof shall be braced using
at least 100mm x 25mm timber. All bracing shall be twice nailed with 3.35mm x
65mm long galvanized round wire nails to every trussed rafter it crosses and to the
wall plate.

2.6.7.1.10. JOINTING OF MEMBERS

2.6.7.1.10.1. All joints shall be cut accurately to fit tightly. When they are nailed, care shall be
taken not to split members. The nails shall meet the performance requirements of
ISO 16670.

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2.6.7.1.11. THERMAL INSULATION

2.6.7.1.11.1. Thermal insulation and ventilation of roofs shall prevent the adverse effects of
condensation. To avoid condensation that can be formed in the roof space the
following shall be ensured:

(i) Ventilation of the roof shall be provided in accordance with the design;
(ii) Insulation shall not block any ventilation paths; and
(iii) Insulation shall be laid over the whole loft area, including the wall plate;

2.6.7.1.12. FLASHING

2.6.7.1.12.1. Flashing shall be used where it is deemed necessary by the Building Consent
Authority or around any projection through a roof covering.

2.6.7.1.12.2. Flashing shall be of non-ferrous metal and of the same material to avoid electrolytic
action.

2.6.7.1.12.3. Combining different materials can produce a moderately priced flashing with good
properties. Some of the most common flashing combinations are sheet metals
coated with a flexible compound.

2.6.7.1.12.4. There shall be no gaps in the insulation.

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2.6.7.1.13. FLAT & PITCHED ROOFS

2.6.7.1.13.1. There shall be provision of impervious surface where a nominally flat roof of
boarded or concrete construction is used and it shall be laid to a fall of minimum
slope shown in table 2.6.7.1.

2.6.7.1.13.2. here a parapet walabuts a covered flat roof the edges of the water-proofing material
shall be turned up underneath corrosion proof metal cover flashing which is tucked
into the horizontal joint of the brickwork at least two courses above the roof level.

2.6.7.1.13.3. When the flat roof is built for pedestrian and vehicular traffic purposes, any
waterproofing membrane applied to it shall be protected against damages.

2.6.7.1.13.4. Where a pitched roof abuts the wall at an angle, a stepped cavity tray linked to a
stepped flashing shall be used. Stepped flashings shall be cut from a strip at least
150mm wide.

2.6.7.1.13.5. A hipped roof is recommended to protect walls from rain water penetration and for
wind resistance. A roof ease of a minimum 35cm is recommended.

2.6.7.1.13.6. The pitched roof with two pitches and more shall have a slope which is able to resist
winding loads. The monopitched roof shall have a slope which is able to resist
winding loads.

2.6.7.2. RE-ROOFING

2.6.7.2.1. All works of re-roofing shall be erected with the permission of the Building Consent
Authority.

2.6.7.2.2. During installation of the system, the structural roof components shall be capable
to support all kind of loads system of the roof-covering, material and equipment.

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2.6.7.2.3. Suitable re-roof coverings shall be selected, tested and used in compliance with Part
7 Section 3 of this code.

2.6.7.2.4. Before installing the new roof coverings, all existing layers of roof coverings shall
be removed, where:

(i) The existing roof or roof covering has deteriorated or is not adequate as a
base for additional roofing;
(ii) The existing roof coverings are Asbestos cement sheets; and
(iii) The existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering.
Asbestos shall be removed by a qualified professional.
2.6.7.2.5. During the reinstallation, existing slate, clay or cement tile shall be permitted for
reinstallation. Otherwise, if they are damaged, cracked or broken, they shall not be
reinstalled.

2.6.7.2.6. The existing structures like vent flashing, metal edgings, drain outlets, collars and
metal counter flashings shall not be reinstalled where rusted, damaged or
deteriorated.

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SECTION 8: CONCRETE

2.6.8.1. APPLICATIONS & PROVISIONS

This section covers the provisions for concrete quality control, design and
construction of concrete used in structures; it provides materials requirements for
plain concrete, reinforced and pre-stressed concrete and also their testing methods.
2.6.8.2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.8.2.1. Prior to the execution of the structural work, all concrete categories shall be
approved by the Building Consent Authority in order to check the durability and
workability of that concrete and ensure its safety.

2.6.8.2.2. The concrete shall be transported and deposited without segregation and shall be
poured in its place before its initial setting. The placement and compaction shall be
done by a vibrator machine and other machines which are not harmful to the
structures.

2.6.8.2.3. The specification of constituent materials, production of concrete and compliance

of concrete shall conform to RS EAS 417-2 and the constituent materials forming
the concrete shall be adequately mixed by mechanical means or any other approved
method to ensure uniform distribution of materials, in proportions designed so as
to produce the concrete strength and grade specified for the design, having a water
to cement ratio not exceeding 0.6 and without water being added after mixing has
been completed.

2.6.8.2.4. Water used in mixing concrete shall be clean and free from injurious amounts of
oils, acids, alkalis, salts, organic materials, or other substances deleterious to
concrete or reinforcement. Water that is suitable for mixing concrete shall be in
conformity with ISO 12439.

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2.6.8.2.5. Admixtures to be used in concrete shall be approved by a qualified person in charge

of carrying out structural works and shall be capable of maintaining same
composition and performance in concrete products.

2.6.8.2.6. Cement materials and aggregates shall be stored in such manner as to prevent
deterioration or intrusion of foreign matter. Any deteriorated material or
contaminated shall not be used for concrete.

2.6.8.2.7. During pre-stressing operations, extreme cautions shall be taken including the use
of stressing equipment and maintenance of such equipment shall be taken into
consideration.

2.6.8.2.8. The pre-stressing equipment such as jacks shall be periodically examined to avoid
pre-stressing operation fail and care shall be taken so that no one stands in line with
tensioning elements during tensioning operations.

2.6.8.2.9. All necessary precautions such as barriers and signs shall be put in place to prevent
workmen from working behind the pre-stressing equipment when the stressing
operation is in progress.

2.6.8.2.10. The qualified person shall determine the positions of construction joints, when
necessary, before concreting commences. When placing concrete at construction
joints, the concrete shall be brought up to, for its full width and thickness, a vertical
stop-board and on, no concrete shall be permitted to flow or to find its natural slope.

2.6.8.2.11. On resumption of concreting adjacent to a hardened concrete surface, the surface

shall be roughened, swept clean, thoroughly wetted, and covered with brushed
grout of the same grade as the concrete, or with freshly mixed mortar composed of
one part cement and three parts sand. Alternatively, the surface shall be roughened,
swept clean, and be painted with an approved mechanical interlock with the
roughened aggregates.

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2.6.8.2.12. Where a service duct or conduit is incorporated in a member, it shall be fixed in

position after the formwork has been erected and in a way that reinforcement is not
displaced or the structural adequacy of the member impaired.

2.6.8.2.13. Defects such as fractures, honeycombing or gaps in concrete shall not be plastered
over and any remedial works shall be ordered and supervised by a qualified person.

2.6.8.3. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

2.6.8.3.1. PLAIN CONCRETE

2.6.8.3.1.1. For large project using concrete, concrete shall be mixed in a mechanical mixer.
The mixers shall be fitted with water metering devices. The mixing shall be
continued until there is a uniform distribution of the materials and the mass is
uniform in colour and consistency.

2.6.8.3.1.2. The determination of strength, chemical analysis, setting time and soundness,
fineness and preparation methods of the cements to use in concrete production shall
be done in accordance with relevant parts of RS EAS 148.

2.6.8.3.1.3. The composition, specification and conformity criteria for common cements shall
be specified in accordance with RS EAS 18-1.

2.6.8.3.1.4. The specification of aggregates from natural source for use in concrete shall
conform to RS EAS 180.

2.6.8.3.1.5. The quality control for sand to be used in concrete shall be selected in accordance
with RS 107.

2.6.8.3.1.6. All suitable properties of aggregates to be used in concrete shall be tested in

accordance with relevant parts of RS 96.

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2.6.8.3.1.7. The concrete quality shall conform to RS EAS 131-1. The strength and hardened
properties other than strength shall be tested respectively in accordance with RS
ISO 1920-4 and RS ISO 1920-5.

2.6.8.3.1.8. The concrete in any structural member shall be properly cured by constant surface
wetting for a period of not less than seven days while protecting the surface against
rapid drying by covering with hessian or other approved materials or curing agents.

2.6.8.3.1.9. Design of concrete structure for retaining aqueous liquid shall be in accordance to
RS 142.

2.6.8.3.1.10. The concrete shall be of a grade with characteristic strength that complies with RS
108 at the age of 28 days.

2.6.8.3.2. REINFORCED CONCRETE

2.6.8.3.2.1. The high strength deformed steel bars shall not be re-bent or straightened without
the approval of a qualified person in charge. Bar bending schedules shall be
prepared for all reinforcement work.

2.6.8.3.2.2. All reinforcement shall be placed and maintained in the position shown in the
drawings by providing proper cover blocks, spacers, supporting bars.

2.6.8.3.2.3. Crossing bars shall not be tack-welded for assembly of reinforcement unless
permitted by a qualified person in charge.

2.6.8.3.2.4. Steel materials to be used in reinforced concrete shall conform to the relevant parts
of RS ISO 6935.

2.6.8.3.2.5. Steel fabric materials for concrete reinforcement shall conform to the specifications
provided in RS ISO 6935.

2.6.8.3.2.6. All reinforcement shall be placed and maintained in positions shown on the
approved plans by the use of metal cradles, chairs, concrete briquettes, or other
approved methods.

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2.6.8.3.2.7. The structural design of concrete and all works concerning reinforcement concrete
cover shall comply with the specification provided in RS 142.

2.6.8.3.3. PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

2.6.8.3.3.1. The design and structural use requirements of pre-stressed concrete poles,
workmanship, inspection, testing, limit state method shall be in accordance with
ASTM C935-13.

2.6.8.3.3.2. Design of pre-stressed members shall be based on strength and on behaviour of the
whole structure at all load stages that will bear during the life time of the structure.

2.6.8.3.3.3. All specification for pre-stressed concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products
shall comply with RS EAS 426-4.

2.6.8.3.3.4. The buckling possibility between the points where concrete member are connected
to pre-stressed concrete member shall be taken into consideration and provisions
for effects on adjoining construction of elastic and plastic deformations,
deflections, changes in length, and rotations due to pre stressing shall be taken into
consideration.

2.6.8.3.3.5. Steel materials to be used in reinforcement and pre-stressing concrete shall be tested
in accordance with relevant parts of RS ISO 15630.

2.6.8.3.3.6. Reinforced pre-stressed concrete structure for water and other aqueous liquid
storage shall be designed in accordance with ASTM C935-13.

2.6.8.3.3.7. Pre-stressed steel materials that are to be used for pre-stressed concrete shall
conform to the specifications provided in relevant parts of RS ISO 6934.

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2.6.8.3.4. BEAMS
2.6.8.3.4.1. The effective depth of a reinforced concrete beam shall be taken as distance
between the centroid of the area of tension reinforcement and the maximum
compression fibre, excluding the thickness of finishing material not placed
monolithically with the member and the thickness of any concrete provided to allow
for cover.

2.6.8.3.4.2. The beam shall be designed and constructed in the way that the deflection of such
beam shall not adversely affect the appearance or efficiency of the structure or
finishes or partitions.

2.6.8.3.4.3. The allowable deflection due to all loads including the effects of temperature, creep
and shrinkage and measured from the as-cast level of the supports of floors, roofs
and all other horizontal members shall not normally exceed span length over 250;
brittle finishes are 1/500 and cantilevers are 1/125.

2.6.8.3.4.4. The beams shall have an adequate fire rating as required in Part 8 Section 2 of this
Code.

2.6.8.3.5. COLUMNS

2.6.8.3.5.1. The columns shall be well designed and constructed so that they will be able to
transmit loads up to foundations.

2.6.8.3.5.2. The columns shall be designed and constructed in the manner which will not cause
the impairment of a structure due to buckling and twisting.

2.6.8.3.5.3. The cross-sectional area of longitudinal reinforcement shall be greater than 0.8%
and shall not be more than 6% of the gross cross-sectional area of the concrete
column.

2.6.8.3.5.4. The number of longitudinal bars provided in a column shall be less than four in
rectangular columns and six in circular columns with a diameter not less than
12mm.

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2.6.8.3.5.5. The spacing between stirrups along the periphery of a column shall not be greater
than 30cm.

2.6.8.3.5.6. The columns shall be sufficiently fire resistant in accordance with Part 8 Section 2
of this Code.

2.6.8.3.6. UNDERWATER CONCRETING

2.6.8.3.6.1. When it is necessary to deposit concrete under water, the methods, equipment,
materials and proportions of the mix to be used shall be submitted to and approved
by the qualified person in charge before the work is started.

2.6.8.3.6.2. The water-cement ratio shall not exceed 0.6 and may need to be smaller, depending
on the grade of concrete or the type of chemical attack. For aggregates of 40mm
maximum particle size, the cement content shall be at least 350kg/m3 of concrete.

2.6.8.3.6.3. Concrete shall be deposited continuously until it is brought to the required height.
While depositing, the top surface shall be kept as nearly level as possible and the
formation of seams avoided.

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SECTION 9: PREFABRICATED CONCRETE

2.6.9.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.9.1.1. The prefabricated concrete units to use in building construction shall be durable,
simple to install & dismantle and can withstand strong gales and rains.

2.6.9.1.2. Every unit of prefabricated concrete shall meet the requirement of Part 6 Section 9
of this Code depending on selected materials.

2.6.9.1.3. For the design and construction of concrete structures made up of prefabricated
structural units mixed with cast in-situ concrete shall be accordance with Part 6
Section 9 of this Code and relevant standards.

2.6.9.1.4. The design and construction of floors and roofs using various precast units large
panel prefabricates shall be in accordance with ISO 2848and shall also comply with
the requirement of Part 6 of this Code.

2.6.9.2. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

2.6.9.2.1. The precast structure shall be analysed as a monolithic one and the joints in them
designed to take the forces of an equivalent discrete system.

2.6.9.2.2. The prefabricated units shall be suitably designed to resist horizontal loading by
having appropriate moment and shear resisting joints or placing shear walls in two
directions at right angles or otherwise.

2.6.9.2.3. The individual components shall be designed, taking into consideration the
appropriate end conditions and loads at various stages of construction. The
components of the concrete structure shall be designed in accordance with this code
for loads, forces and effects.

2.6.9.2.4. Every prefabricated concrete structure shall be capable of safely sustaining

abnormal conditions of loading and remaining stable after the removal of primary
structural members.

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2.6.9.2.5. Transport of prefabricated elements shall be carried out with extreme care to avoid
any distress and jerk in elements as it is to be placed in final position and suitable
precaution shall be taken against overstress or damage, by the provision of suitable
packing at agreed points of support.

2.6.9.2.6. Prefabricated concrete elements from solid section shall be adequately protected.
Packing of elements shall disfigure or otherwise permanently cause mark on units
or members.

2.6.9.3. DESIGN OF PREFABRICATED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

2.6.9.3.1. The method and duration of curing shall be such that the concrete will have
satisfactory durability and strength, and that the precast unit will not distort and will
not cause undue cracking due to shrinkage.

2.6.9.3.2. The prefabricated concrete structures such as beams, column, wall, floors,
staircases, and roof slabs shall be designed under the specification of with RS
142and RS EAS 417-2.

2.6.9.3.3. The design and construction of precast reinforced and pre-stressed concrete
triangulated trusses shall also be in accordance with RS 142.

2.6.9.3.4. The specification for precast concrete paving blocks to use in mixed/composite
construction shall comply with the provisions of RS EAS 179.

2.6.9.3.5. Precast reinforced concrete box culvert shall conform to the specification provided
in RS 62 and also with RS 265.

2.6.9.3.6. Precast concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products for road gullies and gully
cover slabs shall be in accordance to RS EAS 426-7.

2.6.9.3.7. All specifications for precast concrete paving block shall be designed in accordance
to RS EAS 179. Precast concrete poles for telephone, power and lighting purposes
shall be in conformity with RS EAS 489.

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SECTION 10: DESIGN OF TIMBER STRUCTURES

2.6.10.1. MATERIALS & GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.10.1.1. Structural work in timber shall be deemed sufficient for the purpose sustaining and
transmitting the dead load, imposed loads and the horizontal or inclined forces
above the foundations in load-bearing structures of a building where the design
and construction are based upon the recommendations in this Code.

2.6.10.1.2. The methods of design of structural timber elements shall be based on analytical
and engineering principles, or reliable test data, or both, that demonstrate the safety
and serviceability of the resulting structure.

2.6.10.1.3. Timber species shall be identified in accordance with the general characteristics
like durability and treatability of the species. The timber used in construction of
building shall be specified and tested in accordance with Section 3 of Part 7.

2.6.10.1.4. The maximum moisture content for structural timber shall be from 12 to 19%
depending on the region and shall in accordance with RS ISO 4470

2.6.10.1.5. All materials used in structural design with timber elements such as nails, joints
shall comply with the requirements of Part 7 Section 3of this Code.

2.6.10.1.6. The store of timber shall not exceed 9m in height and not be formed so as to provide
any room or other space to be used for habitation or any other purpose except access
or ventilation.

2.6.10.1. PERMISSIBLE STRESSES

2.6.10.1.1. The design of structural elements or systems constructed partially or wholly of

timber products shall take into consideration the allowable stress design, resistance
factor design and conventional light-frame construction and shall also be in
accordance with Part 6 Section 2 of this Code to meet the following parameters:
(i) Ultimate stress in compression in accordance with RS EAS 279;
(ii) Ultimate tensile stress parallel to grain in accordance with RS EAS 280; and

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(iii) Ultimate tensile stress perpendicular to grain in accordance with RS EAS

281.

2.6.10.2. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

2.6.10.2.1. In the structural design of timber elements, the loading calculations shall conform
to those given in Part 6 Section 2 of this Code.

2.6.10.2.2. The combination and location of loads shall be considered for design. Wind and
seismic forces shall not be considered to act simultaneously.

2.6.10.2.3. The structural members which are flexural shall be investigated for:

(i) Bending strength;

(ii) Maximum horizontal and vertical shear;
(iii) Stress at the bearings; and
(iv) Deflection.
2.6.10.2.4. The minimum width of the beam or any flexural member shall not be less than
50mm or 1/50 of the span, whichever is greater unless additional restraint is
provided in accordance with clause 2.6.10.3.6.

2.6.10.2.5. The depth of beam or any flexural member shall not be taken more than three times
of its width without lateral stiffening unless additional restraint is provided in
accordance with clause 2.6.10.3.6.

2.6.10.2.6. Every flexural member having a depth exceeding three times its width or a span
exceeding 50times its width or both shall be laterally restrained from twisting or
buckling and the distance between such restraints shall not exceed 50times its
width.

2.6.10.2.7. The permissible load on a column of circular cross-section shall not exceed that
permitted for an equivalent square column of the same cross-sectional.

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2.6.10.3. COMMON STEEL WIRE NAIL JOINTS

2.6.10.3.1. The dimension of an individual piece of timber shall be within the range given
below:
(i) The minimum thickness of the main members in mono-chord construction
shall be 30mm;
(ii) The minimum thickness of an individual piece of members in split-chord
construction shall be 20mm for web members and 25mm for chord
members; and
(iii) The space between two adjacent pieces of timber shall be restricted to a
maximum of 3times the thickness of the individual piece of timber of the
chord member. In case of web members, it may be greater for joining
facilities.
2.6.10.3.2. Generally, one lengthening joint shall be permitted between the two panel points of
the members and no lengthening joint shall preferably be located at a panel point.

2.6.10.3.3. The diameter of nail shall be within the limits of one-eleventh to one-sixth of the
least thickness of members being connected and nails shall be diamond pointed.

2.6.10.3.4. Galvanized wire nails shall be used where the nails are exposed to be saline
conditions or where timber is treated with copper-based preservatives.

2.6.10.3.5. Edge distances and spacing of nails in a nailed joint shall be well arranged in order
to avoid undue splitting of the wood.; otherwise a reduction factor shall be applied
based on the number of bolts used in a row parallel to the grain of the timber.

2.6.10.3.6. For a rigid joint, a minimum of 2nails for nodal joints and 4nails for lengthening
joint shall be driven and two nails in a horizontal row are better than using the same
number of nails in a vertical row.

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2.6.10.4. NAIL LAMINATED TIMBER BEAMS

2.6.10.4.1. The minimum thickness of the nail laminated timber beam shall be 20mm and the
maximum depth and length of planks of nailed laminated timber beam shall be
limited to 0.25m and 2m, respectively.

2.6.10.4.2. Loading on Nail laminated beams shall be in accordance with Part 6 Section 2 of
this Code.

2.6.10.4.3. The arrangement of nails in order to get the minimum number of nails and the
interval between each one shall be planned and calculated by considering the
horizontal shear and as well as the position the planks.

2.6.10.4.4. Shear shall be calculated at various points of the beam and the number of nails
required shall be accommodated within the distance equal to the depth of the beam,
with a minimum of 4 nails in a row at a standard spacing.

2.6.10.4.5. For nailed laminated beam, the minimum depth of 100mm for 3.55mm and 4mm
diameter nails; and 125mm for 5mm diameter nails shall be provided.

2.6.10.5. BOLTED CONSTRUCTION JOINTS

2.6.10.5.1. The design of bolted construction joints shall mainly be influenced by the species,
size of bolts, moisture conditions and the inclination of loadings to the grains.

2.6.10.5.2. Bolted timber construction shall be designed using accepted engineering principles
and guidelines to fulfil the structural requirements.

2.6.10.5.3. The concept of critical section shall be adopted for the successful design and
economy in timber structures.

2.6.10.5.4. The allowable load for a bolt in a joint consisting of two members shall be taken as
one half the allowable loads calculated for a three member joint for the same t´/d3
ratio (where t´ is the thickness of main member and d3 is the diameter of bolt). The
percentage of safe working compressive stress of timber for bolted joints in double
shear is shown in Table 2.6.10-1 below.
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Table 2.6.10-1: Percentage of Safe Working Compressive Stress of Timber for Bolted
Joints in Double Shear

Ratio (t´/d3) Stress Percentage

Parallel to Grain Perpendicular to Grain
1 100 100
1,5 100 96
2 100 88
2,5 100 80
3 100 72
3,5 100 66
4 96 60
4,5 90 56
5 80 52
5,5 72 49
6 65 46
6,5 58 43
7 52 40
7,5 46 39
8 40 38
8,5 36 36
9 34 34
9,5 32 33
10 30 31
10,5 _ 31
11 _ 30
11,5 _ 30

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12 _ 28

t´: Thickness of main member, mm d3: Diameter of bolt, mm

2.6.10.5.5. The allowable loads shall be the sum of the allowable loads for the individual bolts
where a number of bolts are used in a joint. Otherwise provision stated in 2.6.10.4.5
shall be applied.

2.6.10.5.6. The factors for different bolt diameter used in calculating safe bearing stress
perpendicular to grain in the joint shall be as given in Table 2.6.10- 2.
Table 2.6.10- 2: Bolt Diameter Factor

No. Diameter of Bolt (mm) Diameter Factor (df)

1 6 5.70
2 10 3.60
3 12 3.35
4 16 3.15
5 20 3.05
6 22 3.00
7 25 2.90

2.6.10.5.7. The design of dimensions of timber members shall be as follows:

(i) The minimum thickness of the main member in mono-chord construction
shall be 40mm;
(ii) The minimum thickness of side members shall be 20mm and shall be half
the thickness of main members; and
(iii) The minimum individual thickness of spaced member in split-chord
construction shall be 20mm and 25mm for webs and chord members,
respectively.
2.6.10.5.8. The bolting of timber construction shall be as follow:
(i) The diameter of bolt in the main member shall be so chosen to give larger
slenderness ratio of bolt;
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(ii) There shall be more number of small diameter bolts rather than small
number of large diameter bolts in a joint;
(iii) A minimum of two bolts for nodal joints and four bolts for lengthening
joints shall be provided;
(iv) There shall be more number of rows rather than more bolts in a row;
(v) The bolt holes shall be of such diameter that the bolt can be driven easily;
(vi) Washers shall be used between the head of bolt and wood surface as also
between the nut and wood.

2.6.10.5.9. The bolts shall be arranged in such a manner so as to pass the centre of resistance
of bolts through the inter-section of the gravity axis of the members.

2.6.10.5.10. In case of members loaded parallel to grain of wood, staggering of bolts shall be
done properly. The strength of connection will be increased if bolts are staggered
correctly and spaced appropriately.

2.6.10.5.11. The bolt holes shall be bored or drilled perpendicular to the surface involved.
Forcible driving of the bolts shall be avoided which may cause cracking or splitting
of members.

2.6.10.5.12. Bolts shall be tightened after one year of completion of structure and subsequently
at an interval of two to three years.

2.6.10.5.13. The bolts shall be arranged in such a manner so as to pass the centre of resistance
of bolts through the inter-section of the gravity axis of the members.

2.6.10.5.14. In case of members loaded parallel to grain of wood, staggering of bolts shall be
avoided as far as possible.
2.6.10.5.15. The bolt holes shall be bored or drilled perpendicular to the surface involved.
Forcible driving of the bolts shall be avoided which may cause cracking or splitting
of members.
2.6.10.5.16. Bolts shall be tightened after one year of completion of structure and subsequently
at an interval of two to three years.

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2.6.10.6. TIMBER CONNECTOR JOINTS

2.6.10.6.1. In large span structures, the members have to transmit very heavy stresses requiring
stronger jointing techniques with metallic rings or wooden disc-dowels.

2.6.10.6.2. The thickness of main member shall be derived from the design considerations with
length and width of members governed by placement of connector at joint.

2.6.10.6.3. The metallic connector shall be so placed that the loaded edge distance is not less
than the diameter of the connector and the end distance not less than 1.75 times the
diameter on the loaded side.

2.6.10.7. LAMINATED VENEER LUMBER

2.6.10.7.1. Sizes of laminated veneer lumber composite shall be inclusive of margin for
dressing and finishing unless manufactured to order.

2.6.10.7.2. The margin for dressing and finishing shall not exceed 3mm in the width and
thickness and 12mm in the length.

2.6.10.7.3. The strength requirements and loads resistance for laminated veneer lumber shall
be designed in accordance with Part 6 Section 2 of this Code, and shall comply with
ISO 22390.

2.6.10.7.4. The requirements of laminated veneer lumber shall be in accordance with the Table
2.6.10- 3 below.

Table 2.6.10- 3: Requirements of Laminated Veneer Lumber

S/N Properties Requirement

1 Modulus of rupture (N/mm2) - Minimum 50
2 Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) - Minimum 7500
3 Compressive strength parallel to grain (N/mm2) – Minimum 35
4 Compressive strength perpendicular to grain:
a) Parallel to grain (N/mm2) - Minimum 35

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b) Perpendicular to grain (N/mm2) - Minimum 50

Horizontal shear:
5
a) Parallel to laminae (N/mm2) - Minimum 6
b) Perpendicular to laminae (N/mm2) - Minimum 8
6 Tensile strength parallel to grain (N/mm2) - Minimum 55
Screw holding power:
7
a) Edge (N) - Minimum 2300
b) Face (N) - Minimum 2700
8 Thickness swelling in 2 hr water soaking (%) - Maximum 3

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2.6.10.8. GLUED LAMINATED MEMBERS

2.6.10.8.1. Glued laminated structural members shall be fabricated only where there is
independently verified quality control, and there are adequate facilities for accurate
sizing and surfacing of planks, uniform application of glue, prompt assembly, and
application of adequate pressure and prescribed temperature for setting and curing
of the glue.

2.6.10.8.2. Any other operation in connection with the manufacture or fabrication of glued
structural members shall be in accordance with the available good practices and as
per glue manufacturers’ instructions as applicable.

2.6.10.8.3. Design and fabrication shall be in accordance with established good engineering
practice and shall take into consideration the species and grade of timber used,
presence of defects, location of end joints in laminations, depth of beams and
moisture contents expected while in service.

2.6.10.8.4. During the design, the components, performance and production requirements shall
be in accordance with ISO 12578.

2.6.10.8.5. Testing the glued laminated members shall be conducted for structural loading tests
on prototype sizes provide information on the strength properties, stiffness or
rigidity against deflection of a beam. The testing of glued laminated timber shall be
conducted in accordance with ISO 12579 and ISO 12580.

2.6.10.8.6. Laminating boards shall not contain decay, knots or other strength reducing
characteristics in excess of those sizes or amounts permitted by specifications.

2.6.10.8.7. Beams of large spans shall be designed with a suitable camber to assist in achieving
the most cost effective section where deflection governs the design.

2.6.10.8.8. The strength and stiffness of laminated beams shall be governed by the quality of
outer laminations.

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2.6.10.9. PROTECTION AGAINST TERMITE ATTACK IN BUILDINGS

2.6.10.9.1. Prevention measures against termite attack shall be incorporated in the design and
construction of buildings with timber elements.

2.6.10.9.2. Control measures shall consist of scientifically accepted methods such as isolating
or sealing off the building from termites by chemical and nonchemical construction
techniques.

2.6.10.9.3. The person in charge of the construction shall consider the following criteria while
choosing the preservatives:
(i) Inflammability of treated timber is not increased and mechanical properties
are not decreased;
(ii) Compatibility with the glue in laminated wood, plywood and board
material;
(iii) Water repellent effect is preferred;
(iv) Possible suitability for priming coat;
(v) Possibility of painting and other finishes;
(vi) Non-corrosive nature in case of metal fasteners; and
(vii) Influence on plastics, rubber, tiles and concrete.

2.6.10.9.4. Protection against potential problem of termite attack can simply be carried out by
ordinary good construction which prevents a colony from gaining access by:

(i) Periodic visual observations on termite galleries to be broken off;

(ii) Specially formed and properly installed metal shield at plinth level; and
(iii) Continuous floor slabs, apron floors and termite grooves on periphery of
buildings.

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SECTION 11: DESIGN OF BAMBOO STRUCTURES

2.6.11.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.11.1.1. Prior the commencement of structural works of bamboos, the permit shall be
obtained from the Building Consent Authority.

2.6.11.1.2. The structural design of bamboo shall be done by a qualified person as specified in
Part 3 Section 2.

2.6.11.1.3. All mechanical and physical properties such as density, modulus of rupture,
modulus of elasticity, compressive strength and moisture content for bamboos
materials shall be determined in accordance with ISO 22157-1.

2.6.11.1.4. The structural design of bamboos shall comply with ISO 22156, and shall be used
according to the Table 2.6.11 -1 below.

Table 2.6.11 -1: Structural Design Safe Working Stresses of Bamboos

Species Extreme Fibre Modulus of Allowable

Stress in Elasticity Compressive
S/N
Bending 103 Stress
(N/mm2) (N/mm2) (N/mm2)
GROUP A
1 Bambusaglancescens (syn. B. nana) 20.7 3.28 15.4
2 Dendrocalamusstrictus 18.4 2.66 10.3
3 Oxytenantheraabyssinicia 20.9 3.31 13.3
GROUP B
4 Bambusabalcooa 16.4 1.62 13.3
5 B. pallid 13.8 2.87 15.4
6 B. nutans 13.2 1.47 13.0
7 B. tulda 12.8 1.77 11.6
8 B. auriculata 16.3 3.34 10.5
9 B. burmanica 14.9 2.45 11.4

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10 Cephalostachyumpergracile 13.2 2.48 10.5

Melocannabaccifera (Syn. M.
11 bambusoides) 13.3 2.53 15.4
12 Thyrsotachysoliveri 15.5 2.16 13.4
GROUP C
13 Bambusaarundinacea (Syn. B. bambos) 14.6 1.32 10.1
14 B. ventricosa 8.5 0.75 10.3
15 B. vulgaris 10.4 0.64 11.0
16 Dendrocalamuslongispathus 8.3 1.22 12.0

2.6.11.2. STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF BAMBOO

2.6.11.2.1. All structural members, assemblies or framework in a building shall be able to

sustain all possible designed loading without exceeding the stress limits specified
for the structure purpose.

2.6.11.2.2. All kinds of loads and forces by which any bamboo building is to be subjected on,
shall be calculated in accordance with Part 6 Section 2 and ISO 22156.

2.6.11.2.3. The effects of loading such as buckling, deflection of bamboo structure on building
members shall be taken into consideration while designing such structure.

2.6.11.2.4. While joining bamboo structural members; care shall be taken on round and tabular
form of bamboo, diameter variation and wall thickness in design.

2.6.11.2.5. The bamboos used as trusses materials shall be able to sustain the loading subjected
on them and shall be erected in a manner that the roof won’t fail while subjected on
wind loads.

2.6.11.3. STORAGE OF BAMBOO

2.6.11.3.1. Bamboos materials to be used in building construction shall be stored in an

adequate ways to ensure the safety of workmen and all their properties.

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SECTION 12: DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES

2.6.12.1. PROVISIONS

2.6.12.1.1. All materials used in structural design of steel shall comply with the requirements
specified in Part 7 Section 3 of this Code.

2.6.12.1.2. Design drawings shall show the complete details with sizes, sections, and the
relative locations of the various members. Floor levels, column centres, and offsets
shall be dimensioned.

2.6.12.1.3. Design drawings shall clearly distinguish between shop and field rivets, bolts and
welds.

2.6.12.1.4. Design drawings shall be made in accordance with relevant parts of ISO 128 for
technical drawings.

2.6.12.1.5. Design drawings shall indicate the data on the assumed loads, shears, moments and
axial forces to be resisted by all members and their connections, as may be required
for the proper preparation of shop drawings.

2.6.12.1.6. Any special precaution to be taken while erecting the structure shall also be
indicated in the drawing from the design considerations.

2.6.12.1.7. A marking diagram allocating distinct identification marks to each separate part of
steel work shall be prepared. That diagram shall be sufficient to ensure convenient
assembly and erection at site.

2.6.12.1.8. Building materials to be used in structural steel such as rivets, welding

consumables, steel castings, bolts and nuts, washers and steel tubes shall be in
accordance with the specifications given in Part 7 Section 3 of this Code.

2.6.12.1.9. The hot/cold rolled and cold steel forming sections in structural steel shall be in
accordance with RS ISO 134 and relevant parts of RS ISO 630.

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2.6.12.1.10. The design procedure for welded hollow-section joints shall be in accordance with
RS263.

2.6.12.1.11. The specifications of steel structures elements such as column bases, columns,
beams, steel decks/floors and staircases in construction shall be in accordance with
ASTM A123.

2.6.12.1.12. Stress sheets shall be prepared according to the appropriate occupancy class.

2.6.12.2. STEEL CONNECTIONS

2.6.12.2.1. The choice of steel structure connections shall depend on type of loading, strength
and stiffness, and difficulty or ease of erection.

2.6.12.2.2. All splice connections in columns, crane girders shall be completely bolted or
riveted or welded as specified in the drawing before erection.

2.6.12.2.3. The geometric parameters contributed to the imperfections of connections like bow
in the beam or column as rolled; and lack of fit in black bolts in clearance holes
shall be well verified on the structure.

2.6.12.2.4. The requirements for design and installation of bolts, screws, studs and nuts shall
be in accordance with RS ISO 8992 and the special inspection of the installation of
high strength bolts shall be provided by the Building Consent Authority.

2.6.12.2.5. Anchor rods shall be set accurately to the pattern and dimensions called for on the
plans. The protrusion of the threaded ends through the connected material shall be
sufficient to fully engage the threads of the nuts, but shall not be greater than the
length of the threads on the bolts.

2.6.12.2.6. The bolts, screws and studs used in steel connection shall fulfil the requirements
for mechanical properties complying with RS ISO 898-1, RS ISO 3506-2 and RS
ISO 3506-1.

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2.6.12.2.7. The design, test and techniques for a welded connection shall be in accordance with
relevant parts of ISO 15614. And special inspection of welding shall be ensured by
the Building Consent Authority. Riveted connections shall provide the resistance
to different types of loading conditions and shall be in accordance with standard
RS ISO 8992.

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SECTION 13: CLADDING & GLAZING

2.6.13.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.13.1.1. All design made for cladding structures shall be done by a qualified person.

2.6.13.1.2. Where any glazing is likely to be subjected to human impact, such glazing shall be
toughened and the Building Consent Authority in charge may require evidence to
be produced of such reinforcement by the owner of the building.

2.6.13.1.3. Any panel of glazing exceeding 1m2 in area in any building shall be constructed
with safety glazing material.

2.6.13.1.4. In any building where a pane of glass is exposed to wind or a potential impact, the
thickness of the glass shall be designed in accordance with Table 2.6.13-1.

2.6.13.1.5. The structural frame supporting the panel of glazing shall be capable of sustaining
wind and others loads it might be subjected. The specification of material used in
such frame for glasses shall be in accordance with Part 7 Section 3 of this Code.

2.6.13.1.6. Cladding materials such as ceramics tiles, aggregates and glazing materials shall
conform to specifications given in Part 7 Section 3 of this Code.

2.6.13.1.7. All materials for glazing structures shall be waterproofed against all entering water
in the building, fixed and positioned in a manner to resist all kinds of loads
subjected on them.

2.6.13.1.8. A qualified person shall receive a guarantee from the specialist manufacturer that a
full thermal safety movement check has been made related to the areas of glazing.

2.6.13.1.9. Glazing is well and safely installed in a building to avoid undue risk of injury to
people.

2.6.13.2. PRINCIPLES OF CLADDING

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2.6.13.2.1. A wholesome building shall provide an acceptable level of thermal comfort with
minimal environmental impact.

2.6.13.2.2. The design of cladding structures shall comply with ASTM E1886-13a and shall
be also tested for fire resistance in accordance with ISO 1182.

2.6.13.2.3. The cladding system shall be designed to provide a protected or exposed frame.
And shall be also test to prove the intended design has adequate weather tightness.

2.6.13.3. STONE CURTAIN WALLING & EXTERNAL MASONRY CLADDING

2.6.13.3.1. All stone cladding installation shall conform to ASTM C1242-15 for buildings of
over two storeys high.

2.6.13.3.2. The design and all work shall be done by the qualified person and the Building
Consent Authority shall supervise every step.

2.6.13.3.3. The external masonry cladding in framed building/structure shall be securely

anchored well to the structure.

2.6.13.3.4. In order to allow lateral force horizontal and relative movement in cladding, the
movement joints shall be provided at intervals of not great than 10m.

2.6.13.3.5. The external masonry shall be supported on suitable beams, slabs at each storey
and adequate provision shall be made for relative vertical movement between the
masonry and the structure frame at the underside of such support.

2.6.13.3.6. Where the area of window openings in such panel is more than 20% of the face area
of the panel calculated as the storey height multiplied by unsupported length, the
top of the panel shall be anchored to the structure in a manner that will permit
relative vertical movement but restrain the wall against later movement.

2.6.13.4. FIXING AND TYPE OF GLAZING

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2.6.13.4.1. Glazing materials shall be manifested, positioned fixed and marked in conformity
with ISO 28278-2.

2.6.13.5. INSTALLATION OF GLAZING

2.6.13.5.1. The installation of a pane of glasses in a glazing structure without frame support
shall conform to ISO 28278-1.

2.6.13.5.2. The installation of vertical glazing and the fastening of pane of glass shall be in
accordance with the following requirements:

(i) The vertical glazing structures shall be installed in the way to sustain all
designed loads to be supported;
(ii) ISO 28278-2 describes all worthy methods and the way that such pane of
glasses shall be fastened in the frame ; and
(iii) The nominal thickness of such pane shall be at least designed for installation
of size given in Table 2.6.13-1 below.
Table 2.6.13-1 Nominal Thickness of Panes

Nominal Glass Thickness (mm) Maximum Size Panel ( m2)

3 0.75
4 1.5
5 2.1
6 3.2

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2.6.13.5.3. The installation of glazing materials shall be done in manner that no incidental loads
shall be subjected on them.

2.6.13.5.4. Patterned glass, regular plate, sheet in louvered windows designation shall not be
thinner than nominal 5.6mm and not longer than 1.2m. For other glass types are
used, design shall be submitted to the supervising Building Consent Authority for
approval. Exposed glass edges shall be smooth.

2.6.13.6. GLAZING SAFETY & DOORS

2.6.13.6.1. Glazed area installed in doors shall not exceed 1m2 where those areas are not made
by safety glasses and shall have the nominal thickness not less than 0.6m.

2.6.13.6.2. Where any glazed window or glazed curtain wall are not guarded by barriers to
reduce possibility of persons coming into contact with them, the supporting
structure shall be at level not less than 0.8m and safety glasses shall be required.

2.6.13.7. GLAZING OF OPENINGS

2.6.13.7.1. SKYLIGHTS

2.6.13.7.1.1. The skylights shall be installed within 3m of heights and for plastics skylights, the
distance separated two of them shall be at least 2.5m laterally and 3m along the
slope of the roof.

2.6.13.7.1.2. For skylights installation on roofs, the building shall be equipped with automatic
fire-extinguishing system and for plastics used as glazing materials, are used as fire-
ventilation system. For one storey buildings, plastics may also be used in skylights.

2.6.13.8. SIGNIFICANT POSITION RELATED TO GLAZING

2.6.13.8.1. In terms of safety, the possible significant position shall be considered as follow
between finished floor levels:

(i) And 0.8m above that level in internal and external walls and partitions;

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(ii) And 1.5m above that level in a door and in a side panel, close to either edge
of the door.
2.6.13.8.2. In order to reduce the risks in the significant position, glazing shall be either robust
or permanently protected so as to avoid the damage if it breaks.

2.6.13.9. ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

2.6.13.9.1. Where a glazing structure is designed to be an exit, this last shall be designed with
approved safety glazing.

2.6.13.9.2. All technical works for glazing design related to the use of glasses in building
construction shall be in accordance with relevant parts of ISO 28278.

2.6.13.9.3. The specifications of curtain walling during cladding or glazing shall be in

accordance with ASTM E1886-13a.

2.6.13.10. STRUCTURAL LOADING FACTORS

2.6.13.10.1. Cladding structural components that are either directly or indirectly loaded by wind
forces from the close places shall be in the way to resist those forces system.

2.6.13.10.2. Glazing components for windows, doors, curtain walls and all cladding made of
glasses sloped at 15 degree or less shall be designed in the way to resist wind loads.

2.6.13.11. The engineer in charge of designing glazing structures shall consider the wind
speed calculations and the earthquake prone zone as well as all factors of
correlations.

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2.6.13.12. GLAZED CURTAIN WALLING

2.6.13.12.1. Curtain walling system shall be designed to support either vertical or horizontal
structural members to resist lateral loads.

2.6.13.12.2. The installation of curtain walling glazing in building shall comply with the
following ISO 28278-2 and no glazing for curtain walling shall be less than 6mm
thick for buildings over two storeys.

2.6.13.12.3. All mechanical fixings of systems over 20m high are to be stainless steel or any
other non-corrosive material.

2.6.13.12.4. For curtain walling cladding, the specification of structural design shall conform to
ASTM E1886-13a.

2.6.13.12.5. The frame of the curtain walling system shall be designed as panel walls by taking
into consideration the actual supporting conditions.

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SECTION 14: SYSTEM BUILDINGS & MIXED/COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION

2.6.14.1. MATERIAL & GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.14.1.1. In mixed/composite construction, there shall be sampling procedure, testing on

individual components, load testing of structure and the equipment shall be in
accordance with Part 7 Section 3.

2.6.14.1.2. The selection of materials to use in system building and mixed/composite structures
shall be conducted by considering the following characteristics:

(i) Light weight for easy handling and transport;

(ii) Thermal insulation property and Sound insulation;
(iii) Durability;
(iv) Non-combustibility;
(v) Economy; and
(vi) Any other special requirement in a particular application.

2.6.14.2. DESIGN & PLANNING GUIDELINES

2.6.14.2.1. Every drawing shall describe the essentials elements of the structure and assembly
including all required data of physical properties of component materials. The
planning, modular co-ordination, architecture and finishes shall respect the
technical guidelines of structures in accordance with approved standards for each
type of structure.

2.6.14.2.2. The specifications of casting or erection, tolerance and type of curing in mixed
construction shall be in accordance with the provisions of each type of materials
and structures.

2.6.14.2.3. The construction elements like joints shall be analysed appropriately and designed
to resist the forces of an equivalent discrete system.

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2.6.14.2.4. The beams, walls and bracings in two directions at right angles or otherwise shall
be placed in order to support horizontal loadings.

2.6.14.2.5. The components of composite construction shall be designed by taking into

consideration the appropriate end conditions and loading at various stages of
construction and shall also be designed to resist all the forces and effect that will
act on them in accordance with Part 6 Section 2.

2.6.14.2.6. The following factors shall be considered for mixed and composite construction:

(i) Positions of stability cores, walls, bracing;

(ii) The availability and/or positioning of equipment to transport and erect
components;
(iii) Erection safety and speed of construction, with attention to cast in-situ
concreting sequences; and
(iv) Tolerances for economical construction.

2.6.14.3. SYSTEM AND STRUCTURAL SCHEMES

2.6.14.3.1. The design of system and structural schemes shall consider the following aspects
in order to respect the degree of flexibility:
(i) Effective utilization of spaces and straight and simple walling scheme;
(ii) Limited sizes, numbers of components and opening in bearing walls;
(iii) Regulated locations of partitions and standardized service and stair units;
(iv) Limited sizes of doors and windows with regulated positions;
(v) Structural clarity and efficiency and suitability for adoption in low and high
rise building;
(vi) Ease of manufacturing, storing and transporting; and
(vii) Speed and ease of erection and simple jointing system.

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2.6.14.3.2. Steel wire mesh, and suitable crane shall be used as structural reinforcement in
order to implement the tunnel form system efficiently and the tunnel form system
installation shall be also accelerated by rebar works at steel prefabrication area.

2.6.14.3.3. A slip-form assembly must be only start after the foundations of the walls have
been correctly laid and a starter for the walls laid out in its correct alignment with
all the necessary steel for the walls already in position.

2.6.14.3.4. The slip-form shall be erected so as to maintain its rigidity and shape for the entire
structure.

2.6.14.3.5. Every component of aluminium formwork shall be handled easily and safely in
order to avoid damage and losses due to the equipment.

2.6.14.3.6. All formwork of large panel shuttering system shall be provided with supports
designed for the loads coming during the actual execution stage.

2.6.14.4. FORMWORK SYSTEMS

2.6.14.4.1. The dimensions and combination possibilities of the panels shall ensure an accurate
fit of the formwork to the structure to be shuttered and the structural design and the
profiles used shall be identical for all panels.

2.6.14.4.2. Any new system may be used for systems building after being examined and
approved by the Building Consent Authority.

2.6.14.5. SYSTEMS FOR COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION

2.6.14.5.1. The composite construction of precast and is-situ concrete shall be well constructed
in accordance with the requirements of Part 6 for concrete and prefabricated
concrete and several standards listed in this Code.

2.6.14.5.2. The design of structural steelwork are used for long span pre-stressed concrete
floors supported on rolled and prefabricated steel shall be suitable to resist all kind
of loading specified in Part 6 of this Code.

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2.6.14.5.3. In building system, the design of timber frame for precast floors, long span glue
laminated beams and rafters shall comply with the requirement of design and
construction of floors as specified in Part 6 Section 10 of this Code.

2.6.14.5.4. The mixed construction of floors with brick and block masonry combined with
precast concrete structures shall be designed for reliable use and for the safety in
accordance with the relevant standards for each structure.

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SECTION 15: SPECIAL STRUCTURAL CONSTRUCTIONS

2.6.15.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.6.15.1.1. No person shall erect structure without first obtaining a license from the approved
Building Consent Authority.

2.6.15.1.2. In case of buildings having special structural features, as decided by the Building
Consent Authority, which are within the horizontal areas and vertical limits
specified in Part 4 Section 5 of this Code shall be designed only by a qualified
person.

2.6.15.1.3. The free form structures shall be designed by considering provisions of relevant
sections of Part 6 and Part 7 of this Code.

2.6.15.2. MEMBRANE STRUCTURES

2.6.15.2.1. Non-combustible frame or cable supported structures covered by membranes which

satisfy the non-combustibility test in accordance with ISO 1182 and non-
combustible membranes shall be classified in construction type of building made
by non-combustible materials.

2.6.15.2.2. Heavy timber frame supported structures covered by membranes which conform to
specification of non-combustibility test in accordance with ISO 1182, shall be
classified in class of buildings with that type of construction in which the exterior
walls are of non-combustible materials and the interior building elements are of
solid or laminated wood without concealed spaces.

2.6.15.2.3. Other membranes shall be classified in class of building with materials not specified
in type of construction except for plastic less than 9 m with a thickness not less than
to 0.5 mm used in greenhouses, for aquacultures pond covers and where public
access is not allowed, those plastics don’t require being in accordance with standard
ISO 1182.

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2.6.15.2.4. The area and the maximum height of a membrane structures shall not exceed the
limitations given in Part 4 Section 5 of this Code which specifies the classification
and type of construction, except membranes which serve for roofing structures.

2.6.15.2.5. All membrane which conforms to ISO 1182 and which are non-combustible shall
be used as roof structures or skylight of any building provided that it is placed at
least to 6m above any floor.

2.6.15.2.6. A qualified person who is in charge of the design and analysis of membranes
structures shall take into consideration all kinds of loads in accordance with Part 6
Section 2 of this Code.

2.6.15.2.7. Air-supported & air-inflated structures shall be provided with primary and auxiliary
inflation system with conditions to meet requirements specified below:

(i) In order to maintain required pressure and prevent over pressurization, the
system shall consist of one or more blowers and designed with an automatic
control to do so.

(ii) Auxiliary inflation shall be designed with capacity to maintain the

equilibrium of the inflation system in case of primary system failure and
shall operate automatically where there is an internal pressure loss in a
primary system.

2.6.15.2.8. Air-supported and air-inflated structures having an occupant load of 50 persons or

more shall be provided a system capable of supporting the membrane in case of
deflation. That system shall be capable to maintain the membranes structures used
as roof on building made with non-combustible materials and other membranes for
at least 6m and 2m above the floor respectively.

2.6.15.3. TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

2.6.15.3.1. Temporary structures, tents and other membrane structures erected for a period of
limited time shall be designed to ensure safety user consideration and shall be
approved by the Building Consent Authority.
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2.6.15.3.2. Temporary structures that cover an area in excess of 12m2 shall be in accordance
with Part 3 Section 5 of this Code.

2.6.15.3.3. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS OF CANOPY:

(i) A canopy shall be not less than 3.5m above the level of the footway;
(ii) A canopy shall not extend outwards from the building so as to be nearer the
vertical plane of the kerbed line of such footway than 0.6m;
(iii) A canopy shall be of an approved design and construction;
(iv) Every canopy constructed within 1.5m of the outer edge of a footpath, or
projecting over a road, shall have a clear space of not less than 5m beneath
every part thereof;
(v) Every canopy built along the footpath shall have a sitting place of 10
persons
(vi) Every canopy erected over a footpath shall have a clear space of not less
than 3m beneath every part thereof; and
(vii) The canopies shall be designed so that they are able to resist on imposed
loads such as wind load, lateral loads and live loads
2.6.15.3.4. If it is considered by the Building Consent Authority that a canopy shall be erected
in front of a new building, the Building Consent Authority may require the owner
thereof to provide for it in the design of such building.

2.6.15.3.5. The upper surface of every canopy, shall be impervious to moisture and drained in
an approved manner, and designed to prevent the discharge of water directly onto
a street. Unless the approving Building Consent Authority otherwise approves, no
load shall be placed upon a canopy.

2.6.15.3.6. Other tensile structures shall be designed and constructed in a manner that the
health safety of the users is ensured and shall be approved by the Building Consent
Authority.

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2.6.15.3.7. WELDING OF CANOPY

Where a canopy is constructed in steel material, the use of welding in the fabrication
of structural steel work shall only be permitted with the express approval of the
Building Consent Authority and the design shall comply with Part 6 Section 12of this
Code.

2.6.15.3.8. DOORWAYS OF CANOPY

No doorway giving direct access to the top of any canopy shall be made in the
external wall of any building.
2.6.15.3.9. USE OF VERANDAS OR BALCONIES

Where any veranda or balcony has been built over or upon any street no such
veranda or balcony shall be used or adapted to be used as a factory, workshop,
storeroom, kitchen, lavatory, bathroom, water-closet, urinal or latrine.

2.6.15.3.10. Awnings and canopies shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind or other
lateral loads and live loads as required by structural design; structural members shall
be protected to prevent deterioration.

2.6.15.3.11. Awnings shall have frames of non-combustible material, fire-retardant-treated

wood. Wood construction with combustible or non-combustible covers and shall be
fixed, retractable, folding or collapsible.

2.6.15.3.12. Canopies shall be made of a rigid framework with an approved covering that meets
the fire propagation requirements specified in ISO 1182 of fire tests for flame-
propagation of textiles and films this shall comply with Part 8 Section 3 of this
Code.

2.6.15.3.13. Awnings and canopies shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind or other
lateral loads and live loads as required by structural design; structural members shall
be protected to prevent deterioration.

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2.6.15.3.14. Awnings shall have frames of non-combustible material, fire-retardant-treated

wood. Wood construction with combustible or non-combustible covers and shall be
fixed, retractable, folding or collapsible.

2.6.15.3.15. Canopies shall be made of a rigid framework with an approved covering that meets
the fire propagation requirements specified in ISO 1182 of fire tests for flame-
propagation of textiles and films this shall comply with Part 8 Section 3 of this
Code.

2.6.15.4. PORTAL CRANE GIRDERS

2.6.15.4.1. The truss or girder shall be designed to safety sustain the steps and running gear in
operation. In the event of failure of the track system it shall retain the running gear
in its guides.

2.6.15.4.2. For crane gantry girders, the following allowances shall be used to cover all forces
set up by vibration, shock from slipping of slings, kinetic action of acceleration and
retardation and impact of wheel loads:

(i) For loads acting vertically, the maximum static wheel loads increased by
25% for an electric overhead crane or 10% for a hand operated crane;
(ii) For the horizontal force acting transverse to the rails, the following
percentage of the combined weight for the crab and the load lifted:
a. 10% for an electric overhead crane; or
b. 5% for a hand-operated crane;

(iii) For the horizontal forces acting along the rails, 5% of the static wheel loads
which can occur on the rails, for overhead cranes which are either electric
or hand-operated.

2.6.15.4.3. The forces specified in either 2.6.15.5.2 (ii) or (iii) above shall be considered as
acting at the rail level and being appropriately transmitted to the supporting
systems.

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2.6.15.4.4. Either of the horizontal forces 2.6.15.5.2 (ii) or (iii) above shall act at the same time
as the vertical load on gantry girders and their vertical supports.

2.6.15.4.5. CRANE INSTALLATION

The installation of the portal crane girder is due to the purpose or the function or
the volume of work, in any vertical or horizontal portal crane girder installation,
any part of crane or steel piece of crane shall be well welded or bolted in order to
get the required strength, and the fixing of such parts comply with the following
requirements:

(i) Where the portal crane girder is to be exposed to the wind, the installation
shall take care to direction of the wind load; and
(ii) The portal crane girder shall be well fixed on the strong foundation which
is in reinforced concrete structure.

2.6.15.5. TUNNELS & PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS

2.6.15.5.1. This subsection shall apply to connections between buildings such as pedestrian
walkways or tunnels that are used as a means of travel by persons. The pedestrian
walkway shall not contribute to the building area or height of connected buildings.

2.6.15.5.2. Connected buildings shall be considered to be separate structures excluding the

buildings on the same lot.

2.6.15.5.3. The pedestrian walkway shall be of non-combustible construction exclude where

connected buildings are of combustible construction and fire-retardant-treated
wood, in accordance with table of fire-resistance rating requirements that are
permitted for the roof construction of the pedestrian walkway in accordance with
Part 8 Section 2 of this Code.

2.6.15.5.4. All materials and decorations used on the pedestrian walkway shall be approved by
the institution in charge of standard for materials of construction.

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2.6.15.5.5. Walkways shall be separated from the interior of the building by fire-barrier walls
with a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours constructed in accordance with
Part 8 Section 2 of this Code. This protection shall extend vertically from a point of
3m above the walkway roof surface or the connected building roof line, whichever
is lower, down to a point of 3m below the walkway and horizontally 3m from each
side of the pedestrian walkway.
The exception shall be when the walls separating the pedestrian walkway from a
connected building are not required to have a fire-resistance rating by this section
where the following provisions can be applied: The distance between the connected
buildings is more than 3m and both sidewalls of the pedestrian walkway are at least
with 50% open area uniformly distributed to prevent the accumulation of smoke
and toxic gases.

2.6.15.5.6. The unobstructed width of pedestrian walkways shall not be less than 1m. The total
width shall not exceed 9m.

2.6.15.5.7. The tunnelled walkway and the building, to which it is connected, shall be separated
by not less than 2 hour fire-resistant construction and openings shall be protected.

2.6.15.6. MARQUEES

2.6.15.6.1. The vertical upper limit of the marquee shall be at most 9m where the marquee
projects more than two-thirds of the distance from the property line to the curb line,
and shall be less than 3m where the marquee is less than two-thirds of the distance
from the property line to the curb line.

2.6.15.6.2. The horizontal clearance between a marquee and the kerb line shall not be less
than 0.6m.

2.6.15.6.3. A marquee shall be constructed by non-combustible materials and shall be

supported entirely from the building.

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2.6.15.7. TELECOMMUNICATION & BROADCAST TOWERS

2.6.15.7.1. The design and construction of telecommunication towers shall be in accordance

with RS 281.

2.6.15.7.2. The supports for antennas not greater than 24m of height measured from the top of
the pole to grade shall not be required to be non-combustible.

2.6.15.8. SWIMMING POOL

2.6.15.8.1. For structural design, the pool structure shall be engineered and designed to
withstand the expected forces to which it will be subjected.

2.6.15.8.2. A swimming pool or appurtenances thereto shall not be constructed, installed,

enlarge or altered until plans have been submitted and a permit has been
obtained from the Building Consent Authority. Certified copies of these approvals
shall be filed as part of the supporting data for the application for the permit.

2.6.15.8.3. The design of plans shall take into account the dimensions and construction of the
pool and appurtenances and properly established distances to plot lines, buildings,
walks and fences, and also the details of the water supply system, drainage and
water disposal systems.

2.6.15.8.4. It is required to have an adequate enclosure or a barrier either surrounding the

property or pool area, sufficient to make such water body inaccessible to small
children. Such enclosure, including gates therein, shall be not less than 1m
above the underlying ground. All gates shall be self-closing and self-latching
with latches placed 1m above the underlying ground and otherwise made
inaccessible from the outside to small children and the diameter of openings in the
barrier shall not exceed 0.1m spherically.

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2.6.15.8.5. All public swimming pools shall have walkways not less than 5m in width
extending entirely around the pool. Where kerbs or sidewalks are used around any
swimming pool, they shall have a slip-resistant surface for a width of not less than
0.3m at the edge of the pool, and shall be so arranged to prevent return of surface
water to the pool.

2.6.15.8.6. Minimum water depths and distances for diving hoppers for pools, based on board
height above water and the installation shall be approved by the Building Consent
Authority.

2.6.15.9. AUTOMATIC GATES

Vehicular gates intended for automation shall be designed, constructed and

installed to comply with the requirements of standard specification for automated
vehicular gate construction.

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CONTENTS

PART 7: BUILDING MATERIALS ................................................................................. 102

SECTION 1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................ 102
SECTION 2: STRUCTURAL MATERIALS .......................................................................... 104
SECTION 3: MATERIALS SPECIFICATIONS & TESTING ............................................... 105
SECTION 4: USED, SECONDARY & ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS ............................... 115
SECTION 5: NON-COMPLIANCE......................................................................................... 116

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PART 7: BUILDING MATERIALS

SECTION 1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.7.1.1. The requirements for acceptable construction materials shall be satisfied if the use,
method of mixing, preparation, application, or fixing comply with the provision
of approved Standards.

2.7.1.2. No person shall use or permit or cause to be used in the erection of a building and
related external works, any material or component which is not of a suitable nature
and quality for the purpose for which it is used and adequately mixed, fixed or
prepared in a proper manner so as adequately perform the functions for which it
was designed.

2.7.1.3. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of sub-
regulation 2.7.1.2 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction
as provided for in Parts 3 and 5 of this code.

2.7.1.4. The Building Consent Authority may test or cause to be tested any material or
component used or to be used in order to ascertain whether such material or
component complies with the requirements of these regulations. For this purpose
the Building Consent Authority may, at any time after consultation with the person
erecting such building, remove from the building site concerned a sample of such
material or component as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of such test and
in such a way that work of such erection is not stopped when such material or
component is being so removed and tested.

2.7.1.5. In the event of contravention of sub-regulations 2.7.1.1 and 2.7.1.2, the Building
Consent Authority may, by a written notice served upon the owner of any building
in which material is used, require the removal of any such material.

2.7.1.6. Any material pronounced as hazardous by the Building Control Authority shall not
be used as building material. The use of asbestos materials has been found to be
hazardous to health; their application in building construction shall, if at all
allowed, be approved by the Building Control Authority. .

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2.7.1.7. STORAGE OF BUILDING MATERIALS

2.7.1.7.1. All building materials shall be stored in such a way as to prevent deterioration, the
loss or impairment of their structural and other essential properties.

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SECTION 2: STRUCTURAL MATERIALS

2.7.2.1. Any material used in the construction of any structural element or component
thereof shall be that specified in relevant standard; where such standard has been
used as a basis for structural design.

2.7.2.2. Where materials specified in such standard are not available, alternative materials
of equal standard or better performance may be used if they meet requirements in
that standard but shall have to be approved by the Building Control Authority (or
Building Consent Authority as applicable) in collaboration with the institution in
charge of standards.

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SECTION 3: MATERIALS SPECIFICATIONS & TESTING

2.7.3.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.7.3.1.1. All buildings materials shall be tested in accordance with relevant standards and/or
guidelines.

2.7.3.1.2. The producer and/or supplier of building materials shall ensure that the building
materials they produce or supply comply with relevant standards and/or guidelines.

2.7.3.1.3. If any material or component is tested and is found not to comply withthe provision
of this code, the Building Consent Authority may serve a notice on such person that
used the material or component, stating the respects in which such material or
component does not comply and prohibiting such person from making further use
of such material or component for the purpose for which it was or is to be used in
the erection of such building and such person shall forthwith on receipt of such
notice remove such material or component from such building or building site or
from both, as the case may be.

2.7.3.1.4. If any material or component contemplated in sub-regulation 2.7.3.1.3 is tested and

found to have failed to comply with the provision of this code, the Building Consent
Authority shall recover the cost of such test from the owner of the building or
construction concerned.

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2.7.3.1.5. The requirements and specifications of several commonly used building materials
where not specified in the relevant sub-regulation(s) shall be in accordance with the
following standards; without jeopardising the use of other materials with respect to
section 4 of Part 7 of this Code.

ALUMINIUM, OTHER LIGHT METALS AND THEIR COMPOSITES

Aluminium:

ISO 6361 Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheets, strips and
plates

ISO 6362 Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys — Extruded rods/bars,

tubes and profiles

ISO 6363-2 Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys — Cold-drawn

rods/bars and tubes and wires — Part 2: Mechanical

ISO 2107 Designation of aluminium and aluminium alloys and the temper
designation

ISO 6361-5 Chemical composition of wrought aluminium and aluminium

alloys.

ISO 25239-2 Friction stirs welding. Aluminium —Design of weld joints

ISO/TR 15608 Welding — Guidelines for a Metallic materials grouping system

ISO 9606-2 Qualification test of welders. Fusion welding — Aluminium and

aluminium alloys.

TIMBER

RS EAS 23 Dimensions for coniferous sawn timber (cypress and pine): Sizes of
sawn and planed timber: Specification

RS EAS 272 Determination of moisture content for physical and mechanical tests

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RS EAS 273 Sampling methods and general requirements for physical and
mechanical tests

RS EAS 272 Determination of moisture content for physical and mechanical tests

RS EAS 272 Determination of volumetric swelling

RS EAS 273 Sampling methods and general requirements for physical and
mechanical tests
RS EAS 274 Determination of the average moisture content

RS EAS 275 Determination of volumetric shrinkage

RS EAS 277 Determination of radial and tangential shrinkage

RS EAS 278 Determination of radial and tangential swelling

PLASTICS

RS EAS 480 Film and sheeting —Determination of thickness by mechanical

scanning

RS IS0 4612 Preparation of PVC pastes for test purposes — Planetary-mixer

method

ROOF COVERS

Tiling materials:

RS EAS 71 Clay roofing tiles — Specification

RS EAS 422-4 Ceramic tiles — Part 4: Determination of modulus of rapture and

breaking strength

RS EAS 422-5 Ceramic tiles — Part 5: Determination of impact resistance by

measurement of coefficient of restitution

RS EAS 422-10 Ceramic tiles —Part 10: Determination of moisture expansion

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RS EAS 422-11 Ceramic tiles —Part 11: Determination of crazing resistance for
glazed tiles

RS EAS 422-12 Ceramic tiles —Part 12: Determination of frost resistance

RS EAS 422-13 Ceramic tiles —Part 13: Determination of chemical resistance

RS EAS 422-14 Ceramic tiles —Part 14: Determination of resistance to stains

RS EAS 422-15 Ceramic tiles —Part 15: Determination of lead and cadmium given
off by glazed tiles

RS EAS 422-16 Ceramic tiles —Part 16: Determination of small colour differences

RS EAS 422-3 Ceramic tiles —Part 3: Determination of water absorption, apparent

porosity, apparent relative density and bulk density

RS EAS 422-6 Ceramic tiles —Part 6: Determination of resistance to deep abrasion

for unglazed tiles

RS EAS 422-7 Ceramic tiles —Part 7: Determination of resistance to surface

abrasion for glazed tiles

RS EAS 422-8 Ceramic tiles —Part 8: Determination of linear thermal expansion

RS EAS 422-9 Ceramic tiles —Part 9: Determination of resistance to thermal shock

Steel Sheets:

RS ISO 4995 Hot-rolled steel sheet of structural quality: Specification

RS ISO 4997 Cold reduced steel sheets of structural quality

RS ISO 4998 Continuous hot-dip zinc-coated carbon steel sheet of structural

quality

RS EAS 196 High-strength low — alloy Carbon Steel for hot-rolled sheet and
cold-rolled sheet — Specifications

AGGREGATES
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RS EAS 180 Specification for aggregates from natural sources for use in concrete

RS 96-10 Methods of test for aggregates — Part 10: Method of determination

of acid soluble material in fine aggregates

RS 96-2 Methods of testing aggregates — Part 2: Guide to sampling and

testing aggregates

RS 96-3 Methods of testing aggregates — Part 3: Methods of sampling

RS 96-7 Methods of test for aggregates — Part7: Methods for determination

of moisture content

RS 96-1 Methods of test for aggregates — Part 1: General requirements for

apparatus and calibration

RS 96-11 Methods of test for aggregates — Part 11: Method of testing and
classifying the drying shrinkage of aggregate for use in concrete

RS 96-4 Methods of test for aggregates — Part 4: Methods for determination

of particle size distribution, sieve test

RS 96-5 Methods of test for aggregates — Part 5: Methods for the

determination of particle shape — Flakiness index

RS 96-6 Methods of test for aggregates — Part 6: Methods of determination

of shell content in coarse aggregates

RS 96-8 Methods of test for aggregates — Part 8: Methods for determination

of ten percent fines value

RS 96-9 Methods of test for aggregates — Part 9: Methods for determination

of aggregates impact value

BRICKS AND BLOCKS

RS 144 Cement blocks and Bricks — Specification

RS EAS 54 Burnt building bricks — Specifications

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RS EAS 179 Precast concrete paving blocks — Specification

RS EAS 94 Burnt clay building blocks — Specification

STEEL

RS ISO 4948-1 Steel - Classification — Part 1: Classification of steels into

unalloyed and alloy steels based on chemical composition

RS ISO 4948-2 Steel - Classification — Part 2: Classification of steels into

unalloyed and alloy steels according to main quality classes and
main property or application characteristics

RS ISO 15630-1 Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete — Test
methods

RS ISO 6935-2 Steel for the reinforcement of concrete — Part 2: Ribbed bars

RS ISO 16020 Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete —

Vocabulary

RS ISO 6934-1 Steel for the prestressing of concrete —Part 1: General

requirements

RS ISO 6934-2 Steel for the prestressing of concrete —Part 2: Cold-drawn wire

RS ISO 6934-3 Steel for the prestressing of concrete —Part 3: Quenched and
tempered wire

RS ISO 6934-4 Steel for the prestressing of concrete — Part 4: Strand

RS 63 Carbon steel for reinforcement of concrete — Specification

RS EAS 412-1 Steel bars for reinforcement of concrete — Part 1: Plain bars

RS EAS 412-2 Steel bars for reinforcement of concrete — Part 2: Ribbed bars

RS EAS 412-3 Steel bars for reinforcement of concrete — Part 3: Welded fabric

RS ISO 10065 Steel bars for reinforcement of concrete — Bend and rebend tests
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METALLIC

RS ISO 6892-1 Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 1: Method of test at

room temperature

RS ISO 6892-2 Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 2: Method of test at

elevated temperature

RS EAS 189 Metallic materials — Tensile testing

RS EAS 192-1 Metallic materials — Verification of static uniaxial testing

machines — Part 1: Tension/compression testing machines-
Verification and calibration of the force measuring system

RS EAS 192-2 Metallic materials — Verification of static uniaxial testing

machines — Part 2: Tension creeping testing machines —
Verification of the applied load

RS EAS 201-1 Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part 1: Test

method (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T)

CONCRETE

RS ISO 1920-5 Methods of testing concrete

RS EAS 131-1 Part 1: Specification, performance, production and conformity

RS EAS 417-1 Part 1: Methods of specifying and guidance for the specifier

RS EAS 417-2 Part 2: Specification of constituent materials, production of

concrete and compliance of concrete

CEMENT

RS EAS 18-1 Cements ―Part 1: Composition, specification and conformity

criteria for common cements

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RS EAS 18-2 Cements— Part 2: Conformity evaluation

RS EAS 148-1 Cements — Test methods— Part 1: Determination of strength

RS EAS 148-2 Cements — Test methods— Part 2: Chemical analysis

RS EAS 148-3 Cements — Test methods— Part3: Determination of setting time

and soundness

RS EAS 148-4 Cement — Test methods— Part 4: Quantitative determination of

constituents

RS EAS 148-5 Cement — Test methods— Part 5: Pozzolanicity test for

pozzolanic cements

RS EAS 148-6 Cement— Test methods— Part 6: Determination of fineness

RS EAS 148-7 Cement — Test methods— Part 7: Methods of taking and

preparing

RS EAS 148-8 Cement — Test methods— Part 8: Determination of chlorine,

carbon dioxide and alkali content of the cement

STONES

ASTM C615/C615 M-11 Specification for granite

ASTM C97/C97 M-09 Testing methods for absorption and bulk specific gravity of
dimension stone

ASTM C170/C170 M-09 Test method for compressive strength of dimension stone

BAMBOO

ISO/TR 22157-2 Mechanical and physical properties testing

ISO 22157-1 Specifications for bamboo treatment

GLASS

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ISO 14439 Glass in building assembly rules glazing wedges

ISO 9050 Glass in building- Determination of light transmittance, solar direct

transmittance, total solar energy transmittance, ultraviolet
transmittance and related glazing factors

ASTM C1036-11e1 Types and quality requirements of glass

PLUMBING MATERIALS

RS EAS 419 Concrete pipes and fittings, unreinforced, steel fibre and reinforced

RS EAS 426-2 Concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —Part 2:

Specification for unreinforced and reinforced concrete manholes
and soak ways

RS EAS 426-4 Concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —Part 4:

Specification for prestressed non-pressure pipes and fittings with
flexible joints

RS EAS 426-5 Precast concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —Part 5:
Specification for ogee pipes and fittings (including perforated)

RS EAS 426-6 Precast concrete pipes, fittings and ancillary products —Part 6:
Specification for porous pipes

RS EAS 426-1 Concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —Part 1:

Specification for unreinforced and reinforced concrete pipes
(including jacking pipes) and fittings with flexible joints

RS EAS 426-3 Concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —Part 3:

Specification for unreinforced and reinforced concrete inspection
chambers

RS EAS 426-7 Precast concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products —Part 7:
Specification for road gullies and gully cover Slabs

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RS ISO 2531 Ductile iron pipes, fittings, accessories and their joints for water
applications

RS ISO 4427-1 Plastics piping systems ―Polyethylene (PE) pipes and fittings for
water supply ―Part 1: General specifications

RS ISO 1452-1 Plastics piping systems for water supply and for buried and above-
ground drainage and sewerage under pressure — Unplasticized
polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) — Part 1: General

RS ISO 1452-2 Plastics piping systems for water supply and for buried and above-
ground drainage and sewerage under pressure — Unplasticized
polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) — Part 2: Pipes

RS ISO 1452-3 Plastics piping systems for water supply and for buried and above-
ground drainage and sewerage under pressure — Unplasticized
polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) — Part 3: Fittings

RS ISO 1452-4 Plastics piping systems for water supply and for buried and above-
ground drainage and sewerage under pressure — Unplasticized
polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) — Part 4: Valves

RS ISO 1452-5 Plastics piping systems for water supply and for buried and above-
ground drainage

RS ISO 6594 Cast iron drainage pipes and fittings — Spigot series

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SECTION 4: USED, SECONDARY & ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

2.7.4.1. Used, secondary and alternative materials shall be encouraged to minimise waste
on-site while optimising the use of available materials.

2.7.4.2. Used, secondary and alternative structural or non-structural materials shall be used
in building operations if they meet the design requirements for materials and are
approved by the Building Control Authority in collaboration with the institution in
charge of standards. Subject to the provision of this sub-regulation, no used or
secondary material shall be used on work to which the provisions of this Code apply
unless it is approved by the Building Control Authority (or Building Consent
Authority as applicable) in partnership with the institution in charge of standards.

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SECTION 5: NON-COMPLIANCE

2.7.5.1. If any material or component is suspected not to comply with this Code, the
Building Consent Authority may serve a notice on such person to stop temporarily
the use of such material.

2.7.5.2. The Building Consent Authority shall proceed by testing the suspected material and
it may recover the cost of such test from the owner of the building if the material
fails to comply.

2.7.5.3. The Building Consent Authority, shall provide notice to such person stating the
respects in which such material or component do not comply and prohibiting such
person from making further use of such material or component for the purpose for
which it was or is to be used in the erection of such building.

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CHAPTER 3:
FIRE SAFETY

RWANDA BUILDING CODE-VERSION 2 442 2019

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CONTENTS
PART 8: FIRE & SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES…………………………………… ......... 4
SECTION 1: GENERAL FIRE PERFORMANCE………………………………………... 4
SECTION 2: FIRE RESISTANCE & RATING…………………………………….. 14
SECTION 3: FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING……………………………………………. 28
SECTION 4: FIRE WALL, BARRIERS, PARTITIONS, ENCLOSURES &
OPENINGS………………………………………………………………… 31
SECTION 5: SMOKE BARRIERS, PARTITIONS, PENETRATIONS & DUCTS.. 41
SECTION 6: FIRE PROPERTIES FOR FINISHES……………………………………. 47

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PART 8: FIRE & SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES

SECTION 1: GENERAL FIRE PERFORMANCE

3.8.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.8.1.1.1. Any building shall be designed, constructed and equipped in a way that, in case of
fire, safe evacuation of occupants, minimization of the spread and intensity of fire
and structural stability are catered for.

3.8.1.1.2. Adequate means of access to equipment for detecting, fighting, controlling and
extinguishing fire shall be provided to minimize spread of smoke to reasonable
greatest extent in accordance to the relevant parts of RS 186.

3.8.1.1.3. Where any element or component of a building is required to have a particular fire
resistance such requirement, in respect of the materials or method of construction,
shall have to be:

(i) Tested and sampled by an internationally accredited Laboratory or/and

approved by the institution in charge of standards, and pass fire resistance
requirements; or
(ii) Approved by the building control Authority as appropriate for the intended
use.

3.8.1.1.4. Where non-combustibility of any element or component is required in terms of

this Code such requirement shall be deemed to be satisfied where:

(i) Such element or component is proved to be made only of the relevant

material;
(ii) When tested or approved by the institution in charge of standard, a
representative specimen of such element or component has been shown to
be non-combustible; and
(iii) An assessment, in writing, of such element or component has been made
by the Authority and such element or component has been found to be
suitable for the particular purpose.

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3.8.1.1.5. In any building, not being a building classified as R-5, any architectural or
decorative feature shall be constructed of combustible material only when such
material has passed required tests conducted by an internationally accredited
laboratory or approved by the institution in charge of standards.

3.8.1.1.6. The means of smoke ventilation from each storey shall be provided.

3.8.1.2. DIVISION AREA FOR FIRE -FIGHTING

3.8.1.2.1. Any building shall be divided into division of an area that complies with Table
3.8.1-1and such divisions shall be separated effectively from each other by
division separating elements provided that:

(i) Where occupancy classified S-1, used for the storage of flammable liquids,
forms part of any building, such part shall be a separate division and the
area of such division shall be not more than 100m2; and
(ii) Where storage of goods is to a height of more than 3m in any occupancy
classified S-1 or S-2, an approved fixed installation of automatic fire
extinguisher shall be provided.

Table 3.8.1-1: Maximum Division Area (m2)

S/N Occupancy No Fixed Automatic Fire With Fixed Automatic Fire

Extinguisher Installation Extinguisher Installation

1 Storey 2 Storeys
and over

1 *I-1, *I-2, ‘I-3 1250 1250 1250

2 A-2, B-2, B-3, A-2, A-1, 5000 No limit 10000

B-1

3 A-4, A-5, F-3, S-3, S-4 No limit No limit No limit

4 All other occupancies 2500 No limit 5000

* Maximum division area on any storey and all such divisions shall be interconnected.

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3.8.1.3. ACCESS TO BUILDINGS FOR FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE

PURPOSES

3.8.1.3.1. Any building shall be provided with suitable access to its interior and exterior
parts for the purposes of fire-fighting and rescue from any building by the fire
services of the Authority except to any portion of any building which is to be used
for the purposes of a strong room, record room, security vault, non-habitable
computer room or specific technical areas to which the Authority approves.

3.8.1.3.2. Any escape door shall be clearly identified from the exterior of the building and
the number of any storey shall be indicated inside any emergency route on any
access door.

3.8.1.4. THEATRES AND INTENSIVE CARE UNITS BUILDINGS

3.8.1.4.1. Theatres (A-2), maternity delivery rooms or intensive care units (I-2) shall comply
with the following requirements in conjunction with relevant parts of RS 186:

(i) Any lift used for the transport of patients shall be provided with an
approved emergency power supply independent of the normal mains
supply that is capable of operating for not less than 2 hours in the event of
failure of the mains supply;
(ii) The walls, floor and ceiling separating such suite from any other suite or
from any other part of the building shall have a fire resistance of not less
than 2 hours; and
(iii) There shall not be fewer than two means of exit from such suite.

3.8.1.5. COMPARTMENTATION

3.8.1.5.1. The spread of fire within a building shall be restricted by sub-dividing it into
compartments separated from one another by walls and floors of fire resisting
construction complying with Tables: 3.8.2-6 and 3.8.2-8.

3.8.1.5.2. Compartmentation degree shall depend on:

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(i) The use of fire load in the building, which affects the potential for fires and
the severity of fires as well as the ease of evacuation;
(ii) The height of floor of the top storey which is an indication of the ease of
evacuation and the ability of the fire and rescue service to intervene
effectively; and
(iii) The availability of a sprinkler system which affects the growth rate of fire
shall suppress it altogether.

3.8.1.6. SEATING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANT LOAD IN

AUDITORIA OR HALLS AND ON GRANDSTANDS

3.8.1.6.1. In any auditorium or hall or on any grandstand containing any seating:

(i) The seating and any aisles serving such seating shall be so arranged to
allow unobstructed movement to the escape routes from such auditorium,
half or grandstand; and
(ii) No seat shall be more than 21m from an escape door or an access door to
an emergency route as measured along the route which a person
occupying such seat may be expected to travel to arrive at such escape
door or access door.

3.8.1.6.2. All seating on any grandstand or in any auditorium or hall not used for more than
one purpose shall be fixed to the building; provided that seating need not be so
fixed in any auditorium or hall, or a box therein, which accommodates not more
than 25 persons.

3.8.1.6.3. Where individual seats are not provided every 450mm of seating shall be deemed
to be a seat.

3.8.1.6.4. The clearance between rows of seats in any auditorium or hall shall be not less
than:

(i) 0.3m where any person is not required to pass more than 14 seats to leave
the row;

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(ii) 0.4m where any person is required to pass more than 14 seats but not more
than 24 seats to leave the row; or
(iii) 0.5m where any person is required to pass more than 24 seats to leave the
row.

3.8.1.6.5. The clearance between rows of seats in outdoor grandstands, where backrests are
provided to such seats, shall be not less than:

(i) 0.3m where any person is required to pass not more than 20 seats to leave
the row;
(ii) 0.4m where any person is required to pass more than 20 seats but not more
than 40 seats to leave the row;
(iii) 0.5m where any person is required to pass more than 40 seats to leave the
row; and
(iv) Where backrests are not so provided, or on terraced seating, the minimum
distance from the front edge of any seat to the front edge of the seat
immediately in front of or behind such seat shall be not less than 0.7m.

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3.8.1.6.6. Any aisle in any auditorium, hall or grandstand shall have a dear width of not less
than 1.1m or such greater width as contemplated for an emergency route for the
population served, and the surface of the floor and any steps of such aisle shall be
rendered suitably slip-resistant and shall at all times be maintained in such slip-
resistant condition.

3.8.1.6.7. Any cross-aisle shall discharge at both ends directly to an emergency route.

3.8.1.6.8. The gradient of such aisle which is not level shall not exceed 1 in 8 and any
stepped aisle shall not exceed an overall gradient of 1 in 3.

3.8.1.6.9. Steps along any such aisle shall be the full width of such aisle and shall be
illuminated to a level of not less than 2 lux at tread level when normal lighting has
been lowered and shall have uniform tread widths and risers so designed as to
reduce the likelihood of any person stumbling.

3.8.1.6.10. Any exit door from any auditorium shall be provided with approved panic bolts,
and at no time during occupancy of such auditorium or hall by the public shall
such door be locked, obscured, obstructed, covered or hidden and shall comply
with Table 3.10.2-4.

3.8.1.6.11. For determining the exits requirement, the number of persons within any floor
area or the occupant load should be based on the actual number of occupants, but
in no case less than that specified in Table 1 in RS 186-5.

3.8.1.6.12. Any floor covering in any auditorium or hall shall be securely fixed and
maintained in a safe condition.

3.8.1.6.13. An approved standby system for emergency lighting independent of the normal
mains supply shall be provided in any theatre complex or any individual
auditorium, hall or grandstand where the total number of seats exceeds 240 or the
floor area exceeds 240m2, in order to afford a level of illumination of not less
than 2 lux to enable persons to leave all parts of such theatre complex, auditorium,
hall or grandstand in the event of failure of the normal mains supply.

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3.8.1.6.14. The power supply to such emergency lighting shall be safe-guarded against the
effects of a fire for at least 30 minutes.

3.8.1.7. STAGE AND BACKSTAGE AREAS

3.8.1.7.1. Any area separated from any dressing room, auditorium, workshops, stores or any
other area within the occupancy, by walls and floors shall have a fire resistance of
not less than 2 hours, and any opening, other than the proscenium opening, in
such wall or floor shall be protected by a fire shutter.

3.8.1.7.2. No dressing room shall be at any level lower than the first basement storey.

3.8.1.7.3. Any proscenium opening shall be protected by a fire curtain which shall be:

(i) Constructed to slide freely in non-combustible guide rails on both sides of

the proscenium opening;
(ii) So arranged that when fully closed it overlaps the proscenium wall, on the
stage side, by not less than 0.45m at each side of such opening and 0.6m at
the top and is closed at the bottom onto the stage floor which of
combustible material, shall be not more than 38mm thick over a non-
combustible slab or wall;
(iii) So arranged that in the case of a fire it will descend automatically and
close such opening;
(iv) So arranged and controlled that it can descend completely within 30
seconds and be so regulated that for the last 2m of its descent it does not
travel faster than 0.5m/s; and
(v) Capable of being both manually and remotely operated; provided that in
the case of a stage in any school or church hall or other similar place
seating not more than 300 persons and which is used solely for the
presentation of amateur productions, a heavy woollen or non-combustible
fiber cloth curtain may be-substituted for such fire curtain.

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3.8.1.7.4. In any area, the following fire protection equipment shall be provided with:

(i) An automatic sprinkler system and an automatic drencher system to the

stage side of the fire curtain so designed as to give adequate protection in
the event of a fire;
(ii) At the highest point of the roof over such area, an acceptable automatic
roof ventilation system the effective aggregate area of opening of which
shall be not less than 10% of such area and which shall also be capable of
being manually operated;
(iii) A direct communication with the local authority's fire services; and
(iv) Manual alarms in the backstage area in suitable and easily accessible
positions.
3.8.1.7.5. Any dressing room area shall have direct access to an emergency route.

3.8.1.8. AIR-CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS

3.8.1.8.1. Any air-conditioning system or artificial ventilation system in any building shall
be so designed to prevent the distribution of products of combustion in the event
of a fire in such building.

3.8.1.8.2. Any-air shaft or duct used for air-conditioning or artificial ventilation, including
any internal or external insulation thereto and any flexible joint, shall be
constructed of non-combustible material or material which has been favorably
evaluated by the authority as being suitable for such shaft, duct, joint or insulation
provided that:

(i) Approved combustible flexible connections may be used where the length
of such connection does not exceed 1.5m and such connection does not
pass through any wall or floor which is required to have a specified fire
resistance; and
(ii) Approved combustible flexible joints not more than 250mm in length may
be used in any plant room where such plant room is protected by a smoke
detection system.

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3.8.1.8.3. A fire damper shall comply with ISO 10294-1 and shall be provided in any air
duct in any position where such duct passes through any required division or
occupancy separating element or any element required for the enclosure of an
emergency route or passes into any duct.

3.8.1.8.4. Any such fire damper shall:

(i) Close automatically upon the operation of a suitably located sensing

device actuated by an abnormal rise in the temperature or by the presence
of smoke or combustion gases in the air duct;
(ii) Be provided with adequate access, the position of which shall be clearly
marked, for inspection, maintenance and resetting of the mechanism;
(iii) Be so installed as to remain in position at the protected opening even if the
air; duct distorts during a fire; and
(iv) Be provided with an overriding fusible link.

3.8.1.8.5. The supports of any plenum shall be non-combustible.

3.8.1.8.6. No plenum system shall be used for storage or for the accommodation of people.

3.8.1.9. The floor of any occupancy classified S-4 shall be of non-combustible material
and shall be not less than 25mm lower than the threshold of any door leading to
any adjoining occupancy.

3.8.1.10. NO SMOKING SIGNS

3.8.1.10.1. An approved sign shall be prominently displayed in suitable positions in any

division, occupancy, room or any other part of a building where flammable
substances are dealt with, used or stored and on the outside of any door leading
thereto. Safety signs and marking used shall comply with requirements of ISO
3864.

COMMENTARY:
For the purpose of fire safety regulations in this Code, the classification of
buildings based on occupancy shall be matched to the classifications in RS 186-1
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as in the specified in Table: 3.8.1-2 below: For classes MEM; MIX and MISC
which do not have their equivalences in RS 186: Part 1 to 5 figures from the
nearest classes will be applied.

Table: 3.8.1-2: Occupancy Classification

S/N CLASSIFICATION GROUPING AS PER GROUPING AS

CHAPTER 1 OF THIS CODE PER RS 168-1
1 ASSEMBLY A D
2 BUSINESS (COMMERCIAL) B E
3 EDUCATIONAL E B
4 FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL F G
5 INSTITUTIONAL I -
6 MERCANTILE M F
7 RESIDENTIAL R A
8 STORAGE S H
9 MEMORIAL MEM -
10 MIXED USE MIX -
11 MISCELLANEOUS MISC -

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SECTION 2: FIRE RESISTANCE & RATING

3.8.2.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.8.2.1.1. Each building or construction element shall be constructed in such way that it can
limit the spread of the fire as per provisions of ISO/TS 5658-1 during fire
accidents, protect the building property from damage and easy of escape
occupants from the fire accidents and shall comply with RS 186-1 and RS 186-2.

3.8.2.1.2. The fire-resistance rating of building elements, components or assemblies shall be

determined in accordance with the test procedures set in accordance with Part 8,
Section 3 of this Code.

3.8.2.1.3. Where materials, systems or devices that have not been tested as part of a fire-
resistance-rated assembly are incorporated into the building element, component
or assembly, enough data in accordance with international standards shall be
made available to the building official to show that the required fire-resistance
rating is not reduced. Materials and methods of construction used to protect joints
and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated building elements, components or
assemblies shall not reduce the required fire-resistance-rating and shall comply
with RS 186-1 and RS 186-2.

Exception: In determining the fire-resistance rating of exterior bearing walls,

temperature rise and ignition of cotton waste due to passage of flame or gases is
required only for a period of time corresponding to the required fire-resistance
rating of an exterior non-bearing wall with the same fire separation distance, and
in a building of the same group.

3.8.2.1.4. When the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with this exception
exceeds the fire exposure time period, water pressure and application duration
criteria for the hose stream test shall be based upon the fire-resistance rating
determined in accordance with this exception.

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3.8.2.2. NON-COMBUSTIBLE BUILDING MATERIALS

3.8.2.2.1. The materials listed in Table 3.8.2-1 below are deemed to satisfy the requirements
for non-combustibility as prescribed in ISO 1182 singly or in combination with
each other. Any addition of organic or other combustible material may render the
listed material combustible in accordance with ISO 10295-1 and materials not
listed are presumed to be combustible except where proved otherwise when tested
in accordance with Part 8, Section 3 of this Code.

3.8.2.2.2. The floor of any occupancy classified S-4 shall be of non-combustible material
and shall be not less than 25mm lower than the threshold of any door leading to
any adjoining occupancy.

Table: 3.8.2-1: Non-Combustible Building Materials

S/N Materials
1 Fibre-cement
2 Fibre-cement products with less than 7.5 % combustible additives
3 Brass
4 Bricks (burnt clay, lime/sand, cement/sand)
5 Cement (Portland and blast furnace
6 Clay (burnt or unburnt)
7 Concrete
8 Furnace slag
9 Glass (solid)
10 Glass fibers (spun, woven or wool, with less than 5% resin content)
11 Gypsum (with less than 7.5% paper or other combustibles)
12 Lime
13 Metals (other than the alkaline metals)
14 Mineral wool (with less than 5% resin content)
15 Perlite
16 Porcelain
17 Pumice
18 Sand
19 Steel (cast or rolled)
20 Stone, natural
21 Vermiculite
22 Mortar (lime, cement, gypsum)
23 Aluminium (extrusions or castings)

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(i) The metals listed in Table 3.8.2-1 above may only be considered to be
non-combustible when they are in solid form and not when in the form of
a powder or shavings; and
(ii) The percentages given are by mass.

3.8.2.2.3. Combustible aggregates are permitted in gypsum and Portland cement concrete
mixtures for fire-resistance-rated construction. Any component material or
admixture is permitted in assemblies if the resulting tested assembly meets the
fire-resistance test requirements of this code.

3.8.2.2.4. Insulating materials such as fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose, polyurethane

foam and polystyrene shall be used by considering their performances and
specific flame spread index or a smoke-developed index in accordance with ISO
834 and ISO 29771. Any material that is subject to an increase in flame spread
index or smoke-developed index beyond the limits herein established through the
effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric conditions shall not be permitted.

3.8.2.2.5. Any insulation, insulating panel or lining used as a thermal insulation system
under an external covering as part of a roof or wall assembly tested in accordance
with ISO 1182: and found to be combustible, shall be acceptable, when classified
in terms of ISO 13785, its use and application shall also be acceptable.

3.8.2.2.6. The fire resistance rating of an occupancy separating element shall be in

accordance with the Table 3.8.2-2 and the value to be used shall be appropriate to
the occupancy class on each side of the separating element.

3.8.2.2.7. In the case of a division separating element, the requirements of these regulations
shall be deemed satisfied where the fire resistance rating is in accordance with the
Table 3.8.2-3.

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3.8.2.2.8. Any structural element or component that will directly support or adjoin any
separating element shall be of the same fire resistance rating as the supporting or
adjoining separating element.

3.8.2.3. FIRE RESISTANCE RATING FOR NON-COMBUSTIBLE ROOF

3.8.2.3.1. The roof assembly in any building shall have a fire resistance rating of not less
than 30 minutes and where the roof assembly exceeds 10m in height, it shall be
constructed with non-combustible materials.

3.8.2.3.2. Where any approved combustible materials are used as a roof covering of a
building, the distance between the building and its site boundary shall not be less
than 4.5m.

3.8.2.3.3. In the case of any building exceeding 10m in height or that has a roof area
exceeding 500m2, the roof covering material shall be constructed with reinforced
concrete or other approved non-combustible materials.

3.8.2.3.4. A suspended ceiling and the supporting members of a building shall be of non-
combustible materials.

3.8.2.3.5. A fitted floor covering in any building shall comply with the requirements in
approved Standards and the committee may require proof of compliance by a test
to be undertaken by a competent person or testing facility.

3.8.2.4. FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED GLAZING

3.8.2.4.1. Fire-resistance-rated glazing, when tested and complying with the requirements of
this code shall be permitted. Fire-resistance-rated glazing shall bear a label or
other identification showing the name of the manufacturer, the test standard and
the identifier which shall be permanently affixed to the glazing.

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3.8.2.5. FIRE RESISTANCE RATINGS FOR FLOORS

3.8.2.5.1. A floor of any building shall be of adequate strength to support its own weight and
all imposed loads on it and have appropriate fire resistance rating applicable to its
use.

3.8.2.5.2. Floor shall be built of non-combustible materials so as to get a required fire

resistance rating.

3.8.2.6. FIRE RESISTANCE RATINGS FOR WALLS

3.8.2.6.1. Fire-resistant joint systems shall be securely installed in or on the joint for its
entire length so as not to dislodge, loosen or otherwise impair its ability to
accommodate expected building movements and to resist the passage of fire and
hot gases and shall comply with RS 186-1 and RS 186-2.

3.8.2.6.2. A wall, floor or ceiling of an emergency route in any building shall have a fire
resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.

3.8.2.6.3. A wall in a building that separates one tenant from another shall have a fire
resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. The exterior walls facing the reduced
width shall have a minimum fire resistance rating of 3 hours.

3.8.2.6.4. A minimum fire resistance rating of one hour is assigned to a means of passage
from one other.

3.8.2.1.4. The fire resistance rating of the partition wall must not be less than one hour in
any building reserved for hospital or disable people. One or more ongoing fire
resistance walls separating each allocation of a building shall have a fire
resistance rating not less than 2 hours and shall comply with RS 186-1 and RS
186-2.

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3.8.2.6.5. The fire resistance of external walls shall be rated with opening protection and
shall have a fire resistance rating according to Table 1 in RS 186-2

3.8.2.6.6. Where an external wall of any building does not contain a window or other
opening, the wall shall have a fire resistance rated and the wall may be erected
without any distance restriction from any lateral boundary of the site, or from any
other building on the same site constructed of non-combustible material. Except
where the external wall faces a public open space, where all windows or openings
in the wall are protected with fire shutters.

3.8.2.6.7. The fire resistance rating of a separating element shall be in accordance with the
Table 3.8.2-2 below and the value to be used shall be appropriate to the
occupancy class.

Table 3.8.2-2: Fire Resistance Rating of Occupancy Separating Elements.

S/N Occupancy Separating Elements Fire Resistance Rating(Hours)

1 For all building occupancies other than those 1

specified below

2 B-1, F-1, F-4, I-1, S-3, S-4 2

3 S-1 4

3.8.2.6.8. In the case of a division separating element, the fire resistance rating shall be in
accordance with the Table 3.8.2-3below.
Table 3.8.2-3: Fire Resistance Rating of Occupancy Division Elements

S/N Occupancy Division Element Fire Resistance

Rating (Hours)

1 For all building occupancies other than those specified below 2

2 B-3 1.5

3 B-3, R-4 1

4 S-1 4

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3.8.2.7. FIRE RESISTANCE RATINGS OF COLUMNS

3.8.2.7.1. The fire resistance ratings of column shall depend on size of the side and the type
of the element. Table 3.8.2-4 below shows concrete masonry columns and their
corresponding fire resistance ratings.

Table 3.8.2-4: Fire Resistance Ratings and Concrete Column Size

S/N Fire Resistance Rating (Hours) Minimum Dimension for Column Size
(cm)

1 1 20.32

2 2 25.4

3 3 30.48

4 4 35.56

3.8.2.8. FIRE RESISTANCE RATINGS OF MASONRY SYSTEMS

3.8.2.8.1. The fire resistance rating of masonry walls made from clay bricks is proportional
to the increase of thickness. Table 3.8.2-5 below shows bricks thicknesses and
their corresponding fire resistance ratings:

Table 3.8.2-5: Fire Resistance Rating of Clay Masonry Wall

Material Type Minimum Required Thickness

1 hour 2hour 3 hour 4 hour

Solid brick of clay (cm) 7 9.7 12.5 15.3

Hollow brick or tile of clay unfilled (cm) 5.8 8.6 11 12.7

Hollow brick or tile of clay filled with sand, pea 7.6 11.2 14 16.8
gravel, crushed stones (cm)

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3.8.2.9. PRESUMED FIRE RESISTANCE OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND

COMPONENTS

3.8.2.9.1. The building materials and components contemplated in Tables 3.8.2-1 to 3.8.2-3
of this section shall be deemed to satisfy the performance requirements, under fire
conditions, provided that such materials and components comply with the relevant
detailed descriptions given in such tables.

3.8.2.9.2. Any monolithic unreinforced concrete element or any concrete masonry

constructed of solid concrete masonry units in accordance with the requirements
contained in ISO 834-1 shall be considered to be a solid concrete unit and shall be
deemed to have the fire resistance given in Table 3.8.2-4.

3.8.2.9.3. Only such building materials, components, and methods of construction for which
sufficient test data is available are listed in Tables 3.8.2-1 to 3.8.2-4; the tables
will, where necessary, be updated when new evidence on performance becomes
available. The fact that a material or method of construction is not mentioned in
this regulation should not be construed to mean that such material or method
cannot be used but it shall mean that the fire resistance shall be ascertained by test
or be assessed to be suitable for a particular application.

3.8.2.9.4. Where concrete structural elements and components are constructed in accordance
with the relevant requirements contained in ISO/TR 15655, such elements and
components may be presumed to have the fire resistance assumed for the purposes
of the required design.

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Table 3.8.2-6: Walls and Partitions

S/N Construction Minimum Thickness (mm) (Excluding Plaster)

for Period

1 Solid construction:- bonded, Stone, and 6 hours 4 hours 2 hours 1 hour ½ hour
coursed; bricks of clay, concrete or sand
lime: No plaster 216 216* 216† 102 102

2 Plastered at least 13mm thick on each side 102 64 64

3 Concrete blocks: Class 1 Aggregate: No 102 76 64

plaster

4 Class 2 Aggregate: No plaster 102 76

5 Gypsum blocks: No plaster 102 76 52

6 Plastered at least 13mm thick on each side 102 76 51

7 Wood wool slabs: Plastered at least 13mm 76 51 51

thick on each side

8 Plastered at least 13mm thick on each side 76 51 51

9 Reinforced concrete: Aggregate with 229 178 102 76 76

reinforcement (in two layers in walls over
127mm in thickness) in two different
spaced not further apart than 153mm
centers, the volume of which is not less
than 0.2 per cent of the volume of the
concrete with minimum cover of 25mm

10 Plaster board: Supported at top and bottom 19

edges in steel channels and plastered on
each side at least 16mm thickness with
gypsum plaster

11 Glass bricks: In panels not exceeding 102

4sq.m. in area with expansion joints not
less than 2.5mm per meter width of the
panel at each side of the panel, and not less
than 2.5mm per meter of the height of the
panel at the top of the panel

* Where plastered at least 25mm thick on each side with gypsum/vermiculite plaster not leaner
than 1:2 and where the wall does not exceed 3 meters either in height or length, the thickness for
this period may be 0.1m.

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†
Where plastered at least 13mm thick on each side and where the wall does not exceed 3 meters
either in height or length, the thickness for this period may be 0.1m.

Table 3.8.2-7: Hollow Stud Construction of Steel and Timber

S/N Construction Minimum Thickness (mm) on each Face for

Period

4 hours 2 hours 1 hour 1/2 hour

1 STEEL OR TIMBER STUDDING:-Plaster 19 13

on metal or timber lathing: Portland cement
plaster, Portland cement lime plaster or
gypsum plaster

2 Plaster board with or without gypsum 5 (Neat single

plaster: 10mm thick plaster board on each coat)
side

3 10mm thick perforated plaster board on 13

each side

4 Two 10mm thick plaster boards on each Nil

side

5 13mm thick plaster board on each side 10

6 19mm thick plaster board on each side Nil

Table 3.8.2-8: Floors

S/N Construction Minimum Thickness (mm) For Period

4 hours 2 hours 1 hour 1/2 hour Periods

specified
for small
houses

1 Concrete cover to 25 13 13 13
reinforcement

2 Concrete cover on bottom of 76 25 13 13

joist

3 Hollow block floor 127 89 76 63

construction : (Including
floors constructed of precast
concrete units of box-section
or 1-section): Aggregate

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thickness of non-
combustible material
(excluding ceiling fishes (if
any)

4 Concrete cover to 25 13 13 13
reinforcement

5 Solid reinforced concrete 152 102 89

construction:-(Including flat
slab construction and floors
constructed on pre-cast
inverted “U” channel or T-
sections, without a ceiling or
soffit): Thickness of
concrete

6 Filler joist construction:- 152 127 76 89

Thickness of concrete

7 Structural timber 16
construction:- (a) Plan edge
boarding on timber joists not
less than 38mm wide with
ceiling of:
(i) Timber lath and plaster-
Thickness of plaster

8 (ii) Timber lath and plaster 13

with plaster of minimum
thickness of 15mm covered
on underside with plaster,
board of thickness

9 (iii) Metal lath and plaster- 19

Thickness of plaster

10 (iv) One layer of plaster- 13

board of thickness

11 (v) One layer of plaster- 13

board of minimum thickness
of, 10mm finished with
gypsum plaster of thickness

12 (vi) One layer of plaster- 13

board of minimum thickness
of 13mm finished with
gypsum plaster of thickness

13 (vii) Two layers of plaster- 19

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board of total thickness

14 (viii) One layer of insulating 13

board of minimum thickness
of 13mm finished with
gypsum plaster of thickness

15 (ix) Wood-wool slab 25mm 5

thick finished with gypsum
plaster of thickness

16 (b) Tongued and grooved 10 16

boarding not less than 19mm 10
(nominal) thickness on
timber joists not less than
38mm wide with ceiling of:
(i) Timber lath and plaster-
Thickness of plaster

17 ii)Timber lath and plaster 5 10

with plaster of minimum 22
thickness of 19mm covered
on underside with plaster-
board of thickness

18 (iii) One layer of plaster- 5

board of minimum thickness
of 13mm finished with
gypsum plaster of thickness.

19 (iv) Two layers of plaster- 5

board of total thickness

20 (v) Wood-wool slab 25mm 16

thick finished with gypsum 16
plaster of thickness

21 (c) Tongued and grooved 13 10

boarding not less than 25mm
(nominal) thickness on
timber joists not less than
178mm deep by 51mm wide
with ceiling of:

22 (i) Metal lath and plaster 5

thickness of plaster

(ii) One layer of plaster- 19

board of thickness

23 (iii) One layer of plaster- 13 13

board of minimum thickness

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of 13mm finished with

gypsum plaster of thickness

24 (iv) Two layers of plaster 5

board of total thickness
(v) One layer of insulating
board of thickness...
(vi) One layer of insulating
board of minimum thickness
of 13mm finished with
gypsum plaster of thickness

Table 3.8.2-9: Steel Columns and Beams

S/N Construction Minimum Thickness of Protection (mm) for

Period

4 hours 2 hours 1 hour ½ hour

1 Solid protection: Columns: Reinforced 64 51 25 25

concrete

2 Solid bricks of burnt clay of sand lime Solid 76 51 51 51

blocks reinforced in every horizontal joint

3 1. Gypsum blocks 51 51 51 51

4 2. Foamed slag or pumice concrete 64 51 51 51

5 Beams: Reinforced concrete 64 51 25 25

6 Hollowed protection: Columns; Solid bricks or 114 76 51 51

burnt clay or sand lime reinforced in every
horizontal joint

7 Solid bricks of foamed slag or pumice concrete 76 51 51 51

or gypsum reinforced in every horizontal joint

8 Portland cement plaster or Portland cement-lime 19

plaster on metal lathing

9 Portland cement plaster or Portland cement-lime 25

plasters on metal lathing with reinforcement
over rendering coat

10 Gypsum plaster on metal lathing 22 16

11 Gypsum plaster on 10mm gypsum plaster 13

boards with No. 16 S.W.G. wire binding at
102mm pitch

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12 Two layers of metal lathing plastered With 19

gypsum plaster on each layer

13 Precast concrete consisting of 4 volumes of 25

vermiculite to 1 volume of Portland cement,
reinforced with expanded metal, wire mesh of
with No. 15 S.W.G. wire binding at 102mm
pitch

14 Portland cement plaster or Portland cement-lime 19

plaster on metal lathing

15 Gypsum plaster on metal lathing S-60

16 Precast concrete consisting of 4 volumes of 22 25 5 (neat

vermiculite mesh or with No. 16 S.W.G. wire 13 16 single
binding at 102mm pitch 25 coat)

The thickness of protection or any projecting cleat, projecting rivet head and the like need not
exceed 25mm. The thickness of protection on the super surface of the upper flange of an internal
mean, and on any projecting cleat, projecting rivet head and the like need not exceed 25mm.

Table 3.8.2-10: Reinforced Concrete Columns and Beams

Construction and Materials Minimum Thickness of Protection (mm)

for Period

4 hours 2 hours 1 hour ½ hour

Reinforced concrete columns 450 300 203 152

300 225

Reinforced concrete columns with light 51mm mesh Minimum Concrete to Reinforcement
reinforcement placed centrally in the concrete cover to (mm) for Period
longitudinal reinforcement
4 hours 2 hours 1 hour ½ hour

Reinforcement concrete beams 64 51 38 25

NOTE: This Table is not to be applied in the case of post- or pre-stressed concrete. Special approval of
The Authority will be required in the case of this special form of construction.

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SECTION 3: FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING

3.8.3.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.8.3.1.1. The fire-resistance ratings of structural members and assemblies shall comply
with this section and the requirements for the type of construction.

3.8.3.1.2. The fire-resistance ratings shall not be less than the ratings required for the fire-
resistance-rated assemblies supported by the structural members.

3.8.3.1.3. Structural members of any building shall be constructed so that they shall be
capable of resisting to the effect of fire and fire resistance rated in accordance
with an approved standard.

3.8.3.1.4. In this code a non-combustible condition as it relates to a structural member shall

be constructed as the member being composed entirely of a non-combustible
material excluding the lining, facing, or any other finishes.

3.8.3.1.5. The specimen shall have the same properties as the structural element to be tested
and its components like grilles, light fittings, wirings, mechanical joints, and the
same mechanical supports, size and similar edge have to be considered.

3.8.3.1.6. The fire resistance testing of structural materials shall be determined by

considering material structural properties, type of material, site characteristic
parameters, dimensions change due to temperature.

3.8.3.1.7. The visual fire resistance testing shall be in compliance with the thickness, the
loading of exposed member and the structural surface conditions.

3.8.3.2. FIRE TESTING

3.8.3.2.1. Fire testing of materials, components and elements used in buildings shall comply
with ISO/TR 10295-3.

3.8.3.2.2. The fire resistance rating of the non-symmetrical wall joint shall be tested with
both faces exposed under furnace, then it is obtained as the shortest duration from
the two tests.

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3.8.3.2.3. When evidence is provided to show that the wall was tested with the least fire-
resistant side exposed to the furnace, subject to acceptance of the building official,
the wall need not be subjected to tests from the opposite side.

3.8.3.2.4. The fire resistance rating of exterior walls having a horizontal fire separation
distance greater than 1.5m should be tested for the interior fire exposure only.

3.8.3.2.5. Devices, systems or materials that have not been tested as part of fire resistance
rated assembly are incorporated into assembly, testing is necessary to show that
the required fire resistance rating is not reduced.

3.8.3.2.6. After 30 minutes of standard fire test, exit doors and passage ways shall have a
maximum of 2500c above the ambient temperature.

3.8.3.2.7. A material shall have a time that it will withstand the standard exposure of fire
and this time is determined by the standard fire tests of material, elements or
structure.

3.8.3.2.8. The fire resistance of structural steel beams and girders protected with in
tumescent or mastic fire-resistant coatings shall be determined based on fire-
resistance tests.

3.8.3.3. FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING OF COLUMNS

3.8.3.3.1. The fire resistance rating of structural steel columns is carried out by exposing all
sides to fire and considering the standard allowable load to be supported in
accordance with ISO 834-11.

3.8.3.3.2. A structural steel column is resistance rated if the measured temperature of

exposed sides does not exceed the specified temperature. Accordance with ISO
834-7, the test shall be based on:

(i) The element thickness;

(ii) The type of protection provided; and
(iii) The surface under furnace.

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3.8.3.4. FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING FOR STRUCTURAL WALLS

3.8.3.4.1. A structural wall shall be plastered on both sides in order to increase its fire
resistance. Fire resistance test for structural walls shall comply with ISO/TS 5658-
1and ISO 10295-2, ISO 834-5 and ISO 834-1.

3.8.3.4.2. Interior walls and partitions of non-symmetrical construction shall be tested with
both faces to the furnace and the assigned fire resistance rating shall be the
shortest duration obtained from the tests conducted in compliance with ISO 834-
1, ISO/TR 834-2, ISO/TR 834-3, and ISO 834-5.

3.8.3.5. FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING FOR BEAMS AND GIRDERS

3.8.3.5.1. The fire resistance of timber beams and columns with not less than 152mm is
determined by the number of sides exposed to fire.

3.8.3.5.2. The fire resistance rating of structural members shall be determined by the fire test
procedures and the fire endurance shall not be applied to beams smaller than the
tested specimen. The test is considered if the maximum temperature is equivalent
to the designed beam or girder temperature and shall comply with ISO 834-6.

3.8.3.6. FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING FOR ROOFS AND FLOORS

3.8.3.6.1. The test shall be applied to floors and roofs systems without attached ceilings and
this requires the exposure of the fire to the specimen under test.

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SECTION 4: FIRE WALL, BARRIERS, PARTITIONS, ENCLOSURES & OPENINGS

3.8.4.1. FIRE WALLS AND PARTITIONS

3.8.4.1.1. A fire wall shall be considered as a wall of enough fire resistance, durability and
stability to endure the effects of an uncontrolled fire exposure, which should
cause the collapse of the structural framework on either side.

3.8.4.1.2. Any partition wall where the occupancy is classified R-1; R-3 or R-4 shall have a
fire resistance of not less than 30 minutes.

3.8.4.1.3. A wall in a building for any occupancy classified I-3, I-1 or I-2 shall be of
materials permitted by the building type of construction and shall have a fire
resistance of not less than 60 minutes and any such wall in any occupancy
classified B-3, R-3, R-4 or R-5 shall have a fire resistance of not less than 20
minutes.

3.8.4.1.4. For any building classified R-4 or R-5:

(i) Any wall between any garage and any habitable room shall have the same
fire resistance as that specified for the internal walls of such building;
(ii) Any door between such garage and such room shall be a solid timber or
solid timber core door not less than 40mm in thickness; and
(iii) Any roof space shall be divided by the vertical extension of such wall to
the underside of the roof covering.

3.8.4.1.5. Any partition walls or partitions put up on any storey above the third storey of any
building shall be non-combustible or shall not contribute a fire load of more than
5kg/m2 of floor area in a division if wall finishes comply with the requirements of
interior finishes.

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3.8.4.1.6. Fire partitions shall expand from the top of the foundation or floor/ceiling
assembly below to the bottom of the floor or roof covering, slab or deck above or
to the fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly above and shall
be securely attached thereto.

3.8.4.1.7. The Authority may permit the use of combustible material in a suspended floor of
a building if it is designed or constructed to accommodate two or more dwelling
units and does not exceed two storeys in height, or in a detached dwelling house
where such a floor shall be directly above ground level or above a non-
combustible floor slab.

3.8.4.1.8. Fire walls shall be designed and built with materials that have met the
requirements of ISO 834-11 and specific required instructions for fire-endurance
tests, which include placing a sample of a firewall in a furnace and heating it to a
certain temperature for a specified length of time, shall be determined
accordingly.

3.8.4.1.9. The performance evaluation for fire partition shall be done in accordance with
ISO 7892 that specifies the requirements for vertical building elements, Impact
resistance tests, impact bodies and general test procedures.

3.8.4.1.10. Fire walls shall be inspected and accepted at the time of construction in
accordance with ISO 1182 for specific method of test for determining the non-
combustibility performance, under specified conditions, of homogeneous products
and substantial components of non-homogeneous products.

3.8.4.2. FIRE BARRIERS

3.8.4.2.11. All building construction shall take account of the use of fire barriers to protect
the occupants in the event of a fire emergency and to avoid the open channel of
fire and products of combustion throughout enclosed spaces or openings.

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3.8.4.2.12. Fire barriers shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.

3.8.4.2.13. Shaft enclosures for fire barriers shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than
2 hours where connecting four stories or more, and not less than 1 hour where
connecting less than four stories.

3.8.4.2.14. The fire-resistance rating of the fire barrier separating building areas from an exit
hall comply with Section about horizontal exits.

3.8.4.2.15. Fire barriers shall embody many features that must be kept intact for the barrier to
perform its intended function of protection.

3.8.4.2.16. A fire barrier shall subdivide a floor or an area and shall be erected to extend from
the floor to the underside of the floor or roof above.

3.8.4.2.17. Fire barrier shall be continuous through all concealed spaces, such as those found
above a ceiling, including interstitial spaces.

3.8.4.2.18. The specific requirements for fire resistance testing which are unique to the
elements of construction described as separating non-load bearing elements both
horizontal and vertical as well as fire barriers shall be evaluated in accordance
with the detailed and general requirements contained in ISO 834-1

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3.8.4.3. FIRE SHAFT AND VERTICAL ENCLOSURES

3.8.4.3.19. The walls of an internal service shaft shall have a fire resistance of not less than
the requirements for structural stability given in table showing the Stability of
structural elements or components, subject to a maximum requirement of 2 hours.

3.8.4.3.20. In the case a vertical service shaft provided in a building is attached to the floors it
serves by a separating element, and such shaft does not contain any combustible
material, it shall be fire-stopped at the level of every second storey above the
bottom of such shaft and shall have a fire resistance of not less than the
requirements for structural stability, subject to a maximum requirement of 2
hours.

3.8.4.3.21. When such a shaft is so provided and it contains any combustible material, it shall
be fire stopped at the level of every storey above the bottom of such shaft.

3.8.4.3.22. Where a vertical service shaft is used for ventilation or contains non-combustible
plumbing or drainage services or is a non-combustible rubbish chute, no fire stop
shall be required within such shaft, and the doors to such shafts shall be self-
closing fire doors as shown in Table 3.8.4-1.

3.8.4.3.23. Where a service penetrates a separating element, such separating element shall be
fire stopped with a suitable system of the same rating of the element it passes
through. Such system shall have a test report prepared in accordance with the
requirements of ISO/TR 10295-3 and shall be installed in accordance with the
provisions relating thereto.

3.8.4.3.24. The proposed system should have a technical report for the intended application,
installation instructions and certification on completion.

3.8.4.3.25. In all places the opening is protected by approved power-operated automatic

shutters at every penetrated floor. The shutters shall be of non-combustible
construction and have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1.5 hours.

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3.8.4.3.26. A shaft and Non-combustible pipe, tube and channel penetrating a shaft wall shall
have approved fire barriers installed on the penetrating pipe, tube and conduit and
the air ducts passing throughout a floor shall be enclosed therein.

3.8.4.3.27. A shaft enclosed space is not required for approved masonry chimneys where
annular space is Fire blocked at each floor level and is also not required for
penetrations by ducts protected.

3.8.4.3.28. The evaluation shall be done in accordance with ISO 834 for Fire Resistance Test-
Elements of a Building.

3.8.4.4. OPENING

3.8.4.4.29. Any opening within a separation wall shall be protected and shall be provided
with a suitable fire door or fire shutter, window assemblies and fire dampers,
which shall be fitted with an approved self-closing or automatic closing device.

3.8.4.4.30. In any building, except a building classified R-5 any opening, including an
opening occupied by a stairway or escalator not forming part of an escape route,
shall not connect more than:

(i) Two storeys if such building is not protected by sprinkler system; or

(ii) Four storeys if such building is protected by sprinkler system.

3.8.4.4.31. For any opening within external wall of any division that is less than 1m measured
horizontally or vertically from an opening in another division, a 500mm
projection from such wall shall be constructed between such openings.

3.8.4.4.32. Where there is an opening in any wall required to have a fire resistance of one
hour or more, such opening shall be provided with a fire door or fire shutter of the
class given in column 3 of Table: 3.8.4-1, provided that this requirement shall not
apply in the case of any service shaft that is fire-stopped at every floor level.

3.8.4.4.33. Fire doors to service shafts and service rooms do not need to be fitted with self-
closing devices, but shall be fitted with locks that provide restricted access.

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Table: 3.8.4-1: Class of Fire Doors or Fire Shutters.

S/N Type of Wall Required Minimum Fire Class of Fire

Resistance of Wall Minutes Door or Fire
Shutter
1 Occupancy separation element 60 A
2 120 B
3 Occupancy separation- plant rooms or 120 C
4 other ancillary accommodation 60 A
5 60 A
6 Divisional separation 120 D
7 Emergency Route 120 B
8 Protected Corridor and Protected stairs 30 E
9 Service shafts not fire stopped at every
floor level 60 or 120 A or B
10 Openings in wall 30 F

3.8.4.4.34. Any fire door or fire shutter (excluding fire doors and fire shutters to service shaft
and service rooms) shall be fitted with a self-closing or automatic closing device
in accordance with the requirements ofISO 3008.

3.8.4.4.35. Any fire door which is required to have a specific fire resistance may be replaced
by two separate fire doors which shall be positioned apart not less than one and
half times the width of any leaf of such door, provided that the sum of the fire
resistances of such separate doors shall not be less than the fire resistance required
for the single door.

3.8.4.4.36. Any hinged fire doors installed shall be open in the direction of egress and be
hinged on the same side.

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3.8.4.5. PENETRATIONS

3.8.4.5.37. Penetrations for cables, cable trays, conduits, pipes, tubes, combustion vents and
exhaust vents, wires, and similar items to accommodate electrical, mechanical,
plumbing, and communications systems that pass through a wall, floor, or
floor/ceiling assembly constructed as a fire barrier shall be protected by a fire stop
system or device.

3.8.4.5.38. Any service that penetrates through any wall or floor where such wall or floor is
required to have afire resistance shall be sealed in such a manner that the fire shall
not penetrate such wall or floor.

3.8.4.6. DUCTS AND AIR TRANSFER OPENINGS

3.8.4.6.39. Fire dampers shall be installed to protect ducts and air-transfer openings that
penetrate fire barriers and fire walls, their consideration will refer to ISO 10294-3.
This shall also contain test procedures and requirements for windows, fire
dampers, pipe and duct.

3.8.4.6.40. The materials and performance evaluation shall be based on requirements of ISO
3008 in conjunction with ISO 834-1, for specific method for determining the fire
resistance of door and shutter assemblies designed primarily for installation
within openings incorporated in vertical separating elements, such as hinged and
pivoted doors, horizontally sliding and vertically sliding doors, including
articulated sliding doors and sectional doors, steel single-skin folding shutters,
other sliding, folding doors, tilting doors, rolling shutter doors and removable
panels in walls.

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3.8.4.7. SUSPENDED FLOORS AND LIFTED UP ACCESS OF COMBUSTIBLE

MATERIAL

3.8.4.7.41. Apart from the case of any building classified R-4 or R-3 which does not exceed 2
storeys in height or in the case of any building classified R-5, no suspended floor,
except a mezzanine floor, shall be permitted to be of combustible material except
if such floor has ground directly below it or is not more than 50 mm above a non-
combustible slab: Given that where the elements used for the construction of an
access floor have been approved for such use by the approving Authority such
access floor shall be permitted and:

(i) Any void below a lifted-up access floor shall be divided by fire stops into
areas of not more than 300m2 or shall be protected by a fixed automatic
fire-fighting system; and
(ii) The void below an access floor shall not be connected to any space in
another division unless such connecting opening is protected with a fire
door, fire shutter or fire damper having the same fire resistance as the
division separating element.

3.8.4.8. ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND COVERINGS

3.8.4.8.42. Where a roof of any part of a building meets any wall of a higher part of such
building and such wall has any openings in any position within 10m above and
5m to either side of such roof and for a distance of not less than 5m from such
wall shall have the fire resistance required for a division separating wall for the
occupancy in question.

3.8.4.8.43. For any combustible roof covering material including thatch, shingles and
bituminized felt on boarding that is used and planned area of such roof is more
than 20m2, the distance between the building so covered and any boundary of the
site on which such building is situated shall be not less than 4.5m.

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3.8.4.8.44. Where any roof covering includes individual small areas of combustible material,
the total area of which is not more than 5% of the roof area, and where no such
individual area is more than 20m2 such roof covering shall not be considered a
combustible roof covering provided that:

(i) Where the slope of the roof does not exceed 60 degrees there shall be a
minimum distance of 1m between any two such areas; and
(ii) Where the slope of the roof is in excess of 60 degrees there shall be a
minimum distance of 1m measured horizontally and 3.0m measured along
the slope of such roof between any two such areas.

3.8.4.8.45. For roof space that is formed between any ceiling and any roof covering, such
space shall be divided by means of non-combustible fire-stops into areas of not
more than 300m2 and the distance between such fire-stops shall be not more than
30m: Provided that this requirement shall not apply where such roof space and the
room below are protected by a fixed automatic fire fighting system.

3.8.4.8.46. For any occupancy classified R-4 the walls separating dwelling units shall be
extended and any such extension shall:

(i) Have the same fire resistance as the wall supporting it;
(ii) Be taken to the underside of any non-combustible roof or roof covering or
any concrete slab below a combustible roof covering, as the case may be;
and
(iii) Be taken to be not less than 0.3m above any combustible roof covering
other than one laid on concrete.

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3.8.4.9. CEILINGS
3.8.4.9.47. In any building not being a building classified R-5, combustible material shall not
be used for any suspended ceiling except:
(i) Solid timber; and
(ii) Air supply or return air intake grilles of combustible material where the
sum of the area of all such grilles forms not more than 5% of the total area
of such ceiling.
(iii) Specific requirements for non-load-bearing ceiling elements shall comply
with RS ISO 834-9

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SECTION 5: SMOKE BARRIERS, PARTITIONS, PENETRATIONS & DUCTS

3.8.5.1. SMOKE BARRIERS

3.8.5.1.1. Smoke barriers shall be of materials permitted by the building type of

construction.

3.8.5.1.2. One-hour fire-resistance rating is required for smoke barriers, except smoke
barriers constructed of minimum of 2.5mm thick of steel in kiosks buildings.

3.8.5.1.3. Smoke barriers shall form an effective membrane continuous from outside wall to
outside wall and from the top of the foundation or floor/ceiling assembly below to
the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above, including
continuity through concealed spaces, such as those found above suspended
ceilings, and interstitial structural and mechanicals paces.

Exception: Smoke-barrier walls are not required in interstitial spaces where such
spaces are designed and constructed with ceilings that provide resistance to the
passage of fire and smoke equivalent to that provided by the smoke barrier wall.

3.8.5.1.4. Openings in a smoke barrier shall be protected in accordance with opening

protective.

3.8.5.1.5. Joints made in or between smoke barriers shall comply with fire resistant joint
system.

3.8.5.1.6. Penetrations in a smoke barrier by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply
with duct and air transfer opening.

3.8.5.1.7. Smoke barrier walls are not required in spaces designed with ceilings, walls,
openings or roofs that resist to the passage of fire and smoke equivalent to that
provided by smoke barrier walls.

3.8.5.1.8. Smoke barriers shall be available to every sub-divide of building used by patients
for treatment or sleeping in order to avoid increase of sickness.

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3.8.5.1.9. At least two smoke barriers should be in every building occupied by residents for
sleeping or any other occupants of 50 people or more.

3.8.5.1.10. Buildings occupied by people that cannot protect themselves such prisons, jails,
reformatories, detention centers, correctional centers and pre-release centers ,
shall have smoke barriers as follows:

(i) Divide every storey used by residents for sleeping or any other storey
having 50 people or more into at least two compartments;
(ii) Limit the travelled distance to a door in smoke barrier:
a. From any room door to 30m;
b. From any point in a room to 45m; and
(iii) Limit the housing of maximum 200 residents into any smoke
compartment.

3.8.5.1.11. Smoke barrier shall be constructed and scaled to limit leakage areas exclusive of
protected openings. The maximum allowable leakage area has been calculated
using leakage area ratios.
(i) Walls A/AW = 0.00100
(ii) Exit enclosures A/AW = 0.00035
(iii) Other shafts A/AW = 0.000150
(iv) Floors and roofs A/AF= 0.00050

Where: A: Total leakage area

AF: Unit floor or roof area of the barrier
AW: Unit wall area of barrier

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3.8.5.2. SMOKE PARTITIONS

3.8.5.2.1. The walls shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.

3.8.5.2.2. Unless required elsewhere in the code, smoke partitions are not required to have a
fire-resistance rating.

3.8.5.2.3. Smoke partitions shall extend from the top of the foundation or floor below to the
underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above or to the underside of
the ceiling above where the ceiling membrane is constructed to limit the transfer
of smoke.

3.8.5.2.4. Windows shall be sealed to resist the free passage of smoke or be automatic
closing up on detection of smoke. Doors in smoke partitions shall comply with
this section:

(i) Doors in smoke partitions shall not include louvers;

(ii) Where required elsewhere in the code, doors in smoke partitions shall meet
the requirements for a smoke and draft control door assembly tested in
accordance with ISO 5925-1; and
(iii) Where required elsewhere in the code, doors in smoke partitions shall be
self-or automatic-closing by smoke detection in accordance with smoke
activated doors.

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3.8.5.2.5. The space around penetrating items and in joints shall be filled with an approved
material to limit the free passage of smoke.

3.8.5.2.6. The space around a duct penetrating a smoke partition shall be filled with an
approved material to limit the free passage of smoke. Air transfer openings in
smoke partitions shall be provided with a smoke damper complying with damper
rating. Exception: Where the installation of a smoke damper will interfere with
the operation of a required smoke control system in accordance with smoke
control systems, approved alternative protection shall be utilized.

3.8.5.2.7. Floor fire door assemblies used to protect openings in fire resistance rated floors
shall be tested in accordance with standards methods of fire test of horizontal fire
door assemblies installed in horizontal fire resistance rated assemblies.

3.8.5.3. SMOKE PENETRATIONS

3.8.5.3.1. Penetrations of fire-resistance-rated walls by ducts that are not protected with
dampers shall comply with sub-regulation 3.8.5.3.2 through dissimilar materials.
Penetrations of horizontal assemblies not protected with a shaft as permitted by a
shaft enclosure and not required to be protected with fire dampers by other
sections of this Code, shall comply with horizontal material through penetrating
items. Ducts and air transfer openings that are protected with dampers shall
comply with ducts and air transfer openings.

3.8.5.3.2. Where sleeves are used, they shall be securely fastened to the assembly
penetrated. The space between the item contained in the sleeve and the sleeve
itself and any space between the sleeve and the assembly penetrated shall be
protected in accordance with this section. Insulation and coverings on or in the
penetrating item shall not penetrate the assembly unless the specific material used
has been tested as part of the assembly in accordance with this section.

3.8.5.3.3. Penetrations into or through fire walls, fire barriers, smoke barrier walls and fire
partitions shall comply with 1 through dissimilar material. Penetration sin smoke
barrier walls shall also comply with penetration in smoke barrier:

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(i) Through penetrations of fire resistance rated walls shall comply with fire
resistance rated assemblies or through penetration fire stop system. Except
where the penetrating items are steel, ferrous or copper pipes, tubes or
conduits, the annular space between the penetrating item and the fire-
resistance-rated wall is permitted to be protected;
(ii) Membrane penetrations shall comply with through penetrations. Where
walls or partitions are required to have a fire-resistance rating, recessed
fixtures shall be installed such that the required fire-resistance will not be
reduced; and
(iii) Non-combustible penetrating items shall not connect to combustible items
beyond the point of fire stopping unless it can be demonstrated that the
fire resistance integrity of the wall is maintained.

3.8.5.3.4. Penetrations of a floor, floor/ceiling assembly or the ceiling membrane of a

roof/ceiling assembly not required to be enclosed in a shaft by Shaft enclosure
required shall be protected in accordance with Fire-resistance-rated assemblies.
Through non fire-resistance-rated assemblies:

(i) Penetrations of the fire-resistance-rated floor, floor/ceiling assembly or the

ceiling membrane of a roof/ceiling assembly shall comply with through
penetrations through dissimilar materials; and
(ii) Through penetrations of fire-resistance-rated horizontal assemblies shall
comply with Installation or Through-penetration fire stop system.

3.8.5.3.5. Penetrations in smoke barriers shall be tested in accordance with the requirements
of air leakage. The air leakage rate of the penetration assemblies measured at
7.47Pa of water in both the ambient temperature and elevated temperature tests
shall not exceed:

(i) 0.025m3/s.m2 of penetration opening for each through-penetration fire stop

system; and
(ii) A total cumulative leakage 0.024m3/s for any 9.3 m2 of wall area or floor
area.

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3.8.5.4. SMOKE DUCTS

3.8.5.4.1. Access doors in smoke ducts shall be tight fitting and meet the requirement for
duct construction. Ducts are used as member of an approved smoke control
system and the use of a fire damper shall interfere with the operation of smoke
control systems.

3.8.5.4.2. Shaft enclosure allowed to be penetrated by ducts shall be protected by approved

fire and smoke dampers installed according to their listing and usage:

(i) Ducts are used as a smoke control system where the fire damper will
interfere with the smoke control system operation;
(ii) They shall not exceed 0.06m2;
(iii) They shall be of minimum thickness of 0.55mm;
(iv) Its openings shall not communicate with rooms and other adjacent spaces;
and
(v) Installed above the ceiling.

3.8.5.4.3. Ducts that penetrate fire resistance rated assemblies and are not required by this
section to have dampers shall comply with the requirements of Installation details
through dissimilar materials. Ducts that penetrate horizontal assemblies not
required to be contained within a shaft and not required by this section to have
dampers shall comply with the requirements of horizontal assemblies through
penetrating items.

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SECTION 6: FIRE PROPERTIES FOR FINISHES

3.8.6.1. INTERIOR FINISHES

3.8.6.1.1. WALL AND CEILING FINISHES

3.8.6.1.1.1. Any combustible material shall be used as wall finish on any wall if the maximum
area of the division in which such wall is located shall be not more than the
relevant area illustrated in the Table 3.8.1-1. This shall not be applied to the
buildings which are not more than 3 storeys and the ones provided with a fixed
automatic fire-fighting system.

3.8.6.1.1.2. The required performance for interior wall and ceiling finishes materials shall be
grouped in the following defined classes in accordance with their flame spread
and smoke-developed indexes. A being the lowest flame spread and C being the
highest:

(i) Class A: Flame spread index 0-25; smoke-developed index is 0-450;

(ii) Class B: Flame spread index 26-75; smoke-developed index is 0-450; and
(iii) Class C: Flame spread index 76-200; smoke-developed index is 0-450.

3.8.6.1.1.3. The wall and ceiling finish materials shall be permitted according to their fire
resistance performance and smoke development index revealed in sub-regulation
3.8.6.1.1.2. Interior finishes for walls, ceilings and other interior surface of
buildings shall be made of materials that shall not generate toxic smoke.

3.8.6.1.1.4. All materials that have a thickness less than 0.9mm applied directly to the surface
of walls or ceilings shall not be subjected to pass through test standards.

3.8.6.1.1.5. Any combustible material used as a wall coating shall be of the type which has a
classification superior to that specified in Table 3.8.6-1.

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Table 3.8.6-1: Wall Finishes Classifications

S/N Class of Classification

Occupancy
Basement of Building up Building Building of any
Building of any to Three Exceeding Height
Height Storeys Three Storeys

Any Floor Area Except that Contained in Feeder Emergency

Column 7 or Column 8 Routes Routes

USP or SP USP SP USP SP

1 A-1 1 3 3 3 3 2 1
A-2 1 3 3 3 3 2 1
E-1&E-2 1 3 3 3 3 2 1
A-4 1 4 4 3 4 2 1

2 F-1 NC NC NC NC NC NC NC
F-2 2 3 4 3 4 3 1
F-3 2 4 5 4 5 3 1

3 I-1 NC 2 2 2 2 2 1
I-2 NC 2 2 2 2 2 1

4 M-1 3 2 3 2 3 2 1
M-2 3 2 3 2 3 2 1

5 B-3 3 4 5 4 5 3 1

6 R-1 Not permitted 3 5 3 5 3 1

R-3 3 4 2 4 3 1
R4 4 5 3 4 3 1
R2 4 5 3 4 3 1

7 S-1 NC NC NC NC NC NC NC
S-2 NC NC NC NC NC 2 1
S-3 2 3 4 2 3 2 1

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NC – Non-combustible material only

SP – Protected by a sprinkler system
USP – Not protected by a sprinkler system

3.8.6.1.1.6. Interior finish materials which are required to be fire-resistance rated or to be

constructed of non-combustible compartment materials shall be applied directly in
opposition to the exposed surface of concealed spaces created thereby fire stopped
where in excess of 3m when they are applied to walls, ceilings or structural
elements of a building or structure.

3.8.6.1.2. INTERIOR FLOOR FINISHES

3.8.6.1.2.1. Any combustible material shall be used as floor covering if the maximum area of
the division in which such floor is located, shall be not more than the relevant area
illustrated in the Table 3.8.6-1.This regulation shall not be applied to the buildings
which are not more than 3 storeys and the ones provided with a fixed automatic
fire-fighting system.

3.8.6.1.2.2. The required performance for interior floor finishes and floor covering materials
shall be considered and classified in accordance with ISO 9239-, ASTM D2646 -
18 and ASTM F1303 – 04 as follows for the most accurate measurement of
critical radiant flux of floor covering systems:

(i) Class I, critical radiant flux ≥0.45 watts/cm2; and

(ii) Class II, critical radiant flux> 0.22 watts/cm2 ≤0.45 watts/cm2

3.8.6.1.2.3. The performance evaluation test for interior floor finish and floor covering
materials shall be tested in accordance with ISO 10295-2 or ASTM D2646 – 18 or
ASTM F1303 – 04which ever is relevant, for fire tests on buildings materials and
structures, methods for fire propagation.

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3.8.6.1.2.4. In all occupancies, interior floor finish and floor covering materials in exit
passageways, enclosures, corridors and rooms or spaces not divided from
corridors by full height partitions extending from the floor to the underside of the
ceiling shall resist a minimum critical radiant flux as specified in sub-regulation
3.8.6.2.2 of this Code.

3.8.6.1.3. INTERIOR DECORATIVE MATERIALS

3.8.6.1.3.1. All current draperies, hangings and other combustible decorative materials
suspended from ceilings shall be tested to meet the requirements of flame
propagation criteria of ISO 6940 and and ISO 6941.

3.8.6.1.3.2. Any material used as interior trim shall have a minimum class C flame spread and
a smoke-developed index. Combustible trim, excluding handrails and guardrails,
shall not exceed 10% of the specific wall or ceiling area in which it is attached.

3.8.6.2. PLASTER

3.8.6.2.1. The plaster shall be applied directly on concrete or masonry or on any approved
non-combustible plastering base and furring.

3.8.6.2.2. The minimum thickness of plaster made either in gypsum or Portland cement in
relation to the fire-resistant systems shall be established by the prescribed fire
tests. For the fire-resistance purposes, the thickness of plaster shall be 25mm for
Portland cement plaster or 19mm for gypsum sand plaster.

3.8.6.2.3. The plaster shall be protected with reinforcement with additional layer of
approved lath embedded at least 19.1mm from the outer surface and fixed
securely in place if the requirements of sub-regulation 3.8.6.2.2 are not fulfilled.

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CONTENTS

PART 9: FIRE DETECTION & SUPPRESSION ........................................................................................ 53

SECTION 1: AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS……………………………………. 53
SECTION 2: AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS………………………. 55
SECTION 3: STANDPIPE SYSTEMS……………………………………………………… 59
SECTION 4: PORTABLE & MOBILE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS…………………… 69
SECTION 5: FIRE ALARMS & DETECTION SYSTEMS………………………… 72
SECTION 6: SMOKE CONTROL………………………………………………………….. 76
SECTION 7: FIRE PUMPS………………………………………………………................ 79
SECTION 8: FIRE HYDRANTS……………………………………………………………... 83
SECTION 9: FIRE INSTALLATIONS…………………………………………………….. 86

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PART 9: FIRE DETECTION & SUPPRESSION

SECTION 1: AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

3.9.1.1. A fixed automatic sprinkler system that is designed, Installed and maintained by
competent persons in accordance with relevant parts of ISO 6182 and in
conjunction with RS 186, as appropriate shall be provided:

(i) In any building that exceeds 30m in height, except where such building is
exclusively of an occupancy classified where the division size is not
greater than 500m2;
(ii) In any basement storey which exceeds 500m2 in floor area; and
(iii) In any other storey which exceeds 500m2 in total floor area and such storey
is not provided with breakable or openable panels suitable for smoke-
ventilation.

3.9.1.2. Any approved fixed means of automatic fire extinguishment shall be

automatically connected independently to the backup system for emergency
situations.

3.9.1.3. Any concealed space, not being a roof space, which has a clear height exceeding
800mm and a total area of compartment of more than 100m2 above any ceiling or
a total area of compartment of more than 300m2 below any raised floor shall be
equipped with a sprinkler system.

3.9.1.4. Any sprinkler system shall be fitted with twin coupling for the attachment of fire-
pump and provided that:

(i) Such coupling shall be painted lime yellow;

(ii) The pressure exerted by such pump shall not be more than 1000Pa; and
(iii) Such pressure limitation shall be clearly marked on such coupling.

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3.9.1.5. Each sprinkler system zone in buildings that are more than 128m in building
height shall be supplied by a minimum of two risers. Each riser shall supply
sprinklers on alternate floors. If more than two risers are provided for a zone,
sprinklers on adjacent floors shall not be supplied from the same riser.

3.9.1.6. Smoke compartments containing patient sleeping units shall be equipped

throughout with an automatic sprinkler system and shall be equipped with
approved quick-response or residential sprinklers.

3.9.1.7. Stages shall be equipped with an automatic fire-extinguishing system. Sprinklers

shall be installed under the roof and gridiron and under all catwalks and galleries
over the stage. Sprinklers shall be installed in dressing rooms, performer lounges,
shops and storerooms accessory to such stages.

3.9.1.8. Sprinklers are not required for stages 93m2 or less in area and 15.2m or less in
height where curtains, scenery or other combustible hangings are not retractable
vertically. Combustible hangings shall be limited to a single main curtain,
borders, legs and a single backdrop.

3.9.1.9. Actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall immediately sound an alarm at
the building at a constantly attended location from which emergency action.

3.9.1.10. Automatic sprinkler systems protecting commercial-type cooking equipment shall

be supplied from a separate, readily accessible, indicating-type control valve that
is identified.

3.9.1.11. In buildings where an automatic sprinkler system is required by this code, it shall
be unlawful to occupy any portion of a building or structure until the automatic
sprinkler system installation has been tested and approved.

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3.9.1.12. Operation of sprinkler control valves shall be permitted only by properly

authorized personnel and shall be accompanied by notification of duly designated
parties. When the sprinkler protection is being regularly turned off and on to
facilitate connection of newly completed segments, the sprinkler control valves
shall be checked at the end of each work period to ascertain that protection is in
service.

3.9.1.13. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout assembly occupancy

like night clubs, symphony and concert halls buildings in all its parts like floors,
exit discharge comply with relevant parts of ISO 6182-10.

SECTION 2: AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

3.9.2.1. Automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be installed on each floor at a distance
of 15m apart.

3.9.2.1.1. Where storage of goods is to a height of more than 3m in any occupancy classified
S-1 or S-2, an approved fixed installation of automatic fire extinguisher shall be
provided at the maximum division area Table 3.8.1-1 in accordance with part8,
Section 1 of this Code.

3.9.2.1.2. Each required commercial kitchen exhaust hood and duct system shall be
protected with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system installed in
accordance with ISO 6183. Inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishers shall
be done in accordance with ISO/TS 11602-2.

3.9.2.1.3. Electrical wiring for Automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be installed and
governed in accordance with RS EAS 811 and conductors and insulated cables
shall comply with RS IEC 60228 and in case of power cut, shall automatically
use standby power or emergency power.

3.9.2.1.3.1. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be automatically actuated and

provided with a manual means of actuation in accordance Manual system
operation:

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(i) A manual actuation device shall be located at or near a means of egress

from the cooking area a minimum of 3.0m and a maximum of 6.1m
from the kitchen exhaust system. The manual actuation device shall be
installed at 1.2m above the floor and shall clearly identify the hazard
protected; and
(ii) The manual actuation shall require a maximum force of 178N and a
maximum movement of 356mm to actuate the fire suppression system.

3.9.2.1.3.2. The actuation of the fire suppression system shall automatically shut down the
fuel or electrical power supply to the cooking system.

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3.9.2.1.3.3. Automatic equipment interlocks with fuel shutoffs, ventilation controls, door
closers, window shutters, conveyor openings, smoke and heat vents and other
features necessary for proper operation of the fire extinguishing system shall be
provided as required by the design and installation standard utilized for the hazard
refer to RS ISO 14520-1.

3.9.2.1.3.4. Where alarms are required to indicate the operation of automatic fire-
extinguishing systems, distinctive audible and visible alarms and warning signs
shall be provided to warn of pending agent discharge and where exposure to
automatic-extinguishing agents poses a hazard to persons and a delay is required
to ensure the evacuation of occupants before agent discharge, a separate warning
signal shall be provided to alert occupants once agent discharge has begun.
Audible signals shall be in accordance with RS 186-4.

3.9.2.1.3.5. Monitoring of fire extinguishing systems; Where a building fire alarm system is
installed, automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be monitored by the building
fire alarm system in accordance with ISO 7240.

3.9.2.2. Fire extinguishing systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the
provisions of RS ISO 116024.

3.9.2.2.1. Prior to conducting final acceptance tests, the inspection of automatic fire
extinguishing systems should refer to ISO 11602.

(i) Hazard specification for consistency with design hazard;

(ii) Type, location and spacing of automatic- and manual-initiating devices;
(iii) Size, placement, hose reel and position of nozzles or discharge orifices;
(iv) Location and identification of audible and visible alarm devices;
(v) Identification of devices with proper designations; and
(vi) Operating instructions.

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3.9.2.3. Monitoring and testing of fire alarm connected to automatic fire-extinguishing

systems. Connections to protected premises and supervising station fire alarm
systems shall be tested to verify proper identification and retransmission of alarm
from automatic fire-extinguishing systems.

3.9.2.4. Dry and wet chemical extinguishing systems shall be installed, maintained,
periodically inspected and tested in accordance with ISO 6182-1 and RS186-4
and ISO 7202 respectively and their listing.

3.9.2.5. Foam-extinguishing systems shall be installed, maintained, inspected and tested

periodically.

3.9.2.6. Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems shall be installed, maintained, periodically

inspected and tested in accordance with ISO 6183, ISO/TS 11602-2 and ISO 6182
respectively.

3.9.2.6.1. Dampers shall be installed at either the top or the bottom of the duct and shall be
arranged to operate automatically upon activation of the fire-extinguishing
system. Where the damper is installed at the top of the duct, the top nozzle shall
be immediately below the damper.

3.9.2.6.2. Automatic carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems shall be sufficiently sized to

protect against all hazards venting through a common duct simultaneously.

3.9.2.7. Clean-agent and Halogenated extinguishing systems shall be installed,

maintained, periodically inspected and tested in accordance with ISO/TS 11602-2
and ISO 7201-1 respectively and their listing.

3.9.2.7.1. The automatic fire-extinguishing system for commercial cooking systems shall be
of a type recognized for protection of commercial cooking equipment and exhaust
systems of the type and arrangement protected as referred to IEC 309.

3.9.2.7.2. Commercial-type cooking equipment protected by an automatic carbon dioxide-

extinguishing system shall be arranged to shut off the ventilation system upon
activation refer to IEC 68-2-1 and ISO 21927-10.

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SECTION 3: STANDPIPE SYSTEMS

3.9.3.1. CLASSES OF STANDPIPE SYSTEM

The standpipe system shall be in accordance with the following three classes:

(i) A system providing 64mm hose connections to supply water for use by fire
departments and those trained in handling heavy fire streams;
(ii) A system providing 38mm hose stations to supply water for use primarily
by the building occupants or by the fire department during initial response;
and
(iii) A system providing 38mm hose stations to supply water for use by
building occupants and 64mm hose connections to supply a larger volume
of water for use by fire departments and those trained in handling heavy
fire streams.
3.9.3.2. The stand pipe system that are used in construction shall be matched with the
following types:

(i) Standpipe system filled with pressurized air that is arranged through the
use of a device, such as dry pipe valve, to admit water into the system
piping automatically upon the opening of a hose valve. The water supply
for an automatic dry standpipe system shall be capable of supplying the
system demand;
(ii) A wet standpipe system that has a water supply that is capable of
supplying the system demand automatically;
(iii) A dry standpipe system that does not have a permanent water supply
attached to the system; in order to meet the system demand, manual dry
standpipe systems require water from a fire department pumper to be
pumped into the system through the fire department connection;

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(iv) A wet standpipe system connected to a water supply for the purpose of
maintaining water within the system but does not have a water supply
capable of delivering the system demand attached to the system. In order
to meet the system demand, manual-wet standpipe systems require water
from a fire department pumper to be pumped into the system; and
(v) A dry standpipe system that is arranged using a device, such as a deluge
valve, to admit water into the system piping upon activation of a remote-
control device located at a hose connection. A remote-control activation
device shall be provided at each hose connection. The water supply for a
semiautomatic dry standpipe system shall be capable of supplying the
system demand.

3.9.3.4. INSTALLATION OF STANDPIPE

3.9.3.4.1. The cover shall be of steel or other hard metal not readily attacked by cement
paste, shall have corrosion resistance and shall have interior surfaces inclined at
not less than 10° from the surface of the flange.

3.9.3.4.2. The outer rim and lower surface of the flange and the sloping interior face shall be
machined to a smooth finish. The cover shall have provision for being clamped to
the container to make a pressure seal without entrapping air at the joint between
the flanges of the cover and the container.

3.9.3.4.3. Class 3 standpipe systems shall be installed throughout buildings where the floor
level of the highest story is located more than 9.1m above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access, or where the floor level of the lowest story is located
more than 9.1m below the highest level of fire department vehicle access.
Exceptions:

(i) Class 1 standpipes are allowed in buildings equipped throughout with an

automatic sprinkler system;

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(ii) Class 1 manual standpipes are allowed in open parking garages where the
highest floor is located not more than 45.7m above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access;
(iii) Class 1 manual dry standpipes are allowed in open parking garages that are
subject to freezing temperatures, provided that the hose connections are
located as required for Class 2 standpipes; and
(iv) Class 1 standpipes are allowed in basements equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system.

3.9.3.4.4. Class 1 automatic wet standpipes shall be provided in non-sprinkled buildings

having an occupant load exceeding 1000 persons. Exceptions:

(i) Open-air-seating spaces without enclosed spaces; and

(ii) Class 1 automatic dry and semiautomatic dry standpipe or manual wet
standpipes are allowed in buildings where the highest floor surface used
for human occupancy is 22.9m or less above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access.

3.9.3.4.5. A covered mall building shall be equipped throughout with a standpipe system
where required. Covered mall building not required to be equipped with a
standpipe system by sub-regulation 3.9.3.5.1 shall be equipped with Class 1 hose
connections connected to the automatic sprinkler system sized to deliver water at
1000 L/M at the most hydraulically remote hose connection while concurrently
supplying the automatic sprinkler system demand. The standpipe system shall be
designed not to exceed 345kPa residual pressure losses with a flow of 1000 L/M
from the fire department connection to the hydraulically most remote hose
connection. Hose connections shall be provided at each of the following locations:

(i) Within the mall at the entrance to each exit passageway or corridor;
(ii) At each floor-level landing within enclosed stairways opening directly on
the mall;
(iii) At exterior public entrances to the mall; and

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(iv) At other locations as necessary so that the distance to reach all portions of
tenant space does not exceed 60m from a hose connection;

3.9.3.5. MATERIALS

All standpipes shall be constructed of approved materials by Rwanda standard

board. All pipes, fittings and valves shall be of extra heavy pattern when the
normal working pressure shall be specified.

3.9.3.6. CONSTRUCTION AND TESTS

3.9.3.6.1. All standpipe systems shall be flow tested and hydrostatical tested in accordance
with the standards for fire protections.

3.9.3.6.2. Dry and wet standpipes shall be of wrought iron or galvanized steel and together
with fittings and connections shall be of enough strength to withstand enough
water pressure when ready for service, without leaking at the joints, valves, or
fittings.

3.9.3.6.3. Tests shall be conducted by the owner or the building contractor in the presence of
a representative of the Authority whenever deemed necessary for the purpose of
certification of its proper function and that shall be approved by national
institution in charge of standards after checking all requirements.

3.9.3.7. SIGNS

An iron or bronze sign with raised letters at least 25mm high shall be rigidly
attached to the building adjacent to all Siamese connections and such signs shall
read: “CONNECTION TO THE STANDPIPE”

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3.9.3.8. COMBINATION OF STANDPIPE AND SPRINKLER SYSTEM

3.9.3.8.1. Where a standpipe system riser also serves as the water sprinkler system riser in
buildings required to have both systems or in buildings having both systems,
control valves shall be installed where sprinklers are connected to the riser so that
sprinklers are under the control of a separate floor control valve(s) to allow
standpipes to remain operational while the sprinkler system is in a closed position.

3.9.3.8.2. If control valves are located in a separate room or building, a sign shall be
provided on the entrance door. The lettering of such sign shall be of a clear color
and shall be at least 100mm in height and shall read “Standpipe Control Valve” or
indicate other types of systems.

3.9.3.9. INSTALLATION REQUIREMENT

Standpipe systems shall be installed where required by building height through

Marinas and boatyards, and in the locations indicated in each standpipe classes.
Standpipe systems can be combined with automatic sprinkler systems.

Generally, standpipe systems are not required in one and two-family dwellings or
in underground houses.

3.9.3.9.1. STANDPIPE SYSTEMS IN BUILDING HEIGHT

3.9.3.9.1.1. Class 3 standpipe systems shall be installed throughout buildings where the floor
level of the highest story is located above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access.

Exceptions:

(i) Class 1 standpipe systems are allowed in buildings equipped throughout

with an automatic sprinkler system;

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(ii) Class 1 manual standpipe systems are allowed in open parking garages
where the highest floor is located not more than 45.7m above the lowest
level of fire department vehicle access;
(iii) Class 1 manual dry standpipe systems are allowed in open parking garages
that are subject to freezing temperatures, provided that the hose
connections are located as required for Class 2 standpipes in accordance
with standpipe connections; and
(iv) Class 1 standpipe systems are allowed in basements equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system.

3.9.3.9.1.2. Wherever required in all buildings, standpipes are used depending to its storeys or
height.

Table 3.9.3-1: Supply Pipe Sizing

S/N Maximum Building Height (m) Minimum Riser Size (mm)

1 4 storeys or 15.24 62

2 6 storeys or 22.86 100

3 23.16m to 76.20 150

4 Over 76.20 200

3.9.3.10. STANDPIPE IN MALL BUILDINGS

3.9.3.10.1. A covered mall building shall be equipped throughout with a standpipe system
where required by building height. Covered mall buildings not required to be
equipped with a standpipe system by building height shall be equipped with class
1 hose connections connected to a system sized to deliver water at specified
discharge.

3.9.3.10.2. Hose connections shall be provided at each of the following locations:

(i) Within the mall at the entrance to each exit passageway or corridor;

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(ii) At each floor-level landing within enclosed stairways opening directly on

the mall; and
(iii) At exterior public entrances to the mall.

3.9.3.10.3. UNDERGROUND BUILDINGS

Underground buildings shall be equipped throughout with a Class 1 automatic wet

or manual wet standpipe system.

3.9.3.10.4. HELISTOPS AND HELIPORTS

Buildings with a helistop or heliport that are equipped with a standpipe shall
extend the standpipe to the roof level on which the helistop or heliport is located
in accordance with Rwanda Standard for fire protections.

3.9.3.11. LOCATION OF CLASS 1 STANDPIPE HOSE CONNECTIONS

3.9.3.11.1. Class 1 standpipe hose connections shall be provided in all the following
locations:

(i) In every required stairway, a hose connection shall be provided for each
floor level above or below grade;
(ii) Hose connections shall be located at an intermediate floor level landing
between floors, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official;
(iii) On each side of the wall adjacent to the exit opening of a horizontal exit;
and
(iv) In every exit passageway at the entrance from the exit passageway to other
areas of a building.

3.9.3.11.2. In covered mall buildings, adjacent to each exterior public entrance to the mall
and adjacent to each entrance from an exit passageway or exit corridor to the
mall.

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3.9.3.12. PROTECTION

3.9.3.12.1. Risers and laterals of class 1 standpipe systems not located within an enclosed
stairway or pressurized enclosure shall be protected by a degree of fire resistance
equal to that required for vertical enclosures in the building in which they are
located.

3.9.3.12.2. Except in buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler

system, laterals that are not located within an enclosed stairway or pressurized
enclosure are not required to be enclosed within fire-resistance-rated construction.

3.9.3.12.3. In buildings where more than one standpipe is provided, the standpipes shall be
interconnected.

3.9.3.13. LOCATION OF CLASS 2 STANDPIPE HOSE CONNECTIONS

3.9.3.13.1. Class 2 standpipe hose connections shall be accessible and located so that all
portions of the building are within 0.9m of a nozzle attached to 30.5m of hose.

3.9.3.13.2. Fire-resistance-rated protection of risers and laterals of Class II standpipe systems

is not required.

3.9.3.13.3. In buildings where more than one class 2 standpipes required, the standpipe
system shall provide 38.1mm hose stations to supply water for use primarily by
trained personnel or by the fire department during initial response.

3.9.3.14. LOCATION OF CLASS 3 STANDPIPE HOSE CONNECTIONS

3.9.3.14.1. Class 3 standpipe systems shall have hose connections located as required for
class 1 standpipe and shall have class 2 hose connections as required.

3.9.3.14.2. Risers and laterals of class 3 standpipe systems shall be protected as required for
class 1 systems.

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3.9.3.14.3. In buildings where more than one class 3 standpipes is provided, the standpipes
shall be interconnected at the bottom.

3.9.3.15. VALVE SUPERVISION

3.9.3.15.1. Valves controlling water supplies shall be supervised in the open position so that a
change in the normal position of the valve will generate a supervisory signal at the
supervising station required by sprinkler system monitoring and alarms where a
fire alarm system is provided, a signal shall also be transmitted to the control unit.
Exceptions:

(i) Valves to underground key or hub valves in roadway boxes provided by

the town or public utility do not require supervision; and
(ii) Valves locked in the normal position and inspected as provided in this
code in buildings not equipped with a fire alarm system.

3.9.3.16. STANDPIPES FOR BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR

DEMOLITION

3.9.3.16.1. Standpipes required by this section are to be either temporary or permanent in

nature, with or without a water supply, provided, however, that such standpipes
conform to the requirements of health hazards as to number of risers, capacity,
outlets and materials.

3.9.3.16.2. Provisional or permanent standpipes shall be installed, as the work of the building
progresses, beginning at the fifth storey.

3.9.3.16.3. In construction progresses the standpipe shall be carried up with each floor and
shall be installed and ready for use. Standpipes shall be extended as construction
progresses to within one floor of the highest point of construction having secured
decking.

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3.9.3.16.4. Hose outlets shall be provided with caps and attachment chains and all outlets of
standpipe shall be equipped with gate valves.

3.9.3.16.5. Temporary or permanent standpipe installation shall be provided at the street level
connected to one or more two-way fire department inlet connections. Fire
department inlet connections shall always be prominently marked and readily and
easily accessible .

3.9.3.16.6. Where a building is being demolished and a standpipe is existing within such a
building. Such standpipe shall be maintained in an operable condition in order to
be available for use by the fire department. Such standpipe shall be demolished
with the building but shall not be more than one floor below the floor above being
demolished.

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SECTION 4: PORTABLE & MOBILE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

3.9.4.1. For the relevant occupancy and floor area, any building containing an occupancy
given in Table 3.9.4-1 shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers, as
prescribed table, in approved positions.

3.9.4.2. Approved of portable fire extinguisher installed in a building shall comply with
the requirements contained in RS ISO 7165, and relevant parts of RS ISO 11602-
1 and RS ISO 11602-2, shall be installed, maintained and serviced in accordance
with institution in charge of standards.

3.9.4.3. Authority may specify the type of portable fire extinguisher to be provided and
may require that the number of fire extinguishers shall be installed in excess of
the number indicated in Table 3.9.4-1 if in its opinion any particular hazards risks
warrant such increase.

3.9.4.4. Such portable fire extinguishers shall bear a certification mark from an accredited
certificate on body in this Code or where it cannot so bear such mark shall be
clearly marked by the institution in charge of standards to indicate that it has been
evaluated and is acceptable by the institution in charge of standards.

3.9.4.5. Additional portable fire extinguishers shall be provided where special hazards
exist, such as the storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids.

3.9.4.6. For the occupancy in which it is installed, the type of portable fire extinguisher
shall have a capacity or mass rating as follows:

(i) for an occupancy classified A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, I-1, I-2, I-3, M-1, M-
2, M-3, B-3, R-1, R-3 or R-4.
a. water type of 9 litres
b. Foam type of 9 litres
c. Carbon dioxide type of 4.5kg
d. Dry chemical type of 9kg

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(ii) For an occupancy classified A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, S-
1, S-2 or S-3.
a. water type of 9 litres
b. Foam type of 9 litres
c. Carbon dioxide type of 5kg
d. Dry chemical type of 9kg

Table3.9.4-1: Provision of Portable Extinguishers

S/N Classification of Occupancies Number of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Relative to Floor Area (m2)

1 B-1, F-1, F-2, S-1, S-2, S-3 1 per 100

2 A-1, A-2, A-3, B-2, F-3, I-1, I-2, I-3, 1 per 200
M-1, M-2, M-3, B-3, R-1, R-3

3 A-4, A-5, B3, F-4, R-4, S-4 1 per 400

3.9.4.7. MOBILE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

3.9.4.7.1. Any fire extinguisher exceeding the capacities prescribed in the relevant
institution in charge of standards specification and fitted with suitable wheels for
transportation shall be deemed to be a mobile fire extinguisher.

3.9.4.7.2. An approved mobile fire extinguisher may replace half the portable fire
extinguisher as given in Table3.9.4-1, provided that:

(i) The capacity of any such mobile fire extinguisher shall be at least equal to
the combined capacity of the number of portable fire extinguisher it
replaces;
(ii) It contains the same extinguishing medium as required for such portable
extinguisher;
(iii) It replaces such portable extinguisher only on the floor and with the
division concerned;

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(iv) The floor area to be served by it does not exceed 500% of that given in
Table 3.9.4-1 or 100% on single level, whichever is the lesser;
(v) Such mobile fire extinguisher is kept in readily accessible position; and
(vi) The extinguishing medium complies with the appropriate requirements of
institution in charge of standards.

3.9.4.8. PROVISION

3.9.4.8.1. Such portable fire extinguisher shall bear the mark of standardization as
contemplated in these regulations or where it cannot so bear such mark be clearly
marked by the institution in charge of standards to indicate that it has been
evaluated by and is acceptable to institution in charge of standards.

3.9.4.8.2. Employee’s assigned fire-fighting duties shall be trained to know the locations
and proper use of portable fire extinguishers.

3.9.4.8.3. Every building must have portable fire extinguisher for fire protection purpose.
For buildings which have no portable fire extinguisher before, should be installed
for fire fighting.

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SECTION 5: FIRE ALARMS & DETECTION SYSTEMS

3.9.5.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.9.5.1.1. Any building with following occupancy shall have a fire detection system:

(i) I-2, irrespective of height or floor area;

(ii) B-3, with a floor area of more than 500 m2; and
(iii) R-1 or R-3, with a height of more than 8m.

3.9.5.1.2. Any occupied building exceeding 30m in height or containing any storey
exceeding 5000m2 in floor area, other than a building mentioned in sub-regulation
3.9.5.1.1 shall be equipped with fire detection and manually activated fire alarm
system and an emergency evacuation communication system.

3.9.5.1.3. The drawings for fire alarm systems shall be submitted to the Authority for review
and approval prior to system installation.

3.9.5.1.4. Fire alarm systems shall be installed on each section.

3.9.5.2. FIRE SAFETY FUNCTIONS

3.9.5.2.1. Automatic fire detectors utilized for the purpose of performing fire safety
functions shall be connected to the building's fire alarm control unit where a fire
alarm system is required.

3.9.5.2.2. Detectors shall, upon actuation, perform the intended function and activate the
alarm notification appliances or activate a visible and audible supervisory signal
at a constantly attended location.

3.9.5.2.3. In buildings which are not equipped with a fire alarm system, the automatic fire
detector shall be powered by normal electrical service and, upon actuation,
perform the intended function.

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3.9.5.3. INITIATING DEVICES

3.9.5.3.1 In areas that are not continuously occupied, single smoke detector shall be
provided at the location of each fire alarm control unit, notification appliance
circuit power extenders, and supervising station transmitting equipment.

3.9.5.3.2 Where a manual fire alarm system is required, it shall be activated by fire alarm
boxes installed in accordance of this Code.

3.9.5.3.3 Where an automatic smoke detection system is required it shall utilize smoke
detectors unless ambient conditions prohibit such an installation. In spaces where
smoke detectors cannot be utilized due to ambient conditions, approved automatic
heat detectors shall be permitted.

3.9.5.3.3.1 For conditions other than specific fire safety functions noted in sub-regulation
3.9.5.2; in areas where ambient conditions prohibit the installation of smoke
detectors, an automatic sprinkler system installed in such areas in accordance with
Part 9, Section 1 of this Code and that is connected to the fire alarm system shall
be approved as automatic heat detection.

3.9.5.4. OCCUPANT NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS

3.9.5.3.4 A presignal feature shall not be installed unless approved by the Authority and the
fire department. Where a presignal feature is provided, a signal shall be
annunciated at a constantly attended location approved by the fire department, in
order that occupant notification can be activated in the event of fire or other
emergency.

3.9.5.3.5 ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES

3.9.5.3.5.1 Any building classified in these occupancies A-1, A-5, A-3, or B-3 shall equipped
with manually activated audible alarm system emitting a distinctive sound that is
not to be used for any purpose other than that of a fire alarm.

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3.9.5.5.2.1.1. The audible alarm notification appliances shall provide a sound pressure level of
15 decibels above the average ambient sound level or 5 decibels above the
maximum sound level having duration of at least 60 seconds, whichever is
greater, in every occupiable space within the building.

3.9.5.5.2.1.2. The maximum sound pressure level for audible alarm notification appliances shall
be 110 decibels at the minimum hearing distance from the audible appliance.
Where the average ambient noise is greater than 95 decibels, visible alarm
notification appliances shall be provided.

3.9.5.4.2.2. VISUAL NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

3.9.5.4.2.2.1. Visual notification appliances shall only be required to be installed in public and
common areas.

3.9.5.4.2.2.2. Visual notification appliance circuits shall have a minimum of 25% spare capacity
to accommodate additional visual notification appliances being added to
accommodate employees who are deaf or have hearing impairments.

3.9.5.4.2.2.3. Visual notification appliances shall not be installed in exit enclosures i.e., exit
stairs.

3.9.5.4.2.2.4. Visible appliances shall include on their nameplates reference to their parameters
or reference to installation documents.

3.9.5.5. INSTALLATION OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

3.9.5.3.6 A fire alarm and detection systems shall be installed in accordance with RS 186-4.

3.9.5.3.7 Each floor shall be zoned separately, and a zone shall not exceed 2090m2 and the
length of any zone shall not exceed 92m. In high-rise buildings, a separate zone
by floor shall be provided for each of the following types of alarm-initiating
devices where provided:

(i) Smoke detectors;

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(ii) Sprinkler water flow devices;

(iii) Manual fire alarm boxes; and
(iv) Other approved types of automatic fire detection devices or suppression
systems.
3.9.5.3.7.1 A zoning indicator panel and the associated controls shall be provided in an
approved location.

3.9.5.3.8 For the purpose of emergency, the fire alarm and detection systems shall be
connected to the backup power which will help those systems to work properly in
case of fire outbreak.

3.9.5.3.9 Access shall be provided to each fire alarm device and notification appliance for
periodic inspection, maintenance and testing.

3.9.5.6. COMPLETION AND TESTS OF ACCEPTANCE

3.9.5.3.10 Upon completion of the installation, the fire alarm system and all fire alarm
components shall be tested in accordance with this Code.

3.9.5.3.11 When the installation of the alarm devices is complete, each device and
interconnecting wiring for multiple-station alarm devices shall be tested the fire
brigade in accordance with this Code.

3.9.5.3.12 A record of completion in accordance with this Code verifying that the system has
been installed and tested in accordance with the approved plans and specifications
shall be provided.

3.9.5.7. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

3.9.5.3.13 The maintenance for fire alarm and fire detection systems shall be done in
accordance with RS 186-4.
3.9.5.3.14 The fire alarm and detection systems shall be inspected for every 3months.

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SECTION 6: SMOKE CONTROL

3.9.6.1. Apart from the requirements for the total area of any opening and door or
openable glazed window given in the Section about Natural ventilation; any room
of which the floor area is more than 500m2 shall be provided with:

(i) A system of mechanical smoke ventilation; and

(ii) Any single storey building or room that has a floor area up to 2500m 2 and
that is not fitted with a sprinkler protection system, roof ventilators or
openable windows or panels to permit smoke ventilation and such roof
ventilators or openable windows or panels shall:

a. Have an aggregate area of not less than 3% of the floor area of such
room or, in the case of any single storey building where such room has
an occupancy classified F-2 or F-3, not less than 1.5% of the floor area
of such room;
b. Be designed to open automatically when activated by heat or smoke
detectors or, where not so designed, shall be capable of being
manually operated, without the use of special tools, from the floor of
such room: Provided that where such room is so situated that neither a
roof space nor an external wall of the building form part of such room,
such room shall be equipped with a system of mechanical smoke
ventilation;
c. Be in the roof or in the upper third of the walls, as the case may be,
and be distributed in such a way that smoke will be evenly extracted
from all parts of the room; and
d. Be designed to maintain a clear layer of 2.5m above the floor of the
highest occupied level.

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3.9.6.2. SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

3.9.6.2.1. A combination of fans, dampers, warning devices, within the building shall be
shown on the fire-fighter's control panel with a clear indication of the direction of
airflow and the relationship of components shall be displayed.
3.9.6.2.2. Smoke detectors shall be installed on each floor.

3.9.6.2.3. Status indicators shall be provided for all smoke control equipment, enunciated by
fan and zone, and by pilot-lamp-type indicators as follows:

(i) Fans, dampers and other operating equipment in their normal status-white;
(ii) Fans, dampers and other operating equipment in their off or closed status-
red;
(iii) Fans, dampers and other operating equipment in their own or open status-
green; and
(iv) Fans, dampers and other operating equipment in a fault status-
yellow/amber.

3.9.6.2.4. In the building the fire-fighters’ control panel shall provide control capability
over the complete smoke-control system equipment as follows:

(i) On-auto-off control over each individual piece of operating smoke control
equipment that can also be controlled from other sources within the
building. This includes stairway pressurization fans; smoke exhaust fans;
supply, return and exhaust fans; elevator shaft fans and other operating
equipment used or intended for smoke control purposes;
(ii) Open-auto-close control over individual dampers relating to smoke control
and that are also controlled from other sources within the building; and
(iii) On-off or open-close control over smoke control and other critical
equipment associated with a fire or smoke emergency and that can only be
controlled from the fire-fighter's control panel.

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3.9.6.2.5. Smoke control system shall activate dampers and fans to be initiated immediately
after receiving of an appropriate automatic or manual activation command.

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SECTION 7: FIRE PUMPS

3.9.7.1. The fire pump, driver and controller shall be protected against possible
interruption of service through damage caused by explosion, fire, flood,
earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandalism and other adverse
condition.

3.9.7.2. Fire pumps shall be located in rooms that are separated from all other areas of the
building by 2-hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with fire barriers or 2
hours horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with horizontal assemblies
or both.

3.9.7.3. Suitable means shall be provided for maintaining the temperature of a pump room
or pump house, where required, above 40°F.

3.9.7.4. Temperature of the pump room, pump house or area where Engines are installed
shall never be less than the minimum recommended by the engine manufacturer.
The engine manufacturer's recommendations for oil heaters shall be followed.

3.9.7.5. Fire pump test outlet valves shall be supervised in the closed position.

3.9.7.6. REQUIREMENTS

3.9.7.6.1. The pump intake shall be either connected to the public underground water supply
piping or a static water source (tank, reservoir).

3.9.7.6.2. Fire pump for protection purposes shall be usually driven by an independent
reliable prime mover.

3.9.7.6.3. The fire pumps shall be installed on the building for fire protection in the fire
pumps rooms.

3.9.7.6.4. Fire pumps shall be supplied with an adequate source of power and shall be
automatic in operation.

3.9.7.6.5. Fire pumps shall have a capacity required with a pressure at the topmost hose
outlet.
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3.9.7.6.6. The source of supply for such pump shall be a street water main of not less than
100mm diameter or a well or cistern containing a one-hour supply.

3.9.7.6.7. If the building does not have enough municipal water supply for design of a fire
sprinkler system available to the floor without installation of a new fire pump,
work areas shall be protected by an automatic smoke detection system throughout
all occupied spaces other than sleeping units or individual dwelling units that
activates the occupant notification system.

3.9.7.6.8. Fire pumps shall be needed when the local municipal water system cannot provide
sufficient pressure to meet the hydraulic design requirements of the fire sprinkler
system. This usually occurs if the building is very tall, or in systems that require a
relatively high terminal pressure at the fire sprinkler in order to provide a large
volume of water.

3.9.7.7. LOCATION OF FIRE PUMPS

3.9.7.7.1. Fire pumps shall be located in rooms that are separated from all other areas of the
building by 2 hours fire barriers or 2 hours horizontal assemblies, or both.

Exceptions: In other than high-rise buildings, separation by 1hour fire barriers

constructed or 1hour horizontal assemblies, or both, shall be permitted in
buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.

3.9.7.7.2. Suitable means shall be provided for maintaining the temperature of a pump room
or pump house, where required, above 11oc.Temperature of the pump room, pump
house or area where engines are installed shall never be less than the minimum
recommended by the engine manufacturer.

3.9.7.7.3. Do not place or store hazardous refrigerants, gas pipes, gas meters or gas-
consuming devices in a fire pump room.

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3.9.7.8. OPERATION

3.9.7.8.1. Water supply to required fire pumps shall be supplied by connections to a

minimum of water main located in different streets or storage tank.

3.9.7.8.2. Separate supply piping shall be provided between each connection to the water
main and the pumps. Each connection and the supply piping between the
connection and the pumps shall be sized to supply the flow and pressure required
for the pumps to operate.

3.9.7.8.3. The fire extinguishing system in any building shall be equipped with automatic
pump starting mechanisms and shall be fitted with an alarm system designed to
emit a continuous audible warning whenever any pump installed in the system is
activated.

3.9.7.8.4. The reflux valve in a fire extinguishing system in any building shall not be
positioned to prevent the flow of water from a fire-pump connection to a hydrant
valve or fitted hose reel that is connected to the system.

3.9.7.9. PROVISION

3.9.7.9.1. Every high-rise building must have fire pumps for protection purpose. For
buildings which did not have fire pumps before, they should be installed for
firefighting.

3.9.7.9.2. Hose reels shall be installed on each floor.

3.9.7.10. SUPERVISION

3.9.7.10.1. Where provided, the fire pump suction, discharge and bypass valves, and isolation
valves on the backflow prevention device or assembly shall be supervised open by
one of the following methods:

(i) Central-station, proprietary or remote-station signalling service;

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(ii) Local signalling service that will cause the sounding of an audible signal at
a constantly attended location;
(iii) Locking valves open; and
(iv) Sealing of valves and approved weekly recorded inspection where valves
are located within fenced enclosures under the control of the owner.

3.9.7.10.2. There should be supervision periodically to check whether fire pump connections
are well connected or there is no leakage.

3.9.7.10.3. Fire pump test outlet valves shall be supervised in the closed position.

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SECTION 8: FIRE HYDRANTS

3.9.8.1. Hydrants in positions subject to direction by the local authority shall be provided
in:

(i) Any building that exceeds 12m in height; and

(ii) Any building of any height with a total floor area that exceeds 1000m2

3.9.8.2. Any hydrant required in terms of sub-regulation 3.9.9.3 shall be provided at a rate
of not fewer than one per 1000m2 or part thereof of total floor area and not fewer
than one per storey located in the firemen’s lift lobby in such building or
occupancy, or emergency stairway where no firemen’s lift is provided, as the case
might be, and shall be distributed in such a manner that the fire hose referred to in
sub-regulation 3.9.9.5 can reach to every part of the relevant area.

3.9.8.3. Any hydrant shall be provided with an appropriate fire hose of 24m or 30m in
length, together with couplings and a 45 and /or 75mm internal diameter nozzle,
such hose and nozzle shall, when positioned in the open air or in any factory
building, be suitably housed in a cupboard.

3.9.8.4. In any industrial park, permanent amusement park or exhibition ground, shopping
center or group housing, cluster housing, or townhouse complex there shall be
installed ground or raised hydrants so placed that no point in such amusement
park or exhibition ground or shopping center or in any building in such housing
complex shall be at a distance greater than 90m from any hydrant.

3.9.8.5. A hydrant shall comply with the requirements of relevant part of ISO 6182-16.

3.9.8.6. Hydrants shall not be used for any other purpose other than fire protection without
express permission of the local Water Authority.

3.9.8.6.1. Public fire hydrants shall be installed and maintained by the Authority. These
shall be installed in public rights-of-way, City-owned property, or City-approved
easement and connected to local Authority water mains.

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3.9.8.6.2. Public fire hydrants shall be located in streets or roads dedicated to public use.
Locations of public fire hydrants shall be approved by the local Water Authority
prior to installation. Any applicant wishing to use those public fire hydrants shall
pay the appropriate charge.

3.9.8.7. Anyone who operates or attempts to operate a fire hydrant without permission of
the local Water Authority shall be guilty of an offence, except in the event of an
emergency.

3.9.8.8. Where the gradient of an existing street or property is changed at the request of
the property owner, such that an existing public fire hydrant will not be at the
proper elevation with respect to the ground, the hydrant will be raised or lowered
at the expense of the property owner.

3.9.8.9. Shrubs, trees, flowers or weeds shall not be planted nor permitted to grow so as to
prevent full view of a fire hydrant from the street.

3.9.8.10. Painting of fire hydrants shall be done by the local authority only. The hydrant
bonnets are color coded to show the amount of water that can be discharged out of
them as specified in Table 3.9.8-1 below.

Table 3.9.8-1: Colours showing the amount of water that can be discharged out

S/N Bonnet Colour Litters per Minute

1 Green 4,000 or greater

2 Orange 2,000 - 4,000

3 Red Less than 2,000

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3.9.8.11. Hose reels for the purposes of fire-fighting shall be installed in any building of
two or more storeys in height or in any single-storey building of more than 250m2
in floor area at a rate of 1 hose reel for every 500m2 or part thereof of floor area of
any storey; provided that such hose reels shall not be required in any building in
any dwelling unit provided with independent access to ground level.

3.9.8.12. Any hose reel installed in such building shall comply with the requirements
contained in ISO 4642-1.

3.9.8.13. Any hose reel so installed shall be positioned to ensure that the end of the hose
will reach any point in the area to be protected.

3.9.8.14. Any hose reel installed in any building shall bear, in a prominent position on the
reel disc facing the user and the mark of standardization relative to the
requirements of institution in charge of standard.

3.9.8.15. Where a satisfactory water supply and pressure are not available, two fire
extinguishers shall be provided in place of each required hose reel.

3.9.8.16. The fire equipment and hose connected to supply the system shall not block
access to the buildings for other fire equipment. Their inlet shall not be less than
45 and /or 75mm.

3.9.8.17. Fire department connections shall be equipped with plugs or caps to prevent dirt
and other foreign objects from entering the piping. It is important to replace
broken or missing caps to maintain the connections in working order.

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SECTION 9: FIRE INSTALLATIONS

3.9.9.1. APPROVED FIRE INSTALLATIONS

3.9.9.1.1. Every approved fire installation shall be linked to a communication pipe supplied
by the local authority. However, the Building Consent Authority may, subject to
any conditions it may consider necessary, allow such fire installation to be
connected to approved alternative source of supply or source of non-potable
water.

3.9.9.2. DESIGN OF FIRE INSTALLATIONS

3.9.9.2.1. In every fire installation, acceptable pumping connections and means of

measuring water pressure shall be provided.

3.9.9.2.2. In every fire installation, isolating valves shall be provided to regulate the flow of
water to the installation, and to point within the installation, as the approving
Authority shall be required.

3.9.9.2.3. In every fire installation, the quantity, pressure and rate of flow of water shall be
satisfactory for the supply of any hose reel, hydrant or sprinkler system.

3.9.9.2.4. Every fire installation furnished with automatic pump starting mechanisms shall
be fitted with an alarm system designed to emit a continuous audible warning
whenever and for so long as any pump installed in the installation is set in motion.

3.9.9.2.5. Every fire installation furnished with manual pump starting mechanisms shall be
kept constantly charged with water and shall at all times be under-the supervision
and control of a person who is fully knowledgeable with all the technical details
of the installation and its warning devices.

3.9.9.2.6. Every alarm system shall be provided with an alarm cancel button.

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3.9.9.2.7. Every pump unit and its starting and driving mechanisms shall be installed in a
ventilated compartment constructed to have a fire resistance rating of not less than
2 hours and wherever every compartment is located at or below ground level, the
means of access shall be adjacent to a street, public place or an open area on the
site. Whenever such compartment is located in a basement, the means of access
thereto shall be enclosed by walls having a fire resistance rating of not less than 2
hours and shall not be used as a means of access to any other part of the building.

3.9.9.2.8. Every fire installation shall be thus erected as to provide:

(i) The quantity of water satisfactory for the operative operation of that
number of hose reels, hydrants and sprinkler heads which may be operated
or come into operation simultaneously in every division; and
(ii) Flow pressure, at any hose reel or hydrant, of not less than 300kN/m2 and a
flow rate of not less than:
a. 0.5 litres per hose reel; and
b. 20 litres per hydrant.
(iii) Flow pressure and flow rate at the control valve of any sprinkler system
suitable to the hazard rating of such system.

3.9.9.2.9. In every fire installation; the nominal diameter of:

(i) Every communication pipe serving such installation shall be not less than
75mm;
(ii) Every pipe distribute water to any fire hydrant shall be not less than
75mm; Provided that where the length of such pipe is more than 50m the
nominal diameter of such pipe and of the communication pipe to which
the installation is connected shall be not less than 100mm;

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(iii) Every service pipe distributes water to any hose reel on any one floor of a
building shall be not less than:
a. 25 mm, if it serves 1 or 2 hose reels;
b. 32 mm, if it. Serves 3 hose reels;
c. 40 mm, if it serves 4 or 5 hose reels;
d. 50 mm, if it serves more than 5 hose reels.
(iv) Every pipe which serves any hydrant and hose reel installation or an
automatic sprinkler installation, shall be provided with an identical
pumping connection;
(v) Every pipe which serving only hoses reels shall be provided with a single
pumping connection; and
(vi) Every pipe fitted with one or more fire-pump connections shall be fitted
with a pressure gauge reading up to 2500kN/m2 and a reflux valve so
located as to shut off automatically the direct supply of water from the
local authority system to such installation whenever and for so long as any
such fire pump connection is in use.

3.9.9.2.10. No reflux valve in any fire installation shall be so positioned as to prevent or

hinder the flow of water from any fire-pump connection to any hose reel or
hydrant connected to such installation.

3.9.9.2.11. Every fire installation shall be connected:

(i) Directly to the communication pipe where the local water supply can
provide the rate and pressure of flow requested for hose reels; and
(ii) To a storage tank of satisfactory capacity where thus requested by the
approving Authority or where the local Authority‘s water supply is not
capable of providing such pressure and rate of flow.

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3.9.9.3. FIRE SAFETY INSTALLATIONS

3.9.9.3.1. The proprietor/tenant of a building shall make sure that maintenance of every fire
safety installation for the building is carried out by a suitably skilled person.

3.9.9.3.2. The proprietor/tenant of a building shall make sure that every fire safety
installation for the building is inspected and tested at intervals.

3.9.9.3.3. If the record of maintenance for a fire safety installation for a building shows that
the corrective action is required for the installation, the proprietor of the building
shall make sure that the corrective action is taken not later than 1 month after the
maintenance of the installation was carried out.

3.9.9.3.4. The proprietor/ tenant of a building shall formulate a statement that complies with
the part about the maintenance of each prescribed fire safety installation for the
building.

3.9.9.3.5. The proprietor/ tenant of an accommodation building for which a fire safety
management plan is necessary shall keep:

(i) The record of maintenance for the building; and

(ii) The tenant statements prepared for the building.

3.9.9.4. SUPPLY OF WATER

3.9.9.4.1. Water shall not be taken from a supply system for use in any fire installation,
unless request has been submitted to the local authority for the supply of such
water and such request has been approved.

3.9.9.4.2. Storage tank shall be related, delivered with water and controlled in accordance
with the following necessities:

(i) The connection among such storage tank and any supply pipe shall be
above the level of the outlet of the topmost hose reel; and

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(ii) Storage tank shall be delivered with water in a way satisfactory to fill and
to maintain it automatically to its required capacity except when any hose
reel connected to it is in use, and where the supply of water is controlled
by a ball valve, such valve shall have a diameter of not less than 20mm
and shall be fitted with a manually operated shut-off valve.

3.9.9.4.3. Wherever in every fire installation, every hydrant valve or hose reel is installed at
a height greater than that at which the authority can maintain a satisfactory water
supply from its water supply system or through the equipment of its Fire
department, such installation shall:

(i) Be capable of maintaining a flow rate of not less than 20 litres at a gauge
pressure of not less than 300kPa at any hydrant valve connected to such
fire installation;
(ii) Be provided with; A tank located at or below ground level which shall:
a. Have a capacity of not less than 25,000 litres;
b. be supplied by a service pipe which has a diameter of not less than
20mm and is connected to a communication pipe and provided with a
pressure gauge reading up to 2,500kPa, controlled at its outlet by a
high-pressure automatic shut-off valve;
c. be linked to an additional service pipe which has a diameter of not less
than 100mm, a twin fire-pump connection fitted at its inlet and an
outlet so positioned as to discharge into the top of the tank;
d. be provided with a gauge to indicate the level of water contained in the
tank
(iii) Be driven by an electric motor connected to the normal electric power
supply and to a diesel-electric unit which shall start automatically and
immediately in the event of failure of the normal electric power supply;
and
(iv) Be connected to a delivery pipe having a diameter of not less than 100mm,
or not less than 150mm in the case of any delivery pipe which exceeds a
height of 50m above the pump.
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3.9.9.5. COMMUNICATION PIPE

3.9.9.5.1. Every fire installation shall be linked to a communication pipe provided by the
local water authority and located at a position and depth to be determined by the
approving Authority.

3.9.9.6. WATER METER

3.9.9.6.1. Water meter shall be provided in every fire installation by the local water
authority.

3.9.9.7. ISOLATING VALVES

3.9.9.7.1. An isolating valve shall be fitted in any fire installation at a position not more than
1.5m inside the boundary of the site.

3.9.9.8. FIRE COMMAND CENTRE

3.9.9.8.1. LOCATION

3.9.9.8.1.1. Wherever required in buildings and construction, a fire command center for fire
department operations must be provided. The place and accessibility of the fire
command center shall be approved by the fire department and the designer.

3.9.9.8.1.2. The fire command center shall be separated from the remainder of the building by
not less than an hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with
horizontal assembly.

3.9.9.8.1.3. A layout of the fire command center and all features required by this section to be
contained therein shall be submitted for approval prior to installation

3.9.9.9. SUGGESTED ARRANGEMENT

3.9.9.9.1. A Fire Command Centre should be established in:

(i) High-rise buildings;

(ii) Underground establishments that manages public transport;
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(iii) Industries;
(iv) Middle-rise buildings that manages patient confined to bed;
(v) Oil refineries; and
(vi) Building contaminant

3.9.9.9.2. EQUIPMENT NOT PERMITTED WITHIN A FIRE COMMAND CENTER

3.9.9.9.2.1. Some equipment like pumps, pipes sprinkler control valves, an internal
combustion engine and pipe fittings must not be located in a fire control Centre
but may be located in rooms accessed through the fire control Centre.

3.9.9.9.2.2. The external face of the door to the fire control room must have a sign with the
words “FIRE COMMAND CENTER” or “FIRE CONTROL ROOM” in letters of
not less than 50mm high and of a colour which contrasts with that of the
background.

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PART 10: REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBILITY& EVACUATION

CONTENTS

PART 10: REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBILITY & EVACUATION .............................. 95

SECTION 1: GENERAL MEANS OF EGRESS ………………………………………… 95
SECTION 2: EVACUATION………………………………………………………………. 98
SECTION 3: REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF BUILDINGS FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES…………………………………………………………….. 108

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PART 10: REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBILITY & EVACUATION

SECTION 1: GENERAL MEANS OF EGRESS

3.10.1.1. EXIT AND DOORS ACCESS

3.10.1.1.1. Means of egress from dwelling units or sleeping areas shall not lead through other
sleeping areas, toilet rooms, bathrooms, storage rooms or kitchens. Exit
requirements and personal hazards shall comply with RS 186-5

3.10.1.1.2. The exit doors shall be readily openable from the egress side without the use of a
key or special knowledge or effort and emergency lighting shall be provided.

3.10.1.1.3. Exterior exit doors shall lead directly to the exit discharge or the public way.

3.10.1.1.4. Where the occupants of any room are not more than 25 persons, the clear width of
any exit door shall be not less than 0.90m.

3.10.1.1.5. A boardroom, lecture room or classroom that has a population of more than 50
persons or any other room that has a population of more than 25 persons shall
have not less than two exit doors, and such doors shall open in the direction of
travel along the escape route with an aggregate width of not less than the required
width for an escape route for such population, in accordance with the measure of
the travel distance.

3.10.1.1.6. Where two or more exit doors are required, they shall be positioned as far apart as
is practicable, but not closer than 5m from each other.

3.10.1.1.7. where the occupancy is classified as A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, I-2, I-3, M-1 or M-3 an
exit door of any room shall open in the direction of travel along the escape route,
provided that in any occupancy classified as E-1 where the population of the room
is less than 50 persons, such door may open into such room against the direction
of travel along the escape route.

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3.10.1.2. ACCESS TO BUILDINGS FOR FIRE-FIGHTING AND SALVAGE

PURPOSES

3.10.1.2.1. Not any construction shall be erected on any site unless such site is provided with
suitable access for the purposes of fire-fighting in and salvage from such
construction by the Fire Services of the Authority.

3.10.1.2.2. Every escape door shall be clearly branded from the exterior of the building.

3.10.1.2.3. The number of any floors shall be indicated inside any emergency route on any
access door.

3.10.1.2.4. All buildings shall be provided with access to their interior for rescue and fire-
fighting purposes by such services.

3.10.1.2.5. The requirements of sub-regulation 3.10.1.3.4 shall not apply to any portion of a
building which is to be used for the purposes of a normally unoccupied strong
room, record room or security vault.

3.10.1.3. SIGNPOSTING AND MARKING

3.10.1.3.1. All building that has escape routes shall be clearly marked and signposted to
direct the direction to be travelled in the case of any emergency.

3.10.1.3.2. All characters, symbols and marks used shall be:

(i) International and visual; and

(ii) Internal and external illuminated with intensity not less than 50 lux.

3.10.1.3.3. Over any exit doors of any hall or auditorium shall be display “EXIT” with a
height not less than 0.15m.

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3.10.1.3.4. In the case of occupancies classified as A-2,I-1,I-2,I-3or in any building normally

occupied during the hours of darkness, such marks or signs shall, in the event of
the failure of the normal mains supply, be so illuminated for not less than 2 hours.
And the emergency power supply to the lighting of such marks or signs shall be
protected against the effects of fire for a period of not less than 2 hours.

3.10.1.3.5. In order to insure the safety of occupants, the local authority may require the
provision of signs prohibiting exit.

3.10.1.3.6. The exit door mark is not required when used as normal egress and for a room
which has a population less than 25 persons.

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SECTION 2: EVACUATION

3.10.2.1. EVACUATION PLANNING REQUIREMENTS

3.10.2.1.1 Emergency evacuation plans of building occupants shall be prepared in advance

and all occupants must be well fitted in the operation of such plan.

3.10.2.1.2 Evacuation plan shall include:

(i) The action to be taken by the person discovering a fire;

(ii) The action to be taken for evacuation of the building and assuring
accountability of the occupants;
(iii) The action to be taken pending the arrival of emergency services; and
(iv) An evacuation floor plan that identifies exit doors and windows.

3.10.2.1.3 Each building shall have an emergency evacuation diagram/ plan, that is simple to
read in the event of fire or other hazardous materials emergency.

3.10.2.1.4 The evacuation plan of occupants who due to illness, injury or disability shall
indicate the comfortable escape route in the event of an emergency.

3.10.2.1.5 Planning for evacuation of persons with visual impairments shall be included in
the health and safety procedures and in regular evacuation exercises.

3.10.2.1.6 Any owner or occupier of a building shall ensure the fire and evacuation plan for
the building is kept in written form.

3.10.2.1.7 Any modification conducted to an existing building shall be accomplished in that

manner that ensures conformity with all the safety requirements of the new
buildings.

3.10.2.1.8 All alterations shall not, in any way, bring down level of fire and life safety below
that which existed earlier. Any addition or alterations or construction of dividing
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for floor area exceeding 500m2 for all high rise buildings shall be with approval of
local fire department.

3.10.2.2. THE LOCATION OF EVACUATION PLANS AND SIGNS

3.10.2.2.1. Every building shall have emergency evacuation plan on each floor and shall be
clearly marked and signposted to indicate the direction to be travelled in the case
of any emergency.

3.10.2.2.2. A suitable and approved emergency plan and evacuation route should be affixed
to the back of every room door of building.

3.10.2.2.3. Emergency evacuation route signs shall be located high up against walls or hang
from ceilings.

3.10.2.2.4. At any landing of stairway or escalator system a sign shall be displayed indicating
the direction of at least one of the escape routes.

3.10.2.2.5. Any mark or sign contemplated in this Code shall comply with the requirements
of sub-regulation 3.10.1.3.3.

3.10.2.2.6. When any building is occupied, any mark or sign shall be illuminated in accordance
with sub- regulation 3.10.1.3.2.

3.10.2.2.7. In the case of occupancies classified A2, I-1, I-2, I-3 or in any building normally
occupied during the hours of darkness and having a population exceeding 100
persons, the marks or signs shall in the event of the failure of the normal mains
supply be illuminated for not less than 2 hours.

3.10.2.2.8. The emergency power supply to the lighting of such marks or signs shall be
protected against the effects of fire for a period of not less than 2 hours.

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3.10.2.3. EVACUATION/ESCAPE ROUTES REQUIREMENTS

3.10.2.3.1. All buildings must be provided with one or more escape routes that can be used in
case of fire or other emergencies. The route should at all points, be wide enough
to allow the persons using such route to move rapidly along it and it must not, at
any time, be obstructed in any way.

3.10.2.3.2. Any wall enclosing an emergency route shall have a fire resistance of not less than
2 hours or the relevant time required for stability of structural elements or
components given in Table 3.10.2-1.

3.10.2.3.3. Any floor or ceiling of emergency route shall have a fire resistance of not less
than 2 hours or the relevant time required for the stability of structural elements or
component as Table 3.10.2-2.

3.10.2.3.4. The finish of the floor of any escape route shall have a slip resistant surface, shall
be free from any projections, indentations, hollows or covering which may cause
a person to trip.

3.10.2.3.5. The last component of any emergency route shall discharge at ground level
directly to a street or public place or to an approved open air space leading to a
street or public place.

3.10.2.3.6. Any access door or any other door, being a component of emergency route shall
be a hinged door which shall open in the direction of egress from the building.

3.10.2.3.7. Any revolving or sliding door or automatically operated door or shutter shall be
equipped with an approved fail-safe system and there shall be an adjacent
alternative hinged door which shall comply with all regulations relating to hinged
doors in emergency routes.

3.10.2.3.8. The width of any escape route within any room having a population of more than
25 persons shall be not less than 800mm.

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3.10.2.3.9. The width of any part of an escape route between any exit door and the end of
such route shall be not less than 1.1m.

3.10.2.3.10. Any escape route shall be provided throughout its length width clear headroom of
2m and in any lobby, foyer or vestibule the minimum room height shall be not
less than 2.4m.

3.10.2.3.11. In any building the width of any escape route to be provided in respect of any
room, storey or portion shall be not less than that given in Table 3.10.2-3 for the
population concerned.

3.10.2.3.12. No individual escape route shall be designed for a population of more than 200
persons.

3.10.2.3.13. Where there are two or more emergency routes, such route shall be discounted in
determining the widths required for the remainder.

3.10.2.3.14. The regulations given for the sitting and dimensioning of escape routes shall apply
essentially to in any design for fire protection measures in a shopping mall. The
larger shops in a shopping mall shall have escape routes independent of those
provided for the remainder of the mall.

3.10.2.3.15. The simultaneous evacuation route from all parts of the stadium shall be
considered and it shall be possible to consider alternative means of escape.

3.10.2.3.16. Every building of a height of more than three storeys shall be provided with not
less than two escape routes. Any such emergency route shall include any stairway
forming part of the escape route and also that part of the escape route from the
lower end of the stairway to any escape door.

3.10.2.3.17. Every building which is not classified in building occupancy F-4 or R-5 and
storey below the ground storey shall be served by not less than two separate
emergency route stairways.

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3.10.2.3.18. All building shall be inspected by a qualified person from the Authority; to check
if they fulfill the evacuation requirements before being occupied or used for any
purpose and shall comply with ISO 23601.

3.10.2.3.19. A number of exits required in the escape routes in buildings shall comply with the
provisions of Table 3.10.2-4 below:

Table 3.10.2-1: Stability of Structural Elements or Component

S/N Occupancy Class of Stability (minutes)

Occupancy
Single Double 3-10 11 Basement
Storey Storey Storey Storey in any
Building Building Building Building Building
and
Over
1 Entertainment A-1 30 60 120 120 120
and public
assembly

2 Theatrical and A-2 30 60 120 120 120

indoor sport

3 Places of A-3 30 30 90 120 120

instruction

4 Worship A-4 30 60 90 120 120

5 Outdoor sport A-5 30 30 60 90 120

6 High risk B-1 60 60 120 180 120

commercial
service

7 Moderate risk B-2 60 120 120 120

commercial
service

8 Low risk B-3 30 30 90 120 120

commercial
service

9 Exhibition hall A-1 60 90 120 120 120

10 Museum A-2 30 60 90 120 120

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11 High risk F-1 60 90 120 180 240

industrial

12 Moderate risk F-2 30 60 90 120 180

industrial

13 Low risk F-3 30 30 60 120 120

industrial

14 Plant room F-4 30 30 60 90 120

15 Places of I-1 60 60 90 120 120

detention

16 Hospital I-2 60 90 120 180 120

17 Other I-3 60 60 120 180 120

institutional
(residential)

18 Large shop M-1 60 90 120 180 120

19 Small shop M-2 30 60 120 180 120

20 Wholesalers’ M-3 30 90 120 120 120

store

21 Offices B-3 30 30 60 120 120

22 Hotel R-1 30 120 120

23 Dormitory R-2 30 120 120

24 Domestic R-3 30 120 120

residence

25 Detached R-4 30 N/A 120

dwelling house

26 High risk storage S-1 60 1 80 240

27 Moderate risk S-2 30 120 180

storage

28 Low risk storage S-3 30 90 120

29 Parking garage S-4 30 90 120

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Table 3.10.2-2: Fire Resistance of Occupancy and Division Separating Elements

S/N Occupancy Fire Resistance (minutes)

1 All building occupancies class other than those 60

referred below.

2 A-1, B-1, F-1, I-1, I-2, I-3, M-1, M-3, S-1 120

Table 3.10.2-3: Width of Escape Routes

S/N Maximum Number of Persons Maximum Width (mm)

1 120 1100

2 130 1200

3 140 1300

4 150 1400

5 160 1500

6 170 1600

7 180 1700

8 190 1800

9 200 1900

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Table 3.10.2-4: The Minimum Number of Escape Routes per Number of Population

S/N Population in Building Exits

1 Up to 200 2

2 200-300 3

3 300-400 4

4 400-550 5

5 550-700 6

6 700-850 7

7 850-1000 8

8 1000-1500 9

9 1500-2000 10

10 Over 2000 10+1 for each 500 additional

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3.10.2.4. STAIRWAYS CONSIDERATIONS

3.10.2.4.1. At any storey level, the entrance to any stairway forming part of an emergency
route shall not be closer than 5m to the entrance to any other such stairway.

3.10.2.4.2. Any stairway forming part of an emergency route shall discharge into a corridor
or foyer forming part of such emergency route or into a street, public place or
approved open space.

3.10.2.4.3. Any stairway forming part of an emergency route from any storey above ground
level shall not have direct access to any basement.

3.10.2.4.4. No escalator shall form a component of any emergency route.

3.10.2.4.5. Where any stairway forms part of an emergency route such stairway shall,
throughout its length, be provided with a handrail on each side.

3.10.2.4.6. The width of any stairway forming part of an emergency route shall be not less
than that given in Table 3.10.2-3 for the population concerned and such width
shall be not more than 1.9m.

3.10.2.4.7. The distance between any change in floor level and the centre line of a doorway in
an emergency route or between two changes of floor level in such route shall be
not less than 1.5m.

3.10.2.4.8. No curved or winding stairs shall form part of any emergency route.

3.10.2.4.9. Any change in the level of the floor of any emergency route other than by a
stairway between levels shall be effected by means of a ramp or steps:

(i) No such ramp shall have a slope exceeding 1 in 8; and

(ii) In the case of steps, not less than three steps shall be provided.

3.10.2.4.10. No external stairway shall be permitted to be a component of any emergency route

of any building which exceeds 18m in height unless such stairway is, subject to
the requirement of the ventilation.

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3.10.2.4.11. No window, door or other unprotected opening in any facade of a building shall
be closer than 3m to any access door or any open stairway forming part of an
escape route.

3.10.2.5. VENTILATION OF STAIRWAYS IN AN EMERGENCY ROUTE

3.10.2.5.1 Any enclosed stairway which a component of any emergency route in any
building is not exceeding 30m in height shall be provided with a window or other
opening not less than 1m2 in area for ventilation to the outside of the building at
each storey level.

3.10.2.5.2 The enclosed stairway which can be used as emergency route in any building not
exceeding 30m in height shall be ventilated by means of a roof ventilator having
an effective area of not less than 25% of the plan area of the stairwell and such
ventilator shall be permanently open.

3.10.2.6. LIGHTING OF FEEDER AND EMERGENCY ROUTES

3.10.2.6.1. Any emergency route shall be provided with artificial lighting complying with
ISO 30061 and at any time when the building containing such route is occupied
there shall be a minimum luminance of 50 lux on a horizontal plane 100mm
above the floor.

3.10.2.6.2. In any building having a population of more than 100 persons an adequate number
of emergency light sources shall be installed along such emergency route and
such light sources shall be connected to emergency power supply which is
independent of the mains supply and capable of providing power supply to such
emergency light sources for not less than 60 minutes.

3.10.2.6.3. Any feeder route in any basement or in any building classified A1, A2, A3, A4, I-
2, I-3, M-1, M-3 or R-3, shall be provided with emergency lighting. In any
occupancy classified in A3 having a population of less than 50 persons, such
feeder route shall not be required to be provided with such lighting.

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SECTION 3: REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF BUILDINGS FOR PERSONS WITH

DISABILITIES

3.10.3.1. RAMPS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

3.10.3.1.1. Design of facilities of people with disabilities shall be done in accordance with
the provisions given in this code in conjunction with the requirements of RS 155

3.10.3.1.2. For fire protection considerations, where there is level difference, ramps shall be
provided to avoid the curbs and to permit the physically challenged persons to
access the area.

3.10.3.1.3. RAMPS SHALL BE DESIGNED AS FOLLOWS:

(i) Ramps shall be not less than 1.5m wide;

(ii) A space not less than 1.5m square shall be provided at the head and foot of
every ramp;
(iii) Where a ramp is at a gradient of 1 in 20 or steeper, a landing 1.5m long
shall be provided for each 10m of horizontal run or part thereof;
(iv) Any ramp with a rise greater than 0.2m, leading down towards an area
where vehicular traffic is possible, shall have a railing across the full
width of its lower end, not less than 1.5m from the foot of the ramp;
(v) No ramp shall be at a gradient exceeding 1 in 12%; and
(vi) All ramps shall be provided with handrails on both sides. Supports shall
not cause an obstruction to a height of 0.7m above ramp level.

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3.10.3.2. DROPPED CURBS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

3.10.3.2.1. To ensure the safe passage of persons with disabilities, the dropped curb shall be
used where there are changes in level at curbs. Dropped curbs shall be provided at
pedestrian crossing and at each end of the footpath of a private street or access
road.

3.10.3.2.2. Dropped curbs shall also be used at the separation of ramps from vehicular areas
to enable the passage of wheelchairs users and other persons with physical
challenges. Dropped curbs shall be constructed as follows:

(i) The length of dropped curbs shall be not less than 1.2m;
(ii) The pavement at dropped curbs shall be ramped at a gradient of less than 1
in 6% and there shall be a space of not less than 0.8m wide at the back of
the ramp; and
(iii) Curbs adjoining dropped curbs shall be ramped at a gradient of less than 1
in 6%.

3.10.3.3. LIFTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

3.10.3.3.1. Accessibility on entrance or use and/or exit shall be provided to every floor of a
multi-storey building by at least one lift having:

(i) Minimum internal car dimensions of 1.2m by 1.1m wide; with a clear door
width when opened of not less than 0.9m;
(ii) Essential lift control buttons or switches not less than 0.9m and not more
than 1.2m above the floor of the car; and
(iii) Handrails extending to within 0.15m of the corners at the rear and sides of
the car which are suitable for use by the persons with disability.

3.10.3.4. DOORS SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE PROTECTION FOR PERSONS

WITH DISABILITY

The dimensions of doors for accessibility and use of building by the persons with
disability shall comply with the following specifications:

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(i) Doors shall have a clear width of not less than 0.75m between the open
door and opposite jamb or other leaf;
(ii) The unobstructed area adjacent to the door handle on the leading face of a
single door shall not be less than 0.38m wide;
(iii) Doors, if less than 0.38m from the corner of a room, shall swing from the
side nearer that corner;
(iv) Double-action self-closing doors shall have a check mechanism to prevent
the doors swinging beyond the closed position and transparent panel with
the bottom edge not more than 1m and the top edge not less than 1.5m
above floor level;
(v) Door handles shall be not less than 0.9m and not more than 1.05m above
floor level, measured from the top surface of the grip; and
(vi) Door thresholds shall not exceed 25mm in height.

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3.10.3.5. HANDRAILS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

In order to ensure safety during the escape of fire;

3.10.3.5.1. Handrails to ramps and stairs shall be fixed not less than 30mm and not more than
50mm clear of walls and alternatively other obstructions and with a clear height of
70mm from the top of the bracket to the top of the handrail.

3.10.3.5.2. The tops of handrails shall be of a height of not less than 850mm or more than 1m
above nosing, floor or landing level.

3.10.3.5.3. Handrails shall extend horizontally not less than 0.3m beyond the first and last nosing
of every flight of steps or beyond the ends of a ramp.

3.10.3.5.4. Additional requirements for handrails shall be dimensions in according with RS 115-
2011

3.10.3.6. WHEEL CHAIR SPACES

3.10.3.6.1. The wheel chair users shall be considered in order to be protected during fire
attack, therefore the area of every building which is a place of public function
such as entertainment at spectator level shall be provided with one-wheel chair
space for every 400 or part of 400 seats in the auditorium.

3.10.3.6.2. For the purposes of this regulation a wheel chair space shall be taken as a
rectangle of 0.76m by 1.37m with a side of 0.76m being toward the stage, podium
or screen.

3.10.3.6.3. Wheel chair space shall be designed and availed in conformity with relevant parts
of ISO 7176being toward the stage, podium or screen.

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3.10.3.7. ROOMS FOR THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

For safety of persons with disabilities during fire, the hotel or motel with 100
guest rooms or more shall provide not less than 2 guest rooms with full facilities
for the persons with disability and a further room for every complete 100 guest
rooms in excess of 200.

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Official Gazette no.Special of 16/04/2019

CHAPTER
CHAPTER 4:
4:
GENERAL
GENERAL PROVISIONS
PROVISIONS

RWANDA
RWANDABUILDING
BUILDINGCODE-VERSION
CODE-VERSION22555 2019
 Official Gazette no.Special of 16/04/2019
Chapter 4 Part 11 Sections 1-13

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CONTENTS

PART 11: BUILDING SERVICES REQUIREMENTS .............................................................. 2

SECTION 1: ENERGY EFFICIENCY ..................................................................................... 2

SECTION 2: LIGHTING & VENTILATION ............................................................................ 6

SECTION 3: ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS .................................................................... 26

SECTION 4: AIR-CONDITIONING, HEATING & MECHANICAL VENTILATION ........ 34

SECTION 5: ACOUSTICS, SOUND INSULATION & NOISE CONTROL ........................ 60

SECTION 6: STAIRWAYS, RAMPS & GUARDING .......................................................... 65

SECTION 7: LIFTS & ESCALATORS ................................................................................... 75

SECTION 8: SECURITY SYSTEMS ...................................................................................... 85

SECTION 9: TELECOMMUNICATION INSTALLATIONS ................................................ 88

SECTION 10: PLUMBING& DRAINAGE .................................................................................. 92

SECTION 11: WATERBORNE SANITATION ...................................................................... 106

SECTION 12: NON -WATER BORNE SANITATION .............................................................. 118

SECTION 13: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ...................................................................... 126

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PART 11: BUILDING SERVICES REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 1: ENERGY EFFICIENCY

4.11.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.1.1.1. The buildings shall be designed, constructed and operated so as to ensure a

good indoor environmental quality with a minimum use of non-renewable
energy. New Buildings shall be assessed for energy efficiency in accordance
to ISO 23045.

4.11.1.1.2. The thermal comfort shall be provided through passive building measures
wherever possible and the use of the artificial cooling or heating shall be
minimised.

4.11.1.1.3. Indoor environmental quality shall be ensured first by the quality of

construction materials and source control; and by proper ventilation.
Ventilation should use natural means (wind and stack effect). Mechanical
ventilation shall be used only where and when necessary.

4.11.1.1.4. Day lighting shall be used at the optimum level, and the buildings shall be
designed and constructed to promote natural lighting.

4.11.1.1.5. All appliances using non-renewable energy should be among the best energy
efficient appliances.

4.11.1.2. ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS

4.11.1.2.1. The below buildings of categories 4 and 5 shall be mandatorily subjected to

the provisions of Rwanda Green Building Minimum Compliance system in
conjunction with approved and International standards. All other remaining
categories can comply on a voluntary basis. Refer annex 3 to understand the
requirements of Rwanda Green Building Minimum Compliance system
applicable on:
• Commercial buildings (excluding warehouses and retail shops)

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• Public administrative and institutional buildings (excluding correctional

services, police, fire department)

• Social, cultural & assembly buildings

• Health facilities

• Educational buildings (excluding living areas for students)

4.11.1.2.2. The building envelope within which internal air temperature and/or
humidity is to be controlled shall be designed and constructed to perform
the following:

(i) Provide adequate rates of ventilation and means of ventilation

control; and
(ii) Minimize excessive solar heat gains through suitable building
orientation and the use of suitable building external shading design
and construction features.

4.11.1.2.3. Design of buildings shall be done in way to maximize natural ventilation by

advocating for a better window design, the use of mixed mode of ventilation
and by selecting energy efficient mechanical ventilation systems.

4.11.1.2.4. Cooling in buildings should be kept at its optimum level by controlling solar
gains through glazing, reducing internal heat gains, making sure of thermal
mass and night ventilation to reduce peak temperatures; these measures
should be accompanied by a necessary increase in natural ventilation for a
maximum result.

4.11.1.2.5. Building internal artificial lighting shall be reduced by maximizing use of

day lighting and by limiting the installed load of artificial lighting devices.
The use of energy efficient luminaries with a high output to energy ratio and
provide a suitable means for any artificial lighting control shall improve the
energy efficiency.

4.11.1.2.6. The illuminance for artificial lighting (in Lux) shall be adapted to the
occupations at each location of the premises as shown in Table 4.11.1-1.
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Table 4.11.1-1: Illuminance Required Per Type of Activity.

Group of Occupancy Applications Illuminance

(Lux)

R Bedroom 100

Toilet 100

Stores and staircases 100

Lounge 150

Bathroom 150

Kitchen 150-300

A, B, E, I, S, MEM, Minimum service illuminance 20

MIX
Corridor, passageways, stairs 100

Entrance hall, lobbies, waiting room 100

Escalators, elevator 150

Restaurant, canteen, cafeteria 200

Museum and gallery 300

General offices, shops and stores, reading and writing 300-400

Drawing office 300-400

Class room, library 300-500

Shop/ supermarket/ department store 200-750

4.11.1.2.7. For illuminance levels of various interior spaces refer to the table titled ‘Lighting
Power Desnity and Illuminace Levels’ of Artificial lighting efficiency green building
indicator of Rwanda green building minimum compliance system.
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4.11.1.2.8. Where applicable in buildings that include any hot water systems for bathing or
washing clothes, their design or construction shall be designed and constructed to
minimize the energy used in the heating.

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SECTION 2: LIGHTING & VENTILATION

4.11.2.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.2.1.1. A room of any building shall have in the external walls an adequate number of
openable windows that shall be of such size as to afford effective natural lighting
and ventilation of the room by communication with external air.

4.11.2.1.2. The backup lighting shall be provided for periods when natural lighting is
inadequate or where the size or shape of any such room or the glazing material used
in any such opening will not permit enough natural light effectively.

4.11.2.1.3. An owner of a building, which will be used as factory, warehouse, workshop, or

other workplace, shall provide adequate and efficient means of lighting and
ventilation.

4.11.2.1.4. All windows intended for the purpose of lighting or ventilation shall open
directly to external air, shall be glazed or provided with wooden shutters or
other approved shutters, and shall have a total area of not less than 10% of the floor
area of the room.

4.11.2.1.5. The Authority shall have the right to order the provision of additional window
area in the case of a factory, workshop, or other workplace with respect to
openable window area where a shop has one or more display windows.

4.11.2.1.6. An owner of a dwelling unit shall, in addition to any requirements of this

Code, provide permanent ventilation opening to any habitable room,
passageway, hall or stairway.

4.11.2.1.7. In the case of factory, workshop, or other workplace where a substantial amount
of heat will be generated, a permanent roof ventilator with a total area of not
least than 2% of the floor area of the factory, workshop or workplace shall be
provided.

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4.11.2.1.8. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Code, the Authority shall permit the
installation of an approved artificial ventilation system in any factory,
workshop, or places of public assembly where the artificial ventilation system
has been designed by a qualified engineer.

4.11.2.1.9. All new buildings or alterations and extensions to existing buildings shall make
provision for adequate natural lighting and natural ventilation.

4.11.2.2. THE DESIGN AND TESTING OF ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION

SYSTEMS

(i) Any reasonable design of an artificial ventilation system shall be carried out
by or under the supervision of a qualified person and such person shall
certify that the system has been designed in total compliance with these
regulations.
(ii) The owner shall at acceptable intervals of time submit to the Authority test
reports indicating that any artificial ventilation system installed in terms of
these Regulations is operating in the designed manner; and
(iii) Any plant forming part of an artificial ventilation system shall be so
designed, located and protected to ensure it doesn’t cause any danger or
nuisance to the public. Inspection and servicing can be undertaken, and
unauthorized persons cannot tamper with such plant.

4.11.2.3. NATURAL LIGHTING

4.11.2.3.1. The area of wall opening, inclusive of frames and glazing bars, shall be not less
than 10% of the floor area of the room or rooms served by it, or 0.2m2, whichever
is the greater.

4.11.2.3.2. As the purposes of natural lighting a room is provided with one or more openings,
such opening or openings shall be situated in an external wall, or in a suitable
position in the roof of the building.

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4.11.2.3.3. Where such opening is glazed it shall be glazed with transparent or approved
translucent glazing material.
4.11.2.3.4. Natural light borrowed from adjoining room:

(i) Through a glazed panel or opening from an adjoining room shall be

borrowed a natural light; and
(ii) The adjoining room with windows shall have an aggregate light transmitting
area of not less than 10% of the combined floor areas of both rooms and
shall be open to the sky or face a court or other space open to the sky or an
open verandah or carport.
(iii) Every liveable room in any dwelling house or dwelling unit, or any bedroom
in any building used for residential or institutional occupancy shall,
notwithstanding the provision of artificial lighting, be provided with at least
one opening for natural light.

4.11.2.4. NATURAL VENTILATION

4.11.2.4.1. For the purposes of natural ventilation, any room shall be provided with an
opening(s):

(i) The location of any opening in relation to each other and to any internal
doors to such room shall be such as to enable such room to be ventilated;
and
(ii) The arrangement and sizes of such openings in a garage shall be such that
the quantity of noxious fumes or gases in such garage does not exceed a
safe limit.

4.11.2.4.2. Every such opening shall be either:

(i) An opening or door in an external wall;

(ii) An openable glazed window in an external wall or in a suitable position in
the roof; and

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(iii) An opening in the ceiling or at the top of an internal or external wall,

connected directly to a vertical ventilating pipe.

4.11.2.4.3. The total area of any opening, door or openable glazed window shall be not less
than 10% of the floor area of the room or 0.2m2, whichever is the greater.

4.11.2.4.4. Extract Ventilation of habitable and non-habitable rooms without operable

windows can be achieved through mechanical extraction, open flued heating
appliances and passive stack ventilation. In all non-habitable room cases an air inlet
should be provided in the form of a 10mm gap under the door.

4.11.2.4.5. Passive Stack Ventilation could be either natural stack, wind assisted by use of
ventilation cowls, roof ventilators or mechanical extract ventilation.

4.11.2.4.6. Where the variants to natural ventilation are used, the passive ventilation design
should be justified through ‘air changes per hour’ calculations that should be carried
out by or under the supervision of a qualified environmental design consultant to
the approval of the Authority.

4.11.2.4.7. The recommended Ventilation rates in Air Changes per Hour for Natural
Ventilation are as indicated in Table 4.11.2-2.

4.11.2.4.8. Planting of tree in streets and in open spaces should be done carefully to take
advantage of both shade and sunshine without handicapping the flow of natural
winds.

4.11.2.4.9. The design of Building orientation shall comply with the requirement of major
climate zone or factor for the purpose of natural ventilating of buildings.

Table 4.11.2-2 Requirements for Natural Ventilation

Building Type/Facility Recommended Ventilation Rates in

Air Changes Per Hour (ACH)
Broadcasting studios 6-10

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Call centres 4-6

Catering (inc. commercial kitchens) 30-40
Communal residential buildings 0.5-1
Dwellings (inc. high rise dwellings) 0.5-1
Hotels (R-1) 10-15 for guest rooms with Ensuite
bathrooms
High rise (non-domestic buildings) 4-6 for office areas Up to 10 for meeting
rooms
Schools (E-1) 8 litres per person minimum by opening
windows or vents.
Dark rooms (photographic) 6-8
Laboratories 6-15
Standards rooms 45-60
Transportation buildings 6 -ACH for car parks (normal operation)
10-ACH (fire conditions)
Toilets Opening windows of area 1/20th of floor
area or mechanical ventilation at 6
litres/s per WC or 3 ACH minimum for
non-domestic buildings
Assembly Halls and
Auditoria (A)
Using Displacement 3-4
ventilation strategy
Using High level 6-10
mechanical ventilation
strategy
Sports Centres
Fitness Centres 10–12
Weight Training 10-12

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Squash Courts 4
Ancillary Halls:
-Sports 15
-spectators 3
Changing rooms 10
Reception, administration 3
and circulation spaces
Creche 3
Refreshment and bar areas Not less than 8
Swimming pool 4-6
8-10 if extensive water features N-9
Hospitals and Health
Care Buildings(I-2)
Toilets
•General 10
• Ensuite 6
Bathrooms
•General 10
• Ensuite 6
Dirty utility room 10
Changing rooms 5

Isolation rooms 10 minimum

Delivery rooms 10 minimum
Recovery rooms 15
Treatment rooms 4 minimum

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4.11.2.5. NATURAL LIGHTING AND VENTILATION OF ROOMS OPENING

ONTO ENCLOSED BALCONIES, GALLERIES, VERANDAHS AND
COURTS

4.11.2.5.1. Any room having an opening which opens onto any roofed and enclosed balcony,
gallery or verandah shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements and:

(i) A portion of the outer wall of any such balcony, gallery or verandah has
compliant openings and the area of such openings is at least 10% of the
combined floor area of the room concerned and the balcony, gallery or
verandah; and
(ii) Any such balcony, gallery or verandah is provided with doors or other
openable areas having an area of at least 5% of the combined floor area of
the room concerned and the balcony, gallery or verandah.

4.11.2.5.2. Where natural ventilation is required and the cover extends over more than one-
third of any enclosed court, additional ventilation openings must be as shown in Fig
4.11.2-1(a) and (b) through the building.

Fig 4.11.2-1 Lighting and Ventilation of Court

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4.11.2.6. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

Where in any building the requirements for lighting are to be satisfied by the
installation of a system of artificial lighting such lighting and the design
requirements of indoor lighting quality shall be in accordance with ISO/CIE 8995-
1 and ISO 16817 and other relevant standards published by the Government
institution in charge of standards.

4.11.2.7. ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION

4.11.2.7.1. Outside air used in any artificial ventilation system shall be introduced to the system
from an inlet positioned to ensure that such air is as far as possible free from local
contamination.

4.11.2.7.2. Where it is not possible to so position such inlet a filter which will reduce
contamination of such air to an acceptable level and prevent discharge into rooms
of dust or fluff that has accumulated in ducts shall be fitted to such inlet.

4.11.2.7.3. The exhaust outlets for air which has been used for artificial ventilation purposes
shall be so located and arranged as to ensure that such air does not cause a nuisance
nor contaminate any air which is likely to be drawn into or ventilate any existing
building.

4.11.2.7.4. Exhaust outlets or air inlets forming part of any artificial ventilating system shall
be protected by a substantial grille or screen through which a 12mm diameter sphere
cannot pass.

4.11.2.7.5. Where an artificial ventilation system has been connected to a room:

(i) Designed to be occupied by persons suffering from infectious or contagious

diseases; and
(ii) Containing a WC pan or urinal or used as a sauna, darkroom or refuse storage
room; air from such room shall not be re circulated to or permitted to pass into
any other room, whether or not such room falls into the same occupancy
category, and all such air shall be discharged or exhausted to the outside air.
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4.11.2.7.6. Such room contemplated with heat, dust, gas, vapour or volatile matter is liberated
in one or more localized areas, each such area shall be provided with an extract
facility which shall exhaust air from such area at a rate that will ensure that such
heat, dust, gas, vapour or volatile matter is effectively removed through such
facility and discharged to the outside air.

4.11.2.7.7. The artificial ventilation system serving any parking garage shall be separate from
any other artificial ventilation system: Provided that contaminated air exhausted
from such garage may be circulated through a transformer, machine or similar
service room in order to dissipate heat from machines before passing to the outside
air.

4.11.2.7.8. The arrangement and sizes of air inlets and outlets in every garage required in terms
of this part to be artificially ventilated shall be such as to ensure that the level of
noxious or toxic fumes or gases at any location in such garage does not rise above
a safe limit.

4.11.2.7.9. Where any kitchen contains an extraction facility for the purpose of extracting heat
or vapour such facility shall, where it is to be subjected to an atmosphere containing
grease in suspension, be fitted with a means which will filter the air entering such
facility to prevent such grease being carried into the system: Provided that where
such means cannot be fitted an easily accessible trap or settling chamber shall be
installed in the duct leading from such facility.

4.11.2.7.10. Provision shall be made at every change in direction of such duct for easy
inspection and for cleaning of the interior of the duct.

4.11.2.7.11. Any such extraction facility and the artificial ventilation system required therefore
shall be constructed or lined throughout with a non-combustible material.

4.11.2.7.12. Any such extraction facility shall not be connected to any other extraction facility
or artificial ventilation system.

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4.11.2.7.13. Any self-contained artificial ventilation unit installed in the wall of any building
where such wall abuts on a public street or place shall be installed and operated in
such a way that condensate formed by the operation of the unit is prevented from
dripping onto such street or place by means of:

(i) The use of a unit which disposes of all condensate by evaporation; or

(ii) Arranging for the condensate from the unit to be collected and disposed of
into a drain or storm water drain or in such manner as will be acceptable to
the Authority.

4.11.2.7.14. The arrangement and sizes of air inlets and outlets in any room which is artificially
ventilated shall be such as to ensure an even and uniform distribution and
circulation of air throughout the occupied zone of the room, without the creation of
an air velocity of more than 0.5m/s within the occupied zone.

4.11.2.7.15. Any room or space which is required to be artificially ventilated and is used for an
occupancy contemplated in column 1 of Table 4.11.2-3 shall be supplied with
outside air at a rate not less than that contemplated in columns 2 and 4 of such table:
Provided that:

(i) Where no figure is given in column 2, the rate given in columns 3 and 4
shall be used;
(ii) Where air has been re-circulated through an approved filter capable, of
removing tobacco smoke particles, or the Authority is satisfied that smoking
will not take place in such room or space or in any room or space from
which the air has been recalculated, the rate may be reduced to that given in
columns 3 and 4 of such table;
(iii) Where airborne toxic substances will be released into the room or space
concerned, extract ventilation which is able to remove such substances shall
be provided;
(iv) In the case of a kitchen or any room containing a bath, shower, WC pan or
urinal in any dwelling unit or private dwelling house or any such room

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serving any bedroom, borrowed air may be used in lieu of outside air and
the system shall be capable of supplying the required quantity of air under
conditions of intermittent use;
(v) In the case of any motor car repair garage, photographic darkroom, working
area in a commercial dry-cleaning establishment, private or central kitchen
in a hotel, motel, resort, dormitory and similar facilities or any wash-room
or room containing a WC pan or urinal located in an office-type occupancy
or intended for use by the public, the extract ventilation quantity shall
exceed the supply air quantity to ensure negative pressure in the area
concerned;
(vi) In the case of any laboratory, any fume cupboard provided shall be-capable
of removing all fumes, gas, vapour or volatile matter likely to be generated
in such cupboard; and
(vii) In the case of a ticket kiosk situated in a parking garage, the air supply to
such kiosk shall be sufficient to create positive pressure within the kiosk.

Table 4.11.2-3: Air Requirements for Artificial Ventilation

Occupancy Minimum Air Requirement (L/s) Remarks

Smoking Filtered or non-
smoking
Public halls Air supply
Assembly halls 7.5 3.5 required
Churches 7.5 3.5 per person
Theatres (including lobbies and 7.5 3.5
auditoria) 7.5 3.5
Cinemas
Dry-cleaners and laundries Air supply
Commercial dry-cleaners (working - 120.0 required
areas) per person

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Storage/collection area
Laundries 7.5 5.0
7.5 5.0
Educational buildings
Classrooms - 7.5 Air supply
Laboratories - 7.5 required
Libraries - 6.5 per person
Food and eating facilities
Dining-rooms and restaurants 7.5 5.0 Air supply
Cafeterias 7.5 5.0 required
Bars and cocktail lounges 7.5 5.0 per person
Kitchens 17.5 17.5
Photographic darkrooms - 10.0 Air supply
required
per person
Dwelling units
Kitchens 50.0 50.0

Air supply

Other living areas 5.0 5.0 required

Bathrooms and shower-roams 25.0 25.0 per person
Rooms containing WC pan or urinal 25.0 25.0
Shops
Malls, arcades, warehouses 7.5 7.5 Air supply
Sales floors, showrooms, dressing 7.5 7.5 required
rooms per room
Sports and amusement facilities 7.5 -
Ballrooms and discos
Bowling alleys (seating area) 7.5 -
Playing area (gymnasium, etc) - 10.0

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Locker-rooms 7.5 7.5 Air supply

Spectator areas 5.0 - required
Health spas and slimming salons - 7.5 per

room

Occupancy Minimum air requirement, L/s Remarks

Garages Air supply
Parking garages 7.5 3.5 required
per sq.m.
Ticket kiosks 5.0 5.0 Of floor
area
Motor car repairs 10.0 10.0 Air supply
required
per person
Air supply
required
per sq.m.
of floor
area
Hotels, motels, resorts, dormitories Air supply
and similar facilities required
Lobbies 7.5 5.0 per person
Conference rooms 7.5 5.0 Air supply
Assembly rooms 7.5 5.0 required
Bedrooms 7.5 - per person
Living-rooms (suites) 7.5 - Air supply
Central kitchens 17.5 17.5 required
Private kitchens 50.0 50.0 per room
Offices Air supply
General required

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Meeting and waiting spaces 7.5 5.0 per person

Conference and board rooms 7.5 5.0 Air supply
Cleaner's rooms 10.0 5.0 required
- 1.0 per sq.m.
of floor
area
Libraries Air supply
General - 6.5 required
Book stock - 3.5 per person
Stages, TV, radio and movie film 7.5 5.0 Air supply
required
per person
Rooms containing baths, showers 25.0 25.0 Air supply
WC pans or urinals 20.0 20.0 required
Serving a dwelling unit or any bedroom 7.5 7.5 per room
All others 5.0 - Air supply
5.0 required
per bath,
shower,
WC pan,
urinal stall
or 600mm
of urinal
space N-14
Transportation Air supply
Waiting-rooms, ticket and baggage 7.5 required
areas, corridor & gate areas, platforms, per person
concourses

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Smoking-rooms 20.0 - Air supply

required
per person
Occupancies other than those listed As determined by The
above Authority

4.11.2.8. WINDOWS

4.11.2.8.1. Any domestic building shall-be provided with approved means of ventilation and
shall have a sufficient number of windows suitably positioned for direct
communication with the external air.

4.11.2.8.2. Any habitable room shall have a window or windows opening directly into the
external air, which shall have for the purpose of daylight, a total area exclusive of
frames, equal to at least 10% of the floor area of such room.

4.11.2.8.3. For a window in a wall abutting on to an open verandah or immediately beneath a

balcony or canopy, the minimum area required shall be increased by 5% for each
300mm that the verandah, balcony or canopy projects from the wall.

4.11.2.8.4. In habitable rooms windows shall be constructed so that an area thereof equal to at
least one-twentieth of the floor area of the room shall be made to open to the
external air, and part of the area so required to open shall not be less than 1.75m
above the floor.

4.11.2.8.5. Provided that a window which opens from a habitable room on to an enclosed
verandah, conservatory or similar place, shall be deemed to open directly into the
external air if that room and that place are together provided with windows which
open directly into the external air, and would suffice for the purposes of this sub
regulation if they were the windows of a room having a floor area equivalent to the
combined floor area of the first mentioned room and that place.

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4.11.2.9. SPACE OPPOSITE WINDOWS

4.11.2.9.1. A window of a habitable room shall not be deemed to have direct communication
with the external air unless there is opposite to such window for its entire area an
unobstructed open space distant from:

(i) The plot boundary facing such window;

(ii) If such a boundary abuts on to a street or on to land designated as a public
open space, the plot boundary on the opposite side of such street or land;
and
(iii) If the window faces an internal open space contained entirely on the same
plot as the building in which the window is situated, the wall on the opposite
side of such open space, by an amount whereby the vertical face of the wall
in which the window is placed does not intersect the theoretical plane
created by an angle of 68 degrees from the horizontal and projected towards
the wall from the aforementioned boundary or opposite wall at a height of
1.5m above the level of the floor of the room which the window serves:
Provided that:

a. If adjoining plots are developed in such a manner as to allow for an

internal open space, part of which is situated on each plot, the said
theoretical plane may, if the Authority so agrees, be projected from the
wall opposite side of that open space; and
b. In no case, shall the distance across an open space opposite a window
of a habitable room be less than 2.5m.

4.11.2.10. BACK-TO-BACK DWELLINGS VENTILATION

4.11.2.10.1. All back-to-back dwellings shall be constructed in such a manner that every room
shall have cross ventilation and adequate lighting.

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4.11.2.10.2. If required by the Authority, every person who erects a building, shall cause every
habitable room to have approved permanent air vents of sufficient number, so
arranged as to ensure cross or through ventilation to the external air.

4.11.2.10.3. Air vents shall be placed at a height above the floor of not less than two-thirds of
the average height of the room.

4.11.2.10.4. For the purpose of this Code, communication with the external air may be obtained
through a ventilated corridor or passage which itself has an external wall through
which adequate ventilation to the external air is provided, or the Authority may
accept a flue communicating the room directly to the external air as one part of the
means of providing through ventilation: Provided that, in all cases permanent
ventilation shall be provided in one external wall.

4.11.2.11. LARDERS VENTILATION

Every pantry or larder shall be ventilated to the external air by an opening fitted
with a fly-proof cover, so constructed as to allow adequate flow of air.

4.11.2.12. VENTILATION AND LIGHTING OF STAIRCASES

All common stairs and common passages shall be adequately cross ventilated, and
for common stairs sufficient natural and artificial lighting shall be provided.

4.11.2.13. VENTILATION OF SHOPS

Where the light and ventilation of a shop into the external air is restricted to one
wall, the width of such shop shall not, unless the Authority otherwise agrees, be
less than half the depth and approved through-ventilation provided.

4.11.2.14. GARAGES CONNECTED TO A DWELLING

4.11.2.14.1. There shall be no communication between a habitable room’ and a garage except
through a passage, ventilated to the satisfaction of the Authority.

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4.11.2.14.2. A garage connected to a habitable room through a passage shall be provided with
permanent through-ventilation by means of vents at a height of 450mm above the
floor level of the garage.

4.11.2.15. VENTILATION AND LIGHTING OF BUILDINGS OF THE

WAREHOUSE CLASS

4.11.2.15.1. Every part of a building of the warehouse class, used for human occupation, shall
be provided with lighting and ventilation to a standard not less than that required
for a habitable room. Provided that:

(i) Nothing in this Code in respect of lighting and ventilation, shall exclude the
provision of approved artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation; and
(ii) If an approved mechanical ventilation and artificial lighting system is
installed, The Authority shall relax the requirements of this Code relating
to the height of rooms and the requirement as to windows.

4.11.2.16. LIGHTING AND VENTILATION OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS

4.11.2.16.1. Except, as otherwise provided for in this Code, every public building shall be
provided with adequate means of lighting and ventilation to a standard not less than
that prescribed for a domestic building.

4.11.2.16.2. In foyers, shopping malls etc. where large numbers of people are expected to gather
and not spaces principally used for circulation, ventilation shall be achieved
through natural ventilation by appropriately located openings to external walls with
a total area of 2% of the floor area.

4.11.2.16.3. In public spaces mechanical ventilation shall be designed to provide a ventilation

rate of 1 liter/sec/m2 of floor area.

4.11.2.16.4. All external glazed areas including windows, other wall glazed areas, atriums and
other roof glazed areas should be fully sun-shaded against direct sun rays from 7:00
AM to 8:00 PM throughout the year.

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4.11.2.17. DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF SPACE HEATING

4.11.2.17.1. Lighting and ventilation of space heating shall comply with the requirement of
design, construction and installation in accordance withISO 11855.

4.11.2.18. VENTILATION OF SPECIALIST ACTIVITIES

4.11.2.18.1. Ventilation design for specialist activities shall be as follows:

(i) Occupancy: E

Ventilation provision shall be made either in accordance with Table 4.11.2-

1, except for sanitary accommodation where six air changes per hour are
required. In spaces where noxious fumes may be generated additional
provision for ventilation shall be requiring the use of fume cupboards.

(ii) Occupancy: F

The Authority shall require the owner to satisfy it regarding enhanced

ventilation air-conditioning for specific work places:

a. Ventilation means of Industrial Buildings should provide natural

ventilation of all industrial buildings having significant internal heat
loads due to manufacturing process, proper consideration should be
given to the size and distribution of windows and other inlet openings
in relation to outlet openings so as to give, with due regard to
orientation, prevailing winds, size and configuration of the building and
manufacturing processes carried on, maximum possible control of
thermal environment; and
b. In the case of industrial buildings wider than 30m, the ventilation
through windows may be augmented by roof ventilation.

(iii) Occupancy: I-2

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The ventilation needed for various types of accommodation will be different

depending on the functional use of the space. These values will also vary
throughout the year. The requirements and specifications shall be in
accordance with ISO 16814, 16017, ISO 16000-8 and other relevant parts
of ISO 16000.

(iv) Occupancies: A and B

Provision shall be made for emergency ventilation to control dispersal of

contaminating gas releases (e.g. refrigerant leak). The Authority shall
require the owner to satisfy it regarding enhanced air conditioning and
ventilation for these areas.

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SECTION 3: ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

4.11.3.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.3.1.1. ELECTRICAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

4.11.3.1.1.1. The general names and graphical symbols used in electrical drawings of any class
and occupancy of building should comply with the guidelines given in RS 116.

4.11.3.1.1.2. In the planning and designing the electrical wiring installation, considerations shall
be made by a competent electrical engineer to provide an installation that will prove
adequate for its intended purpose be reliable, safe and efficient.

4.11.3.1.1.3. Planning and designing the electrical installation of any building shall depend on
particular class and category of building and occupancy in accordance with RS 116-
1 and luminaries required in accordance with RS IEC 60598-2-1.

4.11.3.1.1.4. As-built electrical diagrams (lighting and power plans, power distribution and riser
diagrams, electrical panel schedule) of the installation shall be provided in the
Project Profile for every completed installation for safety in operation and
maintenance. The diagrams shall be endorsed by the professional design electrical
engineer.

4.11.3.1.1.5. All electrical circuits and electrical components of the installation shall be clearly
labelled.

4.11.3.2. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SYSTEM

4.11.3.2.1. The mains supply switch for the electrical installations of any building shall be
easily accessible and situated adjacent to the consumer control unit.

4.11.3.2.2. When Standby power supply system was installed, it shall be automatically isolated
to prevent parallel operation with the public supply and neutral of the supply shall
be changed when it is operating.

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4.11.3.2.3. All electrical apparatus shall be suitable for the voltage and frequency of supply.
The nominal values of low voltage systems in Rwanda are 220VAC and 415VAC,
respectively and the frequency 50Hz.

4.11.3.2.4. Three phase and single-phase circuits LV power cables can be run in the same
conduit, provided that the condcuit is appropriately sized.

4.11.3.2.5. CONNECTION OF APPLIANCES TO SUPPLY

4.11.3.2.5.1. Every appliance shall be connected to a supply after revising the nameplate,
checking whether the voltage, frequency and type of supply will match the
indication on the nameplate.

4.11.3.2.5.2. Every appliance shall be connected by means of a plug and socket outlet of IEC
Type G complying with RS IEC 60884-1.

4.11.3.2.5.3. Every appliance shall be controlled by means of a switch in addition to any

automatic control device and arranged to disconnect the appliance from a live
conductor.

4.11.3.2.5.4. Every heating appliance shall be controlled by a linked switch arranged to break
the supply.

4.11.3.3. LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND CIRCUITS

4.11.3.3.1. When electricity is installed for lighting in every building, the system shall include
at least one terminal point for lighting in every room having a floor area of 2m2 or
more and in every bathroom, water closet, entrance vestibule and hall.

4.11.3.3.2. Every light at a stairway terminal landing shall, unless automatic switching devices
are installed, be controlled by switches at such landing and at any other terminal
landing thereon.

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4.11.3.4. ELECTRICAL WIRING AND DEVICES

4.11.3.4.1. Conductors, switches and accessories shall be of a size capable of carrying, without
their respective ratings being exceeded, the maximum current that will normally
flow through them.

4.11.3.4.1.1. The cables shall fulfill the requirements specified in RS EAS 115 and RS EAS 116.

4.11.3.4.1.2. The conductors used in electric power and lighting circuits shall comply with the
requirements given in RS EAS 114.

4.11.3.4.2. Specification, selection in designing and installation of Switchgear and control gear
in this Code shall comply with relevant part of IEC 60439.

4.11.3.4.3. Switchboards shall be located in dry and ventilated spaces and each switchboard
should have an appropriate Ingress Protection (IP) rating.

4.11.3.4.4. Electrical loose connections shall be avoided by fixing every electrical joint
properly with respect to conductance, insulation, mechanical strength and
protection and be accessible for inspection and maintenance.

4.11.3.4.5. Installation, design, and installation of every fixed electrical appliance shall comply
with the requirements of RS IEC 60364-5-52 for efficiency and safe under
operation.

4.11.3.4.6. Every light fitting or other electrical apparatus or appliance in a room containing a
fixed bath or shower shall be out of reach of any person, operated by an insulating
pull-cord switch, and shall be shrouded in insulating material.

4.11.3.4.7. Where cables are installed behind suspended ceilings or the ceiling space under the
roof, they shall be provided with mechanical protection such as being installed
within approved conduits. In addition they shall be installed either parallel or
perpendicular to the edges of the walls near the ceiling.

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4.11.3.4.8. Where cables are installed buried behind walls, they shall be installed horizontally
or vertically i.e. parallel to the edges of the room. Subject to the dimensions of the
columns and beams, they shall be within 150mm from the top of the walls and
150mm from the edge of the wall.

4.11.3.4.9. Mechanical protection for cables within walls cables installed within walls shall be
provided with mechanical protection such as a conduit. Direct installation of cables
within walls is not allowed.

4.11.3.4.10. Installation of conductors in buried cable ducts, conduits or cable duct systems
intended to be buried in structures shall be completely erected for each circuit
before any insulated conductor is drawn in.

4.11.3.4.11. Where a large number of high wattage lamp may be required like in construction
sites, stadium, open yards in industrial plants and so on, there shall be no restriction
of load on any circuit but conductors used in such circuits shall be of adequate size
for the load and proper circuit protection shall be provided.

4.11.3.4.12. A ceiling rose or any other similar attachment shall not embody fuse terminal as an
integral part of it, with only one flexible cord attachment and shall not be used on
a circuit with the voltage exceeding 250V.

4.11.3.4.13. Ordinary socket-outlet shall be fixed at any convenient place at a height above
20cm from the floor level and shall be away from danger of mechanical injury
where the live side of the line of the socket-outlet shall be controlled by a switch.

4.11.3.4.14. Lighting fitting or a group of lighting fittings shall be controlled by a switch. Where
control at more than one point is necessary as many two ways or intermediate
switches maybe provided as there are control points.

4.11.3.4.15. Fittings Specification and installation shall comply with the requirements of RS
EAS 114.

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4.11.3.4.16. The flexible conduits selection to be used for prevention of mechanical damage of
flexible cables and cords of copper or stranded shall comply with the requirements
of relevant part of IEC 61386.

4.11.3.4.17. The convention adopted to identify each of the phase in three phase supply shall
follow guidelines in table.3.11.3-1.

Table 4.11.3-1: Colour Coding of Wires in Three Phase Supply

N° Name of Wire Recommended Colour

1 Live or Line Red, Yellow, Blue

2 Neutral Black

3 Earth Yellow+ green (Together)

N.B: For single phase supply the live wire shall always be coded with red colour.

4.11.3.5. PROTECTION

4.11.3.5.1. PROTECTIVE DEVICES

4.11.3.5.1.1. RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICES & CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND FUSES

4.11.3.5.1.1.1. The specification of residual current devices used to provide protection against the
specific dangers that may arise in electrical installations, including: protection
against indirect contact, supplementary protection against direct contact, protection
against fire and thermal effects shall comply with IEC 61008-1

4.11.3.5.1.1.2. If an installation is protected by single residual current devices, it shall be located

at the origin of the Installation.

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4.11.3.5.1.1.3. Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral over current protection for
household which is a combination of residual current devices and miniature circuit
breaker shall be installed for over current protection in electrical installations in
compliance with IEC 60755

4.11.3.5.1.1.4. Residual current devices with rated residual operating current not exceeding 10mA
shall be installed in the places of public entertainment, where the floor is likely to
be wet; and for the protection of electric water heaters.

4.11.3.5.1.1.5. The electric fuse shall be installed on live conductor of electrical installation to cut-
out the circuit when electrical danger occurs shall also comply with RS IEC 60269-
1

4.11.3.5.1.1.6. Circuit breakers shall be provided on each line of conductors for the mains supply
at the point of entry.

4.11.3.5.1.1.7. Switchboards and distribution boards for all circuits and sub-circuits shall be
protected against over current and earth faults.

4.11.3.5.1.1.8. The mains circuit and sub-circuits in a building shall be provided with leakage
protective devices that, on the occurrence of an earth fault, disconnect the defective
circuit from the supply.

4.11.3.5.2. EARTHING

4.11.3.5.2.1. Installation, design and erection of earthing systems on electrical installation and
any metalwork not intended to conduct electricity, shall be earthed in accordance
with RS IEC 60364-5-54

4.11.3.5.2.2. To ensure effective operation of the circuit protective device, the resistance of the
earthing system shall be as low as possible.

4.11.3.5.2.3. Maintenance of earthing system, checking, testing and maintenance of the earthing
system of any electric installation shall be done annually.

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4.11.3.5.3. PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING

4.11.3.5.3.1. Means of lightning protection for structures and big machines like power
transformers, generators shall be installed in compliance with relevant part of IEC
62305.

4.11.3.5.3.2. Surge Protective systems and device shall be installed in prone areas and /or any
high rise building, especially for prone areas of lightning and thunderstorms like
Rusizi, Nyabihu, Nyamasheke, Ngororero and Rutsiro districts and when structures
are supplied by overhead lines in accordance with relevant part of RS IEC 61643.

4.11.3.5.4. PROTECTION AGAINST THERMAL EFFECTS

4.11.3.5.4.1. To protect against fires, and overheating, Electrical equipment that produces heat
shall be mounted within materials that can withstand the temperatures produced to
minimum. In operation, the temperature attained by the material shall be less than
55°C (if the material is metallic) or 65°c (if the material is non-metallic).

4.11.3.5.4.2. Protection by placing out of reach, measures to protect against direct contact by the
use of barriers or enclosures and placing live conductors out of reach are encourage
and insulation with a dielectric medium such as Poly Vinyl Chloride or cross linked
polyethylene shall indeed be done on bare conductors.

4.11.3.5.5. Isolation on fault, circuit breaker, fuse or residual current devices shall be used for
isolating a fault between a live conductor and the metal enclosure of electrical
equipment.

4.11.3.6. INSPECTION AND TESTING OF THE INSTALLATION

4.11.3.6.1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Part 14 Section 1, the permittee shall insure the
inspection of all electrical installations in relation with the approved plans is done
and this shall be approved by a certified professional.

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4.11.3.6.2. Periodic inspection and testing shall be carried out by a competent professional
after every three years in order to maintain the electrical installations in a good
working condition after putting it into service. Where an addition is to be made to
the fixed wiring of an existing installation, the competent professional shall fulfill
the recommendations specified by this Code.

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SECTION 4: AIR-CONDITIONING, HEATING & MECHANICAL VENTILATION

4.11.4.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.4.1.1. Ventilation and air conditioning installation shall aim at controlling and optimizing
following factors in the building:

(i) Air purity and filtration;

(ii) Air movement;
(iii) Dry-bulb temperature;
(iv) Relative humidity; and
(v) Noise and vibration.

4.11.4.1.2. All plans, specifications and data for air conditioning, heating and mechanical
ventilation systems of all buildings and serving all occupancies within the scope of
the Code shall comply with the relevant national or international standard and
relevant parts of ISO 5149 for information technology related.

4.11.4.2. MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEM

4.11.4.2.1. VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS

4.11.4.2.1.1. All rooms and occupied spaces which are not naturally ventilated or air-
conditioned shall be mechanically ventilated to achieve removal of heat and
possible contaminants such as product of respiration, bacteria, product of
combination, etc and maintain acceptable indoor air quality.

4.11.4.2.1.2. It is required to ventilate the car parking areas in a building in order to

remove carbon monoxide and other combustion products from the areas.

4.11.4.2.1.3. Except where natural ventilation is available, a mechanical ventilation system

incorporating a supply part and an exhaust part, and capable of providing six air
changes per hour is required for car parking areas in a building.

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4.11.4.2.1.4. The mechanical ventilation system in residential car parking areas may be switched
off if the carbon monoxide concentration is below 25 parts per million averaged
over a period of one hour.

4.11.4.2.1.5. For the exhaust part of the ventilation system, at least 50% of the exhaust
air shall be extracted at low level not exceeding 650mm above the finished floor,
as measured from the top of the grille to the finished floor.

4.11.4.2.1.6. The supply air shall be drawn directly from the exterior and its intake shall not be
less than 5m from any exhaust discharge openings. Outlets for the supply air shall
be adequately distributed over the car park area.

4.11.4.2.1.7. The discharge points of the exhaust ventilation system shall be arranged to
discharge directly to the exterior and shall not be less than 5m away from
any intake openings, doorways to prevent the re-entry of objectionable
flammable vapor into the premises; and shall not also face or discharge in the
direction of any adjacent residential building.

4.11.4.2.1.8. Mechanically ventilated kitchens shall be designed for a ventilation rate of not less
than 20 air-changes per hour as given in Table 4.11.4-1.

4.11.4.2.1.9. In large kitchens, areas are sub-divided to form wash-ups, preparation, pantry,
stores and services, etc. These areas shall be provided with a minimum
ventilation rate of ten air changes to create a feeling of comfort.

4.11.4.2.2. MECHANICAL VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS

4.11.4.2.2.1. Adequate number of circulating fans should be installed to serve all interior
working areas during summer months in the hot dry and warm humid regions to
provide necessary air movement at times when ventilation due to wind action alone
does not afford sufficient relief.

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4.11.4.2.2.2. MECHANICAL VENTILATION MAINTENANCE

4.11.4.2.2.3. The equipment and systems, electrical, electronic and mechanical controls, and
circuit boards associated with mechanical ventilation systems shall be inspected to
ensure satisfactory operation within designed conditions.

4.11.4.2.2.4. Check motor running ampere to ensure motor is operating under normal conditions.
4.11.4.2.2.5. It is recommended to check all electrical wiring and connections, circuit
protection devices and electrical starter. Rectify or replace if necessary and clean
the exhaust hood with suitable cleaning detergent.

4.11.4.2.2.6. Check winding insulation by megger test. Check cable terminals and cables for
damage or deterioration. Replace motor bearings, windings, and cable terminals as
necessary.

4.11.4.2.2.7. Check the associate circuit protection devices, electrical starter and equipment are
in good working condition. Replace contacts and other worn or defective parts as
required. Also motor bolts and nuts shall be checked as well.

4.11.4.2.3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

4.11.4.2.3.1. The quality of outdoor air supply for mechanical ventilation for any room or floor
space in a building shall be based on its volume and determined according to the
rates given in Table 4.11.4-1.

4.11.4.2.3.2. The rates of ventilation given in Table 4.11.4-1 apply to normal types of buildings
with normal heat gains from occupants and activates. When abnormal conditions
prevail, the ventilation rate may be increased to prevent undue concentration
of body odours, bacteria-carrying practices, gas, vapor or dust and to prevent
undue accumulation of carbon dioxide and to remove products of combustion.

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4.11.4.2.3.3. For any type of room or floor space not specified in Table 4.11.4-1, the ventilation
rate shall be assumed considering the value assigned for similar space listed in the
Table.

Table 4.11.4-1: Minimum Outdoor Air Supply for Mechanical Ventilation in Non-
Air-Conditioned Buildings or Parts of Buildings with No Natural Ventilation

Type of building/Occupancy Minimum Outdoor Air

Supply Air Change/Hour
Office 6

Restaurant, canteens 10

Shops(M1, M2, M3) 6

Workshop, factories(F1,F2,F3) 6

Classrooms 8

Car parks 6

Toilets, bathrooms 10

Lobbies, concourse, corridors, staircases 4

Kitchens ,commercial, institutional and industrial 20-60

4.11.4.2.4. CAR PARK VENTILATION

4.11.4.2.4.1. For aboveground car park, no mechanical ventilation is required for any part of the
car park where natural ventilation opening of not less than 15% of the floor area
served is provided. The naturally ventilated part of the car park shall be within 12m
from the ventilation opening except where cross-ventilation is provided.

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4.11.4.2.4.2. For aboveground car park without cross ventilation, where additional natural
ventilation opening of two less than 15% of the area beyond 12m of the opening is
provided, a reduced mechanical ventilation system in the form of fume extract shall
be provided.

4.11.4.2.4.3. Where natural ventilation opening equivalent to not less than 2% of the
mechanically ventilated areas is provided, the supply part may be omitted.

4.11.4.2.4.4. For basement car park, the mechanical ventilation system shall be designed in such
a way that the quality of replacement air shall not exceed that of the exhaust air.
This requirement is necessary so that the car park can be maintained under negative
pressure at all times to prevent the spread of noxious gases into adjacent occupied
areas.

4.11.4.2.4.5. For basement car park exceeding one level, the supply and exhaust parts shall be
designed in such a way as to minimize intermixing of air between the different
levels.

4.11.4.2.4.6. In a large basement car park, a combination of different modes of mechanical

ventilation may be provided as shown in Table 4.11.4-2 below.

4.11.4.2.4.7. Roof ventilation: The natural or mechanical process of supplying conditioned or

unconditioned air to, or removing such air from attics, cathedral ceilings or other
enclosed spaces over which a roof assembly is installed.

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Table 4.11.4-2: Mode of Ventilation for Basement Car Park

Size of ventilation opening Mode of ventilation to be provided

(% of floor area) (Mechanical ‘MV’ or fume extract)

Zone ‘A’ Zone ‘B’

15% of A + 15% of B Fume Extract Fume extract

15% of A + 2% of B Fume Extract MV without supply

15% of A Fume Extract MV

2% of A + 2% of B MV without supply MV without supply

2% of A MV without supply MV

Zone ‘A’ refers to part of car park within 12m of natural ventilation opening

4.11.4.2.5. KITCHEN VENTILATION:

4.11.4.2.5.1. Exhausts from hoods designed to capture smoke and/or grease-laden vapor
produced by a cooking process, incorporated with grease-removal devices and fire-
suppression equipment shall be directed away from roofs and building surfaces.
Exhaust discharge shall not impinge on obstacles such as parapets, overhangs and
other equipment and higher parts of buildings.

4.11.4.2.5.2. Washable grease filters with standby units shall be located within the hood as close
to the major heat source as practical.

4.11.4.2.5.3. Mechanical exhaust system for the cooking area of a kitchen in a hotel, restaurant,
coffee house or the lime shall be independent of those serving other parts of the
building.

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4.11.4.2.5.4. Kitchen-exhaust hoods shall be installed above appliances of heating capacity

greater than 8kW and likely to generate grease vapor (e.g. ranges, fryers,
barbecues). Where grease is present, kitchen hoods incorporating grease filters shall
be used.

4.11.4.2.5.5. Exhaust air flow shall be suitably distributed over the exhaust hood to capture the
cooking vapor emission under still air conditions, which will be considered as room
air motion not exceeding 0.15m/s velocity.

4.11.4.2.5.6. Kitchen exhaust hoods shall be manufactured from rigid impervious hard-
faced and noncombustible materials, such as mild steel, stainless steel or
aluminum.

4.11.4.2.5.7. The seams shall be made liquid-tight seams and the joints made by fusion welding,
lapping, and riveting, soldering; or other approved methods.

4.11.4.2.5.8. Hoods shall be fitted with washable grease fitters mounted in frames in positions
enabling convenient removal and replacement, and installed so as to prevent
significant leakage of air around the filters.

4.11.4.2.5.9. All internal surfaces of hoods shall be vertical or sloped at an angle not greater than
400from vertical. The faces of filters shall be vertical or sloped at an angle not
greater than 300 from vertical.

4.11.4.2.5.10. It should be possible to assess the pressure drop of the ventilation air as it flows
across the grease filter.

4.11.4.2.5.11. Gutters shall be located beneath any protruding surface or edges such as lower
edges of filters, except light fittings inside hoods. Internal gutters not greater than
50mm or less than 35mm wide and not less than 10mm deep shall be located
around the lower edges of hoods. Plugged drainage holes shall be provided at
intervals not greater than 6 m along the gutter.

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4.11.4.2.5.12. The lower edges of canopy type exhaust hoods shall be not higher than 1.2m above
the cooking surface nor lower than 2m above floor level; and extend not less
than 150mm outside the plan perimeter of the appliance over which the hood is
installed.

4.11.4.2.5.13. Kitchen exhaust shall be discharged directly to the exterior and away from the
habitable areas of the building. It shall not be less than 5m from any air intake
openings.

4.11.4.2.5.14. Kitchen-exhaust ducts and shafts shall be sized and installed for the flow rate
of air necessary to remove the effluent. Velocities of not less than 9m/s are
recommended with the provision of access doors for cleaning at approximately 3m
centers.
(i) Ducts forming part of a kitchen exhaust system shall be manufactured from:
(ii) Mild steel of thickness not less than 1.2mm, or
(iii) Stainless steel of thickness not less than 0.9mm, or Other approved
materials.

4.11.4.2.5.15. Ducts shall be installed with a fall in the direction of flow of not less than 0.5%.

4.11.4.2.5.16. To enable cleaning of all the ductwork, openings large enough shall be provided at
suitable intervals and locations, and/or appropriate cleaning apparatus/systems
shall be incorporated. A drain shall be provided at the lowest point of each run of
ducting.

4.11.4.2.5.17. The hood and ducts for the exhaust shall have a clearance of 500mm from
unprotected combustible materials.

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4.11.4.2.6. BATHROOMS AND TOILETS VENTILATION

4.11.4.2.6.1. Air shall be supplied through a ventilation duct directly from the outdoor or
from a permanently air-conditioned or naturally ventilated room through louvers
in the doors or undercutting the doors or by other openings.

4.11.4.2.6.2. The exhaust system shall dispel the ventilated air directly to outdoors; and the
quantity of replacement air shall not exceed that of exhaust air.

4.11.4.2.7. EXIT FACILITIES VENTILATION

4.11.4.2.7.1. Mechanical ventilation systems and internal exist staircase and internal exit
passageway shall provide ventilation at the rate of four air changes per hour.

4.11.4.2.7.2. Supply air shall be drawn directly from the exterior with intake point not less than
5m from any exhaust discharge or opening ventilation.

4.11.4.2.7.3. Supply air shall be drawn directly from the exterior with intake point not less than
5m from any exhaust discharge or openings for natural ventilation.

4.11.4.2.8. AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Air-conditioning shall be installed to provide the control of the temperature and

humidity of a zone inside a building that accommodates internal heat gains and
exchanges heat and air with the surrounding.

4.11.4.2.9. An air-conditioning unit or system must:

(i) Be capable of being deactivated when the sole-occupancy unit, building or

part of the building served is not occupied;
(ii) Where the air-conditioning unit or system has motorized outside air and
return dampers, close the dampers when the air-conditioning unit or system
is deactivated;
(iii) When serving a sole-occupancy unit, not operate when any external door
including a door opening to a balcony, patio, courtyard or the like is open
for more than 1 minute; and

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(iv) Have any supply and return ductwork sealed and insulated when serving
more than one air-conditioning zone or area with different heating and
cooling.

4.11.4.2.10. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

4.11.4.2.10.1. Equipment used in air-conditioning shall have minimum performance in

accordance with the level of current technology.
4.11.4.2.10.2. The normal design dry-bulb temperature for comfort air-conditioning can vary from
24oC to 26oC with the lower temperature applicable to zones with solar load and
the higher value in all other zones.
4.11.4.2.10.3. When a space has significant sensible equipment load, care should be taken
for situations when the equipment is operating at part-load.
4.11.4.2.10.4. The specification of indoor conditions shall take into considerations the anticipated
mean radiant temperature and air movement.
4.11.4.2.10.5. The design outdoor air conditions shall be taken for dry-bulb and wet-bulb with a
daily range calculated between maximum and minimum temperatures. The dry-
bulb temperature value shall exceed more than 2.5% of the total hours and the wet
bulb value is the average of the coincident wet-bulb temperature occurring at the
design dry-bulb temperature. The load contribution from the outdoor air introduced
into a building for ventilation shall be calculated.

4.11.4.2.11 INDOOR THERMAL ENVIRONMENT

When the air-conditioning system is in operation, the operative temperature

should be maintained within 24oC and 26oC and the air movement should not
exceed 0.3m/s, measured at the occupants’ level 1500mm from the floor.

4.11.4.2.12 OUTDOOR FRESH AIR SUPPLY

4.11.4.2.12.1. The rates of ventilation given in Table 4.11.4-3 apply to normal types of buildings
with normal heat gains from occupants and activities and no-smoking in air-
conditioned spaces.

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4.11.4.2.12.2. When abnormal conditions prevail, the ventilation rate may be increased to
prevent undue concentration of body odours, bacteria-carrying particles, gas, vapor
or dust and to prevent undue accumulation of carbon dioxide and to remove
products of combustion.

4.11.4.2.12.3. For any type of room or floor space not specified in this section, the ventilation rate
shall be determined by the qualified person subject to the approval of the relevant
authority.

4.11.4.2.12.4. In air-conditioned office premises, classrooms and theatres, the supply of

outdoor air can be varied according to occupancy.

Table 4.11.4-3: Outdoor Air Supply Requirement for Comfort Air-Conditioning

Type of Building/ Occupancy Minimum Outdoor Air Supply

L/s per m2 floor m3/h per m2 floor L/s per

area area person

Restaurant 3.4 12.2 5.1

Dance halls 7.0 25.0 10.5

Offices 0.6 2.0 5.5

Shops, supermarkets and department 1.1 3.8 5.5

stores

Theatres and cinemas seating area 2.0 7.3 3.0

Lobbies and corridors 0.3 1.1 3.3

Concourses 1.1 4.0 3.3

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Hotel guest rooms 15 L/s per room 54 m3/h per room 5.5

Primary school children and above 2.8 10.0 4.2

Childcare centers 2.8 10.0 8.4

Note:

(i) Dance halls refer to night clubs. The outdoor air supply in discotheques
requires 50 % more than that in dance halls; and
(ii) The use of higher outdoor air supply in hotel guest rooms stipulated
in Table 4.11.4-3 should take precedence.

4.11.4.2.12.5. Unless there is monitoring and control of the concentration of carbon dioxide
indoors, the design outdoor air quantity should be maintained during the air-
conditioning operation.

4.11.4.2.12.6. In existing building, where the air-conditioning systems have been designed for a
lower ventilation rate, the indoor air quality can be improved by using suitable
filters for the particulates or gases.

4.11.4.2.13 INDOOR SUPPLY AIR

4.11.4.2.13.1 The cool supply air should be directed away from the fenestration glazing or the
glazing adjacent to a non-air conditioned area to prevent moisture condensing on
the outside surface.

4.11.4.2.13.2 The cool air leaving the supply diffuser should be designed at a temperature less
than 2OC above the room dew point to prevent moisture condensing on the diffuser
surface.

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4.11.4.2.14 PURGING OF INDOOR AIR

4.11.4.2.14.1 For air-conditioned buildings, an air purging system should be provided at each
floor so that contaminated air can be exhausted when necessary to improve
the indoor air quality.

4.11.4.2.14.2 The air purging system should be able to introduce outdoor air into the space and
then discharge the indoor air to outside the building at a minimum rate of 2 air-
changes per hour.

4.11.4.2.14.3 The capacity of the exhaust fans shall be higher than the flow rate of the
outdoor air introduced in to the space.

4.11.4.2.14.4 For building with fixed windows, the outdoor air for purging can be supplied by
the fan for air- conditioning or others.

4.11.4.2.14.5 The exhaust discharge shall be at least 5m from the outdoor air intake of another
system.

4.11.4.2.15 AIR FILTRATION

4.11.4.2.15.1 Outdoor air for ventilation and indoor air that is to be re-circulated should be
filtered for particulate.

4.11.4.2.15.2 It should be possible to assess at any time the condition of the air filter and the
pressure drop across it.

4.11.4.2.16 CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.4.2.16.1 The design of the control system shall allow operation to utilize energy efficiently
while maintaining the desired indoor conditions.

4.11.4.2.16.2 When an air-conditioning system has to serve areas with different cooling
requirements, sufficient number of zones shall be provided.

4.11.4.2.16.3 At least one thermostat of suitable operating range shall be provided to each
separate air-handling system and zone for the regulation of space temperature.
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4.11.4.2.16.4 A readily accessible manual or automatic means shall be provided to partially

restrict or shut of the cooling to each zone.

4.11.4.2.16.5 Air-conditioning systems shall be equipped with at least one of the following to
enable them to shutdown automatically:
(i) Controls that can start and stop the system under different time schedules
for seven different days per week with manual override, or equivalent
function that allows temporary operation of the system for up to two hours;
and
(ii) An occupant sensor that is capable of shutting the system off when no
occupant is sensed for a period of up to 30 minutes.

4.11.4.2.17 Zones that are intended to operate or be occupied non-simultaneously should

be grouped into isolation areas. Central systems and plants serving these zones
are provided with controls and devices that enable a stable system and equipment
operation for any length of time while serving only the smallest isolation area.

4.11.4.2.18 A minimum of one of the following control technologies shall be required in hotel
guest rooms with over 50 rooms such that all the power to the lights and switched
outlets in hotel guest room would be turned off when the occupant is not in
the room and the space temperature would automatically set up by no less than
3OC:

(i) Controls that are activated by the room occupant via the primary
room access method-key, card, deadbolt; and
(ii) Occupancy sensor controls that are activated by the occupant’s presence
in the room.

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4.11.4.2.19 DESIGN AND INSTALLATIONS REQUIREMENTS OF HEATING,

VENTILATION AND AIR COOLING SYSTEM

4.11.4.2.19.1 The main objective of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning design will be
to provide correctly sized heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for the
building and
(i) Be properly sized to provide correct air flow and meet room by room
calculated heating and cooling loads;
(ii) Be installed so that the static air pressure drop across the handler is within
manufacturer and design specifications;
(iii) Have sealed supply ductwork that will provide proper air flow;
(iv) Be installed within return system sized to provide correct return air flow;
(v) Have sealed return ductwork that will provide proper air flow to the fan and
avoid air entering the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system
from polluted zones;
(vi) Have balanced air flows between supply and return systems to maintain
neutral pressure in the home;
(vii) Minimize duct air temperature gain or loss between the air handler and room
registers and between return registers and the air handler;
(viii) Be properly charged with refrigerant; and
(ix) Have proper burner operation and proper draft.

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4.11.4.3 VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT

4.11.4.3.1. VENTILATION EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS

4.11.4.3.1.1. FANS INSTALLATIONS REQUIREMENTS

4.11.4.3.1.1.1. Fans must be properly installed to achieve smooth control and correct performance.
In general, manufacturer recommendations should be followed.

4.11.4.3.1.1.2. Fans should be located so the discharge of one does not enter the intake of another
fan. Intake area should be at least 20 percent greater than the fan wheel discharge
area.

4.11.4.3.1.1.3. Fans located opposite from each other should be separated by at least six fan
diameters.

4.11.4.3.1.1.4. Elbows or other abrupt duct transformations on the discharge side of the fan should
not be closer than one diameter from the fan wheel.

4.11.4.3.1.1.5. Direction of fan discharge and rotation should be selected to match duct or
mounting requirements.

4.11.4.3.1.1.6. Fans shall be supported and restrained by non-combustible devices in accordance

with the structural design requirements.

4.11.4.3.1.1.7. Motors and drives shall be easily accessible for operation, maintenance and repairs,
and all rotating parts shall be guarded adequately.

4.11.4.3.1.1.8. Sufficient clearance and access shall be provided for inspection, cleaning and
maintenance.

4.11.4.3.1.1.9. Air passage duct connection with the fan unit shall be through flexible duct.

4.11.4.3.1.1.10. The flexible duct materials shall be made of material classified as not easily
ignitable and shall not exceed 250mm in length.

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4.11.4.3.2. AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT

4.11.4.3.2.1. AIR HANDLING UNIT

4.11.4.3.2.1.1. The condensate from the cooling coil shall be provided with trap on leaving
the air handler and there should be an air break between the condensate drain
pipe and sanitary drain system to avoid back flow.

4.11.4.3.2.1.2. The air handler unit shall have sufficient access for cleaning and maintenance and
the inner surface shall be easy to clean and shall be abrasion resistant.

4.11.4.3.2.1.3. The air handling unit shall have electrical power isolating switch on the unit or
adjacent to the unit within 3 meters distance for maintenance and quick shut down
purpose.

4.11.4.3.2.1.4. Air handling units installed in open space the electrical isolating switch shall
be all weather resistant.

4.11.4.3.2.2. HEAT RECOVERY UNITS

4.11.4.3.2.2.1. Heat recovery devices shall be used in ventilation systems to provide heat recovery
from exhaust to supply air in winter and can also recover cooling in peak summer
conditions.

4.11.4.3.2.2.2. Selection of equipment should be suitable for process exhaust temperatures. Where
the recovered heat is fed to a ventilation system, modulation control is
normally required to prevent overheating in warm weather.

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4.11.4.3.2.3. AIR HEATING EQUIPMENT

4.11.4.3.2.3.1. Air heating media can be electricity, hot water, steam or refrigerant gas.

4.11.4.3.2.3.2. Air heating coils shall be manufactured from materials which shall resist corrosion
and can provide good conductivity.

4.11.4.3.2.3.3. The operation of heaters shall be through automatic temperature control system, in
order to meet the set room temperature value.

4.11.4.3.2.4. INSTALLATION LOCATION

When selecting a site or room for the location of any piece of equipment, various
factors shall be done in accordance to ISO 5149-3, and shall be considered
including the following:

(i) Equipment type (Indoor, outdoor);

(ii) Hoisting for initial installation and future maintenance, or replacement
works;
(iii) Transmission of noise to adjacent areas;
(iv) Discharge of heat to and from adjacent buildings;
(v) Ventilation requirements;
(vi) Space for service access, operational requirements and future expansion;
(vii) Support structure for equipment, ducts;
(viii) Utilities connections;
(ix) Fire hazard, protection and construction of fire rating wall; and
(x) Safety of working, and maintaining personnel.

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4.11.4.3.2.5. EQUIPMENT CLEARANCE AND SPACE REQUIREMENT

4.11.4.3.2.5.1. Ventilation equipment shall be installed with sufficient working space for
inspection and routine maintenance (e.g. filter replacement and fan belt adjustment
and replacement).

4.11.4.3.2.5.2. All gauges, meters, should be installed in such a way that they are easily readable
and replaceable.

4.11.4.3.2.5.3. All sensors shall be installed in such a way that they are easily accessible
for regular calibration.

4.11.4.3.2.5.4. Access panels shall be provided for boxes, fan coil units, electric heaters, valves,
fans and any accessories concealed in a closed space wall or ceiling.

4.11.4.3.2.5.5. Platform supported equipments shall have enough space for maintenance and
shall be provided with cat walk. Such concealed units shall have good sound
insulation and vibration isolation devices.

4.11.4.3.2.5.6. Installation techniques to consider vibration control in Heating, Ventilation and Air
Conditioning systems shall be controlled by considering the following installation
techniques.

4.11.4.3.2.5.7. Ensure that vibration isolation is properly installed with no bridging material
across the flexible mountings.

4.11.4.3.2.5.8. Ensure that vibration isolators are loaded to give equal deflections and installed to
maintain vertical alignment of their springs and other components.

4.11.4.3.2.5.9. Isolators shall be aligned with the equipment as misaligned isolators are a source
of different problems.

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4.11.4.3.2.6. VENTILATION EQUIPMENT ACCESS

4.11.4.3.2.6.1. Access doors, panels, or other means shall be provided and sized to allow
convenient and unobstructed access sufficient to inspect, maintain, and calibrate all
ventilation equipment

4.11.4.3.2.7. Equipment connection to ducting shall be through the use of flexible duct.

4.11.4.3.2.8. AIR HEATING EQUIPMENT

4.11.4.3.2.8.1. When installing Maintenance access shall be provided to access the heating
equipment for servicing and maintenance.

4.11.4.3.2.8.2. Electrical heaters shall be interlocked with the fan motors to avoid the
switching of the heaters without the air blowing, and all electric heaters shall
have controls such as thermostat and over heat protection.

4.11.4.3.2.9. DUCTWORK AND ACCESSORIES

4.11.4.3.2.9.1. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

(i) DUCTWORK AND AIR DISTRIBUTION

a. Designers should specify the requirements, as appropriate for the

velocity and pressure, and materials to be employed. Ductwork is
generally manufactured from galvanized steel sheet.
b. Ductwork may also be manufactured from aluminum sheet for
applications like operation theatres and intensive care units where
stringent cleanliness standards are a functional requirement.
c. In designing the ductwork for an air distribution system, consideration
should be given to the air velocities in ducts, choice of materials and
construction of the ducts, etc.
d. For the best economic solution, the duct system shall be designed at the
smallest aspect ratio in co-ordination with the space available for duct
installation.

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e. Maximum velocity for different applications shall be in accordance

with Table 4.11.4-4 and for the pressure class shown in Table 4.11.4-5.

Table 4.11.4.-4: Maximum Velocities for Low Pressure Ducting System

Velocity (m/s)
Application
Main Branch
Duct Duct

Theatres, auditorium, studios 4.0 3.0

Hotel bedrooms, conference halls, operating theaters 5.0 3.0

Private offices, libraries, cinemas, hospital wards 8.0 4.0

General offices, restaurants, department stores 7.5 5.0

Cafeteria, supermarkets, machine rooms 9.0 8.0

Factories, workshops 12.0 7.5

Table 4.11.4.-5: Duct System Classification

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Duct Pressure Class Static Pressure Limit Mean Air

Positive (Pa) Negative (Pa) Velocity
(m/s)

Low 500 500 10

Medium 1000 750 20

High 2500 750 40

f. Ventilation ducts should not pass through smoke-stop, fire fighting

lobbies or fire exits. Where unavoidable, fire or smoke dampers
shall be installed at the location where duct crosses fire wall.

g. Air ducts shall be made substantially air tight throughout, and shall have
no openings other than those required for proper operation and
maintenance of the system. Access openings shall be provided where
debris, paper or other combustible materials may accumulate in
plenums and ducts. Removable grilles requiring only the loosening of
catches or screws for removal may be considered as access openings.

4.11.4.3.3. OUTDOOR AIR INTAKES

4.11.4.3.3.1. Outdoor air intakes shall be covered with an insect screen and protected
from rain entrainment. Screening shall be of corrosion resistant material not larger
than 10mm mesh.

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4.11.4.3.3.2. Outdoor air intakes should be protected from water droplets such that no water
droplet can enter the ventilation air stream.

4.11.4.3.3.3. Outdoor air intakes as bird screens/exhaust outlets shall include screening
devices designed to prevent by a 15mm diameter probe.

4.11.4.3.4. LOCATIONS OF INTAKES AND RETURN AIR OPENINGS

4.11.4.3.4.1. The location of outdoor air intakes for air-handling systems shall take due account
of any other intake openings for ventilation or exhaust. The intakes of outdoor
air to all air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems, including those
of the ventilation and pressurization of stair shafts, shall be located at external
walls or at roof level, arranged so as to pick up outdoor air free of contamination or
odours.

4.11.4.3.4.2. Openings for the intakes of outdoor air to all air handling systems, mechanical
ventilation systems, pressurization systems of exit staircases and internal corridors,
and smoke control systems shall be no less than 5m from any exhaust discharge
openings.

4.11.4.3.4.3. Outdoor air intakes shall not be within 5m of exhaust discharges from any
buildings, kitchens, toilets, car parks, cooling towers, laundries, rubbish dumps
or plant rooms. The distance from an air intake to a cooling tower is measured
from the base of the cooling tower.

4.11.4.3.4.4. All return air openings and outdoor air intakes shall be so located and
arranged that sources of ignition such as lighted matches and cigarette butts
accidentally entering the openings and intakes shall not be deposited onto the filter
media.

4.11.4.3.4.5. For air-conditioned spaces, the bottom of the outdoor air intakes shall not be less
than 2.1m above the outside floor level, when the air intakes are adjacent to car
parks or busy area.

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4.11.4.3.4.6. Exhaust ducts from toilets and domestic kitchens shall not be connected to duct
systems serving other areas except at the inlet of the exhaust fan. Where such
connection is made, devices shall be installed to prevent the circulation of exhaust
air though the dwelling units when the fan is not operating. Exhaust ducts for
industrial or commercial kitchens shall be of a separate system.

4.11.4.3.4.7. Exhaust ducts shall discharge directly to the outdoors. When exhausts are
adjacent to pedestrians’ area, the location of the exhaust air discharge shall
not be less than 2.1m above the outside floor level.

4.11.4.3.4.8. Ducts shall not be located where they will be subject to damage or rupture.
Where so located they shall be suitably protected.

4.11.4.3.4.9. Return air ducts should be routed away from toilets or places where odours are
expected and may re-circulate into the supply air stream.

4.11.4.4. HEATING

4.11.4.4.1. Any system of heating in a building shall be designed, constructed and installed
to operate safely, and any flue, flue pipe or chimney used in the system shall
be designed to remove any smoke, fumes or noxious gases without causing harm
to the building or creating a hazard.

4.11.4.4.2. Any flue pipe designed or installed in connection with the heating of a building
shall be such that it shall not cause a fire hazard to any adjacent material and
shall not be connected to any shaft or duct that forms part of a ventilation
system.

4.11.4.4.3. A chimney, which is within or is attached to any building, shall be designed of

constructed of non-combustible material and it shall be installed in such a manner
that it will not cause a fire hazard to any adjacent material.

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4.11.4.4.4. Where the walls of a chimney in any building are comprised of masonry, the
walls shall be solid masonry units not less than 100mm in thickness, internally
lined with approved non-combustible material capable of withstanding any
action of the flue gases, and shall resist, without cracking or softening, the
temperature to which it shall be subjected.

4.11.4.4.5. The height of a chimney outlet shall not be less than 1.0m above the highest point
of contact with any roof of a building, the highest point of any window or of any
roof light capable of being opened, any ventilation inlet situated in a roof or
in an external wall except that, in addition, the horizontal distance from the
nearest window, roof light, or inlet to the chimney outlet shall not be less than 2m.

4.11.4.4.6. Every fire place used for the burning of solid fuel shall have a hearth made
of non-combustible material of approved thickness, and the hearth shall extend
not less than 500mm in front of the grating or fire basket and not less than 300mm
on either side of the grating or fire basket.

4.11.4.4.7. The air velocity through the heaters should be sufficient to permit the absorption of
the rated output of the finned tube heaters within its range of safe temperatures and
the exact velocity determined in conjunction with the manufacturers of the heater.

4.11.4.5. ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR WATER HEATER REQUIREMENTS

4.11.4.5.1. Solar collectors should have at least four fixing points connecting the solar
collector to the building. The outermost fixings should be within 200mm of the
outside edge of the solar collector.

4.11.4.5.2. The solar collector should ideally be positioned centrally on a roof plane.
The solar collector should not be located adjacent to eaves, ridge lines or roof
edges.

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4.11.4.5.3. The erection of any solar water heater not exceeding 6m2 in area on any roof or
12m2 when erected other than on any roof.

4.11.4.5.4. The roof framing should not be reduced in strength except as a result of
drilling for bolts or screws to fix the solar collector to the roof.

4.11.4.5.5. If the hot water storage tank is installed in the attic space, it should have a
maximum size of either: 200 litres for small residential houses or 450 litres for
complex buildings.

4.11.4.5.6. The building should not be in a wind zone where the ultimate limit state
design wind speed exceeds 50m/s.

4.11.4.5.7. If the solar collector is installed at a different pitch to the pitch of the roof
cladding then the solar collector should:
(i) Face in the same compass direction as the section of the roof that it is fixed
to, and
(ii) Be installed at a pitch no steeper than 45°.

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SECTION 5: ACOUSTICS, SOUND INSULATION & NOISE CONTROL

4.11.5.1. ACOUSTICAL PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

4.11.5.1.1. Acoustical planning, including all parts and details, shall be performed during design
phase of any project and shall comply withSO 11855, ISO 354, ISO 1680 and ISO
20189.

4.11.5.1.2. In residential areas zones planning shall be elaborated in order to reduce noise, roads
within a residential area shall be kept to a minimum both in width and length, and shall
be designed to discourage car speeding.

4.11.5.1.3. Good design practices shall minimize the amount of noise entering a building from
adjoining building and shall be compatible with requirements of other environmental
factors including natural light, ventilation and heat for working in an overall energy.

4.11.5.1.4. Bedrooms shall not be designed alongside access balconies, water-closets shall not be
designed over living rooms and bedrooms, whether within the same dwelling or over
other building.

4.11.5.1.5. During design noisy areas such as living rooms, kitchens, laundries and bathrooms shall
be grouped together possibly sharing common walls and quiet areas such as studies and
bedrooms shall be grouped away from noisy areas and shall be grouped together.

4.11.5.2. SOUND INSULATION FOR BUILDING ELEMENTS

4.11.5.2.1. The sound insulation performance of building elements shall be improved by increasing
the surface mass of the material; the use of additional skins of material, the use of limp
materials or materials with low stiffness; and the addition of damping especially to thin
stiff elements in a partition system.

4.11.5.2.2. The required sound insulation of a floor, ceiling or a wall shall not be compromised by
the incorporation or penetration of a pipe or other service element or a door assembly.

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4.11.5.2.3. Any discontinuity in isolated walls shall not be bridged or short circuited by nails
screws, noggins or packers. Flexible connectors shall be installed for pipes and ducts
to limit structure-borne noise transfer.

4.11.5.2.4. Mechanical and hydraulic services such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
system equipment, air ducts shall be located away from sensitive areas within the unit
or outside the building to minimize the background noise they create. A flexible
coupling must be used at the point of connection between the service pipes in building
and any circulating or other pump.

4.11.5.2.5. A suitable soft connecting material such as rubber; neoprene or isolation springs shall
be used between the elements within a building element; to reduce the amount of
structure-borne noise.

4.11.5.3. NOISE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.5.3.1. CONTROL OF INDOOR NOISE

4.11.5.3.1.1 The details of site and internal planning and insulation requirements shall be
covered under individual occupancies as applicable to the respective character and
sources of noise in different buildings.

4.11.5.3.1.2 The acceptable noise levels and the recommended insulation values for the various
areas shall be achieved by providing sound insulation treatments by constructional
measures.

4.11.5.3.1.3 Maximum Permissible Intrusive noise levels: The ambient noise levels to be met
for both domestic and non-domestic buildings shall comply with RS 236.

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4.11.5.4.1. CONTROL OF OUTDOOR NOISE

4.11.5.3.1.4 The planning shall be undertaken in such a manner that the noise shall be kept at a
distance. Quiet zones and residential zones shall be placed with adequate setback
from noise sources, like airports, highways, railway lines and factories. Noise
barriers shall be provided by placing buildings and occupancies less susceptible to
noise between the source and the more susceptible ones.

4.11.5.3.1.5 A noise survey shall be conducted and a Noise Map shall be prepared to identify
source, type, intensity, frequency and other parameters of noise in and around the
site of any specific project. Noise levels should be measured for pick and off pick
hours of both working and holidays, and also for 'Day Time' and Night Time.

4.11.5.5. NOISE LEVEL REQUIREMENT FOR NEW HOUSING AND

REFURBISHMENTS

4.11.5.5.1. Noise should be taken into account when determining building applications and,
where appropriate, conditions requiring adequate noise protection should be
imposed where external free field noise levels are emitted.

4.11.5.6.1. OCCUPANCY R

4.11.5.6.1.1. Quiet and noisy quarters shall be grouped and separated horizontally and
vertically from each other by rooms. Adequate sound insulation shall be provided
in separating wall to ensure sound permissible in residential house.

4.11.5.6.1.2. Design of penetrations in acoustically-rated building elements, such as ceilings,

floors, walls, bulkheads and risers, shall be well designed and sealed so as not to
reduce the sound rating of the building element and to minimize flanking.

4.11.5.6.2. OCCUPANCY E

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4.11.5.6.2.1. The school building shall be located as far away as possible from the sources
of outdoor noise such as busy roads, railways, neighbouring market places or
adjacent shopping areas as well as local industrial and small scale manufacturing
concerns.

4.11.5.6.2.2. Halls and Circulation Areas: The lobby, lounge areas or other circulation spaces
and linking corridors shall be separated from teaching areas, lecture galleries or
laboratories. No direct window openings shall be placed along the walls of the
corridors or circulation areas.

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4.11.5.6.3. OCCUPANCY I-2

4.11.5.6.3.1. Site shall be selected to keep adequate distance from traffic noise from highways,
main roads, railroads, airports and noise originating from parking areas.

4.11.5.6.3.2. Rooms to be used for board meetings, conference, counselling and instructional
purposes shall be grouped near public zones of the building to avoid noise and
rooms housing equipment, operational facilities and patient service facilities
shall be designed for adequate sound insulation.

4.11.5.6.4. OCCUPANCY A

4.11.5.6.4.1. Buildings of Occupancy A shall be designed for both transmission of noise through
the walls and openings and also for internal acoustics.

4.11.5.6.4.2. The auditorium shall be effectively separated from all exterior and interior noise
and vibration sources as far as practicable. The hall shall be free of such acoustical
defects as echoes, long delayed reflections, flutter echoes, sound concentrations,
distortions, sound shadow and room resonance etc.

4.11.5.6.5. OCCUPANCY M

4.11.5.6.5.1. The entire portion of the ceiling shall be treated with sound absorption materials
and machines like typewriters, calculators, printers etc. shall be fitted or installed
with resilient pads to prevent the floors or tables (on which they stand) from acting
as large radiating panels.

4.11.5.6.6. OCCUPANCY F

4.11.5.6.6.1. Noisy areas shall be separated from spaces requiring silence. Soft and resilient
materials shall be applied on hard surfaces where impact noise can originate.

4.11.5.6.6.2. Flexible mountings, anti-vibration pads, floating floors etc. shall be used to prevent
the transmission of vibration and shock from various machines into the building or
structure.

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SECTION 6: STAIRWAYS, RAMPS & GUARDING

4.11.6.1. STAIRWAYS

4.11.6.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.6.1.1.1. Any stairway or ramp , including walls, screens, balustrades, wells, or shafts of the
stairway, ramp or lift shall be designed and constructed so as to sustain dead and
imposed loads or any other forces to which it may be subjected.

4.11.6.1.1.2. The staircases shall be provided in every building exceeding one storey in height in
order to give access to the upper floors even if there is another access to those floors.

4.11.6.1.1.3. All multistoreyed buildings shall have staircase for regular use which facilitate the
accessibility of all floors and shall be provided in addition an emergency staircases
as specified in part 10, section 1of this code.

4.11.6.1.1.4. In every multistory building, the main staircase:

(i) shall have a minimum clear height of 2m;

(ii) Shall have a minimum clear width complying with the Table 4.11.6-1;
(iii) shall be provided with handrails on one or both sides;
(iv) Shall be set so as to provide access to a street or any other open space; and
(v) Shall be provided with a door if it continues up to the roof of building as
means of escape in the case of fire.

4.11.6.1.1.5. The provisions of escape and rescue in the case of emergency shall be available in
every building by considering the intended use of building.

4.11.6.1.1.6. Stairways shall be designed and constructed according to the limiting dimensions
shown in Table 4.11.6-1.

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4.11.6.1.1.7. A series of stairs between landings shall not exceed 16 risers, and a change in
direction shall be required after two successive series of stairs between landings
without a turn.

4.11.6.1.2. DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN STAIRWAYS

4.11.6.1.2.1. Any stairway shall have dimensions proper to its use.

4.11.6.1.2.2. The headroom measured vertically from the pitch line shall comply with the Table
4.11.6-1.
4.11.6.1.2.3. Width:

(i) Any stairway shall have a width complying with the dimensions given in
the Table 4.11.6-1; and
(ii) For spiral stairway, the width shall be not less than 800mm and shall not be
used as emergency route.

4.11.6.1.2.4. Treads and risers:

(i) For the purpose of this Code, risers shall be constant throughout a flight and
shall be measured vertically from the top of the next tread. The risers’
dimensions shall be found in the table 4.11.6-1. This shall not forbid the use
of tapered treads in the same flight with treads that are not tapered; and
(ii) All treads shall be leveled and shall extend for the whole width of the
stairway.

Table 4.11.6-1: Limiting Dimensions of Stairs

Stair Use Maximum Minimum Minimum Headroom

Riser(mm) Width(mm) Tread(mm) (m)
Private access to 200 600 225 2.1
single room

Dwelling Unit 180 800 250 2.1

Domestic Building 170 1000 250 2.1

Common Access

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Public and all other 170 1200 280 2.1

buildings

4.11.6.1.3. LANDING

4.11.6.1.3.1. A landing of length not less than the width of a stairway or 750 mm, whichever is
greater, shall be provided at each end of a flight of stairs.
4.11.6.1.3.2. Internal landings shall be unobstructed and level, while external landings shall also
be unobstructed, but may be ramped away from the lowest step at a slope not
exceeding 1 to 12.
4.11.6.1.3.3. The vertical rise for flight of stairs shall be 3m maximum between landings.
4.11.6.1.3.4. There shall be prohibited to open a door against the stairway except that such door
is opened onto the landing and its width shall be less than the one of landing.

4.11.6.1.4. STAIRS WITH TAPERED TREADS

The going for the stairs with tapered treads shall be found as follows:

(i) If the flight is narrower than 1m wide, measure in the middle; and
(ii) If the width of flight is 1m or wider measure 270mm from each side.

Figure 4.11.6-1: Tapered Treads Measuring

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4.11.6.1.5. PROVISIONS FOR ESCAPE AND RESCUE MEANS

4.11.6.1.5.1. Secondary and fire escape stairways shall be of the dimensions not less than those
specified for domestic buildings in the Table 4.11.6-1 and in special circumstances,
Authority may allow the use of an approved type of escape ladder or any other
equipment in place of escape stairways.

4.11.6.1.5.2. An adequate number of staircases designed and constructed so as to allow firemen

and access to all floors of building in fire case shall be provided to a building
exceeding one storey building in height.

4.11.6.1.5.3. The access staircase in every building shall be designed and built in the manner that
the sufficient number of firemen may get to the fire safely protected from fire and
smoke.

4.11.6.1.5.4. The regulation of 4.11.6.1.5.3 shall not be applied to the domestic buildings and
single household unit not exceeding 3 main storeys in height.

4.11.6.1.5.5. Tapered treads shall not be permitted in a stairway that is used as an emergency
route.

4.11.6.1.6. FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENT

Any stairway provided in a building shall fulfill all the requirements provided in
this code in the chapter 3 for fire safety.

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4.11.6.2. RAMPS

4.11.6.2.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.6.2.1.1. In any building not being classified as R-5, wherever such building is situated, any
ramp anticipated to be used by motor vehicles shall have a slope less than 1:25
within a distance of 5m from the street crossed by that ramp.

4.11.6.2.1.2. All ramps or driveways shall be designed to be safe and fit for the purpose for which
it is intended. The maximum grade for ramps for disabled persons shall be 1:12.

4.11.6.2.1.3. Any ramp intended to be used by vehicles and pedestrians shall possess a walkway
of minimum 1.2m wide which can be provided with a curb not less than 150mm
high.

4.11.6.2.1.4. The ramp shall fulfill all the fire safety installations requirements provided in this
code and shall provide access for disabled persons as referred in Part 10, Section 3
of this code.

4.11.6.2.2. PEDESTRIAN RAMPS

4.11.6.2.2.1. The required clear headroom for ramps and landings shall be not less than 2m and
no obstruction shall be allowed in a medium where placed a ramp, it shall be clear
all time
4.11.6.2.2.2. After every travel distance of 9m, a landing should be provided for ramp.

4.11.6.2.3. PARKING

4.11.6.2.3.1. Parking for automobiles, vans, buses and trucks shall be provided within the
boundary of the site in accordance with the Table 4.11.6-2.
Table 4.11.6-2: Parking Requirements

Occupancy No. of Parking lots required per 1000m2 of built-up area

Automobiles Vans Truck/Vans

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A 5 - 1

B 10 - 1

E 2 - -

F 1 2 1

I 2 2 -

M 2 - 1

R 10* - 1**

S 1 - 1

* 1 per 100m2 of detached dwelling house ** for hotels only

4.11.6.3. GUARDING

4.11.6.3.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Protection at the edges of a balcony, bridge, flat roof, retaining wall or similar
member of any building or structure shall be provided with a balustrade, parapet or
other approved protection to prevent any person from falling from the balcony,
bridge, flat roof, retaining wall or similar member of the building or structure.

4.11.6.3.2. STAIRWAYS GUARDING

4.11.6.3.2.1. HANDRAILS FOR STAIRS

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4.11.6.3.2.1.1. Any series of stairs rising more than 600mm shall have a continuous handrail
fixed at a height of not less than 900mm above the pitch line of the stairs or top of
landing; where the width of the stairway exceeds 1.0m, two handrails shall be
provided, one on each side; and a stairway which is wider than 2.0m shall be
divided by handrails into sections not less than 1.0m in width nor wider than
1.5m.

4.11.6.3.2.1.2. A handrail shall not encroach more than 75mm into the width of the stairway and
shall be supported by a vertical baluster spaced at a distance not exceeding
125mm centre to centre.

4.11.6.3.2.1.3. The fixed handrails shall be provided on both sides of fixed ladder.

4.11.6.3.2.2. GUARDING FOR STAIRS

4.11.6.3.2.2.1. The flights and landings shall be guarded when there is a drop great than 600mm
in dwelling buildings and when there are two or more risers in the other buildings.

4.11.6.3.2.2.2. A guarding of a private stair shall resist a horizontal force equal to 0.36KN for
each meter of length at a height given in Figure 4.11.6-1.

4.11.6.3.2.2.3. The guarding to a flight should prevent children to be detained by the guarding
except stairs not to be used by children under 5 years old.

4.11.6.3.3. RAMPS GUARDING & HANDRAILS

The guarding for ramps should be provided in the similar way as stairs.

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4.11.6.3.4. PEDESTRIAN GUARDING

4.11.6.3.4.1. Guarding shall be available where it is practically needed for safety to guard the
ends of any part of balcony, roof, floor gallery or elsewhere that people can
access(except for the purpose of maintenance or repair) and any light well,
basement area or similar drawn area next to a building.

4.11.6.3.4.2. In the vehicles parking, but not on any ramp used only for vehicle access, guarding
should be provided.

4.11.6.3.4.3. Any structure serving as guarding such as wall, parapet, balustrade or any other
similar obstruction shall have the height shown in the Table 4.11.6-3 and shall be
able of resisting the horizontal forces given in the Table 4.11.6-3 when applied at
the height shown.

Table 4.11.6-3: Design Guidance

Building category and location Horizontal Height (h)

load

Single family dwellings Stairs, landings, 0.36 KN/m 900mm for all
ramps, edges of roof elements

External balconies and 0.74 KN/m 1100mm

edges of roof

Factories & Warehouses Stairs, ramps 0.36 KN/m 900mm

(light traffic)
Landing and edges of 0.36 KN/m 1100mm
floor

Residential, Institutional, All locations 0.74 KN/m 900mm for flights

Educational, Office and otherwise
public buildings 1100mm

Assembly 530mm in front of 800mm(h1)

fixed seating

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All other locations 900mm for flights

elsewhere
1100mm(h2)

Retail All locations 1.5 KN/m 900mm for flights

otherwise
1100mm

Other buildings At opening windows 800mm

except roof window in
loft extensions

At glazing to changes To provide Below 800mm

of level containment

4.11.6.3.5. VEHICLE BARRIERS

4.11.6.3.5.1. Where a vehicle has access to floor, roof or ramp as part of building, there should
be provision of barrier to any edge which is on or above the floor or ground or any
other place for vehicles.
4.11.6.3.5.2. Any means serving as a barrier should be able of resisting forces specified in Part
6 of this Code and shall be of the following minimum height:
(i) For floor or roof edge: 375mm; and
(ii) For ramp edge: 610mm

4.11.6.3.6. PROTECTION AGAINST FALLING

4.11.6.3.6.1. Stairway (flight of steps) which contains more than three risers shall have
prevention on each side provided by a secure wall, railing, screen or balustrade
which shall be not less than 1m high and so erected that any such wall, screen,
railing or balustrade in any occupancy classified I-2, I-3, R-1, R-3 and R-4 shall not
have any opening that permits the passage of a 0.1 m diameter sphere. Provided
that such protection in any occupancy not being an occupancy classified I-2, I-3,
R-1, R-3, R-4 and R-5 shall consist of at least a handrail and one other rail midway
between such handrail and the stair tread:
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(i) Any stairway (flight of steps) which contains more than five risers shall be
provided with at least one continuous handrail extending the full length of
such flight. This condition shall not apply to any building classified R-4 or
R-5;
(ii) Any handrail shall be securely fitted to such wall, screen, railing or
balustrade at a height of not less than 850mm and not more than 1m
measured vertically from the pitch line to the upper surface of the handrail;
and
(iii) Handrails shall be provided on both sides of flight and such flight which is
less than 1.1m wide shall have a handrail on at least one side and where the
width of any flight is more than 1.1m.

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SECTION 7: LIFTS & ESCALATORS

4.11.7.1. LIFT

4.11.7.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.7.1.1.1. All building comprising 4 or more floors above the ground level shall be provided
with one or more passenger lifts.

4.11.7.1.1.2. The installation shall be accepted in consistency with ‘Fire and Life Safety’ and
local fire regulations and rules there under wherever they are in force.

4.11.7.1.1.3. For buildings with more than 12 floors, where passenger and service lifts are
provided in one lobby, there shall be a group control for all the lifts.

4.11.7.1.1.4. Any lift, including walls, screens, balustrades, wells, or shafts to lift shall be
designed and constructed so as to sustain dead and imposed loads or any other
forces to which it may be subjected.

4.11.7.1.1.5. Machine rooms shall be ventilated. They shall be such that the motors and
equipment as well as electric cables etc, are protected as far as possible from
harmful dusts and humidity. The ambient temperature in the machine room shall be
maintained between 5°C and 400C.

4.11.7.1.1.6. Hospital bed lifts should be situated opportunely near the area and operating theatre
entrances. There shall be sufficient space near the landing door for easy movement
of stretcher.

4.11.7.1.1.7. The corridor should be wide enough to allow enough space for waiting passengers
as well as for through passengers.

4.11.7.1.1.8. For the purpose of this Code, risers shall be constant throughout a flight and shall
be measured vertically from the top of the next tread.

4.11.7.1.1.9. The provision of a passenger lift shall have the following facilities:

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(i) There must be a clear landing not less than 1500mm by 1500mm in front of
the lift entrance doors;
(ii) The lift door or doors must provide a clear opening width of at least 800mm;
(iii) The lift shaft must be at least 1100mm wide and 1400mm long;
(iv) The controls must be sited between 900mm and1100mm above the lift floor
and at least 400 mm from the front wall;
(v) The lift insulation must be provided with tactile call buttons (both in Braille
and raised numbers/letters) on each storey served, and within the lift, tactile
storey selector buttons and, in a lift serving more than two storeys, visual
and voice indicators of the storey reached;
(vi) A flashing red light should be installed inside the lift to warm deaf persons
of fire within the building; and
(vii) Touch sensitive, illuminated and audible lift controls with embossed digits
should be used both inside and outside the lift. These should be positioned
no higher than 0.9m and 1.1m above the floor. Embossed numerals should
also be used to identify the floor number level.

4.11.7.1.2. INSTALLATION OF LIFT

4.11.7.1.2.1. The lift installation shall be done by the property owner and it shall be his/her
responsibility where the lift will be installed to find required authorization from the
Authority before and after the erection of lifts and for subsequent operation of
lift(s).

4.11.7.1.2.2. No person shall without the permission of the Authority install any man lift or any
other means of vertical transportation of passengers or goods.

4.11.7.1.2.3. All lifts shall be enclosed in shafts or wells and constructed in reinforced concrete
or any other approved fire-resisting materials, except in panoramic lifts.

4.11.7.1.2.4. The installation of passenger lifts, service or goods lifts shall be in accordance with
relevant part of ISO 4190.

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4.11.7.1.3. POSITION OF LIFT

4.11.7.1.3.1. The position of lifts shall be conventional to the travel distance necessities specified
in ‘Fire and Life Safety.

4.11.7.1.3.2. The lifts should be simply reachable from all entrances to the building. For
maximum efficiency, they should be grouped near the Centre of the building. It is
preferably not to have all the lifts out in straight line and, if possible, not more than
three lifts should be arranged in this manner.

4.11.7.1.3.3. The position of lifts in factories, warehouses and similar buildings should be
planned to suit the progressive movement of goods throughout the buildings,
having regard to the nature of position of the loading proposal, railway sidings, etc.
The placing of a lift in a fume or dust laden atmosphere or where it may be exposed
to extreme temperatures, should be avoided wherever possible.

4.11.7.1.4. ENCLOSURE, MACHINE ROOM, PULLEY, AND MOTOR LOCATION

4.11.7.1.4.1. The motors and equipment as well as electric cables etc, shall be isolated as far as
possible from dust, harmful dusts and humidity.

4.11.7.1.4.2. The Machine room shall be soundly constructed, weather-proof and dry. It shall be
safe for access by maintenance personnel to all equipment.

4.11.7.1.4.3. The motor chamber or any enclosure housing lift- operating gear shall be, resistant
to moisture; completely enclosed with approved incombustible materials and
Cross-ventilated or sufficiently ventilated to the satisfaction of the working group.

4.11.7.1.4.4. Machine or pulley rooms shall be used only for accommodating the equipment
necessary for the operation of a lift; fire sprinklers shall not normally be fitted in
these rooms.

4.11.7.1.4.5. The motor room shall be cross-ventilated and, shall be proved with a permitted
window space, which shall open directly into the external air.

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4.11.7.1.4.6. Machine rooms shall preferably be placed above a well and room floors finish shall
be of non-slip material.

4.11.7.1.4.7. The dimensions of machine rooms shall be sufficient to permit easy and safe access
for maintenance personnel to all components, especially the electrical equipment in
the machine rooms.

4.11.7.1.4.8. All machine rooms should be measured as plant space, and conditions provided to
permit reliable operation of electrical switchgear and rotating machinery, and be
favorable to good maintenance. Lighting should be clearly enough around the
controller and machine.

4.11.7.1.4.9. Machine rooms should also be weatherproof , the machine room walls, ceiling and
floor should be faced in dust-resisting materials, tiles, etc, or painted as a minimum
to stop dust circulation which otherwise could damage rotating machinery and
cause failure of switchgear.

4.11.7.1.5. MACHINE AND PULLEY ROOM ACCESS

4.11.7.1.5.1. Access for persons to machine or pulley rooms shall be effected entirely by way of
stairs if the difference in levels so requires. If it is impractical to install stairs, then
ladders may be used.
4.11.7.1.5.2. Access to machine and pulley rooms shall be from common areas without
necessitating entry into private premises. A clear and safe access shall be
maintained at all times and in all circumstances. The access ways to the machine
rooms and the entrances themselves shall be at least 2m high provided that door
sills and edges with a height not exceeding 400mm are permitted.
4.11.7.1.5.3. Means of access shall be provided for hoisting of heavy equipment during erection
and, if need be, its replacement, so that this can be done safely, especially avoiding
handling on stairs.
4.11.7.1.5.4. The Machine room shall be accessible for maintenance and inspection purposes.

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4.11.7.1.6. OPERATION OF LIFT

4.11.7.1.6.1. The operation of passenger lifts, service or goods lifts shall be in accordance with
ISO 4190.

4.11.7.1.6.2. No person shall without the permission of the building concent authority operate
any man lift or any other means of vertical transportation of passengers or goods.

4.11.7.1.7. LIFTWELL

4.11.7.1.7.1. Each well shall be totally enclosed by imperforate walls, floor and ceiling and a lift
well shall be exclusively used for a lift.

4.11.7.1.7.2. Walls floor and ceiling of a liftwell:

(i) The structure of a well shall be able to support at least the loads which may
be applied by the machine, by the guides at the moment of safety gear
operation, or in the case of off-centering of the load in a car, by the action
of buffers, or those which may be applied by an anti-rebound device; and

(ii) The walls, floor and ceiling of a well shall be constructed of non-
combustible and durable material which do not assist the creation of dust
and shall have sufficient structural strength.

4.11.7.1.7.3. Outside of a liftwell:

(i) Every landing entrance shall incorporate a sill of sufficient strength to

withstand the passage of load being introduced into a car;

(ii) A slight counter slope shall be provided in front of each landing sill to avoid
water from washing, sprinkling, draining or entering into a well;

(iii) On the outside of a well at each landing level, as near as practical to the
landing door or, where there are two or more adjoining lifts, the landing
door of one in every two lift, there shall be displayed a notice in

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Kinyarwanda and English in letters and characters not less than 15mm high
as follows: when there is a fire do not use the lift; and

(iv) Sign for passenger lifts: There should be a sign that indicates where the
passenger lift is and the sign shall be clearly visible.

4.11.7.1.7.4. VENTILATION OF A LIFTWELL

(i) A well shall be suitably ventilated. It shall not be used to provide ventilation
of rooms other than those for the service of lifts; and

(ii) Openings shall be made at the top of a well, with a minimum area of 1% of
the area of the horizontal cross section of the well, ventilating to the open
.air either directly or via ducting or the machine or pulley room, provided
that in no case the ventilation openings shall be less than 0.15m2 net free
area.

4.11.7.1.8. LIFT PIT

4.11.7.1.8.1. An access door shall be provided to the pit if the pit depth exceeds 1.6 m and if the
layout of the building so permits.

4.11.7.1.8.2. The lower part of a well shall consist of a pit, the bottom of which shall be smooth
and approximately level, except for any bases for buffers, guides and jacks and for
water drainage devices. After building the guide fixings, buffers or any grids, the
pit shall be impervious to infiltration of water.

4.11.7.1.8.3. Where an access door is provided it shall:

(i) Have a minimum height of 1.4m and a minimum width of 600mm; and
(ii) Bear on its outside face a notice in English and also in Kinyarwanda in
letters and characters not less than 25mm high.

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4.11.7.1.9. INSPECTION OF LIFT

(iii) Inspection doors shall have a minimum height of 1.4m and a minimum
width of 600mm;
(iv) Inspection doors, emergency doors and inspection traps shall be provided
with a key-operated lock, capable of being reclosed and relocked without a
key;
(v) Emergency doors shall have a minimum height of 1.8m and a minimum
width of 500mm. In addition the emergency doors shall: be located in a
position readily accessible to rescuers; and bear on its outside face a notice
in Kinyarwanda and English in letters and characters not less than 25mm.
(vi) Inspection and emergency doors shall be capable of being opened from
inside the well without a key even when locked.

4.11.7.1.10. MAINTENANCE OF LIFT

4.11.7.1.10.1. The lift installation (wire ropes, groove of drums, sheaves and pulleys) should
receive regular cleaning, lubrication, adjustment and adequate servicing by
authorized competent persons at such intervals as the type of equipment and
frequency of service demand. In order that the lift installation is maintained and
inspected at least once every six months by competent lift engineer and a certificate
by such engineer to the effect that the whole installation is in safe working order.

4.11.7.1.10.2. A log book to record all items relating to general servicing and inspection is
recommended for all lifts. It is essential that the electrical circuit diagram of the lift
with the sequence of operation of different components and parts should be kept
readily available for the persons responsible for the maintenance and replacement
where necessary.

4.11.7.1.10.3. The following signals should be given to the building management interface from
each lift: Alarm button in car, floor level information, lift moving information,
Power on information, and Lift position information.

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4.11.7.1.11. QUANTITY, CAPACITY AND SPEED OF LIFT

4.11.7.1.11.1. Without contradicting the requirements of the relevant part of ISO 4190, the
recommended minimum size of car for a single purpose building is one suitable for
a duty load of 884 kg. Generally, for large office buildings cars with capacities up
to 2040kg are recommended according to the requirements.
4.11.7.1.11.2. The following shall be the guiding factor for determining this aspect:

Quality of Service Floors Speed

20 to 25 seconds: Excellent 4 to 5 0.5 to 0.75 m/s

30 to 35 seconds: Good 6 to 12 0.7 to 1.5m/s
34 to 40 seconds: Fair 13 to 20 1.5 to 2.5m/s
45 seconds : Poor Above 20 2.5 and above
Over 45 seconds: Unsatisfactory

4.11.7.1.12. FIRE CONSIDERATIONS

4.11.7.1.12.1. For all buildings, the controls of any lift shall be so designed that, in the incident of
fire, such lift shall be brought automatically to the main entrance storey with no
stopping and shall remain there with its doors open.

4.11.7.1.12.2. Since building has more than 10m in height, where a lift or bank of lifts is not
provided with a lobby, the lift doors shall be fire rated with a stability and integrity
rating of not less than 2 hours and shall be sealed against the ingress of smoke for
a minimum of 30min.

4.11.7.1.12.3. If is not in conformity with the requirements, the doors to such lobby shall have
self closing mechanisms to automatically close such doors after being opened. If
double doors are used, a selector mechanism shall be installed to ensure the correct
meshing of any rebate on the meeting styles.

4.11.7.1.12.4. The firemen's lift shall have internal dimensions not less than 1.1m wide by 2.1m
deep and have a clear door width of not less than 0.8m, be unmistakably recognized
as a firemen's lift on every storey, be stopped at any storey and have contact to all
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such floors when needed, be kept accessible for use at all times, be subject to
independent control during an emergency, maintain to be useful during an
emergency when all other lifts have been brought to the main entrance floor.

4.11.7.1.12.5. Firemen’s lift shall be provided with a source of emergency power which will
enable such lift to operate together with its lights and extraction fan for not less than
120min in the event of failure of the mains supply.

4.11.7.1.12.6. It shall be also provided with means of oral contact to a control point or to a control
room where such a room is provided and it shall have doors that open into the lobby
and be provided with door closers that are designed to assist entrance by a person
seated in a wheelchair.

4.11.7.1.12.7. It shall be designed and prepared in such a way that provision is made for the lift to
be lowered, by alternative means, in a controlled manner to ground in the event of
failure of emergency power and have Manual alarms, designed, installed and
maintained by competent persons and that are in the backstage area in easily
available arrangement.

4.11.7.1.12.8. In a building that exceeds 30m in height or that is more than 12.5m below the level
of escape, at least one firemen's lift shall be provided to serve all floors.

4.11.7.1.12.9. Emergency lifts: At least one emergency lift must be installed in a building which
has an effective height of more than 25m and a building in which patient care areas
are located at a level that does not have direct egress to a road or open space.

4.11.7.1.13. LIFT FOR PERSON WITH DISABILITIES

4.11.7.1.13.1. Lift should be provided with access to all floor to enable persons with disabilities
to have access throughout the building, exceptions may be considered in certain
circumstances.

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4.11.7.2. ESCALATORS

4.11.7.2.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.7.2.1.1. An unrestricted area shall be provided at each landing of an escalator to

accommodate passengers.

4.11.7.2.1.2. No escalator shall form part of any emergency route.

4.11.7.2.1.3. Where an escalator is installed in any building, it shall be in addition to any staircase
and the means of escape in case of emergency

4.11.7.2.1.4. The installation and operation of escalators whether for the vertical or
horizontal transportation of passengers or goods shall be in accordance with
relevant part of ISO 4190.

4.11.7.2.2. SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE OF ESCALATORS

4.11.7.2.2.1. Angle of inclination of an escalator from the horizontal shall not exceed 30° for a
rated speed not exceeding 0.75m/s, but for rises not exceeding 6m and rated speed
not exceeding 0.5m/s the angle of inclination is permitted to be increased up to 35°.

4.11.7.2.2.2. Each balustrade shall be provided with a handrail moving in the same direction and
at substantially the same speed as the steps.

4.11.7.2.2.3. The truss or girder shall be designed to safety sustain the steps and running gear in
operation. In the event of failure of the track system it shall retain the running gear
in its guides.

4.11.7.2.2.4. Step, wheel tracks shall be designed to prevent displacement of steps and running
gear if a step chain breaks.

4.11.7.2.2.5. The driving machine shall be connected to the main drive shaft by toothed gearing,
a coupling, or a chain and an electric motor shall not drive more than one escalator.

4.11.7.2.2.6. The landing area of escalators shall have a surface that provides a secure foot hold
for a minimum distance of 0.85m measured from the root of the comb teeth.
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4.11.7.2.2.7. There shall be a comb plate at the entrance and at the exit of every escalator. The
comb plate teeth shall be meshed with and set into the slots in the tread surface so
that the points of the teeth are always below the upper surface of the treads. Comb
plates shall be adjustable vertically

SECTION 8: SECURITY SYSTEMS

4.11.8.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.8.1.1. Security systems shall be composed of an integrated closed circuit television system
(CCTV), access control system (including but not limited to manual and automatic),
perimeter protection systems, movement sensors, etc

4.11.8.1.2. The security systems shall be connected to the emergency power supply.

4.11.8.1.3. The cables placed in underground ducts and outside of buildings shall be rated for
outdoor use with water blocking members.

4.11.8.1.4. The security system shall have a main central control panel located near the fire
detection and alarm system.

4.11.8.1.5. Suitable security systems shall be considered for high security areas or public
buildings. For residential/private buildings, the owners shall ensure security
systems as the may deem appropriate.

4.11.8.1.6. Installation of all security systems shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications and installation procedures of alarm closed circuit television and
security system shall comply with relevant updated national or international
standard.

4.11.8.1.7. The protected space shall be provided with a complete intrusion alarm system that
shall be provided by way of appropriate technologies. The intrusion alarm system
shall be designed to detect unauthorized entry into protected spaces and all
specifications for their design shall comply with IEC 62642-2-2.

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4.11.8.2. CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV) SYSTEMS

4.11.8.2.1. The closed-circuit television systems shall not violate the rights of privacy and
other legal rights of persons under observation. In particular, signs shall be
provided where routine surveillance is conducted, advising that the space is under
electronic surveillance. Signage shall be in the one of languages spoken in the
country.

4.11.8.2.2. Surveillance system including closed circuit television with control room shall be
installed in following occupancies: A, B, F, I, M, R-1 and R-2.

4.11.8.2.3. Cameras shall not be installed where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy
such as in washrooms, change rooms or other similar spaces.

4.11.8.2.4. The functional requirement, installation and remote monitoring of detector

activated closed circuit television systems shall comply with relevant updated
national or international standard.

4.11.8.2.5. CCTV shall be provided with adequate data backup requirement

4.11.8.3. ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

4.11.8.3.1. Access control system shall be installed in protected space based on occupancy
security requirements.

4.11.8.3.2. Access control shall be provided for entry to high security areas including stairwell
doors at points of public access. The walk through, luggage scanners, handheld
metal detectors shall be provided for the following occupancies: A, B, E, F, I, M,
R-1, R-2, R-3, S, MEM, MIX and MISC.

4.11.8.3.3. The systems requirement, general design principles and application guidelines for
access control systems shall comply with ISO/IEC 27034.

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4.11.8.4. PERIMETER ALARM SYSTEMS AND MOVEMENT SENSORS

4.11.8.4.1. The perimeter Alarm Systems for physical and environmental security shall be used
to prevent unauthorized physical access or damage to individual or organization.

4.11.8.4.2. The choice of equipment, design and installation of perimeter alarm systems shall
comply with ISO/IEC 27001

4.11.8.4.3. The quality management systems of movement sensors including transmitters,

switches and their type’s selection shall comply with relevant part of ISO 17799

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SECTION 9: TELECOMMUNICATION INSTALLATIONS

4.11.9.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.9.1.1 The promotion of information communication technology within the Housing

Industry by subscribing to data (text and picture), video and voice communication
at high bandwidth shall be an integral component of building construction in
Rwanda.

4.11.9.1.2 The requirements of telecommunication facilities like Telephone connections,

Private Branch Exchange, Intercommunication facilities, Internet Broadband
Connection shall be planned well in advance so that suitable provisions are made
in the building plan in such a way that the demand for telecommunication services
in any part of the building at any floor are met at any time during the life of the
building.

4.11.9.1.3 The design of information communication technology cabling infrastructure should

be carried out by firms specialized in the matter, those that can demonstrate
sufficient expertise with passed professional accomplishments.

4.11.9.1.4 The design of regular housing should be done in such a way as the connection to
Information Communication Technology, Internet Broadband inclusive can be
done with ease.

4.11.9.1.5 Service Providers shall not be responsible for internal networking when it comes to
the extension or the sharing of the connection. The service line will usually
terminate to a network unit located at ground floor of the building and during
architectural design communication cabling must be taken into account for most of
the buildings along with electrical installation design.

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4.11.9.1.6 The size, complexity and purpose of the local area network shall vary depending
upon the kind of building (industrial, residential, commercial, administration and
the design should limit itself to passive network components (cabling) providing
the possibility to make interconnection later using active components (switches,
router) according to the occupant need after building construction completion.

4.11.9.1.7 Building designer shall therefore contact the network operators during the planning
stage of new buildings in order to consolidate the requirements of
telecommunications and broadcasting systems installations.

4.11.9.2. TELECOMMUNICATIONS PATHWAYS

4.11.9.2.1. When designing a telecommunications pathway system, the design diagram shall
accommodate the cabling change, minimize the occupant disruption when
pathways are accessed and facilitate the ongoing maintenance of cabling.

4.11.9.2.2. The designer shall locate telecommunications pathways away from sources of
electromagnetic interference complying with ITU-T recommendation K.26.

4.11.9.3. CABLING NETWORK SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS

4.11.9.3.1. The design, planning and construction practices of cabling network systems shall
comply with ISO/IEC 18010.

4.11.9.3.2. Conduits, ducts, channeling and trucking systems shall be separately provided for
the electrical power supply cables, telecommunications cables and in-building
coaxial cable distribution system cables in accordance with ITU-T recommendation
L in conjunction with relevant parts of RS EAS 811.

4.11.9.3.3. For metal duct system including the conduits, ducts, pipes, trucking, they shall be
fully bonded and earthed complying with ITU-T recommendation K.27.

4.11.9.4. DISTRIBUTION FRAMES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

EQUIPMENT ROOM

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4.11.9.4.1. Building distribution frame shall not share room with electrical distribution;
transformers to avoid the threat of damage or electromagnetic frequency
interference. The designer shall be required to refer to and comply with
telecommunication installation standards for room design parameters including
architectural elements, mechanical, & electrical requirements.

4.11.9.4.2. The building main distribution frame, and the intermediate distribution frame, shall
be shared with both access control and fire alarm. There shall be a minimum of one
Telecommunications room per floor and the rooms shall be vertically aligned where
possible.

4.11.9.4.3. Existing building distribution frame/ intermediate distribution frame that need
expansion in order to comply with the new standard shall meet the electronic
industries alliance standards specifications for a communications room and
equipment not related to the support of the telecommunication equipment room
(e.g. piping, ductwork, pneumatic tubing,) shall not be installed in, pass through, or
enter the telecommunication equipment room.

4.11.9.4.4. The telecommunication equipment room shall be located in center of building and
shall be stacked directly above and below each other floor to floor.
Telecommunication equipment room shall be located so that access is made directly
from a public or common hallway and access shall not interrupt normal business or
workflow of occupants.

4.11.9.4.5. The ceiling shall be free and clear of any obstructions including architectural /
structural members not directly related to the telecommunication equipment room.

4.11.9.4.6. No acoustical or false ceilings lay in tile, or suspended ceiling grid shall be
permitted in the telecommunication equipment room or any other areas designed or
designated for the distribution of communications cabling or equipment.

4.11.9.5. ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS

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4.11.9.5.1. It is highly recommended that the electrical feed to the telecommunication

equipment room shall have a power backup supply and shall include all
convenience outlets.

4.11.9.5.2. When building backup power source is provided to the building, all power,
including power to all mechanical systems, in the telecommunication equipment
room shall be installed to the buildings backup power source. All electrical outlets
hooked to the generator shall be red in color with red faceplates. Circuit
identification shall be labeled on faceplate.

4.11.9.5.3. A separate supply circuit serving the telecommunication equipment room shall be
provided and terminated in its own electrical panel inside the telecommunication
equipment room.

4.11.9.5.4. Care shall be taken to avoid the connection of regular building lighting loads to an
electrical panel dedicated to telecommunication equipment supply.

4.11.9.6. COMMON ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR TELEVISIONS RECEIVERS

4.11.9.6.1. In multistoried apartments, houses and hotels where many television receivers are
located, a common master antenna system shall preferably be used to avoid
mushrooming of individual antennas and shall be generally provided at the top
convenient point.

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SECTION 10: PLUMBING& DRAINAGE

4.11.10.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.10.1.1. All plumbing in connection with any building shall be in accordance with the
regulations for sanitary installations in buildings, or any other established practice
acceptable by the Authority.

4.11.10.1.2. All drainage of foul and wastewater in connection with any building shall be
in accordance with the Regulations for Sanitary Installations in Buildings or any
other established practice acceptable by the Authority.

4.11.10.1.3. Where there is a piped water supply system capable of providing not less
than 75 litres per person per day, a building shall have a water-borne system
of excreta disposal within the curtilage of the site or the owner of the building shall
install the said system.

4.11.10.1.4. Whenever a water supply distribution system capable of providing not less than
75 litres per person per day becomes available in any area where a building
is situated, the Authority shall serve notice on the owner of the building to convert
the existing method of excreta disposal to a water-borne system.

4.11.10.1.5. Installation, repair and replacement of gas piping or appliances shall be performed
only by a qualified installing firm or person.

4.11.10.2. ROOF TOP DRAINAGE AND WATER HARVESTING

4.11.10.2.1. Appliances for drainage shall be provided to the roof of a building to prevent rain
which may fall upon it and from causing dampness in any part of the building.

4.11.10.2.2. Every building shall be designed so that rain water will not be discharged upon a
street as run off.

4.11.10.2.3. Every building shall be provided with rain water harvesting system in accordance
with RS 187

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4.11.10.2.4. The size of cross-section of gutters and downpipes for roof drainage shall be
proportional to the area of the roof surface as specified in Table 4.1.10-1 below.

Table 4.1.10-1: Minimum Cross-Section Area

Material Minimum Cross-Section Roof Plan Area

Gutter 115mm2 1m2
Downpipe 100mm2 1m2

4.11.10.2.5. Materials used in the installation of rooftop harvesting system shall be resistant to
corrosion, both inside and outside, free from hazardous materials or shall be
suitably protected against corrosion and also free from asbestos.

4.11.10.2.6. All materials, water fittings and appliances shall conform to Part 7, Section 1 for
building materials of this code and shall be in accordance with RS ISO 2531 for
iron materials.

4.11.10.2.7. Precautions shall be taken during rain water harvesting to avoid its contamination
by chemicals, bacteria, and other harmful substances. Especially in urban areas and
other area that are prone to pollution, the water is to be used for flushing of toilets
and cleaning, otherwise it should be treated for drinking.

4.11.10.2.8. Where there are rain water harvesting for buildings in groups of occupancies A-1,
A-2, A-5, E-1, I-1, I-2, I-3,M-3 and R-3; there shall be the use of rain water
collection in grounds of institutions, storage in underground reservoirs thereafter
treatment and then use for non-potable applications can be applicable.

4.11.10.2.9. The rain water collected shall be stored in a clean, corrosion resistant, free from
asbestos tank or reservoir and shall comply with relevant approved standards for
water retaining structures depending on its materials such as RS EAS 783 for
stainless steel tanks and RS 128 rotational moulded polyethylene water storage
tanks.

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4.11.10.2.10. The overflow shall be drained properly into an approved surface channel where
storm water is controlled to flooding of buildings. There shall be desirable
reservoirs which are reserved for storing such excess water.

4.11.10.2.11. In mixed use occupancy, the overflow shall be drained in a general collection center
and thereafter used for different activities.

4.11.10.2.12. Free water from accidental overflow from sanitary fixtures or sanitary appliances
must be disposed of in a way that avoids loss of amenity or damage to household
units or other property.

4.11.10.3. STORM WATER DISPOSAL

4.11.10.3.1. An owner of a building shall make provisions for the whole of the building
and site to be effectively drained by the construction of storm water, surface
water, and subsoil water systems, which shall be connected to an available
outfall.

4.11.10.3.2. In all cases where the slope of the ground is steeper than 1:20, the owner shall
construct a cut-off drainage system.

4.11.10.3.3. The cut-off drain shall be earthen or precast units, in-situ concrete or any other
materials as approved by the Authority.

4.11.10.3.4. The design of the drain shall be based on the slope of the ground, the area of the
immediate watershed of the drain, and the maximum intensity of rainfall in the
catchment area.

4.11.10.3.5. The drainage installation shall be constructed and maintained at the cost of the
owner, and where the drain is common to two or more plots it shall be
constructed and maintained jointly by the owners of plots served by the drain.

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4.11.10.3.6. The size, slope, and outfall location and design of any drain, whether
individual or common, shall be submitted for approval by the Authority office in
accordance with the provisions of location plan in the requirements for building
application.

4.11.10.3.7. The Authority may, notwithstanding the installations on the approved plans, order
the installation of additional storm water, surface water, or subsoil water drainage
system on the plot in order to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes or remove
any nuisance or hazard the Authority office may determine exists.

4.11.10.3.8. A drainage system for surface water from the roof of any building or paved surfaces
shall conform to the requirements of the Regulations for Sanitary Installations in
Buildings or to any approved building practice.

4.11.10.3.9. A roof of any building and of any profile, or any other surface susceptible to
rainfall such as canopies, carports, balconies or terraces, shall be constructed to
drain effectually to suitable gutters to carry water away from the building and
any doorway, window or walkway, except where an apron of concrete or
other approved impervious material shall be provided to protect the foundations
and the building, and the water can be prevented from entering the building,
doorway or window, or falling on any walkway.

4.11.10.3.10. Where a gutter has been provided, it shall be connected to a sufficient number of
down pipes which shall be sized and located to carry away any water which
may fall on the roof or any other building surface and discharge it into approved
drainage without causing dampness in any wall, foundation, opening, or walkway
of the building.

4.11.10.3.11. An apron constructed pursuant to sub-regulation 4.11.10.4.9 of this Code, shall

be sloped away from the plinth of the building and shall discharge into a surface
channel drain or any other approved drainage system.

4.11.10.3.12. All water collected from any roof or paved area shall be carried off the curtilage of
any building in the manner approved by the Authority.

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4.11.10.3.13. The owner of a building or premises shall maintain all gutters and down
pipes on the premises free of any blockage or obstruction, and the water shall
not stagnate or accumulate in the gutters or down pipes.

4.11.10.3.14. Eave gutters and down pipes shall be made of galvanized iron, mild steel,
concrete or cast iron, approved by the Authority, and shall be coated or lined
with a durable material.

4.11.10.3.15. An eaves gutter shall be supported by suitable means spaced at not more than
1.0 meter centre to centre and shall be properly aligned to have a continuous and
evenfall to the point of discharge, which shall be located to serve every 10.0
meters in the length of the eaves gutter.

4.11.10.3.16. Down pipes or gutters on any building shall not project beyond the limits of
the plot on which the building is erected.

4.11.10.3.17. In all cases the plumbing or drainage installation of any building shall be
constructed to the satisfaction of the Authority and the installation shall not be used
by the owner of the building prior to approval.

4.11.10.3.18. No drain, surface channel, or any other means of conveying rainwater or surface
water shall discharge into a septic tank.

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4.11.10.4. WATER SUPPLY

4.11.10.4.1. In urban area, every building in which people live, work or congregate shall
be provided with a supply of clean, cool and portable water in sufficient quantity to
maintain all water supply and plumbing fixtures in a safe and sanitary manner,
and such other water supplies as are required for fire protection, air conditioning
and all other service equipment of the building or structure required by this Code.

4.11.10.4.2. In rural areas, every building shall have access to water supply in the distance less
than 500m.

4.11.10.4.3. Buildings provided with water outlets shall have safe and adequate water supplies;
and the supply system shall be protected from contamination by using components
that will not contaminate the water.

4.11.10.4.4. For a non-potable water supply system used for personal hygiene shall be installed
in a manner that water pipes and outlets provided with non-potable water must be
clearly identified.

4.11.10.4.5. Cross connection shall not be made between clean water distribution system and
any portion of waste or soil systems, or fixtures or devices that will contaminate,
pollute or otherwise render the water unsafe.

4.11.10.4.6. All the works of water supply facilities in the addition or alteration for the existing
building shall also require a permit to the authority for their installation.

4.11.10.4.7. All plumbing work for building services shall be executed only by a qualified
plumber and shall be responsible to carry out the work acoording to the provisions
of this Code.

4.11.10.4.8. In building planning, provisions shall be made to meet the water supply
requirements for firefighting in the area depending on the population density and
type of occupancy and shall comply with part 3 of this Code.

4.11.10.5. WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

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4.11.10.5.1. Building service supply shall be unlawful to connect water piping supplied directly
from city water mains. But for continuous water supply system with sufficient
pressure to feed all plumbing fixtures during peak demand period, the direct
connection of water distribution system to the water mains may be adopted.

4.11.10.5.2. For water supply system with inadequate pressure to feed plumbing fixtures or
balancing roof tank, the building premises shall have a ground (or underground)
tank to store water. The water from the ground tank shall be boosted up to the roof
tank to feed plumbing fixtures.

4.11.10.5.3. The design of the pipe work shall be provided with backflow prevention device
which shall be installed as near as practicable to each point of delivery and use of
water. All backflow prevention devices shall be installed so that they are accessible
for repair or replacement; and shall also be capable of being inspected periodically
by the Authority to ensure that the device is functioning efficiently and no backflow
is occurring at any time.

4.11.10.5.4. The plumbing system shall be subjected to required tests to effectively disclose all
leaks and defects in the work or the material.

4.11.10.6. WATER STORAGE

4.11.10.6.1. The type and capacity of a storage tank shall be determined considering the
following factors:

(i) The rate and regularity of supply;

(ii) The frequency of replenishment of the storage tank during 24 hours;
(iii) Building occupancy classification;
(iv) Hours of supply of water at sufficiently high pressure to fill up the roof
storage tank in absence of a ground (or underground) storage tank; and
(v) The amount of water required by special equipment.

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4.11.10.6.2. Storage tank shall be easily accessible for inspection and cleaning; and shall be
provided with adequate size of valved drains at its lowest point in accordance with
Table 4.1.10-2.

Table 4.1.10-2: Sizes of Storage Tank Drainage Pipes

Tank Capacity (m3) Diameter of Drainage Pipe (mm)

V≤ 2800 25

2800 < V≤ 5500 38

5500 < V≤ 11000 50

11000< V≤ 19000 63

19000< V≤ 28000 75

28000< V 100

4.11.10.6.3. The water supply inlet into the storage tank shall be at an elevation with an air gap
in an open tank with overflow or 100mm above the overflow whichever is greater.

4.11.10.6.4. The diameter of overflow pipe shall be proportional to the specific discharge into
the storage tank as described in Table 4.1.10-3.

Table 4.1.10-3: Sizes of Overflow Pipes for Storage Tank

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Maximum Discharge (Q) of Water Supply Pipe Diameter of Overflow Pipe (mm)
into Storage Tank (liter/minute)

Q ≤ 190 50

190 < Q ≤ 570 63

570 < Q ≤ 760 75

760 < Q ≤ 1500 100

1500 < Q ≤ 2650 125

2650 < Q ≤ 3800 150

3800 < Q 50 200

4.11.10.6.5. The storage tank shall be equipped with water tight and rodent proof cover. The
tank shall be provided with return bend vent pipe with an open area not less than
half the area of the riser.

4.11.10.6.6. The roof storage tank shall be constructed with materials that will resist any action
by the plain or chlorinated water. Tanks made of non-galvanized metal sheets shall
be coated internally with a nontoxic material which does not impart a taste or odour.
The metal storage tank shall be coated externally with a good quality anticorrosive
weather resistant paint.

4.11.10.6.7. The bottom of the tank shall be elevated sufficiently above the highest floor water
fixtures to provide sufficient pressure.

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4.11.10.6.8. Vent pipe shall be provided to avoid any air lock and shall be placed where the
horizontal branch pipes connect the vertical down feed pipes.

4.11.10.6.9. For ground or underground tank, its location shall be selected so as to avoid
contamination by flood water or any other sources. Each compartment/units shall
be divided in two chambers with provision of sump for longer contact time with
chlorine and easy cleaning.

4.11.10.7. PIPING AND FITTING

4.11.10.7.1. The materials and fittings for water supply and distribution pipe and for storage
tank shall comply with Part 7 of this Code for building materials.

4.11.10.7.2. The materials chosen shall be resistant to corrosion, both inside and outside or shall
be suitably protected against corrosion and free from all toxic, harmful substances
and asbestos.

4.11.10.7.3. Polyethylene and unplasticized PolyVinyl Chloride pipes shall not be installed near
hot water pipes or near any other heat source.

4.11.10.7.4. The pipes, fittings and valves shall be in accordance with relevant part of RS ISO
1452 or any other relevant national standards for plastics and piping system for
water supply.

4.11.10.7.5. Ductile iron pipes, fittings, accessories and their joints for water applications shall
comply with RS ISO 2531.

4.11.10.7.6. Where the normal water supply cannot achieve the flow and pressure, a pump shall
be installed to provide them.

4.11.10.7.7. All sanitary appliances that require water shall be supplied with sufficient and clean
water.

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4.11.10.7.8. Pipes laid underground shall have a soil cover over the outside at least 450mm for
any pipe of nominal diameter less than 75mm or 750mm for any pipe of nominal
diameter 75mm and above to protect any such pipes against transformation of
excessive superimposed loads direct to the pipes. Pipes that are laid under heavily
trafficked roads shall have highly performing protection.

4.11.10.8. HOT WATER SUPPLY

4.11.10.8.1. Hot water supply installation

4.11.10.8.2. For a residential building, hot water may be supplied to all plumbing fixtures and
equipment used for bathing, washing, cleansing, laundry and culinary purposes. For
a non residential building, hot water may be supplied for bathing and washing
purposes.

4.11.10.8.3. In modern hotels and apartment blocks and service apartments, centralized storage
and distribution systems are adopted, where other energy sources such as oil, gas,
solar panels, etc, may be used for the generation of hot water as these options prove
more economical and convenient in heating large volumes of water for storage.

4.11.10.8.4. A hot water system must be capable of being controlled to prevent the growth of
legionella bacteria.

4.11.10.8.5. The source energy used by water heater shall be commonly those recommended by
the approving Authority to be economical such as gas, solar, oil and wind and
electricity on a small range.

4.11.10.8.6. The design of hot water supply system and its appliances shall be based on the
temperatures at which water is normally required for the various uses, namely:

(i) Hot bath 41°C;

(ii) Scalding 65°C;
(iii) Sink 60°C;
(iv) Tepid bath 30°C; and
(v) Warm bath 37°C.
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4.11.10.8.7. The size and capacity of hot water storage vessel shall be governed by the
maximum short time demand of the domestic premises.

4.11.10.8.8. Vessels used for producing or storing hot water must be provided with safety
features that relieve excessive pressure during both normal and abnormal
conditions; and limit temperatures to avoid the likelihood of flash steam production
in the event of rupture.

4.11.10.8.9. Hot water heater shall be installed following the relevant national standard and
tested in accordance with RS 214, IEC 60335-2-21 and IEC 60379.

4.11.10.9. HOT WATER PIPING

4.11.10.9.1. Every hot water heater shall be provided with a vent pipe of not less than 20mm
bore. The vent pipe shall be connected to the highest point of the heater vessel and
it shall not project downwards inside it, as otherwise air may be trapped inside,
resulting in surging and consequent noises.

4.11.10.9.2. Distribution pipes shall be made of any of the materials conforming to Part 7 of this
code and regulation 4.11.10.4.1 of this section like high density polyethylene pipes,
galvanized iron pipes, cast iron pipes, and unplasticized PolyVinyl Chloride pipes
where it is laid before frost line.

4.11.10.9.3. Hot water distribution pipes shall be surrounded with straw, grass or jute wrapped
over with gunny and painted with bitumen for insulation.

4.11.10.9.4. The joint rings for pipelines for hot-water supply up to 110°C and their materials
specification shall comply with ISO 9631.

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4.11.10.10. GAS SUPPLY

4.11.10.10.1. In buildings where gas is used as an energy source, the supply system and their
installations shall be safe and adequate for people and its intended use; and the
supply systems shall be constructed to maintain a safe pressure range appropriate
to the appliances and the type of gas used.

4.11.10.10.2. Supply systems shall be isolated to the whole installation of apparatus by isolation
device which permits the system to be maintained, tested, detected fault or repaired.

4.11.10.10.3. Where gas is supplied from an external source, the supply system within buildings
shall be well constructed to avoid the contamination of the external supply from
other gas sources within the building.

4.11.10.10.4. The supplied gas shall be protected from adverse effects on the pressure of the
external supply, and the external supply pipe acting as an earthing conductor.

4.11.10.10.5. Piping systems shall be identified with markings if the contents are not readily
apparent from the location or associated equipment and the pipes shall be protected
against corrosion in the environment of their use

4.11.10.10.6. Provision shall be made for the ready removal of moisture or condensate in gas
pipes.

4.11.10.10.7. Before turning gas under pressure into any piping, all openings from which gas may
escape shall be closed.

4.11.10.10.8. No flame, matches or other sources of ignition shall be employed to check for gas
leakage from meters, piping or appliances. Checking for gas leakage with soap and
water solution is recommended

4.11.10.10.9. The installation of cylinders, equipment and piping shall be done with qualified
persons who understand the characteristics of liquefied petroleum gas.

4.11.10.10.10. Such person shall be trained in good practice of handling, installing and maintaining
installations.

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4.11.10.10.11. The jointing compound used at different joints in the system shall be decided by
the Qualified Installing firm.

4.11.10.10.12. Where liquefied petroleum gas cylinder installations are located, fire extinguishers
of dry powder type or carbon dioxide type conforming to accepted standards shall
be provided near such installations.

4.11.10.10.13. Handling, storage distribution and maintenance of liquefied petroleum gas in

domestic,
commercial, and industrial installations shall comply with RS 135 and relevant part
of RS 136.

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SECTION 11: WATERBORNE SANITATION

4.11.11.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.11.1.1. The erection of water closets, urinal or any other fixture for the purpose of disposing
excreta, foul or wastewater shall conform to the requirements of the regulations for
sanitary installations accepted by the Authority in buildings as well as the drainage
of foul and wastewater in connection with buildings.

4.11.11.1.2. The water-borne system for wastewater disposal shall be available in any building
which its water supply system is not less than 75 litres per person and the Authority
shall oblige to convert any existing means of excreta disposal to water-borne system
in any building which has the said water supply per person.

4.11.11.1.3. All drains, drain fittings, foul water or wastewater fittings, pipes, accessories or
appurtenances, septic tank and any other wastewater disposal which shall be used
in a water-borne system shall comply with the requirements of this Code for
sanitary installations in buildings. Such conservancy means to be used on a site for
the reception of sewage shall be connected to a public sewer and shall also be cited:

(i) As not to endanger the structure of any building or any services on the site;
and
(ii) Be designed and sited that it is not likely to become a source of nuisance or
a danger to health.

4.11.11.1.4. Any water-borne system require the water closets to be located inside each building
relatively on its occupancy and these last shall be marked in order to specify its user
either male or female in accordance with the Authority.

4.11.11.1.5. The method of disposal for a water-borne system shall be by septic tank and soak
away, tile field, sub-surface seepage trenches, radial arms, or other approved means
of subsurface disposal of effluent, or by conservancy tank, which shall be emptied
regularly by a body designated for that purpose or as determined by the Authority.

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4.11.11.1.6. All buildings which require a regular cleaning such as washing area, car wash,
abattoir, butchery, kennel, cowshed shall be well designed and constructed by
suitable materials so as to direct their regular wastewater in the storage designed
for that as well as swimming pool and fountain.

4.11.11.1.7. All sanitary fixtures shall be erected of impermeable, non-corrosive material, shall
have a smooth and readily cleanable surface and shall be fitted as to discharge
through a trap, into a soil pipe or waste pipe, as the case may be.

4.11.11.1.8. Manholes shall be when required positioned as to enable accessibility of wastewater

disposal. They shall be provided at every junction and at a defined maximum
spacing. They shall be constructed in approved manner by an approved person so
as to prevent water entrance in such manhole.

4.11.11.1.9. All sanitary fixtures designated for the use of females, there shall be suitable means
provided for the disposal of sanitary towels. Such sanitary fixtures which use
electrical machine for hand-washing shall be directed in waste pipe.

4.11.11.2. LIGHTING AND VENTILATION FOR WATER-BORNE DISPOSAL

AREA

4.11.11.2.1. Any sanitary facility where foul water are conveyed from a building, shall be
properly ventilated with at least one ventilating pipe not less 75mm in diameter,
situated as near as practicable to the building and as far as practicable from the point
at which the sanitary facility empties into the sewer or other means of disposal.

4.11.11.2.2. All building shall comprise sanitary fixtures; both natural and artificial ventilation,
natural and artificial lighting shall be provided with an opening not less than 10%
of the floor area of these sanitary fixtures in order to avoid foul air produced by
such sanitary fixtures.

4.11.11.2.3. Natural and artificial lighting shall be in suitable manner so as to facilitate the
utilization of such sanitary fixtures and the ventilation of wastewater disposal shall
be designed according to air orientation in order to prevent foul air to be directed in

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living room, food storage and in each room of habitation building or other building
designed for a given purpose.

4.11.11.3. WATER CLOSETS AND URINAL

4.11.11.3.1. The construction materials for water closets which use water flushing shall be
suitable and adequate for sanitation and shall be partitioned with wall and a door
enclosing to ensure privacy.

4.11.11.3.2. The construction and installation of urinals and water closets shall respect the users’
privacy; they shall be constructed so as no leakage shall result during its use. The
Table 4.11.11-1 provides all specification according to the occupancy
classification.

Table 4.11.11-1: Minimum Latrine Accommodation

Function Users Population Provisions of Latrines/ WCs

Male Female
Without With Additional
Urinal Urinal Urinal
EDUCATIONAL Staff 1-15 - 1 - 1
BUILDING 16-35 - 2 1 2
36-60 - 3 2 4
Boarding 1-15 - 1 - 1
Students 16-30 - 2 1 2
31-75 - 3 2 4
76-100 - 6 4 8
101-150 - 8 4 10
Over 150 - 1 per 30 1 per 25 1 per 50
NURSERY Pupils 1 per 15 1 per 15 1 per 15 1 per 15
ELEMENTARY Boys 1-25 2 2 1 -
SCHOOL 26-50 3 2 2 -

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51-75 4 3 2 -
76-100 5 4 3 -
101-125 6 5 4 -
126-150 7 6 4 -
151-175 8 7 5 -
176-200 10 8 5 -
Over 200 1 per 30 1 per 30 1 per 50 -
Girls 11-20 - - - 2
21-40 - - - 2
41-60 - - - 3
61-80 - - - 4
81-100 - - - 5
101-120 - - - 6
121-140 - - - 7
141-160 - - - 8
161-180 - - - 9
181-200 - - - 10
Over 200 - - - 1 per 30
OFFICE OR Persons 1-15 - 1 - 1
PUBLIC 16-35 - 2 - 2
BUILDING Over 35 - 1 per 75 -
RESTAURANT Public, 1-15 - 1 - 1
male 16-50 - 2 - 2
Over 50 - 2 1 per 40 2
Public, 1-50 1 - - 2
female
Staff male 1-15 - 1 - -
Over 15 - - 1 per 75 -
Staff 1-12 1 - - 1
female

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WAREHOUSES, Male 1-15 2 1 1 -

WORKSHOPS 16-35 3 1 2 -
AND OTHER Female 1-12 - - - 1
WORKPLACES 13-25 - - - 2

4.11.11.4. STORAGE CONSTRUCTION AND PIPING MATERIALS OF WATER-

BORNE SANITATION

4.11.11.4.1. The materials used for piping in water-borne sanitation shall conform to the quality
requirements materials of ISO 3633 and where expected a compaction, they shall
be insulated adequately so that they don’t cause any danger.

4.11.11.4.2. The contents of a chemical toilet shall be disposed of in accordance with the
directives of the Minister responsible for Health.

4.11.11.4.3. SEPTIC TANK REQUIREMENTS

4.11.11.4.3.1. Any septic tank shall, where an evapotranspirative bed is installed instead of a
french drain with the approval of the Building consent Authority:

(i) Be designed with a capacity of not less than 1.7 m3 and be capable of
receiving one day’s sewage flow as given in Table 4.11.11-2 where it is to
serve a dwelling unit.
(ii) Be of a designed capacity not less than 3 times the daily flow from such
building, using the per capita sewage flow given in Table 4.11.11-2 or such
other flow as may be determined by the authority where not so given, where
it is to serve any building not being a dwelling unit,;
(iii) Be so constructed that:
a. It is provided with a means of access for the purpose of emptying and
cleaning; and
b. The depth in such tank below the outlet invert is not less
c. Than 1m and there is an airspace of not less than 200mm between the
surface of the liquid contained therein and the underside of the top cover
of such tank.

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4.11.11.4.3.2. No industrial effluent shall be allowed to flow into any septic tank.
4.11.11.4.3.3. The designer of septic tank in which water-borne are directed shall ensure that it
will operate sufficiently at an adequate temperature, protected against any damage
and shall be in accordance with ministry of health regulations.

4.11.11.4.3.4. A building owner who constructs a septic tank or related installation shall do what
is possible to afford means of access to the septic tank for the purpose of cleaning
or removal of the contents of the septic tank, residue, or sludge. He/she shall cause
the septic tank and subsurface installation or any works with respect to the treatment
and disposal of sewage to be sufficiently covered, ventilated or protected to prevent
any nuisance from the septic tank or the possible breeding of mosquitoes in the
septic tank.

4.11.11.4.3.5. Water-borne shall be constructed where practicable in a manner by which the heat
generated by these waste shall be retained inside by insulation. It shall be designed
in accordance with building classifications and its capacity shall be sufficiently
adequate for the building occupancy’s number in order to prevent the storage
overflow.

4.11.11.4.3.6. A septic tank or other works for the treatment, reception or disposal of sewage shall
not be constructed except by permission of the Authority and shall be deemed to
satisfy the requirement of Part 6, Section 3 of this code concerning the excavation.

4.11.11.4.3.7. A septic tank or other installations for the disposal of sewage shall not be
constructed under any building, within 3m of any building or plot boundary, or
within 50m of any well, spring, stream or water used or likely to be used for
drinking, domestic purposes, or in the manufacture of drinks, or in any such
position as to cause pollution of water.

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4.11.11.4.3.8. Wastewater from water-flushed toilets may be discharged either locally to a leach
pit, a septic tank and soak away, or to a sewer or drain which carries it away from
the plot and no drain, surface channel, or any other means of conveying rainwater
or surface water shall discharge into a septic tank designed for water-borne
disposal.

4.11.11.4.3.9. The walls, floor, and roof of any septic tank, conservancy tank, or effluent tank for
the reception of water-borne, shall be constructed of impervious materials or shall
be rendered impervious by waterproofing with approved materials and methods.

4.11.11.4.3.10. Wastewater treatment systems, design and construction of septic and other
associated effluent disposal system shall comply with RS 143.

Table 4.11.11-2: Sewage Flow from Buildings

Type of Establishment Sewage Flow (l / person / day)

Boarding houses 110

(Additional kitchen wastes for non-resident boarders)

Hotels without private baths 23

Hotels with private baths 110

Restaurants (toilet & kitchen wastes per patron) 140

Tourist camps or caravan parks with central 20

Bathhouse 90

Day schools 37

Day workers at offices per shift 90

Hospitals 500

Factories (litres per person per shift, exclusive of 140

industrial wastes)

Swimming baths 9

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Motels (per bed) 90

Drive-in theatres (per car space) 9

Residential dwelling units 150

Table 4.11.11-3: Rates of Percolation and Effluent Application

Percolation rate: Average time for 25mm Rate of application of effluent to subsoil
fall of test water level, (min) infiltration areas, l/m2 of french drain wall
area per day

0-3 108 max

3-5 108-100
6-10 99-80
11-15 79-65
16-20 64-53
21-26 52-40
27-30 39-33
Over 30 Not permitted

4.11.11.4.4. CONSERVANCY TANK

4.11.11.4.4.1. Any conservancy tank shall:

(i) Have a capacity as prescribed by the Building Consent Authority.;

(ii) Be constructed with means of access for cleaning;
(iii) Be provided with a means for clearing as prescribed by the Building
Consent Authority.
4.11.11.4.4.2. Any conservancy tank to be used on a site for the reception of sewage shall:

(i) Be so designed and constructed that it will be impervious to liquid;

(ii) Be so sited:
a. That there will be a ready means of access for the clearing of such
tank;
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b. As not to endanger the structure of any building or any services on

the site; and
c. Be so designed and sited that it is not likely to become a source of
nuisance or a danger to health.
4.11.11.5. CONTROL AND PROHIBITION OF WATER-BORNE DISPOSAL

4.11.11.5.1. Domestic wastewater which are firstly stored in a septic tank and flushed in nature
shall be treated so that to meet the requirements of RS 110 in order to prevent any
nuisance that should be caused by such water.

4.11.11.5.2. Temporary drainage channels or perimeter dike/swale shall be constructed to carry

the pollutant-laden water directly to treatment device or facility.

4.11.11.5.3. The plan of water borne disposal facility shall indicate how the above is
accomplished on site, well in advance of the commencing of the construction
activity.

4.11.11.5.4. Any french drain which is to receive effluent or any evapotranspirative bed shall:

(i) be so constructed and located as not to cause the pollution of any spring,
stream, well or other source of water which is used or is likely to be used
for drinking, domestic or kitchen purposes;
(ii) have a capacity, be so constructed and contain suitable material so as to
adequately receive and dispose of any effluent flowing into it; and
(iii) be not less than 3m from any building or boundary of the site on which it is
situated.
(i) The ground in which it is proposed to construct a french drain shall be tested
for percolation in accordance with the method contained in Part 6 Section 3
of this Code.
4.11.11.5.5. Suitable design modifications for sedimentation, chemical and biological processes
shall be applied to sewage treatment plants for satisfactory functioning and avoid
any harm.

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4.11.11.5.6. Industrial wastewater shall be treated before being evacuated in nature to meet the
specifications of RS 109 and shall be tested in accordance with the said standard to
determine the tolerance limit so that they don’t cause any danger for person life and
for the whole environment in general.

4.11.11.5.7. Wastewater from any kitchen, washer room shall be treated and discharged into a
separate soakage pit or other sub surface seepage methods to facilitate water-borne
treatment.

4.11.11.5.8. No building or institution relatively to its occupancy shall cause or permit a

discharge of the water-borne from any sanitary fixture either in any storm-water
drain, storm-water sewer or excavated or constructed watercourse; any river, stream
or natural watercourse whether ordinarily dry or otherwise; or any street or other
site.

4.11.11.5.9. No dwelling or any building occupied for any purpose shall, without the written
permission of the Authority, discharge or cause the discharge of any water from a
swimming pool, fountain or reservoir, car washing, butchery, abattoir, cowshed or
any location which produces wastewater either directly or indirectly, onto any
public street or public place.

4.11.11.5.10. In case wastewater is to be flushed in nature, it shall be treated and tested before in
accordance with RS ISO 6332, RS ISO 10523, RS ISO 6222 and other suitable
standard for determining if the water to be flushed is of no harm to any organism
and to the whole environment.

4.11.11.6. FLUSH WATER TOILET FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

4.11.11.6.1. Facilities for persons with disabilities shall be included in the design and
construction of any public building, hotel, dormitory or any other building where a
group of persons are accommodated mainly for sanitary purpose.

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4.11.11.6.2. Suitable toilet facilities and bathroom shall be purpose-designed and constructed
for persons with disabilities, shall be provided in the building and shall be
accessible to disabled persons without requiring assistance.

4.11.11.6.3. The number of toilets or sanitary facilities that must be provided for persons with
disabilities in wheelchairs shall be determined in accordance with the Table
4.11.11-4, and for any building that will be used as a hotel, lodging or hostel, not
less than one guest room for every 100 guest rooms shall be designed, constructed
or adapted for use by persons with disabilities.

Table 4.11.11-4 Toilets & Washbasins for Persons with Disabilities on

Wheelchairs

Number of Persons Number of Sanitary Units

Up to 10 0
10-50 1
Over 50 2

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4.11.11.7. SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

4.11.11.7.1. No person shall install or construct any sewage treatment plant without obtaining
the previous sanction of the Authority.

4.11.11.7.2. The owner shall make an application to the Building Consent Authority to carry out
such a work.

4.11.11.7.3. The location of the waste water treatment plant for different occupancies shall be
selected in accordance with the requirements of the Building Consent Authority of
the city.

4.11.11.7.4. The building in building occupancy class B-1 shall be provided with a waste water
treatment plant to treat sewage before it is drained in the environment.

4.11.11.7.5. For construction and environmental purposes, the waste water treatment plants
shall be in accordance with relevant parts of RS 126 and with the requirements of
the local Authority.

4.11.11.7.6. For solid waste from the hospitals where incineration method is used, their plants
for destruction of waste shall comply with the specification of RS EAS 491 and RS
EAS 492.

4.11.11.7.7. The waste within healthcare facilities shall be handled and disposed in accordance
with RS 209.

4.11.11.7.8. The safety procedures for disposal of surplus pesticides and associated toxic waste
shall be in accordance with RS 210.

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SECTION 12: NON -WATER BORNE SANITATION

4.11.12.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.12.1.1. All other sanitary facilities shall be permitted where water-borne sewage disposal
is not available provided that in the case of chemical or pail closets, a satisfactory
means shall be available for the removal and disposal of sewage from such closets.

4.11.12.1.2. Where water flushing methods are not used as sanitary methods, the materials such
as ash, green clothe shall be allowed to be used as sanitary facilities in order to
absorb few water available and prevent some diseases caused.

4.11.12.1.3. VIP latrines shall be used as sanitary facility where the water supply is not sufficient
or not available to satisfy the population provisions. It shall be ventilated in directly
to external air where dwelling occupants are more than 20 persons relatively to the
building occupancy and referring to the specifications of the Table 4.11.11 -1
provided for in Part 11, Section 11 of this Code.

4.11.12.1.4. The latrines which don’t require water flushing, shall be sited at reasonable distance
between 1.5m and 3m from habitation dwelling and readily accessible, it shall be
emptied at time whenever contents are within a half-meter of the cover slab in order
to prevent nuisance that should be caused by them.

4.11.12.1.5. In case the service of emptying the ventilated improved pit latrines is not available
in that place, the ventilated improved pit within a half-meter to the cover slab shall
be closed and replaced by a new one. The new ventilated improved pit
superstructure shall be constructed by approved strong and durable materials to
offer adequate privacy, comfort and safety while the latrine is being used.

4.11.12.1.6. The construction of the superstructure of latrines shall conform to the provisions
provided in Part 6 of this code for masonry construction and the slab cover shall
comply with requirements specified in Part 6 of this Code.

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4.11.12.1.7. The latrine superstructure shall be provided with an opening, or openings, of area
at least 0.2m2 for the purposes of natural lighting and through-ventilation. The
inside of the latrine, however, shall be adequately dark to discourage flies from
entering.

4.11.12.1.8. Prior the excavation of the pit latrine, the owner shall obtain the permission to the
Authority to execute that tusk, that excavation shall be sited within 3m of any
building or any boundary of the site on which it is located.

4.11.12.1.9. The region where the water table is at a few meter of depth, the latrines excavation
shall not go far so that the fecal material don’t contaminate the water. Two pit
latrines with a reasonable depth shall be used alternatively in these region and
emptying one while using another.

4.11.12.1.10. All non-chemical closets which forms part of any dwelling house shall be oriented
and sited in a manner so as to avoid the foul odors to reach the rest of the house and
shall conform to the provisions provided in regulation 4.11.12.3.

4.11.12.2. LIGHTING AND VENTILATION FOR NON-WATERBORNE TOILET

4.11.12.2.1. All sanitary facilities which don’t require water flushing shall be aerated by either
natural ventilation or artificial ventilation in order to provide suitable and adequate
usefulness of these sanitary facilities

4.11.12.2.2. For ventilated improved pit latrines, the vent pipe which ventilates the whole pit
shall be not less than 100mm in diameter, made with either by a coated or lined
galvanized metal or cast iron or masonry concrete unplasticized poly (vinyl
chloride) or fibre glass or any other approved durable and not easily to be corroded
materials and shall be opened directly from the pit in order to control odor and flies
from the latrine.

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4.11.12.2.3. All ventilation pipes shall be screened with a non-corrosive material which is
resistant to ultraviolet radiation to prevent insects from entering or from escaping
from substructures. The apertures in the mesh of screens over the ventilation pipes
shall be small enough to trap insects, but large enough to achieve proper ventilation
of the substructure. The construction shall be such that it is not possible for leaves
and other debris to accumulate on top of the screen.

4.11.12.2.4. A ventilation pipe shall be fitted with a fly screen with apertures not larger than
1.5mm square and coated with corrosion resistant material which is capable of
withstanding rain, heat or direct sunlight.

4.11.12.3. CLOSETS AND LATRINES

4.11.12.3.1. All closets shall be erected in conformity to the provisions provided in Part 6,
Sections 5 and 7 of this Code for walls and roofs. It shall be provided with a door
or other means which shall ensure privacy of the occupants of such a closet.

4.11.12.3.2. All closets shall be deemed to satisfy the provisions of sub-regulation 4.11.12.3 and
they will be provided with an opening of area not less than 0.2m2 which will give
natural lighting and ventilation.

4.11.12.3.3. A closet shall be provided with a seat and a receptacle of such height that a space
of not more than 25mm is left between the underside of such seat and the top of the
receptacle; and the aperture in such seat shall be at least 25mm less in every
diameter than the corresponding diameter of the top of such receptacle and such
aperture shall be fitted with a self-closing, fly-proof lid.

4.11.12.3.4. All excavation for a pit latrine shall comply with the provisions provided in Part
6,Section 3 of this Code, and when they are positioned outside of the closet so that
excreta are delivered into it from a chute fitted under the closet seat, such excavation
shall be adequately covered.

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4.11.12.3.5. Where female and male persons are both employed or housed, including a school
or college there shall be provided separate latrine facilities, the entrances to which
shall be effectively screened off and marked with "Women only" or "Men Only"
signs, by or with internationally recognized symbols.

4.11.12.3.6. Any closet which contains a removable pail shall be provided with access to such
pail for replacement purposes so that the pail is not carried out through the doorway
of such closet.

4.11.12.4. VENTILATED IMPROVED PIT LATRINE

4.11.12.4.1. Ventilated Improved Pit latrines shall be constructed with approved durable
materials in conformity with sub-article 4.11.12.3 the interior finishes shall be
adequate and smooth to provide a suitable hygiene and the whole superstructure
shall not be less than 2.1m in height, 800mm in width and 1.2m in length.

4.11.12.4.2. Ventilated Improved Pit latrines shall only be constructed where the percolation
rate does not exceed 50mm/h and shall not penetrate the water table and not be built
under or near trees.

4.11.12.4.3. Ventilated Improved Pit latrines shall only be situated downstream at a distance not
less than 30m away from a well or water source; and shall be located at least 5m
away from buildings.

4.11.12.4.4. VIP latrines, which have permanent structures constructed over the pits, shall have
fully lined pits, shall be capable of being emptied and shall have a capacity such
that the cleaning interval is not less than a year.

4.11.12.4.5. VIP latrines shall be provided with a seat and closing lid such that the space between
the underside of the seat and the top of the receptacle is not more than 25mm. The
seat shall be so designed that the aperture at the top of th seat is not less than 250mm
and not more than 300mm in diameter. For children, an additional seat that has an
aperture of between 150mm and 200mm may be provided.

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4.11.12.4.6. Measures shall be taken to prevent rainwater, soil, rubbish and other foreign
material from entering the system. Separate provisions shall be made for the
disposal of grey-water and other household waste as specified in Part 11, Section
11of this Code.

Figure 4.11.12-1 VIP Latrine Details

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Figure 4.11.12-2 The Concept behind Ventilated Improve Pit latrines

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4.11.12.5. ECOSAN (ECOLOGICAL SANITATION) TOILETS

4.11.12.5.1. COMPOST TOILETS

4.11.12.5.1.1. Composting toilets shall be used as an alternative to flush water toilets in situations
where no suitable water supply is available so as to facilitate environmental
management.

4.11.12.5.2. TWO PIT COMPOST TOILET

4.11.12.5.2.1. Two pit compost toilets shall be provided as an alternative sanitary facility to
contribute to water management and facilitate the waste management.

4.11.12.5.3. URINE DIVERTING TO DRY TOILETS

4.11.12.5.3.1. Dry toilets shall not use pits; they shall be built above ground to make easy the
removal of the contents. They shall also have a toilet bowl with separate
compartments to keep urine and feces separate.

4.11.12.5.3.2. Dry toilets shall be used where:

(i) The groundwater is too high for pit toilets;

(ii) Flooding is common;
(iii) The ground is too hard to dig; and
(iv) People want a permanent toilet in or near their house.

4.11.12.5.3.3. Ecological toilets shall be used only for human waste. Women having monthly
bleeding shall safely use ecological toilets. But sanitary pads and other products
shall not be put in the toilet.

4.11.12.5.3.4. Ecological toilets shall not be used to dispose of things that will not break down,
such as Cans, bottles, plastic, tampons, or large amounts of paper. There shall be
used small amounts of paper, leaves, sawdust, and other plant matter because these
things break down into soil.

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4.11.12.5.4. POUR FLUSH PIT TOILETS

4.11.12.5.4.1. Pour flush toilets shall have 2 pits and a junction box that directs waste towards the
pit in use. The first pit shall be used until nearly full. Then waste shall be diverted
into the second pit

4.11.12.5.4.2. Depending on soil conditions and groundwater level, pour flush toilets shall never
be built less than 3m from wells.

4.11.12.6. NON-WATER TOILET FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

4.11.12.6.1. All latrines pit toilet facility shall be purpose-designed and constructed for ease use
of children, adults and persons with disabilities. The Figure below illustrates a
toilets adapted for wheelchairs.

Figure 4.11.12-3 Pit Latrine Details - Section through Pit

4.11.12.6.2. Pit latrines mainly ECOSAN latrines located on street wayside, rest areas,
campgrounds, picnic grounds, parks, trailer parks, and mobile home parks shall be
provided accessibility for people with disabilities and within the toilet shall
conform to sub-article 4.11.12.6.1 as well as permanent bath and shower facilities.

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SECTION 13: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

4.11.13.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.11.13.1.1. The owner or tenant of any premises, business establishment or industry shall be
responsible for the satisfactory removal of all refuse accumulated on the property
or premises in accordance with RS 180.

4.11.13.1.2. The garbage shall not be allowed to remain on the premises for a long time to
prevent propagation, attraction of flies, rodents, or other vectors, and the creation
of nuisances. Where it is deemed necessary by the health officer because of the
propagation of vectors and for the protection of public health, more frequent
removal of garbage may be required.

4.11.13.1.3. If the owner of the building operations fails to comply with the notice, he or she is
considered to have committed an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine in
accordance with laws in force in Rwanda.

4.11.13.1.4. Each person providing residential, commercial or industrial solid waste collection
services shall comply with the Authority license, permits or written approval and
shall adhere to the code of practice RS 180, RS 182 and RS 181.

4.11.13.1.5. The Authority may, at the cost of the owner, remove the rubble, rubbish, other
debris or combustible waste material from the site, if the owner fails to comply with
the notice served under sub-regulation 4.11.13.1.1 above.

4.11.13.1.6. Any person erecting or demolishing a building shall remove surplus material
and matter arising from the erection or demolition of the site or from any other
land, public street or public place affected by the material during or after the
completion of the erection or demolition.

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4.11.13.1.7. The design of any new, remodelled or expanded building or complex of buildings
shall make provision for adequate storage and handling facilities for solid wastes
and public health hazardous wastes. The design shall clearly take into consideration
the efficient and safe waste removal or collection. The design shall demonstrate that
it includes the required provisions for storage capabilities and access to waste
containers in accordance with RS 180, RS 182 and RS 181.

4.11.13.2. SOLID WASTE COLLECTION

4.11.13.2.1. Before storage and handling of the solid waste, the following objects need to be
removed: Inert matters like glass, metals, etc, Chemicals, medicines, batteries of
any kind; Polythene and plastic materials; and any other non-biodegradable
material.

4.11.13.2.2. These separated items shall be handled separately, and may be scrapped, recycled
or otherwise as appropriate.

4.11.13.3. SOLID WASTE STORAGE

4.11.13.3.1. Appropriate means to collect solid waste shall be required for each household to
facilitate their managements.

4.11.13.3.2. The owner, operator and/or occupant of any premises, business establishment,
industry or other property, vacant or occupied, shall be responsible for the safe and
sanitary storage of all solid waste accumulated on the property and shall provide
adequate on-site storage space for the number of waste storage required.

4.11.13.3.3. The containers for each household shall be functional to the type of materials and
the collection vehicles used.

4.11.13.3.4. Containers shall also be durable, easy to handle, economical as well as resistant to
corrosion, weather conditions, and metals, glass tips in accordance with RS 180, RS
182 and RS 181.

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4.11.13.4. SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

4.11.13.4.1. All wastes whether they are residential, commercial or from any other sources shall
be collected and transported to the disposal site in accordance with RS 180, RS 182
and RS 181.

4.11.13.4.2. All solid waste shall be disposed of outside the City in approved disposal facilities
except where special arrangements have been made for other disposal methods with
the approval of the Authority.

4.11.13.4.3. Sanitary landfills and health centers shall be erected to greatly reduce or eliminate
the risks that waste disposal may pose to the public health and environmental
quality and also shall comply with RS 209.

4.11.13.4.4. Landfills are not homogenous and are usually made up of cells in which a known
volume of waste is kept isolated from adjacent waste cells by a suitable barrier.

4.11.13.4.5. The feasibility of solid waste disposal shall depend on the factors such as type,
quality, quantity and characteristics of wastes, legal aspects, and soil and site
characteristics.

4.11.13.5. WASTE MATERIAL ON SITE

4.11.13.5.1. Where in the opinion of the approving Authority excessive rubble, rubbish,
other debris or combustible waste material is allowed to accumulate on a site before
or during building operations, it may, by written notice, order the owner of such site
to have such rubble, rubbish, other debris or combustible waste material removed
within the period specified in such notice.

4.11.13.5.2. In all cases in which garbage and rubbish are combined, the standards for garbage
shall prevail. The property owner or occupant shall store solid waste on his premises
or property, or shall require it to be stored or handled, in such a manner so as not to
promote the propagation, attraction of vectors, or the creation of nuisances.

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4.11.13.5.3. Any owner who fails to comply with such notice shall be guilty of an offence and
the approving Authority may remove the said rubble, rubbish, other debris or
combustible waste material from such site and may recover the costs of such
removal from the owner.

4.11.13.6. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

4.11.13.6.1. REFUSE CHUTE SYSTEM

4.11.13.6.1.1. Refuse chute system is an appropriate and safe mode of assortment of domestic
solid wastes from buildings exceeding 3 floors.

4.11.13.6.1.2. The inner diameter of the chute shall be at least 300mm.

4.11.13.6.1.3. The entrance to the refuse chute shall be supply from well ventilated and well
illuminated common corridor or lobby and preferably it should not be located
opposite or adjacent to entry of individual flats or lift.

4.11.13.6.1.4. Opening, with top or bottom hinged shutters with appropriate lockable handle, shall
be provided for convenient accessing of the refuse chute by users.

4.11.13.6.1.5. The chute may be of building materials or suitable non-corrosive material. Further
the material should be rigid with smooth internal finish, high ductility and acid
resistant properties and it shall be constructed so that it affords protection against
any element, weather, scavengers and other vermin, and shall be capable of being
maintained in hygienic condition so it is not permitted to dispose refuse on public
land, streets or sidewalks.

4.11.13.6.1.6. The collection chamber may be positioned in ground floor or basement level, on
condition that appropriate arrangement is made for drainage of the collection pit by
gravity flow to ensure its dryness; an appropriate ramp access is provided for
convenient removal of garbage from the collection pit, and satisfactory ventilation
for escape of gas and smells.

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4.11.13.6.2. COMPOSTING

4.11.13.6.2.1. Vermi-compost treatment shall be provided to the organic wastes in comporting pits
located in shade (dark) and shall be easily accessed for convenient shifting of
garbage from trolleys carrying garbage.

4.11.13.6.2.2. The site for vermi-comporting shall be enclosed from all sides with appropriate
barrier (for keeping scavenging animals away) and provided with a small door for
accessing the surrounded sites.

4.11.13.6.2.3. The composting pits shall be made in a manner that the pits do not have the risk of
inundation by water. This may be achieved by appropriately raising the base level
of the pit and providing weep holes from sides.

4.11.13.6.2.4. The compost may be removed from the bottom of the compost pit after intervals of
3 to 6 months.

4.11.13.6.3. INCINERATION

4.11.13.6.3.1. Incineration of solid waste shall be done for mainly contaminating wastes and
shall be used as the best manner of solid waste management. Incinerators shall be
designed in way of to promote both solid waste management and environmental
safety.

4.11.13.6.3.2. Hazardous wastes are those produced in the industries, institutes, hospitals and
laboratories. These are dangerous to the living organisms immediately or in the
long run to the environment in which they are disposed. So, they shall be burned
by incineration in accordance with RS EAS 493, RS EAS 491, RS EAS 492 and
RS EAS 494.

4.11.13.6.4. RECYCLING

4.11.13.6.4.1. The non-biodegradable materials like paper, plastics, metals, glass and wood shall
be collected and recycled in accordance with RS ISO 15270.

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4.11.13.6.4.2. Medical wastes which contain highly infectious organisms, sharp objects,
hazardous pharmaceuticals, chemicals, radioactive materials and other various
forms of health center waste shall be treated at the source.

4.11.13.6.4.3. General waste shall be segregated from hazardous material and other infectious
waste and shall be treated in manner which ensures both management and
environmental safety.

4.11.13.7. PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE

4.11.13.7.1. Where a rubbish chute is provided, it shall be located and constructed to convey the
solid waste to an appropriate storage container, avoid the possibility of blockage or
leakage, Permit easy cleaning and maintenance, avoid the possibility of foul air or
gases accumulating or entering the building, avoid the possibility of the spread of
fire beyond the refuse chute, have openings that allow waste to be safely deposited
in the chute and restrict access by children, animals and vermin.

4.11.13.7.2. It shall be unlawful to connect water piping supplied directly from city water mains
or other approved sources or to piping from underground storage tanks or other
unapproved sources.

4.11.13.7.3. Cross connection shall not be made between the portable water distribution system
and any portion of waste or soil systems, or fixtures or devices that will
contaminate, pollute or otherwise render the water unsafe.

4.11.13.7.4. All waste materials shall be removed in a manner which prevents injury or damage
to people, adjoining properties and public rights of way and keep such premises in
safe and sanitary condition accordance with RS 210.

4.11.13.7.5. Material shall not be dropped by gravity or thrown outside the exterior walls of a
building during demolition or erection.

4.11.13.7.6. Wood or metal chutes shall be provided for this purpose and any material which in
its removal will cause an excessive amount of dust shall be wet down to prevent the
creation of a nuisance.
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4.11.13.8. PERFORMANCE

4.11.13.8.1. Where facility is made within buildings for the collection and temporary holding of
solid waste, the spaces provided shall be of sufficient size for the volume of waste
and frequency of disposal, provided with reasonable access for the depositing and
collection of the waste and capable of maintaining sanitary conditions having
regard to the types of waste and storage containers.

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Official Gazette no.Special of 16/04/2019

CHAPTER 5:
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY,INSPECTION,MAIN-
NTENANCE & DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

RWANDA BUILDING CODE-VERSION 2 689 2019

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CONTENTS

PART 12: SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION ................................................... 4

SECTION 1: CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS ..................................................................... 4

SECTION 2: DEMOLITIONS.................................................................................................. 11

SECTION 3 SANITARY FACILITIES ................................................................................ 23

SECTION 4: PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS & ADJOINING PROPERTY ................. 26

SECTION 5: TEMPORARY USE OF STREETS & PUBLIC PROPERTY .......................... 29

SECTION 6: OTHER SAFETY MEASURES, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS & MEANS OF

EGRESS................................................................................................................ 30

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PART 12: SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION

SECTION 1: CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS

5.12.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.12.1.1.1. All construction projects shall comply with the requirements of RS ISO 45001 in
the management of health and safety, identify risks and reduce hazards during
construction

5.12.1.1.2. Construction equipment and materials shall be stored and well placed so as not to
endanger the public, the workers and adjacent property for the duration of the
construction project.

5.12.1.1.3. All the construction materials shall be stored in such a way that there may not be
any possibility of fire hazards. Inflammable materials like kerosene and petrol shall
be stored in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations so as to ensure the
desired safety during storage. Stacks shall not be piled so high as to make them
unstable under fire fighting conditions and in general they shall not be more than
4.5m in height.

5.12.1.1.4. Materials which are likely to be affected by corrosion like steel or subsidence of
soil like precast beams, slabs and timber shall be stored by adopting suitable
measures to ensure unyielding supports.

5.12.1.1.5. Materials liable to be affected by hazards including floods and tides shall be
suitably stored to prevent their being washed away or damaged due to floods or
tides.

5.12.1.1.6. A fire protection procedure is to be set up in accordance with Part 12 Section 6 of

this Code if there is to be any flame cutting, burning, heating, riveting or any
operation that could start a fire. Measures of precautions shall be taken during
welding and cutting operations.

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5.12.1.1.7. The workers shall be instructed not to throw around objects like hot rivets, cigarette
stubs, and other object which can start fire.

5.12.1.1.8. Every place of work shall be made and kept safe, and without risks to any person’s
health at work.

5.12.1.1.9. Every place of work shall have sufficient working space and be so arranged that it
is suitable for any person who is working or who is likely to work there, taking into
account of any necessary work equipment present.

5.12.1.1.10. Every part of construction site shall be kept in good order and every part of
construction site used as a place of work shall be kept in reasonable state of
cleanliness.

5.12.1.1.11. Required exits, existing structural elements, fire protection devices and other
safeguards facilities shall be maintained at all times during remodeling, alterations,
repairs or additions to any building or structure.

5.12.1.1.12. Waste materials shall be removed so as to prevent injury or damage to persons,

adjoining properties and public rights-of-way.

5.12.1.1.13. Materials which are likely to cause dust nuisance or undue environmental pollution
in any other way, shall be removed from the site at the earliest and till then they
shall be suitable covered. Such materials shall be covered during transportation and
the contractor shall insure cleanness of the surrounding.

5.12.1.1.14. The work of removal of debris should be carried out during day. In case of poor
visibility artificial light may be provided.

5.12.1.1.15. At every construction site, the contractor shall designate a person in charge of site
records and safety of the workers. That person shall be accountable of the safety
and health of the workers and the general welfare of the construction site.

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5.12.1.1.16. The contractor shall ensure that all workers on the construction site receive prior
and periodic basic trainings about health and safety, specific safety guidelines, and
hazardous materials, areas and procedures associated with the construction.

5.12.1.2. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENTS

5.12.1.2.1. Head, hand and foot protection appropriate to the type of exposure shall be worn
by workers on all construction sites. The suitable protective gears include safety
helmets, boots, hand gloves, goggles and special attire.

5.12.1.2.2. If work is performed in places in the vicinity of traffic, the worker shall wear a
bright waistcoat or clothing. In the dark the bright clothing must be provided with
reflecting bands.

5.12.1.2.3. If work is performed in the dark or underground, a reflex reflector band shall be
worn on clothing.

5.12.1.2.4. In the construction site the contractor shall ensure safety footwear and water proof
shoes for workers working in muddy areas and concrete.

5.12.1.2.5. A protective helmet is mandatory for every person frequenting the building
construction site.

5.12.1.2.6. Safety belts equipped with safety ropes shall be used while working on scaffolding,
roofs and work platforms and in other places where falling from a height cannot be
prevented by other safety measures.

5.12.1.2.7. On the construction site, the contractor shall ensure that every worker has the
appropriate personal protective clothing/equipment amongst the following:

(i) Protective breathing equipment for workers at work where dust may be
produced from the activities;

(ii) Goggles, for workers where rays may be produced from the activities;

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(iii) Foot wears of an appropriate type for workers exposed to injury from
hot, corrosive or poisonous substances;

(iv) Safety belts where it is not practicable to provide safe working

platform;

(v) Suitable gloves for workers exposed to hot, corrosive or toxic substances or
hand or arm injuries rough point edges or surface of objects; and

(vi) Ear protectors where it is not practicable to reduce noise exposure to levels
below those prescribed in Part 11 Section 5 of this Code.

5.12.1.2.8. The contractor shall provide the first aid box and this shall be placed at the most
accessible location. Every person at work on the construction site shall be instructed
on the proper use of the first aid box.

5.12.1.3. WALKWAYS

5.12.1.3.1. A walkway shall be provided for pedestrians travelling in front of every

construction and demolition site. Walkways shall be of sufficient width to
accommodate the pedestrian traffic, but in no case shall they be less than 1.2m in
width. Walkways shall be provided with a durable walking surface.

5.12.1.3.2. Walkways shall be protected from falling objects. Where applicable, walkthrough
containers shall be adopted specially to provide passageway near tall buildings.

5.12.1.4. EXCAVATION

5.12.1.4.1. Excavation for buildings and structures shall be constructed or protected (including
all provisions for supports or battering) so as not to endanger life or property. All
suitable and sufficient cautions shall be taken when carrying out the work to prevent
danger to any person or property.

5.12.1.4.2. Where excavation may impair the safety or stability of any property, the
contractor/owner of the site shall take adequate precautionary measures to ensure
that the safety and stability of all concerned properties by that work is maintained.
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5.12.1.4.3. Where gases or fumes are likely to be present in trenches, sufficient mechanical
ventilation, to protect the health and safety of persons working at the site, shall be
provided.

5.12.1.4.4. Where excavation is going on, for the safety of public and the workmen, fencing
shall be erected, if there is likelihood of the public frequenting the area. Sufficient
number of notice boards and danger sign lights shall be provided in the area to avoid
any member of public from inadvertently falling into the excavation.

5.12.1.4.5. Heavy and light equipment such as excavating machinery and road traffic shall be
kept back from the excavated sites at a distance of not less than the depth of trench
or at least 6m for trenches deeper than 6m.

5.12.1.4.6. Care shall be taken to keep excavating tools and materials far away from the edge
of trench to prevent such items being inadvertently knocked into the trench.

5.12.1.4.7. Excavated materials shall be kept back from the edges of the trench to provide clear
berm of safe width. Where this is not feasible, the protective works designed for
the trenches shall take into consideration, the additional load due to overburden of
materials.

5.12.1.4.8. Wood forms which have been used in placing concrete, if within the ground or
between foundation sills and the ground, shall be removed before a building is
occupied or used for any purpose.

5.12.1.5. SCAFFOLD

5.12.1.5.1. Scaffolds shall be erected by experienced workers under the supervision of a

competent professional. Any alteration shall not be made to them unless authorized
by the competent person.

5.12.1.5.2. Scaffolds shall be inspected by the Authority for the safety, during different stages
of inspection outlined in Part 14 Section 1 of this Code.

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5.12.1.5.3. Scaffolds shall fulfil the requirements of RS 263-1 and their components shall be
capable of supporting without failure at least four times the maximum intended
load.

5.12.1.5.4. All scaffolding exceeding 26m or seven floors in height used in construction
operations involving the erection, alteration or maintenance of buildings, shall be
constructed of non-combustible or fire-retardant materials complying with the
provision of Part 7 Section 2 of this Code.

5.12.1.5.5. Scaffold must be structurally sound and regularly inspected for required application
and must have toe boards, handrails , fall restraints and safe access stairs or ladders.

5.12.1.6. FENCING

Where construction is going on, for the safety of public and the workers, fencing
shall be erected, especially if there is a possibility of the public or animals to
frequent the vicinity of the construction site. Sufficient number of notice boards
and danger signs shall be provided in the area to avoid any member of public from
inadvertently entering into the site.

5.12.1.7. LADDERS

5.12.1.7.1. Every ladder used shall be of good construction, sound material and adequate
strength.

5.12.1.7.2. Ladders shall not stand on loose stones or other loosely parked materials but shall
have a firm basis.

5.12.1.7.3. The upper and lower ends of the ladders shall be securely fixed.

5.12.1.7.4. Metal ladders shall not be used around the non-isolated electrical circuits like power
supply system where there is a possibility of coming in contact with the current.

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5.12.1.8. ELECTRICITY

5.12.1.8.1. Every electrical installation connected to an external electrical supply system, shall
contain safeguards which protect the safety features of the external supply.

5.12.1.8.2. No scaffolding, ladder, working platform or gangway runs shall exist within 3m of
any un-insulated electric circuit like power supply system.

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SECTION 2: DEMOLITIONS

5.12.2.1. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

5.12.2.1.1. Before a building is demolished, the owner or the contractor shall notify all utilities
having service connections within the building, such as water, electric, sewer and
other connections.

5.12.2.1.2. Before beginning the actual work of demolition, a careful study of the structure due
to demolition and of all its surroundings shall be made. This includes the study of
the manner in which various parts of the building to be demolished are supported
and assembled and the impact that the demolition shall have on the environment.

5.12.2.1.3. A defined plan of procedure for the demolition work, depending upon the manner
in which the loads of the various structural parts are supported shall be prepared by
a qualified professional and approved by the Authority’s personnel in charge of
demolition and this shall be followed as closely as possible.

5.12.2.1.4. It should be ensured that the demolition operations do not endanger the safety of
the adjoining buildings at any stage. In addition, the nuisance effect of the
demolishing work on the use of the adjacent buildings should be kept to the
minimum.

5.12.2.1.5. In addition, the above provisions in this code, construction demolition and waste
management shall be done in accordance with the requirements of RS 367.

5.12.2.2. REQUIREMENTS FOR DEMOLITION

5.12.2.2.1. No permittee of any site shall demolish or cause the building demolition or any part
without the demolition permit issued by the Authority as prescribed in Part 3
Section 3 and Part 5 Section 1 of this Code.

5.12.2.2.2. Where a condition contemplated in this code arises, the Authority may serve a
notice on such person requiring him to make the site safe within such a time as shall

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be prescribed in the said notice, and if they fail to do so, the Authority may itself
carry out the necessary work at the cost of the owner.

5.12.2.2.3. When a request for demolition has been made by the Authority based on the results
of the investigation, the permittee has the right to request for an independent
investigation at their own cost for counter verification of the results before
accepting demolition works.

5.12.2.3. PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO DEMOLITION

5.12.2.3.1. Before the demolition is commenced, the owner or the contractor in respect of
demolition works shall:

(i) Ensure that no persons are left within the building or in its vicinity; and
(ii) Avoid any fitting attached to the building in connection with any system of
street lighting, supply of electricity or other service to be removed

5.12.2.3.2. On every demolition job, perceivable danger signs shall be posted all around the
structure and all doors and openings giving access to the structure shall be restricted
to use by permitted/authorized persons and functions such as passage of workers or
equipment for use in the works. Such signs shall be well light and visible during
periods of low visibility and at night.

5.12.2.3.3. Provision shall be made for at least one alternative exit for escape of workers during
emergency.

5.12.2.3.4. To manage access to larger sites and to ensure that non-authorized person shall not
enter the site of demolition outside working hours; security personnel should be
employed.

5.12.2.3.5. If a structure to be demolished has been partially weakened by fire, explosion,

earthquake or other catastrophe, such affected parts shall be physically supported
suitably before and during demolition.

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5.12.2.3.6. It shall be determined if any type of hazardous chemicals, gases, explosives,

flammable materials, or similarly dangerous substances have been used in any
pipes, tanks, or other equipment on the property before any demolition work is
commenced .

5.12.2.3.7. When the presence of any such substances is apparent or suspected, testing
and purging shall be performed and eliminate the hazard before demolition is
started.

5.12.2.4. PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC

To ensure safety of the public, safety distances shall always be clearly marked and
prominently sign posted in connection with Part 12 Section 1 of this Code.

5.12.2.5. PRECAUTIONS DURING DEMOLITION

5.12.2.5.1. All the necessary safety appliances and protective gears and equipment prescribed
in Part 12 Section 1 of this Code shall be assured by the contractor and shall always
be used by all workers during demolition works.

5.12.2.5.2. Nuisance, noise and dust shall be controlled by suitable means to prevent harm to
workers and the public as specified in Part 12 Section 1 of this code.

5.12.2.5.3. Adequate natural or artificial lighting and ventilation shall be provided for the
workers as specified Part 12 Section 1 of this Code.

5.12.2.6. SEQUENCE OF DEMOLITION OPERATIONS

5.12.2.6.1. To reduce probability of accidents, all fragile and loose fixtures such as glazed sash,
glazed doors and windows, shall be removed first. This shall also apply to lose
plaster which shall be stripped off throughout the entire building.

5.12.2.6.2. All wall openings which extend down to floor level, ground level floor, shall be
blocked to a height of not less than 0.9m above the floor level. All floor openings
and shafts not used for material chutes shall be appropriately sealed and be enclosed
with guardrails and toe boards.
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5.12.2.6.3. The demolition shall always proceed systematically story by story starting with the
top most in a descending order. All work in the upper floors shall be completed and
approved by a qualified professional in charge prior to disturbance to any
supporting member on the lower floor. Demolition of the structure in sections may
be permitted in exceptional cases if reasonable methodology is submitted and
proper precautions observed to prevent injuries to persons and damage to property.

5.12.2.7. DEMOLITION OF WALLS

5.12.2.7.1. While walls of sections of masonry are being demolished, it shall be ensured that
they are not allowed to fall as single mass upon the floors of the building that are
being demolished to avoid exceeding the safe carrying capacity of the floors.

5.12.2.7.2. Overloading of floors shall be prevented by removing the accumulating debris

through chutes or by other means immediately. The floor shall be inspected by the
qualified professional in charge before undertaking demolition work and if the same
floor is found to be incapable to carry the load of the debris; necessary additional
precautions shall be taken so as to prevent any possible collapse of the floor.

5.12.2.7.3. During wall demolition, adequate lateral bracing shall be provided for walls which
are unstable.

5.12.2.8. DEMOLITION OF FLOORING

5.12.2.8.1. Prior to the removal of masonry or concrete for upper floors, adequate support shall
be provided in order to avoid the unexpected collapse.

5.12.2.8.2. When floors are being removed, no workers shall be allowed to work in the area,
directly underneath and such area shall be blocked to prevent access to it.

5.12.2.8.3. Planks of sufficient strength shall be provided to give workers firm support to guard
against any unexpected floor collapse.

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5.12.2.9. DEMOLITIONS OF STEEL STRUCTURES

5.12.2.9.1. When a machine is used, care shall be taken to see that the floor on which it is
supported is strong enough for the loading so imposed on it. Where necessary heavy
planking shall be used to distribute the machine load to the floor beam and girders
for adequate stability of the machine.

5.12.2.9.2. Loading of equipment shall be done carefully to prevent unexpected floor collapse.

5.12.2.9.3. To prevent mixing debris with materials demolished that can be re-used, tag lines
shall be used on all materials being lowered or hoisted up and a standard signal
system shall be used and the workers instructed on the signals.

5.12.2.9.4. All structural steel members shall be lowered from the building and shall not be
allowed to drop.

5.12.2.10. STAIRS, PASSAGEWAYS AND LADDERS

5.12.2.10.1. Stairs with railings in a safe condition, passageways and ladders shall be maintained
in good conditions and will only be removed when they are not required for access
or adequate alternative for access to places they were being used for has been
provided.

5.12.2.10.2. In connection with Part 12 Section 1 of this Code, all ladders shall be secured
against slipping out at the bottom and against movement in any direction at the top
in order to reduce incidence of slippage and falling.

5.12.2.11. ROOF TRUSSES

5.12.2.11.1. If a building has a pitched roof, the structure should be removed to wall plate level
preferably by hand. Sufficient purlins and bracing should be retained to ensure
stability of the remaining roof trusses while each individual truss is removed
progressively as the qualified professional in charge will indicate.

5.12.2.11.2. Temporary bracing should be added where necessary, to maintain stability of the
truss for workers to dismantle safely.
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5.12.2.11.3. The bottom tie of roof trusses should not be cut until the principal rafters are
prevented from making outward movement.

5.12.2.11.4. Adequate hoisting gears suitable for the loads shall be provided. If during
demolition any object is to be put on the floor below the level of the truss, it shall
be so done upon certification that the floor is capable of taking such a load.

5.12.2.12. DEMOLITION OF CERTAIN SPECIAL TYPES AND ELEMENTS OF

STRUCTURES

For the demolition of special elements which may be dangerous or require special
expertise as outlined in 5.12.2.12.1 to 5.12.2.12.11, it shall always be required that
a qualified professional be at the site while demolition is taking place.

5.12.2.12.1. HEAVY FLOOR BEAMS

Heavy baulks of timber and steel beams should be supported before cutting at the
extremities and should then be lowered gently to a safe working place.

5.12.2.12.2. JACK ARCHES

Where tie rods are present between main supporting beams, these should not be cut
until after the arch or series of arches in the floor have been removed. The floor
should be demolished in strips parallel to the span of the arch rings (at right angles
to the main floor beams).

5.12.2.12.3. BRICK ARCHES

Expert advice should be obtained and, at all stages of the demolition, the close
supervision should be given by persons fully experienced and conversant in the
type of work to ensure that the structure is stable at all times. In addition, the
following shall be observed:

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(i) On no account should the restraining influence of the abutments be removed

before the dead load of the span fill and the arch rings are removed;

(ii) A single span arch can be demolished by hand, by cutting narrow segments
progressively from each springing parallel to the span of the arch, until the
width of the arch has been reduced to a minimum which cannot be
collapsed;

(iii) Where deliberate collapse is feasible, the crown may be broken by the
demolition ball method working progressively from edges to the centre;

(iv) Collapse of the structure can happen in one action by the use of explosives.
Charges should be inserted into bore holes drilled in both arch and
abutments; and

(v) In multi-span arches, before individual arches are removed, lateral restraint
should be provided at the springing level. Demolition may then proceed as
for single span; where explosives are used it is preferable to ensure the
collapse of the whole structure in one operation to obviate the chance of
leaving unstable portion standing.

5.12.2.12.4. IN-SITU REINFORCED CONCRETE

Before starting demolition, the nature and condition of the concrete, the condition
and position of reinforcement, and the possibility of lack of continuity of
reinforcement should be established. Demolition should start by removing
partitions and external non-load bearing cladding.

5.12.2.12.5. REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS

A supporting rope should be attached to the beam and the concrete should be
removed from both ends by pneumatic drill. The reinforcement should then be cut
in such a way as to allow the beam to be lowered under control to the floor.

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5.12.2.12.6. REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS

The reinforcement should be exposed at the base after restraining wire ropes that
have been placed round the member at the top. The reinforcement should then be
out in such a way as to allow it to be pulled down to the floor under control.

5.12.2.12.7. REINFORCED CONCRETE WALLS

These should be cut into strips and demolished as for columns.

5.12.2.12.8. SUSPENDED FLOORS AND ROOFS

The slab should be cut into strips parallel to the main reinforcement and demolished
strip by strip. Where ribbed construction has been used, the principle of design and
method of construction should be determined before demolition is started. Care
should be taken not to cut the ribs inadvertently.

5.12.2.12.9. PRECAST AND PRE-STRESSED REINFORCED CONCRETE

Due precautions shall be taken to avoid toppling over of prefabricated units or any
other part of the structure and whenever necessary temporary supports shall be
provided for later on construction.

5.12.2.12.10. ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOF AND CEILING

During the demolition of asbestos materials, extra care shall be taken and
appropriate protection equipment shall be used. The demolition process and
procedure shall conform to the instructions in force determining the procedure for
eradication of asbestos materials.

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5.12.2.13. CATCH PLATFORM

5.12.2.13.1. In demolition of exterior walls of multi-storey structures or structures more than

6m tall, catch platforms of sufficient strength shall be provided to prevent injuries
to workers below and public.

5.12.2.13.2. Such catch platforms shall be constructed and maintained not more than 3 storeys
below the storey from which exterior wall is being demolished, the more the height
increase the more the falling loads increases. When demolition has progressed to
within 3 storeys of the ground level, the catch platform will not be considered
necessary.

5.12.2.13.3. Catch platform shall be capable of sustaining a live load of not less than 6.1kN/m2.
Materials shall not be dumped on the catch platform nor shall they be used as means
of storage.

5.12.2.14. LOWERING, REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF MATERIALS

5.12.2.14.1. Dismantled materials shall be lowered to the ground only after taking adequate
precautions. Those materials shall be dumped at specified dumping zones.

5.12.2.14.1.1. Through chutes:

(i) Wooden or metal chutes may be provided for removal of materials. The
chutes shall preferably be provided at the center of the building for efficient
disposal of debris;
(ii) If chutes are provided at an angle of more than 45° from the horizontal, they
shall be entirely enclosed on all the four sides, except for opening at or about
the floor level for receiving the materials;
(iii) To prevent the descending material attaining a dangerous speed, chute shall
not extend in an unbroken line for more than two stories or 7m, whichever is
lower. A gate or stop shall be provided with suitable means for closing at the
bottom of each chute to stop the flow of materials;

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(iv) Any opening into which workers dump debris at the top of chute shall be
guarded by a substantial guardrail extending at least 1m above the level of
the floor or other surface on which men stand to dump the materials into the
chute; and
(v) A toe board or bumper, not less than 50mm thick and 150mm high shall be
provided at each chute openings, if the material is dumped from the
wheelbarrows. Any space between the chute and the edge of the opening in
the floor through which it passes shall be solidly planked over.

5.12.2.14.1.2. Through holes in the floors:

(i) Debris may also be dropped through holes in the floor without the use of
chutes, in such a case the total area of the whole cut in any intermediate
floor, one which lies between floor that is being demolished and the storage
floor shall not exceed 25% of such floor area. It shall be ensured that the
storage floor is of adequate strength to withstand the impact of the falling
material;
(ii) All intermediate floor openings for passage of materials shall be completely
enclosed with barricades or guard rails not less than 1m high and at a
distance of not less than 1m from the edge of general opening. No barricades
or guard rails shall be removed until the story immediately above has been
demolished to the floor line and all debris cleared from the floor; and
(iii) When the cutting of a hole in an intermediate floor between the storage floor
and the floor which is being demolished makes the intermediate floor or any
portion of it unsafe, then such intermediate floor shall be properly shored.
All supporting walls must be kept with adequate lateral restraints.

5.12.2.14.1.3. Removal of Materials:

(i) As demolition work proceeds, the released serviceable materials of different

types shall be separated from the unserviceable lot at suitable time intervals
and properly stocked clear of the spots where demolition work is being
done;
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(ii) In line with Part 7 Section 4 of this code, where applicable, demolition waste
shall be recycled in order to be used as secondary materials;
(iii) The unsalvageable debris obtained during demolition shall be collected in
well-formed heaps at properly selected places, keeping in view safe
conditions for workers in the area. The height of each heap shall be limited
to ensure its toppling;
(iv) The unsalvageable debris shall be removed from the demolition site to a
location as required by the local authority. Depending on the space available
at the demolition site, this operation of conveying debris to its final disposal
location may have to be carried out a number of times during the demolition
work. In any case, the demolition work shall not be considered as completed
and the area declared fit for further occupation until unsalvageable debris
has been carried to its final disposal location and the demolition areas tidied
up;
(v) All debris shall be covered during transportation;
(vi) Materials that are nuisance or undue environmental pollution in any other
way shall be removed from the site at the earliest stage and they shall be
suitably covered/ sealed;
(vii) Glass and steel should be dumped or buried separately to prevent injury;
and
(viii) The work of removal of debris should be carried out during day under
sufficient lighting. Artificial light may be provided in case of poor visibility.

5.12.2.15. MECHANICAL DEMOLITION

When demolition is to be performed by mechanical devices, such as weight ball

and power shovels, the following additional precautions shall be observed:

(i) The surrounding area shall be blocked for a minimum distance of three
quarters (3/4) of the height of the wall/structure for any to be demolished;

(ii) While the mechanical device is in operation, no workers shall be allowed to

enter in the building that is being demolished; and

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(iii) The device shall be appropriately located to avoid debris falling on it and
prevent the mechanical device from causing damage to adjacent structures,
power lines, etc.

5.12.2.16. MISCELLANEOUS

5.12.2.16.1. No demolition work should be carried out during night or at times of poor visibility
as far as possible, especially when the structure to be demolished is in an inhabited
area. If such night work has to be done, additional precautions by way of additional
red warning signals, working lights and watchmen, shall be provided to avoid any
injury to workers and public, subject to approval by the Authority.

5.12.2.16.2. Demolition work shall not be carried out during storm and heavy rain.

5.12.2.16.3. Warning devices shall be installed in the area where demolition is being done to
warn the public and workers.

5.12.2.16.4. Construction sheds and tool boxes shall be so located as to protect workers from
injuries from the falling debris.

5.12.2.16.5. Safety belts or ropes shall be used by workers when working at higher levels.

5.12.2.16.6. All materials and apparatus required in relation to accidents shall be in accordance
with Part 12 Section 1 of this Code.

5.12.2.17. GRADING OF PLOT

5.12.2.17.1. When a building has been demolished and no building operation has been projected
or approved, the vacant plot shall be filled, graded and maintained in conformity to
the established street grades at curb level.

5.12.2.17.2. The plot shall be maintained free from the accumulation of rubbish and all other
unsafe and hazardous conditions likely to endanger the life or health of the public.
Provisions shall be made to prevent the accumulation of water or damage to any
foundations on the premises or the adjoining property.

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5.12.2.18. DEMOLITION OF TEMPORARY BUILDINGS

Temporary structures such as reviewing stands and other miscellaneous structures,

sheds, canopies or fences, shall be completely removed upon the expiration of the
time limit stated in the construction permit.

5.12.2.19. PROHIBITION OF DANGEROUS METHODS

The Authority may prohibit the use of any method to be applied in the demolition
of any building where in its opinion such method will create or cause any danger to
any person or surrounding buildings or property, and where it so prohibits it shall
give its reasons, in writing, for such prohibition.

5.12.2.20. SALE OF MATERIALS

5.12.2.20.1. If a building is demolished by the Authority under any of the powers conferred by
this Code, the Authority may remove and sell the materials thereof or any portion
of them, and apply the proceeds of the sale in or towards payment of the cost and
expenses incurred by it in relation to such work and shall give the balance, if any,
to the owner.

5.12.2.20.2. If the proceeds of such sale are insufficient to cover the expenses which the
Authority has incurred, the balance shall be recoverable as a civil debt from the
owner.
SECTION 3 SANITARY FACILITIES

5.12.3.1. TEMPORARY SANITARY FACILITIES

Sanitary facilities include wash facilities, temporary toilets and portable water
fixtures for both male and female.

5.12.3.1.1. WASH FACILITIES

The owner shall install wash facilities supplied with potable water at convenient
locations for personnel involved in handling materials that require wash-up for a
healthy and sanitary condition. Supply cleaning compounds appropriate for each

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condition. Provide safety showers, eyewash fountains and similar facilities for
convenience, safety and sanitation of personnel.

5.12.3.1.2. PORTABLE TOILET FACILITIES

Their use on construction sites shall comply with best management practices for
placement. Suggested practices that minimize the potential for storm water
pollution from portable toilets and therefore ensure regulatory compliance are listed
below:

5.12.3.1.2.1. LOCATION

The toilet shall be placed on a flat and stable ground and as far from storm drain as
possible. It shall also provide easy access for pump truck and toilet service staff.

5.12.3.1.2.2. SELCTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

Selection, installation and maintenance of sanitary appliances shall be done in

accordance with the requirements given in RS 273. The contractor shall ensure
suitable cleaning and maintenance of the toilet to avoid smelling out. Damage, leaks
and spills shall be checked regularly and suitably fixed.

5.12.3.1.3. No owner shall commence any building operations unless approved sanitary
facilities for personnel have been provided at the building site or at a reasonably
close location.

5.12.3.1.4. Sanitary facilities shall be placed in such a position so as not to be offensive and
shall always be maintained in a hygienic condition , and shall, unless they are of a
permanent nature, be removed by the owner immediately after the completion of
the building operations.

5.12.3.1.5. Sanitary facilities shall be provided at the rate of not less than one sanitary facility
for every thirty people on the building site.

5.12.3.1.6. Sanitary facilities shall be provided during construction, remodelling or demolition

activities.

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5.12.3.2. SANITARY FOR PERSON WITH DISABILITIES DURING

CONSTRUCTION

5.12.3.2.1. It is essential that sanitary facilities, in accordance with the nature and use of a
specific building or facility, be made accessible to and usable by, the persons with
disabilities.

5.12.3.2.2. Sanitary facilities shall have space to allow traffic of individuals in wheel chairs.
They shall also have at least one water closet.

5.12.3.2.3. Sanitary facilities for men shall, preferably have floor-mounted urinals that are on
a reasonable clear height measured from the floor surface of the toilet room.

5.12.3.2.4. Toilet rooms shall have an appropriate number of towel racks, towel dispensers,
and other dispensers and disposal units mounted not higher than 910 mm from the
floor to be accessed by individuals in wheel chairs.

5.12.3.3. WASTE REMOVAL

5.12.3.3.1. The contractor/permittee shall provide all cleaning and waste removal services
including the following:

(i) Clean the project site and work areas daily, including common areas.
Coordinate the progress of cleaning for joint-use areas where more than one
installer has worked. Enforce requirements strictly;

(ii) All waste materials shall be removed from the site before getting rotted.

(iii) Remove debris from concealed spaces before enclosing the space. Burying
or burning waste materials on-site will not be permitted. Washing waste
down sewers or into waterways will not be permitted;

(iv) Waste materials shall be removed in a manner which prevents injury or

damage to persons, adjoining properties and public rights-of-way. The
removal shall be done in connection with the approved environmental
impact assessment of the project;
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SECTION 4: PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS & ADJOINING PROPERTY

5.12.4.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.12.4.1.1. Pedestrians shall be protected from all kind of activities like construction,
remodeling and demolition as required by this section. Signs shall be provided to
direct pedestrian traffic.

5.12.4.1.2. If building work is close to or adjacent to adjoining property boundaries, then the
owner shall be required to carry out protection work in respect of that adjoining
property. This should be done in order to ensure that the adjoining property is not
affected or damaged by the proposed building work.

5.12.4.1.3. Before starting the construction works, the contractor gives written notices to the
owner of the adjoining properties, safety of which is likely to be affected due to
construction works. Where necessary, the contractor shall make adequate provision
to protect the safety of adjoining property.

5.12.4.1.4. If the construction practice involves vibration, noise and dust to adjoining
structures, the contractor shall make suitable measures to prevent damage. Where,
in the vicinity of the construction site, there are old structures which are likely to
be affected by the vibration, the contractor shall, with the approval of the Building
Consent Authority, appoint tell-tales on such structures to watch their behavior and
timely precautions against any undesirable effect.

5.12.4.2. WALKWAYS AND COVERED WALKWAYS

5.12.4.2.1. Every building owner who intends to erect, alter, or demolish any building/
structure and carry out any excavations shall submit to the Authority the plans of
such hoardings and covered walkways as shall be necessary for the safety and
convenience of any workers employed on the work.

5.12.4.2.2. A walkway shall be provided for pedestrian travel in front of every construction
and demolition site unless the Building Consent Authority having jurisdiction
authorizes the sidewalk to be fenced or closed.
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5.12.4.2.3. A temporary walkway of not less than 1.2m wide shall be provided in case there is
no sidewalk in front of the building site during construction or demolition.

5.12.4.2.4. Walkways shall be accessible and shall be designed to support all imposed loads
and in no case shall the design live load be less than 7.2kN/m2.

5.12.4.2.5. Adequate lighting shall be provided as per requirements of approved standards by

the institution in charge of standards, at all times and a minimum clear height of
2.5m as measured from the floor surface to the canopy overhead shall be provided
for all covered walkways.

5.12.4.3. DIRECTIONAL BARRICADES AND CONSTRUCTION RAILINGS

5.12.4.3.1. During lift installation/maintenance, protection against fall shall be provided with
suitable barricades for all open lending entrances.

5.12.4.3.2. The directional barricade shall be of sufficient size and construction to direct
vehicular traffic away from the pedestrian path.

5.12.4.3.3. Where the walkway extends into the street, pedestrian traffic shall be protected by
a directional barricade.

5.12.4.3.4. The protective railings on street side shall be required when the walkway occupies
part of the roadway and also adjacent to an excavation.

5.12.4.3.5. Adequate railings shall be built substantially strong with at least 1m in height and
shall be sufficient to direct pedestrians around construction areas.

5.12.4.4. BARRIERS REQUIREMENTS

Barriers may be required in a range of situations, for security and have to be,
therefore, necessarily impenetrable. They shall be constructed and designed to
resist all kinds of loads.

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5.12.4.5. REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL

5.12.4.5.1. Pedestrian protections required by this section shall be maintained in place and kept
in good order for the entire length of time pedestrians may be endangered.

5.12.4.5.2. The owner or the owner's agent of the construction, after the achievement of the
construction activities, shall immediately remove all walkways, debris and other
obstructions and leave such public property in as good condition as it was before
such work was commenced.

5.12.4.6. PROTECTION FOR ADJOINING PROPERTY

5.12.4.6.1. In order to ensure safety for the adjoining property, adequate temporary protective
guards are to be provided. In case these protective devices project beyond the
property, the consent of the owner of the adjoining property shall be obtained.

5.12.4.6.2. Afforded the necessary license to enter the adjoining plot, building or structure,
the person causing the demolition or excavation to be made shall at all times
and at his own expense, preserve and protect it from damage or injury.

5.12.4.6.3. Adjoining property shall be completely protected from any damage incidental to
the building operation when the owner of the adjoining property permits free access
to the building at all reasonable times to provide the necessary safeguards.

5.12.4.6.4. No person shall at any time during the course of or after the demolition of a building
leave it in a condition dangerous to the public or any adjoining property.

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SECTION 5: TEMPORARY USE OF STREETS & PUBLIC PROPERTY

5.12.5.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.12.5.1.1. No part of any building or structure or any of its appendages shall use the street
beyond the property line of building site, except when there is permission from the
Building Consent Authority.

5.12.5.1.2. The projection of any structure or appendage over a public property shall be the
distance measured horizontally from the property line to the outermost point of the
projection.

5.12.5.2. STORAGE AND HANDLING OF MATERIALS

The temporary use of streets or public property for storage or handling of materials
or equipment required for construction or execution of such related works, shall
comply with the provisions of the applicable governing authority, and shall provide
protection to the public at all.

5.12.5.3. OBSTRUCTION

In the event that during construction, demolition, renovation or any other related
works arise demand to use more space than intended which may result into
obstruction of services and pedestrians, the permittee has to notify the Building
Consent Authority and be granted permission to proceed. The permission shall
clarify the extent of allowable obstruction and approved duration.

5.12.5.4. UTILITY FIXTURES

Building materials, fences, sheds or any obstruction of any kind shall not be placed
so as to obstruct free approach to any fire hydrant, fire department connection,
utility pole, manhole, fire alarm box or catch basin, or so as to interfere with the
passage of water in the gutter. Protection against damage shall be provided to such
utility fixtures during the progress of the work, but sight of them shall not be
obstructed.

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SECTION 6: OTHER SAFETY MEASURES, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS & MEANS OF

EGRESS

5.12.6.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.12.6.1.1. Every contractor carrying out construction work shall comply with the
requirements of this section in so far as they affect him or any person carrying out
construction work under his control or relate to matters within his control.

5.12.6.1.2. At the construction site, every person working under the control of another person
shall report to that person any defect which he is aware may endanger the health
and safety of himself or another person.

5.12.6.2. MEANS OF EGRESS AND THEIR MAINTENANCE

5.12.6.2.1. Buildings under construction must be provided with means of escape to ensure that
there is a low probability of workers on those buildings being unreasonably delayed
or impeded from moving to a place of safety and that those workers will not suffer
injury or illness as a result.

5.12.6.2.2. There shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be suitable and sufficient safe access
to and egress from every place of work and to and from every other place provided
for the use of any person while at work, which access and egress shall be properly
maintained.

5.12.6.2.3. Suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken to ensure, so far as is reasonably
practicable, that no person uses access or egress, or gains access to any place, which
does not comply with the requirements of regulation 5.12.6.2.2.

5.12.6.2.4. The provision of means of egress on the construction site shall conform to Part 10
Section 1 of this Code.

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5.12.6.3. ACCESS TO THE UPPER FLOORS DURING CONSTRUCTION

5.12.6.3.1. In all buildings over two storeys high (G+1), at least one stairway shall be provided
in usable condition at all times. This stairway shall be extended upward as each
floor is completed. There shall be a handrail on the staircase.

5.12.6.3.2. Where a building has been constructed to a building height of 15m or four storeys,
or where an existing building exceeding 15m in building height is altered, at least
one temporary lighted stairway shall be provided unless one or more of the
permanent stairways are erected as the construction progresses.

5.12.6.4. EMERGENCY ROUTES AND EXITS

5.12.6.4.1. Where necessary in the interests of the health and safety of any person on a
construction site, a sufficient number of suitable emergency routes and exits shall
be provided to enable any person to reach a place of safety quickly in the event of
fire or other danger.

5.12.6.4.2. An emergency route or exit provided pursuant to sub-regulation 5.12.6.4.1 shall

lead as directly as possible to an identified safe area.

5.12.6.4.3. An emergency route or exit provided in accordance with sub-regulation 5.12.6.4.1,

and any traffic route giving access thereto, shall be kept clear and free from
obstruction and, where necessary, provided with emergency lighting so that such
emergency route or exit may be used at any time.

5.12.6.4.4. The provision of emergency route during construction shall comply with Part 10
Section 2 of this Code and the instructions in force relating to the fire prevention in
Rwanda.

5.12.6.5. FIRE HAZARDS AND FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

5.12.6.5.1. The provisions of Part 9 of this Code and the instructions in force relating to the
fire prevention in Rwanda shall be observed to safeguard against all fire hazards
attendant upon construction operations.

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5.12.6.5.2. Suitable and enough steps shall be taken to prevent, as so far as reasonably
practicable, the risk of injury to any person during the carrying out of construction
work arising from fire and/or explosion.

5.12.6.5.3. Where necessary, in the interest of the health and safety of any person working on
the construction site, the contractor shall insure suitable and sufficient fire-fighting
equipment, and fire detection systems which shall be suitably located and secured
in respect to Part 9 of this Code. The fire-fighting equipment shall be installed
before starting the construction.

5.12.6.5.4. Any fire extinguisher and fire detection system provided under sub-regulation
5.12.6.5.3 shall be examined and tested at suitable intervals and properly
maintained as per the requirements of Part 9 Section 9 of this Code.

5.12.6.5.5. Any fire-fighting equipment which is not designed to come into use automatically
shall be easily accessible.

5.12.6.5.6. Every person at work on a construction site shall be instructed on the correct use of
any fire extinguisher and other portable firefighting equipment which may be
necessary to use.

5.12.6.5.7. Where a work activity may give rise to a particular risk of fire, no person shall carry
out such work unless they are suitably instructed.

5.12.6.5.8. Firefighting equipment shall, as reasonably practicable, be visible and their location
and identification, suitably indicated by appropriate symbolic signs.

5.12.6.6. REQUIRED PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

5.12.6.6.1. All structures under construction, alteration or demolition shall be provided with
not less than one approved portable fire extinguisher in accordance with Part 9
Section 4 of this Code and sized for not less than ordinary hazard as follows:

(i) At each stairway on all floor levels where combustible materials have
accumulated,

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(ii) In every storage and construction shed.

5.12.6.6.2. Additional portable fire extinguishers shall be provided where special hazards exist,
such as the storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids.

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CONTENTS

PART 13: EXISTING STRUCTURES.................................................................................... 36

SECTION 1: STRUCTURAL ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS .......................... 36

SECTION 2: CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY ............................................................................... 38

SECTION 3: FIRE ESCAPES ..................................................................................................... 40

SECTION 4: COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES .................................................................... 43

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PART 13: EXISTING STRUCTURES

SECTION 1: STRUCTURAL ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS

5.13.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.13.1.1.1. Additions, or alterations shall not be made to any existing structure or building
which will cause them to be in violation nor shall such additions or alteration cause
the existing building or structure to become unsafe or in any way adversely affect
its stability, ventilation, fire safety means of egress, sanitation or the general
performance of the building as outlined in Part 8 and Part 10 of this Code.

5.13.1.1.2. The totality of any building so altered which involves a change in use or occupancy,
shall not exceed the height, number of floors, and area permitted for new buildings,
including the new additions if any.

5.13.1.1.3. Any person who constructs or makes an alteration to a building shall erect and
maintain hoardings throughout the execution of the works as necessary to protect
the public.

5.13.1.2. STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS

AND REPAIRS OF EXISTING STRUCTURES

5.13.1.2.1. The structural engineer shall make a structural evaluation of the existing building
to determine the adequacy of all structural systems that are affected by alteration,
addition, change of use, or damage to be repaired.

5.13.1.2.2. The evaluation shall include review of relevant available documentation about the
building design and construction, a field investigation of the existing conditions,
and a structural analysis. When deemed necessary by the structural engineer, the
evaluation shall also include detailed field surveys, testing and laboratory analysis.

5.13.1.2.3. When new structural elements or strengthening of existing elements is necessary,

the evaluation shall include the effects of such new elements on the entire building.

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5.13.1.3. SURVEY OF ADDITION/ALTERATION TO THE BUILDING

STRUCTURE AND THE SURROUNDINGS

5.13.1.3.1. State whether any addition and alterations have given rise to excessive loading or
other adverse effects on the slope protection system.

5.13.1.3.2. State whether any addition and alterations have affected building services,
infrastructural services and other land uses.

5.13.1.3.3. The field investigation of an existing building shall be sufficient to determine the
location, size, details and conditions of existing structural elements, and to verify
structural information on the drawings of the existing building, if said drawings
exist.

5.13.1.4. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

The structural analysis shall include analysis of all structural systems affected by
the proposed alteration, addition, or change in use or repair.

5.13.1.5. STRUCTURAL ADDITIONS

An addition that is structurally independent from existing structures shall be

designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of Part 6 of this Code.

5.13.1.6. STRUCTURAL REPAIRS

Repair or reinforcement of the existing structural elements or systems shall be

designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of new construction
as outlined in Part 6 of this Code.

5.13.1.7. OCCUPATION OF BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A building or portion of the building may be occupied during reconstruction,

repairs, alterations or additions provided the issuance of the temporary occupation
permit in for Part 5 Section 17.

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SECTION 2: CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY

5.13.2.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.13.2.1.1. A certificate of occupancy shall be required where a change of occupancy involves

the change of building classification by type of use and occupancy as provided in
Part 4 Section 2 of this Code.

5.13.2.2. CONFORMANCE

5.13.2.2.1. No change shall be made in the use or occupancy of any building that would place
the building in a different division of the same group of occupancy or in a different
group of occupancies, unless such building is made to comply with the
requirements of this Code for such division or group of occupancy.

5.13.2.2.2. Subject to the approval of the Authority, the use or occupancy of existing buildings
shall be permitted to be changed and the building is allowed to be occupied for
purposes in other groups without conforming to all the requirements of this Code
for those groups, provided the new or proposed use is less hazardous, based on life
and fire risk, than the existing use.

5.13.2.3. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

5.13.2.3.1. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued where it has been determined that the
requirements for the new occupancy classification have been met in accordance
with Part 3 Section 3 of this Code.

5.13.2.3.2. No change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or

portion thereof shall be made, until the Authority has issued a certificate of
occupancy.

5.13.2.4. PARTIAL CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY

Where a portion of the building is changed to a new occupancy classification, any

alterations shall comply with the alteration requirements of this Section.

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5.13.2.5. COMPLETE CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY

5.13.2.5.1. When change of occupancy results in a structure being re-classified to a higher

occupancy category, the structure shall conform to the strength requirements for a
new structure of the higher occupancy category.

5.13.2.5.2. Existing buildings, or portions thereof, that undergo a change of group or

occupancy shall also comply with the requirements for alteration covered under this
Part and they shall have all of the following accessible features:

(i) At least one accessible building entrance;

(ii) At least one accessible route from an accessible building entrance to
primary function areas;
(iii) Accessible parking, where parking is being provided; and
(iv) At least one accessible passenger loading zone, when loading zones are
provided.

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SECTION 3: FIRE ESCAPES

5.13.3.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.13.3.1.1. Fire escapes shall be permitted only as provided in this section with supplements
of Part 8, Part 9 and Part 10 of this Code.

5.13.3.2. EXISTING FIRE ESCAPES

5.13.3.2.1. Existing fire escapes shall be continued to be accepted as a component in the means
of egress in existing buildings only.

5.13.3.2.2. A number of exits required in the escape routes in buildings shall comply with the
provisions of Part 10 Section 2 of this Code.

5.13.3.3. NEW FIRE ESCAPES

New fire escapes for existing buildings shall be permitted only where exterior stairs
cannot be utilized due to lot lines limiting stair size or due to the sidewalks, alleys
or roads at grade level. New fire escapes shall not incorporate ladders or access by
windows.

5.13.3.4. LOCATION

5.13.3.4.1. Where located on the front of the building and where projecting beyond the building
line, the lowest landing shall not be less than 2.1m or more than 3.6m above grade,
and shall be equipped with a counterbalanced stairway to the street. In alleyways
and thoroughfares less than 9.1m wide, the clearance under the lowest landing shall
not be less than 3.6m.

5.13.3.4.2. Fire escapes like other required elements of a means of egress shall not project more
than 1.2m beyond the face of the wall.

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5.13.3.5. CONSTRUCTION

5.13.3.5.1. The fire escape shall be designed to support a live load of 4.8kPa and shall be
constructed of steel or other approved non-combustible materials.

5.13.3.5.2. Fire escapes constructed of wood not less than nominal 50mm thick are permitted
on buildings with which the structural elements, exterior walls and interior walls
are of any materials permitted by this Code. Walkways and railings located over or
supported by combustible roofs in such buildings are permitted to be of wood not
less than nominal 50mm thick.

5.13.3.6. DIMENSIONS

5.13.3.6.1. Fire escape stairways shall be of the dimensions not less than those specified
for domestic buildings in Part 11 Section 6 of this Code and in special
circumstances, the Authority may allow the use of an approved type of escape
ladder or any other equipment in place of escape stairways.

5.13.3.6.2. Stairs shall be at least 0.6m wide with risers not more than 0.2m, and treads not less
than, 0.2m and landings at the foot of stairs not less than 1m wide by 0.9m long,
located not more than 0.2m below the door.

5.13.3.7. OPENING PROTECTIVE

Doors and windows along the fire escape shall be protected to 45 minutes fire
resistant opening protective.

5.13.3.8. MAINTENANCE OF FIRE ESCAPES

5.13.3.8.1. All fire escape routes shall be well maintained and shall comply with the
requirements for emergency routes as provided in Part 12 Section 6 of this Code.

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5.13.3.8.2. A fire escape route or exit provided in accordance with this section, and any traffic
route giving access thereto, shall be kept clear and free from obstruction and, where
necessary, provided with emergency lighting so that such escape route may be used
at any time.

5.13.3.8.3. All fire escape routes or exits shall be indicated by suitable signs.

5.13.3.8.4. All fire escapes shall be kept free of slippery materials. Fire escapes shall be painted
in an approved manner before and after erection; and shall be scraped and painted
as often as necessary to maintain them in safe condition.

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SECTION 4: COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES

5.13.4.1. APPLICABILITY

5.13.4.1.1. All kind of additions, alterations or changes of occupancy for the existing building
shall be made to conform to the requirements of this Section and Part 13 Sections
1through3 of this Code.

5.13.4.1.2. Where an existing building is changed to a new occupancy classification and this
section is applicable, the provisions of this section for the new occupancy shall be
used to determine compliance with this Code.

5.13.4.1.3. If there is a portion separated to an existing building with barriers and changed to a
new classification, the portion changed shall be made to conform to the provision
of this Code. The greater public safety shall apply to the entire building or structure
and shall comply with this Part 4 Section 3.

5.13.4.1.4. The portion altered or repaired shall conform to the requirements of this Code to
the existing building when the current level of safety or sanitation is to be reduced.

5.13.4.2. INVESTIGATION AND EVALUATION

5.13.4.2.1. The contractor or the owner of the works represented in 5.13.4.1.2 and 5.13.4.1.3
shall cause the existing building to be investigated and evaluated in accordance with
the provisions of this Section and Part 14 Section 1of this Code.

5.13.4.2.2. The contractor or the owner shall have a structural analysis of the existing building
made to determine adequacy of structural systems for the proposed alteration,
addition or change of occupancy.

5.13.4.2.3. The results of the investigation and evaluation, along with proposed compliance
alternatives, shall be submitted to the Authority.

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5.13.4.3. EVALUATION PROCESS

5.13.4.3.1. The evaluation shall be comprised by fire safety, means of egress and general
safety, as defined in Parts 8 to 10 of this Code. The evaluation process specified
herein shall be followed in its entirety to evaluate existing buildings.

5.13.4.3.2. Evaluate the compartments created by fire barriers or horizontal assemblies which
comply with fire wall and floor/ceiling construction and which are exclusive of the
wall elements considered under 5.13.4.3.3 and 5.13.4.3.4.

5.13.4.3.3. A wall used to create separate compartments shall be a fire barrier with a fire
resistance complying with Part 8 Section 4 of this Code. Where there is more than
one compartment with a story, each compartmented area on such story shall be
provided with a horizontal exit and the fire door that such fire door will provide a
substantial barrier to the passage of smoke.

5.13.4.3.4. Evaluate the fire-resistance rating and degree of completeness of walls which create
corridors serving the floor, and constructed in accordance with Part 8 Section 2 of
this Code. This evaluation shall not include the wall elements considered in
5.13.4.3.2 and 5.13.4.3.3

5.13.4.3.5. Evaluate the ability of the Heating Ventilation Air Conditional system to resist the
movement of smoke and fire beyond the point of origin. Evaluate also the smoke
detection capability based on the location and operation of automatic fire detectors
in accordance with Part 8 Section 5 of this Code.

5.13.4.3.6. Evaluate the means of egress capacity and the number of exits available to the
building occupants. In applying this Section, the means of egress are required to
conform to Part 10 Section 1 of this Code.

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5.13.4.3.7. Where a building has two or more occupancies that are not in the same occupancy
classification, the separation between the mixed occupancies shall be evaluated in
accordance with this section. The evaluation of the ability to suppress a fire based
on the installation of an automatic sprinkler system is done in accordance with Part
9 Section 1 of this Code.

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CONTENTS

PART 14: INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE & DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT .......... 48

SECTION 1: INSPECTION...................................................................................................... 48

SECTION 2: MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS & INSTALLATIONS .............. 56

SECTION 3: DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS .............................. 61

SECTION 4: INSPECTION FORMS ........................................................................................... 63

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PART 14: INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE & DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

SECTION 1: INSPECTION

5.14.1.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSPECTION

5.14.1.1.1. For different stages of the inspection as specified by this Section, the written
notification shall be made by the permittee to the Building Consent Authority
calling for the inspection of the completed stage before proceeding to the next one.

5.14.1.1.2. The Authority shall have the right to inspect and visit any plot or building, between
the working hours from Monday to Friday, in order to ascertain that the
requirements of this code and the approved plans are being observed.

5.14.1.1.3. The inspector shall request documents allowing him/ her to get the necessary
information on the nature and the condition of the building. He/she shall examine
all documents as specified by present code and shall fill in the inspection forms
including the violation notification slip (if applicable) according to the Authority.

5.14.1.1.4. After conducting the inspection, in case of any violation, the inspector shall fill in
the violation notification slip which shows the type of violations and related
penalties. The slip shall be signed by the inspector and the owner representative
(contractor or supervisor) on site. A copy of the violation notification slip shall be
submitted to the owner representative on site.

5.14.1.1.5. In the line of the instructions in force relating to fire prevention, all public building
shall be inspected for fire safety at every three years interval. For the storage of
inflammable materials, the fire safety inspection shall be done every year.

5.14.1.1.6. Maintenance and repair of concrete structures to assess existing structures, design
of repairs and prevention shall be done in accordance with the requirements of
relevant parts of ISO 16311. On-Site Inspection of Installed Firestops shall be done
in accordance with ASTM E2174. Periodic inspection and on-site inspections of
building facades for unsafe conditions shall be done in accordance with ASTM
E2841 and ASTM E2270 respectively.
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5.14.1.2. QUALIFIED PERSONS AND PREPARATION OF SITE INSPECTION

5.14.1.2.1. The qualification of persons allowed to conduct the site inspection shall comply
with those set out in Part 3 Section 2 of this code.

5.14.1.2.2. The inspector shall prepare the site inspection depending on class of occupancy and
stage of construction works. The preparation consists of the following:

(i) A copy of the building file including the approved plans and the previous
inspection reports;
(ii) Inspection forms according to the items intended to be inspected; and
(iii) The site inspection tools depending on the type and stage of inspection to
be conducted.

5.14.1.3. BUILDING INSPECTION BASED ON STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION

5.14.1.3.1. According to the construction processes, a building construction project shall be

divided into three stages of execution: before, during and after execution of works.
For the effectiveness of the inspection works, all building projects shall be
inspected at least once for each stage of execution.

5.14.1.3.2. The stages of inspection shall go along with construction processes as follows:

(i) Stage 1: Before construction works:

This stage of inspection is conducted after a building permit issuance and it
covers the site mobilization and set out inspection;

(ii) Stage 2: During construction works:

This stage includes the inspection of excavation, foundation, building
structure, masonry works, finishing, landscaping and any other inspection
which might be proposed by the Authority during the construction process;
and

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(iii) Stage 3: After construction works:

This stage includes the joint site inspection as 5.14.1.9 conducted for the
issuance of occupation permit Freehold title and the periodic inspection
conducted during occupancy period as 5.14.1.10.

5.14.1.3.3. Notwithstanding other previsions of this Code, the foundation inspection and joint
site inspection shall only be mandatory during and after construction, respectively.
In any case, the Building Setting out Self Certification Form as Form 6 in Part 14
Section 4 shall be referred to for the site mobilisation and set out inspection.

5.14.1.4. INSPECTION OF THE SITE MOBILISATION AND SET OUT

5.14.1.4.1. The checklist shown in Form 1 of Part 14 Section 4 shall be adopted during the
inspection of site mobilisation and set out.

5.14.1.4.2. The inspector shall use the distance measuring tools to compare current dimensions
with those on the approved plans.

5.14.1.4.3. In addition to the items outlined in Form 1 in Part 14 Section 4, the inspector shall
also check if all public utilities are protected.

5.14.1.5. INSPECTION OF THE EXCAVATION AND EARTHWORKS

5.14.1.5.1. The checklist shown in Form 2 Part 14 Section 4 shall be adopted during the
inspection of the excavation and earthworks.

5.14.1.5.1.1. The requirements of safe-guard during excavation and earthworks shall be

respected as described in Part 12 Section 1 of this Code.

5.14.1.6. INSPECTION OF FOUNDATION WORKS

5.14.1.6.1. The checklist shown in Form 3 in Part 14 Section 4 shall be adopted during the
inspection of the foundation works.

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5.14.1.7. INSPECTION OF SUPERSTRUCTURE WORKS

5.14.1.7.1. The checklist shown in Form 4 in Part 14 Section 4 shall be adopted during the
inspection of the excavation and earthworks.

5.14.1.7.2. In addition to the items outlined in Form 4 in Part 14 Section 4, the inspector shall
also check the safety condition of scaffoldings and formworks. He/she shall verify
if:

(i) Bolts and nuts of the scaffolding/ formworks are tightened enough;
(ii) The erected scaffold ensures easy and safe circulation on the site;
(iii) The materials, the techniques and procedures used for the scaffold comply
with Part 12 Section 1 of this Code; and
(iv) For elevation works, the inspector shall identify critical areas of the building
especially for general structural, columns, slabs, beams, stair cases and pay
special attention to them.

5.14.1.7.3. The inspector shall verify if:

(i) The strength of finished concrete members is beyond minimum admissible

strength and the elastic properties of casted concrete members are compliant
with specification in the bills of quantities. The Schmidt hammer shall be
used;
(ii) The visible cracks cannot affect the structural stability; and
(iii) The procedures, methods, techniques and onsite-fabricated materials
comply with 6 and Part 7 of this Code.

5.14.1.7.4. For the fire protective measures, the inspector shall check if:

(i) The location of installed facilities and equipment comply with approved
plans;
(ii) The fixtures and equipment used comply with the specifications in the
approved Bills of Quantities; and

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(iii) The personnel on site have skills on fire fighting equipment and skills on
the usage of First Aid Kit.

5.14.1.7.5. In regards of facilities for persons with disabilities, the inspector shall check if the
location of installed facilities, equipment, procedures and techniques comply with
the approved plans and Part 10 Section 3 of this Code.

5.14.1.8. INSPECTION OF FINISHING AND LANDSCAPING

5.14.1.8.1. For the interior finishes, the inspector shall check if:

(i) The executed finishing works comply with approved plans

(ii) All the electrical installation is grounded. The natural/electrical light is
sufficient. The power saving technology and economic lights are used
onsite.

5.14.1.8.2. For the exterior finishes, the inspector shall check if:

(i) The executed finishes comply with approved plans;

(ii) The landscaping stage includes parking area, walkways, lighting and splash
aprons. According to these stages the inspector shall check if landscaping
installations comply with the approved landscape plans and in conformity
with Part 5 of this Code.

5.14.1.9. JOINT SITE INSPECTION

5.14.1.9.1. The joint site inspection shall be conducted after the construction works to check
the compliance to the approved plans, zoning regulations, safety, health and
security to confirm the completion of the construction works and issuance of the
occupation permit and Freehold title.

5.14.1.9.2. The inspector shall verify the conformity of the building according to the approved
plans and Registered Construction and Supervision firms
Name of The Construction Firm: Name of the Supervision Firm:

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Registration / Licence Number: Registration / Licence Number:

Site Engineer’s Name: Site Engineer’s Name:

Contact details Contact details
Cell phone: Cell phone:
Email: Email:
Date and Signature of the site Engineer Date and Signature of the site Engineer

1. Building Consent Authority Inspectors

S/N Names Signature

5.14.1.9.3.

5.14.1.9.4.

5.14.1.9.5.

5.14.1.9.6. Form 5 in Part 14 Section 4 shall suitably be used.

5.14.1.10. PERIODIC INSPECTION AFTER THE OCCUPANCY

5.14.1.10.1. After the building occupation, the periodic inspection shall be carried out
depending on the building type and classification or when it is required by the
Building Consent Authority. However, the fire safety inspection shall be conducted
at least once per year.

5.14.1.10.2. Registered Construction and Supervision firms

Name of The Construction Firm: Name of the Supervision Firm:

Registration / Licence Number: Registration / Licence Number:

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Site Engineer’s Name: Site Engineer’s Name:

Contact details Contact details
Cell phone: Cell phone:
Email: Email:
Date and Signature of the site Engineer Date and Signature of the site Engineer

2. Building Consent Authority Inspectors

S/N Names Signature

5.14.1.10.3.

5.14.1.10.4.

5.14.1.10.5.

5.14.1.10.6. Form 5 in Part 14 Section 4 shall suitably be adopted during the periodic inspection.

5.14.1.11. RISK BASED INSPECTION

5.14.1.11.1. The inspector shall check the general status of the building in relation to safety,
disaster, fire resistance and any other factor which, according to the Authority,
might influence the general safety of the building.

5.14.1.11.2. The risk based inspection of the building of Group A to Group MISC is conducted
to access the general safety and the resistance against fire. However, for the case of
single story building classified in sub-groupB-3, E-2, F-4, I-3 and R-5 this
inspection is not mandatory.

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5.14.1.12. INSPECTION OF DEMOLITION

5.14.1.12.1. The Inspector shall verify if:

(i) The recommended techniques, tools and machinery as per the demolition
permit are respected;
(ii) The sealing of services and the protection of public utilities have been done
before starting demolition;
(iii) The dust reduction/mitigation measures used are efficient in protecting
surroundings;
(iv) The dumping areas are appropriate and well managed; and the security
measures are provided; and
(v) The requirements described in Part 12 Section 2 of this Code are respected.

5.14.1.13. INSPECTION TOOLS

For all inspection works, appropriates tools shall be used in regard to the type and
stage of inspection.

5.14.1.14. SPECIAL INSPECTION

5.14.1.14.1. Where deemed necessary, the Building Consent Authority may request the
contractor/owner to conduct the special inspection during construction on the type
of being conducted. This inspection is in addition to the other inspections discussed
in 5.14.1.4 to 5.14.2.11.

5.14.1.14.2. Discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for
correction.

5.14.1.15. REPORT OF THE RESULTS OF AN INSPECTION

5.14.1.15.1. A report of the results of an inspection shall comprise:

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(i) Detailed description of the visual inspection and any full structural and full
building condition or services investigation;
(ii) Analysis of observations and tests conducted in course of full structural, full
building condition or services investigation;
(iii) Recommendations and comments by the registered professionals as to such
the necessary remedial works of full structural, full building condition or
services and stability of the building; and
(iv) After the evaluation of inspection report, the Authority shall afterwards:

a. Issue a compliance certificate to the contractor who represent the owner

of the building;

b. Issue an order to the contractor to take the appropriate measures to

remedy any deformation or deterioration as recommended by the
qualified person; and
c. Request the contractor/ owner to demolish the building if the Authority
has found that it cannot be repaired to a safe condition.

SECTION 2: MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS & INSTALLATIONS

5.14.2.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.14.2.1.1. The maintenance frequency of each building element shall be planned at the design
stage. Decisions to repair or replace should be taken after inspections according to
Part 14 Section 1 of this Code.

5.14.2.1.2. Temporary access equipment shall be appropriately provided for maintenance

work, this equipment ranges from ladders to scaffoldings or powered lift platforms.

5.14.2.1.3. All personnel employed for carrying out maintenance should be provided with the
necessary protective clothing and equipment in accordance with Part 12 Section 1
of this Code.
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5.14.2.1.4. Special precautions need to be taken when entering a confined space. Such confined
spaces should be adequately ventilated, particularly before being entered, to ensure
that they are free from harmful concentrations of gases, vapours other air borne
substances and that the air is not deficient in oxygen.

5.14.2.1.5. Good lighting is necessary in order that maintenance work can be carried out
satisfactorily. This is particularly important in confined spaces. When the normal
lighting is inadequate it should be supplemented by temporary installations. These
should provide general and spot illumination as appropriate.

5.14.2.2. MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND INSTALLATIONS

5.14.2.2.1. All installations in an existing building and the building itself shall be required to
be properly maintained by the owner(s) of the building to insure that it is in good
conditions for use and meet the minimum safety and health standards as specified
Part 12 Section 1 of this Code so as to ensure protection of both the user and the
general public from any health/safety hazards.

5.14.2.2.2. It shall be illegal to remove or make any installations unsafe for use by occupants
of such building either by the owner, occupant or general user.

5.14.2.3. IDENTIFICATION OF THE NEED FOR MAINTENANCE

The need of maintenance shall be guided by routine inspection of the building on a

regular basis through defect identification, defect analysis and determination of the
existing buildings’ condition, and including proposals for repair or further
investigation.

5.14.2.4. REPAIR WORK AND OWNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

5.14.2.4.1. The owner of any building or common property shall ensure that the ground is
always kept in a clean and tidy condition.

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5.14.2.4.2. The garden, whether paved or turfed, is regularly swept and kept reasonably clean
and that any overgrown grass cut regularly, that trees, hedges and shrubs are well
maintained by pruning and/or trimming.

5.14.2.4.3. Parking lots are properly demarcated (to be repainted where applicable and when
necessary) to ensure the parking of vehicles in an orderly manner and vehicles are
not parked otherwise than in the parking lots.

5.14.2.4.4. Debris and any litter are swept, while culverts and cover slabs are in a good state
of repair and that the drainage system is free of stagnant water. Any person who
disposes of the contents of a chemical toilet into a body of water or in any manner
other than that prescribed by the existing regulations for health shall be considered
to have committed an offence and shall be liable for conviction and/or fine
according to laws in force in Rwanda.

5.14.2.4.5. The recreational areas and playgrounds, pergolas, benches, play equipment and all
recreational facilities are kept in a clean condition and good order and that a proper
and adequate refuse in centre is-provided which is well labelled, kept clean, free
from odour, flies and vermin, and in a proper state of repair, and arrangement is
made with the proper authorities to empty the refuse regularly and to replace any
refuse bins when damaged.

5.14.2.4.6. Gutters, gates and fences, windows and doors (including panels, grilles, louvers
panes, ventilators and awnings) are regularly painted and are kept in good order
and (including wall fences and railings) are repaired when damaged. This is done
to the satisfaction of the Authority.

5.14.2.4.7. All installations which include lifts, escalators, sewers, septic tanks, lights, gas, hot
and cold water, air conditioning, tanks, pumps, generators, motor fans,
compressors, cables, wires, pipes, switches, meters, gauges and all apparatus and
installation existing for common use are kept in a proper working condition and
serviced regularly. The internal walls of the building are neat and tidy in appearance

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while exterior painting is being done at least once in 5years to the satisfaction of
the Authority or such shorter period as the Authority may require.

5.14.2.4.8. The corridors, passages, landings, staircases, escalators, air wells, walls, ceilings,
fire escapes, entrances and exits of buildings, basements, car parks, roof and roof
gardens, recreational or community facilities, refuse chutes, common storage
spaces, common toilets and latrines are kept clean, free of any slippery causing
agents, repaired and well maintained, free of any mutilations, scribbling or
drawings on the walls, floor and ceiling. Redecoration shall be done when
necessary.

5.14.2.4.9. Adequate ventilation and lighting, whether natural or artificial, are provided to the
entire building in general and in particular all passages, landings, staircases, lifts
and hallways and any blown fuses, bulbs or defective wires and switches are
immediately replaced. Obstructing materials such as boxes and bottles shall not be
stacked along the passage of a building;

5.14.2.4.10. Where excessive rubble, rubbish, other debris or combustible waste material has
been allowed to accumulate on a site before, during or after building operations, the
Authority may serve notice on the owner to cause the rubble, rubbish, other debris
or combustible waste material to be removed from the building site within a
specified period. If the owner of the building operations fails to comply with the
notice, he/she is considered to have committed an offence and is liable on
conviction to a fine that the jurisdiction of Rwanda find appropriate.

5.14.2.4.11. Mechanical ventilation, lifts, boilers and hot water, warm water and cooling water
systems must be thoroughly examined and inspected and adequately maintained to
safeguard users and the public from Illness or injury.

5.14.2.4.12. Mechanical installations for access into, within and out of the buildings shall
provide, for the safe and easy movement of people, and for the safety of

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maintenance personnel, safeguard maintenance personnel from injury while

servicing mechanical installations for access,

5.14.2.4.13. Mechanical installations for access shall:

(i) Move people safely, and stop and hold as required for the normal use of the
installation, for all loads up to and including 25% in excess of the rated load;
(ii) Be constructed to avoid the likelihood of people falling, tripping, becoming
caught, being able to touch or be struck by moving parts, sharp edges or
projections, under both normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal
conditions of use;
(iii) Be constructed to prevent collision between components, or between
components and the building;
(iv) Have a control system that ensures safe abnormal operation in the event of
overloading or failure of any single component; and
(v) Be capable of being isolated for inspection, testing and maintenance.

5.14.2.4.14. Maintenance of industrial lifts and loading ramps shall be provided in accordance
with manufacturer’s maintenance manual and design specifications.

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SECTION 3: DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

5.14.3.1. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS

5.14.3.1.1. All natural disasters likely to affect the region where the construction services are
taking place, including earthquakes, rainstorms, floods, lightning and landslides,
shall be taken into consideration during the design stage and wherever possible,
these shall be catered as per Part 6 Section 2 of this Code.

5.14.3.1.2. The design plans shall be accompanied by structural sufficiency certificate signed
by the professional civil /structural engineer to the effect that the building is safe
against various applicable loads, forces and effects including earthquakes as per
Part 6 Section 2 of this Code.

5.14.3.1.3. In disaster high wind and seismic areas, good construction practices shall be
followed taking care of joints, their damping and possible ductility including those
set out in Part 15 Section 1 of this Code.

5.14.3.1.4. All design and construction shall be carried out by competent and registered
professionals and suitably qualified/ classified firms.

5.14.3.1.5. Suitable drainage of sites and protection of structures against flooding and water
logging shall be ensured in design and construction in line with the requirements of
Part 11 Section 10 and Part 15 Section 1.

5.14.3.1.6. All design and construction shall take into consideration lightning occurrences.

5.14.3.1.7. Implementation / execution of any changes in the design and construction shall not
be undertaken unless suitably approved by the Authority.

5.14.3.2. INDEMNITY AGAINST DAMAGES

5.14.3.2.1. Where any building operation may cause or have any detrimental effect on the
strength, standard, safety, quality or position of any other property or public utility,
the Authority shall require the owner executing the building operations to

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indemnify it against claims for damages that may arise from the building operations
with an insurance bond.

5.14.3.2.2. The Authority shall determine the sum of the indemnity for any one claim and the
number of claims shall be unlimited.

5.14.3.2.3. The indemnity shall be kept in force for as long as the Authority determines
appropriate, but not after the occupancy Permit has been issued.

5.14.3.3. DUTIES OF PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS

5.14.3.3.1. The contractor/ owner shall provide the pre-construction information consisting of
any information about previous records which can affect the site or construction
work and any information concerning the proposed use of the structure as a
workplace.

5.14.3.3.2. The designer shall be involved in preparing or modifying a design which may be
used in construction work to avoid foreseeable risks to the health and safety of any
person carrying out construction work or using a structure designed as a workplace.

5.14.3.4. SITE LOCATION

No construction shall be undertaken on any site without approval of the Authority

and consideration of the appropriate provisions of Part 15 Section 1 of this Code

5.14.3.5. DISASTER PREVENTIVE ACTIONS

Every person taking part in construction work shall ensure that such work is carried
out in compliance with the safety measures set out in other parts of this Code.

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SECTION 4: INSPECTION FORMS

Form 1: SITE MOBILISATION AND SETOUT CHECKLIST

1. Site identification and Contractor details

Developer/ Owner ҆s names:
Name of the project:
Project Location
Province / City:
District:
Sector:
Cell:
Unique Parcel Identifier:
Number of floors:
Occupancy Classification
Group:
Class:
Sub-group:
Contractor’s details
Contact name:
Phone number:
Email:
2. Detailed Inspection
SN Description Yes No Comments
1 The site and boundary demarcation comply with the approved
plans

2 The road reserve complies with the zoning location and

approved plans
3 All setbacks comply with the zoning location and approved
plans
4 The demarcation holdings/netting are provided to delineate
required work areas
5 Set up areas for operation of the site are compliant with
approved plans.

6 Machinery installed on site are in the right place and do not

impair proper functioning on the site.

7 Offices, sanitary, storages and any other working areas are

provided
8 Required working areas are available and do not interfere with
general site circulation/ walkways
9 The internal circulation between the exit and the entrance is well
linked, and allow safe and easy circulation of people and
machinery.

10 The lighting and electrical system allows safe environmental

conditions in terms of lighting and electrical shock.

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11 The technology of power saving is respected.

12 The installed drainage system for rainwater is efficient and

doesn’t affect the surrounding areas/ public infrastructure.

13 The dumping area is appropriate and well managed. The used

noise and dust protective/ mitigation measures are efficient to
protect the surroundings.

14 Suitable and enough fire-fighting equipment is in place and

suitably located and secured.

3. General Comments

4. Registered Construction and Supervision firms

Name of The Construction Firm: Name of the Supervision Firm:

Registration / Licence Number: Registration / Licence Number:

Site Engineer’s Name: Site Engineer’s Name:

Contact details Contact details
Cell phone: Cell phone:
Email: Email:
Date and Signature of the site Engineer Date and Signature of the site Engineer

5. Building Consent Authority Inspectors

S/N Names Signature

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Form 2: EXCAVATION AND EARTHWORKS

1. Site identification and Contractor details
Developer/ Owner ҆s names:
Name of the project:
Project Location
Province / City:
District:
Sector:
Cell:
Unique Parcel Identifier :
Number of floors:
Occupancy Classification
Group:
Class:
Sub-group:
Contractor’s details
Contact name:
Phone number:
Email:
2. Detailed Inspection
SN Description Yes No Comments
1 The excavation, levelling, trenching, and embankment works
comply with the approved plans.

2 Excavation setback to lot line and adjacent buildings complies

with the approved plans
3 The transportation of debris is conducted avoid getting dirty of
the site and surroundings.

4 The requirements of safe-guard during excavation and

earthworks are respected

5 The dumping area is appropriate and well managed. The used

noise and dust reduction/ mitigation measures are efficient to
protect the surroundings.

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3. General Comments

4. Registered Construction and Supervision firms

Name of The Construction Firm: Name of the Supervision Firm:

Registration / Licence Number: Registration / Licence Number:

Site Engineer’s Name: Site Engineer’s Name:

Contact details Contact details
Cell phone: Cell phone:
Email: Email:
Date and Signature of the site Engineer Date and Signature of the site Engineer

5. Building Consent Authority Inspectors

S/N Names Signature

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Form 3: INSPECTION OF FOUNDATION WORKS

1. Site identification and Contractor details

Developer/ Owner ҆s names:
Name of the project:
Project Location
Province / City:
District:
Sector:
Cell:
Unique Parcel Identifier:
Number of floors:
Occupancy Classification
Group:
Class:
Sub-group:
Contractor’s details
Contact name:
Phone number:
Email:
2. Detailed Inspection
SN Description Yes No Comments
1 The procedure and techniques used comply with the approved
plans and all requirements described in the Rwanda National
Building Code
2 The soil treatment for insects is done and organic materials and
debris in the areas have been removed prior to the application of
chemicals.
3 Erosion control measure are in place
4 The footing/ Foundation size and location complies with the
approved plans
5 The size and placement of reinforcements complies with the
approved plans
6 Forming of footings and concrete placement complies with the
approved drawings
7 The required plumbing lines comply with the approved plans.

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3. General Comments

4. Registered Construction and Supervision firms

Name of The Construction Firm: Name of the Supervision Firm:

Registration / Licence Number: Registration / Licence Number:

Site Engineer’s Name: Site Engineer’s Name:

Contact details Contact details
Cell phone: Cell phone:
Email: Email:
Date and Signature of the site Engineer Date and Signature of the site Engineer

5. Building Consent Authority Inspectors

S/N Names Signature

Form 4: INSPECTION OF SUPERSTRUCTURE WORK

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3. Site identification and Contractor details

Developer/ Owner ҆s names:
Name of the project:
Project Location
Province / City:
District:
Sector:
Cell:
Unique Parcel Identifier:
Number of floors:
Occupancy Classification
Group:
Class:
Sub-group:
Contractor’s details
Contact name:
Phone number:
Email:
4. Detailed Inspection
SN Description Yes No Comments
1 The executed structural works comply with approved plans.
2 The size of the structural members complies with the approved
plans
3 The size and placement of reinforcements complies with the
approved plans
4 Forms installation and bracing, shoring, plumbing and cross
bracing, concrete placement, curing period and procedure were
suitably executed
5 The executed structural works/truss of the roof complies with
approved plans and all roof members are assembled and
tightened accordingly
6 For other works including mechanical, electrical, plumbing and
information technology have no defects on the completed or
ongoing works and the electrification is done using power
saving technology.

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5. General Comments

6. Registered Construction and Supervision firms

Name of The Construction Firm: Name of the Supervision Firm:

Registration / Licence Number: Registration / Licence Number:

Site Engineer’s Name: Site Engineer’s Name:

Contact details Contact details
Cell phone: Cell phone:
Email: Email:
Date and Signature of the site Engineer Date and Signature of the site Engineer

7. Building Consent Authority Inspectors

S/N Names Signature

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Form 5: JOINT SITE INSPECTION

1. Building identification and Contractor’s details

Developer/ Owner ҆s names:

Name of the project:
Project Location
Province / City:
District:
Sector:
Cell:
Unique Parcel Identifier:
Building capacity
Number of floors:
Number of users:
Parking capacity (number):
Green area (estimated percentage):
Built area (estimated percentage):
Building status
Completed building
Occupied building
Abandoned site
Suspended site
Collapsed building
Occupancy Classification
Group:
Class:
Sub-group:
Contractor’s details
Contact name:
Phone number:
Email:

2. Inspection of the Building

Item Physical Description (Used Materials, Observations (noncompliance/ defect)
Techniques, Machinery, etc.)
I. General Works
1.1 Site Installation
1.2 Site fencing and boundary
demarcation
1.3 Earth works
1.4 Excavation
1.5 Leveling
1.6 Compaction
1.7 Embankment
1.8 Trenching
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1.9 Dumping Areas

1.10 Transportation
II. Foundation Works
2.1 Foundation size
2.2 Used material
2.3 Damp-proof course
2.4 Soil treatment for insects
2.5 Rough plumbing
2.6 General safety
III. Structural Works
3.1 Scaffoldings
3.2 Elevation works
3.3 Roof structure
IV. Framing
4.1 Walls
4.2 Roofs
4.3 Shingles
4.4 Doors
4.5 Windows
4.6 Stairs
V. Fire safety
5.1 Fire extinguishers
5.2 Smoke detectors
5.3 Sprinklers
5.4 Water hydrants
5.5 Fire alarms
5.6 Hose reel
5.7 Emergency evacuation plan
5.8 Assembly point (where
applicable)
VI. Security
6.1 Security control room
6.2 CCTV camera
6.3 Walk through
6.4 Luggage scanner
6.5 Hand held metal detectors
6.6 Security staff
6.7 Landing space for helicopter
(where applicable)
6.8 Required building Signage
VII. Other works
7.1 Electrical installations
7.2 Plumbing installations
7.3 IT Facilities
7.4 Fire safety measures
7.5 Security facilities
7.6 Accessibility
VIII. Finishes
8.1 Interior finishes
Used material
8.2 Used procedures, methods,
techniques

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8.3 Exterior finishes

8.4 Used material
8.5 Used procedures, methods,
techniques
IX. Landscaping
9.1 Zoning
9.2 Parking
9.3 Garden
9.4 Walk ways
9.5 Lighting
9.6 Splash Aprons
X. Demolition
10.1 Safety measures
10.2 Workers
10.3 Sealing services
10.4 Used Machinery and tools
10.5 Dumping area
10.6 Salvage
10.7 Transportation

3. General Comments

4. Registered Construction and Supervision firms

Name of The Construction Firm: Name of the Supervision Firm:

Registration / Licence Number: Registration / Licence Number:

Site Engineer’s Name: Site Engineer’s Name:

Contact details Contact details
Cell phone: Cell phone:
Email: Email:
Date and Signature of the site Engineer Date and Signature of the site Engineer

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5. Building Consent Authority Inspectors

S/N Names Signature

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Form 6: BUILDING SETTING OUT SELF CERTIFICATION FORM

DATE

Recuperation date: ……………….… Submission Date …….…………..…

DEVELOPER IDENTIFICATION

Developer/ Owner ҆s names:

Name of the project:
Contractor’s Contact name
District:
Sector:
Cell:
Plot Number :
Contractor’s phone number:
Contractor’s Email
Project usage:
Number of floors:
Occupancy Classification
Group:
Class:
Sub group:
Type:

MANDATORY CONDITIONS FOR SETTING OUT A BUILDING

i. During the setting out, the following is mandatory to be respected (YES means Respected and NO means not
respected):
• Road reserve (if any) Yes No
• Approved setbacks Yes No
• Building coverage as required Yes No
• Building layout (footprint) Yes No
• If NOT why?
................................................................................................................................................................
ii. Setting out must be carried out by a Certified Construction company represented by a registered / licensed
Engineer
iii. Setting out must be approved and confirmed by a certified supervision company represented by a registered
Engineer/ Architect

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BUILDING SETBACKS DIMENSIONS

Setbacks according to Approved drawing Measured to site setbacks

the Master plan setbacks (Setbacks after setting out)

Front setback (in meters)

Rear setback (in meters)

Left side setback (in meters)

Right side setback (in meters)

GENERAL SITE PLAN LAYOUT (Architect sketch showing the setbacks dimensions on all sides, road reserve
and the position of the building in the whole site referring to approved site plan)

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CERTIFICATION

• Supervision consultancy

I certify that the information in this application relating to the setting out, as indicated in the table and sketch here
in attached, are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I further declare that the mentioned setbacks are in
conformity with approved site plan. I understand that any false or misleading information may result in demolition
of the non-approved building components of which I will be responsible, or subsequent punitive measures applied
by law to a professional architect (or Engineer) in Rwanda.

Name and Address of Professional Firm and

Signature and Name of professional and Stamp
Stamp (if any)

• Contractor

I certify that the information in this application relating to the setting out, as indicated in the table and sketch here
in attached, are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I further declare that the mentioned setbacks are in
conformity with approved site plan. I understand that any false or misleading information may result in demolition
of the non-approved building components of which I will be responsible, or subsequent punitive measures applied
by law to a professional Engineer in Rwanda.

Name and Address of Professional Firm and

Signature and Name of professional and Stamp
Stamp (if any)

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CHAPTER 6:
SPECIAL PROVISIONS

RWANDA BUILDING CODE-VERSION 2767 2019

 Official Gazette no.Special of 16/04/2019
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CONTENTS

PART 15 SPECIAL CONDITIONS & CONSTRUCTIONS ............................................................. 3

SECTION 1: RISK ZONING & REGIONAL CONSIDERATIONS .................................................... 3

SECTION 2: GREEN CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ....................................................................... 13

SECTION 3 INCENTIVES FOR GREEN BUILDING ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

SECTION 4: LOCAL MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES ....................................... 18

SECTION 5 UMUDUGUDU (GROUPED SETTLEMENTS) CONSIDERATIONS .......................... 19

SECTION 6 INCREMENTAL BUILDING ........................................................................................... 20

SECTION 7 HISTORICAL BUILDINGS, MEMORIAL & BURIAL SITES ..................................... 23

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PART 15 SPECIAL CONDITIONS & CONSTRUCTIONS

SECTION 1: RISK ZONING & REGIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

6.15.1.1. RISK ZONING

6.15.1.1.1. The identification of the risk zones and the determination of risk levels and
parameters for them shall be the most complex and crucial part in the risk
mitigation work, because this determines the trustworthiness of all subsequent
developments.

6.15.1.2. Risk Zoning maps are those that identify the risk areas that shall guide the
designers and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the
different development plans that include buildings and other infrastructure
development projects. Detailed Sub Area Plans are detailed physical plans for
specific areas are also available prepared to guide their development. The
reference risk zoning map for this Code shall be as in Figure 6.15.1-1 and shall be
continuously updated and detailed sub area maps shall be requested from the
Building Control Authority when required.

6.15.1.3. Notwithstanding the need for such development as in sub-regulation 6.15.1.2, no

person shall develop or cause to be developed any building on land identified as a
risk zone and where development permission that takes into consideration risk
mitigation measures applicable to the area and type of risk shall not be granted.

6.15.1.4. Granting building permits in areas identified as risk zones shall in addition to
compliance with sub-regulations 1.5.1.1, and 1.5.1.2 of this Code (issuing
building permits), shall also comply with the provisions of this section.

6.15.1.5. In the event that the applicant has an alternative solution or approach other than
that provided in this section; the request for approval to use an alternative means
of mitigation or risk containment shall be made in writing to the Authority by the
owner or the authorized representative. The request shall be accompanied by a
enough evidence that the proposed alternate mean provides reasonable protection
to occupants, he/she shall explain plan and processes related to warnings,

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evacuations routes and other pertinent conditions relative to the viability of the
proposed incase of anticipated negative outcomes.

6.15.1.6. All other conditions of this Code apply to risk zones except where specifically
stated.

6.15.1.7. LIGHTNING AND FLOODS PRONE ZONES

6.15.1.7.1. Protection against lightning: in lightning prone areas all building shall comply
with the requirements of regulation 4.11.3.5.3.2 governing protection against
lightening. In addition, inclusion of lightning protection devices shall be
compulsory for all building of the following classes: A, E, I, R-1, R-3, S-1 and all
other places where it is deemed necessary for safety of occupants.

6.15.1.7.2. Construction of buildings shall be discouraged in flood prone zones and wetlands
as far as possible. When construction cannot be prohibited, suitable and sufficient
measures shall be taken to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the life
ecosystem in the wetlands is not affected.

6.15.1.7.3. The flood risk zones are derived from the analysis of frequencies of daily rainfall
exceeding 50mm, which are located as indicated on the risk zone map. These
maps are not exhaustive and further information may be required.

6.15.1.7.4. The Authority shall also have adopted a recent flood report and map for an area
not included in the regulations.

6.15.1.7.5. Authority in charge of urban planning and human settlement shall indicate which
areas are flood prone.

6.15.1.7.6. Authority shall have local knowledge of when flooding occurred in the past. It
may also be necessary ask neighbors or people who live in the area.

6.15.1.7.7. Local media, researchers and communities shall have access to previous flood
records. Insurance companies that conduct business in the area shall also have
information.

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6.15.1.7.8. The technical requirements for building in an area that is subject to flooding is
that the floor level of any habitable room shall be 300mm or more above the
designated flood level for that land. The 'designated flood level' is the flood level
that has a low probability of being exceeded in any one year (for a watercourse
flood plain mapped or reported) or 600mm above ground level or the highest
known flood level (for those areas not mapped).

6.15.1.7.9. Basic design requirements apply to flood hazards areas that are not prone to
landslide, mudslide, or storm surge; and where the maximum flow velocity is not
greater than 1.5m/s.

6.15.1.7.10. Different action shall be applied during the design of structures exposed to floods.
The flood actions shall include, but not limited to, the following as appropriate:

(i) The flood actions shall be based on the Defined Flood Event (DFE);
(ii) Hydrostatic actions caused by a depth of water to a Defined Flood Level
(DFL).
(iii) Hydrodynamic Actions:

a. Dynamic effects of moving water;

b. Where water velocities do not exceed 1.5m/s, the hydrodynamic
actions can be approximated into equivalent hydrostatic actions by
increasing the DFL by an equivalent surcharge depth for slow moving
water (flow velocity less than 3m/s) and building aspect ratio (width to
height) less than 12. For situations outside these limits, a full
engineering analysis shall be carried out.
(iv) Impact of debris actions caused by objects transported by flood waters
striking against buildings and structures shall be determined using
engineering principles as concentrated loads acting horizontally at the
most critical location at or below the DFL;
(v) Wave actions caused by water waves propagating over the water and
striking a building or other structure shall be determined using engineering
principles. Wave actions include wash and wind generated waves;

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(vi) The effects of erosion and scour shall be included in the calculation of
actions on building foundations and other structures in flood hazard areas;
(vii) Floor Height Requirements: Unless otherwise specified by the appropriate
authority:

a. The finished floor level of habitable rooms shall be above the FHL;
and
b. The finished floor level of enclosed non-habitable rooms shall be no
more than 1.0 m below the DFL Where FHL and DFL shall mean;
[Flood hazard level (FHL): the flood level used to determine the height
of floors in a building and represents the defined flood level (DFL)
plus the freeboard. Freeboard: the height above the defined flood level
(DFL) as determined by the Building Control Authority typically used
to compensate for effects such as wave action and localized hydraulic
behavior].
(viii) The footing system of a structure shall provide the required support to
prevent flotation, collapse or significant permanent movement resulting
from the flood actions as specified;
(ix) The footing system design shall account for instability and decrease in
structural capacity associated with soil properties when wet, erosion and
scour, liquefaction, and subsidence resulting from the flood actions
specified above depending on the geotechnical characteristics of the site;
(x) The footing system depth must be adequate to provide the support
required in taking into account the geotechnical considerations;
(xi) Piers, posts, columns and piles used to elevate buildings to the required
elevation shall take account of the potential erosion action due to flood;
and the potential debris actions;
(xii) Fill providing support to the footing system shall be designed to maintain
that support under conditions of flooding, including rapid rise and draw-
down of flood waters, prolonged inundation erosion and scour, without
exceeding the maximum design specifications.
(xiii) Use of Slabs:

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a. Slabs shall be installed on fill in accordance with 2.6.4, or on

undisturbed soil of adequate bearing capacity and have adequate
strength to resist the design actions even if the supporting soil under
the slab is undermined by erosion; and
b. The bottom of the slab edge (usually the edge beam or edge footing)
shall be at or below the depth of expected scour.

(xiv) Requirements for Enclosures Below the Flood Hazard Level (FHL)

a. Any enclosure below the FHL shall have openings to allow for
automatic entry and exit of floodwater for all floods up to the FHL.
b. The openings shall meet the following criteria:
1. Doors and windows shall not be counted as openings but openings
can be installed in doors and windows;
2. There shall be a minimum of two openings on different sides of
each enclosed area;
3. The total net area of all openings shall be at least 1% of the
enclosed area; and
4. Openings shall permit a 75mm sphere to pass through; and
5. Any opening covers shall not impede the flow of water.

(xv) Requirements for Structural Attachments

a. Erosion control structures that are attached to the foundation or

superstructure of the building shall be structurally adequate and not
reduce the structural capacity of the building during the DFE; and
b. Decks, patios, stairways, ramps and the like below the FHL that are
attached to the building shall be structurally adequate and not reduce
the structural capacity of the building during the DFE.

(xvi) Material Requirements

a. Materials used for structural purposes and located below the FHL shall
be capable of resisting damage, deterioration, corrosion or decay

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taking into account the likely time the material would be in contact
with flood water and the likely time it would take for the material to
subsequently dry out; and
b. For the purposes of (a), materials used for structural purposes include
load bearing columns, bracing members, structural connections,
fasteners, wall framing members and the like.

(xvii) Requirements for Utilities

a. Utilities and related equipment, other than an electrical meter for the
building, shall not be placed below the FHL unless they have been
designed specifically to cope with flood water inundation. Note: The
location of electrical meters is regulated by the Authority in charge of
Electricity;
b. Buried systems shall be placed at a depth sufficient to prevent damage
due to scour and erosion during the DFE; and
c. Exposed systems shall be designed to withstand the flood related
actions (buoyancy, flow, debris and wave).

(xviii) Unless the electrical Institution determines otherwise:

a. Electrical switches shall be placed above the FHL; and

b. Electrical conduits and cables installed below the FHL shall be
waterproofed or placed in waterproofed enclosures.

(xix) Mechanical and HVAC systems, tanks and the like: Ductwork, tanks, gas
storage cylinders and the like shall be placed above the FHL or designed,
constructed, installed and anchored to resist all flood-related actions and
other actions during the DFE with appropriate load factors as given above.
Potential buoyancy and other flood related actions on the empty tank
during the DFE condition shall be considered;
(xx) Egress from a balcony, verandah, deck, door, window or the like shall be
available to allow a person in the building to be rescued by emergency

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services personnel, if rescue during a flood event up to the DFE is

required.

6.15.1.8. WINDSTORMS PRONE ZONES

6.15.1.8.1. In area prone to strong wind, wind breakers (Trees) must be used to reduce the
wind velocity.

6.15.1.8.2. Houses located in areas prone to strong winds shall have a reinforced
correspondingly.

6.15.1.8.3. Roof structure should be placed such that it faces the opposite direction of the
wind. In case this is not possible, the roof should be hidden behind a parapet wall.

6.15.1.8.4. In case the building has been reinforced, walls must be tied into the building
structure using metal hooks or reinforcement bars placed at minimum intervals of
60cm so that they cannot move separately when the force of nature impact them.

6.15.1.9. EARTHQUAKES

6.15.1.9.1. All buildings and structures in earthquake zones shall comply with all provisions
of this Code especially Chapters 2 and 5. In addition the buildings shall be guided
by the following principles guided by ISO 3010 for design values and criteria
where relevant. In particular:

(i) Protection against earthquakes shall be in accordance in such a manner to

withstand all seismic forces to the extent to avoid structure failure, losses
of lives and property 2 as specified in Part 6 of this Code;
(ii) Suitable materials satisfying the conditions as set out in Part 7 of this Code
shall be used without compromising the requirements of high seismic
areas in Rwanda; and
(iii) Repair and seismic strengthening, retrofitting of existing buildings shall be
undertaken using suitable materials in order to avoid loss of lives and
damage to properties.

6.15.1.9.2. This Code requires a two level seismic design requirement:

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(i) The structure shall be designed and constructed to withstand the design
seismic action without local or global collapse, thus retaining its structural
integrity and a residual load bearing capacity after the seismic event; and
(ii) The structure shall be designed and constructed to withstand a seismic
action having a larger probability of occurrence than the design seismic
action, without the occurrence of damage and the associated limitations of
use, the costs of which would be disproportionately high in comparison
with the costs of the structure itself.

6.15.1.9.2.1. The first requirement is related to the protection of life under a rare event, through
the prevention of the global or local collapse of the structure that, after the event,
shall retain its integrity and a sufficient residual load bearing capacity. After the
event the structure may present substantial damages, including permanent drifts,
to the point that it may be economically unrecoverable, but it shall be able to
protect human life in the evacuation process or during aftershocks. In the
framework of this Code the design shall use the concept of Limit States; this
performance requirement is associated with the Ultimate Limit State that deals
with the safety of people or the whole structure.

6.15.1.9.2.2. The second requirement is related to the reduction of economic losses, both in
what concerns structural and non-structural damages. Under an earthquake events,
the structure shall not have permanent deformations and its elements should retain
its original strength and shall consider performance requirements of; ground
conditions and seismic action and stiffness in view of the minimization of non
structural damage the structure shall have adequate stiffness to limit, under such
frequent events, its deformation to levels that do not cause important damage on
such elements.

6.15.1.9.3. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FEATURES IMPORTANT TO SEISMIC

PERFORMANCE

To satisfy the fundamental requirements of this Code a number of characteristics

are important to the design of buildings and structures to ensure that they will
behave adequately in strong earthquakes. This Code provisions requires inclusion
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of all of these features in the design and construction of buildings and other
structures.

6.15.1.9.3.1. In addition to being able to support a structure’s weight without excessive

settlement, the stable foundation system shall be able to resist earthquake-induced
overturning forces and be capable of transferring large lateral forces between the
structure and the ground. Foundation systems also shall be capable of resisting
both transient and permanent ground deformations without inducing excessively
large displacements in the supported structures. On sites that are subject to
liquefaction or lateral spreading, it is important to provide vertical bearing support
for the foundations beneath the liquefiable layers of soil. This often will require
deep foundations with drilled shafts or driven piles. Because surface soils can
undergo large lateral displacements during strong ground shaking, it is important
to tie together the individual foundation elements supporting a structure so that
the structure is not torn apart by the differential ground displacements. A
continuous mat is an effective foundation system to resist such displacements.
When individual pier or spread footing foundations are used, reinforced concrete
grade beams between the individual foundations shall be provided so that the
foundations move as an integral unit.

6.15.1.9.3.2. All parts of a building or structure, including non-structural components, shall be

tied together to provide a continuous path that will transfer the inertial forces
resulting from ground shaking from the point of origination to the ground.

6.15.1.9.3.3. The structure of any building shall resist vibration, vertical and lateral forces that
are generated by earthquake. Strong earthquake bracing and dumping shall be
provided.

6.15.1.9.3.4. Regular and irregular structures shall be considered for mass distribution,
strength, and stiffness to achieve uniformity in case of ground shaking.

6.15.1.9.3.5. The structural elements shall be designed to provide sufficient strength to support
anticipated dynamic loads without failure so that they will not deflect excessively
under these loads.

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Figure 6.15.1-1 Natural Hazards in Rwanda (Source: RNRA 2014)

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SECTION 2: GREEN CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

Green building (also known as green construction or sustainable building) refers

to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-
efficient throughout a building's life-cycle.

6.15.2.1. The green building minimum compliance system shall apply to:
(i) All new Category 4 & 5 buildings; Additions, extensions, and
refurbishment of existing buildings which require a building permit,
notably for the following building typologies:
1. Commercial buildings (excluding warehouses and retail shops)
2. Public administrative and institutional buildings (excluding
correctional services, police, fire department)
3. Social, cultural and assembly buildings
4. Health facilities
5. Educational buildings (excluding living areas for students )
(ii) Existing buildings, when specified;
(iii) Mixed Use Buildings: When a building combines more than one use, each
portion of the building shall comply with the relevant regulations for that
particular typology; and
(iv) Change of Use: When there is a change of use for a building; these
regulations apply for the new use, when specified;

6.15.2.2. The regulations are supported by a document titled “Rwanda Green Building
Minimum Compliance System.”

(i) The Green Building Minimum Compliance System has been developed to
provide understanding of the reason for the regulations, green building
minimum compliance indicators, their benefits and guidance towards
compliance; and
(ii) The Green Building Minimum Compliance System is not intended to
provide detailed design information or to be a substitute for the experience
and expertise of building designers and contractors.

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SECTION 3: INCENTIVES FOR GREEN BUILDING

6.15.3.1. Incentives for green building shall be in line with the National Housing Policy,
and the scope of the green building program desired.The following is a list of the
incentives that may be offered.

(i) Tax Incentives;

(ii) Bonus Density;
(iii) Expedited Permitting;
(iv) Net Metering;
(v) Grants (including fee subsidization);
(vi) Loans;
(vii) Technical Assistance/Design Assistance;
(viii) Permit/Zone Fee Reduction;
(ix) Rebates and Discounts on Environmental Products (e.g., Energy Star); and
(x) Leasing Assistance.

6.15.3.1.1. Tax Incentives may be offered in any of the following:

(i) Corporate Tax (tax levied on companies or associations;
(ii) Gross Receipts Tax (tax levied on the total gross revenues of a company –
charged to the seller of goods);
(iii) Income Tax (tax levied on persons, corporations, or other legal entities);
(iv) Property Tax/Ad Valorem Tax (tax levied on the value of property);
(v) Sales Tax (tax levied on goods and services – charged at the point of
purchase); and
(vi) Local Tax (tax levied from districts).

6.15.3.1.2. Bonus Density: This shall include height bonuses, floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses,
reductions in landscaping requirements and the counting of green roof space as
landscaping/open space in return for achieving levels of green building ratings.

6.15.3.1.3. Expedited Permitting: This involves streamlining the permitting process for
building plan, and site permits to save green developers substantial time and
money.

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6.15.3.1.4. Net Metering: This is to allow consumers who own renewable energy facilities,
such as wind or solar power instruments, to generate their own power/energy and
be able to sell excess power back to the community. This process can develop
clean energy as an industry, much like cell towers, and buildings could potentially
sell space for photovoltaic to companies. Installing photovoltaic arrays on big box
retail buildings could generate substantial amounts of electricity and entice
developers and owners to build not only energy efficient, but energy producing
buildings.

6.15.3.1.5. Grants (including fee subsidization): This is a consideration that building owners
can enter into a grant programs, which can offset some of the increased
development costs that arise from a green building project. Grants can include
programs such as tax abatements.

6.15.3.1.6. A loan fund shall be established to be used specifically for green improvements.
This can use performance contracting to provide loans at reduced interest rates to
developers that agree to build to specified green standards.

6.15.3.1.7. Technical Assistance/Design Assistance: This is provision of free consultancy to

developers. [Demand for sustainable design is increasing rapidly but even in the
development community there are still questions over exactly what kind of green
design techniques are most effective and in demand. It is important for
government to provide quality service to the development and design community
by training planners, building inspectors, and other local officials, as these are the
main points of contact between the jurisdiction and private building interests.
Well-trained local officials can also educate the community at large and promote
voluntary efforts. Jurisdictions can even earn revenue by offering consulting on
green building projects. This fosters a culture of sustainable design throughout the
community and in the long term, this can be much more effective than formal
legislation and regulations. Often, developers with a short-term investment
outlook have less incentive to build more efficient structures because they will not
occupy buildings in long term. Therefore, these developers will generally not see
the returns from greater efficiency and lower utility costs. A reduction in the

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initial building construction fees will affect these developers most dramatically.
Jurisdictions shall weigh long-term versus short-term considerations carefully.
The hoped for result is that rebates grow exponentially as green building
proliferates, so governments shall prepare for increased usage to make sure these
programs are sustainable. This strategy can ultimately be one that is effective and
highly beneficial.

6.15.3.1.8. Permit/Zone Fee Reduction: This option is almost exclusively for use by cities
rather than at country level. Specific levels green rating systems such as LEED,
several jurisdictions waive or partially reimburse the application, building, or
permit fees charged. This directly affects the party funding the construction of a
building, so it can be a particularly attractive incentive. Often, developers with a
short-term investment outlook have less incentive to build more efficient
structures because they will not occupy buildings long term. Therefore, these
developers will generally not see the returns from greater efficiency and lower
utility costs. A reduction in the initial building construction fees will affect these
developers most dramatically. Jurisdictions shall weigh long-term versus short-
term considerations carefully. The hoped for result is that rebates grow
exponentially as green building proliferates, so municipalities shall prepare for
increased usage to make sure these programs are sustainable.

6.15.3.1.9. Rebates and Discounts on Environmental Products: Discounts on environmental

products are an option that may require initial investment but will pay for itself in
the long term. Municipalities can purchase energy efficient appliances in bulk and
offer discounted prices, passing the savings on to citizens who buy these items
from the city. Some jurisdictions offer other financing assistance and often
provide “preferred lists” of appliances. Alternatively, a city can simply provide a
rebate, which is easier to administer. These programs can work at any level of
government and have the advantage of being highly targeted. Jurisdictions
especially concerned with water conservation or energy use can directly affect
efficiency and target the rebates appropriately.

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6.15.3.1.10. Leasing Assistance: Jurisdictions can lease energy efficient equipment to

businesses and residents so that the initial cost of purchasing and/or installing the
equipment is passed on to the state or local government. Since a city or state has
significant purchasing power, it can pass the savings of buying in bulk on to
citizens by leasing this equipment. In doing so, it is making energy efficiency
attainable in instances where it might not be affordable otherwise. By providing
this assistance, cities and states may have to make an initial investment of funds
but generally will make most of the money back from payments on the
equipment.

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SECTION 4: LOCAL MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

6.15.4.1. The use of local materials available on or near the site for construction including
stone and granite, mud or clay stabilized with rice straw, corral ash and/or cement
dust to improve resistance to erosion and structural properties shall be
encouraged.

6.15.4.2. New material designs (mixes) and techniques that will have been approved by
relevant authorities coupled with the revival (sometimes modified) traditional
building techniques and training of youth in producing and building with these
materials shall give communities more independence in constructing their own
homes and make these houses more affordable. At minimum, they shall save
transport of material costs, and the overhead of a contractor.

6.15.4.3. The design and use of materials in National Housing Policy shall ensure that
future maintenance and running costs are low, as these contribute towards the
overall affordability of dwellings.

6.15.4.4. The design of houses shall be cost effective to be afforded by low- and middle-
income earners. This affordability shall be achieved by using locally produced
building materials. The Government may provide subsidies toward reduction of
construction costs.

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SECTION 5 UMUDUGUDU (GROUPED SETTLEMENT) CONSIDERATIONS

6.15.5.1. Local population shall be consulted for the location or site to build Umudugudu.
District councils approve the suggested sites before implementation both in urban
and rural areas. Social services, work places and farm lands shall induce the
selection of Umudugudu site. (In urban areas umudugudu shall respect the urban
planning documents).

6.15.5.2. Before or after any Umudugudu development, the chosen site shall be serviced
with basic infrastructures such as access road, water supply, sewerage network,
fiber optic network, electricity, etc for green field areas.

6.15.5.3. Efficient use of land shall be ensured and based on appropriate land use. This
shall include but not limited to detached and high-rise dwellings.

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SECTION 6 INCREMENTAL BUILDING

6.15.6.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

6.15.6.1.1. The building permitting and approvals of incremental buildings shall abide by the
provisions of this Code as elaborated in Part 3.

6.15.6.1.2. Every stage of construction shall require the owner to notify the Building Consent
Authority to allow resumption of works. In case the permit is expired, the owner
shall in addition to the above notification requirements, be required to apply for
renewal of a permit as applicable in this Code.

6.15.6.1.3. Modalities for second and subsequent construction permit application renewal
shall be in accordance with conditions and procedure for application and issuance
of building permits.

6.15.6.1.4. The design and construction of any incremental building shall comply with the
design and construction of any component of the entire building at its completion.

6.15.6.1.5. Any incremental house shall be in conformity of this Code at any intermediate
stage of erection be deemed to be a temporary building.

6.15.6.1.6. The ability to accommodate change shall be anticipated, structured and integrated
into design and construction document and construction permits.

6.15.6.1.7. In the case of an incremental building there shall be Occupancy Permit which
shall be provided on each phase of the building delivered by the Authority after
the qualified Engineer and Architect have approved the finished component of the
building, satisfy the requirements as per the construction permit.

6.15.6.2. GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

6.15.6.2.1. The design of any incremental building shall be done as the design of the whole
building and not only for one stage of construction. All structures shall be
designed as required in Chapter 2 of this Code.

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6.15.6.2.2. The applicant/designer shall state from the early stages of design how building
will be constructed if they wish to accommodate any incremental change in any
meaningful way. There shall be prepared an implementation plan stating how the
increments will be done.

6.15.6.2.3. The size, material, proportion and position of doors and windows shall correspond
or complement the prior approved plans.

6.15.6.2.4. The excavation of incremental building shall satisfy the requirements of this Code
and shall be in a manner as to accommodate any vertical and horizontal increment
until the entire building is completed.

6.15.6.2.5. Foundation shall be able to support the forces or loads of additional levels of the
entire building and shall be designed, taking into account the entire building
instead of one stage or any intermediate stage of construction. The design of
foundation shall be as stated in Part 6 of this Code.

6.15.6.2.6. Columns shall be capable of sustaining and transmitting the dead load, imposed
loads and the horizontal or inclined forces to which it shall be subjected, without
exceeding the appropriate limits of stress for the materials of which it is
constructed without excessive deformation. The columns and beams shall be
designed to accommodate the incremental changes and shall not permit the
passage of moisture from the outside to the inner surface of any storey of the
building, or to any part of the building. The detailed design of columns and beams
shall be as indicated in Part 6.

6.15.6.2.7. The design of slabs for an incremental building shall comply with the provisions
of part 6 of this Code and shall be so designed to accommodate incremental
changes.

6.15.6.2.8. Any wall of previous floors shall be capable to safely sustain any loads to
which it is expected to be subjected and in the case of any structural wall such
wall shall be capable of safely transferring such loads to the foundations
supporting such wall until the construction of the last floor. Walls for incremental
building or any wall shall be so constructed that it will adequately resist the
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penetration of water into any part of the building where it would be detrimental to
the health of occupants or to the durability of such building.

6.15.6.2.8.1. In places with extreme lateral loading, walls not carrying vertical loads, tertiary in
the order of permanence, shall be needed to carry lateral loads. This does not
mean they cannot be altered, but after any transformation, the capacity of the
altered structure to resist lateral loading shall be reassessed.

6.15.6.2.8.2. Walls for incremental buildings shall be designed with reference and shall comply
with the requirements stated in Part 6 Section 5.

6.15.6.2.9. Floors of Incremental building shall be designed so that they are capable to
safely sustain any loads to which it is expected to be subjected until the
construction of the last floor. Upper floors may differ in terms of size to the
previous floor. Floors shall be designed and constructed so that they will
adequately resist the penetration of water. They will satisfy the requirement in
Part 6 Section 4.

6.15.6.2.10. The floors or slabs shall serve as an intermediate roof and proper roof shall be
constructed at the last floor. Roof structures shall be designed with reference to
Part 6 section7. Structural roof covering shall be designed in accordance with the
general provisions of this Code.

6.15.6.2.11. Any material used in the erection of a building shall be of a quality adequate for
the purpose for which it is to be used. Requirements of building materials and
components and criteria for accepting new or alternative building materials and
components are specified in Part 7 and the Building Consent Authority shall have
the right to test or to have tested any material or component used or to be used in
any building operations in order to determine whether the material or component
complies with the requirements of this Code.

6.15.6.2.12. During construction of components of an incremental building, safety shall be

taken into account from the initial construction up to the last increment.

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SECTION 7: HISTORICAL BUILDINGS, MEMORIAL & BURIAL SITES

6.15.7.1. HISTORICAL BUILDINGS

The purpose of this section is to provide regulations for the construction,

preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, relocation or reconstruction of buildings
or properties designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. It is
intended to provide solutions for the preservation of qualified historical buildings
or properties, to promote sustainability, to provide access for persons with
disabilities, to provide a cost-effective approach to preservation and to provide for
the reasonable safety of the occupants or users. This Code acknowledges and
accepts solutions that are reasonably equivalent to the regular Code when dealing
with qualified historical buildings or properties.

6.15.7.1.1. It shall be noted that all buildings in Rwanda are subject to this Code including
historical buildings, memorial and burial sites but, however, this does not
preclude the necessity for these buildings to comply with other forms of
legislation.

6.15.7.1.2. While the purpose is to preserve the character of places and town scapes which
are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific,
social or technical interest or which contributes to the appreciation of protected
structures.

6.15.7.1.3. When a proposed design, material or method of construction and repair is being
considered, the Building Consent Authority may seek the advice of other
appropriate private or public boards, individuals or state or local agencies or other
parties and shall, after considering all of the facts presented, including any
recommendation of other appropriate boards, agencies or other parties determine
if, for the purpose intended, the proposal is reasonably equivalent to that allowed
by these regulations and it shall transmit such findings and its decision to the
Authority for its application.

6.15.7.1.4. Where an emergency is declared and a qualified historical building or property is

declared an imminent threat to life and safety, the Authority assessing such a
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threat shall consult with the Building Control Authority before any demolition is
undertaken.

6.15.7.1.5. Construction methods, repairs and materials

6.15.7.1.5.1. Repairs to any portion of a qualified historical building or property shall be made
in-kind with historical materials and the use of original or existing historical
methods of construction.

6.15.7.1.5.2. Only solutions provided in this Code or any other acceptable regulation or
methodology of design or construction and used in whole or in part, within this
Code shall be allowed. However this Code does not preclude the use of any
proposed alternative or method of design or construction not specifically
prescribed or otherwise allowed by these regulations. Any alternative shall be
submitted for evaluation to the appropriate Authority for review and acceptance.
The Authority may request that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to
substantiate any claims that may be made regarding such solutions. Any
alternative offered in lieu of that prescribed or allowed shall have to be reasonably
equivalent in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety.

6.15.7.1.5.3. The use or character of occupancy of a qualified historical building or property, or

portion thereof, shall be permitted to continue in use regardless of any period of
time in which it may have remained unoccupied or in other uses, provided such
building or property otherwise conform to all applicable requirements. The use or
character of the occupancy of a qualified historical building or property may be
changed from or returned to its historical use or character, provided the qualified
historical building or property conforms to the requirements applicable to the new
use or character of occupancy.

6.15.7.1.6. Existing provisions for light and ventilation which do not, in the opinion of the
Authority, constitute a safety hazard may remain.

6.15.7.1.7. The intent of his provision is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical
buildings or properties while maintaining a reasonable degree of fire protection
based primarily on the life safety of the occupants and firefighting personnel.
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6.15.7.1.8. The fire-resistance requirement for existing exterior walls and existing opening
protection shall be satisfied when an automatic sprinkler system designed for
exposure protection is installed. The automatic sprinklers shall be installed on the
exterior with at least one sprinkler located over each opening required to be
protected. Additional sprinklers shall also be distributed along combustible walls
under the roof lines that do not meet the fire-resistive requirement due to
relationship to property lines as required by this Code. Such sprinkler systems
shall be connected to the domestic water supply on the supply-main side of the
building shut-off valve.

6.15.7.1.9. Upgrading an existing qualified historical building or property to one-hour fire-

resistive construction and one-hour fire-resistive corridors shall not be required
regardless of construction or occupancy when one of the following is provided:

(i) An automatic sprinkler system throughout;

(ii) An approved life-safety evaluation; and
(iii) Other alternative measures as approved by the Building Consent
Authority.

6.15.7.1.10. Every qualified historical building or property shall be provided with fire alarm
systems as required for the use or occupancy by this Code or other approved
alternative.

6.15.7.1.11. Existing or original roofing materials may be repaired or reconstructed provided

that the original or historical roofing system shall be detailed or modified as
necessary in order to be capable of providing shelter while preserving the
historical materials and appearance of the roof.

6.15.7.1.12. Every qualified historical building or portion thereof shall be provided with exits
as may be required. The Authority shall grant reasonable exceptions to the
specific provisions of applicable egress regulations where such exceptions will
not adversely affect life safety.

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(i) Widths of less than dimensions required by regular Code shall be

permitted where there is sufficient width and height for the occupants to
pass through the opening or traverse the exit;
(ii) Existing stairs having risers and treads or width at variance with the
regular Code are allowed if determined by the Building Consent Authority
to not constitute a distinct hazard. Handrails with nonconforming grip size
or extensions are allowed if determined by the Building Consent Authority
to not constitute a distinct hazard;
(iii) The front or main entry doors need not be re-hung to swing in the
direction of exit travel, provided other means or conditions of exiting, as
necessary to serve the total occupant load, are provided;
(iv) Existing previously approved fire escapes and fire escape ladders shall be
acceptable as one of the required means of egress, provided they extend to
the ground and are easily negotiated, adequately signed and in good
working order. Access shall be by an opening having a minimum width
(737mm) when open; and
(v) The height of railings and guard railings and the spacing of balusters may
continue in their historical height and spacing unless a distinct hazard has
been identified or created by a change in use or occupancy.

6.15.7.1.13. The access for people with disabilities shall be applied to qualified historical
buildings or properties unless strict compliance with the regular Code will
threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining features of the
building or property. These regulations require Authority to accept alternatives to
regular Code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

6.15.7.1.14. If the historical significance or character-defining features are threatened,

alternative provisions for access may be applied pursuant to this chapter, provided
the following conditions are met:

(i) These provisions shall be applied only on an item-by-item or a case-by-

case basis.

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(ii) Documentation is provided, including meeting minutes or letters, stating

the reasons for the application of the alternative provisions. Such
documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the Building
Consent Authority.

6.15.7.1.15. Use of other designs and technologies or deviation from particular technical and
scoping requirements are permitted if the application of the alternative provisions
would threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining features
of the historical building or property.

(i) Such alternatives shall be applied only on an item-by-item or a case-by-

case basis;
(ii) Access provided by experiences, services, functions, materials and
resources through methods including, but not limited to, maps, plans,
videos, virtual reality and related equipment, at accessible levels. The
alternative design and/or technologies used will provide substantially
equivalent or greater accessibility to, and usability of, the facility; and
(iii) The official charged with the enforcement of the standards shall document
the reasons for the application of the design and/or technologies and their
effect on the historical significance or character-defining features. Such
documentation shall include the opinion and comments of national
accessibility officials, and the opinion and comments of representative
local groups of people with disabilities. Such documentation shall be
retained in the permanent file of the Building Consent Authority. Copies
of the required documentation should be available at the facility upon
request.

6.15.7.1.16. The purpose of this regulation is to provide alternative regulations for the
structural safety of buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or
properties. This provision requires Authority to accept any reasonably equivalent
alternatives to the regular Code when dealing with qualified historical buildings
or properties but the intent is to encourage the preservation of qualified historical

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buildings or properties while providing a reasonable level of structural safety for

occupants and the public at large.

6.15.7.1.16.1. The alternative structural regulations hereby provided are to be applied in

conjunction with the regular Code whenever a structural upgrade or
reconstruction is undertaken for qualified historical buildings or properties.

6.15.7.1.16.2. This provision shall not be construed to allow the Authority to approve or permit
a lower level of safety of structural design and construction than that which is
reasonably equivalent to the regular Code provisions in occupancies which are
critical to the safety and welfare of the public at large, including, but not limited
to, public and private schools, hospitals, municipal police and fire stations and
essential services facilities. Nothing in these regulations shall prevent voluntary
and partial seismic upgrades when it is demonstrated that such upgrades will
improve life safety and when a full upgrade would not otherwise be required.

6.15.7.1.16.3. When a structure or portion of a structure is to be evaluated for structural capacity

under this provision, it shall be surveyed for structural conditions by an architect
or engineer knowledgeable in historical structures. The survey shall evaluate
deterioration or signs of distress. The survey shall determine the details of the
structural framing and the system for resistance of gravity and lateral loads.
Details, reinforcement and anchorage of structural systems and veneers shall be
determined and documented where these members are relied on for seismic
resistance. The results of the survey shall be utilized for evaluating the structural
capacity and for designing modifications to the structural system to reach
compliance with this Code.

6.15.7.1.16.4. New non historical additions and non historical alterations which are structurally
separated from an existing historical structure shall comply with regular Code
requirements. New non-historical additions which impose vertical or lateral loads
on an existing structure shall not be permitted unless the affected part of the
supporting structure is evaluated and strengthened, if necessary, to meet regular
Code requirements.

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(i) The capacity of the structure to resist gravity loads shall be evaluated and
the structure strengthened as necessary. The evaluation shall include all
parts of the load path. Where no distress is evident and a complete load
path is present, the structure may be assumed adequate by having
withstood the test of time if anticipated dead and live loads will not exceed
those historically present;
(ii) The ability of the structure to resist wind and seismic loads shall be
evaluated. The evaluation shall be based on the requirements of structural
design;
(iii) Any unsafe conditions in the lateral-load-resisting system shall be
corrected or alternative resistance shall be provided. Additional resistance
shall be provided to meet the minimum requirements of this Code; and
(iv) The architect or engineer shall consider additional measures with minimal
loss of, and impact to historical materials which will reduce damage and
needed repairs in future earthquakes to better preserve the historical
structure in perpetuity.

6.15.7.1.16.5. The forces used to evaluate the structure for resistance to wind and seismic loads
need not exceed 0.75 times the seismic forces. The seismic forces may be
computed based on the values tabulated in the regular Code for similar lateral-
force-resisting systems. All deviations of the detailing provisions of the lateral-
force-resisting systems shall be evaluated for stability and the ability to maintain
load-carrying capacity at increased lateral loads.

(i) The seismic resistance may be based upon the ultimate capacity of the
structure to perform, giving due consideration to ductility and reserve
strength of the lateral-force-resisting system and materials while
maintaining a reasonable factor of safety. Broad judgment may be
exercised regarding the strength and performance of materials not
recognized by regular Code requirements;
(ii) All structural materials or members that do not comply with detailing and
proportioning requirements of the regular Code shall be evaluated for
potential seismic performance and the consequence of noncompliance. All

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members which might fail and lead to possible collapse, or threaten life
safety, when subjected to seismic demands in excess of those prescribed
above shall be judged unacceptable, and appropriate structural
strengthening shall be developed. Anchorages for veneers and decorative
ornamentation shall be included in this evaluation;
(iii) A complete and continuous load path, including connections, from every
part or portion of the structure to the ground shall be provided for the
required forces. It shall be verified that the structure is adequately tied
together to perform as a unit when subjected to earthquake forces;
(iv) Parapets and exterior decoration shall be investigated for conformance
with regular Code requirements for anchorage and ability to resist
prescribed seismic forces. An exception to regular Code requirements
shall be permitted for those parapets and decorations which are judged not
to be a hazard to life safety;
(v) Nonstructural features of historical structure, such as exterior veneer,
cornices and decorations, which might fall and create a life-safety hazard
in an earthquake, shall be investigated. Their ability to resist seismic
forces shall be verified, or the feature shall be strengthened; and
(vi) Partitions and ceilings of corridors and stairways serving an occupant load
of 30 or more shall be investigated to determine their ability to remain in
place when the building is subjected to earthquake forces.

6.15.7.1.16.6. The purpose of this regulation is to provide for the use of historical methods and
materials of construction that are at variance with regular Code requirements or
are not otherwise codified, in buildings or structures designated as qualified
historical buildings or properties. This provision requires Building Consent
Authority to accept any reasonably equivalent alternatives to the regular Code
when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.
(i) Any construction type or material that is, or was, part of the historical
fabric of a structure present in a historical structure may remain or be
reinstalled or be installed with new materials of the same class to match
existing conditions;

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(ii) Allowable stresses or ultimate strengths for ancient historical materials

shall be assigned based upon similar conventional codified materials or on
tests. The ancient materials and methods of construction shall be
thoroughly investigated for their details of construction. The
architect/qualified engineer in responsible charge of the project shall
assign allowable stresses or ultimate strength values to these materials.
Such assigned allowable stresses, or ultimate strength values, shall be
subject to the concurrence of the Authority;
(iii) Where nonstructural historical materials exist in uses which do not meet
the requirements of the regular Code, their continued use is allowed by
this Code, provided that any public health and life-safety hazards are
mitigated subject to the concurrence of the Authority.

6.15.7.1.16.7. Allowable conditions for specific materials: Ancient historical materials which
exist and are to remain in historical structures shall be evaluated for their
condition and for loads required by this Code. The structural survey required in
this Code shall document existing conditions, reinforcement, anchorage,
deterioration and other factors pertinent to establishing allowable stresses and
adequacy of the archaic materials. These include:

(i) Totally reconstructed walls utilizing original brick or masonry,

constructed similar to original, shall be constructed in accordance with the
regular Code. Repairs or in fills may be constructed in a similar manner to
the original walls without conforming to the regular Code;
(ii) Unburned clay masonry shall be constructed, reconstructed, stabilized or
rehabilitated. Alternative approaches which provide an equivalent or
greater level of safety shall be used, subject to the concurrence of the
Authority;
(iii) Provisions shall be made to protect adobe structures from moisture and
deterioration. The unreinforced adobe shall be maintained in reasonably
good condition. Particular attention shall be given to moisture content of
adobe walls. Unmaintained or unstabilized walls or ruins shall be
evaluated for safety based on their condition and stability. Additional

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safety measures may be required subject to the concurrence of the

Authority;
(iv) Repair or reconstruction of wall area shall utilize unstabilized brick or
adobe masonry designed to be compatible with the constituents of the
existing adobe materials. Existing adobe shall be allowed a maximum
value of (27.6 kPa) for shear, with no increase for lateral forces. Mortar
may be of the same soil composition as that used in the existing wall, or in
new walls as necessary to be compatible with the adobe brick. Existing
wood diaphragms or walls of straight or diagonal sheathing shall be
assigned shear resistance values appropriate with the fasteners and
materials functioning in conjunction with the sheathing. Existing wood
framing members shall be assigned allowable stresses consistent with
Codes in effect at the time of construction. Existing or new replacement
wood framing shall be of archaic types originally used if properly
researched, such as balloon and single wall. Wood joints such as dovetail
and mortise and tenon types may be used structurally, provided they are
well made. Lumber selected for use and type need not bear grade marks,
and greater or lesser species such as low-level pine and fir, boxwood and
indigenous hardwoods and other variations may be used for specific
conditions where they were or would have been used. Wood fasteners
such as square or cut nails may be used with a maximum increase of 50%
over wire nails for shear;
(v) Natural cement concrete, unreinforced rubble concrete and similar
materials shall be utilized wherever that material is used historically.
Concrete of low strength and with less reinforcement than required by the
regular Code shall remain in place. The architect/qualified engineer shall
assign appropriate values of strength based on testing of samples of the
materials. Bond and development lengths shall be determined based on
historical information or tests;
(vi) The hand-built, untested use of wrought or black iron, the use of cast iron
or grey iron, and the myriad of joining methods that are not specifically
allowed by the Code may be used wherever applicable and wherever they

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have proven their worth under the considerable span of years involved
with most qualified historical structures. Uplift capacity should be
evaluated and strengthened where necessary. Fixed conditions or mid
height lateral loads on cast iron columns that could cause failure should be
taken into account. Existing structural wrought, forged steel or grey iron
shall be assigned the maximum working stress prevalent at the time of
original construction;
(vii) The historical performance of hollow clay tile in past earthquakes shall be
carefully considered in evaluating walls of hollow clay tile construction.
Hollow clay tile bearing walls shall be evaluated and strengthened as
appropriate for lateral loads and their ability to maintain support of gravity
loads. Suitable protective measures shall be provided to prevent blockage
of exit stairways, stairway enclosures, exit ways and public ways as a
result of an earthquake;
(viii) Historical glazing material located in areas subject to human impact shall
be approved subject to the concurrence of the Authority when alternative
protective measures are provided. These measures shall include, but not be
limited to, additional glazing panels, protective film, protective guards or
systems, and devices or signs which would provide adequate public safety;
and
(ix) The purpose is to provide regulations for the mechanical, plumbing and
electrical systems of buildings designated as qualified historical buildings
or properties with an intent to preserve the integrity of qualified historical
buildings or properties while providing a reasonable level of protection
from fire, health and life-safety hazards (hereinafter referred to as safety
hazards) for the building occupants that shall be applied in conjunction
with the regular Code whenever compliance with the regular Code is
required for qualified historical buildings or properties.

a. No person shall permit any safety hazard to exist on premises under

their control, or fail to take immediate action to abate such hazard.
Requirements of the regular Code concerning general regulations shall

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be complied with, except that the Authority shall accept solutions

which do not cause a safety hazard;
b. Qualified historical buildings or properties covered by this part are
exempted from compliance with energy conservation standards. When
new non historical lighting and space conditioning system
components, devices, appliances and equipment are installed, they
shall comply with the requirements of this Code except where the
historical significance or character-defining features are threatened;
c. Heat-producing and cooling equipment shall comply with the regular
Code requirements governing equipment safety, except that the
building consent authority may accept alternatives which do not create
a safety hazard;
d. Ventilating systems shall be installed so that no safety hazard is
created;
e. Plumbing systems shall apply to the acceptance, location, installation,
alteration, repair, relocation, replacement or addition of any plumbing
system or equipment within or attached to a historical building. These
shall comply with the regular Code unless otherwise noted. Existing
systems which do not, in the opinion of the Authority, constitute a
safety hazard may remain in use;
f. Plumbing fixtures shall be connected to an adequate drainage and vent
system. The Authority may require operational tests for drainage and
vent systems which do not comply with applicable requirements of the
regular Code. Vent terminations may be installed in any location
which, in the opinion of the building consent authority, does not create
a safety hazard;
g. Indirect and special waste systems shall be installed so that no safety
hazard is created. Chemical or industrial liquid wastes which may
detrimentally affect the sanitary sewer system shall be pretreated to
render them safe prior to discharge;
h. Plumbing fixtures shall be connected to an adequate water distribution
system. The Authority may require operational tests for water

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distribution systems which do not comply with applicable

requirements of regular Code. Prohibited (unlawful) connections and
cross connections shall not be permitted;
i. Existing systems, wiring methods and electrical equipment which do
not, in the opinion of the Authority, constitute a safety hazard may
remain in use;
j. Where existing branch circuits do not include an equipment grounding
conductor and, in the opinion of the building consent authority, it is
impracticable to connect an equipment grounding conductor to the
grounding electrode system, receptacle convenience outlets may
remain the non grounding type but protective measures should be
taken on fixtures; and

k. Lighting load calculations for services and feeders may be based on

actual loads as installed in lieu of the “watts per square meter” method.

6.15.7.1.16.8. This provision covers-preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction

of associated historical features of qualified historical buildings, that are beyond
the buildings themselves which include, but are not limited to, natural features
and designed site and landscape plans with natural and man-made landscape
elements that support their function and aesthetics. This shall include, but will not
be limited to:

(i) Site plan layout configurations and relationships (pedestrian, equestrian

and vehicular site circulation, topographical grades and drainage, and use
areas);
(ii) Landscape elements (plant materials, site structures other than the
qualified historical building, bridges and their associated structures,
lighting, water features, art ornamentation, and pedestrian, equestrian and
vehicular surfaces);
(iii) Functional elements (utility placement, erosion control and environmental
mitigation measures); and

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(iv) Where the application of regular Code may impact the associated features
of qualified historical properties beyond their footprints, by work
performed secondarily, those impacts shall also be covered by this
provision and shall require consent of the Authority.

6.15.7.2. GENOCIDE MEMORIAL SITES

6.15.7.2.1. The preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of buildings or

properties designated as genocide memorial sites and buildings or properties shall
be governed by different corresponding sections and provisions in this Code. It is
intended to provide solutions for the preservation to promote sustainability, to
provide access for persons with disabilities, to provide a cost-effective approach
to preservation, and to provide for the reasonable safety of the occupants or users.
This Code acknowledges and accepts solutions that are reasonably equivalent to
the regular Code when dealing with genocide memorial sites.

6.15.7.2.2. It shall be noted that though all buildings in Rwanda are subject to this Code
including genocide memorial sites. However this does not preclude the necessity
for these sites and buildings to comply with other forms of legislation governing
other aspects that forms the decision tool for a corresponding appropriate action
including those provided by laws:

(i) Law N° 56/2008 of 10/09/2008 governing memorial sites and cemeteries

of victims of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda that sets necessary
requirements; and
(ii) Law N° 10/2012 of 02/05/2012 Governing Urban Planning and Building
in Rwanda that tasks the implementation to the minister in-charge of urban
planning (this Code) in consultations with the minister in-charge of
memorial sites.

6.15.7.3. ORDINARY BURIAL SITES

6.15.7.3.1. Each cemetery shall have a map specifying places and numbers reserved for
tombs and shall be at least 50cm between tombs and between sideways.

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6.15.7.3.2. Each tomb shall bear a visible number which is recorded in the register provided
for that purpose. This number shall be provided and affixed by the administration
of the Sector in which the cemetery is located.

6.15.7.3.3. Cemeteries shall be located in accordance with the approved local urban land
development plan.

6.15.7.3.4. Public cemeteries shall be established in each District. The number, boundaries,
surface area and materials shall be determined by the District Council. There shall
also established private cemeteries

6.15.7.3.5. Public cemeteries shall constitute part of the District property and shall be
managed by the District whereas private cemeteries will be national cemetery in
which are buried the high dignitaries of the country, army cemetery and heroes
cemetery. The number and use of private cemeteries shall be determined by a
Prime Minister’s Order and being a part of the State’s private property, they shall
be managed by the State. However, an Order of the Minister in charge of
cemeteries may allow a person or a group of people to establish their own private
cemeteries provided they comply with some provisions.

6.15.7.3.6. Tombs shall be classified in the following two (2) categories: ordinary tomb and
special tomb. The ordinary tomb is excavated into the soil, not constructed in all
its parts. A special tomb is excavated into the soil and constructed in all its parts
or at the top only. Special tombs are placed in reserved areas of the public
cemeteries .The decision of District Council shall determine the organization and
use of such areas reserved for special tombs.

6.15.7.3.7. An Order of the Minister in charge of Local Government shall determine

requirements for burying in places of worship.

6.15.7.3.8. A public cemetery may be relocated or closed for public health interest or when
fully buried in. A decision of the District Council determines the date of
relocation, closure and reopening of a public cemetery. A private cemetery may
be relocated or closed for public health interest or when fully buried in. An Order

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of the Minister in charge of cemeteries shall determine the date of relocation,

closure or reopening of a private cemetery.

6.15.7.3.9. The burial of a dead body in an already occupied ordinary tomb shall not be done
before ten (10) years, for a special tomb this will only be done after twenty (20)
years from the date the tomb was last buried in.

6.15.7.3.10. All elements of the tomb construction that relate to building construction and
architectural aesthetics in relation to materials quality, construction techniques
and site safety ,drainage, engineering ethics shall be governed by different
relevant provisions of this Code.

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UMUGEREKA WA III W’ITEKA ANNEX III OF MINISTERIAL ANNEXE III À L’ARRȆTÉ

RYA MINISITIRI N° 03/CAB.M/019 ORDER N° 03/CAB.M/019 OF MINISTÉRIEL N° 03/CAB.M/019 DU
RYO KU WA 15/04/2019 15/04/2019 DETERMINING URBAN 15/04/2019 DÉTERMINANT LES
RISHYIRAHO AMABWIRIZA PLANNING AND BUILDING RÈGLEMENTS D’URBANISME ET
AJYANYE N’IMITUNGANYIRIZE REGULATIONS DE CONSTRUCTION
Y’IMIJYI N’IMYUBAKIRE

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REPUBLIC OF RWANDA

ANNEX 3
RWANDA GREEN BUILDING MINIMUM
COMPLIANCE SYSTEM

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Contents
Section 1 - Introduction................................................................................................................................ 4
1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Rationale for Green Building in Rwanda ........................................................................................... 5
3. Policy Context ................................................................................................................................... 6
3.1. International Context ................................................................................................................ 6
3.2. National Context ....................................................................................................................... 8
4. Scope of Green Building Minimum Compliance System................................................................. 10
5. Green Building Minimum Compliance System Overview ............................................................... 11
Section 2 – Green Building Minimum Compliance Indicators .................................................................. 12
1. Green Building Indicators and Point Allocation ............................................................................ 13
2. Minimum Compliance Scoring Criteria .......................................................................................... 14
3. Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................................................... 15
Module 1 – Energy Efficiency ..................................................................................................................... 16
1.1 Building Envelope: Façade Design Parameters ..................................................................................... 17
1.2 Ventilation............................................................................................................................................. 24
1.3 Daylighting ............................................................................................................................................ 28
1.4 Artificial Lighting Efficiency ................................................................................................................... 31
1.5 Enhanced Artificial Lighting Efficiency .................................................................................................. 35
1.6 Lifts and Escalators................................................................................................................................ 39
1.7 Renewable Energy................................................................................................................................. 40
1.8 Solar Hot Water Systems ...................................................................................................................... 42
1.9 Energy Metering.................................................................................................................................... 43
1.10 Air Conditioning System Efficiency ..................................................................................................... 45
1.11 Building Envelope: Air-conditioned space .......................................................................................... 48
Module 2: Water Efficiency........................................................................................................................ 54
2.1 Rainwater Harvesting ............................................................................................................................ 55
2.2 Efficient Plumbing Fixtures ................................................................................................................... 57
2.3 Enhanced Efficient Plumbing Fixtures .................................................................................................. 59
2.4 Waste water treatment and Reuse ....................................................................................................... 61
2.4 Water Metering .................................................................................................................................... 64
Module 3: Environmental Protection ........................................................................................................ 66
3.1 Sustainable Concrete Usage ................................................................................................................. 67

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3.2 Greenery Protection ............................................................................................................................. 69

3.3 Environment Friendly practices ............................................................................................................ 71
3.4 Low-impact Refrigerants: Zero Ozone Depletion Potential .................................................................. 72
3.5 Low-impact Refrigerants: Low Global Warming Potential.................................................................... 73
3.6 Segregation of waste, post-occupancy ................................................................................................. 74
3.7 Heat Island Mitigation........................................................................................................................... 75
Module 4: Indoor Environmental Quality ................................................................................................. 78
4.1 Minimum Outdoor Fresh Air Supply: Air-conditioned spaces .............................................................. 79
4.2 Thermal Comfort – Mechanically Ventilated Spaces ............................................................................ 81
4.3 Noise Level ............................................................................................................................................ 82
4.4 Low VOC Paints and Adhesives ............................................................................................................. 84
Module 5: Innovation and Other Green Features ..................................................................................... 87
5.1 Innovation ............................................................................................................................................. 88
5.2 Universally Accessible Building ............................................................................................................. 90
Section 3 – Green Building Minimum Compliance System Implementation Plan ................................... 92
Section 4: Appendices ................................................................................................................................ 96
Air-conditioning systems (baseline) ............................................................................................................ 97
Typical U-values of some building components ......................................................................................... 99
List of refrigerants with odp and gwp values............................................................................................ 102

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Section 1 - Introduction
1. Overview
Rwanda has shown impressive strides in economic growth in the recent decades. This economic
development has set off a construction boom in the capital city Kigali and 6 Secondary cities
(Huye, Muhanga, Musanze, Rubavu, Rusizi and Nyagatare) of Rwanda identified under the
erstwhile Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) 2013-18 as poles of
growth and centers of non-agricultural economic activities. Rwanda’s National Strategy for
Transformation (NST1) has also set an ambitious urbanization rate of 35% by 2024 from 16.5% in
2012.
The visionary policies of the government and conducive business climate is attracting many
international and national investors to setup offices, construct a large variety of mixed-use
buildings, residential communities, hotels, hospitals, educational, commercial, industries and
institutional buildings in Kigali and 6 Secondary cities.
A global study has estimated that 75% of the building stock is yet to be built in developing
countries by the year 20501. Worldwide, buildings consume 1/3rd of final energy use and in East
African Countries (EAC) the share of final energy consumption of the building sector is well above
60%2. In 2010, the buildings sector was responsible for 1 out of 4 GHG emissions released
worldwide deriving from fossil fuel consumption. But, if the embodied energy of construction
materials is included, the buildings sector becomes the prime GHG emitter3. Thus, building
design, construction and operation have a significant effect on the chances of meeting the 2 0C
target and pursuing efforts to stay well below 1.5 0C4.
Buildings are also major consumers of potable water – a finite resource. If not planned for and
used judiciously, poor water management would have significant impact on the ecosystem.
Buildings also have significant impact on human health, wellness and productivity, as many of us
spend 90% of our time indoors, and our physical environment impacts our health more than
lifestyle, medical care and genetics5. A study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public
Health and other leading academic research institutions has concluded that people working in
green buildings have better cognitive function scores compared to a conventional building6.
Rwanda recognizes the importance of regulating building in a manner that best supports
sustainable development. In this sense, a building is viewed from both its physicality and the
process by which it is created. There is need for structures and the application of processes that

1
Sustainable Building Design for Tropical Climates, UN-Habitat, August 2014
2
Sustainable Building Design for Tropical Climates, UN-Habitat, August 2014
3
Sustainable Building Design for Tropical Climates, UN-Habitat, August 2014
4
As per Paris Climate Accord to which Republic of Rwanda is a signatory
5
International WELL Building Institute
6
https://chge.hsph.harvard.edu/resource/impact-green-buildings-cognitive-function

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are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from

planning to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

2. Rationale for Green Building in Rwanda

What is a Green Building?

Green building is defined differently by various users, but there is a consensual agreement on the
fact that it is an outcome of a design philosophy which focusses on increasing the efficiency of
resource use while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the
building life cycle. Green building promotes energy & water efficiency, takes advantage of the
ambient (upland) climate, reduces the need for air-conditioning usage, maximizes natural
ventilation, maximizes use of sustainable & locally manufactured buildings materials, provides
superior Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) to building occupants, protects environment and
promotes biodiversity.
Benefits of Green Building
Globally, the tangible & intangible benefits of green building would vary depending on the
climate, building type, usage, occupants, number of hours the building is in operation, baselines
used to validate savings, rating achieved by the building, and the country context.
From a general perspective, green building is given a credit in the following:

 Energy Efficiency & Water Conservation: Optimizing energy and water resources
does not only decrease the use of natural resources but also decreases water and
energy expenditure.
 Improved Indoor Air Quality: Green building reduces the need for air-conditioning
usage by maximizing natural ventilation.
 Reduced Carbon Footprint: by producing less waste and reducing the release of
harmful gasses.
 Promotion of sustainable construction materials: Green building promotes the
adoption of building designs, construction practices and materials that are
environmentally friendly.

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3. Policy Context

3.1. International Context

A. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Green building is relevant to several targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for
2030, wherein:
Goal 3: Good Health & Wellbeing - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all
ages: Green building features, such as improved lighting, better air quality and greenery, remain
relevant to positively impact health and wellbeing. Reducing emissions from buildings –
particularly in cities – can reduce pollution and improve air quality, benefiting the health of city
dwellers.
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and
modern energy for all: Green building promotes the use renewables energy, which can be
cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives.
Goal 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth - Promote inclusive and sustainable economic
growth, employment and decent work for all: As the demand for green building grows globally,
so does the workforce required to deliver them, and this is another goal that green building can
significantly contribute to.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote
sustainable industrialization and foster innovation: Green buildings must be designed in a way
that ensures they are resilient and adaptable in the face of our changing global climate. This is
critically important in developing countries, many of which will be particularly susceptible to the
effects of climate change.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities - Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and
sustainable: Buildings are the foundations of cities, and green buildings are therefore key to their
long-term sustainability. Whether homes, offices, schools, shops or green spaces – the built
environment contributes to the make-up of communities, which must be sustainable to ensure
a high quality of life for all.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production - Ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns: The building industry has a major role to play in preventing waste through
reduction, recycling and reuse – “Circular economy” principles where resources are not wasted.
Goal 13: Climate Action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts:
Buildings are responsible for over 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and are
therefore a major contributor to climate change. But by the same token, green buildings have
huge potential to combat it, offering one of the most cost-effective ways to do so, through
measures such as energy efficiency.

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Goal 15: Life on Land - Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse
land degradation, halt biodiversity loss: The materials that make up a building are key to
determining its sustainability. And so, the building industry and its supply chains have a major
role to play in using responsibly sourced materials such as timber. Green building certification
tools also recognize the need to reduce water use, and the value of biodiversity and the
importance of ensuring it is protected, and incorporate this into the space they build on both
during and after construction - minimizing damage and designing ways to enhance biodiversity,
such as through landscaping with local flora.
B. Paris Agreement on Climate Change

In December 2015, 179 countries and the EU gathered in Paris hammering out the final wording
of an agreement to keep global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius and if possible,
below 1.5 degrees Celsius. The reduction in temperature can only be achieved through a
significant reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases. Known as COP21 (The 21st Conference
of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change).

This agreement is a comprehensive framework for action on climate change, guiding the steps all
nations will take to reduce their contribution to global warming. Paris Agreement on Climate
Change – a historic international treaty that aims to limit global temperature increases to 2
degrees Celsius with an ambition to keep increases below 1.5 degrees.

The Paris agreement was ratified on 27 September 2016 through a Presidential Order and
Rwanda then deposited its instrument of ratification to the Secretary-General of the United
Nations on 6 October 2016.

Rwanda's Intended National Determined Contribution (INDC) is built upon its National Strategy
for Climate Change and Low Carbon Development Strategy. The Rwanda INDCs mitigation
contribution are GHG emissions reduction through promotion of renewable energy, efficiency
resilient transport systems, green industry promotion, low carbon urban systems, adoption of
energy and water efficiency standards into the building codes and employ low urban carbon
planning.

Green building contribution towards the achievement of that Government commitment to Paris
Agreement on climate change is important since the building is main pillar of low carbon urban
system as buildings emit a considerable amount of GHG. In addition to that the Green Building
Minimum Compliance Guideline is establishing energy and water efficiency standards as part of
Building regulatory framework.

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C. Montreal protocol Kigali Amendment

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was designed to reduce the
production and consumption of ozone depleting substances to reduce their abundance in the
atmosphere, and thereby protect the earth’s fragile ozone Layer. The 2016 Kigali Amendment to
the Montreal Protocol could avoid up to 0.50C of warming by phasing out Fluorinated gases (F-
gases)7 used in cooling.

The Amendment shall enter into force on 1 January 2019, provided that at least twenty
instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval of the Amendment have been deposited by
States or regional economic integration organizations that are Parties to the Montreal Protocol
on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. As on 17 January 2019, 66 parties have ratified the
amendment.

3.2. National Context

A. National Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy

The National Green Growth and Climate Resilience strategy for climate change and low carbon
development of GoR, 2011 has highlighted that buildings should be designed to reduce the
demand of energy and water and to support waste recycling under Program of Action 10: Low
Carbon Urban Systems and has suggested to adopt water and energy efficiency standards into
building codes. The strategy further highlights that implementation of low energy standards in
buildings and services in Rwanda could result in an 80% reduction in energy use.
B. National Urbanization Policy
One of the four pillars of The National Urbanization Policy is densification. Likewise, in its Policy
Statement No 4 it is stipulated that urban development shall reflect the efficient use of land and
be based upon green development principles.
C. National Roadmap for Green Secondary City Development
Under the National Roadmap for Green Secondary City Development, Building and Construction
has been identified as one of the key pillars to achieve green urbanization. The National roadmap
proposes the promotion of green building designs, use of locally produced sustainable materials
for building construction and development of a local green building certification system.

7
Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are man-made gases that can stay in the atmosphere for centuries and contribute to a
global greenhouse effect. There are four types: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur
hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)

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D. National Housing Policy

Through its Pillar 2, the National Housing Policy details provisions for the resource planning
efficiency, green technology and professionalism.

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4. Scope of Green Building Minimum Compliance System

Rwanda Green Building Minimum Compliance System is conceived as simple, effective and
environmental performance-oriented indicators designed to promote energy & water efficiency,
environmental protection, better Indoor Environmental Quality to building occupants and green
innovation. These indicators are mandatory in nature and would be applicable for new Category
4 & 5 buildings as per Ministerial Order Determining Urban Planning and Building Regulations.
The indicators would be applicable for:

 Commercial buildings (excluding warehouses and retail shops)

 Public administrative and institutional buildings (excluding correctional services, police,
fire department)
 Social, cultural & assembly buildings
 Health facilities
 Educational buildings (excluding living areas for students)

Although the green building minimum compliance system is not mandatory for residential
developments, willing building owners and real estate developers are encouraged to adopt as
applicable on a voluntary basis the green building minimum compliance system to meet
sustainable development targets.

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5. Green Building Minimum Compliance System Overview

The green building minimum compliance system comprise of 5 modules or focus areas targeting
1. Energy efficiency - This module focuses on the approach that can be used in the building
orientation, design, material and equipment selection to optimize the energy
performance in building.

2. Water efficiency - This module focuses on rainwater harvesting, selection of water

efficient fittings, waste water treatment and other features that would reduce the use of
potable water during building operation.

3. Environmental protection - This category focuses on the design, practices and selection
of materials and resources that would reduce the environmental impacts of built
structures.

4. Indoor Environmental Quality - This category focuses on the design strategies that would
enhance the indoor environmental quality which includes fresh outdoor air provision,
thermal comfort, noise and selection of non-toxic paints in buildings.

5. Innovation and Other green features - This category focuses on the adoption of green
practices and new technologies that are innovative and have potential environmental
benefits.
29 green building indicators cutting across five modules are defined in the draft document and
are weighed at 190 points. Each green building indicator is allocated points based on the relative
importance of its contribution to green building goals. Points are allocated based on the
environmental impact, efforts required for implementation and the costs associated with
implementation.
Although the green building minimum compliance system is mandatory for Category 4 & 5
buildings, there is a degree of flexibility for building owners or developers to choose green
indicators based on the suitability to the building, location, usage and the benefits associated.

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Section 2 – Green Building Minimum Compliance Indicators

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1. Green Building Indicators and Point Allocation

Category Mandatory/ Points
Optional Allocation
Module 1 – Energy Efficiency
1.1 Building Envelope – Facade Design Parameters Optional 25
1.2 Ventilation Optional 15
1.3 Daylighting Optional 17.5
1.4 Artificial Lighting Efficiency Mandatory 5
1.5 Enhanced Artificial Lighting Efficiency Optional 9
1.6 Lifts and Escalators Optional 3
1.7 Renewable Energy Optional 5
1.8 Solar Hot Water Systems Mandatory 5
1.9 Energy Metering Optional 2
1.10 Air Conditioning System Optional 7.5
1.11 Building Envelope – Air-conditioned space Optional 8
Sub-total for Energy Efficiency 102
Module 2 – Water Efficiency
2.1 Rain Water Harvesting Mandatory 4
2.2 Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Mandatory 3
2.3 Enhanced Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Optional 6
2.4 Waste Water Treatment and Reuse Mandatory 16
Optional
2.5 Water Metering Optional 2
Sub-total for Water Efficiency 31
Module 3 – Environment Protection
3.1 Sustainable Concrete Usage Optional 5
3.2 Greenery Protection Optional 10
3.3 Environment Friendly Practices Optional 2
3.4 Low-impact Refrigerants: Zero Ozone Depletion Potential Mandatory 2
3.5 Low-impact Refrigerants: Low Global Warming Potential Optional 4
3.6 Segregation of Waste, Post-occupancy Optional 2
3.7 Heat Island Mitigation Optional 3
Sub-total for Environmental Protection 28
Module 4 – Indoor Environmental Quality
4.1 Minimum Outdoor Fresh Air Supply – Mechanically Mandatory 4
Ventilated Spaces
4.2 Thermal Comfort – Mechanically Ventilated Spaces Mandatory 2
4.3 Noise level Mandatory 2
4.4 Low VOC Paints and Adhesives Optional 2
Sub-total for Indoor Environmental Quality 10
Module 5 – Innovation and Other Green Features
5.1 Innovation Optional 10
5.2 Universally Accessible Building Mandatory 9
Sub-total for Innovation and Other Green Features 19
Grand total 190

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2. Minimum Compliance Scoring Criteria

For a project to achieve green building minimum compliance, the building shall implement all the
mandatory indicators and must score a minimum of 60 points out of 190 points
Mandatory indicators are non-negotiable in nature and every building shall comply. As an
encouragement, points are awarded for projects fulfilling mandatory indicator requirements.
The project should demonstrate mandatory compliance to the following mandatory indicators,
as applicable:

 1.4 Artificial Lighting Efficiency

 1.8 Solar Hot Water Systems
 2.1 Rain Water Harvesting
 2.2 Efficient Plumbing Fixtures
 2.4 Waste Water Treatment
 3.4 Low-impact Refrigerants: Zero Ozone Depletion Potential
 4.1 Minimum Outdoor Fresh Air Supply – Mechanically Ventilated Spaces
 4.2 Thermal Comfort – Mechanically Ventilated Spaces
 4.3 Noise Level
 5.3 Universally Accessible Building
Optional indicators as the name suggests are optional and the building may choose to comply
based on the applicability and the benefits envisaged.

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3. Abbreviations and Acronyms

ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers

COP – Coefficient of Performance
CUI – Concrete Usage Index
EIA – Environment Impact Assessment
GWP – Global Warming Potential
IEQ – Indoor Environmental Quality
LED – Light Emitting Diode
LPD – Lighting Power Density
LPF – Litres per Flush
LPM – Litres per Minute
ODP – Ozone Depletion Potential
RSB – Rwanda Standards Board
SHGC – Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
SRI – Solar Reflective Index
U value – Thermal transmittance
VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds
VVVF – Variable Voltage Variable Frequency
WWR – Window to wall ratio

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Module 1 – Energy Efficiency

Indicators and point allocation

S.No. Indicator Title Optional / Points
Mandatory Allocation
1.1 Building Envelope – Façade Design Parameters Optional 25
1.2 Ventilation Optional 15
1.3 Daylighting Optional 17.5
1.4 Artificial Lighting Efficiency Mandatory 5
1.5 Enhanced Artificial Lighting Efficiency Optional 9
1.6 Lifts and Escalators Optional 3
1.7 Renewable Energy Optional 5
1.8 Solar Hot Water Systems Mandatory 5
1.9 Energy Metering Optional 2
1.10 Air Conditioning System Optional 7.5
1.11 Building Envelope – Air-conditioned space Optional 8
Sub-total for Energy Efficiency 102

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1.1 BUILDING ENVELOPE: FAÇADE DESIGN PARAMETERS

Optional Points: 25
Intent:

Minimize heat gain, improve indoor thermal comfort and reduce the energy for conditioning the indoor
environment through efficient design of building’s western facade

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:
Requirement Scoring Scheme
(A): Minimum direct west facing façade through Points scored = 15 – 0.3 x (% of west facing
building design orientation facade areas over total façade areas)

Note: Orientation of façade that falls within the (Up to 15 points)

range of 22.50 North of West and 22.50 South of
West will be defined as west facing facade. Core
walls for lifts, staircases and toilets that are
located within this range are exempted in
computation.

(B)(i): Minimum west facing window openings Points scored = 10 - 0.1 x (% of west facing
window areas over total west facing façade
areas)
(And/Or)

(B)(ii): Effective sun shade provision for windows

Points scored = 0.1 x (% of west facing window
on the west façade with minimum shading of
areas with sun shading devices over total west
30%.
facing façade areas)

(Up to 10 points for B(i) & B(ii))

Illustrations:

(A): Minimum direct west facing façade through building design orientation

Example 1 – An example of direct west facing façade

West facing façade

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Example 2 – The block is orientated 100 North of West that is less than of 22.50 North of West. In this
instance, the façade is defined as ‘west facing façade’.

Example 3 – The block is orientated 400 North of West that exceeds 22.50 North of West and hence the
façade is not considered as ‘west facing façade’ in the computation.

(B)(i): Minimum west facing window openings; and/ or

(B)(ii): having effective sun shading provision for windows on the west façade with minimum shading of
30%.

Important note: For (B)(ii) Points can only be scored if the sun shading devices meet at least a shading of
30% as tabulated in Table below:

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Table 1: Minimum Requirement on Shading Devices for West Façade

Types of Sun shading Devices Angle of Desired Shading

Inclination 30% 40% 50% 60%
Horizontal Shading (R1) 00 0.6 0.9 1.5
200 0.4 0.6 0.9 1.8
400 0.4 0.5 0.7 1.1
Vertical Shading (R2) 00 2.1
200 1.1 1.7 2.5
400 0.7 1 1.4
500 0.6 0.9 1.1 2.8

Where

Documentation Required:

For (A): Minimum direct west facing façade through building design orientation

1. Architectural plans and elevation drawings of the façades of all blocks (as applicable). Highlight
areas that are considered as west facing façade; and

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2. Calculation showing the percentage of west facing façade areas in the prescribed tabulated
format as shown in sample 1

For (B)(i) Minimum west facing window openings and/ or (B)(ii): having effective sun shading provision
for windows on the west façade with minimum shading of 30%

1. Architectural plans and elevation drawings of west facing façade and window openings;
2. Sectional drawings showing the details of the sun shading devices. Highlight those sun shading
devices that meet the 30% shading requirement;
3. Window schedules or drawings showing the areas of the west facing windows; and
4. Calculation showing the percentage of west facing window areas in the prescribed tabulated
format as shown in sample 2

Sample 1:

Step 1: Determine the total areas of external façade

Step 2: Identify the façade areas that are within the range of 22.50 North of West and 22.50 South of
West as west facing facades

Background information on sample project

Block 1: Total façade areas = 6000 m2

West facing façade areas = 1500 m2

Block 2: Total façade areas = 3000 m2

West facing façade areas = 1000 m2 (These wall areas are envelope of core wall for lifts, staircases and
toilets)

Table 2: Minimum direct west facing external facade

Area of west facing external Total area of external façade % of west facing
façade (m2) (m2) external facade
(a) (b)
Block 1 1500 6000
Block 2 Exempted from calculation (Please 3000
refer to the note under ∑ (a) / ∑ (b) x 100%
requirement)
Total 1500 9000

Points scored for (A) = 15 – 0.3 x (% of west facing facade areas over total façade areas)

= 15 – [ 0.3 x (∑ (a) / ∑ (b)) x 100%]

= 15 – [ 0.3 x (1500 / 9000) x 100%] = 10 points

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Sample 2:

Step 1: Identify the façade areas that are within the range of 22.50 North of West and 22.50 South of
West as west facing façade.

Step 2: Determine the window areas on these facades.

Step 3: Determine if the sun shading provisions meet the minimum 30% shading.

Background information on sample project

Block 1: West facing façade areas = 1500 m2

Window areas = 600 m2

There are two types of sun shading devices; 70% of the units have sun shading devices with horizontal
projection (P) of 0.6 m and the rest of the 30% have sun shading devices with projection of 0.4 m.

Illustration 1: Sectional detail of horizontal sun shading devices

Check: To determine if the sun shading provisions (i.e. horizontal

projection (P)) meet the minimum 30% shading.

For type 1 sun shading devices with 0.6m horizontal projection for
70% of the window units

Refer to Table 1

Angle of inclination – 00

R1 = 0.6 as per Table 1

Minimum Horizontal Projection P = R1 x H

= 0.6 x 1 = 0.6m

Therefore, sun shading devices with horizontal projection of 0.6m is

considered as effective.

For type 2 sun shading devices with 0.4m horizontal projection for 30% of the window units

Refer to Table 1

Angle of inclination – 00

R1 = P / H

= 0.4 / 1 = 0.4

Minimum Horizontal Projection P = R1 x H

= 0.4 x 1 = 0.4m

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Therefore, sun shading device with horizontal projection of 0.4m will not be considered as effective

Background information on sample project

Block 2: West facing façade areas = 1500 m2

Window areas = 1000 m2

lustration 2: Plan of vertical sun shading devices

Check: To determine if the sun shading provisions (i.e.

vertical projection (P)) meet the minimum 30% shading.

Refer to Table 1

Angle of inclination – 300

R2 value is not available in Table 1 for an angle of

inclination of 300 and hence should be interpolated as
below

R2 = (1.1 + 0.7) / 2 = 0.9

Minimum Vertical Projection P = R2 x W

= 0.9 x 1.5 = 1.35m

Therefore, sun shading devices with vertical projection of 1.4 m are considered as effective.

Background information on sample project

Block 3: West facing façade areas = 1000 m2 (These wall areas are envelope of core wall for lifts,
staircases and toilets)

Window areas = 0 m2

Points scored for (b)(i) and (b)(ii) are as follows:

Table 3(b)(i): Minimum west facing windows openings

Description Area of west Total area of % of west facing

facing window west facing window areas over
area (m2) external total west facing
(a) façade (m2) external façade areas
(b)
Block 1 600 1500
Block 2 1000 1500 ∑ (a) / ∑ (b) x 100%
Block 3 0 1000
Total 1600 4000

Points scored for (B)(i) = 10 – 0.1 x (% of west facing facade areas over total façade areas)

= 10 – [ 0.1 x (∑ (a) / ∑ (b)) x 100%]

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= 10 – [ 0.1 x (1600 / 4000) x 100%] = 6 points

Table 3(b)(ii): Effective sun shading provisions for west facing window with minimum 30% shading

Description Area of west Total area of % of west facing

facing window west facing window areas over
with effective external total west facing
sun shading façade (m2) external façade areas
provision (m2) (b)
(a)
Block 1 420 (70% of 600) 1500
Block 2 1000 1500 ∑ (a) / ∑ (b) x 100%
Block 3 0 1000
Total 1420 4000

Points scored for (B)(ii) = 0.1 x (% of west facing facade areas over total façade areas)

= 0.1 x [(∑ (a) / ∑ (b)) x 100%]

= 0.1 x [(1420 / 4000) x 100%] = 3.55 points

Therefore, points scored for (B)(i) and (B)(ii) = 6 + 3.55 = 9.55 points < 10 points (maximum points that
can be scored)

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1.2 VENTILATION
Optional Points: 15
Intent:

This indicator aims at providing adequate natural ventilation in all non air-conditioned building areas, to
provide thermally comfortable and healthy spaces for the building occupants. This indicator also
encourages use of energy efficient design and control of ventilation systems in common areas to
enhance building performance.

Applicability:

This indicator is applicable to

1. All Non Air-Conditioned building areas (excluding carparking area)

2. Common areas in the building

Indicator requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

1. Natural Ventilation for Non air-
conditioned building areas:

Encourage building design that facilitates good 1 point for every 10% of units/rooms with
natural ventilation. Proper design of building window openings facing north and south
layout that utilizes prevailing wind conditions to directions. Points scored = 1 x (% of units/10)
achieve adequate cross ventilation.
(Up to 10 points)
Note:
In Kigali, the prevailing wind directions are from
North to South. Hence, buildings designed with
window openings facing the north and south
directions have the advantage of the
prevailing wind conditions that would enhance
indoor thermal comfort. Meteorological data on
the more precise wind direction and velocity of
the site location can also be used as the basis for
the design.

2. For common areas in the building:

Encourage the use of energy efficient design and Extent of Coverage: At least 90 % of each
control of ventilation system in the following applicable area
common areas:
Points scored based on the mode of ventilation
I. Toilets provided in applicable areas
II. Staircases
III. Corridors Natural ventilation – 1 point for each area

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IV. Lift lobbies

V. Atrium Mechanical ventilation – 0.5 point for each area

(Up to 5 points)

Illustrations

1. Natural Ventilation for Non air-conditioned building areas:

It is not necessary for the window openings to be located perpendicularly to the prevailing wind
direction. An oblique angle is considered acceptable (see illustrations below).

Illustration 1 - Building layout shows all rooms with window openings facing the north and south
directions.

Illustration 2 - Building layout shows not all rooms with window openings facing the north and south
directions.

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Building layout shows not all rooms with window openings facing the north and south directions. Room
2 to Room 5, Room 7 and Room 8 would only have prevailing wind in one direction. Only Room 1 and 6
can be considered meeting the requirement.

Documentation Required:

For Natural Ventilation in Non air-conditioned building areas:

1. Architectural plans showing the units / rooms of all blocks with highlights of those with window
openings in the N-S direction;
2. Calculation showing the percentage of units or rooms with window openings facing north and
south directions in the prescribed tabulated format as shown in the worked example Sample 1

For common areas in the building:

1. Plan layouts showing the applicable areas and the respective modes of ventilation; and
2. Schedules showing the numbers, locations of the applicable areas and the modes of ventilation
used.

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Sample 1 for Natural Ventilation in Non air-conditioned building areas

Background information on sample project

A school development comprises two 1-storey classroom block A and A1 with majority of the window
openings facing the N-S direction, a 2 storey classroom Block B with window opening in the E-W
direction and two blocks of office and computer rooms with majority of the window opening facing the
N-S direction and one block of meeting rooms that are air-conditioned

S.No. Description Units/Rooms Total no. of % of units/rooms

with window naturally with window
openings in ventilated openings in N-S
the N-S units/room direction
direction (b)
(a)
1 Classroom Block A and A1 40 60
2 Classroom Block B 0 40
3 Office and computer rooms 5 10 ∑ (a) / ∑ (b) x
4 Meeting room air- NA NA 100%
conditioned
Total 45 110

Points scored = 1 x (% of units / 10)

= 1 x [(∑ (a) / ∑ (b) x 100%) / 10]

= 1 x [(45/110 x 100%) / 10] = 4.09 points which can be approximated to 4.1 points

Sample 2 for common areas in the building

Background information on sample project

Number of toilets = 45; where 10 units are designed with mechanical ventilation and 35 units are
designed with natural ventilation

% of toilet units with natural ventilation = (45-10)/45 = 77.8 % < 90% of extent of coverage required and
hence no point for this item

Number of staircases = 2; all are mechanical ventilated – 0.5 point

Number of Corridors = 10; all are naturally ventilated – 1 point

Number of lift lobbies = 2; all are mechanically ventilated – 0.5 points

Number of Atriums = 1; mechanically ventilated – 0.5 point

Points scored = 0.5 +1 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 2.5 points < 5 points (maximum points that can be scored)

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1.3 DAYLIGHTING
Optional Points: 17.5
Intent:

Ensure connectivity between the interior and the exterior environment, by providing adequate
daylighting.

Applicability:

This is an optional indicator and is applicable to regularly occupied spaces and common areas in the
building

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

(A) For regularly occupied areas:

The building can choose any one of the following Extent of Coverage: At least 75% of regularly
options or a combination, to show compliance: occupied area

Option 1 - Simulation Approach 15 points

Option 2 - Measurement Approach

Notes:
1. Regularly occupied areas are those where
people sit or stand as they work,
irrespective of the number of days
occupied in a year. Regularly occupied
areas shall include only enclosed spaces.

2. Regularly occupied areas include work

stations, cabins, meeting rooms,
classrooms etc.; whereas, areas with
audio-visual facilities such as
auditoriums, conference rooms, etc., can
be excluded from this calculation, with
justification and supporting documents.

Option 1 - Simulation option

Demonstrate through computer simulation
that 75% of the regularly occupied spaces in
the building achieve daylight illuminance
levels for a minimum of 100 Lux (and a
maximum of 2,200 Lux) in a clear sky
condition on 21st September at 12 noon, at
working plane.

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Areas with 2,200 Lux or more daylight

illumination levels should not be considered.

Option 2 - Measurement option

Demonstrate through daylight illuminance
measurement that 75% of the regularly occupied
spaces in the building achieve daylight
illuminance levels for a minimum of 100 Lux.
Areas with 2,200 Lux or more daylight
illumination levels shall be not considered.

Measurements shall be taken after installation of

furniture, equipment & systems at work plane
height at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm, on a 3-meter
square grid. To show compliance, consider the
average of the measurements taken at 9 am, 12
pm, and 3 pm.

(B): For common areas:

Demonstrate adequate daylighting provision in Extent of Coverage: At least 75% of each
the following common areas: applicable area
I. Toilets
II. Staircases
0.5 point each
III. Corridors (Up to 2.5 points)
IV. Lift lobbies
V. Atrium

Documentation Required:

(A) For regularly occupied areas:

1. Architectural plans showing the regularly occupied areas in all floors of the building;
2. Simulation report and calculation showing the percentage of regularly occupied areas designed
to achieve adequate daylight illuminance levels; or
3. Measurement report and calculation showing the percentage of regularly occupied areas
designed to achieve adequate daylight illuminance levels in the prescribed format as shown in
the worked example Sample 1.

(B): For common areas:

1. Drawings showing the use of daylighting for toilets, staircases, corridors, lift lobbies and atriums
as applicable. Refer Sample 2 for prescribed format.

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Sample 1: For regularly occupied areas:

Proposed development comprises of a school building with classrooms, staffrooms, laboratories, library.
All the above spaces are considered as regularly occupied areas and occupy 90% of the total floor area
of the school.

The project has opted for measurement option, and the measurements were taken after installation of
furniture, equipment & systems at work plane height at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm, on a 3-meter square
grid. The average of the measurements taken at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm indicate that more than 75% of
the regularly occupied area has achieved daylight illuminance within the specified range (between 100
lux – 2200 lux)

Hence 15 points are awarded (maximum points that can be scored)

Sample 2: For common areas:

All staircases, corridors, lift lobbies and atriums are designed with adequate daylighting that would
eliminate the need for artificial lightings during daytime.

70% of the toilet areas have daylighting provision while the other 30% of the toilet areas would need to
employ the use of artificial lightings during daytime to maintain proper lighting level.

0.5 point each for staircases, corridors, lift lobbies and atriums

No point for toilets as it does not meet the minimum 80% of the applicable areas

Therefore, points scored for 1-5(b) = 2 points < 2.5 points (maximum points that can be scored)

Additional Guidance for User:

Potential design strategies to achieve daylighting for projects pursuing measurement option:

Every room can be provided with natural lighting by means of one or more windows having a total area
of not less than 10% of clear floor area of such room and an upper limit of total area not exceeding 25%
of clear floor area of such room to avoid over-lit spaces. Projects can also increase the daylight availability,
through selection of higher Visual Light Transmittance (VLT>50) for the glass.

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1.4 ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING EFFICIENCY

Mandatory Points: 5
Intent:

Encourage the use of energy efficient lighting to minimize energy consumption from lighting usage while
maintaining proper lighting level.

Applicability:

This is a mandatory indicator and is applicable for interior lighting, including tenant lighting

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

The project Lighting Power Density (LPD) and 5 points for meeting baseline lighting power
illuminance (lux) for interior spaces to meet densities
baseline values as shown in table below

Lighting Power Density and Illuminance Levels

Type of Usage Interior Space LPD Illuminance
(W/m2) (lux)
Office, meeting rooms, copy/ print rooms, class rooms 12 300
Office, Work
and Study Lecture theatres, computer rooms, reading areas 12 500
Laboratories 16 500
Food courts, canteens (inc. dining area & food preparation) 10 200
Food and
Relax Restaurants, lounges, bar (inc. dining area and food
12 200
preparation, accent, display)
Circulation areas, corridors, warehouses 7 100
Stairs, escalators, travellators 6 150
Transport and
Car parks 3 75
Goods
Loading docks 5 150
Storage areas 10 100
Hotel guest rooms 12 200
Rest, clean,
exercise, play Toilets, changing rooms, laundries, washing areas 10 100
areas
Gymnasiums and physical exercise areas 11 300
Entrance halls, atrium, concourses, lobbies, auditoriums
10 200
and concert halls
Multipurpose halls 16 300
Atrium, halls
and retail Retail, general Jewelry and crystal 15 (+20) 1000
lighting and (accent,
Furniture, clothing and accessories,
display, decorative) 15 (+10) 750
cosmetics, artwork

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-others (e.g. supermarket, vehicles,

15 (+5) 500
etc.)
Mechanical and electrical room 10 200
Manufacturing
and Manufacturing – low to extra high bays 13 500
Maintenance
Manufacturing – electronic manufacturing and fine detail 14 500

Documentation Required:

1. Submit building lighting layout plan for all floors

2. Submit lighting schedules showing the numbers, locations and types of lighting luminaries use
3. Submit calculations of the proposed lighting power density in the prescribed tabulated format
as shown in the sample
4. Technical product information of the lighting luminaries used

Sample:

A four-story building has retail on the ground floor and offices on the top three floors.

Step 1: Determine the total power consumption based on the lighting layout design for each area and
light fitting types used.
Table: Total power consumption based on each fitting type

Description Areas Light Fitting Power Ballast Loss No. of Total power
(m2) Type Consumption (Watt) fittings consumption
per fitting based on
(Watt) fitting type
(W)
A B C D E
(C+D) x E
Office
Office Space 1500 T5 2x28 3 245 14455
Type 1
Office Space 1250 T5 2x28 3 210 12390
Type 2
Meeting 75 T8 1x36 3 15 585
Room Surface 2x26 0 8 416
downlight
Corridors 150 T5 2x28 3 15 885
Type 1
Corridors 205 T5 2x28 3 15 885
Type 2 Surface 1x70 0 9 630
downlight
Atrium 850 T8 2x36 3 87 6525
Surface 1x150 0 10 1500
downlight
Car Parks 7500 T5 2x28 3 436 25724

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Staircase 300 T5 2x28 3 20 1180

Retail
Furniture 2000 T5 2x28 3 300 17700
store
Super 1500 T5 2x28 3 200 11800
Market
Toilets 10 T5 1x36 3 3 117
Total 94792

Step 2: Calculate the total power consumption based on the maximum lighting power density stated in
indicator requirements

Table: Total power consumption based on design and indicator requirements

Description Areas Design Data Indicator Requirements

(m2) Total Power Design Reference Reference
Consumption Lighting Lighting Total Power
(by area) Power Power Consumption
(Watts) Density Density (by area)
(W/m2) (W/m2) (Watts)
(A) (F) (H x A)
(F/A) (H)
Office
Office Space 1500 14455 9.64 12 18000
Type 1
Office Space 1250 12390 9.91 12 15000
Type 2
Meeting Room 75 1001 13.35 12 900
Corridors Type 150 885 5.90 7 1050
1
Corridors Type 205 1515 7.39 7 1435
2
Atrium 850 8025 9.44 10 8500
Car Parks 7500 25724 3.43 3 22500
Staircase 300 1180 3.93 6 1800
Retail
Furniture store 2000 17700 8.85 15 30000
Super Market 1500 11800 7.86 15 22500
Toilets 10 117 11.7 10 100
Total 94792 121785

Step 3: Calculate whether the total power consumption is within baseline requirement

As per table under Step 2, total design lighting power consumption = 94,792 Watts

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The total reference lighting power consumption = 121,785 Watts

Since the total design lighting power consumption is below the total reference lighting power
consumption, the project has scored 5 points for this mandatory requirement.

The project is eligible to score additional points in the following indicator 1.5 Enhanced Artificial Lighting
Efficiency as it has demonstrated improvement in lighting power consumption.

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1.5 ENHANCED ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING EFFICIENCY

Optional Points: 9
Intent:

Encourage the use of energy efficient lighting to minimize energy consumption from lighting usage while
maintaining proper lighting level.

Applicability:

This is an optional indicator and is applicable for interior lighting, including tenant lighting

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

The project Lighting Power Density (LPD) and 0.3 point for every percentage improvement in
illuminance (lux) for interior spaces to meet and lighting power densities
exceed baseline values as shown in table below
Points scored = 0.3 x (% improvement)
(Including tenant lighting provision)
(Up to 9 points)

(For buildings excluding tenant lighting provision)

(Up to 5 points)

Lighting Power Density and Illuminance Levels

Type of Usage Interior Space LPD Illuminance

(W/m2) (lux)
Office, meeting rooms, copy/ print rooms, class rooms 12 300
Office, Work
and Study Lecture theatres, computer rooms, reading areas 12 500
Laboratories 16 500
Food courts, canteens (inc. dining area & food preparation) 10 200
Food and
Relax Restaurants, lounges, bar (inc. dining area and food
12 200
preparation, accent, display)
Circulation areas, corridors, warehouses 7 100
Stairs, escalators, travellators 6 150
Transport and
Car parks 3 75
Goods
Loading docks 5 150
Storage areas 10 100
Hotel guest rooms 12 200
Rest, clean,
exercise, play Toilets, changing rooms, laundries, washing areas 10 100
areas
Gymnasiums and physical exercise areas 11 300

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Entrance halls, atrium, concourses, lobbies, auditoriums

10 200
and concert halls
Multipurpose halls 16 300

Atrium, halls Jewelry and crystal 15 (+20) 1000

and retail Retail, general
Furniture, clothing and accessories,
lighting and (accent, 15 (+10) 750
cosmetics, artwork
display, decorative)
-others (e.g. supermarket, vehicles,
15 (+5) 500
etc.)
Mechanical and electrical room 10 200
Manufacturing
and Manufacturing – low to extra high bays 13 500
Maintenance
Manufacturing – electronic manufacturing and fine detail 14 500

Documentation Required:

1. Submit building lighting layout plan for all floors

2. Submit lighting schedules showing the numbers, locations and types of lighting luminaries use
3. Submit calculations of the proposed lighting power density and the percentage improvement in
the prescribed tabulated format as shown in the sample
4. Technical product information of the lighting luminaries used

Sample:

A four-story building has retail on the ground floor and offices on the top three floors.

Step 1: Determine the total power consumption based on the lighting layout design for each area and
light fitting types used.
Table: Total power consumption based on each fitting type

Description Areas Light Fitting Power Ballast Loss No. of Total power
(m2) Type Consumption (Watt) fittings consumption
per fitting based on
(Watt) fitting type
(W)
A B C D E
(C+D) x E
Office
Office Space 1500 T5 2x28 3 245 14455
Type 1
Office Space 1250 T5 2x28 3 210 12390
Type 2
Meeting 75 T8 1x36 3 15 585
Room Surface 2x26 0 8 416
downlight
Corridors 150 T5 2x28 3 15 885
Type 1

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Corridors 205 T5 2x28 3 15 885

Type 2 Surface 1x70 0 9 630
downlight
Atrium 850 T8 2x36 3 87 6525
Surface 1x150 0 10 1500
downlight
Car Parks 7500 T5 2x28 3 436 25724
Staircase 300 T5 2x28 3 20 1180
Retail
Furniture 2000 T5 2x28 3 300 17700
store
Super 1500 T5 2x28 3 200 11800
Market
Toilets 10 T5 1x36 3 3 117
Total 94792

Step 2: Calculate the total power consumption based on the maximum lighting power density stated in
indicator requirements

Table: Total power consumption based on design and indicator requirements

Description Areas Design Data Indicator Requirements

(m2) Total Power Design Reference Reference
Consumption Lighting Lighting Total Power
(by area) Power Power Consumption
(Watts) Density Density (by area)
(W/m2) (W/m2) (Watts)
(A) (F) (H x A)
(F/A) (H)
Office
Office Space 1500 14455 9.64 12 18000
Type 1
Office Space 1250 12390 9.91 12 15000
Type 2
Meeting Room 75 1001 13.35 12 900
Corridors Type 150 885 5.90 7 1050
1
Corridors Type 205 1515 7.39 7 1435
2
Atrium 850 8025 9.44 10 8500
Car Parks 7500 25724 3.43 3 22500
Staircase 300 1180 3.93 6 1800
Retail
Furniture store 2000 17700 8.85 15 30000
Super Market 1500 11800 7.86 15 22500
Toilets 10 117 11.7 10 100
Total 94792 121785

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Step 3: Calculate the percentage improvement in the total power consumption

% improvement in the lighting power consumption = [Σ(HxA) - Σ(F)] /Σ(HxA) x 100%

= (121785-94792)/121785 x 100%

= 22.16%

Points scored = 0.3 x 22.16% = 6.64 points

Therefore, points scored is 6.64 points if tenant’s lighting is included;

and points scored is 5 points (max) if tenant’s lighting is excluded.

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1.6 LIFTS AND ESCALATORS

Optional Points: 3
Intent:

Encourage the use of energy efficient lifts and escalators

Applicability:

This is an optional indicator and is applicable to all lifts & escalators in the building

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Lifts and/or escalators equipped with AC Variable Extent of Coverage: All lifts and escalators
Voltage and Variable Frequency (VVVF) motor
drive and sleep mode features. Lifts – 1.5 point

Escalators – 1.5 point

Documentation Required:

1. Extracts of the tender specification indicating the types of lifts, escalators and related features
used; and
2. Technical information of the lifts and escalators.

Sample:

Proposed development has the following provision:

Two lift types: Type L1 with VVVF motor drive and sleep mode features

Type L2 with VVVF motor drive and sleep mode features

Two escalator types: Type E1 with VVVF motor drive and occupancy sensors

Type E2 without VVVF motor drive and occupancy sensors

1.5 point for the use of lifts with VVVF and sleep mode features.

No point for escalators as not all escalators are designed with occupancy sensors

Points scored = 1.5 point

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1.7 RENEWABLE ENERGY

Optional Points: 5
Intent:

Encourage the use of on-site renewable technologies, to reduce the net demand for fossil fuel energy
and the environmental impacts associated with its use

Applicability:

This is an optional indicator and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Demonstrate on-site renewable energy 1 point for every 1% on-site renewable energy
generation for at least 1% of total annual energy generation to the total annual energy
consumption of the building (interior & exterior consumption of the building
areas) (capped at 5 points)

Notes:
1. Renewable energy sources include solar
energy, wind power, biomass, etc.

2. Solar hot water systems cannot be

considered as power generation source
and cannot be subtracted from the total
annual energy consumption of the
proposed case.

3. The total annual energy consumption can

be arrived through prescriptive approach

4. Owner-occupied buildings following

Prescriptive approach should estimate
the total annual energy consumption of
the building by calculating the energy
consumption of all mechanical and
electrical equipment & systems based on
the number of hours of operation per day

5. Tenant-occupied buildings following

Prescriptive approach should estimate
the total annual lighting energy
consumption of the building by
calculating the energy consumption of all
lighting fixtures (including lighting
fixtures in tenant-occupied spaces and

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exterior lighting fixtures) based on the

number of hours of operation per day.

Documentation Required:

1. A narrative describing estimated total annual energy consumption of the building

2. Calculations showing percentage energy demand met through renewable energy generation to
the total annual energy consumption of the building as shown in the sample
3. Roof plans showing the location of on-site renewable energy system
4. Extracts of the tender specification indicating proposal to install renewable energy generation
system
5. Photographs of installed on-site renewable energy system (To be submitted to the building
inspector during verification/inspection stage)

Sample:

Background information of the sample building:

Estimated total annual energy consumption of the building = 438,000 kWh

Building proposes to generate 5% of the estimated annual consumption = 5% x 438,000 = 21,900 kWh

The building must install renewable energy system that can generate 21,900 kWh on an annual basis.

The project scores 5 points = 5 points (maximum points that can be scored)

Any, additional percentage improvement will be acknowledged under innovation indicator

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1.8 SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEMS

Mandatory Points: 5
Intent:

Encourage use of solar energy for water heating applications in the building, to minimize the
environmental impacts associated with the use of fossil fuel energy.

Applicability:

This indicator is mandatory and applicable to all premises with hot water requirements of a capacity
exceeding one hundred litres (100 L) per day

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Install Solar Water Heating System to meet 100% 5 points
of the Total Hot Water Requirements of the
Building

Documentation Required:

1. A narrative describing estimated daily hot water requirements of the building

2. Calculation showing 100% of the total hot water requirements meeting through solar water
heating system
3. Extracts of the tender specification indicating proposal to install solar water heating system
4. Purchase receipt of solar hot water heating system; or Photographs of installed solar hot water
systems (To be submitted to the building inspector during verification/inspection stage)

Sample:

Background information of the sample building:

Estimated daily hot water requirements of the hotel building = 2000 litres

Hotel proposes to install solar water heating system to meet 100% of daily hot water requirement

The building scores 5 points (maximum points that can be scored)

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1.9 ENERGY METERING

Optional Points: 2
Intent:

Encourage sub-metering and continuous monitoring to identify improvement opportunities in building’s

energy performance.

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Install sub-metering for at least one of the
following energy use applications, as applicable:
1. Interior, common and exterior area lighting
2. Air-conditioning system
3. On-site pumping for water storage 0.5 point for sub-metering for at least one energy
4. Waste water treatment use applications
5. Renewable energy generation
6. Power backup systems (Generators sets etc.,) (capped at 2 points)
7. Elevators, Escalators etc.,
8. Any other energy consuming equipment and
systems

Documentation Required:

1. A narrative describing the installed energy meters and their respective end uses in the building
2. Calculations showing the sub-meters installed for various energy use applications in the
prescribed tabulated format shown in the sample
3. Schematic drawing showing the location of energy meters in the building
4. Purchase receipts of the energy meters; or Photographs of installed energy meters (To be
submitted to the building inspector during verification/inspection stage)

Sample:

Example of a Commercial building showing various sub-meters installed

S.No. Energy use application Sub-meter installed

1 Interior, common and exterior area lighting Yes
2 Air-conditioning system Yes
3 On-site pumping for water storage No
4 Waste water treatment Yes
5 Renewable energy generation Not applicable as the project has
not installed Renewable energy
system

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6 Power backup system – Generator set Yes

7 Elevators and Escalator Yes

Total number of sub-meters installed = 5

Points awarded = 2.5 = 2 (maximum points that can be awarded)

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1.10 AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY

Optional Points: 7.5
Intent:

Reduce energy consumption during operation of a building through efficient air-conditioning system
design where required to reduce negative environmental impacts from energy use

Applicability:

This is an optional indicator and is applicable to all Air-Conditioned areas within the building

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Demonstrate improvement in efficiency of air- 1.5 point awarded for every 5% improvement in
conditioning equipment over minimum efficiency efficiency of air-conditioning equipment
requirements measured in terms of Coefficient of
Performance (COP) or Energy Efficiency Ratio (capped at 7.5 points)
(EER) or Rwanda Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
(RSEER)

Note:
Refer Appendix A for minimum efficiency
requirements for air-conditioning equipment

Documentation Required:

1. A list of all air-conditioning equipment & systems installed in the project, demonstrating that
they are at least 5% energy efficient vis-a-vis the baseline COP/ EER/ RSEER requirements
2. Manufacturer’s data sheets of the air-conditioning system specifying COP/ EER/ RSEER
information (as applicable); and
3. For systems including more than one type of air-conditioning system, the building team must
provide the ton-weighted average COP/ EER/ RSEER efficiency calculation as shown in the
sample
4. Air-conditioning layout drawings/ schematic showing the location of the external and internal
units
5. Photographs of the installed external and internal air-conditioning units (To be submitted to the
building inspector during verification/inspection stage)

Sample:

Background information of the sample building:

A hotel building has installed the following air-conditioning equipment in the guest rooms and meeting
rooms

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 30 guest rooms with unitary air-conditioning system (air cooled) of 1-ton capacity each and fixed
speed with a RSEER of 4.0
 2 Meeting rooms installed with air-cooled VRF air-conditioners of 5-ton capacity and a EER of 3.3

Step 1: Refer Appendix A; Unitary air-conditioning system (air cooled) and VRF air-conditioner (air
cooled) proposed in the project and their capacities/type are measured in terms of kWr as per appendix

Step 2: Convert tons into kWr to understand under which baseline reference value the proposed system
falls under; 1 Ton = 3.516 kWr

Step 3: 1 Ton = 3.516 kWr; Similarly, 5 Tons = 3.516 x 5 = 17.58 kWr

S.No. Description Capacity Proposed Baseline Improvement Weighted

(Tons) RSEER/ RSEER/ in EER (a-b) average of air-
(x) EER EER as conditioning
(a) per efficiency
Appendix
A
(b)
1 Guest rooms 30 (1 ton 4.0 3.5 0.5
capacity each [(x)(corresponding
for 30 rooms) a-b) +
2 Meeting 5 3.3 3.28 0.02 (x)(corresponding
rooms a-b) / ∑x ] x 100%

Weighted average of air-conditioning efficiency = (30)(0.5) + (5)(0.02) x 100%

35

= 43.14%

Points scored = As per the scoring scheme, 1.5 point awarded for every 5% improvement in efficiency of
air-conditioning equipment

The building has demonstrated 43.14% improvement in air-conditioning system efficiency, and the
project can score 8 points. But the total points scored by the project is 7.5 (max. points that can be
scored by the project in this indicator).

Additional Guidance for User:

Coefficient of Performance (COP)

COP is the measure to determine efficiency of air conditioning systems. The COP is the total output of
cooling energy per electricity input. The COP for cooling is defined as the ratio of the rate of heating
energy removal to the rate of electrical energy input, in consistent units, for a complete air conditioning
system or some specific portion of that system under designated operating conditions. The formula to
calculate COP is explained below.

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Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)

The ratio of net cooling capacity in kW to total rate of electric input in watts under design operating
conditions.

Rwanda Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (RSEER)

The seasonal cooling energy efficiency developed using ISO CSPF with a Rwanda outdoor temperature
distribution

Source: Rwandan Ministry of Environment, National Cooling Strategy, December 2018

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1.11 BUILDING ENVELOPE: AIR-CONDITIONED SPACE

Optional Points: 8
Intent:

Reduce energy consumption of a building through design of an efficient building envelope, to reduce
negative environmental impact from energy use

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to Air-Conditioned Building Areas

Indicator Requirement:
Requirement Scoring Scheme
The building must ensure that the following 2 points awarded for ensuring that the project
building envelope measures meet the baseline meets the baseline values for each of the criteria
criteria:
(capped at 8 points)
1. Maximum U-value of the Overall Wall
Assembly = 2 W/m2oK

2. Maximum U-value of the Overall Roof

Assembly = 1 W/m2oK

3. Maximum Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

(SHGC) value of fenestration
corresponding to the Window to Wall
Ratio (WWR)

Window to Maximum Solar

Wall Ratio Heat Gain
(WWR) Coefficient (SHGC)
of fenestration
(W/m2oK)
≤40% 0.40
˃40% 0.30

4. Maximum Glazing U-value corresponding

to the Window to Wall Ratio (WWR)

Window to Maximum Glazing

Wall Ratio U-value (W/m2oK)
(WWR)
≤40% 5.7
˃40% 3.3

Note:
 Please refer Appendix B for typical U-
values of sample building components.
 The U-value calculations and technical
cut sheets shall supersede the typical U-
values mentioned in Annexure.

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Documentation Required:

For U-value of Overall Wall Assembly

1. Submit section of external wall assemblies proposed in the project

2. U-value calculations for wall assemblies in design case vis-a-vis the indicator baseline
requirements
3. Technical cut sheets indicating the U-value of wall insulation, if applicable

For U-value of Overall Roof Assembly

1. Submit section of external roof assemblies proposed in the project

2. U-value calculations for roof assemblies in design case vis-a-vis the indicator baseline
requirements
3. Technical cut sheets indicating the U-value of roof insulation, if applicable

For SHGC value of fenestration

1. Submit Window to wall ratio calculations for each façade of the building
2. Technical cut sheets indicating the SHGC value of fenestration

For U-value of Glazing

1. Submit Window to wall ratio calculations for each façade of the building
2. Technical cut sheets indicating the U-value of fenestration

Sample:

Projects can calculate the U-value of overall Wall assembly and overall Roof assembly with a freely
available U-value calculator on the internet. See below link:

http://www.thermalcalconline.com/u-value-calculator/u-value-opaque/u-value-opaqueExcel.html

Illustration 1

Sample calculation showing U-value of overall wall assembly of 230 mm thickness. Materials in the wall
assembly include external cement plaster of 18 mm thickness, brickwork of 200mm thickness and internal
cement plaster of 12 mm thickness.

As per the calculator, the overall U-value of the wall assembly is 1.85 W/m2oK < 2 W/m2oK

Hence the project achieves 2 points under U-value of overall Wall Assembly

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Illustration 1

Source: www.thermalcalconline.com

Illustration 2

Sample calculation showing U-value of overall roof assembly of 1062 mm thickness. Materials in the roof
assembly include metal roof 2 mm thickness, air cavity of 1000mm thickness, plywood work of 50 mm
thickness, fire resistant gypsum board false ceiling of 10mm thickness.

As per the calculator, the overall U-value of the roof assembly is 0.07 W/m2oK < 1 W/m2oK

Hence the project achieves 2 points under U-value of overall Roof Assembly

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Illustration 2

Source: www.thermalcalconline.com

Additional Guidance for User:

Thermal transmittance (U-value):

The thermal transmittance of U-value of a construction is defined as the quantity of heat that flows
through a unit area of a building section under steady-state conditions in unit time per unit temperature
difference of the air on either side of the section. It is expressed in W/m2oK and is given by:

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Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

The SHGC is the fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window, both directly transmitted
and absorbed and subsequently released inward. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The
lower a window's solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits.

Window to Wall Ratio (WWR)

The window-to-wall ratio is the measure of the percentage area determined by dividing the building's total
glazed area by its exterior envelope wall area.

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Module 1 - Energy Efficiency

Indicators and point allocation
S.No. Indicator Title Optional / Points
Mandatory Allocation
1.1 Building Envelope – Façade Design Parameters Optional 25
1.2 Ventilation Optional 15
1.3 Daylighting Optional 17.5
1.4 Artificial Lighting Efficiency Mandatory 5
1.5 Enhanced Artificial Lighting Efficiency Optional 9
1.6 Lifts and Escalators Optional 3
1.7 Renewable Energy Optional 5
1.8 Solar Hot Water Systems Mandatory 5
1.9 Energy Metering Optional 2
1.10 Air Conditioning System Optional 7.5
1.11 Building Envelope – Air-conditioned space Optional 8
Sub-total for Energy Efficiency 102

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Module 2: Water Efficiency

Indicators and point allocation

S.No. Category Optional / Mandatory Points Allocation

2.1 Rain Water Harvesting Mandatory 4
2.2 Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Mandatory 3
2.3 Enhanced Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Optional 6
2.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse (i) Wastewater (i) Wastewater
treatment – Mandatory treatment – 6
(ii) Treated wastewater (ii) Treated
reuse – Optional wastewater reuse – 10
2.4 Water Metering Optional 2
Sub-total for Water Efficiency 31

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2.1 RAINWATER HARVESTING

Mandatory Points: 4
Intent:

Reduce potable water demand and uncontrolled storm water run-off through effective rainwater
management

Applicability:

This indicator is mandatory and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Implement a rainwater harvesting system to 4 points
capture 100% run-off from roof area. The
rainwater harvesting system and storage
calculations shall confirm to RS 187: 2013
‘Rainwater harvesting systems – Code of Practice’

Documentary Evidence:

1. Rainwater harvesting system sizing calculations

2. Rainwater harvesting system schematic indicating the catchment area, piping system and
storage tank
3. Photographs of the installed rainwater harvesting system; or Purchase receipt for the rainwater
harvesting system (To be submitted to the building inspector during verification/inspection
stage)

Sample:

Runoff volume (m3) = Roof area (m2) x run-off coefficient of roof x average peak month rainfall (m)

 Run-off coefficient: The proportion of rooftop rainfall that is available for collection after losses
incurred from evaporation, leakage, overflow, transportation, etc. This variable is heavily
impacted by rooftop material.
Run-off coefficients of typical surface types
Tiled roof 0.95
Metal roof 0.95
Flat roof 0.95

 To arrive at average peak month rainfall, consider an average of at least last 5 years peak month
rainfall

Background information of sample project:

An upcoming hospital building in Kigali in 2018, has the following characteristics

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 Roof area = 1000 m2

 100% Metal roof whose run-off coefficient is 0.95
 Average peak month rainfall for Kigali for the last 5 years i.e, from 2014 to 2018 is 180 mm or
0.18 m

Using the above formula, Rainfall volume (m3) = Roof area (m2) x run-off coefficient of roof x average
peak month rainfall (m)

Rainfall volume (m3) = 1000 x 0.95 x 0.18

Rainfall volume = 171 cubic meters

The project should install rainwater harvesting system to store 171 cubic meters of run-off from roof
areas to comply with the mandatory requirement.

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2.2 EFFICIENT PLUMBING FIXTURES

Mandatory Points: 3
Intent:

Reduce the use of potable water by using water efficient fittings

Applicability:

This indicator is mandatory and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Use water efficient plumbing fixtures (as applicable) 0.5 point awarded for meeting baseline
whose flow rates meet the baseline criteria mentioned flow rate for each fixture type.
below:
(Capped at 3 points)
Fixture type Baseline Flow Rate
Range
Water Closets (Full flush) 4 to 4.5 LPF
Water Closets (Half flush) 2.5 to 3 LPF
Urinals 1 to 1.5 LPF
Faucets / Taps* 4 to 6 LPM
Showerhead / Handheld 7 to 9 LPM
spray*
Sink / Bib taps 6 to 8 LPM

* Reporting pressure for these fixtures shall be at 3 bar

LPF – Litres per flush

LPM – Litres per minute

Documentary Evidence:

1. Plumbing fixture schedules showing the types, numbers, make and model and calculation
showing the percentage of proposed fixtures meeting baseline flow rate in the prescribed
tabulated format shown in the sample
2. Manufacturer data sheets for plumbing fixtures indicating the flow rates along with the
reporting pressure
3. Photographs of the installed plumbing fixtures; or purchase receipts of the plumbing fixtures (To
be submitted to the building inspector during verification/inspection stage)

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Sample:

Example of a water fitting schedule showing the numbers, types and the number of proposed fixtures
meeting baseline efficiency range requirements

S.No. Water Fitting Total No. of No. of Percentage Points Scored

Type nos. fixtures fixtures not fixtures (0.5 point
based meeting meeting meeting awarded for
on baseline baseline baseline flow meeting baseline
fitting flow rate flow rate rate range flow rate for each
type range range fixture type)
(T) (A) (B) P = (A/T) x 100 P x 0.5

1 Water Closets 50 30 20 60% 60% x 0.5 = 0.3

(Full flush)

2 Water Closets 50 30 20 60% 60% x 0.5 = 0.3

(Half flush)

3 Urinals 70 60 10 85% 85% x 0.5 = 0.425

4 Faucets / 100 100 0 100% 100% x 0.5 = 0.5
Taps*
5 Showerhead / 100 100 0 100% 100% x 0.5 = 0.5
Handheld
spray*
6 Sink / Bib taps 30 15 15 50% 50% x 0.5 = 0.25
Points Scored 2.275 can be
rounded of to 2.3
˂ 3 points
(maximum points
that can be
scored)

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2.3 ENHANCED EFFICIENT PLUMBING FIXTURES

Optional Points: 6
Intent:

Reduce the use of potable water by using water efficient fittings

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Use water efficient plumbing fixtures (as applicable) 1 point awarded for meeting baseline flow
whose flow rates meet the baseline criteria mentioned rate for each fixture type.
below:
(Capped at 6 points)
Fixture type Baseline Flow Rate
Range
Water Closets (Full flush) 3.5 to 4 LPF
Water Closets (Half flush) 2.5 LPF or less
Urinals 0.5 to 1 LPF
Faucets / Taps* 2 to 4 LPM
Showerhead / Handheld 5 to 7 LPM
spray*
Sink / Bib taps 4 to 6 LPM

* Reporting pressure for these fixtures shall be at 3 bar

LPF – Litres per flush

LPM – Litres per minute

Documentary Evidence:

1. Plumbing fixture schedules showing the types, numbers, make and model and calculation
showing the percentage of proposed fixtures meeting baseline flow rate in the prescribed
tabulated format shown in the sample
2. Manufacturer data sheets for plumbing fixtures indicating the flow rates along with the
reporting pressure
3. Photographs of the installed plumbing fixtures; or purchase receipts of the plumbing fixtures (To
be submitted to the building inspector during verification/inspection stage)

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Sample:

Example of a water fitting schedule showing the numbers, types and the number of proposed fixtures
meeting baseline efficiency range requirements

S.No. Water Fitting Total No. of No. of Percentage Points Scored (1

Type nos. fixtures fixtures not fixtures meeting point awarded
based meeting meeting baseline flow for meeting
on baseline baseline rate range baseline flow
fitting flow rate flow rate rate for each
type range range P = (A/T) x 100 fixture type)
(T) (A) (B) Px1
1 Water Closets 50 30 20 60% 60% x 1 = 0.6
(Full flush)

2 Water Closets 50 30 20 60% 60% x 1 = 0.6

(Half flush)

3 Urinals 70 60 10 85% 85% x 1 = 0.85

4 Faucets / 100 100 0 100% 100% x 1 = 1
Taps*
5 Showerhead / 100 100 0 100% 100% x 1 = 1
Handheld
spray*
6 Sink / Bib taps 30 15 15 50% 50% x 1 = 0.5
Points Scored 4.55 can be
rounded of to
4.6 ˂ 6 points
(maximum
points that can
be scored)

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2.4 WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND REUSE

Waste Water Treatment: Mandatory Points: 6
Treated Waste Water reuse: Optional Points: 10
Intent:

Treat waste water generated on-site, to avoid pollution of ground water and receiving streams through
safe disposal. And use treated waste water, thereby reducing consumption of potable water

Applicability:

Waste water treatment is mandatory indicator and is applicable to all buildings. Whereas, treated waste
water reuse is optional indicator and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

For Wastewater Treatment:

Ensure that 100% of waste water generated in the building 6 points are awarded for treating 100%
is treated to the discharge standards, as prescribed by waste water generated on site. The
Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) under RS 110:2009 ‘Water treated wastewater shall meet the
quality – Tolerance limits of discharged domestic tolerance limits of discharged domestic
wastewater’ wastewater as specified under RS
110:2009
Tolerance limits for discharged domestic wastewater

S.No. Parameter Treatment

Limits
1 TDS mg/l ˂1500
2 TSS mg/l ˂50
3 pH 5-9
4 Nitrates mg/l ˂20
Nitrites mg/l ˂2
Total Nitrogen ˂30
5 Total Phosphorous mg/l ˂5
6 Temperature variation of treated ˂3
water compare to ambient
temperature of water °C
7 BOD5 mg/l ˂50
8 8 COD mg/l ˂250
9 Faecal Coliforms /100ml ˂400
10 Oil and grease mg/l ˂10
11 Chlorine mg/l ˂2
12 Sulphate mg/l ˂500
13 Color Pt-Co ˂200

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Note: Limits are the values not to be exceeded during

periodic measurement under normal
conditions.
Source - RS 110:2009

For Treated wastewater reuse:

1 point for 10% of treated water reused
Waste water to be treated to the reuse standards within the building. (Capped at 10
prescribed by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) points)

Documentary Evidence:

For Wastewater treatment:

1. Manufacturers datasheet of the wastewater treatment plant confirming to tolerance limits of

discharged domestic wastewater
2. Calculations showing the designed capacity of the wastewater treatment plant in m3/day
3. Photographs of the installed wastewater treatment plant; or purchase receipts of the
wastewater treatment system (To be submitted to the building inspector during
verification/inspection stage)

For Treated Wastewater reuse:

1. Manufacturers datasheet of the wastewater treatment plant confirming to reuse standards

2. Calculations showing the following:
a. Designed capacity of the wastewater treatment plant in m3/day
b. Quantity of waste water available for recycling in m3/day
c. Water balance chart clearly indicating how treated wastewater would be reused in the
building
d. Percentage of treated wastewater reused within the building in the prescribed
tabulated format shown in the sample
3. Photographs of the installed wastewater treatment plant; or purchase receipts of the
wastewater treatment system (To be submitted to the building inspector during
verification/inspection stage)

Sample:

Example of an office building demonstrating the percentage of treated wastewater reused within the
building

Total volume of wastewater (both greywater and 100,000

blackwater) generated (litres/day)
Proposed capacity of wastewater treatment plant 150,000
(litres/day)
Efficiency of wastewater treatment plant 90%

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Total Volume of waste water treated & available 90,000

for reuse (litres/day)
Number of working days of office building 250
Total volume of treated wastewater available 22,500,000
annually for reuse (litres)

Table showing water consumption and proposed treated wastewater reuse

Consumption Volume of Water Required Volume of Treated Wastewater

Annually (litres) Reused (litres)
Flushing 20,000,000 20,000,000
Irrigation for landscaping 15,000,000 2,500,000
Total 35,000,000 22,500,000

Total volume of water required annually (for Flushing & irrigation for landscaping) in litres = 35,000,000

Total volume of treated wastewater used annually (litres) = 22,500,000

Percentage of treated wastewater reused in the building = 22,500,000 / 35,000,000 = 64.2%

As per the scoring scheme, the building is awarded 1 point for 10% of treated wastewater reused, here
the building is proposed to reuse 64.2% of treated wastewater. Hence 6.4 points are awarded.

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2.4 WATER METERING

Optional Points: 2
Intent:

Promote use of private meters for better control and monitoring of water usage.

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Demonstrate sub-metering for at least one of the 0.5 point for sub-metering for at least one
following water use applications, as applicable: water use applications

1. Piped water supply (capped at 2 points)

2. Treated waste water consumption
3. Water consumption for landscape requirements
4. Water consumption for flushing
5. Water consumption for air-conditioning cooling
tower makeup
6. Any other major source of water consumption

Documentary Evidence:

1. A narrative describing the installed water meters and respective end uses in the project.
2. Calculations showing the sub-meters installed for various water use applications in the
prescribed tabulated format shown in the sample
3. Schematic drawing showing the location of water meters installed in the project.
4. Photographs of installed meters; or purchase receipts of the water meters (To be submitted to
the building inspector during verification/inspection stage)

Sample:

Example of a hospital building showing various sub-meters installed

S.No. Water use application Sub-meter installed

1 Piped water supply Yes
2 Treated waste water consumption Not applicable
3 Water consumption for landscape requirements Yes
4 Water consumption for flushing No
5 Water consumption for air-conditioning cooling tower Not applicable
makeup
Total number of sub-meters installed = 2

Points awarded = 1 ˂ 2 (maximum points that can be awarded)

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Module 2: Water Efficiency

Indicators and point allocation

S.No. Category Optional / Mandatory Points Allocation

2.1 Rain Water Harvesting Mandatory 4
2.2 Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Mandatory 3
2.3 Enhanced Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Optional 6
2.4 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse (i) Wastewater (i) Wastewater
treatment – Mandatory treatment – 6
(ii) Treated wastewater (ii) Treated
reuse – Optional wastewater reuse – 10
2.4 Water Metering Optional 2
Sub-total for Water Efficiency 31

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Module 3: Environmental Protection

Indicators and point allocation

S.No. Category Optional/ Points
Mandatory Allocation
3.1 Sustainable Concrete Usage Optional 5
3.2 Greenery Protection Optional 10
3.3 Environment Friendly Practices Optional 2
3.4 Low-impact Refrigerants: Zero Ozone Depletion Potential Mandatory 2
3.5 Low-impact Refrigerants: Low Global Warming Potential Optional 4
3.6 Segregation of Waste, Post-occupancy Optional 2
3.7 Heat Island Mitigation Optional 3
Sub-total for Environmental Protection 28

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3.1 SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE USAGE

Optional Points: 5
Intent:

Encourage the adoption of concrete usage practices that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Concrete Usage Index (CUI) Points for building CUI are awarded as below:

Encourage designs with efficient use of concrete Building CUI (m3/m2) Points Allocation
for building components. 0.61 - 0.70 1
0.51 - 0.60 2
Note: 0.41 - 0.50 3
Concrete Usage Index (CUI) is an indicator of the 0.31 - 0.40 4
amount of concrete used to construct the 0.21 - 0.30 5
superstructure that includes both the structural
and non-structural elements. CUI does not
include the concrete used for external works and
sub-structural works such as basements and
foundations. CUI is defined as the volume of
concrete in cubic meters needed to cast a square
meter of constructed floor area. It is expressed
as:

Concrete Usage Index = Concrete volume in m3 /

Constructed Floor Area in m2

Documentary Evidence:

1. Architectural and structural plan layout, elevation and sectional plans showing the type of
structural system used, the dimensions and sizes of all the building and structural elements; and

2. Summary showing the quantity of concrete for each floor level in the prescribed tabulated
format shown in worked sample. The calculation should include all the building elements as
listed in the worked example and the derivation of the concrete volume should be detailed and
made available for evaluation.
Sample:

Proposed development comprises a 5 Floor office block with one basement carparks and the following
details:

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Concrete usage for the Superstructure Constructed Floor Areas

From Ground Floor = 500 m3 From Ground Floor = 600 m2
From 1st to 4th Floor = 1500 m3 From 1st to 4th Floor = 2400 m2
Total Concrete Usage = 2000 m3 Total Constructed Floor Area = 3000 m2

Note: The concrete usage for foundation and one basement need not be included in the calculations

Concrete Usage Index (CUI) = 2000 / 3000 = 0.66 m3/m2

Based on the point allocation shown under scoring scheme

CUI of 0.66 m3/m2 falls under 0.61 - 0.7 m3/m2

Therefore, point scored = 1 point

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3.2 GREENERY PROTECTION

Optional Points: 10
Intent:

Preserve and enhance greenery to attract biodiversity and reduce heat island effect

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Preserve or Restore trees
Preserve/ restore at least 20% of existing trees 1 point for every 20% existing trees preserved or
during construction restored during construction (Capped at 5 points)

Note:
 Restoration means transplanting of
existing trees

Compensatory Plantation
For every uprooted tree, plant at least 10 new 1 point for every 10 new saplings planted.
saplings of similar or other species within the plot (Capped at 5 points)
boundary or outside the plot boundary, wherever
permitted.

Note:
 For building projects located in large
campuses, project boundary shall be
clearly defined for indicator calculations

Documentary Evidence:

For Preserve or Restore trees

1. A narrative describing the strategies implemented to preserve/ restore existing trees during
construction
2. Site plan indicating the location of existing trees, before construction
3. Calculations demonstrating that at least 20% of existing trees are preserved or restored in the
prescribed tabulated format shown in worked example Sample 1
4. Photographs of existing trees preserved or restored

For Compensatory Plantation

1. A narrative describing the details about plantation of new saplings, for each station
2. Site plan indicating the location of existing trees, before construction

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3. Calculations demonstrating that for every uprooted tree, at least 10 new saplings are planted in
the prescribed tabulated format shown in worked example Sample 2
4. Landscape plan (post-construction) highlighting the location of newly planted saplings. Please
provide a legend indicating the type of new plant species used.
5. Photographs of newly planted saplings

Sample 1: For Preserve or Restore trees

Proposed office development has 20 existing trees on the site. The building has the following plans:

Total existing fully-grown trees on site 20

No. of trees preserved during construction 5
No. of trees restored / transplanted to facilitate construction 5
Total number of trees preserved / restored during construction 10
No. of trees proposed to be cut 10
Percentage of trees preserved / restored during construction (10/20) x 100 = 50%
Points scored as per the scoring scheme 2.5

Sample 2: For Compensatory Plantation

Sample calculations for the above example

Total existing fully-grown trees on site 20

No. of trees proposed to be cut 10
No. of new saplings planted (10 new plants for each uprooted tree) 100
Points scored as per the scoring scheme (1 points for every 10 new saplings, 5 (maximum points
capped at 5 points) that can be scored)
Since, the project has demonstrated exemplary performance by planting more saplings, additional
points will be awarded under innovation indicator

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3.3 ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY PRACTICES

Optional Points: 2
Intent:

Encourage adoption of environment friendly practices during building construction

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to buildings as deemed necessary by the competent authority

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Compliance with Environment Impact 2 points
Assessment (EIA) Report

Documentary Evidence:

1. A narrative describing the strategies implemented by the building to comply with EIA report
2. Submit photographs, wherever required to demonstrate compliance (To be submitted to the
building inspector during verification/inspection stage)
Sample:

Proposed hotel development has submitted EIA report to receive building permit.

The project team has submitted a narrative describing the strategies implemented by the building to
comply with EIA report along with supporting photographs. Hence, 2 points are awarded.

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3.4 LOW-IMPACT REFRIGERANTS: ZERO OZONE DEPLETION POTENTIAL

Mandatory Points: 2
Intent:

Reduce the potential damage to the ozone layer caused by the release of ozone depleting substances

Applicability:

This indicator is mandatory and is applicable to all air-conditioning systems in buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Use refrigerants with Ozone Depletion Potential 2 points
(ODP) of zero

Note: Refer to the Appendix C to see the

complete list of available refrigerants

Documentary Evidence:

1. Extracts from the tender specification showing the requirement for all refrigerants to have an
ODP of zero
2. A list of all air-conditioning equipment’s & systems indicating the type of refrigerant
3. Manufacturer datasheets of refrigerants used in air-conditioning equipment & systems

Additional Guidance to the user:

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

A number that refers to the amount of ozone depletion caused by a substance. The ODP is the ratio of
the impact on ozone of a chemical compared to the impact of a similar mass of chlorofluorocarbon
(CFC)-11. Thus, the ODP of CFC-11 is 1.0.

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3.5 LOW-IMPACT REFRIGERANTS: LOW GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL

Optional Points: 4
Intent:

Reduce the potential damage to the environment due to increase in global warming caused by the
release of greenhouse gases.

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to all air-conditioning systems in buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Use refrigerants with Global Warming Potential 4 points
(GWP) of less than 50.

Note: Refer to the Appendix C to see the

complete list of available refrigerants

Documentary Evidence:

1. Extracts from the tender specification showing the requirement for all refrigerants to have a
GWP of less than 50.
2. A list of all air-conditioning equipment’s & systems indicating the type of refrigerant
3. Manufacturer datasheets of refrigerants used in air-conditioning equipment & systems

Additional Guidance to the user:

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

This is a measure of how much a given mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to contribute to global
warming. It is a relative scale that compares the gas in question to that of the same mass of carbon
dioxide, whose GWP is 1.0.

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3.6 SEGREGATION OF WASTE, POST-OCCUPANCY

Optional Points: 2
Intent:

Facilitate segregation of waste at source to encourage reuse or recycling of materials, thereby avoiding
waste being sent to landfills.

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and is applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Provide separate bins to collect dry waste (paper, 2 points
plastic, metals, glass, etc.,) and wet waste
(organic), as applicable.

Documentary Evidence:

1. Floor plans showing the location of the recycling bins for segregation, collection and storage of
different recyclable waste.
2. Photographs of dedicated waste collection bins and storage area along with signages (To be
submitted to the building inspector during verification/inspection stage)

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3.7 HEAT ISLAND MITIGATION

Optional Points: 3
Intent:

Minimize heat island effect to reduce negative impact on micro-climate

Applicability:

This is an optional indicator and is applicable to all buildings with metal & concrete roofs

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

For metal & concrete roofs use material with a high 1 point for 50% of the exposed roof area
Solar Reflective Index (SRI) to cover at least 50% of the covered with material with high SRI. Point
exposed roof area. allocation is as per below:

1. Minimum initial SRI value for low-slope roof (slope Percentage exposed roof Points
less than or equal to 1:6) – 78 area covered with a high
SRI material
2. Minimum initial SRI value for High-slope roof (slope 50% 1
greater than 1:6) – 29 and Maximum of 64 75% 2
95% 3
Notes:
 For this indicator, all roof areas, including
podium, covered surface parking and utility
blocks, which are exposed to the sky (at and
above ground level) should be considered for
calculations.
 Exposed roof area need not include equipment
platforms, areas with solar photovoltaic
panels, solar water heating systems, skylights,
swimming pool, driveways, pathways, roads,
play areas etc.,
 SRI values of reflectance material shall be as
per ASTM standards

Documentary Evidence:

1. A narrative describing the strategies implemented to reduce heat island effect from roof areas.
2. Drawings showing exposed roof areas covered with high reflective material
3. Calculations demonstrating that at least 50% of exposed roof areas is covered with high
reflective material as per prescribed format in worked sample
4. Letters from the manufacturer indicating SRI value (as per ASTM standards) of high reflective
materials used in the project

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5. Photographs showing exposed roof areas covered with high reflective material (To be submitted
to the building inspector during verification/inspection stage)

Sample:

Proposed development comprises a 5 Floor hospital block (low-slope roof), utility block (high-slope roof)
and the following details:

Roof area of hospital block (Sqm) 5000

Roof area covered by Solar Photovoltaic panels (Sqm) 500
Roof area covered by Solar Water Heating System (Sqm) 200
Roof area of utility block (Sqm) 200
Total exposed roof area, excluding roof area covered by Solar 5000 – (500 + 200) + 200 =
photovoltaic panels, Solar water heating system (Sqm) 4500
Exposed roof area applied with high SRI paint (Sqm) 3000
Note: Initial SRI values are different for low-slope and high-slope roofs
Percentage exposed roof area covered with a high SRI material (3000/4500) x 100 = 66.6%
Points Scored 1 (refer scoring scheme)

Additional Guidance to the user:

Heat Island Effect - The thermal absorption by hardscape, such as dark, non-reflective pavement and
buildings, and its subsequent radiation to surrounding areas. Other contributing factors may include
vehicle exhaust, air conditioners and street equipment. Tall buildings and narrow streets reduce airflow
and exacerbate the effect.

Solar Reflective Index (SRI) – SRI is a measure of the constructed surface’s ability to stay cool in the sun
by reflecting solar radiation and emitting thermal radiation. It is defined such that a standard black
surface has an initial SRI of 0, and a standard white surface has an initial SRI of 100.

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Module 3 - Environmental Protection

Indicators and point allocation

S.No. Category Optional/ Points

Mandatory Allocation
3.1 Sustainable Concrete Usage Optional 5
3.2 Greenery Protection Optional 10
3.3 Environment Friendly Practices Optional 2
3.4 Low-impact Refrigerants: Zero Ozone Depletion Potential Mandatory 2
3.5 Low-impact Refrigerants: Low Global Warming Potential Optional 4
3.6 Segregation of Waste, Post-occupancy Optional 2
3.7 Heat Island Mitigation Optional 3
Sub-total for Environmental Protection 28

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Module 4: Indoor Environmental Quality

Indicators and point allocation

S.No. Category Optional/ Points
Mandatory Allocation
4.1 Minimum Outdoor Fresh Air Supply – Mechanically Mandatory 4
Ventilated Spaces
4.2 Thermal Comfort – Mechanically Ventilated Spaces Mandatory 2
4.3 Noise level Mandatory 2
4.4 Low VOC Paints and Adhesives Optional 2
Sub-total for Indoor Environmental Quality 10

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4.1 MINIMUM OUTDOOR FRESH AIR SUPPLY: AIR-CONDITIONED SPACES

Mandatory Points: 4
Intent:

Provide adequate outdoor fresh air supply, to avoid pollutants affecting indoor air quality

Applicability:

This indicator is mandatory and is applicable to air-conditioned spaces

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Demonstrate that the outdoor fresh air supply in all air-conditioned spaces 4 points
meet the minimum ventilation rates, as prescribed in Table 4.11.4-3:
Outdoor Air Supply Requirement for Comfort Air-Conditioning of Rwanda
Building Code 2015.

Table: Outdoor Air Supply Requirement for Comfort Air-Conditioning

Type of Minimum Outdoor Air Supply

Building/
Occupancy
l/s per m2 floor m3/h per m2 l/s per person
area floor area
Restaurant 3.4 12.2 5.1
Dance Halls 7.0 25.0 10.5
Offices 0.6 2.0 5.5
Shops, 1.1 3.8 5.5
supermarkets
and department
stores
Theatres and 2.0 7.3 3.0
cinemas seating
area
Lobbies and 0.3 1.1 3.3
corridors
Concourses 1.1 4.0 3.3
Hotel guest 15 L/s per room 54 m3/h per 5.5
rooms room
Primary school 2.8 10.0 4.2
children and
above
Childcare 2.8 10.0 8.4
Centers
Note:

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 Dance halls refer to night clubs. The outdoor air supply in

discotheques requires 50 % more than that in dance halls; and
 The use of higher outdoor air supply in hotel guest rooms should
take precedence.

Source: Rwanda Building Code 2015

Documentary Evidence:

1. A narrative describing the outdoor fresh air ventilation system design implemented in the
project
2. Outdoor fresh air intake calculations, for air-conditioned spaces to demonstrate compliance
with the reference standard mentioned under the requirement

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4.2 THERMAL COMFORT – MECHANICALLY VENTILATED SPACES

Mandatory Points: 2
Intent:

Provide good thermal comfort for all developments with air-conditioning systems to promote occupant
productivity and well-being

Applicability:

This indicator is mandatory and is applicable to air-conditioned spaces

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

Ensure that air-conditioning systems are designed 2 points
to allow for cooling load variations due to
fluctuations in ambient air temperature and to
maintain consistent indoor conditions for thermal
comfort

 Indoor temperature between 240C to

260C
 Relative humidity less than 65%

Documentary Evidence:

Submit extracts of the tender specification showing the requirement to design the air-conditioning
systems that would provide consistent indoor conditions for thermal comfort as stated in the above
requirement.

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4.3 NOISE LEVEL

Mandatory Points: 2
Intent:

Recognize that buildings are designed to control and keep the background noise in occupied spaces at
levels appropriate to the intended use of the spaces and confirm to the ambient noise standards

Applicability:

This indicator is mandatory and applicable to occupied spaces and building developments

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

(i) Noise levels inside buildings

Acoustic design and verification of the building to meet the 1 point

requirements of RS 236: 2014 ‘Acoustics - Noise pollution –
Tolerance limits’

Maximum acceptable noise levels inside buildings

S.No. Type of building Maximum

acceptable
noise levels (dB)
1 Offices 50-60
2 Dwellings (Houses and 45-55
Flats)
3 Schools (Classrooms or 45-50
lecture rooms)
4 Hospitals 40-50
Source – RS 236: 2014

(ii) Buildings to meet ambient noise standards

Buildings to meet ambient air quality standards in respect 1 point

of noise as per below requirement

Ambient air quality standards in respect of noise

Area Category of Area Limit in dB,

code Max.
Day Time Night Time
A Industrial Area 75 70
B Commercial Area 65 55
C Residential Area 55 45

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D Silence Zone 50 40
Source – RS 236: 2014

Documentary Evidence:

For Noise levels inside buildings

1. Extracts of the tender specification showing the requirement to design the occupied space
within the acceptable noise levels; and
2. A report of the detailed analysis and recommendations from acoustic consultant/ qualified
person on how the designed ambient sound levels can be met where applicable.

For Buildings to meet ambient noise standards

1. Submit a signed declaration letter by the building owner stating that the building confirms to the
ambient noise standards during the entire lifetime of the building

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4.4 LOW VOC PAINTS AND ADHESIVES

Optional Points: 2
Intent:

Minimize airborne contaminants, mainly from inside sources to promote a healthy indoor environment

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and applicable to all indoor paints and adhesives used in the building

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

(a) Use of low volatile organic compounds (VOC)
paints

VOC limits for paints

Extent of Coverage: At least 90% of the total
Type of Paint VOC limit (g/L less internal wall areas
water) 1 point
Flat paint 50
Non-flat paint 100
Primer or undercoat 100
Floor coating 100
Anti-corrosive or Anti- 250
rust
Clear Wood Finish: 350
Varnish
Clear Wood Finish: 550
Lacquer
Reflective Wall 50
Coating
Reflective Roof 100
Coating

(b) Use of low VOC adhesives

Extent of Coverage: At least 90% of the applicable
Type of Adhesive VOC limit (g/L less
areas
water)
1 point
Glazing adhesives 100
Ceramic tile 65
adhesives
Drywall and panel 50
adhesives
Wood substrata 30
adhesives

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Wood flooring 100

adhesives
HVAC duct 850
insulation
Indoor Carpet 50
adhesives
Multipurpose 70
construction
adhesives

Documentary Evidence:

For low VOC Paints

1. A list of low or no VOC content paints & coatings (make & model) used in the project interiors,
along with the VOC content (in g/L, less water).
2. Test certificate or manufacturer letters (addressed to the building) indicating the VOC content
(in g/L, less water) of the paints & coatings sourced.

For low VOC Adhesives

1. A list of low or no VOC content adhesives (make & model) used in the project interiors, along
with the VOC content (in g/L, less water).
2. Test certificate or manufacturer letters (addressed to the building) indicating the VOC content
(in g/L, less water) of the adhesives sourced.

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Module 4 - Indoor Environmental Quality

Indicators and point allocation

S.No. Category Optional/ Points

Mandatory Allocation
4.1 Minimum Outdoor Fresh Air Supply – Mechanically Mandatory 4
Ventilated Spaces
4.2 Thermal Comfort – Mechanically Ventilated Spaces Mandatory 2
4.3 Noise level Mandatory 2
4.4 Low VOC Paints and Adhesives Optional 2
Sub-total for Indoor Environmental Quality 10

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Module 5: Innovation and Other Green Features

Indicators and point allocation

Category Optional / Points
Mandatory Allocation
5.1 Innovation Optional 10
5.2 Universally Accessible Building Mandatory 9
Sub-total for Innovation and Other Green Features 19

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5.1 INNOVATION
Optional Points: 10
Intent:

Encourage the use of green features that are innovative and have positive environmental impact on
energy efficiency, water efficiency, environmental protection and indoor environmental quality of the
buildings

Applicability:

This indicator is optional and applicable to all buildings

Indicator Requirement:

Requirement Scoring Scheme

(a) Innovation: Features that could be quantified 2 points for each innovation or exemplary
and positive environmental impact performance. (Capped at 10 points)
demonstrated.

Examples:
 Vertical greenery systems on the East
and West Façade to reduce heat gain in
the building
 Vegetation to cover 50% of the exposed
roof area
 Drip irrigation system with rain and soil
moisture sensors
 Occupancy sensors for corridors,
staircases, toilets, conference rooms and
closed cabins
 Photoelectric sensors to maximize
daylighting
 Sun pipes for natural lighting
 Building Management System to monitor
and control the following systems: Air-
conditioning management system;
Lighting management system; Renewable
energy management system; Elevator
management system; Fresh air
monitoring system; CO2 control and
monitoring system
 High frequency ballasts in luminaires

(b) Exemplary Performance: The project is

eligible for exemplary performance, if the design
and / or construction measures greatly exceed

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the requirements of the Rwanda green building

minimum compliance requirements.

List of indicators eligible for exemplary

performance:

Number Indicator Exemplary

performance
threshold
1.6 Renewable ≥ 6% On-site
Energy Renewable
Energy
generation
3.1 Sustainable CUI ≤ 0.20 m3/m2
Construction
Materials (b)
Concrete
Usage Index
3.3 Greenery Compensatory
Protection (b) plantation
Compensatory beyond indicator
Plantation requirement

Documentary Evidence:

For Innovation

1. Narrative on innovative features implemented in the building

2. Technical product information (including drawings and supporting documents) of the green
features
3. Quantified evidences on the potential environmental benefits that the features can bring to the
development.

For Exemplary Performance

1. Calculations indicating the next incremental threshold percentage achieved in the respective
indicator.

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5.2 UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE BUILDING

Mandatory Points: 9
Intent:

Ensure that the building is accessible to differently abled and elderly

Applicability:

This indicator is mandatory and applicable to all publicly accessible buildings

Requirement:

Design the building to meet the following 1 point awarded for every feature provided
requirements of differently abled and elderly as
specified in 'Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (capped at 9 points)
in Public Buildings’ published by RHA in
November 2011

1. Appropriately designed preferred car

park spaces having an easy access to the
main entrance or closer to the lift lobby.
2. Non-slippery ramps, with handrails
3. Lifts to be equipped with wide access
doors, control buttons at convenient
height, Braille and audio assistance for
visually impaired people.
4. Seating area near lift lobbies
5. Uniformity in floor level for hindrance-
free movement in common areas &
exterior areas.
6. Restrooms (toilets) in common areas
designed for differently abled people.
7. Main walkways / pathways with
adequate width in exterior areas.
8. Visual warning signage in common areas
& exterior areas.
9. Any other innovative feature to meet the
needs of differently abled persons

Documentary Evidence:

1. Narrative on features implemented to meet the requirements of differently abled persons

2. Submit Architectural drawings and supporting documents for features, as applicable
3. Submit photographs of facilities provided for differently abled (To be submitted to the building
inspector during verification/inspection stage)

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Module 5: Innovation and Other Green Features

Indicators and point allocation
S.No. Category Optional / Points
Mandatory Allocation
5.1 Innovation Optional 10
5.2 Universally Accessible Building Mandatory 9
Sub-total for Innovation and Other Green Features 19

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Section 3 – Green Building Minimum Compliance System

Implementation Plan

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Lead: Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA)

S/N Program Objective Indicators Stakeholders Minimum Budget Timeline
1 Development of  To avail missing standards in accordance to Availability of RSB 10,000,000 Frw 6 months
Standards Standards needs assessment done for easy Reports and RHA (Recurrent Line)
implementation of the green building Standards WASAC
minimum compliance system REG

2 Testing of  To assess sampled project designs and Availability of a RHA 30,000,000 Frw 2 months
Indicators existing buildings against the indicators to Report and a OSCs (Recurrent Line)
determine enforcement feasibility of Strategy GGGI
retrofitting possibility RIA & IER
 To avail a compiled report and a strategy on WASAC
how realistic retrofitting could be achieved REG
REMA
3 Development of  To provide calculators to ease assessment Availability of GGGI 10,000,000 Frw 4 months
Calculators of compliance with the green building Calculators/ RHA (Recurrent Line)
minimum compliance system for projects Spreadsheets BCA
concerned RwGBO

4 Digitization of  To develop forms and checklist to use in Green building RHA 5,000,000 Frw 2 months
implementation Bpmis minimum ROPL (Recurrent Line)
of the green  To integrate the green building minimum compliance OSCs
building compliance system requirements in the system RIA & IER
minimum Building Permit Management Information integrated in the
compliance System (Bpmis) Bpmis
system
5 Training of  To undertake capacity building need Increased RHA 10,000,000 Frw 1 month
Trainers assessment number of OSCs (Recurrent Line)
 To identify potential Trainers across the Skilled Trainers GGGI
country RwGBO
 To conduct training for Trainers on all BCA
indicators

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Lead: Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA)

S/N Program Objective Indicators Stakeholders Minimum Budget Timeline
6 Training of One  To deploy calculators and other Number of RHA 60,000,000 Frw 11 months
Stop Centers enforcement tools in all Districts One Stop Capacitated OSCs OSCs (Recurrent Line)
Centers (OSCs) GGGI
 To train One Stop Centers on how to assess RwGBO
permit applications against the green BCA
building minimum compliance system
7 Training of  To train all professionals/ practitioners in Number of RHA, OSCs 20,000,000 Frw 1 week
Professionals/ the construction industry on Green Building Capacitated GGGI, RwGBO, (Recurrent Line)
Practitioners Minimum Compliance System Professionals BCA
 Certification for all engineers and architects RIA & IER
operating in the constructions of buildings
of category 4&5
8 Massive  To develop communication tools such as TV Number of RHA 30,000,000 Frw 3 months
awareness spots, booklets with illustrations, Radio awareness tools OSCs (Recurrent Line)
Campaign dialogues, etc developed and GGGI
 To collaborate with high learning implemented or RwGBO
institutions and the ministry of education disseminated BCA
for easy dissemination RIA & IER
 To ensure the green building minimum RBA
compliance system is introduced in MINALOC
Architecture and Engineering teaching
programs/curricula
9 Leading by  To make sure that all public construction Number of RHA 60,000,000,000 12 months
Example projects are in total compliance with the buildings DISTRICTS Frw
through total green building minimum compliance system compliant with GGGI (Development
compliance  To initiate retrofitting or upgrading of the green Line)
with the green existing Government buildings in building
building compliance with selected enforceable minimum
minimum indicators compliance
compliance  To seek housing services such as rental system and the
system for office spaces, hotel services, etc.… from number of
public better ranked private buildings existing buildings

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Lead: Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA)

S/N Program Objective Indicators Stakeholders Minimum Budget Timeline
construction retrofitted or
projects upgraded
10 Performance  To label buildings as per the minimum Number of RHA 50,000,000 Frw Continuous
Ranking & compliance ranking private and RwGBO (Recurrent Line)
Labelling for  To advocate for special incentives for better public buildings BANKS
occupied ranked buildings ranked INSURANCE
buildings GGGI
FONERWA

11 Enforcement,  To enforce the provisions of the green Percentage of RHA 50,000,000 Frw Continuous
Monitoring and building minimum compliance system compliant GGGI (Recurrent Line)
Evaluation through permitting and inspection services buildings and RwGBO
 To monitor the level of compliance through number of
performance audits existing
 To evaluate the actual impact of the green retrofitted or
building minimum compliance system on upgraded public
protection of the environment for buildings per
amendments aiming at optimizing green annum.
building practices

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Section 4: Appendices

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Appendix A

AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS (BASELINE)

Minimum Energy Efficiency Requirements for water cooled Chillers

Chiller Capacity (kWr) Coefficient of Performance (COP) Test Procedure

˂260 4.7 AHRI Standard 551/591
≥260 & ˂530 4.9
≥530 & ˂1050 5.4
≥1050 & ˂1580 5.8
≥1580 6.3
Coefficient of Performance (COP) – cooling: The ratio of the rate of heat removal to the rate of
energy input, in consistent units, for a complete refrigerating system or some specific portion
of that system under designated operating conditions

Minimum Energy Efficiency Requirements for air cooled Chillers

Chiller Capacity (kWr) Coefficient of Performance (COP) Test Procedure

˂260 2.8 AHRI Standard 551/591
≥260 & ˂530 3.0
Coefficient of Performance (COP) – cooling: The ratio of the rate of heat removal to the rate of
energy input, in consistent units, for a complete refrigerating system or some specific portion
of that system under designated operating conditions

Minimum Requirements for Unitary Air Conditioners

Cooling Capacity (kWr) Fixed (RSEER) Variable (RSEER)

≤16 3.50 4.0
Rwanda Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (RSEER): The seasonal cooling energy efficiency
developed using ISO CSPF with a Rwanda outdoor temperature distribution.
Source: Rwandan Ministry of Environment, National Cooling Strategy, December 2018

Minimum Requirements for Split Air Conditioners

Cooling Capacity (kWr) Fixed (RSEER) Variable (RSEER)

≤4.5 3.80 4.60
˃4.5 & ≤ 9.5 3.50 4.30
˃9.5 & ≤ 16 kW 3.20 3.90
Rwanda Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (RSEER): The seasonal cooling energy efficiency
developed using ISO CSPF with a Rwanda outdoor temperature distribution.

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Source: Rwandan Ministry of Environment, National Cooling Strategy, December 2018

Minimum Efficiency Requirements for VRF Air conditioners

For heating or cooling or both

Type Size Category (kWr) Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) Test Procedure
VRF Air ˂40 3.28 ANSI/AHRI
Conditioners, Air ≥40 & ˂70 3.26 Standard 1230
cooled ≥70 3.02
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER): the ratio of net cooling capacity in kW to total rate of electric
input in watts under design operating conditions

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Appendix-B

TYPICAL U-VALUES OF SOME BUILDING COMPONENTS

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Source: UN-HABITAT Sustainable Building Design for Tropical Climates Principles and
Applications for Eastern Africa

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Appendix-C

LIST OF REFRIGERANTS WITH ODP AND GWP VALUES

Type Product – R Number ODP GWP

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) 11 1 4680

12 1 10720
114 0.94 9800
500 0.605 7900
502 0.221 4600
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons 22 0.04 1780
(HCFC) 123 0.06 77
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) 23 0 14800
32 0 675
134a 0 1430
404A 0 3922
407A 0 2107
407C 0 1774
407F 0 2088
417A 0 2346
422A 0 3143
422D 0 2729
423A 0 2280
424A 0 2440
427A 0 2138
428A 0 3607
434A 0 3245
437A 0 1805
438A 0 2265
442A 0 1888
507A 0 3985
508B 0 13396
MO89 0 3805
HFO 1234yf 0 4
1234ze 0 6
Natural 170 0 6
290 0 3
600a 0 3
717 0 0
744 0 1
1150 0 4
1270 0 2

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UMUGEREKA WA IV W’ITEKA RYA ANNEX IV OF MINISTERIAL ANNEXE IV À L’ARRȆTÉ

MINISITIRI N° 03/CAB.M/019 RYO ORDER N° 03/CAB.M/019 OF MINISTÉRIEL N° 03/CAB.M/019 DU
KU WA 15/04/2019 RISHYIRAHO 15/04/2019 DETERMINING URBAN 15/04/2019 DÉTERMINANT LES
AMABWIRIZA AJYANYE PLANNING AND BUILDING RÈGLEMENTS D’URBANISME ET
N’IMITUNGANYIRIZE Y’IMIJYI REGULATIONS DE CONSTRUCTION
N’IMYUBAKIRE

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Nº Fault category Building categories Entity to be Administrative sanction

sanctioned
1 New Development started without permit, but Category 2 Defaulter FRW 300,000 and request for permit;
complying with urban planning and building suspension until authorization granted
regulations requirements Category 3 FRW 1,000,000 and request for permit;
suspension until authorization granted
Category 4 FRW 3,000,000 and request for permit;
suspension until authorization granted
Category 5 FRW 7,000,000 and request for permit;
suspension until authorization granted
2 New development started without permit, not All Categories Defaulter Removal at cost of defaulter
complying with urban planning and/or building
regulations requirements
3 Rehabilitation (with or without structural alteration) Category 2 Defaulter FRW 300,000 and request for permit;
development started without permit suspension until authorization granted
Category 3 FRW 1,000,000 and request for permit;
suspension until authorization granted
Category 4 FRW 3,000,000 and request for permit;
suspension until authorization granted
Category 5 FRW 7,000,000 and request for permit,
suspension until Permit issued
4 Development without requesting the mandatory Category 3 Permittee FRW 300,000 and suspension until payment
foundation inspection
Category 4 FRW 1,000,000 and suspension until
payment
Category 5 FRW 2,000,000 and suspension until
payment
5 Occupation without permit Category 3 Defaulter FRW 500,000 and request for permit,

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suspension of new activities until permit

issued
Category 4 FRW 2,000,000 and request for permit;
suspension until permit issued
Category 5 FRW 2,500,000 and request for permit;
suspension until permit issued
6 Category 2 FRW 50,000 and suspension of new activities
Change of building use without permit until permit issued
Category 3 FRW 500,000 and suspension of new
activities until permit issued,
Category 4 FRW 2,000,000 and request for permit;
suspension of new activities until permit
issued
Category 5 FRW 2,500,000 and request for permit;
suspension of new activities until permit
issued
7 Demolition without permit Category 4 FRW 2,000,000 and request for permit;
suspension until permit issued

Category 5 FRW 5,000,000 and request for permit;

suspension until permit issued
8 Construction without certified architect and/ or Category 3 Permittee FRW 300,000, suspension of building
engineer activities until compliance;
9 Construction without contractor and Category 4 and 5 Permittee FRW 5,000,000 and request for permit;
supervisor suspension until compliance
10 Building activities with expired permit and no Category 2 Permittee FRW 50,000 and request for permit
request for renewal approved renewal; suspension until authorization
granted
10 Category 3 FRW 500,000 and request for permit
renewal, suspension until authorization
granted

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Category 4 FRW 2,000,000 and request for permit

renewal; suspension until authorization
granted
Category 5 FRW 2,500,000 and request for permit
renewal; suspension until
authorization granted
11 Building permit violating the provisions land use, All categories Issuing authority Removal at the cost of the issuing authority
rural and urban planning documents with possible compensation to the
permittee
after assessment of the case;
12 Construction violating safety and stability of the All categories Defaulter Immediate Suspension of construction
building activities,
Correction of defects or removal based on
building assessment Audit report.
13 Incompliance (deviation) of any approved design of Category 2 Permittee FRW 50,000 and immediate correction
the development with the approved building plans

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Category 3 500,000 FRW and immediate correction, or

request for permit to modify;
suspension until compliance
Category 4 FRW 2,000,000 and immediate correction, or
request for permit to modify;
suspension until compliance
Category 5 FRW 2,500,000 and immediate correction, or
request for permit to modify; suspension until
compliance
14 Incompliance with equipment and facilities Public use buildings FRW 2,000,000 and obligation to comply
related to fire safety Category 4 and 5
15 Incompliance with security equipment Public use buildings FRW 2,000,000 and obligation to comply
category 4 and 5
16 Construction of a building without insurances Category 3 FRW 500,000 and obligation to comply

Category 4 and 5 FRW 2,000,000 and obligation to comply

17 Building operating without insurances Category 4 and 5 FRW 2,000,000 and obligation to comply

18 Incompliance with the instructions of inspectors Category 2 Permittee or FRW 50,000 and obligation to comply
Category 3 defaulter FRW 500,000 and obligation to comply
Category 4 FRW 2,000,000 and obligation to comply
Category 5 FRW 2,500,000 and obligation to comply
19 Obstruction of inspector on duty All categories Permittee or FRW 200,000 and obligation to comply
defaulter
20 Failure to display construction site signage All categories Permittee or FRW 50,000 and obligation to comply
defaulter
21 Unauthorized construction activities that interrupt Primary distributor Defaulter FRW 200,000 and immediate stop and
public road usage on roads as categorized by Road reversal of condition
UPC, or which encroach beyond the plot Secondary distributor FRW 100,000 and immediate stop and
boundary without prior permission Road reversal of condition
Local distributor road FRW 50,000 and immediate stop and reversal
of condition
Access road FRW 50,000 and immediate stop and reversal
of condition
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22 Prohibited activity as defined by UPC in

environmentally sensitive areas other than
construction of a building

Flood plains 100.000 and immediate stop and reversal of

condition

Wetlands 100.000 and immediate stop and reversal of

condition

Steep slopes, 200.000 and immediate stop and reversal of

ridgelines and hilltops condition

Natural open space 50.000 and immediate stop and reversal of

condition

914
 Official Gazette no.Special of 16/04/2019

Bibonywe kugira ngo bishyirwe ku Seen to be annexed to Ministerial Order Vu pour être annexé à l’Arrêté
mugereka w’Iteka rya Minisitiri n° 03/CAB.M/019 of 15/04/2019 Ministériel n° 03/CAB.M/019 du
n°03/CAB.M/019 ryo ku wa 15/04/2019 determining urban planning and 15/04/2019 déterminant les règlements
rishyiraho amabwiriza ajyanye building regulations d’urbanisme et de construction
n’imitunganyirize y’imijyi
n’imyubakire

Kigali, ku wa 15/04/2019 Kigali, on 15/04/2019 Kigali, le 15/04/2019

(sé) (sé) (sé)

GATETE Claver GATETE Claver GATETE Claver
Minisitiri w’Ibikorwa Remezo Minister of Infrastructure Ministre des Infrastructures

Bibonywe kandi bishyizweho Ikirango Seen and sealed with the Seal of the Vu et scellé du Sceau de la République:
cya Repubulika: Republic:

(sé) (sé) (sé)

BUSINGYE Johnston BUSINGYE Johnston BUSINGYE Johnston
Minisitiri w’Ubutabera/Intumwa Nkuru ya Minister of Justice/Attorney General Ministre de la Justice/Garde des Sceaux
Leta

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