National Building Codes :- An Ultimate Guide For Building Codes and Standards in India

To strive for maximum safety and achievement of minimum welfare standards for residents of a building, the concerned governing body implements a set of guidelines for the regulation of construction activities, which is called the National Building Code. These codes are a combination of administrative regulations and certain local laws for governing the construction of a building. Going by the definition, building codes are the guidelines for the right construction of a structure, with a major emphasis on the safety and security of the result.

It was in the year 1970 when India published its first National Building Code (NBC Codes) which was presented with the provision of:

• The overall safety of the building
• Ease of access for disabled people and senior citizens
• Life and fire safety
• The design which is earthquake resistant
• Using better building techniques
• Using rainwater harvesting and solar energy techniques for environment-friendly construction of a building
• Implementing waste management

The Implementation of Building Codes and Standards

A local governing authority has to formally adopt the building code for its implementation. Every three years, the International Codes are presented by the ICC for the adoption of up-to-date regulations by the states and jurisdictions. This is common for local jurisdictions and states because, with the adoption of updated standards, they maintain a uniform collection of regulations for more than the cycle period, which is three years.      

For the legit implementation of a building code, the local governing body executes a department or code official, which is overseen by a building administration official. The office is responsible for conducting inspections to ensure that the building is constructed in compliance with the building code. At times, the rural jurisdictions sign a contract with a private firm or building administration for carrying out the inspection.

Effect of Building Code on Retail Business and Construction

Usually, a business owner will keep the prices of the products in a way that extracts the overhead cost. In the beginning, the price of constructing a new building that is code compliant and the cost to develop an existing building as per the code is mentioned in the business plan. But an existing trader would have no use in knowing these prices earlier. When the businessman faces the condition of installing restrooms in a store or checking the compliance of fire codes, he/she has to go through an unforeseen expense. And if he adjusts the cost of construction in the prices of his goods, he will lose competitiveness in the market. 

Advantages of Implementing the National Building Codes and Standards

• Protection of safety and health of the public and sanitation and security of both new and existing structures.
• Protection of financial values and investment values of the property. In case a structure is not compliant with the updated building code, it remains at a higher risk of damage and loss.
• Property insurers will not cover the construction claim without adequate inspection and permits.
• Ensuring that the buildings are capable of handling natural and man-made hazards.

Challenges Faced by Citizens

One of the biggest challenges faced by a community that is planning the adoption of a building code is to get the public in consent of it, especially if the area is at lower risk of hazards or does not have a history of hazards. Another one is the right implementation of the building code along with its administration and gaining the ICC building certificate or national building code certificate.

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