1 Requirements of Building Sites

1 No piece of land shall be used as a site for the construction of buildings under
the following circumstances :
(a) Improper Drainage;
(b) Sanitarily dangerous;
(c) If the proposed development is likely to negatively impact urban aesthetic environment or
ecology.
(d) Liable to liquefaction, except where appropriate protection measures are taken
(d) Site is in low lying area and liable to flooding, except where protection measures are adopted
(e) If the site is within a distance of nine meters from the water spread area of a tank at full tank
level;
(f) If the site is over service lines
(g) If the site has not been approved for the building purpose
(h) If the construction is to be done over places of worship or where traffic obstructions may be
caused
(i) If the use of the said site is for the purpose of establishing a factory, warehouse, or work place
which in the opinion of the Authority affects the neighbourhood
(j) If it violates any provisions of master plan and zoning regulations;
(k) If the plot is a revenue site for which permission under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act,
1964 is not obtained under section 95 thereof.
2 If an active fault trace is identified by Geological Survey of India, a structure for
human occupancy should not be placed over the fault trace and must be set
back by a minimum of 15m on either side of fault trace.
3 Excavation in any site (including wells), for more than 00m depth, and filling in
any site for more than 00m height (00m height in sites of low-lying or water
logging areas and open fields) requires written permission from the Authority
before taking up such work. The Authority decision will be based on the
geotechnical report issued by a Registered Geotechnical Engineer.

2 Means of Access
1 The means of exclusive access other than through public roads and streets,
shall not be of more than 30m in length from a public road or street. The
minimum width of such access shall be 5m. FAR and height of buildings
coming up on such plots connected by means of exclusive access shall be
regulated according to the width of public street or road. If the means of access
exceeds 30m in length, FAR shall be regulated with reference to the width of
such access road. Construction of buildings on plots with common access
roads/lanes, the public road /street shall be regulated according to the width of
such common access roads/lanes.
2 No building shall be erected so as to obstruct the means of access of any other
building.
3 No person shall erect a building so as to encroach upon the means of access.
4 The means of access shall be clearly shown in the plans submitted indicating the
width, distance from the public road, width of the public road from which the
access is taken etc.
5 Every such means of access shall be drained and lighted to the satisfaction of
the Authority and manhole covers or other drainage, water or any other fittings,
laid in such means of access shall flush with the finished surface level so as not
to obstruct the safe movement.
6 The existing width of the means of access shall not be reduced in any case.
7 Construction of residential buildings up to[ 150sqm of built up area] (2 tenement)
may be permitted only under special circumstances, even if the width of the
means of access is less than 5m.

3 Open Spaces (within a plot), Coverage and FAR

1 General
(1) Every room intended for human habitation shall abut on an interior or exterior open space or
open verandah open to such interior or exterior open space.
(2) The open spaces inside and around a building have essentially to cater for lighting and
ventilation requirements of the rooms abutting such open spaces, and in the case of buildings
abutting on roads in the front, rear or sides, the open spaces provided shall be sufficient for
the future widening of such roads.
(3) Open spaces separate for each building or wing: The open spaces shall be separate or
distinct for each building and where a building has two or more wings, each wing shall have
separate or distinct open spaces for the purpose of lighting and ventilation of the wings.
However, separation between accessory and main buildings more than 7m in height shall not be
less than 5m; for buildings up to 7m in height no such separation shall be required.
(4) The open space shall be the minimum distance measured between the front, rear and side of
the building and the respective plot boundaries. The front, rear and side of the building shall be
the points of the building nearest to the boundary.
2 General rules while enforcing the set backs for all types of buildings
a) When the building lines are fixed, the front set back shall not be less
than the building line fixed or the minimum front set back prescribed
whichever is higher.
b) In he case of sites where more than one side is facing the road, all sides shall be taken as
front sides and setbacks are to be taken accordingly.
c) In case of irregular plots set backs are to be calculated according to the depth or width at the
points where the depth or width is the least.
In such cases, average set backs should not be fixed, as they may effect minimum set back at
any point.
k) The left and right set-backs may be interchanged by the authority in exceptional cases due to
existing site conditions such as open well, presence of trees and also considering the topography
of the land.
l) In case of two or more buildings proposed on a single site, the setbacks shall be applied by
considering them as a common building. In such cases, the distance between the two buildings
shall be minimum of half the height of the taller building.
m) Public open space or conservancy lanes adjoining the plot should not be considered as
setbacks.
3 Plots facing the road proposed for widening
(c) Ramp or parking is not allowed in the land required for road widening;
(d) The FAR shall be allowed as applicable to the total area of the site without deducting the area
to be taken over for road widening, provided at least 60% of the site area is available for use as a
building site after the proposed road widening; and set back shall be determined for the
remaining portion of the plot.
(e) Existing road width along the site shall be considered for calculating the FAR and the
proposed road width shall not be the factor for this purpose.
4 Additions, alterations and modifications
(b) In case of the buildings which were existing prior to coming into force
of these byelaws, upper floors may be permitted according to the
existing set backs only, but limiting the FAR and the number of floors
according to the present byelaws, subject to production of the
foundation certificate.
5 Interior open spaces
The whole or one side of one or more rooms intended for human habitation but
not abutting on any of the front, rear or side open spaces shall abut onto an
interior open space of minimum width of 3m.

4 Building at Intersection of Streets

At the intersection of streets, the corners of the boundary of the plot shall be
rounded off or cut off after leaving a minimum distance of 5m from the point of
intersection. The Authority may further require the corner of the building to be
rounded off or cut off parallel to the rounded off or cut-off boundary up to the
height of the ground floor. In such cases the FAR is to be allowed for the total area
of the plot. Entry or exit for the buildings shall be provided away from the point of
intersection.
5 Basement Floor
2 If the plinth of the ground floor of the building is constructed leaving more set
back than the minimum prescribed, the basement floor may extend beyond this
plinth of the building, but no part of the set-backs shall be used for the basement
other than for parking.
3 Every basement storey shall be at least 4m in height from the floor to the
bottom of the roof slab / beam / ceiling (whichever is less).
4 The basement storey should not project more than 50m above the average
ground level.
6 Basement floor is not permissible on sites where the setbacks prescribed are
less than 2m.
8 Access to the basement floor, used for other than parking purposes, shall be
from inside the building.
9 Adequate protection against fire shall be provided to the basement storey. The
roof separating the basement and the floor above shall be constructed of
materialsthat have a fire rating of two hours. Where a basement floor is permitted in apartment
houses (residential flat) and hotels, the owner shall display the basement plan at
the entrance. Thimbles (metal rings to receive wires/ropes) shall be provided in
the roof of the basement and their positions clearly indicated on the plan. One
fire extinguisher for every 100sqm of basement area or part thereof, shall be
provided.
12 No place in a basement floor shall be more than 125m away from the exit in
case of residential/educational/institutional/hazardous buildings, 15m for
commercial buildings and 25m for industrial buildings.
13 One additional basement for all buildings exceeding five floors may be permitted
for parking and machines used for services and utilities of the buildings. The
maximum number of basements in such buildings shall be two.
14 Two additional basements in case of three Star and above hotels may be
permitted for parking and machines used for service and utilities of buildings.
The maximum number of basements in such buildings shall be three.
15 Provision of ramp in setback: A ramp provided from surface level of the site to
the basement floor shall have a minimum width of 50 meters and slope of not
more than 1 in The gradient of a ramp shall start after leaving a minimum
distance of 1m from the front boundary of the plot. In the case of high rise
buildings, the ramp may be provided in the set back area without affecting the
free movement of fire tenders.
16 Activities allowed in Basement floors:
b. In case of three star hotel and above if extra area is available in the
basement after meeting the requirements of parking facilities and other
necessary items as provided in the byelaws, the same can be used for
health club, shopping arcade, dining area without kitchen facilities,
offices, conference hall, gym rooms, massage rooms, subject to
reckoning such areas for FAR.
c. In case of other commercial buildings, the spare area in the basement
after catering to the requirements of parking facilities and other
necessary items as provided in the byelaws, can be used for other
purposes incidental to the commercial complex, such as restaurants,
shopping arcade, health club, offices, subject to reckoning such areas for FAR.

d. In case of public, semi-public buildings, the extra area available in the

basement after fulfilling the required parking facilities as per byelaws can
be used for;
i. Canteen, conference hall, indoor games, stores in educational
institutions, government offices of Local bodies and other
statutory organisations;
ii. X-ray rooms, radiology rooms, consulting rooms, physiotherapy,
medical stores and canteens in government and private hospitals
including nursing homes.
e. In case of multi-storey residential apartments, the extra area available in
the basement after meeting the requirements of parking facilities, can be
used for other purposes incidental to the residential requirement, (such
as shopping, health club, gym rooms, indoor games), to a maximum of
5% of the total built up area, subject to reckoning such areas for the
purposes of FAR.
f. In case of other residential buildings, the extra area available after
catering to the requirements of parking can be used for play home, gym
rooms, indoor games and professional consulting rooms (to a maximum
of 20 Sqm) subject to reckoning such areas for the purpose of FAR.
6 Garages
1 For garages no side or rear setbacks are to be insisted. One upper floor, not exceeding 0m, in
height shall be permitted provided no openings are provided towards neighbouring buildings and
at least one opening for light and ventilation is provided towards the owners property.
2 In case of corner plots, the garage shall be located at the rear corner diagonally
opposite to the road intersection.
3 The maximum width of the garage shall not exceed 4m.
4 The garages shall not be constructed or reconstructed within 5m from road edge. This may be
relaxed in cases where the garage forms part of the main building with minimum setback for the
plot.A garage not exceeding 00 meters width may be permitted as part of the main building with
minimum setbacks applicable to such a building, provided such a garage is not located at the
intersection of roads in the case of corner sites. The length of the garage shall
not exceed one third of the length of the corresponding side of the site or 00m, whichever is less.
8 Plinth
1 The height of the plinth at the ground floor level should not be less than 0.45m.
The basement height should not project more than 1m above the average
ground level. In case of sloping street reference shall be made with respect of
the street level at the centre of the frontage of the plot. Where the level of the
plot is different from the street level, the plinth height shall be determined by the
Authority with respect to the surrounding average ground level so that adequate
drainage from the site is assured.
2 In case of plots situated in low lying areas/flood prone areas, the plinth level shall
be above the maximum flood level notified by the MCC. The plinth level shall
be such that sufficient gradient is created for sewerage, and to avoid any risk of
surface drains flooding the building.
3 In case of access steps to the plinth, the construction shall be within the plot
boundaries. In special cases, where the general level of the site is higher than
the street level, the Authority shall have the power to impose conditions on the
building schemes prescribing the location of the building and of any steps or
ramps leading from the streets to the proposed building within the plot only.
Such access ways shall be kept completely free of obstructions and open to the
sky.
9 Wells
3 The well shall have a minimum diameter of not less than 1m.
4 The ground adjoining the well shall, for a distance of not less than 20m in

every direction, be covered, with a watertight pavement constructed so as to

slope away from the well.
5 A drain shall be constructed around such pavement for draining the water and it
shall be connected to the house drainage.
6 A parapet wall not less than seventy five centimeters high will be constructed
above the level of the pavement.
7 The sides of the well shall be rendered impervious for a depth of not less than
8m from the level of the adjoining ground.
10 Other Requirements of Buildings
10.1 Habitable rooms
(1) No habitable room shall have a floor area of less than 0sqm for plot sizes
up to 120sqm with a minimum width of 4m.
(2) The minimum height of all rooms used for human habitation shall be 75m measured from the
surface of the floor to the lowest point of the ceiling (bottom slab). In case of air conditioned
rooms, the height of not less than 4m measured from the surface of the floor to the lowest point
of the air conditioning duct or false ceiling shall be provided. Where beams are provided the
minimum head room shall be 4m.
10.2 Kitchen
(1) The area of the kitchen where a separate dining area is provided shall not be less than 5sqm
with a minimum width of 8m. Where there is a separate store, the size of the kitchen may be
reduced to 5sqm. A kitchen which is also intended for dining shall have a floor area of not less
than 5sqm with a minimum width of 1m.
(2) The height of the kitchen shall not be less than 75m. Where beams are provided the minimum
head room shall be 4 m.
(3) Every room to be used as a kitchen shall have the following conveniences, namely:
(a) Unless separately provided with a pantry, provision should be made for washing of kitchen
utensils with proper drainage.
(b) An impermeable floor.
(c) Proper chimney or exhaust fan to be provided for the escape of gases.
10.3 Store room
(1) The height of a store room shall not be less than 2m.
(2) The size of store room, where provided in a residential building, shall not be less than 3sqm.
10.4 Power room
In the case of multi-storey buildings, the panel boards and other instruments related to power
supply shall be housed in a separate room reserved for the purpose. In no case, the space under
the staircase shall be utilized for installing the panel boards as they may be possible sources of
fire hazards and prevent the safe evacuation of the occupants.
10.5 Bath room and water closet
(1) The size of a bath room shall not be less than 8sqm with a minimum width of 2m. If it is a
combined bath and water closet, its floor area shall not be less than 0sqm, with a minimum width
of 2m. The minimum floor area for water closets shall be 1sqm with a minimum
width of 0.9m.
(2) The height of a bath room or water closet measured from the surface of the floor to the lowest
point of ceiling shall not be less than 2m.
(3) Every room used as bath room and water closet, a) Shall be so situated that at least one of its walls shall have external wall opening.
b) Shall have the platform or seat, made of water-tight non-absorbent materials.
c) Shall be enclosed by walls or partitions and the surface of every such wall or partition shall be
furnished with a smooth impervious material to a height of not less than 1m above the floor of
such a room.
d)

i. Shall be provided with an impervious floor covering, sloping towards the drain with a suitable
grade and not towards verandah or any other room.
ii. Shall not be used for any purpose except as a lavatory and no such room shall open directly
into a kitchen or cooking space by a door, window or other openings. Every room containing
water closets shall have a door completely closing the entrance to it.
e) Shall have flush out facility.
(4) Sanitary requirements:
(a) Office buildings, commercial buildings, cinemas, theatres, auditorium, meetings halls:
(i) Every building shall be provided with at least one water closet in each floor, separately for
males and females.
(iii) One urinal shall be provided for every 25 males or part thereof and one water closet for every
25 females or part thereof up to 100 persons. For any number exceeding 100, one urinal for
every 50 persons shall be provided.
(iv) There shall be provided one water closet for every 50 persons of each sex or part thereof up
to 500 persons and for excess over 500, one water closet for every 100 persons of
each sex or part thereof shall be provided. However, if the total number of employees in such a
building or the number of persons likely to use such building does not exceed 20 one watercloset each for both sexes shall be sufficient and no urinal may be provided.
(v) An office building shall be deemed to be occupied by persons or employees at the rate of one
per every 5sqm of the floor area and sanitary facilities shall be provided according to the number
of employees or occupants so worked out.
(d) Residential Building or Residential Tenements:
Each residential building or residential tenement shall be provided with at least one water-closet.
10.5 Septic tank/ Soak pit
(a) In the case where there are no drainage facilities available to the land to be developed, the
owner/developer shall provide septic tank; soak pit/soak well for disposal of sewage and waste
water.
(b) Septic tank/soak pit/soak well may be allowed in setback. The requirements of septic tank are
given in Byelaw.
10.6 Mezzanine floor
(1) Not more than one mezzanine floor shall be permissible in a building.
(2) A Mezzanine floor shall be accessible only from its lower floor.
(3) Minimum size of mezzanine floor if it is used as a living room shall be 5 sqm. The aggregate
area of a mezzanine floor shall not exceed 1/3 (or 33.3%) of covered area of its lower floor.
(4) The minimum height of mezzanine floor shall be 2m.
(8) A mezzanine floor or any part of it shall not be used as a kitchen.
(9) In no case, a mezzanine floor shall be closed so as to make it liable to be
converted into unventilated compartments.
(10) Mezzanine floor area shall be considered while calculating FAR.
10.7 Loft
(1) A loft provided in a kitchen shall not exceed 25% of the area of the kitchen and when provided
over a bath room, water closet and corridor, the loft can occupy up to 100% of the area.
(2) The head room or the loft shall be not more than 5m.

10.8 Staircase
(1) The Minimum width of staircases shall be as follows:

(2) The minimum width of tread without nosing shall be 25cm for residential buildings. The
minimum width of tread for other buildings shall be 30cm.Maximum riser shall be 19cm. for
residential buildings and 15cm. for other buildings and they shall be limited to 15 per flight.
The minimum clear head room in a stair case shall be 2m.The surface material of stairs, treads
and landings shall be such as not to involve undue danger of slipping.
10.9 Lift
Provision of lifts shall be made for all buildings with a height of 15m and above
and/ or having more than ground plus three floors in accordance with the National
Building Code with regard to planning and designing of lift. Lifts shall be
terminated at the topmost floor.
10.10 Lightning Conductor
Lightning conductors (i.e., sufficient and properly earthed apparatus for protection of the building
and its occupants against damage by lightening) shall be provided for structures with inherent
explosive risks (such as explosives factories, stores and dumps and fuel
tanks).
Lighting conductors shall be also provided:
a. where large numbers of people congregate
b. where essential public services are concentrated
c. where the area is one in which lightning strokes are prevalent
d. where there are tall or isolated structures
e. where the structures are on hill tops
f. where there are structures of historic or cultural importance
Since there are many cases where it is not easy to make a decision whether to provide lighting
conductor or not, the factors affecting the risk of being struck and the consequential effects of a
stroke shall be examined to assist in decision making.
As a rule, lightning conductors may be provided in high rise buildings, if the building is highest or
one of the highest of the locality. The lighting conductors shall be periodically checked and kept
in good condition.
10.11 Boundary wall
(1) Except with the special permission of the Authority,
(a) The maximum height of the front and side boundary wall shall be 5m above the ground level.
(b) The rear boundary walls shall not have a height of more than 2m above the centre line of the
service road, or where there is no service road 2m above the ground level.
(c) In case of corner plots, the height of the boundary wall shall be restricted to 0.75m. for a
length of rounded off or cut off .

10.12 Corridor
The minimum width of corridor for different building or type is as given in the Table

5.10.13 Water supply

Before awarding the occupancy certificate, the Authorities shall verify that there are
arrangements for supply of water either through legitimate supply lines from the MCC, or through
wells/bore wells in the locality. Bore wells shall be provided in high rise buildings to provide
alternative source of water supply.
10.14 Mosquito-proof water tanks
Water storage tanks shall be maintained in perfectly mosquito-proof condition, by providing a
properly fitting hinged cover and every tank more than 50m in height shall be provided with a
permanently fixed iron/aluminum ladder to enable inspection by anti-malaria staff.
10.15 Sunshades
The sunshades shall be flat or gently sloped without any facia to avoid water stagnation which
may lead to breeding of mosquitoes.
10.16 Refuse area/disposal of solid waste
Wherever a property is developed or redeveloped, a space for community-bin for disposal of
solid waste shall be provided in the road-side front marginal open space. The owners/occupants
shall be required to provide the community-bin with air-tight cover on top at the standards
prescribed by the Authority.
10.17 Provision of letter box
In all cases of buildings having more than two floors including ground floor, a letter box of
appropriate dimension, for each separate unit shall be provided at ground floor level itself in such
a way that post man can easily deliver the posts to it.
10.18 Disposal of polluted and unpolluted water
(1) Separate drains shall be provided for the disposal of polluted and unpolluted water separately
from the buildings. Polluted water shall be the water coming out from bathrooms, water closet,
kitchen and from other parts of the building which is already used for domestic or other purposes.
Unpolluted water shall include rain water and the unpolluted subsoil water, if any. Wherever
possible, used water from bathrooms, kitchen etc shall be recycled or diverted to gardening and
other secondary uses whereas sewage from lavatories/water closet shall be connected to
sewage drain or septic tanks.
(2) Roof of every building shall be constructed so as to permit effectual drainage of rain water by
means of sufficient rain water pipes of adequate size wherever required, which shall be so

arranged, jointed and fixed as to ensure that the rain water is carried away from the building
without causing dampness in any part of the wall or foundation of the building or those of an
adjacent building or causing annoyance or inconvenience to the neighbour or passer by.
(3) Rain water pipe shall be affixed to the out-side of the external walls of the building or in
recesses or chases cut or formed in such external walls or in such other manner as may be
approved by the Authority, so as to discharge the rain water at a level not more than 0.6m above
the ground level.
(4) Rain water pipe shall be connected to the roadside drain or may be carried out in any other
approved manner without causing damage to the property of the Authority. The rain water pipes
shall be fixed so as to discharge the rain water at a level not more than 0.6m above the road
level.
10.19 Lighting and ventilation requirements
(1) Natural ventilation: Rooms shall have, for admission of light and air, one or more openings,
such as windows and ventilators, opening directly to the external air or into an open verandah.
Doors are not counted towards the area of openings in walls for lighting and
ventilation purposes.
(2) Artificial ventilation: Where the light and ventilation are not met through daylight and
natural ventilation, the same shall be ensured through artificial lighting and mechanical
ventilation, as per Part VIII Building Service section I, Lighting and ventilation of National Building
Code of India.
(3) Area of openings:
(a) Minimum aggregate area of openings excluding doors shall not be less than 1/6 thof the floor
area in the case of residential buildings. In the case of other public buildings like business
houses, educational buildings, offices, institutional and hospital buildings, the minimum
aggregate area of openings shall be not less than 1/5th of the floor area. The area of openings
shall be increased by 25% in the case of kitchen. No portion of a room shall be assumed to be
lighted if it is more than 5m from the opening.
(b) In case of bath rooms and water closets, minimum area of window or ventilator shall be
0.3sqm with side not less than 0.3m.
(4) Ventilation shaft For lighting and ventilating the space in water closets and bath rooms,
when no opening is provided towards any open spaces, they shall open on to the ventilating
shaft, the size of which shall not be less than as indicated below

11 Exit Requirements
11 General
(3) All exits shall be free of obstructions.
(4) No building shall be altered so as to reduce the number, and size of exits to less than that
required.
(5) Exits shall be clearly visible. Routes to reach the exits shall be clearly marked and signs.
(6) Wherever necessary, adequate and continuous illumination shall be provided for exits.
(7) Fire fighting equipment shall be suitably located and clearly marked.
(8) Alarm devices shall be installed to ensure prompt evacuation of the persons concerned.

(9) All exits shall provide continuous means of egress to the exterior of buildings or to the exterior
open space leading to a street.
(10) Exits shall be so arranged that they may be reached without passing through another
occupied unit.
12 Arrangement of exits Exits shall be so located that the travel distance on the
floor shall not exceed the limits given in Table 4
13 Capacity of exits
a) The unit of exit width used to measure capacity of any exist shall be 50cm. A clear width of 25
cm. shall be counted as an additional half unit. Clear width less than 25 cm shall not be counted
for exit width;
b) The occupants per unit exit width shall be as given in Table 5
14 Occupant load
The occupant load of buildings shall be worked out as given n Table 6
15 Number of exits
i) The location, width and number of exits shall be in accordance with the travel
distance, capacity of exits and the population of building based on occupant
load;
ii) There shall not be less than 2 exits serving every floor for buildings of 15m
height and above and at least one of them shall be an internal stairway.

Note 1: The travel distance to any exit from the dead end of a corridor shall not exceed
half the distance specified above except in educational, assembly and institutional
occupancies in which case it shall not exceed 6m.
Note 2: Whenever more than one exit is required for any room, space or floor of a
building, exits shall be placed as remote from each other as possible and shall be
arranged so as to provide direct access to the exits from different directions.
Note 3: For fully sprinklered building, the travel distance may be increased by 50% of
the values specified.
Note 4: Ramps shall be protected with automatic sprinkler system and shall be counted
as one of the means of escape.
Note:
Horizontal allowance: When horizontal exit is provided in buildings
mercantile,storage,industrial, business and assembly occupancies, the capacity per
storey per unit width of exit stairways in the table above, may be increased by 50% and
in the buildings of industrial occupancy, it may be increased by 100%.
*The gross area shall mean plinth area or covered area. Occupant load in dormitory
portions or homes for the aged, orphanages, asylums, etc., where sleeping
accommodation is provided, shall be calculated at not less than 5sqm gross floor area
per person.
** The gross floor area shall include, in addition, the main assembly room or space,
any occupied connecting room or space in the same storey or in the storey above or
below where entrance in common to such rooms and spaces and they are available
for use by the occupants or the assembly place. No deduction shall be made in the
gross floor area for corridors, closets or other sub-divisions. The areas shall include
all space serving the particular assembly occupancy.
Note; The occupant load of a mezzanine floor discharging to a floor below shall be
added to that floor occupancy and the capacity of the exits shall be designed for the
total occupancy load thus established.
16 Doorways
(1) Every exit doorway shall open into an enclosed stairway, a horizontal exit, or a
corridor or passageway providing continuous and protected means of egress;
(2) No exit doorway shall be less than 75cm in width in the case of residential
buildings and 100 cm in the case of other buildings. Doorways shall be not
less than 200 cm. in height.
(3) Exit doorways shall open outwards i.e., away from the room. But shall not
obstruct the travel along any exit. No door, when open, shall reduce the
required width of stairway or landing to less than 90cm. Overhead or sliding
doors shall not be installed;
(4) Exit doors shall not open immediately upon a flight of stairs; a landing equal to
at least the width of the door shall be provided in the stairway at each doorway;
level of landing shall be same as that of the floor which it serves.

17 Revolving Doors
(1) Revolving doors shall not be used as required exits except in residential,
business and commercial occupancies, but shall not constitute more than
the total required door width;
(2) When revolving doors are considered as required exitway, the following
assumptions shall be make;
(a) Each revolving door shall be counted as one half of the exit unit width.
(b) Revolving doors shall not be located at the foot of a stairway. Any stairway served by a
revolving door shall discharge through a lobby or foyer.
18 Staircase
(2) Interior staircases of all buildings with the exception of residential buildings up to G+3 floors
shall be constructed as self contained units with at least one side adjacent to an external wall.
The staircase shall be completely enclosed in the case of buildings of 15m height and above.
(3) A staircase shall not be arranged around a lift shaft unless the latter is entirely enclosed by a
material of fire resistance rating;
(4) Hollow combustible construction shall not be permitted;
(5) The minimum width of an internal staircase & reads without nosing shall be as per byelaw
10.8; maximum byelaw shall be as per byelaw 10
(8) Handrails shall be provided with a minimum height of 100cm for all buildings and shall be
firmly supported;
(9) No windings should be provided in a public building except in the case of emergency exits.
19 Fire escapes or external stairs
(1) Fire escapes shall not be taken into account in calculating the evacuation time of a building;
(2) All fire escapes above the ground level shall be directly connected to the ground and shall not
lead to the basement floor.
(3) All entrances to a fire escape shall be separate and remote from the internal staircase;
(4) The route to fire escape shall be free of obstruction at all times except a door way leading to
the fire escape which shall have the required fire resistance;
(5) Fire escapes shall be constructed of non-combustible materials;
(6) Stairs of fire escapes shall have straight flights not less than 75cm wide, 20cm. tread and with
risers not more than 19cm. The number of risers shall be limited to 16 per flight;
(7) Handrails shall be of a height of a not less than 100cm.
110 Spiral stairs (Fire escape)
The use of spiral staircases shall be limited to low occupant loads and to buildings of not more
than 9m height, unless they are connected to platforms such as balconies and terraces to
provide for a pause during escape. A spiral fire escape shall be not less than 150cm in diameter
and shall be designed to give adequate headroom.
111 Ramps
Ramps with a slope of not more than 1:10 may be substituted and shall comply with all the
applicable requirements of required stairway regarding enclosures, capacity and dimensions.
Larger slopes shall be provided for special use but in no case greater than 1 in 10. For all
slopes exceeding, 1:10 and wherever the use is such as to involve danger of slipping, the ramp
shall be surfaced with approved non-slipping materials;
112 Exit corridors and passageways
Exit corridors and passage ways shall be of width of not less than twice the aggregate required
width of exit doorways leading form them in the direction of travel to the exits. Where stairways
discharge through corridors and passage ways, the height of corridors and passage ways shall
be not less than 4 m.
12 Fire Protection in High Rise Buildings

(1) In addition to the requirement under Byelaws 110, at least one lift designed as fire-lift as
defined in the NBC, shall be installed.
(2) At least one stair-case shall be provided as a fire staircase as defined in the NBC. Provided
that this shall not be applicable if any two sides of a staircase are kept totally open to external
open air space.
(3) Water Supply: Underground tank, as fire tank, shall be provided.
(4) The internal fire hydrants shall be installed for installation of internal fire hydrants in high rise
buildings. The detailed plan showing the arrangement of pipe lines, booster pumps and watertanks at various levels shall be submitted for approval of the concerned authority along with the
plans and sections of the buildings.
(5) An external fire hydrant shall be provided within the confines of the site of the building and
shall be connected with Municipal Water mains not less than 10cm in diameter. In addition, fire
hydrant shall be connected with Booster Pump from the static supply maintained on site.
(6) Separate electric circuits for lift installation, lighting of passages, corridors and stairs and for
internal fire hydrant system shall be provided.
(8) Every building having a height of more than 15m shall be provided with generators, which can
be utilized in case of failure of electricity.
(9) The standard as prescribed in the National Building Code must be adopted fully in providing
staircase and alarm system.
(10) There should be provision of dry-powder, fire extinguisher to the extent of two on each floor
with a capacity of 5kg in all the high rise buildings.
(11) Suitable detection as well as protection arrangements shall be provided according to the fire
risks according to the high-rise residential buildings and other occupancies.
(12) Basement car parking shall be protected with automatic sprinklers.
(13) The guidelines for fire drill and evacuation procedure for high rise buildings, as given in
NBC, shall be strictly implemented.