DSK Sundarban

Vinod Behl

The revised version of National Building Code- NBC 2016, the state-of-the-art and most contemporary building code to regulate building construction in the country, focuses on new innovative construction materials and technologies, equipment, and machines for future sustainable developments.

In view of the growing trend of green/sustainable buildings, the revised National Building Code seeks to promote ecologically appropriate practices, use of eco- friendly construction materials and conventional and alternate technology towards the creation of sustainable human settlements. It describes comprehensive sustainability stand- ards for the building construction and related built environment. The approach to sustainability is founded in the principles of Code to adequately protect public health, safety and welfare, and to meet requirements that do not unnecessarily increase construction-cost nor restrict the use of new innovative materials, products or methods of construction.

Building material choices are important in sustainable design because of extensive network of activities such as extraction, processing, and transportation steps required for making material and activities involved thereafter till building construction and even after that. There are many frequently used building materials like reconstituted wood products, paints, glues, carpet, and upholstery which may release gases, fumes etc., from chemical components used even long after installation. These Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) affect the environment and human health. The use of rapidly renewable material, recycled materials, minimize the adverse impact. With proper selection of materials, techniques, equipment installations, cost-optimization can be achieved. National Building Code (NBC) spells that such materials should be selected which can be easily dismantled and reused or recycled at the end of their life-cycle. An ideal sustainable building material is environment-friendly, causes no adverse impact on the health of occupants, is readily available, can be reclaimed, recycled and made from renewable raw material and also has predominantly renewable energy in its extraction, production, transportation, fixing and ultimate disposal. The new National Building Code lays emphasis on broad selection of materials which fulfill most of these criteria.

The growing trend of glazed windows/doors in buildings and structures, has considerably increased the importance of glazing and need for proper workmanship. Considering the importance of glazing in building construction, glass, the primary glazing element has to be selected to cater to several requirements and the glazing has to be designed to meet various engineering requirements. Considering all this, National Building Code (NBC), for the first time, has introduced a separate section on glazing which provides guidance in the selection of appropriate glazing for various types of building construction, energy, and light aspects besides selecting thickness of glass for glazing and human impact safety. With a view to boost sustainability, the building code for the first time includes process for glazing in buildings with respect to their effect on energy, light and selection and manifestation of glass with respect to safety. It also focuses on energy conservation, use of solar energy by way of solar water heating systems, solar steam systems for cooking and laundry, solar-assisted refrigeration/air conditioning systems, solar photo voltaic systems, and efficient lighting.

Keeping in view the unprecedented growth of high-rise buildings with increasing demand for lifts and growing trend of escalators and moving walks, National Building Code (NBC) includes a special chapter on them with their updated performance measurements, especially the requirements for high speed lifts.

Taking note of the rapid urbanization that is set to expand built-up area by 4 times by 2015, posing major challenge to environment, the Code lays emphasis on sustainable buildings which have demonstrated reduction in energy and water consumption to less than half of the consumption in conventional buildings and complete elimination of construction and operational waste through recycling. As modern buildings consume 25-30% of total energy, National Building Code (NBC) 2016 focuses on energy efficiency through high technology, innovation, and use of products, materials and designs with lower embodied energy. Ventilation has now taken the centre-stage for sustainability in design, construction and operation of buildings. National Building Code (NBC) has covered lighting and natural ventilation with further strategies for sustainable buildings. Aiming towards these objectives, in this Code, due consideration has been given to these important dimensions in building planning, design and construction and during operation through effective utilization of natural light, material selection including recycling and reuse aspects, design approach, proper management practices, efficient electrical and other building services, plumbing services, energy conservation, rain water harvesting, etc.

Emerald Court

Keeping in view the growth of high-rise buildings with increasing demand for lifts and growing trend of escalators and moving walks and high impact of lifts and escalators on environment, the revised National Building Code focuses on lifts and escalators with a view to ensure that they are energy-efficient. National Building Code (NBC) in its 2016 version, has included a chapter on lifts and escalators, with their updated performance measurements and provisions as per the revised standards of lifts. The Code also focuses on requirements for high speed lifts including ones for firefighting and emergency evacuation. In order to meet the new challenges associated with high-rise buildings, the new building code has come up with detailed guidelines on construction management and comprehensive regulations and certification of structural safety of buildings with a series of improvements in safety provisions.

Today. when the construction/real estate sector is bogged down by large scale project delays, National Building Code underscores the need to speed-up projects through use of appropriate construction technologies like Pre-fabrication in order to meet the goal of 'Housing for All'. As such, the provisions relating to pre-fabricated systems and on-site pre fabrication have been updated. Pre- fabricated construction is meant to meet the timeline challenges of super tall buildings while at the same time, ensuring quality construction. For faster building construction, the Code also spells out provisions on integrated and faster approval process, single window approach and computerization in building permit process, updated mechanism for safety including certification of buildings against natural disasters, urban planning including concepts of high density group housing and integrated townships, updated norms for low-income housing, rural habitat planning, development planning norms for hilly and coastal areas and requirements for buildings and facilities for universal accessibility, etc, to ensure orderly and sustained development for better quality of life.

Today when the construction sector is bogged-down with unprecedented and large scale project delays, National Building Code underscores the need to speed-up projects through the use of appropriate technologies like pre-fabrication.

As telecommunication plays a vital role in modern society today, the residential and commercial buildings have a broad variety of telecom systems. In view of this, the building code puts a special focus on 'Information & Communication- Enabled Installations', describing the essential requirements, technology systems and cabling. The telecom infrastructure in the building, has to be supportive for multiple technologies, products and requirements of telecom service providers. The Code puts an emphasis on considering modern telecom technologies such as Distributed Antenna System, Wifi and others, in building solution during the planning stage of the building. The enabling infrastructure includes cable-riser systems, conduits, cable trays etc. Space needs to be created for installation of equipment at the entry point of service and running the cables etc., through shafts and horizontal conduits inside the walls, centre of corridors and centre of work space, etc. This telecom infrastructure, according to the Code, needs to support future needs. Also, in view of the emerging trend of smart homes, National Building Code (NBC) 2016 talks about high-tech systems. It has upgraded the clause on building automation system to include the latest practices for web- based monitoring and control of performance parameters. Similarly, testing, balancing, commissioning, and handing over of heating and mechanical ventilation system clause, has been extensively revised to include adoption of state-of-the-art procedures.

In line with 'UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities', 'National Policy for Persons with Disabilities' and Modi Government's mission 'Accessible India, Empowered India', the Building Code, for the first time, comes out with comprehensive provisions for barrier-free environment for elderly and disabled persons. The universal barrier-free design of buildings for urban and rural areas, is meant to enhance safety and ease of use for not just disabled persons but for every citizen.

The National Building Code (NBC) 2016, a revision of National Building Code (NBC) 2005, intended to help regulate the building construction in the country with its applicability to municipal corporations, local urban bodies, Public Works Departments (PWD), and other construction agencies, has been finalised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and is being readied for release this year.
Colliers leads AI revolution in construction with remote monitoring tool CoGence
Real estate advisor, Colliers, has been carving a niche in the tech space with its AI-enabled platform CoGence. Designed to detect anomalies at construction sites and generate a high precision quality report, the tool is widely being applied at several of the

Read more ...

Cement volumes to expand by 9-10% in FY 2024 despite moderation in growth in H2: operating margins to improve by 260-310 bps to 16.0-16.5%: ICRA
ICRA expects cement volumes to rise by a healthy 9-10% in FY2024 supported by demand from infrastructure and urban housing sectors. In H1 FY2024, the volumes increased by 11-12% YoY. Nevertheless, the below normal monsoons could impact the

Read more ...

Polls Perk Up Realty & Infra Projects And Vice Versa
The ruling government is pushing speedier completion of real estate, housing, and infrastructure projects to win the confidence of voters in the upcoming elections in five states and the General elections in 2024. In turn, the polls are providing a renewed

Read more ...

Critical Considerations for Effectively Digitalizing the Engineering & Construction Industry
The Engineering & Construction (E&C) industry has typically lagged behind its peers in adopting cutting-edge technology. However, E&C companies have now begun to witness the humungous benefits that digitalization can reap. From increased productivity

Read more ...

IMEC:  A Big Booster for India’s Infra Construction Sector
The 8000 km multimodal transport corridor known as the India Middle-East Europe Corridor (IMEC) initiated at the recent G20 Conclave in New Delhi, is set to open up a multi-billion dollar opportunity for the growth of India’s infrastructure and construction companies

Read more ...

Considerations for Site Selection for Engineering Plant Projects
Site selection is the first and most important factor for location of any Engineering Plant Project as they involve huge construction costs. An unsuitable or wrong project site can result in great loss and may also lead to delays or failure of the project. Anil Kumar Nanda

Read more ...

Construction Mishaps - A Question Mark on Quality & Safety
Zainab Faridi compiles a series of recent construction mishaps that not only underscore the perils faced by Indian construction workers but also expose the urgent need for stricter quality check parameters, a skilled workforce, accountable project management

Read more ...

Decarbonizing Construction Industry for a Greener Future
A recent report by Deliotte - Shell indicates that the construction sector accounts for 37% of global CO2 emissions, of which 16% represent embodied carbon, that is carbon dioxide coming from material sourcing and manufacturing, logistics, and construction

Read more ...

Policy Prescription for Circular Economy to Boost Infra Construction
At a time when India is pushing policy reforms in a big way to provide a major boost to its economy, the generation of colossal 9.46 million tons of plastic waste every year and 150 metric tons of construction waste annually (about 40% of the global

Read more ...

7 Years of RERA Of Promising Gains, Challenges & Pitfalls
After seven years of its journey, the landmark reform of RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Act) has made some remarkable gains in terms of regulating the sector and protecting the interests of homebuyers. Especially considering that two crucial years were

Read more ...

National Ropeway Development Programme to Boost Real Estate
A massive USD 15 billion National Ropeway Development Programme of the Central Government, currently underway, will provide a major aerial connectivity boost to real estate, especially in Tier 2-3 cities that have high tourism potential. A Rs 1.25 lakh crore

Read more ...

J&K Realty and Infrastructure Development on Fast Track
As Jammu & Kashmir prepares to host G-20 Tourism Meet in Srinagar from 22-24 May 2023, the strides made by the Union Territory on urban development (in a run up to this conclave following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019), will provide

Read more ...

Ashoka Buildcon Achieves Largest Continuous Concrete Pour for Building Project
Ashoka Buildcon Limited has several prestigious projects under its belt and has to its credit notable record-breaking achievements - the latest being casting of a raft with 12400 cubic meters of concrete. With this feat, the company is eager to get

Read more ...

Investment Bonanza in UP to Fast-Track - Real Estate & Infrastructure Development
Riding high on landmark reforms and performance-driven governance, Uttar Pradesh has received a record investment proposals of over 33.50 trillion from Indian and foreign investors at the recently organised 3-day Global Investor Summit (GIS) in Lucknow

Read more ...

Mega Projects: Redefining Geographies
Mega infrastructure projects like flyovers, elevated roads, highways, metros, bridges, tunnels, expressways, etc, are redefining how we interact with our surroundings; in fact, Infrastructure is intrinsically linked to everyday life and is a defining

Read more ...

Major Connectivity Projects to Transform Urban Development Landscape of Delhi-NCR
With some state elections and general elections in sight, the Modi government has pulled out all stops to put its mega infrastructure projects on fast track for the socio-economic upliftment of people. A number of such key infrastructure projects

Read more ...

Women in Construction - Diverse Perspectives Will Drive Progress
India’s construction industry is advancing and embracing new technologies, and thereby throwing up exciting opportunities for women to grow professionally in traditionally male-dominated roles. With the advent of robotics, digital twins, and remote

Read more ...

Dola Roychowdhury - Founder Director, GCube Consulting Engineers LLP
The pay parity issue is very subtle and fragmented. It doesn't exist at entry levels any longer - but tends to widen as you go up the chain and hit that invisible ceiling. Compared to the global gender ratio of about 12%, India's female ratio is much lowe

Read more ...

Minimol Korulla - Maccaferri ISEAP
The global Infrastructure Construction industry currently has a female workforce ratio of 10% to 14%, while in India it is 8% to 12%. However, the representation of women in senior managerial roles is less than 2% - both globally and in India. The lack

Read more ...

Rubee Kongbrailatpam - Public Works Department, Manipur
The shift in perspective towards women's roles in the construction industry and the de-genderization of roles is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Stereotypes and prejudices against women in construction

Read more ...