SAFETY PROVISIONS FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

(110) High rise building

For the purposes of this Chapter high rise building means a building having more than four floors and or 15 metres of height from ground level.

(111) Provisions to apply as modified for high rise buildings

In the case of high rise buildings, the provisions in these rules elsewhere shall apply subject to modification in this chapter.

(112) Staircase

(1)              Every high rise building shall have at least two staircases.

(2)              The height of the handrail in the staircase shall not be less than 90 cms. and if balusters are provided no gap in the balusters shall be more than 10 cms. wide.

(113) Guard rails or parapets

Every slab or balcony overlooking any exterior or interior open space which are 2 metres or more below shall be provided with parapet walls or guard rails or height not less than 1.20 metres and such guard rails shall be firmly fixed to the walls and slabs and shall be of blank walls, metal grills or a combination of both:

          Provided that if metal grills are used they shall not be made of continuous horizontal members to prevent climbing on them:

          Provided further that guard rails shall not be made of glass or any milar materials which are not reinforced to prevent breaking.

(114) Fire escape stairway

(1)              Every high rise building shall be provided with an external fire escape stairway.

(2)              External fire escape stairway shall be connected to public or common areas on all floors and shall lead directly to ground.

(3)              At least two sides of the stairway shall have external walls, these sides being provided as open or with break open glass.

(4)              The stairway shall be provided with landing areas accessible from the external side or an external stairway which is wholly open and removed from the main building and shall be away from the main stairway.

(115)  Ducts

Every opening to interior or exterior duct shall be provided with protective covering consisting of strong parapet wall having not less than 90 cms height from every floor level and the portion above such parapet wall shall be provided with openable and locable shutters fixed with apaque or translucent glass which do not cause splinters when broken; the shutters shall be provided with opaque metal sheets or with metal grills or bars either in the front or on the rear.

(116) Windows

Every window opening on the upper floors and overlooking an exterior or interior open space shall be provided with protective grills or bars with iron work or with some suitable material.

(117) Open spac

Every high rise building if does not about on two motorable roads, shall be provided with a minimum of 5.0 metres wide open space on any one of its sides, contiguous to the front yard to facilitate fire fighting.

(118) Lift for residential apartments

Every high rise residential apartment having more than ten dwelling units shall be provided with at least one lift of 13 persons capacity.

(119) Parapets to terrace floor

Where access is provided over the terrace floor or to the terrace floor, the edges of the terrace floor shall be provided with parapet walls made of stable materials to a height of not less than 120 cms.

(120) Structural design

Application for construction or reconstruction or addition or alternation of any high rise building shall be accompanied by one set of structural design and drawings and structural stability certificate prepared and issued by a registered engineer.