Author's Note:

This paper was compiled and started in 2007 when the Certificate of Completion and Compliance
was just enforced but there was still much discussions on its implementation. It was an attempt to
understand the UBBL 1984 as well as its amendments which included the CCC and to share the
understanding with engineering students as the audience. The paper was revised in 2009 and now
uploaded to be shared with a larger audience.

Badrul Hisham Mohamad Said 2011

NB: References used for this paper is listed at the end of the series

UBBL 1984

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This paper is intended as an overview of the current legislations governing building and construction
industry in Malaysia.

The paper is not meant to be a comprehensive discourse on all the laws concerning property
development and construction. Nonetheless, it will give a specific review on the Uniform Building By-
Laws, 1984 / Amendments 2007 that had undergone significant amendments, as well as touching on
the principal Act 133 - Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974 / Act A1286 - Amendment 2007, in light
of the implementation of the Certificate of Completion and Compliance [CCC].

1.1 LAWS AND THE PROFESSIONALS IN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

To understand the extent of the arm of the law in the building and construction industry it is best to
illustrate the effects of some of these Acts in a property development. The following is a general idea
of the coverage of the various Acts in property development procedures and construction processes:

DEVELOPERS

In order to start a property development on a piece of land, a developer and his consultants,
especially the surveyors and town planners and to a lesser extent the architect and engineers, must
understand the provisions in the National Land Code, 1965. As an example, before turning a piece of
land into a developable real estate, the property developer will need to ascertain the Category of
Land Use and Express Conditions and Restrictions in Interest of the said land. The developer must
decide whether it will be necessary to convert its Category of Land Use from Agriculture into
Building or Industry and to undertake Amalgamation or Sub-division exercise or Surrender and Re-
alienation of the land. The developer should also be familiar with the Land Acquisition Act, 1960, if
the development involves acquisition of land by the Government for public use or of economic
benefits to the public.

As the property developer moves deeper into the development processes and beyond land matters,
the developer should be very well versed with Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act,
1966 and Strata Titles Act, 1985. These Acts govern commercial developments of landed and
stratified properties and among others the ways to conduct the construction, sale transactions and
full development of the properties.

TOWN PLANNERS
Simultaneously, a town planner will start work on a master plan of the proposed development. In
addition to the National Land Code, 1965 and the Land Acquisition Act, 1960, the town planner will
also need to understand the relevant Acts and guidelines which bound his town planning designs.
This is especially true with the Local Government Act, 1976, the Town and Country Planning Act,
1976 and the Environmental Quality Act, 1974. For instance, the requirement for Planning Approval
links the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 directly to the National Land Code, 1965. In this
instance, a Surrender and Re-Alienation exercise for the land under the National Land Code, 1965
will not be considered until a Planning Approval is obtained under the Town and Country Planning
Act, 1976.

ARCHITECTS

The architect will definitely look at aesthetics and functions as the prime movers of a design.
However, the architect must also be as concerned with the requirements of the relevant building by-
laws, i.e. with respect to requirements such as access, lighting, health, safety, ventilation, and fire
protection. To achieve the balance between good design, great functionality and the law, the
architect will need to comprehend the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984, which was enacted under
Section 133 of the Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974, and the relevant Malaysian Standards
governing design parameters such as the quality of building materials and performance, and access
for the handicapped.

If the architect is involved with the development from the earliest stages, he must also be familiar
with the National Land Code, 1965, the Land Acquisition Act, 1960, the Local Government Act, 1976,
the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 and the Environmental Quality Act, 1974. If the architect is
involved with commercial developments, he should also be very well versed with the Housing
Development (Control and Licensing) Act, 1966 and Strata Titles Act, 1985, as he will be a party to
the certification processes described in these Acts.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS

The environmental engineer will also be looking into the Environmental Quality Act, 1974. The Act
plays an important role in the protection of the environment. Normally, the environmental engineer
will be required to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] report for developments
tracts of land over 50 hectares. Nonetheless, only with inputs of other professionals, e.g. architects,
civil engineers and planners, who are guided by the various Acts related to their professions, that the
environmental engineers would be able produce the EIA report.

CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

To design the infrastructure and services for a development, a civil engineer will need to know the
regulations governing their designs for earthworks, roads and drains, water supply, sewerage and
the like. Hence, it will be useful for a civil engineer to be acquainted with some details in Acts such as
the Drainage Works Act, 1954, the Irrigation Areas Act, 1953, the Environmental Quality Act, 1974,
the Sewerage Services Act, 1993, the Waters Act, 1920 and also the Street, Drainage & Building Act,
1974,

A geotechnical engineer may wish to know about soil properties and the underground nature of the
development land, but a structural engineer will work within a prescribed standards and laws in
order to design structures.
The structural engineers main concern is to ensure the stability and soundness of buildings
foundations, sub-structures and super-structures, which nowadays are usually of steel or concrete.
Additionally, concrete work usually involves additional requirements for the concrete to withstand
fire, high impact and, its ability to prevent or water leakages or seepages.

Even though quite a number of structural engineers refer to the British Standards and related British
references for their design guidelines, some of these conditions and requirements are actually
covered in the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984.

If the C&S engineer is involved in commercial developments, they should also be very well versed
with the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act, 1966 and the Strata Titles Act, 1985,
similar to the architects, as the C&S engineer will be a party to the certification processes described
in the said Acts.

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS

The M&E engineer will be most concerned with the efficient delivery of all of the building services.
Their scope of work varies greatly between small buildings, and tall and large buildings. Definitely,
for large and tall buildings, the M&E engineer must be very familiar with the Uniform Building By-
Laws, 1984, in particular its fire protection system, lighting and mechanical ventilation requirements.
In addition, they should also be very conversant with the Factories and Machinery Act, 1967 for
guidelines on building transportations such as lifts and escalators, the Fire Services Act, 1988 for
additional fire protection requirements, the Electricity Supply Act, 1990, the Sewerage Services Act,
1993, the Communications and Multimedia Act, 1988 and the Waters Act, 1920.

Like his counterparts, the architects and the C&S engineers, if the M&E engineer is involved with
commercial developments, he should also be very well versed with the Housing Development
(Control and Licensing) Act, 1966 and the Strata Titles Act, 1985, as he will be a party to the
certification processes described in these Acts.

BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS

Builders and contractors are also bound by the same regulations governing the consultants;
particularly the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 and its principal Act, the Street, Drainage & Building
Act, 1974. However, Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1994 [OSHA] and the Construction Industry
Development Board Act, 1994 [CIDB] are two of the Acts most identifiable with the construction
industry.

For specialist contractors, especially M&E contractors, the Factories and Machinery Act, 1967, the
Electricity Supply Act, 1990, the Sewerage Services Act, 1993, the Communications and Multimedia
Act, 1988 and the Waters Act, 1920 are very relevant to their work.

The Standards of Malaysia Act, 1995 is the main Act the CIDB refers to in its pursuit for an
Industrialised Building System [IBS] wherein CIBD advocates to the industry to adopt a construction
process that utilises techniques, products, components, and/or building systems which involve pre-
fabricated components and on-site installation. Of particular interest to the construction industry
are the standardised Pre-cast Concrete Structural Framing, Panel and Box Systems, Steel Formwork
and Framing Systems, Prefabricated Timber Framing Systems and Block Work Systems.

With the implementation CCC, builders and contractors are now required to be responsible and
accountable under UBBL and the related Acts for their handiworks.
ABSTRACT

In summary, none of the players in the industry, be they property developers, building contractors
or construction professionals such as architects, engineers, surveyors and town planners, can work
without being governed or at least taking consideration of or making references to the Acts and
Regulations of the land.

The Acts that have been referred herein so far are:

1. Act 56 - National Land Code, 1965
2. Act 117 Architects Act, 1967 / A1287 Amendments 2007
3. Act 118 Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act, 1966 / Act A1289 Amendment 2007
4. Act 127 Environmental Quality Act, 1974
5. Act 133 - Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974 / Act A1286 Amendment 2007
6. Section 133 . By-Laws of Act 133 - Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 / Amendment 2007
7. Act 138 Registration of Engineers Act, 1976 / A1288 Amendments 2007
8. Act 139 - Factories and Machinery Act, 1967
9. Act 171 Local Government Act, 1976
10. Act 172 - Town and Country Planning Act, 1976
11. Act 318 Strata Titles Act, 1985 / Act A1290 Amendments 2007
12. Act 341 - Fire Services Act, 1988
13. Act 418 - Waters Act, 1920
14. Act 447 - Electricity Supply Act, 1990
15. Act 486 Land Acquisition Act,1960
16. Act 508 - Sewerage Services Act, 1993
17. Act 514 - Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1994
18. Act 520 - Construction Industry Development Board Act, 1994
19. Act 588 - Communications and Multimedia Act, 1988
2.0 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Before going farther into the discourse, it is best to look into how the many laws governing buildings
and construction came into existence.

It was widely believed that in 1974, the second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, had a vision to
make the local governments undertake more than their traditional roles of maintaining public
sanitation and general welfare of their residents. He had a vision to turn the local governments into
agents or catalysts for industrial, commercial and residential developments. The local governments
were also to be turned into effective organisations to bring about development activities within their
localities.

2.1 ACT 171 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1976

The aforementioned vision was then drafted into Act 171 - the Local Government Act, 1976.
Effectively, Act 171 was a replacement and consolidation of the many separate laws governing local
authorities which were inherited from the colonial era:

1. Town Boards Enactment of the Federated Malay States [F.M.S. Cap. 137],
2. Municipal Ordinance of Straits Settlements [Cap. 133],
3. Johore Town Boards Enactment [Johore No. 118],
4. Municipal Enactment of Kelantan, 1938 [No. 20/1938],
5. Town Boards Enactment of Trengganu, 1955 [Cap. 64 3/1955],
6. Local Councils Ordinance, 1952

and a post-independence Act:

7. Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1973

Under the Local Government Act, 1976, State Government, in consultation with the Ministry of
Housing & Local Government and the Election Commission, may set up a Local Authority, make
known its status as a Municipal or District Council, declare its area and, define its boundaries.

Currently there are 145 Local Governments or Authorities [including WP/Putrajaya] in the country,
of which 98 are in the Peninsular & 22 are in Sabah and 25 are in Sarawak. Of these, 9 are City
Councils/Halls [Majlis/Dewan Bandaraya], 37 are Municipal Councils [Majlis Perbandaran], and 98
are District Councils [Majlis Daerah].

These Local Authorities are vested by the Local Government Act, 1976 to control development of the
land within their respective areas. The Act also empowers the Local Authorities to involve in social,
economic and infrastructural developments, and act as catalysts for industrial, commercial and
housing development - in addition to their basic functions to oversee the amenities within their
boundaries.

2.2 ACT 172 - TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT, 1976

Act 172 - the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 was proposed concurrent with Act 171 the
Local Government Act, 1976. The former was adopted from the British System of Town Planning
(The Development Plan System) as a replacement of the older Master Plan System which was
found to be inflexible for rapid development of urban areas. The Town and Country Planning Act,
1976 fundamentally instituted a uniform planning legislation which covers all the states.
The Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 sets the framework for Local Authorities to:
1. Formulate Structure Plans - policies on social, economic and physical characters within their
boundaries, and
2. Use the same as guidelines for the preparation of Local Plans, which are set to control the use of
land and buildings and property developments,

2.3 ACT 133 - STREET, DRAINAGE & BUILDING ACT, 1974

Upon independence, the governmental system for Malaysia was divided into three platforms,
namely Federal, State and Local Governments. Prior to the introduction of Act 171 the Local
Government Act, 1976, these Local Governments or Authorities, i.e. the town or municipal councils,
had written separate laws and regulations under the provisions of the various pre-independence
town boards and municipal enactments and ordinances, mentioned earlier, to suit their local needs
and requirements. These varying laws and regulations had created confusions and distress among
the industry players. For instance, architects and engineers then had to submit building plans and
other documentation of various standards to comply with the variety of Local Authorities
peculiarities.

To consolidate the differences, many sections of these pre-independence enactments and

ordinances of the Local Governments which were related to street, drainage and building were
repealed or absorbed into this Act 133 - the Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974. This Act however
is only applicable in West Malaysia.

Since, this Act is the principal Act to the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 [UBBL], which is the main
topic of this paper, we shall refer to its latest amendments which affect the UBBL directly.

Extracts of Act A1286

STREET, DRAINAGE AND BUILDING (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

An Act to amend the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Act 2007.
(2) This Act shall apply only to Peninsular Malaysia.

Amendment of section 3

2. The Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 [Act 133], which is referred to as the principal Act in
this Act, is amended in section 3
(a) by inserting after the definition of building
the following definition:
building plans means plans that include site plans, key plans, floor plans, sections and elevations
as set out specifically in any by-laws made under this Act;;

Redefinition of Certificate of Fitness for Occupation to Certificate of Completion and Compliance

(b) by substituting for the definition of Certificate of fitness for occupation, temporary certificate of
fitness for occupation and partial certificate of fitness for occupation
the following definition:
certificate of completion and compliance
Redefinition of Qualified Person to Principal Submitting Person

(d) by inserting after the definition of premises

the following definition:
principal submitting person means a qualified person who submits building plans to the local
authority for approval in accordance with this Act or any by-laws made thereunder and includes any
other qualified person who takes over the duties and responsibilities of or acts for the first
mentioned qualified person;;
(e) by substituting for the definition of qualified person
the following definition:
qualified person means a Professional Architect, Professional Engineer or building draughtsman
registered under any written law relating to the registration thereof;;

Specifically for Structural Engineers

and
(f) by inserting after the definition of structural plan the following definition:
submitting person means a qualified person who submits plans other than building plans to the
local authority or relevant statutory authority in accordance with this Act or any by-laws made
thereunder and includes any other qualified person who takes over the duties and responsibilities of
or acts for the first mentioned qualified person;.

Increase of Penalties for Contravening the Act

Amendment of section 70

5. Section 70 of the principal Act is amended

(f in subsection (11), by substituting for the words one thousand the words twenty-five
thousand;
(g) in subsection (12)
(i) by substituting for the words one thousand the words twenty-five thousand; and
(ii) by substituting for the words one hundred the words five hundred;
(h) in subsection (13)
(i) by substituting for the words ten thousand ringgit the words fifty thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both;
and
(ii) by substituting for the words two hundred and fifty the words one thousand;

Issuance of CCC by the Principal Submitting Person

(l) by inserting after subsection (19) the following subsections:

Issuance of certificate of completion and compliance

(20) No certificate of completion and compliance shall be issued except by a principal submitting
person in accordance with the time, manner and procedure for the issuance thereof as prescribed by
this Act or any by-laws made thereunder.
(21) Before the issuance of a certificate of completion and compliance, it shall be the duties and
responsibilities of the principal submitting person to
(a supervise the erection of the building to ensure that the erection is in conformity with the
approved plans and the requirements of the provisions of this Act or any by-laws made thereunder;
(b) ensure that the building has been duly constructed and completed in conformity with the
approved plans and the requirements of this Act or any by-laws made thereunder and that all
technical conditions imposed by the local authority has been duly complied with;
and
(c) ensure that the building is safe and fit for occupation.

The Rights of the Local Authorities to Issue Notice of Compliance to the Approved Plans

(22) Nothing contained in this Act shall affect the powers conferred on the local authority by this Act
or any by-laws made thereunder pertaining to the erection and construction of a building for the
purpose of ensuring that the erection and construction of such building are in conformity with the
approved plans and the provisions of this Act or any by-law made thereunder.
(23) If it appears to the local authority that a noncompliance with the approved plans and provisions
of this Act or any by-laws made thereunder by the principal submitting person has occurred in the
erection and construction of the building, the local authority may issue to the principal submitting
person
(a) a notice in writing, requiring compliance within the period specified in the notice, as the local
authority thinks fit, in order that the noncompliance be rectified; and
(b) a directive in writing to withhold the issuance of the certificate of completion and compliance
until such non-compliance has been rectified.

Penalty for Contravening the Act on the Issuance of CCC or Allowing Occupancy without CCC

(27) Any person who

(a) is not the principal submitting person but issues a certificate of completion and compliance;
(b) issues a certificate of completion and compliance without the relevant forms as prescribed in any
by-laws made under this Act;
(c) issues a certificate of completion and compliance in contravention of a direction given by the
local authority to withhold such issuance pending rectification of any noncompliance;
(d) knowingly makes or produces or causes to be made any false or fraudulent declaration,
certificate, application or representation of any form prescribed in any by-laws made under this Act;
(e) uses any forged, altered or counterfeit declaration, certificate, application or representation of
any form prescribed in any by-laws made under this Act knowing the declaration, certificate,
application or representation have been forged, altered or counterfeited; or
(f) occupies or permits to be occupied any building or any part thereof without a certificate of
completion and compliance,

shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to both..

2.4 THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND COMPLIANCE [CCC]

The Prime Minister, in 2004, called for a replacement of the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation
[CFO] by the Local Authorities with self-certification by construction professionals. The intention was
to improve the efficiency of building delivery system. In 2007, the parliament amended among
others the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 [UBBL] and the Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974 to
effect the issuance of the CCC by Professional Architects or Professional Engineers or Registered
Building Draughtsmen [the latter is limited to buildings not exceeding 2-storeys and an area less than
300sqm]. These individuals, who were previously known as the qualified person, are now known
as the Principal Submitting Person [PSP] under the amended Act.
Most importantly, from April 12, 2007 onwards PSPs will issue the Certificate of Completion and
Compliance or the CCC to legalise the occupation of all buildings as a replacement to the
Certificate of Fitness for Occupation [CFO]. Thus, the PSPs are taking over the responsibilities of the
Local Authorities [Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan or PBT] to issue CFO.

Hence, all development projects where the Building Plans are submitted from April 13, 2007, will be
certified fit for occupation by the PSP without requiring the Local Authorities consent.

Controls on CCC

The government sees it fit for professionals to undertake the CCC system because there is a check-
and-balance being introduced in the system in the form of Matrix of Responsibility. A total of 21
Certification Forms will be endorsed along the entire constructional process.

These forms are gazetted as Schedules [Form G1 G21] under the revised Uniform Building By-Laws,
1984 Amendment 2007.

The relevant sub-contractors and/or licensed trade contractors and the PSP shall certify each of the
21 Form Gs that each stage of the works has been completed in accordance with the Approved
Building Plans. Thus, the Matrix of Responsibility with the implementation of the 21 Forms Gs will
make everyone accountable for their respective scope of work.

For the implementation of CCC, six [6] Acts were amended. There were the following:
1. Act 117 Architects Act, 1967 / Act A1287 Amendments 2007
Amendments: Increased penalty for wrongful certification & express provisions on fraudulent
certification
2. Act 118 Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act, 1966 / Act A1289 Amendment 2007
Amendments: Redefinition to suit CCC & Vacant Possession [VP] issued together with CCC
3. Act 133 - Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974 / Act A1286 Amendment 2007
Amendments: Provisions for implementation of CCC, definition of Principal Submitting Person &
increased penalty for wrongful certification
4. Act 133 Section 133 - Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 / Amendments 2007
Amendments: Provisions for implementation of CCC & introduction of Form Gs [Matrix of
Responsibility]
5. Act 138 Registration of Engineers Act, 1976 / Act A1288 Amendments 2007
Amendments: Increased penalty for wrongful certification & express provisions on fraudulent
certification
6. Act 318 Strata Titles Act, 1985 / Act A1290 Amendments 2007
Amendments: Redefinition to suit CCC

Nonetheless, the Local Authorities are empowered to stop the issuance of the CCC in the event of
non-compliance with the conditions of the building plans approval and/or the relevant Acts.

Limitations & Exclusions

The issuance of CCC is restricted to technical issues concerning health, safety and essential services.
PSP will not be held responsible for getting approvals for non-technical conditions, such as
Bumiputera quota, low cost housing and contribution for public facilities which to be resolved
during planning and/or building plans approval stages or via other means. These are to be resolved
between the Developers and the Local Authorities.
Objectives of CCC

The CCC, which replaces the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO), has been put in force to
enable smoother deliveries of completed buildings to their eventual owners or users. Specifically,
under the revised Acts, the Professional Architect or Professional Engineer or Registered Building
Draughtsman of a project who submits the building plans [PSP] will have to issue the CCC before
owners can take possession of their properties and live in them.

Professionals Accountable and Responsible for CCC

With the enforcement of the CCC, Professional Architects and Professional Engineers - and staff
under them such as graduate architects, engineers and clerks-of-works - and, Specialist Sub-
Contractors and Main Contractors are now legally responsible and liable under the latest laws to
confirm the due completion and compliance of the building construction to the relevant building
laws.

Principal Submitting Persons [PSP] responsibilities under CCC are as follows:

Submit planning and building plans to PBT for approval,

Inform PBT of the commencement of construction works on site,
Supervise/Inspect construction works on the site and ensuring that the laws and technical conditions
of the PBT are followed.
Report breaches of construction against approval, explain reasons of breach and perform recovery
actions in the event of breach during construction,
Present work-resumption notice to PBT,
Ensure Forms G1 G21 are completed.
Upon satisfactory completion of the Works and obtaining clearances or confirmation from the six [6]
essential services departments, issue the CCC to owners and developers and present a copy to the
PBT and the Professional Board

It should be highlighted further that before issuing the CCC, Professional Architects and/or
Professional Engineers, as PSP must ensure that:

The CIDB registered contractors and licensed tradesmen or personal licensees, such as Electrician,
Plumber, Air-Conditioning and Fire Protections System specialists, are informed of their obligations
at the time of calling of tenders, and their certifications are obtained upon satisfactory completion of
their scope of works.
All the certification Forms G1-G21 are duly filled, certified and compiled as part of CCC submission.
The Works is completed in accordance with the approved Building Plans (or subsequent revised
approved building plans or as-built plans) and the PSP has supervised the works accordingly.
Clearances and/or confirmation of supply/connection for Six [6] essential services departments are
obtained, specifically from,
Tenaga Nasional Berhad [TNB] - confirmation of electrical supply,
Water authorities [SYABAS, JBA, LAP, JAS etc] - confirmation of water supply,
Jabatan Perkhidmatan Pembetungan [JPP] - confirmation of connection to sewerage treatment plant
or mains,
Jabatan Kesihatan & Keselamatan Pekerja [JKKP] - clearance from lifts and machinery department,
Jabatan Perkhidmatan Bomba & Penyelamat [Bomba] - clearances for active fire fighting systems
and,
Roads & Drainage Department [PBTs Internal Departments or JKR].
For a start, it is recommended that all architects and engineers familiarise themselves with the
Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 and the Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974. However, in this
paper, we shall restrict our review on the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984.
3.0 THE UNIFORM BUILDING BY-LAWS, 1984

Prior to the gazette of Act 133 - the Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974, many parties, especially
architects and engineers, had to study and implement the varying requirements of the many Local
Authorities. To resolve the confusions and frustrations of having too many local by-laws and
regulations on buildings, the precursor of the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia [PAM], the Federation of
Malaya Society of Architects [FMSA], initiated in 1963 the setting up of a Uniform Building
Legislation Committee to push for a nationwide uniform building by-laws. A parallel committee also
was set up by the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning to come up with a nationwide
Uniform Planning Legislation Committee

The said committees did not make much progress then. However, much later, i.e. in the early 1970s,
when a number of building-related catastrophe such as the collapse of flats and uncontrolled major
fire occurred in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Local Government and Housing then instructed a
review of the various building and planning legislations in respond to these catastrophe.

As a result, a draft uniform building by-laws was issued in 1973, with further amendments in 1974.

The Building By-Laws, which was the pre-cursor to the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984, was based
on the existing Kuala Lumpur and Singapore legislations and recommendations from the Building
Research Station, UK. The By-Laws were compiled under the provisions under Section 113 - By-laws -
in the Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974.

In 1976, a Uniform Building Regulations Standing Committee, comprising public and private sectors,
made a review of the Kuala Lumpur Municipal (Building) (Amendments) By-Laws, 1975 and it was
adopted as the model for the draft Uniform Building Regulations. From this effort, the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government issued the draft as the Uniform Building By-Law, 1976. 1978
amendments included updates on fire requirements on buildings.

The objectives behind the formulation of the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 [UBBL], among others
were to:
Set a standardized building regulations for the whole of Malaysia and applicable to all Local
Authorities and building professionals,
Clarify line of legal responsibilities for buildings with clear definitions on the Principal Submitting
Persons,
Regulate architectural, structural, health & safety, fire protection capabilities and constructional
requirements of buildings; with clear references to the approved standards,
Expedite the processing and building approvals and occupation of buildings,

It was later gazetted in 1985 as the Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 [UBBL].

A number of amendments had since been made to the UBBL. Later additions made references to the
Fire Services Act, 1988 and compliance to the Code of Practice for Access for Disabled People to
Public Buildings, 1991 [with reference to the Malaysian Standard MS1184:1991].

The very recent amendments were drafted in 2007 to incorporate the amendments to the Street,
Drainage & Building Act, 1974 with regard to the Certificate of Completion and Compliance [CCC].

3.1 THE MAIN PARTS IN THE UBBL

The UBBL defines the following:

PART I - Definitions and interpretations used in the by-laws [By-Laws Sections 1 - 2],
PART II - The procedures for submitting plans to the Local Authorities for their approval for
permanent and temporary buildings, advertisement and perimeter hoardings [By-Laws Sections 3 -
29],
PART III - The required space [dimensions], light and ventilation to be provided in buildings [By-Laws
Sections 30 - 47],
PART IV - The required temporary works during construction [By-Laws Sections 48 - 52],
PART V - Structural requirements and considerations e.g. dead, superimposed and dynamic loads
and, structural materials and elements [By-Laws Sections 53 - 80],
PART VI - Constructional requirements e.g. site preparation, constructional materials, method of
construction and, architectural and related Structural and M&E requirements [By-Laws Sections 81 -
132],
PART VII - Passive fire protection requirements [By-Laws Sections 133 - 224]
PART VIII - Active fire protection requirements [By-Laws Sections 225 - 253] and
PART IX - Miscellaneous definitions and references and, the procedures on reporting on building
failures [By-Laws Sections 254 - 258].
There are 10 Schedules listed in the appendix covering the following:
First Schedule - submission fees,
Second Schedule - standard forms,
Third Schedule - ventilation requirements [M&E considerations],
Fourth Schedule - weight of materials [structural considerations],
Fifth Schedule - designation of purpose group [for building types],
Sixth Schedule - limits of unprotected areas [architectural considerations for privacy and fire safety],
Seventh Schedule - travel distance, occupancy loads and exits [for architectural and structural
considerations],
Eighth Schedule - class of materials [spread of flame],
Ninth Schedule - limit of compartment and fire resistant of material [architectural and structural
considerations] and
Tenth Schedule - active fire fighting requirements [M&E considerations].

3.2 THE KEY AMENDMENTS TO THE UBBL (Soon to be gazetted AMENDMENTS 2007)

1. Amendments to By-Law 2
2 (c) Principal Submitting Person means a qualified person who submits building plans to the local
authority for approval in accordance with these By-Laws and includes any other qualified person
who takes over the duties and responsibilities of or acts for the first-mentioned qualified person in
accordance with by-law 7.
2(d) qualified person means a Professional Architect, Professional Engineer or building
draughtsman registered under any written law relating to the registration thereof.
2(f) building plans means plans that include site plans, key plans, floor plans, sections and
elevations of buildings, and are as stipulated under by-laws 8, 9 and 10.
2(j) technical conditions means conditions pertaining to health and safety issues to buildings and
essential services serving the buildings.

2. Substitution of By-Law 25: Certificate of Completion and Compliance

25(1) A certificate of completion and compliance in Form F as set out in the Second Schedule shall be
issued by the principal submitting person
a. when all the technical conditions as imposed by the local authority have been duly complied with;
b. when Forms G1 to G21 in respect of stage certifications as set out in the Second Schedule have
been duly certified and received by him;
c. when all the essential services, including access roads, landscape, car parks, drains, sanitary, water
and electricity installations, fire hydrants, sewerage and refuse disposal requirements and, fire lifts
where required, have been provided; and
d. when he certifies in Form F that he has supervised the erection and completion of the building
and that to the best of his knowledge and belief the building has been constructed and completed in
accordance with the Act, these By-Laws and the approved plans.
25(2) Upon the issuance of the certificate of completion and compliance, the principal submitting
person accepts full responsibility for the issuance of the certificate of completion and compliance
and he certifies that the building is safe and fit for occupation.
25(3) The principal submitting person shall within fourteen days from the issuance of the certificate
of completion and compliance or partial certificate of completion and compliance, as the case may
be, deposit a copy of the said certificate and the Form G1-G21 with the local authority and the Board
of Architects Malaysia or Board of Engineers Malaysia, as the case may be.
25(4) Nothing contained in this by-law shall prevent the local authority or any officer authorised by it
in writing for the purpose, from inspecting any building works at any stage thereof and calling
attention to any failure to the building or non-compliance with these By-laws which he may observe
and, giving notice in writing to the principal submitting person ordering such failure or non-
compliance to be rectified.
25(5) Subject to paragraph (4), the local authority may issue a directive in writing to the principal
submitting person to withhold the issuance of the certificate of completion and compliance or
partial certificate of completion and compliance, as the case may be.
25(6) The principal submitting person shall within twenty-one days after the receipt of the notice
issued in pursuance of paragraph (4) or such further period as may be approved by the local
authority, rectify the failure or non-compliance.
25(7) When the principal submitting person has rectified the failure or non-compliance, he shall
issue a notice to the local authority confirming that such rectification works have been satisfactorily
completed.
25(8) Upon receipt of the notice as mentioned in paragraph (7), the local authority shall within
fourteen days from the receipt of such notice inspect the building to confirm that the failure or non-
compliance has been satisfactorily rectified.
25(9) When the local authority is satisfied that the failure or non-compliance as stipulated in
paragraph (4) has been satisfactorily rectified, the local authority shall issue a directive in writing to
the principal submitting person to issue the certificate of completion and compliance or partial
certificate of completion and compliance, as the case may be.
25(10) When the local authority does not carry out the inspection of rectification works in pursuance
of paragraph (8) within the period as stipulated in that paragraph, it shall be deemed that the local
authority is satisfied that the rectification works have been satisfactorily completed.
25(11) When the failure or non-compliance is not rectified by the principal submitting person within
the period stipulated in paragraph (6), the local authority may itself cause any work to be executed
or any measure to be taken if it considers such work or measure is necessary to rectify the non-
compliance.
25(12) The cost for executing such work or taking such measure as referred to in paragraph (11) shall
be borne by the owner of the building.
25(13) The certificate of completion and compliance or partial certificate of completion and
compliance, as the case may be, shall not be issued by the principal submitting person until all the
failures or non-compliances in respect of the building has been satisfactorily rectified.

3. Substitution of By-Law 27: Partial Certificate of Completion and Compliance

27(1) The principal submitting person may issue a partial certificate of completion and compliance in
Form F1 as set out in the Second Schedule in respect of any part of a building partially completed
subject to any condition imposed by the local authority which it deems necessary for reasons of
public health and safety.
Provided that no such certificate shall be issued unless all the essential services, including access
roads, landscape, car parks, drains, sanitary, water and electricity installations, fire hydrants,
sewerage and refuse disposal requirements and, fire lifts where required, serving the partially
completed portion of the building have been provided.
27(2) A partial certificate of completion and compliance once issued shall remain effective until the
whole of the building is completed and a certificate of completion and compliance is issued in
pursuant of by-law 25,
4. Substitution of By-Law 28: Offences
28(1) Where the principal submitting person fails to deposit a copy of the certificate of completion
and compliance or partial certificate of completion and compliance, as the case may be, and the
Forms G1-G21 within the period stipulated in paragraph 25(3) with the local authority and the Board
of Architects Malaysia or Board of Engineers Malaysia, as the case may be, he shall be guilty of an
offence.
28(2) Where the principal submitting person or submitting person fails to comply with the notice
issued by the local authority in respect of the rectification of any failure to the building or non-
compliance with these By-laws in accordance with paragraph 25(4), he shall be guilty of an offence

5. Other Amendments

Amendments to By-Laws 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 16, 17, 20, 29, 48, 77, 249 & 258 consequential to changes
of the term submitting person to principal submitting person.

6. AMENDMENTS TO SECOND SCHEDULE

The Second Schedule of the principal By-laws is amended by deleting FORMS C, D and E by
substituting for FORM F with the new FORM F and F1 and FORMS G1-G21

The FORMS under CCC are as follows:

FORM A
Certification of Buildings / Structural Plans [for endorsement of plans submitted for approval],
FORM B
Notice of Commencement / Resumption of Building Operations

3. FORMS G

Form G1
Stage Certification : EARTHWORKS [on Approved Plans]
Form G2
Stage Certification : SETTING OUT [on Approved Plans]
Form G3
Stage Certification : FOUNDATIONS [on Deposited Plans]
Form G4
Stage Certification : STRUCTURAL [on Deposited Plans]
Form G5
Stage Certification : INTERNAL WATER PLUMBING [on Approved/Deposited Plans]
Form G6
Stage Certification : INTERNAL SANITARY PLUMBING [on Approved/Deposited Plans]
Form G7
Stage Certification : INTERNAL ELECTRICAL [on Submitting Engineers Endorsed Plans]
Form G8
Stage Certification : FIRE FIGHTING (PASSIVE) [on Approved/Deposited Plans]
Form G9
Stage Certification : FIRE FIGHTING (ACTIVE) [on Approved/Deposited Plans]
Form G10
Stage Certification : MECHANICAL VENTILATION [on Submitting Engineers Endorsed Plans]
Form G11
Stage Certification : LIFT / ESCALATOR INSTALLATION [on Submitting Engineers Endorsed Plans]
Form G12
Stage Certification : BUILDING [on Approved Plans]
Form G13
Stage Certification : EXTERNAL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM [on Approved Plans]
Form G14
Stage Certification : SEWERAGE RETICULATION [on Approved Plans]
Form G15
Stage Certification : SEWERAGE TREATMENT PLANT [on Approved Plans]
Form G16
Stage Certification : EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL SUPPLY SYSTEM [on Approved Plans]
Form G17
Stage Certification : ROAD AND DRAIN [on Approved/Deposited Plans]
Form G18
Stage Certification : STREET LIGHTING [on Approved/Deposited Plans]
Form G19
Stage Certification : EXTERNAL MAIN DRAIN [on Approved Plans]
Form G20
Stage Certification : TELECOMMUNICATION [on Approved/Deposited Plans]
Form G21
Stage Certification : LANDSCAPE [on Approved Plans]

4. FORM F
Certificate of Completion and Compliance
5. FORM F1
Partial Certificate of Completion and Compliance
3.3 ESSENTIAL SECTIONS IN THE UBBL

3.3.1. PART I - Definitions and interpretations used in the by-laws [By-Laws Sections 1 - 2],

3.3.2. PART II - The procedures for submitting plans to the Local Authorities for their approval for
permanent and temporary buildings, advertisement and perimeter hoardings [By-Laws Sections 3 -
29],
Clause 3
Submission of plans for approval [By a qualified person / principal submitting person] FORM A
Clause 5
No erection or continued erection of a building shall take place unless the qualified person
undertakes the supervision of the erection and the setting out
Clause 7
Withdrawal or change of qualified person / principal submitting person [With the agreement of the
authority] No work to commence until another qualified person takes over.
Clauses 8 12
Submission procedures
Clause 13
Special permission to commence building operations early
Clauses 14 & 15
Submission procedures
Clauses 16 & 17
Submission of structural drawings and calculations
Clause 18
Permits [May submit sketch plans for minor erections and minor alteration]
Clause 19
Temporary permits [Erections of a sheds for shows or builders, place of worship, building materials,
scaffoldings, staging or hoarding on streets]
Clause 20
Advertisement hoarding [Erection of hoarding subject to an annual temporary permit]
Clause 22
Notice of commencement or resumption of building operations. FORM B
Clause 23
Notice of completion of Setting Out of building. FORM C [Not Applicable for CCC]
Clause 24
Notice of completion of Excavation for Foundation. FORM D [Not Applicable for CCC]
Clauses 25 - 28
Certification of Fitness for Occupation [CFO] / Certificate of Completion and Compliance [CCC] and
offence occupying a building without CFO / CCC.
Clause 29
Refer to First Schedule for Payment Rates for Submission of Plans

3.3.3. PART III - The required space [dimensions], light and ventilation to be provided in buildings
[By-Laws Sections 30 - 47],

Clauses 32 34
Open Space and Plinth ratio for buildings abutting a street and a backlane in relation to a lot size and
Setbacks
Clause 36
Requirement for a Splayed Corner for a building erected at a junction
Clause 37 & 47
Building abutting a street allowed a Projection over Street over the building line
Clause 38
Width of footway and requirements for steps and pedestrian ramp. To refer MS1184 & MS1185 in
conjunction with this clause.
Clauses 39 - 42
Requirements for Natural Lighting and Ventilation according to building use. Rules on Air Wells
dimensions, Mechanical Ventilation and Air-Conditioning
Clauses 42 & 43
Minimum areas and dimensions of rooms in buildings
Clauses 44 46
Height controls for rooms in buildings

3.3.4. PART IV - The required temporary works during construction [By-Laws Sections 48 - 52],

Clause 48
Requirements for Project Signboard & Hoarding [To obtain Temporary Permit]
Clause 49
Responsibilities of person granted temporary permits
Clause 51
Control of vehicular access to site by the Local Authority.
Clause 52
Rising mains for fire fighting facilities to be installed progressively for buildings designed to exceed
18.3m [Refer Clause 232]

3.3.5. PART V - Structural requirements and considerations e.g. dead, superimposed and dynamic
loads and, structural materials and elements [By-Laws Sections 53 - 80],

Clause 53
Building materials use
Clause 54
General requirement of loading [Dead loads, imposed loads and winds load considerations]
Clause 55
Dead and imposed loads [Provisions for loads]
Clause 56
Dead loads calculated from weight of materials used [Based on BS648 or actual known weights and
as laid out in Fourth Schedule]
Clause 57
Weight of partitions [To include in dead load calculations]
Clause 58
Contents of tanks and other receptacles [Treated as dead loads]
Clause 59
Imposed floor loads [Methods to allow for imposed loads i.e. distributed or concentrated loads]
Clause 60
Mechanical stacking [Special provisions in the design of the floors]
Clause 61
Imposed loads on ceilings skylight and similar structures [Methods to allow for these loads]
Clause 62
Reduction in total imposed floor loads [Methods to allow for these loads]
Clauses 63 67
Imposed roof loads, Curved roof, Roof covering, Internal suspended loads on primary structural
members, Amount of suspended load [Methods to allow for these loads]
Clauses 68 69
Dynamic loading, Crane gantry girders
Clauses 70 71
Parapets and balustrades, Vehicle barriers for car-parks [8km/hr for access ramp and up to 32km/hr
for downward travel for a representative 1.5 metric ton vehicle]
Clause 72
Basement walls and floors [Provisions for lateral pressure and buoyancy/hydrostatic pressure]
Clauses 73 79
Foundations [Provisions to transmit load to the ground], Foundations of building not exceeding four
storey, Reinforced concrete foundations, Strip foundations, Brick footings, Foundations below invert
of drains, Foundations under external and party walls
Clause 80
Structure above foundations

3.3.6. PART VI - Constructional requirements e.g. site preparation, constructional materials, method
of construction and, architectural and related Structural and M&E requirements [By-Laws Sections
81 - 132],

Clause 81
Building site [Erection of suitable land]
Clause 82
Drainage of subsoil
Clause 83
Protection against soil erosion.
Clause 84
Prevention of Dampness
Clauses 85 89
Definition of Wall Thickness, Party Walls & Openings in Party Walls, Recess, Chases [Party Walls
extended vertically 230 above roof surface & Minimum wall thickness of party wall left 100mm etc]
Clauses 91 92
Materials for Coping & Projections in brickwork
Clauses 93 96
Rules on Use of Internal & External Wall Materials of 100mm thick
Clause 97
Rules on Intrusion of Timber built into Party Walls [100mm spacing for timber in party walls and
separated with cement or brick]
Clause 98
Control on Fences and Boundary Walls [1.8m max solid and 2.75m max impervious to air and light]
Clauses 99 102
Rules on cooking areas
Clause 103
Timber floor [Use of hardwood or treated timber, specifications for trimmer joists]
Clauses 104 - 105
Bearing for joists [Min 100mm bearing on wall, Support on continuous corbelled brickwork, At least
100mm of fire- resisting material on party wall between adjoining timber structures].
Clause 106
Rules on Staircases [Risers max 180mm & Tread min 255mm, Width Refer Clause 168, Landing no
less than stairs width]
Clause 107
Rules on Handrails [4 risers & more min 1 handrail, wider than 2225mm to have intermediate
handrails, except residential width 1100mm & more handrail to be both sides of staircase at max
100mm from wall, between 825-900mm height measured from nosing step & no less than 900mm at
landing]
Clause 108
Maximum Flight [residential stairs landing no less than 1.8m depth every 4.25m height; other
buildings no more than 16 risers between landing]
Clauses 109 113
Various Rules on Staircases
Clauses 114 - 117
Timber Roof, Roof Covering, Railing at Flat Roofs, Access to Roof Spaces
Clauses 118 - 122
Refuse chutes & alternative means for refuse disposal
Clause 123
Pipes and service ducts requirements [risers / cabinets]
Clause 124
Lifts - non-residential buildings more than 4 storeys to be provided with a lift
Clauses 125 - 132
Public Swimming Pool requirements

3.3.7. PART VII - Passive fire protection requirements [By-Laws Sections 133 - 224]

Clause 133
Interpretations and Definitions on Fire Requirements
Clause 134
Designation of Purpose Group of every building [Fifth Schedule]
Clause 135
Rules of Measurements for Height, Areas, Cubic Capacity of Buildings
Clauses 136 137
Fifth Schedule _ Provisions of compartment walls and floors_ floor area exceeds relevant height e.g.
floors in building exceeding 30m in height, or volume of space exceeds relevant cubic capacity to be
constructed as compartment floor
Clause 138
Fifth Schedule _ Walls and floors to be constructed as compartment walls or compartment floor
under Purpose Group II [Institutions], flats/apartments, between different Purpose Groups and floor
above a basement of area exceeding 100sqm.
Clause 139
Separation of fire risk areas from areas of occupancy.
Clause 140
Fire appliance access e.g. 12m width road to support fire engine for buildings over 7000cum of
volume & minimum proportion building perimeter as road for fire access based on building volume.
Clause 141
Rules on Penetrations of Pipes through separating walls and height of separating walls at roof
junctions e.g. 225mm wall extension above roof.
Clauses 142 - 145
External Walls Design and Materials to comply with Permitted Limits of Unprotected Areas specified
in the Sixth Schedule including Beams
Clause 146
Definition of Relevant Boundary
Clause 147
Construction of Separating Walls to be on Non-Combustible Materials
Clause 148
Special Requirements for Compartment Walls and Floors
Clause 149
Horizontal and Vertical Barriers of the external walls to extend minimum 750mm and 900mm
respectively.
Clause 150
Protected Shafts Requirements
Clause 151 - 155
Lifts Requirements _ Ventilation, Openings, Smoke Detectors in Lift Lobbies & Emergency Mode
Clause 156 157
Protected Shafts as Ventilation Duct and Staircases
Clauses 158 159
Stages in Places of Assembly and Open Stages _ Requirement for a proscenium wall of 225mm thick
unless suitable protection devices installed
Clause 160
Fire precautions in air conditioning systems
Clause 161
Fire Stopping Materials
Clauses 162 164
Fire Doors _ 162(2) Openings in compartment and separating walls to be protected by Fire Doors in
accordance with the FRP requirements of the relevant walls referred in the Ninth Schedule 162(3)
Openings in protected structures to be protected by Fire Doors with FRP not less than of the
relevant walls referred in the Ninth Schedule 162(4) Openings in protected corridor or lobby to be
protected by Fire Doors having FRP of hour.
Clause 165 167
Measurement of Travel Distance to Exits, Condition of Exits and Storey Exits based on Seventh
Schedule _ Open plan travel distance calculated no more than 2/3 permitted travel distance, room
with 6 or less persons measured from the doors if travel distance within room less than 15m,
minimum 2 separate exits from each storey not nearer than 4.5m apart and located within the limits
of travel distance, widths of exits as specified in Seventh Schedule
Clauses 168 - 169
Exit Staircases _ Every upper floor to have minimum 2 staircases except buildings lower than 12m
that comply with Clause 194, Number of Staircases should accommodate highest occupancy load
under Seventh Schedule even though one staircase is not accessible/available, handrails may
encroach into staircase width to a maximum 75mm, widths of staircases and exit routes shall be
maintained [not reduced in width] throughout & door swings should not encroach the access width.
Also refer Clauses 174 177, 181 182, 190 & 191.
Clause 170
Egress Conditions for Mezzanine Floors and Open Staircases
Clause 171
Conditions for Horizontal Exits
Clause 172
Conditions for Emergency Exit [KELUAR] Signs
Clause 173
Conditions for Exit Door
Clause 174
Arrangement of Storey Exits to be not less than 5m apart with direct access to [1] a final exit [2] a
protected staircase to a final exit [3] an external route to a final exit. Basements and Roof Structures
for services need not have alternative egress.
Clauses 175 - 177
Calculation of occupancy load, capacity of exits, exit widths and number of staircases to refer to
Seventh Schedule. At least one staircase should be a minimum of 2 unit widths [552mm x 2 =
1104mm wide] except 900mm allowed where total occupancy of all floors less than 50. Refer
Clauses 168 169, 181 & 182
Clause 178
Exits for institutional and places of assembly to be located to avoid undue danger from fire
originating in other occupancy (areas)
Clauses 179 188
Classifications of places of assembly, space standards for calculating occupancy loads, exit details for
places of assembly, seating, gangways, exit doors and travel distance
Clause 181 - 182
Calculation for width of means of egress and rate of discharge _ 552mm per unit width with unit
width = 300mm, no exits less than 700mm [clear width of opening], rates of travel per floor are [1]
60 persons per minute horizontally (doors & level passage ways) and [2] 45 person per minute
vertically (stairs)
Clauses 190 - 191
External Staircases may used as exit staircases provided they comply with requirements of internal
staircases and separated from the interior of building by walls and fire doors and no openings next
to the staircase within 2m distance horizontally and 9m vertically below except ventilations for
toilets or other protected areas.
Clause 192 - 193
Moving Walks and Power Operated Doors may be considered as egress
Clause 194
Residential or Office Buildings permitted to be served by a Single Staircase when top floor is 12m
high or less [except Ground Floor may be Shops or Car Parking], stairs separated from Ground Floor
with fire rated walls, wall enclosing staircase is returned no less than 450mm from Ground Floor
Shop or Car Park, maximum travel distance 12m from exit door to any point in the area. At Ground
and First Floors, if there are windows with opening lights possible for emergency escape the
maximum travel distance may be 30m.
Clause 195
Buildings over 30m high to have all staircases used as mean of egress extended to roof level as
access.
Clauses 196 197
Smoke Lobbies accessed via fire doors, Smoke Lobbies for Staircases, Protected Lobbies for
staircases in buildings higher than 18m without ventilation through external walls, Pressurised
Lobbies for buildings higher than 45m

Clauses 198 202

Ventilation for staircases at each floor or landing with a minimum 1sqm opening per floor. In
building less than 3-storeys staircase may not be ventilated if access via ventilated lobbies at all
floors except the top most and; if buildings 18m high or less with top most floor ventilated at top
most with 5% of area of enclosure. Buildings higher than 18m to be mechanically ventilated if not
naturally ventilated at every floor or landing.
Clause 203 207
Restriction and Classifications of Spread of Flames _ Reference to Eight Schedule and definitions of
Class O and Classes 1 4 of materials.
Clauses 208 212
Reference to roofs, Reference to buildings, Construction of roofs, Roofing materials, Category
designation for fire penetration and spread of flame on roof surface.
Clause 213 - 214
Fire resistance [on elements of structures] no less than as specified in the Ninth Schedule
Clause 215
Definitions on Height of Buildings
Clause 216
Conditions on fire rating of structures for Single storey buildings
Clause 217
Fire resistance of structural member [a minimum fire rating for frames applicable based on the wall
they support]
Clause 218
Conditions on fire rating of walls for flats or maisonette
Clause 219
Application of these by laws to floor [ceilings do not attribute to fire rating other than those in Ninth
Schedule]
Clause 220
Definitions on Floor Area and capacity of buildings and compartments
Clause 221
Test of fire resistance [Method of testing based on BS 476: Part I]
Clause 222
Fire resistance for walls
Clause 223 Fire resistance for floors above ground floor
Clause 224 Fire resistance for any element of structure [based on Ninth Schedule]

3.3.8. PART VIII - Active fire protection requirements [By-Laws Sections 225 - 253] and

Clause 225
Every building to have [1] means of detecting and extinguishing fire, equipped with fire alarm and
exit signs based the Tenth Schedule and [2] a minimum one Fire Hydrant not more than 91.5m from
nearest fire brigade access
Clause 226
Automatic fire protection system for hazardous occupancy to suit hazard
Clause 227
Portable extinguishers provided based on relevant codes and sited prominently and visible along exit
routes
Clause 228
Sprinkler valves to be located on exterior walls accessible to Firemen and alarm electrically
connected to nearest Bomba station
Clause 229
Buildings with top most floor higher than 18.3m to be provided with means of access and fighting
fire from within building via fire fighting access lobbies directly accessible from outside, staircases,
fire lifts in protected lobbies or staircases or corridors and dry or wet risers. Fire fighting lobbies at
every level no more than 45.75m from furthermost point.
Clause 230
Dry rising system to be provided in buildings with top most floor more than 18.3m but less than
30.5m.
Clause 231
Wet rising system to be provided in buildings with top most floor more than 30.5m. Wet riser to be
provided to every staircase which extends to the roof. Each stage of wet riser to be no more than
61.0m except in cases may be permitted to 70.15m
Clause 232
One Wet or Dry Riser to be installed when a building is under construction reached a height above
fire brigade pumping inlet and located next to a useable staircase within 2 floors of the topmost
construction
Clauses 233 - 234
Foam inlets to be installed for windowless buildings, boiler rooms and structures/storage areas
below ground where automated extinguishers not installed
Clauses 235 - 236
Fixed installations via total flooding or unit protection system may be required e.g. for places with
special hazard
Clause 237
Fire alarms to be provided base on Tenth Schedule with premises exceeding area of 9,290sqm or
higher than 30.5m provided with two-stage alarm system
Clause 238
Large or tall buildings over 30.5m require Command and Control Centre to be located at designated
floor with direct telephone connection to Bomba
Clauses 239 241
Two voice communication systems to be provided [1] Bomba communications [2] pa system
between control centre and public areas. Floor or zone of area over 929sqm of nett area to be
provided with electrical isolation switches within staircases. Special visible fire alarm systems to be
installed in addition to normal alarm for deaf persons or audible alarms undesirable.
Clause 242
Fire fighting access lobbies to be 5.57sqm or more in area and have openable windows or openings
for ventilation or mechanically ventilated.
Clause 243
Buildings with top most occupied floor over 18.5m to be provided with Bomba lifts. Bomba lifts to be
provided for every group of lifts discharged into the same protected enclosure but no more than
61.0m travel distance from furthermost point of the floor.
Clauses 244 245
Standards required and approval of Ketua Pengarah Bomba.
Clause 246
Certificate of Completion to be signed on Form B in Tenth Schedule once work is completed.
Clauses 247 248
Water storage and markings to comply with Tenth Schedule and Bomba requirements.
Clause 249 252
Smoke and heat venting in large buildings, Natural draught smoke vent, Smoke vents for exit safety
to be designed to prevent accumulation of smoke during evacuation and manual vents must be
openable by BOmba from outside.
Clause 253
Emergency Power System to be provided for power and illumination for safety to life and property
via storage batteries or generator set.

3.3.9. PART IX - Miscellaneous definitions and references and, the procedures on reporting on
building failures [By-Laws Sections 254 - 258].

Clause 254 256

Buildings to which Parts VII & VIII apply & power of PBT to extend compliance / exemptions.
Clause 257
Malaysian standard specification and code of practice to prevail over British Standard Specifications
or Code of Practice
Clause 258
Failure to Buildings [report failure, explain cause & state remedial action within a week]
3.4 SHORTFALLS OF THE UBBL
The Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 [UBBL] was established out the need for a standardised set of
building regulations for the country. However, despite the federal government gazetting the UBBL
in 1985, the reality is that until today the use and interpretation of the UBBL are anything but
uniformed. The enforcement of UBBL is governed by the states and hence gazetted separately with
slightly different versions for each of the states.
As the UBBL is a state matter, many Local Authorities and Technical Departments have their own
readings and interpretation of the UBBL. The differences in the translations between the English
and Bahasa Melayu versions also added to the confusion. Hence, there is a need to re-look into the
intents of the UBBL and persuade all state governments to agree to a Local Authorities Endorsed
standardised explanatory notes. To that effect, the fire department had produced two definitive
books on their interpretation of the fire protection systems requirements which had become very
useful references for designers.
The continual advances in constructional technologies and sciences have made some of the by-laws
within the UBBL out-of-date. For instance, Malaysia has experienced rapid development over the
last two decades. Large-scale structures, like new airports, shopping centres and mixed
developments, have been built with new concepts and design approaches. The existing UBBL and
other Fire Safety codes are not applicable to these structures. Hence, there is a need for the UBBL
to be updated to reflect the state-of-the-art and make allowances for the by-laws therein to be
amended to allow continual adaptation to suit the ever-changing times. The Fire Safety-
Performance Based Approach has been officially adopted in 2002 by the Fire and Rescue
Department, Malaysia [Bomba] to solve some of these shortfalls. The approach, which has been
widely practiced overseas, is a scientific and engineering-based method whereby the determination
of type and standard of fire safety protection systems required specific testing and research.
There are by-laws within the UBBL which had not been referred to by professionals and/or found to
be irrelevant. As an example, a good number of sections under the structural requirements have
been ignored and not referred to by structural engineers since most are using the British Standards
as their main design guide. Therefore, it is best to re-look these sections and decide whether to
have these clauses repealed or amended to suit the times.
4.0 THE APPLICATIONS OF THE UBBL & RELATED ACTS

4.1 DESIGN STAGE

As mentioned in the earlier sections of this paper, all the construction professionals [e.g. Land
Surveyors, Architects, C&S Engineers and M&E Engineers] will need to refer to a number of Acts and
regulations in order to prepare their designs. The Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 [UBBL] is the
main reference used by all the Local Authorities [Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan / PBT] and Technical
Departments. As such, a quick reference into the UBBL and other Acts mentioned earlier is the least
any professionals should do. Whenever practical it is best that a standard checklist is to be drawn
up with reference to the UBBL and the relevant Acts.

The Technical Departments which are of interest to C&S engineers are the Engineering Department
of the PBT [Earthwork & Sub-Structures, Roads & Drains], JKR [Public Works Department], JPS
[Department of Irrigation & Drainage], Jabatan Perkhidmatan Pembentungan [Sewerage Services
Department], Local Water Supply Company and, JAS [Department of Environment].

4.2 SUBMISSION STAGE

Since the implementation of the CCC, all Local Authorities have implemented One Stop Centres
[OSCs] to process building plans applications. It is now compulsory to submit all architectural, civil
& structural and mechanical & electrical plans and documentation simultaneously to the OSCs at the
Local Authorities in order to have their applications processed. Under OSC, Professionals no longer
submit direct to the relevant Technical Departments but instead compile all applications in a
combined submission to the Local Authorities.

As such, all design drawings and documentations by all the construction professionals must be
compiled and submitted to the OSCs for review by a team from the PBT and all the relevant
Technical Departments. The OSC team will issue written comments upon review and the
professionals are expected to comply with all their comments before submitting to the OSC for
application for approval. The OSC personnel will then distribute the pre-reviewed submissions to
the relevant departments. The onus is on OSC to follow up with the status of the application at the
technical departments.

At the same time, all professionals are expected to follow up with the relevant technical
departments if they wish for a speedy approval.

It should be highlighted that architects and engineers would have sworn vide a statement on their
drawings and documentation that their designs comply with the UBBL and they would be
accountable and responsible for the designs submitted to the Local Authorities.

4.3 DOCUMENTATION STAGE

Parallel with the submission is normally the contract documentation exercise. Since this is the
normal practice in the industry, all professionals are required to ensure that their design drawings
and documentation comply with all the requirements in the UBBL and the other Technical
Departments. The danger with non-compliance is that an incomplete documentation may result in
a redesigning of the work to suit the Technical Departments requirements at a later stage.

The objective of this stage is to ensure that the documentation is complete and consistent for
tendering purposes. Any inaccuracy, error or omission may affect the project timing, extra cost and
abortive work especially if the development has commenced. The construction professionals have a
duty of care to ensure that their documentations have incorporated all the requirements, including
statutory conditions.

4.4 CONSTRUCTION STAGE

The construction stage is where the UBBL will come in full force. At the early stages of the work
mentioned above, the construction professionals would have already incorporated the requirements
of the UBBL and other Acts in their design drawings and documentation and sworn as such therein.

During this construction stage, all the professionals must now ensure that the construction actually
complies with the design. Legally, the UBBL now enforce individual certification for the many stages
of the work. The relevant construction professionals are required by the UBBL to certify the
construction work under their expertise on specific Form Gs together with the builders and
contractors. If the architect or engineer is also the Principal Submitting Person, he will also be
counter-endorsing on all the 21 Form Gs and hence will be responsible for the whole of the work or
the development.

The duty to certify the stages of the development is enforced by law vide the UBBL and other related
Acts. Construction professionals should be aware that a breach of this duty would expose them to
claims for fraud due to wrongful certification or economic loss arising out of the natural
consequence of the breach.

5.0 SUMMARY

THE REASONS TO KNOW AND APPLY THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Construction professionals are expected to apply a reasonable standard of skill and care required of
their fields. Construction professionals cannot undertake their work dutifully and properly without
considering all the design parameters which include the statutory requirements.

Among the reasons for construction professionals to know and apply the statutory requirements,
such as the UBBL, is best to quote written judgements from two court cases in England which have
been referred by the Malaysian courts in tort cases involving construction professionals:

1. Professionals will not be judged as laymen but as persons who possess the standard of ordinary
skilled man exercising and professing to have the special skill. [Mc Nair J in Bolam v Friern Hospital
Management Committee, 1957].
2. A professional man should command the corpus of knowledge which forms part of the
professional equipment of the ordinary member of his profession.It is the standards prevailing
at the time of the acts or omission, which provide the relevant yardstick [Bingham LJ in Eckersley v
Binnie, 1988].

It should also be highlighted that the society is becoming more litigious. Many litigation cases
involving construction professionals have put the blame on the professionals for breaches of duty of
one kind or another. Lately, there have been a number of high profile court cases where architects,
engineers and building draughtsman have been implicated in building failures where their designs
have been put to questions, and over economic loses where their certifications have been
disputed.
Therefore, all construction professionals should make more effort to be conversant with the
provisions in the various Acts controlling the building industry and the terms, and the conditions of
their professional duties to all parties, be they directly or indirectly involved.

Badrul Hisham Mohamad Said

November 24, 2009

Further Readings & References:

1. Act 133 - Street, Drainage & Building Act, 1974 / Act A1286 Amendment 2007
2. Act 139 - Factories and Machinery Act, 1967
3. Act 118 - Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act, 1966 / Act1289 Amendment
2007
4. Act 318 - Strata Titles Act, 1985 / Act A1290 Amendments 2007
5. Act 56 - National Land Code, 1965
6. Act 341 - Fire Services Act, 1988
7. Act 514 - Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1994
8. Act 520 - Construction Industry Development Board Act, 1994
9. Act 127 - Environmental Quality Act, 1974
10. Act 138 - Registration of Engineers Act, 1976 / A1288 Amendments 2007
11. Act 171 - Local Government Act, 1976
12. Act 172 - Town and Country Planning Act, 1976
13. Act 418 - Water Act, 1920
14. Act 447 - Electricity Supply Act, 1990
15. Act 486 - Land Acquisition Act, 1960
16. Act 508 - Sewerage Services Act, 1993
17. Act 588 - Communications and Multimedia Act, 1988
18. Chen Thiam Leong, The Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia, 15 August 2007
19. Chong Thaw Sing & Patrick Chia, Tort in Construction Design Liability
20. Chong Thaw Sing, Certification in Malaysia: A Choice Between the Devil and Deep Blue Sea
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Seminar 2007, PAM Centre Kuala Lumpur
21. Ho Wai Ping, Building Legislation and Regulations II
22. Hussein Hamzah, Building Legislation and Regulations I
23. Ismail Omar, Rules Affecting the Land Development Process in Malaysia A Review on
Regulation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
24. P Kasi, The Architect and Land Matters Planning, Conversion and Subdivision of Land
25. Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia, Certificates of Compliance (CCC),
http://www.pam.org.my/ccc.asp
26. Dalam Mahkamah Rayuan Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (Bidangkuasa Rayuan) Rayuan Sivil No.B-
02-757-98, di antara Lim Teck Kong (Pemohon), dan Dr Abdul Hamid Abdul Rashid / Dr Khatiza Bt
Haida Ali (Responden)
27. Syamsul Zuraida Zainudin , Prof Ir Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir , Prof Madya Ir Dr Nor Mariah Adam
, Zurkarnain Mohd Kassim, Future of Fire Safety for Malaysian Housing,
28. Ibu Pejabat Bomba, Jabatan Bomba Dan Penyelamat Malaysia.-Penentuan Keperluan
Kelengkapan Menentang Kebakaran Bagi Bangunan Servis Apartmen, Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia