IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011

National Building Code

Update
Some thoughts on the
Services
•What we set out to do?
•What have we achieved?
•What needs to be done?
 Need for Update
The Construction activity has changed
very much during the past twenty years.
Particularly in the field of Electrical &
Mechanical Services the change over the
years has been enormous.
Developments in communication,
computers has been fast & in jumps
Security, Safety & Health requirements
are becoming more & more important.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 2/42

 COMMENTS/NOTE
The presentation which was prepared for a
similar workshop held IEI DelhiSC, has been
used as the base to discuss & additional
slides have been inserted.

Additional slides are in a different color on

the screen; But the print version that may be
distributed may not be in color; So the new
slides carry the text in italics.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 3/42

 Change In Outlook
Look at Building as a whole with all
Elements, Materials, Equipment,
Operational Life Cost,
Efficient Life by Maintenance &
Maintainability,
Energy Efficiency,
Health & Safety,
Lessons Learnt From Past Success &
Failures
Cater to the needs of the user
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 4/42
 Section 2
Revisions keeping in view
Adoptability/Adaptability
Substations
Located within main building to be free of
oil
Can be located in upper floors
Inter equipment fire barriers not required
with oil free equipment
Can be located in first basement, with
automatic fire extinguishing systems
If located in separate service building can
have equipment
IEI/BIS reviewwith
of NBC2005oil
on March 9, 2011 5/42
 Section 2
Busbar Trunking
as a means of total reduction of
combustible material in the electrical
system
Suggestions for load estimation/ diversity
included
Guidelines on switchgear by reference to
standards
Recommends full size neutral in
distribution system, to cater to the effect
of non linear loads & resultant harmonics.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 6/42
 Section 2
Some items to be phased out such as
Hinged type boards, open switch boards,
retained with a note for phase out ----
need of adoptability
Use of MCB & MCCB & undesirability of
rewirable fuses
Earthing need clearly mentioned
Inspection schedule, testing and
recommended pre-commissioning
insulation values
Lightning protection updated
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 7/42
 Status in NBC 2005
Electrical Installations cover all systems
Electrical Part 8 Section 2
Lighting & Ventilation Part 8 Section 1
HVAC Part 8 Section 3
Lift & Escalators Part 8 Section 5
Fire Safety Part 4
Water Supply & Waste Disposal Part 9
Inclusion of the associated provisions for electrical
equipment of the system makes system design more
meaningful and complete.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 8/42

 4
Evacuation Facilities under abnormal conditions
Exit Path Lighting
Distinct illumination at Lift Lobby, Fire call points,
change of direction, equipment installation points
Signs & Illumination
Circuit Segregation
Connection for emergency from neighbors
Control Switch grouping for staircase
Emergency Lighting to run for 90 min
Separate conduits to carry wiring for Lifts,
Pumps, Corridor, staircase, lift lobby.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 9/42

 4
Separate ducts for power to systems
which are to run under abnormal
conditions. -- How & what to do is not defined!
2 hrs fire rating for inspection panel
doors, electrical shaft doors etc.,
Cable & Busbar systems to have fire
stops
Vertical & Horizontal for compartment integrity maintenance
Substation to have separate source of power supply (other than
the one it controls)
Shafts to be separated from staircase or any exit path
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 10/42
 8 Section 1; Lighting &
Ventilation
Illumination levels, energy efficiency,
daylight integration, architectural
design for daylight induction.
Switch & circuit grouping to effect
merging with daylight
Recommendation of choice of
lighting type

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 11/42

 Guiding Factors
Energy
Environment
Customer Service Orientation
Health & Safety
Standardization across the country
Unification of bye-laws
Guidance to cover not just clearances,
but also impact on energy &
environment
Impact on the neighborhood
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 12/42
 Status of Update
NBC 2005: Based on current Construction
activity status.
Particularly in the field of Electrical &
Mechanical Services the obsolete systems
have removed in general & current practices
are introduced.
Developments in communication, computers
has been fast & in jumps; NBC committee
with DIT has recently been set up
Security, Safety & Health requirements are
have been covered to a large extent.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 13/42

 Change over the years
Proliferation of the electrical and
electronic gadgets both in the house and
in the office
Improved quality of life, improved
communication between individuals and
have contributed to a significant change
in the performance of organizations.
These gadgets enhance the output of
individuals and organizations.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 14/42

 Change over the years
Installation of the services has undergone
a change.
Many of the methods listed in the NBC
1983 are today obsolete.
The energy cost has also been
responsible for the change in outlook for
the electrical, mechanical and electronic
equipment that goes into a building.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 15/42

 Status in NBC 2005
In Electrical & Mechanical Services
the obsolete systems have been
removed in general & current
practices are introduced.
Need to augment details on Small
standby Generators, UPS & Invertors.
Electrical Safety – safety from shock,
guidance on location of switches are
required.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 16/42
 Change over the years
Energy costs have also brought in a
change in the outlook of the
architectural design of buildings.
We cannot afford to overlook the
operating cost of the building as a
whole.
Closely associated with the energy are
the environmental factors
associated with energy usage.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 17/42

 Status in NBC 2005
Simultaneous development of Code for Energy
Conservation in Buildings by Bureau of Energy
Efficiency, required NBC to keep off that area.
Environmental regulations for control of
(1) noise and
(2) exhaust emission
and methods to achieve them would be a necessary
addition
Electrical controls – remote control, group control,
sensor based controls would be welcome.
Energy Storage – different forms & cost effective
applications to be added.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 18/42

 Energy & Environment
Global Warming which was considered to
be a distant dream of a pessimistic
scientist is now identified to be a reality
staring at us.
Energy consumption is directly associated
with the production of green house
gasses and global warming.
We cannot afford to face the
consequences on the environment

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 19/42

 Building & Energy
Our building designs should keep energy
in all its forms and stages of utilization
Energy that goes into the formation of
the building materials.
Energy that is utilized in the construction.
Energy that will be spent during the life
time of the building.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 20/42

 Speed of Construction &
Maintainability
The speed of construction has also been
assuming importance.
Speed of construction is dependent on the
method adopted and the type of structure.
Maintainability is another aspect which has
not been addressed in the Code.
Today with the gradual but continuous
increase in the labor costs it is essential that
the design is such that the requirements of
resources are kept to the minimum.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 21/42

 Status in NBC 2005
Construction speed – correlation with
methods could be brought out.
Maintenance is another area, which
has become very complex. Code
should cover maintenance methods,
inspection frequency, standards to
evaluate on replacement of obsolete
components.
Standards for component life.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 22/42
 Requirement Today
Architectural Design with emphasis on
insulation, daylight utilization, natural
ventilation, shielding, acoustics, window area
& disposition, glazing.
Structural Design including environmental
factors such as weather, earthquake etc.,.
Material selection & Equipment Selection as
part of the basic design process.
Lighting Design again has to be an
integrated design effort with day lighting
and artificial lighting being given a
collective treatment.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 23/42
 Status in NBC 2005
Integrated approach to Design &
Construction has been emphasized.
Content and chapters in the NBC are
also reasonably integrated.
Lighting – Day Lighting & Artificial
Lighting have been integrated in a
reasonable manner.
But principles of combined design
require to be added.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 24/42
 Requirement Today
Natural Ventilation has to be integrated
with controlled Heating, Ventilation & Air
Conditioning and should cover assisted &
natural ventilation, where relevant and
should also cover the overall energy
aspects in the context of heat inflow
associated with daylight induction.
Lighting & Ventilation for safety & health
aspects should be covered as an
essentiality.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 25/42

 Requirement Today
Acoustics is another area which today in
general is attended to only in the case of
auditorium or conference hall etc.
Aspects such as traffic noise, its shielding
are also to be covered.
Acoustic separation of adjoining rooms, in
particular between rooms for discussions
and work rooms in adjoining spaces is also
in important environmental factor which
should be covered in the design schemes.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 26/42

 Status in NBC 2005
Today we have far more people working round
the clock. Apart from Industrial factories more
are working in IT & ITES.
Lighting & exposure to day light, temperature &
humidity control, acoustics and controlled
variation of these parameters during the shift
period are today considered essential. To adopt
them we have to put them in the codes.
Environmental aspects of disposal from
construction, operation & maintenance aspects
and proper disposal or recycling can be added.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 27/42

 Electrical
Wiring systems in the present code
have become obsolete and are better
dispensed with.
Use of a large number of gadgets the
need for socket outlets has increased.
Gadgets which consume non-linear
current & reflect harmonics on to the
system have also increased.
As a result the distribution system
associated with has also undergone a
change.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 28/42

 Electrical
Distribution system changes have also
come up due to the changes in the
fault energy feed.
Fuses have generally been
replaced by Miniature Circuit
Breakers, Molded Case Circuit
Breakers.
Air Circuit breakers at medium
voltages and Vacuum as well
as SF6 circuit breakers at
higher voltages.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 29/42
 Electrical
Fire hazard associated with the
power transformation has let us to
change over to oil free switch gear
and transformers.
Cable based distribution systems
have given way to Busbar &
Compact Busbar based systems
reducing the combustible material
and also enhancing the reliability,
while reducing the maintenance
effort.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 30/42

 Electrical
Dry type transformers are becoming common and
are also being installed in upper floors.
Increased cost of labor have led to system design
and component selection with long service life.
Energy considerations and technology have
brought in a whole set of new control devices.
Remote control switches for lights fans etc.,
based on infra red or radio frequency
Passive infra red movement detector
Light sensitive switching devices
Central control systems based on computer & Lan

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 31/42

 Status in NBC 2005
New systems of distribution – busbar
standard & compact trunking are now
included.
Recommendations for use fire survival
cable system to feed services required to
remain in service even in the event of an
abnormal condition are to be added.
Provision for connection from the
neighbor's property for emergency
power requirements could be added.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 32/42

 Drivers for the Change
Changes driven by energy, environment and
fire have been made possible by a major
change in the technology.
Standards for most of the power equipment
have also been standardized and many of
them have been harmonized with IEC
standards
Benchmark for energy consumption or
energy efficiency of equipment are to be
established and incorporated.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 33/42

 Systems:Communication
Telephone System, PABX, Cordless (WLL)
Systems
Intercom, Paging, General Announcement
System
Data Communication
Local Area Network, VoIP
Satellite, VSAT, Dish Antennae
Hard wired networks
Copper - UTP, Co-Axial
Optical
Multiplexed network cabling systems
Wireless Networking
Infra red networks
Radio Frequency
IEI/BIS review Networks
of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 34/42
 Security & Access Control
Access to & within buildings for persons
Vehicular access, Parking Control
CCTV Surveillance
Movement Detection & linkage to Access,
CCTV, Air Conditioning, Lighting etc.,
Announcement Systems
Emergency Announcements under conditions of
fire etc.,
Operational announcements,
Functional announcements,
Soft Music distribution
Exit Signs and Escape route marking & lighting

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 35/42

 Status in NBC 2005
Power consumption benchmarks from ECCB
(BEE) can be incorporated.
Green Building concepts, evaluation in Indian
conditions & related design, recycle,
construction practices can be added.
BIS & DIT are working on Data & Voice
communication systems.
Surveillance, Security & Access Control
systems are common features of buildings.
NBC should cover these in greater detail.
Non Conventional Energy sources & their
integration with building elements.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 36/42

 Non Conventional Energy
Applications
Non Conventional energy today appears to be
expensive; But for many applications where a high
quality of power is required it could work out to be
cost effective, as most of the non conventional
energy systems such as Solar Photo voltaic
Systems, Solar Hot water Systems, have very high
reliability.
For an escape route & exit sign system or a
computer system requiring a UPS, SPV system is a
fair cost effective competitor.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 37/42

 Mechanical Systems
Ventilation & Evaporative Cooling
Vertical Transportation Systems (Lifts or
Elevators)
Standby Diesel Generating Sets
Water Pumping Systems
Sewage Pumping & Aeration Systems
Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration
Wet Riser
Sprinkler
De-Watering
Travellators
Escalators

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 38/42

 Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning highly energy intensive (electrical,
absorption, mechanical compression)
type of energy source used (Electricity or Fuel)
type of compressor (reciprocating, centrifugal, screw, scroll),
type of refrigerant (R-11, R-12, R-22, R-123, R-134a, R-407, Water,
Ammonia)
The choice of refrigerant is influenced by the Ozone
depletion potential.
Refrigerant choice is also governed by the energy
efficiency and energy consumption affects global
warming.
Ammonia & Water based systems which are
environment friendly give certain other problems.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 39/42

 Air Conditioning
Air distribution and control can have alternatives
(AHU, Fan Coil, High pressure air, Constant
volume, Variable air volume).
Integration of controls of the air distribution
systems with the fire detection and alarm system
as well as smoke extraction systems are
essential in large air conditioned buildings.
Heating and De-humidification can also have
alternatives such as electrical strip heaters, hot
water system based on either electricity or fuel.
R-11, R-12 are CFCs are most objectionable,
R-22, R-123 are HCFCs which are less damaging
and the others are least damaging from the
aspect of Ozone Hole.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 40/42
 Architecture &
Air Conditioning
Integration of architectural design aspects such
as shading, use solar passive elements, daylight,
use of glass, thermal insulation
Reduces solar load or heat gain, which will
ultimately reduce the air conditioning load and
thereby energy consumption.
With the growing pressure on urban space and
construction restrictions in bye laws, air
conditioning water chilling or direct expansion
plants of sizes upto 240 TR are being installed
on the terrace

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 41/42

 BAS, DG Sets, &
Physiological Aspects
Standby Diesel Generating Sets
Building Automation System
Monitoring the operation of all types of
equipment covering power system, lifts,
air conditioning, water supply, sewage
disposal & treatment, lighting, access
control, fire detection etc.,
Recent research indicates that the human
body does require a rhythmic variation of
temperature and light.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 42/42
 Detection
While the separate section for Fire Related
Systems exists, the design of electrical
systems & communication systems have
to be covered with the particular aspects
of continued performance of the essential
services even in the event of an
abnormality in a small portion or
compartment of the building.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 43/42

 Safety
Today the training of the architects has
changed and the general needs and the
restrictions imposed are reasonably
well known to qualified architects and
they take them up from the concept
stage itself.
Without proper provision for services
and good maintainability, the overall
operational cost of the building during
its life shoots up and it becomes
uneconomical in the long run
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 44/42
 Complexity, Specialization,
Licensing
Services equipment today has grown in complexity.
builders /contractors override or neglect the safety
provisions with regard to electricity rules, earthquake
resistant design, lift rules
Tragedies like the Uphaar Cinema, Bhuj etc., have
brought these things out clearly.
Code to prescribe controls for the building envelope,
insulation, fenestration, air conditioning design
parameters, equipment selection, lighting and daylight
induction including optimization for different latitudes
and longitudes, ventilation aspects, energy efficiency of
equipment, motors, lighting levels, light sources,
motors for other services such as pumps etc.,.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 45/42

 Conclusions
Energy considerations are driving us towards the total
integration at the design stage for sustained energy
efficiency
The Electrical & Allied systems have been undergoing
fast technological change and the code requires to be
updated on these aspects.
Air conditioning systems have a very wide set of
alternatives with benefits and penalties and the code
has to bring out the various alternatives available with
High cost of urban land is driving us to install DG Sets,
Air conditioning plants etc., on the top of the buildings.
While many installations have been successfully
serving proper analysis and codal provisions to ensure
safety have to be provided.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 46/42

 Conclusions
Environmental considerations are also
bringing emphasis on energy and also on
making the buildings or building
complexes to be self reliant or self
sustainable, with reduced dependency on
the central systems provided by the local
bodies (Municipality, Electrical
Distribution, Water Supply, Sewage
Disposal, Communications).
Building Automation systems are
affordable and are a necessity today to
ensure efficient operation of buildings
and to provide proper maintenance. 47/42
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011
 Change In Outlook
Standards/Code to be such that they
are adoptable/adaptable
Enforcement Vs Voluntary
Use
Dynamic – Accept changes as new
techniques, equipment & materials
become available
Lessons Learnt From Past Success &
Failures
Cater to the needs of the user
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 48/42
 Conclusions - NBC 2005
NBC 2005 has been updated.
There is need for a few more essential
additions to the code.
Today the changes are taking place very fast
and the method or procedure for updating the
code has also to undergo a change for fast
response.
Accessibility to the document should be
improved. Web based access could be
considered.
Many Educational Institutions are not aware
of the revised NBC.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 49/42

 Conclusions - NBC 2005
Dynamic updating is required
Accessibility to the document should be
improved. Web based access could be
considered.
Objective based codes should be
introduced to encourage innovation,
induction of new methods, materials
Failure documentation on a wide scale so
that we learn from our mistakes.

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 50/42

Next Generation of Codes
New Code Development Process
Current Code Documents

Move Towards Objective-Based Codes

2005

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 51/42

 Objective-Based Codes

Objective-Based Codes
•Why Objective-Based Codes?
•What are they?
•How do they work?
•When will they come into effect?
•What are the benefits?
•Summary
 Objective-Based Codes

What’s new?
Functional Statements

Each provision is linked to one or more

functional statements, which:
describe the conditions to be achieved
in more detail than objectives do
are qualitative

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 53/42

 Objective-Based Codes

What’s new?
Functional Statements

Each provision is linked to one or more

functional statements, which:
describe the conditions to be achieved
in more detail than objectives do
are qualitative

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 54/42

 Division A Objective-Based Codes

Compliance, Objectives and

Functional Statements

Table of Contents
Part 1. Compliance
Part 2. Objectives
Part 3. Functional Statements

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 55/42

 Division A Objective-Based Codes

Compliance, Objectives and

Functional Statements

Table of Contents
Part 1. Compliance
Part 2. Objectives
Part 3. Functional Statements

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 56/42

 Intent Example from the Objective-Based Codes

database
NBC 2) Interior and exterior walking surfaces that are
3.8.1.3.(2) within a barrier-free path of travel shall
a) have no opening that will permit the passage of
a sphere more than 13 mm diam,
b) have any elongated openings oriented
approximately perpendicular to the direction
Intent
of travel ...

To reduce the probability that a wheelchair or

other mobility assistance device used by a person
will be trapped in a walking surface, which could
lead to loss of balance of the person, which could
lead to harm to the person or persons nearby.
IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 57/42
 Objective-Based Codes

•
Summary
Objectives - are top level
• Functional Statements - describe conditions
to be achieved
• Intents - give detailed reason for each
specific requirement/solution in plain
language
• Acceptable Solutions - are current and future
prescriptive and performance requirements
• Alternative Solutions - no change in current
approach for compliance with National Codes

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011 58/42

IEI/BIS review of NBC2005 on March 9, 2011
National Building Code
2005

Thank
•What we set out to do?

you
•What have we achieved?
•What needs to be done?