adherence to accessibility standards. As per Clause 44 (2) of the RPWD Act, it is mentioned that no establishment shall be issued a certificate of completion or allowed to take occupation unless it has adhered to the Standards. accessibility standards given in 13 and Annexure B of Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. 3. Development Codes Section/Clause Observations/Current text Recommendations 3.2 Development norms and standards for hill towns A list of factors is given which have to be considered, such as Exposure to sunlight, Degree of slopes and accessibility in the form of distance traveled. There is no mention here of considering people with disabilities. Add to the list: Accessibility of people with disabilities. 3.3 Parking standard: 3.1 Parking standards, and 3.3.2 Multi storeyed parking There is no mention of accessible car parking. Add the following in the parking standards: Required number of Designated Accessible Parking Spaces and its Dimensions and requirements as per the norms given in B 3.2, Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. 3.4 Residential, Group Housing, 3.5 premises (Guest houses, hostels, These sections provide specifications for various types of buildings, Group Housing, Low income Housing, Resettlement and Slum in-situ upgradation, Guest House, Boarding House and Add a common point that: All these buildings have to mandatorily be made accessible as per Clause 13 residential
standards given in B-9.14, Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016.” 4.24 Means of access (including Fire Safety- Ref Chapter 11) This section does not have much on accessibility for people with disabilities, except a few mentions. They have mentioned Ramps (4.24.7.1) but the dimensions given there do not comply with accessibility standards. In point, 4.24.4, ‘Number and size of Exits’, it is mentioned that, “At least one entrance usable by individuals in wheelchairs shall be on a level that would make the elevators accessible.” This would become very restrictive. Add in this section that: Accessibility should be ensured for approach roads, pathways, ramps, doorways as per standards. Add the following references: Walkways and Pathways: B-2.2, Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. Kerb Ramp/Dropped Kerb: B-2.3, Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. 4.30 Lighting and ventilation of rooms This section has given references to IS codes used for industrial and functional lighting but has not included cross references for lighting levels needed for ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. Add the following standard: Clause 33, Lighting, ISO standards, 21542 – 2011. 4.31 Building Services In this section, a reference to the various Parts of NBC 2005 has been given. It states, “The Planning design and installation of electrical installations, air conditioning, installation of lifts and escalators can be carried out in Add specifically that: Accessibility should be ensured for persons with disabilities. For more details refer the respective Parts in NBC 2016 for above mentioned Building services, like plumbing,
information on accessibility of persons with disabilities. 7. Special Requirements for Occupancy/ Land Development and Other Section/Clause Observations/Current text Recommendations 7.1 Industrial Building, 7.2 Educational Building (School/Colleges), 7.3 Assembly Building (Cinema, Theaters, etc.), 7.4 Petrol filling station, 7.5 Burial and cremation grounds, 7.6 Building in mining area, 7.7 Poultry farms, 7.10 Resettlement and Slum in situ upgradation These sections have to other chapters, like Part 4, 8 etc. of NBC 2005 but not to the accessibility standards in Part 3 of NBC. Reiterate in all the sections, that: All public buildings (including those owned privately) and group housing should be accessible to people with disabilities and should comply with the standards given in 13 and Annexure B, Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. 7.9 Provisions in the public buildings for handicapped persons This section states, “The building to be designed for handicapped persons need special treatment and the provisions for site planning, building requirements etc. are given in Appendix- ‘G’”. As mentioned above, it should be clearly stated that all public buildings should be accessible to people with disabilities. Add reference to accessibility standards given in 13 and Annexure B, Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016.
Section/Clause Observations/Current text Recommendations 12.12 Grading of the listed buildings / listed precincts; Table 12.1 Grading of Listed heritage Section (c) Scope for Changes, mentions the changes that are allowed/not allowed on the exterior or interior of the heritage buildings or natural features. Here, it addresses only the conservation aspect. However, it does mention the changes that would be needed for improving accessibility as per the ASI policy, which mandates all heritage sites should be made accessible, and RPWD Act 2016. Mention in the Scope for Changes in all grades of heritage buildings that: Changes done in order to make heritage buildings accessible to people with disabilities is allowed. Add a cross reference to 13 and Annexure B of Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. 12.15 Signs and outdoor display structures / including street furniture on heritage site It does not mention disability or accessibility. Add a cross reference to B 24.2 for accessible signage and graphical symbols and B 5.2.5 for resting benches and seats. 13. Streamlining of Building Plan Approvals Section/Clause Observations/Current text Recommendations 13.2 Clearances at Master Plan level; Table 13.2 Timelines of clearances from various agencies The Table provides the various clearances required and the approving authorities for the same. It also mentions the stage at which Add a row and include the following details: NOC for accessibility of persons with disabilities; Approving authority: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; All
Section/Clause Observations/Current Text Recommendations Annexure B I, II and III Fire Protection Requirements for Buildings This annexure has the List of fire protection requirements are given for different building types. Add to the list: Visual strobes, Evacuation lift, Evacuation chair, Accessible communication systems, tactile indicators leading to safe assembly, accessible evacuation maps, accessible signage. Add a note that: These should be provided in all public buildings and group housing. Annexure D Questionnaire for High Rise Buildings/Other Buildings (Fire Service Headquarters) This annexure has a list of questions with respect to Fire Safety. Some questions that need modification are listed below. Question 27. Have manual call boxes been installed in the building for raising an alarm in the event of outbreak of fire? If so, please give details. Question 28. Has public address system been installed in the building with loudspeaker on each floor with talk back facility? Following are the recommendations for modifying the questions (the numbers here correspond to the questions given in the questionnaire): Question 27. Add the following phrase at the end, “including the height of the box and if the signage is accessible”. Question 28. Please modify the question to ask if there is an accessible two-way communication system. Question 29. Please modify to state that if there is an accessible
laws: 2.9.4 viii) Building Bye-Laws rules, regulations and practice of the department and no misinterpretation on inference of provision of Building Bye-Law has been done while preparing the plans. as listed in 13 and Annexure B, Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. Appendix (Bye laws: 2.14.2) Building Permit/Sanction. This is a sanction letter issued by the authority for erecting/re-erecting/adding to/alteration. Some important points are reiterated in the sanction. Add the following point: The owner should ensure that the building shall adhere to the accessibility standards in 13 and Annexure B, Part 3 Volume 1, NBC 2016. Appendix (Bye laws: 2.16) Form for Certificate of This form is submitted by the Architect along with the notice of completion. Add: Certified that the building(s) incorporates the provisions of accessibility of persons with disabilities as specified in 13 and Annexure B, Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. Appendix (Bye Certificate The certificate mentions that the building has been inspected with reference to building bye-laws in respect to the structural safety, fire safety, hygienic Please add: Accessibility of persons with disabilities.
Appendix G (Bye laws: 7.9 & 8.12) To Provide Facilitates in the Public Building excluding Domestic Buildings for Differently-abled Persons The title of this appendix itself is inappropriate. Facilitates should be replaced by facilities. Excluding domestic buildings would mean excluding group housing. They have used the term “Differently abled”. This two page annexure is totally inappropriate. They have differentiated buildings to be made friendly for ambulant and non ambulant people with disabilities. Further they have differentiated buildings that need to be made friendly for people using small and large wheelchairs! Appendix G should be deleted. The standards should be on 13 and Annexure B of Part 3, Volume 1, NBC 2016. Appendix H (Bye laws: 7.10) Regulations for Resettlement and Slum In-situ Upgradation This appendix is about regulations pertaining to resettlement and Slum upgradation in terms of pathways, staircase, water closet, flushing system Add: A common point that accessibility should be ensured while designing the pathways, staircase, water closet, flushing