1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 General
This part of the Code provides the minimum requirements for safe constructional operations. It describes precautionary measures to be taken to ensure the safety of property, workmen, public, materials, services, plant and equipment.
1.1.2 Scope
The regulations stated in this part cover the constructional responsibilities and practices in building sites; safe storing, stacking and handling of materials; and safety of personnel during construction operations. The provisions of this part shall apply to all construction operations viz. erection, alteration, repair, removal or demolition of buildings and structures.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to nullify any rules, regulations or statutes governing the protection of the public or workers from any hazard involved in manufacturing, mining and other processes and operations which generate toxic gases, dust or other elements dangerous to the respiratory system, eye sight or health.
1.1.3 Terminology
This section provides an alphabetical list of the terms used in and applicable to this part of the Code. In case of any conflict or contradiction between a definition given in this section and that in any other part, the meaning provided in this part shall govern for interpretation of the provisions of this part. References shall be made to Part 1 and Part 2 for terms not defined in this section.
BLAST AREA: The area in which danger may arise during or prior to demolition including the potential area affected by preparation, handling and use of explosives.
BLASTING: The operation of disintegrating rock, structure etc. by firing an explosive charge.
CARTRIDGE: A wrapped or otherwise protected cylinder of defined size of a homogeneous explosive material.
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT: All equipment, machineries, tools and temporary retaining structures and working platforms, such as derricks, staging, scaffolds, runways, ladders and all material handling equipment including safety devices.
DETONATOR: An instantaneous or delay initiator for explosive materials and containing a charge of high explosive fired by means of a flame, spark or electric current.
EXPLOSIVE: Any substance, whether or not contained in a device, used or manufactured with a view to producing an effect by explosion.
FLOOR HOLE: An opening in any floor, platform, pavement, or yard, measuring less than 300 mm but more than 25 mm in its least dimension, through which materials but not persons may fall; e.g. a belt hole, pipe opening or slot opening.
FLOOR OPENING: An opening in any floor, platform, pavement or yard bigger than a floor hole measuring 300 mm or more in its least dimension, through which a person may fall; e.g. hatchway, stair or ladder opening, hopper mouth pit or large manhole.
GUARD RAILING: A barrier erected along exposed edges of an open floor, floor opening, wall opening, ramp, platform, catwalk or balcony, etc. to prevent the fall of persons.
HOISTS: A platform, bucket or similar enclosure made of steel frames, struts and timber planks used for the lifting or lowering of construction material and workmen, the hoists being operated from a point outside the conveyance.
MAGAZINE: Any building or structure used for the storage of explosives with approval of the Authority.
PILE RIG: The complete pile driving equipment comprising piling frame, leader, hammer, extractor, winch and power unit. Complete pile driving rig may be mounted on rafts or pontoon or rails. Pile rig may also be a mobile unit mounted on trailers or trucks, or a special full revolving rig for making piles.
PLATFORM: A working space for persons, elevated above the surrounding floor or ground, e.g. balcony or platform for the operation of machinery and equipment.
PRIMER: A cartridge cord or container of explosive into which a detonator or detonating cord is inserted or attached and is designed to initiate a larger charge.
SALVAGE: An act of saving and utilizations of reusable scrap materials conforming to the requirements of this Code.
SCAFFOLD: A temporary erection of timber or metal work to support or to allow the hoisting and lowering of workmen, tools and materials.
SHOTFIRER: The person in immediate control of the use of explosives.
TOE BOARD: A vertical barrier erected along exposed edge of a floor opening, wall opening, canopy, platform, catwalk or ramp at floor level to prevent fall of materials or persons.
WALL HOLE: An opening in any wall or partition having a height of 25 mm to 750 mm and any width.
WALL OPENING: An opening in any wall or partition having a height of at least 750 mm and a width of at least 450 mm.
1.2 PLANNING
1.2.1 Responsibilities
In a construction or demolition work, the terms of contract between the owner and the contractor, and between a consultant and the owner, shall be clearly defined and put in writing. These, however, will not absolve the owner from any of his responsibilities under the various provisions of this Code, other applicable regulations and bye-laws.
The terms of contract between the owner and the contractor will determine the responsibilities and liabilities of either party in the concerned matters, within the provisions of the relevant acts and codes (e.g. the Employer’s Liability Act 1938, the Factories Act 1965, the Fatal Accident Act 1955 and Workmen’s Compensation Act 1923).
The owner, or the professional appointed by him to supervise the work, shall ensure the quality of materials used, soundness of the work and observance of all precautionary measures.
1.2.2 Temporary Construction
Plan, layout, design and specification of all temporary constructions, e.g. workers’ shed, toilet, site store, site office, runway, trestle, foot bridge, guard shed etc., which are likely to interfere with right-of-way or utility services provided by various agencies, shall be submitted to the respective authorities for approval before commencement of any construction operation.
Temporary structures may be constructed from inflammable materials, but they shall be so located as not to cause any fire hazard to adjoining structures or works and neighbouring properties.
1.2.3 Site Preparation
While preparing the site for construction, bushes, hedges, debris etc. shall be removed and properly disposed off the site. The site shall be prepared in such a way that the following facilities are provided at all times during the construction:
a) access roads for fire fighting vehicles;
b) free access from street to fire hydrants and static water tanks, if applicable;
c) access to all permanent, temporary and portable first aid equipment;
d) where applicable, stand pipe system with fire hydrant connection at accessible locations adjacent to usable stairs;
e) required number of exits; and
f) adequate sanitary facilities.
All sanitary facilities shall be kept in a hygienic condition. Temporary toilets shall be enclosed, screened and weather proofed and shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Sec 3.1.4.
1.2.4 First Aid Attendant
Depending on the scope and nature of the work, at least one person trained in first aid for every 100 workers shall be available at work site to render and direct first aid to casualties. The first aid attendant shall have a refresher course every five years and certificates renewed.
A telephone, if possible, shall be made available to first aid assistant with emergency telephone numbers prominently displayed. A record/reports of all accidents and actions taken thereon shall be kept by the first aid attendant and forwarded to appropriate authorities when asked. See also Sec 3.10.3.4.
1.3 CONSTRUCTION CONTROL
1.3.1 General
All construction including extension, alteration and demolition shall require a permit from the Authority. Permits shall also be obtained from relevant organizations for service connections and other facilities. The construction work shall conform to the plan approved by the Authority.
The owner shall make arrangements for obtaining the required approvals.
All new work or renovation shall be planned, designed, supervised and executed by competent professionals of relevant discipline.
1.3.2 Permits
The owner of a building shall obtain permission from the Authority for the work to be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Part 2 of this Code.
Special permits shall be obtained from relevant authorities before commencement of a particular construction work for the following items and for any other item as decided by the Building Official:
a) storing materials on roads and sidewalks;
b) using water, electricity, gas, sewerage or other public utilities;
c) digging roads or interfering with the drainage system;
d) storing and handling of explosives; and
e) affecting any structure having historical association and antiquity.
1.3.3 Tests and Inspections
The Authority shall notify both the owner and the contractor of any unsafe, unlawful or unethical situation discovered during inspection and direct them to take necessary remedial measures to remove the hazard or rectify the violation.
Where the strength or adequacy of any scaffold or other device or construction equipment is in doubt, or where any complaint is lodged, the Authority shall inspect such equipment and shall prohibit its use until tested safe as required by Sec 1.4.7, or until all danger is removed.
1.4 PROTECTION OF PUBLIC AND WORKERS
1.4.1 General
Erection, alteration, renovation, remodelling, repairing, removal or demolition of a building or structure shall be conducted in a safe manner. Suitable protection for the general public and workers employed thereon shall be provided according to the various provisions of this Code.
All equipment and safeguard required for the construction work such as temporary stair, ladder, ramp, scaffold, hoist, runway, barricade, chute, lift etc. shall be substantially constructed and erected so as not to create any unsafe situation for the workmen using them or the workmen and general public passing under, on or near them.
1.4.2 Protective Fences and Railings
Pedestrian traffic on the adjacent road or footpath, or the walkway constructed in accordance with Sec 1.5.3(c), shall be protected by a railing or fence. Protective railing or fence shall also be placed adjacent to excavations. Railings shall be at least 1m in height and when adjacent to excavations, shall be provided with a mid-rail.
All construction work within 1.5 m from the road shall be enclosed with a fence not less than 2.4 m high from the grade. If the work is more than 1.5 m away from the road, a fence or other barriers shall be erected at least on the side of the site nearest to the footpath/road. The fence shall extend over the entire length of the side. Openings in fences may have doors which normally shall be kept closed.
All fences shall be of adequate strength to resist wind pressure and other load as specified in Chapter 2, Part 6. All fences shall be well braced. The side of any fence/handrail adjacent to a road or sidewalk shall be kept smooth. Fences, barriers, or temporary structures of any kind located on public roads shall not obstruct vision at the intersection of streets.
Protective canopy shall have a clear height of 2.4 m over the walkway. Walkways under the canopy shall be not less than 1.2 m wide in the clear. However, the Building Official may instruct differently regarding the clear width in congested areas.
Every canopy shall have a fence built along its entire length on the construction side. If materials are stored or work is done on the roof of the canopy, edges of the canopy roof shall have a light curb board not less than 200 mm high and a railing not less than 1 m high. The entire structure shall be designed to carry the loads to be imposed.
The posts or other supporting members of any temporary structure on the road side shall be designed for the load due to vibration generated by the street traffic. The framework supporting the covering shall be well braced and designed to support at least 7 kPa. However, the top deck shall be designed to carry not less than 10 kPa.
The roof covering shall be of a width sufficient to cover the entire walkway or sidewalk and shall be made watertight. Also see Sec 4.1.6.
Covered walkways shall be provided with adequate lights at all times. Cantilevered platforms or other substitute protection in lieu of sidewalk sheds shall not be used unless approved by the engineer and deemed adequate to insure public safety.
Materials shall not be stored on overhangs unless these are designed for the load. Such storage shall in no case exceed a day’s supply. All materials shall be piled in an orderly manner and height to permit removal without endangering the stability of the pile and canopy.
1.4.4 Protective Devices
No structure, fire protection or sanitary safeguard or device shall be removed or made inoperative unless instructed by the engineer. Pedestrian protection required by all relevant regulations shall be maintained in place and kept in good order as long as pedestrians may be endangered. Every protection, fence, canopy and other protective devices shall be removed within 7 days after such protection is no longer required.
1.4.5 Notices and Signs
Every walkway adjacent to a construction, demolition or excavation site shall be kept well-lighted at night. The outer edge of the occupied space of the street or footpath shall have red lights placed thereon which shall flash continuously day and night.
Boards with caution signs, along with safety regulations and emergency instructions painted in bright colour, preferably red, shall be erected near the entry and in prominent places of the site. It shall describe appropriate measures for the elimination or control of the danger and the conduct and course of action to be taken. Red caution marks shall also be placed on the building, equipment and utility connections.
1.4.6 Watchman and Auditory Signal
A watchman shall be employed to warn the general public when intermittent hazardous operations are conducted. Audible signal shall be used in case of extreme danger. It shall be such that any person in the reception area can recognize and react to the signal as intended. An auditory emergency evacuation signal shall take precedence concerning recognition over all auditory signals.
1.4.7 Safe Load
No structure, temporary support, scaffolding, sidewalk, footpath and drain covers, shed, other devices and construction equipment shall be loaded in excess of its safe working capacity.
Whenever the structural quality or strength of scaffolding plank or other construction equipment is in doubt, these shall be replaced or be subject to a strength test to two and half times the superimposed live load; the member may be used if it sustains the test load without failure.
Requirements of Sec 3.7.3 shall be observed regarding design loads in scaffolds.
1.5 PROTECTION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY
1.5.1 General
All existing and adjoining public and private property shall be protected from any damage due to construction operations. The use of public properties shall meet the requirements of relevant public agencies. Whenever requested, site plans, construction details, and specification shall be submitted for review by the concerned agency.
Public walkway shall be occupied to carry out work under a building permit unless the pedestrians are protected as specified in this section. Any material or structure temporarily occupying public property, including fences and walkways, shall be adequately lighted at night.
1.5.2 Adjoining Property
Necessary permissions to preserve and protect the adjoining plot, building or structure shall be obtained by the owner of the building to be constructed. Adjoining property shall be completely protected from any damage due to the building operation when the owner of the adjoining property permits free accesses to the adjoining site and building.
If required, the owner of the adjoining plot, building or structure shall be granted necessary permission to enter the construction site to make his own property safe.
No part of any structure, except signs, shall project beyond the property line of the site. Sidewalk sheds, underpinning and other temporary structures and protective guards and devices may project beyond property lines if approved by the Authority. Where necessary, the permission of the adjoining property owner shall also be obtained.
Where a construction or demolition is undertaken at a level higher than the adjacent structure, the roof, roof outlets, skylights and other roof structures of adjoining buildings shall be protected against damage. This shall be ensured by the owner of the construction site at his own expense.
If the owner, lessee or tenant of the adjoining building refuses permission to have the roofs and skylights of the adjoining building protected, the responsibility and expense for the said protection shall transfer to the person refusing such permission.
Road and footpath spaces may be used only temporarily during construction subject to the following conditions:
a) permissions shall be obtained from relevant authorities for all such uses;
b) the allocated space or any portion thereof shall be more than 1.5 m away from a railway track;
c) a walkway shall be constructed in the outer portion of the road space permitted to be occupied in conformity with Sec 1.4.2 and 1.4.3;
d) an 1 m clear passage shall be maintained along the building site;
e) person(s) who has been issued a permit to use road and footpath spaces shall furnish a bond with the relevant authority of such type and amount as may be deemed advisable by the authority as protection from all liabilities;
f) the permittee shall repair any damages done to the adjacent road due to its use for construction work at his own expense; the bond money shall stand forfeited if the permittee fails to comply with this requirement; and
g) it shall be used in a manner that will not deface it or create a nuisance. The owner, upon the completion of the building, shall immediately remove all temporary walkways, debris and all other obstruction and leave such public property in as good a condition as it was before such work commenced.
1.5.4 Adjoining Structure and Retaining Wall
The owner of the construction site shall preserve all adjoining structures and walls from damage. He shall support the adjoining building or structure by proper foundations to comply with Sec 1.5.2.
During any demolition or excavation work, the structure or the wall shall be maintained structurally safe by adequate temporary props and lateral supports, if necessary.
Where the grade of the adjoining plot is lower than the site level, a retaining wall shall be erected, if necessary, at the owner’s expense and on his site. Design and construction of retaining wall shall conform to the structural requirements for such walls, and may have a railing or fence at the top to provide a total height of not less than 1 m above the finished grade of the higher plot.
1.5.5 Protection of Utilities
Protective frame and boarding shall be built around and over every street lamp, utility box, fire and police alarm box, fire hydrant, catch basin and manhole that may be damaged by any construction work. The protection shall be maintained while such work is being done; and shall not obstruct the normal functioning of the device.
Building material, fence, shed etc. shall not obstruct free access to any fire hydrant, lamppost, manhole, fire alarm box, or catch basin, or interfere with the drainage of the site. Protective covers shall be provided to such utility fixtures during the progress of the work without obscuring their identity.
Precaution shall be taken during construction to prevent concrete, mortar washing or any other material from entering and blocking a sewer.Last modified on August 31, 2026
