Lecture 3; Introduction to Construction Engineering - 3.pptx

CE4103 CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING - 3
Prepared by:
Lec. Saad Fawad Azim
Lecture 3
CE4103

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
‫ما‬ْ‫ل‬ِ‫ع‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ن‬ْ‫د‬ ِ
‫ز‬ ِِّ‫ب‬‫ر‬
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
‫وا‬ُ‫ه‬َ‫ق‬ْ‫ف‬َ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ن‬‫ا‬َ‫س‬ِ‫ل‬ ْ‫ن‬ِ‫م‬ ‫ة‬َ‫د‬ْ‫ق‬ُ‫ع‬ ْ‫ل‬ُ‫ل‬ْ‫اح‬ َ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ِ
‫ر‬ْ‫م‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ل‬ ْ‫ر‬ِِّ‫س‬َ‫ي‬ َ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ِ
‫ر‬ْ‫د‬َ‫ص‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ل‬ ْ‫ح‬َ‫ر‬ْ‫ش‬‫ا‬ ِِّ‫ب‬َ‫ر‬
‫ي‬ِ‫ل‬ ْ‫و‬َ‫ق‬
“My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance] and ease for me my task and untie the knot
from my tongue that they may understand my speech.”
َّ‫م‬ُ‫ه‬َّ‫لل‬َ‫ا‬
‫ا‬‫ع‬ِ‫ف‬‫َا‬‫ن‬ ‫ا‬‫م‬ْ‫ل‬ِ‫ع‬ َ‫ك‬ُ‫ل‬َ‫أ‬ْ‫س‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ي‬ِِّ‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬
,
‫ا‬‫ق‬ ْ‫ز‬ ِ
‫ر‬ َ‫و‬
‫ا‬‫َّب‬‫ي‬َ‫ط‬
,
‫ال‬َ‫م‬َ‫ع‬ َ‫و‬
‫َّال‬‫ب‬َ‫ق‬َ‫ت‬ُ‫م‬
“O Allah! I ask You for knowledge that is of benefit, a good provision and deeds that will be
accepted.”
ِ‫ح‬َّ‫ٱلر‬ ِ‫ن‬ ‫ه‬َ‫م‬ْ‫ح‬َّ‫ٱلر‬ ِ ‫ه‬َّ
‫ٱَّلل‬ ِ‫م‬ْ‫س‬ِ‫ب‬
ِ‫يم‬

3. Good Character
When the Prophet ‫صلی‬
‫وسلم‬ ‫عليہ‬ ‫ہللا‬
) ) was asked about which act would cause people to enter Paradise
the most, he replied,
“Piety and good character”
(Sunan At-Tirmidhee: 2004; Sunan Ibn Maajah: 4246)
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL

OBJECTIVES OF A BUILDING CODE
 The objectives of a building code are to ensure that all new construction and renovated
buildings provide a minimum level of safety, health, and welfare to the occupants and the
public at large.
 Although under no legal obligation to do so, the owner or the designer may choose to
exceed the requirements of the code. For the sake of economy, however, a large majority of
buildings are designed to satisfy only the minimum requirements.
 A building code does not regulate aspects of design that relate to a building’s appearance. It
deals with the issues of a building’s performance. Therefore, aesthetics, color, and form
related attributes are outside the purview of building codes.
 Additionally, the code protects the safety, health, and welfare not only of the owner of the
project but also of the general public, because the interests of the owner, the general public,
and the building occupants may be at variance with one another.
 What may be in the best interest of the owner may not be in the best interest of the public or
the occupants of the building For this reason, building construction is regulated by an
impartial authority, such as the state, county, or city.

 It is the responsibility of the regulatory authority to ensure that the interests of all concerned
parties are protected. Although design and construction professionals generally dislike having
their work policed by an external authority, building codes have one major benefit for them
all—that of liability protection.
 If the building has been designed and constructed in accordance with the building code and
other applicable regulations, the design and construction professionals are exposed to a
substantially lower liability risk. In more specific terms, a building code regulates the
following aspects of building design and construction:
 Life safety
 Fire safety
 Structural safety
 Health and welfare
 Property protection

LIFE SAFETY
 Although both fire safety and structural safety are essentially life safety issues, the reverse is not always
true. The term life safety has its own independent existence in building codes, because several safety
regulations in codes are related neither to fire safety nor structural safety.
 For example, a guardrail on a balcony, apart from being structurally adequate, must provide protection
from the danger of falling over the top of the rail or from between its vertical or horizontal members.
 Thus, the regulations relating to the height of a guardrail and the clear space between its members are
life safety regulations with no relationship to fire safety or structural safety. Similarly, the handrail on a
staircase, apart from being structurally strong, must provide adequate grippage.
 A handrail whose cross section is either too large or too small will not provide the required safety.
Therefore, building codes prescribe maximum and minimum dimensions of a handrail in addition to its
clearance from the adjacent wall. These regulations are life safety regulations, as distinct from structural
safety and fire safety regulations.
 The relationship between the treads and risers of a staircase, the dimensional uniformity of the treads
and risers, and the slope of a ramp are some other examples of life safety issues in codes. Additionally,
accessibility regulations requiring that a building be easily accessible to individuals with disabilities are,
in many ways, life safety regulations.

FIRE SAFETY
 Fire safety regulations in building codes are among the most important regulations. If one were to
separate structural regulations from building codes, the bulk of the remaining regulations would relate,
in one way or another, to fire safety issues.
 Fire safety regulations relate to the use of fire-resistant materials and construction. The types of building
construction, as defined by the codes, are directly related to the fire resistance of the major components
of the building—walls, floor slabs, roofs, beams, columns, and so on. It is also observed that smoke plays
a predominant role in the safety of occupants during a fire. Therefore, fire safety regulations are, in fact,
fire and smoke safety regulations.
 One of the most important sets of fire safety regulations deals with the means of egress from the
building (escape routes) should a fire occur. Building codes regulate various aspects of the means of
egress system in a building, including the width and height of exit enclosures, fire resistance of materials
used therein, illumination levels, exit signs, and so on. Similarly, there are code regulations for exit doors,
including height and width, fire resistance, panic hardware, and direction of swing.
 The regulations governing the provision of fire and smoke detection, fire and smoke alarms, fire
suppression, fire-extinguishing systems (automatic sprinklers and standpipes), and so on, are parts of the
fire safety regulations.

STRUCTURAL SAFETY
 Structural safety is obviously one of the primary objectives of a building code.
 A building code contains several chapters that provide detailed regulations dealing with the
structural design of buildings.
 As stated previously, structural regulations are the most numerous and account for the largest
volume of the building code document.

HEALTH & WELFARE
 Although the main preoccupation of a building code is with traditional concerns of life safety,
fire safety, and structural safety, it also deals with human health and welfare issues.
 Therefore, the building code contains provisions related to lighting, ventilation, sanitation,
temperature, and noise control.
 For the same reasons, the minimum dimensions of habitable rooms are regulated by the
codes Regulations pertaining to energy conservation and accessibility for individuals with
disabilities are also included.
 In fact, energy-conservation regulations are increasingly becoming integral to building
design.

PROPERTY PROTECTION
 Safeguarding a building against loss or damage (property protection) is indirectly ensured
through life safety and fire safety regulations, because the burning of the building or its
structural collapse are two major causes of property damage. However, the codes also contain
several regulations that deal with property protection through requirements for materials’
durability.
 These durability regulations are embedded in the codes through materials and construction
standards to which the codes refer. For instance, the codes require that roof membranes and
many other materials conform to relevant ASTM specifications.
 These specifications contain requirements for the durability of materials. Several other
durability requirements, such as those for the decay of structural and nonstructural wood
from termite and fungal attack, degeneration of materials due to freeze-thaw action, and
corrosion of metals, are expressly stated in the codes.

ENFORCEMENT OF A BUILDING CODE
 A building code is a legal document enforced through the police powers of the state. It is
under these powers that a state is authorized to enact legislation for the safety of its citizens.
 The health, traffic safety, and general welfare of the public are also promoted by the state
under the same legislation.
 Because it is generally agreed that the construction of buildings and the development of
neighborhoods are best left under the direct control of local citizens, the state usually
delegates this power to local (city or county) governments.
 Thus, it is under the police powers delegated to them by the state legislature that local
jurisdictions are able to enact, adopt, review, or change a provision of the code, subject to any
overriding state or federal legislation.

 Building Official
 Building Permit
 Certificate of Occupancy
 Board of Appeals

BUILDING OFFICIAL
 The local jurisdiction’s authority to enforce and administer the code is exercised through an enforcement
official, called the building official or the code official, who is an employee of the jurisdiction.
 It is the responsibility of the building official to verify that buildings constructed in the jurisdiction are
safe and comply with the provisions and the intent of the code. It is the building official’s duty to prevent
and/or take action to correct any violation of the code.
 In order to effectively discharge duties, a building official must have a thorough knowledge of the
building code, related city regulations, and the science of building construction.
 As the head of a city building department, the building official is usually assisted by several other
functionaries (plans examiners and building inspectors) to carry out such tasks as plan reviews and field
inspections. In a small city or jurisdiction, the building official may be the only person performing these
tasks. Some cities (particularly smaller cities) may outsource some or all of a building official’s functions
to an outside consultant—a non city employee.

BUILDING PERMIT
 The general procedure followed in administering the code is to require that the design of a proposed
building comply with the provisions of the code before official permission to commence construction is
granted by the city. Before granting approval for construction in the form of a building permit ,the city
requires the submission of a building permit application, along with copies of plans for the proposed
building.
 If the plans are in accordance with the building code and other applicable laws, the approved building
permit and plans are returned to the owner. After receiving them, the owner may commence
construction. If the plans do not comply, the owner is notified by the building official, and the plans must
be revised until conformance with the code is achieved.
 Once construction begins, periodic and progressive inspections by the building official or the building
official’s representative—the building inspector—ensure that the construction meets code requirements.
The building is inspected at several stages during construction.
 Typically, these stages are (1) prefoundation (to inspect sewage disposal and water-supply lines), (2)
post-foundation, (3) after the erection of the structural frame, (4) after insulation and vapor retarder
installation, (5) mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) rough-in, (6) MEP final, and (7) final building
completion. Every inspection concludes with a report generated by the inspector to indicate whether or
not construction is progressing in conformance with the code.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
 Once the building is substantially complete, the owner may request a final inspection and
apply for a certificate of occupancy.
 Permission to occupy the building is granted only after the city officials are satisfied that all
work has been completed in accordance with the code.
 No building may be occupied, in whole or in part, until the certificate of occupancy has been
granted.
 Among other details, a certificate of occupancy must specify the occupancy group and
division of the building, the type of construction, and any other special stipulation of the
code.

BOARD OF APPEALS
 A building code is a legal document, so it is a concise description of regulations as agreed to by the
experts. Like most other laws, it does not contain any background material (except a brief commentary)
that explains how decisions were made. A building code is, therefore, subject to interpretations, which
may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In many cases, a clear-cut interpretation of a code provision
may not even exist, because its original intent may have been either lost or not recorded.
 In this situation, the owner (or the architect working as the owner’s representative) may consult with the
local building official for an interpretation. In the event of an unresolved difference between the
interpretations of the owner and that of the building official, the building official’s interpretation and
decision are binding unless they are appealed.
 Appeals against the building official’s interpretation are referred to a board of appeals, which is usually a
standing body of the city. The board’s task is to hear appeals and adjudicate on the validity of the
building official’s decision. In some situations, the board may be requested by the building official to
provide interpretation of an ambiguous code provision.
 This allows the entire board to assume responsibility for a particular interpretation, thereby reducing the
building official’s personal liability exposure. The board’s decision is binding on the city, and in most
cases, an appeal against the board’s decision can be taken only to a court of law.

MODEL CODES
 Enforcement and Interpretation of Codes
 Formulation and updating of Codes
 The Uniform Building Code – 1997
 The International Code Council
 The International Building Code-2021 (IBC)
 The Building Code of Pakistan - Seismic Provisions (2007) (& now BCP-2021)

MODEL CODES
 There are two principal activities relating to building codes:
a. Enforcement and interpretation of codes
b. Formulation and updating of codes
 As stated earlier the enforcement of a code is mainly an administrative function handled by local
jurisdictions. By contrast, the formulation and updating of building codes which must be based on the
latest knowledge in the realm of health safety and welfare (HSW), are beyond the resources of most local
jurisdictions. These are complex activities that require the input of a large number of technical experts,
such as architects, structural engineers, fire safety engineers, chemical engineers, builders, building
officials, and building material manufacturers, to name just a few.
 In most countries, therefore, building codes are developed by an independent agency, which not only
reduces the cost burden on local governments but also avoids unnecessary duplication of work among
them. Such a code, usually referred to as the National Building Code of the country, is then adopted by
local governments.
 Note that a model code is not a legal document unless it is adopted by a jurisdiction through
appropriate legislation. Once adopted by a jurisdiction, it becomes the (legal) building code of that
jurisdiction.

MODEL CODES
THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE – 1997 (UBC)
 The Uniform Building Code, commonly known as the UBC, was published by the International
Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), headquartered in Whittier, California.
 The ICBO was formed in 1922; the first edition of the UBC was published in 1927 and its last
edition in 1997. It was adopted by a large number of cities, more commonly in the western
United States.
 Because of the relative vulnerability of the western United States to earthquakes, the UBC
distinguished itself from the other two model codes (Standard Building Code & BOCA
National Building Code (earlier known as the Basic Building Code)) by its up-to-date seismic
design provisions.
 It was adopted by Pakistan in the Building Code of Pakistan - Seismic Provisions (2007) after
the great earthquake of 2005.

MODEL CODES
THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL (ICC)
 The three model code organizations (International Conference of Building Officials, Southern
Building Code Congress International, and the Building Officials and Code Administrators
International) merged and jointly founded the International Code Council (ICC) in 1994.
 The purpose of the merger and the establishment of ICC was to discontinue production of
three separate model codes and to produce a common model code.
 In the year 2000, the first edition of ICC’s building code, called the International Building
Code (IBC), was published. Like its predecessors, the IBC is updated every three years.
 The last edition of UBC was in 1997, SBC in 1997, and BOCA NBC in 1996.
 The latest edition of IBC-2021 has been adopted in the Building Code of Pakistan – 2021.

MODEL CODES
BUILDING CODE OF PAKISTAN
 Pakistan lies on a seismic junction of three major tectonic plates of the world including
Eurasian, Indian and Arabian. The devastating Earthquake of October 2005 resulted in 87,000
casualties, 780,000 buildings were destroyed and 2.5 million people became homeless with an
economic loss of around US $ 2.3 billion.
 During that depth of difficulty and national disaster, PEC constituted a high profile Task Force
development of first-ever Building Code of Pakistan - Seismic Provisions in 2007.
 Over a period of a decade, the frequency of earthquakes has been gradually increasing in
Pakistan as per real-time recorded seismic data by Pakistan Metrological Department In fact,
there were five major earthquakes ranging from 6.4 Mw to 7.5 Mw hit almost all metropolis
cities in Pakistan. Hence, the mandatory revision of the Code was very much needed in view
of seismic-resilient design with durable structural strength, modern typologies of building
construction and safe practices.
 After a robust exercise, PEC Task Force worked diligently and successfully developed the
Building Code of Pakistan (BCP-2021) in 2021, which is based on "2021 International Building
Code (IBC)". It is exclusively developed under international copyright permission granted to

ADDITIONAL CODES
ICC
 International Mechanical Code
 International Plumbing Code
 International Electrical Code
 International Fire Code
 International Energy Conservation Code
PEC
 Building Code of Pakistan- Energy Provisions-2011
 Pakistan Electric - Telecommunication Safety Code (PETSAC)-2014
 Building Code of Pakistan- Fire Safety Provisions-2016

CONTENTS OF A BUILDING CODE
 Code Administration
 Building Planning
 Fire Protection
 Occupant Needs
 Structural Systems and Materials
 Nonstructural Materials
 Building Services
 Miscellaneous Provisions

 Code Administration: Administrative provisions deal with the administrative aspects of the code, such as
the duties and functions of a building official, plans examination, board of appeals, issuance of a building
permit, occupancy certificates, inspections, and fees. The definitions of various terms used in the code
are also contained in this part.
 Building Planning: Building-planning provisions deal with the classification of buildings according to
their occupancy and type of construction. The occupancy of the building refers to the building’s use. The
type of construction refers to the fire resistance of the major components of the building.
 These two factors— occupancy classification and the type of construction —are the two most important
factors determining the maximum allowable area of the building and its maximum allowable height.
Another factor that influences the building’s allowable area is its frontage . The frontage of a building
refers to accessible open spaces around the building, such as the separation distance from adjacent
buildings and from the lot (property) lines.
 The term accessible here means the accessibility of space to a public way to allow it to be used for
occupant escape and firefighting. The greater the frontage, the lower the fire hazard the building
presents to its occupants and the neighboring buildings and hence the greater the building’s allowable
area. For the same reason, if the building is provided with automatic sprinklers , its allowable area and
height can be increased. Fire Protection Provisions deal with fire-resistive

 Fire Protection: Provisions deal with fire-resistive materials and construction, fire-resistive interior
finishes, and fire protection systems. Fire protection systems include those that detect and suppress fires.
 Occupant Needs: Provisions deal with the means of egress, accessibility, and interior environment,
including lighting, ventilation, sanitation, and sound control.
 Building Envelope: Provisions deal with the performance of the exterior envelope of the building—
exterior walls, cladding, windows, roof, and so forth.
 Structural Systems and Materials: Provisions deal with loads on buildings, structural tests and
inspections, and foundations. This is the most extensive part of the code and includes a separate chapter
for each structural material—concrete, masonry, steel, and wood.
 Nonstructural Materials: Provisions deal with the use of nonstructural materials, such as aluminum, glass,
gypsum board, and plastics.
 Building Services: Provisions deal with electrical, mechanical, and plumbing aspects relevant to
architectural design (excluding technical aspects of these systems, which are covered in specialty codes).
 Miscellaneous Provisions: These deal with miscellaneous concerns, such as construction in the public
right of way, site work, demolition, and existing structures.

CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
 Standards are the foundations of modern building codes. They contain technical information
that addresses (a) the properties of a building product or a component, (b) test methods to
determine the properties of materials, and (c) the method of installation or construction.
 The word standard is used here as a qualifier for words such as the properties , test methods ,
or the method of installation . Thus, a standard, in fact, refers to one of the following:
 Standard specification This deals with the quality of materials, products, and components.
 Standard test method This determines the particular performance of a product or system
through a test including methods of sampling and quality control.
 Standard method of practice—construction practice, installation practice, or maintenance
practice This includes specific fabrication, installation, and erection methods of a component,
including its maintenance.
 A standard should not be confused with a building code provision. Although a code specifies
the design criteria or the required properties of a component, the standard specifies the
procedures and equipment required to verify the criteria or measure the properties

OTHER MAJOR REGULATORY CONSTRAINTS
 Zoning Ordinance
 Accessibility Standards – The Accessibility Code of Pakistan - 2006

ZONING ORDINANCES
 A zoning ordinance (also called a zoning code ) of a city or county is a document containing urban
planning laws. Its primary aim is to regulate the use of land under the jurisdiction of the city according
to a comprehensive master plan.
 Thus, a zoning ordinance segregates the land of a city into different use groups and specifies the activity
for which each piece of land can be used
 To accomplish its land-use objectives, a zoning ordinance consists of two basic elements:
 Zoning map
 Zoning text

THE ACCESSIBILITY CODE OF PAKISTAN - 2006
 A considerable percentage of the total population suffers from some form of disability which
limits their ability to maneuver around in their surroundings. Unless these people are made
capable of moving around in, and using their environments, the dream to their full
participation and equality can not be realized.
 To achieve that goal, the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities was formulated and
approved in 2002 at the culmination of the UN Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons
1993-2002, and one of its key areas of focus and special attention was to ensure safe and easy
access of persons with disabilities in public places and buildings.
 It is in this context that the building bye-laws and codes were formulated and enacted,
making it mandatory upon owners, designers, builders and regulators of public buildings and
facilities that all new construction meant for public use be made in such a way that it is
without physical barriers, and that already existing buildings and facilities are modified to an
achievable extent.

THE ACCESSIBILITY CODE OF PAKISTAN - 2006
 Whereas, these building bye-laws, known as The Accessibility Code establish minimum legal
requirements and regulations for building enclosures and systems, its compliance in terms of space and
material provisions can be achieved in scores of ways, hence ensuring complete freedom in the design
and construction of buildings and facilities without compromising the needs of people with disabilities
regarding accessibility in the built environment.
 To explain and illustrate the space and material coda requirements, a separate volume known as the
Design Manual and Guidelines for Accessibility was published separately, and provides explanations,
commentary, space standards and design guidelines for compliance of the accessibility code in creating
barrier free environment for the independence, convenience and safety of people with disabilities, the
infirm and the elderly.
 These building bye-laws and codes are not intended to be absolute and final in their requirements and
the drafting authority reserves the right to modify and augment its content with the passage of time.
 Moreover the formulation and enforcement of the accessibility code should in no way be construed to
either replace or substitute the normal building and planning control regulations or mechanism of the
regulatory authorities. It is only intended to supplement the normal building and planning control
functions of a civil society for inclusion and mainstreaming of people with disabilities

END NOTE
“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Effort Never Dies

REFERENCES
1. Mehta M., Scarborough W., Armpriest D. (2013) Building Construction: Principles,
Materials, and Systems, 2nd Edition, Pearson.
2. Edward Allen, Joseph Iano. (2019) Fundamentals of Building Construction,
Materials and Methods, 7th Edition, John Wiley & Sons.
3. (2021) Building Code of Pakistan-2021, 2nd Ed, Pakistan Engineering Council
4. (2007) Building Code of Pakistan – Seismic Provisions-2007, Pakistan Engineering
Council
5. (2020) The Islamabad Capital Territory Residential Sectors Zoning (Building
Control) Regulations – 2020, Capital Development Authority
6. (2007) The Accessibility Code of Pakistan 2006, Ministry of Social Welfare and
Special Education, GoP.

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