SAFETY FIRST
Is your home sturdy and able to withstand an earthquake? Are buildings in India constructed with the latest technology to keep them safe from natural disasters? Here’s a reality check
The recent tremors experienced in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai may have passed off without causing much damage to life and property. But they left citizens shaken and threw up pertinent questions about whether our buildings are safe for living. Are we really safe in our home? Let’s find out from experts: The only way is up when it comes to the housing needs of a growing city. The Indian skyline is dotted with swanky high-rises to accommodate a burgeoning population. As more developers cater to the lifestyle requirements of aspirational home-buyers, do they focus on the safety aspect as well? As a home-buyer, don’t you think you need to ascertain if your future home is safe for you and your family?
KNOW THE CODE
All building activities in the country are governed by the National Building Code. This is a set of norms that governs construction of buildings by specifying minimum standards. Building codes are expected to lead to safe and orderly development of buildings and before they embark on the construction of a project, builders are expected to strictly follow these guidelines.
“The National Building Code (NBC) of India was created in 1970 but it wasn’t until 2005 that multiple amendments in the code transformed it into an all-round comprehensive building code that it is today,” informs Manju Yagnik, vice president, NAREDCO (Maharashtra). According to the norms, workmanship and the materials used in construction should conform to the Bureau of Indian Standards specification. “It is extremely important to get the buildings certified for safety against natural disasters by architects and structural engineers alike. When it comes to high-rise buildings and special buildings, they require to procure two stage permits. The building code of India also promotes the usage of new and innovative materials and methods in building technology. The developers actively and consciously ensure that they abide by the specified norms to ensure high quality and safety for the inhabitants,” she adds.
BY DESIGN
Safety aspects of a building also depend on the way it is designed, and US based structural engineer Anoop S Mokha is of the opinion that the real estate industry in India does have the capabilities and resources to implement the “Continued Functionality” design approach for buildings in an earthquake region. “However, the major impediments are the current state-of-practice (nobody wants to change), a lack of understanding of new technology (like isolation and dampers) and of ways to implement them appropriately; and an inability to design and construct buildings for delivering post-earthquake performance the owners expect,” he rues. “The world is moving towards green and sustainable design of buildings. New technology for earthquake design not only offers a rational solution to achieving resilient structures, but also offers the best value for both developers and buyers,” adds the vice president, Earthquake Protection Systems Inc, California.
SAFETY CHECK
Before you buy your home, it is wise to ascertain if it’s safe. How do you go about it? According to Dinesh Verma, principal architect and MD, Ace Group Architects, Bengaluru, the NBC 2016 covers all aspects including natural (earthquake, cyclone, erosions etc) and man-made [fire] disasters.
“All professionals are expected to work under these guidelines and use them as minimum criteria for construction. As our building industry moves towards better professionalism and transparency, it will be easier for prospective buyers to verify whether all such codes have been followed and implemented – as the concerned specialist would have signed each design document. Some metros have engineering companies certifying the buildings and their designs when appointed. They analyse and provide recommendations. This by far is a better way to ascertain rather than go by one’s intuition or the builder’s reputation,” he advises.
ZONE IN
Seismic zones are mapped in the country according to the seismic activity in a particular area. This makes it easier for builders to ensure they use the best of technology and materials to withstand quakes of a particular intensity. “Mumbai is in ‘Seismic Zone 3’ which means that the region is vulnerable to shocks of ‘moderate intensity’ as opposed to the NCR region which is in ‘Seismic Zone 4’ making it vulnerable to shocks of ‘severe intensity’,” points out Yagnik. “It is this difference in seismic activity that is imperative for the developer and the buyer to know. Besides this, developers are inculcating various construction techniques when it comes to developing high-rises to make sure tremors do not harm the structure of the building,” she adds.
RETROFIT THE OLD
Every city sports ancient buildings including residential ones, which have weathered many a storm. These are the first to develop cracks and tilt or topple during tremors. Modern technology has introduced various methods to retrofit or strengthen buildings to make them safe. “Modern materials such as carbon fibre/ rods, glass fibre or composites as a material can be used to strengthen existing buildings. Basalt fibre is being introduced by which we hope the costs to be reduced. Pre-packed micro concrete is popular and used extensively. Also steel plates/columns with bonding agents are some of the popular materials used to make buildings safe,” shares Verma.
Is your home sturdy and able to withstand an earthquake? Are buildings in India constructed with the latest technology to keep them safe from natural disasters? Here’s a reality check
The recent tremors experienced in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai may have passed off without causing much damage to life and property. But they left citizens shaken and threw up pertinent questions about whether our buildings are safe for living. Are we really safe in our home? Let’s find out from experts: The only way is up when it comes to the housing needs of a growing city. The Indian skyline is dotted with swanky high-rises to accommodate a burgeoning population. As more developers cater to the lifestyle requirements of aspirational home-buyers, do they focus on the safety aspect as well? As a home-buyer, don’t you think you need to ascertain if your future home is safe for you and your family?
KNOW THE CODE
All building activities in the country are governed by the National Building Code. This is a set of norms that governs construction of buildings by specifying minimum standards. Building codes are expected to lead to safe and orderly development of buildings and before they embark on the construction of a project, builders are expected to strictly follow these guidelines.
“The National Building Code (NBC) of India was created in 1970 but it wasn’t until 2005 that multiple amendments in the code transformed it into an all-round comprehensive building code that it is today,” informs Manju Yagnik, vice president, NAREDCO (Maharashtra). According to the norms, workmanship and the materials used in construction should conform to the Bureau of Indian Standards specification. “It is extremely important to get the buildings certified for safety against natural disasters by architects and structural engineers alike. When it comes to high-rise buildings and special buildings, they require to procure two stage permits. The building code of India also promotes the usage of new and innovative materials and methods in building technology. The developers actively and consciously ensure that they abide by the specified norms to ensure high quality and safety for the inhabitants,” she adds.
BY DESIGN
Safety aspects of a building also depend on the way it is designed, and US based structural engineer Anoop S Mokha is of the opinion that the real estate industry in India does have the capabilities and resources to implement the “Continued Functionality” design approach for buildings in an earthquake region. “However, the major impediments are the current state-of-practice (nobody wants to change), a lack of understanding of new technology (like isolation and dampers) and of ways to implement them appropriately; and an inability to design and construct buildings for delivering post-earthquake performance the owners expect,” he rues. “The world is moving towards green and sustainable design of buildings. New technology for earthquake design not only offers a rational solution to achieving resilient structures, but also offers the best value for both developers and buyers,” adds the vice president, Earthquake Protection Systems Inc, California.
SAFETY CHECK
Before you buy your home, it is wise to ascertain if it’s safe. How do you go about it? According to Dinesh Verma, principal architect and MD, Ace Group Architects, Bengaluru, the NBC 2016 covers all aspects including natural (earthquake, cyclone, erosions etc) and man-made [fire] disasters.
“All professionals are expected to work under these guidelines and use them as minimum criteria for construction. As our building industry moves towards better professionalism and transparency, it will be easier for prospective buyers to verify whether all such codes have been followed and implemented – as the concerned specialist would have signed each design document. Some metros have engineering companies certifying the buildings and their designs when appointed. They analyse and provide recommendations. This by far is a better way to ascertain rather than go by one’s intuition or the builder’s reputation,” he advises.
ZONE IN
Seismic zones are mapped in the country according to the seismic activity in a particular area. This makes it easier for builders to ensure they use the best of technology and materials to withstand quakes of a particular intensity. “Mumbai is in ‘Seismic Zone 3’ which means that the region is vulnerable to shocks of ‘moderate intensity’ as opposed to the NCR region which is in ‘Seismic Zone 4’ making it vulnerable to shocks of ‘severe intensity’,” points out Yagnik. “It is this difference in seismic activity that is imperative for the developer and the buyer to know. Besides this, developers are inculcating various construction techniques when it comes to developing high-rises to make sure tremors do not harm the structure of the building,” she adds.
RETROFIT THE OLD
Every city sports ancient buildings including residential ones, which have weathered many a storm. These are the first to develop cracks and tilt or topple during tremors. Modern technology has introduced various methods to retrofit or strengthen buildings to make them safe. “Modern materials such as carbon fibre/ rods, glass fibre or composites as a material can be used to strengthen existing buildings. Basalt fibre is being introduced by which we hope the costs to be reduced. Pre-packed micro concrete is popular and used extensively. Also steel plates/columns with bonding agents are some of the popular materials used to make buildings safe,” shares Verma.
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