NATIONAL BUILDING CODE

A) The Draft Building Act: Its salient features include provision for the following:

• i) Set-up of a National Building Council or Committee with responsibility for the

determination and updating of a National Building Code, and to assistnNG in its

implementation. (This is conceived to be the apex body, and is entrusted with a wide range of

responsibilities for the successful implementation of a NBC)5 2146

• ii) Classification of buildings into four categories in line with draft NBC philosophy.

• iii) Implementation, supervision and monitoring of compliance.

• iv) Arrangement, classification and authorization of approved design certifiers at

different levels - in line with the four levels of the draft NBC.

• v) Arrangements for building permits and building construction.

• vi) Enquiries and response re compliance or otherwise with the NBC provisions by

builders, etc.

• Power to prepare and implement regulations/by-laws.

B) Draft Engineering Council Act: Its salient features include the following:

• i) Provision for the formation and management of the Council, with the President of the

Nepal Engineers Association as its ex-officio chairman.

• ii) Provision of a registrar with defined functions, duties and authority.

• iii) Provision for the registration of engineers and the issuing of certificates.

• iv) Provision for restrictions on employing a non-registered engineer by HMGN and

other agencies.

C) Model Local Authority By-laws for Enforcement of the NBC: Its major provisions include:

• i) Applicability and conditions of application of the Code (level and conditions of

building).

• ii) Requirement of the local authority to have a building section headed by a building

officer with defined powers, qualifications and functions.

• iii) Requirement for all persons and agencies to obtain building permits prior to

undertaking construction, and specification of the documents to be submitted to obtain the

same.

• iv) Responsibilities and duties of the owner/ builder.

• v) Inspection during construction by the local authority.

• vi) Connections of utility services to be authorized only to those buildings which have

complied with the Code. No transfer of ownership to be permitted for buildings not complying

with the provisions of the Code.

• vii) Registration by a local authority of technical personnel (engineers, architects,

overseers, etc.) who want to operate within its territory. Only registered technicians to be

allowed to prepare the building approval drawings, and to undertake periodic supervision for

certification purposes.

• viii) Definition of unsafe buildings and requirements for demolition.