Purpose:
1. The purpose of this Code is to establish minimum standards for design,
construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and
maintenance of all buildings within Bangladesh. These rules are made to
protect life, health, property, and public welfare as much as possible.
2. The installation and use of certain equipment, and accessories related,
connected or attached to such buildings are also regulated herein to achieve
the same purpose. Like Elevators/Lifts must follow safety standards so they
don’t cause accidents, Generators must be installed properly so that exhaust
fumes don’t harm residents.
Therefore, the purpose of this Code is to keep people safe and healthy by
making sure that all buildings are strong, stable, and safe from fire and other
dangers. It also ensures proper sanitation, light, and ventilation in buildings.
Scope of the Code
1. This Code applies to building design, construction, use, repair, alteration,
demolition, and moving. But, if another law already controls something, that
another law will apply.
2. If two parts of this Code give different rules for materials, design, or
construction, the stricter rule will be followed.
3. If a section is mentioned without saying the part, it means the section within
the same part being discussed.
4. If an authority inspects a building or approves a building plan under this
Code, that approval does not guarantee that the building is free from
problems or fully safe. (shall not be construed as a warranty)
5. The Authority or its employees cannot be held responsible for any damage,
defect, hazard, or failure in a building, even if it happens after inspection or
approval.
Basic checklist of BNBC
Maximum Ground Coverage
This means how much of the land can be covered by the footprint of the
building.
For example: Minimum standard housing: Max 65% of plot.
Plot = 300 m², standard housing maximum building footprint = 195 m²
The rest 105 m² must stay open for ventilation, greenery, or circulation.
FAR (Floor Area Ratio)
FAR = total floor area of buildings ÷ plot area.
Fire Safety
Exit requirements: Number and width of stairs depend on occupancy load.
Fire lifts: Mandatory in high-rise (10+ storeys or >33 m).
Fire alarms: Required in commercial, industrial, and high-rise residential.
Fire separation distance: Taller/more hazardous buildings need wider gaps
from neighbors.
Example:
A 12-storey office must have 2 fire stairs, fire lift, hydrants, smoke detectors,
and fire-resistant materials.
Universal Accessibility
All public-use buildings to have
Pathways: At least 1.25 m wide if bounded by walls.
Ramps: handrails, non-slip surface.
Doors: Wide enough (≥0.9 m) for wheelchair passage.
Accessible toilets: With enough turning space.
Signage: Tactile signs for visually impaired.
Example:
A shopping mall must provide ramps at entrances, wide lifts, accessible toilets etc.
Parking
Residential: In high public transport zones 1 car per 4 flats minimum.
Commercial buildings: Parking based on floor area and expected visitors.
Institutional: Schools, hospitals, universities must allocate drop-off/pick-up
zones.
Basement parking: Allowed and not counted in FAR.
Cycle & motorcycle parking: Encouraged in urban areas.
Example:
40-flat apartment block in Dhaka (with metro nearby), at least 10 car
parking spaces + space for motorcycles.
Setback:
Drawbacks:
Although the National Agriculture Policy 2018 and DNCC’s tax rebate have
encouraged rooftop farming, the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC
2020) remains a critical obstacle. The code does not acknowledge rooftop farming
or green infrastructure, offering no design guidelines, or regulatory frameworks to
integrate them into building construction. It also lacks incentive mechanisms such
as bonus floor area or mandatory provisions that could encourage developers and
homeowners to adopt rooftop greenery.
Contrast this with cities like Paris, where local building codes require solar panels
or green roofs on all new commercial developments. Singapore's Urban
Redevelopment Authority (URA) grants Green Plot Ratio bonuses to developers
who incorporate rooftop gardens and greenery.
National Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, said globally building code is revised
every three or five years.
1ST-1995
2ND 2006
3RD 2010
4TH 2020
