Building Requirements: Safety, Functionality, and Habitability

Classified in Other subjects

Written at on English with a size of 3.33 KB.

Basic Requirements of the Building

To ensure the safety of people, the welfare of society, and the protection of the environment, buildings must be designed, constructed, maintained, and retained in such a manner that satisfies the following basic requirements:

A) In Relation to Function:

  • Use: The layout and dimensions of spaces and the provision of facilities should facilitate the proper conduct of the functions provided in the building.
  • Accessibility: To allow people with reduced mobility and communication access and movement around the building, as provided in specific legislation.
  • Access to Telecommunication Services: Access to audiovisual and information services in accordance with their specific rules.
  • Facilitating Access to Postal Services: Through the provision of appropriate facilities for the delivery of postal items, in accordance with their specific rules.

[This last paragraph has been introduced by Law 24/2001 of 27 December on Fiscal, Administrative and Social Order (BOE no. 313, 31/12/2001, 50,592), Art. 82].

B) Relating to Security:

  • Structural Safety: To prevent damage to the building or parts thereof, which may originate from or affect the foundation, supports, beams, floor slabs, bearing walls, or other structural elements, and to ensure the mechanical strength and stability of the building.
  • Security in Case of Fire: So that occupants can evacuate the building safely, the spread of fire within the building and adjacent areas can be limited, and firefighting and rescue equipment can operate effectively.
  • Safety in Use: So that normal use of the building does not pose a risk of injury to persons.

C) Relating to Habitability:

  • Hygiene, Health, and Environmental Protection: To achieve acceptable conditions of safety and tightness in the indoor environment of the building, without deteriorating the environment in the immediate surroundings, ensuring proper management of all hazardous waste generated.
  • Protection Against Noise: So that the perceived noise does not endanger the health of people and enables them to satisfactorily carry out their activities.
  • Energy Saving and Thermal Insulation: To achieve a rational use of energy necessary for the proper use of the building.
  • Other Functional Aspects: Of the construction elements or facilities to allow satisfactory use of the building.

Technical Building Code

The Technical Building Code is the regulatory framework that establishes the basic requirements for the quality of buildings and installations, thus ensuring the fulfillment of the above basic requirements.

The basic rules of building codes and other technical regulations are mandatory. Since the entry into force of this law, technical regulations are pending the adoption of the Technical Building Code, as provided in the second final provision of this Act.

The Code may be supplemented with other regulatory requirements issued by the competent authorities and updated regularly according to changing technology and the demands of society.

Entradas relacionadas: