The ability of a construction work to ensure the physical and mechanical properties and other properties established in the design and to ensure normal usage conditions throughout the operation period.
The time (in hours or minutes) from the start of the standard temperature fire test of samples until the appearance of one of the following limit states of structures and components:
The fire resistance characteristic of buildings and structures according to standards determined by the fire resistance limit of the main building structures.
Urban infrastructure works include: water supply, drainage, power supply, lighting, petrol and gas supply works, communication, solid waste collection and treatment systems, cemeteries, and urban transportation works.
A floor located within the space of a sloped roof, whose entire or part of the vertical face is formed by the surface of an inclined or folded roof, in which the vertical wall (if any) is not higher than 1.5 m from the floor surface.
A floor arranged with technical equipment of the building. The technical floor can be a basement floor, a semi-basement floor, an attic floor or a floor in the middle part of the building.
The height measured from the ground elevation of the building location according to the approved planning to the highest point of the building, including domes or sloped roofs. For works with different ground elevations, the height is measured from the lowest ground elevation according to the approved planning.
NOTE: Technical equipment on the roof: antenna masts, lightning rods, solar energy devices, metal water tanks … are not included in the building height.
QCVN 03:2012/BXD Rules of Classifications and Grading of Civil and Industrial Buildings and Urban Infrastructures
Foreword
QCVN 03:2012/BXD was compiled by the Institute of Architecture, Urban and Rural Planning, submitted by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, appraised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and promulgated by the Ministry of Construction in accordance with Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BXD dated December 28, 2012 of the Minister of Construction.
QCVN 03:2012/BXD replaces QCVN 03:2009/BXD which was promulgated according to Circular No. 33/2009/TT-BXD dated September 30, 2009 of the Minister of Construction.
1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1. Scope of application
This code specifies the general principles for classification, grading and determination of grades for civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works (abbreviated as works classification and grading) to serve as a basis for determining technical and economic solutions when formulating and appraising investment projects, designing and constructing works.
1.2. Subjects of application
This code applies to organizations and individuals involved in investment and construction activities of civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works.
1.3. Determination of works grade
The grade of works or grade of items in new construction investment projects or renovation projects shall be determined by the investor and must be approved by the investment decision maker.
1.4. Referenced documents
The documents referenced in this code include:
QCVN 02:2009/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Natural Condition Data for Construction.
QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD, Vietnam Construction Code – Housing and Public Works – Life and Health Safety.
QCVN 06:2010/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Fire Safety of Buildings and Structures.
NOTE: In case the referenced documents in this code are amended, supplemented or replaced, the latest version shall apply.
1.5. Terminology
In this code, the following terms are defined as follows:
1.5.1 Construction work
A product created by human labor, construction materials, and equipment installed in the work, associated with a fixed location on land, which may include underground, above ground, underwater, and above water parts, and is constructed according to design.
1.5.2 Building
A construction work whose main function is to protect or shelter people or objects inside; usually partially or fully enclosed and constructed at a fixed location.
1.5.3 Civil work
A construction work including residential buildings, public buildings and structures.
1.5.4 Type of construction work
Construction works are classified according to the purpose of the building and structure (residential, school, hospital, cement production plant, water supply …). An investment project may have many types of works.
1.5.5 Grade of work
A concept expressing the economic and social importance of the work and the level of safety for people and property throughout the operation and exploitation of the work.
1.5.6 Detached house
A construction work built on a residential land plot under the usage right of a household or individual as prescribed by law, including cases of construction on a land plot of a housing project.
1.5.7 Villa
A detached house with gardens (greenery, lawns, flower gardens, …), fences and separate entrances.
1.5.8 Apartment building
A residential building of two or more stories with common corridors, staircases and infrastructure systems for many households and individuals.
1.5.9 Multi-purpose building (multi-purpose complex)
A building arranged in the same building with groups of rooms or floors having different use functions (offices, audience rooms, dining services, commerce, residential rooms and rooms with other functions).
1.5.10 Building height
The height measured from the ground elevation of the building location according to the approved planning to the highest point of the building, including domes or sloped roofs. For works with different ground elevations, the height is measured from the lowest ground elevation according to the approved planning.
NOTE: Technical equipment on the roof: antenna masts, lightning rods, solar energy devices, metal water tanks … are not included in the building height.
1.5.11 Number of building stories
The number of stories of a building includes all floors above ground (including technical floors, attic floors, domes) and semi-basement floors.
NOTE: Basement floors are not included in the number of building stories.
1.5.12 Above-ground floor
A floor whose floor elevation is higher than or equal to the ground elevation of the building location according to the approved planning.
1.5.13 Basement floor
A floor whose height is more than half below the ground elevation of the building location according to the approved planning.
1.5.14 Semi-basement floor
A floor whose height is half above or level with the ground elevation of the building location according to the approved planning.
1.5.15 Technical floor
A floor arranged with technical equipment of the building. The technical floor can be a basement floor, a semi-basement floor, an attic floor or a floor in the middle part of the building.
1.5.16 Attic floor
A floor located within the space of a sloped roof, whose entire or part of the vertical face is formed by the surface of an inclined or folded roof, in which the vertical wall (if any) is not higher than 1.5 m from the floor surface.
1.5.17 Urban infrastructure works
Urban infrastructure works include: water supply, drainage, power supply, lighting, petrol and gas supply works, communication, solid waste collection and treatment systems, cemeteries, and urban transportation works.
1.5.18 Durability
The general characteristic of the stability and durability of buildings and structures throughout their exploitation period.
1.5.19 Fire resistance grade
The fire resistance characteristic of buildings and structures according to standards determined by the fire resistance limit of the main building structures.
1.5.20 Fire resistance limit
The time (in hours or minutes) from the start of the standard temperature fire test of samples until the appearance of one of the following limit states of structures and components:
– Loss of load-bearing capacity;
– Loss of integrity;
– Loss of insulation capacity.
1.5.21 Service life of construction works
The ability of a construction work to ensure the physical and mechanical properties and other properties established in the design and to ensure normal usage conditions throughout the operation period.
2. TECHNICAL PROVISIONS
2.1. Classification of civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works
2.1.1 General principles
2.1.1.1 The classification of civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works is determined according to the usage function.
2.1.1.2 Each classification group includes works with specific names (See Appendix A).
2.1.1.3 For civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works not mentioned in this code, the classification of works shall be prescribed by the Ministries managing specialized construction works.
2.1.2 Classification of residential buildings
2.1.2.1 Residential buildings are divided into two types:
– Apartment buildings;
– Detached houses.
2.1.2.2 Depending on the room structure in the apartment, apartment buildings are divided into:
– Apartment buildings with independent, closed apartments;
– Dormitories.
2.1.3 Classification of public buildings and structures
2.1.3.1 Depending on the specialized function and purpose of use, public buildings and structures are classified into the following types:
– Educational works;
– Medical works;
– Sports works;
– Cultural works;
– Commercial and service works;
– Communication and telecommunication works;
– Stations;
– Public service works;
– Offices, agency headquarters;
– Other public works.
2.1.3.2 Works with multiple purposes of use (multi-purpose works) must be classified separately for each item of that work.
2.1.4 Classification of industrial works
2.1.4.1 Industrial works are places where industrial production processes and production services take place, located in factories, enterprises, industrial zones, including production buildings (workshops); production management buildings; production service works (medical, dining, living, rest, entertainment, learning, cultural, service, storage, transportation…) and technical works (electricity, water supply – drainage, ventilation, waste treatment, fire protection…).
2.1.4.2 Industrial works are classified according to production sectors, including the following industries:
– Building materials production works;
– Coal and ore mining works;
– Oil and gas exploitation and processing works;
– Heavy industry production works;
– Light industry production works;
– Seafood processing works;
– Other industrial works.
2.1.5 Classification of urban infrastructure works
2.1.5.1 Urban infrastructure works are classified as follows:
– Urban water supply works system;
– Urban drainage works system;
– Urban power supply works system;
– Urban lighting works system;
– Urban petrol, oil and gas supply works system;
– Urban communication works system;
– Solid waste collection and treatment system;
– Urban funeral homes and cemeteries;
– Urban transportation works system.
2.1.5.2 For the urban transportation works system, in addition to being classified according to the usage function, it is also necessary to consider the traffic characteristics of the works.
2.2. Grading of civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works
2.2.1 General principles
2.2.1.1 Each type of work is divided into five grades, including special grade, grade I, grade II, grade III and grade IV.
2.2.1.2 The grade of works is determined for each type of work, based on the importance, scale, technical construction requirements, service life of the work and the level of safety for people and property in that work. The grade of works is determined for each work (or each work item) of a construction project.
2.2.1.3 The importance of a work is determined based on the level of impact of that work on people, property or the community in case of incidents; or the impact of that work on the socio-economic development in a certain territorial scope. When the grade of a construction work is prescribed according to different criteria, the grade of the work is determined according to the criterion of the highest grade.
2.2.1.4 In a construction project, works with different functions have different grades, but priority should be given to a higher grade for the main works complex.
2.2.1.5 The grade of works must be determined based on the following requirements:
– Level of safety for people and property;
– Durability, service life of the work throughout its lifetime, withstanding all adverse effects of climatic conditions, physical, chemical and biological impacts;
– Safety level in case of fire within the allowable fire resistance limit.
2.2.1.6 The determination of the grade of civil works (including residential buildings, public buildings and structures) must be based on the level of crowding and the requirements on the fire resistance grade of buildings and structures specified in QCVN 06:2010/BXD.
2.2.1.7 The safety and stability of works must be determined based on the safety requirements for the load-bearing capacity of the works (foundations, structures); safety during use and operation of the works; fire protection and fighting safety (fire resistance grade of the main parts of the works such as columns, walls, floors, roofs).
2.2.1.8 The durability of works is divided into 4 grades as follows:
– Grade I: Service life over 100 years;
– Grade II: Service life from 50 years to 100 years;
– Grade III: Service life from 20 years to under 50 years;
– Grade IV: Service life under 20 years.
2.2.1.9 The durability of works must ensure stability, no cracking, deformation exceeding the allowable limit affecting the service life of the works and adjacent works throughout the construction and operation period.
2.2.1.10 The structure of works and foundations must be calculated with the most unfavorable loads and load combinations acting on them, including time-destructive loads. In which, loads related to natural conditions must comply with QCVN 02:2009/BXD.
2.2.1.11 The stability of works must be calculated in accordance with all factors acting on them such as wind load, flooding due to storms, sea level rise, landslides, earthquakes, corrosion, lightning and other adverse agents.
2.2.1.12 Materials used must ensure durability, meet usage requirements, not be deformed, be suitable with the local climatic conditions and must ensure health safety requirements as prescribed in QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD.
2.2.1.13 The fire resistance grade of buildings and structures comprises 5 grades, determined by the fire resistance limit of building components as specified in Table 1.
Table 1 – Fire resistance grade of buildings and structures
Fire resistance grade
Minimum fire resistance limit of building components
Load-bearing elements of buildings
Exterior non-load-bearing walls
Floors between stories (including attic floor and basement floor)
Non-attic roof elements
Stairwells
Roof coverings (including insulated coverings)
Frames, beams, purlins
Stairwell walls
Stair treads and landings
I
R 150
Е 30
RЕI 60
RЕ 30
R 30
RЕI 150
R 60
II
R 120
Е 15
RЕI 45
RЕ 15
R 15
RЕI 120
R 60
III
R 90
Е 15
RЕI 45
RЕ 15
R 15
RЕI 90
R 60
IV
R 30
E 15
RЕI 15
RЕ 15
R 15
RЕI 30
R 15
V
Not specified
NOTES: 1. The fire resistance limit of building components is denoted by REI, EI, RE or R with corresponding indexes on the fire resistance duration in minutes (min), in which: – R- load-bearing capacity of the component; – E- integrity of the component; – I – insulation capacity of the component. 2. A building component may be required to maintain one, two or simultaneously all three capabilities of load-bearing, integrity and insulation during the fire exposure period.
2.2.1.14 The grade of works must correspond to the requirements on durability and fire resistance grade of buildings and structures as specified in Table 2.
The grade of works for water supply pipeline networks, drainage, manholes, urban roads and railways must correspond to the durability as specified in Table 2.
Table 2 – Grade of works according to durability and fire resistance grade of buildings and structures
Grade of works
Construction quality of works
Durability
Fire resistance grad
Special
Grade I: Service life over 100 year
Bậc I
I
II
Grade II: Service life from 50 years to 100 years
Bậc II
III
Grade III: Service life from 20 years to under 50 years
Bậc III, bậc IV
IV
Grade IV: Service life under 20 years
Bậc IV
NOTE: For special grade works (higher than grade I), in addition to the requirements specified in this Table, it is also necessary to supplement special technical requirements (loads and impacts, fire and explosion safety, etc.) separately prepared for the design and construction of the works.
2.2.1.15 Based on the grade of works, design solutions must be developed to meet the requirements of each type and grade of works.
2.2.2 Some requirements when grading civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works
2.2.2.1 Residential buildings
2.2.2.1.1 When grading residential buildings, it is necessary to take into account the level of danger to the safety of people and the ability to evacuate people in case of incidents.
2.2.2.1.2 Apartment buildings are classified as F1.3 fire hazard group buildings. Detached houses belong to the F1.4 fire hazard group. Requirements on fire hazard by function are specified in QCVN 06:2010/BXD.
NOTE: F – symbol for building subgroup classification based on fire hazard by function.
2.2.2.1.3 For apartment buildings up to 25 stories, they must be constructed with a grade not lower than grade II. Apartment buildings over 25 stories (over 75 m) must be constructed with a grade not lower than grade I and the fire resistance limit of the main parts of the building is not lower than the following values:
– Load-bearing elements of the building: R 180;
– Exterior non-load-bearing walls: E 60;
– Floors between stories (including attic floor and basement floor): REI 90;
– Stairwell walls: REI 180;
– Stair treads and landings: R 90.
NOTE: This regulation also applies to public buildings and structures.
2.2.2.1.4 For detached houses, the grade of houses from 3 stories and above must not be lower than grade III.
2.2.2.2 Public buildings and structures
2.2.2.2.1 For historical relics, museums, and archival buildings, when determining the grade of works, it is necessary to take into account the level of safety for valuable and rare assets preserved and stored in the works.
2.2.2.2.2 The following public buildings and structures must have a grade from grade I and above:
– Buildings and structures of international and national stature, works of special importance for security, national defense and diplomacy;
– Works serving as headquarters of Party agencies, National Assembly, central and provincial-level state administrative agencies, centrally-run cities;
– Works directly serving search and rescue, emergency rescue, emergency aid in case of natural disasters, fires, explosions, and epidemics.
2.2.2.3 Industrial works
2.2.2.3.1 Industrial works belonging to the main production technological line must be graded according to safety requirements for people and technological equipment, level of harmfulness to the environment, level of danger and fire and explosion as prescribed in QCVN 06:2010/BXD.
2.2.2.3.2 Industrial works with a high level of danger, greatly affecting people, property or the community in case of incidents must have a grade not lower than grade I: works using or storing radioactive substances, works producing or storing toxic chemicals, explosives.
2.2.2.3.3 In case other works belong to industrial construction investment projects but are not in the main production line such as management buildings, administration, canteens, etc., when determining the grade of works, it is necessary to comply with the regulations as for public works.
2.2.2.3.4 For technical infrastructure works (water supply, wastewater treatment, urban transportation infrastructure, technical embankments, etc.) belonging to industrial construction projects, when determining the grade of works, it is necessary to comply with the regulations as for urban technical infrastructure works.
2.2.2.4 Urban infrastructure works
2.2.2.4.1 Civil works belonging to urban infrastructure construction projects shall be taken according to the corresponding grade of civil works.
2.2.2.4.2 Industrial works belonging to urban infrastructure construction projects shall be taken according to the corresponding grade of industrial works.
2.2.2.4.3 The grading of urban transportation works system, in addition to complying with the provisions in 2.2.1, must also take into account the following requirements:
– Design speed or average daily traffic flow (passenger car units/day-night).
– Transport capacity and safe transportation.
2.2.2.4.4 For waterway works such as cargo terminals, passenger terminals, ship lifting and lowering terminals and works, shipbuilding and ship repair factories, port protection works, bank reinforcement, ship locks, when determining the grade of works, it is necessary to take into account the height of the works.
NOTES:
1. The height of the works is measured from the top elevation of the terminal to the bottom elevation of the works.
2. Temporary works are classified as grade III.
3. Works are classified one grade higher in the following cases:
– Works of special importance.
– Construction in adverse natural conditions.
– First-time application of new construction technology and structure.
2.2.2.4.5 The grading of airport works must comply with the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO.
3. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION
3.1. When formulating construction investment projects, investors have the right to consider and select the grade of works and get approval from the investment decision maker.
3.2. State management agencies in charge of construction are responsible for guiding, inspecting and supervising the implementation of this Code in the process of formulating and approving investment projects, licensing, constructing and accepting works for operation.
3.3. Ministries managing specialized construction works shall coordinate with the Ministry of Construction in classifying and grading specialized construction works.
3.4. The classification and grading of civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works in approved construction investment projects shall be applied according to current regulations until this Code officially takes effect./.
APPENDIX A (Regulation) Classification of civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works
A.1. Classification of residential buildings
A.1.1. Apartment buildings
– High-rise apartments;
– Multi-story apartments;
– Low-rise apartments;
– Mini apartments;
– Mixed-use apartments (residential function combined with offices and other public services).
A.1.2. Detached houses
– Villas: single villas, semi-detached villas, luxury villas, resort villas;
– Townhouses: street-front townhouses, townhouses with gardens;
– Traditional rural houses.
A.2. Classification of public buildings and structures
A.2.1. Educational works
– Kindergartens (nurseries, preschools);
– General schools (primary schools, lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, multi-level general schools);
– Colleges, universities, academies;
– Intermediate vocational schools;
– Vocational training schools (vocational colleges, vocational secondary schools, vocational training centers);
– Other types of schools.
A.2.2. Medical works
– General hospitals;
– Specialized hospitals;
– Regional general clinics, specialized clinics;
– Medical stations, maternity homes;
– Nursing homes;
– Rehabilitation centers, orthopedic centers;
– Nursing homes for the elderly;
– Centers for disease control and prevention;
– Preventive medicine centers;
– Reproductive health centers;
– Social disease centers;
– Centers for testing medicines, vaccines, cosmetics, food;
– Experimental animal breeding facilities;
– Other medical facilities.
A.2.3. Sports works
– Stadiums;
– Sports grounds (with and without stands): Sports grounds for individual sports; Multi-sport grounds;
– Sports halls (training and competition): Multi-sport halls; Halls for individual sports;
– Swimming pools (training and competition): serving water sports such as diving, swimming, underwater sports, water polo, synchronized swimming;
– Sports palaces;
– Sports centers;
– Racecourses, shooting ranges.
A.2.4. Cultural works
– Conference centers, theaters, cultural houses, clubs, cinemas, circuses, television studios and radio studios with audiences;
– Museums, libraries, exhibitions, showrooms and other works;
– Historical and cultural relics;
– Entertainment and recreational works;
– Cultural and recreational parks;
– Monuments.
A.2.5. Commercial and service works
– Shopping malls;
– Supermarkets;
– Markets;
– Retail stores;
– Restaurants, cafes, etc.;
– Logistics centers.
A.2.6. Communication and telecommunication works
– Telecommunication, radio and television transmission and reception towers;
– Communication service buildings (post offices, equipment installation buildings, air traffic control centers);
– Microwave stations;
– Earth satellite stations;
– Communication and telecommunication works directly serving Party and Government agencies;
– Communication works serving natural disaster prevention and control, rescue and relief.
A.2.7. Stations
– Airports;
– Waterway transport terminals;
– Railway stations;
– Bus stations.
A.2.8. Public service works
– Hotels;
– Guest houses;
– Motels, hostels;
– Banks.
A.2.9. Offices, agency headquarters
– State administrative agencies at all levels: Ministries and ministerial-level agencies; agencies under the Government, People’s Committees – People’s Councils at provincial level (centrally-run cities), People’s Committees – People’s Councils of districts, towns, provincial cities, and People’s Committees – People’s Councils at commune, ward, township level;
– Office buildings of the National Assembly, Government, President;
– Research institutes, research centers;
– Office buildings of specialized agencies, enterprises, socio-political organizations and other organizations.
A.2.10. Other public works
– Religious works: churches, pagodas, temples, monasteries;
– Bridges for various types of urban infrastructure pipelines.
A.4.9.4. Traffic tunnels in urban areas
– Automobile tunnels;
– Railway tunnels;
– Pedestrian tunnels for pedestrians.
A.4.9.5. Inland waterways
– Berths, ship lifting and lowering works at seaports;
– Ports, berths for ships, shipbuilding factories, ship repair yards;
– Ship locks;
– Port protection works, bank reinforcement.
A.4.9.6. Airways
– Runways
A.4.10. Other works
A.4.10.1. Technical embankments
– Tunnels containing power cables, communication cables, water supply pipes…
A.4.10.2. Fire stations
NOTE:
The full text of the National Technical Regulation (QCVN 03:2012/BXD) Principles for classification and grading of civil, industrial and urban infrastructure works, is published on the Website of the Ministry of Construction at: www.moc.gov.vn from the date of signing.