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QCVN 04:2019/BXD NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON APARTMENT BUILDINGS

A document that lays down rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, including documents such as: technical regulations, standards, technical specifications and codes of practice.

National technical standards or international standards, regional standards, foreign standards selected for application to the project in accordance with current legal provisions.

The intended design life of the structure for calculating the building structure (including the foundation) to ensure load-bearing safety and normal operating conditions throughout the operation and use of the building without having to carry out any major repairs or strengthening of the load-bearing structure.

A system including: Smoke control system, indoor fire hydrant system, outdoor fire water supply system, automatic fire extinguishing systems, fire alarm and public address system, emergency lighting and exit sign system, firefighting elevator, rescue equipment, structural solutions, evacuation solutions, smoke control solutions, fire spread prevention solutions.

A floor used for temporary evacuation, arranged in a building with a height greater than 100 m. A refuge floor has one or more refuge areas.

An area located on a refuge floor used for temporary evacuation in case of a fire.

A portion of the building separated from other parts of the building by type 1 fire-resistant walls and floors.

A transitional space between two doors, used to prevent the intrusion of smoke and other gases when entering the building, stairwell or other rooms of the building.

The open space in front of the entrance/exit of an elevat

A space arranged for organizing common activities of residents living in an apartment building or apartment complex such as: resident meetings, cultural activities, entertainment and other community activities.

A space with a protective railing, recessed from the exterior wall of an apartment building.

A space with a protective railing, projecting from the exterior wall of an apartment building.

QCVN 04:2019/BXD

QCVN 04:2019/BXD NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON APARTMENT BUILDINGS

Foreword

QCVN 04:2019/BXD was compiled by the Institute of Construction Science and Technology, 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. 21/2019/TT-BXD dated December 31, 2019 of the Minister of Construction.

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1 Scope

1.1.1 This regulation stipulates the technical requirements applicable to the construction of new apartment buildings or reconstruction of existing ones with a height of up to 150 m or with up to 3 basement levels, including apartment buildings constructed for residential purposes and those constructed for mixed-use purposes.

1.1.2 For apartment buildings higher than 150 m or with 4 or more basement levels, in addition to complying with this regulation, it is necessary to supplement technical requirements and solutions on organization and technical aspects of the works suitable to the specific fire prevention and fighting characteristics of such apartment buildings, based on the standard documents permitted for application in accordance with the law. These requirements and solutions must be appraised by the competent specialized agency.

1.2 Subjects of application

This regulation applies to organizations and individuals involved in the investment, construction, management and use of apartment buildings.

1.3 Referenced documents

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this regulation. In case the referenced documents are amended, supplemented or replaced, the latest version shall apply.

QCVN 01:2019/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Construction Planning.

QCVN 01-1:2018/BYT, National Technical Regulation on Quality of Potable Water.

QCVN 02:2009/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Natural Condition Data for Construction.

QCVN 02:2011/BLDTBXH, National Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety for Electric Elevators.

QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Housing and Public Buildings – Safety of Life and Health.

QCVN 06:2019/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Fire Safety of Buildings and Constructions.

QCVN 09:2017/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Energy Efficient Buildings.

QCVN 10:2014/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Construction for Disabled Access to Buildings and Facilities.

QCVN 12:2014/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Electrical Systems of Residential and Public Buildings.

QCVN 13:2018/BXD, National Technical Regulation on Car Parking Facilities.

QCVN 26:2010/BTNMT, National Technical Regulation on Noise.

QCVN QTD 8:2010/BCT, National Technical Regulation on Low-Voltage Electrical Installations.

QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT, National Technical Regulation on Domestic Wastewater.

Technical Regulation on Plumbing Systems in Buildings issued by the Ministry of Construction under Decision No. 47/1999/QD-BXD dated December 21, 1999.

Regulation on Electrical Equipment issued by the Ministry of Industry under Decision No. 19/2006/QD-BCN dated July 11, 2006.

TCVN 6396-72:2010, Safety Requirements for the Construction and Installation of Lifts – Particular Applications for Passenger and Goods Passenger Lifts. Part 72: Firefighters Lifts.

TCVN 6396-73:2010, Safety Requirements for the Construction and Installation of Lifts – Particular Applications for Passenger and Goods Passenger Lifts. Part 73: Behavior of Lifts in the Event of Fire.

1.4 Definitions

For the purposes of this regulation, the following terms and definitions apply:

1.4.1

Apartment building

A building with 2 or more stories, consisting of multiple residential units, common corridors, staircases, private ownership areas, common ownership areas and common infrastructure systems for use by households, individuals and organizations, including apartment buildings constructed for residential purposes and those constructed for mixed-use purposes.

NOTE: Apartment buildings constructed for mixed-use purposes are hereinafter referred to as mixed-use apartment buildings.

1.4.2

Apartment building complex

A group of two or more apartment buildings constructed according to an approved plan, with the project documents approved by the competent authority.

1.4.3

Mixed-use apartment building

An apartment building designed and constructed for mixed-use purposes including residential and other purposes such as offices, services, commerce, etc.

1.4.4

Residential unit section in mixed-use apartment building

The section of a mixed-use apartment building containing the residential units, constructed according to the approved plan and project documents by the competent authority.

1.4.5

Residential unit

An enclosed living space meeting the living needs of a family, individual or collective. A residential unit may have one or more different functional spaces such as: living room – common space; work/study space; ancestral altar space; bedrooms; dining room; kitchen; sanitary areas; laundry and drying space; balcony or loggia; storage.

1.4.6

Apartment

A residential unit located in an apartment building or mixed-use apartment building, serving the purpose of housing for a family, individual or collective.

1.4.7

Other functional sections

Sections in a mixed-use apartment building serving other functions, including: offices, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, condotel units, officetel units and other services.

1.4.8

Condotel unit

A residential unit located in a mixed-use apartment building (Condotel, etc.), serving the purpose of short-term rental accommodation, equipped with necessary facilities and services for self-service by the tenant during their stay.

1.4.9

Officetel unit

An office unit combined with accommodation located in a mixed-use apartment building, equipped with necessary facilities and services for one or more individuals to work and stay.

1.4.10

Building height

The height measured from the approved ground elevation of the construction site to the highest point of the building (including the attic or sloped roof). For buildings with different ground elevations, the height is measured from the lowest ground elevation according to the approved plan.

NOTE: Technical equipment on the roof such as antenna columns, lightning rods, solar energy devices, metal water tanks, chimneys, ventilation ducts, decorative architectural details are not included in the building height.

1.4.11

Clear height

The height from the finished floor surface to the underside of the finished beam, floor or ceiling structure or the floor’s technical system.

1.4.12

Building height for fire protection and fighting (Fire protection height)

The building height determined by the distance from the fire truck access road to the bottom edge of the opening (window) on the outer wall of the topmost floor.

NOTE 1: When there is no opening, the arrangement height of the topmost floor is determined as half the total elevation of the floor and the ceiling of that floor.

NOTE 2: When the technical floor is the topmost floor, the highest floor is the floor immediately below the technical floor.

1.4.13

Usable area of residential unit

The floor area calculated according to the clear dimensions of the residential unit, including the floor area considering the walls/partitions between rooms inside the unit, the balcony and loggia areas; Excluding the floor area with load-bearing columns/walls, technical boxes located inside the unit and the area of the building/unit enclosing walls, walls/partitions dividing units.

NOTE: The clear dimensions are measured to the inner edge of the finished wall/partition/door frame/railing surface adjacent to the floor (excluding interior decorative details such as baseboards/moldings/skirtings, etc.). For balconies and loggias, the entire floor area is calculated; in case of a common wall edge, it is calculated according to the inner edge of the common wall.

1.4.14

Number of building stories

The number of stories of a building includes all above-ground stories (including technical floors, attic floors) and semi-/half-basement stories, excluding the loft floor.

NOTE 1: The attic floor is not counted in the number of building stories when it only serves the function of enclosing the stairwell/elevator shaft and shielding the building’s technical equipment (if any), with the roof area not exceeding 30% of the roof floor area.

NOTE 2: Only one mezzanine floor is not counted in the number of building stories if its floor area does not exceed 10% of the built floor area of the floor immediately below and its total floor area does not exceed 300 m2, when it only serves as a technical area (technical floor at the bottom of a swimming pool, floor for installing generators or other technical equipment of the building).

NOTE 3: For buildings with different ground elevations, the number of building stories is counted according to the lowest ground elevation in the approved plan.

1.4.15

Loft floor

A floor located within the space of a sloped roof where all or part of its vertical face is formed by the surface of an inclined or folded roof, in which the enclosing walls (if any) do not exceed 1.5 m above the floor.

1.4.16

Above-ground floor

A floor whose floor elevation is higher than or equal to the ground elevation of the construction site according to the approved plan.

1.4.17

Basement floor

A floor where more than half of its height is below the ground elevation of the construction site according to the approved plan.

1.4.18

Semi-basement floor

A floor where half of its height is above or at the ground elevation of the construction site according to the approved plan.

1.4.19

Technical floor

A floor or part of a floor housing technical rooms or technical equipment of the building. The technical floor can be a basement floor, semi-basement floor, loft floor, topmost floor or a floor in the middle part of the building.

1.4.20

Technical room

A room housing the technical equipment of the building or floor. Technical rooms can be arranged on all or part of a technical floor.

1.4.21

Living room

Rooms in a residential unit used for one or more functions. Living rooms include bedrooms and other living spaces.

1.4.22

Balcony

A space with a protective railing, projecting from the exterior wall of an apartment building.

1.4.23

Loggia

A space with a protective railing, recessed from the exterior wall of an apartment building.

1.4.24

Community living space

A space arranged for organizing common activities of residents living in an apartment building or apartment complex such as: resident meetings, cultural activities, entertainment and other community activities.

1.4.25

Elevator lobby

The open space in front of the entrance/exit of an elevator.

1.4.26

Vestibule

A transitional space between two doors, used to prevent the intrusion of smoke and other gases when entering the building, stairwell or other rooms of the building.

1.4.27

Fire compartment

A portion of the building separated from other parts of the building by type 1 fire-resistant walls and floors.

1.4.28

Refuge area

An area located on a refuge floor used for temporary evacuation in case of a fire.

1.4.29

Refuge floor

A floor used for temporary evacuation, arranged in a building with a height greater than 100 m. A refuge floor has one or more refuge areas.

1.4.30

Fire protection system

A system including: Smoke control system, indoor fire hydrant system, outdoor fire water supply system, automatic fire extinguishing systems, fire alarm and public address system, emergency lighting and exit sign system, firefighting elevator, rescue equipment, structural solutions, evacuation solutions, smoke control solutions, fire spread prevention solutions.

1.4.31

Design service life

The intended design life of the structure for calculating the building structure (including the foundation) to ensure load-bearing safety and normal operating conditions throughout the operation and use of the building without having to carry out any major repairs or strengthening of the load-bearing structure.

1.4.32

Standards selected for application

National technical standards or international standards, regional standards, foreign standards selected for application to the project in accordance with current legal provisions.

1.4.33

Normative document

A document that lays down rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, including documents such as: technical regulations, standards, technical specifications and codes of practice.

2. TECHNICAL PROVISIONS
2.1 General requirements

2.1.1 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must ensure requirements on load-bearing safety, stability and design service life. Do not construct buildings in areas with geological hazards (landslides, etc.), areas with flash floods, frequently flooded areas if there are no technical measures to ensure the safety of the construction works.

2.1.2 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must ensure fire safety requirements according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD and related regulations. The equipping, arranging, inspecting, and maintaining firefighting and rescue equipment must comply with current regulations.

NOTE: In some specific cases, it is allowed to reduce some fire protection requirements of this regulation for a specific project, when there is a justification sent to the Ministry of Construction clearly stating the additional and alternative solutions and this justification must be appraised by the Fire and Rescue Police Department.

2.1.3 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must ensure accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities according to QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.1.4 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must be designed and constructed to meet energy efficiency requirements according to QCVN 09:2017/BXD.

2.1.5 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must comply with regulations on life safety and health according to QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD. Requirements for termite control in apartment buildings shall comply with the selected technical standards.

2.1.6 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must be maintained according to the proper process.

2.1.7 The residential unit section in a mixed-use apartment building must have an independent entrance/exit (not including emergency stairwells).

2.1.8 Other functional sections such as offices, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, condotel units, officetel units and other services in mixed-use apartment buildings must be arranged in separate areas, according to the approved project and operated and managed as prescribed.

2.2 Planning – architectural requirements

2.2.1 The land use of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must ensure the correct land use purpose and the requirement for economical land use.

2.2.2 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must be designed and constructed in accordance with the construction planning approved by the competent authority.

2.2.3 The population for apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must be calculated consistently throughout all design document preparation stages as prescribed, and must be determined in accordance with the population criteria approved by the competent authority for the construction investment project.

2.2.4 Residential apartments

2.2.4.1 Must have at least one living room and one bathroom. The minimum usable area of an apartment must not be less than 25 m2.

2.2.4.2 For commercial housing projects, it must be ensured that the proportion of apartments with an area of less than 45 m2 does not exceed 25% of the total number of apartments in the project.

2.2.4.3 Apartments must have natural lighting. Apartments with 2 or more living rooms may have one living room without natural lighting.

2.2.4.4 Bedrooms must have natural ventilation and lighting. The usable area of a bedroom in an apartment must not be less than 9 m2.

2.2.5 Condotel units

2.2.5.1 The usable area of a condotel unit must not be less than 25 m2.

2.2.5.2 Other requirements are specified according to the selected standards applied to condotel units.

2.2.6 Officetel units

2.2.6.1 The usable area of an officetel unit must not be less than 25 m2, in which the area of the work space is at least 9 m2. Kitchens are not allowed in officetel units.

2.2.6.2 Other requirements are specified according to the selected standards applied to officetel unit design.

2.2.7 Community living space

a) Apartment buildings and the apartment section in mixed-use apartment buildings must have a community living space with a minimum average usable area of 0.8 m2/apartment, which must include an appropriate space for holding resident meetings.

b) For an apartment complex within a construction project, when a community living space cannot be arranged in each building, it is allowed to combine it in a separate location or area with the total area for community activities reduced by a maximum of 30%; the radius from the lobby of each building to the community activity area must not exceed 300 m and it is necessary to calculate and explain to ensure convenient living needs for residents.

2.2.8 Other functional sections such as offices, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, condotel units, officetel units and other services in mixed-use apartment buildings must be designed in compliance with current regulations and selected standards.

2.2.9 Apartment buildings and the apartment section in mixed-use apartment buildings must have a clothes drying area that ensures the aesthetics of the building and urban area.

2.2.10 In apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings:

– For living rooms, the clear height must not be less than 2.6 m;

– For kitchens and bathrooms, the clear height must not be less than 2.3 m;

– For basements, semi-basements, technical floors, the clear height must not be less than 2.0 m;

– For refuge areas, the clear height must not be less than 2.6 m;

– For the interior space of a sloped roof used as a bedroom or living room, the clear height of 1/2 of the room area must not be less than 2.1 m;

– For rooms and areas with other functions (not for residential purposes), the minimum clear height must not be less than 2.6 m.

2.2.11 Windows of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings:

– Windows can only be top-hung or sliding windows with safety stops when open. The location of the window opening and closing control devices must comply with the provisions of QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD.

– For apartments without a balcony or loggia, at least one window on the exterior wall of the building must be arranged with a clear opening size of not less than (600×600) mm for rescue purposes.

2.2.12 Railings and balcony/loggia railings, including the height from the floor to the underside of the window opening/sill in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must not be less than 1.4 m. Other locations must comply with QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD.

2.2.13 Stairs in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must be designed and arranged to meet usage requirements and safe evacuation in compliance with the provisions of QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD, QCVN 10:2014/BXD and QCVN 06:2019/BXD.

2.2.14 Ramps in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings:

– Ramps in car garages must satisfy the requirements of QCVN 13:2018/BXD;

– Pedestrian ramps must ensure accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities according to the requirements of QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.2.15 Escape routes, evacuation routes and emergency exits in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must comply with the provisions of QCVN 06:2019/BXD and QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.2.16 Fire truck access roads and the ground – space of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must comply with QCVN 06:2019/BXD and Article 2.9 of this regulation.

2.2.17 Parking spaces (including cars, motorcycles (including electric motorcycles), bicycles).

2.2.17.1 Parking spaces of apartment buildings and the apartment section in mixed-use apartment buildings must be calculated to ensure the following requirements:

a) Must be within the approved project area; must arrange separate parking areas for cars from motorcycles and bicycles.

b) The area of parking spaces (including internal roads in garages/parking lots) must be at least 25 m2 for every 4 apartments, but not less than 20 m2 for every 100 m2 of usable apartment area, of which at least 6 m2 of motorcycle and bicycle parking space must be ensured for each apartment.

c) For social housing, resettlement housing and low-income housing: the parking space area may be taken as 60% of the norm prescribed in point b) of this article while ensuring at least 6 m2 of motorcycle and bicycle parking space for each apartment.

d) For parking spaces using mechanical or automatic garages (collectively referred to as mechanical garages), for every 100 m2 of usable apartment area, there must be at least 12 m2 of parking space area in the garage (for multi-story mechanical garages, the parking space area is multiplied by the number of floors of the mechanical garage). Access roads leading to mechanical garages must be suitable for the technology of the mechanical garage and must comply with current regulations.

2.2.17.2 The area of parking spaces (including internal roads in garages/parking lots) of the condotel section and the officetel section in mixed-use apartment buildings must be calculated to ensure at least 20 m2 for every 160 m2 of usable condotel and officetel area; Must be within the approved project area.

2.2.17.3 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must have parking spaces for people with disabilities. The location and calculated number of parking spaces for people with disabilities shall comply with QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.2.18 Apartment buildings and the apartment section in mixed-use apartment buildings must arrange space for building management staff, parking attendants, security guards, technical service staff ensuring 5 m2/person to 6 m2/person.

2.3 Structural Requirements

2.3.1 The structure of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings during construction and operation must ensure the following requirements:

a) Load-bearing safety: must be designed and constructed to ensure durability, stability, and withstand the most adverse loads and load combinations acting on them, including time-dependent loads, in which loads related to Vietnam’s natural conditions (hurricanes, earthquakes, lightning, flooding) are taken according to QCVN 02:2009/BXD.

b) Normal serviceability: must maintain normal operating conditions, without deformation and degradation of other properties exceeding the allowable limits of the standards selected for application to the building.

c) Ensure fire resistance; Structural components and materials of the building must meet the requirements for fire resistance and fire hazard properties according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD and additional regulations in Article 2.9 of this Regulation.

d) Design service life:

+ Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must be calculated to ensure a minimum design service life of 50 years (except for other cases decided by the investment decision maker/investor in accordance with the building’s operation and use period).

+ The building structure must ensure durability corresponding to the design service life.

+ The design service life of the building must be clearly stated in the design documents and other documents of the building as prescribed by law. At the end of the building’s design service life, the investor/investment decision maker should have a notification and conduct an inspection and quality assessment of the building to have intervention measures to extend the service life or have other measures as prescribed by law.

2.3.2 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must ensure the following requirements:

a) The lateral displacement at the top of the building and the relative lateral displacement between floors must not be greater than the values specified in the selected design standards.

b) The maximum acceleration of motion at the top of the building due to wind load must not exceed the value specified in the selected design standards.

2.3.3 Foundations and foundation structures, basement structures and underground technical systems of the building must be calculated and designed based on the characteristics of the foundation soil, hydrogeological conditions at the construction site, as well as the corrosiveness of the foundation soil and groundwater, and must meet the following requirements:

– Ensure load-bearing safety and stability;

– Ensure settlement and differential settlement are within the allowable limits according to the design requirements and selected standards;

– Ensure safety for the building itself and adjacent buildings during the construction of foundations and basements.

2.3.4 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings during construction and operation must not cause damage to technical infrastructure systems and adjacent buildings.

2.3.5 When renovating apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings, the structural scheme and actual condition of the building should be taken into account.

2.4 Elevator Requirements

2.4.1 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings from 5 stories and above must have a minimum of 1 elevator, from 10 stories and above must have a minimum of 2 elevators and ensure passenger traffic according to the selected standards.

NOTE: In apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings with elevators, there must be at least 1 dedicated elevator with a cabin clear size that ensures transportation by an ambulance stretcher.

2.4.2 At least 1 elevator should be provided for every 200 residents in the building, excluding those on the 1st floor (ground floor). In case of calculation based on the number of apartments, at least 1 elevator should be provided for every 70 apartments. The lifting capacity of an elevator must not be less than 400 kg. In case the building has one elevator, the minimum lifting capacity of the elevator must not be less than 600 kg.

2.4.3 For apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings with a fire protection height greater than 50 m, each fire compartment of the building must have at least one elevator meeting the requirements for transporting firefighting personnel, equipment and rescue according to TCVN 6396-72:2010 and TCVN 6396-73:2010.

2.4.4 The width of the passenger elevator lobby must be arranged in accordance with the selected standards.

2.4.5 Elevators must have door protection devices to prevent entrapment, automatic rescue devices and an internal telephone system from the cabin to the outside. Elevators can only operate when all elevator doors are closed.

2.4.6 The lifting capacity and speed of the elevator must meet the requirements according to the selected standards.

2.4.7 Elevators must ensure safety according to QCVN 02:2011/BLDTBXH and must be safety inspected before being put into use in the following cases:

– After installation;

– After major repairs;

– After a serious accident or incident has occurred and been remedied;

– Upon expiration of the inspection period or at the request of the state management agency on labor safety.

2.4.8 The machine room and elevator equipment must have convenient, safe access and exit and must not be located directly above an apartment. The elevator shaft must meet the sound insulation requirements according to QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD and noise control according to QCVN 26:2010/BTNMT.

2.4.9 Water tanks must not be located directly above the elevator shaft and water, heating, and gas pipelines must not pass through the elevator shaft.

2.4.10 Elevators must ensure accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities according to QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.5 Water Supply and Drainage System Requirements

2.5.1 Domestic water supply and drainage systems must ensure the requirements for water supply and drainage needs specified in QCVN 01:2019/BXD, and the technical requirements specified in the “Technical Regulation on Water Supply and Drainage Systems for Buildings and Structures” and selected standards.

2.5.2 The water supply system must ensure sanitary quality according to QCVN 1-1:2018/BYT and meet usage needs according to selected standards.

2.5.3 The indoor firefighting water supply system and outdoor firefighting water supply system must ensure the following requirements:

– When there is no outdoor firefighting water supply system or it does not ensure the flow rate and pressure of firefighting water (pressure head), there must be a reserve water source to ensure the water flow rate of the indoor fire hydrant system for at least 3 hours;

– Buildings with a fire protection height greater than 50 m must have fire hydrants for firefighting forces on each floor, the farthest apartment door on the floor must be within 45 m from the fire hydrant (taking into account the travel path). Standby hydrants must be placed in a fire-resistant vestibule (vestibule of a smoke-free stairwell or vestibule of a firefighting elevator). The standby hydrant system supplying firefighting water for firefighting forces must have standby hydrants installed outside the building to connect water from a fire truck or fire pump and be connected to the indoor firefighting water supply pipeline. Standby hydrants must satisfy current regulations;

– Indoor fire hydrants must be located in easily accessible places. The required flow rate of the indoor fire hydrant system is taken according to the selected technical standards, particularly for buildings with a fire protection height above 50 m and a floor area of each floor greater than 1500 m2, the residential floors must ensure a firefighting water flow rate for not less than 4 firefighting jets, each jet having a flow rate of 2.5 L/s for the calculated firefighting duration but not less than 1 h. Each point on the floor must ensure that there are two fire hydrants spraying simultaneously;

– Firefighting water supply for firefighting systems must be implemented according to current standards and regulations on fire prevention and fighting.

2.5.4 The drainage system should be in accordance with the provisions in the selected standards.

2.5.5 The rainwater drainage system on the roof must ensure the drainage of rainwater in all weather conditions throughout the year. Rainwater vertical pipes must not be allowed to leak and must be connected to the building’s drainage system and then must be connected to the area’s common drainage system.

2.5.6 The entire wastewater drainage system of the building must be connected to the area’s wastewater drainage system for centralized treatment or must be treated to meet the requirements of QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT before being discharged into the area’s common drainage system.

2.5.7 The building’s wastewater treatment tank must be located in a convenient position, have sufficient conditions for treatment and exhaust, ensure load-bearing safety, not be cracked, leaking and not affect the environment during operation.

2.6 Ventilation and Air Conditioning System Requirements

2.6.1 Apartments and non-apartment spaces in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must have a natural or forced ventilation system. Local ventilation must be provided for kitchen, bathroom, and toilet areas.

2.6.2 The fresh air flow rate supplied to each apartment must not be less than 30 m3/h/person or not less than the total exhaust air from the kitchen, bathroom and toilet of the apartment.

2.6.3 The kitchen must have a ventilation system to exhaust air outside the building and circulate air.

2.6.4 Escape routes and building atriums must ensure an air exchange rate of not less than 4 times/h according to the volume of the atrium.

NOTE: Escape routes and building atriums without natural ventilation (sealed, without windows) must ensure an air exchange rate of not less than 4 times/h according to the volume of the atrium when not equipped with air conditioning or not less than 1 m3/h.m2 when equipped with air conditioning.

2.6.5 Garages must ensure an air exchange rate of not less than 6 times/h for normal ventilation mode and 9 times/h for smoke extraction ventilation mode.

2.6.6 When using a forced ventilation system or air conditioning system, the following requirements must be ensured:

– The outdoor climate parameters for the design of the ventilation and air conditioning system must comply with QCVN 02:2009/BXD and the selected standards;

– Only refrigerants that ensure environmental safety according to current regulations can be used;

– Exhaust air must not cause discomfort or harm to surrounding people and property;

– Operation must not cause noise exceeding the allowable limit;

– Rooms with toxic substances must have an independent exhaust, treatment and air supply system; Fresh air must be supplied directly into the room with a flow rate not less than 90% of the exhaust air flow rate.

2.6.7 The drain system in the sanitary areas of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must ensure no leakage of gas and odors affecting the health of people living and staying in the apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings.

2.6.8 The smoke exhaust ventilation systems, smoke extraction systems and smoke protection for escape routes, fire resistance of air ducts and air ducts – shafts must comply with the requirements in QCVN 06:2019/BXD.

2.7 Requirements for Waste Collection System

2.7.1 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must have a waste collection system that ensures regulations on fire and explosion safety and environmental sanitation.

2.7.2 The waste collection system inside apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings can be arranged according to waste chutes or waste collection rooms located on each floor. This system must ensure the collection of all waste generated in the building with a storage time not exceeding 1 day.

2.7.3 The waste chute collection system in the building must ensure the following requirements:

– Waste chute inlets must be located in the waste collection room on each floor. The waste collection room must be an enclosed space, naturally or mechanically ventilated, not causing the spread of odors to surrounding areas;

– The entrance to the waste collection room on each floor must go through a fire-resistant vestibule. The waste collection room and fire-resistant vestibule must be equipped with an automatic fire alarm system or automatic fire extinguishing system;

– The waste chute assembly, chute doors, flaps, valves, and waste collection room doors must be made of corrosion-resistant, non-combustible materials (determined according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD). This assembly must be soundproofed when located adjacent to bedrooms;

– The waste chute doors must be type 1 fire doors, airtight, odor-proof and have an automatic smoke damper mechanism;

– The top of the waste chute must have a ventilation duct protruding from the roof by not less than 0.7 m, with a cross-sectional area of not less than 0.05 m2, and must have a rain cover and screen to prevent insects and rodents from entering;

– The waste storage room must be located directly below the waste chute on the first floor above ground or the semi-basement floor or the first basement floor (if there is no semi-basement); The waste storage room must have a clear height of not less than 2.5 m and have a door opening outwards; The waste storage room must have a door isolated from the building entrance by a solid wall and be separated from other parts of the building by fire-resistant walls (with a fire resistance rating of not less than REI 60); Must have a ventilation system; Have an automatic fire alarm system and automatic fire extinguishing system;

– The waste storage room must have a collection pit and drain pipe into the building’s common wastewater drainage system, as well as a separate entrance for waste transportation.

2.7.4 The waste collection system on each floor of the building must ensure the following requirements:

– Waste collection bins must be placed on each floor in a separate room, not obstructing evacuation and rescue;

– In each waste collection room, both biodegradable organic waste bins and non-biodegradable waste bins must be arranged simultaneously;

– The room containing the waste collection bins must be separated from other areas by fire-resistant partitions, have a ventilation system, have an automatic fire alarm system and automatic fire extinguishing system;

– Waste collection bins must be sealed, not emitting odors, not leaking, not causing waste spillage during transport. The transportation of collection bins out of each floor must be done within the day;

– Types of waste that pose a risk of fire, explosion, or disease spread must not be dumped into the collection bins.

2.8 Requirements for Electrical, Lightning Protection, Lighting, Noise Control and Communication Systems

2.8.1 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must ensure the requirements for the design, installation, and operation of electrical, lightning protection and communication systems according to QCVN 12:2014/BXD, QCVN QTD 08:2010/BCT, QCVN 09:2017/BXD, the Electrical Installation Code and current regulations.

2.8.2 Transformers located in the building must meet the following requirements:

a) Comply with the provisions of Part III – Electrical Installation Code.

b) The machine room must not be located directly below, directly above or adjacent to rooms with a concentration of more than 50 people. The machine room must be separated from other parts of the building by fire-resistant walls with a fire resistance rating of not less than REI 120 and by fire-resistant floors with a fire resistance rating of not less than REI 90.

c) The transformer room must be equipped with an automatic fire alarm and extinguishing system.

2.8.3 The electrical technical room must be located in a dry place, locked, have a door opening outwards, ensuring easy inspection and power cut-off. Gas pipes; flammable liquid pipes; water technical pipes; covers, valves, flanges, inspection doors, nozzles, of pipelines and technical boxes are not allowed to pass through the electrical technical room.

2.8.4 Buildings with a fire protection height of 28 m or more must be equipped with a backup generator with a minimum capacity to ensure the operation of the priority electrical network including: electricity for domestic water pumps, firefighting water pumps, automatic fire alarm system, smoke protection system, firefighting elevator, public lighting, fire alarm devices, surveillance cameras, fire notification and evacuation control and other loads as prescribed by current design standards.

NOTE: For buildings with a fire protection height of less than 28 m, when there is a requirement to equip an automatic fire extinguishing system and smoke protection system, there must be a backup power source to ensure the operation of these systems according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD.

2.8.5 It is allowed to locate the diesel generator room and fuel storage area on the first floor, semi-basement floor or first basement floor when ensuring the following provisions:

a) The diesel generator room and fuel storage area must not be located directly below or next to living rooms and must be separated from other parts of the building by fire-resistant walls with a fire resistance rating of not less than REI 120 and fire-resistant floors with a fire resistance rating of not less than REI 90.

b) The fuel storage area for 3 hours of operation can be located next to the generator room and must be separated from the generator room by type 1 fire-resistant walls and type 1 self-closing fire doors according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD. The fuel storage tank for operation greater than 3 hours of the generator must be placed outside the building.

c) The diesel generator room and fuel storage area must have equipment to collect and contain spilled oil due to incidents; must have an automatic fire alarm and extinguishing system; must have a separate smoke exhaust system and the location of the smoke exhaust outlet must not pose a danger to people on the upper floors.

2.8.6 Apartment buildings and the apartment section in mixed-use apartment buildings should be designed for noise control in accordance with the provisions in QCVN 26:2010/BTNMT and selected standards.

2.9 Fire Safety Requirements

2.9.1 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings must comply with fire safety regulations according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD, and must also ensure the following additional requirements:

2.9.1.1 Walls and partitions between units; walls and partitions between common corridors (outside apartments) and other rooms must have a fire resistance rating of not less than El 60.

2.9.1.2 Non-load-bearing walls and partitions between apartments must have a fire resistance rating of not less than El 40 and fire hazard class K0.

2.9.1.3 Railings of loggias and balconies from the 3rd floor and above must be made of non-combustible materials.

2.9.1.4 Public function rooms must be separated from living rooms by type 1 fire-resistant partitions, type 3 fire-resistant floors, and in buildings with fire resistance class I, they must be separated by type 2 fire-resistant floors.

2.9.1.5 For buildings with 2 to 3 basement floors, the fire resistance class of the building is class I.

2.9.2 For buildings with a height from 75 m to 100 m, in addition to complying with the provisions of Article 2.9.1, the following additional requirements must be ensured:

2.9.2.1 The fire resistance class of the building is class I, the fire resistance requirements of building structures and components are taken according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD.

2.9.2.2 The building must be divided into fire compartments in height, with the height of each compartment not exceeding 50 m. The fire compartments must be separated from each other by a fire-resistant floor with a minimum fire resistance rating of REI 150 or by a technical floor with horizontal load-bearing structures (floor and ceiling) having a fire resistance rating of not less than REI 90.

2.9.2.3 The maximum allowable area of a building floor within a fire compartment must comply with QCVN 06:2019/BXD.

2.9.2.4 At the intersections between the fire-resistant floor and fire-resistant components with the building envelope, there must be solutions to ensure that fire does not spread through the fire-resistant components.

2.9.2.5 Each fire compartment in height must have an independent fire protection system (firefighting water supply, smoke extraction, emergency lighting, fire alarm, automatic fire extinguishing). It is allowed for fire compartments to share a common water supply pump station, firefighting pump station, smoke extraction fan, and fire alarm control panel.

2.9.2.6 Above the exits from garages on the first floor, there must be non-combustible canopies with a width of not less than 1.0 m and ensuring the distance from this canopy to the lower edge of the window openings above is not less than 4.0 m.

2.9.2.7 The allowable limit distance from the entrance door of an apartment to the nearest escape route (stairwell or outside exit) must comply with QCVN 06:2019/BXD.

2.9.2.8 The clear width of the stair treads and landings of type N1 stairwells in the residential part of the building must not be less than 1.20 m; type N2 stairwells must not be less than 1.05 m with a clear opening distance between the stair treads of not less than 100 mm.

2.9.2.9 From all smoke-free stairwells, there must be stair landings leading to the roof through type 2 fire doors. The apartment door leading to the corridor must be a type 1 fire door.

2.9.2.10 The part with other functions of the building (including technical rooms, auxiliary rooms serving the apartment section) must be separated from the apartment section of the building by solid fire-resistant walls with a fire resistance rating of REI 150 and type 1 fire-resistant floors and have separate escape routes.

2.9.2.11 The elevator shafts of the apartment section must not connect with the rest of the building. The shafts of the technical system (including waste pipes) of the apartment section and the rest of the building must be separate.

2.9.2.12 The insulation layer (if any) of the exterior walls must be made of non-combustible materials. It is allowed to use insulation material from combustibility groups Ch1 and Ch2 (QCVN 06:2019/BXD) if it is protected from all sides by concrete or plaster with a thickness of not less than 50 mm. At the locations of window and door frames on the exterior walls, the thickness of this concrete (plaster) layer must not be less than 30 mm.

2.9.2.13 Window assemblies and glass panels of balconies and loggias must be made of non-combustible or low-combustible materials (Ch1).

2.9.2.14 Fire doors must be arranged appropriately for each case as follows:

a) Fire doors on walls and floors separating fire compartments must have a fire resistance rating of not less than El 90.

b) Fire doors must be type 1 in the following cases: doors on the interior walls of smoke-free stairwells and elevator lobbies, doors of apartments leading to common corridors, doors on the enclosing structures of technical rooms, rooms containing equipment or materials with a high fire risk, shafts and technical compartments.

c) Fire doors must be type 2 in the following cases: doors from the vestibule leading to the smoke-free stairwell, to the elevator lobby and to the room with the waste chute.

d) Elevator shaft doors (elevator landing doors) opening into the elevator lobby must be smoke-tight doors.

NOTE: Elevator landing doors are entrance/exit doors designed to be installed in the shaft at the stop to allow entry and exit from the cabin.

2.9.2.15 The finishing materials for ceilings, walls, and floors on escape routes, in elevator lobbies, common lobbies, and technical floors must be non-combustible materials.

2.9.2.16 The soundproofing layer of rooms, as well as the insulation for equipment and technical pipelines, must be made of non-combustible materials.

2.9.2.17 Pipelines of the technical system (drainage, rainwater, hot and cold water supply, waste chute) must be made of non-combustible materials. Water supply pipes within an apartment (except for risers) can be made of combustible materials in groups Ch1 and Ch2.

NOTE: In case of using UPVC pipes or combustible materials in groups Ch1, Ch2 for water supply and drainage pipes, in addition to ensuring technical requirements according to selected standards, these pipes must be placed in technical boxes and ensure fire spread prevention requirements according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD.

2.9.2.18 Smoke protection for buildings, automatic fire alarm and extinguishing systems shall be implemented according to QCVN 06:2019/BXD and the following provisions:

a) All non-apartment rooms (garages, auxiliary rooms, technical rooms, public spaces, waste storage compartments, etc.) and waste chutes must have sprinkler heads (except for electrical and electronic technical rooms that require the arrangement of gaseous fire extinguishing systems or devices).

b) Above the entrance doors to the apartments, sprinklers connected to the firefighting water supply pipeline through flow switches must be installed.

c) The automatic fire alarm system must clearly indicate the address of each apartment. Smoke detectors must be installed in the rooms of the apartment and the floor corridors, including the elevator lobby. Each apartment must be equipped with a public address system to guide evacuation, ensuring that everyone in the apartment can clearly hear notifications and instructions in case of an incident.

d) It is necessary to equip automatic fire alarm systems, devices, and fire extinguishing equipment in electrical, communication, and other technical shafts and ducts with fire hazards.

e) The power supply for the fire protection system including: elevators serving the transportation of fire forces and firefighting equipment; smoke protection system; automatic fire alarm and extinguishing system; must be taken from independent electrical cabinets or separate switchboards with different paint colors following two separate routes to the distribution equipment of each fire compartment.

2.9.2.19 Electrical wires and cables of the priority power supply for the fire protection system within a fire compartment must be placed in metal pipes, boxes or pipes, boxes, shafts, ducts made of non-combustible materials and have a fire resistance rating of not less than REI 90 or not less than REI 150 when located outside the fire compartment.

2.9.3 All basement floors in buildings with 2 or 3 basement floors must be equipped with a two-way emergency communication system between the fire control room and the following areas:

– Equipment rooms related to the fire extinguishing system, especially pump rooms of the sprinkler system, pump rooms for supplying water to the standpipe system, switch rooms, generator rooms, and elevator machine rooms.

– All rooms where smoke control system control equipment is installed;

– Firefighting elevators;

– All refuge areas;

– Ventilation system control rooms.

2.9.4 For buildings with a height from 100 m to 150 m, in addition to complying with the provisions of Articles 2.9.1, 2.9.2, it is necessary to arrange refuge floors, refuge areas, meeting the following requirements:

a) The spacing between refuge floors must not exceed 20 floors. It is not allowed to arrange apartments or a part of apartments, offices on the refuge floor. It is not allowed to arrange commercial activities on the refuge floor.

NOTE 1: A technical floor or a part of a technical floor can be used as a refuge area when meeting the provisions in clauses b), c), d), e) f), g), h) of Article 2.9.4.

b) The refuge areas located on the refuge floor must be protected by fire-resistant partitions with a fire resistance rating of not less than REI 150.

c) The refuge area must have an area with a norm of 0.3 m2/person, ensuring sufficient capacity to accommodate the total number of people listed below:

– The number of people on the floor with the refuge area;

– Half of the total number of people on all floors above, counting from the floor with the refuge area to the next floor with a refuge area; half of the total number of people on all floors above for the topmost floor with a refuge area;

– Half of the total number of people on all floors below, counting from the floor with the refuge area to the next floor with refuge areas; half of the total number of people on all floors below for the lowest floor with a refuge area.

d) The refuge area must be naturally ventilated through fixed wall vents arranged on two exterior walls (ventilation openings) ensuring the following requirements:

– The total area of the ventilation openings must be at least equal to 25% of the refuge area;

– The minimum height of the ventilation openings (from the lower edge to the upper edge) must not be less than 1.2 m;

– The ventilation openings for the refuge area must be located at least 1.5 m horizontally and 3.0 m vertically from other unprotected wall openings that are level with or below it. If the ventilation openings for the refuge area have a total area not less than 50% of the refuge area, the vertical distance can be reduced to 1.5 m.

e) All equipment and tools placed in the refuge area must be made of non-combustible materials.

f) The refuge area must have a door connecting to the smoke-free stairwell and must have a door to the firefighting elevator.

g) The refuge area must have separate firefighting equipment including: indoor fire hydrants, automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing system, emergency lighting, external communication telephone, public address system for evacuation instructions, etc.

h) Inside the escape stairwell and on the outside face of the escape stairwell wall at the refuge floor level, there must be a sign with the content “GIAN LÁNH NẠN/FIRE EMERGENCY HOLDING AREA” placed at a height of 1,500 mm from the finished floor surface of the landing or refuge floor. The height of the letters on the sign must not be less than 50 mm.

NOTE In addition to presenting in Vietnamese and English, the content of the sign can be presented in other languages depending on the characteristics of the common users in the building.

3. MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS

3.1 New construction works within the scope specified in section 1.1 must comply with the technical provisions in this Regulation.

3.2 It is encouraged to apply this Regulation when renovating old apartment buildings.

3.3 Transitional conditions:

– Design and construction documents of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings appraised before this Regulation takes effect shall continue to be implemented according to the appraised design documents.

– Design and construction documents of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings appraised after the effective date of this Regulation must comply with the provisions of this Regulation.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

4.1 All organizations and individuals when participating in activities related to the construction of new apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings including the preparation, appraisal, approval, organization of implementation, management, and development of national standards, base standards, and local technical regulations related to apartment buildings must comply with the provisions of this Regulation.

4.2 The People’s Committees of provinces/cities shall specify the method for determining the population in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings, ensuring suitability with actual conditions on population scale and technical infrastructure, social infrastructure for application and management within the province/city.

4.3 During the implementation of this Regulation, if there are any problems, all comments should be sent to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (Ministry of Construction) for guidance and handling.

5. IMPLEMENTATION

5.1 The Ministry of Construction is responsible for disseminating and guiding the application of this Regulation to relevant subjects.

5.2 State management agencies on construction in localities are responsible for organizing the inspection of compliance with this Regulation in the preparation, appraisal, approval and management of the construction of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings in the area.