Search Glossary

QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD DWELLING AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
No data was found
QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD

QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD DWELLING AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS – OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

FOREWORD

QCVN 05 : 2008/BXD was compiled by the Institute of Construction Science and Technology, submitted for approval by the Department of Science and Technology, and promulgated by Decision No. 09/2008/QD-BXD dated June 6, 2008 of the Minister of Construction.

Chapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1. Scope of Application

This technical regulation stipulates the technical requirements (minimum or maximum) that must be met for residential buildings and public works in order to ensure the safety of life and health for users.

The safety of life and health specified in this technical regulation includes: prevention of water, moisture, and harmful substances; protection against falls, pushing, and collisions; safe use of glass; lighting; ventilation; noise control.

The safety of life and health related to the load-bearing capacity of residential buildings and public works; electrical equipment systems, elevators; fire and explosion prevention; water supply and drainage systems; accessibility for people with disabilities in residential buildings and public works are referred to in other corresponding technical regulations.

This technical regulation does not stipulate technical requirements to ensure the safety of life and health of people during the preparation and construction of works and due to factors not originating from the works themselves (pollution due to production processes, impacts of floods or from external works).

1.2. Subjects of Application

1.2.1. The types of residential buildings and public works subject to the application of this technical regulation are listed in Table 1.1

Table 1.1 Types of residential buildings and public works that must apply the technical regulation

No.Type of works
 Residential buildings
1Apartment buildings
2Detached houses (encouraged to apply)
 Public works
3Cultural works: Libraries, museums, exhibition halls, cultural houses, clubs, performance halls, theaters, cinemas, circuses, radio stations, television stations
4Nurseries and schools: Nurseries, kindergartens, preschools, general education schools at all levels, integrated technical centers – career guidance, vocational secondary schools, vocational training institutions, universities and other types of schools.
5Medical works: Health stations, general hospitals, specialized hospitals from central to local levels, regional general and specialized clinics, maternity hospitals, nursing homes, rest homes, nursing homes for the elderly, medical agencies, disease control agencies.
6Commercial works: Markets, shops, shopping centers, supermarkets, food and drink establishments, public service stations.
7Office buildings: Offices, headquarters.
8Hotels, guest houses.
9Transport service buildings: Railway stations, bus stations of all kinds.
10Communication service buildings: Post offices, postal bureaus, information equipment installation buildings, air traffic control towers.
11Stadiums
12Sports facilities.

1.2.2. In addition to the subjects of application mentioned in Article 1.2.1, some chapters of the technical regulation also have specific limits on the subjects of application for that chapter.

Chapter 2: PREVENTION OF WATER, MOISTURE, AND HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
2.1. General Requirements

2.1.1. Prevention of water and moisture

a) The building foundation and the parts of walls in contact with the ground must ensure the prevention of water and moisture from the ground from seeping up to the top of the foundation and walls;

b) Walls, roofs, balconies, loggias, and exterior corridors of the building must ensure no water accumulation and prevent rainwater from seeping through;

c) Floors in areas using water must ensure no water accumulation and prevent water from seeping through.

2.1.2. Prevention of harmful substances

a) Measures must be taken to prevent and avoid the risk of harmful substances on the surface or in the ground of the works from harming human health.

b) In areas with users, building materials must not emit harmful substances at concentrations that adversely affect human health.

2.2. Definitions

2.2.1. Harmful substances: Substances that cause immediate or long-term health deterioration for users.

2.2.2. Specific radioactivity (Cj) of radionuclide j: The natural radioactivity of radionuclide j in a sample divided by the mass of that sample, measured in Bq/kg. Specific radioactivity Cj for building materials includes the radioactivity of radionuclides Radium, Thorium, and Potassium (CRa, CTh, and CK).

2.2.3. Safe radioactivity index (I): An index that reflects the total radioactivity of the specific natural radioactivities CRa, CTh, and CK of a material. The safe radioactivity index is a dimensionless quantity.

2.2.4. Time-weighted average concentration for 8-hour exposure (TWA concentration[1]): The average concentration that a person is exposed to over an 8-hour period without affecting health. Measurement unit: ppm or mg/m3 of air (1 ppm = 10-6 mg/m3 of air).

2.2.5. Short-term exposure limit concentration (STEL concentration[2]): The concentration that a person is continuously exposed to for 15 minutes without affecting health. Measurement unit: ppm or mg/m3of air (1 ppm = 10-6 mg/m3of air).

2.3. Specific Requirements

2.3.1. The safe radioactivity index (I) of building materials must meet the requirements specified in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 . Safe radioactivity levels of building materials

No.Subject of applicationValues of safe radioactivity index (I1 , I2 and I3)
1For building construction
1.1Large-volume building material products used for building constructionI£ 1
1.2Ground filling materials for buildings and areas near buildingsI£ 1
1.3Materials used for building construction with limited surface or volume (e.g., thin walls or floor tiles, wall tiles)I£ 6
2For construction of outdoor works
2.1Used as cladding or paving materials for worksI£ 1,5
3For filling
3.1Materials used for filling (not included in item 1)I£ 1
3.2Materials not used for filling, need to be storedI>1
Note: – CRa , CTh, CK are the specific natural radioactivities of building materials corresponding to the radionuclides Radium-226, Thorium-232, and Potassium-40.I1=CRa/300 +CTh/200 + CK/3000 ; I2=CRa/700 +CTh/500 + CK/8000;I3=CRa/2000 +CTh/1500 + CK/20000

2.3.2. Building materials containing asbestos:

2.3.2.1. The use of building materials manufactured from amphibole asbestos is not allowed.

2.3.2.2. Only building materials containing chrysotile asbestos in the form of manufactured products that do not cause the dispersion of loose asbestos fibers may be used.

2.3.3. Building materials containing bitumen should have a TWA concentration not exceeding 0.2 mg/m3.

2.3.4. Paint materials and building pigments must meet the following requirements:

· Benzene content must have a TWA concentration not exceeding 1 ppm; STEL concentration not exceeding 5 ppm;

· Inorganic arsenic content must have a TWA concentration not exceeding 0.01 mg/m3;

· Cadmium content must have a TWA concentration not exceeding 0.005 mg/m3;

· Methyl chloride content must have a TWA concentration not exceeding 25 ppm; STEL concentration not exceeding 125 ppm;

· Chromium VI content in metal anti-corrosion paint materials must have a TWA concentration not exceeding 0.005 mg/m3.

2.3.5. Bonding materials must meet the following requirements:

· Formaldehyde content must have a TWA concentration not exceeding 0.75 ppm; STEL concentration not exceeding 2 ppm.

· Methyl chloride content must have a TWA concentration not exceeding 25 ppm; STEL concentration not exceeding 125 ppm.

Chapter 3: PROTECTION AGAINST FALLS, PUSHING, AND COLLISIONS
3.1. General Requirements

3.1.1. Stairways and Ramps

Stairways, steps, or ramps must be provided to ensure safe movement for people between floors or levels with a height difference of 380mm or more.

3.1.2. Balustrades

Balustrades or barriers with sufficient capacity to prevent people from falling must be provided at floors or levels with a height difference of 2 steps (or 380mm if there are no steps) or more and at the following locations:

a) Stairways, steps, ramps, floors, balconies, loggias, corridors, and roofs accessible to people;

b) Atriums, basements, or similar underground areas connected to the building where people have access.

3.1.3. Barriers for Motor Vehicles and Loading Areas

3.1.3.1. Ramps and floors accessible to motor vehicles must have protective barriers for people where necessary.

3.1.3.2. Loading areas for motor vehicles must have exits or escape routes for people inside the area to avoid vehicles.

3.1.4. Avoidance of Pushing, Collisions, or Entrapment

3.1.4.1. People moving inside or around the building must be protected from being pushed into ventilation openings or light wells.

3.1.4.2. Doors and gates must ensure:

a) Not colliding with people when sliding or opening forward;

b) Not trapping people inside when doors and gates are closed and opened by motors.

3.1.4.3. Doors or gates closed and opened by motors must be able to be opened manually in case of motor failure.

3.1.4.4. Revolving doors or gates must ensure not obstructing visibility on both sides.

3.2. Limitations of Application

3.2.1. Requirement 0 only applies to ramps that are part of the building.

3.2.2. Requirements 0 and 0 do not apply to doors or gates that are part of elevators.

3.3. Definitions

3.3.1. Stairway: A component with steps, treads, and possibly landings for people to move between different levels.

3.3.2. Spiral staircase: A stairway built around a central column or open space.

3.3.3. Flight of stairs: A part of a stairway with continuous steps in one direction.

3.3.4. Tapered tread: A tread with the nosing not parallel to the nosing or edge of the tread, landing above it.

3.3.5. Riser height: The vertical height between adjacent steps.

3.3.6. Tread depth: The horizontal dimension from front to back of a tread, excluding any parts where the tread above overhangs it.

3.3.7. Ramp: A pathway with a slope greater than 1:20 designed for people and vehicles to move between floors or levels at different elevations.

3.4. Specific Requirements

3.4.1. Stairways

3.4.1.1. Slope of stairways – tread depth and riser height

a) The riser height and tread depth of all steps must satisfy the dimensional requirements given in Table 3.1, and the sum of two times the riser height plus the tread depth (2H+B) must not be less than 550mm and not greater than 700mm (except for stairs mentioned in point b) below).

b) Stairways in early childhood education facilities have a maximum riser height of 120 mm.

c) Step dimensions are determined according to Figure 3.1.

d) The maximum slope of aisles leading to seating or benches is 350.

Table 3.1. Limits of riser height and tread depth

No.Type of stairwayMaximum riser height (mm)Minimum tread depth (mm)
1Stairways in public buildings180**280*
2Stairways in residential buildings190**250

Note:

* If the area of a single floor of the building is less than 100m2, a minimum tread depth of 250mm is allowed.

** The maximum riser height for stairways used by people with disabilities must meet the requirements of the Building Code for ensuring access for people with disabilities.

Figure 3.1. Measuring riser height and tread depth

3.4.1.2. Construction of steps

a) The top of treads must be level. Treads may be open but must overlap each other by at least 16mm.

b) All stairways with open treads accessible to children under 5 years of age must have openings not greater than 100mm in height.

3.4.1.3. Headroom

The headroom for stairways and passageways must be at least 2m. The method for determining headroom is shown in Figure 3.2.

Figure 3.2. Measuring headroom of stairways

3.4.1.4. Landings

a) The length and width of each landing must be at least equal to the smallest width of the flight.

b) Landings must be level.

3.4.1.5. Special types of stairways

a) Stairs with tapered treads

The depth of tapered treads is measured as follows:

– If the flight width is less than 1 m, measured at the middle of the tread.

– If the flight width is 1 m or more, measured at a position 270 mm from each side.

The stairway is considered to meet the requirements if the riser height and tread depth satisfy the requirements of 3.4.1.1.0

The minimum depth of tapered treads is 50mm (see Figure 3.3).

If the stairway comprises both straight and tapered treads, the depth of tapered treads must not be less than the depth of straight treads. Straight treads must also meet the requirements of 3.4.1.1.0

b) Spiral staircases

For stairways in confined spaces used for no more than one room with occupants, the tread depth may be less than the requirements of this Code.

Measure the stairway width at the center of the tread; measure along the curved stairway even if the stairway is rectangular in shape.

Figure 3.3 Measuring dimensions of stairs with tapered treads

3.4.1.6. Handrails for stairways

Stairways must have handrails on at least one side if the flight is less than 1 m wide, and on both sides if the flight is wider than 1 m (in case one side is a wall, handrails may be omitted on the wall side). Handrails must extend to cover the last two steps in public buildings or buildings used by people with disabilities.

3.4.1.7. Balustrades for stairs

a) Flights, landings must have protective balustrades at open edges.

b) For buildings accessible to children under 5 years of age, balustrades must meet the following requirements:

+ Openings in balustrades must not allow the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 100mm;

+ There must be no construction that allows children to easily climb over the balustrade.0

c) The minimum height of balustrades is specified in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Minimum height of balustrades

BuildingLocationMinimum height (mm)
Residential buildings, offices, schools, public offices, and public buildingsLoggias and rooftop terraces at locations 9 stories or higher.1400
Flights of stairs, ramps900
Other locations1100
Crowded places530mm in front of fixed seating800
Flights of stairs, ramps900
Other locations1100

3.4.2. Ramps

3.4.2.1. The maximum slope of ramps must not exceed 1:12 for public buildings and 1:10 for apartment buildings.

3.4.2.2. All ramps, landings must have a minimum headroom of 2m.

3.4.2.3. Ramps must be ensured to have no fixed obstructions, and the ramp surface must be constructed to be slip-resistant.

3.4.2.4. Ramps less than 1m wide must have handrails on at least one side. If wider, handrails must be on both sides. Ramps connecting two levels less than 600mm apart are not required to have handrails.

The height of handrails must be from 900mm to 1000mm. Handrails must provide a firm support and allow a tight grip.

Handrails for ramps designed for people with disabilities must comply with the Building Code for ensuring access for people with disabilities.

3.4.2.5. Ramps, landings must have protective balustrades at open edges as for stairways.

3.4.3. Balustrades and Barriers

3.4.3.1. Balustrades for pedestrians

a) Balustrades must be provided at open edges of floors, balconies, loggias, roofs (including atriums and other openings), and other areas accessible to people. In car parks, balustrades must be provided where people have access but are not required on ramps used only for vehicle traffic and in loading areas.

b) The minimum height for balustrades is given in Table 3.2. Balustrades must be able to withstand the impact of horizontal forces specified in relevant Codes. Do not make balustrades with a wide top surface to avoid people sitting or lying on them. If using glass in balustrades, comply with Chapter 4 of this Code.

c) For buildings accessible to children under 5 years of age, balustrades must be constructed to prevent children from easily climbing over[3] and must not have openings that allow the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 100mm.

3.4.3.2. Barriers for motor vehicles

a) Barriers must be provided at the edges of walkways, floors, and roofs accessible to motor vehicles.

b) Barriers must have a minimum height of 375 mm for edges of floors or roofs, and 600 mm for edges of ramps. Barriers must be able to withstand the impact of horizontal forces as specified in relevant Codes.

3.4.3.3. Loading areas

Loading areas must have at least one exit at the lower elevation side. Loading areas wide enough for two or more vehicles must have at least two exits, one on each side.

3.4.4. Avoidance of pushing into ventilation openings and light wells

3.4.4.1. Projecting parts

Ventilation openings and light wells that have parts projecting more than 100mm into the movement space of users inside and around the building, whether inward or outward, must meet the following requirements:

– Fixed projecting parts must not be lower than 2 m from the ground or floor surface;

– Opening parts must have barriers or balustrades of at least 900 mm high to prevent people from stepping into them; if not, there must be very clear markings different from other areas on the ground or floor surface to alert users to stay away from that area.

3.4.4.2. Spaces used only for building maintenance purposes

For areas not used frequently and only used for building maintenance purposes, clear and easily visible markings must be provided to alert of projecting parts.

3.4.5. Avoidance of collisions with door leaves and entrapment by doors

3.4.5.1. Doors and gates on main passageways, types of doors or gates that can open from both sides must have view panels except when they are low enough to see over (about 900 mm for wheelchair users to see through).

3.4.5.2. Sliding doors and gates must have stoppers or appropriate components to prevent sliding off the track, and must ensure not falling when the suspension system fails or the rollers derail from the track.

3.4.5.3. Upward opening doors and gates must ensure not suddenly collapsing and causing injury to users.

3.4.5.4. Power-operated doors and gates must have:

a) Safety devices to avoid injury to people being trapped or trapped;

b) Stop switches installed in easily visible and accessible locations;

c) Ability to open automatically or manually in case of power failure.

3.4.6. Signage

3.4.6.1. Informational signage must be provided where necessary such as: entrances and exits, emergency exits, areas with fire and explosion hazards, electrical hazards, no-smoking areas, toilet facilities, locations of telephones, communication devices, firefighting equipment.

3.4.6.2. Signs must be easy to read and placed in easily visible locations. In hazardous areas, signs must be in appropriate positions for people to recognize before entering those areas.

3.4.6.3. The content of signs must be easy to understand, characteristic, and consistent with international conventions.

3.4.6.4. Emergency exit and evacuation signs must be illuminated with an illuminance on the sign surface of not less than 1 lux.

Chapter 4: SAFE USE OF GLASS
4.1. General Requirements

4.1.1. Safety against impact

Glass in areas frequently accessed by people inside or around the building must meet one of the following minimum requirements:

a) Protected against impact;

b) Able to withstand impact without breaking;

c) If broken due to impact, it does not cause harm to users.

4.1.2. Glass identification markings

Transparent glass types installed in areas frequently accessed by people need to have markings to indicate the presence of glass.

4.1.3. Safe opening and closing

Windows, skylights, and ventilation openings must ensure safe opening, closing, or adjustment of the opening.

4.1.4. Windows, skylights, glass enclosures, ceilings, or glass roofs must ensure safety when accessed for cleaning.

4.2. Specific Requirements

4.2.1. Safety against impact

4.2.1.1. Safety when breaking due to impact

When conducting impact tests, the results must meet one of the following requirements:

a) Only cause a small hole

b) Glass does not break apart but only loses continuity with small fragments still adhering together.

c) Glass breaks into non-sharp fragments.

4.2.1.2. Glass protected by fixed objects

When using fixed objects (balustrades, screens, etc.) to protect glass in hazardous areas, these objects must:

a) Have no gaps that allow the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 75 mm;

b) Be firm;

c) Be difficult to climb over to prevent falls.

4.2.1.3. Safe opening and closing

a) Opening and closing control devices must be placed at a position not higher than 1.9m from the floor surface or where it is possible to stand to open and close.

b) Control devices must be placed lower than 1.7m when there is an obstruction up to 600mm wide and lower than 900mm (see Figure 4.1);

c) When requirements a) and b) above cannot be met, there must be tools for remote opening and closing, such as electronic or manual control systems.

d) For rooms designed to ensure access for people with disabilities, the provisions of the Building Code for Ensuring Access for People with Disabilities must be complied with.

Figure 4.1 – Distance to the position of opening and closing controls

4.3. Safety when accessing for cleaning windows

In case it is not possible to safely clean the glass surface by standing directly on the ground, floor, or fixed surfaces, one of the following solutions must be provided:

a) Arrange windows with sizes and shapes that ensure the outer surface can be safely cleaned from inside the building. A mechanism that can hold the window in a predetermined position should be installed for such windows.

b) Arrange a flat, fixed, and sturdy area in a position that allows the use of a mobile ladder with a length not exceeding 9m from the base of the ladder to the support point. For ladders less than 6m long, they can be supported on the ground or floor; for ladders longer than 6m, there must be a place to anchor the ladder to the building;

c) Arrange a walkable access with a minimum width of 400 mm, balustrades with a minimum height of 1000 mm, or details for anchoring fall protection equipment.

d) Arrange suitable anchor points for attaching safety harness hooks.

e) If any of the above solutions cannot be applied, arrange a place to install tower scaffolding or suspended scaffolding with accompanying safety equipment.

Chapter 5: LIGHTING
5.1. General Requirements

The interior and exterior of buildings must be appropriately illuminated according to the intended use.

5.2. Definitions

5.2.1. Natural lighting: Lighting of rooms (directly or indirectly) by daylight through light openings arranged in the building envelope.

5.2.2. Artificial lighting: Lighting by artificial light.

5.2.3. Task lighting: Lighting that ensures normal human activities in the building.

5.2.4. Emergency lighting: Lighting that ensures easy evacuation in case of emergencies.

5.2.5. Security lighting: Limited lighting in areas (or buildings) that need to be protected during nighttime.

5.3. Specific Requirements

5.3.1. Natural lighting

5.3.1.1. Rooms in buildings, especially living rooms and sanitary facilities, should be prioritized for natural lighting through windows directly opening to the outside open space.

5.3.1.2. For workplaces, natural lighting should ensure more than half of the daytime with a minimum natural illuminance value suitable for visual activities, as specified in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1 Minimum natural illuminance factor

Visual activity classificationSide lightingTop lighting
Level of precisionSize of distinguishable object (mm)Indoor natural illuminance (lux)Minimum natural illuminance factor (%)Indoor natural illuminance (lux)Average natural illuminance factor (%)
Exceptionally precised £ 0,1525053507
Highly precise0,15< d £ 0,315032505
Precise0,3< d £ 1,010021503
Moderate1,0< d £ 5,05011002
Roughd> 5,0250,5501

5.3.2. Artificial lighting

5.3.2.1. Task lighting

Indoors, artificial lighting must ensure sufficient illumination when natural lighting is lacking or absent to still ensure normal activities of users.

5.3.2.2. Emergency lighting

Emergency lighting must be provided in the following cases:

i) Emergency lighting: Placed along escape routes in areas with fire, explosion, or toxic hazards.

ii) Continuous lighting: Implemented in places where lighting interruption will affect safety, social security, cause economic losses, or endanger human lives (such as operating rooms, emergency rooms).

iii) Security lighting: Outdoor lighting, along the perimeter of buildings or areas that need security and asset protection.

5.3.2.3. Lighting placed on the exterior of buildings must not adversely affect traffic and urban aesthetics.

5.3.2.4. Requirements for illuminance of indoor and outdoor artificial lighting are specified in Table 5.2 and Table 5.3.

Table 5.2 Indoor artificial lighting – Minimum illuminance on the working surface or object to be distinguished.

Room typeMinimum illuminance (Lux) in case of observation
ContinuousPeriodicInfrequent
Fluore-scent lampsIncande-scent lampsFluore-scent lampsIncande-scent lampsFluore-scent lampsIncande-scent lamps
Workrooms, offices, classrooms, design rooms, laboratories.40020030015015075
Dining rooms; Sales areas; Exhibition spaces30015020010010050
Auditoriums audience areas; Theaters, cinemas15075100507530

Table 5.3 Emergency lighting and outdoor artificial lighting

Lighting typeMinimum illuminance (lux)Note
IndoorOutdoor
1. Emergency lighting:
– On working surface
– Operating room
– On escape routes

2
150
1

1

2 (on the floor surface of walkways, steps)
Must use incandescent lamps
2. Security lighting 1 (on the ground) 
3. Outdoor:
– Entrance gate
– Walkways, promenades
– Playgrounds, exercise areas
 

3
2

4

 
Chapter 6: VENTILATION
6.1. General Requirements

6.1.1. Ventilation systems for residential buildings and public works must ensure:

a) Exhausting moisture from areas with high moisture sources (kitchens, bathrooms) before it spreads to other areas;

b) Exhausting pollutants from areas with high pollutant sources (such as rooms with activities that generate pollutants) before they spread to other areas;

c) Maintaining a minimum supply of fresh air while diluting the concentration of generated pollutants and moisture;

d) Convenient operation, dissipating excess heat generated in the building, and not adversely affecting human health.

6.1.2. Emergency ventilation systems must comply with relevant provisions in the Code for Fire Protection for Buildings and Structures.

6.1.3. Ventilation and air-conditioning systems must not recirculate air in cases where the air contains hazardous toxic substances, flammable or explosive substances, disease-causing microorganisms, or substances causing unpleasant odors.

6.1.4. Natural ventilation must be maximized for rooms inside residential buildings and public works.

6.2. Limitations of Application

The requirements stated in this chapter are not mandatory for building components or spaces within the building:

a) Not frequently accessed by people;

b) Storage or places only for storing items;

6.3. Definitions

6.3.1. Local exhaust ventilation: Ventilation that extracts air from areas generating pollutants such as kitchens, bathrooms, photocopying rooms, to limit the spread of those substances to other rooms inside buildings and structures. This exhaust can be continuous or intermittent.

6.3.2. General ventilation: Ventilation by supplying fresh air from outside to dilute and disperse pollutants or moisture.

6.3.3. Emergency ventilation: Enhanced ventilation, anticipated during use, in case of emergencies that abnormally generate a large amount of toxic substances or flammable and explosive substances.

6.3.4. Natural ventilation: Ventilation that only uses natural energy.

6.3.5. Mechanical ventilation: Ventilation using fans.

6.4. Specific Requirements

6.4.1. For residential buildings

6.4.1.1. Local exhaust ventilation must be provided for kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, rooms with equipment such as washing machines and irons. The minimum exhaust ventilation flow rate in liters per second (l/s) is specified in Table 6.1.

Table 6.1 – Minimum local exhaust ventilation flow rate for residential buildings

RoomIntermittent local exhaust ventilation flow rateContinuous local exhaust ventilation flow rate
 (l/s)(l/s)
Kitchen30 (directly above the stove)13
Bathroom158
Toilet66

6.4.1.2. The general ventilation flow rate supplying fresh air from outside into the building is specified to be not less than the values in Table 6.2, and not less than 0.3 (l/s) per square meter of floor area.

Table 6.2 – Minimum general ventilation flow rate for residential buildings

 Number of bedrooms
 12345
General ventilation flow rate (l/s)1317212529

6.4.2. For offices

6.4.2.1. Local exhaust ventilation must be provided for toilets, laundry rooms, cooking areas, rooms with printing and photocopying machines. The minimum local exhaust ventilation flow rate is specified in Table 6.3.

6.4.2.2. The general ventilation flow rate supplying fresh air from outside into offices must not be less than 5.5 (l/s) per person.

Table 6.3 – Minimum exhaust ventilation flow rate for offices

RoomMinimum exhaust ventilation flow rate
Rooms with printing machines, photocopiers with high usage frequency (over 30 minutes per hour)20 (l/s) per machine when in use (if the machine is used continuously, apply the general ventilation level).
Office toilets and showersIntermittent exhaust with a flow rate of 15 (l/s) per showerhead or tub; 6 (l/s) per urinal or toilet
KitchenIntermittent exhaust (but simultaneous with the cooking process) with a flow rate of:
15 l/s for microwave ovens
30 l/s for direct exhaust hood above 1 stove

6.4.3. For garages:

a) Garages using only natural ventilation: must open at least 25% of the wall area on two opposite sides or 1/20 of the floor area for each parking space;

b) Garages with combined mechanical and natural ventilation: must have openings for natural ventilation with an area of at least 1/40 of the floor area, combined with mechanical ventilation with an air exchange rate of at least 3 times per hour.

c) Garages using only mechanical ventilation (underground garages): the air exchange rate must be at least 6 times per hour. For entrances and exits, where vehicles queue with the engine running, the air exchange rate must be at least 10 times per hour.

Chapter 7: NOISE CONTROL
7.1. General Requirements

Residential buildings and public works must have the ability to prevent noise transmission between parts within the building and from adjacent parts of the building.

7.2. Specific Requirements

Walls, partitions, doors, and floors of rooms must meet the sound insulation requirements as in Table 7.1.

Table 7.1. Minimum sound insulation index for walls, partitions, doors, and floors

No.Name and location of separating structureAirborne sound insulation index, dBImpact sound insulation index, dB
1Floors between apartment-type residential units4573
2Floors between residential rooms and basements, plenums, attic rooms40
3Floors between residential rooms and shops below5073
4Floors between residential rooms and rooms below used for sports activities, cafes, or similar public services5573
5Walls and partitions between apartment units, between residential rooms of an apartment unit and stairways, vestibules, lobbies45
6Walls between residential rooms of an apartment unit and shops50
7Partitions without doors between residential rooms, between kitchens and residential rooms of an apartment unit; partitions between residential rooms and sanitary areas of an apartment unit40
8Doors opening to stairways, lobbies, corridors20

[1] Abbreviation for Time-Weighted Average

[2] Abbreviation for Short Term Exposure Limit;

[3] Horizontal bars should not be arranged for children to support their feet and climb over the balustrade.