NBC-2016-PART-9,
PLUMBING SERVICES
(INCLUDING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT)
INTRODUCTION
A national workshop of National Building Code
of India-2016 (NBC-2016) was held, jointly with
Bureau of Indian Standards and Indian Plumbing
Association, in New Delhi on 19 January
2018. The workshop was especially on ‘Part-9
Plumbing Services’ and ‘Part-4 Fire & Life Safety’
and presented the salient aspects of Part-9 of
NBC 2016. I would like to consolidate the points
4 / February 2018 / Indian Plumbing Today
BSA NARAYAN
discussed and highlight the revisions & additions
to Part-9 plumbing services.
A mammoth exercise of revision of NBC–2005 was
taken up due to large scale developments, both in
new innovative materials used and techniques
in the building construction Industry, not only
in India but all over the world. The need was felt
to revisit the 2005 version of NBC. Considering
these changes, National Building Code Sectional
Committee with its 22 expert panels brought
out the 2016 version reflecting the state-of-the-
art and contemporary applicable international
practices adapted to Indian conditions.
NBC Part 9 – Plumbing Services initially covered
the requirement of water supply in buildings
when it was implemented. It covered everything
- from water requirement to storage, conveyance,
distribution, hot water system, inspection and
maintenance. It also touched upon design of
water supply system in high altitudes and
sub-zero temperature regions. Drainage and
sanitation was not dwelt upon in details and
very little information was available. The 2016
revisions included provisions with regard to
the requirements of water supply, drainage and
sanitation including solid waste management and
design of water supply, drainage system for high
rise buildings and safety requirements for the
installation of gas supply.
WATER SUPPLY
There was always confusion on the water
requirement for buildings. In this revision the
water supply requirement worked out related to
occupancy in chosen type of buildings. The water
requirementis tabulated for structures other than
residential buildings including the segregation of
requirement for domestic and flushing purpose. In
this revision, water supply was comprehensively
addressed through the various and distinct
features related to the plumbing aspects and solid
waste management. Water supply requirements
for other than residential buildings, including
domestic and flushing requirements, are
highlighted.
The water demand for landscaping purposes is
generally worked out and included for lawns,
shrubs and trees. The requirements related to
treatment of waste water and usage of recycled
water has been included. The provision for
protection of water supply by avoiding cross
connection between treated and raw water
supplies, back flow prevention and indication
of non-portable water supply pipes has been
also included. Definitions of air gaps, back flow
prevention, back pressure back flow, licensing
plumber were added under water supply system.
Swimming pools types, design and details
including the recommended pool dimensions
were included for the first time along with detailed
design guidelines Examination and certification,
guidelines for registration of plumbers including
minimum standards for qualification for the
grant of licence are incorporated. Modified
figure indicating identifications of different
types of water supply system was included with
illustrations. General requirements for design
of distribution systems are included for multi-
storeyed buildings. Provision related to zooning
of water distribution systems have been updated
along with illustrations.
Considering these
changes, National Building
Code Sectional Committee
with its 22 expert panels
brought out the 2016 version
reflecting the state-of-
the-art and contemporary
applicable international
practices adapted to Indian
conditions.
Detailed design conditions, storage, capacity, and
temperature requirements for hot water supply
and installation systems including the rate of
flow, hot water piping and types of water heaters
are introduced in the revision. Water Supply
Fixture units for different types of fixtures has
been updated and probable simultaneous demand
have been updated with demand value up to
10,000 fixture units along with graph for probable
demand. This will help the designers to calculate
the sizing of the pipes accurately.
Provisions have been reviewed and updated from
the point of view of accessibility by elderly and
persons with disabilities (cross reference to 13 of
Part-3). New clause on colour coding for different
types of water supply system has been updated.
Certain new terminologies are included as part of
revision.
DRAINAGE AND SANITATION
Tables 1-15 on requirement for the fitments for
drainage and sanitation for various occupancies
have been updated with new fitment table
for shopping mall, retail buildings. Innovative
modern pipe and fittings have been included.
Details on bio toilets are included in this revision.
Definitions of back water valve, drainage fixture
units, grease interceptor, licensed plumber,
different piping systems covering single stack, one
pipe- partially, fully ventilated, two pipe systems
with illustrations were added in the drainage
terminology and also in detail design. Calculation
for single stack system pipe sizing Table-16 is
added.
Additional requirement of venting for high rise
buildings along with comprehensive table on
size and developed length on stack vents, vent
stacks are included (Table 17,20,21). Additional
information on drainage fixture units for
different type of fixtures with minimum pipe size
was added (Table 18) which was not there in the
previous edition. Design factors were introduced
regarding storm water drainage and rain water
sizing table has modified covering roof area in
sqm, average rate of rainfall in mm/h for different
diameter of CI pipes (table 23) as well as PVC
pipes. Guidelines relating to syphonic drainage
system for large roof areas are included with
table for calculations. Rain water harvesting and
recharging are generally dwelt in this revision.
New provisions related to pumping and treatment
of sewage with modern technologies and types
of treatment systems are explained. Illustrative
figures covering typical arrangements for various
Indian Plumbing Today / February 2018 / 5

The 2016 revisions
included provisions with
regard to the requirements
of water supply, drainage
and sanitation including
solid waste management
and design of water supply,
drainage system for high
rise buildings and safety
requirements for the
installation of gas supply.
plumbing fixtures with plans, cross sections and
mounting heights are included as annexures.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
New terminologies which are being currently
used in modern solid waste management have
been included. Provisions related to modern
technologies currently used in solid waste
management are elaborated. References with
regard to latest applicable statutory rules and
regulations have been included. Accessibility
provisions for persons with disabilities to enable
efficient operation of refuge chutes are included.
Recommendations for installation of electric
dumbwaiters for new construction having five
stories and above (changed from the erstwhile
eight stories) have been included. Assessment
for per capita waste quantity including
modern treatment methods and provisions
are highlighted. Details relating to municipal
solid waste generation covering type, quantity,
description and source of solid waste generation
are added (Annexure A). Details relating to
treatment of food waste are included.
In designing the above systems, important
factor to be considered are collection of domestic
garbage, speedy and efficient conveyance.
6 / February 2018 / Indian Plumbing Today
Various available systems are defined along with
the assessment of per capita waste quantity.
GAS SUPPLY
New terminologies which are being currently
used in modern Gas distribution system are
incorporated. Provision of use of fire stops/
sleeves at openings is included. Complete revision
has been carried out on the use of liquefied
petroleum gas. New clause on the use of piped
natural gas (PNG), medical gas pipeline systems
(MGPS) is incorporated. Provisions related to
modern technologies currently used in gas
distribution systems, storage are elaborated with
cross references. References with regards to latest
applicable statutory rules and regulations are
incorporated for Liquefied Gas (LPG).
LPG cylinder installation, general
recommendation, location, storage and fire
extinguisher requirements, cylinder manifolds
and pressure regulators including instructions
to consumers are elaborately explained. LPG
bulk storage installation with instructions and
recommendations to apply to LPG bulk storage,
where storage tanks over 450 liters water capacity
is used at industrial/commercial and domestic
consumers are explained. The maximum capacity
of individual tank and group of tanks for the above
mentioned usage is highlighted in clause 11.4.
The minimum safety distances for LPG storage
tanks are given in Table 1. The guidelines towards
usage of piped natural gas (PNG) are covered. The
guidelines for pipeline inside kitchen or individual
customers are highlighted. The guidelines for use of
medical gas pipeline system are incorporated. ipt
B. S. A. Narayan
National Vice-President
Indian Plumbing Association
Convener, Part-9 Plumbing
Services, National Building
Code-2016.
Director - Executive Board.
World Plumbing Council (WPC)