2.3 Rules, Regulations and Bye Laws

Loading & Unloading Areas :

 There should be a loading & unloading space of size 30 sq.metres within the plot. This is mandatory for buildings above 700 sq.m of built up area.  There should be 1 such space for every additional 1000 sq. metres of built up area.

Sanitary Requirements : Commercial & Office Occupancy :

Occupant Load : 5.9 sq. metres per person  Water closet : 1 for every 25 males & 1 for every 15 females.  Urinals : 1 for every 25 persons  Wash basin : Preferably 1 on each floor.

Exit Width Calculation :

 The unit of exit width is 50 cms.  The number of occupants per unit exit width of the stairway is 50.  Similarly the number of occupants per unit exit width of doors is 75.

Staircase Requirements : High rise buildings :

16 metres or more, or with more than 4 floors excluding basement.  Every high rise building shall have at least 2 staircases, including fire escape staircases.  Height of handrail shall not be less than 90 cm and if balusters are provided , gap shall be more than 10 cm wide. (Rules n.d.)

Guard rails or parapets :

 Every balcony overlooking any exterior or interior open space shall be provided with parapet walls or guard rails of height not less than 1.50 metres. (Rules n.d.)  Spacing between grill should be less than 10 cms.

2.3 Rules, Regulations and Bye Laws

The GCDA Shopping Complex being located at Marine Drive, Kochi falls under the CRZ II and has to follow the rules & regulations put forward by them :

Coastal Regulation Zone II : Category - II

 Buildings shall be permitted neither on the seaward side of the existing road nor on seaward side of existing authorized structures. Buildings permitted on the landward side of the existing and authorized structures shall be subject to the existing local Town and Country Planning Regulations including the existing norms or FSI/FAR.

 Reconstruction of the authorized buildings to be permitted subject with the existing FSI/FAR norms and without changing the existing use.

 The design and construction of buildings shall be consistent with the surrounding landscape and architectural style. (Zone n.d.)

SCMS School of Architecture, Karukutty 2020