Decision No. 08/2003/QD-BXD On the issuance of the Vietnamese Construction Standard TCXD VN 276:2003 "Public Buildings - Basic Principles for Design"

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the issuance of the Vietnamese Construction Standard TCXD VN 276:2003 "Public Buildings - Basic Principles for Design"

__________________

 

||| MINISTER OF CONSTRUCTION

||| On the basis of Decree No. 15/CP dated March 4, 1994 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Construction.

||| On the basis of Record No. 157/BXD-HDKHKT dated November 12, 2002 of the Professional Scientific and Technical Council for the acceptance of the standard "Residential Buildings - Basic Principles for Design".

||| Considering the proposal of the Director of the Science and Technology Department and the Director of the Institute of Architectural Research under the Ministry of Construction.

DECISION:

Article 1 ||| Issuing this Decision, one Vietnamese Construction Standard TCXD VN 276:2003 "Public Buildings - Basic Principles for Design" is hereby promulgated.

Article 2 ||| This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of issuance.

Article 3 ||| The Heads of the Office of the Ministry, the Director of the Science and Technology Department, the Director of the Institute of Architectural Research, and the Heads of relevant units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.

 

Limestone - Methods of Chemical Analysis

||| PUBLIC BUILDINGS - BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGN

||| Public Building. Basic rules for design

b) In cases where funds from organizations and individuals within and outside Vietnam are used for victim support work and victim support benefits, such activities shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Finance and the donor; in cases where there is no agreement between the donor or their authorized representative and the Ministry of Finance regarding the expenditure level, the expenditure level prescribed in this Circular shall apply.

||| This standard applies to the design and construction of new or renovated public buildings in urban areas, including medical, sports, cultural, educational facilities, administrative offices at all levels, and public service facilities to ensure basic requirements for use, safety, and hygiene.

Note:

||| When designing the aforementioned public buildings, in addition to the provisions of this standard, it is necessary to comply with the design standards currently in force for each type of building.

||| Public buildings constructed in rural areas may refer to this standard.

||| 2. Referenced standards

||| Vietnamese Construction Standards

||| TCVN 2748-1991. Classification of construction projects - General principles

||| TCVN 2622-1995. Fire prevention and fire protection for buildings and structures - Design requirements

||| TCVN 5568-1991. Modular coordination in construction - Basic principles

||| TCVN 2737-1995. Loads and actions - Design standards

||| TCXDVN 264:2002. Buildings and structures - Basic principles for constructing facilities to ensure access and use by persons with disabilities

||| TCVN 5744-1993 "Elevators. Safety requirements for installation and use

||| TCXD 192-1996. Wooden doors and windows - Technical requirements

||| TCXD 237-1999. Metal doors and windows - Technical requirements

||| TCVN 5682-1992. Ventilation and air conditioning, heating. Design standards

||| TCXD 29-1991. Natural lighting in civil buildings. Design standards.

||| TCXD 16-1986. Artificial lighting in civil buildings

||| TCXD 46-1986. Lightning protection for buildings and structures

||| 3. General Provisions

||| 3.1. Classification of public buildings see Appendix A in this standard.

||| 3.2. When designing public buildings, it must be based on natural climatic conditions, geological hydrological conditions, public service facilities, construction and supply capabilities, and local material usage.

||| Layout solutions for various types of public buildings must be consistent with local planning and construction traditions.

||| Based on the standard area, volume, interior and exterior finishing quality, technical equipment (sanitation, electricity, water, ventilation, air conditioning, heating, etc.), the quality of the public building is taken from level I to level III as specified in TCVN 2748-1991 "Classification of construction projects - General principles". Houses within a public building should be designed at the same project level.

Note:

||| 1. Public buildings of significant importance and high-rise buildings are designed at level I.

||| 2. Public buildings constructed in towns, townships, and market towns are allowed to be designed from level II downwards.

||| 3. Houses, buildings, or parts of buildings with short-term usage requirements can be built at a lower project level than the main building, but must comply with the provisions of the standard. “||| Fire prevention and fire protection for buildings and structures - Design requirements - TCVN 2622-1995”.

||| 4. The degree of decoration materials, convenience, and sanitary and electrical equipment in public buildings at any project level must correspond to that level. In special cases, higher levels may be permitted.

||| 3.5. Depending on specific conditions, public buildings may be constructed as low-rise or multi-story buildings.

||| Low-rise buildings are those with 1 to 3 floors.

||| Multi-story buildings are those with 4 to 9 floors.

||| High-rise buildings are those with 9 floors or more.

||| 3.6. The quality of construction of public buildings is determined by their durability measured by the service life and fire resistance rating.

||| 3.7. When designing public buildings in earthquake-prone areas and on subsiding ground, the standard "Construction in Earthquake Zones" must be followed.

||| 3.8. Design documents for public buildings must comply with the current standards related to them.

||| 3.9. The modular base dimensions Bo, Lo of public buildings must follow the provisions in the standard "Modular Coordination in Construction - Basic Principles - TCVN 5568-1991".

||| 3.10. The height of the floor in public buildings depends on the approved master plan, the nature of the building, technical requirements, and the economic conditions of each locality to choose appropriately.

||| 3.11. The division of area in public buildings is defined in Appendix B of this standard, including usable area, work area, floor area, structural area, and construction area.

||| 3.12. Floor coefficient K₁ ||| represents the level of convenience in using the floor space. The smaller the coefficient K, the greater the level of convenience. The floor coefficient K is calculated according to the following formula:₁ Work area₁ Usable area

           

Note: Floor coefficient K₁ usually ranges from 0.4 to 0.6.

3.13. Volume coefficient K₂: is the coefficient reflecting the level of convenience in using the volume of the construction project. The ground floor coefficient K₂ Usable area

 

 

3.14. Building density: is the ratio of the construction area of the project to the land area (%):

               

In which the construction area of the project is calculated based on the horizontal projection of the roof of the project.

3.15. Land utilization coefficient: is the ratio of the total floor area of the entire project to the land area:

In which the total floor area of the entire project does not include the floor area of the basement and the roof.

4. Requirements for the construction land and organization of the overall site planning

Requirements for the construction land

4.1. When selecting land for constructing public works, the following basic principles must be followed:

a) Consistent with approved master plans;

b) Achieving economic, social, and environmental efficiency in design and construction;

c) Rational use of land and urban space;

d) Suitable for the level of economic development of each locality, meeting current needs, considering future upgrading and renovation potential;

e) Energy conservation, ensuring structural performance;

g) Suitable for the requirements of each building to be constructed;

h) Fire safety, earthquake resistance, flood prevention;

i) If there are famous cultural works or historical sites recognized by the State and local authorities on the construction land, they must comply with relevant national or local regulations.

            Note:

            In cases where there is no master plan, when constructing projects on vacant lands, new lands, reclaimed areas, or within defense zones, frequently flooded areas, etc., approval from competent authorities is required.

4.2. The project's ground plane can only be built adjacent to the red line boundary when the construction boundary coincides with the red line boundary and has been permitted by the competent authority for urban planning management.

Note:

              1. The red line boundary is the delineation line determined on the planning map and actual site to define the boundary between the land for construction and the land reserved for roads or other infrastructure facilities, public spaces.

2.   The construction boundary is the limit line allowing buildings or structures to be constructed on the land.

4.3. The height of the construction must be designed according to the controlled height specified by the urban planning for each region.

4.4. The ground level of the building must be higher than the urban road surface; otherwise, surface drainage measures must be implemented.

   If the construction is located in an area prone to landslides, flooding, or tidal erosion, safety protection measures must be taken.

                AnnotationWhen designing underground or semi-underground floors, effective drainage and waterproofing measures must be implemented.

4.5. The fire safety distance between public buildings must not be less than 6 meters. The width of the fire lane must not be less than 3.5 meters and the height must not be less than 4.25 meters. At the end of cul-de-sacs, there must be open space for turning around vehicles. The size of this space must not be smaller than 15m x 15m.

4.6. If public buildings are placed on main traffic routes, the entrance location must meet the following requirements:

a) At least 70 meters away from the intersection of major traffic routes;

b) At least 10 meters away from public transport stops;

c) At least 20 meters away from the exits of parks, schools, children's architectural facilities, and disabled people's facilities.

4.7.For densely populated areas such as cinemas, theaters, cultural centers, conference halls, exhibition venues, and fairs, in addition to complying with current standards, the following principles must also be adhered to:

a) At least one side of the ground plane must directly face the street;

b) Avoid opening the main gate directly onto the main traffic axis;

c) Before the main gate of the building, there should be an open area for parking or gathering people. The size of this area is determined based on usage requirements and the scale of the project;

d) The gate and fence sections adjacent to it must be set back from the construction boundary by at least 4 meters.

4.8. For newly constructed or renovated buildings, based on the scale and type of the project, and the number of users, the parking lot area must be calculated appropriately. Parking lots can be located either inside or outside the building. The calculation of parking space area is as follows:

- Motorcycles, scooters: from 2.35m²/vehicle to 3.0m²/vehicle;

- Bicycles: 0.9m²/vehicle;

- Cars: from 15m^2//vehicle to 18m²/vehicle.

Requirements for the overall layout of the project

4.9. The overall layout design must be based on the functional use of each type of project, production processes, clearly defining functional zones while being consistent with the approved urban planning, ensuring scientific and aesthetic standards.

4.10. Architectural layout and spacing must meet the requirements for fire prevention, lighting, ventilation, noise reduction, sanitary isolation, and must also comply with the following requirements:

a) Properly addressing the relationship between immediate construction and future development expectations, between permanent construction and temporary construction;

b) Architectural layout must facilitate natural ventilation during summer, minimizing cold winds in winter. For high-rise buildings, avoid creating wind pressure zones;

c) Facilitate the design of technical systems including electricity supply, water supply, drainage, technical equipment, and communication;

d) When designing public buildings, interior and exterior decoration, traffic routes, gardens, gates, and fences should be designed in harmony.

4.11. On the project's ground plane, a surface drainage system and rainwater drainage system must be arranged. The drainage design solution must be based on the urban planning requirements of the locality.

4.12. Projects must ensure a greenery density according to the local construction management regulations, ranging from 30% to 40% of the land area.

The types of trees and methods for arranging greenery must be based on the climatic conditions of each locality, soil quality, and environmental functions to determine.

The distance between green belts and buildings, roads, and pipelines must comply with current relevant regulations.

4.13. The installation of infrastructure systems such as water supply and drainage pipes, communication lines, power supply, etc., shall not affect the safety of buildings, while preventive measures against corrosion, settlement, vibration, and loads causing damage must be implemented.

                               Requirements for architectural components of buildings

4.14. The following architectural components are not allowed to protrude beyond the red line boundary:

a) Balconies and window awnings of buildings;

b) Underground structures and foundations of buildings;

c) All underground pipes, except those connected to city pipes.

4.15. Architectural components of public buildings may protrude beyond the red line boundary if the construction boundary coincides with the red line boundary or if the construction boundary is set back from the red line boundary, as stipulated in Articles 7.4 and 7.5 of Part I of the Vietnam Construction Standards.

Annotation:

1. In addition to complying with the provisions of this standard, it is also necessary to comply with the regulations of the local urban planning management authority.

2. For buildings with temporary requirements and architecture, which have been permitted by the local urban planning management authority, may protrude beyond the red line boundary.

Requirements for building architectural height

4.16. The architectural height of buildings in the following areas is limited according to the regulations in the Urban Construction Management Regulations of the locality, except for buildings selected as focal points for urban architectural space and certain special streets as planned.

a) For buildings constructed within urban areas, the controlled height shall be taken from the overall urban planning map approved;

b) For buildings near the city center, the height of buildings must be controlled by the limit line. The limit angle must not exceed 60 degrees.⁰.

Note:

1. Control the height of buildings using the limit line as shown in Figure 1.

2. The height of buildings can also be controlled using the limit angle determined from the midpoint of the cross-section of the street, in relation to the type of street and urban level.

4.17. In cases where there is no planning, when calculating the design height of buildings, the following factors must be considered:

a) Width of the road boundary;

b) Height of surrounding buildings;

c) Width of the building itself;

d) Function, scale, volume ratio, and fire resistance class of the building;

e) Height of firefighting equipment operation by the urban fire brigade.

 Note: Parts that are not included in the height limit of the building include stairwells, elevator shafts, water tanks, and localized chimneys protruding from the facade, but the ratio of the protruding part to the area of the building must comply with the regulations of the Urban Construction Management Regulations of the locality.

FIGURE 1. ILLUSTRATION OF THE LIMIT ANGLE AND LIMIT LINE WHEN DETERMINING THE HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS

5. Content of the project and design solutions

Clear height in rooms

5.1. The clear height in rooms is measured vertically from the floor to the underside of the suspended ceiling or to the underside of the floor above. If structural elements under the floor or roof affect the usable space, the measurement should be from the floor to the bottom edge of the structural element.

5.2. The clear height of rooms should be specified according to the function of the building.

Annotation

1. Generally, the height of floors above ground, measured from the floor of the lower level to the floor of the upper level, ranges from 3m to 3.6m.

2. For public buildings with large rooms such as auditoriums, audience halls, sports facilities, retail spaces larger than 300m², lecture halls, exhibition rooms, museums, laboratories ..., the height should be at least 3.6m depending on usage requirements and equipment size.

3. The clear height of auxiliary rooms such as basements, warehouses, partial mezzanines, corridors, and bathrooms can be reduced but must not be less than 2.2m.

5.3. The height of bedrooms in public buildings shall follow the provisions of the standard TCVN 4451-1987 "Residential Buildings - Basic Principles for Design".

5.4. For buildings and public facilities with technical floors, the height of the technical floor is determined by design and is not counted in the floor height, but must be included in the building height for calculating the volume of the building.

Stairs, steps, ramps, railings, elevators

5.5. Stairs

5.5.1. The number, location, and form of stairwells must meet the requirements for convenient use and safe evacuation.

5.5.2. The clear width of stairs, in addition to meeting the fire code requirements, must also be based on the specific use of the building. The width of stairs designed for evacuation during emergencies must not be less than 0.9m.

5.5.3. When a flight of stairs changes direction, the minimum width at the landing with handrails must not be less than the tread width. If there is a need to transport large items, the width can be expanded to suit the requirements.

5.5.4. The height of a flight of stairs must not exceed 1.8m and must have a landing. The width of the landing must not be less than 1.2m (see Figure 2).

5.5.5. The clear height above and below the landing of the stairs (excluding the first tread at ground level) must not be less than 2m. The clear height of the tread must not be less than 2.2m.

AnnotationThe clear height of the tread is the vertical height from the top surface of the lower tread to the underside of the upper tread.

5.5.6. At least one side of the stairs must have a handrail. Stairs with a width for three lines of people must have handrails on both sides, and if the width allows four lines of people, handrails should be placed in the middle.

5.5.7. The height of the handrail of stairs inside the room, measured from the front edge of the tread, must not be less than 0.9m. For buildings intended for children and disabled persons, the current relevant design standards must be followed.

FIGURE 2. DIMENSIONS OF STAIRS AND TREADS

5.5.8. The steps should have anti-slip measures.

5.5.9. The ratio between the height and width of the steps must comply with the provisions in Table 1.

TABLE 1. MINIMUM WIDTH AND MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF THE STEPS

OF THE STAIR STEP

Note:

In public buildings, attention should be paid to users with disabilities. Design requirements must follow the provisions in standard TCXDVN 264:2002 "Houses and construction projects - Basic principles for constructing projects to ensure access and use by people with disabilities."

2.  Steps “5.6.1. The minimum width of the tread surface of indoor and outdoor steps shall not be less than 0.3m. The maximum height of the step shall not exceed 0.15m. When the number of steps at the entrance exceeds three, handrails must be provided on both sides.”

5.6. 5.6.2. The maximum height of the step of areas where many people gather shall not exceed 1m and must have guardrails.

5.7. Slopes

5.7.1. For important administrative offices, libraries, museums, cultural centers, theaters, parks, schools, hospitals, hotels, ramps for wheelchair users must be designed. The design standards for slopes shall follow the provisions in standard TCXDVN 264:2002 "Houses and construction projects - Basic principles for constructing projects to ensure access and use by people with disabilities," but shall not exceed a gradient of 1:12.

5.7.2. The slope must be flat, not uneven, not slippery, and must have handrails on both sides.

5.8. Guardrails

5.8.1. Guardrails must be installed in all places adjacent to the outside such as balconies, exterior corridors, interior corridors, interior atriums, roofs accessible to people, and exterior stairs. They must meet the following requirements:

a) Guardrails must be made of sturdy materials capable of withstanding lateral loads, calculated according to strength and stability under load effects as specified in standard TCVN 2737-1995 "Loads and actions. Design standards";

b) The height of the guardrail depends on the floor level but shall not be less than 0.9m measured from the floor level to the top of the handrail. The height of the guardrail in high-rise buildings may be increased but shall not exceed 1.2m.

c) Within a distance of 0.1m from the floor or the surface of the guardrail, there shall be no openings.

d) Where there are many children active, the guardrail must be constructed to prevent climbing. The clear spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 0.1m.

5.9. Elevators

5.9.1. For buildings over five stories, elevators must be designed. The number of elevators depends on the type and the number of people served. Special cases must be approved by the competent authority.

5.9.2. Elevators shall not be used as evacuation routes during emergencies. In buildings with elevators, emergency stairs must still be provided as stipulated in standard TCVN 2622-1995 "Fire prevention and extinguishing for houses and construction projects. Design requirements."

5.9.3. If an elevator is the main means of transportation within a single unit or service area of a building, there must be at least two passenger elevators.

5.9.4. Elevators must be located near the main entrance. The elevator shaft must be spacious, equipped with handrails and control panels for wheelchair users and visually impaired individuals.

5.9.5. The elevator shaft should not be placed next to the main rooms of the building unless soundproofing and vibration isolation measures are taken.

5.9.6. The enclosure structure of the elevator shaft must be insulated. There must be ventilation, moisture protection, and dust prevention inside the room. Direct placement of water tanks above the elevator shaft and passage of water supply and heating pipes through the elevator shaft are prohibited.

5.9.7. Installation of elevators and safety requirements during use must comply with the provisions in standard TCVN 5744-1993 "Elevators. Safety requirements for installation and use."

Roofs

5.10. The roof slope must be determined based on waterproof material conditions, construction, and local weather. The minimum slope of the roof is specified in Table 2.

TABLE 2. MINIMUM SLOPE OF ROOFS

Roof Construction

Minimum Slope

 

5.13. If the roof has an insulation layer, thermal calculations must be performed, and measures to prevent condensation, vapor penetration, and moisture must be implemented during construction.

5.14. If a ventilated air space is used in the roof, it must have sufficient height and not obstruct ventilation paths.

5.15. For roofs made of reinforced concrete thin-shell structures or steel mesh cement sheets, protective measures against weathering and corrosion must be taken. Waterproof rigid roofs must have measures to prevent cracking.

5.16. Reinforcement measures must be taken for tiled roofs and roofs made of rolled materials in areas with strong winds.

5.17. Buildings over 10 meters in height that do not have stairs leading to the roof must have a person-accessible opening or an external ladder.

Ceilings

5.18. Various types of ceilings are used in public buildings. The appropriate type should be selected based on the specific requirements of each project. For gypsum-coated suspended ceilings, ventilation holes and access points for inspection and maintenance must be provided.

Ceiling

5.18. There are many types of ceilings used in public buildings. The selection should be appropriate for each specific project. For suspended plaster ceilings, ventilation openings and access points for maintenance must be provided.

5.19. For the ceilings of large auditoriums and suspended ceilings with relatively many pipe systems, a roof-accessible layer must be arranged for inspection and repair, and a walkway floor should be provided if required.

Floor and Ground Level

5.20. The floors and ground levels of rooms must ensure non-slippery surfaces, no gaps, resistance to wear, easy cleaning, and protection against dampness and humidity. For sports facilities, they must also have good elasticity and sound insulation. For hospitals and laboratories, they must not deform due to disinfectants or cleaning agents and must resist chemical effects...

5.21. The ground level constructed on a foundation layer must have measures to prevent moisture and uneven settlement.

5.22. Materials or additives with toxic properties shall not be used for flooring materials.

Doors and Windows

5.23. The technical requirements for doors and windows must comply with the provisions in standard TCXD 192-1996 "Wooden Doors - Doors and Windows. Technical Requirements" and TCXD 237-1999 "Metal Doors - Doors and Windows. Technical Requirements".

5.24. Windows must be convenient to use, safe, and easy to clean.

For high-rise buildings, sliding windows should be used; if outward-opening windows are used, they must be reinforced securely.

If windows open onto common corridors, the height from the floor surface to the bottom edge of the window must not be less than 2 meters.

5.25. The construction of doors must allow for easy opening and closing, durability, and stability.

Large manually operated doors must have a braking mechanism. Sliding doors must have anti-skid measures along the track.

Double-sided spring doors must have a white glass panel at the top so that it can be seen through.

Near areas with rotating doors, automatic doors, and large doors, regular entry doors must be provided.

Doors opening onto evacuation corridors and stairwells must not affect the width of the evacuation corridor and the stairwell floor area.

Settlement Joints

5.26. Settlement joints must be designed to accommodate movement and deformation without damaging the structure and floor levels. The distance between settlement joints should not exceed 60 meters, and the distance between expansion joints on the roof should not exceed 15 meters.

5.27. The construction and materials of settlement joints must be selected based on their location and requirements to provide waterproofing, fireproofing, thermal insulation, and protection against termites.

Chimneys, Ventilation Ducts, and Waste Chutes

5.28. The construction of chimneys and natural ventilation ducts in public buildings must comply with the following regulations:

a) Chimneys and ventilation ducts must be made of non-combustible materials;

b) The cross-section, shape, size, and inner surface of chimneys and ventilation ducts must facilitate easy smoke (gas) discharge, avoiding obstruction, blockage, leakage, and backdraft;

c) If a branch duct connects to the main duct, the hydraulic cross-sectional area of the branch duct must not be smaller than 0.015m²;²The total cross-sectional area of the duct must be determined through calculation.

d) Smoke exhaust ducts and ventilation ducts must not share the same system;

e) Chimneys and ventilation ducts must extend above the roof. The protrusion height must be determined based on the type of roof, height, and surrounding obstacles, but must not be less than 0.7m. A backdraft prevention measure must be installed at the top;

g) The smoke intake openings of chimney ducts at each floor must have covers, and the air intake openings of ventilation ducts must have screens.

5.29. Waste chutes must be located against the outer wall of the building, vertically aligned, and made of non-combustible materials, with a smooth inner surface, no leakage, and no protruding objects. The hydraulic cross-sectional area must not be smaller than 0.5m x 0.5m.

5.30. Garbage collection doors must ensure sanitary distances. Collection and transportation methods must comply with city waste management practices. For high-rise buildings, garbage transport vehicles must be coordinated with garbage disposal rooms, and washing and anti-dirt devices should be provided.

5.31. The end of the waste chute must have a vent pipe extending above the roof by at least 0.7m. The cross-sectional area must not be smaller than 0.05m², and it must have a cover and a screen.²6. General Sanitation Requirements

6.1. Public buildings must be constructed in locations that meet sanitation requirements, ensuring the surrounding environment is not polluted, does not cause harm, and does not generate excessive noise.

6.2. Workrooms, public service rooms, and communal living rooms must have natural ventilation. Depending on specific requirements, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning equipment may be used. Design calculations must follow standard TCVN 5682-1992 "Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Heating. Design Standards".

6.3. When designing external and internal water supply and drainage systems for public buildings, current standards for water supply and drainage must be followed.

6.4. Public buildings requiring hot water supply systems must apply specific design standards for each type of public building.

6.5. The number of sanitary fixtures in toilet areas must comply with the design standards for each type of building.

6.6. Measures to prevent seepage, moisture, foul odors, and ensure ventilation must be implemented in public building toilet areas. The slope of the floor and drainage channels in bathrooms and toilet areas should range from 1% to 2%.

6.7. Toilet areas in public buildings must comply with the following regulations:

a) Rooms with high sanitation and moisture resistance requirements must not be directly placed above dining areas, food preparation zones, food storage areas, electrical distribution and transformer rooms;

b) The number of sanitary fixtures must comply with the current standards for each type of building;

c) Toilet areas must prioritize natural lighting and direct natural ventilation; if natural ventilation is insufficient, mechanical ventilation must be used;

d) The surfaces of the floor, floor channels, and the contact surfaces of pipes passing through the floor and walls must be designed to prevent seepage and water penetration;

e) The floor and wall surfaces of toilet areas must use non-absorbent, non-soiling, resistant to erosion, and easily cleanable materials.

e) The floor and walls of toilet areas must use materials that do not absorb water, do not attract dirt, resist corrosion, and are easy to clean;

f) The ground level must be lower than the elevation of the walkway, and have a slope of at least 2% towards the drainage ditch or the catch basin.

g) In the washroom, tables, mirrors, and coat hooks should be arranged.

h) In the shower room, there must be a sink and coat hooks arranged. When there are many shower rooms, it is advisable to arrange a changing room and a common clothes storage area.

6.8. The distance between sanitary facilities must comply with the following regulations:

a) The clear distance from the center of the faucet of the washbasin or the hand washing trough to the adjacent wall must not be less than 0.55 meters;

b) The distance between faucets of a row of washbasins or hand washing troughs must not be less than 0.7 meters;

c) The clear distance from the outer edge of a row of washbasins or hand washing troughs to the opposite wall must not be less than 0.8 meters;

d) The clear distance between the outer edges of two rows of washbasins or hand washing troughs facing each other must not be less than 1.8 meters.

7. Lighting Requirements

7.1. Natural lighting design for houses and public buildings shall follow the standard TCXD 29-1991 "Natural Lighting in Civil Engineering Design Standards". Natural lighting can be side lighting, top lighting, or mixed lighting.

7.2. To prevent glare from direct sunlight or reflection at workstations, glare can be reduced by properly orienting the building or using architectural solutions or anti-glare devices.

7.3. When there is insufficient natural light in public buildings, artificial lighting must be arranged to ensure normal work and activities of people and transportation means. The design calculation follows the standard TCXD 16-1986 "Artificial Lighting in Civil Engineering".

Note: Artificial lighting includes working lighting, emergency lighting, dispersal lighting, protective lighting, and decorative advertising lighting inside and outside the building.

7.4. Fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamps (including halogen incandescent lamps) may be used in public buildings.

7.5. When using artificial lighting, two systems may be employed: general lighting and mixed lighting.

The general lighting system is divided as follows:

- General uniform lighting

- Area general lighting

The mixed lighting system includes general lighting and local lighting. Local lighting alone should not be used for working lighting.

7.7. Lightning protection design for houses and public buildings must comply with the provisions in the standard TCXD 46-1986 "Lightning Protection for Houses and Construction Works".

8. Fire Prevention and Extinguishing Requirements

8.1. When designing fire prevention for public buildings, the provisions in the standard TCVN 2622-1995 "Fire Prevention and Fire Resistance for Houses and Construction Works" must be followed.

8.2. Public buildings must ensure safe evacuation when there is a fire.

Evacuation routes are considered safe if they meet the following requirements:

a) Directly leading from first-floor rooms to the outside or through the lobby to the outside;

b) Leading from rooms on any floor (excluding the first floor) to corridors with exit routes to the outside;

c) Leading from rooms to stairwells with direct exits to the outside or through the lobby to the outside.

            AnnotationMechanical transport vehicles (elevators, inclined elevators) are not considered safe evacuation routes.

8.3. In public buildings, the total width of exit doors or stairs or passageways on evacuation routes must be calculated based on the number of people on the most crowded floor (excluding the first floor) and is specified as follows:

a) For buildings with 1 to 2 floors, calculate 1 meter for every 125 people;

b) For buildings with 3 floors or more, calculate 1 meter for every 100 people;

c) For auditorium rooms (theaters, cinemas, circuses, conference halls...), calculate 0.55 meters for every 100 people.

Note:

1. The minimum width of exit doors is 0.8 meters. The height of exit doors, passageways on evacuation routes must not be less than 2 meters. The height of evacuation routes out of basements or ground-level walls can be lowered to 1.9 meters. The height of access to attic floors (not frequently used) can be lowered to 1.5 meters.

2. In auditorium rooms with fire resistance classes III, IV, and V, the total width of exit doors, stairs, or passageways on evacuation routes must be calculated as 0.8 meters for every 100 people.

8.4. The width of passageways, corridors, doors, and stairs on evacuation routes is specified in Table 3.

TABLE 3. WIDTH OF PASSAGWAYS, CORRIDORS, DOORS, AND STAIRS

            Note:

1. The width of the landing of a spiral staircase must not be less than the width of the staircase. The width of the landing before entering a push-open elevator door must not be less than 1.6 meters. The width of the landing of a staircase in medical facilities and maternity homes must not be less than 1.8 meters.

2. In hotels, hospitals, and schools, the width of the corridor between rooms must not be less than 1.6 meters.

8.5. When designing spiral staircases and fan-shaped steps, safety requirements for evacuating people during emergencies must be taken into account. Special cases require agreement with the fire prevention authority.

8.6. Each building must have at least two evacuation routes. Evacuation routes must be distributed throughout the entire building.

            Note: For buildings with multiple units, each unit may have one evacuation route.

8.7. Doors on evacuation routes must open outward. Push doors are not allowed on evacuation routes.

||| Notes: ||| Doors leading to balconies, courtyards, rooms that regularly accommodate no more than 15 people, warehouses with an area smaller than 200m², and bathroom doors are permitted to be designed to open inward.² |||

||| IN PUBLIC CONSTRUCTIONS, THE DISTANCE FROM THE FARTHEST EXIT DOOR OF ANY ROOM (EXCEPT BATHROOMS, SHOWERS, AND WAREHOUSES) TO THE NEAREST ESCAPE ROUTE MUST COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS SET OUT IN TABLE 4.

||| TABLE 4. MAXIMUM DISTANCE TO THE NEAREST ESCAPE ROUTE

||| NEAREST

Note:  ||| CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS

ANNEX A

|||

||| 1. Medical facilities

||| 1.1. General hospitals, specialized hospitals from central to local levels

||| 1.2. Multi-specialty clinics, regional specialty clinics

||| 1.3. Maternity houses

||| 1.4. Convalescent homes, rest homes, nursing homes

||| 1.5. Disease control agencies

||| 1.6. Health stations

||| 1.7. Rehabilitation centers

...

||| 2. Sports facilities

||| 2.1. Stadiums, sports fields with and without roofs

||| 2.2. Training and competition sports halls

||| 2.3. Swimming pools with and without roofs

....

||| 3. Educational facilities

||| 3.1. Kindergartens

||| 3.2. Primary schools, secondary schools, high schools

||| 3.3. Universities and colleges

||| 3.4. Vocational high schools

||| 3.5. Vocational training schools

||| 3.6. Specialized vocational schools

...

||| 4. Cultural facilities

||| 4.1. Libraries

||| 4.2. Museums

||| 4.3. Exhibitions

||| 4.4. Theaters, cinemas

||| 4.5. Cultural centers, clubs

||| 4.6. Radio and television editing centers

||| 4.7. Art performance centers

.....

||| 5. Administrative offices at all levels

||| 5.1. Administrative committee headquarters at all levels

||| 5.2. Headquarters of state management agencies and organizations

||| 5.3. Workplaces, offices

||| 5.4. Courts, Prosecution Offices

...

||| 6. Public service facilities

||| 6.1. Hotels, guesthouses

||| 6.2. Banks

||| 6.3. Fire stations

||| 6.4. Public service centers (laundry, bathing, repair stations, tailoring, hairdressing...)

         ...

||| 7. Commercial facilities

||| 7.1. Markets

||| 7.2. Shops, shopping centers, supermarkets

||| 7.3. Eating and drinking establishments

......

||| 8. Telecommunications facilities

||| 8.1. Postal, telephone, telegraph, switchboard centers

||| 8.2. Radio and television broadcasting centers

......

||| 9. Transportation facilities

||| 9.1. Railway stations, traffic inspection stations

||| 9.2. Bus terminals

||| 9.3. Civil aviation airports

||| 9.4. Passenger port terminals

...

||| ANNEX B

||| DEFINITION OF AREA IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS

||| B.1. Usable Area

||| Usable area is the total area for work and service.

||| The areas of rooms and parts are calculated based on clear dimensions from the outer surface of the plaster layer but do not deduct the thickness of the wall cladding material and do not include the area of waste pipes, chimneys, ventilation ducts, electrical and water pipes... placed within the room or part.

||| B.2. Work Area

||| Work area is the total area of main working rooms and auxiliary working rooms.

   Note: ||| The following areas are included in the work area:

||| - Corridors combined with classrooms in schools, waiting rooms, seating areas for playing in hospitals, convalescent homes, theaters, cinemas, clubs, etc.

||| - Areas of broadcasting rooms, administrative blocks, switchboard rooms, stage auxiliary rooms, chairman's rooms, film projection technical rooms, etc.

||| B.3. Service Area

||| Service area includes the areas of lobbies, corridors, elevator shafts, sanitary facilities, buffer rooms, and technical rooms.

||| Technical rooms are those housing boilers, pump rooms, transformer rooms, mechanical ventilation equipment, air conditioning units, rooms for elevators carrying people and goods.

||| B.4. Structural Area

||| Structural area is the total area of walls, partitions, columns on the floor plan. The following areas are included in the structural area:

||| a) Load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls;

||| b) Partition walls;

||| c) Columns;

||| d) Door thresholds and window sills of various types;

||| e) Chimneys, waste pipes, ventilation ducts, electrical and water supply pipes buried underground (including the pipe diameter and wall thickness);

||| g) Wall niches, empty spaces between two rooms without doors, with a width less than 1m and height less than 1.9m.

Note:

||| 1. The structural area of walls, partitions, and columns includes the plaster or wall cladding layer.

||| 2. Wall niches and empty spaces between two rooms without doors, with a width of 1m or more and height over 1.9m (from the floor level) are included in the room area.

||| B.5. Floor Area

||| Floor area is the area calculated based on the external dimensions of the walls, covered rows of columns, outdoor staircases of the ground floor including steps, entrances, balconies, terraces, etc.

||| When designing public buildings, the standard area can be increased or decreased as follows:

a) In the downward direction: not exceeding 5%

b) In the upward direction: not exceeding 10%.

B.6 Gross Floor Area(of a house, a floor, a room):

The gross floor area is the product of the construction area of the house, the floor area of each floor or room, multiplied by the height of the house, floor, and room, including technical floors.