17.11. Basement 17.11.1.

Basement may be put to only the following uses to be constructed with in the prescribed set backs and prescribed buildings lines and subject to a maximum converge on floor 1 (entrance floor); (I) Storage of the household or other goods for ordinary combustible materials. (II) Dark room; (III) Strong rooms, bank cellars etc; (IV) Air-conditioning equipments and other machines used for services and utilities of the buildings. (V) Parking spaces; and (VI) Air-raid shelters during war or other emergency. For buildings more than 15m in height and non-multi family dwellings, there shall be a compulsory basement not less than 50 per cent of plinth area. 17.11.2 The basement shall have the following requirements. (I)Every basement shall be in the every part at least 2.4 m in height from the door to the underside of the roof slab or ceiling. (II) Adequate ventilation shall be provided for the basement with a ventilation area not less than 2.5 per cent of the basement. (III) Only one basement shall be permitted. (IV) The minimum height of the ceiling of any basement shall be 0.9m and maximum of 1.2m above the average surrounding ground level. (V) Adequate arrangements shall be such that surface drainage does not enter the basement. (VI) The walls and floors of the basement shall be water-tight and be so designed that the effect of the surrounding soil and moisture, if any, are taken into account in design and adequate damp proofing treatments is given; and (VII) The access to the basement shall be separate from the main and alternate staircase providing access and exit from higher floors. Where the staircase is continuous the same shall be enclosed type serving as fire separation from the basement floor and higher floors. Open ramps shall be permitted if they are constructed within the building line subject to the provision of (V).