Topic: HOW A BUILDING PROTECT OCCUPANCY?

What is occupancy?

Within the context of building construction and building codes, "occupancy" refers to the use, or

intended use, of a building, or portion of a building, for the shelter or support of persons, animals or
property. A closely related meaning is the number of units in such a building that are rented, leased, or
otherwise in use.

Occupancy can also refer to the number of units in use, such as hotel rooms, apartment flats,
or offices. It can also refer to the number of persons using an undivided space, such as a meeting
room, ballroom, auditorium, or stadium.

Why occupancy needs to be protected?

Since occupancy encompasses lives of people in a building, protecting the health, safety, and welfare
of building occupants is the main reason why building should meet its standards for it to be capable of
protecting its occupancy. It is because of the lives of the people.

Occupant’s safety and health.

Modern buildings are generally considered safe and healthy working environments. However, the
potential for indoor air quality problems, occupational illnesses and injuries, exposure to hazardous
materials, and accidental falls beckons architects, engineers, and facility managers to design and maintain
buildings and processes that ensure occupant safety and health. Notably, building designs must focus on
eliminating or preventing hazards to personnel, rather than relying on personal protective equipment and
administrative or process procedures to prevent mishaps.

Therefore, the design team should apply an integrated approach, including work process analysis
and hazard recognition to develop solutions that provide healthy built environments, having no undue
physical stressors, as well as meeting other project requirements. In addition, consideration of HSW
issues should be an integral part of all phases of a building's life cycle: planning, design, construction,
operations and maintenance, renovation, and final disposal.

 Provide designs that eliminate or reduce hazards in the work place to prevent mishaps and reduce
reliance on personal protective equipment.
 Prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.
 Prevent falls from heights.
 Prevent slips, trips, and falls.
 Ensure electrical safety from turn-over through Operations and Maintenance. Modifications must
be in conformance with life safety codes and standards and be documented.
 Eliminate exposure to hazardous materials (e.g., volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and
formaldehyde, and lead and asbestos in older buildings).
 Provide good indoor air quality (IAQ) and adequate ventilation.
 Analyze work requirements and provide ergonomic work places to prevent work-related
musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD).
 Perform proper building operations and maintenance.
ACTUALLY, FOLLOWING THE BUILDING CODE AND BUILDING REGULATION, WHICH
INCLUDES THE STANDARDS OF A BUILDING IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT
OCCUPANCY.

What is Building Code?

A building code is a set of rules that specify the standards for constructed objects such
as buildings and nonbuilding structures. Buildings must conform to the code to obtain planning
permission, usually from a local council. The main purpose of building codes is to protect public health,
safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures.
The building code becomes law of a particular jurisdiction when formally enacted by the appropriate
governmental or private authority.

What is Building Regulation?

Building Regulations ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings by providing
functional requirements for building design and construction. In addition, the Regulations promote energy
efficiency in buildings and contribute to meeting the needs of disabled people.

The Building Regulations cover a wide range of building work from major office, shop and
residential developments to small domestic works like extensions, through lounges and loft conversions.

Approved Documents offer guidance on how to comply with the regulations and cover the following
aspects of construction, please click on the links below to be taken to the correct approved documents:

 Part A: Structure
 Part B: Fire Safety
o B1: Volume 1: Dwelling houses
o B2: Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses
 Part C: Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
 Part D: Toxic Substances
 Part E: Resistance to the passage of sound
 Part F: Ventilation
 Part G: Hygiene
 Part H: Waste Disposal
 Part J: Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
 Part K: Protection from falling, collision and impact
 Part L: Conservation of fuel and power
o L1a: Conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings
o L1b: Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings
o L2a: Conservation of fuel and power in new buildings other than dwellings
o L2b: Conservation of fuel and power in existing buildings other than dwellings
 Part M: Access to facilities and buildings
 Part N: Glazing
 Part P: Electrical Safety (as of January 2005)
 Compliance Guides
o Domestic Building Service Compliance Guide
o Non-Domestic Building Service Compliance Guide
o Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide
 Sources:
https://www.wbdg.org/design-objectives/secure-safe
 https://www.wbdg.org/design-objectives/secure-safe/occupant-safety-health
 https://www.wbdg.org/design-objectives/secure-safe/natural-hazards-
mitigation
 https://www.wbdg.org/design-objectives/secure-safe/fire-protection
 https://www.wbdg.org/design-objectives/secure-safe/security-building-
occupants-assets