According to the new fire safety norms, a minimum of two staircases are to be ensured in buildings above 15 metres of height. In buildings already constructed with one staircase as per the approved plan and architectural control, it will be mandatory to have more staircases as fire safety staircases. If the fire staircase cannot be provided within the existing building, it can be allowed beyond the architectural control of the building and the zoned area. In such cases, the staircases will be open to the sky and hence will not be counted towards the Floor-Area-Ratio (FAR). While providing the extra staircase, uniformity will have to be maintained.

In buildings, including residential, commercial and institutional, which are or will be located on plot measuring one kanal and above, will be required to have a rainwater harvesting system as per the specifications given by the Administration. This is to be installed within two years from the date of issuance of the notification.

The owner or lessee of any existing building, willing to avail the benefit(s) of additional volumetric control being granted through the orders issued yesterday, will only be granted the same after upgrading the parking facilities as per the new norms, wherever applicable, setting up solar water heating system, dual flushing system and rainwater harvesting system to recharge ground water in the respective buildings.

All new public buildings, which will be approved from now onwards, will have to conform to the requirements of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, and rules made there-under. The owners or lessee or occupier of existing buildings will make their houses as friendly as possible for persons with disabilities.

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