Technical Terms and Definations

• Alteration: A change in usage of building or a structural change, such as an addition to the area or height, or the removal of a part of a building, or any change to the structure, such as the construction of, cutting into or removal of any wall, partition, column, beam, floor joist or other support, or a change to or closing of any required means of ingress or egress or a change to the fixtures or equipment.
• Balcony: A horizontal cantilevered projection including a hand-rail or balustrade to serve as passage or sitting out place.
• Barsati: Habitable room/rooms on the roof of building below or partly below ground level.
• Basement or Cellar: The lower storey of a building below or partly below ground level.
• Building Height:

(i) In case of flat roofs- the vertical distance measured from the average level of the center line of the adjoining street to the highest point of the building adjacent to the street wall.
(ii) In case of pitched roofs: the vertical distance measured from the average level of the center line of the adjoining street to the point where the external surface of the outer wall intersect the finished surface of the sloping roof.
(iii) In case of gable end of sloped roof facing the road- the vertical distance measured from the average level of the center line of the adjoining street to the mid-point between the eaves level and the ridge.

• Building Line: The line upto which the plinth of a building adjoining a street or extension of a street or on a future street may lawfully extend.
• Cabin: A room constructed with non-load bearing partition/partitions with adequate provision of light and ventilation.
• Chajja or Sunshade: A sloping or horizontal structural overhang usually provided over opening on external walls for protection from the sun and rain.
• Courtyard: A space permanently open to the sky, enclosed fully or partially by building and may be at ground level or any other level within or adjacent to a building.
• Covered Area: Ground area covered by the building immediately above the plinth level. It does not include the spaces covered by, canopy, chajja, canopy or alike projections; uncovered staircase, compound, chajja, canopy or alike projections; uncovered staircase, compound wall, gate, well, tank, fountain, uncovered swimming pool, garden, etc.
• Damp Proof Course: A course consisting of some appropriate water proofing material provided to prevent penetration of dampness or moisture.
• Drain: A line of pipes including all fittings and equipment such as manholes, inspection chambers, traps, gullies and floor traps used for the drainage of a building, or a number of buildings. Drain shall also include open channels used of surface water.
• Drainage: The removal of any liquid (storm water, waste water, sewage etc.) by a system constructed purpose.
• Exit: A passage, channel or means of egress from any building, storey or floor area to a street or other open space of surface water.
• External Wall: An outer wall of a building not being a party wall even though adjoining to a wall of another building and also means a wall abutting on an interior open space of any building.
• Fire Lift: One of the lifts specially designed for use by fire service personnel in the event of fire.
• Fire Proof Door: A door or shutter fitted to a wall opening, and constructed and erected with the requirement to check the transmission of heat and fire for a specified period.
• Floor: The lower surface in a storey on which one normally walks in a building. The general term, floor, unless otherwise specifically mentioned, shall not refer to a mezzanine floor.