Tiêu chuẩn quốc gia TCVN 9411:2012 về Nhà ở liên kế - Tiêu chuẩn thiết kế

NATIONAL STANDARD

TCVN 9411 : 2012

ROW HOUSES - DESIGN STANDARDS

Foreword

The TCVN 9411:2012 is carried over from the TCXDVN 353:2005 in accordance with Clause 1 Article 69 of the Law on Technical Standards and Regulations and Point b) Clause 1 Article 7 of Decree No. 127/2007/ND-CP dated August 1, 2007 of the Government elaborating the Law on Technical Standards and Regulations.

The TCVN 9411:2012 is compiled by Vietnam Institute of Architecture, Urban and Rural Planning, proposed by the Ministry of Construction, appraised by the Directorate for Standards, Metrology, and Quality, and published by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

TCVN 9411:2012

ROW HOUSES - DESIGN STANDARDS

1. Scope

This Standard applies to design of detached houses built in rows with consistency in architecture and infrastructure in conformity to urban design requirements.

2. Referencing document

The following referencing document is necessary for the application of this Standard. If a reference document is mentioned together with its publishing year, only the referenced edition shall prevail. If a reference document is not mentioned together with its publishing year, the latest version and all its amendments and revisions (if any) shall prevail.

TCVN 2622, Fire prevention and firefighting for buildings and constructions - Design requirements;

TCVN 4474, Internal drainage - Design standards;

TCVN 4513, Internal water supply - Design standards;

TCVN 4605, Heating techniques - Insulating components - Design standards;

TCVN 5687:2010, Ventilation - Air conditioning - Design standards;

TCVN 7447, Electrical installations of buildings;

TCVN 9385:2012¹⁾, Protection of structures against lightning - Guide for design, inspection and maintenance;

TCXD 16:1986¹⁾, Artificial lighting in civil constructions;

TCXD 29:1991¹⁾, Natural lighting in civil constructions - Design standards;

TCXDVN 264:2002¹⁾, Buildings and constructions - Basic building principles for accessibility of persons with disability;

---------------------------------

1) TCVN that will be promulgated

1) TCXD and TCXDVN that are being processed for carry-over

3. Terms and definitions

In this Standard, the following definitions are used:

3.1 

Detached house

Means a structure built within a homestead land, under ownership of household or individual as per the law and including structure built on plot(s) of housing project(s).

3.2 

Row house

Means a type of detached houses of houses and individuals that are multistorey, adjacent to one another forming a row on adjacent land plots, that have their width smaller than their length, and that utilize the same infrastructure system of urban area.

3.3 

Shophouse

Means a type of row house built along streets, commerce and service strips according to approved planning. Shophouses, in addition to residential occupancy, also serves as shops, service establishments, offices, hotels, motels, small manufacturing and service facilities.

3.4 

Row house with garden

Means a type of row house that contains a garden of consistent dimension within the whole row either in the front or at the back of the house according to detail planning of the area.

3.5 

Property line

Means a boundary between a plot for building and under use right of its owner and land section reserved for roads or technical infrastructures.

3.6 

Building line

Means a boundary defining building limit on a plot.

4. General provisions

4.1 Row houses shall be built in conformity with general planning and along roads in urban areas or the outskirts. The design and construction shall conform to approved urban architecture design and regulations applicable to detached houses.

4.2 Construction or renovation design of row houses on both sides of urban roads shall conform to overall architecture of the strip and ensure distinctive aesthetic of the structure.

4.3 Verticality design of a shophouse row shall fulfill principles below:

- Shophouses in the same row have the same number of storeys and height;

- Shophouses in an area have consistent architecture and roof design;

- Shophouses in the same row have the same color;

- Shophouses in the same row have the same setback;

- Shophouses have consistent technical infrastructure;

- A row does not exceed 60 m in length. A strip may contain several rows.

- Rows shall be separated by roads of at least 4,0 m wide.

4.4 If shophouses are not built at the same time, subsequently built shophouses shall conform to approved detail planning, ground elevation, first storey (ground floor) elevation, balcony elevation, awning elevation and projection, finishing color, etc.

4.5 Row houses shall not be built in:

- Areas, strips, roads defined as villas in detail planning;

- Areas subject to stable planning where construction of row houses requires approval of competent authority;

- Perimeter of public structures such as head office, commercial and service establishments, manufacturing facilities

- Strips, roads, and areas defined as subjects of urban architecture and scenery preservation.

4.6 Shophouses may or may not share structural elements (foundation, pillars, walls, floors, roofs, or other adjoining elements) of adjacent houses.

- In respect of party wall, all girder, floor, pillar, and other elements of a shophouse shall not extend past the center of its party wall. Party wall shall not exceed 0,2 m in thickness;

- In case of separate walls, separate walls shall only be built within the area where property owners has land use right to or has the power to.

4.7 Row houses with gardens shall have minimum dimension of the front yard (from house to property line) of 2,4 m and in conformity with approved detailed planning. If a row house has backyard, minimum dimensions of the backyard shall be 2,0 m.

4.8 Designing row houses shall conform to other relevant provisions such as fire safety, environment, traffic, etc.

5. Planning requirements

5.1 Construction plot requirements

5.1.1 Plots on which row houses are built shall not be narrower than 4,5 m and not smaller than 45 m². Depending on area of the plots, building density of row houses shall conform to construction planning [1].

NOTE:

1) Row houses in projects shall have minimum building area of 50 m² and minimum front width of 5 m.

2) If remaining area following clearance or structure upgrade and/or renovation is smaller than 15 m² and front width or depth from building line is less than 3,0 m, construction permit shall not be granted.

5.1.2  Row houses that exceed 18 m in depth shall be accompanied by architectural solutions for ventilation and lighting.

NOTE: It is permissible to situate patios, skylights, light-transmitting openings, and vents on top of stairwell for the purpose of lighting and ventilation.

5.2 Setback requirements

5.2.1 Row house construction shall respect building line and property line.

5.2.2 Minimum front setback of row houses from property line dependent on building height and width of right-of-way shall conform to construction planning [1].

5.2.3 Row houses shall be built close to property line or with setback, as the case may be, depending on specific planning of strips (see Figure 1a). In respect of building with setback from property line, the area contained within the setback is at disposal of the owners. Fences are allowed along property line of a house (see Figure 1b).

5.2.4 A minimum setback of 2,4 m from building line shall be required in respect of shophouses with gardens (see Figure 1c).

Unit: millimeter

Figure 1 - Setback of shophouse

5.3 Visibility requirements

For the purpose of safety and visibility of vehicles during road traffic, houses at the corner of the street shall be built in a way that it is possible to facilitate sight triangles in accordance with Schedule 1 (see Figure 2).

Schedule 1 - Sight triangle dimension from intersection between right-of-ways

 All dimensions in meter

Unit: millimeter

e) Sight triangle when right-of-way angle is greater than 135⁰ 

Figure 2 - Sight triangle dimension

5.4 Distance and relation requirements relative to adjacent structures

5.4.1 Gables of two adjacent row house rows shall not be less than 4,0 m apart. Doors located at kerb height up to 2,5 m above the kerb height when open shall not extend past property line.

5.4.2 Façade of two shophouse rows shall be 8,0 m to 12,0 m apart. The stretch of land between two rows shall not contain any structure. If a side of a shophouse adjoins an empty plot, openable windows and balconies are allowed on that side.

5.4.3 If 2 rows of row houses are located in a way that the back of both rows are turned to each other, a minimum distance of 2,0 m (outside of building line) shall be required for utility pipe installation along the rows. Doors, windows, and vents are allowed at a height above 2,0 m from the floor at the back of 2 adjacent rows of row houses. If necessary, it is permissible to build a two-meter tall wall between 2 rows of row houses.

NOTE: The aforesaid distance is not required if backyard is present.

5.4.4 Distance from architectural elements to technical infrastructures and public trees:

5.4.4.1 Distance from architectural elements to the nearest power line:

a) Horizontally:

- To high-voltage power line: 4,0 m (from the outermost edge of architectural elements);

- To medium-voltage power line: 2,5 m (from the outermost edge of architectural elements);

- To low-voltage line:

+ From windows: 0,75 m;

+ From outermost point of balconies: 1,0 m;

- Minimum distance from the outermost point of architectural elements to utility poles: 0,75 m.

b) Vertically:

- Distance from structures to the lowest power line shall be:

+ In respect of voltage of up to 35 KV: 3 m;

+ In respect of voltage of 66 - 100 KV: 4 m;

+ In respect of voltage of 220 (230) KV: 5 m;

+ In respect of power lines above roofs and balconies: 2,5m;

+ In respect of power lines above windows: 0,5 m;

+ In respect of power lines below windows: 1,0 m;

+ In respect of power lines below balconies: 1,0 m.

5.4.4.2 Minimum distance from outermost point of architectural elements to underground pipes and cables;

+ To underground cables: 1,0 m;

+ To underground pipes and manholes: 1,0 m.

5.4.4.3 Distance from the outermost point of walls to shrubs, tree trunks shall be between 2 m and 5 m.

NOTE: In respect of areas where trees have been planted, this distance shall be stipulated in detail planning of the strip.

5.5 Height requirements

5.5.1 In all cases, row houses shall not have more than 6 storeys. In respect of row houses in alleys that are less than 6 m in width, the row houses shall not have more than 4 storeys.

5.5.2 Height of row houses shall conform to approved construction planning.

In respect to areas where approved detail planning is not promulgated, height of row houses in these areas shall not exceed 4 times the width of structures (not including flower beds or decorations).

Within a row of row houses, if varying height is allowed, a house is allowed to be at most 2 storeys taller than the average number of storeys of the whole row. Elevation of the first storey (the ground floor) shall be consistent.

In respect of row houses with gardens, height of the houses shall not exceed 3 times the width of the houses or shall conform to general limit set by detail planning.

5.5.3 In respect of row houses on strips and streets wider than 12 m, height of these row houses shall be limited by a 45⁰ angle (front height of the houses is at most equal to the width of the street).

In respect of row houses on strips and streets equal to or narrower than 12 m, height of these row houses shall not exceed the intersection between the street and a 45⁰ angle (height of the houses is not greater than width of the street).

In respect of areas with local roads, height of row houses shall not exceed the intersection between the street and a 30⁰ angle (height of the houses is not greater than 0,6 times the width of the street).

5.5.4 Dependent on location and dimension of each plot, height of a row house can be:

-   No more than 4 storeys + 1 rooftop bulkhead (total height of the row house shall not exceed 16 m) if the plot area is 30 m² to less than 40 m², front width is greater than 3 m, building depth from building line is greater than 5 m;

- No more than 5 storeys + 1 rooftop bulkhead or insulative roofs (total height of the row house shall not exceed 20 m) if the plot area is 40 m² to 50 m², front width is exceeding 3 m to less than 8 m, building depth from building line is greater than 5 m;

-  No more than 6 storeys (total height of the row house shall not exceed 24 m) if the plot area is greater than 50 m², front width is greater than 8 m, building depth from building line is greater than 5 m or if structures on both sides of the street is under limited development planning.

5.5.5 If a row of row house contains setback, building height can be increased in accordance with maximum height approved under construction planning, local architectural and scenery regulations.

NOTE:

1) Rows of shophouse on the same strip shall have consistent setback. If existing setback is not consistent, a common setback shall then be determined by the mean average value of existing setbacks and rounded to the nearest 0,5 m.

2) Any other architectural objects taller than the permissible height of the structure shall not be allowed.

5.5.6 Clear height of the first storey (the ground floor) shall not be lower than 3,6 m. If a house has mezzanine, clear height of the first storey shall not be lower than 2,7 m.

6. Architectural requirements

6.1 Designing row houses shall be appropriate for occupancy, socio-economic conditions, climate conditions, and selected design solutions.

NOTE: Construction of row houses shall take into account use demands of persons with disabilities in accordance with the TCXDVN 264:2002.

6.2 Functional spaces in row houses shall:

- Be reasonable in terms of use flow, detached, enclosed, architecturally harmonious inside and outside of row houses;

- Be suitable for varying arrangement requirements, capable of flexible conversion; Contain large, clear spaces and open composition to increase effectiveness of interior;

- Be used reasonably and safely without violating structural architecture and integrity;

- Ensure sanitary and microclimate requirements.

6.3 Functional spaces in row houses:

- Social space: including lobbies for reception, transaction, or other activities serving social demands;

- Service space: stores, service, production, manufacturing spaces;

- Accommodation space: including dwelling units;

- Other spaces: spaces for parking, utility equipment, garbage collection, storage, or other items;

- Traffic space: staircases, corridors, elevators (if any).

6.3.1 Social space

- Main lobby of row house shall be easily recognizable.

- In respect of shophouses, lobbies are usually integrated with social space of the houses.

6.3.2 Service space

6.3.2.1 Service spaces in row houses are usually located on the first storey (the ground floor) and directly accessed from the street, may be integrated with accommodation space and defined along vertical space of the house.

6.3.2.2 Stores of chemicals, commodities that cause environment pollution, explosive commodities shall not be positioned in row houses.

6.3.3 Accommodation space

6.3.3.1 Main functions of accommodation space of row houses include: common rooms; working space, study space; training room, recreation room (listening to music, watching movies, displaying and fulfilling other recreational demands); ancestral worship; dwelling units; dining room; kitchens; sanitary rooms (toilet, shower); washing and drying areas; balconies or loggias; storage, etc.

6.3.3.2 Standard area of structure parts shall vary depending on use demands while ensuring safety and health of users.

6.3.4 Other space

6.3.4.1 Row houses shall facilitate parking space, storage, firefighting equipment, garbage collection, water pump, backup generators, and other items.

6.3.4.2 If the first storey (the ground floor) is used as automobile parking space in row houses, fire safety requirements applicable to buildings and constructions shall be met [2].

6.3.5 Traffic space

6.3.5.1 Position, quantity, and arrangement of stairs shall allow convenient use and safe evacuation. Minimum width of evacuation staircases shall be 0,9 m. Minimum tread depth shall be 0,25 m, maximum riser height shall be 0,19 m.

NOTE: Staircases for use by persons with disabilities shall conform to TCXDVN 264:2002.

6.3.5.2 If necessary, elevators are allowed in row houses. Position, quantity, and arrangement of elevator spaces shall conform to use demands. Design and selection of elevators shall depend on:

- Number of storeys served;

- Number of passengers;

- Whether persons with disability are included;

- Other technical requirements.

6.3.5.3 In addition to determining technical specifications of elevators, it is also necessary to take into account elevator shaft design solutions, elevator machine and equipment rooms, economic factors, and area occupied by the elevators.

6.3.5.4 Elevator installation, design, and use requirements shall conform to manufacturers' regulations.

6.4 Design requirements of structural elements

6.4.1 Elevation of the floor, steps, motorbike loading ramps, flower beds at the front of the house

6.4.1.1 Floor elevation shall be at least 150 mm higher than kerb elevation (see Figure 3.a). In respect of areas without defined kerb, floor elevation shall be at least 300 mm higher than road elevation (see Figure 3.b).

NOTE: Kerb elevation is considered to be grade plane where a house is built for the purpose of calculating permissible height of the house.

Unit: millimeter

Figure 3 - Regulation on floor elevation

6.4.1.2 Designing shophouses shall take into account the following:

6.4.1.2.1 If building line overlaps property line (see Figure 4):

- Within a 3,5 m height from the kerb, all parts of the house shall not extend beyond the property line, except:

+ Exterior rain downpipes: may extend by 0,2 m past property line while maintaining aesthetic;

+ Door thresholds, decorative mouldings, and other decorations may extend by 0,2 m past property line (see Figure 4d) when located at a height above 1,0 m (from kerb height).

- All house fixtures (awnings, rain gutters, balconies, overhangs, etc. but not canopies) may extend past property line when located from kerb elevation to 3,5 m in height as long as the extension does not exceed the limit set under 6.4.2 while maintaining electrical grid safety and complying with construction management regulations applicable to the area.

NOTE: Extension starts from property line to the outermost point of the extending elements.

Unit: millimeter

Figure 4 - Extension of structural elements

6.4.1.2.2 If building line recedes from property line:

- All structure elements shall not extend past the property line;

- Steps, motorbike loading ramps, door thresholds, moulding, door leaf, awnings, canopies, foundations may extend past the property line.

6.4.1.2.3 All structure elements, including decorative elements shall not extend beyond plot line or boundary the area beyond which is under ownership of other people.

6.4.2 Entrance, walkway canopies

6.4.2.1 Entrance and walkway canopies are allowed within the area limited by kerb elevation and the height above 3,5 m. Extension of entrance and walkway canopies shall not be more than 0,6 m away from the kerb edges and at least 1,0 m smaller than kerb width. Support poles shall not be placed on the kerb (see Figure 5).

NOTE:

1) Entrance canopies: mean canopies of entrances, attached to exterior walls and leading to building entrance or partially covering walkways from kerbs and roads to the buildings;

2) Walkway canopies: mean canopies attached to exterior walls and covering a part of the kerb.

Unit: millimeter

Figure 5 - Permissible extension of entrance and walkway canopies

6.4.2.2 The top of entrance and walkway canopies shall not facilitate balconies, rooftops, bonsai, or other architectural elements.

6.4.3 Doors and windows

6.4.3.1 Doors, windows, and vents are not allowed on a wall that is close to plot line or floor boundary, the area beyond which is under ownership of other people. Doors, windows, and vents are allowed on a wall is at least 2 m away from plot line or floor boundary, the area beyond which is under ownership of other people.

6.4.3.1 If adjacent plots do not contain any structure or only low structure, vents or glass panel fixtures may be opened for the purpose of natural lighting. The lowest point of these doors shall be at least 2,0 m away from the floor. These doors shall become unusable if adjacent structures are built.

6.4.3.2 If a row of row houses adjoins public spaces such as flower beds, parks, parking garages, empty yards, or other public spaces that do not affect the row houses, window fixtures or decorations may be opened under approval granted by competent authority on a case-by-case basis.

6.4.4 Balcony

6.4.4.1 In respect to houses where their balconies face a street, elevation and extension of the balconies shall conform to approved detail planning and local construction management regulations.

6.4.4.2 Extension of balconies of row houses shall depend on right-of-way width and shall not exceed dimensions under Schedule 2.

Schedule 2 - Maximum extension of balcony

All dimensions in meter

6.4.4.3 The lowest point of balconies shall be at least 3,5 m above the kerb.

6.4.4.4 Balconies shall not be allowed in alleys that are narrower than 4,0 m and surrounded by two rows of row houses on each side. If an alley is only surrounded by one row of row house on one side, balconies of maximum extension of 0,6 m are allowed.

NOTE: If a street or alley contains above-ground power line, the construction of awnings and balconies shall conform to regulations on safety corridor of power line.

6.4.5 Underground section

6.4.5.1 All underground sections of a house shall not extend past property line.

6.4.5.2 The outermost point of the foundation and underground pipes shall not extend past the plot line or floor boundary.

6.4.5.3 In special cases, house foundation may extend by at most 0,3 m past the property line or boundary of the street or alley if the bottom of the foundation is at least 2,4 m away from kerb elevation (see Figure 6).

Unit: millimeter

Figure 6 - House foundation adjoins the street

6.4.6 Fence and gate

6.4.6.1 In respect of shophouses, front fences shall be designed with picket, lightweight, aesthetic, and consistent fashion depending on local regulations and satisfy requirements below:

a) Fences and foundation thereof shall not extend beyond the limit and shall have maximum height of 2,6 m;

b) If the front of a house is more than 2,4 m away from property line or boundary of the alley, picket fences or hedge fences are allowed (see Figure 7.a);

c) If the front of a house is less than 2,4 m away from property line or boundary of the alley, lightweight picket fences not taller than 1,2 m or flower beds are allowed for the purpose of separation. (see Figure 7.b);

d) In case of special safety requirements, fences shall be entirely covered by lightweight materials. The covered section shall not exceed 1,8 m in height.

e) A picket fence of equal height as front fences shall be required for the purpose of separating 2 adjacent houses. The base section of the fence, up to 0,6 m in height, may be solid.

Unit: millimeter

Figure - Regulation on gate and fence

6.4.6.2 Construction of gates of row houses (not shophouses) shall conform to provisions below:

a) Each row house is eligible for one main gate. Placement of secondary gates and exits shall depend on specific requirements on a case-by-case basis and shall be decided by competent authority.

b) Gates, when opened, shall not extend past property line or boundary of the alley or plot line beyond which is under ownership of other people. the outermost point of gate posts shall not overlap property line.

6.4.7 Kerb

6.4.7.1 Kerb structure in front of a house shall not be altered.

6.4.7.2 Steps shall not be built on the kerb.

6.4.8 Other technical requirements

6.4.8.1  Smoke outlets and vent outlets shall not be directed at the street.

6.4.8.2 Electric appliances such as television antennas, satellite transceivers, telecommunication broadcasting stations, air-conditioners, solar power collectors, water tanks, or other equipment that is installed within plot boundary shall be installed in a manner that least affects urban scenery and adjacent houses, conforms to field-specific regulations, and is approved by competent authority.

6.4.8.3 Air-conditioners that are placed at the front and adjacent to property line shall be located at a height above 2,7 m and shall not discharge condensate directly onto kerb or street.

6.4.8.4 Do not discharge rainwater, wastewater of all kinds (including air conditioner condensate), dust, vapor, exhaust into adjacent houses.

6.4.8.5 House exterior shall not utilize color or materials that affect visual capability, health of other people, or violate sanitary and traffic safety requirements.

6.4.8.6  Materials and advertising panels located outside shall have maximum reflectivity of 70%.

6.4.8.7 Termite protection solutions shall be required for new structures.

6.4.8.8 Canopies and temporary roofs shall not be allowed at the front of houses; cloth drying shall be limited at the front of houses.

7. Technical system and environmental hygiene requirements

7.1 Design requirements of water supply system

7.1.1 Water supply system for houses shall conform to the TCVN 4513.

7.1.2 Water consumption standards:

–  Class I urban areas: From 150 liters/person/24 hours to 180 liters/person/24 hours;

–  Class II urban areas: From 120 liters/person/24 hours to 150 liters/person/24 hours;

–  Class III, IV, V urban areas: from 80 liters/person/24 hours to 100 liters/person/24 hours.

7.1.3 Roof water tanks shall be designed to suit architecture of a house, to not create any contrast in vertical architecture, and to not affect roof and overall structure.

7.1.4 Underground water tanks shall be required for each house for domestic water use and water supply for firefighting when necessary.

7.1.5 Water pipes shall carry water to houses and shall be connected to general water supply pipes of residential areas.

7.2 Design requirements of water drainage system

7.2.1 Domestic wastewater standards shall conform to water drainage standards and shall be designed in self-draining manner. Internal water drainage system shall be designed in a manner complying with the TCVN 4474.

7.2.2 Rainwater and wastewater must not be discharged directly on kerb and streets but through sewers and underground sewer systems from houses into urban drainage system.

7.2.3 Roof rain gutter shall be able to drain rainwater in all weather conditions. Roof rain gutter shall collect rainwater via hoppers then into downpipes and later drainage system of the house. Placement of hoppers shall depend on roof elevation, permissible collecting area of each hopper, and roof structure.

7.2.4 Septic tanks shall be required in houses in order to treat wastewater of sanitary areas prior to being released into general water drainage of urban areas. Separate drainage systems for human excrements and domestic water shall be required. Septic tanks shall be located underground and shall be physically covered.

7.2.5 The entire wastewater drainage system shall be placed underground. Water drainage system of each house shall be connected to general water drainage system of the neighborhood.

7.2.6 Downpipe system shall not leak and shall not be positioned in a way that affects architectural aesthetic. Rainwater drainpipe and gutters shall not discharge water to adjacent plot or floor area.

7.3 Design requirements of electric lighting

7.3.1 Natural lighting design of row houses shall conform to the TCXD 29:1991. Natural lighting can be side lighting, top lighting, or a combination of lighting schemes.

7.3.2 If natural lighting is combined with sunlight protection, architecture solutions shall not affect natural lighting.

7.3.3 Artificial lighting design of row houses shall conform to the TCXD 16:1986.

NOTE: Artificial lighting consists of working lighting, emergency lighting, evacuation lighting, and protection lighting.

7.3.4 Artificial lighting design shall guarantee illuminance on working surface or objects requiring distinction in each room.

7.3.5 Electric wires shall be independent of other system and shall facilitate easy repair and replacement when necessary. Installation of electric wires and electrical appliances shall conform to the TCVN 7447. Lighting systems shall be protected by circuit breakers. Switches shall be located at a height of 1,2 m.

NOTE: For the purpose of child safety, all sockets and switches shall be protected by cover or mesh.

7.3.6 Design and installation of electric system shall conform to requirements below:

a) In respect of row houses with gardens, breaker boxes shall be installed on the front fence. In respect of shop houses, breaker boxes shall be installed to the front of the house and within the perimeter of the house;

a) Quantity and specifications of electric wires, sockets, breakers shall conform to the design applicable to electricity usage of each house;

b) Distribution board shall be grounded and fitted with automatic switches. Distribution boards shall be of metal and sizes appropriate to respective types of circuit.

c) For safety reasons, all switches connected to sources of electricity shall be protected by fuses and ground-fault circuit interrupters;

d) Sockets and box extenders in bathrooms and kitchens shall be watertight, fitted with electrical circuit-interrupters, and placed at appropriate locations and height.

e) Lightning protection system shall be placed at the top of the house and grounded. Calculation of lightning protection system shall conform to TCVN 9385:2012.

7.4 Design requirements of communication, telecommunication, and other technical systems

7.4.1 Telecommunication system and television cable inside and outside of the structure shall be designed with consistency. Wires and cables of all types shall satisfy current and upcoming use demands. If necessary, remote control schemes of technical equipment may be installed.

7.4.2 Telephone wall sockets in all rooms shall be located at a height of 0,5 m depending on the interior.

7.4.3 Anti-theft and security systems shall be designed for the entire house if possible.

7.5 Ventilation and air-conditioning requirements

7.5.1 Design of ventilation and air-conditioning systems shall conform to the TCVN 5687:2010.

7.5.2 Design of ventilation and air-conditioning system shall be accompanied by technological, architectural, and structural solutions in a reasonable manner for the purpose of sanitary, technical satisfaction, energy saving, and economic efficiency.

7.5.3 Reserved spaces for installation of air-conditioning system shall be required so as to not affect structure verticality.

7.5.4 Hot cores of air-conditioners, odor extractors, and vents from kitchens shall not be directed towards adjacent plot or adjacent floor area in a 4 m radius.

7.5.5 Design of ventilation and air-conditioning system shall satisfy permissible microclimate parameters specified under Schedule 3.

Schedule 3 - Microclimate parameters in houses

7.5.6 For the purpose of natural ventilation, cross ventilation shall be facilitated by inlets and outlets.

7.5.7 Architectural and physical solutions shall be employed to design enclosing structures in order to retain heat, prevent cold wind in the winter, ensure natural ventilation, and facilitate cross ventilation in accordance with TCVN 4605.

7.6 Smoke and air discharge

7.6.1 Contaminating smoke and emission shall not be discharged into the environment. Smoke exhaust and ventilation outlets must not aim towards the street or adjacent houses.

7.6.2 Rooms that emit hazardous gas, kitchens, and toilets shall be accompanied by mechanical ventilation system that incorporates fresh air exchange in short periods in order to maintain the environment as per standard.

7.6.3 Air volume shall be 50 m³/h/toilet; 25 m³/h/urinal; and 100 m³/h/kitchen.

7.6.4 Exhaust fans shall be required for kitchens and sanitary areas if vertical ventilation pipes are installed to these areas.

8. Fire prevention requirements

8.1 Design of fire prevention and firefighting of row houses shall conform to the TCVN 2622 and fire safety requirements of buildings and constructions [2].

8.2 Fire spread between houses via openings shall be entirely prevented.

8.3 Traffic and water supply for firefighting shall be implemented for row houses.

8.4 Smoke spread between stairwells and storeys shall be entirely prevented for the purpose of emergency evacuation.

8.5 Fire hose reel cabinets shall be placed at stair lobbies of each storey and shall supply water in case of fire.

9. Requirements of finishes and urban scenery

9.1 Finishes shall satisfy application, sustainability, and aesthetic demand.

9.2 Structures made of temporary and/or makeshift materials shall not be built in established urban areas.

9.3 Temporary structures shall not be built onto fixed structures (structures of level II or higher) such as:

- Temporary structures on rooftops, balconies, loggias and single-storey houses with flat roofs;

- Additional roof shingles installed to existing structures or fences;

- Complete cover of exterior balconies, loggias, and corridors.

9.4 Exterior decorations of houses should not vary in color and materials. Exterior finishes of each house shall be harmonious and consistent with those of other row houses. Finishing details, color, and materials shall be consistent for all house types. Design and use of exterior finishing materials shall be reviewed and approved by competent authority.

NOTE: All house types shall utilize colors of light combination. Exterior decoration color palate shall be provided for specific areas (and applicable to urban design of each area).

9.5 Roofs shall be tiled the color of which vary by groups or areas depending on planning. Ornamental statues shall not be placed on the roofs. Ornamental statues of all types shall not be placed on balconies.

9.6 Materials of doors and windows shall be consistent for an area, a strip, or a street depending on detail planning or regional urban design approved by competent authority.

9.7 The front of the house shall not be finished with highly contrasting colors and stripes on window frames and half-walls. Materials of reflectivity above 70% shall not be allowed.

9.8 Corner details or decorations of structures shall not exceed 5% of surface area of the structures.

9.9 Solid fences shall be of the same color as that of the house or white in color. Metal and aluminum pickets shall be of the same color as that of the house.

9.10 Mercury glass mirror shall not be fitted to doors, windows, counters, or architectural decorations at a height of 3,0 m or lower.

REFERENCE

[1] QCXDVN 01 : 2008/BXD, Vietnamese Construction Regulations - Construction Planning;

[2] QCVN 06:2010/BXD, National Technical Regulations - Fire safety for buildings and structures.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

1 Scope

2 Referencing document

3 Terms and definitions

4 General provisions

5 Planning requirements

5.1 Construction plot requirements

5.2 Setback requirements

5.3 Visibility requirements

5.4 Distance and relation requirements relative to adjacent structures

5.5 Height requirements

6 Architectural requirements

7 Technical system and environmental hygiene requirements

7.1 Design requirements of water supply system

7.2 Design requirements of water drainage system

7.3 Design requirements of electric lighting

7.4 Design requirements of communication, telecommunication, and other technical systems

7.5 Ventilation and air-conditioning requirements

7.6 Smoke and air discharge

8 Fire prevention requirements

9 Requirements of finishes and urban scenery

Reference