Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BXD dated May 19, 2021 on National Technical Regulations No. 04:2021/BXD on apartment buildings

CIRCULAR

ON NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATIONS NO. 04:2021/BXD ON APARTMENT BUILDINGS

Pursuant to Law on Standards and Technical regulations dated June 29, 2006;

Pursuant to Decree No. 74/2018/ND-CP dated May 16, 2018 of Government on amendment to Law on Technical Standards and Regulations and Decree No. 78/2018/ND-CP dated May 16, 2018 of the Government on amendment to Decree No. 127/2007/ND-CP;

Pursuant to Decree No. 81/2017/ND-CP dated July 17, 2017 of the Government on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Construction;

At request of Director General of Department of Science Technology and Environment,

Minister of Construction promulgates Circular on National Technical Regulations on apartment buildings.

Article 1.Attached to this Circular are the National Technical Regulations on apartment buildings, No. QCVN 04:2021/BXD.

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Article 3.Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, People’s Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities and relevant organizations, individuals are responsible for the implementation of this Circular./.

PP. MINISTER
DEPUTY MINISTER




Nguyen Van Sinh

QCVN 04:2021/BXD

NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON APARTMENT BUILDINGS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 General provisions

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1.2 Regulated entities

1.3 Reference documents

1.4 Definitions

2 Technical regulations

2.1 General requirements

2.2 Planning – architecture requirements

2.3 Structural requirements

2.4 Elevator requirements

2.5 Water supply and drainage system requirements

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2.7 Garbage collection system requirements

2.8 Electrical grids, lightning arrester, lighting, noise resistance and communication system requirements

2.9 Fire safety requirements

3. Regulations on management

4. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals

5. Organization for implementation

Preface

QCVN 04:2021/BXD is prepared by the Institute for Building Science and Technology, approved by the Department of Science Technology and Environment, appraised by the Ministry of Science and Technology and issued by the Ministry of Construction together with Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BXD dated May 19, 2021 of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

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NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON APARTMENT BUILDINGS

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1 Scope

1.1.1 These Regulations prescribe technical requirements to be applied upon constructing anew or reconstructing apartment buildings that are up to 150 m in height or having up to 3 basements, including apartment buildings constructed for residential purpose and mixed purposes.

1.1.2 With respect to apartment buildings that are taller than 150 m or having 4 basements or more, apart from these Regulations, technical requirements and solutions in terms of organization and technical construction satisfactory to fire prevention and fight requirements of said apartment buildings on the basis of standard documents applicable as per the law must be added. The requirements and solutions mentioned above must be approved by competent specialized agencies.

1.2 Regulated entities

These Regulations apply to organizations and individuals related to investment, construction, management and use of apartment buildings.

1.3 Reference documents

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QCVN 01:2021/BXD, National Technical Regulation on construction planning.

QCVN 01-1:2018/BYT, National Technical Regulations on quality of water for daily activities.

QCVN 02:2009/BXD, National Technical Regulations on figures and natural conditions to be accounted for in construction.

QCVN 02:2019/BLDTBXH, National Technical Regulations on occupational safety in elevators.

QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD, National Technical Regulations on houses and public structures – life and health safety.

QCVN 06:2021/BXD, National Technical Regulations on fire safety for buildings and work items.

QCVN 09:2017/BXD, National Technical Regulations on energy efficient buildings.

QCVN 10:2014/BXD, National Technical Regulations on construction for access of the disabled to buildings and facilities.

QCVN 12:2014/BXD, National Technical Regulations on electrical grids of houses and public structures.

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QCVN 26:2010/BTNMT, National Technical Regulations on noises.

QCVN QTD 8:2010/BXD, National Technical Regulations on electrical engineering. Section 8: Technical Regulations on low voltage electricity.

QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT, National Technical Regulations on domestic wastewater.

Regulations on water supply and drainage systems in houses and buildings issued by Ministry of Construction together with Decision No. 47/1999/QD-BXD dated December 21, 1999.

Regulations on electric equipment issued by Ministry of Industry together with Decision No. 19/2006/QD-BCN dated July 11, 2006.

TCVN 6396-72:2010, Safety requirements of elevator structure and installation. Applied separately to passenger elevators and cargo elevators. Section 72: Fire service elevators.

TCVN 6396-73:2010, Safety requirements of elevator structure and installation. Applied separately to passenger elevators and cargo elevators. Section 73: Elevator status in case of fire.

1.4 Definitions

In these Regulations, terms below are construed as follows:

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apartment building

Refers to a building with 2 storeys or more, having many flats, shared passages and staircases, private property, shared property and infrastructure systems shared by all households, individuals and organizations, can be classified into an apartment for residential purposes and an apartment for mixed purposes.

NOTE: An apartment for mixed purposes are hereinafter referred to as “a mixed-used apartment”.

1.4.2

apartment complex

Refers to a group of 2 or more apartments constructed according to approved planning and project dossiers approved by competent authorities.

1.4.3

mixed-use apartment

Refers to an apartment designed and constructed to serve residential purpose and other purposes namely office, services, commerce, etc.

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residential section of a mixed-use apartment

Refers to a section of a mixed-use apartment where flats are located and constructed according to planning and project dossiers approved by competent authorities.

1.4.5

flat

Refers to a self-contained housing unit that meets daily needs of a family, an individual or a group of individuals. A flat can have one or multiple functional spaces namely: living room – general space; working, studying space; worshipping space; bedroom(s); dining room; kitchen; sanitation areas; laundry and drying spaces; balcony or loggia; storage space.

1.4.6

apartment flat

Refers to a flat located in a residential apartment or a mixed-use apartment to house a family, an individual or a group of individuals.

1.4.7

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Refers to sections of a mixed-use apartment that are used for other purposes, including: offices, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, condotels, officetels and other services.

1.4.8

condotel

Refers to a flat located in a mixed-use apartment where people can rent and live in and is furnished with necessary equipment and services to enable self-catering of the tenants during the stay.

1.4.9

officetels

Refers to a section of a mixed-used apartment which is furnished with necessary equipment and services to enable one or many individuals to work and reside at the same time.

1.4.10

building height

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NOTE: Technical equipment installed on the roof: antennas, lightning arresters, equipment utilizing solar power, metal water reservoirs, chimneys, air vents and decorative structure details shall be exclude from the building height.

1.4.11

clearance height

Refers to the height from the floor to the lowest point of the roof structural elements or technical systems.

1.4.12

building height for fire service (fire service height)

Refers to the height from lowest point of a fire access to the lowest point of a doorway (window) on the outer wall of the topmost storey, excluding the topmost mechanical floor. In case of buildings with no doorway (window) available on the topmost storey, fire service height shall equal the total products of both height from fire access to the ceiling of the topmost storey and height from fire access to the floor of the topmost storey divided by 2. In case the roof is employed, fire service height of a building shall equal the greatest height from fire access to the highest point of the wall surrounding the roof.

1.4.13

usable area of a flat

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NOTE: Carpet area is the area that reaches up to the inner layer of wall and balcony finish (furnishing articles namely baseboards, etc.). With respect to balconies and loggias, calculate the entire floor area and inner area of party walls if any.

1.4.14

number of storey

Total number of storey of a building includes all above-ground levels (including technical floors and storeys where rooftop access is located) and basements/semi-basements while attics are not included.

NOTE 1: A level where roof entrance access is located shall not be counted towards total storey of a building primary use thereof is to cover stairwell/elevator shaft and shelter technical equipment of the building (if any) and ceiling area of that level must not exceed 30% of rooftop area.

NOTE 2: A mezzanine whose area is no more than 10% of area of the floor immediate below it, total area is not exceeding 300 m² and use is for technical purposes (pool maintenance and operation, placement of generators or other technical equipment of the building) shall not be counted towards the total storey of the building.

NOTE 3: If a building has multiple ground levels, the lowest ground level according to approved planning shall prevail.

1.4.15

attic

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1.4.16

above-ground storey

Refers to a storey whose elevation is equal or higher than the ground level on which the building is located according to approved planning.

1.4.17

basement

Refers to a storey with more than half the height thereof situated below ground level on which the building is located according to approved planning.

1.4.18

semi-basement

Refers to a storey whose height is half situated at or above ground level on which the building is located according to approved planning.

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mechanical floor

Refers to a storey or part of a storey where technical rooms or technical equipment of the building are situated. The mechanical floor can be the basement, semi-basement, attic, the topmost storey or any storey in-between.

1.4.20

technical room

Refers to a room where technical equipment of a building or storey is stored. Multiple technical rooms may occupy a mechanical floor in part or in whole.

1.4.21

dwelling

Refers to a room in a flat that serves one or many functions. Dwellings include bedrooms and other rooms for daily activities.

1.4.22

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Refers to a space protruding from outer walls of an apartment and protected by guardrails.

1.4.23

loggia

Refers to a space concaving compared to outer walls of an apartment and protected by guardrails.

1.4.24

community space

Refers to a space for organization of common activities participated by inhabitants of the apartment or apartment complex namely: neighborhood meeting, other cultural, recreational, and community activities.

1.4.25

elevator hall

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1.4.26

buffer space

Refers to a space between 2 doorways which prevents infiltration of smoke and other gas into the building, stairwell or other rooms.

1.4.27

fire compartment

Refers to a section of a building that is separated from other sections by class 1 fire-rated walls.

1.4.28

design lifespan

Refers to life expectancy of a building according to the design to calculate structural components (foundation included) to ensure bearing capacity and normal use conditions during period of using and operating the building without any major repair or reinforcement of load-bearing structures.

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standards selected for application

Refer to national technical standards, international standards, regional standards or foreign standards that are selected for application to the project according to applicable law.

1.4.30

standard documents

Refer to documents that set forth principles, guidelines or characteristics regarding activities or results thereof.

NOTE 1: The term “standard documents” generally refer to documents such as technical standards and regulations, practice guidelines and technical regulations.

NOTE 2: The term “documents” must be interpreted as information carriers.

NOTE 3: Terms that are used to indicate different standard forms of document are determined on the basis of considering documents and contents thereof as a single unit.

2. TECHNICAL REGULATIONS

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2.1.1 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must satisfy requirements for stable load bearing and design lifespan. Construction shall not be conducted on areas with geological hazards (debris flow, landslide, etc.) and areas regularly susceptible to flash floods and flood unless technical measures are adopted to ensure construction safety.

2.1.2 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must satisfy fire safety requirements according to QCVN 06:2021/BXD and relevant law provisions. Provision, placement, examination and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment, rescue and evacuation equipment shall comply with applicable regulations and law.

2.1.3 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must ensure accessibility and use for persons with old age and persons with disabilities according to QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.1.4 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must be designed and constructed in a manner that satisfies energy efficiency requirements according to QCVN 09:2017/BXD.

2.1.5 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must comply with regulations on life and health safety according to QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD. Termite prevention requirements imposed on apartments shall comply with technical standards selected and applied.

2.1.6 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must be maintained according to procedures.

2.1.7 Residential portions in mixed-use apartments must have independent entries and exits (emergency staircases are not included).

2.1.8 Sections for other purposes namely offices, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, condotels, officetels and other services in mixed-use apartments must be assigned with distinct locations according to approved plans and managed operationally as per the law.

2.1.9 Public spaces, common spaces in apartment buildings and mixed use apartments must be security surveillance via surveillance equipment or other solutions in order to detect and prevent risks to children, humans, and the structures.

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2.2.1 Land use of apartments and mixed-use apartments must satisfy land use purpose and efficient land use.

2.2.2 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must be designed and constructed according to plans and construction planning approved by competent agencies.

2.2.3 Population of apartments and mixed-use apartments must be taken into account while preparing design dossiers as per the law and satisfactory to population quota approved by competent authorities.

2.2.4 Apartment flats

2.2.4.1 An apartment flat must have at least 1 dwelling and 1 sanitary or hygiene section. Minimum usable area of an apartment flat must not be lower than 25 m².

2.2.4.2 With respect to commercial property projects, total number of apartment flats whose area is less than 45 m² must not exceed 25 % total number of apartment flats of the projects.

2.2.4.3 Apartments flats must receive natural lighting. In case of a flat with 2 dwellings or more, 1 of the dwellings may not receive natural lighting.

2.2.4.4 Bedrooms must be airy and open to natural lighting. Usable area of a bedroom in an apartment flat must not be lower than 9 m².

2.2.5 Condotel

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2.2.5.2 Other requirements according to selected and applied condotel standards.

2.2.6 Officetels

2.2.6.1 Usable area of an officetel must not be lower than 25 m², in which, area of working space must be at least 9 m². Kitchens must not be situated in officetels.

2.2.6.2 Other requirements according to selected and applied standards of officetel design.

2.2.7 Community space

a) Apartments and residential portions in mixed-use apartments must assign community space whose average usable area must be at least 0.8 m²/flat, which include appropriate space for organization of inhabitant meetings.

b) An apartment complex in a construction project that fails to assign community space in each building may merge community spaces of buildings at a separate location with total area for reduced up to 30%; in that case, distance from lobbies of the buildings to the community space must not exceed 300 m and must be calculated and explained to ensure convenience for the inhabitants.

2.2.8 Sections for other purposes namely offices, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, condotels, officetels and other services in mixed-use apartments must be designed in accordance with applicable regulations and law, and selected and applied standards.

2.2.9 Apartment buildings and flats in mixed-use apartments must have space to dry clothes in a manner that ensures aesthetics of the buildings.

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- Clearance height of dwellings must not be lower than 2.6 m;

- Clearance height of kitchens and sanitary sections must not be lower than 2.3 m;

- Clearance height of basements, semi-basements and mechanical floors must not be lower than 2.0 m;

- In case of space inside of pitched roofs utilized as bedrooms or common rooms, clearance height of half of the rooms’ area must not be lower than 2.1 m;

- Clearance height of other rooms and sections must conform to design tasks or standards selected for application.

2.2.11 Windows of apartments and mixed-used apartments:

- Only slide windows and awning window with safety mechanisms installed are permitted. Position of locking mechanisms must comply with QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD.

- In case of a flat that does not have balconies or loggias, install at least a window on outer wall sized no smaller than 600 x 600 mm for evacuation and rescue purposes.

2.2.12 For fences, balconies, guardrails and loggias, in addition to safety requirements according to QCXDVN05:2008/BXD, clearance height from floor surface to lowest point of doorway/window sill in apartment buildings and mixed used buildings must not be lower than 1.4 m. Other positions shall conform to QCXDVN05:2008/BXD.

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2.2.14 Ramps in apartments and mixed-used apartments:

- Ramps in automobile garages must satisfy requirements specified in QCVN 13:2018/BXD;

- Ramps for pedestrians must ensure accessibility for persons with old age and persons with disabilities according to QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.2.15 Exit routes, paths and emergency exits in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartments must comply with QCVN 06:2021/BXD and QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.2.16 Fire access and premises – space of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartments must comply with QCVN 06:2021/BXD.

2.2.17 Parking lot (including automobiles, motorcycles (electric motorcycles) and bicycles).

2.2.17.1 Parking lots of apartments and residential portions of mixed-use apartment must satisfy QCVN13:2018/BXDall following categories:

a) The parking lots must be included in the area of approved projects; parking lots for automobiles must be separated from parking lots for motorcycles and bicycles.

b) Parking space (roads inside parking garages/lots included) must not be lower than 25 m² for every 4 apartment flats and not be lower than 20 m² for every 100 m² of usable area of apartment flats, in which at least 6 m² of parking space for motorcycles and bicycles per apartment flat must be guaranteed.

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d) With respect to mechanical and automated parking garages (hereinafter referred to as “mechanical parking garages”), at least 12 m² of parking space must be guaranteed for every 100 m² of usable area of apartment flats (in case of multistorey mechanical parking garages, the parking space shall be multiplied with the number of storey thereof). Roads that lead to mechanical garages must satisfy technology of the mechanical garages and applicable regulations and law.

2.2.17.2 With respect to condotels and officetels in mixed-use apartments, parking space (roads inside parking garages/lots included) must not be lower than 20 m² for every 160 m² of usable area of the condotels and officetels, and must be situated within area of approved projects.

2.2.17.3 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must provide parking spaces for persons with disabilities. Location and number of parking spaces for persons with disabilities shall comply with QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.2.18 Apartment buildings and residential sections in mixed-use apartments must provide a space of 5 m²/person for flat managers, parking security and technicians.

2.3 Structural requirements

2.3.1 Structure of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartments during construction and operation must satisfy all following requirements:

a) Bearing safety: apartments and mixed-use apartments must be designed and constructed in a manner that ensures load-bearing capacity, stability and ability to endure disadvantageous load and load combinations, including dead load and environmental load related to natural conditions of Vietnam (storms, strong breeze, earthquakes, lightning and flood) according to QCVN 02:2009/BXD.

b) Normal operation capacity: apartments and mixed-use apartments must maintain normal operation conditions without being disfigured and having other properties reduced lower than the limit specified in selected and applied standards.

c) Fire resistance capacity: Structures and structural components of buildings must satisfy in terms of fire resistance and fire hazards according to QCVN 06:2021/BXD.

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+ Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartments must ensure a design lifespan of at least 50 years (except for other cases decided by investors/developers that are suitable for period of operation).

+ Building structures must provide durability corresponding to the design lifespan.

+ Design lifespan of a building must be state clearly in design dossiers and other documents of the building as per the law. Upon reaching expiry date according to the structure design (design lifespan), project developers/investors shall issue notice and conduct construction quality assessment and evaluation to take measures to prolong use period or other measure as per the law.

2.3.2 Apartment buildings and residential sections of mixed-use apartment must satisfy all following requirements:

a) Swaying at the top and relative swaying between levels must not exceed the limited value specified in selected and applied standards.

b) Maximum lateral acceleration at the top of buildings due to wind load must not exceed the limited value specified in selected and applied standards.

2.3.3 Foundation and structure thereof, basement structure and underground technical systems of buildings must be calculated and designed based on characteristics of soil, topographic and hydrographic conditions, level of infiltration of soil and groundwater at construction locations in a manner that:

- Ensures load bearing safety and stability; and

- Ensures subsidence and displacement to be within permissible limit according to designed objectives and selected and applied standards; and

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2.3.4 Apartments and mixed-use apartments during construction and use must not damage technical infrastructure and adjacent structures.

2.3.5 While renovating apartments and mixed-use apartments, current structures and conditions thereof must be taken into account.

2.4 Elevator requirements

2.4.1 Apartments and mixed-use apartments from 5 storeys or higher must be installed with at least 1 elevator and 2 elevators for apartments and mixed-use apartments from 10 storeys or higher while ensuring capacity according to selected and applied standards.

NOTE: With respect to apartments and mixed-use apartments having elevators, at least 1 specialized elevator whose cabin usable area is enough to allow medical transportation with stretchers must be installed.

2.4.2 Situate at least 1 elevator for every 200 building inhabitants regardless of number of people on the ground floor, or in case of calculating by number of flats, situate at least 1 elevator for every 70 flats. Load capacity of an elevator must not be lower than 450 kg. In case of a building with only 1 elevator, the minimum load capacity of the elevator must not be lower than 630 kg.

2.4.3 With respect to apartments and mixed-use apartments with fire service height exceeding 50 m or depth of the lowest basement (calculated up to elevation of the exit leading outside) exceeding 9 m, at least 1 elevator capable of transporting fire brigade and firefighting, evacuation and rescue equipment according to TCVN 6396-72:2010 and TCVN 6396-73:2010 must be installed in each fire compartment of the buildings.

2.4.4 Width of passenger elevators must satisfy standards selected for application.

2.4.5 Elevators must be installed with devices preventing door jamming, auto first aid kits and emergency phone system inside the cabin. The elevators shall only operate when all doors are closed.

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2.4.7 Elevators must be guaranteed in term of safety according to QCVN 02:2019/BLDTBXH and inspected for safety before being brought into operation after:

- Installation;

- Major repair;

- Serious accidents or incidents which have been remediated;

- Expiring or at request of regulatory agencies on occupational safety.

2.4.8 Rooms for placement of elevator engine and equipment must have convenient and safe entry and exit and must not be positioned directly above any flat. Elevator shafts must satisfy soundproofing requirements according to QCXDVN 05:2008/BXD and noise-resistance requirements according to QCVN 26:2010/BTNMT.

2.4.9 Water tanks must not be installed directly above elevator shafts; water pipes, heat pipes and gas pipes must not be installed across the elevator shafts.

2.4.10 Elevators must ensure accessibility and use for persons with old age and persons with disabilities according to QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.5 Water supply and drainage system requirements

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2.5.2 Water supply must satisfy hygiene standards according to QCVN 1-1:2018/BYT and use demands according to selected and applied standards.

2.5.3 Indoor fire hydrant systems and outdoor water supply for firefighting must satisfy regulations under QCVN06:2021/BXDand all following requirements:

- If outdoor water supply for firefighting is not available or water flow and pressure for firefighting (of total head) are not guaranteed, backup water supply providing indoor fire hydrant systems with adequate water flow for firefighting in at least 3 hours;

- Buildings whose height for fire service exceeds 50 m must install fire hydrant on every level in a manner that doors of the furthest flats on a level must be within 45 m from the installed fire hydrant (following corridors rather than making a beeline). The fire hydrants must be placed in fire resistant compartments (buffer spaces of smoke proof enclosure or smoke compartments of fire service access elevators). Fire hydrant systems supplying water for fire brigade must be installed with outdoor fire brigade boosters to receive water from fire trucks or water pumps and connected with indoor water supply for firefighting. Hydrants and fire brigade boosters must satisfy applicable regulations and law;

- Indoor fire hydrants must be installed in accessible areas. Necessary flow of indoor fire hydrant systems shall comply with selected and applied technical standards; with respect to buildings whose height for fire service exceeds 50 m and floor area of each level exceeds 1500 m², sufficient water for at least 4 streams with 2.5 L/s flow rate each during at least 1 hour must be guaranteed on each residential floor. Each spot on each floor must be simultaneously covered by 2 fire hydrants;

- Supplying water for firefighting systems must comply with applicable regulations and standards on firefighting and prevention.

2.5.4 Water drainage system must satisfy with standards selected for application.

2.5.5 Roof drainage systems must be able to drain rainwater in all weather conditions. Rainwater downpipes must not leak and must be connected to water drainage system of the buildings which later must be connected to area water drainage systems.

2.5.6 Wastewater drainage system of the buildings must be connected with area wastewater drainage systems for joint treatment or treated in a manner that satisfies QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT before releasing to area water drainage systems.

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2.6 Ventilation and air conditioning requirements

2.6.1 Flats and spaces outside of flats in apartments and mixed-use apartments must be installed with natural or forced ventilation systems. Local ventilation for kitchen, bathrooms and sanitary areas must be installed.

2.6.2 Rate of fresh air provided for each flat must not be lower than 30m³/h/person or not lower than total exhaust emitted from kitchen, bathrooms and sanitary areas of the flat.

2.6.3 Kitchens must be installed with ventilation systems that expels exhaust and circulates air.

2.6.4 Air change rate of emergency exits and main corridors of buildings must not be lower than 4 times/hour according to volume of the corridors.

NOTE: Air change rate of emergency exits and main corridors of buildings that are not naturally ventilated (enclosed, without windows) must not be lower than 4 times/hour according to volume of the corridors if air conditioners are not available and not lower than 1 m³/h.m² in case of air conditioners.

2.6.5 Air change rate of parking garages must not be lower than 6 times/h during normal ventilation mode and not lower than 9 times/h during smoke extraction mode.

2.6.6 While using forced ventilation systems, air conditioners must satisfy following requirements:

- Outdoor climate indices serving designing of ventilation and air conditioning systems shall comply with QCVN 02:2009/BXD and selected and applied standards;

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- Extracted exhausts must not irritate or harm other people or surrounding property;

- Noise generated during operation must not exceed permissible limit;

- Rooms that contain toxic substances must be equipped with independent air suction, processing and supply system; fresh air must be directly supplied into rooms at an amount equivalent to 90% of expelled air.

2.6.7 Waste collection systems in sanitary and hygiene sections of apartments and mixed-use apartments must not leak gas or smell that impacts health of persons in the apartments and mixed-use apartments.

2.6.8 Smoke extraction, suction and protection systems installed in emergency exits and fire-resistance rating of air ducts and channels must satisfy QCVN 06:2021/BXD.

2.7 Garbage collection system requirements

2.7.1 Apartments and mixed-use apartments must be installed with garbage collection systems satisfactory to fire prevention and fighting and environmental hygiene.

2.7.2 Garbage collection systems in apartments and mixed-use apartments may be implemented in garbage chute methods or refuse rooms on each level. Such system must collect all domestic waste and garbage and store for no more than 1 day.

2.7.3 Garbage chute method must satisfy following requirements:

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- Entry to each garbage collection room on each floor must traverse a fire compartment. Garbage collection rooms and fire compartments must be installed with automatic fire alarms or automatic fire suppression systems;

- Pipes and trapdoors of garbage chutes, partitions, valves and doors of garbage collection rooms must be made of anti-corrosive and non-flammable materials (according to QCVN 06:2021/BXD). Components mentioned above must be soundproofed if they are located next to bedrooms;

- Trapdoors of garbage chutes must be class 1 fire rated doors that are airtight, capable of confining odor and installed with automatic smoke partitions;

- The top of a garbage chute must be installed with an exhaust pipe that protrudes from the roof no less than 0.7 m, cross-sectional area must not be smaller than 0.05 m², caps to prevent rain fall and nets to prevent insects and rodents from intruding;

- Garbage containment chamber must be positioned at the end of garbage chute located on the first storey above ground or semi-basement or the first basement (in case semi-basement is not available); garbage containment chamber must have clearance height no less than 2.5 m and doors opening outwards; garbage containment chamber must have doors separating from entrances to buildings by solid walls and must be separated from other sections of buildings by fire walls (with fire-resistance rating no lower than REI 60); ventilation system is required; automatic fire alarm system and automatic fire suppression system are required;

- Garbage rooms must be installed with pipes that lead wastewater to building wastewater drainage systems and separate entries serving garbage transportation.

2.7.4 Refuse rooms on each level must satisfy following requirements:

- Garbage containers must be placed in separate rooms on each storey in manner that does not obstruct evacuation and rescue;

- Each refuse room must be installed with dumpsters for organic, biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes;

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- Garbage containers must be closed, capable of confining odor, leak-proof and must not leave debris during transportation. Transportation of dumpster from all levels must be conducted within the day;

- Types of garbage that may explode or spread disease must not be put in garbage dumpsters.

2.8 Electrical grids, lightning arrester, lighting, noise resistance and communication system requirements

2.8.1 Apartment buildings and mixed-use apartments must satisfy design, installation and operation requirements of electrical equipment, lightning arrester and communication systems according to QCVN 12:2014/BXD, QCVN QTD 08:2010/BCT, QCVN 09:2017/BXD, Regulations on electrical equipment and applicable regulations and law.

2.8.2 Indoor transformers must satisfy following requirements:

a) Comply with Section III – Regulations on electrical equipment.

b) Transformer rooms must not be located directly beneath, above or next to rooms with more than 50 people. Transformer rooms must be separated with other sections of the buildings by firewall with fire-resistance rating no less than REI 120 and fire resistant floor with fire-resistance rating no less than REI 90.

c) Transformer rooms must be installed with automatic fire alarms and suppression systems.

2.8.3 Electrical rooms must be positioned in dry location, installed with outward opening doors and locks, and ensured that electricity examination and cut shall be done with ease. Pipes carrying combustible gas; pipes carrying flammable substances; water pipes for technical purposes; lids, valves, flanges and openings of pipes and technical boxes must not traverse the electrical rooms.

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NOTE: Buildings whose fire service height is lower than 28 m must be equipped with backup power supply to provide electricity for automatic fire suppression and smoke protection systems in case of installation according to QCVN 06:2021/BXD.

2.8.5 Diesel generators and fuel storage may be positioned on the first levels, semi-basements or the first basements when following requirements are met:

a) Diesel generator rooms and fuel storage must not be positioned immediately beneath or next to rooms for residential purpose and must be separate with other sections of the buildings with firewall whose fire-resistance rating is not lower than REI 120 and fire resistant floors with fire-resistance rating no lower than REI 90.

b) Fuel storage capable of powering 3 hours of operation may be positioned adjacent to the diesel generator rooms and must be separated with the diesel generator rooms by class 1 firewall and class 1 doors that close automatically and resists heat according to QCVN 06:2021/BXD. Fuel tanks capable of powering more than 3 hours of operation must be positioned outside of the buildings.

c) Diesel generator rooms and fuel storage must have devices that collect and contain oil that spills due to accidents, automatic fire alarms and suppression systems and separate smoke extraction systems whose exhaust pipes must not affect inhabitants of storey above.

2.8.6 Apartments and residential sections of mixed-use apartments must meet noise resistance and lighting design according to QCXDVN05:2008/BXD,QCVN 26:2010/BTNMT and standards selected for application.

2.9 Fire safety requirements

Apartment buildings and mixed used apartments must satisfy fire safety requirements under QCVN 06:2021/BXD.

3. REGULATIONS ON MANAGEMENT

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3.2 Application of these Regulations in renovating old apartments is recommended.

3.3 Transitional conditions:

- Apartment and mixed-use apartment design and construction dossiers appraised before the effective date hereof by competent construction authority shall be implemented.

- Apartment and mixed-use apartment design and construction dossiers appraised after the effective date hereof must comply with these Regulations.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

4.1 Organizations and individuals upon participating in activities related to construction of apartments and mixed-use apartments including preparation, appraisal, approval, implementation, management and development of national standards, base standards and local technical regulations related to apartment buildings must comply with these Regulations.

4.2 People’s Committees of provinces/cities shall specify methods of determining population of apartments and mixed-use apartments satisfactory to current conditions regarding population, technical infrastructure and social infrastructure for application and management within their competence.

4.3 Difficulties that arise during implementation hereof should be directed to Department of Science Technology and Environment (Ministry of Construction).

5. ORGANIZATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION

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5.2 Local regulatory construction agencies are responsible for examining compliance with these Regulations in preparing, appraising, approving and managing construction of apartments and mixed-use apartments within their competence.