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IS 13430:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for safety during additional construction and alteration to existing buildings. This code provides guidelines for ensuring safety during construction, alteration, and demolition activities in and around existing buildings. It outlines the responsibilities of various stakeholders, details preliminary investigations required, and specifies safety precautions for scaffolding, excavation, fire, and electrical hazards. The aim is to prevent accidents and protect workers, occupants, and the general public.
Code of practice for safety during additional construction and alteration to existing buildings
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Crucial for all renovation and retrofitting projects; ensure a copy is part of the site safety manual and contract documents.
! Focus on Clause 5 (Preliminary Investigation) to identify hidden dangers like concealed services or structural weaknesses in old structures before work begins.
! The responsibilities outlined in Clause 4 are legally significant and are often referred to in accident investigations to determine liability.
IBC Chapter 33International Code Council (ICC), USA
HighCurrent
Safeguards During Construction
Covers protection of pedestrians, public property, adjacent sites, excavations, and demolition procedures during construction.
BS 6187:2011British Standards Institution (BSI), UK
HighCurrent
Code of practice for full and partial demolition
Directly corresponds to the demolition aspects of IS 13430, providing detailed guidance on techniques and safety.
AS 2601-2001 (R2016)Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
The demolition of structures
Provides a comprehensive framework for planning and executing demolition, similar to the demolition sections in the IS code.
ANSI/ASSP A10.6-2016American National Standards Institute / American Society of Safety Professionals, USA
MediumCurrent
Safety Requirements for Demolition Operations
Focuses specifically on safety protocols for demolition, overlapping with IS 13430's demolition safety clauses.
Key Differences
≠IS 13430:1992 is highly prescriptive, detailing specific methods, whereas modern international standards like the IBC and UK's CDM Regulations are more performance-based, focusing on achieving safety outcomes through professional judgment and risk assessment.
≠International standards place a much stronger emphasis on formal, documented risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) for demolition and alteration, a process which is less formalized in IS 13430.
≠The Indian standard does not address modern demolition technologies such as high-reach excavators with attachments or robotic demolition, which are covered or implicitly allowed in newer codes like BS 6187.
≠International codes like the IBC and AS 2601 have more detailed and stringent requirements for hazardous material surveys (e.g., asbestos, lead) and their management prior to and during demolition.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate the fundamental principle of 'top-down' demolition for multi-story buildings, ensuring stability by removing upper floors before lower ones.
≈There is a universal requirement across all codes to protect the public and adjacent properties through physical barriers like hoardings, covered walkways (gantries), and catch fans.
≈The need to conduct a pre-construction/pre-demolition survey to assess the structural condition, stability, and adjoining properties is a foundational step in IS 13430 and all its international counterparts.
≈All standards explicitly prohibit the overloading of floors with demolition debris or construction materials, requiring regular clearing to prevent structural collapse.
≈The requirement to provide temporary structural support, such as shoring, bracing, or underpinning for the existing structure or adjacent buildings, is a common technical provision.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Hoarding Height
Not less than 2.4 m
Not less than 8 feet (2438 mm)
IBC 3306.2
Covered Walkway Minimum Headroom
Not less than 2.4 m
Not less than 8 feet (2438 mm)
IBC 3307.2.1
Covered Walkway Design Live Load
730 kgf/m² (7.16 kN/m²)
150 psf (7.18 kN/m²)
IBC 3307.3
Excavation Slope (Sand/Gravel)
34° (for well drained sand, as per Appendix A)
34° (1.5H:1V slope for Type C Soil which includes sand and gravel)
OSHA 1926 Subpart P, Appendix A
Demolition Ball Weight Limit
Shall not exceed 50% of crane's rated capacity at that radius.
Shall not exceed 50% of the crane's rated load for the radius.
ANSI/ASSP A10.6-2016
Dust Control Method
Minimized by 'continuous watering'.
Water spraying via hoses, static systems, or mist cannons.
BS 6187:2011
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
Minimum height of top guardrail from working surface900 mm
Minimum height of toeboard150 mm
Minimum clear headroom for passageways2.0 m
Maximum slope for ramps for wheelbarrows1 in 6
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Responsibilities
Clause 5 - Preliminary Investigation and Planning
Clause 6 - Safety Precautions During Construction/Alteration
Who is responsible for safety on a renovation site?+
Responsibilities are shared between the owner, engineer/architect, and contractor, as detailed in Clause 4.
What are the basic requirements for temporary supports and scaffolding?+
Scaffolding must be designed by a competent person, erected on a sound base, and include guardrails, toeboards, and safe access, as per Clause 6.3.
Are fire safety precautions required during construction?+
Yes, Clause 8 mandates providing fire extinguishers, maintaining clear escape routes, and controlling flammable materials.
What does the code say about demolition?+
Clause 7 requires a detailed demolition plan, sequential removal of structural members, shoring of adjacent structures, and control of dust and debris.