Column Spacing

• Significant dimension is along the mall as this involves the widths, i.e., frontages, of
stores.
• Often used spaces are 20, 25 and 30 ft., with the last the most flexible

Store Depth

• Buildings are usually 120 to 140 ft deep, sometimes more to accommodate larger stores.
• If there are basements or mezzanines, the depth dimension usually can be reduced 20 to 25
percent.

Clear Height

• These vary from 10 to 14 ft. or more, with 12 Ft. a good average. Above this clear height,
there must be adequate space for air conditioning ducts, recessed lights, structural e
system, etc.

Parking & Traffic

• A ratio of between 5 and 6 car spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of leasable store area is mandatory.
• In the matter of parking layout, car stalls can be set at angles (say, 70‘to the lanes, which
then requires one-way traffic; or stalls can be at 90' to the lanes, permitting two-way traffic)
Shop Sizes & Layout

• 12 to 15 ft wide by 50 to 60 ft long in large cities and 15 to 18 ft. wide to 60 to 80ft long in

smaller cities.
• These dimensions apply particularly to shops in 100% retail districts.
• Basement 8 to 9 ft. high, in the clear permit economical storage
• Ground floors are preferably approximately 12 ft. high. If no mezzanine is included;
mezzanines at least 7ft6inc above floor level will accommodate most fixture heights.
• Height from mezzanine floor to ceiling may be as low as 5 ft6 inches if used for service
space only: 7ft is the preferred minimum public use.

Aisle Widths

• Aisle Widths For clerks, min. = 1 ft8 inch.

• Desirable 2 ft to 2 ft3 inch
• For main public aisles, min.= 4 ft6 inch
• Avg.5 ft6 inch to 7 ft.
• Usual max., 1 1 ft.
• Secondary public aisles, 3 ft to 3 ft6 inch
The ratio of sales to ancillary space ranges from about 45:55 in small shops and departmental
stores to 60:40 in supermarkets.

Planning

• Halls are usually designed to give a large-span open space having natural roof lighting, good
ventilation and service connections.
• One-floor trading is preferred.
• Perimeter stalls and other grouped layouts have service corridors.
• Fish, meat and food stalls are sited in zoned areas with more sophisticated ventilation,
drainage and services.

Key considerations:

• Access and linkage to car parks, shopping areas, goods delivery and parking bays.
• Mix of traders.
• Risk of fire (incombustible materials, fire-resistant construction smoke evacuation) and
means of escape.
Corridors & Passageways

• Where stairways discharge through corridors and passageways, the height of corridors
and passageways shall be not less than 2.4 m.
• All means of exit including staircases lifts lobbies and corridors shall be adequately
ventilated.
• Internal staircase minimum width shall be 2.0m in all group F building.

Pressurization of Staircases (Protected Escape Routes)

Pressurization is a method adopted for protected escape routes against ingress of smoke,
especially in high-rise buildings. In pressurization, air is injected into the staircases, lobbies or
corridors, to raise their pressure slightly above the pressure in adjacent parts of the building. As
a result, ingress of smoke or toxic gases into the escape routes will be prevented. The
pressurization of staircases shall be adopted for high rise buildings and building having mixed
occupancy/ multiplexes having covered area more than 500 m2.

Arrangement of Exits

Exits shall be so located that the travel, distance on the floor shall not exceed the distance of
30m. In case of all mercantile building.

Note:

For fully sprinklered building, the travel distance may be increased by 50% of the values
specified.
External Stairs

External stairs, when provided shall comply the following:

• External stairs shall always be kept in sound operable condition.

• All external stairs shall be directly connected to the ground.
• The external stairs shall be constructed of non-combustible materials.
• No external staircase, used as a fire escape, shall be inclined at and angle greater than 45
degrees from the horizontal.
• External stairs shall have straight flight not less than 1250 mm wide with 250 mm treads and
risers not more than 190 mm.
• The number of risers shall be limited to 15 per flight.
• Handrails shall be of a height not less than 1000 mm and not exceeding 1200 mm. There
shall be provisions of balusters with maximum gap of 150 mm.
• The use of spiral staircase shall be limited to low occupant load and to a building not
exceeding 9 m in height.
• A spiral staircase shall be not less than 1500 mm in diameter and shall be designed to give
adequate headroom.

Horizontal Exits

For buildings more than 24 m in height, refuge area of 15 m2 or an area equivalent to 0.3 m2 per
person to accommodate the occupants of two consecutive floors,

The refuge area shall be provided on the periphery of the floor or preferably on a cantilever
projection and open to air at least on one side protected with suitable railings.

For floors above 24 m and up to 39 m — One refuge area on the floor immediately above 24 m.

For floors above 39 m — One refuge area on the floor immediately above 39 m and so on after
every 15 m. Refuge area provided more than the requirements shall be counted towards FAR.
Where there is a difference in level between connected areas for horizontal exits, ramps, not more
than 1 in 10 m slope shall be provided; steps shall not be used. Doors in horizontal exits shall be
always openable from both sides.

Turning Space

Most wheelchairs require a space 1.4 m square to turn around. This determines the minimum size
of lift cars and circulation spaces in rooms.
Escalator

WC and Urinals

The ratio of fittings in male and female toilets shall be 3:5, for example, 1 WC and 2Urinals for male:
5 WCs for female which is in accordance with the NEA’s COPEH.

Urinals

• Individually wall-hung urinal units shall be at least 300mm wide and the lip of the collection
area shall project from the wall by at least 300mm.
• A urinal should not be set closer than 450mm from its center to any side wall, partition,
vanity or other obstruction, or closer than 900mm center-to-center between adjacent
fixtures.
• There should be at least a 900mm clearance in front of the urinal to any wall, fixture or door.
• Urinals should be separated by modesty boards of not less than 300mm x 1800mm (Height)
to act as a visual barrier.

Wash Basin

Wash basins should be substantial in size. The basins should have minimum size of 500mm in
length and 400mm in width.

Water Closet

• A WC should not be set closer than 450mm from its center to any side wall, partition, vanity
or other obstruction.
• There should be at least a 900mm clearance in front of the WC to any wall, fixture or door.
• supply a predetermined quantity of not more than 4.5 liters of water per flush after each
use.
BARRIER FREE PARAMETERS

To accommodate the persons with disabilities and elderly. Few integral components of the building
design can be planned to follow these considerations.

Kerb Ramp

• Width should not be less than 1200mm.

• Useful for a smooth transition.
• Footpath flushed with roadway, at a gradient not exceeding that 1:12.
• Warning strip to be provided on the kerb side edge of the slope.

Footpath

• Obstruction-free for the convenience of all users.

• Height of the footpath not to be more than 150 mm form the road level.
• Change in level on the footpath should be made clearly visible.
• Width of the footpath should 1800 mm and minimum clear unobstructed path should be
1200 mm.
• Street furniture should be placed outside the path of travel.
• Resting Places should be provided along travel routes.
• Protruding elements should be avoided.
• Bollards should be 1000 mm high, painted in contrasting color stripes with clear minimum
gap of 1200 mm.

Parking

• Parking should be within 30 meters of the main entrance the building.

• Two accessible parking lots with dimension 3600mm X 5000mm.
• International symbol of accessibility painted on the ground and on a signpost/board.
Directional signs guiding people to the accessible parking.

Ramps

• Gentle slope: 1:12 max. 1800 x 1800 landing after 9m of travel distance.
• Width: 1800mm or more.
• Handrails to be on both sides and at two levels – 760mm and 900mm. Extend 300mm
beyond top and bottom of ramp.
• Warning tile should be placed at 300mm before and the ramp edges.

Steps and Stairs

• Uniform risers: 150mm and tread: 300mm.

• Stair edges should have 50mm wide, bright/ contrast color band.
• Maximum height of a flight between landings to be 1200mm.
• Landing should be 1200mm clear of any door swing.
• The steps should have an unobstructed width of at least 1200mm.
 • Continuous handrails on both sides including the wall (if any) and at two levels – 760mm
and 900mm.
• Warning tile to be placed 300mm at the beginning and at the end of all stairs.
• Nosing should be avoided.

Handrails

Handrails/ Grab bars are extremely important features and must be designed to be easy to grasp
and to provide a firm and comfortable grip so that the hand can slide along the rail without
obstruction. Handrails should be circular with a diameter of 38mm, at least 50mm clear two levels
– 760mm and 900mm form the finished floor, extend by at least 300mm.

Grab bars should-

• Be slip-resistant with round ends.

• Have a circular section of 38-50 mm in diameter.
• Be free of any sharp or abrasive elements.
• Have continuous gripping surfaces, without interruptions or obstructions that can break a
hand hold.
• Have a minimum clear space of 50mm from the wall.
• Be installed at a height of 760mm to 900mm.

Door

Should provide a clear opening of 900mm.

• Be fitted with lever action locks and D shape handles of circular section, between 800mm
and 1000mm form floor level.
• Also be fitted with vision panels at least between 900mm and 1500mm form floor level.
• Be color contrasted with the surrounding walls and should not be heavier than 22N to open.
• 400mm to 600mm should be provided beyond the leading edge of door to enable a
wheelchair user to maneuver and to reach the handle.
• Kick plates are recommended 300mm form the bottom, to resist wear and tear.