Building Control & Design Studio (BC&DS)

 
 

BUILDING CONTROL & DESIGN STUDIO

Building a home is a complex challenge

Overview
Building a home is a dauntingly complex challenge. The labyrinth of regulations and the array of professionals involved - architects, consultants, planners, builders - can make it very complicated, stressful and demanding without the right guidance. Citi Housing has taken the stress out of the endeavor to build a perfect home or a commercial building with expert advice, guidance and assistance.

Vision
To render helpful, clear advice and assistance in building a home and/or commercial edifice in a sustainable manner and delivers impeccable customer service by resolving a range of difficult steps - planning permission, building regulations, and more.

Objectives
Objectives of Building Control & Design Studio (BC&DS) are summarized as under:

  • Promotion of construction activity and quality.
  • Provision of quality design to the members with attractive elevations.
  • Site supervision and monitoring of By-Laws.
  • Ensure minimum damages to horticulture and road network during construction activity.
 

Role of (BC&DS)

Ensure sustainability & Aesthetic Nakeover of the Town

Role of Building Control Department (BC&DS)
Building Control Department is the one where a client who wishes to build dream home or commercial building first steps in. There he applies for site plan and is briefed about the building By-Laws and necessary documentations. Building Control Department ensures sustainability and aesthetic makeover of Town through implementation of By-Laws given by TMA and Citi Housing. It checks construction at different stages and ensure quality till completion of building.

Role of Design Studio
Design Studio is a team of talented architectural designers. Clients are facilitated with one-window approach to tailor made solutions for homes and commercial buildings. Department offers a wide range of services such as working drawings, construction by-laws and site supervision etc. All solutions are custom-made to fit clients’ budget. A variety of drawings and imageries are produced from 2D plans through to 3D models, either computer generated or solid physical models.
Design Studio performs the detailing to the highest of standards to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed in accordance with the building regulations and associated legislation, fire resistance, weather resistance, thermal insulation etc. This ensures a swift, smooth construction process with a finish that accurately reflects owners’ requirements.

 

PRE-CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE

Process simplified to build your dream home

Step 1: Site Plan and Drawing of House/Building
The owner reports at Building Control Department and applies for site plan on a prescribed form with following documents attached.

  • Copy of Allotment/Intimation letter.
  • Copy of payments statement from Record Office of Citi Housing.
  • Copy of CNIC
  • Recent passport size photograph of owner and attorney, if applicable.
  • Under taking on Rs.200/- stamp paper at the time of possession abiding by construction By-Laws of Citi Housing. Two affidavits for District Council /TMA.
  • Receipt of fee / charges for site plan & electric meter/connection charges.

Step-2: Clearance of Dues
On Issuance of site plan, the owner of plot clears all outstanding dues/installments including payment of corner, facing park or Main Boulevard and extra land, if any. He is briefed/guided for pre requisites like soil test and steel structure design for multi storey buildings after payment of design or design approval fee (to Society) and District Government charges /fee.

Note:
If Owner of plot is not available than BC&DS will ask attorney from authorized person for giving possession and construction of house to nominated person.


Step-3: Design of the House or Commercial Building
Owner receives site plan and reports to Design Studio for map and other relevant drawings. Design Studio is one-stop customer service center where owner gets design proposal of their house or commercial building. Studio verifies necessary documents issued by the Building Control Department and facilitate the owner in every step of building their house by issuing following documents:

a. Site plan with gate location.

b. Planning draft (proposal) as per client requirement

c. 3d elevation

d. Detail of drawing as under:

  • Excavation plan
  • Foundation plan
  • Plinth beam layout
  • Working plan (ground & first)
  • Door windows details (ground & first)
  • X-section (x-x & y-y)
  • Elevation (2d & 3d)
  • Other details (if needed)

Step-4: Possession/ Demarcation of Plot
At this stage site plan is issued and all dues of plot are clear. Design of the building is ready with required soil/structure certificates. Map has been submitted or under submission to district council/TMA. Building Control department with their high tech digital equipment demarcates the plot and hands over the possession of the plot to the owner or deputed attorney to start construction.
Step-5: Utilities Connection less Electricity
On Completion or during construction of house, owner contacts Building Control Department for utility connections as per facilities available. Payments are to be deposited at different stages, in accordance with policy of Citi Housing, in the designated branches of approved Banks. BC&DS is not responsible for any cash payments made in the office to any person. Utilities connection charges includes services such as:

  • Sewer connections
  • Water connection
  • Gas connection
  • Telephone and internet connection
  • Cable Connection

Electricity connection is provided by Citi Housing at the location before start of excavation work on the plot. Utilities, Building design, TMA approval charges for residential and commercial plots of all Citi Housing are subject to revision. Owners are requested to contact Building Control Department for most current charges applicable.

Step-6: Undertaking by the Owner
On personal inspection of plot, owner certifies that there was no encroachment and no service line passed through / within the plot. Owner signs undertaking:

  • a. I shall not construct common wall, compound wall unless prior written permission of the neighbor is obtained and copy there of supplied to GM CSC Citi Housing.
  • b. I shall abide by the building regulations of Citi Housing, and construct the building on the plot as per plan approved by Citi Housing.
  • c. I shall get the construction inspection at plinth level from land survey division Citi Housing. No further construction will be undertaken unless it is inspected.
  • d. If I fail to abide by the above terms and conditions, I will be liable for the penalty by the Citi Housing.
  • e. I confirm taking over possession of the plot.


Note:
The house is to be constructed within 3 years after possession otherwise fine as per policy will be charged.


BC&DS coordinates with owner of plot at every stage of construction for implementation of bye-Laws of Citi Housing. BC&DS issues NOC and hands over to owner following documents to the owner:

  • Building by-laws booklet.
  • Submission of Complete drawings / layout plan to District Council / TMA.
  • Demarcation/Possession of plot on ground

Note:

  • In case house structure is not designed by Design Wing, then structural drawings must be duly signed by consulting structure engineer along with stamp and consultant PEC (Pakistan Engineering Council) Number. Otherwise, NOC from Design Wing will not be issued.
  • For basement in houses below 01Kanal, the client should give an undertaking of being responsible for damages to neighbor houses, if any.
  • There is no approved contractor of Citi Housing (Pvt.) Limited for construction of hoses.
 

Construction Procedure

Procedure to be followed till completion of building

Following instructions to be followed after seeking NOC from BC&DS:

  • Owners must inform excavation schedule to Building Inspector before start of digging.
  • Mechanical digging in the service area is prohibited.
  • Excavation to be done from 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM.
  • For commercial plot’s excavation, owner/contractor’s presence at site is mandatory to avoid damage to service/adjacent property.
  • Owner shall obtain briefing by General Manager BC&DS. He will take undertaking on stamp paper of Rs.200/- regarding compliance of instructions. The undertaking will also cover recovery of damage to Services or adjacent property due to excavation on the Plot.
  • On knowing excavation schedule, Building Inspector will visit the site to guide excavation team to remain vigilant to protect laid Services. In case any further protection of Services is needed, BC will inform concerned Services Manager to depute his staff to supervise and protect the respective Services.
  • A revetment or shoring is mandatory for the construction of Commercial buildings with basement in order to protect road and infrastructure. Shuttering level will be marked at 3’-9’’ and finish floor level at 4’- 6’’. In case of any changes due to site slope, the levels will be marked on site.
  • Overhead water tank will be linked with underground water tank and provision of float valve in both the tanks is mandatory.
  • The road level should be marked from the center of the road.

Note: Owners are requested to ensure implementation of above instructions in true spirit to avoid damage of Services laid in Service area.

Inspection of Building Construction and Implementation of By-Laws at Different Stages
Owners are bound to get construction checked from the Building Control Department at the following stages in order to avoid violation of By-Laws etc:

  • When the layout is complete well before starting the excavation.
  • After completing excavation, before demarcation of the boundary wall and main building infrastructure.
  • After excavation i.e. before starting the masonry work of the foundation.
  • On completion of boundary wall at DPC level.
  • Before starting construction of UGWT, OHWT, and Septic Tank and Ramp.
  • After completion of the house but before occupation.
  • On completion of main building walls at DPC level.
  • Once the building walls are at 7ft height i.e. lintel level.
  • On completion of Ground Floor wall up to ceiling level but before shuttering.
  • Before pouring concrete of Roof Slab of Porch and Ground Floor.
  • On raising of First Floor structure, 3ft above the roof of Ground Floor.
 

Inspection of Building Construction and Implementation of By-Laws at Different Stages

Sample Text

Owners are bound to get construction checked from the Building Control Department at the following stages in order to avoid violation of By-Laws etc:

  • When the layout is complete well before starting the excavation.
  • After completing excavation, before demarcation of the boundary wall and main building infrastructure.
  • After excavation i.e. before starting the masonry work of the foundation.
  • On completion of boundary wall at DPC level.
  • Before starting construction of UGWT, OHWT, and Septic Tank and Ramp.
  • After completion of the house but before occupation.
  • On completion of main building walls at DPC level.
  • Once the building walls are at 7ft height i.e. lintel level.
  • On completion of Ground Floor wall up to ceiling level but before shuttering.
  • Before pouring concrete of Roof Slab of Porch and Ground Floor.
  • On raising of First Floor structure, 3ft above the roof of Ground Floor.
 

Flow Chart

Convenience & comfort you deserve

Operation and maintenance (O&M) refers to all of the activities needed to run a water supply, sanitation scheme, electricity, sewage, hygiene, and horticulture services. O&M is a crucial element of town’s sustainability, and has the potential to adversely affect the well-being of residents. Its overall aim is to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of all facilities provided to residents.

Citi’s O&M Department performs a variety of activities to maintain the Citi Housing in impeccable condition:

1. Delivers correct services and benefit to the residents.
2. Prevents the systems to collapse thus evading environmental and health hazards.
3. Contributes to the long term sustainability of the project.

Citi’s preventive maintenance plan includes work planned and carried out proactively on a regular basis to maintain and keep the infrastructure in good condition. It sometimes also includes minor repairs and replacement as dictated by the routine examinations. Doorstep breakdown maintenance services are available to residents and businesses. No service charges except material replacements required to be paid.

O&M staff contribute by:

  • Supplying self-generated power in case of power outage
  • Keeping sewer and drainage systems free flowing
  • Removing electricity faults
  • Sweeping streets applying broomer machines and manually using road-cleaners to clean dusty roads
  • Maintaining landscaping
  • Waste management
  • Removing standing rainwater from roads and plots