Ukraine Will Update Building Codes for Residential Buildings
The Ministry of Community, Territorial, and Infrastructure Development plans to update the state building codes for residential buildings. The new requirements are intended to incorporate modern design approaches and improve the safety, accessibility, and comfort of housing.
The Ministry has already approved the technical specifications and begun drafting Amendment No. 2 to DBN V.2.2-15:2019 “Residential Buildings: General Provisions.” The update will address general requirements for residential buildings, architectural and planning solutions, engineering systems, fire safety, and accessibility.
The standards will be supplemented with requirements for the accessibility of residential buildings—from the building’s entrance to movement inside and safe evacuation. In particular, the requirements for the accessibility of the surrounding area for people with disabilities, inclusive routes, ramps, and handrails will be clarified.
They will specify the list of public spaces that may be located within residential buildings and near their entrances, as well as requirements for the placement of parking lots and bicycle parking areas on the grounds surrounding the building. Separately, the regulations will be supplemented with provisions regarding the installation of electronic communications networks—this will allow for the integration of digital infrastructure as early as the building’s design phase.
Requirements for evacuation routes will be clarified, particularly for people in wheelchairs. They will also specify in which cases a single stairwell is sufficient for buildings with a nominal height of up to 26.5 meters (approximately 9 stories), and when—depending on the number or size of apartments—two are required.
The standards will specify requirements for the location and characteristics of elevators—including the dimensions of elevator lobbies and cabins—as well as the possibility of connecting residential floors to underground civil defense shelters. Separate requirements will be established for fire elevators with a load capacity of 1,000 kg or more and for elevators designed for people in wheelchairs.
New requirements regarding the protection of residential premises from noise and vibration will be added to the DBN—specifying the conditions for the placement of built-in public spaces whose activities may generate additional noise for residents.
Deputy Minister Nataliia Kozlovska explained that updating the standards is not only about the safety and comfort of housing but also about creating conditions for the development of modern engineering and digital infrastructure, as well as harmonizing Ukrainian building codes with European standards. The first draft of the proposed amendments is currently being prepared and is scheduled to be released for public comment within the next few months.
Source: Ministry of Recovery, Infrastructure, and Transport of Ukraine.
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