Section 118 in Kolkata Municipal Corporation Building Rules, 2009
118. Basement.
(1)Subject to provisions of the West Bengal Town and Country (Planning and Development) Act, 1979 a basement may be constructed under any building subject to conformity with the relevant rules.(2)A basement may be put to any of the following uses -(a)as a parking space,(b)as an air-conditioning plant room or room for other machines used for any building service or for other purposes.(c)as a storage space for household or other goods of nonflammable nature,(d)as a strong room or as a bank cellar,(e)as a dark room,(f)as a stack room in any library,(g)for the purposes of a business building or mercantile building (retail) or an assembly building, if it is air- conditioned and the top of the basement is at least 1.0 m. above ground level, provided the fire safety norms as per National Building Code are complied with.(3)Outer walls of a basement shall not extend withing the exterior open spaces as required under Chapter IX of these rules.(3)Outer walls of a basement may be extended below ground level upto a maximum of 5.0 m. from the property line only for one level of basement for use of parking only. In case more than one basement is required, the depth of the basement shall not exceed the distance between boundary line and outer periphery of basement in all sides.(4)No basement or portion thereof shall be used for residential purpose.(5)No kitchen, bathroom or water closet shall be permitted in any basement unless there is proper drainage arrangement. If permitted, such kitchen, bathroom or water closet shall be placed against an external wall of the basement, which shall also be the external wall of the building, and shall be adequately lit and ventilated. Detailed plans showing arrangements for drainage including pumping system shall be submitted in such cases.(6)Every basement shall-(a)in every part be at least 2.1 m. in height from the floor to the underside of the beam or false ceiling,(b)have adequate arrangement so that surface drainage does not enter the basement, and have adequate arrangement for pumping out water, if necessary, by providing "Sump pit" or similar system.(c)have water-tight walls and floors which shall be so designed that the effect of the surrounding soil and moisture, if any, is taken into account in design and adequate damp-proofing treatment is given,(d)in case the parking area in the basement is less than 1000 sq. m., only one ramp will be required. In case the parking area in the basement is more than 1000 sq. m. at least two ramps should be provided. Width of each ramp shall not be less than 4.0 m. and the slope shall not be steeper than one vertical to six horizontal and the distance between the ramps shall be such as may be approved by the Municipal Commissioner,(e)if the basement is not used for car parking purposes, ramps will not have to be provided. In such cases, at least two staircases of minimum width as per use group shall have to be provided and such staircase shall be enclosed type.(f)in the case of a basement being used for a purpose as referred to in clause (i) of sub rule (2), the same must have sufficient numbers of access ways and exit ways so that the maximum travel distance is not more than 15 m. from any point,(f)in the case of a basement being used for a purpose as referred to in clause (f) of sub-rule (2), the same must have sufficient numbers of access ways and exit ways so that the maximum travel distance is not more than 22.5 m. from any point,(g)have adequate ventilation as required for any occupancy or use group under these rules:Provided that any deficiency may be met by providing adequate mechanical ventilation in the form of blowers and exhaust fans,(h)comply with the requirements of the West Bengal Fire Services Act, 1950, Fire Prevention and Safely Rules, 1996, and provisions laid down in National Building Code, as amended from time to time.
