In the process of designing and constructing buildings, bridges and roads, architects and builders are guided by a set of rules that are approved at the legislative level, they are called SNiP. What is this abbreviation, what is its role and purpose, it is worth knowing not only to those who are engaged in construction, but also to all other people. This word is quite often found in various articles, documents and even in news releases.
Understanding even in general terms what SNiP means (decoding: building codes and rules), you can create a more productive dialogue with the foreman of the repair or construction team, with a real estate agent.
Subject and structure of the document
In everyday life, the most frequently mentioned categories are SNiP for residential and public buildings. This is the name of the document, which includes a huge number of different nuances characteristic of the construction process. Its items affect almost all areas and stages of design and construction of buildings:
- Illustrate the general provisions.
- Describe design standards.
- Contain the rules for the construction and acceptance of the finished object.
- List the estimated norms and rules.
SNiP (which we will consider in more detail below) concerns the development of projects for residential and public buildings, laying their foundations, building walls (as well as stairwells and cages), the size and location of windows and doors, as well as many other issues. In addition, the paragraphs of the document describe the requirements for water supply systems, electrical networks, sewage and heating. Each item has a numbering and a name.
Developing the rules, the creators tried to formulate as accurately and fully as possible all the requirements in order to eliminate misunderstanding and incorrect interpretation of SNiP.
What is it: strict instructions or just recommendations for action?
Each new building, regardless of purpose, must be built in accordance with the requirements of SNiP. This is due not only to the word “must”, but also to security concerns.
The figures given in the document are average values ​​calculated in the process of complex calculations. As a result of processing a large amount of statistical data, the optimal location of the bearing walls, the distance between the windows, the size of the flights of stairs, the height of the handrails and steps, the composition and density of concrete, as well as other characteristics, were derived.
As an example, you can consider the angle of inclination of the stairs. The most convenient and safe is the staircase design at an angle of 30 to 50 degrees. These steps can be used not only by adults, active men and women, but also by children or the elderly.
When builders adhere to SNiP, the building erected by them turns out to be reliable, safe, convenient and durable. In cases where building codes and regulations (SNiP) are violated, the following complications may arise:
- Lack of comfort when using the design.
- Falling and injuring people.
- Shrinkage at home.
- Cracks in the walls.
- Damage to the heating system and water supply (as a result of violation of the geometry of the building).
- Increased risk of fire.
- The collapse of the ceiling, stairwell, roof or the whole house.
Of course, the latter situation is the worst case scenario, but it should also be taken into account.
The evolution of building rules
The construction of houses, roads and bridges has always been a difficult and responsible matter, therefore it is not surprising that the first norms and standards arose in the distant eleventh century. Of course, over the next centuries they were supplemented and changed. Those norms that we know today are the evolved “Code of Industrial Building Standards” (late 20s of the 20th century).
Building codes and regulations (SNiP) were first adopted in 1955 and since then have been repeatedly edited. Interestingly, many of the points are relevant and useful so far. The editing of SNiP was quite active in the 90s, 2000s. Over twenty years, a huge number of refinements and adjustments have been made not only to the text of this document, but also to national standards.
SNiP: interpretation of the term and types of rules
The document consists of five sections:
- The first contains rules relating to the organization, management and economic aspects of construction. Here are the requirements for the chief engineer or project architect, who is indicated who should control the progress of work.
- The second section is the largest; it covers design standards. There are subsections related to safety, concrete, metal and other structures and roofs, engineering networks and systems, transport, hydraulic structures, as well as urban planning.
- The third section describes the organization of production and acceptance of work.
- The fourth lists the existing estimated standards.
- The fifth section contains the most important information that allows you to calculate the amount of materials for the construction of a particular object. In addition, there are norms of labor costs and construction tools.
Features of the foundation
When it is planned to build a building, pouring or foundation construction is given increased attention. At this stage, the provisions of SNiP cannot be ignored. Foundations are the pillars of all houses, they have a tremendous load, and if this part of the building is flawed, the quality of the rest of the work will decrease significantly.
To build a solid foundation, engineers take into account all the geological features of the area and the experience of those who have already successfully completed such a task. In those cases when the house needs to be built on the soil with difficult geological conditions, specialized enterprises are involved in the development of the project.
How is the foundation planned
After a thorough study of all circumstances, the following parameters are determined:
- Type of foundation. It can be natural or artificial.
- Typology of construction.
- Bookmark Depth.
The future load on the base of the house is calculated in accordance with the requirements of SNiP. Foundations should be designed taking into account the bearing capacity, deformation effects and adverse environmental factors.
The load capacity is calculated in cases when serious horizontal loads are expected, as well as if the future building is located on a slope or in an area with rocky ground. In those cases when the foundation is guaranteed not to be displaced, the bearing capacity can not be calculated.
When the project involves the construction immediately after pouring the foundation, the load is controlled in the process.
Foundation and groundwater
With a careful study of SNiP (designing foundations and foundations), you will notice that considerable importance is attached to the type of soil and the specificity of groundwater. This is so important because an incorrect forecast can negate the entire construction.
SNiP contains several paragraphs with a description of factors that should be considered when constructing a natural foundation:
- The soil should not be frozen. For areas with negative temperatures, the requirements are different: the soil should not be thawed.
- The loose soil is compacted.
- If the area is prone to flooding, long-term observations are taken into account.
To find out the main characteristics of the soil, tests are mandatory. At the same time, it is possible to change the hydrogeological conditions for the period of data verification (rise in groundwater, the appearance of a top water or seasonal climatic influences). When the foundation has already been erected, it is subjected to strength testing and test loads.
SNiP requirements also determine the depth at which the foundation should be laid. This parameter depends on the purpose and size of the structure.
Relevance of requirements regarding sewage and water supply
Like all other construction work, the design and installation of a sewer system should be carried out in accordance with standards and rules. True, many builders look down on existing standards, although they know about SNiP. They understand what this is and why it is designed for, but they consider such standards to be excessively costly, irrational and inappropriate. As a result, when the time comes to repair or replace any element of the water supply or sewage system, home owners face enormous difficulties. In addition, this system will be inconvenient to use, and even the sanitary situation in the area may worsen.
To prevent this from happening, the customer should ask about the standards and control the construction process.
Internal and external sewer network
Water supply and drainage systems are extremely important for both private homes and multi-unit buildings. Allocate external and internal sewer networks:
- The first is the branching of pipes, which should direct wastewater from residential buildings to the reservoirs of wells. Such networks are installed at an angle so that the water flows by gravity. However, pumps are sometimes used. Both one and the second options are governed by the rules.
- The second is the sewage system, which is part of the plumbing fixtures and pipes of the building. The function of this system is the withdrawal of water and waste from the house into the external sewer.
Factors that the developer takes into account when installing the water supply
If all the requirements of SNiP are fulfilled, the safety of buildings will be ensured. They also increase their comfort and convenience, which is important for long-term use of residential and industrial buildings.
When designing and laying water and sewer pipes, the following factors are usually taken into account:
- The structure, properties and composition of the soil.
- Groundwater placement.
- The volume of water that will pass through the pipes (inlet and outlet).
Also take into account the remoteness of the pumping station or treatment plant from future construction.
Types of pipes and requirements for them
Pipes can be metal, cast iron, asbestos-cement, concrete or plastic, as specified in the GOST and SNiP clauses. The water supply is subjected to huge loads, so the pipes should be as strong as possible throughout. Outside, they are affected by moist soil, changing temperature and other conditions, and water exerts pressure from the inside. If we are talking about sewage, then it is worth considering the composition of this water: here, in large quantities, active chemical components are contained.
When choosing pipes for a water supply system, craftsmen always pay attention to the marking, since pipes for internal and external systems are very different.
When all the requirements and standards are met, the owner of the house can be calm for the safety of his family, because such a building will serve faithfully for more than a dozen years.