As an implementation to the decision of the Council of Ministers No 279 dated 11/08/1425H by adopting the general frame of the Saudi Building Code in two basic categories which are:

First: the terms and are represented by the letters (ك ب س ) and these include the minimum limit of engineering standards required in design, construction, operation and maintenance which are derived and drafted in a manner complying with the requirements and regulations applicable in the Kingdom.

Seconed: the requirements and are represented by the letters (SBC) and includes details of design and methods of construction.

• 1

  Administrative and legal terms:

  
  

  This deals with the scope of code and classification of facilities according to occupancy and shows responsibilities of the parties concerned in the building and application of the code. Some of these are:

  • definitions
  • duties and responsibilities
  • use and occupancy
  • qualification
  • disputes
  • others
• 2

  Terms and architectural requirements:

  
  

  These relate to architectural works, type of use and systems of construction of buildings and include:

  • special detailed requirements based on use and occupancy.
  • areas and heights of buildings
  • internal finishing
  • requirements of those of special needs
  • internal environment
  • external walls
  • construction above surfaces
  • wood and light metals
  • glass sheets, gypsum and grave
  • plastics
  • special construction
  • preventive procedures during construction
  • additional requirements of easy access
  • design against rodents
  • signs and guiding boards
  • yard covers
  • others
• 3

  Structural terms and requirements:

  
  

  These relate to analysis, structural design and necessary investigations and include:

  • structural design
  • testing and structural investigation
  • soil, foundations and supporting walls
  • safety requirements during construction
  • concrete facilities
  • building using bricks and blocks
  • steel facilities
  • others
• 4

  Electicrcal terms and requirements:

  
  

  These relate to design, construction, installation, commissioning, maintenance and safety of systems, devices and electric laying to buildings and include:

  • electric laying
  • internal and external lighting
  • control panels
  • earthing systems
  • fire alarm devices
  • protection system form lightning
  • lifts, ladders and belts
  • standby power lifts
  • others
• 5

  Mechanical terms and requirements:

  
  

  These relate to design, construction, installation, commissioning, maintenance and safety of systems, devices and mechanical laying to buildings and include:

  • ventilation and exhaustion
  • cooling and heating
  • laying of cooling, ventilation and heating
  • water heaters and boilers
  • solar energy systems
  • lifts, ladders, moving belts and cranes
  • maintenance
  • others
• 6

  Terns and requirements for rationing water an power:

  
  

  • power rationing
  • water rationing
• 7

  Health terms and requirements:

  
  

  These relate to design, construction, installation, commissioning, maintenance and safety of systems, devices and health laying of buildings and include:

  • feeding systems with water
  • sewerage systems
  • rainwater drainage systems
  • fire fighting water systems
  • systems of disposal from sewerage water
  • system for reuse of grey water
  • gas laying
  • others
• 8

  Termsd and requirements of systems for fire prevention:

  
  

  These relate to design construction, installation, maintenance and safety systems for protection of buildings from fire and include:

  • classification of facilities according to their resistance to fire
  • fire fighting systems
  • ways of escape
  • design for protection from fire
  • severance and separation of fire areas
  • others
• 9

  Terms of existing buildings:

  
  

  Relate to assessment and qualification of existing facilities:

  • assessment and qualification of facilities
  • modifications and additions
  • change of use
  • historical buildings
  • portable buildings
  • improvement of protection from fire
  • improvement of earthquake efficiency of existing buildings