CHENNAI: The unfortunate incident of the boy who fell to his death from the terrace of his apartment, after being scared by a pet dog at the Indian Airlines staff quarters recently, brings into focus the need for proper parapet walls in all flats in the city.
The height of the parapet wall on the terrace of the Indian Airlines quarters in Meenambakkam was only one-and-ahalf feet, which also could have caused the boy to tip over and fall down.
According to the existing development control rules, the surrounding parapet wall should be of at least three feet and three inches (one metre) high. The Airlines quarters building was constructed 30 years ago, when the standard height norm did not exist.
“When the terrace is not accessible to residents, builders can go ahead with just a one-foot parapet wall. When it is accessible to people, the wall should be three feet and three inches high. When children and old people reside in the building, it is better to have metal railings above the parapet wall for additional safety,” said Palani Raj, retired joint chief architect, Tamil Nadu.
But most apartments constructed of late by small-time civil engineers do not follow the norms. These buildings generally have a parapet walls that are barely 70 cm or even less.
“The enforcement part of the rule is generally ignored by the CMDA and the Corporation authorities. CMDA generally checks the building plan and approves it, after which they are concerned only about the distance of the building from the road, and the distance between two buildings. The height of the parapet wall is largely ignored,” said Selvaraj, retired PWD civil engineer.
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