Build your Home

2007-11-25T10:35:43+01:00

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Frustrated with Flat life?

This page is dedicated to the people who want to construct their own houses.

Some useful tips

Important: Building Rules, as applicable to the land, must be complied with.

Land: The land where the building is proposed to be constructed, should have a good access from the street.It is desirable to have school, place of public worship, hospital etc. nearby, but to be away from busy streets.The shape of the plot should be such that the building can be located on it, in a convenient and beautiful manner.

Built up area: This area depends upon the number of occupants accommodated in. If the area is greater than 150 Sm ,it is better to have two floors to the building. However there are exceptions.

Arrangement of rooms: The rooms should arranged in such a way that the privacy of bed rooms, kitchen, dining room etc. is not disturbed. An open veranda if a good addition. A pleasing look to the interiors is also essential.

Size of rooms: Any room intended for human habitation should not be less than 2.5m in width.The kitchen should be sufficiently spacious with provision for working space and store.

Height of rooms: The desired average height of a room from bottom of ceiling to the top of floor is 3m.

Ventilation: Every room intended for human habitation should be well ventilated in order to admit plenty of light and air. Cross ventilation, wherever it is practicable, should be provided. The area of windows of a habitable room should not be less than 6% of the floor area.

Appearance;"A house is to live in, and not to look at."But it is essential that the dwelling house should have a pleasing appearance.Unnecessary projections intended to create beauty will contribute to the adverse effect. Plain structures with small projections are however recommended.

Foundation: This is the most important part of every structure and you should not compromise with the foundation requirements for any reason.The average height of basement can be taken as 60cm. The basement should be protected from rats and insects.

Walls: Usually walls are built with brick masonry of an average thickness of 20cm. and protected by cement plaster and paint.There are various kinds of durable and attractive paints available in the market.

Doors and windows: Hard and durable wooden frames and shutters are recommended.

Staircase: The width of stair can be around 90cm.The permissible maximum rise of a step is 18 cm with a minimum tread width of 25cm.

Fioor: There are many kinds of durable and attractive flooring materials, such as marble, vitrified tiles, ceramic tiles etc. The material is laid in cement over a bed of cement concrete of an average thickness of 10cm.

Roof: Renforced cement concrete slab, 10-12cm thick is the common practice. Considering the heavy cost of materials, labour and maintenance, flat roof is preferred to slopped one, even though the latter gives better appearance.

The author will be happy if any one finds the above guide lines, appropriate or useful.

FIGHT CHILD ABUSE

Child sexual abuse has been one of the biggest threats to the society. Of course, in the modern World, there are a lot of elements that cause this menace. Our entertainment culture has a leading role in it. Needless to say, the children’s participation in several forms of arts and sports, their inevitable interaction with the grown ups, parents’ greed for popularity and exploitation of the situation by the criminal minded people contribute to the assaults on children. The convenience of information technology is also another factor.

We cannot blame the growth of science or arts, for they are the body and soul of every modern society. But we must admit the short comings or deficiencies as complementary to these developments.

Anyhow, the society has to get rid of this antisocial element .Here are some important lessons to the children to learn and practise in their dealings with the people.

Smart ways to keep yourself safe*

Body: You are the boss of your body. No one is allowed to hurt your body in any way.

Private body parts: The parts covered by your undergarments are your very own private body parts. It is never all right for some one to touch, talk about or look at your body parts except for health reasons.

Hugs: Hugs and kisses are nice especially from people you like. But if one asks you to keep it a secret, make sure you tell a grown up you trust.

Gifts: Sometimes people try and trick you by giving you sweets, money or gifts in return to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, confused or unsafe. Refuse to do what they ask and don’t take gifts they give you.

Secret: Secrets about touching are not okay. Always tell your trusted adult if someone tries to break the touching rule and asks you to keep it a secret.

No: If someone tries to break this touching rule, it is very important to learn to use this word: “NO!” Use it loudly.

Shout and get away: Practise shouting- because that’s what you need to do when someone is trying to hurt you or touch you in a way you don’t like, or which makes you feel confused, scared or uncomfortable.

Tell: If you are worried, confused or scared by the way someone touches you or makes you feel, tell a grown up you trust about it. If the person you tell doesn’t help you then tell someone else. And keep on telling till you get the help you need. Some examples of grown ups you may want to tell are parents, teachers or grandparents.

It is never your fault: It is never your fault when someone breaks the touching rule to hurt you. And sometimes even if you can’t say no or get away or are too afraid to tell, always remember to think “NO” that you did not ask to be hurt and it is NOT your fault. Think “NO” and tell when you can.

*Courtesy: Tulir, Chennai.

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