Concealed Utility Route Planning: Guidelines for Indian Residential Buildings

Abstract

Utility lines, particularly in Indian residential buildings, are networked in a haphazard manner to economize and expedite the process of laying conduits. They remain concealed behind the wall finish exposing problems later. The conventional method adopted while laying the routes does not economize the process rather it damages the newly constructed building. After an investigation of the practiced methods through reconnaissance, a construction vocabulary in form of guidelines is recommended for brick residential construction. Taking advantage of the versatility of a brick and considering it as an indigenous construction material of the Indian plains, a judicious way of brick laying can create horizontal and vertical chase at specified heights to receive the utility conduits. The method will simplify, expedite, and organize the utility routes and provide a seamless connection of major utility lines in a residential building. It will aid in future augmentation, easy maintenance, cost reduction and time involved in construction. Practical training of masons and awareness of relevant contractors at site is required through trained site supervisors. The proposed method merits further investigation for inclusion in academic curriculums of the trade.