Requirements for Submittal of Structural Drawings for Approval - Revised Requirements for Uganda Building Control Regulations

Oct 28, 2026

DIRECTORATE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES outlines requirements for submitting structural drawings for approval, including two sets of authenticated drawings and supporting items where necessary. The guidance covers an amended revised certificate of good structural practice, structural design calculations for applicable buildings with emphasis on feasibility and serviceability checks, and inclusion of principal critical elements such as foundations. It also specifies when geotechnical investigation reports, structural integrity (SI) reports, and engineer-designed excavation plans are required, including lateral load analysis for high-rise structures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Requirements for submittal of structural drawings

Revised certificate of good structural practice

Structural design calculations

Principal (critical) elements

Geotechnical investigation report

Structural integrity (SI) report

Excavation plan

DIRECTORATE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMITTAL OF STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS FOR APPROVAL (Revised to reflect requirements as per the Building Control Regulations of Uganda) Engineers- in charge are expected to submit two (2) sets of authenticated structural drawings for approval to the Authority. Additionally the following should be submitted along with the drawings where necessary as discussed below. a) REVISED CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STRUCTURAL PRACTICE The certificate of good structural practice has been amended to include the KCCA logo, the directorate responsible, latest codes of practice and other minor revisions. The form is available on the KCCA website for download. b) STRUCTURAL DESIGN CALCULATIONS Structural design calculations are a requirement for all storeyed buildings i.e. of two or more storeys or any building with a height to eaves and a roof span of 6.0 metres or greater, or any building with suspended structural floor panel exceeding 4.0 metres in span or any construction of a structural nature. Engineers-in charge are therefore requested to prepare sufficient endorsed design calculations to establish the form and size of all the principal elements including the foundations. The nomenclature of the elements used in the calculations should be the same as that used in the drawings. However, there are some key points to note. • The Directorate of Engineering and Technical services (DETS) requests for sufficient calculations, i.e. enough to prove the design is feasible. Serviceability checks are emphasized. • Only the principal (critical) elements must be presented i.e. not all of the elements. The initial trial sizings of the elements should have been carried out earlier and thus not to be included. That is, DETSis requesting for more detail for the elements that are out of the ordinary or crucial to the design of the building. • Finally, principal elements that are often specifically cited are the foundations, so Engineers-in-charge should ensure these are included. Note: For high rise structures (above 5 storeys), lateral loads analysis and design calculations are a requirement. DIRECTORATE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES Principal (critical) elements The following is a list of structural members that could be considered to be principal elements. It may not be an exhaustive list and for some buildings some elements might not apply: • Stability system (including assessment of the loads) • Foundations (including assessment of the combined effects of gravitational and lateral loads, groundbearing capacity and specification of materials in aggressive ground) . The inclusion of lateral loads effects is a requirement for high rise structures. • Design to resist uplift of structure due to high ground water level • Piles • Basement walls • Retaining walls • Basement slabs – particularly in the area resisting uplift or heave • Transfer beams • Columns • Slabs • Mezzanine floors • Cladding supports • Curved beams • Deep beams • Wide beams • Roof structures, particularly where they support heavy loads or sensitive equipment (e.g. swimming pools, water tanks or specialist plant) c) GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION REPORT In the case of buildings with two or more floors, or a building with a clear span of or exceeding 6.0 metres, or a building with heavily loaded foundations, the DETS shall require a geotechnical investigation report to be submitted by the engineer in addition to the requirements set out in sub-article [3.1.1.1](3.1.1.1) (d) of the Building Control Regulations. d) STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY REPORT A Structural Integrity (SI) report is compulsory for all storeyed buildings that require extension, addition or modification of an existing structure. The SI report will help to validate the suitability of the structure with regard to any proposed modification to its stability system. An SI certi

FAQs

What supporting documents must accompany the structural drawings for approval?

Engineers-in-charge must submit authenticated structural drawings and, where necessary, a revised certificate of good structural practice, endorsed structural design calculations, and other reports such as geotechnical investigation and structural integrity (SI) reports.

When are structural design calculations required and what do they emphasize?

They are required for storeyed buildings (two or more storeys) and other specified structural scenarios, with emphasis on proving design feasibility and performing serviceability checks.

Which structural members are considered principal (critical) elements?

Principal elements may include the stability system, foundations, uplift resistance, piles, basement walls and slabs, retaining walls, transfer beams, columns, slabs, mezzanine floors, cladding supports, and certain specialized beams and roof structures.

Oct 28, 2026

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