Building Code Research Articles

Compliance Status of Nepal National Building Code (NBC: 105) within Pokhara Metropolitan City

Compliance Status of Nepal National Building Code (NBC: 105) within Pokhara Metropolitan City

Post-Earthquake Fire Resistance in Structures: A Review of Current Research and Future Directions

Post-earthquake fires (PEFs) pose a significant secondary hazard in earthquake-prone regions, compounding the destruction caused by seismic events and threatening structural safety. This review explores the interplay between seismic damage and fire resistance, focusing on ignition sources such as damaged utility systems and overturned appliances, and their cascading effects on structural integrity. Advanced performance-based design approaches are evaluated, emphasizing the integration of probabilistic risk assessments, sequential analysis, and hybrid fire simulations to address multi-hazard scenarios. Key findings of current studies reveal that seismic damage, including spalling, cracking, and loss of fireproofing, substantially reduces the fire resistance of materials like steel and reinforced concrete, exacerbating structural vulnerabilities. Despite advancements, critical gaps persist in experimental data, probabilistic modeling, and comprehensive performance-based design guidelines for PEF scenarios. Addressing these deficiencies requires enhanced data collection, improved modeling techniques, and the integration of PEF considerations into building codes. This study provides a comprehensive review of PEF damage assessment and underscores the need for a holistic, multi-hazard design paradigm to enhance structural resilience and ensure safety in regions subject to seismic and fire risks. These insights provide a foundation for future research and practical applications aimed at mitigating the compounded effects of earthquakes and fires.

Planing Analysis and Design of Residential Building Using Staad Pro

One of the major challenges the country faces is a rapid growing population, which creates a demand for more facilities and limited land availability. This issue can be partially addressed through the construction of residential buildings. A residential building is a building that contains separate living places where people can live or stay regularly. This buildings have the necessary facilities and utilities to meet the needs of the people living there. example of this buildings is individual houses, apartments, hotels, private dwelling etc. This study provides an in-depth analysis of a residential building using STAAD PRO, a prominent structural analysis and design software. The process begins with defining the project scope, followed by the development of a detailed three-dimensional model that integrates architectural designs, material specification, and load conditions in accordance with relevant building codes. A variety of analysis, including linear static and dynamic evaluations, are performed to asses the structural performance under diverse loading scenarios. The results are meticulously reviewed to ensure adherence to safety standards, emphasizing the optimization of critical structural elements such as beams, columns, slabs. Additionally, the paper outlines a systematic approach to estimating costs, detailing material quantities and labor requirements to produce a comprehensive budget. Key Words: Residential building, STAAD PRO, Auto-cad, Analysis, Designing.

Review of Status of Post-Earthquake Reconstruction in Nepal (2015-2024): Challenges, Progress, and Future Directions

In 2015, a powerful earthquake struck Nepal’s Gorkha District, causing extensive loss of life and property, and deeply affecting the nation’s infrastructure, housing, and cultural heritage. This disaster severely damaged Nepal’s rich cultural sites, with numerous temples and monuments either fully or partially destroyed. The loss of these heritage landmarks represented not only cultural devastation but also a profound impact on national identity and historical continuity. This article employs a qualitative approach, including critical literature review, field visits, interviews, document analysis, and case studies, to thoroughly examine the status of post-earthquake reconstruction efforts. The study focuses on key areas of reconstruction, such as housing, public infrastructure, and heritage restoration, offering an in-depth look at both progress and ongoing challenges. Although considerable advances have been made in rebuilding efforts, the earthquake highlighted Nepal’s need to strengthen building practices and disaster preparedness to better withstand future seismic events. Major obstacles in the reconstruction process include funding limitations, bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, logistical difficulties, governance issues, lack of coordination, limited accessibility, shortages of skilled labor, knowledge gaps, and the socio-cultural factors impacting rebuilding. This earthquake has underscored the urgency of revising building codes and adopting improved structural reinforcement methods to reduce future risks. Effective governance, inter-agency collaboration, and strategic incorporation of social and cultural dimensions are essential for continuing and sustaining the current reconstruction efforts in Nepal. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for strengthening Nepal’s post-earthquake recovery and resilience, focusing on institutional capacity building, coordination, and community based rebuilding strategies.

A Novel Validated Method to Determine the Relationship Between Insulation Thickness and the Annual Cooling Cost in Desert Climates

Energy-efficient building envelope design is essential for minimizing cooling loads and reducing energy consumption, particularly in hot desert climates. This study presents a model that optimizes insulation thickness by taking into account climate-specific conditions and economic factors. The model employs a life-cycle cost analysis framework, incorporating energy savings, insulation costs, and payback periods across various climatic zones. A typical wall is considered with three commonly applied insulation materials. The optimization is validated by energy modeling. A key contribution of this study is the introduction of a correction factor based on average humidity for each city, which adjusts the conduction-based model to account for latent heat effects from moisture-dependent insulation degradation. Unlike existing building codes, which prescribe fixed insulation requirements regardless of regional climate conditions, our approach dynamically adapts insulation thickness based on Cooling Degree Days (CDDs) and economic feasibility. The results reveal significant variations in optimal insulation thickness across different cities, demonstrating the necessity of climate-responsive insulation strategies. The analysis indicates that locations with higher CDD, such as Jeddah and Dhahran, require thicker insulation to reduce cooling loads effectively, whereas cities with lower cooling demand, such as Khamis Mushait, necessitate thinner insulation for economic viability. The results show that polystyrene (K = 0.034 W/m.K) has the least cost, whereas polyurethane (K = 0.24 W/m.K) records the least thickness in Saudi Arabia. This study presents a model that optimizes insulation thickness by taking into account climate-specific conditions and economic factors.

Flame Spread on an Active Photovoltaic–Roof System

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in buildings must comply with both electrotechnical standards for module safety and local building codes, which typically do not address their electrical nature. This regulatory gap creates challenges in assessing the fire performance of PV systems. This paper presents a procedure to adapt a common test method used in some building codes to assess external fire conditions for roofs, while maintaining operative PV modules. Two configurations were tested: an organic PV thin film on a metallic sandwich panel and a glass–glass-encapsulated organic PV module. The tests were conducted under high voltage and current conditions to simulate the systems’ behavior within a larger PV array. Significant electric arcs were observed during testing of the metallic sandwich panel configuration without glass protection when subjected to high voltages or currents. In these cases, total heat release increased by at least 30% compared to non-electrically loaded scenarios or glass-insulated PV modules, likely due to a greater damaged surface area. Electric arcs created new ignition sources, damaging whole PV modules, whereas in the case with no electrical load, propagation flames advanced toward both the upper edge and the corners of the sample, ultimately damaging the entire triangular area above the fire source. The results indicate that the electrical characteristics of PV systems can significantly impact external fire spread behavior. The study identifies challenges in maintaining system activity during testing and simulating real scenarios and proposes for future research directions.

Prioritization of climate change mitigation strategies for coastal regions using the Analytic Hierarchy Process.

Prioritization of climate change mitigation strategies for coastal regions using the Analytic Hierarchy Process.

Site classification methodology for TS 1170.5 design spectra

The Technical Specification (TS) 1170.5 has been developed to incorporate the output of the 2022 New Zealand National Seismic Hazard Model revision (NSHM2022) [1] and update Clause B1 Verification Method 1 (B1/VM1) of the New Zealand Building Code. In this paper, we discuss the proposed site classification methodology based on Vs(30) (i.e., the time-averaged shear-wave velocity from the ground surface to 30 m depth) which is used to incorporate site effects in the TS 1170.5 design spectra. The reasoning for the use of Vs(30) for site classification, a significant departure from New Zealand Standards NZS 1170.5 [2], is first elaborated. Based on detailed scrutiny of uniform hazard spectra obtained from NSHM2022, seven site classes are proposed, with associated design spectra for six of the site classes. Multiple objectives were considered in the definition of TS 1170.5 site classes, with the principal goal being to represent relevant site conditions in a robust yet practical manner, appropriate for engineering design practice. As Vs(30) is the principal parameter in the site classification scheme, the establishment of the Vs profile at the site is a critical step. Several methods for obtaining a Vs profile, measured or inferred, and subsequent calculation of Vs(30) are recommended. Each method is associated with a different uncertainty factor that affects both site classification and consequent design spectra. In this context, a multiple site class definition must be adopted with an envelope design spectrum in cases where the range of Vs(30) values span several site classes. Importantly, the variation in design spectra due to uncertainty in the site class is relatively small compared to the uncertainty in the uniform hazard spectra themselves (due to uncertainties in NSHM2022 and PSHA). For sites with ground conditions not well-represented within the PSHA performed for NSHM2022, site-specific (special) studies are recommended.

State-of-the-art review on reducing residential buildings’ risk to tornado hazards

Tornadoes represent one of the most formidable natural hazards in the United States. Despite their frequent occurrence, they have received limited yet growing attention in engineering research and practice. Recent updates to the American Society of Civil Engineers/Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE/SEI 7-22) standards, incorporated into the 2024 International Building Code, mandate that Risk Category III and IV buildings in tornado-prone areas be designed to withstand tornado loads for the first time. Annually, over 1250 tornadoes are reported in the U.S., and post-disaster evaluations consistently reveal that residential buildings, including single-family, multi-family, and manufactured homes, account for two-thirds of the structural damage caused by tornadoes and most tornado-related deaths. However, these homes are not currently covered under the new provisions, leaving them vulnerable. This study reviews the research on mitigating tornado risk to residential buildings from a structural engineering perspective, including coverage on tornado formation, impact analysis and proposed mitigation strategies examined through numerical, experimental, and post-tornado field studies. Finally, the review covers community-level analyses and tornado resilience modeling using fragility methodology that supports risk-informed decision-making. Key findings reveal that current building codes and standards inadequately address tornado-specific loads, particularly for risk category II wood-frame structures. Additionally, this review highlights the need for improved fragility models that account for the unique characteristics of tornado forces, as well as enhanced mitigation strategies such as roof-to-wall connections and debris-resistant designs. These findings underscore the urgency of adopting tornado-resilient provisions in building codes and standards to reduce damage and fatalities in tornado-prone regions.

Efficient Ensemble of Deep Neural Networks for Multimodal Punctuation Restoration and the Spontaneous Informal Speech Dataset

Punctuation restoration plays an essential role in the postprocessing procedure of automatic speech recognition, but model efficiency is a key requirement for this task. To that end, we present EfficientPunct, an ensemble method with a multimodal time-delay neural network that outperforms the current best model by 1.0 F1 point while using less than a tenth of its network parameters for inference. This work further streamlines a speech recognizer and a BERT implementation to efficiently output hidden layer acoustic embeddings and text embeddings in the context of punctuation restoration. Here, forced alignment and temporal convolutions are used to eliminate the need for attention-based fusion, greatly increasing computational efficiency and improving performance. EfficientPunct sets a new state of the art with an ensemble that weighs BERT’s purely language-based predictions slightly more than the multimodal network’s predictions. Although EfficientPunct shows great promise, from a different perspective, to date, another important challenge in the field has been the fact that punctuation restoration models have been evaluated almost solely on well-structured, scripted corpora. However, real-world ASR systems and postprocessing pipelines typically apply to spontaneous speech with significant irregularities, stutters, and deviations from perfect grammar. To address this important discrepancy, we also introduce SponSpeech, a punctuation restoration dataset derived from informal speech sources, which includes punctuation and casing information. In addition to publicly releasing the dataset, the authors have contributed by providing a filtering pipeline that can be used to generate more data. This filtering pipeline examines the quality of both the speech audio and the transcription text. A challenging test set is also carefully constructed, aimed at evaluating the models’ ability to leverage audio information to predict, otherwise grammatically ambiguous, punctuation. SponSpeech has been made available to the public, along with all code for dataset building and model runs.

Sustainable Building Decarbonization in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Recommendations

Purpose: This study evaluates sustainable building decarbonization in Nigeria, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in reducing carbon emissions within the construction sector. It aims to identify policy gaps and recommend strategies for effective implementation. Methodology: A systematic literature review (SLR) was employed to analyze 80 peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and conference proceedings published between 2014 and 2025. This methodology comprehensively synthesizes existing research, identifying trends, barriers, and successful case studies in sustainable building practices. Findings: The review revealed critical barriers to decarbonization, including high initial costs, inadequate building code enforcement, and limited public awareness. Successful policies in other Sub-Saharan countries, such as Ghana and South Africa, highlight the importance of integrated approaches and financial incentives. Key themes included the need for improved energy efficiency, integration of renewable energy, and sustainable construction materials. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Nigeria must strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance financial incentives, and promote public awareness to achieve sustainable building decarbonization. A multi-stakeholder approach involving government, private developers, and research institutions is essential for overcoming existing barriers. By learning from global best practices, Nigeria can transition to a low-carbon built environment, contributing to broader climate goals and sustainable urban development.

Green building codes for sustainable housing development in India: progress review and future pathways

Given the rapid urbanisation, acceleration of the anthropogenic transformation of landscapes and the escalating ecological imperatives facing India, robust and effective green building codes have become paramount in ensuring sustainable housing development. This paper reviews the effect of the development of green building codes on sustainable housing across India, especially as far as their compliance with SDGs. While prior literature targets policy formulation, more attention should be paid to researching the policy impacts and the difficulties in the corresponding policies’ implementation. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Green Buildings codes, the study uses systematic review of literature and policy documents, which works hand-in-hand with qualitative analysis. The research hypothesis posits that in regions having policies closely aligned with SDGs, there has been greater development of policies of sustainability and these areas exhibit enhanced development of policies and sustainability outcomes as evidenced by development of codes on maintaining resilience, environmental performance, and socio-economic equity This relationship is basis of the study hence the question; what factors enhance the potential for improved sustainability outcomes in green building codes aligned with SDGs? Research evidence indicates that despite intended high ambitions in formulation of codes, the eventual effectiveness is negated by weak operational compliance and geographical inequalities. This research forms part of a broader investigation into specific sections of the green building codes, covering energy efficiency, material utilisation, urban planning, and green space development. The study offers policy implications to policy makers and maps out a general guideline to enhance the implementation of sustainable features in housing delivery systems across the country.

Seismic design and performance evaluation of post-tensioned CLT shear walls with coupling U-shaped flexural plates in Canada

Post-tensioned cross-laminated timber (PT-CLT) walls coupled with U-shaped flexural plates (UFPs) have proved to be a low-damage seismic force-resisting system (SFRS) due to their self-centering capability and stable energy dissipation. Global efforts have been made to explore the applicability of PT-CLT walls as primary SFRSs in mass timber buildings. Adoption of the sixth-generation Seismic Hazard Model (SHM6) in the 2020 National Building Code of Canada resulted in a nationwide increase in seismic hazard. Given the increased popularity of mass timber buildings and the elevated seismic hazard, a comprehensive study is required to examine their performance in high seismic regions with complex seismotectonics, such as southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Therefore, this article presents the seismic design and performance evaluation of three-, six-, and nine-story mass timber buildings that use PT-CLT shear walls with coupling UFPs as SFRS for the seismicity of Vancouver, Canada. The prototype buildings were designed using the direct displacement-based design (DDBD) approach considering the SHM6. Two-dimensional fiber-based numerical models were developed in OpenSeesPy and validated with full-scale quasi-static cyclic and shaking table experimental tests. Nonlinear static and response history analyses were carried out to assess the structural responses and validate the DDBD procedure. Incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) were conducted using 80 ground motions selected for each building to develop fragilities and to estimate collapse margin ratios (CMRs). The IDA results demonstrate that all the examined buildings have adequate CMRs compared with acceptable limits in the literature. Overall, this study demonstrated that PT-CLT walls with coupling UFPs are a potential SFRS alternative in Canada’s high seismic-risk regions.

Rebates and grid decarbonization from the Inflation Reduction Act promote equitable adoption of energy efficiency retrofits

Abstract Residential and commercial buildings account for 75% of electricity and 40% of the total energy consumption in the United States, costing over $400 billion annually. Electrification and energy efficiency retrofits offer a viable decarbonization pathway, especially since half of U.S. homes were built before modern building codes. These older homes are often occupied by low-to-moderate-income (LMI) families. Equitable electrification provides a unique opportunity to considerably reduce emissions in communities where energy bill savings have the most impact on household finances. This study evaluates how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) impacts the adoption potential of air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and clothes dryers, and electric cooking ranges across income groups in the United States. Using a database which statistically represents the U.S. housing stock, we estimate indicative adoption potential of these technologies under scenarios that represent Pre-IRA conditions and a reference case with IRA provisions. After IRA rebates were introduced, adoption potential for LMI households more than doubled for air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and electric cooking ranges and more than tripled for heat pump clothes dryers relative to Pre-IRA adoption potential. Cooking retrofits had the lowest adoption potential, and homes that electrified space heating without weatherization had greater adoption potential than those that underwent basic or enhanced enclosure upgrades. Our results show that the introduction of IRA rebates and a gradually decarbonizing grid substantially improves adoption potential for LMI households and even surpasses the adoption potential of middle and upper-income households.

Evaluation of Strategic Measures for Effective Quality Control Management of Concrete Works in Anambra State, Nigeria

Concrete is universally the most common building material in Nigeria construction industry but had also been reported as one of the major causes of structural failure. However, in spite of the popularity of concrete structures, if not properly constructed and the quality maintained, it can deteriorate prematurely which is often referred to as our crumbling infrastructure. The study aimed at evaluating strategic measures for effective quality control management of concrete works in Anambra State, Nigeria. A survey research method was adopted for this study. Data was obtained through both primary and secondary sources. The population for this study comprises of registered construction professionals in Anambra state and was surveyed through a well structured questionnaire survey approach. Data generated were analyzed using Tables, Percentage, Ranking and Mean Score. A total of one hundred and fifty eight questionnaires were distributed to registered construction professionals in Anambra State and one hundred and twenty nine questionnaires were returned. The sample size for the study is therefore 129. The findings of the study revealed that quality concept, quality management system, quality control in construction, quality management standard, quality plan, professional regulatory bodies, companies own quality control document, various acts /decrees for construction professionals, the national building code, action to be taken at each stage are all quality control management strategies responsible for ensuring quality concrete works in buildings in the study area. The study also unveiled that quality concept is the most important strategic measure to ensure good quality of concrete elements and that there little or no enforcement from both Government and its Agencies on quality control of concrete elements in buildings industry in the study area. The study recommended that Government agencies, professionals and other key stakeholders need to implement regular inspections of stages of concrete works at building sites; to continuously survey and monitor concrete elements as to detect impending failure and also ensure that every quality control strategy should be covered in the aspect of concrete, provide effective guidance on the project to achieve quality concrete works.

Seismic Site Amplification Characteristics of Makran Subduction Zone Using 1D Non-Linear Ground Response Analysis

The Makran Subduction Zone (MSZ) is a tectonic plate boundary where the Arabian Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate. This study investigated the dynamic response in the Gwadar region, located in the eastern part of the MSZ. A suite of seismic records compatible with the Building Code of Pakistan (BCP:2021) rock design spectrum was used as the input ground motions at the bedrock. The amplification characteristics were assessed through a series of one-dimensional (1D) site response analyses utilizing a non-linear (NL) approach. The results revealed significant de-amplification in soft soils at short spectral periods. A general depth-wise decrease in the shear stress ratio and peak ground acceleration values was observed, influenced by shear-strain-induced effects and shear wave velocity reversals within the site profiles. The code spectra, compared to the proposed design spectra, underestimated the site amplification for stiff soils (i.e., Site Class D) for periods of less than 0.32 s and overestimated it for soft soils (i.e., Site Class E) across all periods. These findings underscore the necessity for site-specific ground response analyses, particularly within the framework of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Analyses of house-owners’ awareness and compliance with urban greenery regulations in Madina, Ghana

The transformation of natural landscapes due to ongoing urbanization highlights the critical need for the presence and integration of vegetation within urban environments. Although the benefits of urban greenery, including biodiversity conservation, pollution mitigation, and reduction of urban heat island effects, are widely recognized, adherence to corresponding building regulations poses a significant challenge in many Global South countries, including Ghana. This study investigated the compliance with urban greenery regulations among house owners in Madina, a rapidly urbanizing suburb of Accra, Ghana. The research utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with house-owners (n = 200) with qualitative interviews (n = 8) to explore the levels of awareness and compliance among residential house-owners with the guidelines stipulated in the Ghana Building Regulations (LI 1630) and the Ghana Building Code 2018. Our findings revealed a significant gap between awareness of the benefits of urban greenery and actual compliance with the regulations designed to ensure its provision. Key factors contributing to non-compliance were socioeconomic pressures, such as the high cost of land and accommodation, and institutional barriers, including bureaucracy, weak enforcement, and insufficient resources. Furthermore, administrative and political challenges, such as corruption and a lack of support, exacerbate the situation. The study recommends targeted actions to enhance compliance rates, emphasizing the need for streamlined regulatory processes, more robust enforcement mechanisms, and increased awareness campaigns to highlight the critical importance of urban green spaces.

Natural Hazard Risk Assessments Applicable to Enterprise Risk Management

ABSTRACT Current methods for assessing risks from earthquake and many weather-related hazards are appropriate to inform decision makers and stakeholders of likely future impacts. However, methods for assessing landslide and volcanic risks are insufficient. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Risk Index (NRI) considers 10 weather, four weather-triggered, one earthquake-triggered, and three geologic hazards. Earthquake and some weather-related hazards include regional design requirements for building performance, and accurate forecasting is available for evacuation in advance of extreme weather. Teams of engineers and scientists examine building and infrastructure performance following major earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Performance review lessons become integrated into subsequent building-code revisions. Landslide damage depends on local topography, geology, and land use. Building codes, based on stable-site concepts, have no design provisions for ground deformation, and post-landslide observations focus on ground deformation without considering building performance or resilience. Volcanic activity effects range from tranquil lava flows to violent ash eruptions to rapid debris avalanches and lahars. The NRI considers volcanic effects only close to sources; consequently, damaging effects of distant volcanic ash eruptions are not considered. Enterprise risk management (ERM) seeks to identify, analyze, counter, and control the spectrum of internal and external risks to business enterprises, including distant volcanic ash sources in North America and landslides disrupting key supply chain routes in Asia. Considering possible natural hazard effects from an ERM site-location perspective could be as beneficial as semi-quantitative risk analyses for high-hazard facilities. Properly trained geologists are well-suited to participate in or lead natural hazard assessments.

Empowering Sustainability: Unveiling Green Building Awareness and Solutions in Kathmandu Valley

The study aims to assess the awareness among local engineers and design consultants regarding green building concepts in the planning and designing of residential buildings in Kathmandu Valley. It seeks to identify their level of knowledge on green concepts and the challenges they face, particularly in relation to policy and regulatory support. Green building technologies are recognized as effective ways to reduce energy and water usage and are often considered the quickest and most cost-effective methods to achieve these goals. Despite their benefits, the high upfront construction costs of green buildings remain a concern. This study targeted local building permit engineers and nominated design consultants in Kathmandu Valley, utilizing convenient and purposive sampling methods. A total of 84 participants (42 local engineers/architects and 42 design consultants) were included. The reliability of the study was established with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.987, as calculated using SPSS. Findings indicate that local engineers and design consultants have moderate awareness of green concepts, with all 28 basic awareness elements achieving a mean value greater than 2.5. Knowledge regarding the importance of green concepts in residential building design scored the highest with a mean value of 3.69. Awareness was lowest for factors related to government support and incentives, with an average mean score of 2.7. Challenges highlighted include the lack of policy and regulatory documents, with Relative Importance Index (RII) scores of 0.938 for engineers and 0.948 for consultants. The moderate level of awareness and significant challenges related to policy and regulation suggests the need for enhanced informational outreach, technical training, and the development of green building codes and standards. Promoting local, eco-friendly building materials and expertise is also crucial. Addressing these challenges will support the broader adoption of green building practices in residential development.

Adapting Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) for Seismic risk assessment in developing countries: a case study of Dir City, Pakistan

Frequent seismic activity in Pakistan, exemplified by the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake, underscores the need for robust methods to assess building vulnerability. This study focuses on adapting FEMA's Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) methodology for application in developing countries like Pakistan, with Dir City which is situated in Zone III according to seismic hazard maps of Building Code of Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa serving as a case study. The majority of the city's structures are old, non-engineered and were built by local masons, therefore they could be in danger during a seismic event. Recognizing local challenges, the FEMA Data Collection Form was modified to incorporate region-specific attributes such as slope, foundation type, liquefaction potential, and structural configurations, including unreinforced masonry, confined masonry, stone masonry, and RC frames with URM infill. The methodology emphasizes the use of score modifiers to account for material and construction practices unique to the region. This paper discusses the adaptation process, challenges in implementing RVS in resource-limited settings, and the importance of localized frameworks for seismic risk assessment. The study aims to provide a methodological foundation for future efforts to enhance seismic resilience in high-risk zones.