The standards for specified buildings are strictly defined under Japan's Act on Maintenance of Sanitation in Buildings, commonly known as the Building Sanitation Law or Building Management Law. This is because, in buildings used by many people, proper sanitation management is directly linked to the health and safety of users.

However, laws concerning building sanitation management have complex standards and can be difficult to understand.

This article explains in detail the buildings covered by the Building Sanitation Law, the management standards, key points, and the practical actions required.

Please use this article as a reference for complying with the management standards specified under the Building Sanitation Law and for properly appointing a building manager.

What Is the Building Sanitation Law (Building Management Law)?

The Building Sanitation Law is formally called Japan's Act on Maintenance of Sanitation in Buildings. It is a Japanese law designed to secure a sanitary environment in buildings used by many people.

Because unsanitary environments may harm users' health, the Building Sanitation Law specifies various standards and inspection items. Its standards cover a wide range of matters, including adjustment of the air environment, management of water supply and drainage, and regular cleaning. It also sets detailed requirements for the control of rodents and pests.

In this way, the Building Sanitation Law plays an important role in keeping specified buildings safe and sanitary.

The Purpose of the Building Sanitation Law Is to Improve the Sanitary Environment of Buildings

The primary purpose of the Building Sanitation Law is to improve and promote public health. Buildings used by many people are required to maintain a sanitary environment.

Deterioration of the indoor environment can directly lead to health problems for users, and preventing such situations is one of the major purposes of the Building Sanitation Law. The law sets six sanitation management standards, including the air environment, plumbing systems, and cleaning. Building owners are required to perform proper maintenance and management in accordance with these standards.

Protecting an environment in which users can spend the entire day in a healthy and comfortable manner is the most important role of the Building Sanitation Law.

The Building Sanitation Law Was Partially Amended in 2022

On April 1, 2022, the Building Sanitation Law was partially amended. The purpose of this amendment was to reflect the latest scientific knowledge and changes in social conditions in the regulations, further protect users' health, and enable more efficient building management.

The partial amendment also reviewed regulations that no longer matched actual conditions. Specific changes included the partial strengthening of air environment standards, such as temperature and carbon monoxide, and the easing of requirements for building environment and health management engineers to concurrently serve multiple buildings. The fact that electronic storage of books and records became permitted was another major change.

The most recent legal amendments have made it possible to conduct more rational and effective sanitation management.

What Buildings Are Covered by the Building Sanitation Law?

The Building Sanitation Law applies to specified buildings used by an unspecified large number of people. Floor area and building use are clearly defined by Japanese laws and regulations. The following section explains in detail the specified buildings covered by the Building Sanitation Law and also introduces the required notification procedures.

Specified Buildings Covered by the Building Sanitation Law

The Building Sanitation Law applies to specified buildings used by an unspecified large number of people. A specified building is a building used by many people and meeting the standards for use and total floor area established by Cabinet Order. Specifically, buildings used for the following purposes are covered.

Total floor area standard: 3,000 square meters or more for the following uses

• Theaters and other places of entertainment, department stores, libraries, assembly halls, art museums, museums, amusement facilities, inns and hotels, etc
• Offices and shops

Total floor area standard: 8,000 square meters or more for the following uses

• Schools

Covered buildings are required to be managed sanitarily based on specialized knowledge in order to protect the health and safety of users.

If you are unsure whether a building qualifies as a specified building, please consult the health center with jurisdiction over the building.

Buildings not covered by the Building Sanitation Law include the following two types.

• Buildings used for a specific purpose and not constantly used by an unspecified large number of people
• Buildings that do not meet the total floor area standards

For example, apartment buildings such as condominiums, hospitals, nursing homes, and factories are not facilities that an unspecified large number of people can freely enter and leave, and therefore are outside the scope of the Building Sanitation Law.

Submission of Notification for Specified Buildings Is Required

Owners and managers of specified buildings must submit a notification within one month from the date on which the building begins to be used. The notification is submitted to the prefectural governor through the health center that has jurisdiction over the location of the specified building. In cities and special wards that have their own health centers, the notification is submitted to the mayor or ward mayor through the health center.

Submitting this notification is an obligation under the Building Sanitation Law. Failure to submit it constitutes a violation of Japanese law, so caution is required. The notification must include information such as the building name, location, use, and total floor area.

Even after submitting the notification, if any reported information changes or if the building no longer qualifies as a specified building, the notification details must be revised within one month. For example, if the use of the building changes or the total floor area changes due to large-scale renovation, the notification must be resubmitted promptly.

Proper notification procedures and management are the first step toward compliance with the Building Sanitation Law. They not only protect building users but also help ensure the safety and reliability of the building managers themselves.

Management Standards Specified under the Building Sanitation Law

The management standards specified under the Building Sanitation Law are the following five items.

• Adjustment of the air environment
• Management of water supply
• Management of drainage
• Cleaning
• Control of rodents and pests

Let us look at each in detail.

Adjustment of the Air Environment

Under the Building Sanitation Law, standards are established for adjusting the air environment in specified buildings so that it remains comfortable and sanitary. These standards are extremely important for protecting users' health. Air conditioning equipment must be cleaned regularly, dust and other dirt must be removed, and the equipment must be properly maintained.

The frequency of air environment measurement is once within every two months, except for the amount of formaldehyde as described below.

By meeting the above standard values, the air inside specified buildings is kept sanitary. Regular measurements and appropriate adjustments help maintain users' health.

Management of Water Supply

Under the Building Sanitation Law, water supplied in specified buildings must meet the water quality standards specified in Article 4 of Japan's Waterworks Law. Proper management of water supply is essential to protecting users' health.

The main measures for drinking water and their implementation frequencies are as follows.

• Maintaining the free residual chlorine level at taps: inspect once within every seven days to keep the level at 0.1 mg/L or more.
• Cleaning of water storage tanks: clean once within every year to prevent contamination by harmful substances or wastewater.
• Water quality inspection for drinking water: inspect regularly and confirm safety.

In the case of drinking water supply that uses only waterworks or an exclusive water supply system as the water source:

• Inspection when abnormalities occur: if abnormalities are found in the color, turbidity, odor, or taste of tap water, inspect the necessary items each time.
• Response when there is a risk of health damage: if it becomes known that drinking water may cause health damage, immediately stop the water supply and thoroughly inform the relevant parties.

By conducting the above regular inspections and cleaning, the safety of water is secured and an environment is maintained in which users can use water with confidence. Standards are also established not only for drinking water but also for groundwater and service water.

Management of Drainage

Under the Building Sanitation Law, sanitation management standards are also established for drainage equipment in specified buildings. These standards are very important for protecting user comfort and health. The standards for drainage management specify that drainage equipment must be cleaned once within every six months.

This is because dirt such as decomposed food scraps, oils and fats, and fiber debris adheres to and accumulates inside drainage pipes. When this buildup increases, the inside of the drainage pipe gradually narrows and eventually causes blockages.

In addition, problems with drainage equipment can cause poor drainage and lead to offensive odors. To maintain proper function, cleaning work that regularly removes dirt from drainage equipment is required. Continuous cleaning of drainage equipment can also help prevent deterioration of drainage pipes and extend the service life of the equipment.

In this way, proper drainage management is important for maintaining a good sanitary environment in buildings.

Cleaning

Under the Building Sanitation Law, standards are also established for cleaning inside specified buildings and for waste disposal. Cleaning is essential for users to spend time comfortably and maintain their health. This is because specified buildings are used by an unspecified large number of people, which brings in soil and dust and allows various types of trash and dirt to accumulate easily.

Specified buildings are required to keep the indoor environment sanitary at all times. In addition to daily cleaning, general cleaning must be carried out regularly once within every six months. The cleanliness of the entire building is maintained, and users are provided with an environment in which they can use the facility comfortably, as a result of regular cleaning.

Proper cleaning also helps prevent infectious diseases and maintain the asset value of the building.

Control of Rodents and Pests

Under the Building Sanitation Law, specified buildings are required to prevent the occurrence and entry of rodents and pests that may harm human health, and to exterminate them. Pest control is an important management item that supports user safety and a comfortable environment.

In particular, when exterminating rodents, excessive use of chemicals may pose health risks to pest control workers and building users. Therefore, when rodenticides or insecticides are used, products approved for manufacture and sale under Japan's Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, or quasi-drugs, must be used.

The specific measures and implementation frequencies are as follows.

• Conducting surveys: conduct unified surveys once within every six months on the places where rodents and similar pests occur, where they live, their entry routes, and the damage caused.
• Preventive measures: based on the above survey results, take necessary measures each time to prevent the occurrence of rodents and similar pests.
• Use of chemicals: when rodenticides or insecticides are used, use products approved under Japan's Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.

By thoroughly implementing these measures, owners and managers of specified buildings can maintain the sanitary environment inside specified buildings and protect users.

Appointment of a Building Sanitation Management Engineer (Building Environment and Health Management Engineer) Is Mandatory

Specified buildings must appoint a building sanitation management engineer (building environment and health management engineer) and have that person manage and operate the building. The following section introduces the duties of a building environment and health management engineer and the methods for obtaining the qualification.

Duties of a Building Environment and Health Management Engineer

The duties of a building environment and health management engineer are wide-ranging. The main duties are as follows.

Although one building environment and health management engineer is required to be appointed for each specified building, one person may manage multiple specified buildings. In addition, if there is a legal relationship such as an entrustment relationship with the owner, the engineer is not required to be permanently stationed at the specified building.

Taking the National Examination for Building Environment and Health Management Engineer

One method of obtaining the qualification of building environment and health management engineer is to take the national examination. To take the examination, practical experience in the maintenance and management of environmental sanitation in buildings is required. Specifically, a person who has at least two years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and management of air conditioning equipment, plumbing systems, and similar equipment is eligible to take the examination.

The examination also requires broad knowledge of building sanitation, so sufficient preparation is necessary. For these reasons, holders of this qualification can be said to be capable of professionally conducting sanitation management in accordance with the Building Sanitation Law.

Taking a Training Course for Building Environment and Health Management Engineer

In addition to taking the national examination, the building environment and health management engineer qualification can also be obtained by taking a training course designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. In this case, the qualification can be obtained by studying the same content as the examination subjects for a total of at least 100 hours in the training course.

However, the training course has detailed eligibility requirements based on practical experience, educational background, or qualifications already held. For example, requirements may include graduation from a specific school or a certain period of practical experience in specific work.

Therefore, those who wish to take the course should check the eligibility requirements in advance with the Japan Architectural Health Management Education Center and then aim to obtain the qualification.

Summary | Understand the Building Sanitation Law and Properly Maintain and Manage Specified Buildings

The Building Sanitation Law is a Japanese law that clearly establishes sanitation management standards for specified buildings. Its purpose is to secure users' health and safety and to improve and promote public health. Under the Building Sanitation Law, sanitation management standards are mandated for five items, including the air environment, plumbing systems, cleaning, and rodent and pest control.

If you have any questions about the sanitation management standards for specified buildings, please feel free to contact us. Our analysis engineers, who have extensive expertise and experience, will support you.