“He who has health has hope and he who has hope, has everything.” – Arabic Proverb

Everyone wants their house to be nice and healthy. Because, a healthy home makes a healthy life too. What, actually, are the conditions of a healthy home? These are the provisions based on Indonesian Ministry of Health’s (Kemenkes) Decree Number: 829/Menkes/SK/VII/1999 regarding Housing Health Requirements.

Kemenkes’ healthy house criteria

Diagram illustration of Kemenkes’s healthy house (Source: gelorasriwijaya.co)

1. Building material

Building materials should not generate a lot of dust. Then, avoid hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead. Finally, building materials should be free from pathogenic microorganisms, such as germs, bacteria, and fungi.

2. House components and setting

A healthy home must have a living room, family room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen room, bathroom and children’s playroom. They don’t have to be a room each, but at least some areas to fulfill these functions. The floor must be waterproof, especially the bathroom and laundry areas. Then, the bedroom must have good ventilation. Lastly, don’t forget the lightning rod for houses more than 10 meters tall.

3. Lighting and ventilation

Ventilation and lighting are very important. The house should be bright, naturally and artificially, not too dark or too bright. Then, permanent natural ventilation of at least 10% of the total floor area. Examples of permanent natural ventilation are windows, jalousies, and breezeblock.

Maximize natural lighting and ventilation with ceramic granite breezeblock (on frame: Roster Ping and Pong in White)

4. Animal-transmitted diseases

Animals such as mice, flies, and mosquitoes can transmit disease. So, make sure they don’t nest in your house.

5. Clean water and food

Every healthy house must have access to clean water and drinking water. In addition, there must also be a food storage area so that food can be stored well.

7. Waste management

Domestic waste is in liquid and solid form. Liquid waste from bathrooms and washrooms should not contaminate water and soil. In addition, solid waste must also be processed so that it doesn’t smell and pollute the environment.

8. Bedroom quantity

There is also a maximum number of people in one bedroom. The criterion is, a bedroom with an area of 8 square meters should not be occupied with more than 2 people, except if one of them is a child under 5 years old. Because, oxygen in the bedroom won’t be enough for all occupants.

Those are Ministry of Health’s provisions of a healthy house. Most importantly, don’t forget natural lighting and ventilation!