LESSON 1: CODES AND REGULATIONS
fire or explosion.
NATIONAL BULDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
• REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6541
An act to ordain and institute a National Building Code of
the Philippines
• PRESIDENTIAL DECREE (P.D.) NO. 1096 - Enacted on
august 1972
Adopting a National Building Code of the Philippines
(NBCP) thereby revising Republic Act numbered sixty-
five hundred forty-one (R.A. No. 6541)
Enacted ON 1977
Issued on February 19, 1977 has achieved the purpose of
enforcing uniform standards and requirements on
building design, construction, use, occupancy and
maintenance in line with the policy of the state to
safeguard life, health, property and public welfare.
Rule no. 1 - General Provisions
REGULATIONS Rule no. 2 - Administration and Enforcement
Rule no. 3 - Permits and Inspection
Rule no. 4 - Types of Construction
RULE I. General Provisions Rule no. 7 - Classification and General Requirements of all
Buildings by Use or Occupancy
• General Building Requirements
1. All buildings or structures as well as accessory facilities
thereto shall conform in all respects to the principles of
safe construction and must be suited to the purpose for
which they are designed.
2. Buildings or structures intended to be used for the
manufacture and/or production of any kind of article or
product shall observe adequate environmental
safeguards.
3. Buildings or structures and all parts thereof as well as
all facilities found therein shall be maintained in safe,
sanitary, and good working condition.
• Site Requirements
➢ The land or site upon which will be constructed
any building or structure, or any ancillary or
auxiliary facility thereto, shall be sanitary,
hygienic, or safe.
➢ In case of sites or buildings intended for use as
human habitation or abode, the same shall be at
a safe distance, as determined by competent
authorities, from streams or bodies of water
and/or sources of air considered to be polluted;
from a volcano or volcanic site and/or any other
building considered to be a potential source of
RULE II. Administration and Enforcement
• Responsibility for Administration and Enforcement
(Building Code)
➢ The administration and enforcement of the
provisions of the Code and this IRR, including the
imposition of penalties for administrative
violations thereof, is hereby vested in the
Secretary.
• TECHNICAL STAFF (SECTION 202) DPWH - Department of Public
Works and highways
The National Building Code Development Office
(NBCDO) created through DPWH Department Order,
shall serve as the technical staff of the Secretary. The
functions thereof are as follows:
1. Assist the Secretary in the administration and
enforcement of the provisions of
the Code and its
IRR.
2. Review, evaluate and take final
action on various
technical and legal problems forwarded to the Office
of the Secretary.
3. Conduct seminar/workshops on the Code, its IRR,
and Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 (Accessibility Law).
4. Undertake such other duties and tasks as may be
assigned by the Secretary from time to time.
General Powers and Functions of the SECRETARY
1. Formulate policies, plans, standards and guidelines on
building design, construction, use, occupancy, and
maintenance, in accordance with the Code.
2. Issue and promulgate additional rules and regulations
in the form of Memorandum Circulars to implement the
provisions of the Code and ensure compliance with
policies, plans, standards and guidelines and issue office
guidelines or Memorandum Circulars to guide the actions
of the Building Official in the performance of his duties
and responsibilities.
3. Exercise appellate jurisdiction over the decisions and
orders of the Building Official. The order or decision of
the Secretary shall be final and executory subject only to
review by the Office of the President of the Republic.
4. Evaluate, review, approve and/or take final action on
changes and/or amendments to existing Referral Codes
as well as on the incorporation of other referral codes,
which are not yet expressly made supplementary to the
Code and its IRR.
5. Prescribe and impose the amount of fees and other
charges as may be deemed necessary that the Building
Official shall collect in connection with the performance
of regulatory functions.
6. Appoint a Building Official, separate and distinct from
the Office of the City/Municipal Engineers in all Cities and
Municipalities.
• PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (S. 204)
➢ The Secretary may secure professional, technical,
scientific, and other services including testing
laboratories and facilities from other agencies of
the National Government when deemed
necessary.
➢ He may also engage and compensate within
available appropriations, such number of
consultants, experts, and advisers on full or part-
time basis, as may be necessary, coming from the
government or private business, entities or
associations to carry out the provisions of the
Code and this IRR.
• BUILDING OFFICIALS (S. 205)
➢ Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Building Official shall be responsible for carrying
out the provisions of the Code in the field as well
as the enforcement of orders and decisions made
pursuant thereto.
➢ All Building Officials appointed or designated
other than by the Secretary, shall continue to act
as the Building Official until such time that the
Secretary appoints the Building Official. Offices of
the Building Officials already established,
separate and distinct from the office of the
City/Municipal Engineers in cities and
municipalities may continue to exist until such
time that a regular office is created. (Fig. II.1.)
• QUALIFICATIONS OF BUILDING OFFICIALS (S. 206)
No person shall be appointed as Building Official
unless he possesses the following qualifications:
1. A Filipino citizen and of good moral character.
2. A duly registered architect or civil engineer.
3. A member of good standing of a duly accredited
organization of his profession for not less than five (5)
years endorsed or recommended by the accredited
professional organization.
4. Has at least five (5) years of diversified and
professional experience in building design and
construction.
5. Has attended and successfully completed a
seminar workshop on PD 1096 and its IRR conducted
by the DPWH.
• DUTIES OF THE BUILDING OFFICIALS (S. 207)
The Building Official shall have the following duties:
1. Be primarily responsible for the enforcement of
the provisions of the Code and its IRR, as well as
circulars, memoranda, opinions, and
decisions/orders issued pursuant thereto. His actions
shall always be guided by appropriate
orders/directives from the Secretary.
2. Have overall administrative control and/or
supervision over all works pertinent to
buildings/structures in his area of responsibility and
shall be charged with the processing of all permit
applications and certificates as well as the issuance
of the same.
3. Ensure that all changes, modifications, and
alterations in the design plans during the
construction phase shall not start until the modified
design plan has been evaluated and the necessary
amendatory permit issued.
4. Undertake annual inspections of all
buildings/structures and keep an up-to-date record
of their status.
5. Upon complaint and after due notice/s and
hearing, initiate action towards:
a. non-issuance, suspension, revocation and/or
invalidation of a building permit or certificate of
occupancy.
b. Issuance of work stoppage order, or an order
for discontinuance of the use or occupancy of the
building/structure or portion thereof.
c. Declaration of a building/structure as ruinous
or dangerous; and/or
d. The imposition of appropriate fines/penalties.
 6. Submit a quarterly situational report to the
Secretary through the NBCDO, on the status of all
existing, on-going, and proposed public as well as
private building/structure activities. (See
Communication Flow Chart, Fig. II.2.)
7. Undertake such other duties and tasks as may
be assigned by the Secretary from time to time.
• FEES (SECTION 208)
1. The Secretary, thru Memorandum Circulars, shall
prescribe the rates of fees and formulate guidelines
in the imposition and collection of fees.
2. Subject to existing budgetary, accounting and
auditing rules and regulations, the Building Official
shall retain not more than 20% of the
income/collection derived from permit fees and
other charges for the operating expenses of his
office. The remainder of 100% shall accrue to the
general fund of the respective city/municipality.
3. Every Building Official shall keep a permanent
record and accurate account of all fees and other
charges fixed and authorized to be collected and
received.
• EXEMPTION (SECTION 209)
➢ Public buildings and traditional indigenous family
dwellings shall be exempt from payment of
building permit fees.
➢ As used in the Code, the term “traditional
indigenous family dwelling” means a dwelling
intended for the use and occupancy by the family
of the owner only and constructed of native
materials such as bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber,
the total cost of which does not exceed fifteen
thousand pesos (P 15,000.00).
RULE III. Permits and Inspection
• BUILDING PERMITS (SECTION 301)
1. No person, firm or corporation, including any
agency or instrumentality of the government shall
construct, alter, repair, convert, use, occupy, move,
demolish and add any building/structure or any
portion thereof or cause the same to be done,
without first obtaining a building permit therefor
from the Building Official assigned in the place where
the subject building/structure is located or to be
no one is allowed to construct, occupy, repair ng
building/structure without obtaining building
permits from building officials na naka assigned
sa place
done. The prescribed application for building permit
form (NBC Form B-01) shall be used by all applicants.
2. Permits supplementary to a Building Permit shall
be applied for and issued by the Building Official.
These include Ancillary and the Accessory Permits.
a. Ancillary Permits - The Ancillary Permits duly
signed and sealed by the corresponding
professionals and the plans and specifications shall
be submitted together with the duly notarized
application for Building Permit. The Building Permit is
null and void if not accompanied by the Ancillary
Permits. The prescribed Ancillary and other
Accessory Permits/forms shall likewise be used
whenever applicable. The Ancillary Permits are the
following.
i. Architectural Permit
ii. Civil/Structural Permit
iii. Electrical Permit
iv. Mechanical Permit
v. Sanitary Permit
vi. Plumbing Permit
vii. Electronics Permit
b. Accessory Permits
i. Accessory Permits are issued by the Building Official for
accessory parts of the project with very special functions
or use which are indicated in the plans and specifications
that accompany the building permit application. These
may include, among others: bank and records vaults;
swimming pools; firewalls separate from the
building/structure; towers; silos; smokestacks; chimneys;
commercial/industrial fixed ovens; industrial
kilns/furnaces; water/waste treatment tanks, septic
vaults; concrete and steel tanks; booths, kiosks and
stages; and tombs, mausoleums and niches.
ii. Accessory Permits are issued by the Building Official for
activities being undertaken prior to or during the
processing of the building permit. The coverage is spelled
out in the accessory permit form including the expiry
period. These shall be signed by the concerned
owner/applicant and by the concerned professionals.
These permits include, among others, ground
preparation and excavation, encroachment of foundation
to public area, fencing, for fence not exceeding 1.80
meters high, sidewalk construction, temporary sidewalk
enclosure and occupancy, erection of scaffolding,
erecting, repair, removal of sign; and demolition.
3. Exemption from Building Permits
A building permit shall not be required for the following
minor constructions and repairs, provided these shall not
violate any provision of the Code and this IRR.
a. Minor Constructions
i. Sheds, outhouses, greenhouses, children’s playhouses,
aviaries, poultry houses and the like, not exceeding 6.00
sq. meters in total area, provided they are completely
detached from any other building and are intended only
for the private use of the owner.
ii. Addition of open terraces or patios resting directly on
the ground, not exceeding 20.00 sq. meters in total floor
area, exclusively for the private use of the owner.
iii. Installation of window grilles.
iv. Garden pools for the habitation of water plants and/or
aquarium fish not exceeding 500 millimeters in depth and
exclusively for private use.
v. Garden masonry walls other than party walls not
exceeding 1.20 meters in height, footpaths, residential
garden walks and/or driveways.
b. Repair Works
i. Repair works not affecting or involving any structural
member, such as replacement of deteriorated roofing
sheets or tiles, gutters, downspouts, fascias, ceilings
and/or sidings.
ii. Repair and/or replacement of non-load-bearing
partition walls. iii. Repair and/or replacement of any
interior portion or a house not involving addition or
alteration.
iv. Repair and/or replacement work of doors and
windows.
v. Repair and/or replacement work of flooring.
vi. Repair of perimeter fence and walls.
vii. Repair and/or replacement of plumbing fixtures,
fittings or pipings, such as toilet bowls, sinks, lavatories,
urinals, bidets, pipes, faucets, valves for single detached
dwellings and duplexes.
RULE IV. Types of Construction
• TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION (SECTION 401)
Type I – wood construction
Type II – wood construction with protective fire-resistant
materials and 1 hour fire-resistive throughout
Type III – masonry and wood construction
Type IV – steel, iron, concrete, or masonry construction
and walls
Type V - steel, iron, concrete, or masonry construction
and walls with 4-hour fire-resistive throughout
• CHANGES IN TYPES (SECTION 402)
➢ No change shall be made in the type of
construction of any building which would place
the building in a different sub- type or type of
construction unless such building is made to
comply with the requirements for such sub-type
of construction.
➢ Except, when the changes are approved by the
Building Official upon showing that the new or
proposed construction is less hazardous, based
on life and fire risk, than the existing
construction.
Requirements on Type of Construction
1. Fire Resistive Requirements
a. Exterior bearing and non-bearing walls of Types II and
III Constructions shall have one hour fire-resistive rating,
while those of Types IV and V shall have four-hour fire-
resistive rating.
b. Interior bearing walls, permanent partitions, floors,
and roofs of Types II, III and IV Construction shall have
one-hour fire-resistive rating while those of Type V shall
have three- hour fire-resistive rating for bearing walls and
one-hour fire-resistive rating for vertical openings, floors
and roofs.
c. Structural frames of Types II and III Construction shall
have one-hour fire-resistive rating, while those of Type IV
shall have two-hour fire-resistive rating and those of Type
V shall have three-hour fire-resistive rating.
d. Exterior doors and windows shall have one hour fire-
resistive rating for all Types.
2. Interior Wall and Ceiling Finishes
a. Finishes for interior walls and ceilings of any building
shall be classified according to their flame-spread
characteristic using generally accepted engineering
standards. The smoke density shall not be greater than
that obtained from burning of untreated wood under
similar conditions when tested in accordance with the
“Tunnel Test” in the way intended for use.
b. Requirements for flame-spread characteristics of
finishes shall not apply to frames and trim of doors and
windows and to materials which are less than 1.00
millimeter in thickness cemented to the surface of walls
or ceilings.
c. Materials required to be flame-spread proofed shall be
treated with a flame-retardant having a flame-spread of
fifty (50) or less as determined by the “Tunnel Test”.
3. Standards for materials use in structural framework,
exterior walls and openings, floors, exits, stairs & roofs
shall be governed by the pertinent provision of the Fire
Code of the Philippines.
RULE VII. Classification and General Requirements of all
Buildings by Use or Occupancy
• Occupancy Classified (Section 701)
Buildings proposed for construction shall be identified
according to their use or the character of its occupancy
and shall be classified as follows:
Group A – Residential Dwellings
Group B – Residentials, Hotels and Apartments
Group C – Education and Recreation
Group D – Institutional
Group E – Business and Mercantile
Group F – Industrial
Group G – Storage and Hazardous
Group H – Assembly Other than Group I
Group I – Assembly Occupant Load 1000 or more
Group J – Accessory
LESSON 2: Classification and General Requirements of
all Buildings by Use or Occupancy
• Location on Property
General
➢ No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins
or has direct access to a public space, yard or
street on at least one of its sides.
➢ The centerline or an adjoining street or alley shall
be considered an adjacent property line.
➢ Eaves over required windows shall not be less
than 750 millimeters from the side and rear
property lines.
o Fire Resistance of Walls
➢ Exterior walls shall have fire resistance and
opening protection in accordance with the
requirements set forth by the Secretary.
➢ Projections beyond the exterior wall shall not
exceed beyond a point one-third the distance
from an assumed vertical plane located where
the fire-resistive protection of openings is first
required to the location on property whichever is
the least restrictive.
➢ Distance shall be measured at right angles from
the property line.
➢ When openings in exterior walls are required to
be protected due to distance from property line,
the sum of the areas of such openings in any
storey shall not exceed 50% of the total area of
the wall in that storey.
o Buildings on Same Property and Buildings
Containing Courts
➢ For determining the required wall and opening
protection, buildings on the same property and
court walls shall be assumed to have a property
line between them.
➢ When a new building is to be erected on the
same property with an existing building, the
assumed property line from the existing
building shall be the distance to the property
line for each occupancy.
➢ Provided, that two or more buildings on the
same property may be considered as one
building if the aggregate area of such building is
within the limits of allowable floor areas for a
single building, and when the buildings so
considered, house different occupancies or are
of different types of construction, the area shall
be that allowed for the most restrictive
occupancy or construction.
o Allowable Floor Areas
➢ The allowable floor areas for one-storey building
and buildings over one-storey shall not exceed
the limits prescribed for each occupancy groups
and/or types of construction.
➢ Each portion of a building separated by one or
more area separation walls may be considered a
separate building provided the area separation
walls meet the requirements prescribed.
➢ The floor areas hereinabove provided may be
increased in certain specific instances and under
appropriate conditions, based on the:
✓ existence of public space
✓ streets or yards extending along and
adjoining two or more sides of the
building
✓ structure subject to the approval of the
Building Official
o Maximum Height of Buildings
➢ shall be dependent upon the character of
occupancy and the type of construction as
determined by the Secretary considering
population density, building bulk, widths of
streets and car parking requirements.
➢ The height shall be measured from the highest
adjoining sidewalk or ground surface: Provided,
that the height measured from the lowest
adjoining surface shall not exceed such
maximum height by more than 3.00 meters;
➢ Except, that towers, spires, and steeples, erected
as part of a building and not used for habitation
or storage are limited as to height only by
structural design if completely of incombustible
materials, or may extend not to exceed 6.00
meters above the height limits for each
occupancy group if of combustible materials.
• Minimum requirements for GROUP A – DWELLINGS
A. Dwelling Location and Lot Occupancy
The dwelling shall occupy not more than 90% of a
corner lot and 80% of an inside lot, and subject to
the provisions on Easements of Light and View of the
Civil Code of Philippines, shall be at least 2 meters
from the property line.
B. Light and Ventilation
Every dwelling shall be so constructed and arranged
as to provide adequate light and ventilation as
provided under the section in this code.
C. Sanitation
Every dwelling shall be provided with at least one
sanitary toilet and adequate washing and drainage
facilities.
D. Foundation
Footings shall be of sufficient size and strength to
support the load of the dwelling and shall be at least
250 millimeters thick and 600 millimeters below the
surface of the ground.
E. Post
Each post shall be anchored to such footing by straps
and bolts of adequate size.
F. Floor - The live load of the first floor shall be at
least 200 kilograms per square meter and for the
second floor, at least 150 kilograms per square
meter.
G. Roof - The wind load for roofs shall be at least 120
kilograms per square meter for vertical projection.
H. Stairs - Stairs shall be at least 750 mm in clear
width, with a rise of 200 mm and a minimum run of
250 mm.
I. Entrance and Exit - There shall be at least one
entrance and another one for exit.
J. Electrical Requirements - All electrical installation
shall conform to the requirements of the Philippine
Electrical Code.
K. Mechanical Requirements - Mechanical systems
and/or equipment installation shall be subject to the
requirement of the Philippine Mechanical
Engineering Code.
• Requirements for Other Group Occupancies
Subject to the provisions of this Code, rules and
regulations for each of the other Group Occupancies shall
be covering:
✓ allowable construction, height, and area.
✓ location on property, exit facilities, light,
ventilation, and sanitation.
✓ enclosures of vertical openings; fire
extinguishing systems.
✓ special hazards.
BUILDING PROJECTION OVER PUBLIC STREETS
• Projection into Alleys or Streets
➢ No part of any structure or its appendage shall
project into any alley or street, national road, or
public highway except as provided in this Code.
➢ Footings located at least 2.40 meters below
grade along national roads or public highway
may project not more than 300 millimeters
beyond the property line.
➢ Foundations may be permitted to encroach into
public sidewalk areas to a width not exceeding
500 mm; provided, that the top of the said
foundations is not less than 600 mm below the
established grade; and provided further, that
said projection does not obstruct any existing
utility such as power, communication, gas,
water, or sewer lines, unless the owner
concerned shall pay the corresponding entities
for the rerouting of the parts of the affected
utilities.
• Projection of Balconies over Streets
The clearance between the established grade of the
street and/or sidewalk and the lowest under surface of
any part of the balcony shall not be less than 3.00
meters.
PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS DURING CONSTRUCTION
OR DEMOLITION
• Storage in Public Property
Materials and equipment necessary for work to be done
under a permit when placed or stored on public property
shall not obstruct free and convenient approach to and
use of any fire hydrant, fire or police alarm box, utility
box, catch basin, or manhole and shall not interfere with
any drainage of any street or alley gutter.
• Mixing Mortar on Public Property
The mixing of mortar, concrete, or similar materials on
public streets shall not be allowed.
• Protection of Utilities
➢ All public or private utilities above or below the
ground shall be protected from any damage by
any work being done under the permit.
➢ The protection shall be maintained while such
work is being done and shall not obstruct the
normal functioning of any such utility.
• Walkway
➢ When the Building Official authorizes a sidewalk
to be fenced or closed, or in case there is no
sidewalk in front of the building site during
construction or demolition, a temporary
walkway of not less than 1.20 meters wide shall
be provided.
➢ The walkway shall be capable of supporting a
uniform live load of 650 kilograms per square
meter. A durable wearing surface shall be
provided throughout the construction period.
• Pedestrian Protection
1. Protection Required - Pedestrian traffic shall be
protected by a railing on the street side when the
walkway extends into the roadway, by a railing when
adjacent to excavations.
2. Railings - Adequate railings when required shall be
built substantially strong and should be at least 1.00 m in
height.
3. Fences - Fences shall be built of an approved material,
not less than 2.40 m in height above grade, and be
placed on the side of the walkway nearest to the building
site. Fences shall enclose entirely the building site.
Openings in such fences shall be provided with doors
which shall be kept closed at all times.
4. Canopies - The protective canopy shall have a clear
height of 2.40 m above the railway and shall be
structurally safe. Every canopy shall have a solid fence
built along its entire length on the construction side. If
materials are stored or work is done on top of the canopy,
the edge along the street shall be protected by a tight
curb board not less than 300 mm high and a railing not
less than 1.00 m high shall be provided. The entire
structure shall be designed to carry the loads imposed
upon it: Provided, that the live load shall be not less than
600 kilograms per square meter.
• General Design and Construction Requirements
Excavation, Foundation, and Retaining Walls
▪ Excavation and Fills
1. Excavation or fills for buildings or structures shall be so
constructed or protected that they do not endanger life
or property.
2. Whenever the depth of excavation for any construction
is such that the lateral and subjacent support of the
adjoining property or existing structure thereon would be
affected in a manner that the stability or safety of the
same is endangered, the person undertaking or causing
the excavation to be undertaken shall be responsible for
the expense of underpinning or extending the foundation
or footings of the aforementioned property or structure.
3. Excavation and other similar disturbances made on
public property shall, unless otherwise excluded by the
Building Official, be restored immediately to its former
condition within 48 hours from the start of such
excavation and disturbances by whosoever caused such
excavation or disturbance.
▪ Footings, Foundations, and Retaining Wall
1. Footings and foundations shall be of the
appropriate type, of adequate size, and capacity to
safely sustain the superimposed loads under
seismic or any condition of external forces that may
affect the safety or stability of the structure.
2. Whenever or wherever there exist in the site of the
construction an abrupt change in the ground levels
or level of the foundation such that instability of the
 soil could result, retaining walls shall be provided and
such shall be of adequate design and type of
construction as prescribed.
▪ Veneer
➢ Veneer is a nonstructural facing of brick,
concrete, tile, metal, plastic, glass, or other
similar approved materials attached to a
backing or structural components of the
building for the purpose of ornamentation,
protection, or enclosure that may be adhered,
integrated, or anchored either on the interior or
exterior of the building or structure.
Design Requirements
1. Veneer shall support no load other than its own
weight and the vertical dead load of veneer
immediately above.
2. Surfaces to which veneer is attached shall be
designed to support the additional vertical and
lateral loads imposed by the veneer.
3. Consideration shall be given to differential
movements of the supports including those caused
by temperature changes, shrinkage, creep, and
deflection.
4. Adhered veneer and its backing shall be designed
to have a bond to the supporting elements sufficient
to withstand shearing stresses due to their weights
including seismic effects on the total assemblage.
5. Anchored veneer and its attachment shall be
designed to resist horizontal forces equal to twice the
weight of the veneer.
6. Anchors supports and ties shall be non-
combustible and corrosion resistant.
• Enclosure of Vertical Openings
Vertical openings shall be enclosed depending upon the
fire-resistive requirements of a particular type of
construction.
Elevator Enclosures
➢ Walls and partitions enclosing elevators and
escalators shall be of not less than the fire-
resistive construction required under the Types
of Construction. Enclosing walls of elevator
shafts may consist of wire glass set in metal
frames on the entrance side only.
Other Vertical Openings
➢ All shafts, ducts, chutes, and other vertical
openings shall have enclosing walls conforming
to the requirements specified under the type of
construction of the building in which they are
located.
Air Ducts
➢ Air ducts passing through a floor shall be
enclosed in a shaft. The shaft shall be as required
in this Code for vertical openings. Dampers shall
be installed where ducts pierce the shaft
enclosure walls. Air ducts in Group A
Occupancies need not be enclosed in a shaft if
conforming to the mechanical provisions of this
Code.
• Floor Construction
➢ Floors shall be of such materials and construction
as specified under Fire Zones and Fire-Resistive
Standards and under Types of Construction.
➢ All floors shall be so framed and secured into the
framework and supporting walls as to form an
integral part of the whole building.
➢ The types of floor construction used shall provide
means to keep the beam and girders from lateral
buckling.
➢ The types of floor construction used shall provide
means to keep the beam and girders from lateral
buckling.
• Roof Construction and Covering
▪ Roof Covering
Roof covering for all buildings shall be either fire-
retardant or ordinary depending upon the fire-resistive
requirements of the particular type of construction. The
use of combustible roof insulation shall be permitted in
all types of construction provided it is covered with
approved roof covering applied directly thereto.
Roof Trusses
All roofs shall be so framed and tied into the framework
and supporting walls so as to form an integral part of the
whole building. Roof trusses shall have all joints well
fitted and shall have all tension members well tightened
before any load is placed in the truss. Diagonal and sway
bracing shall be used to brace all roof trusses. The
allowable working stresses of materials in trusses shall
conform to this Code. Camber shall be provided to
prevent sagging.
✓ Camber - During production, trusses improve on
traditional rafter design by forcing an upward
bend into the chords of trusses. This is referred
to as a 'camber'. A camber helps to resist loads.
 For example, the amount of bend is calculated to
help resist the load of tiles and ceiling lining. The
calculations are designed to ensure the truss
eventually flattens out to provide straight chords
once it is fully loaded.
Attics
➢ An attic access opening shall be provided in the
ceiling of the top floor of buildings with a
combustible ceiling or roof construction.
➢ The opening shall be located in a corridor or
hallway of buildings of three or more storeys in
height, and readily accessible in buildings of any
height.
➢ An opening shall not be less than 600 mm
square or 600 mm in diameter.
➢ The minimum clear headroom of 800 mm shall
be provided above the access opening. For
ladder requirements, refer to the Philippine
Mechanical Engineering code.
Roof Drains
Roof drains shall be installed at low points of the roof and
shall be adequate in size to discharge all tributary waters.
Overflow Drains and Scuppers
Where roof drains are required, adequate overflow
drains shall be provided.
Concealed Piping
Roof drains and overflow drains, when concealed within
the construction of the building, shall be installed in
accordance with the provisions of the National Plumbing
Code.
Over Public Property of Roof Drainage System
Roof drainage water from a building shall not be
permitted to flow over public property, except for Group
A and J Occupancies.
Stairs, Exits, and Occupant Loads
1. Determination of Occupant Loads – The occupant load
permitted in any building or portion thereof shall be
determined by dividing the floor area assigned to that
use by the unit area allowed per occupant as determined
by the Secretary.
2. Exit Requirements – Exits requirements of a building
or portion thereof used for different purposes shall be
determined by the occupant load which gives the largest
number of persons. No obstruction shall be placed in the
required width of an exit except permitted projections.
3. Posting of Room Capacity – Any room having an
occupant load of more than 50 where fixed seats are not
installed, and which is used for classroom, assembly, or
similar purpose shall have the capacity of the room
posted in a conspicuous place near the main exit from the
room.
4. Changes in Elevation – Except in Group A Occupancies,
changes in floor elevations of less than 300 millimeters
along any exit serving a tributary occupant load of 10 or
more shall be by means of ramps.
• Exits
1. Number of Exits – Every building or usable portion
thereof shall have at least one exit. In all occupancies,
floors above the first storey having an occupant load of
more than 10 shall not have less than two exits. Each
mezzanine floor used for other than storage purposes, if
greater in area than 185 square meters or more than
18.00 meters in any dimension, shall have at least two
stairways to an adjacent floor.
2. Width – The total width of exits in meters shall not be
less than the total occupant load served divided by 165.
Such width of exits shall be divided approximately equally
among the separate exits.
3. Arrangement of Exits –If only two exits are required,
they shall be placed a distance apart to not less than 1/5
of the perimeter of the area served measured in a
straight line between exits.
4. Distance to Exists - No point in a building without a
sprinkler system shall be more than 45 m from an
exterior exit door, a horizontal exit, exit passageway, or
an enclosed stairway, measured along the line of travel.
In a building equipped with a complete automatic fire
extinguishing system the distance from exits may be
increased to 60 m
• Doors
1. Width and Height – Every required exit doorway shall
be of a size as to permit the installation of a door not less
than 900 millimeters in width and not less than 2.00
meters in height.
2. Door Leaf Width – No leaf of an exit door shall exceed
1.20 meters in width.
3. Additional Doors – When additional doors are
provided for egress purposes, they shall conform to all
provisions in the following cases: Approved revolving
doors having leaves which will collapse under opposing
pressures may be used in exit situations; provided; that
such doors have a minimum width of 2.00 meters or they
are not used in occupancies where exits are required to
be equipped with panic hardware or at least one
conforming exit door is located adjacent to each
revolving doors installed in a building and the revolving
door shall not be considered to provide any exit width.
• Stairways
1. Width – minimum of 750 millimeters
2. Rise and Run – The rise of every step in a stairway shall
not exceed 200 millimeters and the run shall not be less
than 250 millimeters.
3. Landings – Every landing shall have a dimension
measured in the direction of travel equal to the width of
the stairway. Such dimension need not exceed 1.20
meters when the stairs have a straight run.
4. Handrails – shall be placed not less than 800
millimeters nor more than 900 millimeters above the
nosing of treads and ends of handrails shall be returned
or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals.
Fire-Extinguishing Systems
➢ In every storey, basement or cellar with an area
of 200 square meters or more which is used for
habitation, recreation, dining, study, or work,
and which has an occupant load of more than
20.
➢ In all dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms,
workshops or factories, and other rooms with an
occupant load of more than 10 or assembly halls
under Group H and I occupancies with occupant
load of more than 500, and if the next doors of
said rooms are more than 30.00 meters from the
nearest safe fire dispersal area of the building or
opening to an exit court or street.
➢ In all rooms used for storage or handling of
photographic x-ray nitrocellulose films and
other inflammable articles.
LESSON 4. BUILDING ENVELOPE
The building envelope includes all the building
components that separate the indoors from the
outdoors. Building envelopes include the exterior
walls, foundations, roof, windows and doors.
➢ The performance of the building envelope is
impacted by a number of sub-systems, such as
heating, cooling and ventilating equipment,
plumbing and electrical systems.
➢ The interaction of the sub-systems with the
components of the building envelope, as well as
certain activities of the occupants, can affect the
performance of the building envelope.
The building envelope is the enclosure, barrier, and
separator of the outdoor environment and the desired
indoor environment. It is also the protector from the
undesired outdoor threats of danger.
What is it supposed to do?
The building envelope should keep out:
✓ temperature extremes
✓ moisture, as vapor or liquid
✓ Dust
✓ Wind
Additionally, to maintain durability, the building
envelope should not permit weather elements to be
trapped inside the walls. This may cause wall
components to deteriorate and continue to decay. In
the early stages, it can usually be remedied relatively
inexpensively. As time progresses, costs increase
exponentially.
MAINTENANCE & INSPECTIONS
➢ The building envelope, like a car, requires
regular inspection and maintenance. Some
maintenance guides suggest the exterior of the
building does not need much attention in the
early years.
➢ The numerous failures of building envelopes in
the costal climate zone suggests that it is wise to
have an inspection program in place that starts
in the first year of occupancy in a building and
continues annually thereafter. This inspection
should be done by an experienced professional.
 ➢ If problems can be detected early, before
obvious damage is caused, they can be
remedied at much less expense and while any
existing warranty programs are still in effect.
PREVENTING PROBLEMS
If your strata corporation does not have a schedule for
maintenance and inspection of the building envelope:
➢ Communicate the need for this precaution in
writing to the strata council.
➢ Attend the Annual General Meeting and explain
why a maintenance program is important. If
possible, give examples of problems
encountered by other condominium complexes
that were aggravated by the lack of a
maintenance program.
➢ Put forth in a motion to the AGM the need for a
maintenance program and that it is recorded in
the minutes of the meeting.
How do you know if there is a problem? A problem likely
exists if there is:
▪ no regular inspection and preventive maintenance
program in place
▪ mold or fungi formation
▪ wood rot
▪ water flowing down the sides of the building instead
of running off from the eaves and drainpipes.
▪ wind blowing through the walls.
▪ peeling paint
▪ cracked or missing sealants (caulking)
▪ water stains on inside walls, ceilings or inside the
foundation
▪ gaps that allow the weather to get through the walls.
▪ pools of water on the decks
▪ windows that are wet on the inside.
These problems may not all be related to a failure of the
building envelope:
➢ Some may be localized maintenance items that
can be fixed relatively inexpensively.
➢ Some may be caused by interior systems in the
unit. For example, an un-vented clothes dryer
will create moisture inside.
➢ Some are caused by certain activities of the
occupants. For example, hanging wet clothes
inside will create excessive moisture.
RAIN PENETRATION
Generally, there are three factors which are needed for
water to penetrate a building:
1. presence of water on the exterior of the building.
2. an opening for the water to move through, and
3. a driving force (such as wind or gravity).
Wind will create a pressure difference between indoors
and outdoors. In both face seal and rainscreen systems,
this pressure change occurs primarily at the most air-
tight element in the wall construction. This air-tight
material is referred to as the air-barrier.
➢ Face seal refers to a strategy for rain penetration
control that relies solely on the elimination of
holes in the exposed exterior face of the
assembly.
➢ Face sealed walls rely on creating a completely
impervious barrier to water at the outer face of
the wall. This is also the air barrier, thus it is at
the surface at which the pressure drop occurs.
➢ This surface is frequently wetted, and any
imperfections in the face seal will certainly lead
to air movement through the holes, which in
turn will create the driving force required to
bring the water into the wall assembly, and trap
it there. The water remains in the wall, or dries
slowly, causing deterioration of wood
components.
➢ Rainscreen assemblies refers to a construction
strategy for rain penetration control that relies
on the deflection of the majority of water at the
cladding but also incorporates a cavity which
provides a drainage path for water that
penetrates past the cladding.
➢ Rainscreen technology recognizes that some
incidental water may penetrate the exterior
cladding but allows this water to drain through
the rainscreen cavity.
➢ Rainscreen technology can come in many
different designs and has been evolving since its
earliest use in the late 1940s.
➢ In the example shown below, the air- barrier is
illustrated to occur across the sheathing paper
that is on the exterior surface of the sheathing.
➢ The cladding is not airtight, and in fact,
deliberate openings are left to facilitate drainage
and drying.
 ➢ The pressure drop therefore occurs primarily at Systematically describes the principles by which good
the sheathing paper. By moving the pressure architectural details are designed. Principles are
drop away from the cladding, the driving force is explained in brief, and backed by extensive illustrations
removed from the cladding, which greatly that show you how to design details that will not leak
reduces the potential for water to move past it. water or air, will control the flow of heat and water vapor,
➢ The small amount of water that does pass will adjust to all kinds of movement, and will be easy to
through the cladding drains through the cavity, construct.
leaving the interior of the wall assembly dry.
Structural
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 1. Loads
2. Resistance/Material
Architectural 3. Serviceability
4. Strength
1. Building layout and shape 5. Relative Moments
The shape of a building layout is the spatial attribute that 6. Control/Joints
defines the outline of the building. It affects the areas and Environmental
sizes of vertical components such as external walls and 1. Thermal
associated finishes, windows, partitions and associated 2. Moisture/Air
finishes, etc., as well as the perimeter detailing such as 3. Sound
ground beams, fascias, and the eaves of roofs. 4. Fire
Mechanical
2. Efficiency 1. Heat
Design that make efficient use of energy and resources. 2. Ventilation
The problem of energy efficient, reliable multi-layer 3. Air-conditioning
network design is known to result in different trade-offs Human Requirements for Buildings
between key performance measures. o Sensitivity to thermal changes and air
movements
3. Fenestration o Sensitivity to vibrations and noise
The arrangement of windows and doors on the o Problems of vision, within a building and
elevations of a building. Fenestration refers to the looking out from a building
openings in the building envelope, including the o Social aspects and location
installation of windows, doors, and skylights. o Safety
Requirements for a Barrier
The inclusion of windows and other openings in the 1. Durability
home are necessary as they improve the overall 2. Strength
environment inside the home, however they do work to 3. Rigidity
break the seal of the home, providing possible places for 4. Control of heat flow (Insulation)
air, water, and cold air to enter the home 5. Control of air flow (Air Barrier)
The number of openings included in a home must be 6. Control of vapor flow (Vapor)
taken into account, as well as the quality of the materials 7. Control of rain penetration
used to create these openings along with the placement. 8. Control of solar and other radiation
9. Control of sound transmission
➢ Benefits of fenestration in the building envelope 10.Control of fire protection
✓ increase in comfort. 11.Aesthetically pleasing
✓ improve indoor air quality. 12.Economical requirements
✓ saving money
✓ control condensation.
LESSON 5
4. Detailing I. BUILDING DESIGN PROCESS
II. BUILDING REFERRAL CODES
➢ National Building Code of the Philippines (PD
1096) and its Implementing Rules and
Regulations
PD 1096 Referral Codes: (Technical Professional
Codes)
➢ Architectural Code of the Philippines – UAP
➢ National Structural Code of the Philippines –
ASEP
➢ Philippine Electrical Code – IIEE
➢ Philippine Mechanical Code – PSME
➢ Philippine Electronics Code – IECEP
➢ National Plumbing Code of the Philippines –
NAMPAP
➢ Uniform Plumbing Code – PSSE
➢ Accessibility Law (BP 344) – DPWH, DOTC
➢ Fire Code of the Philippines – BFP, DILG
➢ Code on Sanitation of the Philippines – NWRB
➢ Climate Change Act (RA 9729)
➢ Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Act (RA 10121)
➢ National Cultural Heritage Act (RA 10066)
➢ Philippine Green Building Code – DPWH
➢ DGCS Vol. 6 (Public Buildings and other related
structures) – DPWH
➢ Other applicable codes/clearances, LGU
ordinances/Zoning regulations
• ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
➢ Functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, climate
change adaptability, disaster resiliency
➢ Compliance with Project’s TOR/Proponent’s
Space/Area Requirements and Amenities (SAS, if
Office Building)
➢ Compliance with PD 1096, its IRR and its various
Referral Codes, other Agency Codes/Standards,
LGU Ordinances/Zoning Regulations
• ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN DOCUMENTS
✓ Site Development Plan
✓ Vicinity Map/Location Plan
✓ Perspective
✓ Floor Plans (min scale 1:100)
✓ Elevations (4) (min scale 1:100)
✓ Sections (2) (min scale 1:100)
✓ Roof Plan (min scale 1:100)
✓ Details (in forms of plans, elev./sect. min scale
1:50)
✓ Schedule of Doors and Windows
✓ Schedule of Finishes: floors, walls, ceilings
III. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
• Site Development Plan
➢ In SDP, the position, shape, and dimensions of
the proposed project are shown.
➢ The improvements proposed to be introduced on
the property are also indicated.
• ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN DOCUMENTS
• Vicinity Map/Location Plan
➢ The Lot Plan is prepared by the Geodetic
Engineer on a prescribed drawing sheet.
➢ The exact position of the project site in a
subdivision or community is pinpointed.
➢ Details shown on the location map are
the lots, blocks and the network of roads
in the area, etc.
• Perspective
➢ Perspective is a technique for depicting
three-dimensional volumes and spatial
relationships in two dimensions, as if
from the view-point of an observer.
➢ The main characteristic of perspective is
that objects appear smaller the further
they are from the observer.
• ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
• ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
General Acceptability Criteria for Site Planning
➢ Site Development Plan (SDP) is a pre-building
design activity to position a proposed building
within the confines of its host site.
➢ An SDP properly founded on site investigations
can result in vast savings.
Minimum Building Setbacks and Footprint
 FOUNDATION PLAN (SAME SCALE WITH
ARCHITECTURAL PLAN)
➢ Property line, footing and column designations.
➢ Location of walls with wall footings, slab on fill
thickness and rebar spacing

FLOOR FRAMING PLAN (SAME SCALE WITH

ARCHITECTURAL PLAN)
➢ Beam, column, RC wall, and slab designation
➢ Columns terminated at a particular floor should
be hatched.

ROOF FRAMING PLAN (SAME SCALE WITH

ARCHITECTURAL PLAN)
➢ Roof beams, truss, rafters, bracings designations
➢ Purlin size and spacing call out

SCHEDULE AND TYPICAL DETAILS

➢ Slabs, beams, footings showing all necessary

dimensions and rebar size and number
➢ Detailed column section and typical column
elevation showing splice
IV. STRUCTURAL DESIGN ➢ Truss and rafter schematic diagrams with sizes
and connection details with gusset plate at all
➢ Stability, resiliency, serviceability, economically
truss joints
viable (Value Engineering)
➢ Purlin to roofing (J-bolt), sagrod, bracing
➢ Structural systems and members shall be
connection details
designed to have adequate stiffness to limit
➢ Stair details
deflections, lateral drifts, vibration and shall
➢ Shear wall and footing details, ramp details
result in a system that provides a complete load
➢ Elevated water tank detail including concrete
path capable of transferring all loads and forces
saddles.
from their origin to the load resisting element.
➢ Cistern, septic tank details
(Section 104, Chapter 1, NSCP 2010)
• STRUCTURAL CODES AND REFERENCES
• STRUCTURAL DESIGN DOCUMENTS
National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP 2015)
General Notes
✓ Referral Code of RA 6541 National Building Code
➢ Excavation notes including soil bearing capacity. of the Philippines (NBCP)
➢ Construction notes and design criteria ✓ Code Basis: UBC 1997, IBC 2009, ASCE 7-10, ACI
➢ Notes on rebars and structural steel Code 318-14M, AISC-05
➢ Notes requiring shop drawings.

MASONRY • STRUCTURAL LOADINGS

➢ Wall footings, CHB wall reinforcements
1. Dead Load
➢ CHB wall opening details, lintel beam location
➢ weight of the structure and permanent
and details, stiffener details.
attachments
➢ Rebar splice, development length, hook schedule
➢ self-weight
➢ Slab opening
➢ Roofing materials
➢ Pipe sleeve on beam, change in elevation of
➢ Ceiling
beams.
➢ Plumbing and electrical fixtures
 ➢ Finishes ➢ analysis due to earthquake
➢ Fixed equipment ➢ NSCP 2015 Section 208

2. Live Load ➢ Lateral force Procedures

➢ maximum loads expected due to intended use or ✓ Simplified Static
occupancy. ✓ Static
➢ NSCP 2015 Section 205 ✓ Dynamic
➢ determined by the function and occupancy of
• Seismic Load – Parameters in Building Design
the building.
➢ Weights of temporarily placed items. ➢ Seismic Zone, Z
✓ Furnishings ➢ Site characteristics
✓ Human occupants ✓ Soil profile type & zone (seismic coefficient)
✓ Construction activities ✓ Seismic Source Type & Distance from Fault
line
➢ Occupancy
➢ Building Configuration (regular or irregular)
➢ Earthquake Force Resisting Structural Systems

(NSCP Table 1.3-1 Occupancy Category)

3. Wind Load
➢ NSCP 2015 Section 207
➢ every building and every portion thereof shall be
designed and constructed to resist the effects of
wind.
➢ Design wind load for the Main Wind Force
Resisting System (MWFRS)
4. Seismic Load
➢ Structures and portions thereof shall, as a
minimum, be designed and constructed to resist
the effects of seismic ground motions.
5. Other Load (impact load, crane loads, heliport landing
areas, soil load)
V. GEOTECHNICAL WORKS
• Site Investigation
➢ For structures two storeys or higher, an
exhaustive geotechnical shall be
performed to evaluate in-situ soil
parameters for foundation design and
analysis.
 ➢ Foundation Investigation (NSCP 2015
Section 303.1)
➢ Minimum number of boreholes per
structure (NSCP 2015 Table 303-1)
A borehole is a hole that is bored beneath the ground
during a geotechnical evaluation of a design pathway
for the installation of underground services.
Conceptually similar to potholing, a borehole
provides information about the design pathway
itself.
• GEOTECHNICAL WORKS
Site Investigation
➢ An exhaustive geotechnical investigation should
also be conducted in cases of:
✓ questionable, expansive or problematic
soils.
✓ to determine the location of existing
ground water table.
✓ Floor is located below finished ground
level.
✓ If Pile Foundation and/or ground
improvement are anticipated.
✓ Rock strata is suspected to be
questionable.
✓ Other cases deemed by the
Geotechnical Engineer
• NON-STRUCTURAL FAILURES
Collapsed CHB Walls
➢ Inadequate dowels/rebars and poor quality
CHB
NOTE: The non-structural elements like CHB walls
may alter the assumed structural response
Collapsed Ceiling
➢ Lack of ceiling hangers (support)
Collapsed RC Gutter
➢ R.C./CHB gutter collapsed due to lack of
anchorage and nonexistence of column
stiffeners.
Collapsed Column
➢ Improper tie hook end and improper splicing
VI. BUILDING SERVICES (ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL,
ELECTRONICS, SANITARY & PLUMBING)
• ELECTRICAL DESIGN
Governing Laws and Applicable Codes and Standards • Governing Laws and Applicable Codes and
Standards
➢ RA 7920 – New Electrical Engineering Law
o RA 1096 – National Building Code of the
➢ P.D. 1096 – National Building Code of the
Philippines (NBCP)
Philippines (NBCP)
o RA 9514 – Fire Code of the Philippines
➢ RA 9514 – Fire Code of the Philippines
o RA 9592 – Electronics Engineering Law
➢ Philippine Electrical Code (PEC)
o Philippine Electrical Code
➢ DoE Guidelines, etc.
• SANITARY & PLUMBING DESIGN
• ELECTRICAL DESIGN DOCUMENTS

✓ Location Plan
✓ Single Line Diagram
✓ General Notes
✓ Legends/Symbols
✓ Lighting Plan
✓ Power Plan
✓ Load Schedules
✓ Schematic and Control Diagrams
✓ Installation Details
✓ Exterior Distribution System Plan
✓ Technical Specifications
Governing Laws and Applicable Codes and Standards
✓ Bill of Materials
✓ Project Estimate ➢ P.D. 1096 – National Building Code of the
• MECHANICAL DESIGN Phillippines (NBCP)
➢ RA 1364 - Sanitary Enginering Law
➢ RA 1378 - Master Plumbing Law
➢ Fire Code of the Philippines
➢ National Plumbing Code of the Philippines
➢ Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
➢ PD 1067 - Water Code of the Philippines
➢ Solid Waste Management Act of 2002

Governing Laws and Applicable Codes and Standards

➢ P.D. 1096 – National Building Code of the

Philippines (NBCP)
➢ RA 9514 – Fire Code of the Philippines
➢ Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineering
(PSME), Mechanical Engineering Code

• ELECTRONICS DESIGN