NATIONAL BUILDING CODE

OF THE PHILIPPINES

National Building Code of the Philippines

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6541 An Act to Ordain and Institute National Building Code of the Philippines

Chapter 1.01 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Title 1 ADMINISTRATIVE new buildings or structures. Alterations should preserve
SECTION 1.01.02: Declaration of Policy the aesthetic value of the building to be altered.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State SECTION: Application

to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, (a) This Code shall apply to all buildings and structures
consistent with the principles of environmental constructed and any change or repair made thereon after
management and control; and to this end, make it the the approval of said Code. Buildings or structures
purpose of this Code to provide for all buildings and constructed before the approval of this Code shall not be
structured, a framework of minimum standards and affected thereby; Except, where their continued use or
requirements by guiding, regulating, and controlling occupancy is dangerous to life or limb; or where
their location, siting, design, quality of materials, alterations, additions, conversions, or repairs are to be
construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance, made thereon, this Code shall apply only to such
including their environment, utilities, fixtures, portions of the buildings or structure which have to be
equipment, and mechanical electrical, and other systems altered in order to effect such damages or repairs.
and installations.
(b) This Code shall apply to chartered cities, poblaciones
SECTION: Scope of municipalities and municipal districts with a

(a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design, population of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants,

location, siting, construction, alteration, repair, and to barrios of urban areas with a population of at least

conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, and two thousand (2,000) inhabitants. This Code shall also

demolition of, and addition to, public and private apply to any area where there are fifty (50) or more

buildings and structures. families per hectare.

(b) Additions, alterations, repairs, and changes of use or (c) This Code shall likewise apply to any area proposed

occupancy in all buildings and structures shall comply for or being developed into a new town site, residential

with requirements for new buildings and structures subdivision, commercial or residential site, school site,

except as otherwise herein provided. Only such portion housing project, and similar construction projects where

or portions of the existing building or structure which five or more buildings not covered by paragraph (d) of

have to be altered to effect the addition, alteration, or this Section will be constructed even if the poblacion or

repair shall be made to conform to the requirements for barrio population is less than two thousand (2,000) or the
density of population is less than fifty (50) families per
hectare.
(d) The design and construction requirements of this
Code shall not apply to any traditional indigenous family
dwelling costing not more than five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00) and intended for use and occupancy of the
family of the owner only. The traditional type of family
dwellings are those that are constructed of native
materials such as bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber, wherein
the distance between vertical supports or suportales does
not exceed 3.00 meters (10 feet); and if masonry walls or
socalos are used, such shall not be more than 1.00 meter
(3 feet, 3 inches) from the ground: Provided, however,
That such traditional indigenous family dwelling will not
constitute a danger to life or limb of its occupants or of
the public; will not be fire hazard or an eyesore to the
community; and does not contravene any fire zoning
regulation of the city or municipality in which it is
located.
SECTION 1.01.05 Building Use Affecting
Public Health and Safety
(a) Any building or structure, or any ancillary or
accessory facility thereto, and any alteration or addition
to any building or structure already existing, shall
conform in all respects to the principles of safe
construction, shall be suited to the purpose for which the
building is designed, and shall, in no case contribute to
making the community in which it is located at eyesore,
a slum, or a blighted area.
(b) Adequate environmental safeguards shall be
observed in the design, construction, and use of any
building or structure for the manufacture and production
of any kind of article or product which constitutes a
hazard or nuisance affecting public health and safety,
such as explosives, gas, noxious chemicals, inflammable
compounds, or the like.
SECTION: Maintenance
(a) All buildings or structures, both existing and new,
and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and
sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards, which are
required by this Code in a building or structure when
constructed, altered, or repaired, shall be maintained on
good working order.
SECTION 1.01.07: Insanitary, Unsafe,
Hazardous, or Dangerous Sites
(a) 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. Where the
land or site is polluted, insanitary, unhygienic, unsafe, or
hazardous, conditions contributing to or causing its being
polluted, insanitary, unhygienic, unsafe, or hazardous
shall be reasonably improved or corrected, or proper
remedial measures shall be prescribed or incorporated in
the design or construction of the building or structure in
accordance with the provisions of this Code.
(b) The land or site upon which be constructed a building
of structure or any ancillary or accessory facility thereto,
for use of human habitation or abode, shall be at a safe
distance from streamers or bodies of water and/source of
air considered to be polluted, volcano or volcanic site,
and building or structure considered to be a potential
source of fire or explosion, such as ammunitions factory
or dump and storage place for highly inflammable
material.
SECTION 1.01.08: Dangerous and Ruinous
Buildings or Structures
Dangerous Buildings Defined. - Dangerous
buildings are those which are structurally unsafe or not
provided with safe egrees, or which constitute a fire
hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life, or
which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard to
safety or health or public welfare, by reason of
inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire
hazard, or abandonment; or which otherwise contribute
to the pollution of the site or the community to an
intolerable degree. Any building or structure which has
any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter
described, or conditions or defects similar thereto, shall
be deemed to be dangerous building: Provided, That
such conditions or defect exists to the extent that the life,
health, property, or safety of the public or its occupant
are endangered:
Abatement of Dangerous Buildings
Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. In all cases
of dangerous buildings, except those covered by Article
482 and 694 to 707 of the Civil Code of the Philippines,
the Building Official shall order their repair, vacation, or
demolition in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) Where the dangerous building can reasonably be
repaired such that it will no longer be dangerous, it shall
be ordered repaired;
(2) Where the dangerous building is such that to repair it
would cost more than 50 per cent of the current to
Chapter ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 1.02.03: Building permits
(a) Any person, firm, or corporation, including any
department, office, bureau, agency of instrumentality of
the government intending to construct, alter, repair,
move, convert or demolish any building or structure, or
cause the same to be done, shall obtain a building permit
from the Building Official for whichever of such work is
proposed to be undertaken for the building or structure,
before any such work is started.
(b) Appropriate rules and regulations shall be set by
the Secretary concerning:
(1) Forms for application for building permits;
(2) Procedures to be observed in securing such permits;
(3) Procedures to be observed in the issuance,
suspension, and revocation of such building permits; and
(4) Type, nature, and scope of plans and specifications,
and other requisite documents, which shall be prepared
and designed by a licensed architect or engineer.
(c) When authorized by the Building Official in
accordance with the provisions of this Code, plans
and specifications need not be submitted for the
following:
replacement cost of the building, it shall be repaired or
demolished at the opinion of the owner;
(3) Where the dangerous building poses an immediate
threat to life, limb, or property, it shall be vacated
immediately, then repaired or demolished in accordance
with subparagraphs (1) or (2) herein.
SECTION 1.01.10: Municipal and Provincial
Ordinances and Regulations
(a) Local ordinances should conform to the Code and
suppletory requirements hereto shall in no case diminish
minimum requirements embodied in this Code. The
Secretary of Public Works and Communications or, in
the proper case, the Secretary of Justice shall take any
and all appropriate steps in cases where local ordinances
conflict with the Code.
(1) Group A traditional indigenous type of dwelling
construction costing not more than three thousand pesos
(P3,000.00); and
(2) Group J Division 1 Occupancy of Type 1
conventional wood frame construction or of the
traditional indigenous type of construction costing not
more than three thousand pesos (P3,000.00).
SECTION: Fees
(a) Regulations on building permit, inspection and other
fees, and for compliance with the same shall be covered
by city and municipal ordinances: Provided, That
Traditional indigenous family dwellings under Section
(d) shall be exempt from payment of building permit
fees.
SECTION 1.02.05: Inspection ad Certificates
of Occupancy
(a) Inspection. The duly licensed architect or engineer
engaged by the owner to undertake inspection and
detailed supervision of the construction shall periodically
certify that the construction conforms to the plans and
specifications submitted in the application for a building
permit. Upon submission of such periodic certifications
during the progress of construction, the Building Official
shall periodically issue the required authority to continue
with the subsequent phases of construction, without
prejudice to his right to conduct on his own initiative any
inspection of the said construction. Upon completion of
the construction, the said duly licensed architect or
engineer shall submit to the Building Official the final
certification that the building conforms to the provisions
of the Code and with the detailed plans and
specifications submitted.
(b) Certificates of Occupancy. The proper Certificate of
Occupancy shall be issued to the applicant within seven
(7) days from completion of the requirements for
inspection and occupancy and payment of any and all
fees therefor, unless the building Official or his Deputy
issuing the Certificate shall show cause in writing why
Chapter REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE ZONES
TITLE 2 - FIRE AND FIRE-RESISTIVE
STANDARDS
(a) Fire Zones Defined. Fire zones are areas within
which only certain types of building are permitted to be
constructed based on their use, occupancy, type of
construction, and resistance to fire.
(b) Building Located in More Than One Fire Zone. If a
building or structure is located in more than one fire
zone and more than one-third of its total floor area is in a
more restricted fire zone, then the entire building shall
conform to the requirements for the more restricted area.
Chapter 2.02 - FIRE-RESISTIVE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR FIRE
PROTECTION
(a) Exterior bearing and nonbearing 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 to IV constructions shall have one-
hour fire-resistive rating; while those of Type V shall
have three-hour fire-resistive rating for walls, one-hour
the Certificate should not be issued and shall indicate
thereon the particular provisions of the Code violated or
the particular requirements not complied with. Within
fifteen (15) days from receipt by the applicant of the
advice from Building Official or his Deputy authorized
to issue the certificate why the certificate should not be
issued, or why the certificate is suspended or revoked,
the applicant may appeal the non-issuance, suspension,
or revocation thereof, to the Mayor of the chartered city
or municipality, or the Governor of the province where
the building for which the certificate is being applied for
is located. Said appeal shall be decided within fifteen
(15) days from receipts thereof, otherwise, the applicant
may bring the matter to the proper Court of Justice for
final disposition. The building may be occupied only
upon issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
(c) Moved Building. Any building or structure moved
within or into any fire zone shall be made to comply
with all the requirements for buildings of that fire zone.
(d) Temporary Buildings. Temporary buildings or
structures conforming to the requirements of this Code,
used for the protection of the public around and in
conjunction with construction work may be erected in
any of the fire zones: Provided, that such work is
allowed by special permit from the Building Official and
such is used only for a limited period of time.
fire-resistive rating for partitions, and two-hour fire-
resistive rating for vertical openings, floors, and roofs.
(c) Structural frames of Types II and III constructions
shall have one-hour fire-resistive rating; 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 three-fourths-
hour fire-resistive rating for all types of construction.

(b) One-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating
(1) The following walls and partitions shall have a one-
hour fire-resistive rating: Solid masonry, 10 centimeters
(4 inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 15 centimeters (6
inches) thick; solid concrete, 10 centimeters (4 inches)
thick; stud walls covered on each side with 1.9
centimeters (3/4 inch) lath and plaster, 1.6 centimeters
(5/8 inch) of vermiculite gypsum board, or 2.5
centimeters (1 inch) of gypsum board; and 5 centimeters
(2 inches) nominal thickness tongue and groove wood,
or two layers of 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) tongue and
groove wood separated by sheet metal or asbestos paper
and treated on each side with a fire-retardant coating
having a flame-spread rating of 50 or less. Square-edged
boards may be used is the layers are laid at right angles
with each other.
(2) The following floors shall have a one-hour fire-
resistive rating: masonry or concrete, 10 centimeters (4
inches) thick; wood joists having two layers of flooring
above and a plaster or gypsum board ceiling, 1.9
centimeters (3/4 inch) in thickness - the two layers of
flooring shall be separated by sheet metal or asbestos
building paper; 6.3 centimeters (2-1/2 inches) net
thickness tongue and grooved wood floors covered with
1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) wood flooring laid at right
angles thereto. The supporting beams for such floors
shall be not less than 15 centimeters (6 inches) in
minimum dimension.
(3) The following protections for metal structural
members shall have one-hour fire-resistive rating: 2.5
centimeters (1 inch) of concrete; 3.8 centimeters (1-1/2
inches) of masonry; and metal lath and 2.5 centimeters
Chapter CLASSIFICATION OF ALL BUILDINGS BYUSE OR OCCUPANCY AND
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL OCCUPANCIES
TITLE 3 - REQUIREMENTS BASED ON
OCCUPANCY
SECTION 3.01.01: Occupancy Classified
(1 inch) of plaster.(4) The following shall also have a
one-hour fire-resistive rating; wood colums, 20
centimeters (8 inches) or more in least dimension; and
wood beams, 15 centimeters (6 inches) or more in least
dimension.
(c) Two-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating
(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall have
a two-hour fire-resistive rating: solid masonry, 15
centimeters (6 inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 20
centimeters (8 inches) thick; and solid concrete, 127
centimeters (5 inches) thick.(2) The following
protections for metal structural members shall have a
two-hour fire-resistive rating. 3.8 centimeters (1-1/2
inches) of concrete; 5 centimeters (2 inches) of masonry;
and two layers of metal lath and plaster with 1.9
centimeters (3/4 inch) air space between and having a
total thickness of 6.3 centimeters (2-1/2 inches).
(d) Three-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating
(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall have
a three-hour fire-resistive rating: solid masonry, 17.8
centimeters (7 inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 25.4
centimeters (10 inches) thick; and solid concrete, 15
centimeters (6 inches) thick.(2) The following protection
for metal structural members shall have a three-hour fire
resistive rating: centimeters (2 inches) of concrete; 7.6
centimeters (3 inches) of masonry.
(e) Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating
(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall have
a four-hour fire resistive rating: solid masonry walls, 20
centimeters (8 inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 30
centimeters (12 inches) thick; and solid concrete, 17.8
centimeters (7 inches) thick.
(a) Building proposed, for construction shall be
identified according to its use or the character of its
occupancy and shall be classified as follows:
(1) Group A - Residential: Dwellings. Group A
Occupancies shall include dwellings.

(2) Group B - Residential: Hotels and Apartments. -
Group B Occupancies shall include boarding or lodging
houses, hotels, apartment houses, convents, and
monasteries (each accomodating more than 10 persons).
(3) Group C - Education and Recreation. Group C
Occupancies shall be any building used for school or day
care purposes more than eight hours per week, involving
assemblage for instruction, education, or recreation, and
not classed in Group I or in Divisions 1 and 2 of Group
H Occupancies.
(4) Group D - Institutional. Group D Occupancies shall
include: Division 1 - Mental hospitals, mental
sanitariums, jails, prisons, reformatories, and buildings
where personal liberties of inmates are similarly
restrained; Division 2 - Nurseries for full-time care of
children under kindergarten age, hospitals, sanitariums,
nursing homes with non-ambulatory patients, and similar
buildings (each accommodating more than five persons);
Division 3 - Nursing homes for ambulatory patients,
homes for children of kindergarten age or over (each
accommodating more than five persons); Provided, That
Group D Occupancies shall not include buildings used
only for private residential purposes or for a family
group.
(5) Group E - Business and Mercantile. Group E
Occupancies shall include: Division 1 - Gasoline filling
and service stations; storage garage and boat storage
structures where no work is done except exchange of
parts and maintenance requiring no open flame, welding,
or the use of highly flammable liquids; Division 2 -
Wholesale and retail stores, office buildings, drinking
and dining establishments having an occupant load test
than 100, printing plants, municipal police and fire
stations, factories and workshops using materials not
highly flammable or combustible, storage and sales room
for combustible goods, and paint stores without bulk
handling, and Division 3 -Aircraft hangars where no
repair work is done except exchange of parts and
maintenance requiring no open flame, welding, or the
use of highly flammable liquids; open parking garages
and heliports.
(6) Group F - Industrial. Group F Occupancies shall
include: Ice plants, power plants, pumping plants, cold
storage, and creameries; factories and workshops using
incombustible and non-explosive materials; and storage
and sales rooms of incombustible and non-explosive
materials.
(7) Group G - Storage and Hazardous. Group G
Occupancies shall include: Division 1 - Storage and
handling of hazardous and highly flammable or
explosive materials other than flammable liquids;
Division 2 - Storage and handling of flammable liquids;
dry cleaning plants using flammable liquids; paint stores
with bulk handling; paint shops and spray painting
rooms, and shops; Division 3 - Wood working
establishments, planning mills and box factories, shops
factories where loose, combustible fibers or dust are
manufactured, processed or generated; warehouses
where highly combustible material is stored; Division 4 -
Repair garages; and Division 5 - Aircraft repair hangars.
8) Group H - Assembly Other Than Group I. Group H
Occupancies shall include: Division 1 - Any assembly
building with a stage and an occupant load of less than
100 in the building; Division 2 - Any assembly building
without a stage and having an occupant load of 300 or
more in the building; Division 3 - Any assembly
building without a stage and having an occupant load of
less than 300 in the building, including such buildings
used for school purposes less than eight hours per week;
and Division 4 - Stadiums, reviewing stands, amusement
park structures not included within Group I or Divisions
1, 2, and 3, Group H Occupancies.
(9) Group I - Assembly Occupant Load 1000 or More.
Group I Occupancies shall be any assembly building
with a stage and an occupant load of 1000 or more in the
building.
(10) Group J - Accessory. Group J Occupancies shall
include: Division 1 - Private garages, carports, sheds,
and agricultural buildings; Division 2 - Fences over 1.80
meters (6 feet) high, tanks, and towers.
SECTION: Change in Use
(a) No change shall be made in the character of
occupancies or use of any building which would place
the building in a different division of the same group of
occupancy or in a different group of occupancies, unless
such buildings is made to comply with the requirements
for such division or group of occupancy: Except, That
the character of occupancy of existing buildings may be
changed subject to the approval of the Building Official
and the building may be occupied for purposes set forth
in other Groups without conforming to all the
requirements for those Groups, provided the new or
proposed use is less hazardous, based on life and fire
risk, than the existing use.
SECTION 3.01.03: Mixed Occupancy
(a) General. When a building is used for more than one
occupancy purposes, each part of the building
comprising a distinct "Occupancy" shall be separated
from any other occupancy. When a building is used for
more than one occupancy purpose, it shall be subject to
the most restrictive requirements for the occupancies
concerned: Except,
- (1) When a one-story building houses more than one
occupancy, each portion of the building shall conform to
the requirements for the occupancy housed therein, and
the area of the building shall be such that the sum of the
actual areas divided by the allowable area for each
separate occupancy shall not exceed one; and
(2) Where minor accessory uses do not occupy more
than 10 per cent of the area of any floor of a building,
nor more than 10 per cent of the basis are permitted in
the occupancy requirements. The major use of the
building shall determine the occupancy classification
provided the uses are separated in accordance with
requirements for occupancy separation.
SECTION 3.01.04: Location on Property
(a) General. Buildings shall adjoin or have access to a
public space, yard, or street on not less than one side.
Required yards shall be permanently maintained. For the
purpose of this Section, the center line of an adjoining
street or alley shall be considered an adjacent property
line. Eaves over required windows shall be not less than
75 centimeters (30 inches) from the side and rear and
rear property lines.
(b) Fire Resistance of Walls. Exterior walls shall have
fire resistance and opening protection in accordance with
requirements set by the Secretary. Projections beyond
the exterior wall shall not extend beyond a point one-
third the distance to the property line from an exterior
wall; or a point one-third the distance from an assumed
vertical plane located where fire-resistive protection of
openings is first required due to 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 area of
such openings shall not exceed 50 per cent of the total
area of the wall in each story.
SECTION 3.01.05: Allowable Floor Areas
Areas of One-Story Buildings and Building Over
One Story. Allowable floor areas for one-story buildings
and buildings over one story shall not exceed the limits
determined in accordance with occupancy groups and
types of construction.
SECTION 3.01.06: Allowable Area Increases
The floor area 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 the adjoining two
or more sides of the building or structure.
SECTION 3.01.07: Maximum Height of
Buildings and Increases
 The maximum height and number of stories of
every building shall be dependent upon the character of
the occupancy and the type of construction, and shall not
exceed the limits determined by 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
Chapter CLASSIFICATION OF ALL BUILDINGS BY TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION AND
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
TITLE 4 - TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
(a) The requirements of this Chapter are minimum for
the varying degrees of public safety and resistance to
fire. Every building proposed for construction shall be
identified according to the following:
(1) Type I. Type I Buildings shall be of wood
construction. The structural elements may be any of
the materials permitted by this Code.
(2) Type II. Type II Buildings shall be of wood
construction with protective fire-resistant materials
and one-hour fire-resistive throughout: Except, That
permanent nonbearing partitions may use fire-
retardant treated wood within the framing assembly.
(3) Type III. Type III Buildings shall be masonry and
wood construction, Structual elements may be any of
the materials permitted by this Code: Provided, That
the building shall be one-hour fire-resistive
throughout. Exterior walls shall be of incombustible
fire-resistive construction.
(4) Type IV. Type IV Building shall be of steel, iron,
concrete, or masonry construction. Walls and
permanent partitions shall be of incombustible fire-
resistive construction: Except, That permanent
Chapter LIGHT AND VENTILATION
TITLE 5 - LIGHT, VENTILATION, AND
SANITATION
SECTION: General
surface shall not exceed such maximum height by more
than 3.00 meters (10 feet): Except, That towers, spires,
and steeples, erected as a 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 (19
feet, 8 inches) above the height limits for each
occupancy group if of combustible materials.
nonbearing partitions of one-hour fire resistive
construction framing assembly.
(5) Type V. Type V Buildings shall be fire-resistive.
The structural elements shall be of steel, iron,
concrete, or masonry construction. Walls and
permanent partitions shall be incombustible fire-
resistive construction.
SECTION 4.01.02: Change in Type
(a) No change shall be made in the type of
construction of any building which would place
the building in a different subtype or type of
construction unless such bidding is made to
comply with the requirements for such subtype
or type of construction: Except, That the type of
construction of existing buildings may be
changed subject to the approval of the Building
Official and the building may be constructed for
purposes set forth in other Types without
conforming to all the requirements for those
Types, provided the new or proposed
construction is less hazardous, based on life and
fire risk, than the existing construction.
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Civil Code on
easement on light and view, and to provisions of this
Title, every building shall be so constructed, arranged,
and equipped as to provide adequate light and
ventilation.
(b) All building erected shall face a street or public
alley or private street which has been officially
approved.
(c) No building shall be altered nor arranged so as to
reduce the size of any room or the relative area of
windows to less than that provided for buildings under
this Code, or so as to create an additional room, unless
such additional room conforms to the requirements of
this Code.
(d) No building shall be enlarged, so that the
dimensions of any required court yard would be less
than that prescribed for any such building.
SECTION 5.01.05: Ceiling Heights
(a) Habitable rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms, storage
rooms, and utility rooms shall have a ceiling height of
not less than 2.40 meters (8 feet), measured from the
floor to the ceiling: Provided, That for buildings of
more than one story, the minimum ceiling height of the
first story shall be 2.70 meters (9 feet) and 2.40 meters
Chapter SANITATION
SECTION: General
(a) All buildings hereafter erected for human habitation
should be provided with plumbing facilities installed in
Chapter BUILDING PROJECTION OVERPUBLIC STREETS
TITLE 6 - REGULATIONS FOR USE OF PUBLIC
PROPERTY
SECTION 6.01.02: Projection into Alleys and
Streets
(a) No part of any structure or its appendage
shall project into any alley or street except as
provided in this Code.
(8 feet) for the second story, and succeeding stories.
Garages shall have an unobstructed headroom clearance
of not less than 2.10 meters (7 feet) above the finished
floor.
SECTION 5.01.06: Minimum Size of Rooms
and Their Least Dimensions
(a) The minimum sizes of rooms and their least
horizontal dimensions shall be as follows: 6:00 square
(65 square feet) with at least nominal dimension of 2.00
meters (6 feet 7 inches) for rooms for human habitation;
3.00 square meters (32 square feet) with a least
horizontal dimension of 1.50 meters (5 feet) for
kitchens; and 1.20 square meters (12 square feet) with a
least horizontal dimension of 0.90 meter (3 feet) for
bathrooms.
SECTION 5.01.09: Mezzanine Floor
(a) A Mezzanine floor is a partial, intermediate floor in
any story or room of a building having an area not more
than one-half of the area of the room or space in which
it is constructed.
(b) A mezzanine floor shall be constructed with a clear
ceiling height of not less than 1.90 meters (6 feet, 4
inches) above and below.
conformity with the National Plumbing Code adopted
and promulgated by the National Master Plumbers
Association of the Philippines pursuant to Republic Act
1378, otherwise known as the "Plumbing Law".
(b) No projection shall be allowed on any
national roads or public highway.
(c) Footing located at least 2.40 meters (8 feet)
below grade may project not more than 30
centimeters (12 inches) beyond the property line.
(d) Foundation may be permitted to encroach
into public sidewalk areas to a width not
exceeding 50 centimeters (1 foot, 8 inches):
Provided, That the top of the said foundations or
footings does not reach beyond the level of a
plane 60 centimeters (2 feet) 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 re-routing of the parts affected.
Chapter 6.02 - PROTECTION OR PEDESTRIANS DURING CONSTRUCTION OR
DEMOLITION
(a) No person shall use or occupy a street, alley, or SECTION 6.02.04: Mixing Mortar on Public
public sidewalk for the performance or work under a Property
building permit except in accordance with the provisions
of this Chapter.
(b) No person shall perform any work on any work on
any building or structure adjacent to a public way in
general use by the public for pedestrian travel, unless the
pedestrians are protected as specified in this Chapter
(c) Any material or structure temporarily occupying
public property, including fences, canopies, and
walkways, shall be adequately lighted between sunset
and sunrise.
SECTION 6.02.03: Storage on Public
Property
(a) Materials and equipment necessary for work to be
done under a permit shall not be placed or stored on
public property so as to obstruct free and convenient
approach to and use of any fire hydrant, fire or police
alarm box, utility box, catch basin, or manhole or so as
not to interfere with any drainage of any street or alley
gutter.
SECTION 6.01.08: Corner Buildings with
Chaflans
(a) Every corner building on a public street or alley less
than meters (12 feet) in width shall be made with a
chaflan or truncated angle at the corner. The face of the
triangle so formed shall be at right angles to the bisector
of the angle of intersection of the street lines; Provided,
That, in no case, shall the length of the chaflan be less
than 4.00 meters (13 feet, 4 inches). In special cases, the
Building Official shall determine the size and form of
the chaflan
(b) If the buildings is arcaded, no chaflan is required
notwithstanding the width of the public street or alleys
less than meters (39 feet, 4 inches)
(a) The mixing or handling of mortar, concrete, or
similar materials on public street shall not be allowed
except when the same are to be used on such streets or
any portion thereof such as curbs, gutters, manholes,
sidewalks, culverts and the like
SECTION 6.02.07: Pedestrian protection
(a) 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, and by such other appropriate
portion such as set forth in Table 6.02-A: Type of
Protection Required for Pedestrian (Annex B).
(b) Railings. Railings shall be built substantially and
should be at least 1.00 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) in height.
(c) Fence. Fences shall be built of an approved material,
not less than 2.40 meters (8 feet) in height above grade,
and to 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.
(d) Canopies. The protective canopy shall have a clear
height of 2.40 meters (8 feet) above the walkway, and
shall be constructed 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
adopted by a tight curb board not less than 30
centimeters (1 foot) high and a railing not less than 1.00
meters (3 feet, 3 inches) 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 633 kilograms per square meter (150 pounds
per square foot).

Chapter GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

TITLE 7 - ENGINEERING REGULATIONS
SECTION: Scope
(a) The design and construction of all buildings and
structures shall be in compliance with the provisions of
the National Structural Code for Buildings, latest edition,
adopted and promulgated by the Board of examiners of
civil engineers pursuant to Republic Act Numbered 544,
as amended, otherwise known as the "Civil Engineering
Law".
TITLE 8 - DETAILED REGULATIONS
SECTION 8.01.02: Excavations, Foundations,
and Retaining Walls
Excavation or fills for any building structure and
excavations or fills accessory thereto shall be so
constructed or protected that they do not endanger life
and property. Whenever or wherever there exists in the
site of the construction on abrupt change in the ground
levels or levels 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 in accordance with generally accepted
standards and principles of engineering.
SECTION 8.01.07: Stairs, Exits, and
Occupant Loads
Exit Requirements. Exit 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 the
required width of an exit except projections permitted by
this code. Number of Exits. Every building or usable
portion thereof shall have at least one exit. In all
occupancies, floors above the first story having an
occupant load of more than 10 shall have not less than
two exits. Every story or portion thereof, having an
occupant load of 500 to 999 shall have not less than
three exits. Every story or portions thereof, having an
occupant load of 1000 or more shall have not less than
four exits.
Width. The total width of exists in meters shall be not
less than the total occupant load served divided by 165
(in feet, by 50). Such width of exits shall be divided
approximately equally among the separate exits.

Chapter SIGNS
SECTION: General
(a) No signs or signboards shall be erected in such a manner as to confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any
official traffic sign signal or device. (b) No signboards shall be constructed as to unduly obstruct the natural view of
the landscape, distract or obstruct the view of the public as to constitute a traffic hazard, or otherwise defile, debase,
or NATIONAL STRUCTURAL CODE offend
the aesthetic
and cultural
OF THE PHILIPPINES
values and
traditions of the Filipino
people

INTRODUCTION
 ASEP recognizes the need for an up-to-date * Based on American standards, ASCE American Society
structural code addressing the design and of Civil Engineers 7-05
installation of building structural systems through * APO – Association of Professional Organization
requirements emphasizing performance, The new
National Structural Code of the Philippines CHANGES MID-DEVELOPMENTS
(NSCP) is designed to meet these needs through  In its drive to upgrade and update the NSCP, the
various model codes Regulations, generally from ASEP Codes and Standards Committee initially
the United States, to safeguard the public health warned to adopt the latest editions of American
and safety nationwide code counterparts. However, for cases where
available local data is limited to support the
 This updated Structural Code establishes minimum upgrade, then some provisions and procedures of
requirements for building structural systems using the NSCP 6th edition were retained.
prescriptive and performance-based provisions. It
is founded on broad-based principles that make INTERNATIONAL CODES AND REFERENCES
possible the possible use of new materials and new o Uniform Building Code UBC1997 (adopted for
building designs Earthquake loads)
o International Building Code IBC – 2009
 Also, this code, reflects the latest seismic design (referenced)
practice for earthquake resistant structures. o American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE 7-05
(adopted for Wind Loads)
*ASEP – Association of Structural Engineers of the o American Concrete Institute ACI318-O8M
Philippines
 o American Institute for Steel Construction AISC-05 o Reinforced Masonry Engineering Handbook
WITH Supplementary Seismic Provisions America
o American Iron and Steel Institute AISIS100-2007 o Concrete Masonry Handbook, 6th edition

CHAPTER 1: PROVISIONS/GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Significant Revisions Summarized
SECTION103 – Classification of Buildings

SECTION104 – Design Requirements

Defelcetion of any structural member uneder the Serviceablitty requirement deleted. For concrete and smcl materials
sec Chapter 4 and 5 respectively; new requirements are added to the design review section.

SECTION 105 – Posting and instrumentation

The provision of installed recording accelograph is adjusted

CHAPTER 2
SECTION 203 – Combination of Loads
The load factor values on wind loads are adjusted and
together with the inclusion of loads
SECTION 205 – Live Loads
Additional loads are incorporated in the table foe
minimum uniform and concentrated loads
SECTION 207 – Wind Loads
Wind load provision, which KD were previously based
on ASCE 7-95, are updated by the introduction of the
Wind Directionality Factor, Kd, based on ASCE 7-05.
The ANSI EIA/TIA-222-G is also referenced for winds
loads or antennas
 Equations for the gust effect factors for both rigid
and flexible structures are introduced. These
include the gust effect factor for antennas,
transmission and latticed towers, poles/posts,
masts and transmission lines based on ASCE
Manual Practice no. 74 (Guidelines for Electrical
Transmission Line Engineering Loading.
 New formulas are also introduced for the natural
frequency and damping ratio
SECTION 208 – Earthquake Loads
ASCE/SEI7-05 is recognized as alternative procedure in
the determination of earthquake loads.
SECTION 210 and SECTION 211
New section on rain loads and flood loads are added

CHAPTER 3: SPECIFICATION FOR EXCAVATIONS AND GEOMATERIALS

 Provisions pertaining to the conduct and interpretation of foundation investigations for cases involving
liquefiable, expansive or questionable soils are adopted;
 The section on footings is amended to incorporate provisions for differential settlement, design loads and
vibratory loads
 The section on pile foundations is amended to incorporate new provisions on splicing of concrete piles; and
 The section on special foundations, slope stabilization and materials of construction are added
*geo materials example: coconut fiber, polymer materials

CHAPTER 4: STRUCTURAL CONCRETE

SECTION 401 - General Requirement:
Design requirements for earthquake-resistant structures
are updated based on ACI 318-8M which mentions the
“Seismic Design Categories (SDCs)” of ASCE/SEI 7-
05. However, in the absence of Philvocs-issued spectral
acceleration maps for all areas in the Philippines, the
seismic loading procedures based on ASCE/SEI 7-05 is
adopted as an alternative procedure (see Section 208-
11). Therefore, based on the Commentary of ACI 318-
08, Seismic Zone 2 (UBC 97) was adopted in lieu of
SDC C (ASCE/SEI 7-05). Similarly, Seismic Zone 4 is
adopted in lieu of SDCs D, E, and F.
SECTION 403- Materials:
New requirements for headed shear stud reinforcement,
headed deformed bars, and stainless steel bars are given
with appropriate references to ASTM standards;
SECTION 404 – Durability Requirement:
Exposure categories and classes, requirements or
concrete by exposure class are adopted to replace the
many tables or durability requirements in Section 404,
making it easier to clearly specific the intended
application;
SECTION 405 – Concrete Quality, Mixing, and
Placing:
The use of three 100mm x 200 mm cylinders is adopted
as equivalent to the use of two 150 mm x 300 mm
cylinders for determining concrete compressive
strength. Due to concern that material properties may
change with time, a 12-month limit is set on historical
data used to qualify mixture proportions and flexural
test performance criteria are added to qualify the use of
steel fiber – reinforced concrete as a replacement for
minimum shear reinforcement;
SECTION 407 – Details of Reinforcement:
To avoid the misconception that there is no minus
tolerance on cover values given in the code, “minimum
cover” is replaced with “specified cover” throughput
Section 407; Class B lap splices are now required for
transverse reinforcement confining structural integrity
reinforcement in perimeter beams are clarified;
SECTION 409 – Strength and Serviceability
Requirements:
Strength reduction factors for compression-controlled
sections (other structural members) is reduced from
0.70 to 0.65, and shear and torsion for shear walls and
frames in Seismic Zone 4 is reduced from 0.85 to 0.75
bearing on concrete (except for post-tensioning
anchorage zones) is reduced form 0,70 to 0.65. Strength
reduction factors for strut-and-tie models, flexural
sections in pretensioned members, are also added;
SECTION 410 – Flexure and Axial Loads:
The section on slenderness effects is reorganized to
recognized computer analysis techniques as the primary
method of evaluating second-order effects;
*Interaction Diagram
SECTION 411 – Shear and Torsion:
Code requirements are added to permit the use of
headed stud assemblies as shear reinforcement for slabs
and footings. The nominal shear strength is permitted to
be larger for headed stud assemblies than for other
forms of slab and footing shear reinforcement; more
stringent limits are placed on the depths of beams that
are exempted from the requirement for minimum shear
reinforcement ; a new limit on the depth of hollow core
units for which minimum shear reinforcement could be
waived is established; steel fiber-reinforced concrete is
added as an alternative to minimum shear
reinforcement; and the upper limit on shear friction
strength is significantly increased for monolithically
placed concrete and concrete placed against
intentionally roughened concrete;
SECTION 412 – Development and Splices of
Reinforcement:
CHAPTER 5: STRUCTURAL STEEL
Provisions are added for the development length of
headed deformed bars; splice length when splicing bars
with different sizes is addressed; and a coating factor of
1.0 for galvanized reinforcement is added;
SECTION 413 – Two –Way Slab Systems:
Dimension limits are added for the use of shear caps;
and alternative corner reinforcement arrangement is
added for two-way slabs supported by edge beams or
walls;
SECTION 414 – Walls
Design provisions for slender wall panels are modified
to be more consistent with the methods used in design
practice;
SECTION 418 – Prestressed Concrete
The allowable concrete compression stress immediately
after prestress transfer is increased; and requirements
for structural integrity steel in two-way unbounded
post-tensioned slab systems are modified
SECTION 420 – Strength Evaluation of Existing
Structures
Load factors for determining the required test load are
modified to reflect typical modern load combinations;
SECTION 421 – Earthquake-Resistant Structures
This section presents the requirements for Seismic
Resistant Design from ASCE?SEI 7-05, but instead of
using the Seismic Design categories of ASCE/SEI 7-05,
the equivalent Seismic Zones as per UBC 1997 are
specified. Also, new design requirements are added for
such seismic zones; new detailing option is added for
diagonally reinforced coupling beams; design yield
strength for confinement reinforcement is raised to 690
MPa to help reduce the congestion; and boundary
element confinement requirements is relaxed;
SECTION 423 – Anchoring to Concrete
Use of reinforcement in the vicinity anchors and
ductility requirements for anchors in seismic zones are
clarified
SECTION 425 – Alternative Provisions for
reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Flexural and
Compression Members
Revisions in Appendix B of ACI 318-08M is adopted;
SECTION 426 – Alternative Load and Strength
Reduction factors;
Revisions in Appendix C or ACI 318-08M is adopted;
and
SECTION 427 – Strut-and-tie Models
Appendix A of ACI 318-08M is adopted in its entirety
 1. Adopted is an integrated treatment of the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and the Load and Resistance factor
Design (LFRD) such that the earlier Specification that treated only the ASD method is retained;
2. IN lieu of the previous method of analysis, a new method (Direct Analysis Method is adopted; and
3. The cold formed steel design for building systems and structural members are included

CHAPTER 6: WOOD
The provisions in this chapter are refined to incorporate local practices and corrections in the previous version of the
code (NSCP 2001). Referrals are made to the NSCP 2010

Tables from the previous version of NSCP 2001 including the Table containing specified design information are
amended to incorporate the latest updated information/list of wood species as provided by the Forest Products
Research and Development Institute (FPRDI)
A provision that limit the use of wood shear walls and diaphragms is added; and
As section for Machine Graded Lumber (MGL) is included

CHAPTER 7: MASONRY
The provisions in this chapter are refined to include local practices and corrections from the previous version of the
code (NSCP 2001); referrals are made to the NSCP 201 Vol. III on Housing for relevant provisions concerning
single-family dwellings/low-cost housing;
Recycled aggregates are defined and provided;
A section for Seismic Design is added; and
Additional sections each for Masonry Fireplaces and Masonry Chimneys are included

CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL REQUIREMENT

SECTION 101 – Title, Purpose and Scope
o 101.1 Title.
These regulations shall be known as the National
Structural Code of the Philippines, Vol. 1, 6th
Edition 2015 and may be cites as such and will be
referred to herein as “this code”
practice literature but shall refer to provisions of
this code as a minimum wherever applicable.
For additions, alterations, maintenance, and
change in use of buildings and structures, see
Section 108.

o 101.2 Purpose Where, in any specific case, different sections of

The purpose of this code is to provide minimum this code specify different materials, methods of
load requirements for the design of buildings, construction or other requirements, the most
towers, and other vertical structures, and restrictive provisions shall govern except in the
minimum standards and guideline to safeguard case of single family dwellings. Where there is a
life or limb, property and public welfare by conflict between a general requirement and a
regulating and controlling the design, specific requirement, the specific requirement
construction, quality of materials pertaining to the shall be applicable.
structural aspects of all building and structures
within this jurisdiction o 101.4 Alternative Systems
The provisions of this code are not intended to
o 101.3 Scope prevent the use of any material, alternate design or
The provisions of this code shall apply to the method of construction not specifically prescribed
construction, alteration, moving, demolition, by this code, provided any alternate has been
repair, maintenance and use of permitted and its use authorized by the Building
buildings, towers and other vertical structures Official (see Section 102).
within this jurisdiction.
o Sponsors of any system of design or construction
Special structures such as but not limited to single not within the scope of this code, the adequacy of
family dwellings, storage silos, liquid product which had been shown by successful use and by
tanks and hydraulic flood control analysis and test, shall have the right to present
structures, should be referred to special state of the data on which their design is based to the
Building Official or to a board of examiners
 appointed by the Building Official or the project
owner/developer. This board shall be composed
of competent structural engineers and shall have
authority to investigate the data so submitted, to
require tests if any, and to formulate rules
governing design and construction of such
systems to meet the intent of this code. These
rules, when approved and promulgated by the
Building Official, shall be of the same force and
effect as the provisions of this code
SECTION 102 – Definition of Terms
SECTION 103 – Classification of Structures
Nature of Occupancy
Buildings and other structures shall be classified, based
on the nature of occupancy, according to Table 103-1 for
purposes of applying wind and earthquake loads in
Chapter 2. Each building or other structures shall be
assigned to the highest applicable occupancy category or
categories. Assignment of the same structure to multiple
occupancy categories based on use and the type of
loading condition being evaluated (e.g wind or seismic)
shall be permissible
When buildings or other structures have multiple uses
(occupancies), the relationship between the uses of
various parts of the building or other structure and the
independence of the structural system for those various
parts shall be examined. The classification for each
independent structure system of a multiple-use building
or other structure that is dependent on that basic
structural system
 Essential facilities
 Hazardous facilities
 Special Occupancy Structures
 Standard Occupancy Structures
 Miscellaneous Structures
DESIGN METHOD
 Strength Design
 Load and Resistance Factor Design
 Allowable Stress Design
 Exception:
Unless otherwise required by the building
official, buildings or portions thereof that are
constructed in accordance with the conventional
light-framing requirements specified in Chapter 5
and the NSCP Volume III on Housing shall be
deemed to meet the requirements of this section.
SECTION 104 – Design Requirements
o 104.1. Buildings, towers and other vertical
structures and all portions thereof shall be
designed and constructed to sustain, within the
limitation specified in this code, all loads set forth
in Chapter 2 and elsewhere in this code, combined
on accordance with the Section 203
o 104.2. Serviceability Requirement
 104.2.1. Structural system and members
thereof shall be designed to have adequate
stiffness to limit deflections, lateral drifts,
vibrations, or any other deformations that
adversely affect the intended use and
performance of buildings, towers and other
vertical structures. The design shall also
consider durability, resistance to exposure to
weather or aggressive environment, crack
control, and other conditions that affect the
intended use and performance of buildings,
towers and other vertical structures.
o 104.3. Analysis.
Any system or method of constructions to be used
shall be based on rational analysis in accordance
with well-established principles of mechanics that
take in account equilibrium, general stability.
Geometric compatibility and both short term and
long term material properties.
Members that tend to accumulate residual
deformations under repeated service loads shall
have include in their analysis the added
eccentricities expected to occur during their
service life. Such analysis shall result in a system
that provides a complete load path capable of
transferring all loads and forces from their point
of origin to the load-resisting elements. The
analysis shall include, but not be limited to, the
provisions of Section 104.3.1 through 104.3.3
SECTION 105 – Posting and Instrumentation
o 105.1 Posting of live loads
The live loads for which each floor or portion
thereof a commercial or industrial building has
been designed shall have design live loads,
conspicuously posted by the owner in that part of
each story in which they apply, using durable
metal signs. It shall not be allowed to remove or
deface such notices. The occupant if the building
shall be responsible for keeping the actual load
below the allowable limits
o 105.2 Earthquake-Recording Instrumentation
 105.2.1 General
Unless waived by the Building Official, every
building in Seismic Zone 4 over 50m in
height shall be provided with not less than
three approved Earthquake Recording
Instruments (ERI). The ERI shall be
interconnected for common start and
common timing. Please refer to “ASEP
Guidelines and Implementing Rules on
Earthquake Recording Instrumentation for
Buildings (appendix 1-8)
  105.2.2 Location
The instrument shall be located in the
basement, midportion, and near the top of the
building. Each instrument shall be located so
that access is maintained at all times and is
unobstructed by room contents. A sign
starting “MIANTAIN CLEAR ACCESS TO
THIS INSTRUMENT” shall be posted in a
conspicuous location.
SECTION 106 – Specifications, Drawings, and
Calculations
o 106.1 General
Copies of design calculations, reports, plans,
specifications and inspection program for all
constructions shall bear the signature and seal of
the engineer-of-record
o 106.2 Specifications
The specifications shall contain information
covering the material and construction
requirements. The materials and construction
requirements shall conform to the specifications
referred in Chapter 1 to 7 of this Code
o 106.3. Design Drawings
 106.3.1 General
The design drawings shall be drawn to scale
on durable paper or cloth using permanent
BUILDING DESIGN MIDTERM NOTES
BUILDING DESIGN I
Architectural Documents
a. Architectural Plans/Drawings
i. Vicinity Map/Location Plan within a 2.00 kilometer
radius for commercial, industrial, and institutional complex
and within a half-kilometer radius for residential buildings,
at any convenient scale showing prominent landmarks or
major thoroughfares for easy reference.
ii. Site Development Plan showing technical description,
boundaries, orientation and position of proposed
building/structure in relation to the lot, existing or
proposed access road and driveways and existing public
utilities/services. Existing buildings within and adjoining
the lot shall be hatched and distances between the proposed
and existing buildings shall be indicated.
iii. Perspective drawn at a convenient scale and taken
from a vantage point (bird’s eye view or eye level).
iv. Floor Plans drawn to scale of not less than 1:100
showing: gridlines, complete identification of rooms or
functional spaces.
v. Elevations, at least four (4), same scale as floor plans
showing: gridlines; natural ground to finish grade
ink and shall be of sufficiently clarity to
indicate the location, nature and extent of the
work proposed. The drawings hall show a
complete design with sizes, sections, relative
locations and connection details of the
various members. Floor levels, column
centers and offsets shall be dimensioned.
Where available and feasible archive copies
shall be maintained in durable medium such
as compact disc (CD) and digital versatile
disc (DVD)
SECTION 107 – Structural Inspection, Tests and
Structural Observations
o 107.1 General
All construction or work for which a permit is
required shall be subject to inspection throughout
the various work stages. One or more structure
inspectors who are registered civil engineers with
experience in structural construction, who shall
undertake competent inspection during
construction of the types of work listed under
Section 107.5 shall be employed by the owner or
the engineer-of-record acting as the owner’s
agent.
Exception: The Building Official may waive the
requirement for the employment of a structural
inspector if the construction is of a minor nature
elevations; floor to floor heights; door and window marks,
type of material and exterior finishes; adjoining existing
structure/s, if any, shown in single hatched lines.
vi. Sections, at least two (2), showing: gridlines; natural
ground and finish levels; outline of cut and visible
structural parts; doors and windows properly labeled
reflecting the direction of opening; partitions; built-in
cabinets, etc.; identification of rooms and functional spaces
cut by section lines.
vii. Reflected ceiling plan showing: design, location,
finishes and specifications of materials, lighting fixtures,
diffusers, decorations, air conditioning exhaust and return
grills, sprinkler nozzles, if any, at scale of at least 1:100.
SIZES OF DRAWING SHEETS
TYPE W*(mm) L*(mm)
A0 641 1189
A1 594 641
A2 420 594
A3 297 420
TITLE BLOCK

STANDARD FORM (Type A0, A1, A2 and A3)

FOR BUILDING PLANS / CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

MODEL TITLE BLOCK

FOR BUILDING PLANS/CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

DETAILED IN THE
ELEVATIONS/SECTIONS
(a) Accessible ramps
(b) Accessible stairs
(c) Accessible lifts/elevators
FORM OF PLANS, (d) Accessible entrances, corridors and walkways
(e) Accessible functional areas/comfort rooms
(f) Accessible switches, controls
(g) Accessible drinking fountains
(h) Accessible public telephone booths
(i) Accessible audio visual and automatic alarm system
(j) Accessible access symbols and directional signs
(k) Reserved parking for disabled persons
(l) Typical wall/bay sections from ground to roof
(m) Stairs, interior and exterior
(n) Fire escapes/exits
(o) Built-in cabinets, counters and fixed furniture
(p) All types of partitions
WORKING DRAWINGS OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS
 A graphical presentation on paper that enable the
reader to visualize and understand how the building
would be constructed and how it functions
 STANDARD DRAWINGS INCLUDED IN THE
CONSTRUCTION PLANS OR WORKING
DRAWINGS
1. Exterior perspective drawing of the building
2. Site Development Plan or Plot Plan
3. Vicinity Map or Location Map
4. Floor Plan/s
5. Elevations
6. Transverse section and longitudinal Section
7. Foundation Plan, details of posts/column, footings,
concrete hollow blocks. Reinforcement concrete
walls
8. Floor framing plan/s, details of beams, girders and
RC slab/s
9. Roof framing plan, details of rafters and/or trusses
10. Plumbing plan, diagram and details of septic vault,
catch basins, etc.
11. Electric plan/s, diagram/s and load computations,
etc.
12. Mechanical Plan, where so required
 THE FOLLOWING DRAWINGS SHOULD BE
INCLUDED
 Details of cabinets and closets
 Details of stairs, including handrails
 Details of windows and doors
 Interior designs and other notable building features
 DRAWINGS WHICH ARE SHOWCASED ON THE
FIRST SHEET OF THE CONSTRUCTION PLANS
ARE:
o PERSPECTIVE DRAWING
- The graphic presentation in 3 dimension style of
the project showing how it would appear when
finished
o SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
- The outline and measurements of the proposed
building and its placement on the property are
designated.
 Showing technical description,
 boundaries,
 Orientation and position of proposed non-
architectural horizontal structure such as:
sewerage treatment plan (STP), silos, elevated
tanks, towers, fences, etc. building/structure in
relation to the lot,
 Existing or proposed access road and driveways
and existing public utilities/services.
 Existing buildings within and adjoining the lot
shall be hatched and distances between the
proposed and existing buildings shall be
indicated.
o STRUCTURAL PLANS
 Foundation Plans and Details at scale of not less
than 1:100.
 Floor/Roof Framing Plans and Details at scale of
not less than 1:100.
 Details and Schedules of structural and civil
works elements including those for deep wells,
water reservoir, pipe lines and sewer system.
o FLOOR PLANS
- Are drawings showing the outline and
arrangement of the rooms inside the building as
seen from a horizontal plane cutting thru the walls
about one meter above the floor line
o ELEVATION
- As used in design and construction, is a drawing
representing the projection of any part of a structure
on a vertical plane directly facing it
Generally there are four elevation; FRONT, REAR,
RIGHT SIDE, LEFT SIDE
 INFORMATION AND DETAILS FROM THE
ELEVATION PLANS
 Overall design and character of the building
 Materials and finishes for the exterior
features of the building
 Heights of the building and its various levels
like: Ground line-to-first floor level; Floor
line-to-ceiling line; Level of basement, if any,
from the first floor or ground line; heights of
other important parts of the building
 Approximate or true profile on the building
site if not level
 Types and designs of exterior doors and
windows
o FOUNDATIONS PLAN
- is to show the structural supports of the proposed
structure at the ground level, and/or basement level
if the basement is incorporated in the building plan.
 INFORMATION FROM THE FOUNDATION
PLAN
 Position of the column or posts, masonry
walls and other building elements at the
foundation level
 Necessary measurements to show the spatial
relationships between the building parts as
well as for plotting their exact positions on
the ground during construction
 Spaces for concrete slabs on fill and their
thickness: sizes and spacing of steel
reinforcing or temperature bars, if required
  Foundation work required for other facilities
like driveways, outdoor terraces, patios, steps, *STANDARD HEIGHT OF WINDOW FROM
walkways and other related to the function of FLOOR IS 2.1M
the proposed building - Methods of presentation
* plan or top view * elevations
o SECTIONS * sections * perspective
– drawing reveals the innards of the structure. It
also shows the interior view, as projected on an  DETAILS AND SCHEDULES OF DOORS
imaginary vertical plane that passes through a given AND WINDOWS
axis of the building.  A mark placed near every door and window
- This includes the Longitudinal Sections, symbol to identify its detail including the
Transverse section materials or specification

 INFORMATION FROM THE FULL SECTION Lettering Styles

DRAWINGS * Old English style * Roman Letters * Gothic
 The height of the different levels as seen from
the inside of the building
 Interior elements of structure
 Contour of the building site if not level
 Profile of the ceiling lines and floor sections

o DETAIL DRAWING
- Enlarged drawings which focus only on selected
portions of a structure to show in greater detail
those parts of the constructions
- To reveal how certain building parts are Lettering Secrets
assembled, dimensions to be followed and kinds of * Guidelines * Form * Stability
materials to be used * Proportion * Density * Spacing
SYMBOLS

FLOOR PLANS
- A sectional drawing obtained by an imaginary cutting through the walls about 1m above the floor

SECTION 805. Ceiling Heights
1. Habitable rooms provided with artificial ventilation shall
have ceiling heights not less than 2.40 meters measured from
the floor to the ceiling; provided that for buildings of more
than one (1) storey, the minimum ceiling height of the first
storey shall be 2.70 meters and that for the second story 2.40
meters and the succeeding stories shall have an unobstructed
typical head-room clearance of not less than 2.10 meters above
the finished floor.
Above-stated rooms with natural ventilation shall have ceiling
heights of not less than 2.70 meters.
2. Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height not less
than 1.80 meters above and below it.
SECTION 806. Sizes and Dimensions of Rooms
1. Minimum sizes of rooms and their least horizontal
dimensions shall be as follows:
a. Rooms for Human Habitations – 6.00 sq. meters with a
least dimension of 2.00 meters;
b. Kitchen – 3.00 sq. meters with a least dimension of 1.50
meters; and
c. Bath and toilet – 1.20 sq. meters with a least dimension of
900 millimeters.
LIVING ROOM
 Planning Conisderations
 Through traffic should be separated from activity
center
 Opening should be located so as to give enough wall
space for various furniture arrangement
 Provide a convenient access to the following
* Doors windows * Electrical
outlets
* Thermostat * Supply grills
 For single passage between a low objects such as
sofa, the pathway should be at a minimum of 40cm
 For a single passage between tall objects – 60 cm
 For general traffic lane – 1.0m
 For a seating area which is permit one person to
passing at the back – 0.90m
Minimum clearance between furniture
 150 cm between facing seating
 50 cm where circulation occur between furniture
 75 cm for use of desk
 Circulation
 Furniture Grouping
 Primary Grouping – chairs and sofa are grouped
around a fire place
 Secondary Grouping – chairs and love seat are grouped
at end of the room or at the center
 Reading group – chair, ottoman, lamp shade, etc
 Writing or study group – desk, lamp, on or two chair
book cases
 Music group – piano bench, storage space
 Game group – game table and four chairs
 90 cm for main traffic
 150 cm in between TV seat and seating
 45 minimum clearances for a single passage not a traffic
lane
 100 cm minimum clearances for general traffic lane
 90 cm minimum tolerance for seating areas confined
DINING ROOM
 It is room for consuming food
 Planning considerations
 Determine the number of persons to be seated
 The required space occupied by the table
 The space for the chairs
 The space required behind the chairs
 The size and type of furniture
 Space for storage of china glassware, silverware and
linen
Recommended Spacing
 Size of place setting – 0.50m
  For a place setting – 0.35m o For comfort seating 60cm on the table perimeter
 Table requirements per person  Size of table and dining area – minimum of 90cm width
o For crowded seating 50 cm to 55cm

FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT
& TRAFFIC PATTERNS

THREE (3) MAIN ZONES OF THE HOME

There are 3 main zones in every home: living, sleeping, and
service.
When laying out the floor plan, consider these zones and the
activities that take place in those zones. Quiet and private zones
should be separated from noisy and public zone

LIVING ZONES traffic; each person is allowed a minimum of 24 inches of

The living area of the home includes the living, dining,
family room, foyers, and specialty rooms such as those for
music, study, hobby, etc.
Primary conversation area: 8-12 foot diameter is ideal;
seating for at least 4-6 people; chairs seat 1, loveseats seat
2, and sofas seat 3
Secondary furniture grouping: seating for just 1-3 people
(piano, desk, etc.)
Traffic: the traffic pattern should flow TO the
conversation area, but not THROUGH it
Dining area: allow 3 feet from the table edge for the
person to be seated at the table and room behind them for
seating room at the table
SLEEPING ZONES
The sleeping area of the home includes the bedrooms,
bathrooms, and dressing areas.
Never place the side of a bed against a wall; you always
allow room to walk on both sides
Storage is a key factor in these rooms: personal items,
clothing, accessories, and bed and bath linens, medications
Allow one nightstand per person sleeping in the room
A chest of drawers is usually taller and has no mirror; a
dresser is usually shorter and does have a mirror
 Twin/single beds are for 1 person; double, queen, and king
can accommodate 2
SERVICE ZONES
The service areas of the home include the kitchen, utility
rooms, garage, and basements.
Storage is a key factor in these areas, for consumable
supplies (food, laundry soap, motor oil, furnace filters) and
equipment
Traffic should flow to the area, but not through it
Utilities such as furnaces and hot water heaters need
clearances for ventilation and maintenance/repair
Efficiency must be considered: efficiency is a desirable
degree of energy expended to achieve effective or useful
output
Safety must be considered: environmental (ice, lightening,
storms), mechanical (cars, furnaces, electrical, plumbing,
tools) chemical (cleaners, windshield wiper fluid, bug
spray) sanitation (garbage, insect control)
TRAFFIC PATTERNS
People move throughout the home every day, usually walking
in the shortest distance possible between two points. These
walkways are referred to as traffic patterns, circulation, or
traffic flow.
Placement of doors and furniture influence the traffic patterns.
In this apartment, the furniture arrangements are used to help
direct the traffic. Traffic flows smoothly through the rooms.
While walkway patterns take the people to the living and
work areas of the home, it doesn’t take them through those
areas unless they need to be there.
There are 4 types of traffic patterns:
 Service circulation includes how people move in and out
of the house to make deliveries, maintain appliances, and
take out garbage.
Drawing fixtures and furnishings in bathrooms
 Work circulation includes how people move from the
kitchen to the dining areas, the kitchen triangle (a triangle
connecting the refrigerator, stove, & sink), and from the
bedrooms to the utility room. No cross traffic should be
allowed to interfere with work circulation.
 Family circulation includes traffic between bedrooms and
bathrooms, foyers and living rooms, foyers and bedroom
areas, living rooms and patios, living rooms and dining
rooms.
 Guest circulation includes from the entry to the coat
closet, from the entry to the living room, and from the
living room to the bathroom. Guests should not need to
cross work or private family areas.
TRAFFIC PATTERN CLEARANCES
Traffic areas need clearance for one or more people to walk
and for the people to accomplish a variety of tasks. There are
major and minor traffic patterns.
 Major traffic patterns need 36”- 6’ clearance: hallways;
area in front of clothes closets, dressers, and chests of
drawers; any route where 2 people might pass each other;
area in front of stove, refrigerator, sink, washer, and dryer
areas; from the edge of a dining room table to a wall or
stationary object; side of bed you get in on;
best for stairways
 Minor traffic patterns need 18” – 4’ clearance: sides of
beds used only for making beds; space between sofas and
coffee tables; 30” in routes where only one person will
walk, such as in front of tubs or through doorways
Using a Furniture Template
You can either draw furniture using a ruler, or you can use an
architect’s template. A template is simply a plastic pattern of
commonly used architectural symbols that is made to scale
and can be easily traced. There are templates for fixtures and
furnishings.
When adding furniture to a room, you need to think about the
people that are living in that space. What are their needs?
How do they move about in the space?
Perfect Bathroom Arrangement
To be considered a “full bath”, the room must have a toilet, vanity with sink,
and bathtub. A ¾ bath has a shower instead of a tub. A half bath has only a
toilet and vanity. A water closet has only a toilet, with hand-washing facilities
in an adjoining area.
The FHA (Federal Housing Authority) recommends a minimum 5 x 7’ size for
a bathroom. A perfect arrangement, however, requires a bigger room. The tub
and a linen closet will be on one side of the door; the vanity and toilet will be
on the other. Try to position the toilet so it is not easily visible from the open
door. (Here it is partially concealed behind the vanity)

Avoid bathroom design problems…

The traffic pattern in a bathroom should be 30” wide. There should be at least
30” in front of the tub or shower, toilet, or sink.

Newer Bathroom Designs

Drawing fixtures and furnishings in bedrooms

Mechanical & Architectural Functions

Mechanical or architectural functions that
must be considered when placing furniture:
Air circulation vents, doors, windows,
electrical outlets, phone jacks, television
cables or antenna lines, fireplaces, and
stairs.

ROOF PLAN COMPONENTS

 Roof Layout Plan
Roof is used as a shelter of the occupants
Roof Plan – commonly drawn to a scale of 1:100M Scale. It shows the shape of the roof, as well as roofing, materials,
underlayment and location of vents

ROOF FRAMING PLAN

- A roof framing plan shows size and direction of the construction
members that are required to frame a roof
* Includes the truss that supports the roofing system which
integrate the following: Ridge, rafter, and roofing surface of the
roof plan
* Use to prepare in the structural sheet
* You have to consider the structural framing that used to support
the roof surfaces/roof materials

Important element of the Roof

o Roof Slope - a description of the angle that the roof rafter makes with a horizontal reference. It compares the horizontal run
to the vertical rise. A 6:12 roof has a pitch of ½
 TYPES OF ROOF
FLAT ROOF
On a flat roof, a slope of ¼ inch per foot is often uses to
prevent water from ponding on the roof. (2 percent slope)

The flat roof is a very common style in areas with

little rain or snow. In addition to being used in residential
construction, the flat roof is typically used on commercial
structures to provide a platform for heating and other
mechanical equipment. When used, it must be shown on the
roof plan
* Be aware of the minimum sizes of the reinforcement that we
provide on the slabs which conforms to the National structural
code
* Also define the water proofing system that we use; fiber,
flesi bond, tack cont,

*Live Loads: Those fixed or

moving weights, which are not
a structural part of the house. SHED ROOF
Examples include furniture, The only
occupants, snow on the roof, limiting factors
etc. of slope on a
shed roof are
* Dead Loads: Those static or the roofing
fixed weights of the structure material and
itself. Example of dead loads aesthetic
are the weights of roofing, considerations
foundation walls, siding, GABLE
joists, etc. ROOF
Define the term parapet as used in reference to a flat roof: It is *A Gable roof is
a false wall surrounding the perimeter of the roof the most common
type of roof used
in residential construction. It is the made up of two shed roofs slopes, the lower portion of the roof being a steeper slope than
that meet to form a ridge between the support walls the upper

DUTCH HIP ROOF

HIP ROOF A Dutch hip roof
*A Hip roof has is a combination
many similarities of a hip and gable
to a gable roof but roof
has a minimum of
four surfaces
instead of two

DORMER WINDOW
*Briefly describe a dormer: A dormer is an opening framed in
the roof to allow for window placement
The intersections of gable surfaces are called either hips or
valleys

The weight of the roofing material will

affect the size of framing members all
the way down to the foundation level
Example of skeleton of hip or valley gable

A-FRAME ROOF
An A-Frame
structure uses
A square is used to describe an area
rafters to form
of roofing that covers 100 square
its supporting
feet
walls

Built-up roofing of felt and asphalt is typically used on flat or

low slope roofs below a 3 in 12 slope

On a roof plan, the symbol

preceded by the letters
DN is called a slope
indicator

GAMBREL ROOF The standard shingle is a three tab

rectangular strip weighing 235 pounds per
square
A gambrel roof is
patterned
somewhat after
the gable roof but
has two separate
On shingle roofs most building codes require a minimum
slope of 4:12 with an underlayment of one layer of 15 pound A small gable built on the up-slope side of the chimney to
roofing felt. divert water away from the chimney is called a saddle

As the angle of the roof is increased, the size of the overhang

may need to be decreased so that the eave will not extend into
the line of sight from the window

Hips represent the intersection between two roof planes and

are represented by a line drawn at an angle that is one-half of
the angle formed between the two supporting walls

The attic area must be provided with vents that are covered
with 1/8 inch screen mesh
A skylight is connected to the
The attic access should have an opening that is 22 inches by ceiling by an enclosed area
30 inches with a minimum headroom clearance above the called a chase or well
access door of 30 inches.

Avoid placing the access in areas such as the garage; areas

with high moisture content, such as bathrooms and utility
rooms, or in bedrooms that will be used by young children.

Code requires that the access be located in a hallway or other

accessible location.
A roof plan requires very few dimensions. Typically only the
overhangs and openings are dimensioned. These may even be
specified in note form rather than with dimensions

When slopes on both sides of the roof are equal, the wider the
distance between the support walls the higher the roof ridge
will be.
TRUSSES
Trusses are designed so that the weight to be
supported is spread to the outer walls. This is done by
placing some members in tension and some in compression.
A member in compression is indicated by a plus sign, and FASCIA BOARD
one in tension is represented by a minus sign. A fascia is a trim board placed at the end of the rafter or truss
*Most trusses are spaced 24” O.C. tails and usually perpendicular to the building wall.
*The fascia can be make from either 1X or 2X material,
depending on the need to resist warping.

VENTS
*Vents may be placed in the gabled end walls near the ridge.
In some areas, a continuous vent is placed in the eaves, or a
vent may be placed in each third rafter space

ELEVATION
Objective:
To prepare working and IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
architectural elevation plan of a 1. The required number of elevations
building 2. The type of elevations to be drawn
3. The scale of the elevations
ELEVATIONS – a drawing 4. Where the elevations will be placed
representing the projection of any 5. How the elevations will be identified
part of a structure on a vertical
plane directly facing it

COMMON METHOD OF ARRANGEMENT

 COMMON PRACTICE IN DRAWING THE
IRREGULAR SHAPE

CATEGORIES TO INCLUDE
 Roofing
 Wall Coverings
 Doors
 Windows
ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENT

WORKING ELEVATION
Working elevations contain less finish detail but still show the shape of a structure accurately
* Drawing the front elevation using finished-quality lines. Note that features in the background such as the chimney are often
omitted for clarity.

DIFFERENT ROOFING SYMBOLS

 Shingles
 Flat Tiles

 Curved or Spanish Tiles

LAYOUT

STABLISHING OF THE BOUNDARY LINES

ROOFING

DOORS AND WINDOWS

FINISHING

ANNOTATION

INTERIOR ELEVATION
* Is an elevation showing inside of the building
* It is something included in working drawings only when
there is some special interior construction to be illustrated
* It is also drawn outside four elevation or sometimes drawn
in a separate sheet
* It used a right arrow showing the drawing number on which
the detail appears
* Sight arrow is used to interpret detail indicated in sight
arrow

THUMBNAIL SKETCHES * Harmony * Shadows

To help decide the general exterior styling
It is simpler to draw than thumbnail sketches of the floor * PROPORTION
plan since dimensions, window, locations, and door locations Size and shape of areas and their relation to one another
may be transferred from the plan Rules of good proportion
The final choice may be influenced by the character of the 1. Avoid square areas or multiples of squared since a
neighborhood rectangular area that cannot be visually divided into
squares is more interesting and pleasing
PRELIMININARY SKETCHES 2. Balance areas so that they do not appear unstable
It is prepared using the thumbnail sketches as a guide to the 3. Areas should be either completely symmetrical or
general styling obviously unsymmetrical
It is done on graph paper 4. One leading area should dominate the entire design,
* Proportion * Fenestration with the other areas subordinate
 5. Repetition of elements may be used to advantage or o Height of roof
disadvantage depending upon the circumstances o Depth of footings below grades
o Finished-floor-to-finished-floor heights
o Height of chimney above roof
o Height of other features
o Height of windows
* FENESTRATION
o Roof slope indication
Arrangements of windows in a wall
o Window schedules
Rules
o Titles and notes indicating materials and special
1. Arrange windows symmetrically in symmetrical
elevation but off center in unsymmetrical elevation details
2. Line up windows on different floors
3. Do not use a variety of types and sizes of window FINISHED SKETCHES
4. Arrange windows in groupings when possible * It can be omitted when preliminary sketches are done
carefully
* HARMONY * Window and door sizes
Feature  Window
Materials o Fixed
o Double – hung (slides vertically)
* SHADOWS o Sliding (slides horizontally)
Effect of solar orientation o Awning (hinged at top and swings outward)
Simple shadow lines are made more interesting by a o Hopper (hinged at bottom and swings inward)
variation in the surface casting the shadow or by varying o Casement (hinged outward and swings outward)
surface receiving the shadow o Pivoted (hinged at center)
o Jalousie (individually hinged panes)
DIMENSIONING
o Vertical dimensions

 Window and door representation * Rear elevation * east elevation

 Material representation * Right-side elevation * south elevation
 Footings and areawalls * Left – side elevation * west elevation
 Labeling views
* Front elevation * north elevation ELEVATION DRAWING
* Layout  Working plans:
* Details Materials to be used
o
 Roof fascia Symbols
o
 Roof beams Thickness
o
 Chimney, saddle and flashing  GI – sheet
 Window representation  Corrugated / rib type
 Thickness 0.03 – 0.05
 Grade lines
o Description
 Material representation
o Doors
 Darkened building outline
o Windows
 Glass
SECTION  Type (sliding or casement)
It shows the entire building construction  Window height 1.2m
* Structural section * Wall section  Window height from floor line 0.9 (2.1 – 1.2)
* Detail section o Annotations
ADDITIONAL NOTES  6mm and 3mm
 Golden ratio – 1.618  3mm for the notes and details
 Square – most efficient section  Minimum drop ceiling – 30
 Finished floor line – 0.1 m