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BP 344 - The Law to Enhance Mobility of Disabled Persons *Summarized

- Approved: February 25, 1983

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 344

“AN ACT TO ENHANCE THE MOBILITY OF DISABLED PERSONS BY REQUIRING CERTAIN BUILDINGS,
INSTITUTIONS, ESTABLISHMENTS, AND PUBLIC UTILITIES TO INSTALL FACILITIES AND DEVICES”
- promulgated by DPWH, DOTC and the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons

RULE I: SCOPE AND APPLICATION

1. Purpose:
- To provide minimum requirements and standards for facilities, building and utilities for public use.
2. Definition of Terms:
➔ ACCESSIBLE – refers to features that enable disabled persons to make use of the primary functions for which a
structure is built
➔ ALCOVE – a small recessed space in a room or wall
➔ ANTHROPOMETRIC – pertaining to the measurement of the human body
➔ BARRIER-FREE – unhindered, without obstructions to enable disabled persons free passage or use of the facilities
➔ BUILDINGS – public and private buildings and other related structures for public use. Those designed to
accommodate and serve persons in the pursuit of educational, commercial, recreational, religious, occupational,
medical, political, social activities and others of similar nature as enumerated and provided herein
➔ CORRIDOR – a long interior passageway providing access to several rooms; A public means of access from several
rooms or spaces to an exit
➔ CURB – a raised rim of concrete, stone or metal which forms the edge of street, sidewalk, planted area, etc.
➔ CURB CUT-OUT – a break in the sidewalk or traffic island provided with an inclined surface to facilitate mobility of
wheeled chairs, carriages and other similar conveyance.
➔ DISABLED PERSONS – those suffering from restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within
the range considered normal for a human being as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment.
➔ DOOR – an entranceway; a barrier which swings, slides, tilts or folds to close an opening in a wall or cabinet or the
like
➔ EGRESS – an exit, or a means of going out
➔ ELEVATOR – a hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car or platform which moves in guides, in a vertical
direction serving two or more floors of a building or structure.
➔ ENTRANCE – point of entry into a building: an exterior door, a vestibule, or a lobby
➔ FLOOR – the surface within a room or area on which one walks
➔ GRADIENT OF RAMP – the degree of inclination of a sloped surface expressed as a percentage or ratio
➔ GRAPHIC SIGN – a drawing, painting, diagram, engraving, etching or other similar illustrations on which a single
glance conveys a given message; a visual aid
➔ HANDRAIL – a hand support along a stairway or ramp consisting of rails and their supporting posts, balusters or
pillars and constituting an enclosure or a line of division
➔ HEIGHT ABOVE FLOOR – distance between two points aligned vertically with one of the points on the floor
➔ PARKING AREA – allocated space composed of marked-off portions for single motor vehicles on a short-time storage
basis
➔ PASSAGEWAY OR PASSAGE – a space connecting one area or room of a building with another
➔ PEDESTRIAN CROSSING – part of road where pedestrian going across the road have priority over traffic
➔ PUBLIC TELEPHONES – a shelf-unit telephone with coin operating functions for the use of the public
➔ RAMP – a sloped surface connecting two or more planes at different levels
➔ SIDEWALK – a paved footwalk at the side of a street or roadway.
➔ THRESHOLD – a strip fastened to the floor beneath a door, usually required to cover the joint where two types of floor
materials meet; may provide weather protection at exterior doors.
➔ TOILET – the room containing the water closet
➔ VESTIBULE – a small entranceway or transitional space from the exterior to the interior of a building and opens into a
larger space
➔ WALKWAY – an exterior passage for walking along, especially one connecting adjoining buildings and related
structures
➔ WATER FOUNTAIN – a fixture consisting of a shallow basin, together with a water jet designed to provide potable
water for human consumption
➔ WIDTH OF CORRIDOR - the linear width of the obstructed path in corridors
➔ WASHROOM – a room providing facilities for washing; a lavatory or toilet room
3. Scope:
- construction, repair and renovation of public-use buildings either public or private owned
- streets, highways and public utilities
- public transportation (i.e. bus, jeepney, trains, domestic inter-island vessels, domestic aircraft or air carriers)
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- public telephones
- public transport terminals
4. Applications:
- all construction, repair and renovation of public-use buildings shall provide barrier-free facilities and accessibility
features in the plans and specifications following this criteria:
● For new construction:
- Provide accessibility features at the primary space (serving the primary function) and in
the ingress/egress of buildings (if done, accessibility at other levels may be waived).
- 10% of units of government-owned living accommodations shall be accessible and fully- usable by disabled
persons (for privately-owned buildings, see Section 3 of Rule III)
- Ingress or egress from the street to building shall be made accessible
- Accessible parking slots near the ingress or egress of the building
● For repair, renovations and change of occupancy:
- Follow considerations for new construction
- Feasibility of incorporation of barrier-free facilities and accessibility features shall be determined by:
➜ if the primary space serving the primary function is repaired or renovated
➜ if public facilities are added at other levels, provide elevator with 800mm minimum width
➜ if the primary space will not be diminished by more than 10% of its original area
➜ if the structural capacity will not be affected
➜ if the repair or renovation cost exceeds 20% of the total building cost
➜ if no legal constraints
*EXCEPTION: fire-safety, explosion-safety and HVAC repair or renovations
● For new streets, highways and transport related structures, provide barrier-free facilities and accessibility features
at every pedestrian crossing; ramps and accessibility features in DOTC buildings and transportation terminals
- cut-out curbs and ramps on sidewalks
- audio-visual aids for crossing
*EXCEPTION: pedestrian grade separations, overpasses and underpasses may be waived
● For repair or renovation of existing streets and highways, provide barrier-free facilities and accessibility features
● For public transport vehicles:
- issuance of license or franchise of buses, boats, ships and airplanes shall require provisions of PWD seats and
audio-visual aids (including government operated transport such as trains and planes)
- existing public transport vehicles must follow the minimum accessibility requirements
- public telephones – at least 1 out of 5 units shall be accessible with visual aids
- public transport terminals shall follow requirements for public buildings
● Special Standards of Accessibility – can be allowed if alternatives are approved by the National Council for the
Welfare of Disabled Persons

RULE II – MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBILITY

1. Design Criteria
● CategoriesofPWDs:
- impairments requiring wheelchairs
- impairments causing difficulty in walking or climbing stairs (i.e. braces, crutches, artificial supports, amputation,
arthritis) or semi-ambulatory
- impairments of hearing or sight (partial or total)
- impairments due to aging and incoordination
- mental impairments (acquired or congenital)
● Anthropometrics and Dimensional Data as Guides for Design – use anthropometric concepts and measurements
(difference of sexes, sitting and reaching heights etc.); use dimensional and technical data (i.e. wheelchairs dimensions,
minimum space for leg braces etc)
- Typical anthropometric data:
➜ Length of wheelchair – 1.10m to 1.30m
➜ Width of wheelchair – 0.60m to 0.75m
➜ Wheelchair turning space – 1.50m diameter
➜ Comfortable reach when sitting in wheelchair – 0.70m to 1.20m above the floor, not less than 0.40
from room corners
➜ Knee and leg clearance for wheelchair – 0.70m under the table or counter
● Basic Physical Planning Requirements
- Accessibility – shall not impede the use of facilities by PWDs
- Reachability
- Usability
- Orientation – easy way-finding
- Safety – less hazards to life and health
- Workability and Efficiency
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RULE III – SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS AND RELATED STRUCTURES FOR PUBLIC USE
1. Classification of Occupancy (based on Section 701 of NBCP):
● Category I – Residential (Group A & partly Group B of NBCP)
● Category II – Commercial and Industrial
● Category III – Educational and Industrial
● Category IV – Agricultural
● Category V – Ancillary
2. Architectural Features and Facilities
- A - stairs
- B - walkways
- C - corridors
- D - doors and entrances
- E - washrooms and toilets
- F - lifts and elevators
- G - ramps
- H - parking areas
- I - switches, controls and buzzers
- J - handrails
- K - thresholds
- L - floor finishes
- M - drinking fountains
- N - public telephones
- O - seating accommodations
3. Category I – Residential (only those government-owned buildings)
Group A

Single-detached 10% of the total units ABCDEGHIJKL

Duplexes 10% of the total units ABCDEGHIJKL

School or company staff 1 unit for 26 to 50 units & ABCDEGHIJKL

housing units 1 additional unit for every 100 units

Group B

Multiple dwelling units or 1 unit for 26 to 50 units & ABCDEFGHIJKLM

high-rise residential 1 additional unit for every 100 units *all units shall be at ingress level if
condominiums or no elevator provided required
tenement houses

4. Category II – Commercial and Industrial (both public and privately-owned)

Group B (units are rented)

Accessories, tenement 1 unit for 50-150 units & ABCDEGHIJKL

houses or rowhouses, 1 additional unit for every 100 units
apartment houses,
townhouses

Hotels, motels, inns, 1 unit for 50-150 units & ABCDEFGHIJKLMN required
pension houses or 1 additional unit for every 100 units *if no elevator, provide at least 1
apartels unit at ingress level

Private or off-campus 1 unit for 50-150 units & ABCDEGHIJKLMN required

dormitories 1 additional unit for every 100 units

5. Category III – Educational and Institutional

6. Category IV - Agricultural Buildings
*check BP 344 for Architectural Features and Facilities required for category III & IV
7. Standard of Accessibility for Special Type of Facilities
● Auditoriums, assembly halls, theaters and related facilities:
- PWD seating and toilet facilities shall be accessible from the main lobby to primary entrances
- Required PWD spaces in all assembly places:
➜ 4 to 50 capacity – 2 wheelchair space
➜ 51 to 300 capacity – 4 wheelchair space
➜ 301 to 500 capacity – 6 wheelchair space
➜ 501 and above – 1 additional for every 100 seats
*Readily removable seats may be installed in these spaces when such spaces are not required to accommodate wheelchair users.
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8. Computation of Accessible Units
- decimal greater than 0.5 is considered as 1 unit
- absolute minimum is 1 accessible unit
9. Application of Barrier-free Facilities and Features
- graphic signs shall be bold and conspicuously installed in every access from point of entry to connecting
destination
- walkways shall be provided with adequate passageway
- width of corridors and circulation system integrating both horizontal and vertical access to ingress/egress
- level of the building
- doors and entrances used as entry points at entrance lobbies as local points of congregation shall be designed to
open easily or accessible from floor to floor or to any point of destination
- washroom and toilets shall be accessible and with adequate turning space
- minimum requirements for elevators shall be followed when provided
- ramps shall be provided as means of access to level of change going to entry points and entrances, lobbies
influenced by condition of location or use
- parking areas shall be provided with sufficient space for the disabled persons to allow easy transfer from
carpark to ingress/egress levels
- height above the floor of switches and controls shall be in accordance with the provisions
- handrails shall be provided at both sides of ramps
- floors provided for wheelchair route shall be non-skid material
- install water fountains as required

RULE IV – REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

● Classification of Public Transport:
- Land Transportation – refer to buses with minimum seating capacity of 50 persons *regular and 40 persons
*for aircon buses; includes regular city buses, provincial and tourist buses
- Rail Transportation – refer to three railway systems:
a. Philippine National Railways (PNR) operating in Luzon
b. Panay Railways Corporation (PRC) operating in the island of Panay
c. Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) operating in Metro Manila
- Water Transportation – refers to domestic passenger ships, ferry boats and other water vessels
- Air Transportation – refers to domestic passenger airplanes
● Issuance of franchise and permit to operate shall require compliance to BP344; if feasible,all existing transport utilities
shall be modified and renovated
● Construction and renovation of public transport utilities shall comply to body designs and specifications provided under the
IRR
● posters and stickers shall be conspicuously displayed inside the units
● Designated Seats for Disabled Persons
➜ Regular buses – 5 seats near exit or entrance doors (can be occupied if no PWD)
➜ First class/air conditioned buses – 4 seats near the exit or entrance doors (can be occupied if no PWD
➜ Passenger trains – 6 seats per car nearest to the door
➜ Passenger airplanes – 2 seats near front exit/entrance per aircraft
➜ Jeepneys – 2 seats preferable the front seats (can be occupied if no PWD)
➜ Domestic shipping – per class basis, located near the entrance or exit doors
*Time windows: 20 minute PWD embarkation ahead of the 3-hour regular embarkation time and 1-hour
disembarkation after the ship’s arrival
● Designated seats shall be identified by the International Symbol of Access
● City buses in highly urbanized cities shall have audiovisual aids (buzzer, bell, flashing light) to inform driver of any
alighting passenger
● At least one deck in passenger ships shall be provided with accessible ramps, passageways, access to gangways,
galleys, safety equipment and bunks/berths/cabins with dimensions conforming with requirements

RULE V – ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

1. Responsibility for Administration and Enforcement
● Administration and enforcement vested to secretaries of DPWH and DOTC
● For buildings, public transport terminals, streets and highways – BP 344 is administered and enforced by the
secretary of DPWH (including its attached agencies, building research development staff and the local building official
according to RA 7160)
● For transportation – BP 344 is administered by the secretary of DOTC including;
- Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) – for the issuance of Certificate of Public
Conveyance (CPC) and Provincial Authority (PA) for the operation of public road transportation utilities and
services
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- Land Transportation Office – registration of buses and jeepneys and enforcement of regulations related to land
transport
- Philippine National Railways and the Light Rail Transit Authority – for the operation of passenger trains and
including stations and terminals
- Maritime Industry Authority – for the development, promotion and regulation of all enterprises engaged in
business of designing, manufacturing, repairing and/or maintaining vessels or components thereof; of managing
and/or operating shipping lines, shipyards, dry docks, marine railway, marine repair shops, shipping and freight
forwarding agencies and similar enterprises; issuance of license to all water transport vessels.
- Philippine Ports Authority – for the planning, development, operation of ports, port facilities, port physical
plants and all equipment used in connection with the operation of a port.
- Civil Aeronautics Board – for the supervision and regulation of, the jurisdiction and control over air carriers,
general sales agents, cargo sales agents and air freight forwarders and issuance of certificates/licenses to
aircrafts.
- Air Transportation Office – for the maintenance, operation and development, of all government airports (other
than the NAIA, Mactan International Airport) as well as air navigation facilities (excluding meteorology)
*now, CAAP
2. Criminal Liability - as stipulated in Section 46 of RA 7277 or Magna Carta for Disabled Persons
- any person who violates BP 344 and its IRR shall suffer the following penalties:
● first violation – minimum fine of 50,000php to 100,000php or imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years (or both)
● subsequent violations – fine of 100,000php to 200,000php or imprisonment of 2 to 6 years (or both)
● abusing the privileges granted in BP 344 – fine of 5,000php to 50,000php or imprisonment of minimum 6
months (or both)
● if violator is a corporation, organization or similar entity, the officials are liable
● if violator is an alien or a foreigner, he/she shall be deported immediately after service of
sentence without further deportation proceedings
- Individuals liable for any violation of the act:
● For buildings/establishments/structures – owner, operator, contractor, architect, engineer, building official
or public official-in-charge issuing the permits/certificate can be liable
● For air, land and sea transportation – owner, operator, body builders, safety
officers/engineers/managers, drivers/conductors or public official-in-charge issuing the
permit/certificates can be liable
- Effectivity – 30 days after the publication in the Official Gazette

APPENDIX A – MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBILITY

1. Outside and Around the Building
● Dropped Curbs – use slight ramps and dropped curbs for changes in level at walkways
■ provide dropped curbs at pedestrian crossing:
length is equal to width of crossing; minimum length is 0.90m
■ dropped curbs shall be ramped to adjoining curbs:
maximum 1:12 gradient
■ dropped curbs shall slope towards road for drainage:
maximum 1:20 gradient, lowest point shall be maximum of 25mm above the road or gutter
■ provide dropped curbs at the ends of footpaths in a private street or access road
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● Curbed Cut-Outs – only allowed if not causing obstruction and does not reduce walkway width
■ minimum width of curb cut-out – 0.90m
■ maximum gradient – 1:12

● Walkways
■ shall be kept level as possible and with slip-resistant material
■ maximum gradient of walkways (along the walkway) – 1:20 or 5%
■ maximum cross gradient (towards the gutter) - 1:100
■ minimum width of walkways – 1.20m
■ if possible, no gratings along walkways; if not possible, maximum grating openings is 13mm x 13mm and
maximum height of 6.50mm above or below the walkway level (also applies to cracks and breaks) ⬇

■ In longer and busier walkways, rest stop or turning space for wheelchair shall be provided at 12.00m maximum
interval; minimum dimension is 1.50m x 1.50m ⬇

■ To guide the blind, straight forward walkways and right angle turns are recommend ⬇

■ If planting and trees are provided adjacent to walkways, regular maintenance

is necessary for safety and to prevent reduction of walkway width
■ walkway headroom: minimum of 2.00m ➜
■ avoid obstructions to walkways such as street furniture, bollards, sign posts or
columns along the defined route
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● Handrails
■ shall be installed at both sides of ramps and stairs and the outer edges of dropped curbs at crossings
■ shall be installed at 0.90m and 0.70m above steps or ramps
■ for higher levels/floors, handrails can be 1.00 to 1.06m for safety

■ provide 0.30m handrail extension at start and end of ramps and stairs
■ full grip handrails shall be 30mm to 50mm
■ 50mm minimum wall clearance or 40mm clearance above ledges

● Open Spaces
■ To prevent disorientation of blind people, provide a walkway with defined edges in open spaces using planters
with dwarf walls, grass verge or similar and with texture different from the path

● Signages
■ locate directional and informational signs so easily seen by person on a wheelchair
■ signs should be simple and easy to understand; with contrasting colors and gray values for easy detection and
reading
■ use the International Symbol for Access for designating accessible facilities and routes
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■ if protruding a walkway, maintain the minimum 2.00m headroom clearance
■ signs on walls and doors should be 1.40m (minimum height) to 1.60m (maximum)
■ signages labeling public rooms and places should have raised symbols, letters or numbers with a minimum height
of 1mm; braille symbols should be included in signs indicating public spaces and safety routes
■ texts on sign boards shall be of a dimension that people with less than normal visual acuity can read at a certain
distance

● Crossing
■ To reduce exposure to vehicles, all at grade crossing should:
- perpendicular as possible to the carriageway
- located at the narrowest, most convenient part of the carriageway
- have central refuge spaces at least 1.50m minimum depth, 2.00m preferred width provided as
mid-crossing shelter, where the width of carriageway exceeds 10.00m

■ All crossings should be located close/contiguous with the normal pedestrian desire line
■ Provide tactile blocks in immediate vicinity for the blind; tactile blocks must be high enough to be felt the
shoe sole but not too high to trip or affect mobility; brushed or grooved concrete surfaces are not enough
*use different type of blocks to let the blind know that he/she is approaching a crossing

■ Light controlled crossings with pedestrian phases and audible signals are recommended
■ Audible signals used for crossing should be easily distinguished from other sounds; prolonged sound could serve
as warning signal that the crossing time is about to end
■ Provide sufficient time for crossing – 0.90m/sec instead of 1.20m/sec should be considered; minimum crossing
period of 6.0 seconds or the crossing distance times the crossing speed (0.90m/s) whichever is greater
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2. Parking Requirements
● Parking Areas
■ spaces should allow transfer from vehicle to wheelchair
■ accessible parking spaces located as close as possible to the entrances
■ perpendicular or parking angled to the road or circulation aisles are recommended
■ accessible parking slots should have minimum of 3.70m width
■ provide 1.20m walkway between the front end of parked cars
■ provide dropped curbs or curb cut-outs if access walkways are raised
■ pavement markings, signs or other means shall be provided for delineating parking spaces for the
handicapped
■ parking space should be level, not located in ramped or sloping areas

3. Inside Buildings and Structures

● Entrances
■ provide at least one accessible entrance and exit of the building
■ one entrance level should be provided where elevators are accessible
■ provide ramps if entrance level is not same level with site arrival grade
■ entrances with vestibules shall have level area of 1.50m width and 1.80m depth

● Ramps
■ Changes in level require a ramp except when served by dropped curb, elevator or other mechanical device
■ Ramps shall have minimum clear width of 1.20m, maximum gradient of 1:12
■ If gradient is 1:12, maximum length is 6.00m with landings not less than 1.50m depth minimum
■ Provide level area at the top and bottom of ramp with 1.80m minimum depth
■ Provide handrails both sides at 0.70m and 0.90m from the ramp level

■ Provide curbs on both sides with minimum height of 0.10m

■ When a ramp rises greater than 0.20m and leading down to vehicular traffic, provide a full width railing across
its lower end, not less than 1.50m from the foot of the ramp
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● Doors
■ minimum clear width of doors – 0.80m
■ clear openings shall be measured between the surface of the fully open door at the hinge and the door
jamb at the stop
■ doors should be operable by maximum force of 4.0kg; closing device pressure of interior doors shall not
exceed 1kg
■ provide minimum clear level space 1.50m x 1.50m before and beyond a door; if door shall open onto but not into a
corridor, the required clear level space on the corridor side of the door may be a minimum of 1.20 corridor width

*For Swing-out doors: *For Swing-in doors:

■ provide protection from doors that swing into corridors

■ provide outswinging doors at storage rooms, closets and accessible restroom
stalls
■ latching or non-latching hardware should not require wrist action or fine finger
manipulation
■ doorknobs and hardware should be located 0.82m to 1.06m above the floor;
0.90m preferred
■ vertical pull handles centered at 1.06 above the floor are preferred than
horizontal pull for swing doors or doors with locking devices
■ provide kick plates on doors along major circulation routes
- durable material, 0.30m to 0.4m high

● Thresholds
■ shall be kept to a minimum; maximum height for thresholds and sliding track is
25mm and preferably ramped ➜

● Switches
■ manual switches shall be positioned 1.20m to 1.30m above the floor and
maximum of 0.20m from the latch side of the door ➜

● Signages *see signages outside and around the buildings

● Corridors
■ minimum clear width of 1.20m; no obstruction such as waiting areas and other
facilities
■ turning spaces should be provided 1.50m x 1.50m with 12.00m maximum
interval
■ turning spaces shall be provided at least 3.50m of every dead end
■ walkways and corridors shall be level and have slip-resistant surfaces

● Washroom and Toilets

■ Accessible public washrooms and toilets shall permit easy passage of wheelchair and allow the occupant to
close the door and transfer to the water closet
■ Minimum accessible water closet stalls is 1.70m x 1.80m; provide one movable grab bar and one fixed bar to the
adjacent wall for lateral mounting; fixed grab bars on both sides of the wall shall be installed for stalls for frontal
mounting
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■ A turning space of 2.25 sqm with a minimum dimension of 1.50m for wheelchair shall be provided outside water
closet stalls
■ All accessible public toilets shall have accessories such as mirrors, paper dispensers, towel racks and fittings such
as faucets mounted at heights reachable by a person in a wheelchair
■ Minimum number of accessible water closet stalls on each floor or per accessible floor:
- 1:20 per sex if total number of wc is 20 or less
- provide 2 stalls if exceeding 20 total wc stalls
■ Signages for washrooms:
- For men’s washroom – equilateral triangle with vertex pointing outwards, 0.3m side lengths
- For women’s washroom – circle, 0.30m diameter
- panels should be 7.5mm thick; the color and gray value should be distinguishable from the door; with
appropriate names (men or women) or stick figures; blind can touch the signages

■ Maximum height of water closets should 0.45m; flush control height is 1.20m maximum
■ Maximum height of lavatories – 0.80m with knee recess of 0.60-0.70m vertical clearance and
0.50m depth
■ Urinals should have an elongated lip or trough-type; maximum height of the lip should be 0.48m

● Stairs
■ tread surfaces should be slip-resistant material with slip-resistant strips as
nosings
■ slanted nosings are preferred to protruding nosings and closed stringers
are preferred than open stringers - to prevent difficulty for people using
crutches or braces
■ the leading edge of each step of runner and rise shall be painted or with
colored non-skid material (use color that contrasts with the rest of the stairs)
■ provide well-mounted tactile strip 0.30m wide before hazardous areas such
as changes in floor levels and at the top and bottom of stairs

● Elevators
■ Accessible elevators should be located 30m from the entrance; easily located with signs
■ Accessible elevators minimum dimension of 1.10m x 1.40m
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■ Control panels and emergency systems of accessible elevators shall be within

reach of a seated person – top most buttons shall be 0.90m to 1.20m from the
floor
■ Button controls shall be provided with braille signs to indicate floor level; provide
braille signs at the door frames of elevator doors so blind persons can discern the
floor level
■ Button sizes at elevator control panels shall have minimum diameter of 20mm
and maximum depression depth of 1mm

● Water Fountains
■ 1 unit per 2,000sqm of floor area; minimum of 1 unit per floor
■ water spouts shall be at the front and push-button controlled
■ if wall-mounted, maximum height shall be 0.85m floor to rim; if higher than 0.85m,
provide paper cups or lower fountain

● Public Telephones
■ provide a clear, unobstructed space of 1.50m x 1.50m in front of wall-mounted
and free- standing units and telephones mounted at the rear wall of alcoves or
recesses
■ telephone booth openings minimum clear width of 0.80m and must be
outswinging, folding or sliding doors; coin slots, dialing controls, receivers and
instructional signs shall be placed at 1.10m maximum above the floor

● Places of Assembly
■ see 7. of Rule III for the number of required wheelchair spaces

● Safety
1. Fencing for Roadworks and Footworks
*Note: All excavations on the road or footways shall be protected or fenced-in to protect pedestrians and disabled persons; fencing
should have follow these requirements:
■ top rail should be at least 1.00m above the adjacent surface
■ railing should have tapping rail maximum of 0.35m above the adjacent surface
■ fence or railing should be strong enough for resistance
■ no gaps are allowed between adjoining fence lengths
2. Covers for excavations
■ excavations in footways or carriageway where pedestrians may walk shall be
covered temporarily with sturdy and well-supported boards as path for
pedestrians

■ if excavations reduces the footway to less than 1.20m, the temporary covering should extend across the
whole footway
■ Minimum dimensions at obstructions – no obstructions shall reduce the effective minimum width of
footways which is 1.20m ⬇

■ if unavoidable, loose materials stored on footways must be

properly fenced and prevented from encroaching to the main
footway by the use of a kickboard at least 0.20m (also
serve as a tapping board) ➜
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3. Signage for Roadworks on the Carriageway
■ provide temporary signs carefully located and should not be
an inconvenience to pedestrians

■ signs should be located on verges or similar whenever these

are available

■ signs should not reduce the available footway width to less

than 1.20m

4. Location of Emergency Exits

■ wall mounted or free standing tablets with an embossed
configuration of the building which would also indicate locations of
lobbies, washrooms and emergency exits through the use of different
textures to symbolize the spaces should be provided at the main
lobby of each floor or other strategic locations; the markings on this
tablet should be readable by both the blind and the fully sighted

■ Flashing light directional signs indicating the location of fire exits shall
be provided at every change in direction with sufficient power
provided in accordance with the provisions for emergency lighting of
the Fire Code of the Philippines