Module 5: Light, Ventilation, Sanitation & Public Safety
This final module focuses on the "human" aspect of the Code—ensuring that
buildings are not just structurally sound, but also healthy to live in and safe
for the general public during and after construction.
I. Information Sheet: Light, Ventilation & Public Safety
1. Light and Ventilation (Chapter 8)
Airtightness vs. Health: Every building must be designed to admit
natural light and ventilation.
Percentage of Openings: Rooms intended for human habitation
must have a total window area of at least 10% of the floor area.
Bathrooms and laundry rooms require at least 5% (or 1/20).
Ceiling Heights:
o Habitable Rooms (Natural Ventilation): Minimum of 2.70
meters.
o Habitable Rooms (Artificial/Mechanical Ventilation):
Minimum of 2.40 meters.
o Mezzanine Floors: Minimum of 2.10 meters.
Size and Dimensions of Rooms:
o Habitable Rooms: 6.00 sq.m. (min. dimension of 2.00m).
o Kitchens: 3.00 sq.m. (min. dimension of 1.50m).
o Bath/Toilet: 1.20 sq.m. (min. dimension of 0.90m).
2. Sanitation (Chapter 9)
Water Supply: All buildings must be provided with adequate potable
water from a public system or a certified private source.
Wastewater: All plumbing systems must be connected to a public
sewer or a private sewage disposal system (septic tank).
3. Public Safety & Pedestrian Protection (Chapter 11)
Protection of Pedestrians: During construction or demolition, if the
distance from the building to the property line is less than half the
building height, a temporary walkway is required.
Walkway Dimensions: Must be at least 1.20 meters wide and
capable of supporting a load of 600 kg/sq.m.
Protective Canopy: If the building is more than 2 storeys high or
higher than 7.5 meters, a protect ive canopy (fencing) must be
installed over the walkway.
4. Stairs and Exits (Chapter 12)
Exit Width: Minimum width for a dwelling is 700 mm. For other
occupancies, it is based on the occupant load (usually 900 mm).
Smokeproof Enclosures: Required for all buildings 5 storeys or
more in height to allow safe egress during a fire.
TASK SHEET
Hands-On Activity: “COMPUTE, CHECK, DECIDE!”
Objective: To compute room requirements, determine whether a room is
ALLOWED or NOT ALLOWED, and justify decisions using building code rules.
Instructions
1. Each group receives 1 Room Scenario Card.
2. Compute the required values.
3. Decide if the room is ALLOWED or NOT ALLOWED.
4. Write a short justification.
5. Selected groups explain their answers.
Tasks
1. Compute Floor Area
2. Check Minimum Dimension
3. Check Minimum Ceiling Height
4. Compute Required Window Area
5. Decide ALLOWED or NOT ALLOWED
6. Justify Your Decision
Write a brief explanation citing the specific code requirement(s) that the room
passed or
failed.
Activity Rubric
2– 1 – Needs
3–
Criteria 4 – Excellent Developin Improvemen
Satisfactory
g t
Most
All Computations
computations Several
Computatio computations are mostly
are correct computatio
n Accuracy are correct incorrect or
with minor n errors
and complete missing
errors
Decision Decision is Decision is Decision is Decision is
(Allowed / correct and correct but unclear or incorrect or
Not fully support is partly not given
Allowed) supported by incomplete incorrect
requirements
Clear and
Justificatio accurate Explanation Explanation No or
n Using explanation is correct but is weak or incorrect
Code Rules using correct lacks detail incomplete explanation
code rules
Activity Rubric
2– 1 – Needs
3–
Criteria 4 – Excellent Developin Improveme
Satisfactory
g nt
All
computations
(floor area,
Minor error in Computation
Computati window area, Multiple
computation s are mostly
on dimensions, computatio
but process is incorrect or
Accuracy ceiling height) n errors
mostly correct missing
are correct
and
complete
Correctly
decides Decision is
Decision Decision is
ALLOWED or partially Decision is
(Allowed / correct but not
NOT correct or incorrect or
Not fully supported
ALLOWED inconsisten not stated
Allowed) by all data
based on all t
requirements
Clear, logical
justification
Justification is No
that
Justificatio understandabl Justification justification
accurately
n Using e but lacks is vague or or
cites the
Code Rules clarity or incomplete justification
violated or
completeness is incorrect
complied
requirement
Scenario 1: Bedroom
A residential bedroom measures 2.0 m × 2.5 m, uses natural ventilation, and has a window
area of 0.4 sq.m. Determine if it complies with the minimum requirements for floor area,
minimum dimension, and window openings, then justify whether it is ALLOWED or NOT
ALLOWED.
Scenario 2: Kitchen
A kitchen measures 1.2 m × 2.5 m. Check if it meets the minimum floor area and dimension
requirements for kitchens, then justify if it is ALLOWED or NOT ALLOWED.
Scenario 3: Bathroom
A bathroom measures 0.9 m × 1.3 m and has a window opening of 0.05 sq.m. Compute the
required window area and determine whether the bathroom design is ALLOWED or NOT
ALLOWED, with justification.
Scenario 4: Living Room
A living room measures 1.8 m × 3.5 m, is mechanically ventilated, and has a ceiling height of
2.30 m. Check compliance with minimum dimension and ceiling height requirements, then
justify if it is ALLOWED or NOT ALLOWED.