Module 2:
Relevant Code and
Standards
30 May 2025
Building communities. Paving the future.
Module Outline
Introduction
National Building Code
National Structural Code
Local Government Code
Building communities. Paving the future.
Introduction
Building communities. Paving the future.
Introduction
Vertical Infrastructure
• encompasses the physical structures that support a
variety of human activities within a confined footprint,
especially in urban or space-limited environments.
• serve as hubs for living, working, healthcare, education,
governance, and industry.
Building communities. Paving the future.
Introduction
Vertical Infrastructure
• LOW-RISE - One-storey up to 5-storeys in height;
• MEDIUM-RISE - From 6-storeys up to 15-storeys in
height;
• HIGH-RISE - 16-storeys or taller in height
Building communities. Paving the future.
Introduction
Why Codes and Standards Matter
• Ensure Safety
• Promote Consistency and Uniformity
• Ensure Quality and Performance
• Support Innovation and Compatibility
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance
• Protect the Environment
• Facilitate Trade and Market Access
Building communities. Paving the future.
Introduction
Key Building Codes
CODE/STANDARD GOVERNING BODY PURPOSE
National Structural Code Association of Structural Structural Design
of the Philippines (NSCP) Engineers of the Philippines Safety
(ASEP)
Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH)
RA 6541 (PD 1096) Department of Public Works and General Building
National Building Code of Highways (DPWH) Design &
the Philippines (NBC) Construction
Regulations
Building communities. Paving the future.
Introduction
Key Building Codes
AREA NSCP NBC
Structural Design ✅ ------
Zoning & Use ----- ✅
Fire Safety Partial ✅
Wind/Seismic Load ✅ -----
Permits & Legal ----- ✅
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Building Code
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Building Code
RA 6541
• formally known as Presidential Decree No. 1096
• sets out the minimum standards for the construction,
occupancy, and maintenance of buildings and
structures in the country.
• When it comes to vertical infrastructure, it outlines
specific requirements to ensure safety, functionality,
and resilience.
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Building Code
Salient Features :
• Structural Safety and Stability
SECTION 2003. Design and Construction
• Fire Safety Provisions
RULE VI - Fire-resistive Requirements in Construction
• Zoning and Building Height Regulations
SECTION 704. Location on Property
SECTION 705. Allowable Floor Areas
• Occupancy Classification
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified
SECTION 702. Change in Use
SECTION 703. Mixed Occupancy
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Building Code
Salient Features :
• Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
• Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation
• Energy Efficiency and Environmental
Considerations
• Permits, Inspections, and Professional Involvement
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Building Code
Salient Features :
• Enforcement and Corrective Measures
The Code provides local authorities with the power to enforce
compliance on existing buildings. Should an inspection reveal
non-conformities—whether they are due to aging,
deterioration, or substandard renovations—the building official
is authorized to mandate corrective actions. This enforcement
mechanism can include penalties or further orders to remediate
unsafe conditions before the building is allowed to remain in
use.
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Building Code
Salient Features :
• Provisions for Partial Compliance
Recognizing that many older buildings may be largely
compliant with the earlier standards under which they
were constructed, the Code contains provisions that
require only the affected parts of the building (those
being renovated or repaired) to meet new standards.
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Structural Code
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Structural Code
NSCP:
• the primary standard governing structural design and
construction in the country.
• provides guidelines to ensure the safety, stability, and
resilience of buildings and other civil structures,
particularly in the context of the Philippines’
vulnerability to earthquakes, typhoons, and other
natural hazards.
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Structural Code
Salient Features :
• Seismic Design Provisions
Earthquake-Resistant Design
Seismic Zoning Maps
• Wind Load Provisions
Typhoon-Resilient Design
Topographic and Height Effects
Dynamic Wind Effects
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Structural Code
Salient Features :
• Structural Load Requirements
Comprehensive Load Combinations
Load Factors and Strength Reduction Factors
Occupancy-Specific Live Loads
• Materials and Design Standards
Concrete, Steel, Timber, and Masonry
Material Strength and Quality Control
Modern Design Approaches
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Structural Code
Salient Features :
• Structural Systems and Configuration
Lateral Load Resisting Systems
Vertical Irregularities
Redundancy and Robustness
• Foundation and Soil Considerations
Site-Specific Geotechnical Studies
Liquefaction and Slope Stability
Differential Settlement Criteria
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Structural Code
Salient Features :
• Sustainability and Resilience
Disaster-Resilient Design
Post-Disaster Functionality
• Adoption of International Standards
Alignment with International Codes
Periodic Updates
• Professional and Legal Framework
Engineer Responsibility
Compliance and Enforcement
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Structural Code
Salient Features :
• Phased Inspection Protocols and Quality Control
advocates for inspections at clearly defined stages of construction—
starting from the early works (such as foundation and footing
installations) through intermediate phases (like structural framing and
wall erection) and concluding with finishing inspections. This phased
approach means that any deficiencies are identified and remedied
promptly before the project advances. Such incremental quality control is
crucial for ensuring that each step of the building process conforms to
the NSCP’s exacting standards.
Building communities. Paving the future.
National Structural Code
Salient Features :
• Standardized Procedures and Checklists
Building inspectors are provided with standardized protocols and
checklists that detail every aspect of the structural system. These tools
guarantee a systematic approach to evaluating material quality,
reinforcement details, and compliance with engineering design
assumptions. The uniformity in the inspection process not only promotes
consistency but also minimizes the possibility of oversight during the
review.
Building communities. Paving the future.
Local Government Code
Building communities. Paving the future.
Local Government Code
Republic Act No. 7160:
• does not contain a single, stand-alone section exclusively titled
“building inspections.”
• Instead, its provisions empower local government units (LGUs) with
broad authority over planning, development, and public safety within
their jurisdictions—a mandate that naturally includes overseeing
construction practices and ensuring that buildings meet safety and
structural standards.
Building communities. Paving the future.
Local Government Code
How the Code Empowers LGUs Regarding
Building Safety
• Decentralized Authority and Local Autonomy
LGUs are granted genuine and meaningful local autonomy. This
decentralized structure allows each unit to enact ordinances and
regulations tailored to their specific needs. In this context, many LGUs
have utilized their authority to adopt and enforce local building codes
and zoning ordinances.
Building communities. Paving the future.
Local Government Code
How the Code Empowers LGUs Regarding
Building Safety
• Enforcement of National Standards Through Local Mechanisms
underlines the LGUs’ role in enforcing standards by empowering them to
regulate the issuance of building permits and the conduct of inspections
within their territorial jurisdiction.
Building communities. Paving the future.
Local Government Code
How the Code Empowers LGUs Regarding
Building Safety
• Supporting Guidelines and DILG Involvement
While the Code establishes the framework for local autonomy in matters
of building and zoning regulations, the specifics of how building
inspections are conducted are often detailed in supplementary
guidelines and memorandum circulars issued by the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Building communities. Paving the future.
Building communities. Paving the future.
Building communities. Paving the future.