Building System Design

UNIT I: CODES AND REGULATIONS______________

A code is a set of rules that serve as a generally accepted guidelines to be followed.
They exist for the purpose of safety, quality or other benefit. For example, electrical
codes exist to ensure system reliability and that building occupants are safe from risks.
A regulation is mandated by government body and requires that by law those in the
industry comply.
Engineers are expected to perform a variety of tasks depending on their specialization
and job level. It is important to the engineer that he/she knows the different codes and
regulations to be consider when preparing plans, designs and during project
implementation so that he/she may be able to perform his job effectively and efficiently.

Target learning outcome (based on CMO):

LO 1- Identify appropriate provisions of the national Building Code and its referral
codes as these apply to building
LO 2 - Codes and Regulations: Ability to design sites, facilities, and systems that
are responsive to relevant codes and regulations, and include the principles of life
safety and accessibility standards

___________________
Lesson 1: The National Building Code of the Philippines
The National Building Code is a set of
Learning Outcomes:
rules and regulations pertaining to the
At the end of the lesson, you are
construction of all residential projects
expected to: and buildings here in the Philippines.
1. know some important provisions of Building codes are intended to further
the code; and secure safety, welfare and health of the
2. apply the code to building design residents of a building.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE (P.D.) NO. 1096 ADOPTING A NATIONAL BUILDING

CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (NBCP) THEREBY REVISING REPUBLIC ACT
NUMBERED SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (R.A. No. 6541)

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 101. Title. This Decree shall be known as the "National Building Code of the
Philippines" and shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Code".

Section 102. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State
to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, consistent with the principles of
sound environmental management and control; and to this end, make it the purpose of
this Code to provide for all buildings and structures, a framework of minimum standards
and requirements to regulate and control their location, site, design quality of materials,
construction, use, occupancy, and the approval of this Code shall not be affected
thereby except when alterations, additions, conversions or repairs are to be made
therein in which case, this Code maintenance.

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Section 103. Scope and Application. (a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to
the design, location, sitting, construction, alteration, repair, conversion, use,
occupancy, maintenance, moving, demolition of, and addition to public and private
buildings and structures, except traditional indigenous family dwellings as defined
herein. (b) Building and/or structures constructed before shall apply only to portions to
be altered, added, converted or repaired.

Section [Link] Building Requirements. (a) All buildings or structures as well

as accessory facilities thereto shall conform in all respects to the principles of safe
construction and must be suited to the purpose for which they are designed. (b)
Buildings or structures intended to be used for the manufacture and/or production of
any kind of article or product shall observe adequate environmental safeguards.(c)
Buildings or structures and all parts thereof as well as all facilities found therein shall
be maintained in safe, sanitary and good working condition.

Section [Link] Requirements. The land or site upon which will be constructed any
building or structure, or any ancillary or auxiliary facility thereto, shall be sanitary,
hygienic or safe. In case of sites or buildings intended for use as human habitation or
abode, the same shall be at a safe distance, as determined by competent authorities,
from streams or bodies of water and/or sources of air considered to be polluted; from
a volcano or volcanic site and/or any other building considered to be a potential source
of fire or explosion.

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION

Section 401. Types of Construction. For purposes of this Code, all buildings proposed
for construction shall be classified or identified according to the following types:

Type I. Type I buildings shall be a wood construction. The structural elements

may be any of the materials permitted by this Code.

Type II. Type II buildings shall be of wood construction with protective fire-
resistant materials and one-hour fire resistive throughout: Except, that permanent non-
bearing partitions may use fire-retardant treated wood within the framing assembly.

Type III. Type III buildings shall be of masonry and wood construction.
Structural 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.

Type IV. Type IV buildings shall be of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry

construction. Walls, ceiling, and permanent partitions shall be of incombustible fire
resistive construction: Except, that permanent non-bearing partitions of one-hour fire-
resistive construction may use fire-retardant treated wood within the framing assembly.

Type V. Type V buildings shall be fire-resistive. The structural elements shall

be of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry construction. Walls, ceilings, and permanent
partitions shall be of incombustible fire-resistive construction.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE ZONES

Section 501. Fire Zones Defined. Fire zones are areas within which only certain types
of buildings are permitted to be constructed based on their use or occupancy, type of
construction, and resistance to fire.

Section 502. Buildings located in more than One Fire Zone. A building or structure
which is located partly in one fire zone and partly in another shall be considered to be
in the more highly restrictive fire zone, when more than one-third of its total floor area
is located in such zone.

OTHER PROVISIONS

Section 705. Allowable Floor Areas.

The allowable floor areas for one-storey building and buildings over one-storey shall
not exceed the limits prescribed by the Secretary for each occupancy groups and/or
types of construction. For purposes of this Section, each portion of a building
separation by one or more area separation walls may be considered a separate
building provided the area separation walls meet the requirements prescribed therefor
by the Secretary.

Section 706. Allowable Floor Area Increases.

The floor areas hereinabove provided may be increased in certain specific instances
and under appropriate conditions, based on the existence of public space, streets or
yards extending along and adjoining two or more sides of the building or structure
subject to the approval of the Building Official.

Section 707. Maximum Height of Buildings.

The maximum height and number of storeys of every building shall be dependent upon
the character of occupancy and the type of construction as determined by the Secretary
considering population density, building bulk, widths of streets and car parking
requirements.

The height shall be measured from the highest adjoining sidewalk or ground surface:
Provided, that the height measured from the lowest adjoining surface shall not exceed
such maximum height by more than 3.00 meters: Except, that towers, spires, and
steeples, erected as part of a building and not used for habitation or storage are limited
as to height only by structural design if completely of incombustible materials, or may
extend not to exceed 6.00 meters above the height limits for each occupancy group if
of combustible materials.

Section 708. Minimum Requirements for Group A Dwellings.

(a) Dwelling Location and Lot Occupancy. The dwelling shall occupy not more
than ninety percent of a corner lot and eighty percent of an inside lot, and
subject to the provisions on Easement on Light and View of the Civil Code of
the Philippines, shall be at least 2 meters from the property line.

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(b) Light and Ventilation. Every dwelling shall be so constructed and arranged
as to provide adequate light and ventilation as provided under Section 805, of
this Code.

(c) Sanitation. Every dwelling shall be provided with at least one sanitary toilet
and adequate washing and drainage facilities.

(d) Foundation. Footing shall be of sufficient size and strength to support the
load of the dwelling and shall be at least 250 millimeters thick and 600
millimeters below the surface of the ground.

(e) Post. The dimensions of wooden post shall be those found in Table 708-A
Dimensions of Wooden Posts (Annex B-1). Each post shall be anchored to such
footing by strap and bolts of adequate size.

(f) Floor. The live load of the first floor shall be at least 200 kilograms per square
meter and for the second floor, at least 150 kilograms per square meter.

(g) Roof . The wind load for roofs shall be at least 120 kilograms per square
meter for vertical projection.

(h) Stairs. Stairs shall be at least 750 millimeters in clear width, with a rise of
200 millimeters and a minimum run of 200 millimeters.

(i) Entrance and Exit. There shall be at least one entrance and another one for
exit.

(j) Electrical Requirements. All electrical installation shall conform to the

requirements of the Philippine Electrical Code.

(k) Mechanical Requirements. Mechanical systems and/or equipment

installation shall be subject to the requirement of the Philippine Mechanical
Engineering Code.

LIGHT AND VENTILATION

Section 801. General Requirements of Light and Ventilation.

(a) Subject to the provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines on Basement
of Light and View and to the provisions of this part of the Code, every building
shall be designed, constructed, and equipped to provide adequate light and
ventilation.

(b) All buildings shall face a street or public alley or a private street which has
been duly 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 to create an additional room, unless such additional room
conforms to the requirements of this Code.

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(d) No building shall be enlarged so that the dimensions of the required court
or yard would be less than that prescribed for such building.

Section 805. Ceiling Heights.

(a) Habitable rooms provided with artificial ventilation have ceiling heights not
less than 2.40 meters measured from the floor to the ceiling; Provided that for
buildings of more than one-storey, the minimum ceiling height of the first storey
shall be 2.70 meters and that for the second storey 2.40 meters and succeeding
storeys shall have an unobstructed typical head-room clearance of not less than
2.10 meters above the finished floor. Above stated rooms with a natural
ventilation shall have ceiling height not less than 2.70 meters.

(b) Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height not less than 1.80 meters
above and below it.

Section 806. Size and Dimensions of Rooms.

(a) Minimum sizes of rooms and their least horizontal dimensions shall be as
follows: 1. Rooms for Human Habitations. 6.00 square meters with at least
dimensions of 2.00 2. Kitchens. 3.00 square meters with at least dimension
of 1.50 meters; 3. Bath and toilet. 1.20 square meters with at least
dimension of 0.90 meters.

Section 807. Air Space Requirements in Determining the Size of Rooms.

(a) Minimum space shall be provided as follows: 1. School Rooms. 3.00 cubic
meters with 1.00 square meter of floor area per person; 2. Workshops,
Factories, and Offices. 12.00 cubic meters of space per person; 3.
Habitable rooms. 14.00 cubic meters of space per person.

Section 808. Window Openings.

(a) Every room intended for any use, not provided with artificial ventilation
system as herein specified in this Code, shall be provided with a window or
windows with a total free area of openings equal to at least ten percent of the
floor area of room, and such window shall open directly to a court, yard, public
street or alley, or open water courses.

Section 810. Ventilation Skylights.

(a) Skylights shall have glass area not less than that required for the windows
that are replaced. They shall be equipped with movable sashes or louvers with
an aggregate net free area not less than that required for openable parts in the
window that are replaced or provided with approved artificial ventilation of
equivalent effectiveness.

Section 811. Artificial Ventilation.

(a) Rooms or spaces housing industrial or heating equipment shall be provided

with artificial means of ventilation to prevent excessive accumulation of hot
and/or polluted;

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BUILDING PROJECTION OVER PUBLIC STREETS

Section 1001. General Requirements.

(a) No part of any building or structure or any of its appendages shall project
beyond the property line of the building site, except as provided in this Code.

(b) The projection of any structure or appendage over a public property shall be
the distance measured horizontally from the property line to the outermost point
of the projection.

Section 1002. Projection into Alleys or Streets.

(a) No part of any structure or its appendage shall project into any alley or street,
national road or public highway except as provided in this Code.

(b) Footings located at least 2.40 meters below grade along national roads or
public highway may project not more than 300 millimeters beyond the property
line.

(c) Foundations may be permitted to encroach into public sidewalk areas to a

width not exceeding 500 millimeters; provided, that the top of the said
foundations is not less than 600 millimeters below the established grade; and
provided further, that said projections does not obstruct any existing utility such
as power, communication, gas, water, or sewer lines, unless the owner
concerned shall pay the corresponding entities for the rerouting of the parts of
the affected utilities.

Section 1003. Projection of Balconies and Appendages Over Streets.

(a) The extent of any projection over an alley or street shall be uniform within a
block and shall conform to the limitations set forth in Table 1003-A of the code;
Projection of Balconies and Appendages (Annex B-2);

(b) The clearance between the established grade of the street and/or sidewalk
and the lowest under surface of any part of the balcony shall not be less than
3.00 meters.

Section 1004. Arcades.

(a) Whenever required by existing building and zoning regulations, arcades

shall be constructed on sidewalks of streets. The width of the arcade and
its height shall be uniform throughout the street provided, that in no case,
shall an arcade be less than 3.00 meters above the established sidewalk
grade.

Section 1005. Canopies (Marquees).

(a) Definition. A canopy or marquee is a permanent roofed structure above a

door attached to and supported by the building and projecting over a wall or
sidewalk. This includes any object or decoration attached thereto.

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(b) Projection and Clearance. The horizontal clearance between the outermost
edge of the marquee and the carb line shall be not less than 300 millimeters.
The vertical clearance between the pavement or ground line and the under
surface of any part of the marquee shall not be less than 3.00 meters.

(c) Construction. A marquee shall be constructed of incombustible material or

materials of not less than twohours fire-resistive construction. It shall be
provided with necessary drainage facility.

(d) Location. Every marquee shall be so located as not to interfere with the
operation of any exterior standpipe connection or to obstruct the clear passage
from stairway exits from the building or the installation or maintenance of
electroliers.

Section 1006. Movable Awnings or Hoods.

(a) Definition. An awning is a movable shelter supported entirely from the

exterior wall of a building and of a type which can be retracted, folded, or
collapsed against the face of a supporting building.

(b) Clearance. The horizontal clearance between the awning and the curb line
shall not be less than 300 millimeters. The vertical clearance between the
undermost surface of the awning and the pavement or ground line shall be not
less than 2.40 meters. Collapsible awnings shall be so designated that they
shall not block a required exit when collapsed or folded. Section 1007. Doors,
Windows, and the like. Doors, windows and the like less than 2.40 meters
above the pavement or ground line shall not, when fully opened or upon
opening, project beyond the property line except fire exit doors.

Section 1008. Corner Buildings with Chaflans.

(a) Every corner building or solid fence on a public street or alley less than 3.60
meter in width shall be truncated at the corner. The face of the triangle so
formed shall be at right angles to the bisector of the angle of the intersection of
the street lines; provided, that in no case, the Secretary shall determine the size
and form of the chaflan.

(b) If the building is arcaded, no chaflan is required notwithstanding the width

of the public street or alley, less than 12.00 meters.

Note: For other provisions of the code please refer to this link:
1. [Link] National Building Code of the Philippines
2. [Link] The National Building Code of the Philippines

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Lesson 2: The Architectural Code of the Philippines

This ARCHITECTURAL CODE is compiled by the UNITED ARCHITECTURAL
of the PHILIPPINES (UAP) the bonafide accredited organization of architects under
the purview of PD 223 – the Professional Regulation Commission LAW AND RA 545,
the Architect’s Law, to serve as a referral code for the implementation and enforcement
of PD 1096 – the National Building Code (NBC).

This ARCHITECTURAL CODE is designed to be compatible and

complementary to the provisions of the NBC as its implementing rules and regulations.
Similarly with all other referral codes prescribed under NBC, it is subject to periodic
changes without legislative flat to be in accordance with universal advancements in
science and technology. It prescribes rules and regulatory measures to ascertain good
building design and construction with inherent considerations and provisions for the
safety and protection of limb, health, life, property and general public welfare, within a
sound/wholesome environmental set-up.

USE OF THIS ARCHITECTURAL CODE

GENERAL

The following considerations should guide the architect in the total design of the
building and other structures in accordance with the Declaration of Policy of this code.

1. OCCUPANCY GROUPINGS: Determine the occupancy group under which the

building is classified, see chapter on Occupancy Classification.
2. TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION; Ascertain the type of construction by the
building materials and the fire resistively assembly as provided in chapter on
Types of Construction.
3. Determine location on property and buildable area as to the type of lot (corner,
interior, inside, thru and open lot) which requires the mandatory percentage of
open space for natural light and ventilation and legal easements as provided
for in the Philippines Civil Code, most particularly Art.670-673 inclusive under
Easement on Light and View.
4. FLOOR AREA: Determine the maximum floor area based on use or occupancy
and type of construction with or without automatic fire sprinklers and allowable
floor area for multi-storey building.
5. HIEGTH AND NUMBER OF STORIES: Compute building height from grade
based on nature of occupancy and type of construction and permissible
increase in floor area by installation of fire sprinklers.
6. FLOOR TO FLOR AREA AND TOTAL BUILDING AREA OCCUPANT LOAD:
Compute occupant load to determine adequacy of stairs and exit ways and exit
requirements.
 Verify compliance with the building detailed design requirements as to
type of occupancy.
 Verify compliance to detailed type of construction and fire resistively
requirements as to fire zones.
 Verify compliance with exit smoke vents or open patio requirements.

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 Verify compliance with detailed architectural requirements and material

used in construction.
 Verify allowable buildable area as to lot periphery boundary
characteristics, easements setbacks and other requirements.
7. PARKING REQUIREMENTS:
8. OTHER ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS: Cultural and Historical
aspects, light and ventilation, accessibility, information technology, other.

GENERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

1. Buildings and other structures as well as all accessory facilities, shall be

aesthetically, functionally and structurally designed to completely and efficiently
serve its purpose while protecting life, health, property and general public
welfare and concomitant resource of civic pride and aspirations.
2. Buildings and other structures intended to be used for the manufacture and
production of any kind of article or product shall comply with adequate
environmental safeguards as provided by all government agencies concerned.
3. Buildings and structures together with all parts thereof as well as their adjunct
facilities, utilities and equipment therein shall be maintained in good repair,
safe, sanitary, and good working condition as originally approved for
occupancy.

GENERAL SITE REQUIREMENTS

1. The land or site upon which the building or structure or any adjunct or ancillary
facility thereof shall be the concern of the architect. He shall verify, survey, and
ascertain safe design determinants such as geodetically and geophysical
characteristics, the potential chronological or periodic flooding, soil conditions
of the site, and other potentials hazard such as volcanic eruption, pollution,
landslides, tsunami. Other environmental factors shall also be considered such
as: solar angles, prevailing, typhoon winds and orientation to significant views.
2. Siting of the building shall be governed by NBC-IRR as to allowable buildable
area on lots actual characteristics of physical boundaries.

DEFINITIONS

ACCESSORY BUILDING is a structure which is on the same parcel of property as a

principal structure and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure.
For example, a residential structure may have a detached garage or storage shed for
garden tools as accessory structures.

AGRICULTURAL BUILDING is structures designed for farming

and agricultural practices, including. But not limited to growing and harvesting crops
and raising livestock and small animals. Specific examples of agricultural
buildings include.

ALLEY An alley is a narrow lane for pedestrians or service that runs between or behind
buildings. Alleys used to be planned into cities for trash access, deliveries, electrical,
plumbing, and mechanical services, fire engines, and for parking.

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ALTER OR ALTERATIONS process of altering something the dress

needs alteration for a proper fit.: The state of being altered. 2: the result of changing or
altering something: such as a change made in fitting a garment no charge
for alterations.

APARTMENT a room or set of rooms fitted especially with housekeeping facilities and
usually leased as a dwelling.

APARTMENT HOUSE also called apartment block, or block of flats, building containing
more than one dwelling unit, most of which are designed for domestic use, but
sometimes including shops and other non-residential features.

ARCADE A roofed passageway of a building, covered pedestrian passage or covered

sidewalk built as protection for pedestrians against rain or sun.

ASSEMBLY BUILDING OR HALL A building or a portion of a building used for the

gathering of a group of fifty or more persons.

ATTIC STOREY Any storey situated wholly or partly in a roof, so designed, arranged
or built as to be used for any occupancy or habitation.

AWNING A fixed or moveable protective covering or protection over a window or

entrance door.

BACKING The surface or assembly to which veneer is attached.

BALCONY A platform projecting from a wall protective railing around its periphery.
Also, an elevated tier of seats over an assembly hall, the lowest part of which is raised
1.20 m. or more above the level of the main floor.

BALCONY EXTERIOR EXIT A landing or porch projecting from the wall of a building
which serves as a means of egress. The open area above the guardrail shall remain
open so as to prevent the accumulation of smoke or toxic gas.

BASEMENT A storey of a building below the ground floor level or grade.

BASEMENT OR CELLAR A basement is the floor of a building which is partly or

entirely below ground level. A cellar is a room below ground level in a house that is
often only used for storing wine or coal; it is used for a specific purpose. A cellar is
often a smaller space than a basement.

BAY OR PANEL The intervals or spaces between two adjacent pillars, columns, or
buttresses into which the building front is divided.

BOARDING HOUSE are buildings containing several similarly furnished and fully
equipped apartments. They differ from apartment hotels in that they can often be rented
for a longer period of time. Boarding houses offer residents a washing machine in the
apartments or the building, as well as a fully equipped kitchen.

BOILER ROOM Any room containing a steam or hot water boiler.

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BUIDABLE AREA The remaining space in a lot after deducting the required minimum
open spaces for light and ventilation.

BUILDING a structure (such as a house, hospital, school, etc.) with a roof and walls
that is used as a place for people to live, work, do activities, store things, etc. : the act
or process of making structures by putting together materials.

BUILDING FOOTPRINT Conventionally in construction the building footprint is the

area of a building measured from the outer surface of the exterior of
the building multiplied by the depth measured in the same manner to give a square
area.

BUILDING HEIGHT means the average maximum vertical height of a building or

structure measured at a minimum of three equidistant points from finished grade to the
highest point on the building or structure along each building elevation.

BUILDING LENGTH a building means a building's greatest horizontal distance or

dimension.

BUILDING WIDTH Lot width means the distance on a horizontal plane between the
side lot lines of a lot, measured at right angles to the line establishing the lot depth at
the established building setback line. Lot width categories are determined by a range
of plus or minus 1.0m.

CANOPY a suspended covering over a window opening or entrance door.

CARPORT an open car shelter.

CASING a wood, metal or plastic covering or trim around the door or window frame.

CONDOMINIUM a cooperative apartment building owned jointly by each occupant built

on a common lot.

COPING the material or units to form or serve as a cop or finish on top of a wall, pier,
parapet or pilaster.

CORROSION (RESISTENT) PROOF is the ability to prevent environmental

deterioration by chemical or electro-chemical reaction. Desirable characteristics
of corrosion-resistant alloys, therefore, include high resistance to overall reactions
within the specific environment.

COURSE a continuous horizontal layer of masonry units.

COURT an unoccupied space enclosed by buildings and lot lines other than a yard;
free, open, and unobstructed clear area of any appendages from the ground upward.

DISPERAL AREA (SAFE) an area adjacent to an airfield runway connected to the

runway by taxi strips and used for parking airplanes in widely separated positions to
protect them from enemy air attacks.

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DWELLING is a self-contained unit of accommodation used by one or more

households as a home - such as a house, apartment, mobile home, houseboat, vehicle,
or other "substantial" structure.

EAVES the lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall.

EXIT a way out, especially of a public building, room, or passenger vehicle.

EXIT, FIRE a means of exiting a building in the event of fire. You're not allowed to put
anything in front of this door as it is a fire exit.

EASEMENT An easement is a no possessory right to use and/or enter onto the real
property of another without possessing it. It is "best typified in the right of way which
one landowner, A, may enjoy over the land of another, B".

EXIT COURTS a yard or court providing safe egress to a public way for one or more
exits.

EXIT (HORIZONTAL) WAY In essence, the horizontal exit is an exit that allows
occupants to egress from one side of a building to another side through a fire-
resistance-rated assembly, such as a fire wall or fire barrier.

EXIT PASSAGE An exit passageway is defined as “an exit component that is

separated from other interior spaces of a building or structure by fire- resistance-rated
construction and opening protective, and provides for a protected path of egress travel
in a horizontal direction to an exit or to the exit discharge.”

FACING any masonry, forming an integral part of a wall used as a finished surface to
veneer or wainscot.

FAÇADE front of or exterior appearance of the building.

FIREBRICK a brick capable of withstanding intense heat, used especially to line

furnaces and fireplaces.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

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FIRECLAY clay capable of withstanding high temperatures, chiefly used for making
firebricks.

FIRE SEPARATION (WALL) is the method for protecting buildings from the spread
of fire into adjoining areas for designated time periods by the introduction
of fire resisting walls, floors, doors, ducts and so on. These constructions divide the
building into distinct fire zones called 'fire compartments'.

FIREWALL is a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network
traffic and permits or blocks data packets based on a set of security rules.

ROW HOUSE one of a row of houses having uniform, or nearly uniform, plans and
fenestration and usually having a uniform architectural treatment, as in
certain housing developments. a house having at least one side wall in common with
a neighboring dwelling.

FIRE- RESISTIVE RATING DEFINED

Fire-resistive rating means the degree to which a material can withstand fire as
determined by generally recognized and accepted testing methods.

FIRE- RESISTIVE TIME PERIOD RATING

Fire-resistive time period rating is the length of time a material can withstand being
burned which may be one- hour, two- hours, four- hours, etc.

FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS
All materials of construction and type of materials and assemblies or combinations
thereof shall conform to the following fire-resistive ratings:

Note: For other provisions of the code please refer to this link [Link] and
[Link]

Lesson 3: National Structural Code of the Philippines

ASEP recognizes the need for an up-to-date structural code addressing the design and
installation of building structural systems through requirements emphasizing
performance. The new National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) is designed
10 meet these needs through various model codes/regulations, generally from the
United States, to safeguard the public health and safety nationwide.
This updated Structural Code establishes minimum requirements for building structural
systems using prescriptive and performance-based provisions. It is founded on broad-
based principles that make possible the usc of new materials and new building designs.
Also, this code OCC is the latest seismic design practice for earthquake resistant
structures.

Chapter I - General Requirements. The following changes are made in this code:

Section 103 - Classification of Buildings School buildings of more than one storey,
hospitals and designated evacuation centers are added under the essential
facilities category.

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Section 104 - Design Requirements

Deflection of any structural member under the serviceability requirement is
deleted. For concrete and steel materials see Chapter 4 and 5 respectively;
new requirements are added to the design review section.
3Section 105 - Posting and Instrumentation
The provision of installed recording accelerograph is adjusted.

Chapter 2 - Minimum Design Loads. The changes made in this code arc as follows:

Sect ion 203 - Combination of Loads

The load factor values on wind 10"d5 are adjusted together with the inclusion
of rain loads.
Section 205 - Live Loads
Additional loads are incorporated in the table for minimum uniform and
concentrated loads.
Section 207 - Wind Loads
Wind load provisions, which were previously based on ASCE7-95. are updated
by the introduction of the Wind Directionality Factor, Kd , based on ASCE7-05.
The ANSI ElAfTIA-222-G is also referenced for wind loads on 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 of Practice No.74 (Guidelines for Electrical Transmission Line
Structural Loading).
New formulas are also introduced for the natural frequency and damping ratio.
Section 208 _ . Earthquake Loads
Basically , there are no major changes on the earth quake provisions due to the
availability of Phivolcs-issued spectral acceleration maps for all areas in the
Philippines. However, ASCE/SEI7-05 is recognized as an alternative procedure
in the determination of the earthquake loads.
Section 210 and Section 211 - Environmental Loads
New sections on rain loads and flood loads are added.

Chapter 3: Specification for Excavations and Geo materials. The revisions made in
this updated code arc as follows:

Section 3.I Provisions pertaining to the conduct and interpretation of foundation

investigations for cases involving liquefiable. expansive or questionable soils
arc adopted;
Section 3.2 The section on footings is amended 10 incorporate provisions for
differential settlement. design loads and vibratory loads;
Section 3.3 The section on pile foundations is amended to incorporate new provisions
on splicing of concrete piles; and
Section 3.4 The section on special foundations, slope stabilization and materials of
construction arc added.

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 Building System Design

Chapter 4: Structural Concrete. The revisions made in this updated code are as
follows:

Section 40 I - Genera l Requirements: Design requirements for earthquake-resistant

structures are updated based on ACI 318-08M which mentions the "Seismic
Design Categories (SDCs)" of ASCEISEI 7-05. However. in the absence of
Phlvolcs-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 (lIB ( 7) was adopted in lieu 0 1"
SDC C (ASCE/SEI 7-()5). Similarly, Seismic ZOIlC 4 is adopted in lieu 0 1"
SDC, D, '" 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 arc adopted to replace the many tables of
durability requirements in Section 404, making it easier to clearly specify the
intended application;
Section 405 - Concrete Quality, Mixing, and Placing: The use of three 100 mm x 200
mm cylinders is adopted as equivalent to the usc of two 150 mill x 300 mm
cylinders for determining concrete compressive strength. Due to concern that
material properties may change with time, a 12-11l0nth 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" throughout Section 407; Class B lap splices are now
required for structural integrity reinforcement; continuous top and bottom
structural integrity reinforcement are required to pass through the column core;
and requirements for transverse reinforcement confining structural integrity
reinforcement in perimeter beams are clarified;
Section 408 - Analysis and Design - General Considerations: Provisions arc modified
10 allow redistribution of positive moments; and a simple modeling procedure
for evaluation of lateral displacements is added;
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 from 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 recognize computer analysis techniques as the primary method
of evaluating second order effects:
Section 411 ~ Shear and Torsion: Code requirements are added to permit the list of
headed stud assemblies as shear reinforcement for slabs and footings.

15
 Building System Design

The nominal shear strength is permitted (0 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 011 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: 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 of 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 unbondcd post-tensioned slab systems are
modified;
Section 4.20 - 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 ASCEISEI 7-05, but instead of using the
Seismic Design Categories of ASCESEI 7-05, the equivalent Seismic Zones as
per UBC 1997 are specified. Also, new design requirements are added for such
seismic zones; newdetailing option is added for diagonally reinforced coupling
beams; design yield strength for confinement reinforcement is raised to 690
MPa to help reduce congestion; and boundary element confinement
requirements is relaxed;
Section 423 - Anchoring to Concrete: Use of reinforcement in the vicinity of anchors
and ductility requirements for anchors in seismic zones arc 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 of ACI 318-08M is adopted; and
Section 427 - Strut-and-tie Models: Appendix A of ACI 318-08M is adopted in its
entirety.

Chapter 5: Structural Steel. The revisions made in this updated code are as follows:

Section 5.1 Adopted is an integrated treatment of the Allowable Stress Design (ASD)
and the Load and Resistance Factor Design (L...RFD) such that the earlier
Specification that treated only the ASD method is retained;

16
 Building System Design

c.2 In lieu of the previous method of analysis, a new method (Direct Analysis
Method) is adopted: and
Section 5.2 The cold formed steel design for building systems and structural members
are included. The chapter on steel design from NSCP 2001 which covered
Allowable Working Stress Design (ASD) is fully updated (0 address usage,
advances in the state of knowledge, and changes in design practice.

Chapter 6: Wood

Section 6.I The provisions in this chapter arc refined to incorporate local practices and
corrections in the previous version of the code (NSCP 2(01). Referrals arc
made to the NSCP 2010 Vol. III on Housing for relevant provisions concerning
single-family dwellings / low-cost housing;
Section 6.2 Tables from the previous version of NSCP 2001 including the Table
containing specie design information are amended to incorporate the latest
updated information/ list of wood species as provided by the Forest Products
Research and Development Institute (FPRDl);
Section 6.3 A provision that limit the use of wood shear walls and diaphragms is added;
and
Section 6.4 A section for Machine Graded Lumber (MGL) is included.

Chapter 7: Masonry

Section 7.1 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 2010 Vol. III on Housing for relevant provisions concerning
single-family dwellings / low-cost housing;
Section 7.2 Recycled aggregates are defined and provided;
Section 7.3 A section for Seismic Design is added; and
Section 7.4 Additional sections each for Masonry Fireplaces and Masonry Chimneys
are included.

Note: Visit this link for more readings [Link] national structural code of the philippines

Lesson 4: Electrical Code of the Philippines

The new edition of the PEC 2017 was based on the 2017 National Electrical Code. The
primary objective of the code is to establish basic materials quality and electrical works
standards for the safe use of electricity for light, heat, power communications, signalling
and for other purposes.

Note: Visit this link for more readings [Link] or [Link] national
electrical code of the philippines

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 Building System Design

Lesson 5: Fire Code of the Philippines

This IRR shall be interpreted in the light of the Declaration of Policy found in Section 2
of the Code: “It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety, promote economic
development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds, of destructive fires,
and promote the professionalization of the fire service as a profession. Towards this
end, the State shall enforce all laws, rules and regulations to ensure adherence to
standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability in the fire
protection and prevention service.”

RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES SECTION [Link] CLASSIFICATION

A. Residential occupancies shall include all occupancies so classified in Division 3 of

this IRR. They shall be classified in the following groups, subject to determination by
the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative.

B. Hotels – includes buildings or groups of building under the same management in

which there are more than fifteen (15) sleeping accommodations for hire, primarily used
by transients who are lodged with or without meals, whether designated as a hotel, inn,
motel, or by any other name. So-called appartelle, condotel or pension houses shall be
classified as hotels, because they are potentially subject to transient 170 occupancy
like that of hotels.

C. Dormitories – includes buildings where group sleeping accommodation are

provided for persons, not members of the same family group in one room or in series
of closely associated room under joint occupancy and single management, as in
college dormitories, convents, fraternity houses, military barracks, and the like.

D. Apartment Buildings – includes buildings containing three (3) or more living units
independent cooking and bathroom facilities, whether designated as condominium,
row house, apartment house, tenement, garden apartment, or by any other name.

E. Lodging or Rooming Houses – includes building in which separate sleeping rooms

are rented providing sleeping accommodations for a total of fifteen (15) or less persons,
on either a transient or permanent basis; with or without meals, but without separate
cooking facilities for individual occupants.

F. Single-and-Two Family Dwellings – includes detached dwellings in which each living

unit is occupied by members of a single family.

SECTION [Link] REQUIREMENTS

A. Occupant Load The occupant load of residential occupancies in number of persons

for whom exits are to be provided except in detached single-and-two-family dwellings
shall be determined on the basis of one (1) person per eighteen and six-tenths square
meters (18.6 m2) gross floor area, or the maximum probable population of any room
or section under consideration, whichever is greater. The occupant load of any open
mezzanine or balcony shall be added to the occupant load of the floor below for the
purpose of determining exit capacity.

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 Building System Design

B. Capacity of Exits Capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section

[Link] paragraph “C” of this IRR. C. Maintenance of Exits

1. No door in any means of egress shall be locked against egress when the
building is occupied.

2. No residential occupancy shall have its means of egress pass through any
non-residential occupancy in the same building, except in buildings provided with
approved, supervised sprinkler system provided that the means of egress shall not
pass through a high hazard content 171 area as determined by the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction and the means of egress shall be separated by a
construction of not less than 1 hour.

3. No guest room or guest suite shall be permitted to be located above a non-

residential occupancy except when the guest room or guest suite and its exits are
separated from the non-residential occupancy by construction having a fire resistance
rating of not less than 1 hour or when the non-residential occupancy is protected
throughout by approved, supervised sprinkler system.

SECTION [Link] HOTELS AND DORMITORIES

A. Requirements

1. Any ballroom assembly or exhibition hall, and other space used for purposes of
public assembly shall be in accordance, with Division 7 of this Chapter.
Restaurant having a capacity of fifty (50) or more persons shall be treated as
places of assembly.

2. Any dormitory divided into suites of rooms, with one or more bedrooms opening into
a living room or study that has a door opening into a common corridor serving
number of suites, shall be classified as an apartment building.

B. Exit Details

1. Requirements

a. Any room having a capacity of less than fifty (50) persons with an outside
door at street or ground level may have such outside door as a single exit
provided that no part of the room or area is more than fifteen and one-fourth
meters (15.25 m) from the door measured along the natural path of travel.

b. Any floor below the floor of exit discharge occupied for public purposes shall
have exits arranged in accordance with the subsequent paragraph of this
Section, with access thereto in accordance with Section [Link] of this IRR.

c. Any floor below the floor of exit discharge not open to the public and used
only for mechanical equipment, storage, and service operations (other than
kitchens which are considered part of the hotel occupancy) shall have exits
appropriate to its actual occupancy in accordance with applicable sections of
this code.

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 Building System Design

d. The same stairway or other exit required to serve any one upper floor may
also serve other upper floor, except that no inside open stairway, escalator, or
ramp may serve as a required egress from more than one floor.

2. Types of Exits, arranged in accordance with Division 5 of this Chapter, shall be one
or more of the following types:

a. Doors, provided that doors in any means of egress shall not be locked against
egress when the building is occupied. Delayed egress locks may be permitted,
provided that not more than one such is located in any one egress path.
b. Stairs and smokeproof enclosures.
c. Ramps.
d. Horizontal exits.

3. Minimum Corridor Width Corridors, other than those in within individual guest rooms
or individual guest suites, shall be of sufficient width to accommodate the
required occupant load and shall not be less than one hundred twelve
centimeters (112 cm).

4. Number of Exits Not less than two (2) exits shall be accessible from every floor,
including floors below the floor of exit discharge and occupied for public
purposes.

5. Travel Distance to Exits a. Any exit shall be such that it will not be necessary to travel
more than thirty meters (30 m) from the door of any room to reach the nearest
exit. b. Travel distance within a guest room or guest suite to a corridor door shall
not exceed twenty three meters (23 m) in buildings not protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system. c. Travel distance within a
guest room or guest suite to a corridor door shall not exceed thirty eight meters
(38 m) in buildings protected by an approved, supervised sprinkler system. 173

6. Access to and Arrangement of Exits

a. Access to all required exits shall be in accordance with Section [Link] of

this IRR, shall be unobstructed, and shall not be veiled from open view by
ornamentation, curtain, or other appurtenance.

b. Means of egress shall be so arranged that, from every point in any open area
or from any room door, exits will be accessible in at least two (2) different
directions.

c. Doors between guest rooms and corridors shall be self-closing. d. Common

path of travel shall not exceed ten meters (10 m). e. Dead end corridors shall
not exceed six meters (6 m).

7. Discharge from Exits

a. At least half of the required number of units of exit from upper floors,
exclusive of horizontal exits, shall load directly to the street or through a yard,
court, or passageway with protected openings and separated from all parts of
the interior of the buildings.

20
 Building System Design

b. A maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the exits may discharge through areas
on the floor of exit discharge provided:

i. Such exits discharge to a free and unobstructed way to the exterior of

the building, which way is readily visible and identifiable from the point
of discharge from the exit.

ii. The floor of discharge into which the exit discharge is provided with
automatic fire suppression system and any other portion of the level of
discharge with access to the discharge area is provided with automatic
fire suppression system or separated from it in accordance with the
requirements for the enclosure of exit. (See Section [Link] of this
IRR),

iii. The entire area on the floor of discharge is separated from areas
below by construction having a minimum fire-resistance rating of two (2)
hours.

8. Lighting and Signs

a. Each public space, hallway, stairway, or other means of egress shall have
illumination in accordance with Section [Link] of this IRR. Access to exit
shall be continuously illuminated at all times. Any hotel and dormitory shall have
emergency lighting installed in individual guest rooms or guest suites, hallways,
landings of stairways and other appropriate areas as determined by the C/MFM
having jurisdiction. 174

b. Every exit access door from public hallways or from corridors on floors with
sleeping accommodations shall have an illuminated sign in accordance with
Section [Link] of this IRR. Where exits are not visible in a hallway or
corridor, illuminated directional signs shall be provided to indicate the direction

C. Protection

1. Protection of Vertical Openings

a. Every stairway, elevator shaft and other vertical openings shall be enclosed
or protected in accordance with Section [Link] of this IRR.

b. Any required exit stair which is so located that it is necessary to pass through
the lobby or other open space to reach the outside of the building shall be
continuously enclosed down to the lobby level.

c. No floor below the floor of exit discharge, used only for storage, heating
requirements, or other than hotel occupancy open to guest or the public, shall
have unprotected openings to floors used for hotel purposes.

2. Protection of Guest Rooms

a. In any new hotel building every corridor shall be separated from guest rooms
by partitions having at least a one (1) hour fire resistance rating.

21
 Building System Design

b. Each guest room shall be provided with a door having a fire protection rating
at least twenty (20) minutes.
c. Openings in corridor partitions other than door openings shall be prohibited.
d. Doors that open directly onto exit access corridors shall be self-closing and
self-latching.

3. Interior Finish Interior finish, in accordance with Section [Link] of this IRR and
subject to the limitations and modifications therein specified, shall be as follows:

a. For new construction or new Interior Finish

i. Exits – Class A or Class B;

ii. Lobbies, corridors – Class A or Class B; 175
iii. Places of assembly – See Section [Link] of this IRR;
iv. Individual guest rooms – B, or C; and

b. Existing Interior Finish

i. Exits – Class A or B;
ii. Lobbies and Corridors;
ii.a. Used as exit access – Class A or B
ii.b. Not used as required exit access – Class A, B or C
iii. Places of Assembly – See Section [Link] of this IRR;
iv. Individual guest rooms – Class A, B or C; and v. Other rooms – Class
A, B or C.

4. Fire Detection and Alarm System

a. An automatic fire detection and alarm system, in accordance with Section

[Link] of this IRR, shall be provided for any hotel or dormitory having
accommodations for fifteen (15) or more guests. For less than 15 guests, a
manual fire alarm system shall be installed.

b. Every sounding device shall be of such character and so located as to arouse

all occupants of the building or section thereof endangered by fire.

c. An alarm-sending station and manual fire alarm box shall be provided at the
hotel desk or other convenient central control point under continuous
supervision of responsible employees.

d. Suitable facilities shall be provided for immediate notification of the BFP.

e. Positive fire alarm sequence may be permitted.

f. Hotels and dormitories including its guest rooms and guests suites shall be
required to be equipped with both audible and visible notification appliance.

22
 Building System Design

g. In hotels and dormitories not equipped with automatic fire detection and
alarm system, guest rooms, living area and sleeping rooms within a guest suite
shall be installed with single-station smoke detectors.

5. Extinguishing Requirements

a. All buildings shall be protected throughout by an approve, supervised

sprinkler system except in buildings where all guest sleeping rooms or guest
suites have a door opening directly outside at the street or grade level or
exterior exit access arranged in accordance with Section [Link] of this IRR in
buildings up to and including three (3) storeys in height.

b. Listed quick response or listed residential sprinklers shall be used throughout

guest rooms and guest room suites.

c. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in accordance with Section

[Link] of this IRR.

6. Subdivision of Building Spaces

a. In buildings not protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler

system, each hotel guest room, including guest suites, and dormitory rooms
shall be separated from other guest rooms or dormitory rooms by walls and
floors having fire resistance ratings of not less than one (1) hour.

b. In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic

sprinkler system, each hotel guest room, including guest suites, and dormitory
room shall be separated from other guest rooms or dormitory rooms by walls
and floors constructed a fire barriers having fire resistance ratings of not less
than one half (½) hour.

7. Hazardous Areas

a. Any room containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating machinery,

transformers, or other service equipment to possible explosion shall not be
located directly under or directly adjacent to exits. All such rooms shall be
effectively cut off from other parts of the building as specified in Section [Link]
of this IRR.

b. Every hazardous area shall be separated from other parts of the building by
construction having a fire-resistance rating of at least one (1) hour and
communicating openings shall be protected by approved automatic or self-
closing fire doors, or such area shall be equipped with automatic fire
suppression system. Where a hazard is high as determined by the
City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, both fire-resistive construction
and automatic fire suppression system shall be used. Hazardous areas include,
but are not limited to:

23
 Building System Design

i. Boiler and heater rooms

ii. Laundries
iii. Repair shops
iv. Rooms or spaces used storage of combustible supplies and
equipment in quantified deemed hazardous by the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction.

D. Building Service Equipment

1. Air-Conditioning and Ventilation

a. Every air conditioning installation shall comply with Division 7 of this Chapter.

b. No transom/windowpane shall be installed in partition of sleeping rooms in

new buildings. In existing buildings transoms shall be fixed in the closed
position and shall be covered or otherwise protected to provide a fire-resistance
rating at least equivalent to that of the wall in which they are installed.

2. All other building services equipment installed or used in hotels and dormitories shall
comply with Division 7 of this Chapter

Lesson 6: National Plumbing Code

Water plays an important part in the plumbing system. It is a common, but in many
ways, an unusual liquid. Large quantities of water are required in buildings for personal
use, food preparation, cleaning and general domestic purposes, and possibly also for
firefighting, laundries, swimming pools, irrigation and recreational use. We sometimes
tend to think of water as an inexhaustible natural resource. However, our supply of
fresh water is definitely limited, and improved conservation practices are necessary if
our needs are to be supplied.

THE BASIC PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE NATIONAL PLUMBING CODE

1. All premises intended for human use or habitation shall be provided with a supply of
pure and wholesome water, neither connected to unsafe water supply nor subject to
backflow or back- siphonage.

2. Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be supplied with water in

sufficient volume and pressure adequate to function satisfactorily and without undue
noise.

3. Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water
consistent with proper performance and cleaning.

4. Devices for heating and storing water shall be so designed and installed as to
prevent dangers from explosion through overheating.

24
 Building System Design

5. Every building abutting on a street, alley or easement with a public sewer shall
connect its plumbing fixtures to the sewer system.

6. Each family dwelling unit shall have at least one water closet, one kitchen type sink,
a lavatory and a bathtub or shower to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and
personal hygiene.

7. Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-absorbent material, free from

concealed fouling surfaces and shall be located in ventilated enclosures.

8. The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained to safeguard

against fouling, deposit of solids, clogging and with adequate cleanouts so arranged
that the pipes may be readily cleaned.

9. All piping shall be of durable NAMPAP-approved materials, free from defective

workmanship, designed and constructed by Registered Master Plumbers to ensure
satisfactory service.

10. Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped with a
water-sealed trap.

11. The drainage pipes piping system shall be designed to provide adequate circulation
of air free from siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap seals under ordinary use.

12. Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and installed to prevent clogging and
the return of foul air to the building.

13. Plumbing systems shall be subjected to such tests to effectively disclose all leaks
and defects in the workmanship.

14. Substance which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy the pipes
or their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage-disposal process shall not be allowed
to enter the building drainage system.

15. Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of food, water, sterile
goods and similar materials by backflow of sewage. When necessary, the fixture,
device or appliance shall be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.

16. No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment which is not properly
lighted and ventilated.

17. If there is no sewer system in the area, suitable provision shall be made for the
disposal of building sewage by some accepted method of sewage treatment and
disposal, such as a septic tank.

18. Where a plumbing drainage system may be subject to backflow of sewage, suitable
provision shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building.

25
 Building System Design

19. Plumbing systems shall be maintained in serviceable condition by Registered

Master Plumbers.

20. All plumbing fixtures shall be installed properly spaced, to be accessible for their
intended use.

21. Plumbing shall be installed with due regard to the preservation of the strength of
structural members and the prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through
fixture usage.

22. Sewage or other waste from plumbing systems, which may be deleterious to
surface or sub-surface waters shall not be discharged into the ground or into any
waterway, unless first rendered innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form
of treatment.

Answer Exercise No. 1 in Worksheet 1 for Unit 1, page1

26
 Building System Design

UNIT II: TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION___________

Technical documentation is a written report, these documents include construction
drawings, technical specifications, design reports, engineer’s cost estimates, and bid
schedule. Number of these documents is produced for the owner whereas others are
utilized by contractor for bidding and construction.

Target learning outcome (based on CMO):

LO 3: Ability to make technically clear drawings, preparing outline specifications,
and construct models illustrating and identifying the assembly of materials,
systems, and components appropriate for a building design;

_____________________________________________________

Lesson 1: Structural Engineering and Architectural Documents

Learning Outcome: Structural Engineering Documents
At the end of the lesson, you are shall identify the project and specify design
expected to formulate a technical criteria both for the overall structure and for
documents for Architectural and structural components and structural
Structural Engineering of a certain systems. The drawings shall identify the
nature, magnitude and location of all
project.
design loads to be imposed on the
structure. The structural engineering
documents shall provide construction requirements to indicate the nature and
character of the work and to describe, detail, label and define the structure’s
components, systems, materials, assemblies, and equipment.

a. Design analysis shall be required for all buildings or structures

except for the following:
1. Traditional indigenous family dwellings
2. Single detached residential buildings with a total floor area
up to 20.0 sq. m.
b. Boring and Plate Load Test (Soil Classification) required only for
buildings or structure of four stories and higher.
c. Seismic Analysis (earthquake forces), every building or structure
and every portion thereof except single detached buildings, duplex,
housing, church rectories which are less than 7.5 m. in height, shall
be designed and constructed to resist stresses produced by lateral
forces.

Architectural Documents is an architectural drawings, specifications, and other

outputs of an Architect that only an Architect can sign and seal. These consists of
vicinity maps, site development plans, architectural program, perspective drawings,
architectural floor plans, elevations, sections, and among others.

27
 Building System Design

a. LOCATION PLAN
A Location or Site Location Plan is a map drawn to a suitable
metric scale which shows the location of a development or
proposed development. Most Site Location plans are based on
Ordnance Survey Master map.

Source: Proposed Metro link

b. SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

A Site Development Plan depicts the general layout and
configuration of a site, including building footprints, parking and
street layout, conceptual landscaping and lighting, site cross section
drawings, and building elevations. A Site Development Plan must
be approved prior to the issuance of building permits. Site
Development Plan at scale of 1:200 m.

Source: Proposed Metro link

28
 Building System Design

c. PERSPECTIVE
The art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as
to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position
in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.
Perspective is the way that one looks at something. It is also an art
technique that changes the distance or depth of an object on paper.

Source: Pinoy [Link]

d. FLOOR PLAN
In architecture and building engineering, a floor plan is a drawing to
scale, showing a view from above, of the relationships between
rooms, spaces, traffic patterns, and other physical features at one
level of a structure.
Dimensions are usually drawn between the walls to specify room
sizes and wall lengths.

Source: Pinoy [Link]

29
 Building System Design

e. ELEVATION
On a building plan there are normally four or five elevations,
showing a front, rear and end elevation, these would include any
basement or attic rooms. The plan elevation would show the upper
and lower floor room layouts.
The front elevation is a straight-on view of the house as if you were
looking at it from a spot on the front yard. Also called an
"entry elevation," the front elevation shows home features such as
entry doors, windows, the front porch and any items that protrude
from the home.

Source: Pinoy [Link]

f. SECTION
The term longitudinal section pertains to a section done by a plane
along the long axis of a structure in contrast to the other term,
cross section, which is a section that is cut
transversely. Longitudinal sections would therefore pertain to any
vertical section such as median, sagittal, and coronal sections.

Source: Pinoy [Link]

30
 Building System Design

g. DETAILS OF KITCHEN, T & B, CABINETS AND SCHEDULE OF

DOORS & WINDOWS

Source: Pinoy [Link]

h. FOUNDATION PLAN
The foundation plan is a plan view drawing, in section, showing
the location and size of footings, piers, columns, foundation walls,
and supporting beams. A foundation plan ordinarily includes the
following:

 Slab Foundations. A slab is one of the most common types of

foundations, requiring the least amount of lot prep to begin
building. ...
 Crawlspace Foundations. Homes with crawl space foundation
are elevated a few feet off the ground.
 Basement Foundations.

Source: Pinoy [Link]

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 Building System Design

i. FRAMING PLAN
A plan of each floor of a building showing the makeup of beams and
girders on that floor, and their connections, using a simplified system
of symbols and drafting line work.

j. ROOF FRAMING PLAN

A roof plan is used to show the shape of the roof. The roof framing
plan is similar to the roof plan but in addition to showing the shape
of the structure and the outline of the roof, it also shows the size and
direction of the framing members use to frame the roof.

Source: Pinoy Plans @ com.

k. DETAILS OF COLUMN AND FOOTING

Column Footing is also famous as independent footing. An
independent footing is one which is provided under a column or
either similar member for distributing concentrated load in the form
of uniformly loads on the soil below. The footing may be square,
rectangular or circular in plan.

Source: Pinoy Plans @ com.

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 Building System Design

l. DETAIL OF STAIRS
A stairway, staircase, stairwell, flight of stairs, or simply stairs, is a
construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing
it into smaller vertical distances, called steps. Stairs may be straight,
round, or may consist of two or more straight pieces connected at
angles.

Source: Pinoy Plans @ com.

SANITARY/PLUMBING

a. For new, additional or altered plumbing installation not exceeding

twenty units, the engineering documents signed and sealed by duly
licensed master plumber shall include the following:
1. Plumbing Plan and Layout
2. Isometric Drawing
3. Guide Specifications and Bill of Materials
4. Estimate of Cost (for statistical purposes only)
b. For new Sanitary Installation with more than twenty units of
plumbing installations, water supply, storm drainage, water
purification and sewage treatment plant, applications shall be
accompanied by sanitary plans and specifications signed and
sealed by a duly licensed Sanitary Engineer.
1. Sanitary Plan, layouts and details.
2. Isometric drawings of roughing-ins of sanitary drainage,
ventilation lines, hot and cold water distribution/supplies to
plumbing fixtures and equipment.
3. Detail drawings of Imhoff tanks/septic tanks in the absence
of disposal to the street sanitary sewer.
4. Riser diagram of drainage including details of miscellaneous
appurtenances such as manholes, junction boxes catch
basins, water/sewer/storm drainage connections.
5. Design Analysis, technical specifications.
6. Estimate of Cost (for statistical purposes only)
7. Detail drawing of deep well water source and water
treatment device in the absence of municipal water system.

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 Building System Design

MECHANICAL

A. The corresponding plans and specifications for 50 Hp or more, signed and sealed
by a duly licensed, Professional Mechanical Engineer shall contain the following:
1. General layout plan for each floor, to a scale of not less than
1:100 m. indicating the equipment in heavier lines than the
building outlined. Names of machinery and corresponding
brake horsepower shall be indicated.
2. Longitudinal and transverse action drawn to scale of at least
1:100 m. showing interfloor relations and defining the
manner of support of machinery.
3. Isometric drawing for piping system showing.
b. Assembly of pipes on rocks and supports.
c. Complete individual piping system indicating terminal
to terminal valves, fittings, sizes and color codings.
4. Plan indicating location of store rooms, fuel tanks, fire
extinguishing system, fire doors, fire escapes, ladders and
other similar fire protective facilities.
5. Plans of all duct work installations, indicating dampers,
controls, filters, fireproofing, acoustical and thermal
insulation.
6. Detailed plans of machinery foundation and supports drawn
to scale 1:50 m.
7. Detailed plans of boilers and pressure vessels with a
working pressure of above 10 psi regardless of HP rating
1:50 m.
8. Computation and detailed plans of elevator, escalators and
the like.
9. Complete machinery list, showing:
a. Name and type of machinery
b. Make and catalog number, size, model serial
number, capacity.
c. Revolution per minute (RPM) and drive (direct, V-belt
or flat-belt, gear reducer hydraulic, magnetic, chain
or line shafting).
d. Motor or Prime Mover Showing a.)ICE (International
Combustion Engine), RPM (revolution per minute),
Total horsepower, Fuel and Use. b.)ELECTRIC
MOTOR: Horsepower (HP) rating, RPM (revolution
per minute), Voltage, Chase, Cycle Current, Kilowatt
(kw) and Use
10. Flow sheets for processing plant, manufacturing plant or
Assembly plant

B. For all installations, additions or alterations involving machinery of at least 20 HP

the signature of the applicant shall be sufficient.

C. Estimate cost of Installation and Equipment shall be submitted.

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 Building System Design

ELECTRICAL

For new electrical installation with more than twenty outlets or a capacity of more than
a 4 kw, of any voltage, application shall be accompanied by electrical plans and
specifications signed and sealed by a duly licensed Professional Electrical Engineer,
containing the following:

1. General Electrical Layout with Legends

2. Single line Diagram
3. Riser Diagram
4. Schedule of loads
5. Design Analysis
6. Estimate of Costs

Answer Exercise No. 2 in Worksheet 1 for Unit II Lesson 1, page 1

Lesson 2: Quantity Survey and Cost Estimates

Learning Outcomes: Quantity surveying means calculating

the quantity of materials such as total
At the end of the lesson, you are
volume of concrete, total weight of
expected to estimate the materials,
reinforcement bars total area to be
labor and equipment of a particular finished. Estimating deals with predicting
project. the amount required for constructing such
as cost of materials and labor costs.

The key differences between estimators and quantity surveyors include: The
projects they take on.

a. Quantity surveyors are frequently engaged with larger and more complex
projects. While this isn't necessarily always the case.
b. Estimators are more frequently engaged with residential and smaller
commercial projects.

Detailed Quantity Survey

Quantity Survey or estimation is the art or knowledge in which materials
quantity and entire cost are determined. It is also generally known as
Estimating. Quantity survey plays a vital role in estimation and construction of
any relevant project.

HOW TO ESTIMATE?

1. CONCRETE PROPORTION

Proportioning concrete mixture is done in two different ways: by weight or by

volume method. The most commonly used is by volume method which is very
much convenient by using the empty bags of cement or by a measuring box for

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 Building System Design

sand and gravel. And volume method had long been practiced in almost all
types of concrete construction.

Table 1

Cement Cement Sand Gravel

Mixture Proportion (40kg/ (50kg/bag) cu. m. cu. m.
Class bag)
AA 1:1½:3 12.0 9.5 0.50 1.0
A 1: 2 :4 9.0 7.0 0.50 1.0
B 1 : 2½ : 5 7.5 6.0 0.50 1.0
C 1: 3 :6 6.0 5.0 0.50 1.0

Note that the volume of sand and gravel for all classes of mixture is constant at
0.50 and 1.0 cubic meter respectively. Based on actual concreting work, one
cubic meter of gravel plus one-half cubic meter of sand mixed with cement and
water will obtain a little bit more than one cubic meter of solid concrete.

Illustration 1

A proposed concrete pavement has a dimensions of 6.0 meters wide, 30.0

meters long and 0.10 meter thick. Using class “C” mixture, compute the quantity
of cement in bags (40 kg), sand and gravel in cubic meter.

Solution

1. Determine the volume of the proposed concrete pavement.

Volume = Thickness x Width x Length
V = 0.10 x 6.0 x 30.0
V = 18.0 cu. m.
2. Refer to Table 1: using class “C” mixture
Cement : 18.0 x 6.0 = 108 bags
Sand : 18.0 x 0.50 = 9.0 cu.m.
Gravel : 18.0 x 1.0 = 18.0 cu.m.

Illustration 2

A concrete column of 3.70 meters in height with cross-sectional dimensions of

0.30m x 0.40m rest in a square footing slab of 1.30m x 1.30m with a thickness
of 0.30m. Using class “A” mixture determine the quantity of cement (50kg), sand
and gravel if there are 9 columns of the same size.

Solution

1. Find the volume of the Column.

Volume = Sectional Area x Height x number of column
V = 0.30 x 0.40 x 3.70 x 9
V = 3.996 cu. m.

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 Building System Design

2. Find the volume of 9 footing slab

Volume = Sectional Area x Height x number of column
V = 1.30 x 1.30 x 0.30 x 9
V = 4.563 cu. m.

3. Find the total volume: add 1 and 2

Total Volume = 3.996 + 4.563
V = 8.559 cu.m.

4. Refer to Table 1: using class “A” mixture

Cement : 8.559 x 7.0 = 59.91 say 60 bags
Sand : 8.559 x 0.50 = 4.28 cu.m.
Gravel : 8.559 x 1.0 = 8.56 cu.m.

2. MASONRY

Concrete Hollow Blocks

Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) is classified as load bearing and non- bearing blocks.
Load bearing blocks are those whose thickness ranges from 15 to 20 centimeters
and carry load aside from its own weight.

Non-bearing blocks are blocks intended for walls, partitions, fences, dividers and the
like carrying its own weight whose thickness ranges from 7 to 10 centimeters.

Block laying of hollow blocks comprises of the following items:

1. Concrete Hollow Blocks

2. Cement and Sand for block laying
3. Cement, sand and gravel filler for hollow core or cell
4. Cement and fine sand for plastering
5. Cement, sand and gravel for foundation or footing
6. Reinforcing steel bars and
7. Tie Wire
Estimating the materials for masonry work using hollow blocks, could be done in
either of the following methods:

1. By Direct Counting Method

2. By Area Method
Direct Counting Method means you have to make a computation based on manual
counting of the materials needed for a given dimensions.

Area Method means you have to compute the total materials needed for a certain
area with the aid of a table.

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 Building System Design

Illustration:

By Direct Counting Method

A concrete hollow block wall has a dimensions of 10.0 meters long by 5.0
meters high. Determine the number of CHB, cement and sand required to construct
the wall.

1. Find the dimension of one CHB; the Length and height.

For regular CHB we have
10 x 20 x 40 cm
15 x 20 x 40 cm
20 x 20 x 40 cm
2. Divide the length of the wall by the length of one CHB

10.00 𝑚
= 25 pcs.
0.40 𝑚

3. Divide the height of the wall by the height of one CHB

5.00 𝑚
= 25 layers
0.20 𝑚

4. Multiply the result of step 2 and 3

25 x 25 = 625 pcs.

By Area Method

1. Examine first how many pieces of CHB can cover in one square
meter area.
Area of one 10 x 20 x 40cm CHB = 0.20 x 0.40

= 0.08𝑚2

Divide 1 meter square by the area of 1 CHB

1.0
= 12.5 pieces
0.08

2. Compute the area of the wall; 10.0 x 5.0m = 50. 0𝑚2

3. Multiply 50. 0𝑚2 x 12.5 = 625 pieces

Estimating for Cement Mortar

Cement Mortar is a mixture of cement, sand and water. It is used as bonding

materials in laying out masonry blocks and other various plastering work. In
computing for cement mortar, one has to consider the following:

1. The mortar to be used in between the layer of CHB

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 Building System Design

2. The mortar filler in very cell or hollow core of the blocks, it could be pure
cement and sand or cement, sand and gravel.
3. Fined screened sand for plastering
The computation can either be by Volume of by Area Method

Illustration:

By Volume Method

1. Determine the volume of mortar using 12mm thickness of mortar

Volume = Thickness x Width of CHB x Length
V = 0.12 x 0.10 x 0.40m
V = 0.0048 cu.m.
2. using the same dimension in the problem take note that there are 25
layers, thus
V = 25 x 0.0048
V = 0.12 cu.m.
3. We also have to consider the mortar to be filled up to the hollow core of
the CHB. Find the volume of the hollow core per CHB.
V = 0.05 x 0.075 x 0.20 x 4 cores
V = 0.003 cu.m.
4. Find the total volume of hollow core for the 625 pcs. CHB
V = 0.003 x 625 = 1.875 cu.m.
5. Total Volume; add the result of step 2 and 4
Total Volume = 0.12 + 1.875 = 1.995 cu.m.
6. Refer to table 2; using Class “B” mixture of 40kg cement
Cement : 1.995 x 12.0 = 23.94 bags
Sand : 1.995 cu.m.

Table 2

Quantity of Cement and Sand for Mortal and Plaster in cubic meter
Cement in
Class Sand
Proportion Bags
Mixture
40 kg 50 kg cu. m.
A 1 : 2 18.0 14.5 1.0
B 1 : 3 12.0 9.5 1.0
C 1 : 4 9,0 7.0 1.0
D 1 : 5 7.5 6.0 1.0

By Area Method

1. Find the area of the wall; 10.0 x 5.0m = 50. 0𝑚2

2. Refer to table 3; using class “B” mixture of 10x 20 x 40 CHB

Cement = 50 x 0.522 = 26.1 bags

Sand = 50 x 0.0435 = 2.175 cu. m.

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 Building System Design

Table 3

Quantity of Cement and Sand for CHB mortar per square meter
Numb Bags Cement Mixture Sand
Size of CHB
er per
in cm A B C D cu.m.
sq. m.
10 X 20 X 40 12.5 0.792 0.522 0.394 0.328 0.0435
15 X 20 X 40 12.5 1.526 1.018 0.763 0.633 0.0844
20 X 20 X 40 12.5 2.260 1.500 1.125 0.938 0.1250

3. STEEL
Metal Reinforcement

Steel is the most widely used reinforcing materials for almost all types of
concrete construction. It is an excellent partner of concrete in resisting both tension
and compression stresses. Comparatively, steel is/ ten times stronger than concrete in
resisting compression load and hundred times stronger in tensile stresses.

The design of concrete assumes that concrete and steel reinforcement acts
together in resisting load and likewise to be in the state of simultaneous deformation.
Otherwise, the steel bars might slip from the concrete in the absence of sufficient bond
due to excessive load.

Source: Max B. Fajardo – Simplified Construction Estimate

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 Building System Design

BAR SPLICE, HOOK AND BEND

In estimating the quantity of steel reinforcing bars, one has to consider the
additional length for the hook, the bend and the splice whose length varies depending
upon the limitations as prescribed by the National Building Code.

How to determine Splicing Length of Steel Bars

Types of Reinforcement Minimum Splice Length

1. Tension Bars 25 x Bar size + 150 mm
2. Compression Bars 20 x Bar size + 150 mm

ILLUSTRATION

Determine the length of the splice-joint for a 16 mm and 20 mm steel bars

under the following conditions:

a) Tensile reinforcement of a beam

b) Compressive reinforcement of a column
SOLUTION (For 16mm steel bars)

a) Classification of the reinforcement is under tension. Multiply:

25 x 16 mm + 150 mm = 550 mm or 50 cm

b) For the reinforcement under compression, multiply:

20 x 16 mm + 150 mm = 470 mm or 47 cm

Therefore, the splice joint for a 16 mm tension bar is 55 centimeters long and 47
centimeters for compression bars.

SOLUTION (For 20 mm steel bar)

a) Length of splice for tension bar.

25 x 20 mm + 150 mm = 650 mm or 65 cm

b) Length of splice for compression bars.

20 x 20 mm + 150 mm = 550 mm or 55 cm

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 Building System Design

Source: Max B. Fajardo – Simplified Construction Estimate

Note: for detailed computation of material estimates refer to:

1. Fajardo [Link]. (2000) Simplified Construction Estimate

2. Tagayun, V.A. (2002) Estimating Bill of Materials, published by Tagayun Associates

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 Building System Design

Lesson 3: Building Permits

Building permit is a written authorization
Learning Outcomes: granted by Building Officials to an
At the end of the lesson, you are applicant allowing them to proceed with
expected to know some important the construction of a specific project
provisions of acquiring a building after plans, specifications, and other
pertinent documents have been found to
permit and its processes.
be in conformity with the National
Building Code (PD 1096) and its
implementing rules and regulations. It includes any or all of the Permits
enumerated under Section 1 of Rule 111.

A building permit is an official document issued by the local government agency

that allows you or your contractor to proceed with a construction or remodelling
of every project. Its purpose is to ensure that the project plans comply with local
standards for land use, zoning, and construction.
A Building Permit may include building, grading, plumbing, mechanical and
electrical permits. The City processes the various permit types required as one
total package.

VERIFICATION OF LAND USE AND ZONING COMPATIBILITY

a. The applicant goes to the zoning administration who shall first verify
conformity to the proposed building with the land use plan and zoning
regulations of the City/Municipality.

FILING OF APPLICATION
a. When satisfied that all documents, plans and specifications accompanying
an application are in order. The Building Official gives due course to the
application.
b. Upon receipt of application the Building Official refers one set of plans and
specifications to the chief of the Local Fire Service (CLFS) for his
evaluation, review and recommendation with respect to fire safety and
control requirements. The CLFS is given five days to act and submit this
report to the Building Official.

LINE AND GRADE VERIFICATION

a. Building Official establishes and verifies lot as reflected in the Torrens title
or TCT and its relation to the proposed building.
b. Building establishes setback and determines grades in relation to road lots,
property lines, streets or highways whether existing or proposed, as
reflected in the land-use, zoning or development plan of the
City/Municipality including road widening and construction of various public
utilities and other infrastructure projects.

PROCESSING OF APPLICATION
Corresponding Technical Staff evaluates bidding documents as to technical
requirements.

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 Building System Design

a. ARCHITECTURAL
 Types of construction
 Requirements of Fire Zone
 Light and Ventilation
 Building Projections over public streets
 General Design and Construction requirements
 Classification and General requirements by use or occupancy
 Signs
b. STRUCTURAL
 Structural design requirements
 Fire resistive requirements on construction
 Excavation, foundation and retaining walls
 The use of computers
 Pre-fabricated construction
c. SANITARY/PLUMBING
 Sanitation
d. ELETRICAL
 Electrical regulations
e. MECHANICAL
 Mechanical regulations
f. FIRE SAFETY AND CONTROL
 Fire extinguishing systems

PURPOSE OF SECURING A BUILDING PERMIT

You might get frustrated in securing a building permit. Since, you need to fulfil
the requirements, pay fees and wait for few days for your permit to be approved.
Even if you get exhausted in the process, the securing a building permit assures
quality and safety of your dream structures.
Simply, securing the building permit encourages the owner, architects and
engineers to follow the codes, standards and minimum requirement for a
building such as National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096), Fire
Code of the Philippines (RA 9514), Accessibility Law (BP 344) and other
laws that assures safety. Definitely, proper architectural, mechanical, structural,
electrical and sanitary plans should abide the codes.

In addition, if you are get caught of building a house without securing a permit,
the building officials will forcefully stop the construction until your permit has
been issued or released. You will receive a notice to apply for the mandatory
building permit.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURING A BUILDING PERMIT IN THE PHILIPPINES

The following are the requirements for securing a building permit:
\Properly filled-up application forms duly signed and sealed by engineers
concerned:
 Building Permit Forms (5 copies)
 Electrical Permit Forms (3 copies)
 Sanitary Permit Forms (3 copies)

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 Building System Design

1. Five (5) complete sets of Detailed Plans

2. For construction of two-storey building:
 Structural Design Analysis — signed and sealed by Civil Engineer
at every page
3. For construction of more than two-storey building:
 Boring and Plate Load Test
 Seismic Analysis
4. Proof of Property
 Photocopy of Transfer Certificate if Title (TCT)
 Photocopy of tax Declaration of Property-lot (Certified True Copy)
 Photocopy of Current Tax Receipt
5. If property is not registered under the name of the applicant:
 Submit 5 copies of any of the following:
 Contract of Lease
 Contract of Sale
 Affidavit of Consent of the Lot Owner for the construction of
building/house
 Deed of Absolute Sale
6. Permit Billboard (0.60 X 0.90 Plywood with the following contents):
7. Bill of Materials and Specification (5 copies) — signed and sealed by an
engineer or an architect at every page
8. Locational Clearance
9. Photocopy of PTR # and PRC license of all concerned engineers and
architects
10. Clearance from the DPWH if the construction is located along National
Highway
11. DOLE Clearance

VALIDITY OF BUILDING PERMITS

The issuance of a building permit shall not be construed as an approval or

authorization to the permitted to disregard or violate any of the provisions of the
Code. Whenever the issuance of a permit is based on approved plans and
specifications which are subsequently found defective, the Building official is
not precluded from requiring permitted to effect the necessary corrections in
said plans and specifications or from preventing or ordering the stoppage of
any or all building operations being carried on thereunder which are in violation
of the Code. A building permit issued under the provisions of the Code shall
expire and become null and void if the building or work authorized therein is not
commenced within a period of one (1) year after the issuance of the building
permit, or is suspended or abandoned at any time after it has been commenced
for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days.

NON-ISSUANCE, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF BUILDING PERMITS

The Building Official may order or cause the non-issuance, suspension or

revocation of building permits on any or all of the following reasons or grounds:

1. Errors found in the plans and specifications;

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 Building System Design

2. Incorrect or inaccurate data or information supplied;

3. Non-compliance with the provisions of the Code or any rules or regulations.

Notice of non- issuance, suspension or revocation of building permits shall

always be made in writing, stating the reason or grounds thereof.

APPEAL

Within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of advice of the non- issuance,
suspension or revocation of permits, the applicant/permitted may file an appeal
with the Secretary who shall render his decision within fifteen days from date of
receipt of notice of appeal. The decision of the Secretary shall be final subject
only to review by the Office of the President.

INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF WORK

1. The owner of the Building who is issued or granted a building permit under
the Code shall engage the services of a duly licensed architect or civil
engineer to undertake the full time inspection and supervision of the
construction work.
2. Such architect or civil engineer may or may not be the same architect or civil
engineer who is responsible for the design of the building.
3. It is understood however that in either case, the designing architect or civil
engineer is not precluded from conducting inspection of the construction
work to check and determine compliance with the plans and specifications
of the building submitted.
4. There shall be kept at the jobsite at all times a logbook wherein the actual
progress of construction including tests conducted, weather conditions and
other pertinent data are to be recorded.
5. Upon completion of the construction, the said licensed architect or civil
engineer shall submit the logbook, duly signed and sealed, to the Building
Official. He shall also prepare and submit a Certificate of Completion of the
project stating that the construction of building conforms to the provisions of
the Code as well as with the approved plans and specifications.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

1. The owner/permitted shall submit to the OBO an application of Certificate of

Occupancy together with a duly notarized Certificate of Completion together
with the construction logbook, as-built plans and specifications and the
Building Inspection Sheet all signed by whoever is the contractor (if the
construction is undertaken by contract) and signed and sealed by the
Owner’s duly licensed Architect or Civil Engineer who undertook the full time
inspection and supervision of the construction works. Said Plans and
Specifications shall reflect faithfully all changes, modifications and
alterations made on the originally submitted Plans and Specifications on file
with the OBO which are the basis of the issuance of the original building
permit. The as-built Plans and Specifications may be just an orderly and
comprehensive compilation of all the documents, which include the originally
submitted plans and specifications and all amendments thereto as actually

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 Building System Design

built or they may be an entirely new set of plans and specifications accurately
describing and/or reflecting therein the building/structure as actually built.
2. A notification to conduct final inspection shall be endorsed by the OBO to
the C/MFM, BFP, who shall issue a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate within
five (5) workings days if the Fire Safety requirement shall have been
complied. If, after the prescribed period no action is taken by the C/MFM, the
Building Official may issue the Certificate of Occupancy with the condition
that the Fire Safety requirements shall be complied with, within the
prescribed period set forth in the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185).
3. The OBO undertakes the final inspection, verification and/or review of the
building/structure based on the Certificate of Completion, construction
logbook, building inspection sheets, original and as-built plans and
specifications, as the case may be and specifications on the prescribed
standard form according to the requirements set forth under Section 303.
4. Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, the OBO shall prepare
the corresponding fees and order of payment. The Building Official then
issues the Certificate of Occupancy in the form prescribed therefor after all
fees are paid.
a. A partial Certificate of Occupancy may be issued for the use or
occupancy of a portion or portions of a building or structure prior to the
completion of the entire building or structure, through the proper phasing
of its major independent portions without posing hazards to its
occupants, the adjacent building residents and general public.
b. A building for which a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued may
further be issued other Certificates of Occupancy due to changes in use,
whether partly or wholly, provided, that the new use/s or character/s of
occupancy conforms with the requirement of the Code and its IRR.

Answer Exercise No. 3 in Worksheet 2 for Unit II Lessons 2 & 3, page 2

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 Building System Design

UNIT III: BUILDING ENVELOPE SYSTEM AND ASSEMBLIES

The scope covers buildings constructed of steel, reinforced concrete, reinforced

masonry and reinforced concrete masonry units and includes low-rise, mid-rise and
high rise buildings. Typical buildings include all buildings of all sizes, from a small one-
story building to a twenty-story building. Other building types include firehouses and
police facilities, courthouses, military residences, many types of laboratories, various
types of education buildings, hospitals, extended care facilities, clinics and many types
of recreational buildings. Special use buildings such as airplane hangars, testing
facilities, and stadiums, single family residences and wood frame structures are not
included.

Target learning outcome (based on CMO):

LO 3 - Understanding of the basic principle involved on the appropriate selection
and application of building envelope systems relative to fundamental
performance, aesthetics, moisture transfer, durability and energy and
material resources.

_____________________________________________________
"The envelope has to respond both to
Learning Outcome: natural forces and human values. The
At the end of the lesson, you are natural forces include rain, snow, wind
expected to apply the basic and sun. Human concerns include
principle involve in designing the safety, security, and task success. The
envelope system of a particular envelope provides protection by
building considering the enclosure and by balancing internal
fundamental performance, and external environmental forces. To
aesthetics, moisture transfer, achieve protection, it allows for careful
durability and energy. control of penetrations. A symbol of the
envelope might be a large bubble that
would keep the weather out and the interior climate in."

Dr. Eric Burnett and Dr. John Straube, described the envelope in terms of performance
and function. According to them, the envelope "experiences a variety of loads,
including, but not limited to, structural loads, both static and dynamic, and air, heat and
moisture loads." The enclosure must then support structural loads and control
environmental loads, which include both long-term and short-term loads. The enclosure
is also often used to carry and distribute services within the building. In addition, the
envelope (primarily the wall) has several aesthetic attributes that can be summarized
as finishes. Thus the systems and assemblies of the envelope are one of the four main
building systems both in terms of their physical existence and in their contribution to
overall building performance.

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 Building System Design

Figure 1 illustrates the envelope systems of a typical building.

Figure 1. The building envelope systems: Left, the 4 systems; Right, a portion of the
envelope showing some of the other systems that integrate with the envelope.

THE WHOLE BUILDING DESIGN GUIDE

The Building Envelope Design Guide is one of a series of guides in the Whole Building
Design Guide (WBDG) that are intended to assist designers in the integrated design
of assemblies and systems. As such, the Building Envelope Design Guide follows the
general format of other guides in the WBDG and is internally linked to Resource Pages
and other levels and sections of the WBDG. ([Link])

The concept of the Whole Building Design Guide has been formalized to achieve four
main goals:

1. To simplify access to government and non-government criteria and standards

information using a web-based approach so that valuable time is not wasted
searching for this documentation.
2. To replace out dated, redundant paper-based criteria documents.

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 Building System Design

3. To guide managers and A&E firms through a "whole building" approach to

building design so that high performance, longer-lasting buildings are
produced.
4. To provide a brief, up-to-date and informative resource that covers general and
specific topics in an encyclopedic form. However, unlike a traditional
encyclopedias, the WBDG enables the user to build up a private store of
relevant information by direct links to other resources available on the Internet
with a few mouse clicks.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE BUILDING ENVELOPE

The Building Envelope Design Guide will constantly evolve, with its users participating
in this evolution rather than simply using a set of fixed, definitive guidelines. They will
thus be advancing the evolution of the building envelope itself. The first building
envelope that protected humans from the elements was probably a cave that provided
a degree of privacy and security. The earliest building envelopes were dome-shaped
structures that combined wall and roof (Figure 2A). At an early stage, however, the two
dominant forms of envelope evolved, depending on climate and available materials:
the timber frame and the masonry wall (Figure 2B and 2C). Early shelters in the warm
climates of Africa and Asia used timber or bamboo frames clad with leaves or woven
textiles. In other regions and climates heavier indigenous materials such as stone, rock
and clay baked by the sun were used to provide more permanent shelter and protection
from the heat and cold (Figure 2D).
To this day rural regions in lesser developed countries still construct these forms of
shelter. In the developed world we still use envelopes of timber frame and masonry
walls, although both have evolved into a wide range of materials—some natural, others
synthetic. Roofs evolved independently as waterproof elements with their own set of
materials.

Figure 2. Steps in the evolution of the building envelope: (clockwise from top-
left) 2A A dome shaped hut in Ethiopia combines wall and roof in one
material; 2B Timber frame and thatched roof, Solomon Islands; 2C Masonry wall,
Machu Picchu, Peru; 2D Packed mud dwellings, Yemen Arab Republic.

Photo Credit: Architectural Graphic Standards.

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 Building System Design

Thus, eventually the roof, wall and floor became distinct elements of the building
envelope that have continued to this day with very little change in concept, use and
even material. A medieval dwelling might have walls of wood, brick or stone, a wood
roof structure, a slate tile or thatch roof and a floor of stone or hardened dirt. Such a
dwelling can still be found today in many regions of the United States and the world.

To take one element of the envelope, the wall, its basic performance requirements
have remained the same from medieval times to this day: protection of the interior from
the elements and security for its occupants. However, our expectations have vastly
increased, both in terms of absolute performance and the ability to control the impact
of exterior water, sunlight and the ambient outside temperature on our interior
environment. Depending on a society's structure and economy, such needs as degree
of permanence of our exterior system, its scale and adornment and our desire to have
a wide variety of exterior envelope choices may also vary considerably.

Figure 3. The ancient and medieval wall. On the left figure provide all the envelope
functions in one material.
Photo Credit: Architectural Graphic Standards.

Later, right, decorative finishes were added to the exterior and interior of the wall.

Compared to most of today's walls the medieval or renaissance masonry wall was
simple. Initially the wall was a single homogeneous material—stone or brick-exposed
on the exterior and interior. Such walls are still constructed today, although the wall is
more likely to be reinforced concrete or concrete block. Before long, the historic wall
would become adorned: a rough structural stone would be faced on the exterior with a
precisely cut and fitted facing of fine stone or marble, and the interior would be faced
with smooth plaster (Figure 3).

As soon as the structural wall became faced with different finish materials the
beginnings of variable performance capability emerged. The separation of the structure
and facing presaged the layered exterior wall of today. The structure of rough cut stone
could rise independently from its facing, which could be prefabricated in the craftsman's
shop. The high-quality facing and its detailing also provided protection from the weather
for the structural masonry within (Figure 4).

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 Building System Design

Figure 4. Structural masonry and decorative facing, fifteenth century Florence,

Italy: 4A a rough stone structure (the facing was never completed); 4B A marble
facing. Photo Credit: Architectural Graphic Standards.

Historic buildings and even historic revival buildings accomplished many of the
building envelope functions by default: thick, heavy masonry was fireproof and good
for insulation in both summer and winter. It was excellent acoustically and, with
sheltering roofs and good water protective details, was reasonably watertight and
draft free by the standards of the time. However, by modern standards, the wall had
fixed and limited performance capabilities

Figure 5. The layers of performance. The performance of each layer is variable.

Some materials may perform more than one function, and their position in the layer
may change according to the climate.

The big change in the concept of the wall—and the real

beginning of today's concept of the building envelope—
occurred with the invention of the steel, (and later, the
reinforced concrete) frame in the nineteenth century.
The exterior wall could become a screen against the
elements and no longer be needed to support the floors
and roof.

However, for several decades steel frames were buried

in masonry walls, and buildings continued to be
designed in gothic or renaissance styles. The modern
architectural revolution beginning in the early 20th
century changed this and by mid-century the steel or
concrete framed office building with its lightweight metal
and glass curtain wall had become the new world-wide
vernacular for larger commercial and institutional
buildings.

A cross section of a typical layered exterior wall of today illustrates the complexity that
this approach leads to in practice (Figure 6).

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 Building System Design

Figure 6. This section through a typical non-structural exterior wall within a steel
frame building structure shows the complexity of the layered approach in its
application. Photo Credit: Architectural Graphic Standards.

A different material may achieve each performance requirement, with each performing
a separate function, or some materials may perform multiple functions. For example,
the air barrier may simply be a coating on a support layer.

FUNCTION AND PERFORMANCE

The complexities of today's wall can also be exemplified by listing
its functional requirements, or needs that must be met. There are at least 13 distinct
needs, as listed below. Most of these functions also apply to fenestration and the roof
and a few also apply to below grade construction (see Table 1 in Section 7). Each
function (with a few exceptions) has its own performance standards and methods of
measurement, methods of testing for compliance, and acceptability criteria.
1. Structural: If the wall is not part of the main building structure, support own
weight and transfer lateral loads to building frame.
2. Water: Resist water penetration.
3. Air: Resist excessive air infiltration.
4. Condensation: Resist condensation on interior surfaces under service
conditions.
5. Movement: Accommodate differential movement (caused by moisture,
seasonal or diurnal temperature variations, and structural movement).
6. Energy conservation: Resist thermal transfer through radiation, convection
and conduction.
7. Sound: Attenuate sound transmission.
8. Fire safety: Provide rated resistance to heat and smoke.

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 Building System Design

9. Security: Protect occupants from outside threats.

10. Maintainability: Allow access to components for maintenance, restoration and
replacement.
11. Constructability: Provide adequate clearances, alignments and sequencing to
allow integration of many components during construction using available
components and attainable workmanship.
12. Durability: Provide functional and aesthetic characteristics for a long time.
13. Aesthetics: Do all of the above and look attractive.
14. Economy: Do all of the above inexpensively.

Aesthetics has also been a powerful influence on the envelope. The most significant
application—that of the development of the curtain wall—depended initially on the
creation of a market by architects. Since the first all-glass skyscrapers were sketched
by Mies van de Rohe in 1919 and 1921 (Figure 7), architects strove to achieve ever
simpler and purer glass forms.

Figure 7. All-glass office buildings, conceived

(but never constructed) by architect
Mies van de Rohe in 1919 (left) and 1921(right).

Photo Credit: Architectural Graphic Standards.

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 Building System Design

Figure 8. Curtain wall development: (clockwise from top-left) 8A Pavilion Suisse,

Paris, Le Corbusier, 1930; 8B United Nations Secretariat, New York, Architectural
Consortium, 1950; 8C Lever House, New York, Skidmore Owings and Merrill,
1952; 8D Curtain wall office building, any city, USA 1965–1985.

Photo Credit: Architectural Graphic Standards.

Figure 10. Hybrid mechanical and natural ventilation with double skin façade. Minerva
Tower, London. Nicholas Grimshaw, Architect; Roger Preston & Partners, services
engineers.

Photo Credit: Architectural Graphic Standards.

Answer Exercise No. 4 in Worksheet 2 for Unit III, page 2

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 Building System Design

Unit IV: BUILDING MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES__

The building materials, assemblies and enclosure systems track will foster research
and development from the industry and academia that integrates the principles of
building physics in developing building materials, components, and enclosure systems
(e.g. wall, roof and floor). Research that utilizes innovative approaches in bridging
between distinct scales, objectives, and disciplines is highly encouraged to submit. The
various areas of building physics including heat, air, moisture, sound, and light are
within the scope of this track, and issues relating to climate control, indoor environment
quality, and environmental impact are of key interest.

Target learning outcome (based on CMO):

LO 5 - Understanding of the basic principles used in the appropriate selection of
interior and exterior construction materials, finishes, products,
components, and assemblies based on their inherent performance,
including environmental impact and reuse.

______________________________________________
Appropriate Selection of Interior and Exterior Construction Materials
Learning Outcomes:
A. Symbolism
At the end of the lesson, you are
expected to apply the basic Particular materials carry specific
principle involve in designing the connotations within cultures and
envelope system of a particular regions. Terms such as natural or
building considering interior and artificial, eternal or ephemeral, austere
exterior finishes, components, or opulent, describe a few such
and environmental impact. associations. We often refer to the

enduring qualities of stone, or the ephemeral nature

of glass or paper. In some cases, the material
associated with a desired symbolic expression is not
available or too costly, and another material is
substituted to replicate that material and achieve the
desired effect. Mount Vernon, the home of George
Washington, illustrates this situation. The symbolic
solidity of stone was imitated in the carved and
painted wooden construction of the house exterior.

Figure 1. Wood quoins symbolize stone

Photo Credit: Michael Petrus
B. Appropriateness

There are three primary areas that must be evaluated in selecting appropriate materials
and assemblies.

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1. MATERIAL COMPATIBILITY WITH CLIMATIC, CULTURAL, AND

AESTHETIC CONDITIONS

Climate is one of the most important factors to consider in material and

assembly selection. Too often we see buildings that have not taken local
environmental conditions into consideration, by either replicating the same
prototypical design from Alaska to Arizona, or by designing a building for a
specific site that ignores climatic issues. The result is a building that performs
poorly—failing to keep inhabitants comfortable without excessive energy
expenditures and near complete reliance on mechanical systems to rectify poor
construction decisions. Materials also must be compatible with specific regional
and local cultural and aesthetic conditions. For example, the Southwestern
adobe and flat roof residential construction would not export well to New
England, where the widespread use of wood framing, clapboard siding, and
pitched roofs is climatically appropriate, as well as culturally embraced.

2. APPLICABILITY OF MATERIAL TO OCCUPANCY AND SIZE OF

BUILDING, INCLUDING DURABILITY, STRUCTURAL, AND FIRE
PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

Material choices are often legally limited by the building type and size, in order
to protect public health, safety, and welfare. For instance, a detached single-
family house has far fewer limitations than a high-rise office building or a federal
courthouse, from which hundreds of inhabitants must be evacuated in case of
emergency. In general, buildings with large occupancy numbers (especially
assembly occupancy such as theaters, lecture halls, and restaurants) and
greater enclosed square footage require more fire-resistant construction and
more complex fire protection systems. Another concern is the added wear and
tear on a densely inhabited and intensely used building, such as a public
school or hospital, where material durability is a major concern.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OBTAINING RAW MATERIALS,

PROCESSING AND FABRICATING BUILDING MATERIALS,
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT, AND RECYCLING ISSUES

In addition to the easily quantifiable issues above, the long-term ecological

footprint of material production is equally important and must be analyzed
holistically. For example, a number of questions must be raised and answered.

 Where did this material come from? Ideally materials should be obtained
from renewable sources, such as wood harvested from sustainably
managed old growth forests.
 How was it processed or fabricated? The energy and resources expended
in material preparation, sometimes termed "embodied energy," must be
taken into account.
 How did it arrive on-site? Transportation impacts and expenses should be
minimized, with locally available materials often making a better choice than
those imported from afar. For example, if building in Vermont, select locally
quarried stone rather than specifying imported marble from Italy.

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 Building System Design

 How long will it last? How will it eventually be disposed of? Materials should
be selected with durability and life span in mind. Recycled materials should
be chosen when possible. Consider designing easily dissembled buildings
that may be reused and recycled in the future.
 How will this material impact the environment while in place? For example,
many paints, carpets, acoustic ceiling tile, vinyl flooring and wall coverings,
and adhesives contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's). Avoid using
materials embodying VOC's, and select low toxicity building materials to
avoid off-gassing after construction completion.
 How can the use of a particular material minimize construction waste?
Choose construction materials that don't have a lot of by-products. For
instance, building with reusable formwork for cast-in-place concrete
construction avoids plywood and wood formwork waste on-site.

See the Sustainable design objective section for a comprehensive

discussion of sustainable building design, including fundamental principles,
implementation strategies and sustainable building material links.

C. Physical properties

A number of physical properties must be taken into account in the material selection
process. While certain properties are inherent to the material and unchangeable, other
qualities can be determined in the fabrication or finishing process. The following outline
lists only primary considerations, since each material possesses a unique combination
of properties.

STRENGTH

Material strength quantifies resistance to compression, tension, and other types

of loading on a given material. For instance, masonry performs most effectively
as a load-bearing or compressive material, while steel is a more suitable choice
for greater spanning and tensile requirements.

MASS AND THICKNESS

After an initial material selection is made, the dimensional thickness of each

material must be based on requirements for durability, strength,
and aesthetic considerations.

PHYSICAL AND VISUAL DENSITY

Often a particular tactile density is desired, ranging from heaviness to lightness

in degrees of opacity, translucency, or transparency. See Figures 2 and 3.

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 Building System Design

Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4.

Masonry solidity Glass translucency Smooth glass surface

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

TEXTURE

Many materials may be finished to different textures, either during off-site

production or while finishing materials on-site. Smooth to rough, soft to hard,
and a range of surface finishes—matte, satin, polished, and so on—are
possible. See Figure 4.

COLOR

Selection of a building color palette must consider the surrounding context, as

well exterior and interior light qualities under which the colors will be viewed.
The cool diffused light of Seattle will render colors quite differently than the hot
clear light of Phoenix. Colors may be light absorptive or light reflective, warm or
cool, while the palette may be monochromatic or polychromatic. See Figures 5
and 6.

Figure 5. Brick pattern in color and line Figure 6. Brick pattern in relief

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

TEMPERATURE

The tactile qualities of architecture are of utmost importance, especially those

surfaces that building inhabitants touch on a regular basis, such as door
hardware, work surfaces, and floor materials. Metal surfaces quickly register

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 Building System Design

temperature change, while stone more slowly absorbs ambient temperatures

and retains temperature much longer. Thus, material thermal conductivity is an
important consideration in the comfort of occupants.

PATTERN

Material patterning must be designed at two scales: the individual elements

themselves, such as bricks or glass panes, and the composition of these
elements into larger assemblies. For example, at the individual element scale
the inherent patterning of wood grain or stone marbling must be considered.
The creation of larger patterns occurs when the material is assembled into
building facades. See Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7. Stucco patterning Figure 8. Patterned glas

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

D. TECHNIQUE

The methods of material fabrication and assembly are a complex aspect of the
construction process. Technique includes the fabrication process, the detailing of how
materials and systems are joined and erected, and the craft employed to execute the
work.

FABRICATION

Fabrication refers to how a material was created, processed, and assembled.

Fabrication techniques range from handcrafted to mass produced to
prefabricated. Materials carry traces of their making and assembly that can be
used to create surface modulation and richness.

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 Building System Design

Figure 9. Prefabricated sunshading Figure 10. Exposed steel truss

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

DETAIL

Construction details determine how individual material elements or systems are

joined. Common methods of joinery include various types of mechanical
fastening (nails, bolts, rivets...), welding, adhering, and so on. Construction
details should relate to the overall architectural intentions of a building. Attention
to detail is evident in a well-resolved and finely executed building, such as the
elegant assemblage of wood and concrete systems in Figure 10.

CRAFT

The quality of design and construction workmanship is crucial to the success

and longevity of a project. The employment of well-trained and experienced
trades people is the best way to assure a high level of building craft. See Figure
11.

WEATHERING

The passing of time has an immense impact on the appearance and life span
of building materials. Thus, future weathering must be carefully considered
during material selection, building detailing, and construction. See Figure 12.

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Figure 11. Careful craftsmanship Figure 12. Exquisitely weathered stone wall

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

APPLICATION

The application of particular building materials and systems is discussed in

numerous sections of the Whole Building Design Guide. Particularly refer to
the Sustainable design objective sections for more detailed information.

BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION

There are many types of building materials used in construction such as Concrete,
Steel, Wood and Masonry. Each material has different properties such as weight,
strength, durability and cost which makes it suitable for certain types of applications.
The choice of materials for construction is based on cost and effectiveness to resisting
the loads and stresses acting on the structure. As a structural engineer, I work with my
clients to decide on the type of materials used in each project depending on the size
and use of the building.

The manufacturing of building materials is a well-established and standardized industry

capable of providing a reliable supply of high-quality materials for our structures. The
production of structural-grade building materials is subject to quality control procedures
that involve inspection and testing according to national standards and scientific testing
methods.

Part of the structural engineer’s responsibilities is to prepare the project specifications

including all building materials and applicable standards and provision to comply with.
This is a crucial part of any project to specify the quality and properties of materials to
be used.

Building materials can generally be divided into two categories: Natural building
materials such as stone and wood, and Man-made building materials such as concrete
and steel. Both categories usually require a certain level of preparation or treatment

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before the use in a structural application. Below is the list of materials used the most in
engineering consulting projects.

Sample compressive strength as force (Newton)

Material type
per unit area (mm2)

Steel 300 MPa*

Concrete 25 MPa*

Masonry 10 MPa*

Parallel to grain 5 MPa*

Wood
Perpendicular to
3.5 MPa*
grain

*MPa: mega Pascal or N/mm2

CONCRETE

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

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 Building System Design

Concrete is a composite material made from mixing cement, aggregates such as sand
and crushed stone and water. The properties of concrete depend on the ratios used in
the mix design. Therefore, it’s a standard practice for concrete suppliers to provide
material properties and test results for each concrete patch.

Concrete is very strong when exposed to compression stresses however, it’s brittle
and has limited tensile strength. Combined with steel rebar, reinforced concrete is
stronger and more suitable for a wide range of structures such as tall multi-story
buildings, bridges, roads, tunnels and so many other applications.

STEEL

Steel is one of the strongest building materials available with excellent strength
capacity in both tension and compression. Because of its high strength-to-weight ratio,
it is ideal for structural framework of tall buildings and large industrial facilities.
Structural steel is available in standard shapes such are angles, I beams and C-
channels. These shapes can be welded together or connected using high-strength
bolts to build structures capable of resisting large forces and deformations.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

Steel is a relatively expensive building material so it is the structural engineer’s

responsibility to choose economic sizes and shapes according to the actual loads on
the building to avoid overdesign. Because of the higher cost of steel, I often get
questions from our clients asking if there is a way to reduce the weight and size of
some of steel members in the structure. This can be done if the loads can be reduced
on the members and/or additional vertical supports can be introduced. The installation
of steel is less time consuming compared to concrete and can be installed in any type
of environment.

WOOD

Wood has been used as a construction material for thousands of years and if properly
maintained can last for hundreds of years. It is a readily available and economically
feasible natural resource with a light weight and highly machinable properties. It also

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 Building System Design

provides good insulation from the cold which makes it an excellent building material for
homes and residential buildings.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Petrus

Because of its light weight, wood is not the most suitable construction material to
support heavier loads and not ideal for long spans. Wood is rarely used for foundations
and basement walls, as it needs to be pressure treated because of its contact with
soil/moisture which can be fairly expensive. In a wood framed house, the foundations
and basement walls are usually constructed with reinforced concrete.

MASONRY

Masonry construction is using individual units to build structures that are usually uses
mortar to bind the units together. The most common material I use in the design of
masonry structures is concrete block, with vertical steel reinforcing if required. Masonry
is strong in resisting compression loads/stresses which makes it ideal to use for the
construction of load bearing walls. Other masonry materials include brick, stone and
glass block. Masonry is a highly durable and fire resistant material; however it can be
sensitive to mortar and workmanship quality.

There has been an increase in the use of masonry as load bearing walls for the design
of multi-story buildings in my office. The structural system typically consists of concrete
floors supported on a combination of masonry and reinforced concrete walls depending
on the number of floors and amount of load on the walls. Masonry walls with windows
or openings need horizontal beams or lintels to span the weight of the wall above
across the opening. Masonry is not as accommodating to large openings in walls as
concrete or steel framing is, but can be an economical choice if the framing and
opening sizes are reasonable and length of wall segments are not too short.

Answer Exercise No. 5 in Worksheet 2 for Unit IV, page 2

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UNIT V: BUILDING SERVICES SYSTEM____________

Imagine yourself in the most fabulous building in the world. Now take away the lighting,
heating and ventilation, the lifts and escalators, acoustics, plumbing, power supply and
energy management systems, the security and safety systems and you are left with a
cold, dark, uninhabitable shell.

Everything inside a building which makes it safe and comfortable to be in comes under
the title of ‘Building Service’. A building must do what it was designed to do not just
provide shelter but also be an environment where people can live, work and achieve.

Target learning outcome (based on CMO):

LO6 - Understanding of the basic principles and appropriate application and
performance of building service systems, including lighting, mechanical,
plumbing, electrical, communication, vertical transportation, security, and
fire protection systems.

______________________________________________
Learning Outcomes: Building services are ‘’ what makes a
At the end of the lesson, you are building come to life”. They include:
expected to identify appropriate Energy supply – gas, electricity and
building service system applicable to renewable sources, heating and air
your design. conditioning, water, drainage and
plumbing, natural and artificial lighting,
and building facades, escalators and lifts,
ventilation and refrigeration, communication lines, telephones and IT networks,
security and alarm systems, fire detection and protection

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN BUILDING

Modern buildings are built to create better, consistent, and productive environments
in which to work and to live. Thus, buildings must be designed with features to
provide such as: better lighting, comfortable space temperature, humidity and air
quality, convenient power and communication capability, high quality sanitation; and
reliable systems for the protection of life and property

All these desirable features have become a reality with advances in building M&E
systems

Block-type buildings without windows, such as department stores, are totally

dependent on electrical lighting, ventilation and space conditioning

High-rise buildings must rely on high-speed vertical transportation and high pressure
water for drinking and cleaning purposes and for protection against fire

Impact of M & E systems on buildings:

o Demand considerable amounts of floor ceiling space – proper space

allocation is needed during the preliminary planning

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 Building System Design

o Add to the cost of construction of a building – sophisticated buildings,

such as research buildings, hospitals, computer centres
o Increase in energy consumption – energy consumed by occupied
building, including residential, commercial, institutional and industrial
facilities, account for 50% of all energy usage by an industrialised
country; it also accounts for large portion of the operating costs of
such buildings
 The complexity of M&E systems varies with:
o Living standards of the society
o Climatic conditions of the region
o Occupancy and quality of the building

CLASSIFICATION OF M&E SYSTEM

 Mechanical Systems
o HVAC (Heating, ventilating, and air – conditioning)/ACMV (Air-
conditioning and mechanical ventilation)
o Site utilities – Water supply, drainage, sanitary disposal, gas supply
o Plumbing – Water distribution, water treatment, sanitary facilities,
etc.
o Fire protection – Water supply, standpipe, fire and smoke detection,
annunciation, etc.
o Special systems

 Electrical Systems
o Electrical power – Normal, standby, and emergency power supply
and distribution
o Lighting – Interior, exterior, and emergency lighting
o Auxiliary – Telephone, data, audio/video, sound, security systems,
etc.
o Special systems

 Building Operation Systems

o Transportation – Elevators, escalators, moving walkways/
travelators, etc.
o Processing – Products, food service, etc.
o Automation – Environmental controls, management, etc.
o Special systems

CHECKLIST OF BUILDING AND M&E REQUIREMENTS

 A comprehensive checklist that served to determine the scope of building

operational requirements and from which one can determine the scope and
criteria of M&E systems.
 Valuable in formulating the architectural concept, building configuration,
space programming, and opportunities of system interfacing.
 Early identification of these requirements will aid in evaluating construction
cost, as well as the allocation of space for M&E equipment, both within
interior and exterior of the building.

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 Building System Design

 Mechanical Systems
o Include heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC)/air-
conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV), plumbing and
sanitation (P&S), fire protection (F&P), and specialty or auxiliary
systems.
o Not all buildings require all service all service; thus the list should be
tailored to the needs of a specific project.

 HVAC/ACM Systems
o Energy source – Electrical power, gas, oil, coal, central stream, central
hot water, chilled water, etc. (location and capacity)
o Heating/cooling – Central air handling, direct radiation, in-space
unitary equipment, etc.
o Comfort controls – Number of control zones, humidity, temperature,
etc.
o Central plant – Estimated normal (or based) and standby capacities,
etc.
o Heat rejection – Water cooling tower, air cooled condenser,
evaporative cooler, etc.
o Location of equipment – Central equipment rooms on floor, on roof, on
ground, etc.
o Ventilation – Outside air requirements (minimum, high, or 100%)
o Exhaust – General, food preparation, toxic and special exhaust
system, etc.
o Automation – Building automation system (BAS), building
management system (BMS)

 Plumbing and Sanitation Systems

o Energy source – Electrical power, gas, oil central steam, hot water,
etc.
o Water supply – Public water, river, well, etc.; water pressure, capacity
available, and location
o Hot water supply – Hot water heaters or heat exchangers
o Sewage disposal – Sanitary, sewers, sewage treatment plant, septic
tanks, drainage and filtering fields
o Subsoil drainage – Drainpipes, sumps, pumps, and discharge, etc.
o Building facilities – Plumbing fixtures, water, waste, soil, piping

 Fire Protection Systems

o Energy source – Electrical power, gas, oil
o Water supply – Flow rate and available pressure at water main,
location. Separate service or combination with plumbing water supply
o Water storage – Lake, pond, storage tanks (locations and capacities)
o Fire and smoke detection – Thermal and smoke detectors
o Fire containment – Fire shutters, compartmentalization
o Smoke containment and evacuation – Smoke exhaust and pressure
controls

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 Building System Design

o Stairway smoke prevention – Stair pressurization

o Fire annunciation – Fire alarm, public address, fire department
connections
o Fire extinguishing – Portable extinguishers, automatic sprinklers
(water, mist, dry chemical, foam, special gases, etc.)
o Fire fighting – Fire hose and standpipe systems
o Lightning protection – Air terminals, grounding conductors, etc.

 Electrical Systems
o Include power, lighting, and auxiliary systems.
o The proliferation of electrical and electronic systems in building
applications has greatly expanded the scope of electrical systems and
has had a drastic impact on construction costs and the complexity of
planning.
o The list should be expanded or condensed to fit the needs of a specific
project.

 Power Systems
o Normal energy source – Utility power or on-site power (location and
capacity); power characteristics (phase and voltage); service entrance
(overhead, underground); service requirements (substations,
transformer vaults); etc.
o Emergency power source – Separate utility service or on-site standby
generators (location and capacity)
o Interior power distribution – Primary or secondary voltage, unit
substations, distribution panels, etc.
o On-floor distribution – Floor boxes, under-floor ducts, integrated
cellular floors, raised floors, ceiling-cavity conduit network, etc.
o Emergency power distribution – For critical equipment and emergency
lighting loads
o Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) – For critical building operations
such as computers and communication networks; power storage
(battery banks)
o Power for building systems – HVAC, plumbing, sanitary, fire
protection, etc.
o Power for building operational equipment – Food service, waste
disposal, laundry, garage, entertainment equipment, etc.
o Power for vertical transportation systems – Interface with elevator
consultant on power and controls for elevators and escalators

 Lighting Systems
o Basic light source – Incandescent, fluorescent, high intensity
discharge (HID), etc.
o Illumination – Light levels, colour rendering, controls
o Lighting fixtures – In offices and other work spaces
o Architectural lighting – Interface between architect, lighting and/or
electrical consultant on public or special spaces
o Introduction of daylight – Fenestration, sky lights, controls, etc.

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o Exit lighting – Exit signs, exit way (evacuation route)

o Exterior lighting – Site, landscape, building façade, aircraft warning
light, etc.

 Auxiliary Systems
o Telephone and telecommunication – Type, number of lines and
stations, switchboard (manual, PBX), basic and special features,
facsimile, modern, etc.
o Data distribution systems – Multiple conductor cables, twisted pairs,
coaxial cables, fibre optic cables, wire closets, etc.
o Public address – Intercom, paging and music systems
o Audio/video – Radio, TV, and signal distribution systems
o Satellite dishes – Number, diameter, and orientation
o Transmission – Transmitter and microwave towers
o Cable – CCTV distribution systems, locations, and interfacing with
other auxiliary systems
o Time and signal – Clock and program systems
o Fire detection and alarm systems – Interface with fire protection
consultants
o Automatic controls – Interface with HVAC and other building service
consultants
o Security Systems – CCTV monitoring, detecting, alarming, controlling,
and interface with security consultant
o Specialty systems – Numerous specialty systems for hospitals,
research, computer centres, and industrial, military

Answer Exercise No. 6 in Worksheet 2 for Unit V, page 2

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REFERENCES

Building Design and Construction Handbook, 6th ed. by Frederick S. Merritt and
Jonathan T. Ricketts. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

Construction Materials Reference Book by D.K. Doran, ed. Oxford: Butterworth-

Heinemann, 1992.

The Details of Modern Architecture, Volumes I & II by Edward Ford. Cambridge: MIT
Press, 1990 & 1996.

Experiencing Architecture by Steen Eiler Rasmussen. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1962.

"Form and the Nature of Materials" by Pierre Von Meiss in Elements of Architecture:
From Form to Place. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990: 165-198.

Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods, 6th Edition by

Edward Allen and Joseph Iano. New York: Wiley, 2013.

Guide to Resource Efficient Building Elements by Tracy Mumma. Missoula, MT:

National Center for Appropriate Technology's Center for Resourceful Building
Technology, 1997.\

On Weathering: The Life of Buildings in Time by Mohsen Mostafavi & David

Leatherbarrow. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1993.

Studies in Tectonic Culture: The Poetics of Construction in 19th & 20th Century
Architecture by Kenneth Frampton. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1995.

Building Products and Materials by Sweets Network.

"The Tell-the-Tale Detail" by Marco Frascari in Via 7: The Building of Architecture.

Cambridge: MIT, 1984: 23-37.

Thermal Delight in Architecture by Lisa Heschong. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1979.

[Link] national structural code of the Philippines

[Link] and [Link]

[Link] national electrical code of the philippines

[Link] national electrical code of the philippines

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