Introduction to the Legal

Processes and Codes in

the Philippines
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Ensures safety and stability of buildings

• Protects public health and welfare
• Prevents legal problems and penalties
• Required for permits and project approval
• Guides professional responsibility
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

Ensures safety and stability of buildings

Understanding and following legal processes ensures that
construction projects meet structural and safety standards,
reducing the risk of collapse or failure.
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Ensures safety and stability of buildings

• Protects public health and welfare
• Prevents legal problems and penalties
• Required for permits and project approval
• Guides professional responsibility
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Protects public health and welfare

Compliance with codes and regulations safeguards the
community from hazards such as fire, unsafe materials, and poor
sanitation.
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Ensures safety and stability of buildings

• Protects public health and welfare
• Prevents legal problems and penalties
• Required for permits and project approval
• Guides professional responsibility
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Prevents legal problems and penalties

Awareness of laws and procedures helps avoid violations that
could result in fines, lawsuits, or project delays.
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Ensures safety and stability of buildings

• Protects public health and welfare
• Prevents legal problems and penalties
• Required for permits and project approval
• Guides professional responsibility
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Required for permits and project approval

Legal processes outline the documentation and procedures
needed to secure government authorization for construction
activities.
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Ensures safety and stability of buildings

• Protects public health and welfare
• Prevents legal problems and penalties
• Required for permits and project approval
• Guides professional responsibility
Why Study Legal Processes in Construction?

• Guides professional responsibility

Knowledge of legal processes ensures engineers, architects, and
contractors uphold ethical standards and fulfill their legal duties in
projects.
The Philippine Construction Regulatory Framework

• P.D. 1096 (National Building Code)

• R.A. 7160 (Local Government Code)
• Related Laws: Fire Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code,
Sanitation Code, National Structural Code of the
Philippines (NSCP), Accessibility Law
The Building Permit Process
1. Proof of Land Ownership/Right to Build
2. Barangay Clearance
3. Locational/Zoning Clearance
4. Submit complete signed & sealed plans (Architectural and Engineering Plans)
5. Structural Design Computations
6. Bill of Materials and Cost Estimates
7. Pay fees
8. Review & Approval by Building Official
9. Other Clearances
10. Start construction (with inspections)
11. Certificate of Occupancy
The Building Permit Process

Proof of Land Ownership/Right to Build

Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or land title, tax declaration, and up-to-date real
property tax receipts. If the applicant is not the owner, a notarized lease contract or
owner’s consent is needed.
The Building Permit Process

Barangay Clearance
Certification from the barangay council that the proposed construction
is known locally and does not violate local regulations.
The Building Permit Process

Locational/Zoning Clearance
Issued by the city/municipality planning office, this certifies that the
proposed use and size of the project complies with local zoning and
land-use plans (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial zones).
The Building Permit Process

Submit complete signed & sealed plans (Architectural and Engineering Plans)
Complete sets of plans (architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical/HVAC,

sanitary/plumbing) prepared, signed, and sealed by duly licensed professionals.

The Building Permit Process

Structural Design Computations

Calculations demonstrating that the building will safely resist loads (dead,

live, wind, seismic). For larger projects, a geotechnical (soil) report may also

be required.
The Building Permit Process

Bill of Materials and Cost Estimates

Detailed breakdown of materials and construction costs, signed by the

responsible design professional, to help authorities verify feasibility and

compliance with material standards.

The Building Permit Process

Pay fees

Official payment of building permit, plan review, and inspection fees as

required by the LGU before processing can proceed.

The Building Permit Process

Review & Approval by Building Official

Comprehensive evaluation of plans and documents by the Office of the

Building Official to verify they meet national codes and local ordinances

before granting a permit.

The Building Permit Process

Other Clearances

Additional permits or approvals required based on project scope or

location, such as Fire Safety Inspection (BFP), Environmental Compliance

(DENR), or heritage site clearance (NHCP).

The Building Permit Process

Start Construction (with Inspections)

Authorized beginning of the building process with periodic inspections by

government authorities to ensure work follows the approved plans and

safety standards.
The Building Permit Process

Certificate of Occupancy

Final document issued after successful inspection, certifying that the

building is safe, compliant with codes, and legally approved for use.
Major Construction Codes
Code Purpose Enforcing Body

P.D. 1096 NBCP Structural safety, design, DPWH / LGU

permits

R.A. 9514 Fire Code Fire prevention, exits, BFP

alarms
.
P.D. 856 Sanitation Water, drainage, hygiene DOH

B.P. 344 Accessibility Access for PWDs DPWH / LGU

Philippine Electrical Code Electrical safety LGU / PRC REE

Roles of Key Agencies

•DPWH – Maintains NBCP, issues technical bulletins

•LGUs / OBO – Reviews plans, issues permits & CO
•BFP – Fire inspections & permits
•DOH – Sanitation compliance
•DENR – Environmental permits
Case Examples

•Earthquake building collapse (non-compliance with seismic code)

•Fire in commercial building (no fire exits)

•Illegal structure demolished (no permit)

Engineer’s Responsibility

•Follow codes from design to completion

•Ensure public safety

•Sign and seal only compliant plans

•Avoid shortcuts
Summary

•Codes = Minimum safety and design standards

•Building Permit = Legal authority to construct
•LGUs and agencies enforce compliance
•Engineers must integrate codes in design
Summary

•Codes = Minimum safety and design standards

•Building Permit = Legal authority to construct
•LGUs and agencies enforce compliance
•Engineers must integrate codes in design
 Presidential Decree 1096
(National Building Code of
the Philippines)
CHAPTER 1: 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 maintenance.
SECTION 103. Scope and Application

(a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design, location, siting,
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) Buildings and/or structures constructed before 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
shall apply only to portions to be altered, added, converted or repaired.
SECTION 104. General 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 105. Site Requirements

The land or site upon which will be constructed any building or

structure, or any ancillary or auxillary facility thereto, shall be sanitary,
hygienic or safe. In the 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.
CHAPTER 2: ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 201. Responsibility for Administration and Enforcement

The administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Code

including the imposition of penalties for administrative violations
thereof is hereby vested in the Secretary of Public Works,
Transportation and Communications, hereinafter referred to as the
“Secretary”.
SECTION 202. Technical Staff

The Secretary is hereby authorized to constitute and provide in his

Department a professional staff composed of highly qualified architects,
engineers and technicians who possess diversified and professional
experience in the field of building design and construction.
SECTION 203. General Powers and Functions
of the Secretary under this Code

For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Code, the Secretary
shall exercise the following general powers and functions:

(1) Formulate policies, plans, standards and guidelines on building design,

construction, use, occupancy and maintenance, in accordance with this
Code.
(2) Issue and promulgate rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Code and ensure compliance with policies, plans,
standards and guidelines formulated under paragraph 1 of this Section.
SECTION 203. General Powers and Functions
of the Secretary under this Code

For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Code, the Secretary
shall exercise the following general powers and functions:

(3) Evaluate, review, approve and/or take final action on changes and/or
amendments to existing Referral Codes as well as on the incorporation of
other referral codes which are not yet expressly made part of this Code.
(4) Prescribe and fix the amount of fees and other charges that the Building
Official shall collect in connection with the performance of regulatory
functions.
SECTION 204. Professional and Technical
Assistance

The Secretary with the assistance of his technical staff shall provide
such professional, technical, scientific and other services including
testing laboratories and facilities as may be required to carry out the
provisions of this Code
SECTION 205. Building Officials

the Building Official shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions
of this Code in the field as well as the enforcement of orders and
decisions made pursuant thereto.
Due to the exigencies of the service, the Secretary may designate
incumbent Public Works District Engineers, City Engineers and
Municipal Engineers to act as Building Officials in their respective areas
of jurisdiction.
SECTION 206. Qualifications of Building Officials

No person shall be appointed as a Building Official unless he possesses

the following qualifications:
1. A Filipino citizen and of good moral character.
2. A duly registered architect or civil engineer.
3. A member of good standing of a duly accredited organization of his
profession for not less than two years.
4. Has at least five years of diversified and professional experience in
building design and construction.
SECTION 207. Duties of a Building Official

• In his respective territorial jurisdiction, the Building Official shall be

primarily responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this
Code as well as of the implementing rules and regulations issued
therefor
• He is the official charged with the duties of issuing building permits.
SECTION 207. Duties of a Building Official

• In the performance of his duties, a Building Official may enter any

building or its premises at all reasonable times to inspect and
determine compliance with the requirements of this Code
• When any building work is found to be contrary to the provisions of
this Code, the Building Official may order the work stopped and
prescribe the terms and/or conditions when the work will be allowed
to resume
SECTION 208. Fees

Every Building Official shall keep a permanent record and accurate account of
all fees and other charges fixed and authorized by the Secretary to be
collected and received under this Code. Subject to existing budgetary,
accounting and auditing rules and regulations, the Building Official is hereby
authorized to retain not more than twenty percent of his collection for the
operating expenses of his office. The remaining eighty percent shall be
deposited with the city or municipal treasurer and shall accrue to the General
Fund of the province, city or municipality concerned.
SECTION 209. Exemption

Public buildings and traditional indigenous family dwellings shall be exempt

from payment of building permit fees. As used in this Code, the term
“traditional indigenous family dwelling” means a dwelling intended for the use
and occupancy by the family of the owner only and constructed of native
materials such as bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber, the total cost of which does
not exceed fifteen thousand pesos.
SECTION 210. Use of Income from Fees

Such income may be used to cover necessary operating expenses including the
purchase of equipment, supplies and materials, traveling expenses, obligation
expenses and sheriff’s fees and payment of other prior years’ obligations not
adequately funded, subject to existing budgetary and auditing rules and
regulations.
SECTION 211. Implementing Rules and Regulations

the Secretary shall formulate necessary rules and regulations and adopt
design and construction standards and criteria for buildings and other
structures. Such standards, rules and regulations shall take effect after their
publication once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of
general circulation
SECTION 212. Administrative Fines

For the violation of any of the provisions of this Code or any of the rules or
regulations issued thereunder, the Secretary is hereby empowered to
prescribe and impose fines not exceeding ten thousand pesos.
SECTION 213. Penal Provisions

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this
Code and/or commit any act hereby declared to be unlawful shall upon conviction,
be punished by a fine of not more than twenty thousand pesos or by imprisonment
of not more than two years or by both such fine and imprisonment: Provided, that
in the case of a corporation firm, partnership or association, the penalty shall be
imposed upon its officials responsible for such violation and in case the guilty
party is an alien, he shall immediately be deported after payment of the fine and/or
service of his sentence.
CHAPTER 3: PERMITS AND INSPECTION
SECTION 301. Building Permits

No person, firm or corporation, including any agency or instrumentality of the

government shall erect, construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any
building or structure or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a
building permit therefor from the Building Official assigned in the place where
the subject building is located or the building work is to be done.
SECTION 302. Application for Permits

Every application shall provide at least the following information:

1. A description of work to be covered by the permit
2. Description and ownership of the lot – TCT (Transfer Certificate of Title)
3. The use or occupancy of proposed work
4. Estimated cost of proposed work
with such application are at least five sets of corresponding plans and specifications
prepared, signed and sealed by a duly registered mechanical engineer in case of
mechanical plans, and by a registered electrical engineer in case of electrical plans
SECTION 303. Processing of Building Permits

In processing an application for a building permit, the Building Official shall see
to it that the applicant satisfies and conforms with approved standard
requirements on zoning and land use, lines and grades, structural design,
sanitary and sewerage, environmental health, electrical and mechanical safety
as well as with other rules and regulations promulgated in accordance with
the provisions of this Code.
SECTION 304. Issuance of Building Permits

When satisfied that the work described in an application for building permit
and the plans and specifications submitted therewith, conform to the
requirements of this Code and other pertinent rules and regulations, the
Building Official shall, within fifteen days from payment of the required fees by
the applicant, issue the building permit applied for.
SECTION 305. Validity of Building Permits

A building permit issued under the provisions of this Code shall expire and
become null and void if the building or work authorized therein is not
commenced within a period of one year from the date of such permit, or if the
building or work so authorized is suspended or abandoned at any time after it
has been commenced, for a period of 120 days.
SECTION 306. 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:
(a) Errors found in the plans and specifications;
(b) Incorrect or inaccurate data or information supplied;
(c) Non-compliance with the provisions of this Code or of any rule or regulation
SECTION 307. Appeal

Within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of advice of the non-issuance,
suspension or revocation of permits, the applicant/permittee 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.
SECTION 308. Inspection and Supervision of Work

The owner of the Building who is issued or granted a building permit under this 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.
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.
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 as submitted.
SECTION 308. Inspection and Supervision of Work

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.
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
this Code as well as with the approved plans and specifications.
SECTION 309. Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued by the Building Official within thirty

(30) days if after final inspection and submittal of a Certificate of Completion
referred to in the preceding Section, it is found that the building or structure
complies with the provisions of this Code
CHAPTER 4: 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:

(1) Type I – Type I buildings shall be of wood construction. The structural

elements may be any of the materials permitted by this Code.
 SECTION 401. Types of Construction

(2) Type II – Type II buildings shall be of wood construction with protective fire-
resistant materials and one-hour fire-resistive throughout.
 SECTION 401. Types of Construction

(3) 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.
 SECTION 401. Types of Construction

(4) Type IV – Type IV buildings shall be of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry

construction. Walls, ceilings, and permanent partitions shall be of incombustible
fire-resistive construction.
 SECTION 401. Types of Construction

(5) 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.
SECTION 402. Changes in Types

No change shall be made in the type of construction of any building which would
place the building in a different sub-type or type of construction unless such
building is made to comply with the requirements for such sub-type of
construction: Except, when the changes is approved by the Building Official
upon showing that the new or proposed construction is less hazardous, based
on life and fire risk, than the existing construction.
CHAPTER 5: 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.
 SECTION 503. Moved Building

Any building or structure moved within or into any fire zone shall be made to
comply with all the requirements for buildings in that fire zone.
SECTION 506. Restrictions on Existing Buildings

Existing buildings or structures in fire zones that do not comply with the
requirements for a new building erected therein shall not hereafter be enlarged,
altered, remodeled, repaired or moved except as follows:

(a) Such building is entirely demolished;

(b) Such building is to be moved outside the limits of the more highly restrictive
Fire Zone to a zone where the building meets the minimum standards;
SECTION 506. Restrictions on Existing Buildings

(c) Changes, alterations and repairs may be made provided that in any 12-month
period, the value of the work does not exceed twenty percent of the value of the
existing building, and provided that, such changes do not add additional
combustible material, and do not, in the opinion of the Building Official, increase
the fire hazard;
(d) Additions thereto are separated from the existing building by fire walls, as
set forth in Sub-section 604 (b);
SECTION 506. Restrictions on Existing Buildings

(e) Damage from fire or earthquake, typhoons or any fortuitous event may be
repaired, using the same kind of materials of which the building or structure
was originally constructed, provided that, the cost of such repair shall not
exceed twenty percent of the replacement cost of the building or structure.
SECTION 507. Designation of Fire Zones

The Secretary shall promulgate specific restrictions for each type of Fire Zone.
Cities and municipalities shall be divided into such Fire Zones in accordance
with local, physical, and spatial framework plans submitted by city or municipal
planning and/or development bodies.
CHAPTER 6: FIRE-RESISTIVE REQUIREMENTS IN
CONSTRUCTION
SECTION 601. 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.
SECTION 602. 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, three-hours, four-hours, etc.
SECTION 603. Fire-Resistive Standards

All materials of construction, and assemblies or combinations thereof shall be

classified according to their fire-retardant or flame-spread ratings as
determined by general accepted testing methods and/or by the Secretary.
CHAPTER 7: CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENT
OF ALL BUILDINGS BY USE OR OCCUPANCY
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

Buildings proposed for construction shall be identified according to their use or

the character of its occupancy and shall be classified as follows:

• Group A – Residential Dwellings

ROW HOUSE BUNGALOW DUPLEX

SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group B – Residentials, Hotels and Apartments

HOTELS
APARTMENTS
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group C – Education and Recreation

SCHOOLS
SPORT HALL
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group D – Institutional

➢ Division 1 – Mental hospitals, mental sanitaria, jails, prisons, reformatories, and

buildings were personal liberties of inmates are similarly restrained.
➢ Division 2 – Nurseries for full-time care of children under kindergarten age,
hospitals, sanitaria, nursing homes with non-ambulatory patients, and similar
buildings each accommodating more than five persons.
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group D – Institutional

➢ Division 3 – Nursing homes for ambulatory patients, homes for children of

kindergarten age or over, each accommodating more than five persons: Provided,
that Group D Occupancies shall not include buildings used only for private or family
group dwelling purposes.
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group E – Business and Mercantile

➢ Division 1 – Gasoline filling and service stations, storage garages and boat storage
structures where no work is done except exchange of parts and maintenance
requiring no open flame, welding, or the use of highly flammable liquids.
➢ Division 2 – Wholesale and retail stores, office buildings, drinking and dining
establishments having an occupant load of less than one hundred persons, printing
plants, police and fire stations, factories and workshops using not highly flammable
or combustible materials and paint stores without bulk handlings.
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group E – Business and Mercantile

➢ Division 3 – Aircraft hangars and open parking garages where no repair work
is done except exchange of parts and maintenance requiring no open flame,
welding or the use of highly flammable liquids.
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group F – Industrial

➢ Group F Occupancies shall include: ice plants, power plants, pumping plants,
cold storage, and creameries, factories and workshops using incombustible
and non-explosive materials, and storage and sales rooms for incombustible
and non-explosive materials.
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group G – Storage and Hazardous

➢ Division 1 – Storage and handling of hazardous and highly flammable

material.
➢ Division 2 – Storage and handling of flammable materials, dry cleaning plants
using flammable liquids; paint stores with bulk handling, paint shops and
spray painting rooms.
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group G – Storage and Hazardous

➢ Division 3 – Wood working establishments, planning mills and box factories,

shops, factories where loose combustible fibers or dust are manufactured,
processed or generated; warehouses where highly combustible materials is
stored.
➢ Division 4 – Repair garages.
➢ Division 5 – Aircrafts repair hangars
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group H – Assembly Other Than Group I

➢ Division 1 – Any assembly building with a stage and an occupant load of less
than 1000 in the building.
➢ Division 2 – Any assembly building without stage and having an occupant load
of 300 or more in the building
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group H – Assembly Other Than Group I

➢ Division 3 – Any assembly building without a stage and having an occupant

load of less than 300 in the building.
➢ Division 4 – Stadia, reviewing stands, amusement park structures not
included within Group I or in Division 1, 2, and 3 of this Group.
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group I – Assembly Occupant Load 1000 or More

➢ Group I Occupancies shall be any assembly building with a stage and an

occupant load of 1000 or more in the building.
SECTION 701. Occupancy Classified

• Group J – Accessory

➢ Division 1 – Private garage, carports, sheds and agricultural buildings.

➢ Division 2 – Fences over 1.80 meters high, tanks and towers.
SECTION 704. Location on Property

No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins or has direct access to a

public space, yard or street on at least one of its sides.
Eaves over required windows shall not be less than 750 millimeters from the
side and rear property lines.
SECTION 704. Location on Property

Exterior walls shall have fire resistance and opening protection in accordance
with the requirements set forth by the Secretary.
When openings in exterior walls are required to be protected due to distance
from property line, the sum of the areas of such openings in any storey shall not
exceed 50 percent of the total area of the wall in that storey.
SECTION 708. Minimum Requirements
for Group A Dwellings
CHAPTER 8: LIGHT AND VENTILATION
SECTION 804. Size and Dimensions of Courts

• Minimum size of courts and their least dimensions shall be governed by the
use, type of construction, and height of the building as provided in the rules
and regulations promulgated by the Secretary, provided that the minimum
horizontal dimension of court shall be not less than 2.00 meters
SECTION 804. Size and Dimensions of Courts

• All inner courts shall be connected to a street or yard, either by a

passageway with a minimum width of 1.20 meters or by a door through a
room or rooms.
SECTION 805. Ceiling Heights

• Habitable rooms provided with artificial ventilation shall have ceiling heights
not less than 2.40 meters measured from the floor to the ceiling; Provided
that for buildings of more than one 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 heights not less than 2.70
meters
SECTION 805. Ceiling Heights

• Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height not less than 1.80 meters
above and below it.
SECTION 805. Ceiling Heights

ARTIFICIAL MINIMUM FLOOR TO NATURAL MINIMUM FLOOR TO

VENTILATION CEILING VENTILATION CEILING
SINGLE STOREY 2.40M ALL TYPES 2.70M
MULTI STOREY:
1ST FLOOR 2.70M MEZZANINE FLOORS MINIMUM FLOOR TO
2ND FLOOR 2.40M CEILING AND FLR TO
FLR
3RD, 4TH … 2.10M
ALL TYPES 1.80M
SECTION 806. Size and Dimension of Rooms

Minimum sizes of rooms and their least horizontal dimensions shall be as

follows:
1. Rooms for Human Habitations – 6.00 square meters with a least dimension
of 2.00 meters;
2. Kitchens – 3.0 square meters with a least dimension of 1.50 meters;
3. Bath and toilet – 1.20 square meters with a least dimension of 0.90 meter.
 SECTION 807. Air Space Requirements in
Determining the Size of Rooms

Minimum air 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 air space per
person;
3. Habitable rooms – 14.00 cubic meters of air space per person.
SECTION 808. Window Openings

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 and 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 809. Vent Shafts

a. Ventilation or vent shafts – horizontal cross-sectional area not < 0.10 sq.m
per meter height of shaft
b. Air Ducts – 0.30 sq.m w/ at least dimension of 300mm
Section 811. Artificial Ventilation

minimum requirements in air changes:

Office, Administrative purposes not < 3 changes of air per hour

Bakeries, Hotel, Restaurants, not < 10 changes of air per hour
Kitchens

Auditoriums, Assembly purposes not < 0.30 cu.m of air per minute
Wards, Dormitories of Institutional not < 0.45 cu.m of air per minute,
Bldgs supplied each person
CHAPTER 10: BUILDING PROJECTION OVER
PUBLIC STREETS
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 – at least 2.40m below grade along national roads, may project not
greater than 300mm beyond Property line.
c. Foundations – not less than 600mm below the grade, may encroach 500mm
into public sidewalk areas
SECTION 1003. Projection of Balconies
and Appendages Over Streets
SECTION 1004. Arcades

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 1006. Movable Awnings or
Hoods

An awning is a movable shelter supported

entirely from an exterior wall of a building
and of a type which can be retracted, folded,
or collapsed against the face of a supporting
building.
Section 1006. Movable Awnings or
Hoods

• 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.
SECTION 1007. Doors, Windows,
and the like

Doors, windows, and the like less than 2.40 meters above the pavement or
groundline shall not, when fully opened or upon opening, project beyond the
property line except fire exit doors.
CHAPTER 11: PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS
DURING CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION
SECTION 1105. Walkway

• When the Building Official authorizes a sidewalk to be fenced or closed, or in

case there is no sidewalk in front of the building site during construction or
demolition, a temporary walkway of not less than 1.20 meters wide shall be
provided.

• The walkway shall be capable of supporting a uniform live load of 650

kilograms per square meter. A durable wearing surface shall be provided
throughout the construction period
SECTION 1106. Pedestrian Protection

• Railings – street side of the sidewalk – at least 1m in height

• Fences – not < 2.40m above grade
• Canopies – 2.40m above the railway, live load 600 kg per sq.m
CHAPTER 12: GENERAL DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 1202. Excavation, Foundation,
and Retaining Walls

Excavation and other similar disturbances made on public property shall, unless
otherwise excluded by the Building Official, be restored immediately to its former
condition within 48 hours from the start of such excavation and disturbances by
whosoever caused such excavation or disturbance.
SECTION 1204. Enclosure of Vertical
Openings

Elevator Enclosures. Walls and partitions enclosing elevators and escalators

shall be of not less than the fire-resistive construction required under the Types
of Construction

• Escalator – draft curtain – at least 300mm on all sides

• Automatic Sprinklers – provided around perimeter of the opening w/in 600mm
of draft curtain
• Distance bet sprinklers - max of 1.80 center to center