THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE (f) There shall be first aid provisions of types using
water or water solutions. Discarded films shall be
CHAPTER 14-CHAPTER 21 stored and handled in the same manner as other
• CHAPTER 14 films until removed from the premises.
• PHOTOGRAPHIC AND X-RAY FILMS • SECTION 1402. Classes of Film Exempted
• SECTION 1401. Storage and Handling (a) The provisions of this Section do not apply to
the following: film for amateur photographic use in
(a) Storage rooms of unexposed photographic and original packages of “roll” and “film pack” films in
x-ray films shall be provided with automatic fire quantities of less than 1.40 cubic meters; safety
extinguishing systems in the following cases: film; dental X-ray film; establishments
(1) When unexposed films in generally accepted manufacturing photographic films and their
safety shipping containers exceed the aggregate of storage incidental thereto and films stored or being
14.00 cubic meters. used in standard motion picture booths.
(2) Where shelving used for storage of individual (b) Safety photographic X-ray film may be
packages not in said shipping containers exceeds identified by the marking on the edge of the film.
1.40 cubic meters in capacity; and • SECTION 1403. Fire Extinguishing System
(3) Storage is not in generally accepted safety Unless otherwise provided in this Code, all fire
shipping containers in any section not exceeding extinguishing systems when so required shall be of
14.00 cubic meters. a type, specifications, and methods of installation
(b) Film negatives in storage or in process of as prescribed in accordance with the requirements
handling shall be kept in heavy Manila envelopes, of the Secretary.
not exceeding 12 films to an envelope. Expanding • CHAPTER 15
envelopes shall not be used.
• PRE-FABRICATED CONSTRUCTION
(c) Film negatives shall be kept in properly
insulated vented cabinets, vented storage vaults or • SECTION 1501. Prefabricated Assembly
outside storage houses. Not more than 110 (a) Prefabricated assembly is a structural unit, the
kilograms shall be stored in any single cabinet. integral parts of which have been built up or
Where the film stored exceeds 450 kilograms, it assembled prior to incorporation in the building.
shall be in vented storage vaults or in a detached
structure or roof vault. Door openings in vaults (b) The Secretary shall prescribe special tests to
shall be of four-hour fire-resistive construction and determine the structural adequacy,durability,
shall be kept closed except when in use. soundness, weather and fire resistance of
prefabricated assemblies.
(d) Only incandescent electric light shall be
permitted; protected with substantial wire guards (c) Every device or system to connect prefabricated
or vapor proof globes or both. Portable lights on assemblies shall be capable of developing the
extension cords are prohibited. Conspicuous “NO strength of the different members as an integral
SMOKING” signs shall be posted. structure. Except, in the case of members
forming part of a structural frame as specified in
(e) No films shall be stored within 600 millimeters this Code. Anchorages and connections between
of steam pipes, chimneys, or other sources of heat. members and the supporting elements of the
structure or walls shall be capable of withstanding
all probable external and internal forces or other
conditions for a structurally adequate construction. (1) The wall in which such glazing is installed is so
In structural design, proper allowances shall be located that openings are not required to be fire-
made for any material to be displaced or removed protected.
for the installation of pipes, conduits, or other
(2) Except for Type I Construction, the location,
equipment.
size, and spacing of such glazed openings do not
(d) Placement of prefabricated assemblies shall be exceed the values set forth by the Secretary.
inspected to determine compliance with this Code.
(3) Plastics used in glazed openings for Type II
Construction shall be materials appropriate for use
according to flame-spread characteristics and the
• CHAPTER 16
location, size, and spacing of the openings do not
• PLASTICS exceed the values set forth by the Secretary.
• SECTION 1601. Approved Plastics
Approved plastic materials shall be those • SECTION 1604. Skylights
which have a flame-spread rating of 225 or less and
(a) General – Approved plastics may be used in
a smoke density not greater than that obtained
skylights installed on roofs of Types I, II or III
from the burning of untreated wood under similar
constructions and all buildings in these categories
conditions when tested in accordance with
shall be equipped with an approved automatic
generally accepted engineering practices. The
fireextinguishing system in Groups A, B, C, E, F, J, H-
products of combustion shall be no more toxic than
3 and H-4 Occupancies: Except, that:
the burning of untreated wood under similar
conditions. (1) Approved plastics may be used in any type of
construction or occupancy as a fire
• SECTION 1602. Installation
venting system when approved by the Building
a) Structural Requirements – All plastic materials
Official.
shall be of adequate strength and durability to
withstand the prescribed design loads. Sufficient (2) Plastics may be used in approved skylights in
and substantial technical data shall be submitted to Type II one-hour fire-resistive
establish stresses, maximum unsupported spans,
construction which are located 300 millimeters or
and such other information as may be deemed
more above the lower flange of the ceiling. The
necessary for the various thicknesses and forms
walls of the skylight well shall be no less fire-
used.
resistive than the adjacent ceiling.
(b) Fastenings – Fastenings shall be adequate to
(3) Where a fire-resistive ceiling is not required in
withstand design loads and internal and external
one-storey buildings, approved plastics
stresses required of the assembly. Proper
allowances of plastic materials in conjunction with may be used in skylights.
other materials with which it is assembled or
(b) Installation Requirements
integrated shall be provided.
(1) Except in Group A Occupancies, no skylight shall
• SECTION 1603. Glazing of Openings
be installed within 3.00 meters of a
(a) Doors, sashes and framed openings in exterior
property line.
walls of all buildings except Types IV andV
Constructions may be glazed or equipped with (2) The edges of dome-type skylights shall be
approved plastics: Provided, that: properly flashed.
(3) Plastic skylights shall be separated from each material shall be at least 150 millimeters above the
other by at least 2.50 meters laterally surface of the adjoining roof surface.
and 3.00 meters along the slope of the roof. • SECTION 1606. Plastic Light Diffusers in
Ceilings
(c) Allowable areas – The area of individual plastic
skylights shall not exceed 10.00 square meters. The (a) General – Ceiling light diffusers having an area
total aggregate area of plastics used in skylights, greater than ten percent of any 10.00 square
monitors, and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed meters of room area shall be of approved plastics
twenty percent of the floor area of the room or conforming to the requirements specified in this
occupancy sheltered. Code.
(d) Curb Requirements – Plastic skylights in roofs (b) Installation – Plastic light diffusers shall be
having a slope of less than 1 in 3 shall installed in such a manner that they will not readily
become detached when subjected to room
have a 100 millimeters high curb. The curb may be
temperature of 80°C for 15 minutes, Except, for
omitted where a wire screen not smaller than No.
plastic light diffusers which are installed in the first
12 U.S. gauge with a mesh not larger than 25-
floor area of Group C Occupancies having egress
millimeters is provided immediately below the
directly to the exterior of the building; and plastic
skylight. The screen shall be substantially mounted
light diffusers which are located between an
below the skylight
approved automatic Fire-extinguishing system and
• SECTION 1605. Light-Transmitting Panels in the area to be protected other than public
Monitors and Sawtooth Roofs corridors for Group A, B, C, D, E, G, H, and I
Occupancies if tests required by the Secretary have
(a) General – Where a fire-resistive rating is not
established that such installation will not interfere
required for the roof structure, and in all buildings
with the efficient operation of such automatic fire-
provided with an approved automatic fire-
extinguishing systems
extinguishing system, approved plastics may be
used with or without sash as the light-transmitting • SECTION 1607. Partitions
medium in monitors and sawtooth; Except, that
Where partitions are not required to be of
plastics used in monitors or sawtooth roofs of Type
fire-resistive or incombustible construction,
II Construction shall be of materials appropriate to
approved plastics conforming to the requirements
be used according to flame-spread characteristics.
specified in this Code may be used.
(b) Allowable Areas – The area of individual plastic
• SECTION 1608. Exterior Veneer
glazing used in monitors and sawtooth glazing shall
not exceed 15.00 square meters. The total (a) General
aggregate area of plastics used in skylights,
Exterior veneer may be of approved plastic
monitors, and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed
materials, and shall conform to the provisions of
twenty percent of the floor area of the room or
this Section.
occupancy sheltered.
(b) Height
(c) Area Separation – The area of such plastic
panels shall be separated from each other by a Plastic veneer shall not be attached to any
section of incombustible material or by a section of exterior wall above the first storey: Provided, that
the roofing material of the structure not less than plastic veneer may be attached to exterior walls
1.50 meters in length. The lower edge of the plastic above the first storey of buildings located outside
of highly restrictive Fire Zones: Provided, further
that the height of veneer is not in excess of 10.00 basic area permitted for the major use of the
meters above the adjacent grade of elevation. building according to its Occupancy Group.
(c) Area (c) Floor Construction
Sections of plastic veneer shall not exceed The floor shall be constructed of
15.00 square meters in area, Except, that in less incombustible material.
restrictive Fire Zones, the area may be increased by
(d) Interior Surface
fifty percent.
Paint spray booths shall be designed to
(d) Separation
permit the free passage of exhaust air from all
Sections of plastic veneer shall be separated parts of the interior and all interior surfaces shall
by a minimum of 1.20 meters vertically and 600 be smooth and continuous without outstanding
millimeters horizontally. edges.
• SECTION 1609. Awnings and Canopies • SECTION 1702. Fire Protection
(a)Plastic materials appropriate for use according Every spray booth having an open front
to Flame Spread characteristics may be utilized in elevation larger than 1.00 square meter and which
awnings and canopies, provided such awnings and is not equipped with doors, shall have a fire curtain
canopies are constructed in accordance with or metal deflector not less than 100 millimeters
provisions governing projections and appendages deep installed at the upper outer edge of the booth
as specified in this Code. opening.
(b) Approved plastics may be used in awnings • SECTION 1703. Light
where untreated canvass is permitted.
Paint spray booths shall be illuminated
(c) Approved plastics may be used in lieu of plain through hammered wire or heat-treated glass
glass in green-houses in less restrictive Fire Zones. panels. The glass panels shall be located in such a
manner as to reduce the hazard of ignition caused
• CHAPTER 17
by paint spray deposit.
• SHEET METAL PAINT SPRAY BOOTHS
• SECTION 1704. Ventilation
• SECTION 1701. Sheet Metal Paint Spray
(a) General
Booths
Mechanical ventilation shall be provided
direct to the exterior of the building. The
mechanical exhaust system shall be designed to
move the air through any portion of the paint spray
area at the rate of not less than 30.00 lineal meters
(a) General per minute. The blades of exhaust fans shall be
constructed of non-ferrous material and shall be
Paint spray booths shall be constructed of
mounted in such a manner as to prevent contact
steel of not less than No. 18 U.S. gauge in thickness
with the exhaust duct. The motor shall not be
and shall be designed in accordance with this Code.
mounted in the spray booth or the duct system and
(b) Area belts shall be enclosed where they enter the booth
or duct system.
The area of a paint spray booth shall not
exceed 150 square meters nor ten percent of the (b) Exhaust Ducts
Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of steel Glass firmly supported on all four edges
having a thickness not less than the values set by shall be glazed with minimum laps and edge
the Secretary. The discharge point for ducts in a clearances in accordance with Section 1801
paint spray booth shall be not less than 2.00 paragraph (b), Provided, that glass edge clearance
meters from adjoining combustible construction in fixed openings shall be not less than what is
nor less than 8.00 meters from adjoining exterior required for wind and earthquake drift. For glass
wall openings: Except, that the discharge point for not firmly supported on all four edges and design
exhaust ducts is not regulated in a waterwash shall be submitted for approval of the Building
spray booth. Official. Glass supports shall be considered firm
when deflection of the support at design load does
• CHAPTER 18
not exceed 1/175 of the span.
• GLASS AND GLAZING
• SECTION 1804. Louvered Windows
• SECTION 1801. General Requirements
Regular plate, sheet, or patterned glass in
(a) This Chapter shall apply to exterior glass and jalousies and louvered windows shall not be
glazing in all Occupancies except Groups A, B, and J thinner than 5.6 millimeters minimal and not
Occupancies not over three storeys in height, and longer than 1.20 meters. Exposed glass edges shall
to interior and exterior glass and glazing in all be smooth.
occupancies subject to human impact as specified
• SECTION 1805. Impact
in this Code.
Frameless glass doors, glass in doors, fixed glass
(b) Standards for materials shall conform to the
panels, and similar glazed openings which may be
provisions set by the Secretary on glass
subject to accidental human impact shall conform
dimensional tolerances, breaking stress
with the requirements set forth by the Secretary on
levels, and design safety factors.
impact loads of glass: Except in the following cases:
(c) Each light shall bear the manufacturer’s label
(1) Bathtub and shower enclosures shall be
designating the type and thickness of glass. Each
constructed from approved shatter resistant
light with special performance characteristics such
materials, such as: wire-reinforced glass not less
as laminated, heat strengthened, fully tempered or
than 5.6 millimeters thick; fully tempered glass not
insulated, shall bear the manufacturer’s
less than 4.8 millimeters thick; or laminated safety
identification showing the special characteristics
glass not less than 6.4 millimeters thick.
and thickness by etching or other permanent
identification that shall be visible after the glass is (2) Glass lights located not less than 450
glazed. millimeters above the adjacent finished floor or
walking surface.
• SECTION 1802. Area Limitation
(3) Glass lights when the least dimension is not
Exterior glass and glazing shall be capable of
greater than 450 millimeters.
safely withstanding the load due to wind pressures
for various height zones above ground acting (4) Glass lights 1.50 square meters or less in area.
inward or outward. The area of individual lights
• CHAPTER 19
shall not be more than the maximum allowable
area of glass according to the wind load multiplied • THE USE OF COMPUTERS
by the appropriate adjustment factor.
• SECTION 1901. General Rule
• SECTION 1803. Glazing
The use of computers for all or any part of and in proper state of preservation. The display of
the design of buildings under this Code ispermitted all signs shall be kept neatly painted and secured at
provided that all programs to be used are all times.
documented.
• SECTION 2003. Design and Construction
• SECTION 1902. Program Documentation
Sign structures shall be designed and
Documenting a program under this Code constructed to resist all forces in accordance with
consists of filing with the Building Official a the National Structural Code for Buildings. For signs
reference to a publication or publications on buildings, the dead lateral loads shall be
accessible to him where the detailed description of transmitted through the structural frame of the
the program or a brief statement of the theoretical building to the ground in such a manner as not to
background of the program including a description overstress any of the elements of the building. The
of the algorithms used are found. weight of earth superimposed over footings may
be used in determining the dead load resisting
• SECTION 1903. Submission of Computer-
moment. Such earth shall be carefully placed and
Generated Computations
thoroughly compacted.
A copy of the output sheets for computer-
generated computations shall be submitted as a
part of the design computations. The out sheets
shall be accompanied by a certification of a
• SECTION 2004. Supports and Anchorages
designer and/or consultant that the output sheets
are the results obtained through the use of (a) General.
documented programs. The certification should
The supports and anchorages of all signs or
include the identification of the specific program
sign structures shall be placed in or upon private
used for each portion of the computer-generated
property and shall be constructed conformity with
computations being submitted.
the requirements of this Code.
• CHAPTER 20
(b) Materials.
• SIGNS
Materials for construction of signs or sign
• SECTION 2001. General Requirements structures shall be of the quality and grade as
specified in this Code.
(a) No sign or signboard shall be erected in such a
manner as to confuse or obstruct the view or (c) Restrictions on Combustible Materials
interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal,
– All signs or sign structures erected in highly
or device.
restrictive Fire Zones shall have structural members
(b) No sign or signboard shall be constructed as to of incombustible materials. Ground signs may be of
unduly obstruct the natural view of the landscape, any material meeting the requirements of this
distract or obstruct the view of the public as to Code. Combination signs, roof signs, wall signs,
constitute a traffic hazard, or otherwise defile, projecting signs, and signs on marquees shall be
debase or offend aesthetic and cultural values and constructed of incombustible materials. No
traditions. combustible material other than approved plastics
shall be used in the construction of electric signs.
• SECTION 2002. Maintenance
(d) Non-structural Trim
All signs, together with all of their supports,
braces, guys, and anchors, shall be kept in repair
– Non-structural trim and portable display surfaces • SECTION 2101. Existing Building and
may be of wood, metal, approved plastics, or any Structures
combination thereof.
All buildings or structures constructed
(e) Display Surfaces under R.A. 6541 or existing city or municipal
building codes or ordinances, if legally done in
– Display surfaces in all types of signs may be
accordance therewith, shall be respected subject to
made of metal, glass, or approved plastics.
such limitations established in this Code.
• SECTION 2005. Projections and Clearances
However, alterations, additions,
(a) Clearances from High Voltage Power Lines – conversions and/or repairs to be made in such
Clearances of signs from high voltage power buildings or structures shall be subject to the
lines shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Code.
Philippine Electrical Code.
• SECTION 2102. Interim Rules and
(b) Clearances from Fire Escapes, Exits, or Regulations
Standpipes – No signs or sign structures shall be
Interim rules and regulations on buildings
erected in such a manner than any portion of its
promulgated by the Secretary before the adoption
surface or supports will interfere in any way with
of this Code pursuant to existing laws or decrees
the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe.
shall continue to have binding force and effect,
(c) Obstruction of Openings. No sign shall obstruct when not in conflict with the provisions of this
any opening to such an extent that light or Code.
ventilation is reduced to a point below that
• SECTION 2103. Separability Clause
required by this Code. Signs erected within 1.50
meters of an exterior wall in which there are If any provision of this Decree or the
openings within the area of the sign shall be application thereof is to any person or
constructed ofincombustible material or approved circumstance declared unconstitutional or invalid
plastics. for any reason, the same shall not affect the
validity of the other provisions.
(d) Projection over Alleys. No sign or sign structure
shall project into any public alley below a height of • SECTION 2104. Repealing Clause
3.00 meters above established sidewalk grade, nor
All laws, decrees, provisions of charters,
project more than 300 millimeters where the sign
executive orders, ordinances, rules and regulations
structure is located 3.00 meters to 4.5 meters
or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with
above established sidewalk grade. The sign or sign
the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed,
structure must not project more than 1.00 meter
amended, or modified accordingly.
into the public alley where the sign or sign
structure is located more than 4.50 meters • SECTION 2105. Effectivity
above established sidewalk grade.
This Decree shall take effect upon its
SECTION 2006. Lighting [Link] in the City of Manila, this 19th
day of February, in the year of our Lord, nineteen
Signs shall be illuminated only by electrical
hundred and seventy seven.
means in accordance with the Philippine Electrical
Code.
• CHAPTER 21
• TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS