Download NATIONAL BUILDING CODE and more Study Guides, Projects, Research Project Management in PDF only on Docsity!
NATIONAL BUILDING CODE
OF THE PHILIPPINES
MALACAÑANG
Manila
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1096
ADOPTING A NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES THEREBY
REVISING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY ONE
WHEREAS, the country’s accelerating economic and physical development,
coupled with urbanization and population growth, makes imperative the formulation and
adoption of a uniform building code which shall embody up-to-date and modern technical
knowledge on building design, construction, use, occupancy and maintenance;
WHEREAS, while there is Republic Act. No. 6541, entitled “An Act to Ordain and
Institute a National Building Code of the Philippines”, the same does not conform with the
developmental goals and infrastructure program of the Government and does not
adequately provide for all the technological requirements of buildings and structures, in
terms of up-to-date design and construction standards and criteria;
WHEREAS, in the formation of new national building code, it is the desire and
policy of the Government to avail of and harness the technical expertise and professional
know-how of men not only in the public but in the private sectors as well,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by
virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree the
revision of Republic Act. No. 6541 to read as follows:
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.
SECTION 106. Definitions
As used in this Code, the words, terms and phrases enumerated in Annex “A” hereof shall have the meaning or definition, correspondingly provided therein.
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. (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; Provided that the Secretary may secure such services as he may deem necessary from other agencies of the National Government and may make arrangement for the compensation of such services. He may also engage and compensate within appropriations available therefore, the services of such number of consultants, experts and advisers on full or part- time basis, as may be necessary, coming from the government or private businesses, entities or associations to carry out the provisions of this Code.
SECTION 205. Building Officials
Except as otherwise provided herein, 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. The designation made by the Secretary under this Section shall continue until regular positions of Building Official are provided or unless sooner terminated for causes provided by law or decree.
SECTION 206. Qualifications of Building Officials
No person shall be appointed as a Building Official unless he possesses the following qualifications:
- A Filipino citizen and of good moral character.
- A duly registered architect or civil engineer.
- A member of good standing of a duly accredited organization of his profession for not less than two years.
- 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. 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, and the terms and conditions provided for in the building permit as issued. 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. Likewise, the Building Official is authorized to order the discontinuance of the occupancy or use of any building or structure or portion thereof found to be occupied or used contrary to the provisions of this Code.
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
Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the Secretary is hereby authorized to prescribe the procedures for the use of all net income realized by the office of the Building Official from the collection of fees and charges not exceeding twenty percent thereof in accordance with Section 208. 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.
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
In order to obtain a building permit, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing and on the prescribed form from the Office of the Building Official. Every application shall provide at least the following information: (1) A description of the work to be covered by the permit applied for; (2) Certified true copy of the TCT covering the lot on which the proposed work is to be done. If the applicant is not the registered owner, in addition to the TCT, a copy of the contract of lease shall be submitted; (3) The use or occupancy for which the proposal work is intended; (4) Estimated cost of the proposed work. To be submitted together 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, except in those cases exempted or not required by the Building Official under this Code.
SECTION 303. Processing of Building Permits
The processing of building permits shall be under the overall administrative control and supervision of the Building Official and his technical staff of qualified professionals. 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. The Building Official may issue a permit for the construction of only a part or portion of a building or structure whenever the plans and specifications submitted together with the application do not cover the entire building or structure. Approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without the approval of the Building Official and the work shall be done strictly in accordance thereto.
SECTION 305. Validity of Building Permits
The issuance of a building permit shall not be construed as an approval or authorization to the permittee to disregard or violate any of the provisions of this 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 permittee 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 this Code. 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.
Notice of non-issuance, suspension or revocation of building permits shall always be made in writing, stating the reason or grounds therefor.
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. 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
No building or structure shall be used or occupied and no change in the existing use or occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the Building Official has issued a Certificate of Occupancy therefor as provided in this Code. 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. The Certificate of Occupancy shall be posted or displayed in a conspicuous place on the premises and shall not be removed except upon order of the Building Official.
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. (2) 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. (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. (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: Except, that permanent non-bearing partitions of one-hour fire-resistive construction may use fire-retardant treated wood within the framing assembly. (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.
SECTION 403. Requirements on Type of Construction
Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the Secretary shall prescribe standards for each type of construction, and promulgate rules and regulations therefor, relating to structural framework, exterior walls and openings, interior walls and enclosures, floors, exits and stairs construction, and roofs.
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.
SECTION 604. Fire-Resistive Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe standards and promulgate rules and regulations on the testing of construction materials for flame-spread characteristics, tests on fire damages, fire tests of building construction and materials, door assemblies and tinclad fire doors and window assemblies, the installation of fire doors and windows and smoke and fire detectors for fire protective signaling system, application and use of controlled interior finish, fire-resistive protection for structural members, fire-resistive walls and partitions, fire-resistive floor or roof ceiling, fire-resistive assemblies for protection of openings and fire-retardant roof coverings.
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. 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. (9) 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. (10) Group J – Accessory Group J Occupancies shall include: Division 1 – Private garage, carports, sheds and agricultural buildings. Division 2 – Fences over 1.80 meters high, tanks and towers. (b) Other subgroupings or divisions within Groups A to J may be determined by the Secretary. Any other occupancy not mentioned specifically in this Section, or about which there is any question, shall be included in the Group which it most nearly resembles based on the existing or proposed life and fire hazard.
SECTION 702. Change in Use
No change shall be made in the character of occupancy or use of any building which would place the building in a different division of the same group of occupancy or in a different group of occupancies, unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of this Code for such division or group of occupancy. The character of occupancy of existing buildings may be changed subject to the approval of the Building Official and the building may be occupied for purposes set forth in other Groups: Provided the new or proposed use is less hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing use.
SECTION 703. Mixed Occupancy
(a) General Requirements
When a building is of mixed occupancy or used for more than one occupancy, the whole building shall be subject to the most restrictive requirement pertaining to any of the type of occupancy found therein except in the following: (1) When a one-storey building houses more than one occupancy, each portion of the building shall conform to the requirement of the particular occupancy housed therein and; (2) Where minor accessory uses do not occupy more than ten percent of the area of any floor or a building, nor more than ten percent of the basic area permitted in the occupancy requirements, in which case, the major use of the building shall determine the occupancy classification.
(b) Forms of Occupancy Separation
Occupancy separations shall be vertical or horizontal or both, or when necessary, of such other forms as may be required to afford a complete separation between the various occupancy divisions in the building.
(c) Types of Occupancy Separation
Occupancy separation shall be classified as “One-Hour Fire-Resistive”, “Two-Hour Fire- Resistive”, “Three-Hour Fire-Resistive” and “Four-Hour Fire-Resistive.” (1) A “One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall be of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction. All openings in such separation shall be protected by a fire- assembly having a one-hour fire-resistive rating.
(2) A “Two-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall be of not less than two-hour fire-resistive construction. All openings in such separation shall be protected by a fire assembly having a two-hour fire-resistive rating. (3) A “Three-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall be of not less than three- hour fire-resistive construction. All openings in walls forming such separation shall be protected by a fire assembly having a three-hour fire-resistive rating. The total width of all openings in any three-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation wall in any one-storey shall not exceed 25 percent of the length of the wall in that storey and no single opening shall have an area greater than 10.00 square meters. All openings in floors forming a “Three-Hour Fire- Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall be protected by vertical enclosures extending above and below such openings. The walls of such vertical enclosures shall be of not less than two- hour fire-resistive construction, and all openings therein shall be protected by a fire assembly having a three-hour fire-resistive rating. (4) A “Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall have no openings therein and shall be of not less than four-hour fire-resistive construction.
(d) Fire Rating for Occupancy Separation
Occupancy Separations shall be provided between groups, subgroupings, or divisions of occupancies. The Secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations for appropriate occupancy separations in buildings of mixed occupancy; Provided, that, where any occupancy separation is required, the minimum shall be a “One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation”; and where the occupancy separation is horizontal, structural members supporting the separation shall be protected by an equivalent fire-resistive construction.
SECTION 704. Location on Property
(a) General
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. For the purpose of this Section, the center line of an adjoining street or alley shall be considered an adjacent property line. Eaves over required windows shall not be less than 750 millimeters from the side and rear property lines.
(b) Fire Resistance of Walls
Exterior walls shall have fire resistance and opening protection in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Secretary. Projections beyond the exterior wall shall not exceed beyond a point one-third the distance from an assumed vertical plane located where the fire-resistive protection of openings is first required to the location on property whichever is the least restrictive. Distance shall be measured at right angles from the property line. 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.
(c) Buildings on Same Property and Buildings Containing Courts
For the purpose of determining the required wall and opening protection, buildings on the same property and court walls shall be assumed to have a property line between them. When a new building is to be erected on the same property with an existing building, the assumed property line from the existing building shall be the distance to the property line for each occupancy as set forth by the Secretary: Provided, that two or more buildings on the same property may be considered as one building if the aggregate area of such building is within the limits of allowable floor areas for a single building, and when the buildings so considered, house different occupancies or are of different types of construction, the area shall be that allowed for the most restrictive occupancy or construction.
SECTION 705. Allowable Floor Areas
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.
SECTION 709. Requirements for Other Group Occupancies
Subject to the provisions of this Code, the Secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations for each of the other Group Occupancies covering: allowable construction, height, and area; location on property, exit facilities, light, ventilation, and sanitation; enclosures of vertical openings; fire extinguishing systems; and special hazards.
CHAPTER 8
LIGHT AND VENTILATION
SECTION 801. General Requirements of Light and Ventilation
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines on Easements 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. (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 802. Measurement of Site Occupancy
(a) The measurement of site occupancy or lot occupancy shall be taken at the ground level and shall be exclusive of courts, yards, and light wells. (b) Courts, yards, and light wells shall be measured clear of all projections from the walls enclosing such wells or yards with the exception of roof leaders, wall copings, sills, or steel fire escapes not exceeding 1.20 meters in width.
SECTION 803. Percentage of Site Occupancy
(a) Minimum site occupancy shall be governed by the use, type of construction, and height of the building and the use, area, nature, and location of the site; and subject to the provisions of the local zoning requirements and in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary.
SECTION 804. Size and Dimensions of Courts
(a) 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. meters. (b) 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
(a) 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. (b) Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height not less than 1.80 meters above and below it.
SECTION 806. Size and Dimension of Rooms
