Building

Codes in the
Philippines
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE (P.D.) ▪ The country’s accelerating economic
NO. 1096 ADOPTING A NATIONAL and physical development, coupled
BUILDING CODE OF THE with urbanization and population
PHILIPPINES (NBCP) THEREBY growth, makes imperative the
REVISING REPUBLIC ACT
NUMBERED SIXTY-FIVE formulation and adoption of a
HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (R.A. NO. uniform building code which shall
6541) embody up-to-date and modern
technical knowledge on building
design, construction, use, occupancy
and maintenance
SECTION 101. Title SECTION 102. Declaration
of Policy
“National Building It is hereby declared to be the
Code of the policy of the State to safeguard
Philippines” referred life, health, property, and public
to as the “Code”. welfare, consistent with the
principles of sound
environmental management and
control.
 SCOPE AND
APPLICATION
 ❖ All buildings or structures as well as
SECTION 104. General accessory facilities there to shall conform
Building Requirements in all respects to the principles of safe
construction and must be suited to the
purpose for which they are designed.
❖ 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.
❖ 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 The land or site upon which
Requirements
will be constructed any
building or structure, or any
ancillary or auxillary facility
thereto, shall be sanitary,
hygienic or safe
 ❖ SECTION 202. Technical Staff The
ADMINISTRATIO Secretary is hereby authorized to

N AND constitute and provide in his

Department a professional Staff.
ENFORCEMENT ❖ SECTION 203. General Powers
and Functions of the Secretary
under this Code
(1) Formulate policies, plans,
standards and guidelines on building
design, construction, use, occupancy
and maintenance, in accordance with
this Code.
SECTION 205. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Building Official shall be responsible for
Building Officials 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.
 Dangerous buildings are those which are
SECTION 214. herein declared as such or are structurally
Dangerous and Ruinous unsafe or not provided with safe egress, or
which constitute a fire hazard, or are
Buildings or Structures otherwise dangerous to human life, or
which in relation to existing use, constitute
a hazard to safety or health or public
welfare because of inadequate
maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence,
or abandonment; or which otherwise
contribute to the pollution of the site or the
community to an intolerable degree.
PERMITS AND
INSPECTIONS
SECTION 308. The building shall undergo full time inspection
by a licensed civil engineer or architect. It may
Inspection and or may not be the same architect or civil
Supervision of engineer who is responsible for the design of the
building. Architect of Civil engineer must also
Work be present at all time during the construction. A
logbook must also be kept wherein the actual
progress of construction including tests
conducted are recorded. Upon completion of
construction, logbook must be submitted, duly
signed and sealed, to the Building Official. He
shall also submit a Certificate of Completion of
the project.
TYPES OF
CONSTRUCTION
For purposes of this Code, all buildings proposed for
construction shall be classified or identified (3) Type III – Type III buildings shall be of masonry and
according to the following types: 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.
(1) Type I – Type I buildings shall be of wood
Exterior walls shall be of incombustible fire-resistive
construction. The structural elements may be any of
construction.
the materials permitted by this Code.
(4) Type IV – Type IV buildings shall be of steel, iron,
(2) Type II – Type II buildings shall be of wood
concrete, or masonry construction. Walls, ceilings, and
construction with protective fire-resistant materials
permanent partitions shall be of incombustible fire-resistive
and one-hour fire-resistive throughout: Except, that
construction: Except, that permanent non-bearing partitions
permanent non-bearing partitions may use fire-
of one-hour fire-resistive construction may use fire-
retardant treated wood within the framing assembly.
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 403. Subject to the provisions of this Chapter,
the Secretary shall prescribe standards for
Requirements on Type each type of construction, and promulgate
of Construction rules and regulations therefor, relating to
structural framework, exterior walls and
openings, interior walls and enclosures,
floors, exits and stairs construction, and
roofs.
CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL
REQUIREMENT OF ALL BUILDINGS BY
USE OR OCCUPANCY
SECTION 703. Mixed A. General Requirements
When a building is of mixed occupancy or
Occupancy 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:
a. When a one-storey building houses
more than one occupancy
b. Where minor accessory uses do not
occupy more than ten percent of the
area of any floor or a building
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 B. Fire Resistance of Walls
street on at least one of its sides.
Exterior walls shall have fire
For the purpose of this Section, the center line of resistance and opening
an adjoining street or alley shall be considered an
adjacent property line. protection in accordance with
Eaves over required windows shall not be less the requirements set forth by the
than 750 millimeters from the side and rear Secretary.
property lines.
SECTION 708. ❖ Dwelling Location and Lot
Occupancy.
Minimum Requirements ❖ Light and Ventilation
for Group A Dwellings ❖ Sanitation
❖ Foundation
❖ Post
❖ Floor
❖ Roof
❖ Stairs
❖ Entrance and Exit
❖ Electrical Requirements
❖ Mechanical Requirements
LIGHT AND SECTION 801: General Requirements
of Light and Ventilation
VENTILATION
a. 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.
 a. Habitable rooms provided with artificial
SECTION 805. Ceiling ventilation shall have ceiling heights not
Heights less than 2.40 meters measured from the
floor to the ceiling
b. The minimum ceiling height of the first
storey shall be 2.70 meters and that for
c. 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.
d. Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling
height not less than 1.80 meters above and
below it.
SECTION 808. Window SECTION 811. Artificial
Openings
Ventilation
Every room shall be provided
with a window or windows with a Rooms or spaces housing
total free area of openings and industrial or heating equipment
equal to at least ten percent of the
floor area of room
shall be provided with artificial
means of ventilation to prevent
excessive accumulation of hot
and/or polluted air.
SANITATION
Section 901. General. All buildings hereafter erected, altered,
remodeled, relocated or repaired for
human habitation shall be provided with:

❖ adequate and potable water supply

❖ plumbing installation
❖ suitable wastewater treatment or
disposal system
❖ pest and vermin control
❖ noise abatement device
 ❖ Shall be supplied from existing
Section 902. Water municipal or city waterworks system
Supply System. ❖ National Standards for Drinking
Water
❖ Water Code of the Philippines
❖ The design, construction and
operation of independent waterworks
shall be governed by existing laws
relating to local waterworks system
❖ shall conform to the provisions of the
National Plumbing Code of the
Philippines
BUILDING PROJECTION
OVER
PUBLIC STREETS
Section 1001. General Section 1002. Projection into Alleys or
Requirements. Streets.
❖ property line of the building
site ❖ alley or street, national road or public
❖ measured horizontally from highway
the property line to the ❖ 2.40 meters and 300 millimeters
outermost point of the ❖ projections should not obstruct any
projection existing utility such as power,
communication, gas, water, or sewer
lines
PROTECTION OF
PEDESTRIANS DURING
CONSTRUCTION OR
DEMOLITION
 ➢ No person shall use or occupy a street,
Section 1101 : General alley or public sidewalk for the
performance of work covered by a
Requirements building permit except in accordance with
the provisions of this Chapter.
➢ No person shall perform any work on any
building or structure adjacent to a public
way in general use for pedestrian travel,
unless the pedestrians are protected as
specified in this Chapter.
➢ Any material or structure temporarily
occupying public property, including
fence, canopies, and walkways, shall be
adequately lighted, between sunset and
sunrise.
SECTION 1102. Storage in
Public Property SECTION 1103. Mixing Mortar
Storing materials and on Public Property
Equipments should be The mixing of mortar, concrete,
Obstruction free or similar materials on public
Convenient to approach streets shall not be allowed
Shall not interfere with
drainage of any street or
alley gutter.
SECTION 1105. Walkway
➢ When the Building Official authorizes
to fence or close the sidewalk in case SECTION 1106. Pedestrian Protection
there is no sidewalk, a temporary
➢ Protection Required. Pedestrian traffic
walkway of not less than 1.20 meters
wide shall be provided. shall be protected by a railing
➢ The walkway shall be capable of ➢ Railings. Adequate railings when
supporting a uniform live load of 650 required shall be built substantially
kilograms per square meter. A durable strong and should be at least 1.00
wearing surface shall be provided meter in height.
throughout the construction period.
➢ Canopies. The protective canopy shall
have a clear height of 2.40 meters
above the railway, and shall be
structurally safe.
 SECTION 1201. General Requirements
SECTION 1108. Demolition Buildings proposed for construction:
➢ The work of demolishing any
building shall not be commenced ➢ Shall comply with all the regulations and specifications
until all the necessary pedestrian herein set forth governing quality, characteristics and
protective structures are in place. properties of materials, methods of design and
➢ The Building Official may require construction, type of occupancy and classification.
the permittee to submit plans,
specifications and complete schedule
SECTION 1202. Excavation, Foundation, and Retaining
of demolition. When so required, no
Walls
work shall be done until such plans,
Excavation or fills for buildings or structures shall be so
specifications and schedule are
constructed or protected that they do not endanger life or
approved by the Building Official.
property.
Footings and foundations shall be of the appropriate type, of
adequate size, and capacity in order to safely sustain the
superimposed loads under seismic or any condition of external
forces that may affect the safety or stability of the structure.
GENERAL DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION
REQUIREMENTS
 ➢ Roof covering for all buildings shall be either fire-
retardant or ordinary depending upon the fire-resistive
requirements of the particular type of construction.
SECTION 1206. Roof ➢ All roofs shall be so framed and tied into the framework

Construction and and supporting walls so as to form an integral part of the

whole building

Covering ➢ An attic access opening shall be provided in the ceiling of

the top floor of buildings with a combustible ceiling or
roof construction.
➢ Roof drains shall be installed at low points of the roof and
shall be adequate in size to discharge all tributary waters.
➢ Roof drains and overflow drains, when concealed within
the construction of the building, shall be installed in
accordance with the provisions of the National Plumbing
Code
➢ Roof drainage water from a building shall not be
permitted to flow over public property
SECTION 1207. Stairs, The construction of stairs and exits shall
conform to the occupant load requirements
Exits, and Occupant of buildings, reviewing stands, bleachers,
Loads and grandstands

Every building or usable portion thereof

shall have at least one exit. In all
occupancies, floors above the first storey
having an occupant load of more than 10
shall not have less than two exits.
ELECTRICAL AND
MECHANICAL
REGULATIONS
SECTION 1301. Electrical SECTION 1302. Mechanical Regulations
Regulations
All mechanical systems, equipment and
All electrical systems, equipment and installations mentioned in this Code shall
installation mentioned in this Code conform to
shall conform to the
the provisions of the Philippine Mechanical
Provisions of the Philippine Electrical Engineering code, as adopted by the Board of
Code, as adopted by the Board of Mechanical
Electrical Engineering
Engineering pursuant to Commonwealth Act No.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 184 294 as amended, otherwise known as the
otherwise known as the Electrical
Mechanical Engineering Law.
Engineering Law.
SHEET METAL PAINT SPRAY
BOOTHS
What are Paint Spray ● Ventilation system in the building.
(controls airflow and adjusts temperatures)
Booths? ● It is like an exhaust fan/vacuum cleaner.

SECTION 1701: Sheet Metal Paint Spray

Booths

General:

● Paint Spray Booths shall be constructed of

not less than No. 18 U.S. gauge in
thickness and shall be designed in
accordance with this code.
SIGNS
SECTION 2002. All signs, together with all of
Maintenance their supports, braces, guys, and
anchors, shall be kept in repair
and in proper state of
preservation. The display of all
signs shall be kept neatly
painted and secured at all times.
RRL
The Quezon City Government has recently released the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Ordinance No. SP-
2518, series of 2016, or The Local Building Code of Quezon City. Professionals involved in the design,
construction, renovation and improvement of structures in Quezon City are advised to become knowledgeable
about The Local Building Code and its IRR, because it amplifies the provisions and strengthens the enforcement of
Presidential Decree 1096, or the National Building Code of the Philippines, which was issued way back in 1977.
Upon the IRR’s publication, the Code and its IRR shall become mandatory for all new construction activities in the
city.

The Local Building Code requires the registry of all professionals engaged in construction activities in the city.
This will enable the Building Official to make sure that all such professionals are duly licensed and have no records
of malpractice. This is a safety issue, especially for the occupants of such structures. The Code also clearly defines
accountabilities for the use of inferior materials, shoddy construction works, poor design, and other accountabilities
that compromise the stability and integrity of the structure.

The Code requires that supervising professionals for a construction project should keep a logbook of daily
construction activities wherein the actual daily progress of construction is noted, including tests conducted, weather
conditions, and other pertinent data. Once the construction activity is completed, the owner shall submit the
logbook, signed and sealed, to the Building Official.
Covered by the IRR are construction works undertaken in Quezon City after the publication of the Code, and
its Implementing Rules and Regulations. It shall apply to all disciplines : architectural, civil/ structural,
electrical, mechanical, sanitary, plumbing and electronics, as well as to the design, location, site, construction,
alteration, repair, conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, demolition of buildings and structures,
except traditional indigenous family dwellings and those covered by Batas Pambansa 220 for “Economic and
Socialized Housing Projects.”

Existing buildings and/or structures constructed before the Code’s publication are not affected except when
alterations, additions, conversions or repairs are undertaken. In which case, only the newly constructed/
repaired portion shall be covered by this Code.

Violations of this Code and its IRR are punishable by a fine of not more than Php 20,000 and/or
imprisonment of not more than two (2) years.
For the highlights and for the complete copy of Ordinance No. SP-2518 and its Implementing Rules, go to the
Department of Building Official

Reference: http://quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php/recent-news/2450-engineers-architects-know-the-new-qc-
local-building-code-and-its-irr
 (a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design,
location, siting, construction, alteration, repair, conversion, use,
National Building Code of occupancy, maintenance, moving, and demolition of, and
addition to, public and private buildings and structures.
the Philippines
(b) Additions, alterations, repairs, and changes of use or
occupancy in all buildings and structures shall comply with
Section 1.01.03 – Scope of requirements for new buildings and structures except as
otherwise herein provided. Only such portion or portions of the
the National Building Code existing building or structure which have to be altered to effect
the addition, alteration, or repair shall be made to conform to
https://www.dotproperty.com.ph/blog/quick-
guide-from-the-national-building-code-of-the- the requirements for new buildings or structures. Alterations
philippines should preserve the aesthetic value of the building to be altered.

(c) Where, in any specific case, different section of this Code

specify different materials, methods of construction, or other
requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
 (a) Inspection. The duly licensed architect or engineer engaged
by the owner to undertake inspection and detailed supervision
National Building Code of of the construction shall periodically certify that the
construction conforms to the plans and specifications submitted
the Philippines in the application for a building permit.

(b) Certificates of Occupancy. The proper Certificate of

Section 1.02.05 – Inspection Occupancy shall be issued to the applicant within seven (7)
and Certificates of days from completion of the requirements for inspection and
occupancy and payment of any and all fees therefor, unless the
Occupancy building Official or his Deputy issuing the Certificate shall
show cause in writing why the Certificate should not be issued
https://www.dotproperty.com.ph/blog/quick- and shall indicate thereon the particular provisions of the Code
guide-from-the-national-building-code-of-the-
violated or the particular requirements not complied with.
philippines
So what is the It’s essentially to help anyone in terms of
the construction, repair, alteration,
importance of the occupancy, maintenance and even the
National Code? demolition of any building in the
Philippines, whether it’s private or a
government building. Any alterations or
modifications done on a building should
follow the requirements mandated under
the National Building Code for new
buildings. Even the materials used for the
construction should be in line with the
code.
How do we get permit? If a citizen of the Philippines (or any
legitimate company in the Philippines)
wishes to construct a building, the National
Building Code will be used as basis for the
approval of all permits needed for the
construction. Lives should not be
endangered during the construction of the
said building and any alterations or
additions to a present establishment should
not harm anyone working or living in the
said building.
How do they inspect? Only a licensed architect or engineer will
be allowed to do the inspection. Of course,
the owner can also recommend the
architect or engineer and the government
will check if this person is qualified for
inspecting the new or renovated building.
Once the inspection is done, a certification
will be released to the owner as proof that
the building has been inspected and does
follow the requirements as stated in the
National Building Code of the Philippines.