BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

ARCHITECTURE BUILDING LAWS

Building laws:
PD 1096: REVISED IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE
PHILIPPINES
RA 9514: FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
BP 344: ACCESSIBILITY LAW; an act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions,
establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other services
Referral codes:
NSCP: NATIONAL STRUCTURAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
PEC: PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE
PMEC: PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CODE
NSPC: NATIONAL STANDARD PLUMBING CODE
Housing laws:
BP 220: REVISED RULES & STANDARDS FOR ECONOMIC & SOCIALIZED HOUSING PROJECTS TO IMPLEMENT
PD 957: REVISED RULES & REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE SUBDIVISION & CONOMINIUM BUYERS
PROTECTIVE DECREE
Scope & Applications
PD 1096: 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 dwellings and those
covered by Batas Pambansa Blg. 220
RA 9514: shall apply to all persons; all private or public buildings, facilities or structures and their premises erected or
constructed before and after the effectivity hereof; design and installation of mechanical, electronics and electrical systems
relative to fire protection; manufacturing, storage, handling and/or use, and transportation of explosives and/or combustible,
flammable liquids and gases, toxic and other hazardous materials and operations, and their wastes; fire safety planning,
design, construction, repair, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition; fire protective and warning equipment or systems; all
land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships or vessels docked at piers or wharves or anchored in seaports; and
petroleum industry installation.
BP 344: shall apply to all public and private buildings; streets and highways, public transport vehicles, public telephones;
public transportation terminals
Categories of disabled people:
Confinement to wheelchairs; requiring use of braces, crutches, artificial supports; impairment of hearing or sight; aging and in
coordination; acquired or congenital mental impairments

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

REVISED IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE (PD 1096)
Effectivity
The IRR took effect May 1, 2006
Scope
The scope of this IRR shall cover the following disciplines: architectural, civil/structural, electrical, mechanical, sanitary,
plumbing, and electronics. This shall also 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
dwellings and those covered by Batas Pambansa Bilang 220.
Definitions:
Construction all on-site work done from site preparation, excavation, foundation, assembly of all the components and
installation of utilities and equipment of buildings/ structure
Erection installation in place of components of a building/ structure
Addition any new construction which increases the height or area of an existing building/ structure
Alteration construction in building/ structure involving changes in the materials used, partitioning, location/ size of openings,
structural parts, existing utilities and equipment but does not increase the overall area thereof.
Renovation any physical change made on a building/ structure to increase its value utility and/or to improve its aesthetic
quality
Repair remedial work done on any damaged or deteriorated portion/s of a building/ structure to restore its original condition.
Conversion a change in the use or occupancy of a building/ structure or portion/s thereof which has different requirements
Moving the transfer of any building/structure or portion/s thereof from its original location or position to another, either within
the same lot or to a different building/structure
Demolition the systematic dismantling or destruction of a building/structure, in whole or in part
Ancillary Building Structure a second building/structure located within the same premises, the use of which is incidental to
that of the main building/structure
Building Official
He (the building official) is 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
The Building Official may order the work stopped or order discontinuance of occupancy or use
Dangerous Building
When a building is found or declared by the Building Official to be a nuisance, is dangerous or ruinous, the Building Official
shall order its repair, vacation or demolition depending on the degree of danger to life, health, safety and/or well-being of the
general public and its occupants

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

Characteristics of Dangerous Buildings

Structural hazards
Fire hazards
Unsafe electrical wiring
Unsafe mechanical installation
Inadequate sanitation/plumbing and health facilities
Architectural deficiency

Permits:
Building permit a written authorization granted by the Building Official to an applicant allowing him to proceed with the
construction of a specific project after plans, specifications, and other pertinent documents have been found to be in
conformity with the National Building Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Ancillary Permits are Architectural Permit, Civil/Structural Permit, Electrical Permit, Mechanical Permit, Sanitary Permit,
Plumbing Permit, Electronics Permit
Accessory Permits are issued by the Building Official for accessory parts of the project with very special functions or use
which are indicated in the plans and specifications that accompany the building permit application. These may include, among
others: bank and records vaults; swimming pools; firewalls separate from the building/structure; towers; silos; smokestacks;
chimneys; commercial/industrial fixed ovens; industrial kilns/furnaces; water/waste treatment tanks, septic vaults; concrete
and steel tanks; booths, kiosks and stages; and tombs, mausoleums and niches.
Accessory permits are issued by the Building Official for activities being under taken prior to or during the processing of the
building permit. These permits include, among others, ground preparation and excavation, encroachment of foundation to
public area, fencing, for fence not exceeding 1.80m high, sidewalk construction, temporary sidewalk enclosure and
occupancy, erection of scaffolding, erecting, repair, removal of sign; and demolition.
BUILDING PERMIT EXEMPTIONS
Minor Construction

Shed, outhouses, greenhouses, childrens playhouses, aviaries, poultry houses and the like not exceeding 6sq.m.;
detached from any other building and for owners private use
Addition of open terraces or patios resting directly on the ground, not exceeding 20sq.m. and for owners private use
Installation of window grilles
Garden pools for cultivation of water plants and/or aquarium fish not exceeding 500mm depth
Erection of garden walls other than party walls not exceeding 1.80m in height, cementing of footpaths, garden walks
and/or driveways

Repairs

JMPDL,uap

Not affecting or involving any structural member, such as replacement of deteriorated roofing sheets or tiles, gutters,
downspouts, fascias, ceiling and/or sidings
Non load-bearing partition walls\any interior portion of a house not involving addition or alteration
Or replacement of windows, flooring perimeter fence, walls
Or replacement of sanitary or plumbing fixtures
Or replacement of faulty or deteriorated wiring devices, fixtures and safety devices provided no alteration shall be
made on the service entrance and main switch or breaker and no circuits will be added

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Application form
Five (5) sets of plans and specifications prepared, signed and sealed by duly licensed architect and engineers
For lot owners, certified true copy of:
o TCT
o Tax declaration
o Current real property tax receipt
For non-lot owners, duly notarized copies of:
o Contract of lease deed of absolute sale
o Contract of sale

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS NOT REQUIRED FOR:

Traditional indigenous family dwellings intended for use and occupancy of owners family; of native materials, cost
not exceeding PHP 15,000.00
Single-detached dwelling up to 20sq.m.
Simple sketch with dimensions, site location and vicinity map will suffice

Non-issuance, Suspension and Revocation

Errors in plans and specifications

Incorrect or inaccurate data supplied
Non-compliance with NBC and IRRs

Validity

One year from date of issue

Suspension/ abandonment of construction for 120 days

Building Permit Fees

Bases for computing

Type of occupancy or use of buildings

Cost of construction (per sq.m. based on classification)
Area
Height

Exemptions

Public buildings

Certificate of Occupancy
Required prior to

JMPDL,uap

Use of building/structure
Change in use of occupancy classification

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

Application Requirements

Certificate of completion
Logbook and building inspection sheet
Signed as-built plans and specifications

Non-Issuance or revocation

Unauthorized change, modification or alteration in plans and/or type of construction (without an amendatory permit)
Failure to engage services of licensed architect or civil engineer to do full-time supervision
Failure of full-time supervisor to submit logbook, certificate of completion, as-built plans, specifications, Building
Inspection Sheet, fire safety inspection certificate

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
Type I wood construction
Type II wood with one-hour fire resistive materials
Type III masonry and wood; incombustible construction for exterior walls
Type IV steel, iron, concrete, masonry; incombustible construction for walls, ceilings and permanent partitions
Type V structural elements of steel, iron, concrete or masonry; building shall be fire-resistive
FIRE ZONES
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.
Non-Fire Restrictive zones

Buildings/structures are permitted w/o fire resistivity measures

Often in country sides or rural areas
Commercial & industrial structures sparsely constructed
Clustered in small groups

Fire restrictive zones

Buildings/structures are permitted w/ fire resistivity measures

Walls of at least 2-1/2 hr fire resistivity
1 hr fire resistivity throughout for suburban areas

Highly fire restrictive zones

Highly fire-resistive or non-combustible structures or construction assemblies

3 to 4 hr fire resistivity throughout

A building/structure which is located partly in one (1) fire zone and partly in another shall be considered to be in the more
highly restrictive fire zone, when more than one-third (1/3) of its total floor area is located in such zone.
Fire-resistive Rating:
the degree to which a material can withstand fire
Time Period Rating:
length of time (in hours) a material can withstand being burned
Fire-resistive Standards: Classification of construction according to their fire-retardant or flame spread ratings

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

General Requirements
- 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.
- 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 750mm from the side and rear property lines.
- Projections beyond the exterior shall not exceed beyond a point 1/3 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.
-When openings in exterior walls are required to be protected due to the distance from property line, the sum of the areas of
such openings in any storey shall not exceed 50% of the total area of the wall in that storey.
- Buildings on the same property and court walls shall be assumed to have a property line between them.
FIREWALL REQUIREMENTS
Firewall a reinforced masonry or reinforced concrete separator with the appropriate fire-resistive rating and which shall be
positioned between dwelling units or between buildings/structures to maintain the fire integrity of each building/structure.
Individual firewalls shall be constructed for each lot and property unless such lots/properties are owned by one entity or are
developed as a contiguous (integrated/unitary) development by one or several entities. A separate property cannot share or
make use of a firewall erected on another property as abutment.
Firewall, particularly openings, except for permitted vent wells shall extend above the roof from 400mm to 1000mm.
All existing openings on all firewalls shall be sealed completely to maintain the fire integrity of adjoining buildings/structures.
ABUTMENT a form of semi-permanent structure constructed along a property line, usually of masonry or reinforced
concrete or other fire-rated material. A firewall is a form of abutment where absolutely no form of permitted opening, whether
temporary/ permanent or operable/ inoperable is allowed on it.
A vent well with a clear width of 1.00m is the only permitted opening in an abutment or firewall.
Development Levels
The physical development within a lot that may take place at any combination of or at all of its three (3) different levels namely:
1. AT GRADE or on immediately above the surface of the lot;
2. BELOW GRADE or below the surface of the lot, which entails excavation and backfill works; and
3. ABOVE GRADE or above the surface of the lot up to the air above it subjected to the application of the BHL; it is the
area wherein most construction work takes place.
Development Potential of Lot
Maximum extent of physical development that may be introduced into the lot
Carrying Capacity of Lot
Optimized extend physical development w/o causing undue damage, effects or hardship;
Can be supported by utility, transport and service systems;
New Development
New physical development within a lot that is open for development, vacant, unutilized, development-committed or other lots
that are similarly situated

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

Redevelopment
Physical development consisting mainly of renovation, rehabilitation, retrofit, upgrading, expansion within a lot or property that
is under-utilized or unfit for habitation
Development Controls
A set of inter-acting regulations concerning the physical utilization of a lot;
Governs planning and design of spaces and the use or occupancy of a building
ALLOWABLE MAXIMUM BUILDING FOOTPRINT (AMBF)
PERCENTAGE OF SITE OCCUPANCY (PSO)
TOTAL OPEN SPACE WITHIN LOT (TOSL)
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA (ISA)
UNPAVED SURFACE AREA (USA)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CONSTRUCTION AREA (MACA)
GROSS FLOOR AREA (GFA) & TOTAL GROSS FLOOR AREA (TGFA)
ALOOWABLE MAXIMUM VOLUME OF BUILDING (AMVB)
Airport Approach-Departure Zones
A height clearance certificate shall be first secured from the Air Transportation Office (ATO) before a building permit may be
issued for the construction of buildings/structures within approach-departure zones of airports

PARKING REQUIREMENTS:
Off-row (or Off-street) parking parking slots and ancillary spaces that are located outside the RROW/street;
Off-site Parking parking slots and ancillary spaces that are located outside the RROW/street and to be provided only within
the property lines/limits of a separate site or on lot on which a project is not located. Off-site parking may be below-grade
(basement level), at grade (ground level) or above grade (elevate/upper floor levels) of building/structures;
On-site Parking parking slots and ancillary spaces that are located outside RROW/street and to be provided only within the
property lines/limits of a site of lot on which a building structure is to be constructed. On-site parking may be below-grade, at
grade or above-grade.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

Spaced to be used mainly for parking motor vehicles of all types (private and public):
-The side of an average automobile (car) parking slot must be computed at 2.50m x 5.00m for perpendicular or diagonal
parking and 2.15m x 6.00m for parallel parking.
-a standard truck or bus parking/loading slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60m x 12.00m
-an articulated truck slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60 x 18.00m which should be sufficient to accommodate
12.00m container van or bulk carrier and long/hooded prime mover.
-a jeepney or shuttle parking/loading/unloading slot must be computed at a minimum 3.00m x 9.00m.
Multi-floor parking garages may serve the 20% parking requirements of the building/structure within 200m radius, provided at
least 80% of the parking requirements are complied with an integrated in the building design.
Off-site cum off-street parking facilities may be allowed and considered part of a project provided that such facilities
specifically consist of reserved or leased parking slots within a permanent parking building/structure and not in a vacant
parking lot or parking structure/space for commercial development and provided further that such parking slots are located no
more than 100m away from a residential building project or are located no more than 200m away from an office or commercial
building project.
Traffic generating buildings such as shopping malls or similar facilities that have very high volumes of pedestrian and vehicular
traffic may be located at major intersections or within 100m of such intersections, provided that the distance between the
street curb of the ingress/egress of such a commercial lot/property (nearest the intersection) and the straight curb of the
intersection shall not be less than 50m.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

Minimum requirements for group A dwellings:

The dwelling shall occupy not more than 90% of a corner lot and 80% of an inside lot, and subject to the provisions on
Easements of Light and View of the Civil Code of the Philippines, shall be at least 2.00m from the property line.

Footings shall be of sufficient size and strength to support the load of the dwelling and shall be at least 250mm thick and
600mm below the surface of the ground.

The live load of:

-first floor shall be at least 200kg/sqm
-second floor, at least 150kg/sqm.
The wind load for roofs shall be at least 120kg/sqm for vertical protection
Stairs shall be at least 750mm in clear width, with a rise of 200mm and a minimum run of 200mm

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

10

Lot Type/Location:

Courts:
YARD - Vacant space left between the outermost face of the building and the property lines. The width of the yard is the
setback
FRONT OF LOT side of lot on which the main pedestrian and vehicular access into the property shall be situated.
COURT unoccupied space between the faces of the building lines and a yard or another court free, open and unobstructed
from the ground upward.
Inner court

a court bounded on all sides or around its periphery by building lines

Open court

a court bound on three (3) sides by building lines with one (1) side bounded by another
open space whether public or private.
Through Court
a court bounded on two (2) opposite sides by building lines with the other opposite sides
bounded by other open spaces whether public or private.
JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

11

COURTYARD a portion of the yard for which the permitted limit of paving/ hardscaping shall not exceed fifty percent (50%)
of the area of the yard.
Minimum horizontal dimension of said courts and yards shall be not less than 2.00m. all inner courts shall be connected to a
street or yard, either by a passageway within a minimum width of 1.20m or by a door through a room or rooms.

Ceiling heights;
Habitable rooms provided with artificial ventilation shall have ceiling heights not less than 2.40m measured from the floor to
the ceiling; provided that for buildings of more than one (1) storey, the minimum ceiling height of the first storey shall be 2.70m
and that for the second storey 2.40m and the succeeding stories shall have an unobstructed typical head-room clearance of
not less than 2.10m above the finished floor. Above-stated rooms with natural ventilation shall have ceiling heights of not less
than 2.70m.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

12

Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height not less than 1.80m above and below it.

Sizes and dimensions of rooms:

Window openings:
Rooms intended for any use, not provided with artificial ventilation system, shall be provided with a window/s with a total free
area of openings equal to at least 10% of the floor area of the room, provided that such opening shall be not less than 1.00
sqm
However, toilet and bath rooms, laundry rooms and similar rooms shall be provided with window or windows with an area not
less than 1/20 of the floor area of such room/s, provided such opening shall not be less than 240 sq mm. Such window/s shall
open directly to a courtyard, public street or alley, open warehouse.
JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

13

Vent shaft
Ventilation or vent shafts shall have a horizontal cross-sectional area of not less than 1.00 sq m. for every meter of height of
shaft but in no case shall the area be less than 1.00 sq m. No vent shaft shall have its least dimension less than 600mm.
Easement
A kind of public open space defined under the Water Code and other laws that must be absolutely free of all forms of physical
obstructions that can negatively affect natural light and ventilation within such space or that can impede access to or the full
recreational use of such space by the general public. The easement is also for the maintenance of waterways, shore and
water bodies. It is the area that may lie between the legally usable portions of public or private property and natural or manbuilt bodies of water such as seas, rivers, lakes, esteros, canals, waterways, floodways, spillways, and the like.
The easement may take the form of natural landforms such as leading to embankments/slope, beach/shores and the like or
contain man-built structures such as embankments/slope protection works, linear parks or park strips, promenades, wooden
boardwalks and the like.

Easement is public land, i.e., public domain that should be equally enjoyed by all members of the community. The easement is
not to be used for any form of building/structure that may go against its public recreational character.

View corridors and/or sight lines

SIGHT LINES the line of view from any fixed or moving station point within a building/structure or from any other open space
within or immediately outside the lot from any point within a public open space such as the RROW to a built or natural
structure, formation, vista and the like
VIEW CORRIDOR the visually unobstructed width, depth and height of all available sight lines running through and along
road rights-of-way (RROW), easements and similar RROW, open spaces within lots (including yards and courts) or through
and along designated public spaces including recreational areas. Unless specifically allowed under the Code, the view corridor
must allow full visual access from one end of the RROW, easement and similar ROW to the other end. View corridor may also
refer to specific ranges of sight lines from a building or structure to a specific natural or man-built object and/or development
considered of beauty or value.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

14

Preservation of view corridors and/or sight lines

-the carriageway/roadway portion of the RROW shall be free of structures, particularly commercial signs that will impede the
view corridor and sight lines within the RROW.
-to dignify very important public or historical/culture buildings/structures, all forms of commercial signs intruding into RROW
leading to or away from such buildings/structures shall not be allowed. Specifically disallowed from such RROW are
commercial signs supported from any building projection (such as arcades).
-view corridors or sight lines from buildings/structures on a higher or lower lot shall not be entirely blocked by the intervening
property to allow some sight lines to exist.
ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY (RROW) or ACCESS STREET or STREET
Public space for continuous flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic that must be free from prohibited physical obstructions.
Area lying between two or more properties and its width measured from opposite property lines

The RROW consists of three (3) different physical levels as follows:

RROW ABOVE GRADE refers to the portion of the RROW reckoned from the finished surface of the roadway/carriageway
and/or the sidewalk/arcade all the way up to the air. If this level of the RROW is utilized
For whatever purpose, the AIR RIGHTS or the right to develop, benefit and profit from the use of RROW above grade is given
up by the government/general public and should therefore be compensated, i.e., leased and paid for by the proponent/enduser/beneficiary of the proposed building/structure. The minimum clear height for the utilization of the air rights above RROW
shall be 4.27m from the finished crown elevation of the roadway/carriageway.
RROW AT GRADE refers to the portion of the RROW reckoned from the natural grade line up to the unfinished surface of
the roadway/carriageway and/or the sidewalk/arcade. This portion of the RROW is generally utilized for the movement of the
general public (motorists and pedestrians). If this level of the RROW is utilized for whatever purpose, the right to develop,
benefit and profit government/general public and should therefore be compensated, i.e., leased and paid for by the
development proponent/ end-user/beneficiary.
JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

15

AIR RIGHTS the right to physically develop and subsequently benefit or profit from the use of the air space above the
RROW. Private property owners cannot lay claim to air rights within the RROW because its part of the public domain.
Minimum Access requirements
Interior or rear lots shall have a RROW/access street with a minimum width depending upon the number of buildings or units
which it serves provided, however, that said RROW/access street shall not be less than 3.00m in width and provided further
that such RROW shall be provided within minimum 4.00m wide chaflan at its intersect with the main RROW and provided,
finally, that such RROW shall not b used for any form of parking.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

16

SIDEWALK the portion, on each side of the RROW reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians and the disabled who are
in transit. The registered owner of the property fronting the sidewalk has the obligation to construct and maintain the same as
per government specification to attain uniformity of form and function. If the registered owner fails to undertake the
construction and maintenance, the same shall be constructed by the government and charged to the registered owners
account. It shall generally be of two (2) types:
OPEN SIDEWALK which is neither roofed nor covered and with paved walking surface; its breadth shall extend
horizontally from the property line/fence or wall line/building line to the curbline.
COVERED SIDEWALK otherwise known as an Arcade; its breadth shall extend horizontally from the property
line/fence or wall line/building line to the curbline; the arcade may or may not have habitable spaces above it.
The minimum width of the sidewalk for a RROW width of 9.00m or more shall be 1.20m on each side of the RROW or a total
of 2.40m on both sides of the RROW.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

17

Sidewalks of 2.00m or more in width shall include on its outer side a planting strip of not less than 800mm in width up to a
maximum of 1/3 of the allowed sidewalk width, as a separating strip between the arcade portion and the open portion of the
sidewalk pavement.
Combined open and arcaded sidewalks shall be provided with a planting strip of not less than 800mm in width up to a
maximum of 1/3 of the allowed sidewalk width, as a separating strip between the arcade portion and the open portion of the
sidewalk.
Whenever the slope of the street does not exceed 1/12 the sidewalk grade shall follow the level or slope of the street.
Whenever the slope of the street is 1/10, the sidewalk shall be maintained level for every 20.00 to 40.00m of the run.
Sidewalks of different levels shall be joined by means of a ramp having any convenient slope not exceeding 1/6.
Driveways Across Sidewalks
To maximize the use of the sidewalk area, the surface of the sidewalk and the driveway shall as much as possible, be at the
same plane. The entry ramp of the driveway connecting the roadway surface to the sidewalk surface shall have a slope
ranging from 1/3 to 1/4.

Whenever the height of the curb is more than 200mm, driveways may be constructed across the entire width of the sidewalk,
provided that the driveway shall be joined to the sidewalk by means of a ramp of rough finish have a slope not more than 1/8.
The driveway and the ramp shall be made o the same materials as that of the sidewalk.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

18

ARCADE STRUCTURE any semi-enclosed or enclosed and usable or habitable building projection constructed in the
airspace above the arcade and therefore utilizing the air rights above RROW, in the case the arcade is part of the RROW. In
such a case, the usage of RROW air rights shall be compensated by the proponent/beneficiary.

Entrance and exits ramps shall have a slope not exceeding 1/10.
Entrance or exits steps shall have treads of not less than 300mm. Minimum 2 steps with riser not exceeding 100mm.
No portion of either entrance or exit ramps or steps shall intrude into the sidewalk pavement.

Basements:
Minimum RROW width that services the lot on which the basement can be constructed should be at least 10m wide.
The very same setbacks as above grade shall apply below grade to determine the maximum depth or width of the basement
level;
If the code prescriptions for introducing natural light and ventilation into all basement levels are first satisfied,
-the maximum depth of the basement can then be made equal to one-half of the height of building above grade
-the basement depth can therefore ba as much 1/3 of the combined height of the building to be constructed above grade and
below grade;
A primary or main natural light and ventilation shaft (vertical) with a clear distance of at least 3.00, shall be located at the
center of the building and shall traverse the entire combined height of the building above and below grade;

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

19

Secondary of support natural light and ventilation shaft/s (angular) with a clear distance of at least 1.20m shall emanate from
the from and rear perimeters of the building and shall traverse the entire depth of the basement; the angular shaft/s shall be at
an angle of 60 from the horizontal, consistent with the maximum with the maximum Philippine solar angle.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

20

Building projection over public streets:

Footings located at least 2.40m below grade along national roads public highway may project not more than 300mm beyond
the property line.
Foundations may be permitted to encroach into public sidewalk areas to a width not exceeding 500mm; provided that the top
of the said foundation is not less than 600mm below the established grade.

The clearance between the established grade of the street and/or sidewalk and the lowest under surface of any part of the
balcony shall not be less than 3.00m
The vertical clearance between the pavement or ground line and the undersurface of any part of the canopy/marquee shall not
be less than 3.00m

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

21

Protection of pedestrians during construction or demolition

-mixing of concrete on public streets is not allowed
-materials or equipment must not obstruct pedestrian travel, utilities, and fire hydrants
-must provide 1.2m wide temporary walkways
-walkways must have railings of at least 1.00m height and fence and canopy of at least 2.4m height

When the horizontal distance between the outermost face of the building/structure area and the inner edge of the sidewalk is
more than 1/2 the height of the building, a 2.40m fence is required.
When the horizontal distance between the outermost face of the building and the inner edge of the sidewalk is equal to or less
than 1/2 the height of the building, a canopy shall be required in addition to a fence.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

22

When the horizontal distance between the outermost face of the building and the outer edge of the sidewalk is less than 1/2
the height of the building, a protective device such as a net or screen extending from the uppermost part of the
construction/demolition to ground level shall be required in addition to a fence and canopy.

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

23

GENERAL DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

Protection of adjoining property:
Any person making or causing an excavation to be made below existing grade shall protect the excavation so that the soil
adjoining property will not crave-in or settle and shall defray the cost of underpinning or extending the foundation of buildings
on adjoining properties.
10 days notice to owners of adjoining buildings before such excavation is to be
Give access to enter the adjoining property for the purpose of physical examination of such property, prior to the
commencement and at reasonable periods during the progress of excavation. If the necessary consent is not accorded to the
person making the excavation, then it shall be the duty of the person refusing such permission to protect his buildings or
structure.
Attic Access
Attic access: opening of 600mm square or diameter with 800mm clear headroom above
Enclosed attic spaces divided into 250sqm spaces by fire-resistive walls extending from the ceiling to the roof and selfclosing doors.
Draft stops shall be installed in trussed roofs, between roof and bottom chords or trusses, in all buildings exceeding
2000sqm. Draft stops shall be constructed as for attic area separations.
Exits
Number of exits:
-more than 10 occupant load
-500-999 occupant load
-1000+

= 2 exits
= 3 exits
= 4 exits

Exit width
-total width of exits in meters shall not be less than the total occupant load served divided by 165
Arrangement of exits
-if only 2 exits are required, they shall be placed a distance apart to not less than 1/5 of the perimeter of the area served
measured in a straight line between exits.
Distance to exits
-45m
-60m if with AFSS
Exit doors
Exit doors shall swing in the direction of exit travel when serving any hazardous area or when serving an occupant load of 50
or more.
Every required exit doorway shall be of a size as to permit the installation of a door not less than 900mm in width and not less
than 2.00m in height
No leaf of an exit door shall exceed 1.20m in width
Change in floor level at doors:
-50mm maximum

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

24

Corridors
-1.10m minimum
-doors in any position shall not reduce the required width of the corridor by more than 1/2.
-dead-ends: 6m maximum
-walls & ceilings: 1-hour fire resistive construction
Stairs
Rise and run. The rise shall not exceed 200mm and the run shall not be less than 250mm.
Trim and handrails shall not reduce the required width by more than 100mm

Aisles:
Building in which are installed seats, tables, merchandise, equipment, or similar materials shall be provided with aisles leading
to an exit.
Every aisle shall be not less than 800mm wide if serving only one side, and not less than 1.00m if serving both sides.
Side aisles shall not be less than 1.10m in width.

Seat spacing standard seating, the spacing of rows of seats from back-to-back shall be not less than 840mm
Width of any seat shall be not less than 450mm
Grandstands/bleachers:
Spacing of rows of seats measured from back-to-back shall be:
-600mm for seats without backrests in open air stands;
-maximum rise shall not exceed 400mm
Width of any seat: 450mm 480mm

JMPDL,uap

BulSU CAFA: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 SY2014-2015

25

Pipe colors

Signs
Advertising sign an off-premise sign
Billboard a panel for posting bills or posters
Display sign an on-premise sign
Ground sign resting on the ground
Projecting sign fastened to, suspended from or supported on a building or structure the display surface of which is
perpendicular or at an angle from wall surface
Roof sign installed on roofs, decks or eaves
Wall sign parallel to wall surface
Temporary sign on light and combustible material

JMPDL,uap