Professional Practice 1

 The 2006 – 2012 Professional Regulatory Board of

Architecture (PRBoA), which started with its first
member on 3 November 2006, was fully
reconstituted as of 30 March 2007 in full
compliance with Republic Act No. 9266 (The
Architecture Act of 2004).
 The PRBoA is one of 46 Professional Regulatory
Boards (PRBs) under the Professional regulation
commission (PRC)
 The PRBoA as an entity is under the administrative
control and supervision of the PRC
 Regulates the practice of architecture with PR
 active in the areas of executive action relating to
the implementation and enforcement of Republic
Act No. 9266 (otherwise known as the PH
“Architecture Act of 2004″)
 regulates the practice of foreign architects (FA)  Execution/ Implementation (CONSTRUCTION) of
 administers the Licensure Examination for SUBDIVISION or BUILDING Plans/ Designs
Architects (LEA)  POST-CONSTRUCTION Activities Relative
to SUBDIVISION or BUILDING Projects

There are 3 basic phases or stages in a Design project:

R.A. 8981: PRC Modernization Act

In fulfillment of its legal mandate, the PRC performs

two important functions, which are:
 Preparation of ARCHITECTURAL Plans and Designs
(Space/Architectural Plans, Sections, Elevations,
Ceiling and Roof Plans, Architectural Interiors)
1) to conduct and administer licensure examinations to
aspiring professionals, and

2) to regulate and supervise the practice of the

professions exercised in partnership with the forty-
three (43) Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) in the
fields of health, business, education, social sciences, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 386: AN ACT TO ORDAIN AND
engineering, and technology. INSTITUTE THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

The civil code of the Philippines is the basic law

governing persons and family relations, property and
 Professional Regulation Commission: A three- property rights, ownership of modifications, the modes
person commission to be known as the Professional of acquiring ownership, and the obligations and
Regulation Commission shall be attached to the contracts
Office of the President for general direction and
Coordination. Samples of the articles in this Document that are
related to our practice, but not limited to:
 The PRC Composition The commission shall be
 Article 1713. - By the contract for a piece of work
headed by one
the contractor binds himself to execute a piece of
work for the employer, in consideration of a certain
(1) full-time chairperson
price or compensation. The contractor may either
(2) full-time commissioners, all to be appointed by the employ only his labor or skill or also furnish the
President for a term of seven (7) years without material. (1588a) (pertains to the contract that is
reappointment to start from the time they assume agreed upon by the architect/contractor and the
office. proprietor)
 Article 1714. - If the contractor agrees to produce
the work from material furnished by him, he shall
deliver the thing produced to the employer and
Powers and Functions of the Commission (but not
transfer dominion over the thing. This contract shall
limited to)
be governed by the following articles as well as by
the pertinent provisions on the warranty of title and
 To administer, implement and enforce the against hidden defects and the payment of the
regulatory policies of the national government price in a contract of sale. (n) (pertains to the
 To perform any and all acts, enter into contracts, quality of work that is agreed upon by the
make such rules and regulations, and issue such architect/contractor and the proprietor)
orders and other administrative issuances, as may
be necessary, in the execution and implementation  REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
of its functions and the improvement of its services; AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE
AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION
 To review, revise, and approve resolutions, FOR THE REGISTRATION, LICENSING, AND
embodying policies promulgated by the PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE, REPEALING
Professional Regulatory Boards FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 545, AS
 To administer and conduct the licensure AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN
examinations of the various regulatory boards ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF
ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES," AND FOR
 adopt measures to preserve the integrity and OTHER PURPOSES
inviolability of licensure examinations;

 publish the list of successful examinees; provide

schools, colleges, and universities, public and
private, offering courses for licensure
examinations,

 and impose the penalty of suspension or

prohibition from taking licensure examinations to
any examinee charged and found guilty of violating
the rules and regulations

 Issue certificates of registration/professional

license,
Article 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARCHITECT Article III: EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, AND
LICENSURE
 professionally and academically qualified, registere
d and licensed Qualifications:
 with a Certificate of Registration and Professional
Any person applying for examination shall establish to
Identification (ID) Card issued by the Professional
the satisfaction of the Board that:
Regulatory Board of Architecture (the “Board”) and
the Professional Regulation Commission (the
 Filipino citizen or qualified foreigner
“Commission”)
 Good moral character
 Holder of BS Architecture
Architect are advocates of sustainability, welfare,
 2 years diversified experience (3,840 hours) (DAE-
culture
Diversified Architectural Experience)

- Masters Degree holder is credited 1 year

 Not convicted of any criminal offense

Examination subjects:

DAY 1

 History and Theory of Architecture

 Principles of Planning and Architectural Practice
 Structural Design
 Building Materials, Architectural Specifications &
Methods of Construction
 Utilities
 Urban Design and Architectural Interiors

DAY 2

GENERAL PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE  Architectural Design and Site Planning

 the act of planning and architectural designing, Examination Passing grade requirements
structural conceptualization, specifying, supervising
and giving general administration and responsible GWA of 70%, no grade lower than 50%
direction to the erection, enlargement or
alterations of buildings and building Results out in 30 days\
environments and architectural design in Oath-taking required
engineering structures or any part thereof;
A duly licensed architect shall affix the seal prescribed
by the Board bearing the:

SCOPE OF THE PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE  Registrant’s name

 Registration number
 encompasses the provision of professional services  Title “Architect:
in connection with the site and physical planning
and the design, construction, enlargement, On all architectural plans, drawings, specifications, and
conservation, renovation, remodeling, restoration all other contract documents prepared by or under
or alteration of a building or group of buildings. his/her direct supervision.

Article II: PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF  architectural drawings

ARCHITECTURE
 -vicinity maps  Undertaken services without a service agreement
 Violations of the Act and its IRR, Code of Ethical
 -site development plans Conduct, and SPP
 -architectural program Article IV: practice of architecture
 -perspective drawings
PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE
 -architectural floor plans
No person shall :
 -elevations
 practice architecture in this country,
 -sections  or engage in preparing architectural plans,
specifications
 -ceiling plans
 or preliminary data for the erection
 -schedules  or alteration of any building located within the
boundaries of this country,
 -detailed drawings  or use the title “Architect”,
 or display the word “Architect” together with
 technical specifications
another word,
 cost estimates
 or display or use any title, sign, card, advertisement,
 other instruments of service in any form  or other device to indicate such person practices
 or offers to practice architecture,
 a certificate bearing a registration number, issued
to an individual, by the Professional Regulation A FOREIGN ARCHITECT or ANY PERSON not
Commission through the Board of Architecture, authorized to practice architecture in the
 signifying that the individual has successfully Philippines,
passed the Licensure Examination and is  who shall stay in the country and perform any
registered to practice his/her profession as of the activities mentioned in Sections 3 and 4
Architect of R.A. No. 9266, or any other activity analogous
thereto, in connection with the construction of
The Board of Examiners shall refuse to issue or any building/structure/edifice or land
renew a Certificate of Registration and development project, shall be deemed engaged
Professional ID Card: in the unauthorized practice of architecture
and shall, therefore, be criminally liable under
R.A. No. 9266 and this “IRR of the Architecture
 To any person convicted by a court of any criminal
Act of 2004”.
offense involving moral turpitude
 To any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable
 RECIPROCITY = the practice of exchanging things
conduct
with others for mutual benefit, especially
 To any person of unsound mind
privileges granted by one country or
organization to another.
The Board in the written statement shall state the period
 A person who is not a citizen of the Philippines
for the deferment of the registration if the offense or act
shall not be allowed to take the licensure
committed does not call for indefinite
examination unless he/she can prove that
period and/or perpetual deprivation of the chance to
his/her country admits Filipino citizens to
register.
practice the same profession without restriction
Suspension: or allows them to practice it after passing the
examination.
 Signed contract documents not authored by
him/her Foreign Architects/Counsultants that wants to
 Paid to secure Certificate of Registration practice Architecture or any activity related to the
 Impersonated or practiced under a fictitious name profession shall fulfill these requirements to fully
 Aided in the practice of a person not authorized to practice architecture in our country
practice
 Reciprocity requirements PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1096 (NATIONAL BUILDING
 Qualified to practice in own country CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES)
 Expertise and technology transfer
 With Filipino counterpart SECTION 103: Scope and Application
 DOLE and PRC permits
 ARCHITECTURAL
Technology transfer: refers to contracts or
arrangements involving the transfer of systematic  CIVIL/STRUCTURAL
knowledge for the manufacture of a product, the
application of a process, or rendering of a service  ELECTRICAL
including management contracts; and the transfer,
assignment or licensing of all forms of intellectual  MECHANICAL
property rights.
 SANITARY AND PLUMBING
Filipino counterpart
 ELECTRONICS
 The local Philippine architect, partnership or
corporation that must work in association with a  This shall also apply to the design, location,
foreign architect, partnership or corporation, on a siting, construction, alteration, repair,
project on Philippine soil.
conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance,
P.D. 1096 RULE I moving, demolition of, and addition

P.D. 1096 : NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF SECTION 106. Definitions

THE PHILIPPINES
 ADDITION – Any new construction which increases
RULE - I : GENERAL PROVISIONS the height and/or floor area of existing
buildings/structures.
 PURPOSE OF THE CODE
 BUILDING OFFICIAL – the Executive Officer of the
To provide a framework of minimum standards and
requirements for all buildings in order to regulate their OBO appointed by the Secretary.
location, design, quality of materials, construction, and
use.  BUILDING PERMIT – A document issued by the
Building Official (BO) to an owner/applicant to
proceed with the construction, installation,
 SCOPE OF APPLICATION addition, alteration, renovation, conversion, repair,
The National Building Code (NBC) applies to the design, moving, demolition or other work activity
location, siting, construction, alteration, repair,
 CONVERSION – A change in the use or occupancy
conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving,
demolition of and addition to public and private of buildings/structures or any portion/s thereof,
buildings, except traditional dwellings and BP 220 which has different requirements.
projects.
 DEMOLITION - The systematic dismantling or
destruction of a building/ structure, in whole or in
part
SECTION 101: Title
 RENOVATION – Any physical change made on
These Rules shall be known and cited as the “Revised
buildings/structures to increase the value, quality,
Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National
and/or to improve the aesthetic
Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096)” and shall
be referred to as the “IRR” P.D. 1096 RULE II
RULE - II : ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 4. Evaluate, review, approve and/or take final action on
changes and/or amendments to existing Referral Codes
SECTION 201: Responsibility for Administration 5. Prescribe and impose the amount of fees and other
and Enforcement charges

The administration and enforcement of the provisions 6. Appoint a Building Official, in all Cities and
Municipalities.
of the Code and this IRR, including the imposition of
penalties for administrative violations thereof, is hereby SECTION 205: Building Officials
vested in the Secretary.

 SECRETARY - Head or Chief Executive Officer of  The Building Official shall be responsible for
DPWH. carrying out the provisions of the Code
 Shall continue to act as the Building Official until
 DPWH - Department of Public Works and Highways such time that the Secretary appoints the Building
Official.
SECTION 202: Technical Staff  Offices of the Building Officials already established,
separate and distinct from the office of the
The National Building Code Development Office City/Municipal Engineers in cities
(NBCDO) shall serve as the technical staff of the
SECTION 206: Qualifications of Building Officials
Secretary. The functions thereof are as follows:
No person shall be appointed as Building Official unless
1. Assist the Secretary in the administration and he possesses the following qualifications:
enforcement of the provisions of the Code and its IRR.

2. Review, evaluate and take final action on various  A Filipino citizen and of good moral character.
technical and legal problems forwarded to the Office of  A duly registered architect or civil engineer.
the Secretary.  A member of good standing of a duly accredited
organization of his profession for not less than five
3. Conduct seminar/workshops on the Code, its IRR, and (5) years endorsed or recommended by the
Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 (Accessibility Law). accredited professional organization.
 Has at least five (5) years of diversified and
4. Undertake such other duties and tasks as may be professional experience in building design and
assigned by the Secretary from time to time. construction.
 Has attended and successfully completed a seminar
SECTION 203: General Powers and Functions of workshop on PD 1096 and its IRR conducted by the
the Secretary DPWH.

1. Formulate policies, plans, standards and guidelines

on building design, construction, use, occupancy and SECTION 207: Duties of the Building Official
maintenance, in accordance with the Code.
The Building Official shall have the following
2. Issue and promulgate additional rules and
duties:
regulations to implement the provisions of the Code
and ensure compliance with policies and guidelines and  Be primarily responsible for the enforcement of
to guide the actions of the Building Official in the the provisions of the Code and its IRR,.
performance of his duties and responsibilities.  Have overall administrative control and/or
3. Exercise appellate jurisdiction over the decisions and supervision over all works pertinent to
orders of the Building Official. The order or buildings/structures in his area of
decision of the Secretary shall be final and executory responsibility and shall be charged with the
subject only to review by the Office of the processing of all permit applications and
President of the Republic. certificates as well as the issuance of the same.
 Ensure that all changes, modifications, and Certification of Change of Use
alterations in the design plans during the ▪ Failure to post Cert. of Occupancy
construction ▪ Change in type of construction without permit
phase shall not start until the modified design
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
plan has been evaluated and the necessary
▪ Structural hazard
amendatory permit issued.
▪ Fire hazard
 Undertake annual inspections of all
▪ Unsafe electrical wiring
buildings/structures and keep an up-to-date record
▪ Unsafe mechanical installation
of their status.
▪ Inadequate sanitation and health facilities
 Upon complaint or motu propio and after due
▪ Architectural deficiency
notice/s and hearing, initiate action towards:
a. Non-issuance, suspension, revocation and/or OPTIONS FOR DANGEROUS BLDGS
invalidation of a building permit or certificate of ▪ Repair
occupancy; ▪ Vacation
b. Issuance of work stoppage order, or an order ▪ Demolition
for discontinuance of the use or occupancy of the
building/structure or portion thereof; RULE - III : PERMITS AND INSPECTION
c. Declaration of a building/structure as ruinous
or dangerous; and/or SECTION 301: Building Permits
d. The imposition of appropriate fines/penalties.
 No person shall engage in any construction and
 Submit a quarterly situational report to the
other related activities without first obtaining a
Secretary through the NBCDO, on the status of all
building permit which will be approved and
existing, on-going, and proposed public as well as
process and acquired by the Building Official.
private building/structure activities. (See
Communication What is a building permit?
 Undertake such other duties and tasks as may be
assigned by the Secretary from time to time. A written authorization granted by the Building Official
to an applicant allowing him to proceed with
Other notable contents of RULE II construction after plans, specifications and other
pertinent documents have been found to be in
FEES conformity with the Code
▪ The DPWH Secretary prescribes the fees
▪ The Building Official collects the fees When is a Permit Required?
 Before constructing, altering, repairing, converting,
moving, adding to, demolishing a building.
 Permits supplementary to a Building Permit shall
FEE EXEMPTIONS be applied for and issued by the Building Official.
▪ Public buildings These include Ancillary and the Accessory Permits.
▪ Traditional family dwellings
▪ A dwelling intended for the use by one family and
constructed of native materials (bamboo, nipa, logs, a. Ancillary Permits
lumber), the total cost of which does not exceed i. Architectural Permit
PHP15,000. ii. Civil/Structural Permit
iii. Electrical Permit
PROHIBITED ACTS iv. Mechanical Permit
▪ Proceeding with work without a permit v. Sanitary Permit
▪ Unauthorized deviations from the drawings during vi. Plumbing Permit
construction vii. Electronics Permit
▪ Non-compliance with work stoppage order
▪ Non-compliance with order to demolish Exemption From Building Permits

Use of a building without securing a Certificate of

Occupancy  A building permit shall not be required for the
▪ Change in use without the corresponding following minor constructions and repairs,
 provided these shall not violate any provision of i. Vicinity Map/Location Plan
the Code and this IRR.
 commercial, industrial, and institutional
a. Minor Constructions complex: 2km radius
i. Sheds, outhouses, greenhouses, children’s  Residential buildings : .5 km radius
playhouses, aviaries, poultry houses and the like, not
exceeding 6.00 sq. meters in total area, provided they To any convenient scale showing prominent landmarks
are completely detached from any other building and or major thoroughfares for easy reference.
are intended only for the private use of the owner.
ii. Site Development Plan
ii. Addition of open terraces or patios resting directly on
iii. Perspective
the ground, not exceeding 20.00 sq. meters in total
floor area, exclusively for the private use of the owner.
iv. Floor Plans
iii. Installation of window grilles.
v. Elevations, at least four
iv. Garden pools for the habitation of water plants
and/or aquarium fish not exceeding 500 millimeters in vi. Sections, at least two (2)
depth and exclusively for private use.
vii. Reflected ceiling plan showing:
v. Garden masonry walls other than party walls not
exceeding 1.20 meters in height, footpaths, residential other drawings relevant for building permit application
garden walks and/or driveways.
b. Repair Works Details,Schedule of Doors and Windows, Schedule of
i. Repair works not affecting or involving any structural Finishes
member, such as replacement of
deteriorated roofing sheets or tiles, gutters, SECTION 304: Issuance of Permits
downspouts, fascias, ceilings and/or sidings.
Issuance
ii. Repair and/or replacement of non load-bearing
partition walls.  If the submitted plans and other requirements
conform to the standards of the code, and the fees
iii. Repair and/or replacement of any interior portion or were paid, The Building Official shall within
a house not involving addition or alteration. fifteen (15) days from payment, issue the building
iv. Repair and/or replacement work of doors and permit applied for.
windows.
v. Repair and/or replacement work of flooring.
vi. Repair of perimeter fence and walls. Liability Clause
vii. Repair and/or replacement of plumbing fixtures,  Article 1723 of the Civil Code states that the
fittings or pipings, such as toilet bowls, sinks, lavatories, engineer or architect who drew up the plans and
urinals, bidets, pipes, faucets, valves for single detached specifications is liable for 15 years
dwellings and duplexes. from completion of the building should it collapse
SECTION 302: Application for Permits due to defects in the plans or the ground.
 In case the building collapses due to defects in
Any person desiring to obtain a building permit and any construction or the use of inferior materials,
ancillary/accessory permit/s together with a Building the contractor, along with the construction
Permit shall file application/s therefor on the prescribed supervisor, shall be liable.
application forms. SECTION 305: Validity of Building Permits

 The issuance of a building permit shall not be

Architectural Documents construed as an approval or authorization to the
Architectural Plans/Drawings
 permittee to disregard or violate any of the refers to the time in hours that a material or constructio
provisions of the Code. n will withstand exposure to fire.
SECTION 404: Changes in Types
 A building permit issued under the provisions of
the Code shall expire and become null and void if  No change shall be made in the type of
the building or work authorized therein is not construction of any building which would place the
commenced within a period of one (1) year after building in a different sub- type or type of
the issuance of the building permit, construction

 or is suspended or abandoned at any time after it  unless such building is made to comply with the
has been commenced for a period of one hundred requirements for such sub- type of construction:
twenty (120) days.
 Except, when the changes is approved by the
RULE - IV : TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION Building Official upon showing that the new or
proposed construction is less hazardous,
SECTION 401: Types of Construction
RULE - V : REQUIREMENTS OF FIRE ZONES
all buildings proposed for construction shall be
classified according to the following types: SECTION 501: Types of Construction
Type I - shall be of wood construction. The structural
Fire zones are areas within which only certain types of
elements may be any of the materials
buildings/structures are permitted to be constructed
permitted by the Code.
based on their use or occupancy, type of construction,
Type II - shall be of wood construction with protective and resistance to fire.
fire-resistant materials and one-hour fireresistive
(you can also refer to section 507 for DESIGNATION OF
throughout, except, that permanent non-bearing
FIRE ZONES)
partitions may use fire-retardant treated wood within
the framing assembly with one-hour resistivity. The legislative body of the LGU may enact ordinances
for the purpose of designating fire zones
Type III - shall be of masonry and wood construction.
based on the parameters and guidelines set forth in
Structural elements may be any of the
this Section.
materials permitted by the Code provided, that the
building shall be one-hour fire-resistive
throughout. Exterior walls shall be of incombustible fire- a. Non-Fire Restricted Zones:
resistive construction.
 without fire-resistivity measures, often located in
the country sides or rural areas where commercial
and industrial and other buildings are sparsely
constructed,
Type IV - shall be steel, iron, concrete, or masonry
 may be clustered in small groups like farm lands
construction and walls, ceiling and permanent
wherein dwellings are built of indigenous materials
partitions shall be of incombustible fire-resistive
such as bamboo, sawali, nipa, cogon, palm leaves
construction, except, that permanent non-bearing
and wood up to Types I and II Construction as
partitions of one-hour fire-resistive construction may
classified
use fire-retardant treated wood within the
framing assembly.
b. Fire Restrictive Zones:
Type V - shall be four-hour fire-resistive throughout
 fire-resistivity measures for exterior walls of at
and the structural elements shall be of steel, iron,
least two-hour fire resistivity.
concrete, or masonry construction.
 Usual locations in suburban areas are permitted to
Fire-resistance rating be built with at least one-hour fire-resistivity
c. Highly Fire Restrictive Zones:
 highly fire- resistive or non-combustible
buildings/structures
 construction assemblies of no less than three to
four-hour fire-resistive construction materials are
used throughout, including exterior walls.
 Only Types IV and V Constructions are permitted in
the areas
SECTION 502: Buildings Located in More Than One Fire
Zone

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.

RULE - VI : 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, four- hours, etc.

SECTION 603: Fire-Resistive Standards

All materials of construction, and type of materials and

assemblies or combinations thereof shall conform to
the following fire-resistive ratings:
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,

RULE - VII : CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL

REQUIREMENTS OF ALL BUILDINGS BY USE OR
OCCUPANCY
SECTION 701: Fire- Occupancy Classified Division 1 Mental hospitals, mental sanitaria, jails,
prisons, reformatories, and buildings were personal
There are 10 Groups of Occupancies sub-divided into 25 liberties of inmates are similarly restrained.
Divisions. The accompanying matrix shows the
Groupings and Divisions and the corresponding uses. Division 2 Nurseries for full-time care of children under
The final column indicates the Zoning Classification.
kindergarten age, hospitals, sanitaria, nursing homes
a. Buildings proposed for construction shall be with non-ambulatory patients, and similar buildings
identified according to their use or the character of its each accommodating more than five persons.
occupancy and shall be classified as follows:
Division 3 Nursing homes for ambulatory patients,
i. Group A – Residential Dwellings
homes for children of kindergarten age or over, each
Division 1 Residential building/structure for exclusive accommodating more than five persons: Provided, that
use of single family occupants including school or Group D Occupancies shall not include buildings used
company staff housing; single (nuclear) family dwellings only for private or family group dwelling purposes.

 Single Family Dwelling v. Group E - Business and Mercantile

Division 2 Residential building for the exclusive use of Division 1 Gasoline filling and service stations, storage
non-leasing occupants not exceeding 10 persons garages and boat storage structures where no work is
including single-attached or duplex or townhouses, each done except exchange of parts and maintenance
privately-owned; requiring no open flame, welding, or the use of highly
flammable liquids.
 Single Attached House
Division 2 Wholesale and retail stores, office buildings,
ii. Group B – Residentials, Hotels and Apartments drinking and dining establishments having an occupant
shall be multiple dwelling units including boarding or load of less than one hundred persons, printing plants,
lodging houses, hotels, apartment buildings, row police and fire stations, factories and workshops using
houses, convents, monasteries and other similar not highly flammable or combustible materials
building each of which accommodates more than 10 Division 3 Aircraft hangars and open parking garages
persons where no repair work is done except exchange of parts
 Boarding House and maintenance requiring no open flame, welding or
the use of highly flammable liquids.
iii. Group C – Education and Recreation
vi. Group F - Industrial
shall be buildings used for school or day-care purposes,
involving assemblage for instruction, education, or shall include: ice plants, power plants, pumping plants,
recreation, and not classified in Group I or in Division 1 cold storage, and creameries, factories and workshops
and 2 or Group H Occupancies. using incombustible and non-explosive materials, and
storage and sales rooms for incombustible and non-
 Day Care Center explosive materials.

vii. Group G - Storage and Hazardous

Division 1 Storage and handling of hazardous and highly

flammable material.

Division 2 Storage and handling of flammable materials,

iv. Group D – Institutional
dry cleaning plants using flammable liquids; paint stores
with bulk handling, paint shops and spray painting  No change shall be made in the character of
rooms. occupancy or use of any building which would
place
Division 3 Wood working establishments, planning mills
and box factories, shops, factories where loose  the building in a different division of the same
combustible fibers or dust are manufactured, processed group of occupancy or in a different group of
or generated; warehouses where highly combustible occupancies,
materials is stored.
 unless such building is made to comply with the
Division 4 Repair garages. requirements of the Code for such division or
group of occupancy.
Division 5 Aircraft repair hangars.
 The character of occupancy of existing buildings
viii. Group H - Assembly Other Than Group I may be changed subject to the approval of the
Division 1 Any assembly building with a stage and an Building Official and the building may be occupied
occupant load of less than 1000 in the building. for purposes set forth in other Groups:

Division 2 Any assembly building without stage and  Provided the new or proposed use is less
having an occupant load of 300 or more in the building. hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the
existing use.
Division 3 Any assembly building without a stage and
having an occupant load of less than 300 in the building. SECTION 703: Mixed Occupancy

Division 4 Stadia, reviewing stands, amusement park General Requirements

When a building is of mixed occupancy or used
structures not included within Group I or in Division 1,
for more than one occupancy, the whole building shall
2, and 3 of this Group. be subject to the most restrictive
requirement pertaining to any of the type of occupancy
ix. Group I – Assembly Occupant Load 1000 or More
found therein except in the following:
shall be any assembly building with a stage and an
occupant load of 1000 or more in the building. a. When a one-storey building houses more than one
occupancy, each portion of the building shall conform
x. Group J - Accessory to the requirement of the particular occupancy housed
therein and;
Division 1 Agricultural structures.
b. Where minor accessory uses do not occupy more
Division 2 Private garages, carports, fences over 1.80 than 10% of the area of any floor or a building,
meters high, tanks, swimming pools and towers. nor more than 10% of the basic area permitted in the
occupancy requirements, in which case, the major use
Division 3 Stages, platforms, pelota, tennis, badminton of the building shall determine the occupancy
or basketball courts, tombs, mausoleums, niches, classification.
aviaries, aquariums, zoo structures, banks and record Forms of Occupancy Separation
vaults Other sub-groupings or divisions within Groups A Occupancy separations shall be vertical or horizontal or
to J may be determined by the Secretary. both,
 when necessary, of such other forms as may be
required to afford a complete separation between
the various occupancy divisions in the building.

SECTION 702: Change in Use

Types of Occupancy Separation a. No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins or
Occupancy separation shall be classified as “One-Hour has direct access to a public space, yard or street on at
Fire-Resistive”, “Two-Hour Fire-Resistive”, “Three Hour least one of its sides.
Fire-Resistive” and “Four-Hour Fire-Resistive.”
 A “One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation”
shall be of not less than one-hour
fireresistive construction. All openings in such
separation shall be protected by a fire-assembly
having a one-hour fire-resistive rating.
 A “Two-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation”
shall be of not less than two-hour
fireresistive construction. All openings in such
separation shall be protected by a fire assembly
having a two-hour fire-resistive rating.
 A “Three-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy b. For the purpose of this Section, the centerline of an
Separation” shall be of not less than three- adjoining street or alley shall be considered an adjacent
hour fireresistive construction. property line.

 All openings in walls forming such separation shall c. Eaves over required windows shall not be less than
be protected by a fire assembly having a three hour 750 millimeters from the side and rear property lines.
fire-resistive rating.
 The total width of all openings in any threehour
fire-resistive occupancy separation wall in any one-
storey shall not exceed 25% of the length of the
wall in that storey and no single opening shall have
an area greater than 10.00 sq. 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
4. Building Footprint and Firewall Requirements
three-hour fire-resistive rating.
 A “Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy
a. The following rules shall be observed in the
Separation” shall have no openings therein and
determination of the Allowable Maximum Building
shall be of not less than four-hour fire-resistive
Footprint (AMBF) for buildings and related habitable
construction.
structures.
Fire Rating for Occupancy Separation
If the stated rules are compared with (1) Rule VIII Table
 Occupancy Separations shall be provided between VIII.1.- Reference Table on Percentage of Site
groups, subgroupings, or divisions of occupancies. Occupancy and Maximum Allowable Construction Area
 The Secretary shall promulgate rules and (MACA); (2) Rule VIII Tables VIII.2. and VIII.3. (setbacks,
regulations for appropriate occupancy separations yards and courts); or (3) with the applicable stipulations
in buildings of mixed occupancy; under this Rule and with the applicable stipulations of
 where any occupancy separation is required, the the Fire Code, the more stringent but applicable
minimum shall be a “One-Hour Fire-Resistive regulation out of the aforementioned rules should be
Occupancy Separation”; observed;

SECTION 704: Location on Property b. If without a firewall, the footprint of a proposed

building/structure shall be measured horizontally
General
from the property line to the outermost faces of the ▪ Option A: Two sides
exterior walls of the building/structure;
▪ Maximum 75% of each side
Provided, that the distance measured from the property
line shall conform with the applicable ▪ Total should not exceed 50% of lot perimeter
stipulations of this Rule and Rule VIII; The resultant area
established at grade level upon which ▪ Maximum height: 8 storeys
the proposed building/structure may stand shall be the ▪ Option B: One side + Rear
AMBF;
▪ Maximum 65% of side and 50% of rear
c. Footprint Based on Firewall Provisions
▪ Total should not exceed 60% of lot perimeter
If with a firewall on one (1) side, the footprint of a
proposed building/structure shall be ▪ Maximum height: 8 storeys for side, 14m for rear
measured horizontally from the property line with a FIREWALLS FOR: Commercial, institutional, and
firewall to the outermost faces of the industrial:
opposite exterior walls of the building/structure;
Provided, that the applicable stipulations of ▪ Firewalls allowed on the ff. conditions:
the Fire Code are strictly followed; ▪ Provide sprinkler system
FIREWALLS ▪ Install fire-retardant or fire-suppression devices
 A fireproof barrier used to prevent the spread of ▪ Maximum 70% of lot perimeter
fire between or through buildings
 Why are firewalls important? Because when they ▪ RROW setbacks are complied with
are built, the building or part of the building SECTION 705: Allowable Floor Areas
extends into the setbacks.
TOTAL GROSS FLOOR AREA (TGFA)
ALLOWABLE FIREWALLS
▪ Total gross floor area
R1 - no firewalls allowed, However, an abutment up to ▪ The total floor space inside the building
3.20m high is OK for carports provided that above ▪ Keyword: inside/enclosed
1.50m, the abutment shall be constructed of perforated ▪ Includes services/parking (unlike GFA)
concrete blocks.
ALLOWABLE MAX. TGFA
R2 - Maximum 80% of the length of side property line. ▪ Table VII.1 ; Allowable Maximum Total Gross Floor
R3 - Two configurations are allowed: Area (TGFA) Based on the allowed Percentage of Site
Occupancy (PSO) of the Total Lot Area (TLA)
▪ Option A: Two sides
▪ Maximum 85% of each side
▪ Total should not exceed 65% of lot perimeter
▪ Two storeys high only
▪ Option B: One side + Rear
▪ 90% of side or rear (up to 100% for rear if only 4m)
▪ Total should not exceed 50% of lot perimeter
▪ Two storeys high for side, 3.20m high for rear
R4 - Two sides
▪ Maximum 85% of each side
▪ Total should not exceed 50% of lot perimeter
▪ Maximum height: three storeys
R5 - Two sides
▪ Format: Number of floors x footprint
▪ Depends on the ff.:
- Lot type
- Zoning
- Use of firewalls
SECTION 706: Maximum Height of Buildings
BUILDING HEIGHT LIMIT (BHL)

The maximum height and number of storeys of a

proposed building shall be dependent upon:

 the character of use or occupancy

 the type of construction
 end-user population density
 light and ventiolation
 width of RROW
 land use plan and zoning
 geological
 hydrological
 meteoritical
 topographical

How is Building Height Measured?

From established grade line to the topmost portion of
the building
BHL based on RROW- Based Limitations
Excludes allowed projections above the roof, like-
The RROW width also dictates the BHL:
SIgnages - Masts - Antenna/ Telecom Tower
▪ 6-7m RROW: 3.0 storeys or 9.0m
Establishing the Grade line
▪ 4-5m RROW: 2.5 storeys or 7.5m
Grade line = highest adjoining sidewalk or natural grade
line ▪ 0-3m RROW: 2.0 storeys or 6.0m
But if grade is sloping: ▪ Only exceptions: PUD
- if less than 3 meters diff., take highest grade PARKING REQUIREMENTS
- If more than 3 meters diff., take the average
Establishing the Top of the Building
▪ If roof is flat, top = rooftop
▪ If roof is sloping, top = middle of roof height
Height Limit Projections
Towers, spires and steeples
▪ If made of combustible materials, 6.0m above BHL
▪ If made of incombustible materials, limited only by
structural design
▪ Given in Table VII.4 on p.100
▪ Based on occupancy and lot/floor areas
  OFF-SITE PARKING LOTS
▪ If a multi-floor parking garage is located within a
200-meter radius of the building, 20% of the
required parking provisions may be served the
multi-floor parking garage.
 OFF-SITE PARKING LOTS
Reserved or leased parking slots may also serve the
parking requirements if:
▪ The slots are in a permanent parking building
and not in a vacant parking lot.
▪ The said parking building is:
▪ Not more than 100m away, if residential
▪ Not more than 200m away, if commercial
 MANEUVERING SPACE
▪ Using the RROW as a maneuvering space is not
allowed
▪ To prevent this, direct access of
parking/loading/utility slots to the RROW shall be
disallowed
 TRAFFIC-GENERATING BUILDINGS
Sample Parking Requirements ▪ Example: shopping malls
▪ The distance between such buildings and major
 Hotels road intersections is regulated
▪ If highly urbanized, 1 slot for every 3 rooms ▪ The building ingress and the intersection shall
be at least 50m apart (measured between the two
▪ If not, 1 slot for every 7 rooms nearest curbs)
▪ 2 tourist bus parking slots
▪ 1 loading slot for articulated truck
 Public universities
▪ 1 car slot for every 5 classrooms
▪ 1 loading space for 2 jeepney or shuttle slots
▪ 1 school bus for every 200 students
 Churches
▪ For every 50sqm. of congregation area, provide:
▪ 1 car slot
▪ 1 jeepney slot
 Public hospital
 FRONT YARDS AS PARKING
▪ 1 car slot for every 25 beds
▪ Not allowed for the following:
▪ 1 loading space for 2 jeepney/shuttle slots
▪ R2 Maximum
▪ 1 slot for articulated truck
▪ R3 Maximum
▪ 1 slot for standard truck for every 5,000sqm gross
floor area ▪ GI

▪ Add truck maneuvering space outside RROW ▪ C1, C2 and C3

▪ 50% of front yard may be used as parking for R2
Basic and R3 Basic
SECTION 708: Minimum Requirements for Group A
Dwellings
 LIGHT AND VENTILATION
Every dwelling shall be provided with adequate light
and ventilation. (see Rule VIII)
 SANITATION
▪ At least one sanitary toilet and adequate washing and
draining facilities
 FOUNDATION
▪Footings should be at least 250mm thick
▪ At least 600mm below the surface of the ground
 ENTRANCE + EXIT
▪ At least one entrance, and another one for exit
SECTION 709: Requirements for Other Group
Occupancies
Subject to the provisions of the 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 and ventilation, sanitation;
enclosures of vertical openings; fire extinguishing
systems; and special hazards.
 STRUCTURAL LOADS
DEVELOPMENTAL CONTROLS
▪ First floor live load: 200kg/sqm
TERMS DEFINED
▪ Second floor live load: 150kg/sqm
▪ TLA = Total lot area
▪ Wind load for roofs: 120kg/sqm (vertical)
▪ PSO = Percentage of site occupancy
 STAIRS
- The part of the lot occupied by the building
▪ Minimum width: 750mm
(A.K.A. building footprint expressed in %)
▪ Maximum riser: 200mm
▪ TOSL = Total open space within lot
▪ Minimum tread: 200mm
- The part of the lot NOT occupied by the building
Note: These riser/tread dimensions do not match
*TLA = PSO + TOSL
the general dimensions prescribed in Rule 12
▪ USA = Unpaved surface area
- The portion of the open space that is unpaved
▪ ISA = Impervious surface area
- The portion of the open space that is paved
▪ Since “open space” = TOSL,
*TOSL = USA + ISA
▪ MACA = MACA stands for Maximum Allowable
Construction Area
 - PSO + ISA ▪ Building bulk = Footprint x Height
▪ However, the Code prescribes several different
- Hence, TLA = MACA + USA
methods for determining this quantity

METHOD 1: AMBF PROJECTION

▪ Determine the AMBF
▪ Determine the BHL (in meters)
▪ AMBF x BHL = Building bulk

AMBF = Allowable max. building footprint METHOD 2: FLAR

- Footprint expressed in square meters ▪ FLAR : Floor to lot area ratio
▪ Total floor area / lot area
▪ GFA = Gross floor area ▪ For example, a FLAR designation of 1.50 means that a
- Total enclosed floor area (including balconies) lot measuring 100sqm may accommodate a building
- Excludes the following enclosed areas: whose total floor area is 150sqm.
Parking, services, utilities ▪ In a way, FLAR tells us how many lots can fit inside the
Vertical penetrations in parking floors if not used building.
for residential or commercial purposes
Balconies exceeding 10sqm, uncovered areas,
fire escape structures, etc. METHOD 2: FLAR
▪ TGFA = Total gross floor area ▪ Building bulk = Footprint x Height
- Includes all enclosed floor areas, no exceptions ▪ To get footprint:
▪ FLAR x TLA = Total floor area
▪ AMVB = Allowable max. volume of building ▪ Total floor area/Number of storeys = Footprint
▪ Hence, building bulk is equal to:
▪ OFB = Outer faces of the building
▪ [(FLAR x TLA)/number of storeys] x BHL
▪ FLAR = Floor and lot area ratio
BUILDING BULK
METHOD 3: AMVB
▪ A volume quantity 1. AMBF x BHL = initial AMVB (“prism”)
▪ In the simplest sense, 2. Superimpose the angular plane originating from
the RROW onto the “prism”
▪ Angular plane: a plane originating from the RROW
that establishes the outer limit for walls and building
projections.
3. Use the angular plane to reduce the volume of
the prism. This is the AMVB.
OTHER FORMULAS ▪ Corner lot
▪ PSO = AMBF / TLA ▪ Through lot
▪ GFA = TLA x FLAR ▪ Corner through lot
▪ TGFA = GFA + Non-GFA ▪ Corner through lot abutting 3 or more streets
▪ End lot
RULE - VIII : LIGHT AND VENTILATION
 PUSRPOSE
Every building shall be designed, constructed, and
Equipped to provide adequate light and ventilation.
 VARIABLES
 Setbacks
 Site occupancy
 Room sizes
 Ceiling heights
 Window sizes
 Courts
 MEASUREMENT OF SITE OCCUPANCY
Taken at ground level and exclusive of courts, yards, and
light wells.

YARD VERSUS SETBACK

▪ Yard: the required open space left between the
outermost face of the building and the property lines
▪ Setback: the width of the yard

COURTS
▪ Minimum dimension: 2.00m
▪ Hence, minimum area: 4.00sqm
 LOT TYPES ▪ All inner courts shall be connected to a street or yard
by a passageway at least 1.20m wide
The Code defines seven lot types
▪ Inside lot
▪ Interior lot
 ▪ Separation wall: 2.00m high maximum

JOINING OF COURTS
▪ Minimum dimension may be reduced to 1.50m in f
cluster living units with adjacent courts
▪ Minimum area per court: 3.00sqm
R.A. 9514 FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
RULE I: INTERPRETATION
It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety,
promote economic development through the
prevention and suppression of all kinds of
destructive fires, and promote the
professionalization of the Fire Service as a
profession. Towards this end, the State shall enforce
all laws, rules and regulations to ensure adherence
to standard fire prevention and safety measures, and
promote accountability in the fire protection and
prevention service.”
 PUBLIC SAFETY
 DAMAGES CAUSED BY
DESTRUCTIVE FIRES
 DAMAGES CAUSED BY
DESTRUCTIVE FIRES
RULE II: COVERAGE
A. All persons, either natural or juridical;
B. All buildings, facilities or structures and their
premises, erected or constructed before and after the
effectivity hereof;
C. Design and installation of mechanical,
electronics and electrical systems relative to
fire protection;
D. Manufacturing, storage, handling and/or use,  Fire Lane. The portion of a roadway or
and transportation of explosives and/ or public way that should be kept open and
combustible/flammable liquids and gases, toxic and unobstructed at all times for the
other hazardous materials and operations, and their expedient conduct of firefighting
wastes; operations.
E. Fire safety planning, design, construction,  Fire Trap. A building unsafe in case of
repair, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition; fire because it will burn easily or
F. Fire protective and warning equipment or because it lacks adequate exits or fire
systems; escapes.
G. All land transportation vehicles and  Hose Box. A box or cabinet where fire
equipment, ships or vessels docked at piers or hoses, valves and other equipment are
wharves or anchored in seaports; and stored and arranged for firefighting.
H. Petroleum industry installations.
RULE 8: FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERS

RULE III: DEFINITION OF TERMS SECTION [Link] FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS

Automatic Fire Suppression System (AFSS). An A. Uniformed Personnel
integrated system of underground or overhead 1. Shall be licensed Engineer (Civil, Electrical,
piping connected to a source of extinguishing agent Mechanical, Chemical, Sanitary and Electronics)
with at least one (1) year in the BFP service; or
 Building Administrator. Any person 2. Shall be architect with at least one (1) year in the
who is authorized to act as an agent or BFP service; or
representative of the owner of the 3. Shall be graduate of any baccalaureate degree
building course with at least three (3) years in the BFP
 City/Municipal Fire Marshal service.
(C/MFM). The duly designated head of
the City or Municipal Fire Station
including those designated as “Officer- B. Non-Uniformed Personnel
in-Charge” or in “Acting” capacity. Appointed as Engineers with at least one (1) year in
 Damper. A device used in heating, the BFP service.
ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) C. Must have undergone and completed prescribed
ducts to prevent the spread of fire or training on fire safety enforcement and other
smoke inside the ductwork relevant fire safety training.
 Exit. That portion of means of egress SECTION [Link] PLAN EVALUATORS
that is separated from all other spaces of
a building or structure by construction, A. Must be licensed Architect or Engineer; and
 Exit Access. That portion of means of B. Shall have undergone and completed prescribed
egress that leads to an exit. training
 Exit Discharge. That portion of a means C. In cases where there is no licensed engineer or
of egress between the termination of an architect in a specific jurisdiction, a graduate of any
exit and a public way. baccalaureate degree with relevant fire safety and
 Fire Alarm. Any visual or audible building plan evaluation training shall be designated
signal produced by a device or system to as plan evaluator.
warn the occupants of the building or
firefighting elements of the presence or FUNCTIONS OF FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERS
danger of fire. DIVISION 1. RESPONSIBILITIES OF
 Fire Alerting System. A fire alarm DESIGNATED FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERS
system activated by the presence of fire,
where the signal is transmitted to SECTION [Link] FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS
designated locations instead of sounding The following shall be the main duties and
a general alarm. responsibilities of Fire Safety Inspectors:
A. Inspect any building, structure or facility C. The C/MFM having jurisdiction shall review,
evaluate and assess plans,
B. Assess compliance with the fire safety
requirements, RULE 10: FIRE SAFETY MEASURES
C. Testify in any judicial and quasi-judicial bodies
D. Conduct fire safety lectures, seminars/workshop CHAPTER 1. COVERAGE
and drills; and
E. Prepare necessary documents and maintain files This Rule covers the fire safety measures for
and/or records. buildings, structures and facilities, hazardous
SECTION [Link] PLAN EVALUATORS materials and wastes, hazardous operations and
The following shall be the main duties and processes, and miscellaneous hazardous premises
responsibilities of Plan Evaluators: and/or conditions that by its very nature or relation
to life, property and environment pose threat or
A. Review and evaluate building plans and danger.
specifications including fire protection system
B. Conduct site verification and inspection DIVISION 2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Every building or structure, new or old, designed

SECTION [Link] CHIEF, FIRE SAFETY
for human occupancy shall be provided with exits
ENFORCEMENT SECTION/UNIT (FSES/U)
The design of exits and other fire safety
The following shall be the main duties and
construction shall be such that reliance for safety of
responsibilities of the Chief, FSES/U:
life in case of fire or other emergencies will not
A. Review and evaluate reports submitted by the depend solely on any single fire safety
Fire Safety Enforcers and recommend approval to construction.
the concerned C/MFM having jurisdiction;
B. Every building or structure shall be designed,
B. Assist the C/MFM having jurisdiction in
constructed, equipped, maintained and operated to
implementing fire safety measures and education
avoid danger to lives and ensure safety of its
programs;
occupants from fire, smoke, vapor and fumes,
C. Supervise/monitor the activities of the fire
during the period of escape from the building or
safety inspectors to ensure that inspection is
structure.
conducted in accordance with the standards and
existing rules and regulations; C. Every building or structure shall be provided
D. Recommend to the C/MFM the filing of with exits of kind, number, location and capacity
appropriate charges against the violator of RA appropriate to the individual building or structure
9514 and its RIRR;
E. Testify in any judicial and quasi-judicial bodies D. Every exit of buildings or structures shall be
on matters relating to RA 9514 and its RIRR and/or arranged and maintained to provide free and
in account of his/her duties and functions as Chief, unobstructed egress from all parts thereof at all
FSES/U when needed; and times. No lock or fastening device that would
F. Perform such other functions mentioned under prevent escape from the inside of any building
RA 9514 and its RIRR. E. Every exit shall be clearly visible. The route to
the exit shall be conspicuously marked in such to a
ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION place of safety outside is unmistakable.
OF FIRE SAFETY MEASURES
F. All means of egress shall be provided with
A. Inspection of all buildings, structures, facilities adequate and reliable illumination.
and premises,
G. Fire alarm systems or devices shall be provided
B. Fire safety inspection shall be conducted as a in every building or structure of such size,
prerequisite to grants of permits and/or licenses arrangement, or occupancy, to provide adequate
warning to occupants.
DIVISION 2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS SECTION [Link] APPLICATION
A. Means of egress for both new and existing
DIVISION 3. CLASSIFICATION OF buildings shall comply with this
OCCUPANCY Division except as may be modified for individual
A. A building or structure, or portion of buildings or occupancies by
structure, shall be classified as follows: Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter.
1. Assembly B. Any change, alteration or addition that would
Assembly occupancies include all buildings reduce the means of
or portions of buildings used for gathering egress below the requirements for new buildings is
together of fifty (50) or more persons for prohibited.
such purposes as deliberation, worship, Means of Egress
entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, a CONTINUOS and UNOBSTRUCTED route
awaiting transportation, or similar use of EXIT from one point in a building, structure or
2. Educational facility to a PUBLIC WAY.
Educational occupancies include all
buildings or portions thereof used for the PERMISSIBLE EXIT COMPONENTS - An Exit
gathering of group of six (6) or more shall consist of the approved components that are
persons for purposes of instruction. described, regulated ad limited as to use.
Examples:  DOORS
1. Schools;  STAIRS, SMOKEPROOF
2. Universities; ENCLOSURES
3. Colleges;  OUTSIDE STAIRS
4. Academies;  HORIZONTAL EXITS
5. Nursery schools;  RAMPS
6. Kindergartens; and  EXIT PASSAGEWAY
7. Child Day Care facilities  FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS, FIRE
3. Health Care ESCAPE LADDERS AND SLIDES
Health care facilities are those used for ESCAPES
purposes of medical or other treatment or
care of persons where such occupants are MEANS OF EGRESS consists of THREE (3)
mostly incapable of self preservation separate distinct parts:
because of age, physical or mental disability,
or because of security measures not under
the occupants’ control.
Examples:
1. hospitals;
2. nursing homes;
3. birth centers; and
4. residential custodial care centers such as
nurseries, homes for the aged and the like.
4. Detention and Correctional
Detention and correctional buildings are
those used to house one or more persons
under varied degrees of restraint or security
where such occupants are mostly incapable
of self-preservation because of security
measures not under the occupants’ control.
PROTECTIVE
ENCLOSURE OF
EXITS - The construction of the separation shall No exit enclosure shall be used for any purpose
meet the following requirements: other than for MEANS OF EGRESS

Construction and Compartmentation

Appropriate provision of P.D. 1096 and its I.R.R

(NBC) shall be used to determine the requirements
for the construction classifications The width of any means
of egress shall not be
less than NINE
HUNDRED FIFTEEN
MILLIMETERS
(915mm

Where the
building or facility includes additions or connected
structures of different construction types, the rating
and classification of the structure shall be as follow
NUMBER OF MEANS OF EGRESS
1. Two-hour (2hr) fore resistance rating or greater,
if vertically-aligned fire barrier wall exists between When the occupant load for any storey or portion
the portions of the building 2. The least fire- thereof is MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED (500)
resistive type of construction of the connected but not more than ONE THOUSAND (1000), The
portions, if no such separation is provided means of egress shall not be less than THREE(3); in
excess thereof, the means of egress shall not be less
than FOUR(4)

Any Opening in the

separation
wall/construction shall
be protected by an
APPROVED SELF-
CLOSING FIRE
RESISITIVE DOOR.

Arrangement of Exits
When TWO(2) exits or exit access doors are The travel distance to an exit shall be measured on
required, they shall be located at a distance from the floor or other walking surface along the center
one another NOT LESS THAN ONE_HALF (1/2) line of the natural path of travel, Starting from the
of the length of the maximum over-all diagonal most remote point subject to occupancy, curving
dimension of the building or area to be served, around any corner or construction with a 30 cm
measured in a straight line between the nearest edge clearance therefrom and ending at the center of the
of the exit doors or exit access doors. doorway or other point at which the exit begins.
where measurement includes stairs, it shall be taken
In buildings protected throughout by an approved in the place of the tread nosing
supervised automatic sprinkler system, the
minimum separation distance between TWO exits Access to Exits
or exits access doors measured in accordance with
paragraph b hereof shall NOT BE LESS THAN
ONE THIRD (1/3) the length of the maximum
overall diagonal dimension of the building or are A door from a room to an
ato be served. exit or to a way of exit
access shall be of the
Dead End side-hinged, swinging
Limits type. It shall swing with
exit travel
Means of
egress shall be
so arranged
that there
are NO
DEAD-END POCKETS, hallways, corridors,
passage ways or courts whose depth exceeds the
limits specified in individual occupancies by Discharge from Exit
division 8 through 17
All exits shall terminate
Interlocking or directly at a public way
scissor stairs shall or at an exit discharge.
be considered only Yards, courts, open
as a SINGLE space, or other portions
EXIT for new of the exit discharge
buildings shall be of required
width and size to
provide all occupants
with a safe access to a
public way

Stairs and other exits

shall be so arranged as to make clear the direction
of egress to the egress. Exit stairs that continue
beyond the floor of discharge shall be interrupted at
the floor of discharge by partitions, doors, or other

Headroom
`

Measurement of Travel Distance to Exit

The minimum headroom shall not be less than two A latch or other fastening device on a door shall be
meters (2m) nor any projection from the ceiling be provided with a knob, handle, panic bar, or other
less than two (2m) from the floor. simple type releasing device. The method of
operation of which is obvious, even in darkness

Swing and
Doors Force to
Open
Any DOOR in a means of egress shall be of the side
hinged or pivoted-swinging During its
type. swing, any
door in a
Doors required to be of the means of
side hinged or pivoted egress shall
swinging type shall swing in leave not
the direction of egress travel less than
where serving a room or area 1/2 of the
with an occupant load of 50 or required width of an aisle, corridor, passageway, or
more persons. landing unobstructed and shall not project more
than 178mm into the required width of an aisle,
corridor, passageway, or landing, when fully open.

Swing and Force to

open
Door Width
Doors shall not open
directly onto a stair Width and Floor
without a landing. The Level
landing shall have a
width not less than the Door Openings in
width of the door means of egress
shall not be less 71
cm in clear width.
When a pair of doors
is provided, not less
than one of the doors shall provide at least 71cm
clear width opening.

No single door in a doorway shall exceed 122cm in

width.

Locks, Latches, Alarm Devices

Smoke proof Enclosures B.P. 344: ACCESSIBILITY LAW

A smokeproof enclosure shall be enclosed from the An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled
highest point to the lowest point by barriers having Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings,
2-hour fire resistance ratings, where a vestibule is Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to
used, it shall be within the 2-hour rated enclosure Install Facilities and Other Devices
and shall be considered part of the smokeproof
enclosure SCOPE

Public and Private buildings and related structures

for Public Use

Streets and highways and public utilities

Public Transport terminals

Discharge
APPLICATION
Every smokeproof
enclosure shall Public and Private buildings and related structures
discharge into a public for Public Use
way, into a yard or
court having direct No Permit for the construction, repair or
access to a public way, renovation of public and private buildings and
or into an exit related structures for public use, whether owned or
passageway. Such exit leased, shall be granted or issued, unless the owner
passageways shall be thereof shall have provided in the places and
without openings, specifications submitted for approval barrier- free
other than the entrance facilities and accessibility features as provided in
to the smokeproof enclosure and the door to the these rules and in accordance with the following
outside yard, court or public way. The exit criteria
passageway shall be separated from the remainder
of the building by a 2-hour fire resistance rating. CATEGORIES OF DISABLED PERSONS
Outside Stairs
This Dictates the varied measures to be adopted in
Any permanently order to create as accessible environment for the
installed stair handicapped. Disabled persons under these rules
outside of the may be classified into those who have:
building being
served Confinement to wheelchairs
is acceptable as a
means of Requiring the use of braces, crutches, artificial
egress under the supports
same condition
impaired hearing or sight

Condition of ageing

Acquired congenital mental

impairments
 The provision of adequate space for wheelchair USABILITY - Built environments shall be
maneuvering generally insure adequate space for designed so that all persons, whether they be
disabled persons equipped with other technical aids disabled or not, may use and enjoy it.
or accompanied by assistants
ORIENTATION -Finding a person's way outside
The following anthropometric data shall serve as and inside a building or open space shall be made
guides for design easy for everyone.

The length of wheelchairs varies from 1.10m - 1.30 SAFETY - Designing for safety ensures that people
m shall be able to move about with less hazards to life
and health
width of A circle of
1.50m in Diameter is a WORKABILITY AND EFFICIENCY - The built
suitable guide in the environment shall be designed to allow the disabled
planning of wheelchair citizens to participate and continue development
turning spaces goals

The comfortable reach ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES AND

of persons confined to FACILITIES
wheelchairs is from 0.70
- 1.20m above the floor Architectural Facilities and Features
and not less than .40m
from room corners  Stairs
 Walkways
The comfortable  Corridors
clearance for knee and leg space under tables for  Doors and Entrances
wheelchair users is .70m.  Washrooms and Toilets
 Lifts/Elevators
Counter height shall be placed at a level  Ramps
comfortable to disabled persons reach wheelchairs  Parking Areas
is from .60m - .75 m  Switches, Controls and Buzzers
 Handrails
BASIC PHYSICAL PLANNING  Thresholds
REQUIREMENTS  Floor Finishes
 Drinking Fountains
No group of people shall be deprived of full  Public Telephones
participation and enjoyment of the environment or  Seating Accommodations
be made unequal with the rest due to any disability.
In order to achieve this goal adopted by the United SPECIAL TYPE FACILITIES STANDARDS
Nations, certain basic principles shall be applied:
1. AUDITORIUMS, ASSEMBLY
ACCESSIBILITY - The built environment shall be HALLS. THEATERS AND RELATED
designed so that it shall be accessible to all people, FACILITIES:
This means that no criteria shall impede the use of
facilities by either that handicapped or non-disabled a. Seating for the disabled shall be accessible from
citizens the main lobby to primary entrances, together with
related toilet facilities.
REACHABILITY - Provisions shall be adapted
and introduced to the physicvall environment so that b. In all assembly places where seating
as many places or buildings as possible can be accommodation is provided, there shall be spaces
reached by all. for the disabled persons as provided.
 Wheelchair Seating 1.6 The lowest point of a dropped curb should not
Seating Capacity exceed 25 mm from the road or gutter
Space
4 - 50 2 2. CURB CUT-OUTS
2.1 Curb cut-outs should only be allowed when it
51 - 300 4 will not obstruct a walkway or in any way lessen the
301 - 500 6 width of a walkway.
2.2 The minimum width of a curb cut-out should be
c. When the seating capacity exceeds 500, an
0.90 M.
additional wheelchair seating space shall be
provided for each total seating capacity increase of 2.3 Curb cut-outs should have a gradient not more
100 seats than 1:12.
d. Readily removable seats maybe installed in these
spaces when such spaces are not required to 3. WALKWAYS AND PASSAGEWAYS
accommodate wheelchair users. 3.1 Walkways should be kept as level as possible
and provided with slip-resistant material.
INDIVIDUALS LIABLE FOR ANY
VIOLATION OF THE ACT 3.2 Whenever and wherever possible, walkways
should have a gradient no more than 1:20 or 5%.
1. FOR
BUILDINGS/ESTABLIHSMENTS/STRUCTURE 3.3 Walkways should have a maximum cross
gradient of 1:100.
 Owner or operator of the building
 Establishment or structure Contractor 3.4 Walkways should have a minimum width of
 Architect 1.20 meters.
 Engineer 3.5 If possible, gratings should never be located
 Building Official along walkways. When occurring along walkways,
 Other public official in charge with grating openings should have a maximum
issuance of permit dimension of 13 mm x 13 mm and shall not project
more than 6.5 mm above the level of the walkway.
ILLUSTRATIONS FOR MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS 3.6 Walkways should have a continuing surface
without abrupt pitches in angle or interruptions by
A. OUTSIDE AND AROUND BUILDINGS cracks or breaks creating edges above 6.50 mm.

1. DROPPED CURBS 3.7 In lengthy or busy walkways, spaces should be

1.1 Changes in level walkways should be by a provided at some point along the route so that a
dropped curb. wheelchair may pass another or turn around. These
spaces should have a minimum dimension of 1.50 m
1.2 Dropped curbs should be provided at pedestrian and should be spaced at a maximum distance of
crossings and at the end of walkways of a private 12:00 m between stops.
street or access road.
3.8 To guide the blind, walkways should as much as
1.3 Dropped curbs at crossings have a width possible follow straightforward routes with right
corresponding to the width of the crossing; angle turns.
otherwise, the minimum width is 0.90 m.
3.9 Where planting is provided adjacent to the
1.4 Dropped curbs shall be ramped towards walkway, regular maintenance is essential to ensure
adjoining curbs with a gradient not more than 1:12. branches of trees or shrubs do not overhang
walkways or paths, as not only do these present a
1.5 Dropped curbs shall be sloped towards the road
particular danger to the blind, but they also reduce
with a maximum cross gradient of 1:20 to prevent
the effective footways width available to
water from collecting at the walkway.
pedestrians generally.
3.10 Walkway headroom should not be less than 2.0 colors and contrasting gray matter to make detection
m and preferably higher. and reading easy;
3.11 Passageways for the disabled should not be 7. CROSSINGS
obstructed by street furniture, bollards, sign posts or 7.1 In order to reduce the exposure time to vehicular
columns along the defined route, as they can be traffic, all at grade crossing should
hazardous.
7.1.1 Be as near perpendicular to the carriageway as
4. HANDRAILS possible.
4.1 Handrails should be installed at both sides of
ramps and stairs and at the outer edges of dropped 7.1.2 Be located at the narrowest, most convenient
curbs. Handrails at dropped curbs should not be part of the carriageway.
installed beyond the width of any crossing so as not 7.1.3 Have central refuges of at least 1.5 m in depth
to obstruct pedestrian flow. and preferably 2 m, provided as a midcrossing
4.2 Handrails shall be installed at 0.90 m and 0.70 shelter, where the width of carriageway to be
m above steps or ramps. Handrails for protection at crossed exceeds 10 m.
great heights may be installed at 1.0 m to 1.06 m. 7.2 All crossings should be located close if not
4.3 A 0.30 m long extension of the handrail should contiguous with the normal pedestrian desire line.
be provided at the start and end of ramps and stairs. 7.3 Provide tactile blocks in the immediate vicinity
4.4 Handrails that require full grip should have a of crossings as an aid to the blind. The tactile
dimension of 30 mm to 50 mm. surface has to be sufficiently high enough to be felt
through the sole of the shoe but low enough not to
4.5 Handrails cause pedestrian to trip, or to effect the mobility of
attached to walls wheelchair users. See details of recommended
should have a pairing slabs below.
clearance no less
than 50 mm from DIFFERENT TYPES OF TACTILE PAVINGS
the wall. Handrails
on ledges should  Tiles with Parallel Blister Lines
have a clearance
not less than 40 mm. Tiles with embossed flat-topped blisters in a square
pattern are used to indicate that there is a road
5. OPEN SPACES crossing.
5.1 Where open spaces
are provided, the blind  Titles with Offset Blisters
can become particularly
disoriented. Therefore, it These tiles indicate that there is a train platform
is extremely helpful if ahead. If one is not careful, she might fall into the
any walkway or paths ditch. Such tiles can be used to indicate a sudden
can be given defined level change
edges either by the use
of planters with dwarf
walls, or a grass verge, or similar, which provides a
 Titles with Across Stripes
texture different from the path. Placement of these tiles show that there are stairs or
6. SIGNAGES some other hurdle ahead. Be careful. These tiles are
6.1 Directional and informational sign should be also called corduroy hazard warning tiles.
located at points conveniently seen even by a person
on a wheelchair and those with visual impairments;  Tiles with Along Stripes
6.2 Signs should be kept simple and easy to These tiles indicate that it is safe to keep going
understand; signages should be made of contrasting ahead. The path has no hurdles and it’s safe.
  A combination of both across and along 1.8 Parking spaces for the disabled should never be
located at ramped or sloping areas
stripes is often use when there are two types of path
laid together. One of these paths would be for
pedestrians whereas the other side would be, for
example, bikes. In such cases, tiles are C. INSIDE BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
laid along the bike path and across the pedestrian 1. ENTRANCES
path. 1.1 Entrances should be accessible from arrival and
departure points to the interior lobby
 Lozenge-shaped Tactile Tiles
1.2 One (1) entrance level should be provided where
These tiles warn the blind people that they are elevators are accessible;
approaching the edge of an on-street transit line 1.3 In case entrances are not on the same level of
(e.g. a tram line). the site arrival grade, ramps should be provided as
B. PARKING access to the entrance level;

1. PARKING AREAS 1.4 Entrances with vestibules shall be provided a

1.1 Parking spaces for the disabled should allow level area with at least a 1.80 m. depth and a 1.50
enough space for a person to transfer to a m. width;
wheelchair from a vehicle; 2. RAMPS
1.2 Accessible parking spaces should be located as 2.2 Changes in level require a ramp except when
close as possible to building entrances or to served by a dropped curb, an elevator or other
accessible entrances; mechanical device;

1.3 Whenever and wherever possible, accessible 2.2 Ramps shall have a minimum clear width of
parking spaces should be perpendicular or to an 1.20 m;
angle to the road or circulation aisles; 2.3 The maximum gradient shall be 1:12;
1.4 Accessible parking slots should have a 2.4 The length of a ramp should not exceed 6:00 m.
minimum width of 3.70 m.; if the gradient is 1:12; longer ramps whose gradient
1.5 A walkway from accessible spaces of 1.20 m. is 1:12 shall be provided with landings not less than
clear width shall be provided between the front ends 1.50 m.;
of parked cars; 2.5 A level area not less than 1.80 m. should be
1.6 Provide dropped curbs or curb cut-outs to the provided at the top and bottom of any ramp
parking level where access walkways are raised; 2.6 Handrails will be provided on both sides of the
1.7 Pavement markings, signs or other means shall ramp at 0.70 m. and 0.90 m. from the ramp level;
be provided to delineate parking spaces for the 2.7 Ramps shall be equipped with curbs on both
handicapped; sides with a minimum height of 0.10 m.;
2.8 Any ramp with a rise greater than 0.20 m. and
leads down towards an area where vehicular traffic
is possible, should have a railing across the full
width of its lower end, not less than 1.80 meters
from the foot of the ramp;
 3. DOORS shall not obstruct the minimum clearance
3.1 All doors shall requirement;
have a minimum clear
width of 0.80 m; 7.2 Recesses or turnabout spaces should be
provided for wheelchairs to turn around or to enable
3.2 Clear openings another wheelchair to pass; these spaces shall have
shall be measured a minimum area of 1.50 m x 1.50 m. and shall be
between the surface of spaced at a maximum of 12.00 m.;
the fully open door at
the hinge and the door jamb at the stop; 7.3 Turnabout spaces should also be provided at or
within 3.50 m. of every dead end;
3.3 Doors should be operable by a pressure or force
not more than 4.0 kg; the closing device pressure an
interior door shall not exceed 1 kg.;
3.4 A minimum clear level space of 1.50 m x 1.50
m shall be provided before and extending beyond a
door;
EXCEPTION: where a door shall open onto but not
into a corridor, the required clear, level space on the
corridor side of the door may be a minimum of 1.20
m. corridor width;
3.5 Protection should be provided from doors that
swing into corridors;
3.6 Outswinging doors should be provided at
storage rooms, closets and accessible restroom
stalls;
8. WASHROOMS & TOILETS
3.7 Latching or non-latching hardware should not 8.1. Accessible public
require wrist action or fine finger manipulation; washrooms and toilets
shall permit easy
3.8 Doorknobs and other hardware should be passage of a wheelchair
located between 0.82 m. and 1.06 m. above then and allow the occupant
floor; 0.90 is preferred; to enter a stall, close the
3.9 Vertical pull handles, centered at 1.06 m. above door and transfer to the
the floor, are preferred to horizontal pull bars for water closet from either
swing doors or doors with locking devices; a frontal or lateral
position;
3.10 Doors along major circulation routes should be
provided with kick plates made of durable materials 8.2 Accessible water
at a height of 0.30 m. to 0.40 m; closet stalls shall have a
minimum area of 1.70 x
4. THRESHOLDS 1.80 mts. One movable
4.1 Thresholds shall be kept to a minimum; grab bar and one fixed
whenever necessary, thresholds and sliding door to the adjacent wall
tracks shall have a maximum height of 25 mm and shall be installed at the accessible water closet stall
preferably ramped; for lateral mounting; fixed grab bars on both sides
of the wall shall be installed for stalls for frontal
7. CORRIDORS mounting;
7.1 Corridors shall have minimum clear width of
1.20 m.; waiting areas and other facilities or spaces
8.3 A turning space of 2.25 sq.m. with a minimum 10.4 Button controls shall be
dimension of 1.50 m. for wheelchair shall be provided with braille signs to
provided for water closet stalls for lateral mounting; indicate floor level; at each
floor, at the door frames of
9. STAIRS elevator doors, braille-type
9.1 Tread surfaces should be a slip-resistant signs shall be placed so that
material; nosings may be provided with slip- blind persons can be able to
resistant strips to further minimize slipping: discern what floor the elevator
9.2 Slanted nosings are preferred to projecting car has stopped and from what level they are
nosings so as not to pose difficulty for people using embarking from; for installation heights, see Section
crutches or braces whose feet have a tendency to get 6.6, Signages;
caught in the recessed space or projecting nosings.
For the same reason, open stringers should be
avoided.
9.3 The
leading edge
of each step
on both
runner and
riser should
be marked
with a paint
or non-skid
material that
has a color
and gray
value which is
in high contrast to the gray value of the rest of the
stairs; markings of this sort would be helpful to the
visually impaired as well as to the fully sighted
person;
10. ELEVATORS
10.1 Accessible elevators should be located not
more than 30.00 m. from the entrance and should be
easy to locate with the aid of signs;
10.2 Accessible elevators shall have a minimum
dimension of 1.10 m. x
1.40 m.;
10.3 Control panels and
emergency system of
accessible elevators
shall be within reach of
a seated person;
centerline heights for the topmost buttons shall be
between 0.90 m to 1.20 m from the floor;