CHAPTERS VI-IX APPLICATION OF NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES IN THE FIELD OF INTERIOR DESIGN

This blog post shall highlight the significance of the national building code of the Philippines in the field of interior design. Following the national building code is a necessity as it will ensure the safety of the dwellers of the building. This blog will specifically tackle chapters VI to chapter IX of the national building code of the Philippines.

Chapter VI

FIRE RESISTIVE REQUIREMENTS IN CONSTRUCTION

According to Section 601, Fire resistive rating means the degree to which a material can withstand fire as determined by generally recognized and accepted testing methods. In order to withstand the fire in one hour until four hours of period of time or more, the national building code of the Philippines has set fire resistive standards that every structure and buildings must comply in order to operate.

All materials of construction and type materials and assemblies or combinations shall conform to the following fire resistive ratings:

For the floor construction in solid R.C slab, the minimum thickness that could withstand 4 hours of fire for the average cover to reinforcement is 25 millimeters while its overall depth is 150 millimeters. For the solid pre stressed in concrete slab, the minimum thickness that withstands 4 hours of fire to average cover to tendons is 65 millimeters and over all depth is 150 millimeters. The partitions, which are found in the interior envelope, would require 175 mm thick solid concrete to withstand a 4 hours fire, 200 mm for its solid masonry and 300mm for its hollow unit masonry. For the protection for metal structural members it requires 75mm thick for its concrete, 100mm thick for its masonry and 50mm thick for its perlite gypsum plaster in order to last for four hours of fire. 

To ensure the safety of the interior, the exterior wall should be as fire resistive with the interior walls. A 180mm solid concrete with 200mm solid masonry and 300mm thick hollow masonry will withstand 4 hours fire. The columns to which all faces are exposed will require 450mm thick reinforced concrete.

It is the Secretary who will be responsible to prescribe standards and promulgate rules and regulations on the testing of construction materials for flame-spread characteristics. tests on fire damages, fire tests of building construction and materials, door assemblies and tinclad fire doors and window assemblies, the installation of fire doors and windows and smoke and fire detectors for fire protective signaling system, application and use of controlled interior finish, fire-resistive protection for structural members, fire resistive walls and partitions, fire-resistive floor or roof ceiling, fire-resistive assemblies for protection of openings and fire-retardant roof coverings

blogger member: Ivory A. Red

CHAPTER VI PHOTO

Chapter VII

CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF ALL BUILDINGS BY USE OR OCCUPANCY

Building occupancy classifications and general requirements are categorized structures that are based on how it is primarily used for building and fire code enforcement. They are usually defined by model building codes, and vary, somewhat, among them. Often, many of them are subdivided.

Section 701 states that a proposed building that is about to be constructed should be classified based on how it is use or the character of its occupancy. NBCP has categorize the type of occupancy a dwelling belongs to have certain restrictions each category should follow. The category are as follows:

Group A - residential dwellings

• Division 2- exclusive use for non-leasing occupants not exceeding 10 persons
• Division 1- exclusive use of single family occupants

Group B - residential, hotels and apartments
Group C - education and recreation
Group D - Institutional

• Division 1- hospitals
• Division 2- nurseries
• Division 3- nursing homes

Group E- business and mercantile

• Division 1- filling and service station 
• Division 2- wholesale and retail stores, office buildings
• Division 3- Aircraft hangars and open parking garages

Group F - industrial
Group G - storage and hazardous

• Division 1- Storage and handling of hazardous and highly flammable material.
• Division 2- Storage and handling of flammable materials, dry cleaning plants using flammable liquids; paint stores with bulk handling, paint shops and spray painting rooms.
• Division 3- Wood working establishments, planning mills and box factories, shops, factories where loose combustible fibers or dust are manufactured and processed.
• Division 4- Repair garages
• Division 4- Aircraft repair hangars

Group H - assembly other than group 1

• Division 1- Any assembly building with a stage and an occupant load of less than 1000 in the building.
• Division 2- Any assembly building without stage and having an occupant load of 300 or more in the building.
• Division 3- Any assembly building without a stage and having an occupant load of less than 300 in the building.
• Division 4- Stadia, reviewing stands, amusement park structures not included within Group I or in Division 1, 2, and 3 of this Group.

Group  I -  assembly occupant load 1000 or more
Group J - accessory

• Division 1- Agricultural structures.
• Division 2- Private garages, carports, fences over 1.80 meters high, tanks, swimming pools and towers.
• Division 3- Stages, platforms, pelota, tennis, badminton or basketball courts, tombs, mausoleums, niches, aviaries, aquariums, zoo structures, banks and record vaults

It is the Secretary who can determined the other subgroupings or divisions within groups A-J.
Section 702 Change in use, it states that no change shall be made in the character of occupancy or use of any building unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of the code for such division or group of occupancy. It may be changed subject to the approval of the Building Official.
SECTION 703. Mixed Occupancy shall be subject to the most restrictive requirement pertaining to any of the type of occupancy. Occupancy separations shall be vertical or horizontal or both, it classified into four resistive (“One-Hour Fire-Resistive”, “Two-Hour Fire-Resistive”, “Three-Hour Fire-Resistive” and “Four-Hour Fire-Resistive.”)

• A “One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall be of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction.
• A “Two-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall be of not less than two-hour fire-resistive construction.
• A “Three-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall be of not less than three-hour fire-resistive construction.
• A “Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation” shall have no openings therein and shall be of not less than four-hour fire-resistive construction.

SECTION 704. Location on Property. 

In general, no building has direct access to a public space.

Fire Resistance of Walls- Exterior walls shall have fire resistance and opening protection.

Buildings on Same Property and Buildings Containing Courts

Building Footprint and Firewall Requirements- There are rules that shall be observed in the determination of the Allowable Maximum Building Footprint (AMBF) for buildings and related structures. There are also Reference Table on Percentage of site occupancy ad maximum allowable construction.

SECTION 705. Allowable Floor Areas states in general that the Allowable Maximum Total Gross Floor Area (TGFA) of any proposed building/structure shall only be as allowed under this Rule.

The floor areas that are allowed for a one-storey building shall not exceed the limits ordained by the Secretary for each occupancy or any types of construction. This Section also states that each portion of a building separation by one or more area separation walls may be considered a separate building provided the

area separation walls meet the requirements ordained therefor by the Secretary.

SECTION 706. Allowable Floor Area Increases will be increased in certain specific instances and under appropriate conditions, based on the existence of public

space, streets or yards extending along and adjoining two or more sides of the building or structure subject to the approval of the Building Official.

Section 707. Maximum Height of Buildings

states that the maximum height of buildings and number of storeys of a proposed building shall be dependent upon the use or occupancy and the type of construction, considering end-user population density, light and ventilation, width of RROW/ streets particularly of its roadway/ carriageway component, building bulk, off-street cum offsite parking requirements etc. And in relation to local land use and zoning regulations as well as other environmental considerations, e.g. Geological, hydrological, meteorological, topographical, prevailing traffic conditions, the availabililty and capacity of public utility/service systems etc.

SECTION 707. MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS

Building Height Limit (BHL)- is the maximum height to be allowed for buildings/ structures based on their proposed use or occupancy. 

Other considerations in determining the height of the building are as follows:

l The designer/space planner must consider both present and projected population density within the project site and in the project’s location area at full completion’operation of the project

l Soil characteristics, lot location in realation to fault lines and earthquake belts or proximity to volcanoes and other geological conditions

l Hydrological conditions such as the water table at the site and distance to waterways and shoreline

l Metreological conditions such as frequency and intensity of destructive typhoons/monsoon winds/rains, prevailing wind speed and directions, relative humidity, amount of precipitation and the prevailing ambient conditions.

l Effects of environmental conditions on the building/structure and vice versa couples with the effective control of air, noise and thermal pollution, radiant heat, lights and shadows, etc. And the optimization of natural light and ventilation.

l Effects of traffic conditions on the building construction/structure and vice versa of parking/loading requirements.

l Availability and capacity of public utility/service considering the availability and adequacy of electric power, potable and non-potable water supply, drainage and sewerage, transportation and communication facilities,solid waste management system, etc.

l Need for applicable building safety and maintenance system, e.g. Lighting arresters, beacons, protective railings and barriers, gondolas, window washing systems etc.

Parking Slots, Parking Area and Loading/Unloading Space Requirements

In this area of the building code, parking area standard is tackled. It is stated that, the size of an average automobile parking slot must be computed at 2.50 meters by 5.00 meters for perpendicular or diagonal parking and at 2.15 meters by 6.00 meters for parallel parking. A standard truck or bus parking/loading slot mus be computed at a minimum of 3.60 meters by 12.00 meters. An articulated truck slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60 meters by 18.00 meters which should be sufficient to accommodate a 12.00 meters container van or bulk carrier and a long /hooded prime mover. A jeepney or shuttle parking/unloading/loading slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.00 meters by 9.00 mters. The parking slots shall be drawn to scale and the total number of which shell be indicated on the plans and specified whether or not parking accommodations are attendant-managed

Section 708 discusses the minimum requirements for a group A dwellings

The requirements are as follow:

1. Dwelling Location and Lot Occupancy

 - 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 2.00 meters from property line.

2. Light and Ventilation

- Every dwelling shall be constructed and arranged as to provide adequate lighting and ventilation as provided under section 805 to section 811 pf the code

3. Sanitation

- Every dwelling shall be provided with the at least one sanitary toilet and adequate washing and drainage facilities

4. Foundations 

- Footings shall be of sufficient size and strength to support the load of the dwelling and shall be at least 250 millimeters thick and 600 millimeters bellow the surface of the ground

5. Posts

-each posts shall be anchored to such footings by straps and bolts of adequate size

6. Floor

-the live load of the first floor shall be at least 200kg per sq. mts. And for the second floor, at least 150kg. Per sq.mts.

7. Roof

-the wind load for the roof shall be at least 120kg per sq.mts. for vertical projection

8. Stairs

-stairs shall be at least 750 mm in clear width, wit a rise of 200mm and a run minimum of 200mm 

9. Entrance and Exit

-there shall be one entrance and another one for exit

10.Electrical requirements

-all electrical installations shall conform to the requirements of the Philippine Electrical Code

11. Mechanical Requirement

-mechanical systems and/or equipment installations shall be subject to the requirements of the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code

Section709 Requirements for Other Group Occupancies

States that the secretary shall impose 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 system; and special hazards. In this Section, Guidelines on building bulk, development controls, building and other accessory structures within cemeteries and memorial parks are tackled.

Blogger member: Fritzie Merin & Kyle Ocoy

Chapter VIII

LIGHT AND VENTILATION

According to the Building Code of the Philippines there are laws in applying lights and ventilation.:

Section 801: General Requirements of Light and Ventilation

           

-The Civil Code of the Philippines on Easements of the light and view.

(every building shall be designed, constructed and equipped to provide adequate light and ventilation.)All buildings shall face a private street which has been duly approved.No building shall be altered so as to reduce the size of any room or relative area. Or to create and additional room. (unless such additional room conforms to the requirements of this rule.)-No building shall be enlarged so that the dimensions of the required yard would be less than what is prescribed for such building lot.

Section 802: Measurement of site Occupancy

            -Site or Lot Occupancy shall be taken ate the ground level and shall be exclusive of courts, yards and light wells.Court yard and light wells shall be measured clear of all projections from walls enclosing such as well or yards with (exception of roof leaders, wall copings, fire escapes and not exceeding 1.20 meters in width.)

Section 803: Percentage of Site Occupancy

            -Measurement of percentage (%) of site occupancy shall be taken at the ground level and shall be exclusive of courts, yards and light wells.In case of additional construction on a lot on which another structure already stands, the percentage site occupancy arising out such existing structures must be included in the computation of (PSO) for total lot area (TLA). Maximum Allowable PSO and the other light and ventilation provisions under this Rule, the resulting lesser building/structure footprint or gross floor area at the ground floor (or at grade level) must prevail. Maximum site occupancy shall be governed by use, type of construction, and height of the building and the use, area, nature and location of the site; and subject to the provisions of the local zoning requirements and in accordance with the following types of open spaces:

a.       Public open spaces - streets, alleys, easements of sea/lakeshores, rivers, creeks, esteros, railroad tracks, parks/plazas, playgrounds, and the like.

b.      Total Open Spaces within Lot (TOSL) - courts, yards, gardens, light wells, uncovered driveways, access roads and parking spaces consisting of two (2) types:

i.                    Paved or tiled (hardscaped areas); sub-classification of open space shall fall under Maximum Allowable Impervious Surface Areas (ISA) within the Total Lot Area (TLA); and

ii.                  ii. Unpaved areas within the lot that are with exposed soil and planted (softscaped), i.e., the Unpaved Surface Areas (USA); this sub-classification is the true open space.

And under this section states a guideline about how to illustrates the manner in determining Maximum Allowable Percentage of Site Occupancy (PSO), Maximum Allowable Impervious Surface Area (ISA), Maximum Allowable Construction Area (MACA), Minimum Unpaved Surface Area (USA), and the Total Open Space within Lot (TOSL) with reference to Type of Land Use Zoning per Lot.

- And Minimum Requirements for Total Open Spaces within Lot (TOSL)

Total Open Spaces within Lot (TOSL) are portions of the Total Lot Area (TLA) not occupied by the Maximum Allowable PSO. The TOSL may consist of either the Maximum Allowable ISA (hardscaped areas) or the USA (exposed and planted/softscaped soil) or may also be the combination of both types of open spaces. Group A buildings or Residential 1 (R-1) uses/occupancies shall follow the minimum yard standards to comply with the TOSL requirement. Abutments for Basic Uses/Occupancies forming part of new developments shall be basically similar to the restrictions prescribed for firewalls under Rule VII. Lot Type/Location. Only seven (7) types of lots and their respective locations are described under this Rule. Variance When the lots as described in Figures VIII.2. through VIII.8. are too narrow or too shallow such that the public open space, e.g., RROW, alley or the like on which they abut can adequately supply light and ventilation to every room therein subject to the requirements on window opening, the requirements on the minimum Total Open Space within Lot (TOSL) above may be waived , provided however, that for lots abutting on only one (1) public open space, the depth of the open space to be provided shall not be more than 8.00 meters; and for those lots abutting two (2) or more public open spaces, the depth of the open space to be provided shall not be more than 12.00 meters.

Section 804: Sizes and Dimensions of Courts

            -Minimum sizes of courts and yards and their least dimensions shall be governed by the use, type of construction, and height of the building as provided hereunder, provided that the minimum horizontal dimension of said courts and yards shall be not less than 2.00 meters. All inner courts shall be connected to a street or yard, either by a passageway with a minimum width of 1.20 meters or by a door through a room or rooms. The required open space shall be located totally or distributed anywhere within the lot in such a manner as to provide maximum light and ventilation into the building.  YARD - the required open space left between the outermost face of the building/structure and the property lines, e.g., front, rear, right and left side yards. The width of the yard is the setback. Yards prescribed for Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Recreational Buildings.

Annotation: For all firewalls (particularly those above 3.0 m in height), great care should be taken when such firewalls face the south or southwest i.e. facing the southwest monsoon (“habagat”) winds which are wet and destructive i.e. the firewalls may also be generally subjected to rain for up to six to eight (6- 8) months annually. In such a situation, firewall gutters are strongly suggested to prevent the firewall water from flooding the adjoining properties. A better option is to set back the firewall by up to 0.60 m to create a drainage channel as well as a firewall maintenance space i.e. for painting and general repair work. When the latter solution is adopted, an endwall is created instead.

Section 805: Ceiling Heights

           

            -Habitable rooms provided with artificial ventilation shall have ceiling heights not less than 2.40 meters measured from the floor to the ceiling; provided that for buildings of more than one (1) storey, the minimum ceiling height of the first storey shall be 2.70 meters and that for the second story 2.40 meters and the succeeding stories shall have an unobstructed typical head-room clearance of not less than 2.10 meters above the finished floor. Abovestated rooms with natural ventilation shall have ceiling heights of not less than 2.70 meters. Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height not less than 1.80 meters above and below it.

SECTION 806: Sizes and Dimensions of Rooms

            -Minimum sizes of rooms and their least horizontal dimensions shall be as follows:

a. Rooms for Human Habitations - 6.00 sq. meters with a least dimension of 2.00 meters;

b. Kitchen - 3.00 sq. meters with a least dimension of 1.50 meters; and

c. Bath and toilet - 1.20 sq. meters with a least dimension of 900 millimeters.

Section 807: Air Spaces Requirements

-Minimum air space shall be provided as follows:

a. School Rooms - 3.00 cu. meters with 1.00 sq. meter of floor area per person;

b. Workshop, Factories, and Offices - 12.00 cu. meters of air space per person; and

c. Habitable Rooms - 14.00 cu. meters of air space per person.

Section 808: Window Opening

            -Rooms intended for any use, not provided with artificial ventilation system, shall be provided with a window or windows 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 sq. meter. 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 rooms, provided that such opening shall not be less than 240 sq. millimeters. Such window or windows shall open directly to a court, yard, public street or alley, or open watercourse.

            -Required windows may open into a roofed porch where the porch:

            a. Abuts a court, yard, public street or alley, or open watercourse and other public open spaces; b. Has a ceiling height of not less than 2.70 meters;

c. Has one of the longer sides at least 65% open and unobstructed.

-Eaves, canopies, awnings (or media agua) over required windows shall not be less than 750 millimeters from the side and rear property lines. There shall absolutely be no openings on/at/within/through all types of abutments (such as firewalls) erected along property lines except for permitted vent wells. This Rule strictly applies to all new and existing developments.

-In locating window openings it should be borne in mind that in cases of extreme emergencies windows must serve as emergency egress to vacate the premises or access for rescue operations. Such windows shall meet the following requirements:

a. They can be opened from the inside without the use of any tools;

b. The minimum clear opening shall have a width not less than 820 millimeters and a height of 1 meter;

c. The bottom of the opening should not be more than 820 millimeters from the floor;

 d. Where storm shutters, screens or iron grilles are used, these shall be provided with quick opening mechanism so that they can be readily opened from the inside for emergency egress and shall be so designed that when opened they will not drop to the ground;

e. All areas immediately outside a fire exit window/grille must be free of obstacles and must lead to a direct access down into the ground or street level.

Section 809: Vents Shafts

            -Ventilation or vent shafts shall have a horizontal cross-sectional area of not less than 1.00 sq. meter for every meter of height of shaft but in no case shall the area be less than 1.00 sq. meter. No vent shaft shall have its least dimension less than 600 millimeters. Unless open to the outer air at the top for its full area, vent shafts shall be covered by a skylight having a net free area or fixed louver openings equal to the maximum required shaft area. Air ducts shall open to a street or court by a horizontal duct or intake. Such duct or intake shall have a minimum unobstructed cross-sectional area of not less than 0.30 sq. meter with a minimum dimension of 300 millimeters. The openings to the duct or intake shall be not less than 300 millimeters above the street surface or level of court.

Section 810: Ventilation Skylights

            -Ventilation skylights shall have a glass area not less than that required for the windows that are replaced. They shall be equipped with movable sashes or louvers with an aggregate net free area not less than the parts in the replaced window that can be opened, or else provide artificial ventilation of equivalent effectiveness.

Section 811: Artificial Ventilation

            -Rooms or spaces housing industrial or heating equipment shall be provided with artificial means of ventilation to prevent excessive accumulation of hot and/or polluted air. Whenever artificial ventilation is required, the equipment shall be designed to meet the following minimum requirements in air changes.

GUIDELINES ON EASEMENTS, VIEW CORRIDORS/SIGHT LINES, STREETS/ROAD RIGHT-OFWAY (RROW), SIDEWALKS, ARCADES, BASEMENTS, LOTS, AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES   

A. EASEMENTS

I. As it is situated outside of private property limits, the easement is public land. The easement is not to be used for any form of building or structures that may go against its public recreational character.

The following uses and others similar thereto are absolutely prohibited

RESIDENTIALS and like uses whether temporary or permanent. Long-term or overnight vehicle parking, unless duly designated as day or night pay parking zones. As a depository of stalled, wrecked or abandoned vehicles, mechanical devices and the like. The conduct of specific commercial, institutional and/or industrial activities not compatible with its stated character. Unauthorized recreational or entertainment usage and the like which will only benefit certain entities and which will ultimately result in inconvenience/ nuisance/safety problems to the general public. Any other form of private use, gain, enjoyment or profit at the expense of the motoring or walking public

II. Allowed or Encouraged Structures/Developments Within Easements

If wider than 9.00 meters, the easement may include a roadway or carriageway component on which vehicles can pass or on which the same may temporarily park. Pedestrian access-ways and the like and to be located at/ above/below the easement may also be developed for public use

Easement* Along Water Bodies/Way by Location

Location of Water Body/Way	Easement
Urban Areas Agricultural Areas Forest Areas	3.00 meters per side of waterway (Fig.VIII.G.3.)  20.00 meters per side of waterway 40.00 meters per side of waterway

Source:  WATER CODE of the Philippines

III. Disallowed and Prohibited Structures/Developments Within Easements

No portion of the easement whether at grade, below grade or above grade may be leased or developed by the government or by private entities for purposes inconsistent with its character and intended function. All semi-enclosed or enclosed, semi-permanent or permanent habitable building projections or any other building projection or structural element located above or below the easement are absolutely prohibited. And lastly all forms of enclosures such as fences, perimeter walls and the like, intended to limit the use of the easement for private enjoyment/benefit or to restrict full access to the public.

B. VIEW CORRIDORS AND/OR SIGHT LINES   

The roadway portion of the RROW shall be free of structures particularly commercial signs that will block the view corridor and sight lines within the RROW. To dignify very important public or historical/culture buildings/structures, all forms of commercial signs violating into RROW leading to or away from such buildings/structures shall not be allowed. 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, In case of allowed structures within the RROW for transportation, e.g., elevated ramps, flyovers, tracks, stations, terminals and the like, the appropriate designs shall be adopted to maximize light, ventilation and view.

C. STREETS/ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY (RROW)

States that No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins or has direct access to public space, yard or street/road on at least one of its sides. And that all the buildings shall face to the public street or alley or a road.

D. SIDEWALKS   

States that he local planning authority shall determine which street shall have an open sidewalk or an arcaded sidewalk, or a combination of both. And that the minimum width of the sidewalk for a RROW width of 9.00 meters or more shall be 1.20 meters on each side of the RROW or a total of 2.40 meters on both sides of the RROW. Sidewalks shall be of uniform width throughout the entire length of the street.  The sidewalk width grade and finish of the dominant use/occupancy along the RROW shall be generally observed.

WIDTH OF THE SIDEWALK SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:

Road Right-Of-Way (RROW) Width	Range of Required Sidewalk Widths (Total at both sides of RROW)
30.00 meters & above  25.00 - 29.00 meters  20.00 - 24.00 meters  10.00 - 19.00 meters  Below 10.00 meters	From 1/6 up to 1/4 of RROW Width  From 1/6 up to 1/3 of RROW Width  From 1/6 up to 1/3 of RROW Width  From 1/4 up to 1/3 of RROW Width  From 1/4 up to 1/3 of RROW Width

MINIMUM PLANTING STRIP WIDTHS BY RROW WIDTH:

Road Right-Of-Way (RROW) Width	Total Minimum Widths of Planting Strip within  RROW* (width per sides of RROW) (meters)  30
30.00 meters & above	1.20  (0.60 )
25.00 - 29.00 meters	0.60    (0.30)
20.00 - 24.00 meters	0.60  (0.30)
10.00 - 19.00 meters	0.40  (0.20)
Below 10.00 meters	Optional

E. TOTAL OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS  ON LOTS  BY USE/OCCUPANCY, TYPE/LOCATION AND SUGGESTED MINIMUM LOT SIZES, LOT DIMENSIONS & TYPES BY USE/OCCUPANCY:  States that there are requirements for a certain lot and that there are rules  regulations depending on the lot or the location of the lot 

F. BASEMENTS

Basements are generally used as a utility space for a building where such items as the boiler, heater, breaker or fuse box, car park, and air-conditioning system are located; so also are amenities such as the electrical distribution system, and cable television distribution point. However, in cities with high property prices such as London, basements are often fitted out to a high standard and used as living space. While basements may be developed for medium to very high density residential, commercial, institutional and mixed-use developments, its planning, design and construction shall observe the following limitations:

· The minimum road right-of-way (RROW) width that services the lot on which the basement can be constructed should be at least 10.00 meters wide

· For basements to be allowed, the prescribed setbacks and yards must be satisfied for the building/structure above grade inasmuch as the very same setbacks 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 the building above grade; if the prescriptions for natural lighting and ventilation are satisfied, the basement depth can therefore be as much as one-third of the combined height of the building to be constructed above grade and below grade

· The center portion of all basement levels shall be reserved for the satisfaction of the basement level may extend by a minimum clear distance of 1.40 meters from the outermost face of the building (OFB) at grade level

· The OFB at the second and lower basement levels shall follow the line of the OFB at grade level

· All drainage structures below grade shall not exceed the OFB below grade.

Minimum Provisions for Natural Lighting and Ventilation at Basement Levels

If basements are to be developed, the following minimum provisions for natural light and ventilation shall be satisfied. A primary or main natural light and ventilation shaft (vertical) with a clear distance of at least 3.00 meters shall be located at the center of the building, Secondary or support natural light and ventilation shaft/s (angular) with a clear distance of at least 1.20 meters shall emanate from the front and rear perimeters of the building and shall traverse the entire depth of the basement, Both the vertical and angular shafts shall only be used for natural air and light intake and shall not be used for any form of exhaust or air exchange to keep the temperature inside the shafts at a minimum.

G. DESIGN OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES  

Public buildings or structures are permanent edifices owned by the government, whether national or local, its agencies, including government-owned and/or controlled corporations. When it comes to Site selection  where a project site is yet to be selected, the potential site must be compatible with the project usage.  The site should be accessible, and near power, water, sewerage, drainage as well as transportation, communication and solid waste management system for practical and economic considerations. And for the Site Development location and orientation of the building is a very must to  maximize  use of natural ventilation and lighting and minimize energy consumption within the constraints of the functional requirements, the topography and site configuration.  North-south exposure of buildings has the advantage of maximizing the cooling effect of prevailing winds coming from the southeasterly and southwesterly directions

   Chapter IX

SANITATION

It is important to maintain the cleanliness of every building that is erected, altered, remodeled, relocated or repaired. To have its own potable water supply is a must in order to protect and promote the health of the persons occupying the premises. It is a standard that buildings must have their own plumbing installed with proper disposal system and drainage to avoid certain diseases that may arise due to failure in complying the standards of sanitation.

Section 902 Water supply system highlight that the water used for human habitation shall be supplied by the city waterworks system. An example of city waterwork system is the Metro Cebu Water District or the MCWD. The drinking water used shall also be approved by the National Standards for Drinking Water Standards. In cases of construction and operation of deepwells, it shall be subjected to the provisions of the Water Code of the Philippines. (PD 1067)

The water piping installation for water supply and distribution to each fixture including the waste water drainage with proper venting inside building and premises, shall conform to the provision of the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.       

In Section 903 Wastewater Disposal System, it discusses that all sanitary sewage and industrial waste water shall be discharge to the nearest street sanitary sewer main of existing municipal in accordance to the criteria set by the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources also known as DENR. In case there is no sanitary sewage available, the building must have its own septic tank as its disposal system in accordance to the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines and the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines. All the sanitary and industrial plumbing inside the building shall be in the provision of the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

Storm and Floods are a calamity that often happens in the Philippines that is why the National Building Code of the Philippines specifically Section 904 Storm Drainage System requires Rainwater drainage to have a separate system to the sanitary sewer system to avoid overflowing of the water. There shall be adequate provisions to drainage in low lying areas in buildings and their environment. The drainage pipe installation and sewerage system of any premises and/or connection with any public disposal or any acceptable terminal shall conform to the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

Section 905 Pest and Vermin Control highlight that all type of construction shall be provided with rat proofing, all garbage bins shall be cleaned regularly and dining rooms used in public that has no artificial ventilation shall be properly screened. In Section 906 Noise Pollution Control requires the building to have noise reduction devices to avoid noise destruction by the time the building operates. Noise level is measured into decibels and excessive vibrations shall abide with the acceptable limits set down by the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Section 907 Pipes Materials states that all pipe materials used in the buildings/structures shall conform to the standard specifications set by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
       

DIFFERENT SANITATION SYSTEM

Sanitation is important to every building as health is a major concern to every individual and to the community. Proper sanitation must be followed to avoid certain disease that may infect the building occupants and decrease their productivity. 

blogger member: Ivory A. Red

sources:

http://www.architectureboard.ph

• RuleVI_Fire-ResistiveReqtsnConstn.pdf
• RuleVII_BuildingOccupancy.pdf
• RuleVII_Light&Ventaltn.pdf
• RuleIX_Sanitation.pdf