Do I need a permit for a small indigenous house?

You are exempt if it is a traditional indigenous family dwelling costing P5,000 or less, intended only for the owner's family, and does not pose a safety or fire hazard.

Who is the Building Official in my area?

In municipalities, it is the Municipal Engineer; in cities, it is the City Public Works Supervisor or City Engineer.

Can I change the use of my building?

Yes, but only if the building complies with the requirements for the new occupancy, unless the new use is less hazardous than the existing one and approved by the Building Official.

What happens if my building is declared dangerous?

The Building Official will order it to be repaired, vacated, or demolished depending on the severity of the hazard and the cost of repairs.

Are there minimum ceiling heights?

Yes, habitable rooms, bathrooms, and utility rooms must have a ceiling height of at least 2.40 meters.

Can I build right up to the property line?

No, buildings must generally maintain required yards and setbacks, and projections over public property are strictly regulated.

RA 6541 - National Building Code of the Philippines (1972) - predecessor to PD 1096 — PH Earthquake Recording Instrumentation for Buildings

ACT NO. 6541

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6541 - AN ACT TO

ORDAIN AND INSTITUTE A NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

TITLE

1 — ADMINISTRATIVE

CHAPTER 1.01 — GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1.01.01: Title

(a) This Act shall be known as the "National Building

Code of the Philippines" and shall hereinafter be referred to as the

"Code".

SECTION 1.01.02: Declaration of Policy

(a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the

State to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare,

consistent with the principles of environmental management and control;

and to this end, make it the purpose of this Code to provide for all

buildings and structured, a framework of minimum standards and

requirements by guiding, regulating, and controlling their location,

siting, design, quality of materials, construction, use, occupancy, and

maintenance, including their environment, utilities, fixtures,

equipment, and mechanical electrical, and other systems and

installations.

SECTION 1.01.03: Scope

(a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the

design, location, siting, construction, alteration, repair, conversion,

use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, and demolition of, and addition

to, public and private buildings and structures.

(b) Additions, alterations, repairs, and changes of

use or occupancy in all buildings and structures shall comply with

requirements for new buildings and structures except as otherwise

herein provided. Only such portion or portions of the existing building

or structure which have to be altered to effect the addition,

alteration, or repair shall be made to conform to the requirements for

new buildings or structures. Alterations should preserve the aesthetic

value of the building to be altered.

this Code specify different materials, methods of construction, or

other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.

SECTION 1.01.04: Application

(a) This Code shall apply to all buildings and

structures constructed and any change or repair made thereon after the

approval of said Code. Buildings or structures constructed before the

approval of this Code shall not be affected thereby: Except, Where

their continued use or occupancy is dangerous to life or limb; or where

alterations, additions, conversions, or repairs are to be made thereon,

this Code shall apply only to such portions of the buildings or

structure which have to be altered in order to effect such damages or

repairs.

(b) This Code shall apply to chartered cities,

poblaciones of municipalities and municipal districts with a population

of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants, and to barrios of urban

areas with a population of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants.

This Code shall also apply to any area where there are fifty (50) or

more families per hectare.

proposed for or being developed into a new town site, residential

subdivision, commercial or residential site, school site, housing

project, and similar construction projects where five or more buildings

not covered by paragraph (d) of this Section will be constructed even

if the poblacion or barrio population is less than two thousand (2,000)

or the density of population is less than fifty (50) families per

hectare.

(d) The design and construction requirements of this

Code shall not apply to any traditional indigenous family dwelling

costing not more than five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and intended for

use and occupancy of the family of the owner only. The traditional type

of family dwellings are those that are constructed of native materials

such as bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber, wherein the distance between

vertical supports or suportales does not exceed 3.00 meters (10 feet);

and if masonry walls or socalos are used, such shall not be more than

1.00 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) from the ground: provided, however, that

such traditional indigenous family dwelling will not constitute a

danger to life or limb of its occupants or of the public; will not be

fire hazard or an eyesore to the community; and does not contravene any

fire zoning regulation of the city or municipality in which it is

located.

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (d) of this Section ,

this Code shall apply to Group A dwellings produced on a commercial

scale and intended for use by the general public.

SECTION 1.01.05 Building Use Affecting Public Health

and Safety

(a) Any building or structure, or any ancillary or

accessory facility thereto, and any alteration or addition to any

building or structure already existing, shall conform in all respects

to the principles of safe construction, shall be suited to the purpose

for which the building is designed, and shall, in no case contribute to

making the community in which it is located at eyesore, a slum, or a

blighted area.

(b) Adequate environmental safeguards shall be

observed in the design, construction, and use of any building or

structure for the manufacture and production of any kind of article or

product which constitutes a hazard or nuisance affecting public health

and safety, such as explosives, gas, noxious chemicals, inflammable

compounds, or the like.

SECTION 1.01.06: Maintenance

(a) All buildings or structures, both existing and

new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary

condition. All devices or safeguards, which are required by this Code

in a building or structure when constructed, altered, or repaired,

shall be maintained on good working order.

SECTION 1.01.07: Insanitary, Unsafe, Hazardous, or

Dangerous Sites

(a) The land or site upon which will be constructed

any building or structure, or any ancillary or auxiliary facility

thereto, shall be sanitary , hygienic or safe. Where the land or site

is polluted, insanitary, unhygienic, unsafe, or hazardous, conditions

contributing to or causing its being polluted, insanitary, unhygienic,

unsafe, or hazardous shall be reasonably improved or corrected, or

proper remedial measures shall be prescribed or incorporated in the

design or construction of the building or structure in accordance with

the provisions of this Code.

(b) The land or site upon which be constructed a

building of structure or any ancillary or accessory facility thereto,

for use of human habitation or abode, shall be at a safe distance from

streamers or bodies of water and/source of air considered to be

polluted, volcano or volcanic site, and building or structure

considered to be a potential source of fire or explosion, such as

ammunitions factory or dump and storage place for highly inflammable

material.

SECTION 1.01.08: Dangerous and Ruinous Buildings or

Structures

(a) General. The provisions of this Code shall apply

to all dangerous buildings, as herein defined, which are now in

existence or which may hereafter be constructed, as well as to ruinous

buildings as defined in Article 482 of the Civil Code of the

Philippines.

(b) Dangerous Buildings Defined. Dangerous buildings

are those which are structurally unsafe or not provided with safe

egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous

to human life, or which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard

to safety or health or public welfare, by reason of inadequate

maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, or abandonment;

or which otherwise contribute to the pollution of the site or the

community to an intolerable degree. Any building or structure which has

any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter described, or

conditions or defects similar thereto, shall be deemed to be dangerous

building: provided, that such conditions or defect exists to the extent

that the life, health, property, or safety of the public or its

occupant are endangered:

(1) Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway,

or other means of exist is not of sufficient width or size, or is not

so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of

fire or panic;

(2) Whenever the stress in any materials member or

portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads is more than one and

one-half times the working stresses or stresses allowed in this Code

for new building of similar structure, purpose, or location: provided,

that in determining working stress, the working stress method of

analysis shall be used, and in the case of engineering "overstress",

the ultimate strength method;

(3) Whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by

fire, earthquake, wind, flood, or by any other cause, to such an extent

that the structural strength or the stability thereof is materially

less than it was before such catastrophe and is less than the minimum

requirements of this Code for new buildings of similar structures,

purpose, or location;

(4) Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance

thereof is likely to fall, or to become detached or dislodged, or to

collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property;

(5) Whenever any portion or member or any

appurtenance or ornamentation of the exterior thereof is not of such

sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached, or

fastened — place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of

one-half of that specified in this Code for new buildings of similar

structure; purpose, or location without exceeding the working stresses

permitted for such buildings;

(6) Whenever any portion thereon has wracked, warped,

buckled, or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural

portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquake than is

required in the case similar new construction;

(7) Whenever the building or structure, or any

portion thereof, because of: (i) dilapidation, deterioration, or delay;

(ii) faulty construction; (iii) the removal, movement, or instability

of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting

such building; (iv) the deterioration, decay, or inadequacy of its

foundation; or (v) any other cause, is likely to partially or

completely collapse;

(8) Whenever, for any reason, the building or

structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose

for which it is being used;

(9) Whenever the exterior walls or other vertical

structural members list, lean, or buckle to such an extent that the

structure falls within the condition described in the preceding

subparagraph (2), above, or whenever any portion thereof suffers a

material reduction of the fire and weather resistance qualities of

characteristics required by this Code for newly constructed buildings

of like area, height, and occupancy in the same location;

(10) Whenever a building or structure, used or

intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate

maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or

arrangement, inadequate light, air, or sanitation facilities, or

otherwise, is found to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or in

such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease;

(11) Whenever any building or structure, because of

obsolescence, dilapidated, condition, deterioration, damage, inadequate

exists, lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, or other cause,

is found to be a fire hazard;

(12) Whenever any portion of a building or structure

remains on a site after demolition or destruction of the building or

structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months, so as to

constitute a nuisance or hazard to the public;

(13) Whenever any building or structure is in such a

condition as to constitute a public nuisance defined in Article 694 and

695 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.

dangerous buildings, except those covered by Article 482 and 694 to 707

of the Civil Code of the Philippines, the Building Official shall order

their repair, vacation, or demolition in accordance with the following

procedure:

(1) Where the dangerous building can reasonably be

repaired such that it will no longer be dangerous, it shall be ordered

repaired;

(2) Where the dangerous building is such that to

repair it would cost more than 50 per cent of the current to

replacement cost of the building, it shall be repaired or demolished at

the opinion of the owner;

(3) Where the dangerous building poses an immediate

threat to life, limb, or property, it shall be vacated immediately,

then repaired or demolished in accordance with subparagraphs (1) or (2)

herein.

SECTION 1.01.09. Alternate or new Design, Material,

Method of Construction, or Workmanship; Tests

(a) Any design, material, method of construction, or

workmanship not specifically included in this Code may be used:

provided, that such alternate or new design, material, method of

construction, or workmanship is at least the equivalent of those

prescribed in this Code in effectiveness.

(b) Tests for design, materials, method of

construction, or workmanship shall be prescribed by the Secretary of

Public Works and Communication in appropriate rules and regulations

therefor.

SECTION 1.01.10: Municipal and Provincial Ordinances

and Regulations

(a) Local ordinances should conform to the Code and

suppletory requirements hereto shall in no case diminish minimum

requirements embodied in this Code. The Secretary of Public Works and

Communications or, in the proper case, the Secretary of Justice shall

take any and all appropriate steps in cases where local ordinances

conflict with the Code.

SECTION 1.01.11: Definitions and Tables

(a) The definitions in Annex A and the Tables in

Annex B of this Code are hereby adopted as part thereof.

SECTION 1.01.12: Separability Clause

(a) If, for any reason, any section or provision of

this Code shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, no other

section or provision of this Code shall be affected thereby.

SECTION 1.01.13: Repealing Clause

(a) Any and all statutes, orders, ordinances, rules

and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of

this Code, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 1.01.14: Effectivity

(a) This Code shall take effect upon its approval

within the Greater Manila Metropolitan Area and in other areas where

there are already existing local building codes, and four (4) years

thereafter, in all other areas in the Philippines: provided, however,

that this provision shall not prevent any city or municipal council or

board from adopting this Code immediately upon its approval.

CHAPTER 1.02 — ENFORCEMENT

SECTION 1.02.01: Joint Building and Environmental

Planning Research and Standards Commission

(a) Membership. There is hereby created a Joint

Building and Environmental Planning Research and Standards Commission

composed of two Senators, two Congressmen, and five other members to be

appointed by the President of the Philippines. The members shall elect

a Chairman from among themselves.

(1) The President of the Senate shall designate the

chairman of the Committee on Housing, Urban Development and

Resettlement and one Senator from the minority party as members of the

Commission.

(2) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall

designate the Chairman of the Committee on Housing and one Congressman

from the minority party as members of the Commission.

(3) The President of the Philippines shall appoint

two architects, two engineers, and one building contractor chosen from

those officially recommended by their respective national professional

organizations, to serve for four years or until their successors shall

have been duly appointed and qualified.

(4) The members thereof shall serve without

compensation: Except, that the members from the professional

organizations may receive a per diem of one hundred pesos (P100.00)

each per meeting actually attended: provided, that the total per diem

the members may receive shall not exceed six hundred pesos (P600.00)

per month. A monthly transportation allowance of two hundred fifty

pesos (P250.00) shall be granted each of the members from the

professional organizations.

(b) Duties and Responsibilities. The Commission shall

have the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) Conduct or cause to be conducted continuing

research and studies on building, housing, and environmental planning

standards and requirements to safeguard life or limb, health, property,

and public welfare;

(2) Prepare a draft of a uniform code of criteria,

standards, and detailed specifications covering design, construction,

and other related matters suited to local needs and indigenous

conditions for adoption by local governments to supplement the minimum

standards provided in this Code;

(3) Prepare drafts of environmental planning,

management and control codes, subdivision policies and standards,

zoning regulations and other codes for legislative enactment; and

recommend, from time to time, changes in this Building Code for

submission to Congress; and

(4) Transmit appropriate recommendation to the

Secretary of Public Works and Communications as a basis for the

promulgation by the Secretary of the necessary rules and regulations to

carry out the provisions of this Code.

assisted by a Technical Staff which shall be headed by an Executive

Director and an Assistant Executive Director. All personnel shall be

appointed by the Chairman subject to civil service laws, rules, and

regulations.

(d) Appropriations. The amount of two hundred and

fifty thousand pesos (P250,000) or such amount thereof as may be

necessary for the operation of the Commission is hereby authorized to

be appropriated out of any funds not otherwise appropriated for the

fiscal year ending June 30, 1973. Such sums may be necessary for the

operating expenses of the Commission in succeeding fiscal years shall

be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 1.02.02: Secretary of Public Works and

Communications and Building Officials

(a) The Secretary of Public Works and Communications,

hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary", shall promulgate such rules

and regulations necessary to enable the Building Official to enforce

the provisions of this Code.

(b) In municipalities, the Municipal Engineer shall

be the Building Official; provided, that when there is no such

Municipal Engineer, or a duly licensed engineer performing the duties

of a Municipal Engineer, or a Land and Building Official, the

Provincial Engineer, or in the absence thereof, the Public Works

Engineer within whose jurisdiction the municipality falls shall be the

Building Official.n case of cities, the City Public Works Supervisor

shall be the Building Official: provided, that when there is no such

City Public Works Supervisor, the City Engineer shall be the Building

Official. For the purpose of the enforcement of the provisions of this

Code, the Building Official shall be under the supervision of the

Secretary of Public Works and Communications, any provision of law to

the contrary notwithstanding.

City Mayor, or Provincial Governor in the proper case, and other civil

service laws and rules, the Building Official may appoint such number

of officers, inspectors, assistants, or other employees possessing the

necessary qualifications and competency as may be authorized by the

Municipal Council, City Council, or Provincial Board, as the case may

be. He may deputize such technically qualified employees as may be

necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code. For purposes of

this Subsection, the terms "necessary qualifications and competency"

and “echnically qualified" shall mean that the person to be deputized

shall have passed the highest grade of examination called for in the

applicable law regulating the practice of the branch of engineering or

architecture related to or associated with the duties and powers which

the person to be deputized shall assume.

SECTION 1.02.03: Building Permits

(a) Any person, firm, or corporation, including any

department, office, bureau, agency of instrumentality of the government

intending to construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any

building or structure, or cause the same to be done, shall obtain a

building permit from the Building Official for whichever of such work

is proposed to be undertaken for the building or structure, before any

such work is started.

(b) Appropriate rules and regulations shall be set by

the Secretary concerning:

(1) Forms for application for building permits;

(2) Procedures to be observed in securing such

permits;

(3) Procedures to be observed in the issuance,

suspension, and revocation of such building permits; and

(4) Type, nature, and scope of plans and

specifications, and other requisite documents, which shall be prepared

and designed by a licensed architect or engineer.

accordance with the provisions of this Code, plans and specifications

need not be submitted for the following:

(1) Group A traditional indigenous type of dwelling

construction costing not more than three thousand pesos (P3,000.00);

and

(2) Group J Division 1 Occupancy of Type 1

conventional wood frame construction or of the traditional indigenous

type of construction costing not more than three thousand pesos

(P3,000.00).

(d) The applicant for a building permit for private

buildings or structures after having complied with all the requirements

prescribed therefore in accordance with the provisions of this Code,

shall be issued a building permit within fifteen (15) days from the

date of payment of the permit fee for Groups A and J Occupancies and

within thirty (30) days from the date of payment of the permit fee for

other Group Occupancies, unless the Building Official or his Deputy

authorized to issue the permit shall inform the applicant in writing

why the permit should not be issued, and shall indicate thereon the

particular provisions of the Code violated by the applicant or the

particular requirements not complied with. Within fifteen (15) days

from the date of receipt by the applicant of advice from the Building

Official or his Deputy authorized to issue the permit why the building

permit should not be issued, or why the building permit is suspended or

revoked, the applicant may appeal the non-issuance, suspension, or

revocation thereof, to the Mayor of the chartered city or municipality,

or the Governor of the province where the building or structure for

which the permit is being applied for is located. Said appeal shall be

decided within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof, otherwise, the

applicant may bring the matter to the proper Court of Justice for final

disposition.

(e) All public buildings shall conform to the

provisions of this Code and the Building Official of the city or

province where the public building is located shall issue the building

permit therefore, stating in writing that such public building conforms

to the requirements of the Code. For national public buildings, the

Secretary of Public Works and Communications shall issue a

certification that such a building conforms to the Code. Public

buildings shall be exempt from payment of building permit, inspection,

another fees.

SECTION 1.02.04: Fees

(a) Regulations on building permit, inspection and

other fees, and for compliance with the same shall be covered by city

and municipal ordinances: provided, that Traditional indigenous family

dwellings under Section 1.01.04 (d) shall be exempt from payment of

building permit fees.

SECTION 1.02.05: Inspection ad Certificates of

Occupancy

(a) Inspection. The duly licensed architect or

engineer engaged by the owner to undertake inspection and detailed

supervision of the construction shall periodically certify that the

construction conforms to the plans and specifications submitted in the

application for a building permit. Upon submission of such periodic

certifications during the progress of construction, the Building

Official shall periodically issue the required authority to continue

with the subsequent phases of construction, without prejudice to his

right to conduct on his own initiative any inspection of the said

construction. Upon completion of the construction, the said duly

licensed architect or engineer shall submit to the Building Official

the final certification that the building conforms to the provisions of

the Code and with the detailed plans and specifications submitted.

(b) Certificates of Occupancy. The proper Certificate

of Occupancy shall be issued to the applicant within seven (7) days

from completion of the requirements for inspection and occupancy and

payment of any and all fees therefore, unless the building Official or

his Deputy issuing the Certificate shall show cause in writing why the

Certificate should not be issued and shall indicate thereon the

particular provisions of the Code violated or the particular

requirements not complied with. Within fifteen (15) days from receipt

by the applicant of the advice from Building Official or his Deputy

authorized to issue the certificate why the certificate should not be

issued, or why the certificate is suspended or revoked, the applicant

may appeal the non-issuance, suspension, or revocation thereof, to the

Mayor of the chartered city or municipality, or the Governor of the

province where the building for which the certificate is being applied

for is located. Said appeal shall be decided within fifteen (15) days

from receipts thereof, otherwise, the applicant may bring the matter to

the proper Court of Justice for final disposition. The building may be

occupied only upon issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.

SECTION 1.02.06: Violations of This Code Covering

Designs, Materials, Methods of Construction, and Workmanship

(a) In all cases of violation of this Code covering

design, materials, methods of construction, and workmanship, the

Building Official shall observe the following procedure in ordering the

alteration to conform to this Code or demolition of the building or

portion thereof:

(1) Where the building is in the process of

construction, the construction of the portion or portions in violation

of this Code shall be stopped until the same shall have been altered to

conform to this Code, unless such partial violation will impair the

stability and safety of the whole or part of the structure, in which

case, the whole construction shall be stopped.

(2) Where a building or portion thereof has been

constructed, the following procedure shall be observed:

(2.1) In case it can be reasonably altered to conform

to the requirements of this Code, it shall be altered accordingly;

(2.2) In case the laterization will cost more than 50

per cent of the current construction cost of the building, it shall be

altered to conform to this Code or demolished at the option of the

owner;

(2.3) In case the building or portion thereof poses

an immediate danger to life, limb, or property, the same shall be

vacated immediately, then altered to conform to the requirements of

this Code or demolished in accordance with subparagraphs (1) and (2)

herein.

(3) If the owner, after receipts of the order of

alteration or demolition fails to comply with such order within a

period of one year, said construction shall be declared a nuisance and

be abated in accordance with the provisions of Article 699 of the Civil

Code of the Philippines.

(b) This Code shall not be construed to deprive any

person the right to avail himself of any and all judicial proceedings

or remedies available under existing laws.

the powers vested in the different Boards of Examiners of the various

architectural and engineering professions as provided for in existence

laws regulating the practice of architecture and engineering, nor to

restrict the designing engineering or architect in the exercise of his

professional discretion within the basic minimum standards and

requirements embodied in Section 1.01.02 of this Code.

TITLE 2 — FIRE AND

FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS

CHAPTER 2.01 — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE ZONES

Sec. 2.01.01: General

(a) Fire Zones Defined. Fire zones are areas within

which only certain types of building are permitted to be constructed

based on their use, occupancy, type of construction, and resistance to

fire.

(b) Building Located in More Than One Fire Zone.f a

building or structure is located in more than one fire zone and more

than one-third of its total floor area is in a more restricted fire

zone, then the entire building shall conform to the requirements for

the more restricted area.

within or into any fire zone shall be made to comply with all the

requirements for buildings of that fire zone.

(d) Temporary Buildings. Temporary buildings or

structures conforming to the requirements of this Code, used for the

protection of the public around and in conjunction with construction

work may be erected in any of the fire zones: provided, that such work

is allowed by special permit from the Building Official and such is

used only for a limited period of time.

(e) Center Lines of Streets. For the purpose of this

Chapter, the center line of an adjoining street or alley may be

considered an adjacent property line. Distance shall be measured at

right angles to the street or alley.

Sec. 2.01.02. Designation of Fire Zones

(a) The Secretary shall classify each type of fire

zone in accordance to use, occupancy, type of construction, and

resistance to fire subject to the provisions of this Code.

(b) Based on the classification of fire zones, City

Counsels or Municipal Boards, by resolution, shall divide cities and

municipalities into fire zones. Such division shall be in accordance

with the local physical and spatial framework plans or the

recommendation of the local city or municipal development body.

CHAPTER 2.02 — FIRE-RESISTIVE

REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR FIRE PROTECTION

Sec. 2.02.01: Fire-Resistive Requirements

(a) Exterior bearing and nonbearing walls of Types II

and III constructions shall have one-hour fire-resistive rating; while

those of types IV and V shall have four-hour fire-resistive rating.

(b) Interior bearing walls, permanent partitions,

floors, and roofs of Types II to IV constructions shall have one-hour

fire-resistive rating; while those of Type V shall have three-hour

fire-resistive rating for walls, one-hour fire-resistive rating for

partitions, and two-hour fire-resistive rating for vertical openings,

floors, and roofs.

constructions shall have one-hour fire-resistive rating; those of Type

IV shall have two-hour fire-resistive rating; and those of Type V shall

have three-hour fire-resistive rating.

(d) Exterior doors and windows shall have

three-fourths-hour fire-resistive rating for all types of construction.

Sec. 2.02.02: Fire-Resistive Standards

(a) General. Materials and systems of fire-resistive

purposes shall be classified according to their fire-resistive ratings

as determined by internationally accepted testing methods, subject to

the provisions of this Section .

(b) One-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating

(1) The following walls and partitions shall have a

one-hour fire-resistive rating: Solid masonry, 10 centimeters (4

inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 15 centimeters (6 inches) thick;

solid concrete, 10 centimeters (4 inches) thick; stud walls covered on

each side with 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) lath and plaster, 1.6

centimeters (5/8 inch) of vermiculite gypsum board, or 2.5 centimeters

(1 inch) of gypsum board; and 5 centimeters (2 inches) nominal

thickness tongue and groove wood, or two layers of 1.9 centimeters (3/4

inch) tongue and groove wood separated by sheet metal or asbestos paper

and treated on each side with a fire-retardant coating having a

flame-spread rating of 50 or less. Square-edged boards may be used is

the layers are laid at right angles with each other.

(2) The following floors shall have a one-hour

fire-resistive rating: masonry or concrete, 10 centimeters (4 inches)

thick; wood joists having two layers of flooring above and a plaster or

gypsum board ceiling, 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) in thickness — the two

layers of flooring shall be separated by sheet metal or asbestos

building paper; 6.3 centimeters (2-1/2 inches) net thickness tongue and

grooved wood floors covered with 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) wood

flooring laid at right angles thereto. The supporting beams for such

floors shall be not less than 15 centimeters (6 inches) in minimum

dimension.

(3) The following protection for metal structural

members shall have one-hour fire-resistive rating: 2.5 centimeters (1

inch) of concrete; 3.8 centimeters (1-1/2 inches) of masonry; and metal

lath and 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) of plaster.

(4) The following shall also have a one-hour

fire-resistive rating; wood columns, 20 centimeters (8 inches) or more

in least dimension; and wood beams, 15 centimeters (6 inches) or more

in least dimension.

(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall

have a two-hour fire-resistive rating: solid masonry, 15 centimeters (6

inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 20 centimeters (8 inches) thick;

and solid concrete, 127 centimeters (5 inches) thick.

(2) The following protection for metal structural

members shall have a two-hour fire-resistive rating. 3.8 centimeters

(1-1/2 inches) of concrete; 5 centimeters (2 inches) of masonry; and

two layers of metal lath and plaster with 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch)

air space between and having a total thickness of 6.3 centimeters

(2-1/2 inches).

(d) Three-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating

(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall

have a three-hour fire-resistive rating: solid masonry, 17.8

centimeters (7 inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 25.4 centimeters (10

inches) thick; and solid concrete, 15 centimeters (6 inches) thick.

(2) The following protection for metal structural

members shall have a three-hour fire resistive rating: centimeters (2

inches) of concrete; 7.6 centimeters (3 inches) of masonry.

(e) Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating

(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall

have a four-hour fire resistive rating: solid masonry walls, 20

centimeters (8 inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 30 centimeters (12

inches) thick; and solid concrete, 17.8 centimeters (7 inches) thick.

(f) Steel Joists. Steel joist floors shall have from

one to four-hour fire-resistive rating based on internationally

accepted standards of engineering.

(g) Flame-Proof Materials. Materials required to be

flame-proofed shall be treated with a flame-retardant having

flame-spread rating of 50 less as determined by the “unnel Test".

Sec. 2.02.03: Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish

(a) General. Finishes for interior walls and ceilings

of any building shall be classified according to their flame-spread

characteristics using the internationally accepted “unnel Test" or

other equivalent test for fire protection. The class of materials

according to flame-spread characteristics shall be determined for each

occupancy group. The smoke density shall not be greater than that

obtain from the burning of untreated wood under similar conditions when

tested in accordance with the “unnel Test" in the way intended for use.

The products of combustion shall be no more toxic than the burning of

untreated wood under similar conditions.

(b) Interior Finish Materials.nterior walls and

ceiling finish shall mean interior wainscoting, paneling, or other

finish applied structurally or for decoration, acoustical correction,

surface insulation or similar purposes. Requirements for finishes shall

not apply to trim, doors, and windows or their frames, nor to materials

which are less than one millimeter (0.039 inch) in thickness cemented

to an incombustible backing.nterior finish materials applied to walls

and ceilings shall be tested as specified herein and regulated for

purposes of limiting flame-spread.

Sec. 2.02.04: Promulgation of Fire-Resistive

Regulations

(a) The Secretary shall promulgate appropriate

standards and regulations on the testing of materials for flame-spread

characteristics; application of controlled interior finish; finishes

based on occupancy; materials and tests on fire dampers, fire tests of

building construction and materials, fire tests of door assemblies,

tin-clad fire doors, fire test of window assemblies, installation of

fire door and fire windows, and smoke and fire detectors for fire

protective signaling systems; fire-resistive protection of structural

members; fire-resistive walls and partitions; fire-resistive

floor-ceilings or roof-ceilings; fire-resistive assemblies for

protection of openings; and fire-retardant roof coverings.

TITLE 3 — REQUIREMENTS BASED ON

OCCUPANCY

CHAPTER 3.01 — CLASSIFICATION OF ALL BUILDINGS BY USE OR OCCUPANCY AND

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL OCCUPANCIES

Sec. 3.01.01: Occupancy Classified

(a) Building proposed, for construction shall be

identified according to its use or the character of its occupancy and

shall be classified as follows:

(1) Group A — Residential: Dwellings. Group A

Occupancies shall include dwellings.

(2) Group B — Residential: Hotels and Apartments. —

Group B Occupancies shall include boarding or lodging houses, hotels,

apartment houses, convents, and monasteries (each accommodating more

than 10 persons).

(3) Group C — Education and Recreation. Group C

Occupancies shall be any building used for school or day care purposes

more than eight hours per week, involving assemblage for instruction,

education, or recreation, and not classed in Group I or in Divisions 1

and 2 of Group H Occupancies.

(4) Group D — Institutional. Group D Occupancies

shall include: Division 1 — Mental hospitals, mental sanitariums,

jails, prisons, reformatories, and buildings where personal liberties

of inmates are similarly restrained; Division 2 — Nurseries for

full-time care of children under kindergarten age, hospitals,

sanitariums, nursing homes with non-ambulatory patients, and similar

buildings (each accommodating more than five persons); Division 3 —

Nursing homes for ambulatory patients, homes for children of

kindergarten age or over (each accommodating more than five persons);

provided, that Group D Occupancies shall not include buildings used

only for private residential purposes or for a family group.

(5) Group E — Business and Mercantile. Group E

Occupancies shall include: Division 1 — Gasoline filling and service

stations; storage garage and boat storage structures where no work is

done except exchange of parts and maintenance requiring no open flame,

welding, or the use of highly flammable liquids; Division 2 — Wholesale

and retail stores, office buildings, drinking and dining establishments

having an occupant load test than 100, printing plants, municipal

police and fire stations, factories and workshops using materials not

highly flammable or combustible, storage and sales room for combustible

goods, and paint stores without bulk handling, and Division 3 -Aircraft

hangars where no repair work is done except exchange of parts and

maintenance requiring no open flame, welding, or the use of highly

flammable liquids; open parking garages and heliports.

(6) Group F — Industrial. Group F Occupancies shall

include:ce plants, power plants, pumping plants, cold storage, and

creameries; factories and workshops using incombustible and

non-explosive materials; and storage and sales rooms of incombustible

and non-explosive materials.

(7) Group G — Storage and Hazardous. Group G

Occupancies shall include: Division 1 — Storage and handling of

hazardous and highly flammable or explosive materials other than

flammable liquids; Division 2 — Storage and handling of flammable

liquids; dry cleaning plants using flammable liquids; paint stores with

bulk handling; paint shops and spray painting rooms, and shops;

Division 3 — Wood working establishments, planning mills and box

factories, shops factories where loose, combustible fibers or dust are

manufactured, processed or generated; warehouses where highly

combustible material is stored; Division 4 — Repair garages; and

Division 5 — Aircraft repair hangars.

(8) Group H — Assembly Other Than Group I. Group H

Occupancies shall include: Division 1 — Any assembly building with a

stage and an occupant load of less than 100 in the building; Division 2

— Any assembly building without a 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,

including such buildings used for school purposes less than eight hours

per week; and Division 4 — Stadiums, reviewing stands, amusement park

structures not included within Group I or Divisions 1, 2, and 3, Group

H Occupancies.

(9) Group I — Assembly Occupant Load 1000 or More.

Group I Occupancies shall be any assembly building with a stage and an

occupant load of 1000 or more in the building.

(10) Group J — Accessory. Group J Occupancies shall

include: Division 1 — Private garages, carports, sheds, and

agricultural buildings; Division 2 — Fences over 1.80 meters (6 feet)

high, tanks, and towers.

(b) Other subgroupings or divisions within Groups A

to J may be determined by the Secretary. Any other occupancy not

mentioned specifically in this Section , or about which there is any

question, shall be included in the Group which its use most nearly

resembles based on the existing or proposed life and fire hazard.

indicate in the Certificate of Occupancy the appropriate classification

to which a building or structure to be constructed belongs.

Sec. 3.01.02: Change in Use

(a) No change shall be made in the character of

occupancies or use of any building which would place the building in a

different division of the same group of occupancy or in a different

group of occupancies, unless such buildings is made to comply with the

requirements for such division or group of occupancy: Except, that the

character of occupancy of existing buildings may be changed subject to

the approval of the Building Official and the building may be occupied

for purposes set forth in other Groups without conforming to all the

requirements for those Groups, provided the new or proposed use is less

hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing use.

Sec. 3.01.03: Mixed Occupancy

(a) General. When a building is used for more than

one occupancy purposes, each part of the building comprising a distinct

"Occupancy" shall be separated from any other occupancy. When a

building is used for more than one occupancy purpose, it shall be

subject to the most restrictive requirements for the occupancies

concerned: Except, — (1) When a one-storey building houses more than

one occupancy, each portion of the building shall conform to the

requirements for the occupancy housed therein, and the area of the

building shall be such that the sum of the actual areas divided by the

allowable area for each separate occupancy shall not exceed one; and

(2) Where minor accessory uses do not occupy more than 10 per cent of

the area of any floor of a building, nor more than 10 per cent of the

basis are permitted in the occupancy requirements. The major use of the

building shall determine the occupancy classification provided the uses

are separated in accordance with requirements for occupancy separation.

(b) Forms of Occupancy Separation. Occupancy

separations shall be vertical or horizontal or both, or when necessary,

of such other form as may be required to afford a complete separation

between the various occupancy divisions in the building.

separations shall be classed as "One-Hour Fire-Resistive" “wo-Hour

Fire-Resistive", “hree-Hour Fire-Resistive", and "Four-Hour

Fire-Resistive".

(1) A "One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separations"

shall be of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction. All

openings in such a separations shall be protected a fire assembly

having a one-hour fire-resistive rating.

(2) A “wo-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation"

shall be of not less than two-hour fire-resistive construction. All

openings in such separation shall be protected by a fire assembly

having a one and one-half-hour fire-resistive rating.

(3) A “hree-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation"

shall be of not less than three-hour fire-resistive construction. All

openings in walls forming such separation shall be protected by a fire

assembly having a three-hour fire-resistive rating. The total width of

all openings in any three-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation wall

in any one-storey shall not exceed 25 per cent of the length of the

wall in that storey and no single opening shall have an area greater

than 10.00 square meters (107.1 square feet). All openings in floors

forming a “hree-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 ten-hours fire-resistive construction, and all openings therein

shall be protected by a fire assembly having one and one-half-hour

fire-resistive rating.

(4) A "Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation"

shall have no openings therein and shall be of not less than four-hour

fire-resistive construction.

(d) Fire Ratings for Occupancy Separation. Occupancy

separations shall be provided between various groups, subgroupings, or

divisions of occupancies. The Secretary shall promulgate rules and

regulations for appropriate occupancy separations in buildings of mixed

occupancy: provided, that where any occupancy separation is required,

the minimum shall be a "One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation";

and where the occupancy separation is horizontal, structural members

supporting the separation shall be protected by equivalent

fire-resistive construction.

Sec. 3.01.04: Location on Property

(a) General. Buildings shall adjoin or have access to

a public space, yard, or street on not less than one side. Required

yards shall be permanently maintained. For the purpose of this Section ,

the center line of an adjoining street or alley shall be considered an

adjacent property line. Eaves over required windows shall be not less

than 75 centimeters (30 inches) from the side and rear and rear

property lines.

(b) Fire Resistance of Walls. Exterior walls shall

have fire resistance and opening protection in accordance with

requirements set by the Secretary. Projections beyond the exterior wall

shall not extend beyond a point one-third the distance to the property

line from an exterior wall; or a point one-third the distance from an

assumed vertical plane located where fire-resistive protection of

openings is first required due to location on property, whichever is

the least restrictive. Distance shall be measured at right angles from

the property line. When openings in exterior walls are required to be

protected due to distance from property line, the sum of the area of

such openings shall not exceed 50 per cent of the total area of the

wall in each storey.

Containing Courts. For the purpose of determining the required wall and

opening protection, buildings on the same property and court walls

shall be assumed to have a property line between them. When a new

building is to be erected on the same property with an existing

building, the assumed property line from the existing building shall be

the distance to the property line for each occupancy as set forth by

the Secretary: provided, that two or more buildings on the same

property may be considered as portions of one building of the aggregate

area of such buildings is within the limits of allowable floor areas

for a single building; and that when the buildings so considered house

different occupancies or are of different types of construction, the

area shall be that allowed for the most restricted occupancy or

construction.

Sec. 3.01.05: Allowable Floor Areas

(a) Areas of One-Storey Buildings and Building Over

One Storey. Allowable floor areas for one-storey buildings and

buildings over one storey shall not exceed the limits determined in

accordance with occupancy groups and types of construction.

(b) Area Separation Walls. Each portion of a building

separated by one or more area separation walls may be considered a

separate building provided the area separation wall meet the

requirements of this Code.

Sec. 3.01.06: Allowable Area Increases

(a) The floor area hereinabove provided may be

increased in certain specific instances and under appropriate

conditions, based on the existence of public space, streets, or yards

extending along the adjoining two or more sides of the building or

structure.

Sec. 3.01.07: Maximum Height of Buildings and

Increases

(a) The maximum height and number of storeys of every

building shall be dependent upon the character of the occupancy and the

type of construction, and shall not exceed the limits determined by

population density, building bulk, widths of streets, and car parking

requirements. The height shall be measured from the highest adjoining

sidewalk or ground surface, provided that the height measured from the

lowest adjoining surface shall not exceed such maximum height by more

than 3.00 meters (10 feet): Except, that towers, spires, and steeples,

erected as a part of a building and not used for habitation or storage,

are limited as to height only by structural design if completely of

incombustible materials, or may extend not to exceed 6.00 meters (19

feet, 8 inches) above the height limits for each occupancy group if of

combustible materials.

Sec. 3.01.08: Maximum Requirements for Group A

Dwellings: One Two Storeys

(a) Dwelling Location and Lot Occupancy. The dwelling

shall occupy not more than 90 per cent of a corner lot and 80 per cent

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 (6 feet, inches) from the property line.

(b) Light and Ventilation. Every dwelling shall be so

constructed and arranged as to provide adequate light and ventilation.

(1) Habitable rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms and

utility rooms shall have a height of not less than 2.40 meters (8

feet), measured from floor to ceiling.

(2) Rooms shall have a minimum size of 6.00 square

meters (65 square feet) with a least horizontal dimension of 2.00

meters (6 feet, 7 inches) for rooms of human habitations; 3.00 square

meters (32 feet) with a least horizontal dimension of 1.50 meters (5

feet) for kitchens; and 1.20 square meters (13 square feet) with a

least horizontal dimension of 90 centimeters (3 feet) for bathrooms.

(3) Windows shall be at least 1/10th of the floor

area of the room.

at least one sanitary toilet and adequate washing and drainage

facilities.

(d) Foundation. Footing shall be of sufficient size

and strength to support the load and dwelling and shall be at least 30

centimeters (1 foot) thick and 60 centimeters (2 feet) below the

surface of the ground. Each post shall be anchored to such footings by

straps and bolts of adequate size.

(e) Post or Suportales. The dimensions of wooden post

or suportales shall be those found in Table 3.01 — A Dimension of

Wooden Posts or Suportales (Annex B).

(f) Floor. The live load of the first floor shall be

at least 200 kilograms per square meter (40 pounds per square foot) and

for the second floor, at least 150 kilograms per square meter (30

pounds per square foot).

(g) Roof. The wind load for roofs shall be at least

150 kilograms per square meter (30 pounds per square foot).

(h) Stairs. Stairs may be 75 centimeters (30 inches)

wide, with a rise of 20 centimeters (8 inches) and a run of 23

centimeters (9 inches).

(i) Entrance and Exit. There shall be one entrance

and one exit.

(j) Electrical Outlets. There shall be at least one

convenience outlet per 6.00 meters (20 feet) of wall measured along the

floor and one light outlet for every room.

(k) Mechanical Requirements. Family dwellings not

more than two storeys shall be exempt from the requirements of the

Mechanical Code.

Sec. 3.01.09: Requirements for Group Occupancies

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Code, the

Secretary shall promulgate regulations for each occupancy group

covering: allowable construction, height, and area; location on

property, exit facilities, light, ventilation, and sanitation;

enclosure of vertical openings; fire-extinguishing system; and special

hazards.

TITLE 4 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION

CHAPTER 4.01 — CLASSIFICATION OF ALL BUILDINGS BY TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION

AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 4.01.01: Types of Construction

(a) The requirements of this Chapter are minimum for

the varying degrees of public safety and resistance to fire. Every

building proposed for construction shall be identified according to the

following:

(1) Type I. Type I Buildings shall be of wood

construction. The structural elements may be any of the materials

permitted by this Code.

(2) Type II. Type II Buildings shall be of wood

construction with protective fire-resistant materials and one-hour

fire-resistive throughout: Except, that permanent nonbearing partitions

may use fire-retardant treated wood within the framing assembly.

(3) Type III. Type III Buildings shall be masonry and

wood construction, Structural elements may be any of the materials

permitted by this Code: provided, that the building shall be one-hour

fire-resistive throughout. Exterior walls shall be of incombustible

fire-resistive construction.

(4) Type IV. Type IV Building shall be of steel,

iron, concrete, or masonry construction. Walls and permanent partitions

shall be of incombustible fire-resistive construction: Except, that

permanent nonbearing partitions of one-hour fire resistive construction

framing assembly.

(5) Type V. Type V Buildings shall be fire-resistive.

The structural elements shall be of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry

construction. Walls and permanent partitions shall be incombustible

fire-resistive construction.

(b) Other subtypes or divisions within Types I to V

may be determined by the Secretary. Any building which does not conform

entirely to a type of construction herein set forth shall be classified

into a type having an equal or lesser degree of fire-resistance of the

building.

in the Certificate of Occupancy the appropriate classification to which

a building or structure to be constructed belongs.

Sec. 4.01.02: Change in Type

(a) No change shall be made in the type of

construction of any building which would place the building in a

different subtype or type of construction unless such bidding is made

to comply with the requirements for such subtype or type of

construction: Except, that the type of construction of existing

buildings may be changed subject to the approval of the Building

Official and the building may be constructed for purposes set forth in

other Types without conforming to all the requirements for those Types,

provided the new or proposed construction is less hazardous, based on

life and fire risk, than the existing construction.

Sec. 4.01.03: Requirements on Types of

Construction

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the

Secretary shall promulgate regulations for each type of construction,

and promulgate rules and regulations therefore, covering: structural

framework, exterior walls and openings, interior walls and enclosures,

floors, exits and stars construction, and roofs.

TITLE — LIGHT, VENTILATION, AND

SANITATION

CHAPTER 5.01 — LIGHT AND VENTILATION

Sec. 5.01.01: General

(a) Subject to the provisions of the Civil Code on

easement on light and view, and to provisions of this Title, every

building shall be so constructed, arranged, and equipped as to provide

adequate light and ventilation.

(b) All building erected shall face a street or

public alley or private street which has been officially approved.

to reduce the size of any room or the relative area of windows to less

than that provided for buildings under this Code, or so as to create an

additional room, unless such additional room conforms to the

requirements of this Code.

(d) No building shall be enlarged, so that the

dimensions of any required court yard would be less than that

prescribed for any such building.

Sec. 5.01.02: Measurement of Site Occupancy

(a) The measurement of site occupancy or lot

occupancy shall be taken at the ground level and shall be exclusive of

courts, yards, and light wells.

(b) Courtyards and light wells shall be measured

clear of any projections from the walls enclosing such wells or yards

with the exception of roof leaders, wall copings, sills, or steel fire

escapes, not exceeding 1.20 meters (4 feet) in width.

Sec. 5.01.03: Percentage of Site Occupancy

(a) The maximum site occupancy shall be governed by

the use, type of construction, and height of the building, and the use,

area, nature and location of the site, subject to the provisions of

local zoning requirements and in accordance with rules and regulations

set forth by the Secretary.

Sec. 5.01.04: Minimum Size of Courts and Their

Least Dimensions

(a) The minimum size of courts and their least

dimensions shall be dependent upon the use, type of construction, and

height of the building subject to the requirements set forth by the

Secretary: provided, that in no case shall be the minimum horizontal

dimension of courts be less than 2.00 meters (6 feet, 7 inches).

(b) All inner courts shall be connected to a street

or yard, either by a passageway with a minimum width of 1.20 meters (4

feet) or by a door through a room or rooms.

Sec. 5.01.05: Ceiling Heights

(a) Habitable rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms, storage

rooms, and utility rooms shall have a ceiling height of not less than

2.40 meters (8 feet), measured from the floor to the ceiling. Provided,

that for buildings of more than one storey, the minimum ceiling height

of the first storey shall be 2.70 meters (9 feet) and 2.40 meters (8

feet) for the second storey, and succeeding storeys. Garages shall have

an unobstructed headroom clearance of not less than 2.10 meters (7

feet) above the finished floor.

Sec. 5.01.06: Minimum Size of Rooms and Their

Least Dimensions

(a) The minimum sizes of rooms and their least

horizontal dimensions shall be as follows: 6:00 square (65 square feet)

with at least nominal dimension of 2.00 meters (6 feet 7 inches) for

rooms for human habitation; 3.00 square meters (32 square feet) with a

least horizontal dimension of 1.50 meters (5 feet) for kitchens; and

1.20 square meters (12 square feet) with a least horizontal dimension

of 0.90 meter (3 feet) for bathrooms.

Sec. 5.01.07: Minimum Air Space Requirements in

Determining the Size of Rooms.

(a) The following minimum air spaces shall be

provided:

(1) For school rooms: 3.00 meters (106 cubic feet)

with 1.00 square meter (10.7 square feet) of floor area per person.

(2) For workshops, factories, and offices: 10.00

cubic meters (354 cubic feet) or air space per person at daytime and

14.00 cubic meters (494 cubic feet) of air space per person at night

time.

(3) For habitable rooms: 14.00 cubic meters (494

cubic feet) of air space per adult person and 7.00 cubic meters (247

cubic feet) of air space per child under 10 years of age.

Sec. 5.01.08: Window Openings

(a) Every room intended for any use, not otherwise

provided with air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation system as

herein provided in this Code, shall be provided with a window or

windows whose total area of openings shall be at least 1/10th the floor

area of the room, and such shall open directly to a court, yard, public

way or alley, or water course.

Sec. 5.01.09: Mezzanine Floor

(a) A Mezzanine floor is a partial, intermediate

floor in any storey or room of a building having an area not more than

one-half of the area of the room or space in which it is constructed.

(b) A mezzanine floor shall be constructed with a

clear ceiling height of not less than 1.90 meters (6 feet, 4 inches)

above and below.

Sec. 5.01.10: Vent Shafts.

(a) Size. Vent shafts shall have a cross-sectional

area of not less than 1/10th of a square meter for every meter of

height of shafts (1 square foot per 10 feet) but not less than 1.00

square meter (10.7 square feet) in any case. No such shaft shall be

less than 60 centimeters (2 feet) in its least dimension.

(b) Skylights. Unless open to the outer air at the

top for its full area, such shaft shall be covered by a skylight having

a net area of fixed louver openings equal to the maximum required shaft

area.

or court by a horizontal duct or intake at a point below the lowest

window opening on such shaft. Such duct or intake shall have a minimum

unobstructed cross-sectional area of not less than 0.30 square meter

(3.2 square feet) with a minimum dimension of 30 centimeters (1 foot).

The opening to the duct or intake shall not be less than 30 centimeters

(1 foot) above the bottom of the shaft and the street surface or

bathroom of court, at the respective ends of the conduct or intake.

Sec. 5.01.11: Ventilating Skylights

(a) Skylights. Skylights shall have a glass area not

less than that required for the window they replace. They shall be

equipped with movable sashes or louvers of an aggregate net area not

less than that required for openable parts in the window they replace

or with approved ventilation of equal efficiency.

(b) Ventilation. Rooms containing industrial heating

equipment shall be provided with adequate artificial means of

ventilation to prevent excessive accumulation of hot or polluted air.

Sec. 5.01.12: Artificial Ventilation

(a) General. When artificial ventilation is required,

the equipment shall be designed and constructed to meet the following

requirements in air changes.

(1) Business and Workrooms

(1.1) For rooms wholly above grade occupied for

office, clerical or administrative purposes, or as stores, sales,

rooms, restaurants, markets, factories, workshops, or machinery rooms,

not less than three changes of air per hour shall be provided.

(1.2) For rooms wholly above grade, occupied as

bakeries, hotel or restaurant kitchen, laundries other than accessory

to dwellings, and boiler rooms, of not less than ten changes or air per

hour shall be provided.

(2) Rooms in Public and Institutional Buildings

(2.1) For auditoriums and other rooms used for

assembly purposes, not less than 0.85 cubic meter (30 cubic feet) of

air per minute shall be supplied for each person for whom seating or

other accommodation is provided.

(2.2) For wards and dormitories of institutional

buildings, not less than 0.85 cubic meter (30 cubic feet) of air per

minute shall be supplied for each person accommodated.

CHAPTER 5.02 — SANITATION

Sec. 5.02.01: General

(a) All buildings hereafter erected for human

habitation should be provided with plumbing facilities installed in

conformity with the National Plumbing Code adopted and promulgated by

the National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines pursuant to

Republic Act 1378, otherwise known as the "Plumbing Law".

TITLE 6 — REGULATIONS FOR USE OF

PUBLIC PROPERTY

CHAPTER 6.01 — BUILDING PROJECTION OVER PUBLIC STREETS

Sec. 6.01.01: General

(a) No part of any building structure or any of its

appendages shall project beyond the property line of the building site,

except as provided in this Code.

(b) The projection of any structure of appendage over

a public property shall be the distance measured horizontally from the

property line to the outermost point of the projection.

Sec. 6.01.02: Projection into Alleys and Streets

(a) No part of any structure or its appendage shall

project into any alley or street except as provided in this Code.

(b) No projection shall be allows on any national

roads or public highway.

below grade may project not more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) beyond

the property line.

(d) Foundation may be permitted to encroach into

public sidewalk areas to a width not exceeding 50 centimeters (1 foot,

8 inches): provided, that the top of the said foundations or footings

does not reach beyond the level of a plane 60 centimeters (2 feet)

below the established grade; and Provided, further, that said

projection does not obstruct any existing utility such as power,

communication, gas, water, or sewer lines, unless the owner concerned

shall pay the corresponding entities for the re-routing of the parts

affected.

Sec. 6.01.03: Projection of Balconies and

Appendages Over Streets

(a) The extent of any projection over an affected

alley or street shall be uniform within a block and shall conform to

the limitations set forth in Table 6.01-A: Projection of balconies and

Appendages (Annex B).

(b) The clearance between the established grade of

the street or sidewalk and the undersurface of the balcony shall be not

less than 3.00 meters (10 feet).

Sec. 6.01.04: Arcades

(a) Arcades shall be constructed on sidewalks when

required by local ordinances. The with of the arcade and its height

over affected sidewalks shall be uniform within a block: provided,

that, in no case, shall an arcade be less than 3.00 meters (10 feet)

above the establishment sidewalk grade of the established street.

(a) General. For the purpose of this Section , a

marquee shall include by any object or decoration attached thereto.

(b) Projection and Clearance. The horizontal

clearance between the outmost edge of the marquee and the curb line

shall be not less than 30 centimeters (1 foot). The vertical clearance

between the payment or grounds line and the undersurface of the marquee

shall be not less than 2.70 meters (9 feet).

incombustible material or materials of not less than one-hour

fire-resistive construction.t shall provided with the necessary

drainage facility.

(d) Location Prohibited. Every marquee shall be so

located as not to interfere with the operation of any exterior

standpipe connection or to obstruct the clear passage from stairways or

exists from the building or the installation or maintenance of

electroliers.

Sec. 6.01.06: Movable Awnings or Hoods

(a) Definition. An awning is a movable shelter

supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building and of a type

which can be retracted, folded, or collapsed against the face of a

supporting building.

(b) Clearance. The horizontal clearance between the

awning and the curb line shall be not less than 30 centimeters (1

foot). The vertical clearance between the undermost surface of the

awning and the payment or ground line shall be not less than 2.40

meters (8 feet). Collapsible awnings shall be so designed that they

shall not block required when collapsed.

Sec. 6.01.07: Doors

(a) Doors either sully opened or when opening, shall

not projects beyond the property line.

Sec. 6.01.08: Corner Buildings with Chaflans

(a) Every corner building on a public street or alley

less than 30.60 meters (12 feet) in width shall be made with a chaflan

or truncated angle at the corner. The face of the triangle so formed

shall be at right angles to the bisector of the angle of intersection

of the street lines; provided, that, in no case, shall the length of

the chaflan be less than 4.00 meters (13 feet, 4 inches).n special

cases, the Building Official shall determine the size and form of the

chaflan.

(b) If the buildings is arcaded, no chaflan is

required notwithstanding the width of the

public street or alleys less than 12.00 meters (39 feet, 4 inches).

CHAPTER 6.02 — PROTECTION OR

PEDESTRIANS DURING CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION

Sec. 6.02.01: General

(a) No person shall use or occupy a street, alley, or

public sidewalk for the performance or work under a building permit

except in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.

(b) No person shall perform any work on any work on

any building or structure adjacent to a public way in general use by

the public for pedestrian travel, unless the pedestrians are protected

as specified in this Chapter.

public property, including fences, canopies, and walkways, shall be

adequately lighted between sunset and sunrise.

Sec. 6.02.02: Temporary Use of Streets and Alleys

(a) The use of public property shall meet legal

requirements and subject to permit to be issued officially by the

Building Official.

Sec. 6.02.03: Storage on Public Property

(a) Materials and equipment necessary for work to be

done under a permit shall not be placed or stored on public property so

as to obstruct free and convenient approach to and use of any fire

hydrant, fire or police alarm box, utility box, catch basin, or manhole

or so as not to interfere with any drainage of any street or alley

gutter.

Sec. 6.02.04: Mixing Mortar on Public Property

(a) The mixing or handling of mortar, concrete, or

similar materials on public street shall not be allowed except when the

same are to be used on such streets or any portion thereof such as

curbs, gutters, manholes, sidewalks, culverts and the like.

Sec. 6.02.05: Protection of Utilities

(a) All public or private utilities above or below

the ground shall be protected from any damages by any work being done

under the permit. This protection shall be maintained while such work

is being done and shall not obstruct the normal functioning of any such

utility.

Sec. 6.02.06: Walkway

(a) A temporary walkway not less than 1.20 meters (4

feet) wide shall be provided in lieu of the sidewalk, or in case there

is none, in front of the building site during construction or

demolition unless the Building Official authorizes the sidewalk to be

fenced and closed. Adequate signs and railings shall be provided to

direct pedestrian traffic.

(b) The walkway shall be capable of supporting a

uniform live load of 633 kilograms per square meter (150 pounds per

square foot). a durable wearing surface shall be provided throughout

the construction period.

Sec. 6.02.07: Pedestrian Protection

(a) Protection Required. Pedestrian traffic shall be

protected by a railing on the street side when the walkway extends into

the roadway, by a railing when adjacent to excavations, and by such

other appropriate portion such as set forth in Table 6.02-A: Type of

Protection Required for Pedestrian (Annex B).

(b) Railings. Railings shall be built substantially

and should be at least 1.00 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) in height.

material, not less than 2.40 meters (8 feet) in height above grade, and

to be placed on the side of the walkway nearest to the building site.

Fences shall enclose entirely the building site. Openings in such

fences shall be provided with doors which shall be kept closed at all

times.

(d) Canopies. The protective canopy shall have a

clear height of 2.40 meters (8 feet) above the walkway, and shall be

constructed structurally safe. Every canopy shall have a solid fence

built along its entire length on the construction side.f materials are

stored or work is done on top of the canopy, the edge along the street

shall be adopted by a tight curb board not less than 30 centimeters (1

foot) high and a railing not less than 1.00 meters (3 feet, 3 inches)

high shall be provided. The entire structure shall be designed to carry

the loads imposed upon it: provided, that the live load shall be not

less than 633 kilograms per square meter (150 pounds per square foot).

Sec. 6.02.08: Maintenance and Removal of

Protection Devices

(a) Maintenance. Such protection devices shall be

properly maintained in place and kept in good order for the entire

length of time pedestrians may be endangered.

(b) Removal. Every protection fence or canopy shall

be removed within 30 days after such protection is no longer required.

Sec. 6.02.09: Demolition

(a) The work of demolishing any building shall not be

commenced until the required pedestrian protection structures are in

place.

(b) The Building Official require the permittee to

submit plans and complete schedule for demolition. Where such required,

no work shall be done until such plans and/or schedule are approved by

the Building Official.

TITLE 7 — ENGINEERING

REGULATIONS

CHAPTER 7.01 — GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 7.01.01: Scope

(a) The design and construction of all buildings and

structures shall be in compliance with the provisions of the National

Structural Code for Buildings, latest edition, adopted and promulgated

by the Board of examiners of civil engineers pursuant to Republic Act

Numbered 544, as amended, otherwise known as the "Civil Engineering

Law".

TITLE 8 — DETAILED REGULATIONS

CHAPTER 8.01 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 8.01.01: General

(a) Buildings proposed for construction shall comply

with all the regulations and specifications herein set forth governing

quality, characteristics and properties of materials, methods of design

and construction, type of occupancy, and classification of

construction.

Sec. 8.01.02: Excavations, Foundations, and

Retaining Walls

(a) General. Subject to the provisions of Articles

684 to 686 of the Civil Code of the Philippines on lateral and

subjacent support, the quality of materials and design used

structurally in excavations, footings and shall conform to the

internationally recognized and accepted principles of engineering.

(b) Excavation or Fills

(1) Excavation or fills for any building structure

and excavations or fills accessory thereto shall be so constructed or

protected that they do not endanger life and property.

(2) Whenever or wherever the depth of any excavation

for a new construction is such that the lateral and subjacent support

of the adjoining property or existing structure thereon would be

affected in a manner that the stability of safety of the same is in

endanger, the person undertaking or causing the excavation to be

undertaking or causing the excavation to be undertaken shall be

responsible for the expense of underpinning or extending the foundation

or footings of the aforementioned property or structure only when such

underpinning is necessary for the safety of the same during excavation.

(3) Excavations and other similar disturbances made

on public property caused by public utilities shall be repaired

immediately and returned to its former condition within 48 years from

the start of such excavations and disturbances by the public utility

franchise owner and the duly constituted officials thereof. Adequate

signs and safeguards shall be installed around and near the excavation

to protect the public from any danger of falling into the excavation.

Repeated and flagrant violations of this Section shall be the basis of

revocation of any public utility franchise. This provision shall not

exempt the franchise owner and the duly constituted officials thereof

from any criminal or civil liabilities arising from such excavations

and disturbances to third persons.

(1) Footings and foundations shall be of the

appropriate type, of adequate size, and capacity in order to safely

sustain the superimposed loads under seismic or any condition to

external forces that may affect the safety or stability of the

structure.t shall be the responsibility of the architect and/or

engineer to adopt the type and design of the same in accordance with

generally accepted principles and standards of engineering.

(2) Whenever or wherever there exists in the site of

the construction on abrupt change in the ground levels or levels of the

foundation such that instability of the soil could result, retaining

walls shall be provided and such shall be of adequate design and type

of construction in accordance with generally accepted standards and

principles of engineering.

Sec. 8.01.03: Veneer

(a) Definition. Veneer is a nonstructural facing of

brick, concrete, stone, tile, metal, plastic, glass, or other similar

approved materials attached to a backing or structural components of

the building for the purpose of ornamentation, protection, or enclosure

that may be adhered, integrated, or anchored either on the exterior or

interior of the building or structure.

(b) Design Requirements. The design of all veneer

shall comply with the following:

(1) Veneer shall support no load other than its own

weight and the vertical dead load of veneer above.

(2) Surfaces to which veneer is attached shall be

designed to support the additional vertical and lateral loads imposed

by the veneer.

(3) Consideration shall be given for differential

movement of supports including that caused by temperature changes,

shrinkage, creep, and deflection.

(4) Adhered veneer and its backing shall be designed

to have a bond to the supporting elements sufficient to withstand

shearing stresses due to their weights including seismic effects on the

total assemblage.

(5) Anchored veneer and its attachments shall be

designed to resist external forces equal to twice the weight of the

veneer.

(6) Anchors, supports, and veneers shall be

incombustible corrosion-resistant.

construction to be undertaken shall observe, to the satisfaction of the

Building Official, internationally recognized and accepted principles

governing dimensions of units, weights of materials, methods of

construction, attachment or anchorage, bonding or anchorage, bonding or

adhesion, structural adequacy and type and rigidity of backing, and

considerations for differential movements of supports including that

caused by temperature changes, shrinkage, creep, and deflection.

Sec. 8.01.04: Enclosure of Vertical Openings

(a) General. Vertical openings be enclosed depending

upon the fire-resistive requirements of a particular type of

construction as set forth in this Code.

(b) Elevator Enclosures. Walls and partitions

enclosing elevators and escalators shall be not less than the

fire-resistive construction required under the Types of Construction.

Enclosing walls of elevators shafts may consist of wire glass set in

metal frames on the entrance side only. Elevator shafts extending

through more than two storeys shall be equipped with an approved means

of adequate ventilation to and through the main roof of the building:

provided, that in buildings housing Groups G and F Occupancies equipped

with automatic fire-extinguishing systems throughout, enclosures shall

not be required to escalators: provided, further, that the top of the

escalator opening at each storey shall be provided with a draft

curtain. Such draft curtain shall enclose the perimeter of the

unenclosed opening and shall extend from the ceiling downward at least

30 centimeters (12 inches) on all sides. Automatic sprinklers shall be

provided around the perimeter of the opening and within 60 centimeters

(2 feet) of the draft curtain. The distance between the sprinklers

shall not exceed 1.80 meters (6 feet) center-to-center.

chutes, and other vertical openings not covered in paragraph (b), above

shall have enclosing walls conforming to the requirements specified

under the Type of Construction of the building in which they are

located.n other than Group A Occupancies rubbish and linen chutes shall

terminate in rooms separated from the remainder of the bidding by a

One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation. Openings into the chutes

shall not be located in required exit corridors or stairways.

(d) Air Ducts. Air ducts passing through a floor

shall be enclosed in a shaft. The shaft shall be as required in this

Code for vertical openings. Dampers shall be installed where ducts

pierce the shaft enclosure walls. Air ducts in Group A Occupancies need

not be enclosed in a shaft if conforming to the mechanical provisions

of this Code.

Sec. 8.01.05: Floor Construction

(a) Floor construction shall be of materials and

construction as specified under Title 2 on Fired Zones and

Fire-Resistive Standards and under Title 4 on Types of Construction.

(b) All floors shall be so framed and tied into the

framework and supporting walls as to form an integral part of the whole

building.

provide means to keep the beams and girders from spreading by

installing either ties or bridging, with no laterally unsupported

length of joints being permitted to exceed 2.40 meters (8 feet) except

as otherwise specified in this Code.

Sec. 8.01.06: Roof Construction ad Covering

(a) Roof Coverings. Roof coverings for all buildings

shall be either fire-retardant or ordinary depending upon the

fire-resistive requirements of the particular Type of Construction. The

use of combustible roof insulation shall be permitted in all Types of

Construction provided it is covered with approved roof covering applied

directly thereto.

(b) Roof Trusses. All roofs shall be so framed and

tied into the framework and supporting walls so as to form an integral

part of the whole building. Roof trusses shall have all joints well

fitted and shall have all tension members well tightened before any

load is placed on the truss. Diagonal and sway bracing shall be used to

brace all roof trusses. The allowable working stresses of materials in

trusses shall conform to this Code. The minimum net section of the

members after framing shall be used in determining the strength on the

truss at any point.

(1) Access. An attic access opening shall be provided

in the ceiling of the top floor of buildings with combustible ceiling

or roof construction. The opening shall be located in a corridor or

hallway of buildings or three or more storeys in height, and readily

accessible in buildings of any height. The opening be not less than 55

centimeters by 75 centimeters (22 inches by 30 inches). Seventy-five

centimeters (30 inches) minimum clear headroom shall be provided above

the access opening. Attics with a maximum vertical clear height of less

than 75 centimeters (30 inches) need not be provided with access

openings.

(2) Area Separations. Enclosed attics spaces formed

of combustible construction shall be divided into horizontal areas not

exceeding 230 square meters (2500 square feet) by partitions extending

from the ceiling to the roof. Such partitions shall be not less than 13

millimeters (1/2 inch) thick gypsum wallboard, or 2.5 centimeters (1

inch) nominal thickness tight-fitting wood, 10 millimeters (3/28 inch)

thick plywood or approved incombustible materials adequately supported.

Openings in the partitions shall be protected by self-closing doors

constructed as required for the partitions: Except, that where the

entire attic is equipped with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing

system, the attic space may be divided into areas not to exceed 700

square meters (7500 square feet).

(3) Draft Stops. Regardless of the Type of

Construction, draft stops shall be installed in trussed roofs, between

roof and bottom chord of trusses, in all buildings exceeding 1900

square meters (20,000 square feet). Draft stops shall be constructed as

for attic area separations, and in accordance with Type of

Construction.

(4) Ventilation. Enclosed attics and enclosed rafter

spaces formed where ceilings are applied direct to the underside of

roof rafters, shall have cross ventilation for each separate space by

ventilating and openings protected against the entrance of rain. The

net free ventilating area shall be not less than 1/150ths of the area

of the space ventilated, except that the area may be 1/300ths this

provided by ventilators located in the upper portion of the space to be

ventilated at least 90 centimeters (3 feet) above eave or cornice vents

with the balance of the required ventilation provide by eave or cornice

vents.

(d) Roof Drainage. Roofs systems not designed to

support accumulated water shall be sloped for drainage.

(1) Roof Drains. Unless roofs are sloped to drain

over roof edges or are designed to support accumulated water, roof

drains shall be installed at each low point of the roof. Roof drains

shall be adequate in size to convey the water tributary to the roof

drains.

(2) Overflow Drains and Scuppers. Where roof drains

are required, overflow drains having the same size as the roof drains

shall be installed with the inlet flow line located 5 centimeters (2

inches) above the low point of the roof, or overflow scuppers having

three times the size of the roof drains may be installed in adjacent

parapet walls with the inlet flow line 5 centimeters (2 inches) above

the low the point of the adjacent roof and having minimum opening

height of 10 centimeters (4 inches). Overflow drains shall be connected

to drain lines independent from the roof drains.

(3) Concealed Piping. Roof drainage overflow drains,

when concealed within the construction of the building, shall be

installed.

(4) Over Public Property. Roof drainage water from a

building shall not be permitted to flow over public property, except

for Groups A and J Occupancies.

(e) Flashing. At the juncture of the roof and

vertical surface, flashing and counterflashing shall be provided.

Sec. 8.01.07: Stairs, Exits, and Occupant Loads

(a) General. The construction of stairs, exits, and

occupant loads shall conform to requirements for occupants of

buildings, reviewing stands, bleachers, and grandstands.

(1) Determination of Occupant Loads. The occupant

load permitted in any building or portion thereof shall be determined

by dividing the floor area assigned to that use by the square meters or

square feet per occupant according generally accepted principles of

engineering. The capacity of a building containing mixed occupancies

shall be determined by adding the number of occupants of the various

parts of the building classified as to Occupancy and Type of

Construction.

(2) Exit Requirements. Exit requirements of a

building or portion thereof used for different purposes shall be

determined by the occupant load which gives the largest number of

persons. No obstruction shall be placed the required width of an exit

except projections permitted by this code.

(3) Posting of Room Capacity. Any room having an

occupant load of more than 50 where fixed seats are not installed, and

which is used for classroom, assembly, or similar purpose, shall have

the capacity of the room posted in a conspicuous place near the main

exit from the room. Approved signs shall be maintained in a legible

manner by the owner or his authorized agent, and shall indicate the

number of occupants permitted for each room use.

(4) Changes in Elevation. Except in Group A

Occupancies, changes in elevation of not less than 30 centimeters (12

inches) along any exit serving a tributary occupant load of 10 or more

shall be by means of ramps.

(b) Exits Required

(1) Number of Exits. Every building or usable portion

thereof shall have at least one exit.n all occupancies, floors above

the first storey having an occupant load of more than 10 shall have not

less than two exits. Each mezzanine used for other than storage

purposes, if greater in area than 185 square meters (2000 square feet),

or if more than 18.00 meters (60 feet) in any dimension shall have not

less than two stairways to an adjacent floor. Every storey or portion

thereof, having an occupant load of 500 to 999 shall have not less than

three exits. Every storey or portions thereof, having an occupant load

of 1000 or more shall have not less than four exits. The number of

exits required from any storey of a building shall be determined by

using the occupant loads of floors which exit through the level under

consideration as follows: 50 per cent of the occupant load in the first

adjacent storey above (and the first adjacent storey below, when a

storey below exits through the level under consideration) and 25 per

cent of the occupant load in the storey immediately beyond the first

adjacent storey. The maximum number of exits required for any storey

shall be maintained until egress is provided from the structure. For

purposes of this Section , basements or cellars and occupied roofs shall

be provided with exits as required for storeys. Floors above the second

storey, basements, and cellars used for other than service of the

building shall have not less than two exits.

(2) Width. The Total width of exists in meters shall

be not less than the total occupant load served divided by 165 (in

feet, by 50). Such width of exits shall be divided approximately

equally among the separate exits. The total exit width required from

any storey of a building shall be determined by using the occupant load

of that storey, plus the percentage of the occupant loads of floors

which exit through the level under considerations as follows: 50 per

cent of the occupant load in the first adjacent storey above (and the

first adjacent storey below when a storey below exits through the level

under consideration) and 25 per cent of the occupant load in the storey

immediately beyond the first adjacent storey. The maximum exit width

required from any storey of a building shall be maintained.

(3) Arrangement of Exits.f only two exits are

required they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than

one-fifth of the perimeter of the area served measured in a straight

line between exits. Where three or more exits are required they shall

be arranged a reasonable distance apart so that if one becomes blocked

others will be available.

(4) Distance to Exits. No point in an unsprinkled

building shall be more than 45.00 meters (150 feet) from an exterior

exit door, a horizontal exit, exit passageway, or an enclosed stairway,

measured along the line of travel.n building equipped with a complete

automatic fire-extinguishing system the distance from exits may be

increased to 60.00 meters (200 feet).

exit door serving an area having an occupant load more than 10, or

serving hazardous rooms or areas.

(1) Swing. Exit doors shall swing in the direction of

exit travel when serving any hazardous areas or when serving an

occupant load of 50 or more. Double acting doors shall not be used as a

part of fire assembly, nor equipped with panic hardware. A double

acting door shall be provided with a view panel of not less than 1300

square centimeters (200 square inches).

(2) Type of Lock or Latch. Exit door shall be

openable from the inside without the use of a key or any special

knowledge or effort: Except, that this requirement shall not apply to

exterior exit doors in a Group E or F Occupancy if there is a

conspicuous, readily visible and durable sign on or adjacent to the

door, stating that the door is to remain unlocked during business

hours. The locking device must be of a type that will be readily

distinguishable as locked. Flush bolts or surface bolts are prohibited.

(3) Width and Height. Every required exit doorway

shall be of a size as to permit the installation of a door not less

than 90 centimeters (3 feet) in width and not less than 2.00 meters (6

feet, 7 inches) in height. When installed in exit doorways, exits doors

shall be capable of opening at least 90 degrees and shall be so mounted

that the clear width of the exitway is not less than 70 centimeters (2

feet, 4 inches).n computing the required exit width, the net dimension

of the exitway shall be used.

(4) Door Leaf Width. No leaf an exit door shall

exceed 1.20 meters (4 feet) in width.

(5) Special Doors. Revolving, sliding, and overhead

doors shall not be used as required exits.

(6) Egress from Door. Every required exit door shall

give immediate access to an approved means of egress from the building.

(7) Change in Floor Level at Doors. Regardless of the

occupant load, there shall be a floor or landing on each side of and

exit door. The floor or landing shall be level with, or not more than 5

centimeters (2 inches) lower than the threshold of the doorway: Except,

that in Groups A and B Occupies, a door may open on the top step of a

flight of stairs or an exterior landing providing the door does not

swing over the top step or exterior landing and the landing is not more

than 19 centimeters (7-1/2 inches) below the floor level.

(8) Door Identification. Glass doors shall conform to

the requirements specified in Section 10.05.05. Other exit doors shall

be so marked that they are readily distinguishable from the adjacent

construction.

(9) Additional Doors. When additional doors are

provided for egress purposes, they shall conform to all provisions in

the following cases: Approved revolving door having leaves which will

collapse under opposing pressures may be used in exit situations:

provided, that such doors have a minimum width of 2.00 meters (6 feet,

7 inches); or they are not used in occupancies where exits are required

to be equipped with panic hardware; or at least one conforming exit

door is located adjacent to each revolving door installed in a

building, and the revolving door shall not be considered to provide any

exit width.

(d) Corridors and Exterior Exit Balconies. The

provisions herein shall apply to every corridor and exterior exit

balcony serving as required exit for an occupant load of more than 10

(1) Width. Every corridor or exterior exit balcony

shall be not less in which 1.12 meters (3 feet, 8 inches).

(2) Projections. The required width of corridors and

exterior exit balconies shall be unobstructed: Except, that trim,

handrails, and doors when fully opened shall not reduce the required

width by more than 18 centimeters (7 inches). Doors in any position

shall not reduce the required width by more than one-half.

(3) Access to Exits. When more than one exit is

required, they shall be so arranged to allow going to either direction

from any point in the corridor or exterior exit balcony to a separate

exit, except for dead ends permitted.

(4) Dead Ends. Corridors and exterior exit balconies

with dead ends are permitted when the dead ends does not exceed 6.00

meters (20 feet) in length.

(5) Construction. Walls and ceilings of corridors

shall be not less than one hour fire-resistive construction: Except,

that this requirement shall not apply to exterior exit balcony

railings, corridors of a one-storey building housing a Group E or F

Occupancy occupied by one tenant only and which serves an occupant load

of 30 less, nor to corridors, formed by temporary partitions. Exterior

exit balconies cannot project into an area where protected openings are

required.

(6) Openings. Where corridor walls are required to be

one-hour fire-resistive construction every interior door opening shall

be protected as set forth in generally recognized and accepted

requirements for dual purpose fire exit doors. Other interior openings,

except ventilation louvers equipped with approved automatic fire

shutters shall be 6.3 millimeters (1/4 inch) fixed wire glass set in

steel frames. The total area of all openings other than doors, in any

portion of an interior corridor wall shall not exceed 25 per cent of

the area of the corridor wall of the room which it is separating from

the corridor.

portion thereof shall conform to the following requirements of this

Code except stairs or ladders used only to attend equipment.

(1) Width. Stairways serving an occupant load of more

than 50 shall be not less in width than 1.12 meters (3 feet, 8 inches).

Stairways serving an occupant load of 50 less may be 90 centimeters (3

feet) wide. Private stairways serving an occupant load less than 10 may

be 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) wide. Trim and handrails shall not

reduce the required width may more than 9 centimeters (3-1/2 inches).

(2) Rise and Run. The rise of every step in a

stairway shall not exceed 19 centimeters (7-1/2 inches) and the run

shall not be less than 25 centimeters (10 inches). Except as provided

under paragraph (d) the maximum variations in the height of risers and

the width of treads in any one flight shall be 5 millimeters (3-1/2

inch): Except, that in private stairways serving an occupant load of

less than 10, the rise may be 20 centimeters (8 inches) and run may be

23 centimeters (9 inches).

(3) Winding Stairway.n Group A Occupancies and in

private stairways in Group B Occupancies, winders may be used if the

required width of run is provided at a point not more than 30

centimeters (12 inches) from the side of the stairway where the treads

are the narrower, but in no case shall any width of run be less than 15

centimeters (6 inches) at any point.

(4) Circular Stairways. Circular stairs may be used

as an exit provided the minimum width of run is not less than 25

centimeters (10 inches). All treads in any one flight between landing

shall have identical dimensions within a 5-millimeters (3/16-inch)

tolerance.

(5) Landings. Every landing shall have a dimension

measured in the direction of travel equal to the width of the stairway.

Such dimension need not exceed 1.20 meters (4 feet) when the stair has

a straight run. Landings, when provided shall not be reduced in width

by more than 9.3 centimeters (3-1/2 inches) by a door when fully open.

(6) Basement Stairways. Where a basement stairway and

stairway to an upper storey terminate in the same exit enclosure, an

approved barrier shall be provided to prevent persons from continuing

on into the basement. Directional exit signs shall be provided as

specified in this Code.

(7) Distance Between Landings. There shall be not

more than 3.65 meters (12 feet) vertically between landings.

(8) Handrails. Stairways shall have handrails on each

side, and every stairway required to be more than 3.00 meters (9 feet)

in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate handrail

for each 3.00 meters (9 feet of required width.ntermediate handrails

shall be spaced approximately equal within the entire width of the

stairway. Handrails shall be placed not less than 75 centimeters (2

feet, 6 inches) nor more than 85 centimeters (2 feet, 10 inches) above

the nosing of threads, and ends of handrails shall be returned or shall

terminate in newel posts or safety terminals: Except, in the following

cases: Stairways 1.12 meters (3 feet, 8 inches or less in width and

stairway serving one individual dwelling unit in Group A or B

Occupancies may have one handrails, except that such stairway open on

one or both sides shall have handrails provided on the open side or

sides; or stairways having less four than four risers need not have

handrails.

(9) Exterior Stairway Protection. All openings in the

exterior wall below or within 3.00 meters (10 feet), measured

horizontally, of an exterior exit stairway serving a building over two

storeys in height shall be protected by a self-closing fire assembly

having a three-fourths-hour fire-resistive rating: Except, that

openings may be unprotected when two separated exterior stairways serve

an exterior exit balcony.

(10) Stairway Construction-Interior.nterior stairways

shall be constructed as specified in this Code. Where there is enclosed

usable space shall be protected on the enclosed side as required for

one-hour fire-resistive construction.

(11) Stairway Construction-Exterior. Exterior

stairways shall be of incombustible material: Except, that on Type III

buildings which do not exceed two storeys in height, and are located in

less fire-resistive Fire Zones, as well as on Type I buildings, these

may be of wood not less than 5 centimeters (2 inches) in nominal

thickness. Exterior stairs shall be protected as required for exterior

walls due to location on property as specified in this Code. Exterior

stairways shall not project into an area where openings are required to

be protected. Where there is enclosed usable space under stairs the

walls and soffits of the enclosed space shall be protected on the

enclosed side as required for one-hour fire-resistive construction.

(12) Stairway to Roof .n every building more than two

storeys in height, one stairway shall extend to the roof surface,

unless the roof has a slope greater than 1 in 3.

(13) Headroom. Every required stairway shall have a

headroom clearance of not less than 2.00 meters (6 feet, 8 inches).

Such clearance shall be established by measuring vertically from a

plane parallel and tangent to the stairway tread nosing to the soft

above all points.

(f) Ramps. A ramp conforming to the requirements of

this Code may be used as an exit. The width of ramps shall be as

required for corridors.

(g) Horizontal Exit.f conforming to the provisions

of this Code, a horizontal exit may be required exit. All openings in a

separation wall shall be protected by a fire assembly having a

fire-resistive rating of not less than one hour. A horizontal exit

shall lead into a floor area having capacity for an occupant load not

less than the occupant load served by such exit. The capacity shall be

determined by allowing 0.28 square meter (3 square feet) of net clear

floor area per ambulatory occupant and 1.86 square meters (20 square

feet) per non-ambulatory occupant. The dispersal area into which the

horizontal exit leads shall be provided with exits as required by this

Code.

(h) Exit Enclosures. Every interior stairway, ramp,

or escalator shall be enclosed as specified in this Code: Except, that

in other than Group D Occupancies, an enclosure will not be required

for a stairway, ramp, or escalator serving only one adjacent floor and

connected with corridors or stairways serving other floors. Stairs in

Group A Occupancies need not be enclosed.

(1) Enclosure walls shall be of not less than

two-hour fire-resistive construction elsewhere. There shall be no

openings into exit enclosures except exit doorways and openings in

exterior walls. All exit doors in an exit enclosure shall appropriately

be protected.

(2) Stairway and ramp enclosures shall include

landings and parts of floors connecting stairway flights and shall also

include a corridor on the ground floor leading from the stairway to the

exterior of the building. Enclosed corridors or passageways are not

required from unenclosed stairways.

(3) A stairway in an exit enclosure shall not

continue below the grade level exit unless an approved barrier is

provided at the ground floor level to prevent persons from accidentally

continuing into the basement.

(4) There shall be no enclosed usable space under

stairways in an exit enclosure, nor shall the open space under such

stairways be used for any purpose.

(i) Smokeproof Enclosures. A smoke enclosure shall

consist of a continuous stairway enclosed from the highest point top

the lowest point by walls of two-hour fire-resistive construction.n

buildings five storeys or more in height, one of the required exits

shall be smokeproof enclosure.

(1) Stairs in smokeproof enclosures shall be of

incombustible construction.

(2) There shall be no openings in smokeproof

enclosure, except exit doorways and openings in exterior walls. There

shall be no openings directly into the interior of the building. Access

shall be through a vestibule with one wall at 50 per cent open to the

exterior and having an exit door from the interior of the building and

an exit door leading to the smokeproof enclosure.n lieu of a vestibule,

access may be by way of an open exterior balcony of incombustible

materials.

(3) The opening from the building to the vestibule or

balcony shall be protected with a self-closing fire assembly having

one-hour fire-resistive rating. The opening from the vestibule or

balcony to the stair tower shall be protected a self-closing fire

assembly having a one-hour fire-resistive rating.

(4) A smokeproof of enclosure shall exit into a

public way or into an exit passageway leading to a public way. The exit

passageway shall be without other openings and shall have walls,

floors, and ceilings of two-hour exit resistance.

(5) A stairway in a smokeproof enclosure shall not

continue below the grade level exit unless an approved barrier is

provided at the ground floor level to prevent persons from accidentally

continuing into the basement.

(j) Exit Outlets, Courts, and Passageways. Every exit

shall discharge into a public way, exit court, or exit passageway.

Every exit court shall discharge into a public way or exit passageway.

Passageways shall be without openings other than required exits and

shall have walls, floors, and ceilings of the building but shall be not

less than one-hour fire-resistive construction.

(1) Width. Every exit court and exit passageway shall

be at least as wide as the required total width of the tributary exits,

such as required width being based on the occupant load served. The

required width of exit courts or exit passageways shall be unobstructed

except as permitted in corridors. At any point where the width of an

exit court is reduced from any cause, the reduction in width shall be

affected gradually by a guardrail at least 90 centimeters (3 feet) in

height. The guardrail shall make an angle of not more than 30 degrees

with the exit court.

(2) Slope. The slope of exit courts shall not exceed

1 in 10. The slope of exit passageways shall not exceed 1 in 8.

(3) Number of Exits. Every exit court shall be

provided with exits as required by this Code.

(4) Openings. All openings into an exit court less

than 3.00 meters (10 feet) wide shall be protected by fire assemblies

having a three-fourths-hour fire resistive rating: Except, that

openings more than 3.00 meters (10 feet) above the floor of the exit

court may be unprotected.

(k) Exit Signs and Illumination. Exits shall be

illuminated at any time the building is occupied with light having an

intensity of not less than one-foot candle at floor level: Except, that

for Group A Occupancies the exit illumination shall be provided with

separate circuits or separated sources of power (but not necessarily

separate from exit signs) when these are required for exit sign

illumination.

(l) Aisles. Every portion of every building in which

are installed seats, tables, merchandise, equipment, or similar

materials shall be provided with aisles leading to an exit.

(1) Width. Every aisle shall be not less than 90

centimeters (3 feet) wide if serving only one side, and not less than

1.07 meters (3 feet, 6 inches) wide if serving both sides. Such minimum

width shall be measured at the point farthest from an exit, cross

aisles, or foyer and shall be increased by 4 centimeters (1 ½

inches) for each 1.50 meters (5 feet) in length toward the exit, cross

aisle, or foyer. With continental spacing, side aisle shall be not less

than 1.12 meters (3 feet, 8 inches) in width.

(2) Exit Distance.n area occupied by seats and in

Group H and I Occupancies without seats, the line of travel to an exit

door by an aisle shall not be not more than 46.00 meters (150 feet).

With standard spacing, as specified in this Code, aisles shall be so

located that there will be not more than six intervening seats between

any seat and the nearest aisle. With continental spacing, the number of

intervening seats may be increased to 29 where exit doors are provided

along each aisle of the row of seats at the rate of one pair of exit

doors for five rows of seats. Such exit doors shall provide a minimum

clear width of 1.75 meters (5 feet, 6 inches).

(3) Cross Aisle. Aisles shall terminate in a cross

aisle, foyer, or exit. The width of the cross aisle shall be not less

than the sum of the required width of the widest aisle plus 50 per cent

of the total required width of the remaining aisle leading thereto.n

Groups C, H, and E Occupancies, aisles shall not be provided a dead end

greater than 6.00 meters (20 feet) in length.

(4) Vomitories. Vomitories connecting the foyer or

main exit with the cross aisles shall have a total width not less than

the sum of the required width of the widest aisles leading thereto plus

50 per cent of the total required width of the remaining aisles leading

thereto.

(5) Slope. The slope portion of aisles shall not

exceed 1 in 8.

(m) Seats

(1) Seat Spacing. With standard seating the spacing

of rows of seats from back-to-back shall be not less than 84

centimeters (2 feet, 9 inches), nor shall less than 69 centimeters (2

feet, 3 inches) plus the sum of the thickness of the back and

inclination of the back. Automatic or self-rising seats shall be

measured in the seat-up position, other seats shall be measured in the

seat-down position. With continental seating, the spacing of rows of

unoccupied seats shall provide a clear width measured horizontally, as

follows: 45 centimeters (18 inches) clear for rows of 18 seats or less;

51 centimeters (20 inches) clear for rows of 35 seats or less; 51

centimeters (21 inches) clear for rows of 45 seats or less; and 56

centimeters (22 inches) clear for rows of 46 seats or more.

(2) Width. The width of any seat shall not less than

45 centimeters (1 foot, 6 inches).

(n) Special Hazards

(1) Boiler Rooms. Except in Group A Occupancies,

every boiler room and every room containing an incinerator or L-P Gas

or liquid fuel-fired equipment shall be provided with at least two

means of egress, one of which may be a ladder. All interior openings

shall be protected as set by internationally recognized and accepted

practice for dual purpose fire exit doors.

(2) Cellulose Nitrate Handling. Film laboratories,

projection rooms, and nitro-cellulose processing rooms shall have not

less than two exits.

(o) Reviewing Stands, Grandstands, and Bleachers

(1) Height of Stands. Stands employing combustible

framing shall be limited to 11 rows or 2.70 meter (9 feet) in height.

(2) Design Requirements. The minimum unit live load

for reviewing stands, grandstands, and bleachers shall be 488 kilograms

per square meter (100 pounds per square foot) of horizontal projection

for the structure as a whole. Seat and footboards shall be 178.5

kilograms per linear meter (120 pounds per linear foot). The sway

force, applied to seats, shall be 35.7 kilograms per linear meter (24

pounds per linear foot) parallel to the seats and 14.8 kilograms per

linear meter (10 pounds per linear foot) perpendicular to the seats.

Sway forces need not be applied simultaneously with other lateral

forces.

(3) Spacing of Seats

(3.1) Row Spacing. The minimum spacing of rows of

seats measured from back-to-back shall be: 55 centimeters (22 inches)

for seats without backrests in open air standards; 76 centimeters (30

inches) for seats with backrests; and 84 centimeters (33 inches) for

chair seating. There shall be a space of not less than 30 centimeters

(12 inches) between the back of each seat and front of the seat

immediately behind it.

(3.2) Rise Between Rows. The maximum rise from one

row of seats to the next shall not exceed 40 centimeters (16 inches).

(3.3) Seating Capacity. For determining the seating

capacity of a stand, the width of any seat shall be not less than 45

centimeters (18 inches) nor more than 48 centimeters (19 inches).

(3.4) Number of Seats Between Aisles. The number of

seats between any seats and an aisle shall not be greater than 15 for

open air stands with seats without backrests; 9 for open air stands

with seats having backrest in buildings, and 6 for seats with backrest

in building.

(4) Aisles

(4.1) Aisles Required. Aisles shall be provided in

all stands: Except, that aisles may be omitted when all the following

conditions exists: Seats are without backrest; the rise from row to row

does not exceed 30 centimeters (12 inches) per row; the number of rows

does not exceed 11 in height; the top seating board is not over 3.00

meters (10 feet) above grade; and first seating board is not more than

50 centimeters (20 inches) above grade.

(4.2) Obstructions. No obstruction shall be placed in

the required width of any aisle or exitway.

(4.3) Stairs Required. When an aisle is elevated more

than 20 centimeters (8 inches) above grade, the aisle shall be provided

with a stairway or ramp whose width is not less than the width of the

aisles.

(4.4) Dead End. No vertical aisle shall have a dead

and more than 16 rows in depth regardless of the number of exits

required.

(4.5) Width. Aisles shall have a minimum width of

1.07 meters (3 feet, 6 inches).

(5) Stairs and Ramps. The requirements in this Code

shall apply to all stairs and ramps except for portions that pass

through the seating area.

(5.1) Stair Rise and Run. The maximum rise of treads

shall not exceed 20 centimeters (8 inches) and the minimum width of the

run shall be 28 centimeters (11 inches). The maximum variations in the

width of treads in any one flight shall be not more than 5 millimeters

(3/16 inch) and the maximum variation in the height of two adjacent

rises shall not exceed 5 millimeters (3/16 inch).

(5.2) Ramp Slope. The slope of ramp shall be of

approved nonslip material.

(5.3) Handrails. A ramp with a slope exceeding 1 in

10 shall have handrails. Stairs for stands shall have handrails.

Handrails shall conform to the requirements of this Code.

(6) Guardrails

(6.1) Guardrails shall be required in all locations

where the top of seat plank is more than 1.20 meters (4 feet) above the

grade and at the front of stands elevated more than 60 centimeters (2

feet) above grade. Where only sections of stands are used, guardrails

shall be provided as required in this Code.

(6.2) Railings shall be 1.07 meters (3 feet, 6

inches) above the rear of a seat plank or 1.07 meters (3 feet 6 inches)

above the rear of the steps in an aisle when the guardrail is parallel

and adjacent to the aisle: Except, that the height may be reduced to 90

centimeters (3 feet) for guardrails located in front of the grandstand.

(6.3) A midrail shall be placed adjacent to any seat

to limit the open distance above the top of any part of a seat to 3.00

meters (10 feet) where the seat is at the extreme end or at the extreme

rear of the bleachers of grandstand. The intervening space shall have

one additional rail midway in the opening: Except, that railings may be

omitted when stands are placed directly against a wall or fence giving

equivalent protection; stairs and ramps shall be provided with

guardrails. Handrails at the front of stands and adjacent to an aisle

shall be designed at resist a load of 74 kilograms per linear meter (50

pounds per linear foot) applied at the top rail. Other handrails shall

be designed at resist a load of 9 kilograms (20 pounds).

(7) Footboards. Footboards shall be provided for all

rows of seats above the third row, or beginning at such point where the

seating plank is more than 60 centimeters (2 feet) above grade.

(8) Exits

(8.1) Distance to Exit. The line of travel to an exit

shall be not more than 45.00 meters (150 feet). For stands with seats

without backrests this distance may be measured by direct line from a

seat to the exit from the stand.

(8.2) Aisle Used as Exit. An aisle may be considered

as only one exit unless it is continuous at both ends to a legal

building exit or to a safe dispersal area.

(8.3) Two Exits Required. A stand with the first

seating board not more than 50 centimeters (20 inches) above grade of

floor may be considered to have two exits when the bottom of the stands

is open at both ends. Every stand or section of a stand within a

building shall have at least two means of egress when the stand

accommodates more than 50 persons. Every open air stand having seats

without backrest shall have at least two means of egress when the stand

accommodates more than 300 persons.

(8.4) Three Exits Required. Three exits shall be

required for stands within a building when there are more than 300

occupants within a stands, and for open air stands with seats without

backrests where a stand or section of a stand accommodates more than

1000 occupants.

(8.5) Four Exits Required. Four exits shall be

required when a stand or section of stand accommodates more than 1000

occupants. Except, that for an open air stand with seats without

backrest four exits need not be provided unless there are

accommodations for more than 3000 occupants.

(8.6) Width. The total width of exits in meters shall

be not less than the total occupant load served divided by 165 (by 50

in feet): Except, that for open air stands with seats without backrests

the total width of exits in meters shall be not less than the total

occupant load served divided by 500 (150 in feet) when exiting by

stairs, and divided by 650 (by 200 in feet) when exiting by ramps or

horizontally. When both horizontal and stair exits are used, the total

width of exits shall be determined by using both figures as applicable.

No exit shall be less than 1.07 meters (42 inches) in width. Exits

shall be arranged a reasonable distance apart. When but two exits are

provided, they shall be spaced not less than one-fifth of the perimeter

apart.

(9) Securing of Chairs. Chairs and benches used on

raised stands shall be secured to the platform upon which they are

placed: Except, that when less than 25 chairs are used upon a single

raised platform the fastening of seats to the platform may be omitted.

When more than 500 loose chairs are used in connection with athletic

events, chairs shall be fastened together in groups of not less than

three, and shall be tied or staked to the ground.

(10) Safe Dispersal Area. Each safe dispersal area

shall have at least two exits.f more than 6000 persons are to be

accommodated within such an area, there shall be a minimum of three

exits, and for more than 9000 persons there shall be a minimum of four

exits. The aggregate clear width of exits from a safe dispersal area

shall be determined on the basis of not less than one exit unit 56

centimeters (22 inches) for each 500 persons to be accommodated and no

exit shall be less than 1.12 meters (44 inches) in width. Exits shall

be a reasonable distance apart but shall be spaced not less than

one-fifth of the perimeter of the area apart from each other.

Sec. 8.01.08: Skylights

(a) All skylights shall be constructed with metal

frames, except those for Groups A and J Occupancies. Frames of

skylights shall be designed to carry loads required for roofs. All

skylights, the glass of which is set an angle of less than 45 degrees

from the horizontal, if located above the first storey, shall be at

least 10 centimeters (4 inches) above the roofs. Curbs on which the

skylight rests shall be constructed of incombustible materials except

for Type I or II constructions.

(b) Spacing between supports in one direction for

flat wired glass skylights shall not exceed 7.60 meters (25 feet).

Corrugated wired glass may have supports 1.50 meters (5 feet) apart in

the direction of the corrugation. All glass in skylights shall be wire

glass: Except, that skylights over vertical shafts extending through

two or more storeys shall be glazed with plain glass as specified in

this Code: provided, that wire glass may be used if ventilation equal

to not less than one-eighth the cross-sectional area of the shaft but

never less than 1.20 meters (4 feet) is provided at the top of such

shaft. Any glass not wire glass shall be protected above and below with

a screen constructed of wire not smaller than 12 U.S. gauge with a mesh

not larger than 2.5 centimeters (1 inch). The screen shall be

substantially supported below the glass.

may be constructed of metal frames and plate glass without wire

netting.

(d) Ordinary glass may be used in the roofs and

skylights for greenhouses, provided the height of the greenhouse at the

ridge does not exceed 6.00 meters (20 feet) above the grade. The use of

wood in the frames of skylights will be permitted in greenhouses

outside of highly restrictive Fire Zones if the height of the skylights

does not exceeds 6.00 meters (20 feet) above the grade, but in other

cases metal frames and metal sash bars shall be used.

(e) Glass used for the transmission of light, if

placed in floors or sidewalks, shall be supported by metal or

reinforced concrete frames, and such glass shall be not less than 12.7

millimeters (1/2 inch) in thickness. Any such glass over 103 square

centimeters (16 square inches) in area shall have wire mesh embedded in

the same or shall be provided with a wire screen underneath as

specified for skylights in this Code. All portions of the floor lights

or sidewalk lights shall be of the same strength as required for floor

or sidewalk lights shall be of the same strength as construction,

except in cases where the floor is surrounded by a railing not less

than 1.07 meters (3 feet, 6 inches) in height, in which case the

construction shall be calculated for not less than roof loads.

Sec. 8.01.09: Bays, Porches, Balconies

(a) Walls and floors in bay and oriel windows shall

conform to the construction allowed for exterior walls and floors of

the type of construction of the building to which they are attached.

The roof covering of a bay or oriel window shall conform to the

requirements of the roofing of the main roof. Exterior balconies

attached to or supported by walls required to be of masonry, shall have

brackets or beams constructed of incombustible materials. Railings

shall be provided for balconies, landings, or porches, which are more

than 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) above grade.

Sec. 8.01.10: Penthouses and Roof Structures

(a) Height. No penthouse or other projection above

the roof when used as an enclosure for tanks or elevators which run to

the roof and in all other cases shall be not extend more than 3.60

meters (12 feet)in height above the roof.

(b) Area. The aggregate area of all penthouses and

other roof structures shall not exceed 33-1/3 per cent of the area of

the supporting roof.

other similar projection above the roof shall be used for purposes

other than shelter of mechanical equipment or shelter of vertical shaft

openings in the roof. A penthouse or bulkhead used for purposes other

than that allowed by this Section shall conform to the requirements of

this Code for an additional storey.

(d) Construction. Roof structures constructed with

walls, floors, and roof as required for the main portion of the

building except in the following cases:

(1) On Types II and III buildings the exterior walls

and roofs of penthouses which are 1.50 meters (5 feet) or more from an

adjacent property line may be of one-hour fire-resistive incombustible

construction.

(2) Walls not less than 1.50 meters (5 feet) from an

exterior wall of a Type IV building may be of one-hour fire-resistive

incombustible construction.

The above restriction shall not prohibit the placing of wood flagpoles

or similar structures on the roof of any building.

(e) Towers and Spires. Towers or spires when closed

shall have exterior walls as required for the building to which they

are attached. Towers not enclosed and which extend more than 23.00

meters (75 feet) above grade shall have their framework construction of

iron, steel, or reinforced concrete. No tower or spire shall occupy

more than one-fourth of the street frontage of any building to which is

attached and in no case shall the base area exceed 150 square meters

(1600 square feet) unless it conforms entirely to the type of

construction requirements of the building to which it is attached and

is limited in height as a main part of the building.f the area of the

tower or spire exceeds 10.00 square meters (107 square feet) at any

horizontal cross section, its supporting frame shall extend directly to

the ground. The roof covering of the spires shall be as required for

the main roof of the roof of the rest of the structure. Skeleton towers

used as radio masts, neon signs, or advertisement frames and placed on

the roof of any building shall be constructed entirely of incombustible

materials when more than 7.60 meters (25 feet) in height and shall be

directly supported on an incombustible framework to the ground. No such

skeleton towers shall be supported on roofs of combustible framings.

They shall be design to withstand a wind load from any direction in

addition to any other loads.

Sec. 8.01.11: Chimneys, Fireplaces, and Barbecues

(a) Chimneys

(1) Structural Design. Chimneys shall be designed,

anchored, supported, reinforced, constructed, and installed in

accordance with generally accepted principles of engineering. Every

chimney shall be capable of producing a draft at the appliance not less

than the required for the safe operation of the appliance connected

thereto. No chimney shall support any structural load than its own

weight unless it is designed to act as a supporting member. Chimneys in

an wood-framed building shall be anchored laterally at the ceiling and

each floor line which is more than 1.80 meters (6 feet) above grade,

except when entirely within the framework on when designed to be free

standing.

(2) Walls. Every masonry chimneys shall have walls of

masonry units, bricks, stones, listed masonry units, reinforced

concrete or equivalent solid thickness of hollow masonry and lined with

suitable liners in accordance with the following requirements:

(2.1) Masonry Chimneys for Residential-type

Appliances. Masonry chimneys shall be constructed of masonry units or

reinforced concrete with walls not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches)

thick or rubble stone masonry not less than 30 centimeters (12 inches)

thick. The chimney linear shall be in accordance with this Code.

(2.2) Masonry Chimneys for Low-heat-Appliances.

Masonry chimneys shall be constructed of masonry units or reinforced

concrete with walls not less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) thick

except that rubbles stone masonry shall be not less than 30 centimeters

(12 inches) thick. The chimneys linear shall be in accordance with this

Code.

(2.3) Masonry Chimneys for Medium-heat Appliances.

Masonry chimneys for medium-heat appliances shall be constructed of

solid masonry units of reinforced concrete not less than 20 centimeters

(8 inches) thick, except that stone masonry shall be not at less than

30 centimeters (12 inches) thick and, in addition shall be lined with

not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of firebrick laid in a solid

bed of fire clay mortar with solidity filled head, bed, and wall

joints, starting not less than 60 centimeters (2 feet) below the

chimney connector entrance and extending for a distance of at least

7.60 meters (25 feet) above the chimney connector entrance. Chimneys

extending 7.60 meters (25 feet) or less above the chimney connector

shall be lined to the top.

(2.4) Masonry Chimneys for High-heat Appliances.

Masonry chimneys for high-heat appliances shall be constructed with

double walls of sold masonry units of reinforced concrete not less than

20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness, with an air space of not less

than 5 centimeters (2 inches) between walls. The inside of the interior

walls shall be of firebrick not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) in

thickness laid in a solid bid of fire clay mortar with solidly filled

head, bed and wall joints.

(2.5) Masonry Chimneys for Incinerators Installed in

Multi-Storey Buildings (Apartment-type Incinerators). Chimneys for

incinerators installed in multi-storey buildings using the chimney

passageway as a refuse chute where the horizontal grate area of

combustion chamber does not exceed 0.84 square meter (9 square feet)

shall have walls of solid masonry or reinforced concrete, not less than

10 centimeters (4 inches) thick with a chimneys lining as specified in

this Code.f the grate area of such an incinerator exceeds 0.84 square

meter (9 square feet), walls shall be not less than 10 centimeters (4

inches) of firebrick except that higher than 9.00 meters (30 feet)

above the roof of the combustion chamber, common brick alone, 20

centimeters (8 inches) in thickness, may be used.

(2.6) Masonry Chimneys for Commercial and

Industrial-type Incinerators. Masonry chimneys for commercial and

industrial-type incinerators of a size designed for not more than 115

kilograms (250 pounds) or refuse per hour and having a horizontal grate

area not exceeding 0.84 meter (9 square feet) shall have walls of solid

masonry or reinforced concrete not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches)

thick with lining shall extend for not less than 10 centimeters (4

inches) for firebrick, which lining shall extend for not less than

12.00 meters (40 feet) above the roof of the combustion chamber.f the

design capacity or grate area of such an incinerator exceed 115

kilograms (250 pounds) per hour and 0.84 square meter (9 square feet)

respectively, walls shall be not less than 20 centimeters (8 inches)

thick, lined with not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of firebrick

extending the full height of the chimney.

(3) Linings. Fire clay chimney lining shall be not

less than 16 millimeters (5/8 inch) thick. The lining shall extend from

20 centimeters (8 inches) below the lowest inlet or, in the case of

fireplaces, from the throat of the fireplace to a point above enclosing

masonry walls. Fire clay chimney linings shall be installed ahead of

the construction of the chimney as it is carried up, carefully bedded

one on the other in fire clay mortar, with close-fitting joints left so

smooth on the inside. Firebrick not less than 5 centimeters (2 inches)

thick may be used in place of fire clay chimney.

(4) Area. No chimney passageway shall be smaller in

area than the vent connection on the appliance attached thereto.

(5) Height. Every masonry chimney shall extend at

least 60 centimeters (2 feet) above the part of the roof through which

it passes and at least 60 centimeters (2 feet) above the highest

elevation of any part of a building within 3.00 meters (10 feet) to the

chimney.

(6) Corbeling. No masonry chimney shall be corbel

from a wall more than 15 centimeters (6 inches) nor shall a masonry

chimney be corbeled from a wall which is less than 30 centimeters (12

inches) in thickness unless it projects equally on each side of the

wall.n the second storey of a two-storey building of Group A Occupancy,

corbeling of masonry chimneys on the exterior of the enclosing walls

may equal the wall thickness.n every case the corbeling shall not

exceed 2.5-centimeter (1 inch) projection for each course of brick.

(7) Change in Size or Shape. No change in the size or

shape of a masonry chimney where the chimney passes through the roof

shall be made within a distance of 15 centimeters (6 inches) above or

below the roof joists or rafters.

(8) Separation. When more than one passageway is

contained in the same chimney, masonry separation at least 10

centimeters (4 inches) thick bonded into the masonry wall of the

chimney shall be provided to separate passageways.

(9) Inlets. Every inlet to masonry chimneys shall

enter the side thereof and shall be of not less than 3 millimeters (1/8

inch) thick metal or 16 millimeters (5/8 inch) refractory materials.

(10) Clearance. Combustible materials shall not be

placed within 5 centimeters (2 inches) of smoke chamber walls or

masonry chimney walls when built within a structure, or with 2.5

centimeters (1 inch) when the chimney is built entirely outside the

structure.

(11) Termination. All incineration shall terminate in

a substantially constructed spark arrester having a mesh not exceeding

19 centimeters (3/4 inch).

(12) Cleanouts. Cleanout opening shall be provided at

the base of every masonry chimney.

(b) Fireplaces and Barbecues. Fireplaces, barbecues,

smoke chamber, and fireplace chimneys shall be of solid masonry or

reinforced concrete and shall conform to the minimum requirements

specified in this Code. Factory-built metal room heating stoves may be

used in accordance with generally recognized engineering practices.

(1) Fireplace Walls. Walls of fireplaces shall be not

less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness. Walls of fireboxes

shall be not less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) in thickness: Except,

that where a lining of firebrick is used such walls shall be not less

than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness. The firebox shall be not

less than 50 centimeters (20 inches) in depth. The maximum thickness of

joints in firebrick shall be 6 millimeter (1/4 inch).

(2) Hoods. Metal hoods used as a part of a fireplace

or barbecue shall be not less than No. 18 gauge copper, galvanized

steel, or other equivalent corrosion-resistant ferrous metal with all

seams and connections of smokeproof unsoldered construction. The hoods

shall be sloped at an angle of 45 degrees or less from the vertical and

shall extend horizontally at least 15 centimeters (6 inches) beyond the

limits of the firebox. Metal hoods shall be kept a minimum of 40

centimeters (18 inches) from combustion materials unless approved for

reduced clearances.

(3) Circulators. Approved metal heat circulators may

be installed fireplaces.

(4) Smoke Chamber. Front and side walls shall be not

less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness. Smoke chamber back

walls shall not be not less than 15 centimeters (6 inches) in

thickness.

(5) Fireplace Chimneys. Walls of chimneys without

flue lining shall be not less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in

thickness. Walls of chimneys with flue lining shall be not less than 10

centimeters (4 inches) in thickness and shall not be constructed in

accordance with this Code.

(6) Clearance to Combustible Material. Combustible

material shall not be placed within 5 centimeters (2 inches) of

fireplace, smoke chamber, or chimneys walls when built entirely within

a structure, or within 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) when the chimney is

built entirely outside the structure.n lieu of 2.5-centimeter (1 inch)

clearance between chimney and exterior wall, 12 millimeters (1/2 inch)

gypsum board may be substituted. Combustible materials shall not be

placed within 15 centimeters (6 inches) of the fireplace opening. No

such combustible material within 30 centimeters (12 inches) of the

fireplace opening shall project more than 3 millimeters (1/8 inch) for

each 2.5-centimeter (1 inch) clearance from such opening. No part of

metal hoods used as part of a fireplace, barbecue, or heating stove

shall be less than 40 centimeters (18 inches) from combustible

material. This clearance may be reduced to the minimum requirements set

forth in this Code.

(7) Areas of Flues, Throats, and Dampers. The net

cross-sectional area of the flue and of the throat between the firebox

and the smoke chamber of a fireplaces shall be not less than the

requirements according to internationally recognized and accepted

principles of engineering. Where dampers are used, they shall be of not

less than No. 12 gauge metal. When fully opened, damper openings shall

be not less than 90 per cent of the required flue area. When fully

opened, damper blade shall not extent the line of inner face of the

flue.

(8) Lintel. Masonry over the fireplace opening shall

be supported by an incombustible lintel.

(9) Hearth. Every fireplace shall be provided with a

brick, concrete, stone, or other approved incombustible hearth slab at

least 30 centimeters (12 inches) wider on each side than the fireplace

opening and projecting at least 30 centimeters (18 inches) therefrom.

This slab shall be not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) thick and

shall be supported by incombustible materials or reinforced to carry

its own weight and all imposed loads. Combustible forms and centering

shall be removed.

Sec. 8.01.12: Fire-Extinguishing Systems

(a) Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems: Where

Required. Standard automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall comply

with requirements of generally recognized and accepted practices and

shall be installed in the following places:

(1) In every basement or cellar with an area of 200

square meters (2152 square feet) or more which is used for habitation,

recreation, dining, study, or work, and which base an occupant load of

more than 20.

(2) In all dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, workshops

or factories, and other rooms with an occupant load of more than 10,

assembly halls under Groups H and I Occupies with an occupant load of

more than 500, and if the exit doors of said rooms are more than 30.00

meters (100 feet) from the nearest safe fire dispersal area of the

building or opening to a court or street.

(3) In all rooms used as storage or handling of

photographic and x-ray nitrocellulose films and other inflammable

articles.

(b) Dry Standpipes. Every building six more storeys

in height shall be equipped with one or more dry standpipes.

(1) Construction and tests. Dry standpipes shall be

of wrought iron or galvanized steel and together with fittings and

connections shall be of sufficient strength to withstand 20 kilograms

per square centimeter (300 pounds per square inch) of water pressure

when ready for service, without leaking at the joints, valves, or

fittings. Tests shall be conducted by the owner or his representative

or contractor in the presence of a representative of the City or

Municipal Fire Department whenever deemed necessary for the purpose of

certification of its proper function.

(2) Size. Dry standpipes shall be of such size as to

be capable of delivering 946 liters (250 gallons) per minute from each

of any three outlets simultaneously under the pressure created by one

fire engine or pumper, based on the existing city equipment available.

The local Fire Department shall be consulted as to the proper size and

threads of those connections.

(3) Number Required. Every building six or more

storeys in height where the area of any floor above the fifth floor is

950 square meters (10,000 square feet) or less shall be equipped with

not less than one dry standpipe and an additional standpipe shall be

installed for each additional 950 square meters (10,000 square feet) or

fraction thereof.

(4) Location. Standpipes shall be located within

stairway landings or near such stairways as possible or immediately

inside of an exterior wall and 30 centimeters (12 inches) of an opening

in a stairway enclosure of the balcony or vestibule of a smokeproof

tower or an outside exit stairway.

(5) Siamese Connection. Subject to the provisions of

subparagraph (2), all 10-centimeter (4-inch) dry standpipes shall be

equipped with a two-way Siamese fire department connection. All

12.5-centimeter (5-inch) dry standpipes shall be equipped with a

three-way Siamese fire department connection and 15-centimeter (6-inch)

dry standpipes shall be equipped with a four-way Siamese fire

department connection. All Siamese inlet connections shall be located

on a street front of the building and not less than 30 centimeters (12

inches) nor more than 1.20 meters (4 feet above the grade and shall be

equipped with clapper-checks and substantial plugs. All Siamese inlet

connections shall be recessed in the wall or otherwise substantially

protected.

(6) Outlets. All dry standpipes shall be extend from

the ground floor to and over the roof and shall be equipped with a

6.3-centimeter (2-1/2-inch) outlet not more than 1.20 meters (4 feet)

above the floor level at each storey. All dry standpipes shall be

equipped with a two-way 6.3-centimeter (2-1/2 inch) outlet above the

roof. All outlets shall be equipped with gate valves with substantial

chains.

(7) Signs. An iron or bronze sign with raised letters

at least 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) high shall be rigidly attached to the

building adjacent to all Siamese connections and such sign shall read:

"CONNECTION TO DRY STANDPIPE".

any height and every Group C Occupancy of two or more storeys in

height, whose corridors are flanked on both sides, and every Group C

Occupancy of two or more storeys in height, whose corridors serve only

one row of rooms on one side and with an open court on the other side,

and every Group B, D, E, F, and G Occupancy of three or more storeys in

height and every Group G and E Occupancy over 1800 square meters

(20,000 square feet) in area shall be equipped with one or more

interior wet standpipes extending from the cellar or basement into the

topmost storey: provided, that Group H buildings having no stage and

having a seating capacity of less than 500 need to be equipped with

interior standpipes.

(1) Construction.nterior wet standpipes shall be

constructed as required for dry standpipes.

(2) Size

(2.1) Interior wet standpipes shall have an internal

diameter sufficient to deliver 189 liters (50 gallons) of water per

minute under 2.1 kilograms per square centimeter (30 pounds per square

inch) pressure at the lose connection, based on the available water

supply. Buildings of Groups H and I Occupancies shall have wet

standpipe systems capable of delivering the required quantity and

pressure from any two outlets simultaneously; for all other occupancies

only one outlet need be figured to be at one time.n no case shall the

internal diameter of a vet standpipe be less than 5 centimeters (2

inches), except when the standpipe is attached to an automatic

fire-extinguishing system as set by the internationally recognized and

accepted engineering practices.

(2.2) Any approved formula which determines pipe

sizes on a pressure drop basis may be used to determine pipe size for

wet standpipe systems. The Building Official may require delivery and

pressure tests on completed wet standpipe systems before approving such

systems.

(3) Numbered Required. Wet standpipes shall be so

located that any portion of the can be reached therefrom with a hose

not exceeding 23.00 meters (75 feet) in length.

(4) Location.n Groups H and I Occupancies, outlets

shall be located as follows: one on either side of the stage, one at

the rear of the auditorium, and one at the rear of the balconies. Where

occupant loads are less than 500 the above requirements may be waived:

provided, that portable fire-extinguishers of appropriate capacity and

type are installed within easy access from the said locations.n Groups

B, C, D, E, F, and G Occupancies the location of all interior wet

standpipes shall be in accordance with the requirements for dry

standpipes: provided, that at least one wet standpipe is installed to

cover not more than 650 square meters (700 square feet).

(5) Outlets. All interior wet standpipes shall be

equipped with a 3.8-centimeter (1-1/2 inch) valve in each storey

including the basement or cellar of the building , and located not less

than 30 centimeters (1 foot) nor more than 1.50 meters (5 feet) above

the floor.

(6) Threads. All hose threads in connection with the

installation of such standpipes, including valves and reducing

fittings, shall be uniform with that used by the local Fire Department.

(7) Water Supplies. All interior wet standpipes shall

be connected to a street water main not less than 10 centimeters (4

inches) in diameter, or when the water pressure is sufficient, to a

water tank of sufficient size as provided in subparagraph (8). When

more than one interior wet standpipe is required in the building, such

standpipes shall be connected at their bases or at their tops by pipes

of equal size.

(8) Pressure and Gravity Tanks. Tanks shall have a

capacity sufficient to furnish at least 1346 liters (250 gallons) per

minute for a period of not less than 10 minutes. Such tanks shall be

located so as to provide not less than 11.3 kilograms (25 pounds)

pressure at the topmost hose outlet for its entire supply. Discharge

pipes from pressure tanks shall extend 5 centimeters (2 inches) into

and above the bottom of such tanks. All tanks shall be tested in place

after installation and proved tightly at a hydrostatic pressure 50 per

cent in excess of the working pressure required. Where such tanks are

used for domestic purpose the supply pipe for such purposes shall be

located at or above the center line of such tanks.ncombustible supports

shall be provided for all such supply tanks and not less than

90-centimeter (3-foot) clearance shall be maintained over the top and

under the bottom of all pressure tanks.

(9) Fire Pumps. Fire pumps shall have a capacity of

not less than 1346 liters (250 gallons) per minute with a pressure of

not less than 11.3 kilograms (25 pounds) at the topmost hose outlet.

The source of supply for such pump shall be a street water main of not

less than 10-centimeter (4-inch) diameter or a well or cistern

containing a one-hour supply. Such pumps shall be supplied with an

adequate source of power of the building and shall be automatic in

operation.

(10) Hose and Hose Reels. Each hose outlet of all

interior wet standpipes shall be supplied with a hose not less than 3.8

centimeters (1-1/2 inches) in diameter. Such hose shall be equipped

with a suitable brass or bronze nozzle and shall be not over 23.00

meters (75 feet) in length. An approved standard form of wall hose reel

or racks shall be provided for the hose and shall be located so as to

make the hose readily accessible at all times and shall be recessed in

the walls or protected suitable cabinets.

(d) Basement Pipe Inlets. Basement pipe inlets shall

be installed in the first floor of every store, warehouse, or factory

where there are cellars or basements under same: Except, Where in such

cellars or basements there is installed a fire-extinguishing system as

specified in this Code, or where the cellars or basements are used for

banking purposes, safe deposit vaults, or similar uses.

(1) Materials. All basement pipe inlets shall be of

cast iron, steel brass, or bronze with lids of cast brass or bronze and

shall consist of a sleeve not less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in

diameter through the floor extending to and flush with the ceiling

below and with a top flange, recessed with an inside shoulder, to

receive the lid and flush with the finish floor surface. The lid shall

be a solid casting and have a ring lift recessed on the top thereof, so

as to be flush. The lid shall have the words "FIRE DEPARTMENT ONLY, DO

NOT COVER UP", cast on the top thereof. The lid shall be installed in

such a manner as to permit its removal readily from the inlet.

(2) Location. Basement pipe inlets shall be

strategically located and kept readily accessible at all times to the

Fire Department.

(e) Approval. All fire-extinguishing systems,

including automatic sprinkles, wet and dry standpipes, automatic

chemical extinguishers, basement pipe inlets, and the appurtenance

thereto shall meet the approval of the Fire Department of the

particular municipality or city as to installation and location and

shall be subject to such periodic tests as may require.

Sec. 8.01.13: Stages and Platforms

(a) Stage Ventilators. There shall be one or more

ventilators constructed of metal or other incombustible material near

the center and above the highest part of any working stage raised above

the stage roof and having a total ventilation area equal to at least

five per cent of the floor area within the stage walls. The entire

equipment shall conform to the following requirements:

(1) Opening Action. Ventilators shall open by spring

action or force of gravity sufficient to overcome the effects of

neglect, rust, dirt, or expansion by heat or warning of the framework.

(2) Glass. Glass, if used in ventilators, must be

protected against falling on the stage. A wire screen, if used under

the glass, must be so placed that if clogged it cannot reduce the

required ventilating area of interfere with the operating mechanism or

obstruct the distribution of water from the automatic

fire-extinguishing systems.

(3) Design. Ventilators, penthouses, and supporting

framework shall be designed in accordance with this Code.

(4) Automatic Openings. Each ventilator shall be

arranged to open automatically after the outbreak of fire by the use of

an approved automatic closing device as defined in this Code. The

fusible link and operating cable shall hold each door closed against a

minimum 13.5-kilogram (30-pound) counterforce exerted by springs or

counterweights. This minimum counterforce shall be exerted on each door

through its entire arc of travel and for a minimum 115 degrees. A

manual control shall be provided.

(5) Spring Actuations. Springs, when employed to

actuate ventilator doors, shall be capable of maintaining full required

tension indefinitely. Springs shall not be stressed more than 50 per

cent of their rated capacity and shall not be located directly in the

air stream, nor exposed to the elements.

(6) Location of Fusible Links. A fusible link shall

be placed in the cable control system on the underside of the

ventilator at or above the roof line, and shall be so located as not to

be affected by the operation of fire-extinguishing systems.

(7) Control. Remote, manual, or electrical control

shall provide for both opening and closing of the ventilator doors for

periodic testing and shall be located at a point on the stage

designated by the Building Official. When remote control of ventilator

is electrical, power failure shall not affect its instant operation in

the event of fire. Hand winches may be employed to facilitate operation

of manually controlled ventilators.

(8) Curb Construction. Curbs shall constructed as

required for the roof.

(b) Gridirons

(1) Gridirons, fly galleries, and pin-rails shall be

constructed of incombustible materials and fire protection of steel and

iron may be omitted. Gridirons and fly galleries shall be designed to

support a live load of not less than 112 kilograms per square meter (75

pounds per square foot). Each loft block well shall be designed to

support 37.2 kilograms per linear meter (250 pounds per linear foot)

and the block well shall be designed to support the aggregate weight of

all the loft block well served. The head block well must be provided

with an adequate strongback of lateral brace to offset torque.

(2) The main counterweight sheave beam shall be

designed to support a horizontal and vertical uniformly distributed

live load sufficient to accommodate the weight imposed by the total

number of loft blocks in the gridiron. The sheave blocks shall be

designed to accommodate the maximum load for the loft blocks or head

blocks served with a safety factor of five.

stage, the dressing room sections, workshops, and storerooms shall be

located on the stage side of the proscenium wall and shall be separated

from each other and from the stage by not less than a One-Hour

Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation.

(d) Prosceniums Walls. A stage shall be completely

separated from the auditorium by a proscenium wall of not less than

two-hour incombustible construction. The proscenium wall shall extend

not less than 1.20 meters (4 feet) above the roof over the auditorium.

Proscenium walls may have, in addition to the main proscenium opening

at the orchestra pit level and not more than two openings at the stage

floor level, each of which shall be not more than 2.00 square meters

(25 square feet) in area. All openings in the proscenium wall of a

stage shall be protected by a fire assembly having a one and

one-half-hour fire-resistive rating. The proscenium opening, which

shall be the main opening for viewing performances, shall be provided

with a self-closing fire-resistive curtain according to generally

recognized and accepted engineering practices.

(e) Stage Floors. The Type of Construction for stage

floors shall depend upon the requirement based on the Type of Occupancy

and the corresponding fire-resistive requirements. All parts of the

stage floor shall be designed to support not less than 185 kilograms

per square meter (125 pounds per square foot). Openings through stage

floors shall be equipped with tight-fitting trap doors.

(f) Platforms. The Type of Construction for platforms

shall depend upon the requirements based on the Type of Occupancy and

corresponding fire-resistive requirements. Enclosed platforms shall be

provided with one or more ventilators conforming to the requirements of

stage ventilators: Except, that the total area shall be equal to five

per cent of the area of the platform. When more than one ventilators is

provided, they shall be so spaced as to provide proper exhaust

ventilation. Ventilators shall not be required for enclosed platforms

having a floor area of 45.00 square meters (500 square feet) or less.

(g) Stage Exits. At least one exit not less than 90

centimeters (3 feet) wide shall be provided from a passageway not less

than 90 centimeters (3 feet) in width to a street or exit court. An

exit stair not less than 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) wide shall

be provided for egress from each fly gallery. Each tier of dressing

rooms shall be provided with at least two means of egress each not less

than 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) wide and all such stairs shall

be constructed as specified in this Code. The stairs required in this

Subsection need to be enclosed.

Sec. 8.05.14: Motion Picture Projection Rooms

(a) General. The provisions of this Section shall

apply only where ribbon type motion picture film in excess of

22-millimeter (7/8-inch) width and electric are projection equipment

are used. Every motion picture machine using ribbon type in excess of

22-millimeter (7/8-inch) width and electric arc projection equipment,

together with all electrical devices, rheostats, machines, and all such

films present in any Group C, I, or H Occupancy, shall be enclosed in a

projection room large enough to permit the operator to walk freely on

either side and back of the machine.

(b) Construction. Every projection room shall be of

not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction throughout and the

walls and ceiling shall be finished with incombustible material. The

ceiling shall be not less than 2.40 meters (8 feet) from the finished

floor. The room shall have a floor area of not less than 7.00 square

meters (80 square feet) and 3.50 square meters (40 square feet) for

each additional machine.

two doorway separated by not less than one-third the perimeter of the

room, each at least 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) wide and 2.00

meters (6 feet, 7 inches) high. All entrances to a projection room

shall be protected by a self-closing fire assembly having a

three-fourths hour fire-resistive rating. Such doors shall open outward

and lead to proper exits as required in this Code and shall not be

equipped with any latch. The maximum width of such door need be no more

than 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches).

(d) Ports and Openings. Ports in projection room

walls shall be of three kinds: projection ports; observation ports; and

combination ports used for both observation and for stereopticon, spot,

or floodlight machines.

(1) Ports Required. There shall be provided for each

motion picture projector not more than one projection port, which shall

be limited in area to 774 square centimeters (120 square inches), and

not more than one observation port, which shall be limited in area to

1290 square centimeters (200 square inches). There shall be not more

than three combination ports, each of which shall not exceed 75

centimeters by 60 centimeters (30 inches by 24 inches). Each port

opening shall be completely covered with a pane of glass: Except, that

when acetate (safety) film is used projection ports may be increased in

size to an area not to exceed 4644 square centimeters (720 square

inches).

(2) Shutters. Each port and every other opening in

projection room walls, including any fresh-air inlets but excluding

exit doors and exhaust ducts, shall be provided with a shutter of not

less than No. 10 U.S. gauge sheet metal or its equivalent large enough

to overlap at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) on all sides of such

opening. Shutters shall be arranged to slide without binding in guides

constructed of material equal to the shutters in strength and fire

resistance. Each shutter shall be equipped with a 74ºC

(165ºF) fusible link, which when fused by heat will cause closure

of the shutter by gravity. Shutters of a size greater than 1290 square

centimeters (200 square inches) shall be equipped with a

counter-balance. There shall also be a fusible link located over the

upper magazine of each projector, which, upon operating, will close all

the shutters.n addition, there shall be provided suitable means for

manually closing all shutters simultaneously from any projector head

and from a point within the projection room near each exit door.

Shutters on openings not in use shall be kept closed: Except, that

shutters may be omitted when acetate (safety) film only is used.

(e) Ventilation

(1) Inlet. A fresh-air inlet from the exterior of the

building not less than 928. 8 square centimeters (114 square inches)

and protected with wire netting shall be installed within 50

millimeters (2 inches) of the floor in every projection room, the

source of which shall be remote from other outside vents or flues.

(2) Outlets. Ventilation shall be provided by one or

more mechanical exhaust systems which shall draw air from each arc lamp

and from one or more points near the ceiling. Systems shall exhaust to

outdoors either directly or through an incombustible flue used for no

other purpose. Exhaust capacity shall be not less than 0.42 cubic meter

(15 cubic feet) nor more than 1.40 cubic meters (50 cubic feet) per

minute for each are lamp plus 5.60 cubic meters (200 cubic feet) per

minute for the room itself. Systems shall be controlled from within the

enclosure and have pilot lights to indicate operation. The exhaust

system serving the projection room may be extended to cover room

associated therewith such as rewind rooms. No dampers shall be

installed in such exhaust systems. Ventilation of these rooms shall not

be connected in any way ventilating or air conditioning system serving

other portions of the building. Exhaust ducts shall be of incombustible

material, and shall either be kept 25 millimeters (1 inch) from

combustible material or covered with 10 millimeters (1/2 inch) of

incombustible heat-insulating material.

(f) Regulation of Equipment. All shelves, fixtures,

and fixed equipment in a projection room shall be constructed of

incombustible materials. All films not in actual use shall be stored in

metal cabinets having individuals compartments for reels or shall be in

generally accepted shipping containers. No solder shall be used in the

construction of such metal cabinets.

(g) Sanitary Requirements. Every projection room

shall be provided with unenclosed water closet and lavatory.

Sec. 8.01.15: Lathing, Plastering, and

Installation of Wallboards

(a) General. The installation of lath, plaster, and

gypsum wallboards shall conform to the fire-resistive rating

requirements and the Type of Construction of the building and shall be

designed in accordance with the legally accepted principles of

engineering.

TITLE 9 — MECHANICAL AND

ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS

CHAPTER 9.01 — MECHANICAL REGULATIONS

Sec. 9.01.01:

Mechanical Code

(a) All mechanical systems equipment, and

installations mentioned in this Code shall conform to the provisions of

the Mechanical Code of the Philippines, latest edition, adopted and

promulgated by the Board of Mechanical Engineering Examiners pursuant

to Commonwealth Act Numbered 294, as amended.

CHAPTER 9.02 — ELECTRICAL

REGULATIONS

Sec. 9.02.01: Electrical Code

(a) All electrical systems and installations

mentioned in this Code shall conform to the provisions of the

Philippine Electrical Code, latest edition, adopted and promulgated by

the Board of Electrical Engineering Examiners pursuant to Republic Act

No. 184, otherwise known as the Electrical Engineering Law.

TITLE 10 — SPECIAL SUBJECTS

CHAPTER 10.01 — PHOTOGRAPHIC AND

X-RAY FILMS

SECTION 10.01.01: Storage and Handling

(a) In the storage and handling of photographic and

x-ray nitrocellulose film, automatic sprinklers shall be provided in

the following case:

(1) When unexposed and the films exceed the aggregate

of 14.00 cubic meters (500 cubic feet), these should be in generally

accepted safety shipping containers for films;

(2) Where shelving used for storage of individual

packages not in said safety shipping containers and the films exceeds

1.40 cubic meters (50 cubic feet) in capacity or

(3) Storage not in generally accepted safety shipping

containers in any fire section equipped with automatic sprinklers may

be permitted up to 14.00 cubic meters (500 cubic feet).

(b) Film negatives in storage or in process of

handling shall be kept in heavy manila envelopes not exceeding 12 films

to an envelope. Expanding envelopes shall not be used.

insulated vented cabinets, vented storage vaults or outside storage

houses. Not more than 113 kilograms (250 pounds shall be stored in any

single cabinet. Where the film stored exceeds 453.5 kilograms (1000

pounds), it shall be in vented storage vaults or in a detached

structure or roof vault. Door openings in vault shall be of four hour

fire-resistive construction and shall be kept close except when in use.

(d) Only incandescent electric lights shall be

permitted, protected with substantial wire guards or vapor proof

globes, or both. Portable lights on extension cords are prohibited.

Smoking shall be prohibited and conspicuous no smoking sign posted.

(e) No films shall be stored within 60 centimeters (2

feet) seam pipes, chimneys, or other sources of heat.

(f) First aid appliances of types using water or

water solutions shall be provided. Discarded films shall be stored and

handled in the same manner as other films until removed from the

premises.

SECTION 10.01.02: Nitrocellulose Motion Picture Film

(a) Nitrate motion picture film shall be stored or

handled only in buildings of fire-resistive construction. Every room

where nitrate film is stored or handled in quantities greater than 22.5

kilograms (50 pounds), except in motion picture booths or rewinding

rooms connected with such booths, shall be equipped with automatic

sprinklers.

(b) Buildings used for, or housing, a nitrate picture

film laboratory or studio shall have automatic sprinklers. A minimum of

one sprinkler for every 6.00 square meters (64 square feet) shall be

provided.

SECTION 10.01.03: Classes of Film Exempted

(a) The provisions of this Section do not apply to:

film for amateur photographic use in original packages of "roll" and

"film pack" films in quantities of less than 1.40 cubic meters (50

cubic feet); safety film (cellulose acetate base); dental x-ray film;

establishments manufacturing photographic films and their storage

incidental thereto; and films stored or being used in standard motion

picture booths.

(b) Safety photographic X-ray films (cellulose

acetate base) may be identified by the marking on the edge of the film.

SECTION 10.01.04: Sprinklers

(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Code, all

sprinklers when so required shall be of a type, specifications, and

method of installations in accordance with generally accepted practices

CHAPTER 10.02 — PREFABRICATED

CONSTRUCTION

SECTION 10.02.01: General

(a) Prefabricated assembly is a structural unit, the

integral parts of which have been built up or assembled prior to

incorporation in the building.

(b) Special tests based on internationally recognized

and accepted engineering practices shall be required on assemblies to

determine heir structural appropriateness, durability, soundness, and

weather and fire resistance. Materials and their assembly shall comply

with the latest generally accepted engineering and architectural

specifications and standards.

prefabricated assemblies shall be capable of developing the strength of

the different members as a homogenous or monolithic structure, except

in the case of members forming part of a structural frame as specified

in this Code. Anchorages and connections between members and the

supporting elements of the structure or walls shall be capable of

withstanding all probable external and internal forces or other

conditions for a structurally sound construction.n structural design,

proper allowances shall be made for any material to be displaced or

removed for the installations of pipes, conduits, or other

(d) Placement of prefabricated assemblies shall be

inspected to determined compliance with this Code.

CHAPTER 10.03 — PLASTICS

SECTION 10.03.01: General

(a) Approved Plastics. Approved plastic materials

shall be those which have a flame-spread rating of 225 or less and a

smoke density not greater than that obtained from the burning of

untreated wood under similar conditions when tested in accordance with

generally recognized and accepted engineering practices for surface

burning characteristics of building materials in the way intended for

use. The products of combustion shall be no more toxic than the burning

of untreated wood under similar conditions.

SECTION 10.03.02: Installation

(a) Structural Requirements. All plastic materials

and their assemblies shall be of adequate strength and durability to

withstand the prescribed design loads. Sufficient and substantial

technical data shall be submitted to establish stresses, maximum

unsupported spans, and such other information as may be deemed

necessary for the various thickness and forms used.

(b) Fastenings. Fastenings shall be adequate to

withstand design loads and internal and external stresses required of

the assembly, Proper allowances shall be made for expansion and

contraction of plastic materials in conjunction with other materials

with which it assembled or integrated.

SECTION 10.03.03: Glazing of Openings

(a) Doors, sash and framed openings in exterior walls

of all building except Types IV and V construction may be glazed or

equipped with approved plastic: provided, that:

(1) The wall in which such glazing is installed is so

located that openings are not required to be fire-protected.

(2) Except for Type I buildings, the location, size,

and spacing of such glazed openings do not exceed the values set by

generally recognized and accepted principles of engineering.

(3) Plastics used in glazed openings of Type II

buildings shall be of materials appropriate to use according to

flame-spread characteristics and the location, size and spacing of the

openings do not exceed the values set forth by generally accepted

principles of engineering.

SECTION 10.03.04: Skylights

(a) General. Approved plastics may be used in

skylights installed on roofs Types I, II, or III buildings and all

buildings equipped with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system

in Groups A, B, C, E, F, J, H-3, an H-4 Occupancies: Except, that:

(1) Approved plastics may be used in any type of

construction or occupancy as a fire venting system when approved by the

Building Official.

(2) Plastics may be used in approved skylights in

Type I one-hour constructions which are located 30 centimeters (12

inches) or more above the lower plane of the ceiling. The walls of the

skylight well shall be no less fire-resistive than the adjacent

ceiling.

(3) Where a fire-resistive ceiling is not required in

one-storey buildings, approved plastics may be used in skylights.

(b) Installation Requirements

(1) Except in Group A Occupancies, no skylight shall

be installed within 3.00 meters (10 feet) of a property line.

(2) The edges of dome-type skylights shall be

properly flashed.

(3) Plastic skylights shall be separated from each

other by at least 2.50 meters (feet, 4 inches) Laterally and 3.00

meters (10 feet) along the slope of the roof.

skylights shall not exceed 10.00 square meters (107 square feet). The

total aggregate area of plastics used in skylights, monitors, and

sawtooth glazing shall not exceed 20 per cent of the floor area of the

room or occupancy sheltered.

(d) Curb Requirements. Plastic skylights in roofs

having a slope of less than 1 in 3 shall have a 10 centimeter (4-inch)

high curb. The curb may be omitted where a wire screen not smaller the

No. 12 U.S. gauge with 25-millimeter (1-inch) mesh is provided

immediately below the skylight. The screen shall be substantially

mounted below the skylight.

SECTION 10.03.05: Light-Transmitting Panels in

Monitors and Sawtooth Roofs

(a) General. Where a fire-resistive rating is not

required for the roof structure, and in all buildings provided with an

approved automatic fire-extinguishing system, approved plastics may be

used with or without sash as the light-transmitting medium in monitors

and sawtooth roofs: Except, that plastics used in monitors or sawtooth

roofs of Type II buildings shall be of materials appropriate to use

according to flame-spread characteristics.

(b) Allowable Areas. The area of individual plastic

glazing used in monitors and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed 15.00

square meters (150 square feet). The total aggregate area of plastics

used in skylights, monitors, and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed 20

per cent of the floor area of the room or occupancy sheltered.

panels shall be separated from each other by a section incombustible

materials or by a section of the roofing material of the structure not

less than 1.50 meters (5 feet) in length. The lower edge of the plastic

material shall be at least 15 centimeters (6 inches) above the surface

of the adjoining roof surface.

SECTION 10.03.06: Plastic Light Diffusers in Ceilings

(a) General. Ceiling light diffusers having an area

greater than 10 per cent of any 10.00 square meters (100 square feet)

of room area shall be approved plastics conforming to the requirements

specified in this Code.

(b) Installation. Plastic light diffusers shall be

installed in such a manner that they will not readily become detached

when subjected to room temperature of 149ºC (300ºF) for 25

minutes, except, for plastic light diffusers which are installed in the

first floor areas of Group C Occupancies having egress directly to the

exterior of the building; and plastic light diffusers which are located

between an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system and the areas

to be protected other than public corridors or Groups A, B, C, D, E, G,

H, and I Occupancies if tests in accordance with generally accepted and

recognized principles of engineering have established that such

installations will not interfere with the efficient operation of such

automatic fire-extinguishing systems.

SECTION 10.03.07: Partitions

(a) Where partitions are not required to be of

fire-resistive or incombustible construction, approved plastics

conforming to the requirements specified in this Code may be used.

SECTION 10.03.08: Exterior Veneer

(a) General. Exterior veneer may be of approved

plastic materials and shall conform to the provisions of this Section .

(b) Height. Plastic veneer may be attached to

exterior walls above the first storey of buildings located outside of

highly restrictive Fire Zones: provided, further, that the height of

veneer is not in excess of 10.50 meters (35 feet) above the adjacent

grade elevation.

15.00 square meters (150 square feet) in area: Except, that in less

restrictive Fire Zones the area may be increased by 50 per cent.

(d) Separation. Section s of plastic veneer shall be

separated by a minimum of 1.20 meters (4 feet) vertically and 60

centimeters (2 feet) horizontally.

SECTION 10.03.09: Awnings and Canopies

(a) Plastics of materials appropriate to use

according to flame-spread characteristics may be utilized in awnings

and canopies, and all such awnings and canopies shall be constructed in

accordance with provisions governing projections and appendages

specified in this Code.

(b) Approved plastics may be used in awnings where

untreated canvas is permitted.

glass in greenhouse in less restrictive Fire Zones.

CHAPTER 10.04 — SHEET METAL

SPRAY BOOTHS

SECTION 10.04.01: General

(a) General. Paint spray booths shall be constructed

of steel of not less than No. 18 U.S. gauge in thickness and shall be

designed in accordance with this Code.

(b) Area. The area of a paint spray booth shall not

exceed 150 square meters (1500 square feet) nor 10 per cent of the

basic area permitted for the major use of the building according to the

occupancy group.

constructed of incombustible material.

(d) Interior Surface. Paint spray booths shall be

designed to permit the free passage of exhaust air from all parts of

the interior and all interior surfaces shall be smooth and continuous

without outstanding edges.

SECTION 10.04.02: Fire Protection

(a) Every spray booth having an open front elevation

larger than 0.90 meter (9 square feet) and which is not equipped with

doors, shall have a fire curtain or metal deflector not less than 10

centimeters (4 inches) deep installed that upper outer edge of the

booth opening.

SECTION 10.04.03: Light

(a) Paint spray booths shall illuminated through

hammered wire or heat-treated glass panels. The glass panels shall be

located in such a manner as to reduce the hazard of ignition caused by

paint spray deposit.

SECTION 10.04.04: Ventilation

(a) General. Mechanical ventilation shall be provided

direct to the exterior of the building. The mechanical exhaust system

shall be designed to move the air through any portion of the paint

spray area at the rate of not less than 30.00 linear meters (100 linear

feet) per minute. The blades of exhaust fan shall be constructed of

nonferrous materials and shall be mounted in such a manner as to

prevent contact with the exhaust duct. The motor shall not be mounted

in the spray booth or the duct system and belts shall be enclosed where

they enter the booth or duct system.

(b) Exhaust Ducts. Exhaust ducts shall be constructed

of steel having a thickness not less than the values set by generally

recognized and accepted principles of engineering. The discharge paint

for ducts in a paint spray booth shall be not less than 1.80 meters (6

feet) from adjoining combustible construction nor less than 7.50 meters

(25 feet) from adjoining exterior wall openings: Except, that the

discharge point for exhaust ducts is not regulated in a water-wash

spray booth.

CHAPTER 10.05 — GLASS AND

GLAZING

SECTION 10.05.01: General

(a) This Chapter shall apply to exterior glass and

glazing in all occupancies except Groups A, B, and J Occupancies not

over three storeys in height, and to interior and exterior glass and

glazing in all occupancies subject to human impact as specified in this

Chapter.

(b) Standards for materials shall conform to this

Chapter and to generally recognized and accepted principles of

engineering on glass dimensional tolerance, breaking stress levels, and

design (safety) factors.

designating the type and thickness of glass. Each light with special

performance characteristics such as laminated, heat-strengthened, fully

tempered or insulated shall bear the manufacturer's identification

showing the special characteristic and thickness by etching or other

permanent identification that shall be visible after the glass is

glazed.

SECTION 10.05.02: Area Limitation

(a) Exterior glass and glazing shall be capable of

safety withstanding the loads set forth by generally recognized and

accepted principles of engineering on wind pressures for various height

zones above ground acting inward or outward. The area of individual

lights shall not be more than those set by generally recognized and

acceptable principles of engineering on the maximum allowable area of

glass according to the wind load multiplied by the appropriate

adjustment factor.

SECTION 10.05.03: Glazing

(a) Glass firmly supported on all four edges shall be

glazed with a minimum laps and edge clearances in accordance with

generally accepted and recognized principles of engineering for minimum

glazing requirements: provided, that glass edge clearance in fixed

openings shall be not less than what is required for wind and

earthquake drift. For glass not firmly supported on all four edges,

design shall be submitted for approval. Glass supports shall be

considered firm when deflection of the support at design load does not

exceed 1/175th of the span.

SECTION 10.05.04: Windows Louvered

(a) Regular plate, sheet, or patterned glass in

jalousies and louvered windows shall not be thinner than nominal 5.6

millimeters (7/32 inch) and no longer than 1.20 meters (4 feet) Exposed

glass edged shall be smooth.

SECTION 10.05.05: Impact

(a) Frameless glass, doors, glass in doors, fixed

glass panels, and similar glazed openings which may be subject to

accidental human impact shall conform with generally recognized and

accepted principles of engineering on impact loads of glass: Except, in

the following cases:

(1) Bath tub and shower enclosures shall be

constructed from approved shatter-resistant materials, such as: wire

reinforced glass not less than 5-6-millimeter (7/32-inch) thickness;

fully tempered glass not less than 4.8-millimeter (3/16-inch)

thickness; or laminated safety glass of not less than 6.4-millimeter

(1/4-inch) thickness.

(2) Glass lights located not less than 45 centimeters

(18 inches) above the adjacent finished floor or walking surface.

(3) Glass lights when the least dimension is no

greater than 45 centimeters (18 inches).

(4) Glass lights 0.55 square meter (16 square feet)

or less in area.

CHAPTER 10.06 — SIGNS

SECTION 10.06.01: General

(a) No signs or signboards shall be erected in such a

manner as to confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any

official traffic sign signal or device.

(b) No signboards shall be constructed as to unduly

obstruct the natural view of the landscape, distract or obstruct the

view of the public as to constitute a traffic hazard, or otherwise

defile, debase, or offend the aesthetic and cultural values and

traditions of the Filipino people.

SECTION 10.06.02: Maintenance

(a) All signs, together with all of their supports,

braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state

of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly

painted or posted at all times.

SECTION 10.06.03: Design and Construction

(a) General. Signs and signs structures shall be

designed and constructed to resist all wind and seismic forces. All

bracing systems shall be designed and constructed to transfer lateral

forces to the foundations. For signs on buildings the dead and lateral

loads shall be transmitted through the structural frame of the building

to the ground in such manner as not to overstress any of the elements

thereof. The overturning moment produced from lateral forces shall, in

no case, exceed two-thirds of the dead-load resisting moment. Uplift

due to overturning shall be adequately resisted by proper anchorage to

the ground or to the structural frame of the building. The weight of

earth superimposed over footings may be used in determining the

dead-load resisting moment. Such earth shall be carefully placed and

thoroughly compacted.

SECTION 10.06.04: Support

(a) General. The supports for all signs or signs

structures shall be placed in or upon private property and shall be

securely built, constructed, and erected in conformity with the

requirements of this Code.

(b) Materials. Materials of construction for signs

and sign structures shall be of the quality and grade as specified in

this Code.

and sign structures erected in highly restrictive Fire Zones shall have

structural members of incombustible materials. Ground signs may be

constructed of any material meeting the requirements of this Code.

Combination signs, roof signs, walls signs, projecting signs, and signs

on marquees shall be constructed of incombustible materials. No

combustible materials other than approved plastics shall be used in the

construction of electric signs.

(d) Nonstructural Trim. Nonstructural trim and

portable display surface may be of wood, metal, approved plastics, or

any combination thereof.

(e) Anchorage. Member supporting unbraced signs shall

be so proportioned that the bearing loads imposed on the soil in either

direction, horizontal or vertical, shall not exceed the safe values.

Braced ground signs shall be anchored to resist the specified wind or

seismic load in any direction. Anchors and supports shall be designed

for safe bearing loads on the soil and for an effective resistance to

pull-out amounting to a force 25 per cent greater than the required

resistance to overturning. Anchors and supports shall penetrate to a

sufficient depth below ground. Portable ground signs supported by

frames or posts rigidly attached to the base shall be so proportioned

that the weight and size of the base will be adequate to resist the

wind pressure. Signs attached to masonry, concrete, or steel shall be

safely and securely fastened thereto by means of metal anchors, bolts,

or approved expansion screws of sufficient size and anchorage to

support safely the loads applied. No wooden blocks or plugs or anchors

with wood used in connection with screws or nails shall be considered

proper anchorage, except in the case of signs attached to wood framing.

No anchor or support of any sign shall be connected to, or supported

by, an unbraced parapet wall, unless such wall is designed in

accordance with the requirements for parapet walls.

(f) Display Surfaces. Display surfaces in all types

of signs may be made of metal, glass, or approved plastics.

SECTION 10.06.05: Projection and Clearance

(a) Clearance from High Voltage Power Lines. Signs

shall be located not less than 1.80 meters (6 feet) horizontally or

3.60 meters (12 feet) vertically from overhead electrical conductors

which are energized in excess of 750 volts. The term "overhead

conductor" as used in this Section means any electrical conductor,

either bare or insulated, installed above the ground except such

conductors as are enclosed in an iron pipes or other material covering

of equal strength.

(b) Clearance from Fire Escapes, Exits, or

Standpipes. No sign or signs structure shall be erected in such a

manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in

any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe.

any opening to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a

point below that required by this Code. Signs erected within 1.50

meters (5 feet) of an exterior wall in which there are openings within

the area of the sign shall be constructed of incombustible material or

approved plastics.

(d) Projection Over Alleys. No sign or sign

structures shall project into any public alley below a height of 4.25

meters (14 feet) above grade nor project more than 30 centimeters (12

inches) where the sign structure is located 4.25 meters (14 feet) to

4.85 meters (16 feet) above grade. The sign or sign structure may

project not more than 0.90 meter (3 feet) into the public alley where

the sign or sign structure is located more than 4.85 meters (16 feet)

above graded.

Enacted without executive

approval, August 26, 1972.

ANNEX A — DEFINITIONS

Part A

A.01: Accessoria or Row House. A house of not more

than two storeys, composed of a row of dwelling units entirely

separated from one another by party wall or walls and with an

independent entrance for each dwelling unit.

A.02: Accessory Building. A building subordinate to

the main building on the same lot and used for purposes customarily

incidental to those of the main building, such as servants' quarters,

garage, pump house, laundry, etc.

A.03: Alley. Any public space or thoroughfare which

has been dedicated or deeded to the public or of public use as a

passageway.

A.04: Alter or Alteration. Any change, addition, or

modification in construction or occupancy.

A.05: Apartment. A room, or suite of two or more

rooms, designed and intended for, or occupied by one family for living,

sleeping, and cooking purposes.

A.06: Apartment House. Any building or portion

thereof, which is designed, built, rented, leased, let, or hired out to

be occupied, or which is occupied as the home or residence of three or

more families living independently of each other and doing their own

cooking in the said building, and shall include flats and apartments.

A.07: Arcade. Any portion of a building above the

first floor projecting over the sidewalk beyond the first-storey wall

used as protection for pedestrians against rain and sun.

A.08: Area. An open subsurface adjacent to a building

or lot line.

A.09: Assembly Building or Hall. A building or a

portion of a building used for the gathering together of fifty or more

persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment,

amusement, or awaiting transportation or of a hundred or more persons

in drinking and dining establishments.

A.10: Attic Storey. Any storey situated wholly or

part in a roof, so designed, arranged, or built as to be used for

business, storage, or habitation.

A.11: Awning. A movable shelter supported entirely

from the exterior wall of a building and of a type which be retracted,

folded, or collapsed against the face of a supporting building.

Part B

B.01: Backing. The surface or assembly to which

veneer is attached.

B. 02: Balcony. A portion of the seating space of an

assembly room, the lower part of which is raised 1.20 meters (4 feet)

or more above the level of the main floor.

B.03: Balcony, Exterior Exit. A landing or porch

projecting from the wall of a building, and which serves as a required

means of egress. The long size shall be at least 50 per cent open, and

the open area above the guardrail shall be so distributed as to prevent

the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases.

B.04: Barbecue. A stationary open hearth or brazier,

either fuel-fired or electric, used for food preparation.

B. 05: Basement. A portion of a building between

floor and ceiling which is partly below and partly above grade but so

located that the vertical distance from grade to the floor below is

less than the vertical distance from grade to ceiling.

B.06: Bay or Panel. One of the intervals or spaces

into which the building front is divided by columns, buttresses, or

division walls.

B.07: Boarding House. A house with five or more

sleeping rooms where boarders are provided with lodging and meals for

fixed sum paid by the month, or week, in accordance with the previous

arrangement.

B. 08. Boiler Room. Any room containing a steam or

hot water boiler.

B.09: Buildable Are. The remaining space in a lot

after deducting the required minimum open spaces.

B.10: Building. Any structure built for the support,

shelter, or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or property of any

kind.

B.11: Building, Existing. A building erected prior to

the adoption of this Code or one for which a legal building permit has

been issued.

B.12: Building Height. The vertical distance from the

established grade elevation to the highest point of the coping of a

flat roof, to the average height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip

roof, or to the top of the parapet if the roof is provided with a

parapet.n case of sloping ground, the average ground level of the

buildable area shall be considered the established grade elevation.

B.13: Building Length.ts general linear dimension,

usually measured in the direction of the bearing wall for girders.

B.14: Building Official. The officer charged with the

administration and enforcement of this Code; the City Engineer or the

City Public Works Supervisor in the case of chartered cities, and the

Municipal Engineer, the Land and Building Official, or the Public Works

Engineer in the case of provinces and municipalities.

B.15: Building Width.ts shortest linear dimension,

usually measured in the direction of the floor, beams or joists.

Part C

C.01: Cellar. The portion of a building between floor

and ceiling which is wholly partly below grade and so located that the

vertical distance from grade to the floor below is equal to or greater

than the vertical distance from grade to ceiling.

C.02: Chimney Classifications:

(a) Residential Appliances Type. A factory-built or

masonry chimney suitable for removing products of combustion from

residential type appliances producing combustion gases not in excess of

538C (1000F) measured at the appliance flue outlet.

(b) Low-Heat Appliance Type. A factory-built, masonry

or metal chimney suitable for removing the products of combustion from

fuel-burning low-heat appliances producing combustion gases not in

excess of 538ºC (1000ºF) under normal operating conditions

but capable of producing combustible gases of 760ºC (1400ºF)

during intermittent forced firing of period up to one hour. All

temperatures are measured at the appliance flue outlet.

masonry or metal chimney suitable for removing the products of

combustion from fuel-burning medium-heated appliances producing

combustion gases not in excess of 1093ºC (2000ºF) measured at

the appliance flue outlet.

C.03: Chimney Connector. The pipe which connects a

flue-burning appliance to a chimney.

C.04: Chimney, Factory-Built. The listed chimney.

C.05: Chimney Liner. The lining material of fire clay

or other approved material.

C.06: Chimney, Masonry. The chimney of solid masonry

units, bricks, stones, listed hollow unit masonry units, or reinforced

concrete.

C.07: City. A political subdivision usually governed

by a mayor and a council having local legislative authority with broad

powers of self-government granted to it by its charter.

C.08: Concrete Block. A hollow or solid concrete

masonry unit made from portland cement and suitable aggregates such as

sand, gravel, crushed stone, bituminous or anthracite cinders, burned

clay or shale, pumice, volcanic scoria, air-cooled or expanded blast

furnace slags.

C.09: Coping. The material or units used to form a

cap of finish on top of a wall, pier, or pilaster.

C.10: Corrosion-Resistant. The non-ferrous metal, or

any metal having an unbroken surface of non-ferrous metal, or steel

with not less than 10 per cent chromium or with not less than 0.20 per

cent copper.

C.11: Corrosion-Resistant Materials. Materials that

are inherently rust-resistant or materials to which an approved

rust-resistive coating has been applied either before or after forming

or fabrication.

C.12: Course. A continuous horizontal layer of

masonry units.

C.13: Court. An unoccupied space between building

lines and lot lines other than a yard free, open, and unobstructed by

appendages from the ground upward.

Part D.

D.01: Dispersal Area (Safe). An area which will

accommodate a number of persons equal to the total capacity of the

stand and building it serves, in such a manner that no person within

the area need be closer than 15.00 meters (50 feet) from the stand or

building. Dispersal areas shall be based upon an area of not less than

0.28 square meter (3 square feet) per person.

D.02: Dormitory. A room occupied by more than two

guests.

D.03: Dwelling. Any building or any portion thereof

which is not an "apartment house', "lodging house" or a "hotel" as

defined in this Code, which contains one or two "dwelling units" or

"guest rooms", used, intended or designed to be built, used, rented,

leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or which are occupied for

living purposes.

D.04: Dwelling Multiple. A building used as a home or

residence of three or more families living independently from one

another, each occupying one or more rooms are as a single housekeeping

unit.

D.05: Dwelling, One-Family. A detached building

designated for, or occupied exclusively by one family.

D.06: Dwelling Unit. One or more habitable rooms

which are occupied or which are intended or designed to be occupied by

one family with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating.

Part E

E.01: Exit. A continuous and unobstructed means of

egress to a public way, and shall include intervening doors, doorways,

corridors, exterior exit balconies, ramps, stairways, smokeproof

enclosures, horizontal exits, exit passageways, exit courts, and yards.

An exit shall be deemed to be that point which opens directly into a

safe dispersal area or public way. All measurements are to be made to

that point when determining the permissible distance of travel.

E.02: Exit Court. A yard of court providing egress to

a public way for one or more required exits.

E.03: Exit, Horizontal. A means of passage from one

building into another building occupied by the same tenant through a

separation wall having a minimum fire resistance of one-hour.

E.04: Exit. Passageway. An enclosed means of egress

connecting a required exit or exit court with a public way.

Part F

F.01: Facing. Any masonry, forming an integral part

of a wall, used as a finished surface. (As contrasted to veneer, see

definition).

F.02: Firebrick. A refractory brick.

F.03: Fire Clay. A finely ground clay used as

plasticizer for masonry mortars; varies widely in physical properties.

F.04: Fireplace. A heart and fire chamber or

similarly prepared place in which a fire may be made and which is built

in conjunction with a chimney.

F.05: Fire Resistance or Fire-Resistive Construction.

A construction to resist the spread of fire, details of which are

specified in this Code.

F.06: Fire-Resistiveness. The degree to which a

material can withstand fire as determined by internationally recognized

and accepted testing methods. The fire-resistive time period rating is

the length of time a material can withstand being burned and is usually

classified as one-hour, two-hour, three-hour, four-hour, etc.

F.07: Fire-Retardant Treated Wood. Lumber or plywood

impregnated with chemicals and when tested in accordance with accepted

fire standards for a period of 30 minutes shall have a flame-spread of

not over 25 and show no evidence of progressive combustion. The fire

retardant properties shall not be considered permanent where exposed to

the weather.

F.08: First Storey. The storey the floor of which is

at or above the level of the sidewalk or adjoining ground, the

remaining storeys being numbered in regular succession upward.

F.09: Floor Area. The area included within the

surrounding exterior walls of a building or portion thereof, exclusive

of vent shafts and courts. The floor area of a building or portion

thereof, not provided with surrounding exterior walls shall be the

usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above.

F.10: Footing. That portion of the foundation of a

structure which spreads and transmits loads directly to the soil or the

pile.

F.11: Foundation. All the portions of the building or

structure below the footings, the earth upon which the structure rests.

Part G

G.01: Garage. A building or portion thereof in which

a motor vehicle containing gasoline, distillate or other volatile,

flammable liquid in its tank, is stored, repaired, or kept.

G. 02: Garage, Commercial. A garage where automobiles

and other motor vehicles are housed, cared for, equipped, repaired or

kept for remuneration, hire or sale.

G.03: Garage, Open Parking. A structure of one or

more tiers in height which is at least 50 per cent open on two or more

sides and is used exclusively for the parking or storage of passenger

motor vehicles having a capacity of not more than nine persons per

vehicle. Open parking garages are further classified as either ramp

access or mechanical-access. Ramp-access open parking garages are those

employing a series of continuously rising floors permitting the

movement of vehicles under their own power from and to the street

level. Mechanical-access parking garages are those employing parking

machines, lifts, elevators, or other mechanical devices for vehicles

moving from and to street and in which public occupancy is prohibited

above the street level.

G.04: Garage, Private. A building or portion of a

building in which only motor vehicles used by the tenants of the

building or buildings on the premises are stored or kept.

G.05: Garage, Public. Any garage other than a private

garage.

G.06: Girder. A horizontal structural piece which

supports the end of the floor beams or joists or walls over openings.

G.07: Grade (Adjacent Ground Elevation). The lowest

point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground between the

exterior wall of a building and a point 1.50 meters (5 feet) distant

from said wall, or the lowest point of elevation of the finished

surface of the ground between the exterior wall of a building and the

property line if it is less than 1.50 meters (5 feet) distant from said

wall.n case walls are parallel to and within 1.50 meters (5 feet) of a

public sidewalk, alley, or other public way, the grade shall be the

elevation of the sidewalk, alley, or public way.

G.08: Ground Floor. The storey at or near the level

of the grade. The other storeys, beginning with the second, for the

first next above, shall be designated by successive floor numbers

counting upward.

G.09: Guest Room. Any or rooms used, or intended to

be used by a guest for sleeping purposes. Every 9.30 square meters (100

square feet) of superficial floor area in a dormitory shall be

considered to be a guest room.

Part H

H.01: Habitable Room. Any room meeting the

requirements of this Code for sleeping, living, cooking, or dining

purposes, excluding such enclosed spaces as closets, pantries, bath or

toilet rooms, service rooms, connecting corridors, laundries,

unfinished attics, storage spaces, cellars, utility rooms, and similar

space.

H.02: Hall Common. A corridor or passageway used in

common by all the occupants within a building.

H.03. Hall, Stair. A hall which includes the stair,

stair landings, and those portions of the common halls through which it

is necessary to pass in going between the entrance floor and the room.

H.04: Heliport. An area of land or water or a

structural surface which is used, or intended for use, for the landing

and takeoff of helicopters, and any appurtenant areas which are used,

or intended for use, for heliport buildings and other heliport

facilities.

H.05: Helistop. The same as a heliport except that no

refueling, maintenance, repairs, or storage of helicopters is

permitted.

H.06: Hotel. A building or part thereof with rooms

occupied or intended to be occupied for hire as temporary aboding place

of individuals with a general kitchen and public dining room service,

but no provision for cooking in any individual suite or room.

H.07: Hotel Apartment. An apartment house which may

furnish dining room service and other services for the exclusive use of

its tenants.

Part I

I. 01: Incombustible. As applied to building

construction material, a material which, in the form it is used, is

either one of the following:

(a) Materials of which no part will ignite and burn

when subjected to fire; or

(b) Material having a structural base of

incombustible material as defined in item (a), above, with a surfacing

material not over 3.2 millimeters (1/8 inch) thick which has a

flame-spread rating of 50 or less.

"Incombustible" does not apply to surface finish materials. Material

required to be incombustible for reduced clearances to flues, heating

appliances, or other materials shall refer to material conforming to

the provisions of this Code. No material shall be classed as

incombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or

flame-spread rating beyond the limits herein established, through the

effects of age, moisture, or other atmospheric condition.

I. 02: Incombustible Material. When referred to as

structural material, means brick, stone, terracotta, concrete, iron

steel, sheet metal, or tiles used either singly or in combination.

I. 03: Incombustible Roofing. A covering of not less

than two thickness of roofing felt and a good coat of tar and gravel of

tin, corrugated iron, or other approved fire-resisting material with

standing seam or lap joint.

I. 04: Incombustible Stud Partition. A partition

plastered on both sides upon metal lath or wire cloth for the full

height, and fire-topped between the studs with incombustible material,

20 centimeters (8 inches) above the floor and at the ceiling.

Part L

L.01: Line, Building. The line formed by the

intersection of the outer surface of the inclosing wall of the building

and the surface of the ground.

L.02: Lintel. The beam or girder placed over an

opening in a wall, which supports the wall construction above.

L.03: Load Dead. The weight of the permanent portions

of a building or structure; it includes the weight of the walls,

permanent partitions, framing, floors, roofs, and all other permanent

and stationary fixtures, mechanisms, and other construction entering

into and becoming a part of a building or structure.

L.04: Load, Lateral. That load caused by winds,

earthquakes, or other dynamic forces.

L.05: Load, Live. The weight of the contents of a

building or structure; it includes all loads except dead and lateral

loads, and weight of temporary partitions, cases, counters, and similar

equipment, and all loads imposed due to the occupancy of the building

or structure.

L.06: Load Occupant. The total number of persons that

may occupy a building or portion thereof at any one time.

L.07: Lodging House. Any building or portion thereof,

containing not more than five guest rooms which are used by not more

than five guests where rent is paid in money, goods, labor, or

otherwise.

L.08: Lot. A parcel of land on which a principal

building and its accessories are placed or may be placed together with

the required open spaces. A lot may or may not be the land designated

as lot on recorded plot.

L.09: Lot, Corner. A lot situated at the junction of

two or more streets forming an angle of not more than one hundred

thirty-five degrees (135º)

L.10: Lot, Depth of. The average horizontal distance

between the front and the rear lot lines.

L.11: Lot, Front. The front boundary line of a lot

bordering on the street and in the case of a corner lot, it may be

either frontage.

L.12: Lot, Inside. A lot fronting on but one street

or public alley and the remaining sides bounded by lot lines.

L.13: Lot Line. The line of demarcation between

either public and private property.

L.14. Lot, Open. A lot bounded on all sides by street

lines.

L.15: Lot, Width of. the average horizontal distance

between the side lot lines.

Part M

M.01: Masonry. A form of construction composed of

stone, brick, concrete, gypsum, hollow clay tile, concrete block or

tile, or other similar building units or materials or combination of

these materials laid up unit by unit and set in mortar.

M.02: Masonry, Solid. Masonry of solid units built

without hollow spaces.

M.03: Masonry Unit. Brick, block, tile, stone, or

other similar building unit or combination thereof, made to be bonded

together by a cementitious agent.

M.04: Marquee. A permanent roofed structure above a

door attached to and supported by the building and projecting over a

walk or side walk.

M.05: Mezzanine or Mezzanine Floor. A partial,

intermediate floor in any storey or room of a building having an area

not more than one-half of the area of the room or space in which it is

constructed.

Part N

N.01: Non-Conforming Building. A building which does

not conform with the regulations of the district where it is situated

as to height, yard requirements, lot area and percentage of occupancy.

N.02: Non-Conforming Use. The use of a building or

land or any portion of such building or land which does not conform

with the use regulation of the zone where it is situated.

Part O

O.01: Occupancy. The purpose for which a building

shall also include the building or room housing such use. Change of

occupancy is not intended to include change of tenants or proprietors.

O.02: Owner. Any person, company, or corporation

owning the property or properties under consideration or receivers,

trustees, or other duly authorized persons.

Part P

P.01: Panic Hardware. A bar which extends across at

least one-half the width of each door leaf, which will open the door if

subjected to pressure.

P.02: Partitions. An interior subdividing wall.

P.03: Person. A natural person, his heirs, executors,

administrators or assigns, and also includes a firm, partnership, or

corporation, its or their successors or assigns or their agents.

P.04: Pier. An isolated mass of masonry forming

support for arches columns, girders, lintels, trustees, and similar

structural parts.

P.05: Pilaster. A portion of the wall which projects

on one or both sides and acts as a vertical beam, a column, or both.

P.06: Plaster, Portland Cement. A mixture of portland

cement, or portland cement and lime, and aggregate and other approved

materials as specified in this Code.

P.07: Plastics, Approved. Plastic materials which

have a flame-spread rating of 225 or less.

P.08: Platform, Enclosed. A partially enclosed

portion of an assembly room the ceiling of which is not more than 1.50

meters (5 feet) above the proscenium opening and which is designed or

used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or other

entertainment wherein scenery, drops, decorations, of the effects may

be installed or used.

P.09: Public Way. A parcel of land unobstructed from

the ground to the sky, more than 3.00 meters (10 feet) in width,

appropriated to the free passage of the general public.

Part R

R.01: Repair. The reconstruction of renewal of any

part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance. The

word "Repairs" shall not apply to any change of construction.

Part S

S.01: Shaft. A vertical opening through a building

for elevators, dumb-water, mechanical equipment, or similar purposes.

S.02: Show Window. A store window in which goods are

displayed.

S.03: Site, Sanitary, Hygienic or Safe. Shall be

understood to mean, among others:

(a) Surface condition of the site, such as being

swampy, improperly drained, or filled with refuse, garbage, or filthy

materials;

(b) Subsurface condition of the site, such as when

the soil substrata will not support safely a construction or inadequate

filing of an excavation or which a construction will be undertaken; or

constitute a danger to the proposed site, such as airports, heliports,

or volcanoes.

S.04: Slum: Blighted Area; Eyesore. An area where the

values of real estate tend to deteriorate because of the dilapidated,

obsolescent, and insanitary condition of the building within the area.

An eyesore is a building or area which is markedly unpleasant to look

at.

S.05: Socalo, Masonry. The wall between the bottom of

the window sill and the ground.

S.06: Soffit. The underside of a beam, lintel or

reveal.

S.07: Stable. Any structure designed and intended for

the enclosure, shelter, or protection of any horse, carabao, or other

cattle.

S.08: Stable, Commercial. A stable wherein the

animals kept are for business, racing, or breeding purposes.

S.09: Stage. A partially enclosed portion of an

assembly building which is designed or used for the presentation of

plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment wherein scenery, drops or

other effects may be installed or used, and where the distance between

the top of the proscenium opening and the ceiling above the stage is

more than 1.50 meters (5 feet).

S.10: Stairway. Two or more risers shall constitute a

stairway.

S.11: Stairway, Private. A stairway serving one

tenant only.

S.12: Storey. That portion of a building included

between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the

floor next above, except that the topmost storey shall be that portion

of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor

and the ceiling or roof above if the finished floor level directly

above a basement, cellar or unused underfloor space is more than 50

percent of the total perimeter or is more than 3.60 meters (12 feet)

above grade as defined herein at any point, such basement, cellar or

unused underfloor space shall be considered as a storey.

S.13: Storey, Height of. The perpendicular distance

from top to top of two successive tiers of floors, floor beams, joists.

The clear height of a storey or a room is distance from the floor to

the ceiling. The clear height of balconies is measured from the highest

point of the sidewalk grade to the underside of the balcony floor

joists.f these joists are sealed, this clear height is measured to the

underside of the sealing.

S.14: Street. Any thoroughfare or public space which

has been dedicated or deeded to the public for public use.

S.15: Structure. That which is built or constructed,

an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially

built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner.

S.16: Structural Frame. The framing system including

the columns and the girders, beams, trusses, and spandrels having

direct connections to the columns and all other members which are

essential to the stability of the building as a whole. The members of

floor or roof panels which have no connection to the columns shall be

considered secondary members and not a part of the structural frame.

S.17: Suportales. The vertical supports, such as

posts or stanchions, as used in indigenous or traditional type of

construction. These may be free-standing as stilts or integrated into

the wall structure.n the case of the former, pie de gallos (knee

braces) or crosettas (cross bracings) are sometimes used.

S.18: Surface, Exterior. Weather-exposed surfaces.

S.19: Surfaces, Interior. Surfaces other than

weather-exposed surfaces.

S.20: Surface, Weather-Exposed. All surface of walls,

ceilings, floors, roofs, soffits, and similar surfaces exposed to the

weather excepting the following:

(a) Ceiling and roof soffits enclosed by walls or by

beams which extend a minimum of 30 centimeters (12 inches) below such

ceiling or roof soffits;

(b) Walls or portions of walls within an unenclosed

roof area, when located a horizontal distance from an exterior opening

equal to twice the height of the opening; and

distance of 3.00 meters (10 feet) from the outer edge of the ceiling or

roof soffits.

Part V

V.01: Value or valuation of a Building. The estimated

cost to replace the building in kind, based on current replacement

costs.

V.02: Vault. Any surface of underground construction

covered on top, or any fire-proof construction intended for the storage

of valuables.

V.03: Veneer. Nonstructural facing of brick,

concrete, stone, tile, metal, plastic, or other similar approved

material attached to a backing for the purpose of ornamentation,

protection, or insulation.

V.04: Veneer, Adhered. Veneer secured and supported

through adhesion to an approved bonding material applied over an

approved backing.

V.05: Veneer, Anchored. Veneer secured to and

supported by approved mechanical fasteners attached to and approved

backing.

V.06: Veneer, Exterior. Veneer applied to

weather-exposed surfaces.

V.07: Veneer, Interior. Veneer applied to surfaces

other than weather-exposed surfaces.

Part W

W.01: Wall, Bearing. A wall which supports any load

other than its own weight.

W.02: Wall, Cross. A term which may be used

synonymously with a partition.

W.03: Wall, Curtain. The inclosing wall of an iron or

steel framework or the nonbearing portion of an inclosing wall between

piers.

W.04: Wall, Dead. A wall without openings.

W.05: Wall, Exterior. Any wall or element of a wall

or any number or group of members, which defines the exterior

boundaries or courts of a building.

W.06: Wall, Faced. A wall in which the facing and

backing are so bonded together that they act as a composite element,

and exert a common action under load.

W.07: Wall, Fire. Any wall which subdivides a

building so as to resist the spread of fire, by starting at the

foundation and extending continuously through all storeys to, or above,

the roof. Extension above the roof is 1.00 meter (3 feet, 3 inches).

W.08: Wall, Foundation. That Portion of an inclosing

wall below the first tier of floor joists.

W.09: Wall, Height of. The perpendicular distance

measured from its base line either at the grade or at the top of the

girder to the top of the coping thereon. Foundation and retaining walls

are measured from the grade downward to the base of the footing.

W.10: Wall, Nonbearing. A wall which supports no lead

other than its own weight.

W.11: Wall, Parapet. That part of any wall entirely

above the roofline.

W.12: Wall, Party. A wall separating two or more

buildings, and used or intended to be used in common by the said

buildings.

W.13. Wall, Retaining. Any wall used to resist the

lateral displacement of any material; a subsurface wall built to resist

the lateral pressure of adjoining earth, or enclosing wall to resist

the lateral pressure of internal loads.

W.14: Wall, Thickness of . The minimum thickness

measured on the bed.

W.15: Window. An opening through a wall of a building

to the outside air for the purpose of admitting natural light and air.

W.16: Window, Oriel. A projecting window similar to a

bay window, but carried on brackets or corbels. The term "bay window"

may also be applied to an oriel window projecting over the street line.

W.17: Wire Backing. Horizontal strands of tautened

wire attached to surfaces vertical wood supports which, when covered

with building paper, provide a backing for portland cement plaster.

Part Y

Y.01: Yard or Patio. The vacant space left in a lot

between the building and the property line.

Y.02: Yard, Rear. The yard lying between the side lot

lines and the nearest lot line and the nearest building line.

Y.03: Yard, Side. The yard lying between the side

line and the nearest building line and between the front and the rear

yards.

ANNEX B-TABLES

Table 3.01-A

DIMENSIONS OF WOODEN POSTS OR SUPORTALES 1

Type of Maximum

Maximum Maximum Required Maximum

Building Height of

Height Spacing of

Finished Size of

1st Floor

Total Posts Suportales

1-Storey Shed 4.00 m. 350 m.

10 cms. x 10 cms.

(4" x 4")

1-Storey Shed 3.00 m. 4.00 m.

10 cms. x 10 cms.

(4" x 4")

1-Storey Shed 5.00 m. 4.00 m.

12.5 cms x 12.5 cms.

(5" x 5")

1-Storey Shed 1.00 to 5.50 m.

3.50 m. 12.5 cms x 12.5 cms.

or Chalet 1.50 m.

(5" x 5")

2- Storey House 3.00 m. 6.00 m.

300 m. 12.5 cms x 12.5 cms.

(5" x 5")

2-Storey House 3.50 m. 7.00 m.

4.00 m. 12 cms. x 15 cms.

(6" x "6)

2-Storey House 4.50 m. 8.00 m.

4.50 m. 17.5 cms x 17.5 cms.

("7 x "7)

2-Storey House 5.00 m. 9.00 m.

4.50 m. 20 cms. x 20 cms.

(8" x 8")

1 Logs or tree trunk suportales may be used as posts

in indigenous traditional type of construction, provided that these are

of such sizes and spacing as to sustain vertical loading equivalent at

least to the loading capacities of the posts and spacing in this Table.

Table 6.01-A

PROJECTION OF BALCONIES AND APPENDAGES

Width of Street 1

Balcony Maximum Projection 2

2.00 m. to less 3.00 m. No balcony

0.30 m.

3.00 m. No balcony 0.45 m.

Over 3.00 m. but less than 8.00 m. With balcony

0.80 m.

8.00 m. to less than 10.00 m. With balcony

1.00 m.

10.00 m. to less than 11.00 m. With balcony

1.00 m.

11.00 m. to less than 12.00 m. With balcony

1.10 m.

12.00 m. to less than 13.00 m. With balcony

1.30 m.

13.00 m. to less than 14.00 m. With balcony

1.40 m.

14.00 m. or over With balcony

1.50 m.

1 The width of streets is the total width of the

right-of-way measured from the property line to property line.

2 The maximum projection shall be measured from the

property line to the outermost part of the projection. No projection

shall be allowed on national roads and public highways.

Table 6.02-A

TYPE OF PROTECTION REQUIRED FOR PEDESTRIANS 1

Height of Protection

Construction Distance from

Construction Required

2.40 Meters Less than 1.80 Meters (6 feet)

Railing

(8 feet) or less

1.80 meters (6 feet) or more None

Less than 1.80 Meters (6 feet) Fence and

More than Canopy

1.80 Meters (6 feet) or more, but not more

than one-fourth the height of construction

Fence and

Canopy

2.40 Meters

1.80 Meters (6 feet) or more, but between Fence

one-fourth to one-half the height of

construction

(8 feet)

180 Meters (6 feet) or more, but exceeding None

one-half the height of construction

1 All protective devices shall include appropriate

lights and warning signs.

Back to Main

RA 6541 - National Building Code of the Philippines (1972) - predecessor to PD 1096

In brief

Key provisions

Common questions