Professional November 2023

Practice 1

rule 7 & 8
Development
controls a code summary
by Kyla Beatrice Y. Galaura
ARCHI 3-B

Classification & General

Requirement of all Buildings by Light & Ventilation
use or occupancy
 Rule 7
CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENT
OF ALL BUILDINGS BY USE OR OCCUPANCY
Section 7.1
Occupancy
Classified
Buildings proposed for construction shall
be identified according to their use or
the character of its occupancy
and shall be classified as follows:

(1) Group A – Residential dwellings

(2) Group B – Residential, Hotels, and Apartments; occupancies shall be multiple dwelling units, which
accommodates more than ten persons.
(3) Group C – Education and Recreation; occupancies shall be buildings used for school or day-care
purposes, involving assemblage for instruction, education, or recreation, and not classified in Group
I or in Division 1 and 2 or Group H Occupancies.
(4) Group D – Institutional; occupancies shall include
Division 1 – Mental hospitals, jails, and buildings where the personal liberties of inmates are
similarly restrained.
Division 2 – Nurseries for full-time care of children, nursing homes with non-ambulatory
patients, and similar buildings, each accommodating more than five persons.
Division 3 – Nursing homes for ambulatory patients, each accommodating more than five
persons: Provided that Group D Occupancies shall not include buildings used only for
private or family group dwelling purposes. 2
(5) Group E – Business and Mercantile; occupancies shall include
Division 1 – structures where no work is done except exchange of parts and maintenance
requiring no open flame, welding, or the use of highly flammable liquids. (e.g. Gasoline
station, storage garage)
Division 2 – stores, office buildings, and dining establishments having an occupant load of
less than one hundred persons. Factories and workshops using not highly flammable or
combustible materials (e.g. printing plants, police & fire station)
Division 3 – open parking garages where no repair work is done except exchange of parts
and maintenance requiring no open flame, welding or the use of highly flammable liquids.
(6) Group F – Industrial occupancies includes factories and workshops using incombustible and non-
explosive materials, and storage and sales rooms for incombustible and non-explosive materials.
(7) Group G – Storage and Hazardous; occupancies shall include
Division 1 – Storage and handling of hazardous and highly flammable material.
Division 2 – Storage and handling of flammable materials, dry cleaning plants using
flammable liquids
Division 3 – wood working establishments, factories where loose combustible fibers or dust
are manufactured, processed or generated; warehouses where highly combustible materials
is stored.
Division 4 – Repair garages.
Division 5 – Aircrafts repair hangars.
(8) Group H – Assembly other than Group I; shall include
Division 1 – assembly building with a stage; occupant load of < 1000 in the building
Division 2 – assembly building without stage; occupant load of ≥ 300 in the building
Division 3 – assembly building without stage; occupant load of < 300 in the building
Division 4 – Stadia, reviewing stands, amusement park structures not included within Group
I or in Division 1, 2, and 3 of this Group.
(9) 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; occupancies shall include
Division 1 – Private garage, carports, sheds and agricultural buildings.
Division 2 – Fences over 1.80 meters high, tanks and towers.

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

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 Change in
Section 7.2
use

No change shall be made in the character of occupancy 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. 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: Provided the new or proposed use is less
hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing
use.

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(a) General Requirements
When a building is of mixed occupancy or used for more than one occupancy, the whole building shall be
subject to the most restrictive requirement pertaining to any of the type of occupancy found therein except in
the following: When a one-storey building houses more than one occupancy, each portion of the building
shall conform to the requirement of the particular occupancy housed therein and; Where minor accessory
uses do not occupy more than ten percent of the area of any floor or a building, nor more than ten percent of
the basic area permitted in the occupancy requirements, in which case, the major use of the building shall
determine the occupancy classification.

(b) Forms of occupancy separation

Occupancy separations shall be vertical or horizontal or both, or when necessary, of such other forms as
may be required to afford a complete separation between the various occupancy divisions in the building.

Section 7.3
Mixed occupancy

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(c) Types of Occupancy Separation
Occupancy separation shall be classified as: One-Hour Fire Resistive occupancy separation where all openings in such
separation shall be protected by a fire assembly having a one-hour fire-resistive rating and of not less than one-hour fire-
resistive construction; Two-Hour Fire Resistive occupancy separation where all openings in such separation shall be
protected by a fire assembly having a two-hour fire-resistive rating and of not less than two-hour fire-resistive construction
; Three-Hour Fire Resistive Occupancy Separation where all openings in walls forming such separation shall be protected
by a fire assembly having a three-hour fireresistive rating and of not less than three-hour fire-resistive construction.

Total width of all openings ≤ 25% of the length of the wall

No single opening shall have an area > 10 sq.m
All openings in floors shall be protected by vertical enclosures extending above and below such openings and;
Four-Hour Resistive Occupancy Separation where it shall have no openings therein and shall be of not less than four-hour
fire-resistive construction.

(d) Fire Rating for Occupancy Separation

Occupancy Separations shall be provided between 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 an
equivalent fire-resistive construction.

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location on
Section 7.4
property
(a) General
No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins or has direct access to a public space or property on at least one
of its sides. 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 not be less than 750 millimeters from the side and rear
property lines.

(b) Fire Resistance of Walls

Exterior walls shall have fire resistance and opening protection in accordance with the requirements set forth by
the Secretary. 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 areas of such openings in any storey
shall not exceed 50 percent of the total area of the wall in that storey.

(c) Buildings on Same Property and Buildings 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 one building if the aggregate area of such building is within the limits of allowable
floor areas for a single building, and when the buildings so considered, house different occupancies or are of
different types of construction, the area shall be that allowed for the most restrictive occupancy or construction.

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Section 7.5
Allowable
Floor Areas
The allowable floor areas for one-storey building and

Section 7.6
buildings over one-storey shall not exceed the limits
prescribed by the Secretary for each occupancy groups
and/or types of construction. Each portion of a
building separated by one or more area separation
walls may be considered a separate building provided
the area separation walls meet the requirements
prescribed therefor by the Secretary.

Allowable
Floor Area
Increases
The floor areas may be increased in certain specific instances and
under appropriate conditions, based on the existence of public space
or street extending along sides of the building or structure subject to
the approval of the Building Official.

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The maximum height and number of storeys of every
building shall be dependent upon the character of
occupancy and the type of construction as determined by
the Secretary considering population density, building
bulk, widths of streets and car parking requirements.

≤ 3.0 meter, incombustible material

≤ 6.0 meter, combustible material

Section 7.7
Maximum Height
of Buildings
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 Figure 1.
(d) Foundation.

Figure 2.
(h) Stairs.
Section 7.8
Minimum
Figure 3.
(f) Floor.
Requirements
for Group A
Dwellings
(a) Dwelling Location and Lot Occupancy – the dwelling shall not occupy not more than 90% of a corner lot and 80% of
an inside lot, and shall be at least 2 meters from the property line.
(b) Light and Ventilation – every dwelling shall be so constructed and arranged as to provide adequate light and ventilation
as provided under Section 805 to Section 811, of this Code.
(c) Sanitation – every dwelling shall be provided with at least one sanitary toilet and adequate washing and drainage facilities.
(d) Foundation - footings shall be of sufficient size and strength to support the load of the dwelling and shall be at least 250
millimeters thick and 600 millimeters below the surface of the ground.
(e) Post – the dimensions of wooden posts shall be those found in Table 708-A: Dimensions of Wooden Posts (Annex B-1).
Each post shall be anchored to such footing by straps and bolts of adequate size. (f) Floor – the live load of the first floor shall be
at least 200 kilograms per square meter and for the second floor, at least 150 kilograms per square meter.
(g) Roof – the wind load for roofs shall be at least 120 kilograms per square meter for vertical projection.
(h) Stairs – stairs shall be at least 750 millimeters in clear width, with a rise of 200 millimeters and a minimum run of 200
millimeters.
(i) Entrance and Exit – there shall be at least one entrance and another one for exit.
(j) Electrical Requirements – all electrical installation shall conform to the requirements of the Philippine Electrical Code.
(k) Mechanical Requirements – mechanical systems and/or equipment installation shall be subject to the requirement of
the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code. 8
 requirements
Section 7.9
for other group
occupancies
Subject to the provisions of this Code, the Secretary shall promulgate
rules and regulations for each of the other Group Occupancies
covering: allowable construction, height, and area; location on
property, exit facilities, light, ventilation, and sanitation; enclosures
of vertical openings; fire extinguishing systems; and special hazards.

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 Rule 8
LIGHT & VENTILATION
Section 8.1
General Requirements
of Light and Ventilation
a Every building shall be designed,
constructed, and equipped to provide
adequate light and ventilation.

b
All buildings shall face a street or public
alley or a private street which has been
duly approved.

No building shall be altered nor

c
arranged so as to reduce the size of any
room or the relative area of windows to
less than that provided for buildings
under this Code, or 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 the required court or
yard would be less than that prescribed
for such building

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 Section 8.2
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
Courts, yards, and light wells shall be measured
clear of all 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 in width.

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Section percentage of
8.3 site occupancy
Minimum 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; and subject to the provisions of the local zoning requirements and in accordance with the rules and
regulations promulgated by the Secretary.

Section Size and Dimension

8.4 of Courts
(a) Minimum horizontal dimension of court shall be not less than 2.00 meters
(b) All inner courts shall be connected to a street or yard, either by a passageway with a minimum width of 1.20 meters or by a
door through a room or rooms.
 Figure 1. (a)

Figure 2. (b)

Section 8.5
Ceiliing heights
(a) Rooms provided with artificial ventilation shall have ceiling heights not less than 2.40 meters measured from the floor to the
ceiling; Provided that for buildings of more than one storey, the minimum ceiling height of the first storey shall be 2.70 meters
and that for the second storey 2.40 meters and succeeding storeys shall have an unobstructed typical head-room clearance of
not less than 2.10 meters above the finished floor. Above stated rooms with a natural ventilation shall have ceiling heights not
less than 2.70 meters.
(b) Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height not less than 1.80 meters above and below it.

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Section 8.6
SIZE & DIMENSION
OF ROOMS
1) Rooms for Human habitations
- 6.00 square meters with a least
dimension of 2.00 meters.

2) Kitchens
- 3.0 square meters with a least dimension
of 1.50 meters.

3) Bath and toilet

– 1.20 square meters with a least
dimension of 0.90 meter.

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Section 8.7
Air Space Requirements in
Determining the Size of Rooms
Minimum air space shall be provided as follows:
1) School Rooms – 3.00 cubic meters with 1.00 square meter of floor area per person;
2) Workshops, Factories, and Offices – 12.00 cubic meters of air space per person;
3) Habitable rooms – 14.00 cubic meters of air space per person.

Section 8.7
Window Openings
Every room intended for any use, not provided with artificial ventilation system shall be provided with a window or windows
with a total free area of openings and equal to at least ten percent of the floor area of room, and such window shall open directly
to a court, yard, public street or alley, or open water courses.

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Section 8.9 vent shafts
a) Ventilation or vent shafts shall have a horizontal cross-sectional area of not less than 0.10 square meter for every meter of
height of shaft but in no case shall the area be less than 1.00 square meter. No vent shaft shall have its least dimension less than
600 millimeters.

b) Skylights – Unless open to the outer air at the top for its full area, vent shaft shall be covered by a skylight having a net free
area or fixed louver openings equal to the maximum required shaft area.

c) Air ducts shall open to a street or court by a horizontal duct or intake at a point below the lowest window opening. Such duct
or intake shall have a minimum unobstructed cross-sectional area of not less than 0.30 square meter with a minimum
dimension of 300 millimeters. The openings to the duct or intake shall be not less than 300 millimeters above the bottom of the
shaft and the street surface or level of court, at the respective ends of the duct or intake.

Section 8.10 ventilation skylights

Skylights shall have a glass area not less than that required for the windows that are replaced. They shall be equipped with
movable sashes or louvers with an aggregate net free area not less than that required for openable parts in the window that are
replaced or provided with approved artificial ventilation of equivalent effectiveness.

Section 8.11 artificial elevation

(a) Rooms or spaces housing industrial or heating equipment shall be provided with artificial means of ventilation to prevent
excessive accumulation of hot and/or polluted air.

(b) Whenever artificial ventilation is required, the equipment shall be designed and constructed to meet the following minimum
requirements in air changes:

1) For rooms entirely above grade and used 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.
2) For rooms entirely above grade and used as bakeries, hotel or restaurant kitchens, laundries other than accessory to
dwellings, and boiler rooms – not less than ten changes of air per hour shall be provided.
3) For auditorium and other rooms used for assembly purposes, with seats or other accommodations – not less than 0.30 cubic
meter of air per minute shall be supplied for each person.
4) For wards and dormitories of institutional buildings – not less than 0.45 cubic meter of air per minute shall be supplied for
each person accommodated.
5) For other rooms or spaces not specifically covered under this Section of the Code, applicable provisions of the Philippine
Mechanical Engineering Code, shall be followed.

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