BUILDING SYSTEM DESIGN

Module 1: Lesson 2

Architectural Code Module 1: Lesson 3

The Architectural Code is compiled by the United Architects of the National Structural Code of the Philippines
Philippines (UAP) the bonafide accredited organization of architects
under the purview of P.D. 223 – the Professional Regulation The National Structural Code of the Philippines establishes minimum
Commission Law and R.A. 545, the Architect’s Law, to serves a requirements for structural systems using prescriptive and
referral code for the implementation and enforcement of P.D. 1096 – performance-based provisions. It is founded on broad-based
the National Building Code of the Philippines. This is designed to be principles that make possible the use of new materials and new
compatible and complementary to the provisions of the NBC as its building designs.
implementing rules and regulations.
The following are the summary and important discussions of the Code:
The following are the important discussions of the Code:
Chapter 1 – General Requirements
Chapter 1 – General Provisions
Section 2: Declaration of Policy Section 101.3 Scope
• Designed to be consistent, complementary, and
compatible as referral code to NBC and all allied This code shall apply to the construction, alteration, moving,
engineering referral codes under the purview of demolition, repair, maintenance and use of buildings, tower and other
NBC. vertical structures within this jurisdiction.
Section 4: The Role of the Registered Architect
• The architect is the one responsible for the design Section 103 Classification of Structures
of buildings and other structures, for man’s
multifarious needs, activities, and aspirations.
These include structural, electrical, plumbing,
sanitary mechanical, communications, interiors,
acoustics, landscaping, and related systems and
services.

• (4.3) Allied engineers with proper expertise

registered under their professional laws,
normally form part of an architect’s collaborative engineers
group responsible for the design of their particular expertise.
Chapter 3 – Permits and Inspection
Section 7: Building Area Calculation
 This chapter sets forth requirements for excavations, fills, footings and
foundations for any building or structure.

Section 301.2 Quality and Design

The quality and design of materials used structurally in excavations,

fills, footings and foundations shall conform to the requirements
specified in Chapter 4, 5, 6 and 7

Chapter 4 – Structural Concrete

Section 401.2 General

401.2.2. Chapter 4 provides minimum requirements for the design and

construction of the structural concrete elements of any building or
other structure under requirements of the National Building Code of the
Philippines of which this chapter of the National Structural Code of the
Philippines, Volume I, forms a part. This chapter also covers the
strength evaluation of existing concrete structures.

Chapter 4 – Structural Concrete

Section 401.2 General

401.2.2. Chapter 4 provides minimum requirements for the design and

construction of the structural concrete elements of any building or
other structure under requirements of the National Building Code of the
Philippines of which this chapter of the National Structural Code of the
Philippines, Volume I, forms a part. This chapter also covers the
strength evaluation of existing concrete structures.

Section 401.2 General

Chapter 2 – Minimum Design Loads 401.2.2. Chapter 4 provides minimum requirements for the design and
construction of the structural concrete elements of any building or
Section 203.3.1 Basic Load Combinations
other structure under requirements of the National Building Code of the
1. 1.4D Philippines of which this chapter of the National Structural Code of the
2. 1.2D+1.6L+0.5(Lr or R) Philippines, Volume I, forms a part. This chapter also covers the
3. 1.2D+1.6(Lr or R)+(f1L or 0.5W) strength evaluation of existing concrete structures.
4. 1.2D+1.0W+f1L+0.5(Lr or R)
Chapter 5 – Structural Steel
5. 1.2D+1.0E+f1L
6. 0.9D+1.0W Section 501 Scope
7. 0.9D+1.0E
This chapter sets forth criteria for the design, fabrication, and erection
Section 207 Wind Loads of structural steel buildings and other structures, where other
structures are defined as those structures designed, fabricated, and
207A.1.1 Scope
erected in a manner similar to buildings, with building-like vertical and
Buildings and other structures, including the Main Wind Force Resisting lateral load resisting elements. Where conditions are not covered by
System (MWFRS) and all components and cladding (C&C) thereof, this Chapter, designs are permitted to be based on tests, or analysis,
shall be designed and constructed to resist the wind loads determined subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction. Alternate
in accordance with Section 207A through207F. The provisions of this methods of analysis and design shall be permitted, provided such
section define basic wind parameters for use with other provisions alternate methods or criteria are accepted to the authority having
contained in this code. jurisdiction.

Section 208 Earthquake Loads Chapter 6 – Wood

208.1.1 Purpose Section 601 Scope

The purpose of the succeeding earthquake provisions is primarily to The provisions of this chapter shall govern the materials, design,
design seismic-resistant structures to safeguard against major construction, and quality of wood members and their fasteners
structural damage that may lead to loss of life and property. These
provisions are not intended to assure zero-damage to structures nor
maintain their functionality after a severe earthquake

Chapter 7 – Masonry
Chapter 3 – Earthworks and Foundations Section 701 Scope
Section 301.1 Scope
The materials, design, construction and quality assurance of masonry Module 1: Lesson 5
shall be in accordance with this chapter
Fire Code of the Philippines
Section 702 Materials Standard
It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety, promote economic
702.1. Materials used in masonry shall conform to the requirements development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds, of
stated herein. If no requirements specified in this section for a material, destructive fires, and promote the professionalization of the fire service
quality shall be based on generally accepted good practice, subject to as a profession. Towards this end, the State shall enforce all laws,
the approval of the building official. rules, and regulations to ensure adherence to standard fire prevention
and safety measures, and promote accountability in the fire protection
Module 1: Lesson 4 and prevention service.
Electrical Code of the Philippines The following are the important discussions of the Code:
The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and Rule 4 - Authority of the Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection
property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. This Code
contains provisions that are considered the minimum requirements Section 4.0.0.1. The Administration and Enforcement of the Fire Code
necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance and this IRR shall be under the direct supervision and control of the
will result in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not Chief, BFP, through the hierarchy of organization as provided for in
necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future Chapter VI of Republic Act No. 6975, the DILG Reorganization Act of
expansion of electrical use. This Code is intended for the exclusive use 1990 as amended by Republic Act No. 9263, the Bureau of Fire
of licensed electrical practitioners (PEE, REE, and RME). Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)
Professionalization Act of 2004
This Code is not intended as a design specification nor an instruction
manual for a non-licensed electrical practitioner, unless under the Rule 6 – Fire Brigades, Fire Volunteer Organizations and Fire Safety
supervision of a licensed electrical practitioner. Practitioners

1.0.1.2 Scope Division 1. This Rule shall govern the organization, equipage,
operation, and proficiency training of company and community fire
(a) Covered. This Code covers the installation of electrical conductors, brigades as well as continuous training and competency evaluation of
equipment, and raceways; signaling and communications conductors, fire volunteers and fire volunteer organizations in the country who shall
equipment, and raceways; and optical fiber cables and raceways undergo mandatory fire suppression, inspection, rescue, emergency
installed within or on, to or from: medical services and other related emergency response training
programs and competency evaluations to be conducted by the BFP.
• Public and private buildings, including but not limited to
This also prescribes the continuous professional education,
residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, cultural,
competency evaluation and recognition of Fire Safety Practitioners, to
agricultural, agro-industrial, planned unit development, and
be conducted by the BFP. For this purpose, the term “company” shall
all other buildings/premises that may require practical
include government and/or private offices and buildings.
safeguarding of persons and property from the hazards
arising from the use of electricity. Rule 9 – Enforcement and Administration of Fire Safety Measures
• Electric generating plants. Division 1.
• Industrial plants 1. Inspection of all buildings, structures, facilities and premises,
hazardous operations, storage facilities and transportation vehicles of
• Transformer stations
hazardous materials and the determination of compliance of provisions
• Permanent and temporary substations, etc. of the Fire Code of the Philippines and this IRR shall be done by
City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
• Airfields
2. Fire safety inspections shall be conducted as a pre-requisite to
• Railways switchyards grants of permits and/or licenses by local governments or other
government agencies. No occupancy permit, business or permit to
• Yards, carnival, parks, parking and other lots operate shall be issued without securing a Fire Safety Inspection
Certificate (FSIC) from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
• Quarries and mines
jurisdiction.
• Watercraft
3. In coordination with the Building Official, the City/Municipal Fire
• Dockyards Marshal having jurisdiction shall review, evaluate and assess plans,
design calculations and specifications, and issue the necessary
• Trailers building Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC) upon determination
that design and specification is in accordance with the provisions of
• Mobile homes and recreational vehicles
the Fire Code of the Philippines and this IRR
• Offshore facilities

(b) Not Covered. This Code does not cover the following: Installations
in railway rolling stock, aircraft, or automotive vehicles. Installations of
railways for generation, transformation, transmission, or distribution of
power used exclusively for the operation of rolling stock.
Rule 10 – Fire Safety Measures Principle No. 12: Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and
installed to preempt clogging and the return of foul air to the building.
Chapter 1. Coverage
Principle No. 13: Plumbing systems shall be subjected to such tests to
This Rule covers the Fire Safety Measure for Buildings, Structures and effectively disclose all leaks and defects in the workmanship
Facilities, Hazardous Materials and Wastes, Hazardous Operations and
Processes, and Miscellaneous Hazardous Premises and/or conditions, Principle No. 14: No substance which will clog the pipes, produce
that by its very nature or relation to life, property and environment explosive mixture~ destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly
poses threat or danger with the sewage-disposal process shall be allowed to enter the building
drainage system.
Module 1: Lesson 6
Principle No. 15: Proper protection shall be provided to prevent
National Plumbing Code of the Philippines contamination of food, water, sterile goods and similar materials by
backflow of sewage. When necessary, the fixture, device or appliance
The basic principles of the 1999 National Plumbing Code of the
shall be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.
Philippines is an update of the tenets established in the "Plumbing Law
of the Philippines" approved on 18 June 1955 as amended on 28 Principle No. 16: No water closet shall be located in a room or
November 1959. The basic goal of the 1999 National Plumbing Code compartment which is not properly lighted and ventilated.
of the Philippines is to ensure the unqualified observance of the latest
provisions of the plumbing and environmental laws Principle No. 17: If water closets or other plumbing fixtures are
installed in buildings where there is no sewer within a reasonable
Principle No. 1: All premises intended for human habitation, occupancy distance, suitable provision shall be made for disposing of the building
or use shall be provided with a supply of pure and wholesome water, sewage by some accepted method of sewage treatment and disposal,
neither connected with unsafe water supplies nor subject to hazards of such as a septic tank
backflow or back-siphonage.
Principle No. 18: Where a plumbing drainage system may be subject to
Principle No. 2: Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be backflow of sewage, suitable provision shall be made to prevent its
supplied with water in sufficient volume and at pressure adequate to overflow in the building.
enable them to function satisfactorily and without undue noise under all
normal conditions of use. Principle No. 19: Plumbing systems shall be maintained in serviceable
condition by Registered Master Plumbers.
Principle No. 3: Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the
minimum quantity of water consistent with proper performance and Principle No. 20: All plumbing fixtures shall be installed properly
cleaning spaced, to be accessible for their intended use.

Principle No. 4: Devices for heating and storing water shall be so Principle No. 21: Plumbing shall be installed by Registered Master
designed and installed as to prevent dangers from explosion through Plumbers with due regard to the preservation of the strength of
overheating. structural members and the prevention of damage to walls and other
surfaces through fixture usage.
Principle No. 5: Every building having plumbing fixtures installed and
intended for human habitation, occupancy or use on premises abutting Principle No. 22: Sewage or other waste from a plumbing system
on a street, alley or easement where there is a public sewer, shall be which may be deleterious to surface or sub-surface waters shall not be
connected to the sewer system. discharged into the ground or into any waterway, unless first rendered
innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form of treatment.
Principle No. 6: Each family dwelling unit on premises abutting on a
sewer or with a private sewage-disposal system shall have at least one Module 1: Lesson 7
water closet and one kitchen type sink.
Sanitation Code of the Philippines
Further, a lavatory and bathtub or shower shall be installed to meet the
basic requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene The Code of Sanitation of the Philippines or Presidential Decree No.
856 highlights the importance of people’s health, protection, and
Principle No. 7: Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non- promotion of health and advance in the field sanitation.
absorbent material, free from concealed fouling surfaces and shall be
located in ventilated enclosures. Chapter 1 – General Provisions

Principle No. 8: The drainage system shall be designed, constructed Section 2. Definition of Terms – Whenever any of the following words
and maintained to safeguard against fouling, deposit of solids, clogging or terms is used herein or in any rule or regulation issued under this
and with adequate cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be readily Code, it shall have the meaning given it in this section, as follows:
cleaned. 1. Code – Code on Sanitation of the Philippines.
Principle No. 9: All piping of plumbing systems shall be of durable 2. Department – The Department of Health.
NAMPAP APPROVED materials, free form defective workmanship,
designed and constructed by Registered Master Plumbers to ensure 3. Secretary – The Secretary of Health.
satisfactory service.
4. Regional Director – an official who heads a Regional Health Office.
Principle No. 10: Each fixture directly connected to the drainage
system shall be equipped with a water-sealed trap. 5. Local Health Authority – an official or employee responsible for the
application of a prescribed health measure in a local political
Principle No. 11: The drainage piping system shall be designed to subdivision.
provide adequate circulation of air free from siphonage, aspiration or
forcing of trap seals under ordinary use. 6. Health Officer – Provincial, City or Municipal Health Officer.
7. Engineer – A Sanitary Engineer. • Effective capacity of a septic tank – The actual liquid
capacity of a septic tank as contained below the liquid level
8. Section – any section of this code unless the term refers to other line of the tank.
statutes which are specifically mentioned
• Effective depth of a septic tank – The actual liquid depth of a
Chapter 2 – Water Supply septic tank as measured from the inside bottom of the septic
Section 9. Prescribed Standards and Procedures – Standards for tank to the liquid level line.
drinking water and their bacteriological and chemical examinations,
• Freeboard or air space of a septic tank – The distance as
together with the evaluation of results, shall conform to the criteria set
measured from the liquid level line to the inside top of the
by the National Drinking Water Standards. The treatment of water to
septic tank.
render it safe for drinking and the disinfection of contaminated water
sources together with their distribution systems shall be in accordance • Distribution box – A small concrete receptacle between the
with procedures prescribed by the Department. septic tank and the drain field from which lines of drain tile
extends and which acts as surge tank to distribute the flow
Chapter 3 – Food Establishment
of sewage equally to each line of drain tile.
Section 14. Sanitary Permit
• Approved excreta disposal facilities shall mean any of the
• No person or entity shall operate a food establishment for following:
public patronage without securing a permit from the local
1. Flush toilets properly connected to a community sewer;
health office. The term “food establishment” as used in this
chapter means an establishment where food or drinks are 2. Flush toilets connected to a septic tank constructed in accordance
manufactured, processed, stored, sold or served. with this Chapter;

• Every Sanitary Permit shall be posted in a conspicuous 3. Any approved type pit privy built in accordance with this Chapter;
place of the establishment and

Chapter 5 – Public Laundry 4. Any disposal device approved by the Secretary or his duly
authorized representative
Section 37. Sanitary Permit – No public laundry shall operate without
a sanitary permit from the Secretary or his duly authorized • Privy – A structure which is not connected to a sewerage
representative. As used in this Chapter, a public laundry is a laundry system and is used for the
established and operated for commercial purposes, open to the public,
and not to an exclusive clientele. reception, disposition and storage of feces or other excreta from the
human body.
Chapter 9 – Rest Areas, Bus Terminals, Bus Stops, and Service
Stations Chapter 20 – Pollution of the Environment

Section 54. Rest areas, bus terminals, bus stops, and service station Section 80. General Provisions – For the purpose of this Chapter, the
areas with one or more permanent sheds, buildings and service provisions of Republic Act No. 3931, the rules and regulations of the
facilities for motor vehicles shall be provided with sanitary facilities for National Water and Air Pollution Control Commission promulgated in
the convenience and personal necessities of the traveling public. accordance with the provisions of Section 6(a) 2 of the said Act, the
provisions of Presidential Decree No. 480, and the rules and
Chapter 17 – Sewage Collection and Disposal, Excreta Disposal and regulations of the Radiation Health Office of the Department of Health
Drainage shall be applied and enforced.

Section 71. Definition of Terms – As used in this Chapter, the following

terms shall mean:

• Public sewerage system – A system serving twenty-five

persons or more.

• Septic tank – A water tight receptacle which receives the

discharge of a plumbing system or part thereof, and is
designed to accomplish the partial removal and digestion of
the suspended solid matter in the sewage through a period
of detention. Its construction shall be in accordance with
specifications prescribed in this Chapter

• House sewer – The pipe line conveying sewage from the

house or building to the septic tank or to any point of
discharge.

• Septic tank absorption bed or drain field – An underground

system of pipes leading from the outlet of the septic tank,
consisting of open-jointed or perforated pipes so distributed
that the effluent from a septic tank is oxidized and absorbed
by the soil.