PRESIDENTIAL DECREE (P.D.) NO.

1096
ADOPTING A
NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (NBCP)
THEREBY REVISING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SIXTY-FIVE
HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (R.A. No. 6541)

WHEREAS, the country's accelerating economic and physical

development, coupled with urbanization and population growth, makes
imperative the formulation and adoption of a uniform building code
which shall embody up-to-date and modern technical knowledge on
building design, construction, use, occupancy and maintenance;

WHEREAS, while there is Republic Act No. 6541, entitled "An Act to
Ordain and Institute a National Building Code of the Philippines",
the same does not conform with the developmental goals and
infrastructure program of the Government and does not adequately
provide for all the technological requirements of buildings and
structures, in terms of up-to-date design and construction standards
and criteria;

WHEREAS, in the formulation of a new national building code, it is

desire and policy of the Government to avail of and harness the
technical expertise and professional know-how to men not only in the
public but in the private sectors as well.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the
Constitution, do hereby order and decree the revision of Republic
Act. No. 6541 to read as follows:

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 101. Title.
This Decree shall be known as the "National Building Code of the
Philippines" and shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Code".

Section 102. Declaration of Policy.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to safeguard
life, health, property, and public welfare, consistent with the
principles of sound environmental management and control; and to
this end, make it the purpose of this Code to provide for all
buildings and structures, a framework of minimum standards and
requirements to regulate and control their location, site, design
quality of materials, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance.

Section 103. Scope and Application.

(a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design,
location, sitting, construction, alteration, repair,
conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, demolition
of, and addition to public and private buildings and
structures, except traditional indigenous family dwellings
as defined herein.
(b) Building and/or structures constructed before the approval
of this Code shall not be affected thereby except when
alterations, additions, conversions or repairs are to be
made therein in which case, this Code shall apply only to
portions to be altered, added, converted or repaired.
Section 104. General Building Requirements.
(a) All buildings or structures as well as accessory facilities
thereto shall conform in all respects to the principles of
the safe construction and must be suited to the purpose for
which they are designed.
(b) Buildings or structures intended to be used for the
manufacture and/or production of any kind of article or
product shall observe adequate environmental safeguards.
(c) Buildings or structures and all parts thereof as well as
all facilities found therein shall be maintained in safe,
sanitary and good working condition.

Section 105. Site Requirements.

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. In the case of sites or buildings
intended for use as human habitation or abode, the same shall be at
a safe distance, as determined by competent authorities, from
streams or bodies of water and/or sources ofr considered to be
polluted; from a volcano or volcanic site and/or any other building
considered to be a potential source of fire or explosion.

Section 106. Definitions.

As used in this Code, the words, terms and phrases enumerated in
Annex "A" hereof shall have the meaning or definition,
correspondingly provided therein.

CHAPTER II
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Section 201. Responsibility for Administration and Enforcement.
The administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Code
including the imposition of penalties for administrative violations
thereof is hereby vested in the Secretary of Public Works,
Transportation and Communications, hereinafter referred to as the
"Secretary".

Section 202. Technical Staff.

The Secretary is hereby authorized to constitute and provide in his
Department a professional staff composed of highly qualified
architects, engineers and technicians who possess diversified and
professional experience in the field of building design and
construction.

Section 203. General Powers and Functions of the Secretary under

this Code.
For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Code, the
Secretary shall exercise the following general powers and functions:
(1) Formulate policies, plans, standards and guidelines on
building design, construction, use occupancy and
maintenance, in accordance with this Code.
(2) Issue and promulgate rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Code and ensure compliance with
policies, plans, standards and guidelines formulated under
paragraph 1 of this Section.
(3) Evaluate, review, approve and/or take final action on
changes and/or amendments to existing Referral Codes as
well as on the incorporation of other referral codes which
are not yet expressly made part of this Code.
(4) Prescribe and fix the amount of fees and other charges that
the Building Official shall collect in connection with the
performance of regulatory functions.

Section 204. Professional and Technical Assistance.

The Secretary with the assistance of his technical staff shall
provide such professional, technical, scientific and other services
including testing laboratories and facilities as may be required to
carry out the provisions of this Code; Provided that the Secretary
may secure such services as he may deem necessary from other
agencies of the National Government and may make arrangement for the
compensation of such services. He may also engage and compensate
within appropriations available therefor, the services of such
number of consultants, experts and advisers on full or part-time
basis, as may be necessary, coming from the government or private
businesses, entities or associations to carry out the provisions of
this Code.

Section 205. Building Officials.

Except as otherwise provided herein, the Building Official shall be
responsible for carrying out the provisions of this Code in the
field as well as the enforcement of orders and decisions made
pursuant thereto.

Due to the exigencies of the service, the Secretary may designate

incumbent Public Works District Engineers, City Engineers and
Municipal Engineers act as Building Officials in their respective
areas of jurisdiction.

The designation made by the Secretary under this Section shall

continue until regular positions of Building Official are provided
or unless sooner terminated for causes provided by law or decree.

Section 206. Qualifications of Building Officials.

No person shall be appointed as a Building Official unless he
possesses the following qualifications:
1. A Filipino citizen and of good moral character.
2. A duly registered architect or civil engineer.
3. A member of good standing of a duly accredited organization
of his profession for not less than two years.
4. Has at least five years of diversified and professional
experience in building design and construction.

Section 207. Duties of a Building Official.

In his respective territorial jurisdiction, the Building Official
shall be primarily responsible for the enforcement of the provisions
of this Code as well as of the implementing rules and regulations
issued therefor. He is the official charged with the duties of
issuing building permits.
In the performance of his duties, a Building Official may enter any
building or its premises at all reasonable times to inspect and
determine compliance with the requirements of this Code, and the
terms and conditions provided for in the building permit as issued.
When any building work is found to be contrary to the provisions of
this Code, the Building Official may order the work stopped and
prescribe the terms and/or conditions when the work will be allowed
to resume.
Likewise, the Building Official is authorized to order the
discontinuance of the occupancy or use of any building or structure
or portion thereof found to be occupied or used contrary to the
provisions of this Code.
Section 208. Fees.
Every Building Official shall keep a permanent record and accurate
account of all fees and other charges fixed and authorized by the
Secretary to be collected and received under this Code.
Subject to existing budgetary, accounting and auditing rules and
regulations, the Building Official is hereby authorized to retain
not more than twenty percent of his collection for the operating
expenses of his office.
The remaining eighty percent shall be deposited with the provincial,
city or municipal treasurer and shall accrue to the General Fund of
the province, city or municipality concerned.

Section 209. Exemption.

Public buildings and traditional indigenous family dwelling shall be
exempt from payment of building permit fees.
As used in this Code, the term "additional indigenous family
dwelling" means a dwelling intended for the use and occupancy by the
family of the owner only and constructed of native materials such as
bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber, the total cost of which does not
exceed fifteen thousand pesos.

Section 210. Use of Income from Fees.

Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the Secretary
is hereby authorized to prescribe the procedures for the use of all
net income realized by the office of the Building Official from the
collection of fees and charges not exceeding twenty percent thereof
in accordance with Section 208.

Such income may be used to cover necessary operating expenses

including the purchase of equipment, supplies and materials,
traveling expenses, obligation expenses and sheriff's fees and
payment of other prior years' obligations not adequately funded,
subject to existing budgetary and auditing rules and regulations.

Section 211. Implementing Rules and Regulations.

In the implementation of the provisions of this Code, the Secretary
shall formulate necessary rules and regulations and adopt design and
construction standards and criteria for buildings and other
structures.
Such standards, rules and regulations shall take effect after their
publication once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper
of general circulation.

Section 212. Administrative Fines.

For the violation of any of the provisions of this Code or any of
the rules or regulations issued thereunder the Secretary is hereby
empowered to prescribe and impose fines not exceeding ten thousand
pesos.

Section 213. Penal Provisions.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, to erect,
construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert,
demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any building or structure
or cause the same to be done contrary to or in violation of any
provision of this Code.

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the

provisions of this Code and/or commit any act hereby declared to be
unlawful shall upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more
than twenty thousand pesos or by imprisonment of not more than two
years or by both such fine and imprisonment: Provided, that in the
case of a corporation firm, partnership or association, the penalty
shall be imposed upon its officials responsible for such violation
and in case the guilty party is an alien, he shall immediately be
deported after payment of the fine and/or service of his sentence.

Section 214. Dangerous and Ruinous Buildings or Structures.

Dangerous buildings are those which are herein declared as such or
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 because of inadequate maintenance,
dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment; or which otherwise
contribute to the pollution of the site or the community to an
intolerable degree.

Section 215. Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.

When any building or structure is found or declared to be dangerous
or ruinous, the Building Official shall order its repair, vacation
or demolition depending upon the degree of danger to life, health,
or safety. This is without prejudice to further action that may be
taken under the provisions of Articles 482 and 694 to 707 of the
Civil Code of the Philippines.

Section 216. Other Remedies.

The rights, actions and remedies provided in this Code shall be in
addition to any and all other rights of action and remedies that may
be available under existing laws.

CHAPTER III
PERMITS AND INSPECTION
Section 301. Building Permits.
No person, firm or corporation, including any agency or
instrumentality of the government shall erect, construct, alter,
repair, move, convert or demolish any building or structure or cause
the same to be done without first obtaining a building permit
therefor from the Building Official assigned in the place where the
subject building is located or the building work is to be done.

Section 302. Application for permits.

In order to obtain a building permit, the applicant shall file an
application therefor in writing and on the prescribed form from the
office of the Building Official. Every application shall provide at
least the following information:
(1) A description of the work to be covered by the permit
applied for;
(2) Certified true copy of the TCT covering the lot on which
the proposed work is to be done. If the applicant is not
the registered owner, in addition to the TCT, a copy of the
contract of lease shall be submitted;
(3) The use or occupancy for which the proposal work is
intended;
(4) Estimated cost of the proposed work.

To be submitted together with such application are at least

five sets of corresponding plans and specifications prepared,
signed and sealed by a duly mechanical engineer in case of
mechanical plans, and by a registered electrical engineer in
case of electrical plans, except in those cases exempted or
not required by the Building Official under this Code.

Section 303. Processing of Building Permits.

The processing of building permits shall be under the overall
administrative control and supervision of the Building Official and
his technical staff of qualified professionals.

In processing an application for a building permit, the Building

Official shall see to it that the applicant satisfies and conforms
with approved standard requirements on zonings and land use, lines
and grades, structural design, sanitary and sewerage, environmental
health, electrical and mechanical safety as well as with other rules
and regulations promulgated in accordance with the provisions of
this Code.

Section 304. Issuance of Building Permits.

When satisfied that the work described in an application for
building permit and the plans and specifications submitted
therewith, conform to the requirements of this Code and other
pertinent rules and regulations, the Building Official shall, within
fifteen days from payment of the required fees by the applicant,
issue the building permit applied for.

The Building Official may issue a permit for the construction of

only a part or portion of a building or structure whenever the plans
and specifications submitted together with the application do not
cover the entire building or structure.

Approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or

altered without the approval of the Building Official and the work
shall be done strictly in accordance thereto.

Section 305. Validity of Building Permits.

The issuance of a building permit shall not be construed as an
approval or authorization to the permittee to disregard or violate
any of the provisions of this Code.

Whenever the issuance of a permit is based on approved plans and

specifications which are subsequently found defective, the Building
Official is not precluded from requiring permittee to effect the
necessary corrections in said plans and specifications or from
preventing or ordering the stoppage of any or all building
operations being carried on thereunder which are in violation of
this Code.

A building permit issued under the provisions of this Code shall

expire and become null and void if the building or work authorized
therein is not commenced within a period of one year from the date
of such permit, or if the building or work so authorized is
suspended or abandoned at any time after it has been commenced, for
a period of 120 days.

Section 306. Non-Issuance, Suspension or Revocation of Building

Permits.
The Building Official may order or cause the non-issuance,
suspension or revocation of building permits on any or all of the
following reasons or grounds:
(a) Errors found in the plans and specifications;
(b) In correct or inaccurate data or information supplied;
(c) Non-compliance with the provisions of this Code or of any
rule or regulation.
Notice of non-issuance, suspension or revocation of building permits
shall always be made in writing, stating the reason or grounds
therefor.

Section 307. Appeal.

Within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of advice of the
non-issuance, suspension or revocation of permits, the
applicant/permittee may file an appeal with the Secretary who shall
render his decision within fifteen days from date of receipt of
notice of appeal. The decision of the Secretary shall be final
subject only to review by the Office of the President.
Section 308. Inspection and Supervision of Work.
The owner of the Building who is issued or granted a building permit
under this Code shall engage the services of a duly licensed
architect or civil engineer to undertake the full time inspection
and supervision of the construction work.
Such architect or civil engineer may or may not be the same
architect or civil engineer who is responsible for the design of the
building.
It is understood however that in either case, the designing
architect or civil engineer is not precluded from conducting
inspection of the construction work to check and determine
compliance with the plans and specifications of the building as
submitted.
There shall be kept at the jobsite at all times a logbook wherein
the actual progress of construction including tests conducted,
weather conditions and other pertinent data are to be recorded.
Upon completion of the construction, the said licensed architect or
civil engineer shall submit the logbook, duly signed and sealed, to
the Building Official. He shall also prepare and submit a
Certificate of Completion of the project stating that the
construction of building conforms to the provisions of this Code as
well as with the approved plans and specifications.

Section 309. Certificate of Occupancy.

No building or structure shall be used or occupied and no change in
the existing use or occupancy classification of a building or
structure or portion thereof shall be made until the Building
Official has issued a Certificate of Occupancy therefor as provided
in this Code.
A certificate of Occupancy shall be issued by the Building Official
within thirty (30) days if after final inspection and submittal of a
Certificate of Completion referred to in the preceding section, it
is found that the building or structure complies with the provisions
of this Code.

The Certificate of Occupancy shall be posted or displayed in a

conspicuous place on the premises and shall not be removed except
upon order of the Building Official.

The non-issuance, suspension and revocation of Certificates of

Occupancy and the procedure for appeal therefrom shall be governed
in so far as applicable, by the provisions of Section 306 and 307 of
this Code.
 CHAPTER IV
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
Section 401. Types of Construction.
For purposes of this Code, all buildings proposed for construction
shall be classified or identified according to the following types:
(1) Type I. Type I buildings shall be a 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 non-bearing
partitions may use fire-retardant treated wood within the
framing assembly.
(3) Type III. Type III buildings shall be of 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 buildings shall be of steel, iron,
concrete, or masonry construction. Walls, ceiling, and
permanent partitions shall be of incombustible fire-
resistive construction: Except, that permanent non-bearing
partitions of one-hour fire-resistive construction may use
fire-retardant treated wood within the 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, ceilings, and permanent
partitions shall be of incombustible fire-resistive
construction.

Section 402. Changes in Types.

No change shall be made in the type of construction of any building
which would place the building in a different sub-type or type of
construction unless such building is made to comply with the
requirements for such sub-type of construction: Except, when the
changes is approved by the Building Official upon showing that the
new or proposed construction is less hazardous, based on life and
fire risk, than the existing construction.

Section 403. Requirements on Type of Construction.

Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the Secretary shall
prescribe standards for each type of construction, and promulgate
rules and regulations therefor, relating to structural framework,
exterior walls and openings, interior walls and enclosures, floors,
exists, and stairs construction, and roofs.

CHAPTER V
REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE ZONES
Section 501. Fire Zones Defined.
Fire zones are areas within which only certain types of buildings
are permitted to be constructed based on their use or occupancy,
type of construction, and resistance to fire.

Section 502. Buildings located in more than One Fire Zone.

A building or structure which is located partly in one fire zone and
partly in another shall be considered to be in the more highly
restrictive fire zone, when more than one-third of its total floor
area is located in such zone.

Section 503. Moved Building.

Any building or structure moved within or into any fire zone shall
be made to comply with all the requirements for buildings in that
fire zone.

Section 504. Temporary Buildings.

Temporary building such as reviewing stands and other miscellaneous
structures conforming to the requirements of this Code, and sheds,
canopies and fences used for the protection of the public around and
in conjunction with construction work, may be erected in the fire
zones by special permit from the Building Official for a limited
period of time, and such buildings or structures shall be-completely
removed upon the expiration of the time limit stated in such
permits.

Section 505. 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.
Distances shall be measured at right angles to the street or alley.

Section 506. Restrictions on Existing Buildings.

Existing buildings or structures in fire zones that do not comply
with the requirements for a new building erected therein shall not
hereafter be enlarged, altered, remodeled, repaired or moved except
as follows:
(a) Such building is entirely demolished;
(b) Such building is to be moved outside the limits of the more
highly restrictive Fire Zone to a zone where the building
meets the minimum standards;
(c) Changes, alterations and repairs may be made provided that
in any 12-month period, the value of the work does not
exceed twenty percent of the value of the existing
building, and provided that, such changes do not add
additional combustible material, and do not, in the opinion
of the Building Official, increase the fire hazard;
(d) Additions thereto are separated from the existing building
by fire walls, as set forth in Sub-section 604 (b);
(e) Damage from fire or earthquake, typhoons or any fortuitous
event may be repaired, using the same kind of materials of
which the building or structure was originally constructed,
provided that, the cost of such repair shall not exceed
twenty percent of the replacement cost of the building or
structure.

Section 507. Designation of Fire Zones.

The Secretary shall promulgate specific restriction for each type of
Fire Zone. Cities and municipalities shall be divided into such Fire
Zones in accordance with local, physical, and spatial framework
plans submitted by city or municipal planning and/or development
bodies.

CHAPTER VI
FIRE-RESISTIVE REQUIREMENTS IN CONSTRUCTION
Section 601. Fire-Resistive Rating Defined.
Fire-resistive rating means the degree to which a material can
withstand fire as determined by generally recognized and accepted
testing methods.
Section 602. Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating.
Fire-resistive time period rating is the length of time a material
can withstand being burned which may be one-hour, two-hours, three-
hours,four-hours, etc.

Section 603. Fire-Resistive Standards.

All materials of construction, and assemblies or combinations
thereof shall be classified according to their fire-retardant or
flame-spread ratings as determined by general accepted testing
methods and/or by the Secretary.

Section 604. Fire-Resistive Regulations.

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

CHAPTER VII
CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENT OF ALL
BUILDINGS BY USE OF OCCUPANCY
Section 701. Occupancy Classified.
(a) 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
Group A Occupancies shall be dwellings.
(2) Group B. Residentials, Hotels and Apartments
Group B Occupancies shall be multiple dwelling
units including boarding or lodging houses,
hotels, apartment buildings, row houses,
convents, monasteries, and other similar building
each of which accommodates more than ten persons.
(3) Group C. Education and Recreation
Group C 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
Group D Occupancies shall include:
Division 1. Mental hospitals, mental
sanitaria, jails, prisons, reformatories,
and buildings where personal liberties of
inmates are similarly restrained.sa d
Division 2. Nurseries for full-time care of
children under kindergarten age, hospitals,
sanitaria, 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
or family group dwelling purposes.

(5) Group E. Business and Mercantile

Group E Occupancies shall include:
Division 1. Gasoline filling and service
stations, storage garages and boot 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 of
less than one hundred persons, printing
plants, police and fire stations, factories
and workshops using not highly flammable or
combustible materials and paint stores
without bulk handlings.
Division 3. Aircraft hangers and open
parking garage with 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

Group F Occupancies shall include: ice plants,
power plants, pumping plants, cold storage, and
creameries, factories and workshops using
incombustible and non-explosive materials, and
storage and sale rooms for 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 material.
Division 2. Storage and handling of flammable
materials, dry cleaning plants using flammable
liquids; paint stores with bulk handling,
paint shops and spray painting rooms.
Division 3. Wood working establishments,
planning mills and box factories, shops,
factories where loose combustible fibers or
dust are manufactured, processed or generated;
warehouses where highly combustible material
is store.
Division 4. Repair garages.
Division 5. rcraft repair hangers.

(8) Group H. Assembly Other Than Group 1

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

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

Group I Occupancies shall be any assembly
building with an age and an occupant load of 1000
or more in the building.

(10) Group J. Accessory

Group J Occupancies shall include:
Division 1. Private garage, carports, sheds
and agriculture buildings.
Division 2. Fences over 1.80 meters 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
it most nearly resembles based on the existing or proposed
life and fire hazard.

Section 702. Change in 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,
unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of this
code for such division or group of occupancy. The character of
occupancy of existing buildings may be changed subject to the
approval of the Building Official and the building may be occupied
or 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.

Section 703. Mixed Occupancy.

(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:
(1) 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;
(2) 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
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.
(c) Types of Occupancy Separation
Occupancy separation shall be classified as "One-Hour Fire-
Resistive", "Two-Hour Fire Resistive", "Three-Hour Fire-
Resistive" and "Four-Hour Fire-Resistive:
(1) A "One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation"
shall be of not less than one-hour fire-resistive
construction. All openings in such separation
shall be protected by a fire-assembly having a
one-hour fire-resistive rating.
(2) A "Two-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
two-hour fire-resistive rating.
(3) A "Three-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. All
openings in floors forming a "Three-Hour Fire-
Resistive Occupancy Separation" shall be
protected by vertical enclosures extending above
and below such openings. The walls of such
vertical enclosures shall be of not less than
two-hour fire-resistive construction, and all
openings therein shall be protected by a fire-
assembly having a three-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-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 member supporting the separation
shall be protected by an equivalent fire-resistive
construction.
Section 704. Location of Property.
(a) General.
No Building shall be constructed unless it adjoins or has
direct access to a public space yard or street 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. Projections beyond the exterior wall shall
not exceed beyond a point one-third the distance from an
assumed vertical plane located where the fire-resistive
protection of openings is first required to the 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 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 assume
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.

Section 705. Allowable Floor Areas.

The allowable floor areas for one-storey building and buildings over
one-storey shall not exceed the limits prescribed by the Secretary
for each occupancy groups and/or types of construction.
For purposes of this Section, each portion of a building separation
by one or more area separation walls may be considered a separate
building provided the area separation walls meet the requirements
prescribed therefor by the Secretary.

Section 706. Allowable Floor Area Increases.

The floor areas 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 and
adjoining two or more sides of the building or structure subject to
the approval of the Building Official.

Section 707. Maximum Height of Buildings.

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. 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: Except, that towers,
spires, and steeples, erected as 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 above the height limits for each occupancy
group if of combustible materials.

Section 708. Minimum Requirements for Group A Dwellings.

(a) Dwelling Location and Lot Occupancy.
The dwelling shall occupy not more than ninety percent of a
corner lot and eighty percent of an inside lot, and subject
to the provisions on Easement on Light and View of the
Civil Code of the Philippines, 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, of this Code.
(c) Sanitation.
Every dwelling shall be provided with 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 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 post shall be those found in Table
708-A Dimensions of Wooden Posts (Annex B-1). Each post
shall be anchored to such footing by strap 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.

Section 709. Requirements 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.

CHAPTER VIII
LIGHT AND VENTILATION
Section 801. General Requirements of Light and Ventilation.
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Civil Code of the
Philippines on Basement of Light and View and to the
provisions of this part of the Code, 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.
(c) No building shall be altered nor 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.

Section 802. 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.

Section 803. Percentage of Site Occupancy.

(a) 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; and subject to the
provisions of the local zoning requirements and in
accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by
the Secretary.

Section 804. Size and Dimensions of Courts.

(a) Minimum size of courts and their least dimensions shall be
governed by the use, type of construction, and height of
the building as provided in the rules and regulations
promulgated by the Secretary, provided that the 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.

Section 805. Ceiling Heights.

(a) Habitable rooms provided with artificial ventilation 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 height 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.

Section 806. Size and Dimensions of Rooms.

(a) Minimum sizes of rooms and their least horizontal
dimensions shall be as follows:
1. Rooms for Human Habitations. 6.00 square meters
with at least dimensions of 2.00
2. Kitchens. 3.00 square meters with at least
dimension of 1.50 meters;
3. Bath and toilet. 1.20 square meters with at least
dimension of 0.90 meters.

Section 807. Air Space Requirements in Determining the Size of

Rooms.
(a) Minimum 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 space per person;
3. Habitable rooms. 14.00 cubic meters of space per
person.

Section 808. Window Openings.

(a) Every room intended for any use, not provided with
artificial ventilation system as herein specified in this
Code, shall be provided with a window or windows with a
total free area of openings 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.

Section 809. 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 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 not be 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 810. Ventilation Skylights.

(a) Skylights shall have 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 811. Artificial Ventilation.

(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;
(b) Whenever artificial ventilation is required, the equipment
shall be designed and constructed to meet the following
minimum requirements in 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 0.03 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.

CHAPTER IX
SANITATION
Section 901. General.
Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Civil Code of the
Philippines on Property, Ownership, and its Modification, all
buildings hereafter erected, altered, remodeled, relocated or
repaired for human habitation shall be provided with adequate and
potable water supply, plumbing installation, and suitable wastewater
treatment or disposal system, storm water drainage, pest and vermin
control, noise abatement device, and such other measures required
for the protection and promotion of health of persons occupying the
premises and other living nearby.

Section 902. Water Supply System.

(a) Whenever available, the potable water requirements for a
building used for human habitation shall be supplied from
existing municipal or city waterworks system.
(b) The quality of drinking water from meteoric, surface or
underground sources shall conform to the criteria set in
the latest approved National Standards for Drinking Water.
(c) The design, construction and operation of deepwells for the
abstraction of groundwater shall be subject to the
provisions of the Water Code of the Philippines.
(d) The design, construction and operation of independent
waterworks, systems of private housing subdivisions or
industrial estates shall be governed by existing laws
relating to local waterworks system.
(e) The water piping installations inside buildings and
premises shall conform to the provisions of the National
Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

Section 903. Wastewater Disposal System.

(a) Sanitary sewage from buildings and neutralized or pre-
treated industrial wastewater shall be discharged directly
into the nearest street sanitary sewer main of existing
municipal or city sanitary sewerage system in accordance
with the criteria set by the Code on Sanitation and the
National Pollution Control Commission.
(b) All buildings located in areas where there are no available
sanitary sewerage system shall dispose their sewage
"Imhoff" or septic tank and subsurface absorption filed.
(c) Sanitary and industrial plumbing installations inside
buildings and premises shall conform to the provisions of
the National Plumbing Code.

Section 904. Storm Drainage System.

(a) Rain water drainage shall not discharge to the sanitary
sewer system.
(b) Adequate provisions shall be made to drain low areas in
buildings and their premises.

Section 905. Pest and Vermin Control.

(a) All buildings with hollow and/or wood construction shall be
provided with rat proofing.
(b) Garbage bins and receptacles shall be provided with ready
means for cleaning and with positive protection against
entry of pest and vermins.
(c) DINING rooms for public use without artificial ventilation
shall be properly screened.

Section 906. Noise Pollution Control.

Industrial establishments shall be provided with positive noise
abatement devices to tone down the noise level of equipment and
machineries to acceptable limits set down by the Department of Labor
and the National Pollution Control Commission.

Section 907. Pipe Materials.

All pipe materials to be used in buildings shall conform to the
Standard Specifications of the Philippine Standard Council.

CHAPTER X
BUILDING PROJECTION OVER PUBLIC STREETS
Section 1001. General Requirements.
(a) No part of any building or 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 or appendage over a public
property shall be the distance measured horizontally from
the property line to the outermost point of the projection.

Section 1002. Projection into Alleys or Streets.

(a) No part of any structure or its appendage shall project
into any alley or street, national road or public highway
except as provided in this Code.
(b) Footings located at least 2.40 meters below grade along
national roads or public highway may project not more than
300 millimeters beyond the property line.
(c) Foundations may be permitted to encroach into public
sidewalk areas to a width not exceeding 500 millimeters;
provided, that the top of the said foundations is not less
than 600 millimeters below the established grade; and
provided further, that said projections 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 rerouting of the parts
of the affected utilities.

Section 1003. Projection of Balconies and Appendages Over

Streets.
(a) The extent of any projection over an alley or street shall
be uniform within a block and shall conform to the
limitations set forth in Table 1003-A; Projection of
Balconies and Appendages (Annex B-2);
(b) The clearance between the established grade of the street
and/or sidewalk and the lowest under surface of any part of
the balcony shall not be less than 3.00 meters.

Section 1004. Arcades.

(a) Whenever required by existing building and zoning
regulations, arcades shall be constructed on sidewalks of
streets. The width of the arcade and its height shall be
uniform throughout the street provided, that in no case,
shall an arcade be less than 3.00 meters above the
established sidewalk grade.

Section 1005. Canopies (Marquees).

(a) Definition. A canopy or marquee is a permanent roofed
structure above a door attached to and supported by the
building and projecting over a wall or sidewalk. This
includes any object or decoration attached thereto.
(b) Projection and Clearance. The horizontal clearance between
the outermost edge of the marquee and the carb line shall
be not less than 300 millimeters. The vertical clearance
between the pavement or ground line and the under surface
 of any part of the marquee shall not be less than 3.00
meters.
(c) Construction. A marquee shall be constructed of
incombustible material or materials of not less than two-
hours fire-resistive construction. It shall be provided
with necessary drainage facility.
(d) Location. 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 stairway
exits from the building or the installation or maintenance
of electroliers.

Section 1006. 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 not be less than 300 millimeters. The
vertical clearance between the undermost surface of the
awning and the pavement or ground line shall be not less
than 2.40 meters. Collapsible awnings shall be so
designated that they shall not block a required exit when
collapsed or folded.

Section 1007. Doors, Windows, and the like.

Doors, windows and the like less than 2.40 meters above the pavement
or ground line shall not, when fully opened or upon opening, project
beyond the property line except fire exit doors.

Section 1008. Corner Buildings with Chaflans.

(a) Every corner building or solid fence on a public street or
alley less than 3.60 meter in width shall be truncated at
the corner. The face of the triangle so formed shall be at
right angles to the bisector of the angle of the
intersection of the street lines; provided, that in no
case, the Secretary shall determine the size and form of
the chaflan.
(b) If the building is arcaded, no chaflan is required
notwithstanding the width of the public street or alley,
less than 12.00 meters.

CHAPTER XI
PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS
DURING CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION
Section 1101. General Requirement.
(a) No person shall use or occupy a street, alley or public
sidewalk for the performance of work covered by a building
permit except in accordance with the provisions of this
Chapter.

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

structure adjacent to a public way in general use for
pedestrian travel, unless the pedestrians are protected as
specified in this Chapter.
(c) Any material or structure temporarily occupying public
property, including fence, canopies, and walkways, shall be
adequately lighted, between sunset and sunrise.

Section 1102. Storage in Public Property.

Materials and equipment necessary for work to be done under a permit
when placed or stored on public property shall not obstruct free and
convenient approach to and used of any fire hydrant, fire or police
alarm box, utility box, catch basin, or manhole and shall not
interfere with any drainage of any street or alley gutter.

Section 1103. Mixing Mortar or Public Property.

The mixing of mortar, concrete, or similar materials on public
streets shall not be allowed.

Section 1104. Protection of Utilities.

All public or private utilities above or below the ground shall be
protected from any damage by any work being done under the permit.
The protection shall be maintained while such work is being done and
shall not obstruct the normal functioning of any such utility.

Section 1105. Walkway.

(a) When the Building Official authorizes a sidewalk to be
fenced or closed, or in case there is no sidewalk in front
of the building site during construction or demolition, a
temporary walkway of not less than 1.20 meters wide shall
be provided.
(b) The walkway shall be capable of supporting a uniform live
load of 650 kilograms per square meter. A durable wearing
surface shall be provided throughout the construction
period.

Section 1106. 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 as set forth in Table 1106-A: Type
of Projection Required for Pedestrians (Annex B-2)
(b) Railings. Adequate railings when required shall be built
substantially strong and should be at least 1.00 meter in
height.
(c) Fences. Fences shall be built of an approved material, not
less than 2.40 meters in height above grade, and 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
keep closed at all times.
(d) Canopies. The protective canopy shall have a clear height
of 2.40 meters above the railway, and shall be structurally
safe. Every canopy shall have a solid fence built along its
entire length on the construction side. If materials are
stored or work is done on top of the canopy, the edge along
the street shall be protected by a tight curb board not
less than 300 millimeters high and an railing not less than
1.00 meter 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 600
kilograms per square meter.
Section 1107. Maintenance and Removal of Protective Devices.
(a) Maintenance. All protective 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 protective fence or canopy shall be removed
within 30 days after such protection is no longer required
as determined by the Building Official.

Section 1108. Demolition.

(a) The work of demolishing any building shall not be commended
until all the necessary pedestrian protective structures
are in place.
(b) The Building Official may require the permittee to submit
plans, specifications and complete schedule of demolition.
When so required, no work shall be done until such plans,
specifications and schedule are approved by the Building
Official.

CHAPTER XII
GENERAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Section 1201. General Requirements.
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.
All other matters relative to the structural design of all buildings
and other structures not provided for in this Chapter shall conform
with the provisions of the National Structural Code of Buildings, as
adopted and promulgated by the Board of Civil Engineering pursuant
to the Republic Act Number 544, as amended, other wise known as the
"Civil Engineering Law".

Section 1202 Excavation, Foundation and Retaining Walls.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Articles 684 to 686 of the
Civil Code of the Philippines on lateral and subjacent
support, the design and quality of materials used
structurally in excavation, footings, and in foundations
shall conform to accepted engineering practice.
(b) Excavation and Fills
(1) Excavation or fills for buildings or structures
shall be so constructed or protected that they do
not endanger life or property.
(2) Whenever the depth of excavation for any
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 or safety of the same
is endangered, the person 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.
(3) Excavation and other similar disturbances made on
public property shall, unless otherwise excluded
by the Building Official, be restored immediately
 to its former condition within 48 hours from the
start of such excavation and disturbances by
whosoever caused such excavation or disturbance.

(c) Footings, Foundations, and Retaining Walls

(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 conditions of external
forces that may affect the safety or stability of
the structure. It shall be the responsibility of
the architect and/or engineer to adopt the type
and design of the same in accordance with the
standards set forth by the Secretary.
(2) Whenever or wherever there exists in the site of
the construction an abrupt change in the ground
levels or level 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 as
prescribed by the Secretary.

Section 1203. Veneer.

(a) Definition. Veneer is a non structural facing of brick,
concrete, 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 interior or
exterior 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
immediately 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 to differential

movements of the supports including those 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 seismic effects on the total
assemblage.

(5) Anchored veneer and its attachment shall be

designed to resist horizontal forces equal to
twice the weight of the veneer.

(6) Anchors supports and ties shall be non-

combustible and corrosion-resistant.
Section 1204. Enclosure of Vertical Openings.
(a) General. Vertical openings shall 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 of not less than the
fire-resistive construction required under the Types of
Construction. Enclosing Walls of elevator 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 those buildings housing Groups
F and G Occupancies equipped with automatic fire-
extinguishing systems throughout, enclosures shall not be
required for 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 300 millimeters on all sides.
Automatic sprinkles shall be provided around the perimeter
of the opening and within a 600 millimeters of the draft
curtain. The distance between the sprinkles shall not
exceed 1.80 meters center-to-center.

(c) Other Vertical Openings. All shafts, ducts, 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.

In other than Group A Occupancies rubbish and linen chutes

shall terminate in rooms separated from the remainder of
the building 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.r ducts in
Group A Occupancies need not be enclosed in a shaft if
conforming to the mechanical provisions of this Code.

Section 1205. Floor Construction.

(a) Floors shall be of such materials and construction as
specified under Chapter 5 Fire- Zones and Fire-Resistive
Standards and under Chapter 6 - Types of Construction.
(b) All floors shall be so framed and secure into the framework
and supporting walls as to form an integral part of the
whole building.
(c) The types of floor construction used shall provide means to
keep the beam and girders from lateral buckling.

Section 1206. Roof Construction and Covering.

(a) Roof Covering. Roof covering 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 in 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. Camber shall be
provided to prevent sagging.
(c) Attics
(1) Access. An attic access opening shall be provided
in the ceiling of the top floor of buildings with
a combustible ceiling or roof construction. The
opening shall be located in a corridor or hallway
of buildings of three or more storeys in height,
and readily accessible in buildings of any
height. An opening shall not be less than 600
millimeters square or 600 millimeters in
diameter. The minimum clear headroom of 800
millimeters shall be provided above the access
opening.
For ladder requirements, refer to the Philippine
Mechanical Engineering Code.

(2) Area Separation. Enclosed attic spaces of

combustible construction shall be divided into
horizontal areas not exceeding 250 square meters
by fire-resistive partitions extending from the
ceiling to the roof. 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 750
square meters. Openings in the partitions shall
be protected by self-closing doors.

(3) Draft Stops. Regardless of the type of

construction, draft stops shall be installed in
trusses roofs, between roof and bottom chords or
trusses, in all buildings exceeding 2000 square
meters. Draft stops shall be constructed as for
attic area separations.

(4) Ventilation. Enclosed attics including rafter

spaces formed where ceilings are applied direct
to the underside or roof rafters, shall be
provided with adequate ventilation protected
against the entrance of rain.

(d) Roof Drainage System.

(1) Roof Drains. Roof drains shall be installed at

low points of the roof and shall be adequate in
size to discharge all tributary waters.

(2) Overflow Drains and Scuppers. Where roof drains

are required, adequate overflow drains shall be
provided.
 (3) Concealed Piping. Roof drains and overflow
drains, when concealed within the construction of
the building, shall be installed in accordance
with the provisions of the National Plumbing
Code.

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

building shall not be permitted to flow over
public property, except for Group A and J
Occupancies.

(e) Flashing. Flashing and counter flashing shall be provided

at the juncture of the roof and vertical surfaces.

Section 1207. Stairs, Exits and Occupant Loads.

(a) General. The construction of stairs and exits shall conform
to the occupant load requirements of buildings, reviewing
stands, bleachers and grandstands:

(1) Determinations 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 unit area allowed per
occupant as determined by the Secretary.

(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 in 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.

(4) Changes in Elevation. Except in Groups A

Occupancies, changes in floor elevations of less
than 300 millimeters along any exit serving a
tributary occupant load of 10 or more shall be by
means of ramps.

(b) Exits
(1) Number of Exits. Every building or usable portion
thereof shall have at least one exit. In all
occupancies, floors above the first storey having
an occupant load of more than 10 shall not have
less than two exits. Each mezzanine floor used
for other than storage purposes, if greater in
area than 185 square meters or more than 18.00
meters in any dimension, shall have at least than
two stairways to an adjacent floor.
Every storey or portion thereof, having an
occupant load of 500 to 999 shall have at least
three exits. Every storey or portion thereof
having an occupant load of 1000 or more shall
have at least four (4) 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 by using the occupant loads of
floors which exit through the level under
consideration as follows: 50 percent 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 percent 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 structures. For
purposes of this Section basement 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 exits in meters shall

not be less than the total occupant load served
divided by 165. 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
exits through the level under consideration as
follows: fifty (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 twenty
five per cent of the occupant load in the storey
immediately beyond the first adjacent storey. The
maximum exit width from any storey of a building
shall be maintained.

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

required they shall be placed a distance apart 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, the others
will be available.

(4) Distance to Exits. No point in a building without

a sprinkle system shall be more than 45.00 meters
from an exterior exit door, a horizontal exit,
exit passageway, or an enclosed stairway,
measured along the line of travel. In a building
equipped with a complete automatic fire
extinguishing system the distance from exits may
be increased to 60.00 meters.

(c) Doors. The provisions herein shall apply to every exit door
serving an area having an occupant load of more than 10 or
serving hazardous rooms or areas.

(1) Swing. Exit door 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 exits
serving a tributary occupant load of more than
100; nor shall they be used as a part of fire
assembly, nor equipped with public hardware. A
double acting door shall be provided with a view
panel of not less than 1,300 square centimeters.

(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 readily be 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 900 millimeters in width
and not less than 2.00 meters in height. When
installation in exit doorways, exit doors shall
be capable of openings at least 90 decrees and
shall be so mounted that the clear width of the
exit way is not less than 700 millimeters. In
computing the required exit width the net
dimension of the exitway shall be used.

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

exceed 1.20 meters 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 an exit door. The floor or
landing shall be leveled with, or not more than
50 millimeters lower than the threshold of the
doorway: Except, that in Group A and B
occupancies, a door may open on the top step of a
flight of stairs or an exterior landing provided
the door does not swing over the top step or
exterior landing and the landing is not more than
200 millimeters below the floor level.

(8) Door Identification. Glass doors shall conform to

the requirements in Section 1005. Other exit
doors shall be so marked that they are already
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 doors 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 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 doors 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 ten.

(1) Width. Every corridor or exit balcony shall not

be less than 1.10 meters in width.

(2) Projections. The required width of corridors and

exterior exit balconies shall be an obstructed:
Except that trim handrails, and doors when fully
opened shall not reduce the required width by
more than 200 millimeters. Doors in any position
shall not reduce the required width of the
corridor by more than one-half.

(3) Access to Exits. When more than one exit is

required, they shall be arranged to allow going
to either direction from any point dead ends
permitted by this Code.

(4) Dead Ends. Corridors and exterior exit balconies

with dead ends are permitted when the dead end
does not exceed 6.00 meters in length.

(5) Construction. Walls and ceilings of corridors

shall not be less than one-hour fire-resistive
construction. Provided, that this requirement
shall not apply to exterior exit balconies,
railings, and corridors of one-storey building
housing a Group E and F Occupancy occupied by one
tenant only and which serves an occupant load of
30 or less, nor to corridors, formed by temporary
partitions. Exterior exit balconies cannot
project into an area where protected openings are
required.

(6) Openings. When corridor wall 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
shutter shall be 7 millimeters thick 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 twenty-
five percent of the area of the corridor wall of
the room being separated from the corridor.

(e) Stairways. Except stairs or ladders used only to access,

equipment, every stairway serving any building or portion
thereof shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) Width. Stairways serving an occupant load of more
than 50 shall not be less than 1.10 meters.
Stairways serving an occupant load of 50 or less
may be 900 millimeters wide. Private stairways
serving an occupant load of less than 10 may be
750 millimeters. Trim and handrails shall not
reduce the required width by more than 100
millimeters.

(2) Rise and Run. The rise of every step in a

stairway shall not exceed 200 millimeters and the
run shall not less than 250 millimeters. The
maximum variations in the height of risers and
the width of treads in any one flight shall be 5
millimeters: Except, in case of private stairways
serving an occupant load of less than 10, the
rise may be 200 millimeters and the run may be
250 millimeters, except as provided in sub-
paragraph (3) below.

(3) Winding Stairways. In Group A Occupancy 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 300 millimeters
from the side of the stairway where the treads
are narrower but in no case shall any width of
run be less than 150 millimeters at any point.

(4) Circular Stairways. Circular stairs may be used

as an exit provided the minimum width of run is
not less than 250 millimeters. All treads in any
one flight between landings shall have identical
dimensions within a 5 millimeter tolerance.

(5) Landing. 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 when the stairs has a straight
run. Landings when provided shall not be reduced
in width by more than 100 millimeters by a door
when fully open.

(6) Basement Stairways. Where a basement stairway and

a stairway to an upper storey terminate in the
same exit enclosure, an approved barrier shall be
provided to prevent persons from continuing on to
the basements. Directional exit signs shall be
provided as specified in this Code.

(7) Distance Between Landings. There shall be not

more than 3.60 meters vertical distance between
landings.

(8) Handrails. Stairways shall have handrails on each

side and every stairway required to be more than
3.00 meters in width shall be provided with not
less than one intermediate handrail for each 3.00
meters of required width. Intermediate handrail
shall be spaced approximately equal within the
entire width of the stairway. Handrails shall be
placed not less than 800 millimeters nor more
than 900 millimeters above the nosing of treads
 and ends of handrails shall be returned or shall
terminate in newel posts or safety terminals:
Except, in the following cases: Stairways 1.10
meters or less in width and stairway serving one
individual dwelling unit in Group A or B
Occupancies may have one handrail, except that
such stairway open on one or both sides shall
have handrails provided on the open side or
sides: or stairway having less than four risers
need not have handrails.

(9) Exterior Stairway Protection. All openings in the

exterior wall below or within 3.00 meters,
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 opening may be
unprotected when two separated exterior stairways
serve an exterior exit balcony.

(10) Stairway Construction-Exterior. Exterior stairway

shall be of incombustible material: Except, that
on Type III buildings which do not exceed two
storeys in height, which are located in less
fire-restrictive Fire Zones, as well as on Type I
buildings may be of wood not less than 50
millimeters 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.

(11) Stairway to Roof. In every building four or more

storeys in height, one stairway shall extend to
the roof unless the roof has C slope greater than
1 in 3.

(12) Headroom. Every required stairway shall have a

headroom clearance of not less than 2.00 meters.
Such clearance shall be established by measuring
vertically from a plane parallel and tangent to
the stairway tread nosing to the soffit above all
points.

(f) Ramps. A ramp conforming to the provisions of this Code may

be used as an exit. The width of ramps shall be as required
for corridors.

(g) Horizontal Exit. If conforming to the provisions of this

Code, a horizontal exit may be considered as the required
exit. All openings in a separation wall shall be protected
by a fire assembly having a fire-resistive rating not less
than the occupant load served by such exit. The capacity
shall be determined by allowing 0.30 square meter of net
floor area per ambulatory occupant and 1.90 square meters
per non-ambulatory occupant. The dispersal area into which
 the horizontal exit loads 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, as an
enclosure will not be required for stairway, ramp, or
escalator serving only one adjacent floor and not connected
with corridors or stairways serving other floors. Stairs in
Group A Occupancies need not be enclosed.
(1) Enclosure walls shall not be less than two-hour
fire-resistive construction. There shall be no
openings into exit enclosures except exit
doorways and openings in exterior walls. All exit
doors in an exit enclosure shall be appropriately
protected.
(2) Stairway and ramp enclosures shall include
landings and parts of floors connecting stairway
flights and shall include a corridor on the
ground floor leading from the stairway to the
exterior of the building. Enclosed corridors of
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 smokeproof enclosure shall consist of a vestibule and a
continuous stairway enclosed from the highest point to the
lowest point by walls of two-hour fire-resistive
construction. In building five storeys or more height, one
of the required exits shall be a smokeproof enclosure.
(1) Stairs in smokeproof enclosures shall be of
incombustible construction.
(2) There shall be no openings in smokeproof enclosures,
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 least fifty percent open to the
exterior and having an exit door from the interior of
the building and exit door leading to the smokeproof
enclosure. In 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 by a self-closing fire
assembly having a one-hour fire-resistive rating.
 (4) A smokeproof 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
fire-resistance.
(5) A stairway in a smokeproof enclosure shall not
continue below the grade level exit unless an approved
barrier is provided at a ground floor level to prevent
persons from accidentally walking 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 an exit passageway. Passageways shall be
without openings other than required exits and shall have
walls, floors, and ceilings of the same period of fire-
resistance as the walls, floors and ceilings of the
building but shall not be 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 required width being based
on the occupant load served. The required width
of exit courts or exit passageway 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 900 millimeters in height. The guardrail
shall make an angle of not more than 30 degrees
with the axis of the exit court.

(2) Slope
The slope of exit courts shall not exceed 1 in
10. The slope of exit passageway shall not exceed
1 in 8.

(3) Number of Exits

Every exit court shall be provided with exits as
required in this Code.

(4) Openings
All openings into an exit court less than 3.00
meters wide shall be protected by fire assemblies
having not less than three-fourth hour fire-
resistive rating. Except, that openings more than
3.00 meters above the floor of the exit court may
be unprotected.

(k) Exit Signs and Illuminations

Exits shall be illuminated at any time the building is
occupied with light having an intensity of not less than
10.7 lux 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 signs illumination).

(1) 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 800
millimeters wide if serving only one side, and
not less than 1 meter wide if serving both sides.
Such minimum width shall be measured at the point
farthest from an exit, crosssle, or foyer and
shall be increased by 30 millimeters for every
meters in length towards the exit, crosssle or
foyer.

(2) Exit Distance

In areas occupied by seats and in Groups H and I
Occupancies without seats, the line travel to an
exit door by ansle shall be not more than 45.00
meters. With standard spacing, as specified in
this Code, aisles shall be so located that there
will be not more than seven seats between the
wall and ansle and not more than fourteen seats
between aisles. The number of seats between
aisles may be increased to 30 where exit doors
are provided along each side aisle of the row of
seats at the rate of one pair of exit doors for
every five rows of seats, provided further that
the distance between seats back to back is at
least one meter. Such exit doors shall provide a
minimum clear width of 1.70 meters.

(3) Cross Aisles

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 fifty percent of the total
required width of the remaining aisle leading
thereto. In Groups C, H and E Occupancies, aisles
shall not be provided a dead end greater than
6.00 meters 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 fifty percent
of the total required width of the remaining
aisles leading thereto.

(5) Slope
The slope portion ofsle shall not exceed a fall 1
in 8.

(m) Seats

(1) Seat Spacing

With standard seating, the spacing of rows of
seats from back-to-back shall not less than 840
millimeters. With continental seating, the
spacing of rows of unoccupied seat shall provide
a clear width measured horizontally, as follows:
450 millimeters clear for rows of 18 seats or
less; 500 millimeters clear for rows of 35 seats
 or less; 525 millimeters clear for rows of 45
seats or less; and 550 millimeters clear for rows
of 46 seats or more.

(2) Width
The width if any seat be not less than 450
millimeters.

(n) Reviewing Stands, Grandstands, and Bleachers.

(1) Height of Stands

Stands made of combustible framing shall be
limited to 11 rows or 2.70 meters in height.

(2) Design Requirements

The minimum unit live load for reviewing stands,
grandstands, and bleachers shall be 500 kilograms
per square meter of horizontal projection for the
structure as a whole. Seat and footboards shall
be 180 kilograms per linear meter. The sway
force, applied to seats, shall be 35 kilograms
per linear meter parallel to the seats and 15
kilograms per linear meter perpendicular to the
seats. Sway forces need not to be applied
simultaneously with other lateral forces.

(3) Spacing Seats

(3.1) Row spacing

The minimum spacing of rows of seats
measured from back-to-back shall be:
600 millimeters for seats without
backrests in open air stands; 750
millimeters for seats with backrests,
and 850 millimeters for chair seating.
There shall be a space of not less
than 300 millimeters between the back
of each seat and the 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 400
millimeters.

(3.3)Seating Capacity
For determining the seating capacity
of a stand the width of any seat shall
not be less than 450 millimeters nor
more than 480 millimeters.

(3.4)Number of Seats Between Aisles

The number of seats between any seat
and an aisle shall not be greater than
15 for open air stands with seats
without backrests in buildings.

(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
backrests; the rise from row to row
does not exceed 300 millimeters per
row; the number of rows does not
exceed 11 in height; the top seating
board is not over 3.00 meters above
grade; and the first seating board is
not more than 500 millimeters 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
200 millimeters above grade, the aisle
shall be provided with a stairway or
ramp whose width is not less than the
width of the aisle.

(4.4) Dead End

No vertical aisle shall have a dead
end more than 16 rows in depth
regardless of the number of exits
required.

(4.5) Width
Aisles shall have a minimum width of
1.10 meters.

(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 200 millimeters and the minimum
width of the run shall be 280
millimeters. The maximum variation in
the width of treads in any one flight
shall not be more than 5 millimeters
and the maximum variation in one
height of two adjacent rises shall not
exceed 5 millimeters.

(5.2)Ramp Slope
The slope of a ramp shall not exceed 1
in 8. Ramps shall be roughened or
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 a seat
plank is more than 1.20 meters above
the grade and at the front of stands
elevated more than 600 millimeters
above grade. Where only sections of
stands are used, guardrails shall be
provided as required in this Code.

(6.2) Railings shall be 1.10 meters above

the rear of a seat plank or 1.10
meters above the rear of the steps in
the aisle when the guardrail is
parallel and adjacent to the aisle:
Except, that the height may be reduced
to 900 millimeters 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
250 millimeters where the seat is at
the extreme end or at the extreme rear
of the bleachers or 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 to resist a load of 75
kilograms per linear meter applied at
the top rail. Other handrails shall be
designed to resist a load of 40
kilograms per linear meter.

(7) Foot Boards

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 600
millimeters above grade.

(8) Exits

(8.1) Distance to Exit

The line of travel to an exit shall
not be more than 45.00 meters. For
stands with seats without backseats
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 500 millimeters above
grade of floor may be considered to
have two exits when the bottom of the
stand 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
stand 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 a stand
accommodates more than 1000 occupants:
Except, that for an open air stand
with seats without backrests 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 not be less than the total
occupant load served divided by 165:
Except, that for open air stands with
seats without backrests the total
width of exits in meter shall not be
less than the total occupant load
served divided by 500 when existing by
stairs, and divided by 650 when
existing 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 1.10 meters in width.
Exits shall be located at a reasonable
distance apart. When only 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 platforms upon which they are
placed: Except, that when less than 25 chairs are
used upon single raised platform the fastening of
seat 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. If 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 bases
of not less than one exit unit of 600 millimeters
for each 500 persons to be accommodated and not
exit shall be less than 1.10 meters in width, a
reasonable distance apart that shall be spaced
not less than one-fifth of the perimeter of the
area apart from each other.

(o) Special Hazards

(1) Boiler Rooms

Except in Group A Occupancies, every boiler room
and every room containing an incinerator or
liquified petroleum 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
provided for in this Code.

(2) Cellulose Nitrate Handling

Film laboratories, projection rooms, and nitro-
cellulose processing rooms shall have not less
than two exits.

Section 1208. 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 at an angle of less
than 45 degrees from the horizontal, if located above the
first storey, shall be set at least 100 millimeters above
the roof. Curbs on which the skylights rest shall be
constructed of incombustible materials except for Types 1
or 11 Construction.

(b) Spacing between supports in one direction for flat wired

glass in skylights shall not exceed 625 millimeters.
Corrugated wired glass may have supports 1.50 meters apart
in the direction of the corrugation. All glass in skylights
shall be wired 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 in ventilation equal
to not less than one-eight the cross-sectional area of the
shaft but never less than 1.20 meters 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 2.5 millimeters in diameter with a mesh
not larger than 25 millimeters. The screen shall be
substantially supported below the glass.
(c) Skylights installed for the use of photographers may be
constructed of metal frames and plate glass without wire
netting.

(d) Ordinary glass may be used in the roof and skylights for
greenhouses, Provided, that height of the greenhouses at
the ridge does not exceed 6.00 meters 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 skylight does not exceed 6.00 meters 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 not be
less than 12.5 millimeters in thickness. Any such glass
over 100 square centimeters 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 is surrounded
by a railing not less than 1.10 meters in height, in which
case the construction shall be calculated for not less than
roof loads.

Section 1209. Bays, Porches, and 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 wall
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 750 millimeters above grade.

Section 1210. Penthouses and Roof Structures.

(a) Height
No penthouse or other projection above the roof in
structures of other than Type V construction shall exceed
8.40 meters above the roof when used as an enclosure for
tanks or for elevators which run to the roof and in all
other cases shall not extend more than 3.60 meters in
height with the roof.

(b) Area
The aggregate area of all penthouses and other roof
structures shall not exceed one third of the area of the
supporting roof.

(c) Prohibited Uses

No penthouse, bulkhead, or any 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 shall be constructed with walls, floors,
and roof as required for the main portion of the building
except in the following cases:

(1) On Types III and IV constructions, the exterior

walls and roofs of penthouses which are 1.50
meters or more from an adjacent property line may
be of one-hour fire-resistive incombustible
construction.

(2) Walls not less than 1.50 meters from an exterior

wall of a type IV construction 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 and spires when enclosed shall have exterior walls
as required for the building to which they attached. Towers
not enclosed and which extend more than 20.00 meters above
the grade shall have their framework constructed 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 it is attached and in no case shall the
base area exceed 150 square meters unless it conforms
entirely to the type of construction requirements of the
building to which it is attached and is limited in height
as main part of the building. If the area of the tower and
spire exceeds 10.00 square meters any horizontal cross
section, its supporting frames shall extend directly to the
ground. The roof covering of the spires shall be as
required for the main room 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 7.50 meters 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 designed to withstand a
wind load from any direction in addition to any other
loads.

Section 1211. 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
that required for the safe operation of the
appliance connected thereto. No Chimney shall
support any structural load other than its own
weight unless it is designed to act as a
supporting member. Chimneys in a wood-framed
building shall be anchored laterally at the
ceiling line and at each floor line which is more
than 1.80 meters above grade, except when
entirely within the framework or when designed to
be free standing.
(2) Walls
Every masonry chimney shall have walls of masonry
units, bricks, stones, listed masonry chimney
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 100
millimeters thick; or of rubble stone
masonry not less than 300 millimeters
thick. The chimney liner 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 200
millimeters thick: Except, that rubble
stone masonry shall be not less than
300 millimeters thick. The chimney
liner 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 200 millimeters
thick, Except, that stone masonry
shall be not less than 300 millimeters
thick and, in addition shall be lined
with not less than 100 millimeters of
firebrick laid in a solid bed of fire
clay mortar with solidly filled head,
bed, and wall joints, starting not
less than 600 millimeters below the
chimney connector entrance. Chimneys
extending 7.50 meters 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 solid masonry units or
reinforced concrete not less than 200
millimeters in thickness, with anr
space of not less than 50 millimeters
between walls. The inside of the
interior walls shall be of fire-brick
not less than 100 millimeters in
thickness laid in a solid bed 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 building using the
chimney passageway as a refuse chute
where the horizontal grate area of
combustion chamber does not exceed
0.80 square meter shall have walls of
solid masonry or reinforced concrete,
not less than 100 millimeters thick
with a chimney lining as specified in
this Code. If the grate area of such
an incinerator exceeds 0.80 square
meter, the walls shall not be less
than 100 millimeters of firebrick
except that higher than 9.00 meters
above the roof of the combustion
chamber, common brick alone 200
millimeters 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 110 kilograms of
refuse per hour and having a
horizontal grate area not exceeding
0.50 square meter shall have walls of
solid masonry or reinforced concrete
not less than 100 millimeters thick
with lining of not less than 100
millimeters of firebrick, which lining
shall extend for not less than 12.00
meters above the roof of the
combustion chamber. If the design
capacity of grate area of such an
incinerator exceeds 110 kilograms per
hour and 0.80 square meter
respectively, walls shall not be less
than 200 millimeters thick, lined with
not less than 100 millimeters of
firebrick extending the full height of
the chimney.

(3) Linings
Fire clay chimney lining shall not be less than
15 millimeters thick.
The lining shall extend from 200 millimeters
below the lowest inlet, or, in the case of
fireplace, 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 smooth on
the inside. Firebrick not less than 500
millimeters thick may be used in place of fire
clay chimney.

(4) Area
 No chimney passageway shall be smaller in area
than the vent connection of the appliance
attached thereto.

(5) Height
Every masonry chimney shall extend at least 600
millimeters above the part of the roof through
which it passes and at least 600 millimeters
above the highest elevation of any part of a
building within 3.00 meters to the chimney.

(6) Corbeling
No masonry chimney shall be corbeled from a wall
more than 150 millimeters nor shall a masonry
chimney be corbeled from a wall which is less
than 300 millimeters in thickness unless it
projects equally on each side of the wall. In 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. In every case the corbeling shall
not exceed 25 millimeters protection for each
course of brick.

(7) Change in Size or Shape

No change in the size or shape of a masonry
chimney shall be made within a distance of 150
millimeters above or below the roof joints or
rafters where the chimney passes through the
roof.

(8) Separation
When more than one passageway is contained in the
same chimney, masonry separation at least 100
millimeters thick bonded into the masonry wall of
the chimney shall be provided to separate
passageways.

(9) Inlets
Every inlet to any masonry chimney shall enter
the side thereof and shall be of not less than 3
millimeters thick metal or 16 millimeters
refractory material.

(10) Clearance
Combustible materials shall not be placed within
50 millimeters of smoke chamber or masonry
chimney walls when built within a structure, or
within 25 millimeters when the chimney is built
entirely outside the structure.

(11) Termination
All incinerator chimneys shall terminate in a
substantially constructed spark arrester having a
mesh not exceeding 20 millimeters.

(12) Cleanouts
Cleanout openings shall be provided at the base
of every masonry chimney.

(b) Fireplaces and Barbecues

Fireplaces, barbecues, smoke chambers and fireplace
Chimneys shall be of solid masonry or reinforced concrete
and shall conform to the minimum requirements specified in
this Code.

(1) Fireplace Walls.

Walls of fireplaces shall not be less than 200
millimeters in thickness. Walls of fireboxes
shall not be less than 250 millimeters in
thickness: Except, that where a lining of
firebrick is used, such walls shall not be less
than 200 millimeters in thickness. The firebox
shall not be less than 200 millimeters in
thickness. The firebox shall not be less than 500
millimeters in depth. The maximum thickness of
joints in firebrick shall be 10 millimeters.

(2) Hoods.
Metal hoods used as part of a fireplace or
barbecue shall not be less than No. 18 gauge
copper, galvanized iron, or other equivalent
corrosion-resistant ferrous metal with all seams
and connections of smokeproof unsoldered
construction. The goods shall be sloped at an
angle of 45 degrees or less from the vertical and
shall extend horizontally at least 150
millimeters beyond the limits of the firebox.
Metal hoods shall be kept a minimum from
combustible materials.

(3) Circulators.
Approved metal heat circulators may be installed
in fireplaces.

(4) Smoke Chamber.

Front and side walls shall not be less than 200
millimeters in thickness. Smoke chamber back
walls shall not be less than 150 millimeters in
thickness.

(5) Fireplace Chimneys.

Walls of chimneys without flue lining shall not
be less than 200 millimeters in thickness. Walls
of chimneys with flue lining shall not be less
than 100 millimeters in thickness and shall be
constructed in accordance with the requirements
of this Code.

(6) Clearance of Combustible Materials.

Combustible materials shall not be placed within
50 millimeters of fireplace, smoke chamber, or
chimney walls when built entirely within a
structure, or within 25 millimeters when the
chimney is built entirely outside the structure.
Combustible materials shall not be placed within
150 millimeters of the fireplace opening. No such
combustible material within 300 millimeters of
the fireplace opening shall project more than 3
millimeters for each 25 millimeters clearance
from such opening. No part of metal hoods used as
part of a fireplace, barbecue or heating stoves
shall be less than 400 millimeters from
combustible material. This clearance may be
reduced to the minimum requirements set forth in
this Code.
 (7) Area 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 fireplace shall not be less than the
requirements to be set forth by the Board. Where
dampers are used, they shall be of not less than
No. 12 gauge metal. When fully opened, damper
opening shall be not less than ninety percent of
the required flue area. When fully open, damper
blades shall not extend beyond the line of the
inner face of the flue.

(8) Lintel. Masonry over the fireplace opening shall

be supported by a non-combustible lintel.

(9) Hearth. Every fireplace shall be provided with a

brick, concrete, stone, or other approved non-
combustible hearth slab at least 300 millimeters
wider on each side than the fireplace opening and
projecting at least 450 millimeters therefrom.
This slab shall not be less than 100 millimeters
thick and shall be supported by a non-combustible
material or reinforced to carry its own weight
and all imposed loads.

Section 1212. Fire-Extinguishing Systems.

(a) Fire-Extinguishing Systems When required, standard
automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be installed in
the following places, and in the manner provided in this
Code.

(1) In every storey, basement or cellar with an area

of 200 square meters or more which is used for
habitation, recreation, dining, study, or work,
and which has 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 or assembly halls under
Group H and I occupancies with occupant load of
more than 500, and if the next doors of said
rooms are more than 30.00 meters from the nearest
safe fire dispersal area of the building or
opening to an exit court or street.

(3) In all rooms used for storage or handling of

photographic x-ray nitrocellulose films and other
inflammable articles.

(b) Dry Standpipes Every building four or 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 of water pressure when ready
for service, without leaking at the joints,
valves, or fittings. Tests shall be conducted by
the owner of the building contractor in the
presence of a representative of the Building
 Official 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 900 liters of water per
minute from each of any three outlets
simultaneously under the pressure created by one
fire engine or pumper based on the standard
equipment available.

(3) Number Required. Every building four or more

storeys in height where the area of any floor
above the third floor is 950 square meters or
less, shall be equipped with at least one dry
standpipes and an additional standpipe shall be
installed for each additional 950 square meters
or fraction thereof.

(4) Location. Standpipes shall be located within

enclosed stairway landings or near such stairways
as possible or immediately inside of an exterior
wall and within 300 millimeters of an opening in
a stairway enclosure of the balcony or vestibule
of a smokeproof tower or an outside exit
stairway.

(5) Siamese Connections. Subject to the provisions of

subparagraph (2) all 100 millimeters dry
standpipes shall be equipped with a two-way
Siamese fire department connection. All 125
millimeter dry standpipes shall be equipped with
a three-way Siamese fire department connection
and 150 millimeters dry standpipes shall be
equipped with a four-way Siamese fire department
connections. All Siamese inlet connections shall
be located on a street-front of the building and
not less than 300 millimeters nor more than 1.20
meters above the grade and shall be equipped with
a 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 extend from the

ground floor to and over the roof and shall be
equipped with a 63 millimeters outlet nor more
than 1.20 meters above the floor level at each
storey. All dry standpipes shall be equipped with
a two-way 63 millimeters outlet above the roof.
All outlets shall be equipped with gate valves.

(7) Signs. An iron or bronze sign with raised letters

at least 25 millimeters high shall be rigidly
attached to the building adjacent to all Siamese
connections and such signs shall read ;
CONNECTION TO DRY STANDPIPE".

(c) Wet Standpipes. Every Group H and I Occupancy of any

height, and every Group C Occupancy of two more storeys in
height and every Group D, D, E, F, and G Occupancy of three
or more storeys in height and every Group G and E Occupancy
over 1800 square meters 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 wet
standpipes.

(1) Construction. Interior wet standpipes shall be

constructed of the same materials as those
required for dry standpipes.

(2) Size

(2.1) Interior wet standpipes shall have an

internal diameter sufficient to
deliver 190 liters of water per minute
under 2.0 kilograms per square
centimeter pressure at the hose
connections. Buildings of Group Hand I
Occupancy shall have wet standpipes
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 opened at one
time. In no case shall the internal
diameter of a wet standpipe be less
than 50 millimeters, except when the
standpipe is attached to an automatic
fire-extinguishing system.

(2.2) Any approved formula which determined

pipe sizes on a pressure drop basis
may be used to determine pipe size for
wet standpipe systems. The Building
Official may require discharge
capacity and pressure tests on
completed wet standpipe systems.

(3) Number required. The number of wet standpipe when

required in this Code shall be so determined that
all portions of the building are within 6.00
meters of a nozzle attached to a hose 23.00
meters in length.

(4) Location. In Group H and I Occupancies, outlets

shall be located as follows: one on each side of
the stage, one at the rear of the auditorium and
one at the rear of the balcony. 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. In Group B, C, D, E, F, and G
Occupancies location of all interior wet
standpipes shall be in accordance with the
requirement for dry standpipes: Provided, that at
least one standpipe is installed to cover not
more than 650 square meters.

(5) Outlets. All interior wet standpipes shall be

equipped with a 38 millimeter valve in each
storey, including the basement or cellar of the
building, and located not less than 300
millimeters nor more than 1.20 meters above the
floor.
 (6) Threads. All those threads used in connection
with the installation of such standpipes,
including valves and reducing fittings shall be
uniform with that prescribed by the Secretary.

(7) Water Supply. All interior wet standpipes shall

be connected to a street main not less than 100
millimeters in diameter, or when the water
pressure is insufficient, to a water tank or
sufficient size as provided in subparagraph (8).
When more than one interior wet standpipe is
required in the building, such standpipe 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 1,500
litters per minute for period of not less than 10
minutes. Such tanks shall be located so as to
provide not less than 2 kilograms per sq. cm.
pressure at the topmost base outlet for its
entire supply. Discharge pipes from pressure
tanks extend 50 millimeters into and above the
bottom of such tanks. All tanks shall be tested
in place after installation and proved tight at a
hydrostatic pressure fifty percent in excess of
the working pressure required. Where such tanks
are used for domestic purposes the supply pipe
for such purposes shall be located at or above
the center line of such tanks.

Incombustible supports shall be provided for all

such supply tanks and not less than a 900
millimeters 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 1,000 liters per minute with a
pressure of not less than 2 kilograms per sq. cm.
at the topmost hose outlet. The source of supply
for such pump shall be a street water main of not
less than 100 mm, diameter or a well or cistern
containing a one-hour supply. Such pumps shall be
supplied with an adequate source of power and
shall be automatic in operation.

(10) Hose and Hose Reels. Each hose outlet of all

interior wet standpipe shall be supplied with a
hose not less than 38 millimeters in diameter.
Such hose shall be equipped with a suitable brass
or bronze nozzle and shall be not over 23.00
meters in length. An approved standard form of
wall hose reel or rack 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 by 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, wherein such cellars or basements there is
installed a fire-extinguishing system as specified in this
Code or where such cellars or basement are used for banking
purposes, safe deposit vaults, or similar uses.

(1) Material. 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 200 millimeters 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 finished floor surface. The lid
shall be a solid casting and shall have a ring
lift recessed on the top thereof, so as to
flushed. The lid shall have the words "FOR 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 sprinklers, wet and dry standpipes, automatic
chemical extinguishers, basement pipe inlets, and the
appurtenances thereto shall meet the approval of the fire
Department as to installation and location and shall be
subject to such periodic test as it may require.

Section 1213. Stages and Platform.

(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 percent 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 wrapping 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 or 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) Spring Actuation. Springs, when employed to

actuate ventilator doors, shall be capable of
maintaining full required tension indefinitely.
Springs shall be no stressed more than fifty
 percent of their rated capacity and shall not be
located directly in the air stream, nor exposed
to elements.

(5) 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 or as approved by the Building Official, and
shall be so located as not to be affected by the
operation of fire-extinguishing systems.

(6) 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.

(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 367
kilograms per square meter. Each loft block well
shall be designed to support 373 kilograms per
linear meter and the head block well shall be
designed to support the aggregate weight of all
the loft block wells served. The head block well
must be provided with an adequate strongback or
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 or head blocks served
with a safety factor of five.

(c) Rooms Accessory to Stage. In a building having a stage, the

dressing room sections, workshops, and store rooms 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) Proscenium Walls. A stage shall be completely separated

from the auditorium by a proscenium wall or not less than
two-hour incombustible construction. The proscenium wall
shall extend not less than 1.20 meters above the roof over
the auditorium. Proscenium walls may have the addition to
the main proscenium openings, one 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 in area. All openings in the proscenium walls of
stage shall be protected by a fire assembly having a one
and one-half 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 as specified in this Code.

(e) Stage Floor. The type of construction for storage floors

shall depend upon the requirements 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 620 kilograms per square
meters. Openings through stage floor shall be equipped with
tight-fitting trap doors of wood of not less than 5
millimeters nominal thickness.

(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 percent
of the area of the platform. When more than one ventilator
is provided, they shall be so spaced as to provide proper
exhaust ventilation. Ventilators shall not be required for
enclosed platform having a floor area of 45.00 square
meters or less.

(g) Stage Exits. At least one exit not less than 900
millimeters wide shall be provided from each side of the
stage opening directly or by means of a passageway not less
than 900 millimeters in width to a street or exit court. An
exit stair not less than 750 millimeters 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 750 millimeters wide and all such
stairs shall be constructed in accordance with the
requirement specified in this Code. The stairs required in
this sub-section need not be enclosed.

Section 1214. Motion Picture Projection Rooms.

(a) General. The provisions of this Section shall apply only
where ribbon type motion picture films in excess of 22-
millimeters width and electric projection equipment are
used. Every motion picture machine using ribbon type film
in excess of 22 millimeter width and electric arc
projections 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
materials. The ceiling shall not be less than 2.40 meters
from the finished floor. The room shall have a floor area
of not less than 7.00 square meters and 3.50 square meters
for each additional machine.

(c) Exit. Every projection room shall have at least two

doorways separated by not less than one-thirds the
perimeter of the room, each at least 750 millimeters wide
and 2.00 meters 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 shall be 750 millimeters.

(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 750 square centimeters, and not more than one
observation port, which shall be limited in area
to 1,300 square centimeters. There shall be not
more than three combination ports, each of which
shall not exceed 750 millimeters by 600
millimeters. 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 4,500 square centimeters.

(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 2.4 millimeters thick sheet metal or
its equivalent large enough to overlap at least
25 millimeters on all sides of such openings.
Shutters shall be arranged to slide without
binding in guides constructed or material equal
to the shutters in strength and fire-resistance.
Each shutter shall be equipped with a 74º fusible
link, which when fused by heat will cause closure
of the shutter by gravity. Shutters of a size
greater than 1,300 square centimeters 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. In 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 may be omitted when
only acetate safety film is used.

(e) Ventilation.

(1) Inlet. A fresh-air inlet from the exterior of the

building not less than 900 square centimeters and
protected with wire netting, shall be installed
within 50 millimeters 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 are lamps housing to out-doors
either directly or through an incombustible flue
used for no other purpose. Exhaust capacity shall
not be less than 0.50 cubic meter nor more than
1.40 cubic meter per minute for each arc lamp
plus 5.60 cubic meters for the room itself.
 Systems shall be controlled from within the
enclosure and shall have pilot lights to indicate
operation.
The exhaust systems serving the projection room
may be extended to cover rooms associated
therewith such as rewind rooms. No dampers shall
be installed in such exhaust systems. Ventilation
of these rooms, shall not connected in any way
with ventilating or air-conditioning systems
serving other portions of the building. Exhaust
ducts shall be of incombustible material and
shall either be kept 25 millimeters from
combustible material or covered with 10
millimeters 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 individual compartments
for reels or shall be in generally accepted shipping
containers. No solders shall be used in the construction of
such cabinets.

Section 1215. Lathing, Plastering, and Installation of Wall

Boards.
The installation of lath, plaster and gypsum wall board shall
conform to the fire-resistive rating requirements and the type of
construction of building.

CHAPTER XIII
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL REGULATIONS
Section 1301. Electrical Regulations.
All electrical systems equipment and installation mentioned in this
Code shall conform to the provisions of the Philippine Electrical
Code, as adopted by the board of Electrical Engineering pursuant to
Republic Act No. 184 otherwise known as the electrical Engineering
Law.

Section 1302. Mechanical Regulations.

All mechanical systems, equipment and installations mentioned in
this Code shall conform to the provisions of the Philippine
Mechanical Engineering Code, as adopted by the Board of Mechanical
Engineering pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 294 as amended,
otherwise known as the Mechanical Engineering Law.

CHAPTER XIV
PHOTOGRAPHIC AND X-RAY FILMS
Section 1401. Storage and Handling.
(a) Storage rooms of unexposed photographic and X-ray films
shall be provided with automatic fire extinguishing systems
in the following cases:

(1) When unexposed films in generally accepted safety

shipping containers exceed the aggregate 14.00
cubic meters.
 (2) Where shelving used for storage of individual
packages not in said shipping containers exceed
1.40 cubic meters in capacity; and

(3) Storage is not in generally accepted safety

shipping containers in any section exceeding
14.00 cubic meters.

(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.

(c) Film negatives shall be kept in properly insulated vented

cabinets, vented storage vaults or outside storage houses.
Not more than 110 kilograms shall be stored in any single
cabinet. Where the film stored exceeds 450 kilograms, it
shall be in vented storage vault or in a detached structure
or roof vault. Door openings in vault shall be of four-hour
fire-resistive construction and shall be kept closed except
when in use.

(d) Only incandescent electric light shall be permitted:

protected with substantial wire guards or vapor roof globes
or both. Portable lights on extension cords are prohibited.
Conspicuous "NO SMOKING" signs shall be posted.

(e) No films shall be stored within 600 millimeters of steam

pipes, chimneys, or other sources of heat.

(f) There shall be first aid provisions of types using water or

water solutions. Discarded films shall be stored and
handled in the same manner as other films until removed
from the premises.

Section 1402. Classes of Film Exempted.

(a) The provisions of this Section do not apply to the
following: film for amateur photographic use in original
packages or "roll" and "film pack" films in quantities of
less than 1.40 cubic meters; safety film; 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 film may be identified by the

marking on the edge of the film.

Section 1403. Fire Extinguishing System.

Unless otherwise provided in this Code, all fire extinguishing
system when so required shall be of a type, specifications, and
methods of installation as prescribed in accordance with the
requirements of the Secretary.

CHAPTER XV
PRE-FABRICATED CONSTRUCTION
Section 1501. Prefabricated Assembly.
(a) Prefabricated assembly is a structural unit, the integral
parts of which have built up or assembled prior to
incorporation in the building.
(b) The Secretary shall prescribe special tests to determine
the structural adequacy, durability, soundness, weather and
fire resistance of the prefabricated assemblies.

(c) Every device or system to connect prefabricated assemblies

shall be capable of developing the strength of the
different members as an integral 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
structurally adequate construction. In structural design,
proper allowances shall be made for any material to be
displaced or removed for the installation of pipes,
conduits, or other equipment.

(d) Placement of prefabricated assemblies shall be inspected to

determine compliance with this Code.

CHAPTER XVI
PLASTICS
Section 1601. 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 accepted engineering
practices. The products of combustion shall be no more toxic than
the burning of untreated wood under similar conditions.

Section 1602. Installation.

(a) Structural Requirements. All plastic materials 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 thicknesses and
forms used.

(b) Fastenings. Fastenings shall be adequate to withstand

design loads and internal and external stresses required of
the assembly. Proper allowances of plastic materials in
conjunction with other materials with which it is assembled
or integrated shall be provided.

Section 1603. Glazing of Openings.

(a) Doors, sashes and framed openings in exterior walls of all
buildings except Types IV and V Constructions may be glazed
or equipped with approved plastics: 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 Construction, the location

size, and spacing of such glazed openings do not
exceed the values set forth by the Secretary.

(3) Plastic used in glazed openings for Type II

Construction shall be materials appropriate for
use according to flame-spread characteristics and
 the location, size, and spacing of the openings
do not exceed the values set forth by the
Secretary.

Section 1604. Skylights.

(a) General. Approved plastics may be used in skylights
installed on roofs of Types I, II, or III constructions and
all buildings in these categories shall be equipped with an
approved automatic fire-extinguishing system in Groups A,
B, C, E, F, J, H-3 and 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) Plastic may be used in approved skylights in Type

II one-hour fire-resistive construction which are
located 300 millimeters or more above the lower
place of the ceiling. The walls of the skylight
well shall be no less fire-resistive than the
adjacent ceiling.

(3) Where 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 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 laterally and 3.00
meters along the slope of the roof.

(c) Allowable areas. The area of individual plastic skylights

shall not exceed 10.00 square meters. The total aggregate
area of plastics used in skylights, monitors, and sawtooth
glazing shall not exceed twenty percent 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 100 millimeters high
curb. The curb may be omitted where a wire screen not
smaller than No. 12 U.S. gauge with a mesh not larger than
25 millimeters is provided immediately below the skylight.
The screen shall be substantially mounted below the
skylight.

Section 1605. 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 such as the light-
transmitting medium in monitors and sawtooth: Except, that
plastics used in monitors or sawtooth roofs of Type II
Construction shall be of materials appropriate to be used
according to flame-spread characteristics.
(b) Allowable Area. The area of individual plastic glazing used
in monitors and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed 15.00
square meters. The total aggregate area of plastics used in
skylights, monitors, and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed
twenty percent of the floor area of the room or occupancy
sheltered.

(c) Area Separation. The area of such plastic panels shall be

separated from each other by a section of incombustible
material or by a section of the roofing material of the
structure not less than 1.50 meters in length. The lower
edge of the plastic material shall be at least 150
millimeters above the surface of the adjoining roof
surface.

Section 1606. Plastic Light Diffusers in Ceilings.

(a) General. Ceiling light diffusers having an area greater
than ten percent of any 10.00 square meters of room area
shall be of 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 80ºC for 15 minutes,
Excepts, for the plastic light diffusers which are
installed in the first floor area 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 area
to be protected other than public corridors for Group A, B,
C, D, E, G, H and I Occupancies if tests required by the
Secretary have established that such installation will not
interfere with the efficient operation of such automatic
fire-extinguishing systems.

Section 1607. Partitions.

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 1608. 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 shall not be attached to any exterior wall
above the first storey: Provided, that 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 the veneer is not in
excess of 10.00 meters above the adjacent of elevation.

(c) Area
Sections of plastic veneer shall not exceed 15.00 square
meters in area, Except, that in less restrictive Fire
Zones, the area may be increased by fifty percent.

(d) Separation
Sections of plastic veneer shall be separated by a minimum
of 1.20 meters vertically and 600 millimeters horizontally.
Section 1609. Awnings and Canopies.
(a) Plastic materials appropriate for use according to Flame
Spread characteristics may be utilized in awnings and
canopies, provided such awnings and canopies are constructed
in accordance with provisions governing projections and
appendages as specified in this Code.

(b) Approved plastics may be used in awnings where untreated

canvass is permitted.

(c) Approved plastics may be used in lieu of plain glass in green-

houses in less restrictive Fire Zones.

CHAPTER XVII
SHEET METAL PAINT SPRAY BOOTHS
Section 1701. Sheet Metal Paint Spray Booths.
(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 not ten percent of the basic area permitted for the
major of the building according to its Occupancy Group.

(c) Floor Construction

The floor shall be constructed of incombustible material.

(d) Interior Surface.

Paint spray booths shall be designed to permit the free
passage of the exhaust air from all parts of the interior
and all interior surface shall be smooth and continuous
without outstanding edges.

Section 1702. Fire Protection.

Every spray booth having an open front elevation larger than 1.00
square meter and which is not equipped with doors, shall have a fire
curtain or metal deflector not less than 100 millimeters deep
installed at the upper outer edge of the booth opening.

Section 1703. Light.

Paint spray booths shall be 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 1704. 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
lineal meters per minute. The blades of exhaust fans shall
be constructed of non-ferrous material 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 the Secretary.
The discharge point for ducts in a paint spray booth shall
be not less than 2.00 meters from the adjoining combustible
construction nor less than 8.00 meters from adjoining
exterior wall openings: Except, that the discharge point
for exhaust ducts is not regulated in a waterwash spray
booth.

CHAPTER XVIII
GLASS AND GLAZING
Section 1801. General Requirements
(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 Code.

(b) Standards for materials shall conform to the provisions set

by the Secretary on glass dimensional tolerances, breaking
stress levels, and design safety factors.

(c) Each light shall bear the manufacturer's label 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
characteristics and thickness by etching or other permanent
identification that shall be visible after the glass is
glazed.

Section 1802. Area Limitation.

Exterior glass and glazing shall be capable of safely withstanding
the load due to wind pressures for various height zones above ground
acting inward or outward. The area of individual lights shall not be
more than the maximum allowable area of glass according to the wind
load multiplied by the appropriate adjustment factor.

Section 1803. Glazing.

Glass firmly supported on all four edges shall be glazed with
minimum laps and edge clearances in accordance with Section 1801
paragraph (b), 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 and design
shall be submitted for approval of the Building Official. Glass
supports shall be considered firm when deflection of the support at
design load does not exceed 1/175 of the span.

Section 1804. Louvered Windows.

Regular plate, sheet, or patterned glass in jalousies and louvered
windows shall not be thinner than 5.6 millimeters minimal and not
longer than 1.20 meters. Exposed glass edges shall be smooth.

Section 1805. Impact.

Frameless glass doors, glass in doors, fixed glass panels, and
similar glazed openings which may be subject to accidental human
impact shall conform with the requirements set forth by the
Secretary on impact loads of glass: Except in the following cases:

(1) Bathtub and shower enclosures shall be

constructed from approved shatter-resistant
 materials, such as: wire reinforced glass not
less than 5.6 millimeters thick; fully tempered
glass not less than 4.8 millimeters thick: or
laminated safety glass not less than 6.4
millimeters thick.

(2) Glass lights located not less than 450

millimeters above the adjacent finished floor or
walking surface.

(3) Glass lights when the least dimension is not

greater than 450 millimeters.

(4) Glass lights 1.50 square meters or less in area.

CHAPTER XIX
THE USE OF COMPUTERS
Section 1901. General Rule.
The use of computers for all or any part of the design of buildings
under this Code is permitted provided that all programs to be used
are
documented.

Section 1902. Program Documentation.

Documenting a program under this Code consists of filing with the
Building Official a reference to a publication or publications
accessible to him were the detailed description of the program or a
brief statement of the theoretical background of the program
including a description of the algorithms used are found.

Section 1903. Submission of Computer-Generated Computations.

A copy of the output sheets for computer-generated computations
shall be submitted as a part of the design computations. The out
sheets shall be accompanied by a certification of a designer and/or
consultant that the output sheets are the results obtained through
the use of documented programs. The certification should include the
identification of the specific program used for each portion of the
computer-generated computations being submitted.

CHAPTER XX
SIGNS
Section 2001. General Requirements.
(a) No sign or signboard shall be erected in such manner as to
confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any
official traffic sign, signal, or device.

(b) No sign or signboard 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 aesthetic and
cultural values and traditions.

Section 2002. Maintenance.

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 of all signs shall be kept nearly painted
and secured at all times.
Section 2003. Design and Construction.
Sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist all
forces in accordance with the National Structural Code for
Buildings. For signs on buildings, the dead and lateral loads shall
be transmitted through structural frame of the building to the
ground in such a manner as not to overstress any of the elements 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 2004. Supports and Anchorages.

(a) General. The supports and anchorage of all signs or sign
structures shall be placed in or upon private property and
shall be constructed in conformity with the requirements of
this Code.

(b) Materials. Materials for construction of signs or sign

structures shall be of the quality and grade as specified
in this Code.

(c) Restrictions on Combustible Materials. All signs or 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. Combinations signs, roof signs,
wall signs, projecting signs, and signs on marquees shall
be constructed of incombustible materials. No combustible
material other than approved plastics shall be used in the
construction of electrical signs.

(d) Non-Structural Trim. Non-structural trim and portable

display surfaces may be of wood, metal, approved plastics,
or any combination thereof.

(e) Display Surfaces. Display surfaces in all types of signs

may be made of metal, glass, or approved plastics.

Section 2005. Projections and Clearances.

(a) Clearances from High Voltage Power Lines. Clearances of
signs from high voltage power lines shall be in accordance
with the Philippine Electrical Code.

(b) Clearances from Fire Escapes, Exits, or Standpipes. No

signs or sign structures shall be erected in such a manner
than any portion to its surface or supports will interfere
in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or
standpipe.

(c) Obstruction of Openings. No sign shall obstruct any opening

to such an extent that light ventilation is reduced to a
point below that required by this Code. Signs erected
within 1.50 meters 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 structure shall

project into any public alley below a height of 3.00 meters
above established sidewalk grade, nor project more than 300
millimeters where the sign structure is located 3.00 meters
to 4.5 meters above established sidewalk grade. The sign or
sign structure must not project more than 1.00 meter into
the public alley where the sign or sign structure is
 located more than 4.50 meters above established sidewalk
grade.

Section 2006. Lighting.

Signs shall be illuminated only by electrical means in accordance
with the Philippine Electrical Code.

CHAPTER XXI
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Section 2101. Existing Buildings and Structures.
All buildings or structures constructed under R.A. 6541 or existing
city or municipal building codes or ordinances, if legally done in
accordance therewith, shall be respected subject to such limitations
established in this Code.

However, alterations, additions, conversions, and/or repairs to be

made in such building or structures shall be subject to the
provisions of this Code.

Section 2102. Interim Rules and Regulations.

Interim rules and regulations on buildings promulgated by the
Secretary before the adoption of this Code pursuant to existing laws
or decrees shall continue to have binding force and effect, when not
in conflict with the provisions of this Code.

Section 2103. Separability Clause.

If any provision of this Decree or the application thereof is to any
person or circumstance declared unconstitutional or invalid for any
reason, the same shall not affect the validity of the other
provisions.

Section 2104. Repealing Clause.

All laws, decrees, provisions of charters, executive orders,
ordinances, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or
inconsistent with the provision of this Decree are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 2105. Effectivity.

This Decree shall take effect upon its promulgation.

Done in the City of Manila, this 19th of February, in the year of

Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-seven.
 ANNEX "A"
WORDS, TERMS AND PHRASES
(Definitions)

ACCESSORIA OR ROW HOUSE

A house of not more than two storeys, composed of a row or dwelling
units entirely separated from one another by partly wall or walls
and with an independent entrance for each dwelling units.

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.

AGRICULTURAL BUILDING
A building designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay,
grain, poultry, livestock or other horticultural products. This
structure shall not be a place of human habitation or a place of
employment where agricultural products are processed, treated or
packaged; nor shall it be placed used by the public.

ALLEY
Any building space or thoroughfare which has been dedicated or
deeded to the public or for public use as a passageway with a width
of not more than three meters.

ALTER OR ALTERATION
Any change, addition, or modification in construction of occupancy.

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.

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 building, and shall
include flats and apartments.

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 or sun.

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,
workshop, entertainment, amusement, or awaiting transportation or of
a hundred or more persons in drinking and dining establishments.

ATTIC STOREY
Any storey situated wholly or partly in a roof, so designed,
arranged, or built as to be used for business, storage, or
habitation.

AWNING
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.

BACKING
The surface or assembly to which veneer is attached.
BALCONY
A portion of the seating space of an assembly room, the lowest part
of which is raise 1.20 meters or more above the level of the main
floor.

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 fifty percent open, and the open area above the guardrail
shall be so distributed as to prevent the accumulation of smoke or
toxic gases.

BARBECUE
A stationary open hearth or brazier, either fuel-fired or electric,
used for floor preparation.

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 is less than the vertical distance
from grade to ceiling.

BAY OR PANEL
One of the intervals or spaces into which the building front is
divided by columns, buttresses, or division walls.

BOARDING HOUSE
A house with five or more sleeping rooms where the boarders are
provided with lodging, and meals for fixed sum paid by the month, or
week, in accordance with previous arrangement.

BOILER ROOM
Any room containing a stream or hotwater boiler.

BUILDABLE AREA
The remaining space in a lot after deducting the required minimum
open spaces.

BUILDING
Any structure built for the support, shelter, or enclosure of
persons, animals, chattels, or property of any kind.

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 or a pitch or hip roof, or to the top of the
parapet if the roof is provided with a parapet. In case of sloping
ground, the average ground level of the buildable area shall be
considered the established grade elevation.

BUILDING LENGTH
Its general lineal dimensions usually measured in the direction of
the bearing wall for girders.

BUILDING WIDTH
Its shortest linear dimensions usually measured in the direction of
the floor, beams, or joints.

CELLAR
The portion of a building between floor and ceiling which is wholly
or 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.

CHIMNEY CLASSIFICATIONS:
(a) RESIDENTIAL APPLIANCE TYPE
A factory-built or masonry chimney suitable for removing
products of combustion from residential type appliance
producing combustion gases not in excess of 538ºC measured
at the appliance flue outlet.

(b) LOW-HEAT APPLIANCE TYPE

A factory-built masonry or metal chimney suitable for
removing the product of combustion from fuel-burning low-
heat appliances producing combustion gases not in excess of
538ºC under normal operating conditions but capable of
producing combustible gases of 760ºC during intermittent
forced firing for periods up to one hour. All temperatures
are measured at the appliance flue outlet.

(c) MEDIUM-HEAT APPLIANCE TYPE

A factory built masonry or metal chimney suitable for
removing the products of combustion from fuel-burning
medium-heat appliances producing combustion gases not in
excess of 1093ºC measured at the appliance flue outlet.

CHIMNEY CONNECTOR
The pipe which connects a flue burning appliance to a chimney.

CHIMNEY LINEAR
The lining materials of fire clay or other approved material.

CHIMNEY MASONRY
The chimney of solid masonry units bricks, stones, listed hollow
unit masonry units, or reinforced concrete.

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, pumice, volcanic
scoria,r cooled or expanded blast furnace slags.

COPING
The material or units used to form a cap of finish on top of a wall,
pier, or pilaster.

CORROSION-RESISTANT
The non-ferrous metal, or any metal having an unbroken surface of
non-ferrous metal, or steel with not less than 10 percent chromium
or with less than 0.20 percent copper.

CORROSION-RESISTANT MATERIAL
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.

COURSE
A continuous horizontal layer of masonry units.

COURT
An occupied space between building lines and lot lines other than a
yard; free, open, and unobstructed by appendages from the ground
upward.
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 from
the stand or building. Dispersal areas shall be based upon the area
of not less than 0.28 square meter per person.

DWELLING
Any building or any portion thereof which is not an "apartment
house", "lodging house", or a "hotel" as defined in this Code which
contained 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.

DWELLING, INDIGENOUS FAMILY

A dwelling intended for the use and occupancy by the family of the
owner only. It is one constructed of native materials such as
bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber, the total cost of which does not
exceed fifteen thousand pesos.

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 as a single housekeeping unit.

DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A detached building designated for, or occupied exclusively by one
family.

DWELLING UNIT
One or more habitable rooms which are occupied or which are intended
or designated to be occupied by one family with facilities for
living, sleeping, cooking, and eating.

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 open directly into a safe dispersal
area or public way. All measurement are to be made to that point
when determining the permissible distance of the travel.

EXIT COURTS
A yard or court providing egress to a public way for one or more
required exits.

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.

EXIT PASSAGEWAY
An enclosed means of egress connecting a required exit or exit court
with a public way.

FACING
Any masonry, forming an integral part of a wall used as a finished
surface. (as contrasted to veneer, see definition).

FIREBRICK
A refractory brick.
FIRECLAY
A finely ground clay used as a plasticizer for masonry mortars;
varies widely in physical properties.

FIREPLACE
A hearth and fire chamber or similarly prepared place in which a
fire may be made and which is built in conjunction with a chimney.

FIRE RETARDANT TREATED WOOD

Lumber of 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 when exposed to the weather.

FIRST 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.

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.

FOOTING
That portion of the foundation of a structure which spreads and
transmits loads directly to the soil or the pile.

FOUNDATION
All the portions of the building or structure below the footing, the
earth upon which the structure rests.

GARAGE
A building or portion thereof in which a motor vehicle containing
gasoline, distillate, or other volative, flammable liquid in its
tank, is stored, repaired, or kept.

GARAGE COMMERCIAL
A garage where automobiles and other motor vehicle are housed, cared
for, equipped, repaired or kept for remuneration, hire, or sale.

GARAGE, OPEN PARKING

A structure of one or more tiers in height which is at least 50
percent 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 services for vehicles moving from and
to street level and in which public occupancy is prohibited above
the street level.

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.
GIRDER
A horizontal structural piece which supports in end of the floor
beams or joists or walls over opening.

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
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 a property line if it is less than 1.50 meters distant
from sidewall. In case walls are parallel to and within 1.50 meters
of a public sidewalk, alley, or other public way, the grade shall be
the elevation of the sidewalk, alley, or public way.

GROUND FLOOR
The storey at or near the level of the grade, the other storeys,
beginning with second for the first next above, shall be designated
by the successive floor numbers counting upward.

GUEST ROOM
Any room or rooms used, or intended to be used by a guest for
sleeping purposes. Every 9.30 square meters of superficial floor
area in a dormitory shall be considered to be a guest room.

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 room, service rooms, connecting
corridors, laundries, unfinished attics, storage, space cellars,
utility rooms, and similar spaces.

HALL, COMMON
A corridor or passageway used in common by all the occupants within
a building.

HALL, STAIRS
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.

HELIPORT
An area of land or water or a structural surface which is used, or
intended for use, the landing and take off helicopters and any
appurtenant areas which are used, or intended for use, for heliport
buildings and other heliport facilities.

HELISTOP
The same as heliport except that no refueling, maintenance repairs,
or storage of helicopters is permitted.

HOTEL
A building or a 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.

HOTEL APARTMENT
An apartment house which may furnish dining room service and other
services for the exclusive use of its tenants.

INCOMBUSTIBLE
As applied to building construction material, as material which, in
the form it is used, is either one of the following:
(a) Material having an structural base of incombustible
material as defined in Item (2), above, with a surfacing
material not over 3.2 millimeters thick which has a flame-
spread rating of 50 or less.

(b) "Incombustible" does not apply to surface finish materials.

Material required to be incombustible for reduced clearance
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.

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.

INCOMBUSTIBLE ROOFING
A covering of not less than two thickness of roofing felt and a good
coat of tar and gravel or tin, corrugated iron or other approved
fire-resisting material with standing seam of lap joint.

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 above the floor and at the
ceiling.

LINE, BUILDING
The line formed by the intersection of the outer surface of the
enclosing wall of the building and the surface of the ground.

LINTEL
The beam or girder placed over an opening in a wall, which supports
the wall construction above.

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
mechanism, and other construction entering into and becoming a part
of a building or structure.

LOAD, LATERAL
That load cased by winds, earthquakes, or other dynamic forces.

LOAD, LIVE
The weight of the contents of a building or structure; it includes
all loads except dead and lateral, and weight of temporary
partitions, cases, counters, and similar equipment, and all loads
imposed due to the occupancy of the building or structure.

LOAD, OCCUPANT
The total number of persons that may occupy a building or portion
thereof at any one time.

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.
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 or recorded plot.

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).

LOT, DEPTH OF
The average horizontal distance between the front and the rear lot
lines.

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.

LOT, INSIDE
A lot fronting on but one street of public alley and the remaining
sides bounded by lot lines.

LOT LINE
The line of demarcation between either public and private property.

LOT, OPEN
A lot bounded on all sides street lines.

LOT, WIDTH OF
The average horizontal distance between the side lot lines.

MASONRY
A form of construction composed of stone, brick, concrete, gypsum,
hollow clay tile, concrete block or tile, or other similar building
units of material or combination of these material laid up unit and
set in mortar.

MASONRY SOLID
Masonry of solid units built without hollow spaces.

MASONRY UNIT
Brick, block, tile, stone or other similar building unit or
combination thereof, made to be bounded together by a cementation
agent.

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.

NON-CONFORMING BUILDING
A building which does not conform with the regulations of the
district where it is situated as to height, yard requirement, lot
area, and percentage of occupancy.

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 and regulation of the zone
where it is situated.

OCCUPANCY
The purpose for which a building is used or intended to be used. The
term shall also include the building or room housing such use.
Change of occupancy is not intended to include change of tenants or
proprietors.

OWNER
Any person, company, or corporation owning the property or
properties under consideration or the receiver or trustee thereof.

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.

PARTITION
An interior subdividing walls.

PIER
An insolated mass of masonry forming support for arches, columns,
girders, lintels, trusses, and similar structural parts.

PLASTER
A portion of the wall which projects on one or both sides and acts
as a vertical beam, a column, or both.

PLASTER, PORTLAND, CEMENT

A mixture of portland cement, or portland cement and lime, and
aggregate and other approved material as specified in this Code.

PLASTICS, APPROVED
Plastic materials which have a flame spread rating of 225 or less.

PLATFORM, ENCLOSED
A partially enclosed portion of an assembly room the ceiling of
which is not more than 1.50 meters above the prossenium 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.

PUBLIC WAY
A parcel of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky, more than
3.00 meters in width, appropriated to the free passage of the
general public.

REPAIR
The construction or renewal of any part of an existing building for
the purpose of its maintenance. The word "repair" shall not apply to
any change of construction.

SHAFT
A vertical opening through a building for elevators, dumbwaiters,
mechanical equipment, or similar purposes.

SHOW WINDOW
A store window in which goods are display.

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. Any eyesore is
a building or area which is markedly unpleasant to look at.

SOCALO, MASONRY
The wall between the bottom of the window sill and the ground.
SOFFIT
The underside of a beam. lintel, or revear.

STABLE
Any structure designed and intended for the enclosure, shelter, or
protection of any horse, carabao, or other cattle.

STABLE, COMMERCIAL
A stable wherein the animals kept are for business, racing or
breeding purposes.

STAGE
A partially enclosed portion of an assembly building which is
designed or used for the representation 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
prosecenium openings and the ceiling above the stage is more than
1.50 meters.

STAIRWAY
Two or more risers shall constitute a stairway.

STAIRWAY, PRIVATE
A stairway serving one tenant only.

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 3.60 meters above grade as
defined herein at any point. Such basement, cellar or unused
underfloor space shall be considered as a storey.

STOREY, HEIGHT OF
The perpendicular distance from top to top of two successive of
floors, floor beams, or joists. The clear height of a storey or a
room is the distance from the floor to the ceiling. The clear height
of balconies is measured from the highest point of the sidewall
grade to the underside of the balcony floor joists. If these joists
are sealed, this clear height is measured to the underside of the
sealing.

STREET
Any thoroughfare of public space which has been dedicated or deeded
to the public for public use.

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.

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 which have no
connection to the column shall be considered secondary and not a
part of the structural frame.

SUPORTALES
The vertical supports, such as posts or stanchions, as used in
indigenous or traditional type of construction. These may be
freestanding as stilts or integrated into the wall structure. In the
case of former, pie de gallos (knee braces) or crosettas (cross
bracing) are sometimes used.

SURFACE, EXTERIOR
Weather-exposed surface.

SURFACE, INTERIOR
Surfaces other than weather-exposed surfaces.

SURFACE, WEATHER-EXPOSED
All surfaces of walls, ceilings, floors, roofs, soffits, and similar
surfaces exposed to the weather except the following:

(a) Ceiling and roof soffits by walls, or by beams extend a

minimum of 300 millimeters below such ceiling or roof
soffit;

(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

(c) Ceiling and roof soffits beyond a horizontal distance of

3.00 meters from the outer edge of the ceilings or roof
soffits.

VALUE OR VALUATION OF A BUILDING

The estimated cost to replace the building in kind, based on current
replacement costs.

VAULT
Any surface or underground construction covered on top, or any fire-
roof construction intended for the storage of valuables.

VENEER ADHERED
Veneer secured and supported by approved mechanical fasteners
attached to an approved backing supported through adhesion to an
approved bonding material applied over an approved backing.

VENEER, EXTERIOR
Veneer applied to weather-exposed surfaces.

VENEER, INTERIOR
Veneer applied to surfaces other than weather-exposed surfaces.

WALL BEARING
A wall which supports any load other than its own weight.

WALL, CROSS
A term which may be used synonymously with a partition.

WALL, CURTAIN
The enclosing wall of an iron or steel framework or the nonbearing
portion of an enclosing wall between pier.

WALL, DEAD
A wall without openings.

WALL, EXTERIOR
Any wall or element of a wall or any number or group of members,
which defines the exterior boundary or courts of a building.
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.

WALL, FIRE
Any wall which subdivided 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 meters.

WALL, FOUNDATION
That portion of an enclosing wall below the first tier of floor-
joists.

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 thereof.
Foundation and retaining walls are measured from the grade downward
to the base of the footing.
WALL, NONBEARING
A wall which supports no load other than its own weight.
WALL, PARAPET
That part of any entirely above the roof line.
WALL, PARTY
A wall separating two or more buildings, and used in common by the
said buildings.
WALL, RETAINING
Any wall used to resist the lateral displacement of any material; a
subsurface wall built to resist the lateral pressure of internal
loads.
WALL, THICKNESS OF
The minimum thickness measured on the bed.
WINDOW
An opening through a wall of a building to the outsider for the
purpose of admitting natural light andr.
WINDOW, ORIEL
A projecting window similar to a bay window, cut curried on brackets
or corbels. The term "bay window" may also be applied to an oriel
window projecting over the street line.
WIRE BACKING
Horizontal strands of tautened wire attached to surfaces of vertical
wood supports which, when covered with building paper, provide a
backing for portland cement plaster.
YARD OR PATIO
The vacant space left in a lot between the building and the property
line.
YARD, REAR
The yard lying between the side lot lines and the nearest lot line
and the nearest building line.
YARD, SIDE
The yard lying between the side line and the nearest building and
between the front and the rear yards.
 ANNEX "B"
TABLE 708-A.
DIMENSION OF WOODEN POSTS OR SUPORTALES

Type Maximum Maximum Maximum Required Maximum

Building Height of Height Spacing of Finished Size
1st Floor Total of Post Suportales
1-Storey Shed 4.00 M 3.50 M 10 cms. x 10 cms.
1-Storey Shed 3.00 M 4.00 M 10 cms. x 10 cms.
1-Storey Shed 5.00 M 4.00 M 12.5cms.x 12.5cms.
1-Storey House 5.50 M 3.50 M 12.5cms.x 12.5cms.
or Chalet
2-Storey House 1.00 to 6.00 M 3.00 M 12.5cms.x 12.5cms.
2-Storey House 3.00 M 7.00 M 4.00 M 12 cms. x 15 cms.
2-Storey House 4.50 M 8.00 M 4.50 M 17.5cms.x 17.5cms.
2-Storey House 5.00 M 9.00 M 4.50 M 20 cms. x 20 cms.

Logs or tree suportales may be used as post 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 Tables.

TABLE 1003-A

PROJECTIONS OF BALCONIES AND APPENDAGES

Width of Streets Balconies Total Projections

Over 3.00 m. but less than 6.00 With Balcony 0.60 m.
6.00 m. to less than 10.00 m. With Balcony 0.90 m.
10.00 m. up to 11.00 m. With Balcony 1.00 m.
10.00 m. to less than 11.00 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.

TABLE 1106-A.

TYPE OF PROTECTION REQUIRED FOR PEDESTRIANS

HEIGHT OF DISTANCE FROM CONSTRUCTION PROTECTION

CONSTRUCTION REQUIRED
Eight feet or Less than six feet Rating
less Six feet or more None
Less than six feet Fence and
Canopy
Six feet or more but not more
than one-fourth the height of Fence and
construction Canopy
More than Six feet or more, but between
eight feet one-fourth to one half the
height of construction Fence
Six feet or more but exceeding
one-half the construction height None

Note: All protective devices shall include appropriate lights and

warning signs