the philippine

green building
code
Laguerder, Mercado, Santos, Yang
 GREEN BUILDING
The practice of adopting measures that promote resource
management efficiency and site sustainability while
minimizing the negative impact of buildings on human health
and the environment.
Contents
CHAPTER 1

General Provisions

CHAPTER 2

Green Building
Requirements
Chapter 3

Institutional
Arrangements
CHAPTER 4

Certification
Process
Suggested
IMPROVEMENTS
 CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS
OBJECTIVES

The GB Code seeks to improve the efficiency of building

performance through a framework of acceptable set of standards
that will enhance sound environmental and resource management
that will counter the harmful gases responsible for the adverse
effects of climate change, throughout the building’s life-cycle
including efficient use of resources, site selection, planning, design,
construction, use, occupancy, operation and maintenance, without
significant increase in cost.

This GB Code is a set of regulations setting minimum standards for

compliance and not intended to rate buildings.
Minimum TGFA for Building Use /
Occupancy

USE / OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION of TGFA as defined by NBC

any jurisdiction

Residential Dwelling: Condominium 20,000 sqm

Hotel / Resort 10,000 sqm

Educational: School 10,000 sqm

Institutional: Hospital 10,000 sqm

Business: Office 10,000 sqm

Mercantile: Mall 15,000 sqm

Mixed Occupancy 2 10,000 sqm

 CHAPTER 2

GREEN BUILDING
REQUIREMENTS
Performance
standards

Energy Efficiency

Water Efficiency

Material Sustainability

Solid Waste Management

Site Sustainability

Indoor Environmental Quality

Performance
standards
ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency requires the adoption of efficient

practices, designs, methods and technologies that reduce
energy consumption resulting in cost savings.
a. Building Envelope
b. Natural Ventilation
c. Building Envelope Color
d. Roof Insulation
e. Mechanical Systems
f. Electrical Systems
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
BUILDING ENVELOPE

Encompasses the entire exterior surface of a building,

including walls, roof, doors, and windows, which enclose,
or envelope, the interior spaces. It acts as a barrier
between outdoor and indoor conditions.
BUILDING AIR TIGHTNESS AND
ENVELOPE MOISTURE PROTECTION

Buildings must be planned and designed with specific details to ensure

that air tightness is maximized. Details should precisely include joints,
service entry points, windows and doors.

Vapor barrier
- Material that has a permeance of one perm or less
- Prevents the entry of moisture through the walls and provides
resistance to the transmission of water vapor from the outside to
the inside of the building, which can burden the air-conditioning
system operations.
BUILDING AIR TIGHTNESS AND
ENVELOPE MOISTURE PROTECTION

1. Sealed window and door assemblies: sealed by a continuous

membrane along the joints between wall and window and door
frames. Window and door assemblies should be complete with
weather stripping and gaskets around the frames.
BUILDING AIR TIGHTNESS AND
ENVELOPE MOISTURE PROTECTION

2. Sealed utility services: Electrical, plumbing and mechanical piping, conduit

or ducting penetrating through walls, floor, and ceiling should be sealed to
reduce air leakage. Joints in the membrane should be caulked, lapped, and
sealed or taped.

3. Sealed wall, roofing, ceiling, and floor: tightly sealed with continuous water
barrier or retarder, joint flashing, capping, sealants, and fillers.
BUILDING
ENVELOPE
GLASS PROPERTIES

Compared to wall assemblies, glazing transfers more heat and hence, it is

ideal to reduce the amount of glazing with respect to the wall in order to
reduce internal heat gains.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

- used to determine the amount of solar heat admitted through the
glass divided by the total solar radiation incident on the glass.
Visible light Transmittance (VLT)
- used to determine the amount of light transmitted through the glass.
GLASS
PROPERTIES
SHGC and VLT for different WWR
WWR (Window to Wall Ratio) shall be balanced with SHGC to maintain flexibility in design. The higher
the designed building WWR, the lower the required SHGC in glass windows shall be and vise-versa.

WWR Maximum SHGC Minimum VLT

10 0.80 0.80

20 0.70 0.70

30 0.60 0.70

40 0.45 0.60

50 0.44 0.55

60 0.37 0.55

70 0.31 0.45

80 0.27 0.40

90 0.24 0.35
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
NATURAL VENTILATION

- For free cooling and fresh air in regularly occupied spaces

- Limits the tendency to create glass-sealed box type buildings
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
NATURAL VENTILATION

Requirements:
- Operable windows or balcony door shall be provided in regularly
occupied spaces
- The size of the opening shall be equal to at least ten percent (10%)
of the floor area of regularly occupied spaces.
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
BUILDING ENVELOPE COLOR

Light-colored building envelope, especially the roof areas which are the
most vulnerable, can reduce heat transfer from the outside to the inside of
the building by having surfaces with high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI).

Requirement:
- Building metal roof surfaces shall either be colored white or have a
minimum SRI of 70.
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
BUILDING ENVELOPE COLOR

METAL SURFACE SRI

Reflective white 86 to 92

Basic white 80 to 88

Beige / Tan 74 to 80

Dark brown 0 to 33

Light to medium brown 45 to 56

Light to medium grey 39 to 63

Dark grey 0 to 41
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
ROOF INSULATION

Insulation can help reduce heat gain in a building thus improving thermal
comfort, acoustic quality and reducing the load on the air conditioning
system.

Requirement:
- Buildings shall be provided with roof insulation so that the average
thermal resistance value (RValue) of the roof is at least R-8.
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
R-VALUE OF COMMON ROOF INSULATION

METAL SURFACE R-VALUE / INCH (25.4 mm)

Polyisocyanurate 5.6 to 8.0

Polyurethane 5.6 to 6.5

Closed cell spray foam 5.5 to 6.0

Sheep’s wool 3.5

Cotton 3.4

Vermiculite / Perlite 2.4

ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

An efficient mechanical system, specifically for air-conditioning of room spaces,

reduces energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort.

A. Maximizing equipment efficiency at design conditions and during part

load operation,
B. Minimizing distribution losses of heating and cooling energy,
C. Optimizing system control to minimize unnecessary operation.
Mechanical
systems
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

Air conditioning systems typically account for more than 50% of the total
electricity costs in a centrally air-conditioned building, making it of prime
importance in considering the energy efficiency of a building.

Requirement:
- Cooling equipment shall meet or exceed the minimum efficiency
requirement of the 2010 PSVARE Standards for Energy of Buildings
(see Tables 12 & 13 of the Philippine Green Building Code User Guide
Manual for detailed minimum rating requirement per conditioning type)
Mechanical
systems
ENTHALPY RECOVERY OF EXHAUST AIR

When buildings have outside air or fresh air supply and they extract through
mechanical means, heat exchangers can use the air extracted from the building
areas to pre-condition the incoming outdoor air. This process exploits the fact
that the extracted air is usually already conditioned and therefore, colder and
drier.

Enthalpy recovery is the process of recovering some energy from the building
exhaust air stream to pre-condition the fresh air intake.
Mechanical
systems
ENTHALPY RECOVERY OF EXHAUST AIR

Enthalpy Recovery Wheel

- For centralized air supply systems which meet or exceed efficiency of at
least 60% of 90% of exhaust air
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

A. Daylight Provision
B. Daylight Controlled Lighting System
C. Lighting Power Density (LPD)
D. Occupancy Sensors for Lighting Control
E. Elevators and Escalators / Moving Ramps / Walkways
F. Transformer
G. Overhead or Elevated Water Storage
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
DAYLIGHT PROVISION

Buildings should be planned and designed to maximize the use of natural

light to reduce the use of artificial illumination.

Daylighting is the admission of natural light from the sun, inside the
building, thru fenestration like skylights and windows. It reduces the need
for electric lighting power and therefore, saves energy.
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
DAYLIGHT PROVISION

All regularly occupied spaces inside the building shall have a view of any
combination of the following features that can allow daylight into the room
space:

1. Window
2. Light shelf
3. Clerestory
4. Skylight
5. Light monitor / light scoop
6. Other devices that can allow daylight inside
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
DAYLIGHT CONTROLLED LIGHTING SYSTEM

Photoelectric sensors connected to luminaires help in dimming or

switching off lamps that do not need to be used due to the presence of
adequate daylight.
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
LIGHTING POWER DENSITY
Defined as the total amount of lighting power, in watts, provided to a given floor
area, in square feet or square meter. Limiting LPD will encourage the use of efficient
lighting fixtures and reduce the lighting and cooling load in buildings.

BUILDING TYPE BUILDING AVERAGE LPD (W/m^2)

Residential: Condominium 10.8

Hotel/Resort 10.8

Educational: School 12.9

Institutional: Hospital 12.9

Business: Office 10.8

Mercantile: Mall 16.1 (excluding accent lighting)

ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
OCCUPANCY SENSORS FOR LIGHTING CONTROL
In order to limit the use of electricity in unoccupied areas of buildings, occupancy
sensors linked to lighting (except for emergency and security lighting) shall be
installed in the following areas with variable occupancy:

- Corridors
- Private offices
- Storage rooms
- Common toilets
- Meeting rooms
- Stairways
- Other similar areas

For covered car parks: minimum of sixty per cent (60%) of the lighting must be
controlled by the occupancy sensors.
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
OCCUPANCY SENSORS FOR LIGHTING CONTROL
To reduce dependence on motorized systems to supply and distribute potable or
non-potable water within the building, and thus, help reduce energy consumption,
overhead water storage systems are used. The system relies mostly on elevation
and gravity to distribute water within the building.
Performance
standards
WATER EFFICIENCY

Requires the adoption of efficient practices, plan, design,

materials, fixtures, equipment and methods that reduce
water consumption resulting in cost savings.

a. Water Fixtures
b. Water Management
WATER
EFFICIENCY
WATER FIXTURES

- Efficient water fixtures include faucets, showerheads, and water

closets that use less water to clean as effectively as standard
models.

- Use of efficient plumbing fixtures, sensors, auto control valves,

aerators, flow control and pressure-reducing devices, wherever
possible, can result in significant reduction in water consumption.
WATER
EFFICIENCY
WATER MANAGEMENT

Rainwater Harvesting
- Minimum storage tanks size (in cu.m) shall be calculated by dividing
the building footprint area by 75.
- Collected water shall be used for non-potable purposes such as
toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling towers.
WATER
EFFICIENCY
WATER MANAGEMENT

Water Recycling
- The recycled water produced on site (Sewage Treatment Plant) shall
be reused for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing, irrigation
and cooling towers, through a distinct and separate piping system
from the potable water supply system
Performance
standards
MATERIAL SUSTAINABILITY

- All matters related to resource efficiency in material selection and

use with the least impact on the environment.
- Material sustainability is the use of non-toxic products with low
VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) in buildings.

Non-Toxic Materials
- Refer to building materials without hazardous or toxic chemicals
that could cause Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and eventually lead
to Building Related Illness (BRI).
Performance
standards
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

- All matters related to resource efficiency in material selection and

use with the least impact on the environment.
- Material sustainability is the use of non-toxic products with low
VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) in buildings.

Non-Toxic Materials
- Refer to building materials without hazardous or toxic chemicals
that could cause Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and eventually lead
to Building Related Illness (BRI).
Performance
standards
SITE SUSTAINABILITY

Requires the adoption of planning, design, construction and operation

practices that minimize the adverse impact of buildings on ecosystems and
water resources.

Site / Ground Preparation and Earthworks

- Site clearing, grading and excavation shall be planned at the start of
construction to mitigate pollution caused by erosion and
sedimentation taking into consideration existing endemic foliage as
regulated by the DENR.
Performance
standards
SITE SUSTAINABILITY

Open Space Utilization

- The inclusion of green areas or landscaped areas for indigenous or adaptable
species of grass, shrubs and trees will help in providing more permeable surface
for the building development’s open space and thus allow the re-charging of
natural ground water reservoir, control storm water surface run- 18 off, cool
the building surroundings, and provide indoor to outdoor connectivity for the
building occupants.
- A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the required Unpaved Surface Area (USA),
as required in Rule VII and VIII of the NBC, shall be vegetated with indigenous
and adaptable species.
Performance
standards
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Adoption of efficient design and operation practices that take into

consideration the building environment to improve occupant health,
productivity and safety.

Minimum Fresh Air Rates

- The introduction and application of minimum fresh air rates will
maintain acceptable indoor air quality thru the constant
replacement of indoor air in buildings.
Designated Smoking Area
- restricts tobacco smoking in public spaces and the prescription of
designated smoking areas inside buildings.
 CHAPTER 3

INSTITUTIONAL
ARRANGEMENTS
INSTITUTIONAL OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING OFFICIAL
ARRANGEMENTS

- Shall regularly review the GB Code not to exceed three (3) years from the
date of effectivity and every three (3) years thereafter.
- Serves as the center for the development and promotion of green buildings
in the Philippines.
- Repository of resource materials relating to green buildings. Also
responsible for developing modules and providing green building training.
 CHAPTER 4

CERTIFICATION
PROCESS
CERTIFICATION GREEN BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS
PROCESS

The Office of the Building Official shall review the building permit application for
Green Buildings as prepared by the design professionals in compliance with the
requirements of the GB Code and the various referral codes in accordance with
Rule 3 of the NBC (Permits and Inspection).
 SUGGESTED
IMPROVEMENTS
Suggested - Stricter Minimum TGFA Standard
improvements
- Currently the Philippine GBC is only applicable for developments
10,000 sqm or bigger. While GBC was written with the consideration
that the perception of green building design is costly and can be
afforded mostly only by major developers, with the pressing need to
practice sustainable methods, especially in building design, we believe
that the scope can be extended up to developments 2,000 sqm or
bigger.
- This is in consideration that the average lot sizes in CDBs where
development is concentrated ranges typically from 2,000 to 5,000
sqm big, rarely meeting the 10,000 sqm mark.
- In turn, this will add pressure for future centres of economic
development to be sustainable as we move forward.
Suggested - Provision for Public Transport Accessibility
improvements
- On the agenda of reducing the country’s carbon emissions, public
accessibility should be part of the design considerations when aiming
for maximum Site Sustainability.
- Transport accounts for 37% of energy consumption by sector,
according to the DOE 2010 data used as the basis for the GBC
- To compare, buildings account for 36% in the same data
- Designing to be accessible to mass public transportation = less
vehicles on the road = less maintenance road work = less vehicular
exhaust = less carbon emission
- Not only does it reduce the volume of vehicles the road, ensuring the
accessibility of a design to the public it caters to can possibly
contribute to the lifespan of the building to its users.
Suggested - Provision for Noise Level
improvements
- With regards to Indoor Environmental Quality, the ability of the
design to employ solutions to mitigate noise pollution coming outside
should be considered as well.
- Prolonged and constant exposure to noise pollution can be
detrimental to the good health and well-being of the building
occupants
- Construction sites should be equipped with noise barriers so as not
to cause extended disturbance to its proximity
the philippine
green building
code
Laguerder, Mercado, Santos, Yang