REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6541 - AN ACT TO
ORDAIN AND INSTITUTE A NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
TITLE
1 — ADMINISTRATIVE
CHAPTER 1.01 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1.01.01: Title
(a) This Act shall be known as the "National Building
Code of the Philippines" and shall hereinafter be referred to as the
"Code".
SECTION 1.01.02: Declaration of Policy
(a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the
State to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare,
consistent with the principles of environmental management and control;
and to this end, make it the purpose of this Code to provide for all
buildings and structured, a framework of minimum standards and
requirements by guiding, regulating, and controlling their location,
siting, design, quality of materials, construction, use, occupancy, and
maintenance, including their environment, utilities, fixtures,
equipment, and mechanical electrical, and other systems and
installations.
SECTION 1.01.03: Scope
(a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the
design, location, siting, construction, alteration, repair, conversion,
use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, and demolition of, and addition
to, public and private buildings and structures.
(b) Additions, alterations, repairs, and changes of
use or occupancy in all buildings and structures shall comply with
requirements for new buildings and structures except as otherwise
herein provided. Only such portion or portions of the existing building
or structure which have to be altered to effect the addition,
alteration, or repair shall be made to conform to the requirements for
new buildings or structures. Alterations should preserve the aesthetic
value of the building to be altered.
(c) Where, in any specific case, different section of
this Code specify different materials, methods of construction, or
other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
SECTION 1.01.04: Application
(a) This Code shall apply to all buildings and
structures constructed and any change or repair made thereon after the
approval of said Code. Buildings or structures constructed before the
approval of this Code shall not be affected thereby: Except, Where
their continued use or occupancy is dangerous to life or limb; or where
alterations, additions, conversions, or repairs are to be made thereon,
this Code shall apply only to such portions of the buildings or
structure which have to be altered in order to effect such damages or
repairs.
(b) This Code shall apply to chartered cities,
poblaciones of municipalities and municipal districts with a population
of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants, and to barrios of urban
areas with a population of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants.
This Code shall also apply to any area where there are fifty (50) or
more families per hectare.
(c) This Code shall likewise apply to any area
proposed for or being developed into a new town site, residential
subdivision, commercial or residential site, school site, housing
project, and similar construction projects where five or more buildings
not covered by paragraph (d) of this Section will be constructed even
if the poblacion or barrio population is less than two thousand (2,000)
or the density of population is less than fifty (50) families per
hectare.
(d) The design and construction requirements of this
Code shall not apply to any traditional indigenous family dwelling
costing not more than five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and intended for
use and occupancy of the family of the owner only. The traditional type
of family dwellings are those that are constructed of native materials
such as bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber, wherein the distance between
vertical supports or suportales does not exceed 3.00 meters (10 feet);
and if masonry walls or socalos are used, such shall not be more than
1.00 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) from the ground: provided, however, that
such traditional indigenous family dwelling will not constitute a
danger to life or limb of its occupants or of the public; will not be
fire hazard or an eyesore to the community; and does not contravene any
fire zoning regulation of the city or municipality in which it is
located.
(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (d) of this Section ,
this Code shall apply to Group A dwellings produced on a commercial
scale and intended for use by the general public.
SECTION 1.01.05 Building Use Affecting Public Health
and Safety
(a) Any building or structure, or any ancillary or
accessory facility thereto, and any alteration or addition to any
building or structure already existing, shall conform in all respects
to the principles of safe construction, shall be suited to the purpose
for which the building is designed, and shall, in no case contribute to
making the community in which it is located at eyesore, a slum, or a
blighted area.
(b) Adequate environmental safeguards shall be
observed in the design, construction, and use of any building or
structure for the manufacture and production of any kind of article or
product which constitutes a hazard or nuisance affecting public health
and safety, such as explosives, gas, noxious chemicals, inflammable
compounds, or the like.
SECTION 1.01.06: Maintenance
(a) All buildings or structures, both existing and
new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary
condition. All devices or safeguards, which are required by this Code
in a building or structure when constructed, altered, or repaired,
shall be maintained on good working order.
SECTION 1.01.07: Insanitary, Unsafe, Hazardous, or
Dangerous Sites
(a) The land or site upon which will be constructed
any building or structure, or any ancillary or auxiliary facility
thereto, shall be sanitary , hygienic or safe. Where the land or site
is polluted, insanitary, unhygienic, unsafe, or hazardous, conditions
contributing to or causing its being polluted, insanitary, unhygienic,
unsafe, or hazardous shall be reasonably improved or corrected, or
proper remedial measures shall be prescribed or incorporated in the
design or construction of the building or structure in accordance with
the provisions of this Code.
(b) The land or site upon which be constructed a
building of structure or any ancillary or accessory facility thereto,
for use of human habitation or abode, shall be at a safe distance from
streamers or bodies of water and/source of air considered to be
polluted, volcano or volcanic site, and building or structure
considered to be a potential source of fire or explosion, such as
ammunitions factory or dump and storage place for highly inflammable
material.
SECTION 1.01.08: Dangerous and Ruinous Buildings or
Structures
(a) General. The provisions of this Code shall apply
to all dangerous buildings, as herein defined, which are now in
existence or which may hereafter be constructed, as well as to ruinous
buildings as defined in Article 482 of the Civil Code of the
Philippines.
(b) Dangerous Buildings Defined. Dangerous buildings
are those which are structurally unsafe or not provided with safe
egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous
to human life, or which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard
to safety or health or public welfare, by reason of inadequate
maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, or abandonment;
or which otherwise contribute to the pollution of the site or the
community to an intolerable degree. Any building or structure which has
any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter described, or
conditions or defects similar thereto, shall be deemed to be dangerous
building: provided, that such conditions or defect exists to the extent
that the life, health, property, or safety of the public or its
occupant are endangered:
(1) Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway,
or other means of exist is not of sufficient width or size, or is not
so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of
fire or panic;
(2) Whenever the stress in any materials member or
portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads is more than one and
one-half times the working stresses or stresses allowed in this Code
for new building of similar structure, purpose, or location: provided,
that in determining working stress, the working stress method of
analysis shall be used, and in the case of engineering "overstress",
the ultimate strength method;
(3) Whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by
fire, earthquake, wind, flood, or by any other cause, to such an extent
that the structural strength or the stability thereof is materially
less than it was before such catastrophe and is less than the minimum
requirements of this Code for new buildings of similar structures,
purpose, or location;
(4) Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance
thereof is likely to fall, or to become detached or dislodged, or to
collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property;
(5) Whenever any portion or member or any
appurtenance or ornamentation of the exterior thereof is not of such
sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached, or
fastened — place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of
one-half of that specified in this Code for new buildings of similar
structure; purpose, or location without exceeding the working stresses
permitted for such buildings;
(6) Whenever any portion thereon has wracked, warped,
buckled, or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural
portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquake than is
required in the case similar new construction;
(7) Whenever the building or structure, or any
portion thereof, because of: (i) dilapidation, deterioration, or delay;
(ii) faulty construction; (iii) the removal, movement, or instability
of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting
such building; (iv) the deterioration, decay, or inadequacy of its
foundation; or (v) any other cause, is likely to partially or
completely collapse;
(8) Whenever, for any reason, the building or
structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose
for which it is being used;
(9) Whenever the exterior walls or other vertical
structural members list, lean, or buckle to such an extent that the
structure falls within the condition described in the preceding
subparagraph (2), above, or whenever any portion thereof suffers a
material reduction of the fire and weather resistance qualities of
characteristics required by this Code for newly constructed buildings
of like area, height, and occupancy in the same location;
(10) Whenever a building or structure, used or
intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate
maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or
arrangement, inadequate light, air, or sanitation facilities, or
otherwise, is found to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or in
such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease;
(11) Whenever any building or structure, because of
obsolescence, dilapidated, condition, deterioration, damage, inadequate
exists, lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, or other cause,
is found to be a fire hazard;
(12) Whenever any portion of a building or structure
remains on a site after demolition or destruction of the building or
structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months, so as to
constitute a nuisance or hazard to the public;
(13) Whenever any building or structure is in such a
condition as to constitute a public nuisance defined in Article 694 and
695 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.
(c) Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.n all cases of
dangerous buildings, except those covered by Article 482 and 694 to 707
of the Civil Code of the Philippines, the Building Official shall order
their repair, vacation, or demolition in accordance with the following
procedure:
(1) Where the dangerous building can reasonably be
repaired such that it will no longer be dangerous, it shall be ordered
repaired;
(2) Where the dangerous building is such that to
repair it would cost more than 50 per cent of the current to
replacement cost of the building, it shall be repaired or demolished at
the opinion of the owner;
(3) Where the dangerous building poses an immediate
threat to life, limb, or property, it shall be vacated immediately,
then repaired or demolished in accordance with subparagraphs (1) or (2)
herein.
SECTION 1.01.09. Alternate or new Design, Material,
Method of Construction, or Workmanship; Tests
(a) Any design, material, method of construction, or
workmanship not specifically included in this Code may be used:
provided, that such alternate or new design, material, method of
construction, or workmanship is at least the equivalent of those
prescribed in this Code in effectiveness.
(b) Tests for design, materials, method of
construction, or workmanship shall be prescribed by the Secretary of
Public Works and Communication in appropriate rules and regulations
therefor.
SECTION 1.01.10: Municipal and Provincial Ordinances
and Regulations
(a) Local ordinances should conform to the Code and
suppletory requirements hereto shall in no case diminish minimum
requirements embodied in this Code. The Secretary of Public Works and
Communications or, in the proper case, the Secretary of Justice shall
take any and all appropriate steps in cases where local ordinances
conflict with the Code.
SECTION 1.01.11: Definitions and Tables
(a) The definitions in Annex A and the Tables in
Annex B of this Code are hereby adopted as part thereof.
SECTION 1.01.12: Separability Clause
(a) If, for any reason, any section or provision of
this Code shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, no other
section or provision of this Code shall be affected thereby.
SECTION 1.01.13: Repealing Clause
(a) Any and all statutes, orders, ordinances, rules
and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of
this Code, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 1.01.14: Effectivity
(a) This Code shall take effect upon its approval
within the Greater Manila Metropolitan Area and in other areas where
there are already existing local building codes, and four (4) years
thereafter, in all other areas in the Philippines: provided, however,
that this provision shall not prevent any city or municipal council or
board from adopting this Code immediately upon its approval.
CHAPTER 1.02 — ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 1.02.01: Joint Building and Environmental
Planning Research and Standards Commission
(a) Membership. There is hereby created a Joint
Building and Environmental Planning Research and Standards Commission
composed of two Senators, two Congressmen, and five other members to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines. The members shall elect
a Chairman from among themselves.
(1) The President of the Senate shall designate the
chairman of the Committee on Housing, Urban Development and
Resettlement and one Senator from the minority party as members of the
Commission.
(2) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
designate the Chairman of the Committee on Housing and one Congressman
from the minority party as members of the Commission.
(3) The President of the Philippines shall appoint
two architects, two engineers, and one building contractor chosen from
those officially recommended by their respective national professional
organizations, to serve for four years or until their successors shall
have been duly appointed and qualified.
(4) The members thereof shall serve without
compensation: Except, that the members from the professional
organizations may receive a per diem of one hundred pesos (P100.00)
each per meeting actually attended: provided, that the total per diem
the members may receive shall not exceed six hundred pesos (P600.00)
per month. A monthly transportation allowance of two hundred fifty
pesos (P250.00) shall be granted each of the members from the
professional organizations.
(b) Duties and Responsibilities. The Commission shall
have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) Conduct or cause to be conducted continuing
research and studies on building, housing, and environmental planning
standards and requirements to safeguard life or limb, health, property,
and public welfare;
(2) Prepare a draft of a uniform code of criteria,
standards, and detailed specifications covering design, construction,
and other related matters suited to local needs and indigenous
conditions for adoption by local governments to supplement the minimum
standards provided in this Code;
(3) Prepare drafts of environmental planning,
management and control codes, subdivision policies and standards,
zoning regulations and other codes for legislative enactment; and
recommend, from time to time, changes in this Building Code for
submission to Congress; and
(4) Transmit appropriate recommendation to the
Secretary of Public Works and Communications as a basis for the
promulgation by the Secretary of the necessary rules and regulations to
carry out the provisions of this Code.
(c) Technical Staff . The Commission shall be
assisted by a Technical Staff which shall be headed by an Executive
Director and an Assistant Executive Director. All personnel shall be
appointed by the Chairman subject to civil service laws, rules, and
regulations.
(d) Appropriations. The amount of two hundred and
fifty thousand pesos (P250,000) or such amount thereof as may be
necessary for the operation of the Commission is hereby authorized to
be appropriated out of any funds not otherwise appropriated for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1973. Such sums may be necessary for the
operating expenses of the Commission in succeeding fiscal years shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 1.02.02: Secretary of Public Works and
Communications and Building Officials
(a) The Secretary of Public Works and Communications,
hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary", shall promulgate such rules
and regulations necessary to enable the Building Official to enforce
the provisions of this Code.
(b) In municipalities, the Municipal Engineer shall
be the Building Official; provided, that when there is no such
Municipal Engineer, or a duly licensed engineer performing the duties
of a Municipal Engineer, or a Land and Building Official, the
Provincial Engineer, or in the absence thereof, the Public Works
Engineer within whose jurisdiction the municipality falls shall be the
Building Official.n case of cities, the City Public Works Supervisor
shall be the Building Official: provided, that when there is no such
City Public Works Supervisor, the City Engineer shall be the Building
Official. For the purpose of the enforcement of the provisions of this
Code, the Building Official shall be under the supervision of the
Secretary of Public Works and Communications, any provision of law to
the contrary notwithstanding.
(c) Subject to the approval of the Municipal Mayor,
City Mayor, or Provincial Governor in the proper case, and other civil
service laws and rules, the Building Official may appoint such number
of officers, inspectors, assistants, or other employees possessing the
necessary qualifications and competency as may be authorized by the
Municipal Council, City Council, or Provincial Board, as the case may
be. He may deputize such technically qualified employees as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code. For purposes of
this Subsection, the terms "necessary qualifications and competency"
and “echnically qualified" shall mean that the person to be deputized
shall have passed the highest grade of examination called for in the
applicable law regulating the practice of the branch of engineering or
architecture related to or associated with the duties and powers which
the person to be deputized shall assume.
SECTION 1.02.03: Building Permits
(a) Any person, firm, or corporation, including any
department, office, bureau, agency of instrumentality of the government
intending to construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any
building or structure, or cause the same to be done, shall obtain a
building permit from the Building Official for whichever of such work
is proposed to be undertaken for the building or structure, before any
such work is started.
(b) Appropriate rules and regulations shall be set by
the Secretary concerning:
(1) Forms for application for building permits;
(2) Procedures to be observed in securing such
permits;
(3) Procedures to be observed in the issuance,
suspension, and revocation of such building permits; and
(4) Type, nature, and scope of plans and
specifications, and other requisite documents, which shall be prepared
and designed by a licensed architect or engineer.
(c) When authorized by the Building Official in
accordance with the provisions of this Code, plans and specifications
need not be submitted for the following:
(1) Group A traditional indigenous type of dwelling
construction costing not more than three thousand pesos (P3,000.00);
and
(2) Group J Division 1 Occupancy of Type 1
conventional wood frame construction or of the traditional indigenous
type of construction costing not more than three thousand pesos
(P3,000.00).
(d) The applicant for a building permit for private
buildings or structures after having complied with all the requirements
prescribed therefore in accordance with the provisions of this Code,
shall be issued a building permit within fifteen (15) days from the
date of payment of the permit fee for Groups A and J Occupancies and
within thirty (30) days from the date of payment of the permit fee for
other Group Occupancies, unless the Building Official or his Deputy
authorized to issue the permit shall inform the applicant in writing
why the permit should not be issued, and shall indicate thereon the
particular provisions of the Code violated by the applicant or the
particular requirements not complied with. Within fifteen (15) days
from the date of receipt by the applicant of advice from the Building
Official or his Deputy authorized to issue the permit why the building
permit should not be issued, or why the building permit is suspended or
revoked, the applicant may appeal the non-issuance, suspension, or
revocation thereof, to the Mayor of the chartered city or municipality,
or the Governor of the province where the building or structure for
which the permit is being applied for is located. Said appeal shall be
decided within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof, otherwise, the
applicant may bring the matter to the proper Court of Justice for final
disposition.
(e) All public buildings shall conform to the
provisions of this Code and the Building Official of the city or
province where the public building is located shall issue the building
permit therefore, stating in writing that such public building conforms
to the requirements of the Code. For national public buildings, the
Secretary of Public Works and Communications shall issue a
certification that such a building conforms to the Code. Public
buildings shall be exempt from payment of building permit, inspection,
another fees.
SECTION 1.02.04: Fees
(a) Regulations on building permit, inspection and
other fees, and for compliance with the same shall be covered by city
and municipal ordinances: provided, that Traditional indigenous family
dwellings under Section 1.01.04 (d) shall be exempt from payment of
building permit fees.
SECTION 1.02.05: Inspection ad Certificates of
Occupancy
(a) Inspection. The duly licensed architect or
engineer engaged by the owner to undertake inspection and detailed
supervision of the construction shall periodically certify that the
construction conforms to the plans and specifications submitted in the
application for a building permit. Upon submission of such periodic
certifications during the progress of construction, the Building
Official shall periodically issue the required authority to continue
with the subsequent phases of construction, without prejudice to his
right to conduct on his own initiative any inspection of the said
construction. Upon completion of the construction, the said duly
licensed architect or engineer shall submit to the Building Official
the final certification that the building conforms to the provisions of
the Code and with the detailed plans and specifications submitted.
(b) Certificates of Occupancy. The proper Certificate
of Occupancy shall be issued to the applicant within seven (7) days
from completion of the requirements for inspection and occupancy and
payment of any and all fees therefore, unless the building Official or
his Deputy issuing the Certificate shall show cause in writing why the
Certificate should not be issued and shall indicate thereon the
particular provisions of the Code violated or the particular
requirements not complied with. Within fifteen (15) days from receipt
by the applicant of the advice from Building Official or his Deputy
authorized to issue the certificate why the certificate should not be
issued, or why the certificate is suspended or revoked, the applicant
may appeal the non-issuance, suspension, or revocation thereof, to the
Mayor of the chartered city or municipality, or the Governor of the
province where the building for which the certificate is being applied
for is located. Said appeal shall be decided within fifteen (15) days
from receipts thereof, otherwise, the applicant may bring the matter to
the proper Court of Justice for final disposition. The building may be
occupied only upon issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
SECTION 1.02.06: Violations of This Code Covering
Designs, Materials, Methods of Construction, and Workmanship
(a) In all cases of violation of this Code covering
design, materials, methods of construction, and workmanship, the
Building Official shall observe the following procedure in ordering the
alteration to conform to this Code or demolition of the building or
portion thereof:
(1) Where the building is in the process of
construction, the construction of the portion or portions in violation
of this Code shall be stopped until the same shall have been altered to
conform to this Code, unless such partial violation will impair the
stability and safety of the whole or part of the structure, in which
case, the whole construction shall be stopped.
(2) Where a building or portion thereof has been
constructed, the following procedure shall be observed:
(2.1) In case it can be reasonably altered to conform
to the requirements of this Code, it shall be altered accordingly;
(2.2) In case the laterization will cost more than 50
per cent of the current construction cost of the building, it shall be
altered to conform to this Code or demolished at the option of the
owner;
(2.3) In case the building or portion thereof poses
an immediate danger to life, limb, or property, the same shall be
vacated immediately, then altered to conform to the requirements of
this Code or demolished in accordance with subparagraphs (1) and (2)
herein.
(3) If the owner, after receipts of the order of
alteration or demolition fails to comply with such order within a
period of one year, said construction shall be declared a nuisance and
be abated in accordance with the provisions of Article 699 of the Civil
Code of the Philippines.
(b) This Code shall not be construed to deprive any
person the right to avail himself of any and all judicial proceedings
or remedies available under existing laws.
(c) Nothing in this Chapter is intended to diminish
the powers vested in the different Boards of Examiners of the various
architectural and engineering professions as provided for in existence
laws regulating the practice of architecture and engineering, nor to
restrict the designing engineering or architect in the exercise of his
professional discretion within the basic minimum standards and
requirements embodied in Section 1.01.02 of this Code.
TITLE 2 — FIRE AND
FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS
CHAPTER 2.01 — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE ZONES
Sec. 2.01.01: General
(a) Fire Zones Defined. Fire zones are areas within
which only certain types of building are permitted to be constructed
based on their use, occupancy, type of construction, and resistance to
fire.
(b) Building Located in More Than One Fire Zone.f a
building or structure is located in more than one fire zone and more
than one-third of its total floor area is in a more restricted fire
zone, then the entire building shall conform to the requirements for
the more restricted area.
(c) Moved Building. Any building or structure moved
within or into any fire zone shall be made to comply with all the
requirements for buildings of that fire zone.
(d) Temporary Buildings. Temporary buildings or
structures conforming to the requirements of this Code, used for the
protection of the public around and in conjunction with construction
work may be erected in any of the fire zones: provided, that such work
is allowed by special permit from the Building Official and such is
used only for a limited period of time.
(e) Center Lines of Streets. For the purpose of this
Chapter, the center line of an adjoining street or alley may be
considered an adjacent property line. Distance shall be measured at
right angles to the street or alley.
Sec. 2.01.02. Designation of Fire Zones
(a) The Secretary shall classify each type of fire
zone in accordance to use, occupancy, type of construction, and
resistance to fire subject to the provisions of this Code.
(b) Based on the classification of fire zones, City
Counsels or Municipal Boards, by resolution, shall divide cities and
municipalities into fire zones. Such division shall be in accordance
with the local physical and spatial framework plans or the
recommendation of the local city or municipal development body.
CHAPTER 2.02 — FIRE-RESISTIVE
REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR FIRE PROTECTION
Sec. 2.02.01: Fire-Resistive Requirements
(a) Exterior bearing and nonbearing walls of Types II
and III constructions shall have one-hour fire-resistive rating; while
those of types IV and V shall have four-hour fire-resistive rating.
(b) Interior bearing walls, permanent partitions,
floors, and roofs of Types II to IV constructions shall have one-hour
fire-resistive rating; while those of Type V shall have three-hour
fire-resistive rating for walls, one-hour fire-resistive rating for
partitions, and two-hour fire-resistive rating for vertical openings,
floors, and roofs.
(c) Structural frames of Types II and III
constructions shall have one-hour fire-resistive rating; those of Type
IV shall have two-hour fire-resistive rating; and those of Type V shall
have three-hour fire-resistive rating.
(d) Exterior doors and windows shall have
three-fourths-hour fire-resistive rating for all types of construction.
Sec. 2.02.02: Fire-Resistive Standards
(a) General. Materials and systems of fire-resistive
purposes shall be classified according to their fire-resistive ratings
as determined by internationally accepted testing methods, subject to
the provisions of this Section .
(b) One-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating
(1) The following walls and partitions shall have a
one-hour fire-resistive rating: Solid masonry, 10 centimeters (4
inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 15 centimeters (6 inches) thick;
solid concrete, 10 centimeters (4 inches) thick; stud walls covered on
each side with 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) lath and plaster, 1.6
centimeters (5/8 inch) of vermiculite gypsum board, or 2.5 centimeters
(1 inch) of gypsum board; and 5 centimeters (2 inches) nominal
thickness tongue and groove wood, or two layers of 1.9 centimeters (3/4
inch) tongue and groove wood separated by sheet metal or asbestos paper
and treated on each side with a fire-retardant coating having a
flame-spread rating of 50 or less. Square-edged boards may be used is
the layers are laid at right angles with each other.
(2) The following floors shall have a one-hour
fire-resistive rating: masonry or concrete, 10 centimeters (4 inches)
thick; wood joists having two layers of flooring above and a plaster or
gypsum board ceiling, 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) in thickness — the two
layers of flooring shall be separated by sheet metal or asbestos
building paper; 6.3 centimeters (2-1/2 inches) net thickness tongue and
grooved wood floors covered with 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) wood
flooring laid at right angles thereto. The supporting beams for such
floors shall be not less than 15 centimeters (6 inches) in minimum
dimension.
(3) The following protection for metal structural
members shall have one-hour fire-resistive rating: 2.5 centimeters (1
inch) of concrete; 3.8 centimeters (1-1/2 inches) of masonry; and metal
lath and 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) of plaster.
(4) The following shall also have a one-hour
fire-resistive rating; wood columns, 20 centimeters (8 inches) or more
in least dimension; and wood beams, 15 centimeters (6 inches) or more
in least dimension.
(c) Two-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating
(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall
have a two-hour fire-resistive rating: solid masonry, 15 centimeters (6
inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 20 centimeters (8 inches) thick;
and solid concrete, 127 centimeters (5 inches) thick.
(2) The following protection for metal structural
members shall have a two-hour fire-resistive rating. 3.8 centimeters
(1-1/2 inches) of concrete; 5 centimeters (2 inches) of masonry; and
two layers of metal lath and plaster with 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch)
air space between and having a total thickness of 6.3 centimeters
(2-1/2 inches).
(d) Three-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating
(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall
have a three-hour fire-resistive rating: solid masonry, 17.8
centimeters (7 inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 25.4 centimeters (10
inches) thick; and solid concrete, 15 centimeters (6 inches) thick.
(2) The following protection for metal structural
members shall have a three-hour fire resistive rating: centimeters (2
inches) of concrete; 7.6 centimeters (3 inches) of masonry.
(e) Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Time Period Rating
(1) The following partitions, walls, and floors shall
have a four-hour fire resistive rating: solid masonry walls, 20
centimeters (8 inches) thick; hollow unit masonry, 30 centimeters (12
inches) thick; and solid concrete, 17.8 centimeters (7 inches) thick.
(f) Steel Joists. Steel joist floors shall have from
one to four-hour fire-resistive rating based on internationally
accepted standards of engineering.
(g) Flame-Proof Materials. Materials required to be
flame-proofed shall be treated with a flame-retardant having
flame-spread rating of 50 less as determined by the “unnel Test".
Sec. 2.02.03: Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish
(a) General. Finishes for interior walls and ceilings
of any building shall be classified according to their flame-spread
characteristics using the internationally accepted “unnel Test" or
other equivalent test for fire protection. The class of materials
according to flame-spread characteristics shall be determined for each
occupancy group. The smoke density shall not be greater than that
obtain from the burning of untreated wood under similar conditions when
tested in accordance with the “unnel Test" in the way intended for use.
The products of combustion shall be no more toxic than the burning of
untreated wood under similar conditions.
(b) Interior Finish Materials.nterior walls and
ceiling finish shall mean interior wainscoting, paneling, or other
finish applied structurally or for decoration, acoustical correction,
surface insulation or similar purposes. Requirements for finishes shall
not apply to trim, doors, and windows or their frames, nor to materials
which are less than one millimeter (0.039 inch) in thickness cemented
to an incombustible backing.nterior finish materials applied to walls
and ceilings shall be tested as specified herein and regulated for
purposes of limiting flame-spread.
Sec. 2.02.04: Promulgation of Fire-Resistive
Regulations
(a) The Secretary shall promulgate appropriate
standards and regulations on the testing of materials for flame-spread
characteristics; application of controlled interior finish; finishes
based on occupancy; materials and tests on fire dampers, fire tests of
building construction and materials, fire tests of door assemblies,
tin-clad fire doors, fire test of window assemblies, installation of
fire door and fire windows, and smoke and fire detectors for fire
protective signaling systems; fire-resistive protection of structural
members; fire-resistive walls and partitions; fire-resistive
floor-ceilings or roof-ceilings; fire-resistive assemblies for
protection of openings; and fire-retardant roof coverings.
TITLE 3 — REQUIREMENTS BASED ON
OCCUPANCY
CHAPTER 3.01 — CLASSIFICATION OF ALL BUILDINGS BY USE OR OCCUPANCY AND
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL OCCUPANCIES
Sec. 3.01.01: Occupancy Classified
(a) Building proposed, for construction shall be
identified according to its use or the character of its occupancy and
shall be classified as follows:
(1) Group A — Residential: Dwellings. Group A
Occupancies shall include dwellings.
(2) Group B — Residential: Hotels and Apartments. —
Group B Occupancies shall include boarding or lodging houses, hotels,
apartment houses, convents, and monasteries (each accommodating more
than 10 persons).
(3) Group C — Education and Recreation. Group C
Occupancies shall be any building used for school or day care purposes
more than eight hours per week, involving assemblage for instruction,
education, or recreation, and not classed in Group I or in Divisions 1
and 2 of Group H Occupancies.
(4) Group D — Institutional. Group D Occupancies
shall include: Division 1 — Mental hospitals, mental sanitariums,
jails, prisons, reformatories, and buildings where personal liberties
of inmates are similarly restrained; Division 2 — Nurseries for
full-time care of children under kindergarten age, hospitals,
sanitariums, nursing homes with non-ambulatory patients, and similar
buildings (each accommodating more than five persons); Division 3 —
Nursing homes for ambulatory patients, homes for children of
kindergarten age or over (each accommodating more than five persons);
provided, that Group D Occupancies shall not include buildings used
only for private residential purposes or for a family group.
(5) Group E — Business and Mercantile. Group E
Occupancies shall include: Division 1 — Gasoline filling and service
stations; storage garage and boat storage structures where no work is
done except exchange of parts and maintenance requiring no open flame,
welding, or the use of highly flammable liquids; Division 2 — Wholesale
and retail stores, office buildings, drinking and dining establishments
having an occupant load test than 100, printing plants, municipal
police and fire stations, factories and workshops using materials not
highly flammable or combustible, storage and sales room for combustible
goods, and paint stores without bulk handling, and Division 3 -Aircraft
hangars where no repair work is done except exchange of parts and
maintenance requiring no open flame, welding, or the use of highly
flammable liquids; open parking garages and heliports.
(6) Group F — Industrial. Group F Occupancies shall
include:ce plants, power plants, pumping plants, cold storage, and
creameries; factories and workshops using incombustible and
non-explosive materials; and storage and sales rooms of incombustible
and non-explosive materials.
(7) Group G — Storage and Hazardous. Group G
Occupancies shall include: Division 1 — Storage and handling of
hazardous and highly flammable or explosive materials other than
flammable liquids; Division 2 — Storage and handling of flammable
liquids; dry cleaning plants using flammable liquids; paint stores with
bulk handling; paint shops and spray painting rooms, and shops;
Division 3 — Wood working establishments, planning mills and box
factories, shops factories where loose, combustible fibers or dust are
manufactured, processed or generated; warehouses where highly
combustible material is stored; Division 4 — Repair garages; and
Division 5 — Aircraft repair hangars.
(8) Group H — Assembly Other Than Group I. Group H
Occupancies shall include: Division 1 — Any assembly building with a
stage and an occupant load of less than 100 in the building; Division 2
— Any assembly building without a stage and having an occupant load of
300 or more in the building; Division 3 — Any assembly building without
a stage and having an occupant load of less than 300 in the building,
including such buildings used for school purposes less than eight hours
per week; and Division 4 — Stadiums, reviewing stands, amusement park
structures not included within Group I or Divisions 1, 2, and 3, Group
H Occupancies.
(9) Group I — Assembly Occupant Load 1000 or More.
Group I Occupancies shall be any assembly building with a stage and an
occupant load of 1000 or more in the building.
(10) Group J — Accessory. Group J Occupancies shall
include: Division 1 — Private garages, carports, sheds, and
agricultural buildings; Division 2 — Fences over 1.80 meters (6 feet)
high, tanks, and towers.
(b) Other subgroupings or divisions within Groups A
to J may be determined by the Secretary. Any other occupancy not
mentioned specifically in this Section , or about which there is any
question, shall be included in the Group which its use most nearly
resembles based on the existing or proposed life and fire hazard.
(c) The Building Officials shall identify and
indicate in the Certificate of Occupancy the appropriate classification
to which a building or structure to be constructed belongs.
Sec. 3.01.02: Change in Use
(a) No change shall be made in the character of
occupancies or use of any building which would place the building in a
different division of the same group of occupancy or in a different
group of occupancies, unless such buildings is made to comply with the
requirements for such division or group of occupancy: Except, that the
character of occupancy of existing buildings may be changed subject to
the approval of the Building Official and the building may be occupied
for purposes set forth in other Groups without conforming to all the
requirements for those Groups, provided the new or proposed use is less
hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing use.
Sec. 3.01.03: Mixed Occupancy
(a) General. When a building is used for more than
one occupancy purposes, each part of the building comprising a distinct
"Occupancy" shall be separated from any other occupancy. When a
building is used for more than one occupancy purpose, it shall be
subject to the most restrictive requirements for the occupancies
concerned: Except, — (1) When a one-storey building houses more than
one occupancy, each portion of the building shall conform to the
requirements for the occupancy housed therein, and the area of the
building shall be such that the sum of the actual areas divided by the
allowable area for each separate occupancy shall not exceed one; and
(2) Where minor accessory uses do not occupy more than 10 per cent of
the area of any floor of a building, nor more than 10 per cent of the
basis are permitted in the occupancy requirements. The major use of the
building shall determine the occupancy classification provided the uses
are separated in accordance with requirements for occupancy separation.
(b) Forms of Occupancy Separation. Occupancy
separations shall be vertical or horizontal or both, or when necessary,
of such other form as may be required to afford a complete separation
between the various occupancy divisions in the building.
(c) Types of Occupancy Separation. Occupancy
separations shall be classed as "One-Hour Fire-Resistive" “wo-Hour
Fire-Resistive", “hree-Hour Fire-Resistive", and "Four-Hour
Fire-Resistive".
(1) A "One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separations"
shall be of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction. All
openings in such a separations shall be protected a fire assembly
having a one-hour fire-resistive rating.
(2) A “wo-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation"
shall be of not less than two-hour fire-resistive construction. All
openings in such separation shall be protected by a fire assembly
having a one and one-half-hour fire-resistive rating.
(3) A “hree-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation"
shall be of not less than three-hour fire-resistive construction. All
openings in walls forming such separation shall be protected by a fire
assembly having a three-hour fire-resistive rating. The total width of
all openings in any three-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation wall
in any one-storey shall not exceed 25 per cent of the length of the
wall in that storey and no single opening shall have an area greater
than 10.00 square meters (107.1 square feet). All openings in floors
forming a “hree-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation" shall be
protected by vertical enclosures extending above and below such
openings. The walls of such vertical enclosures shall be of not less
than ten-hours fire-resistive construction, and all openings therein
shall be protected by a fire assembly having one and one-half-hour
fire-resistive rating.
(4) A "Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation"
shall have no openings therein and shall be of not less than four-hour
fire-resistive construction.
(d) Fire Ratings for Occupancy Separation. Occupancy
separations shall be provided between various groups, subgroupings, or
divisions of occupancies. The Secretary shall promulgate rules and
regulations for appropriate occupancy separations in buildings of mixed
occupancy: provided, that where any occupancy separation is required,
the minimum shall be a "One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation";
and where the occupancy separation is horizontal, structural members
supporting the separation shall be protected by equivalent
fire-resistive construction.
Sec. 3.01.04: Location on Property
(a) General. Buildings shall adjoin or have access to
a public space, yard, or street on not less than one side. Required
yards shall be permanently maintained. For the purpose of this Section ,
the center line of an adjoining street or alley shall be considered an
adjacent property line. Eaves over required windows shall be not less
than 75 centimeters (30 inches) from the side and rear and rear
property lines.
(b) Fire Resistance of Walls. Exterior walls shall
have fire resistance and opening protection in accordance with
requirements set by the Secretary. Projections beyond the exterior wall
shall not extend beyond a point one-third the distance to the property
line from an exterior wall; or a point one-third the distance from an
assumed vertical plane located where fire-resistive protection of
openings is first required due to location on property, whichever is
the least restrictive. Distance shall be measured at right angles from
the property line. When openings in exterior walls are required to be
protected due to distance from property line, the sum of the area of
such openings shall not exceed 50 per cent of the total area of the
wall in each storey.
(c) Buildings on Same Property and Buildings
Containing Courts. For the purpose of determining the required wall and
opening protection, buildings on the same property and court walls
shall be assumed to have a property line between them. When a new
building is to be erected on the same property with an existing
building, the assumed property line from the existing building shall be
the distance to the property line for each occupancy as set forth by
the Secretary: provided, that two or more buildings on the same
property may be considered as portions of one building of the aggregate
area of such buildings is within the limits of allowable floor areas
for a single building; and that when the buildings so considered house
different occupancies or are of different types of construction, the
area shall be that allowed for the most restricted occupancy or
construction.
Sec. 3.01.05: Allowable Floor Areas
(a) Areas of One-Storey Buildings and Building Over
One Storey. Allowable floor areas for one-storey buildings and
buildings over one storey shall not exceed the limits determined in
accordance with occupancy groups and types of construction.
(b) Area Separation Walls. Each portion of a building
separated by one or more area separation walls may be considered a
separate building provided the area separation wall meet the
requirements of this Code.
Sec. 3.01.06: Allowable Area Increases
(a) The floor area hereinabove provided may be
increased in certain specific instances and under appropriate
conditions, based on the existence of public space, streets, or yards
extending along the adjoining two or more sides of the building or
structure.
Sec. 3.01.07: Maximum Height of Buildings and
Increases
(a) The maximum height and number of storeys of every
building shall be dependent upon the character of the occupancy and the
type of construction, and shall not exceed the limits determined by
population density, building bulk, widths of streets, and car parking
requirements. The height shall be measured from the highest adjoining
sidewalk or ground surface, provided that the height measured from the
lowest adjoining surface shall not exceed such maximum height by more
than 3.00 meters (10 feet): Except, that towers, spires, and steeples,
erected as a part of a building and not used for habitation or storage,
are limited as to height only by structural design if completely of
incombustible materials, or may extend not to exceed 6.00 meters (19
feet, 8 inches) above the height limits for each occupancy group if of
combustible materials.
Sec. 3.01.08: Maximum Requirements for Group A
Dwellings: One Two Storeys
(a) Dwelling Location and Lot Occupancy. The dwelling
shall occupy not more than 90 per cent of a corner lot and 80 per cent
of an inside lot, and subject to the provisions on easements of light
and view of the Civil Code of the Philippines, shall be at least 2.00
meters (6 feet, inches) from the property line.
(b) Light and Ventilation. Every dwelling shall be so
constructed and arranged as to provide adequate light and ventilation.
(1) Habitable rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms and
utility rooms shall have a height of not less than 2.40 meters (8
feet), measured from floor to ceiling.
(2) Rooms shall have a minimum size of 6.00 square
meters (65 square feet) with a least horizontal dimension of 2.00
meters (6 feet, 7 inches) for rooms of human habitations; 3.00 square
meters (32 feet) with a least horizontal dimension of 1.50 meters (5
feet) for kitchens; and 1.20 square meters (13 square feet) with a
least horizontal dimension of 90 centimeters (3 feet) for bathrooms.
(3) Windows shall be at least 1/10th of the floor
area of the room.
(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 and dwelling and shall be at least 30
centimeters (1 foot) thick and 60 centimeters (2 feet) below the
surface of the ground. Each post shall be anchored to such footings by
straps and bolts of adequate size.
(e) Post or Suportales. The dimensions of wooden post
or suportales shall be those found in Table 3.01 — A Dimension of
Wooden Posts or Suportales (Annex B).
(f) Floor. The live load of the first floor shall be
at least 200 kilograms per square meter (40 pounds per square foot) and
for the second floor, at least 150 kilograms per square meter (30
pounds per square foot).
(g) Roof. The wind load for roofs shall be at least
150 kilograms per square meter (30 pounds per square foot).
(h) Stairs. Stairs may be 75 centimeters (30 inches)
wide, with a rise of 20 centimeters (8 inches) and a run of 23
centimeters (9 inches).
(i) Entrance and Exit. There shall be one entrance
and one exit.
(j) Electrical Outlets. There shall be at least one
convenience outlet per 6.00 meters (20 feet) of wall measured along the
floor and one light outlet for every room.
(k) Mechanical Requirements. Family dwellings not
more than two storeys shall be exempt from the requirements of the
Mechanical Code.
Sec. 3.01.09: Requirements for Group Occupancies
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Code, the
Secretary shall promulgate regulations for each occupancy group
covering: allowable construction, height, and area; location on
property, exit facilities, light, ventilation, and sanitation;
enclosure of vertical openings; fire-extinguishing system; and special
hazards.
TITLE 4 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
CHAPTER 4.01 — CLASSIFICATION OF ALL BUILDINGS BY TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 4.01.01: Types of Construction
(a) The requirements of this Chapter are minimum for
the varying degrees of public safety and resistance to fire. Every
building proposed for construction shall be identified according to the
following:
(1) Type I. Type I Buildings shall be of wood
construction. The structural elements may be any of the materials
permitted by this Code.
(2) Type II. Type II Buildings shall be of wood
construction with protective fire-resistant materials and one-hour
fire-resistive throughout: Except, that permanent nonbearing partitions
may use fire-retardant treated wood within the framing assembly.
(3) Type III. Type III Buildings shall be masonry and
wood construction, Structural elements may be any of the materials
permitted by this Code: provided, that the building shall be one-hour
fire-resistive throughout. Exterior walls shall be of incombustible
fire-resistive construction.
(4) Type IV. Type IV Building shall be of steel,
iron, concrete, or masonry construction. Walls and permanent partitions
shall be of incombustible fire-resistive construction: Except, that
permanent nonbearing partitions of one-hour fire resistive construction
framing assembly.
(5) Type V. Type V Buildings shall be fire-resistive.
The structural elements shall be of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry
construction. Walls and permanent partitions shall be incombustible
fire-resistive construction.
(b) Other subtypes or divisions within Types I to V
may be determined by the Secretary. Any building which does not conform
entirely to a type of construction herein set forth shall be classified
into a type having an equal or lesser degree of fire-resistance of the
building.
(c) The Building Official shall identify and indicate
in the Certificate of Occupancy the appropriate classification to which
a building or structure to be constructed belongs.
Sec. 4.01.02: Change in Type
(a) No change shall be made in the type of
construction of any building which would place the building in a
different subtype or type of construction unless such bidding is made
to comply with the requirements for such subtype or type of
construction: Except, that the type of construction of existing
buildings may be changed subject to the approval of the Building
Official and the building may be constructed for purposes set forth in
other Types without conforming to all the requirements for those Types,
provided the new or proposed construction is less hazardous, based on
life and fire risk, than the existing construction.
Sec. 4.01.03: Requirements on Types of
Construction
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the
Secretary shall promulgate regulations for each type of construction,
and promulgate rules and regulations therefore, covering: structural
framework, exterior walls and openings, interior walls and enclosures,
floors, exits and stars construction, and roofs.
TITLE — LIGHT, VENTILATION, AND
SANITATION
CHAPTER 5.01 — LIGHT AND VENTILATION
Sec. 5.01.01: General
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Civil Code on
easement on light and view, and to provisions of this Title, every
building shall be so constructed, arranged, and equipped as to provide
adequate light and ventilation.
(b) All building erected shall face a street or
public alley or private street which has been officially approved.
(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 so as to create an
additional room, unless such additional room conforms to the
requirements of this Code.
(d) No building shall be enlarged, so that the
dimensions of any required court yard would be less than that
prescribed for any such building.
Sec. 5.01.02: Measurement of Site Occupancy
(a) The measurement of site occupancy or lot
occupancy shall be taken at the ground level and shall be exclusive of
courts, yards, and light wells.
(b) Courtyards and light wells shall be measured
clear of any projections from the walls enclosing such wells or yards
with the exception of roof leaders, wall copings, sills, or steel fire
escapes, not exceeding 1.20 meters (4 feet) in width.
Sec. 5.01.03: Percentage of Site Occupancy
(a) The maximum site occupancy shall be governed by
the use, type of construction, and height of the building, and the use,
area, nature and location of the site, subject to the provisions of
local zoning requirements and in accordance with rules and regulations
set forth by the Secretary.
Sec. 5.01.04: Minimum Size of Courts and Their
Least Dimensions
(a) The minimum size of courts and their least
dimensions shall be dependent upon the use, type of construction, and
height of the building subject to the requirements set forth by the
Secretary: provided, that in no case shall be the minimum horizontal
dimension of courts be less than 2.00 meters (6 feet, 7 inches).
(b) All inner courts shall be connected to a street
or yard, either by a passageway with a minimum width of 1.20 meters (4
feet) or by a door through a room or rooms.
Sec. 5.01.05: Ceiling Heights
(a) Habitable rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms, storage
rooms, and utility rooms shall have a ceiling height of not less than
2.40 meters (8 feet), measured from the floor to the ceiling. Provided,
that for buildings of more than one storey, the minimum ceiling height
of the first storey shall be 2.70 meters (9 feet) and 2.40 meters (8
feet) for the second storey, and succeeding storeys. Garages shall have
an unobstructed headroom clearance of not less than 2.10 meters (7
feet) above the finished floor.
Sec. 5.01.06: Minimum Size of Rooms and Their
Least Dimensions
(a) The minimum sizes of rooms and their least
horizontal dimensions shall be as follows: 6:00 square (65 square feet)
with at least nominal dimension of 2.00 meters (6 feet 7 inches) for
rooms for human habitation; 3.00 square meters (32 square feet) with a
least horizontal dimension of 1.50 meters (5 feet) for kitchens; and
1.20 square meters (12 square feet) with a least horizontal dimension
of 0.90 meter (3 feet) for bathrooms.
Sec. 5.01.07: Minimum Air Space Requirements in
Determining the Size of Rooms.
(a) The following minimum air spaces shall be
provided:
(1) For school rooms: 3.00 meters (106 cubic feet)
with 1.00 square meter (10.7 square feet) of floor area per person.
(2) For workshops, factories, and offices: 10.00
cubic meters (354 cubic feet) or air space per person at daytime and
14.00 cubic meters (494 cubic feet) of air space per person at night
time.
(3) For habitable rooms: 14.00 cubic meters (494
cubic feet) of air space per adult person and 7.00 cubic meters (247
cubic feet) of air space per child under 10 years of age.
Sec. 5.01.08: Window Openings
(a) Every room intended for any use, not otherwise
provided with air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation system as
herein provided in this Code, shall be provided with a window or
windows whose total area of openings shall be at least 1/10th the floor
area of the room, and such shall open directly to a court, yard, public
way or alley, or water course.
Sec. 5.01.09: Mezzanine Floor
(a) A Mezzanine floor is a partial, intermediate
floor in any storey or room of a building having an area not more than
one-half of the area of the room or space in which it is constructed.
(b) A mezzanine floor shall be constructed with a
clear ceiling height of not less than 1.90 meters (6 feet, 4 inches)
above and below.
Sec. 5.01.10: Vent Shafts.
(a) Size. Vent shafts shall have a cross-sectional
area of not less than 1/10th of a square meter for every meter of
height of shafts (1 square foot per 10 feet) but not less than 1.00
square meter (10.7 square feet) in any case. No such shaft shall be
less than 60 centimeters (2 feet) in its least dimension.
(b) Skylights. Unless open to the outer air at the
top for its full area, such shaft shall be covered by a skylight having
a net area of fixed louver openings equal to the maximum required shaft
area.
(c) Air Ducts. Air ducts shall be connected a street
or court by a horizontal duct or intake at a point below the lowest
window opening on such shaft. Such duct or intake shall have a minimum
unobstructed cross-sectional area of not less than 0.30 square meter
(3.2 square feet) with a minimum dimension of 30 centimeters (1 foot).
The opening to the duct or intake shall not be less than 30 centimeters
(1 foot) above the bottom of the shaft and the street surface or
bathroom of court, at the respective ends of the conduct or intake.
Sec. 5.01.11: Ventilating Skylights
(a) Skylights. Skylights shall have a glass area not
less than that required for the window they replace. They shall be
equipped with movable sashes or louvers of an aggregate net area not
less than that required for openable parts in the window they replace
or with approved ventilation of equal efficiency.
(b) Ventilation. Rooms containing industrial heating
equipment shall be provided with adequate artificial means of
ventilation to prevent excessive accumulation of hot or polluted air.
Sec. 5.01.12: Artificial Ventilation
(a) General. When artificial ventilation is required,
the equipment shall be designed and constructed to meet the following
requirements in air changes.
(1) Business and Workrooms
(1.1) For rooms wholly above grade occupied for
office, clerical or administrative purposes, or as stores, sales,
rooms, restaurants, markets, factories, workshops, or machinery rooms,
not less than three changes of air per hour shall be provided.
(1.2) For rooms wholly above grade, occupied as
bakeries, hotel or restaurant kitchen, laundries other than accessory
to dwellings, and boiler rooms, of not less than ten changes or air per
hour shall be provided.
(2) Rooms in Public and Institutional Buildings
(2.1) For auditoriums and other rooms used for
assembly purposes, not less than 0.85 cubic meter (30 cubic feet) of
air per minute shall be supplied for each person for whom seating or
other accommodation is provided.
(2.2) For wards and dormitories of institutional
buildings, not less than 0.85 cubic meter (30 cubic feet) of air per
minute shall be supplied for each person accommodated.
CHAPTER 5.02 — SANITATION
Sec. 5.02.01: General
(a) All buildings hereafter erected for human
habitation should be provided with plumbing facilities installed in
conformity with the National Plumbing Code adopted and promulgated by
the National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines pursuant to
Republic Act 1378, otherwise known as the "Plumbing Law".
TITLE 6 — REGULATIONS FOR USE OF
PUBLIC PROPERTY
CHAPTER 6.01 — BUILDING PROJECTION OVER PUBLIC STREETS
Sec. 6.01.01: General
(a) No part of any building structure or any of its
appendages shall project beyond the property line of the building site,
except as provided in this Code.
(b) The projection of any structure of appendage over
a public property shall be the distance measured horizontally from the
property line to the outermost point of the projection.
Sec. 6.01.02: Projection into Alleys and Streets
(a) No part of any structure or its appendage shall
project into any alley or street except as provided in this Code.
(b) No projection shall be allows on any national
roads or public highway.
(c) Footing located at least 2.40 meters (8 feet)
below grade may project not more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) beyond
the property line.
(d) Foundation may be permitted to encroach into
public sidewalk areas to a width not exceeding 50 centimeters (1 foot,
8 inches): provided, that the top of the said foundations or footings
does not reach beyond the level of a plane 60 centimeters (2 feet)
below the established grade; and Provided, further, that said
projection does not obstruct any existing utility such as power,
communication, gas, water, or sewer lines, unless the owner concerned
shall pay the corresponding entities for the re-routing of the parts
affected.
Sec. 6.01.03: Projection of Balconies and
Appendages Over Streets
(a) The extent of any projection over an affected
alley or street shall be uniform within a block and shall conform to
the limitations set forth in Table 6.01-A: Projection of balconies and
Appendages (Annex B).
(b) The clearance between the established grade of
the street or sidewalk and the undersurface of the balcony shall be not
less than 3.00 meters (10 feet).
Sec. 6.01.04: Arcades
(a) Arcades shall be constructed on sidewalks when
required by local ordinances. The with of the arcade and its height
over affected sidewalks shall be uniform within a block: provided,
that, in no case, shall an arcade be less than 3.00 meters (10 feet)
above the establishment sidewalk grade of the established street.
(a) General. For the purpose of this Section , a
marquee shall include by any object or decoration attached thereto.
(b) Projection and Clearance. The horizontal
clearance between the outmost edge of the marquee and the curb line
shall be not less than 30 centimeters (1 foot). The vertical clearance
between the payment or grounds line and the undersurface of the marquee
shall be not less than 2.70 meters (9 feet).
(c) Construction. A Marquee shall be constructed of
incombustible material or materials of not less than one-hour
fire-resistive construction.t shall provided with the necessary
drainage facility.
(d) Location Prohibited. Every marquee shall be so
located as not to interfere with the operation of any exterior
standpipe connection or to obstruct the clear passage from stairways or
exists from the building or the installation or maintenance of
electroliers.
Sec. 6.01.06: Movable Awnings or Hoods
(a) Definition. An awning is a movable shelter
supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building and of a type
which can be retracted, folded, or collapsed against the face of a
supporting building.
(b) Clearance. The horizontal clearance between the
awning and the curb line shall be not less than 30 centimeters (1
foot). The vertical clearance between the undermost surface of the
awning and the payment or ground line shall be not less than 2.40
meters (8 feet). Collapsible awnings shall be so designed that they
shall not block required when collapsed.
Sec. 6.01.07: Doors
(a) Doors either sully opened or when opening, shall
not projects beyond the property line.
Sec. 6.01.08: Corner Buildings with Chaflans
(a) Every corner building on a public street or alley
less than 30.60 meters (12 feet) in width shall be made with a chaflan
or truncated angle at the corner. The face of the triangle so formed
shall be at right angles to the bisector of the angle of intersection
of the street lines; provided, that, in no case, shall the length of
the chaflan be less than 4.00 meters (13 feet, 4 inches).n special
cases, the Building Official shall determine the size and form of the
chaflan.
(b) If the buildings is arcaded, no chaflan is
required notwithstanding the width of the
public street or alleys less than 12.00 meters (39 feet, 4 inches).
CHAPTER 6.02 — PROTECTION OR
PEDESTRIANS DURING CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION
Sec. 6.02.01: General
(a) No person shall use or occupy a street, alley, or
public sidewalk for the performance or work under a building permit
except in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
(b) No person shall perform any work on any work on
any building or structure adjacent to a public way in general use by
the public for pedestrian travel, unless the pedestrians are protected
as specified in this Chapter.
(c) Any material or structure temporarily occupying
public property, including fences, canopies, and walkways, shall be
adequately lighted between sunset and sunrise.
Sec. 6.02.02: Temporary Use of Streets and Alleys
(a) The use of public property shall meet legal
requirements and subject to permit to be issued officially by the
Building Official.
Sec. 6.02.03: Storage on Public Property
(a) Materials and equipment necessary for work to be
done under a permit shall not be placed or stored on public property so
as to obstruct free and convenient approach to and use of any fire
hydrant, fire or police alarm box, utility box, catch basin, or manhole
or so as not to interfere with any drainage of any street or alley
gutter.
Sec. 6.02.04: Mixing Mortar on Public Property
(a) The mixing or handling of mortar, concrete, or
similar materials on public street shall not be allowed except when the
same are to be used on such streets or any portion thereof such as
curbs, gutters, manholes, sidewalks, culverts and the like.
Sec. 6.02.05: Protection of Utilities
(a) All public or private utilities above or below
the ground shall be protected from any damages by any work being done
under the permit. This protection shall be maintained while such work
is being done and shall not obstruct the normal functioning of any such
utility.
Sec. 6.02.06: Walkway
(a) A temporary walkway not less than 1.20 meters (4
feet) wide shall be provided in lieu of the sidewalk, or in case there
is none, in front of the building site during construction or
demolition unless the Building Official authorizes the sidewalk to be
fenced and closed. Adequate signs and railings shall be provided to
direct pedestrian traffic.
(b) The walkway shall be capable of supporting a
uniform live load of 633 kilograms per square meter (150 pounds per
square foot). a durable wearing surface shall be provided throughout
the construction period.
Sec. 6.02.07: Pedestrian Protection
(a) Protection Required. Pedestrian traffic shall be
protected by a railing on the street side when the walkway extends into
the roadway, by a railing when adjacent to excavations, and by such
other appropriate portion such as set forth in Table 6.02-A: Type of
Protection Required for Pedestrian (Annex B).
(b) Railings. Railings shall be built substantially
and should be at least 1.00 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) in height.
(c) Fence. Fences shall be built of an approved
material, not less than 2.40 meters (8 feet) in height above grade, and
to be placed on the side of the walkway nearest to the building site.
Fences shall enclose entirely the building site. Openings in such
fences shall be provided with doors which shall be kept closed at all
times.
(d) Canopies. The protective canopy shall have a
clear height of 2.40 meters (8 feet) above the walkway, and shall be
constructed structurally safe. Every canopy shall have a solid fence
built along its entire length on the construction side.f materials are
stored or work is done on top of the canopy, the edge along the street
shall be adopted by a tight curb board not less than 30 centimeters (1
foot) high and a railing not less than 1.00 meters (3 feet, 3 inches)
high shall be provided. The entire structure shall be designed to carry
the loads imposed upon it: provided, that the live load shall be not
less than 633 kilograms per square meter (150 pounds per square foot).
Sec. 6.02.08: Maintenance and Removal of
Protection Devices
(a) Maintenance. Such protection devices shall be
properly maintained in place and kept in good order for the entire
length of time pedestrians may be endangered.
(b) Removal. Every protection fence or canopy shall
be removed within 30 days after such protection is no longer required.
Sec. 6.02.09: Demolition
(a) The work of demolishing any building shall not be
commenced until the required pedestrian protection structures are in
place.
(b) The Building Official require the permittee to
submit plans and complete schedule for demolition. Where such required,
no work shall be done until such plans and/or schedule are approved by
the Building Official.
TITLE 7 — ENGINEERING
REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 7.01 — GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 7.01.01: Scope
(a) The design and construction of all buildings and
structures shall be in compliance with the provisions of the National
Structural Code for Buildings, latest edition, adopted and promulgated
by the Board of examiners of civil engineers pursuant to Republic Act
Numbered 544, as amended, otherwise known as the "Civil Engineering
Law".
TITLE 8 — DETAILED REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 8.01 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 8.01.01: General
(a) Buildings proposed for construction shall comply
with all the regulations and specifications herein set forth governing
quality, characteristics and properties of materials, methods of design
and construction, type of occupancy, and classification of
construction.
Sec. 8.01.02: Excavations, Foundations, and
Retaining Walls
(a) General. Subject to the provisions of Articles
684 to 686 of the Civil Code of the Philippines on lateral and
subjacent support, the quality of materials and design used
structurally in excavations, footings and shall conform to the
internationally recognized and accepted principles of engineering.
(b) Excavation or Fills
(1) Excavation or fills for any building structure
and excavations or fills accessory thereto shall be so constructed or
protected that they do not endanger life and property.
(2) Whenever or wherever the depth of any excavation
for a new construction is such that the lateral and subjacent support
of the adjoining property or existing structure thereon would be
affected in a manner that the stability of safety of the same is in
endanger, the person undertaking or causing the excavation to be
undertaking or causing the excavation to be undertaken shall be
responsible for the expense of underpinning or extending the foundation
or footings of the aforementioned property or structure only when such
underpinning is necessary for the safety of the same during excavation.
(3) Excavations and other similar disturbances made
on public property caused by public utilities shall be repaired
immediately and returned to its former condition within 48 years from
the start of such excavations and disturbances by the public utility
franchise owner and the duly constituted officials thereof. Adequate
signs and safeguards shall be installed around and near the excavation
to protect the public from any danger of falling into the excavation.
Repeated and flagrant violations of this Section shall be the basis of
revocation of any public utility franchise. This provision shall not
exempt the franchise owner and the duly constituted officials thereof
from any criminal or civil liabilities arising from such excavations
and disturbances to third persons.
(c) Footings and 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 condition to
external forces that may affect the safety or stability of the
structure.t shall be the responsibility of the architect and/or
engineer to adopt the type and design of the same in accordance with
generally accepted principles and standards of engineering.
(2) Whenever or wherever there exists in the site of
the construction on abrupt change in the ground levels or levels of the
foundation such that instability of the soil could result, retaining
walls shall be provided and such shall be of adequate design and type
of construction in accordance with generally accepted standards and
principles of engineering.
Sec. 8.01.03: Veneer
(a) Definition. Veneer is a nonstructural facing of
brick, concrete, stone, tile, metal, plastic, glass, or other similar
approved materials attached to a backing or structural components of
the building for the purpose of ornamentation, protection, or enclosure
that may be adhered, integrated, or anchored either on the exterior or
interior of the building or structure.
(b) Design Requirements. The design of all veneer
shall comply with the following:
(1) Veneer shall support no load other than its own
weight and the vertical dead load of veneer above.
(2) Surfaces to which veneer is attached shall be
designed to support the additional vertical and lateral loads imposed
by the veneer.
(3) Consideration shall be given for differential
movement of supports including that caused by temperature changes,
shrinkage, creep, and deflection.
(4) Adhered veneer and its backing shall be designed
to have a bond to the supporting elements sufficient to withstand
shearing stresses due to their weights including seismic effects on the
total assemblage.
(5) Anchored veneer and its attachments shall be
designed to resist external forces equal to twice the weight of the
veneer.
(6) Anchors, supports, and veneers shall be
incombustible corrosion-resistant.
(c) Construction. The person undertaking a causing a
construction to be undertaken shall observe, to the satisfaction of the
Building Official, internationally recognized and accepted principles
governing dimensions of units, weights of materials, methods of
construction, attachment or anchorage, bonding or anchorage, bonding or
adhesion, structural adequacy and type and rigidity of backing, and
considerations for differential movements of supports including that
caused by temperature changes, shrinkage, creep, and deflection.
Sec. 8.01.04: Enclosure of Vertical Openings
(a) General. Vertical openings be enclosed depending
upon the fire-resistive requirements of a particular type of
construction as set forth in this Code.
(b) Elevator Enclosures. Walls and partitions
enclosing elevators and escalators shall be not less than the
fire-resistive construction required under the Types of Construction.
Enclosing walls of elevators shafts may consist of wire glass set in
metal frames on the entrance side only. Elevator shafts extending
through more than two storeys shall be equipped with an approved means
of adequate ventilation to and through the main roof of the building:
provided, that in buildings housing Groups G and F Occupancies equipped
with automatic fire-extinguishing systems throughout, enclosures shall
not be required to escalators: provided, further, that the top of the
escalator opening at each storey shall be provided with a draft
curtain. Such draft curtain shall enclose the perimeter of the
unenclosed opening and shall extend from the ceiling downward at least
30 centimeters (12 inches) on all sides. Automatic sprinklers shall be
provided around the perimeter of the opening and within 60 centimeters
(2 feet) of the draft curtain. The distance between the sprinklers
shall not exceed 1.80 meters (6 feet) center-to-center.
(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.n other than Group A Occupancies rubbish and linen chutes shall
terminate in rooms separated from the remainder of the bidding by a
One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation. Openings into the chutes
shall not be located in required exit corridors or stairways.
(d) Air Ducts. Air ducts passing through a floor
shall be enclosed in a shaft. The shaft shall be as required in this
Code for vertical openings. Dampers shall be installed where ducts
pierce the shaft enclosure walls. Air ducts in Group A Occupancies need
not be enclosed in a shaft if conforming to the mechanical provisions
of this Code.
Sec. 8.01.05: Floor Construction
(a) Floor construction shall be of materials and
construction as specified under Title 2 on Fired Zones and
Fire-Resistive Standards and under Title 4 on Types of Construction.
(b) All floors shall be so framed and tied into the
framework and supporting walls as to form an integral part of the whole
building.
(c) The types of floor construction used shall
provide means to keep the beams and girders from spreading by
installing either ties or bridging, with no laterally unsupported
length of joints being permitted to exceed 2.40 meters (8 feet) except
as otherwise specified in this Code.
Sec. 8.01.06: Roof Construction ad Covering
(a) Roof Coverings. Roof coverings for all buildings
shall be either fire-retardant or ordinary depending upon the
fire-resistive requirements of the particular Type of Construction. The
use of combustible roof insulation shall be permitted in all Types of
Construction provided it is covered with approved roof covering applied
directly thereto.
(b) Roof Trusses. All roofs shall be so framed and
tied into the framework and supporting walls so as to form an integral
part of the whole building. Roof trusses shall have all joints well
fitted and shall have all tension members well tightened before any
load is placed on the truss. Diagonal and sway bracing shall be used to
brace all roof trusses. The allowable working stresses of materials in
trusses shall conform to this Code. The minimum net section of the
members after framing shall be used in determining the strength on the
truss at any point.
(c) Attics
(1) Access. An attic access opening shall be provided
in the ceiling of the top floor of buildings with combustible ceiling
or roof construction. The opening shall be located in a corridor or
hallway of buildings or three or more storeys in height, and readily
accessible in buildings of any height. The opening be not less than 55
centimeters by 75 centimeters (22 inches by 30 inches). Seventy-five
centimeters (30 inches) minimum clear headroom shall be provided above
the access opening. Attics with a maximum vertical clear height of less
than 75 centimeters (30 inches) need not be provided with access
openings.
(2) Area Separations. Enclosed attics spaces formed
of combustible construction shall be divided into horizontal areas not
exceeding 230 square meters (2500 square feet) by partitions extending
from the ceiling to the roof. Such partitions shall be not less than 13
millimeters (1/2 inch) thick gypsum wallboard, or 2.5 centimeters (1
inch) nominal thickness tight-fitting wood, 10 millimeters (3/28 inch)
thick plywood or approved incombustible materials adequately supported.
Openings in the partitions shall be protected by self-closing doors
constructed as required for the partitions: Except, that where the
entire attic is equipped with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing
system, the attic space may be divided into areas not to exceed 700
square meters (7500 square feet).
(3) Draft Stops. Regardless of the Type of
Construction, draft stops shall be installed in trussed roofs, between
roof and bottom chord of trusses, in all buildings exceeding 1900
square meters (20,000 square feet). Draft stops shall be constructed as
for attic area separations, and in accordance with Type of
Construction.
(4) Ventilation. Enclosed attics and enclosed rafter
spaces formed where ceilings are applied direct to the underside of
roof rafters, shall have cross ventilation for each separate space by
ventilating and openings protected against the entrance of rain. The
net free ventilating area shall be not less than 1/150ths of the area
of the space ventilated, except that the area may be 1/300ths this
provided by ventilators located in the upper portion of the space to be
ventilated at least 90 centimeters (3 feet) above eave or cornice vents
with the balance of the required ventilation provide by eave or cornice
vents.
(d) Roof Drainage. Roofs systems not designed to
support accumulated water shall be sloped for drainage.
(1) Roof Drains. Unless roofs are sloped to drain
over roof edges or are designed to support accumulated water, roof
drains shall be installed at each low point of the roof. Roof drains
shall be adequate in size to convey the water tributary to the roof
drains.
(2) Overflow Drains and Scuppers. Where roof drains
are required, overflow drains having the same size as the roof drains
shall be installed with the inlet flow line located 5 centimeters (2
inches) above the low point of the roof, or overflow scuppers having
three times the size of the roof drains may be installed in adjacent
parapet walls with the inlet flow line 5 centimeters (2 inches) above
the low the point of the adjacent roof and having minimum opening
height of 10 centimeters (4 inches). Overflow drains shall be connected
to drain lines independent from the roof drains.
(3) Concealed Piping. Roof drainage overflow drains,
when concealed within the construction of the building, shall be
installed.
(4) Over Public Property. Roof drainage water from a
building shall not be permitted to flow over public property, except
for Groups A and J Occupancies.
(e) Flashing. At the juncture of the roof and
vertical surface, flashing and counterflashing shall be provided.
Sec. 8.01.07: Stairs, Exits, and Occupant Loads
(a) General. The construction of stairs, exits, and
occupant loads shall conform to requirements for occupants of
buildings, reviewing stands, bleachers, and grandstands.
(1) Determination of Occupant Loads. The occupant
load permitted in any building or portion thereof shall be determined
by dividing the floor area assigned to that use by the square meters or
square feet per occupant according generally accepted principles of
engineering. The capacity of a building containing mixed occupancies
shall be determined by adding the number of occupants of the various
parts of the building classified as to Occupancy and Type of
Construction.
(2) Exit Requirements. Exit requirements of a
building or portion thereof used for different purposes shall be
determined by the occupant load which gives the largest number of
persons. No obstruction shall be placed the required width of an exit
except projections permitted by this code.
(3) Posting of Room Capacity. Any room having an
occupant load of more than 50 where fixed seats are not installed, and
which is used for classroom, assembly, or similar purpose, shall have
the capacity of the room posted in a conspicuous place near the main
exit from the room. Approved signs shall be maintained in a legible
manner by the owner or his authorized agent, and shall indicate the
number of occupants permitted for each room use.
(4) Changes in Elevation. Except in Group A
Occupancies, changes in elevation of not less than 30 centimeters (12
inches) along any exit serving a tributary occupant load of 10 or more
shall be by means of ramps.
(b) Exits Required
(1) Number of Exits. Every building or usable portion
thereof shall have at least one exit.n all occupancies, floors above
the first storey having an occupant load of more than 10 shall have not
less than two exits. Each mezzanine used for other than storage
purposes, if greater in area than 185 square meters (2000 square feet),
or if more than 18.00 meters (60 feet) in any dimension shall have not
less than two stairways to an adjacent floor. Every storey or portion
thereof, having an occupant load of 500 to 999 shall have not less than
three exits. Every storey or portions thereof, having an occupant load
of 1000 or more shall have not less than four exits. The number of
exits required from any storey of a building shall be determined by
using the occupant loads of floors which exit through the level under
consideration as follows: 50 per cent of the occupant load in the first
adjacent storey above (and the first adjacent storey below, when a
storey below exits through the level under consideration) and 25 per
cent of the occupant load in the storey immediately beyond the first
adjacent storey. The maximum number of exits required for any storey
shall be maintained until egress is provided from the structure. For
purposes of this Section , basements or cellars and occupied roofs shall
be provided with exits as required for storeys. Floors above the second
storey, basements, and cellars used for other than service of the
building shall have not less than two exits.
(2) Width. The Total width of exists in meters shall
be not less than the total occupant load served divided by 165 (in
feet, by 50). Such width of exits shall be divided approximately
equally among the separate exits. The total exit width required from
any storey of a building shall be determined by using the occupant load
of that storey, plus the percentage of the occupant loads of floors
which exit through the level under considerations as follows: 50 per
cent of the occupant load in the first adjacent storey above (and the
first adjacent storey below when a storey below exits through the level
under consideration) and 25 per cent of the occupant load in the storey
immediately beyond the first adjacent storey. The maximum exit width
required from any storey of a building shall be maintained.
(3) Arrangement of Exits.f only two exits are
required they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than
one-fifth of the perimeter of the area served measured in a straight
line between exits. Where three or more exits are required they shall
be arranged a reasonable distance apart so that if one becomes blocked
others will be available.
(4) Distance to Exits. No point in an unsprinkled
building shall be more than 45.00 meters (150 feet) from an exterior
exit door, a horizontal exit, exit passageway, or an enclosed stairway,
measured along the line of travel.n building equipped with a complete
automatic fire-extinguishing system the distance from exits may be
increased to 60.00 meters (200 feet).
(c) Doors. The provisions herein shall apply to every
exit door serving an area having an occupant load more than 10, or
serving hazardous rooms or areas.
(1) Swing. Exit doors shall swing in the direction of
exit travel when serving any hazardous areas or when serving an
occupant load of 50 or more. Double acting doors shall not be used as a
part of fire assembly, nor equipped with panic hardware. A double
acting door shall be provided with a view panel of not less than 1300
square centimeters (200 square inches).
(2) Type of Lock or Latch. Exit door shall be
openable from the inside without the use of a key or any special
knowledge or effort: Except, that this requirement shall not apply to
exterior exit doors in a Group E or F Occupancy if there is a
conspicuous, readily visible and durable sign on or adjacent to the
door, stating that the door is to remain unlocked during business
hours. The locking device must be of a type that will be readily
distinguishable as locked. Flush bolts or surface bolts are prohibited.
(3) Width and Height. Every required exit doorway
shall be of a size as to permit the installation of a door not less
than 90 centimeters (3 feet) in width and not less than 2.00 meters (6
feet, 7 inches) in height. When installed in exit doorways, exits doors
shall be capable of opening at least 90 degrees and shall be so mounted
that the clear width of the exitway is not less than 70 centimeters (2
feet, 4 inches).n computing the required exit width, the net dimension
of the exitway shall be used.
(4) Door Leaf Width. No leaf an exit door shall
exceed 1.20 meters (4 feet) in width.
(5) Special Doors. Revolving, sliding, and overhead
doors shall not be used as required exits.
(6) Egress from Door. Every required exit door shall
give immediate access to an approved means of egress from the building.
(7) Change in Floor Level at Doors. Regardless of the
occupant load, there shall be a floor or landing on each side of and
exit door. The floor or landing shall be level with, or not more than 5
centimeters (2 inches) lower than the threshold of the doorway: Except,
that in Groups A and B Occupies, a door may open on the top step of a
flight of stairs or an exterior landing providing the door does not
swing over the top step or exterior landing and the landing is not more
than 19 centimeters (7-1/2 inches) below the floor level.
(8) Door Identification. Glass doors shall conform to
the requirements specified in Section 10.05.05. Other exit doors shall
be so marked that they are readily distinguishable from the adjacent
construction.
(9) Additional Doors. When additional doors are
provided for egress purposes, they shall conform to all provisions in
the following cases: Approved revolving door having leaves which will
collapse under opposing pressures may be used in exit situations:
provided, that such doors have a minimum width of 2.00 meters (6 feet,
7 inches); or they are not used in occupancies where exits are required
to be equipped with panic hardware; or at least one conforming exit
door is located adjacent to each revolving door installed in a
building, and the revolving door shall not be considered to provide any
exit width.
(d) Corridors and Exterior Exit Balconies. The
provisions herein shall apply to every corridor and exterior exit
balcony serving as required exit for an occupant load of more than 10
(1) Width. Every corridor or exterior exit balcony
shall be not less in which 1.12 meters (3 feet, 8 inches).
(2) Projections. The required width of corridors and
exterior exit balconies shall be unobstructed: Except, that trim,
handrails, and doors when fully opened shall not reduce the required
width by more than 18 centimeters (7 inches). Doors in any position
shall not reduce the required width by more than one-half.
(3) Access to Exits. When more than one exit is
required, they shall be so arranged to allow going to either direction
from any point in the corridor or exterior exit balcony to a separate
exit, except for dead ends permitted.
(4) Dead Ends. Corridors and exterior exit balconies
with dead ends are permitted when the dead ends does not exceed 6.00
meters (20 feet) in length.
(5) Construction. Walls and ceilings of corridors
shall be not less than one hour fire-resistive construction: Except,
that this requirement shall not apply to exterior exit balcony
railings, corridors of a one-storey building housing a Group E or F
Occupancy occupied by one tenant only and which serves an occupant load
of 30 less, nor to corridors, formed by temporary partitions. Exterior
exit balconies cannot project into an area where protected openings are
required.
(6) Openings. Where corridor walls are required to be
one-hour fire-resistive construction every interior door opening shall
be protected as set forth in generally recognized and accepted
requirements for dual purpose fire exit doors. Other interior openings,
except ventilation louvers equipped with approved automatic fire
shutters shall be 6.3 millimeters (1/4 inch) fixed wire glass set in
steel frames. The total area of all openings other than doors, in any
portion of an interior corridor wall shall not exceed 25 per cent of
the area of the corridor wall of the room which it is separating from
the corridor.
(c) Stairways. Every stairway serving any building or
portion thereof shall conform to the following requirements of this
Code except stairs or ladders used only to attend equipment.
(1) Width. Stairways serving an occupant load of more
than 50 shall be not less in width than 1.12 meters (3 feet, 8 inches).
Stairways serving an occupant load of 50 less may be 90 centimeters (3
feet) wide. Private stairways serving an occupant load less than 10 may
be 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) wide. Trim and handrails shall not
reduce the required width may more than 9 centimeters (3-1/2 inches).
(2) Rise and Run. The rise of every step in a
stairway shall not exceed 19 centimeters (7-1/2 inches) and the run
shall not be less than 25 centimeters (10 inches). Except as provided
under paragraph (d) the maximum variations in the height of risers and
the width of treads in any one flight shall be 5 millimeters (3-1/2
inch): Except, that in private stairways serving an occupant load of
less than 10, the rise may be 20 centimeters (8 inches) and run may be
23 centimeters (9 inches).
(3) Winding Stairway.n Group A Occupancies and in
private stairways in Group B Occupancies, winders may be used if the
required width of run is provided at a point not more than 30
centimeters (12 inches) from the side of the stairway where the treads
are the narrower, but in no case shall any width of run be less than 15
centimeters (6 inches) at any point.
(4) Circular Stairways. Circular stairs may be used
as an exit provided the minimum width of run is not less than 25
centimeters (10 inches). All treads in any one flight between landing
shall have identical dimensions within a 5-millimeters (3/16-inch)
tolerance.
(5) Landings. Every landing shall have a dimension
measured in the direction of travel equal to the width of the stairway.
Such dimension need not exceed 1.20 meters (4 feet) when the stair has
a straight run. Landings, when provided shall not be reduced in width
by more than 9.3 centimeters (3-1/2 inches) by a door when fully open.
(6) Basement Stairways. Where a basement stairway and
stairway to an upper storey terminate in the same exit enclosure, an
approved barrier shall be provided to prevent persons from continuing
on into the basement. Directional exit signs shall be provided as
specified in this Code.
(7) Distance Between Landings. There shall be not
more than 3.65 meters (12 feet) vertically between landings.
(8) Handrails. Stairways shall have handrails on each
side, and every stairway required to be more than 3.00 meters (9 feet)
in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate handrail
for each 3.00 meters (9 feet of required width.ntermediate handrails
shall be spaced approximately equal within the entire width of the
stairway. Handrails shall be placed not less than 75 centimeters (2
feet, 6 inches) nor more than 85 centimeters (2 feet, 10 inches) above
the nosing of threads, and ends of handrails shall be returned or shall
terminate in newel posts or safety terminals: Except, in the following
cases: Stairways 1.12 meters (3 feet, 8 inches or less in width and
stairway serving one individual dwelling unit in Group A or B
Occupancies may have one handrails, except that such stairway open on
one or both sides shall have handrails provided on the open side or
sides; or stairways having less four than four risers need not have
handrails.
(9) Exterior Stairway Protection. All openings in the
exterior wall below or within 3.00 meters (10 feet), measured
horizontally, of an exterior exit stairway serving a building over two
storeys in height shall be protected by a self-closing fire assembly
having a three-fourths-hour fire-resistive rating: Except, that
openings may be unprotected when two separated exterior stairways serve
an exterior exit balcony.
(10) Stairway Construction-Interior.nterior stairways
shall be constructed as specified in this Code. Where there is enclosed
usable space shall be protected on the enclosed side as required for
one-hour fire-resistive construction.
(11) Stairway Construction-Exterior. Exterior
stairways shall be of incombustible material: Except, that on Type III
buildings which do not exceed two storeys in height, and are located in
less fire-resistive Fire Zones, as well as on Type I buildings, these
may be of wood not less than 5 centimeters (2 inches) in nominal
thickness. Exterior stairs shall be protected as required for exterior
walls due to location on property as specified in this Code. Exterior
stairways shall not project into an area where openings are required to
be protected. Where there is enclosed usable space under stairs the
walls and soffits of the enclosed space shall be protected on the
enclosed side as required for one-hour fire-resistive construction.
(12) Stairway to Roof .n every building more than two
storeys in height, one stairway shall extend to the roof surface,
unless the roof has a slope greater than 1 in 3.
(13) Headroom. Every required stairway shall have a
headroom clearance of not less than 2.00 meters (6 feet, 8 inches).
Such clearance shall be established by measuring vertically from a
plane parallel and tangent to the stairway tread nosing to the soft
above all points.
(f) Ramps. A ramp conforming to the requirements of
this Code may be used as an exit. The width of ramps shall be as
required for corridors.
(g) Horizontal Exit.f conforming to the provisions
of this Code, a horizontal exit may be required exit. All openings in a
separation wall shall be protected by a fire assembly having a
fire-resistive rating of not less than one hour. A horizontal exit
shall lead into a floor area having capacity for an occupant load not
less than the occupant load served by such exit. The capacity shall be
determined by allowing 0.28 square meter (3 square feet) of net clear
floor area per ambulatory occupant and 1.86 square meters (20 square
feet) per non-ambulatory occupant. The dispersal area into which the
horizontal exit leads shall be provided with exits as required by this
Code.
(h) Exit Enclosures. Every interior stairway, ramp,
or escalator shall be enclosed as specified in this Code: Except, that
in other than Group D Occupancies, an enclosure will not be required
for a stairway, ramp, or escalator serving only one adjacent floor and
connected with corridors or stairways serving other floors. Stairs in
Group A Occupancies need not be enclosed.
(1) Enclosure walls shall be of not less than
two-hour fire-resistive construction elsewhere. There shall be no
openings into exit enclosures except exit doorways and openings in
exterior walls. All exit doors in an exit enclosure shall appropriately
be protected.
(2) Stairway and ramp enclosures shall include
landings and parts of floors connecting stairway flights and shall also
include a corridor on the ground floor leading from the stairway to the
exterior of the building. Enclosed corridors or passageways are not
required from unenclosed stairways.
(3) A stairway in an exit enclosure shall not
continue below the grade level exit unless an approved barrier is
provided at the ground floor level to prevent persons from accidentally
continuing into the basement.
(4) There shall be no enclosed usable space under
stairways in an exit enclosure, nor shall the open space under such
stairways be used for any purpose.
(i) Smokeproof Enclosures. A smoke enclosure shall
consist of a continuous stairway enclosed from the highest point top
the lowest point by walls of two-hour fire-resistive construction.n
buildings five storeys or more in height, one of the required exits
shall be smokeproof enclosure.
(1) Stairs in smokeproof enclosures shall be of
incombustible construction.
(2) There shall be no openings in smokeproof
enclosure, except exit doorways and openings in exterior walls. There
shall be no openings directly into the interior of the building. Access
shall be through a vestibule with one wall at 50 per cent open to the
exterior and having an exit door from the interior of the building and
an exit door leading to the smokeproof enclosure.n lieu of a vestibule,
access may be by way of an open exterior balcony of incombustible
materials.
(3) The opening from the building to the vestibule or
balcony shall be protected with a self-closing fire assembly having
one-hour fire-resistive rating. The opening from the vestibule or
balcony to the stair tower shall be protected a self-closing fire
assembly having a one-hour fire-resistive rating.
(4) A smokeproof of enclosure shall exit into a
public way or into an exit passageway leading to a public way. The exit
passageway shall be without other openings and shall have walls,
floors, and ceilings of two-hour exit resistance.
(5) A stairway in a smokeproof enclosure shall not
continue below the grade level exit unless an approved barrier is
provided at the ground floor level to prevent persons from accidentally
continuing into the basement.
(j) Exit Outlets, Courts, and Passageways. Every exit
shall discharge into a public way, exit court, or exit passageway.
Every exit court shall discharge into a public way or exit passageway.
Passageways shall be without openings other than required exits and
shall have walls, floors, and ceilings of the building but shall be not
less than one-hour fire-resistive construction.
(1) Width. Every exit court and exit passageway shall
be at least as wide as the required total width of the tributary exits,
such as required width being based on the occupant load served. The
required width of exit courts or exit passageways shall be unobstructed
except as permitted in corridors. At any point where the width of an
exit court is reduced from any cause, the reduction in width shall be
affected gradually by a guardrail at least 90 centimeters (3 feet) in
height. The guardrail shall make an angle of not more than 30 degrees
with the exit court.
(2) Slope. The slope of exit courts shall not exceed
1 in 10. The slope of exit passageways shall not exceed 1 in 8.
(3) Number of Exits. Every exit court shall be
provided with exits as required by this Code.
(4) Openings. All openings into an exit court less
than 3.00 meters (10 feet) wide shall be protected by fire assemblies
having a three-fourths-hour fire resistive rating: Except, that
openings more than 3.00 meters (10 feet) above the floor of the exit
court may be unprotected.
(k) Exit Signs and Illumination. Exits shall be
illuminated at any time the building is occupied with light having an
intensity of not less than one-foot candle at floor level: Except, that
for Group A Occupancies the exit illumination shall be provided with
separate circuits or separated sources of power (but not necessarily
separate from exit signs) when these are required for exit sign
illumination.
(l) Aisles. Every portion of every building in which
are installed seats, tables, merchandise, equipment, or similar
materials shall be provided with aisles leading to an exit.
(1) Width. Every aisle shall be not less than 90
centimeters (3 feet) wide if serving only one side, and not less than
1.07 meters (3 feet, 6 inches) wide if serving both sides. Such minimum
width shall be measured at the point farthest from an exit, cross
aisles, or foyer and shall be increased by 4 centimeters (1 ½
inches) for each 1.50 meters (5 feet) in length toward the exit, cross
aisle, or foyer. With continental spacing, side aisle shall be not less
than 1.12 meters (3 feet, 8 inches) in width.
(2) Exit Distance.n area occupied by seats and in
Group H and I Occupancies without seats, the line of travel to an exit
door by an aisle shall not be not more than 46.00 meters (150 feet).
With standard spacing, as specified in this Code, aisles shall be so
located that there will be not more than six intervening seats between
any seat and the nearest aisle. With continental spacing, the number of
intervening seats may be increased to 29 where exit doors are provided
along each aisle of the row of seats at the rate of one pair of exit
doors for five rows of seats. Such exit doors shall provide a minimum
clear width of 1.75 meters (5 feet, 6 inches).
(3) Cross Aisle. Aisles shall terminate in a cross
aisle, foyer, or exit. The width of the cross aisle shall be not less
than the sum of the required width of the widest aisle plus 50 per cent
of the total required width of the remaining aisle leading thereto.n
Groups C, H, and E Occupancies, aisles shall not be provided a dead end
greater than 6.00 meters (20 feet) in length.
(4) Vomitories. Vomitories connecting the foyer or
main exit with the cross aisles shall have a total width not less than
the sum of the required width of the widest aisles leading thereto plus
50 per cent of the total required width of the remaining aisles leading
thereto.
(5) Slope. The slope portion of aisles shall not
exceed 1 in 8.
(m) Seats
(1) Seat Spacing. With standard seating the spacing
of rows of seats from back-to-back shall be not less than 84
centimeters (2 feet, 9 inches), nor shall less than 69 centimeters (2
feet, 3 inches) plus the sum of the thickness of the back and
inclination of the back. Automatic or self-rising seats shall be
measured in the seat-up position, other seats shall be measured in the
seat-down position. With continental seating, the spacing of rows of
unoccupied seats shall provide a clear width measured horizontally, as
follows: 45 centimeters (18 inches) clear for rows of 18 seats or less;
51 centimeters (20 inches) clear for rows of 35 seats or less; 51
centimeters (21 inches) clear for rows of 45 seats or less; and 56
centimeters (22 inches) clear for rows of 46 seats or more.
(2) Width. The width of any seat shall not less than
45 centimeters (1 foot, 6 inches).
(n) Special Hazards
(1) Boiler Rooms. Except in Group A Occupancies,
every boiler room and every room containing an incinerator or L-P Gas
or liquid fuel-fired equipment shall be provided with at least two
means of egress, one of which may be a ladder. All interior openings
shall be protected as set by internationally recognized and accepted
practice for dual purpose fire exit doors.
(2) Cellulose Nitrate Handling. Film laboratories,
projection rooms, and nitro-cellulose processing rooms shall have not
less than two exits.
(o) Reviewing Stands, Grandstands, and Bleachers
(1) Height of Stands. Stands employing combustible
framing shall be limited to 11 rows or 2.70 meter (9 feet) in height.
(2) Design Requirements. The minimum unit live load
for reviewing stands, grandstands, and bleachers shall be 488 kilograms
per square meter (100 pounds per square foot) of horizontal projection
for the structure as a whole. Seat and footboards shall be 178.5
kilograms per linear meter (120 pounds per linear foot). The sway
force, applied to seats, shall be 35.7 kilograms per linear meter (24
pounds per linear foot) parallel to the seats and 14.8 kilograms per
linear meter (10 pounds per linear foot) perpendicular to the seats.
Sway forces need not be applied simultaneously with other lateral
forces.
(3) Spacing of Seats
(3.1) Row Spacing. The minimum spacing of rows of
seats measured from back-to-back shall be: 55 centimeters (22 inches)
for seats without backrests in open air standards; 76 centimeters (30
inches) for seats with backrests; and 84 centimeters (33 inches) for
chair seating. There shall be a space of not less than 30 centimeters
(12 inches) between the back of each seat and front of the seat
immediately behind it.
(3.2) Rise Between Rows. The maximum rise from one
row of seats to the next shall not exceed 40 centimeters (16 inches).
(3.3) Seating Capacity. For determining the seating
capacity of a stand, the width of any seat shall be not less than 45
centimeters (18 inches) nor more than 48 centimeters (19 inches).
(3.4) Number of Seats Between Aisles. The number of
seats between any seats and an aisle shall not be greater than 15 for
open air stands with seats without backrests; 9 for open air stands
with seats having backrest in buildings, and 6 for seats with backrest
in building.
(4) Aisles
(4.1) Aisles Required. Aisles shall be provided in
all stands: Except, that aisles may be omitted when all the following
conditions exists: Seats are without backrest; the rise from row to row
does not exceed 30 centimeters (12 inches) per row; the number of rows
does not exceed 11 in height; the top seating board is not over 3.00
meters (10 feet) above grade; and first seating board is not more than
50 centimeters (20 inches) above grade.
(4.2) Obstructions. No obstruction shall be placed in
the required width of any aisle or exitway.
(4.3) Stairs Required. When an aisle is elevated more
than 20 centimeters (8 inches) above grade, the aisle shall be provided
with a stairway or ramp whose width is not less than the width of the
aisles.
(4.4) Dead End. No vertical aisle shall have a dead
and more than 16 rows in depth regardless of the number of exits
required.
(4.5) Width. Aisles shall have a minimum width of
1.07 meters (3 feet, 6 inches).
(5) Stairs and Ramps. The requirements in this Code
shall apply to all stairs and ramps except for portions that pass
through the seating area.
(5.1) Stair Rise and Run. The maximum rise of treads
shall not exceed 20 centimeters (8 inches) and the minimum width of the
run shall be 28 centimeters (11 inches). The maximum variations in the
width of treads in any one flight shall be not more than 5 millimeters
(3/16 inch) and the maximum variation in the height of two adjacent
rises shall not exceed 5 millimeters (3/16 inch).
(5.2) Ramp Slope. The slope of ramp shall be of
approved nonslip material.
(5.3) Handrails. A ramp with a slope exceeding 1 in
10 shall have handrails. Stairs for stands shall have handrails.
Handrails shall conform to the requirements of this Code.
(6) Guardrails
(6.1) Guardrails shall be required in all locations
where the top of seat plank is more than 1.20 meters (4 feet) above the
grade and at the front of stands elevated more than 60 centimeters (2
feet) above grade. Where only sections of stands are used, guardrails
shall be provided as required in this Code.
(6.2) Railings shall be 1.07 meters (3 feet, 6
inches) above the rear of a seat plank or 1.07 meters (3 feet 6 inches)
above the rear of the steps in an aisle when the guardrail is parallel
and adjacent to the aisle: Except, that the height may be reduced to 90
centimeters (3 feet) for guardrails located in front of the grandstand.
(6.3) A midrail shall be placed adjacent to any seat
to limit the open distance above the top of any part of a seat to 3.00
meters (10 feet) where the seat is at the extreme end or at the extreme
rear of the bleachers of grandstand. The intervening space shall have
one additional rail midway in the opening: Except, that railings may be
omitted when stands are placed directly against a wall or fence giving
equivalent protection; stairs and ramps shall be provided with
guardrails. Handrails at the front of stands and adjacent to an aisle
shall be designed at resist a load of 74 kilograms per linear meter (50
pounds per linear foot) applied at the top rail. Other handrails shall
be designed at resist a load of 9 kilograms (20 pounds).
(7) Footboards. Footboards shall be provided for all
rows of seats above the third row, or beginning at such point where the
seating plank is more than 60 centimeters (2 feet) above grade.
(8) Exits
(8.1) Distance to Exit. The line of travel to an exit
shall be not more than 45.00 meters (150 feet). For stands with seats
without backrests this distance may be measured by direct line from a
seat to the exit from the stand.
(8.2) Aisle Used as Exit. An aisle may be considered
as only one exit unless it is continuous at both ends to a legal
building exit or to a safe dispersal area.
(8.3) Two Exits Required. A stand with the first
seating board not more than 50 centimeters (20 inches) above grade of
floor may be considered to have two exits when the bottom of the stands
is open at both ends. Every stand or section of a stand within a
building shall have at least two means of egress when the stand
accommodates more than 50 persons. Every open air stand having seats
without backrest shall have at least two means of egress when the stand
accommodates more than 300 persons.
(8.4) Three Exits Required. Three exits shall be
required for stands within a building when there are more than 300
occupants within a stands, and for open air stands with seats without
backrests where a stand or section of a stand accommodates more than
1000 occupants.
(8.5) Four Exits Required. Four exits shall be
required when a stand or section of stand accommodates more than 1000
occupants. Except, that for an open air stand with seats without
backrest four exits need not be provided unless there are
accommodations for more than 3000 occupants.
(8.6) Width. The total width of exits in meters shall
be not less than the total occupant load served divided by 165 (by 50
in feet): Except, that for open air stands with seats without backrests
the total width of exits in meters shall be not less than the total
occupant load served divided by 500 (150 in feet) when exiting by
stairs, and divided by 650 (by 200 in feet) when exiting by ramps or
horizontally. When both horizontal and stair exits are used, the total
width of exits shall be determined by using both figures as applicable.
No exit shall be less than 1.07 meters (42 inches) in width. Exits
shall be arranged a reasonable distance apart. When but two exits are
provided, they shall be spaced not less than one-fifth of the perimeter
apart.
(9) Securing of Chairs. Chairs and benches used on
raised stands shall be secured to the platform upon which they are
placed: Except, that when less than 25 chairs are used upon a single
raised platform the fastening of seats to the platform may be omitted.
When more than 500 loose chairs are used in connection with athletic
events, chairs shall be fastened together in groups of not less than
three, and shall be tied or staked to the ground.
(10) Safe Dispersal Area. Each safe dispersal area
shall have at least two exits.f more than 6000 persons are to be
accommodated within such an area, there shall be a minimum of three
exits, and for more than 9000 persons there shall be a minimum of four
exits. The aggregate clear width of exits from a safe dispersal area
shall be determined on the basis of not less than one exit unit 56
centimeters (22 inches) for each 500 persons to be accommodated and no
exit shall be less than 1.12 meters (44 inches) in width. Exits shall
be a reasonable distance apart but shall be spaced not less than
one-fifth of the perimeter of the area apart from each other.
Sec. 8.01.08: Skylights
(a) All skylights shall be constructed with metal
frames, except those for Groups A and J Occupancies. Frames of
skylights shall be designed to carry loads required for roofs. All
skylights, the glass of which is set an angle of less than 45 degrees
from the horizontal, if located above the first storey, shall be at
least 10 centimeters (4 inches) above the roofs. Curbs on which the
skylight rests shall be constructed of incombustible materials except
for Type I or II constructions.
(b) Spacing between supports in one direction for
flat wired glass skylights shall not exceed 7.60 meters (25 feet).
Corrugated wired glass may have supports 1.50 meters (5 feet) apart in
the direction of the corrugation. All glass in skylights shall be wire
glass: Except, that skylights over vertical shafts extending through
two or more storeys shall be glazed with plain glass as specified in
this Code: provided, that wire glass may be used if ventilation equal
to not less than one-eighth the cross-sectional area of the shaft but
never less than 1.20 meters (4 feet) is provided at the top of such
shaft. Any glass not wire glass shall be protected above and below with
a screen constructed of wire not smaller than 12 U.S. gauge with a mesh
not larger than 2.5 centimeters (1 inch). The screen shall be
substantially supported below the glass.
(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 roofs and
skylights for greenhouses, provided the height of the greenhouse at the
ridge does not exceed 6.00 meters (20 feet) above the grade. The use of
wood in the frames of skylights will be permitted in greenhouses
outside of highly restrictive Fire Zones if the height of the skylights
does not exceeds 6.00 meters (20 feet) above the grade, but in other
cases metal frames and metal sash bars shall be used.
(e) Glass used for the transmission of light, if
placed in floors or sidewalks, shall be supported by metal or
reinforced concrete frames, and such glass shall be not less than 12.7
millimeters (1/2 inch) in thickness. Any such glass over 103 square
centimeters (16 square inches) in area shall have wire mesh embedded in
the same or shall be provided with a wire screen underneath as
specified for skylights in this Code. All portions of the floor lights
or sidewalk lights shall be of the same strength as required for floor
or sidewalk lights shall be of the same strength as construction,
except in cases where the floor is surrounded by a railing not less
than 1.07 meters (3 feet, 6 inches) in height, in which case the
construction shall be calculated for not less than roof loads.
Sec. 8.01.09: Bays, Porches, Balconies
(a) Walls and floors in bay and oriel windows shall
conform to the construction allowed for exterior walls and floors of
the type of construction of the building to which they are attached.
The roof covering of a bay or oriel window shall conform to the
requirements of the roofing of the main roof. Exterior balconies
attached to or supported by walls required to be of masonry, shall have
brackets or beams constructed of incombustible materials. Railings
shall be provided for balconies, landings, or porches, which are more
than 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) above grade.
Sec. 8.01.10: Penthouses and Roof Structures
(a) Height. No penthouse or other projection above
the roof when used as an enclosure for tanks or elevators which run to
the roof and in all other cases shall be not extend more than 3.60
meters (12 feet)in height above the roof.
(b) Area. The aggregate area of all penthouses and
other roof structures shall not exceed 33-1/3 per cent of the area of
the supporting roof.
(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 constructed with
walls, floors, and roof as required for the main portion of the
building except in the following cases:
(1) On Types II and III buildings the exterior walls
and roofs of penthouses which are 1.50 meters (5 feet) or more from an
adjacent property line may be of one-hour fire-resistive incombustible
construction.
(2) Walls not less than 1.50 meters (5 feet) from an
exterior wall of a Type IV building may be of one-hour fire-resistive
incombustible construction.
The above restriction shall not prohibit the placing of wood flagpoles
or similar structures on the roof of any building.
(e) Towers and Spires. Towers or spires when closed
shall have exterior walls as required for the building to which they
are attached. Towers not enclosed and which extend more than 23.00
meters (75 feet) above grade shall have their framework construction of
iron, steel, or reinforced concrete. No tower or spire shall occupy
more than one-fourth of the street frontage of any building to which is
attached and in no case shall the base area exceed 150 square meters
(1600 square feet) unless it conforms entirely to the type of
construction requirements of the building to which it is attached and
is limited in height as a main part of the building.f the area of the
tower or spire exceeds 10.00 square meters (107 square feet) at any
horizontal cross section, its supporting frame shall extend directly to
the ground. The roof covering of the spires shall be as required for
the main roof of the roof of the rest of the structure. Skeleton towers
used as radio masts, neon signs, or advertisement frames and placed on
the roof of any building shall be constructed entirely of incombustible
materials when more than 7.60 meters (25 feet) in height and shall be
directly supported on an incombustible framework to the ground. No such
skeleton towers shall be supported on roofs of combustible framings.
They shall be design to withstand a wind load from any direction in
addition to any other loads.
Sec. 8.01.11: Chimneys, Fireplaces, and Barbecues
(a) Chimneys
(1) Structural Design. Chimneys shall be designed,
anchored, supported, reinforced, constructed, and installed in
accordance with generally accepted principles of engineering. Every
chimney shall be capable of producing a draft at the appliance not less
than the required for the safe operation of the appliance connected
thereto. No chimney shall support any structural load than its own
weight unless it is designed to act as a supporting member. Chimneys in
an wood-framed building shall be anchored laterally at the ceiling and
each floor line which is more than 1.80 meters (6 feet) above grade,
except when entirely within the framework on when designed to be free
standing.
(2) Walls. Every masonry chimneys shall have walls of
masonry units, bricks, stones, listed masonry units, reinforced
concrete or equivalent solid thickness of hollow masonry and lined with
suitable liners in accordance with the following requirements:
(2.1) Masonry Chimneys for Residential-type
Appliances. Masonry chimneys shall be constructed of masonry units or
reinforced concrete with walls not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches)
thick or rubble stone masonry not less than 30 centimeters (12 inches)
thick. The chimney linear shall be in accordance with this Code.
(2.2) Masonry Chimneys for Low-heat-Appliances.
Masonry chimneys shall be constructed of masonry units or reinforced
concrete with walls not less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) thick
except that rubbles stone masonry shall be not less than 30 centimeters
(12 inches) thick. The chimneys linear shall be in accordance with this
Code.
(2.3) Masonry Chimneys for Medium-heat Appliances.
Masonry chimneys for medium-heat appliances shall be constructed of
solid masonry units of reinforced concrete not less than 20 centimeters
(8 inches) thick, except that stone masonry shall be not at less than
30 centimeters (12 inches) thick and, in addition shall be lined with
not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of firebrick laid in a solid
bed of fire clay mortar with solidity filled head, bed, and wall
joints, starting not less than 60 centimeters (2 feet) below the
chimney connector entrance and extending for a distance of at least
7.60 meters (25 feet) above the chimney connector entrance. Chimneys
extending 7.60 meters (25 feet) or less above the chimney connector
shall be lined to the top.
(2.4) Masonry Chimneys for High-heat Appliances.
Masonry chimneys for high-heat appliances shall be constructed with
double walls of sold masonry units of reinforced concrete not less than
20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness, with an air space of not less
than 5 centimeters (2 inches) between walls. The inside of the interior
walls shall be of firebrick not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) in
thickness laid in a solid bid of fire clay mortar with solidly filled
head, bed and wall joints.
(2.5) Masonry Chimneys for Incinerators Installed in
Multi-Storey Buildings (Apartment-type Incinerators). Chimneys for
incinerators installed in multi-storey buildings using the chimney
passageway as a refuse chute where the horizontal grate area of
combustion chamber does not exceed 0.84 square meter (9 square feet)
shall have walls of solid masonry or reinforced concrete, not less than
10 centimeters (4 inches) thick with a chimneys lining as specified in
this Code.f the grate area of such an incinerator exceeds 0.84 square
meter (9 square feet), walls shall be not less than 10 centimeters (4
inches) of firebrick except that higher than 9.00 meters (30 feet)
above the roof of the combustion chamber, common brick alone, 20
centimeters (8 inches) in thickness, may be used.
(2.6) Masonry Chimneys for Commercial and
Industrial-type Incinerators. Masonry chimneys for commercial and
industrial-type incinerators of a size designed for not more than 115
kilograms (250 pounds) or refuse per hour and having a horizontal grate
area not exceeding 0.84 meter (9 square feet) shall have walls of solid
masonry or reinforced concrete not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches)
thick with lining shall extend for not less than 10 centimeters (4
inches) for firebrick, which lining shall extend for not less than
12.00 meters (40 feet) above the roof of the combustion chamber.f the
design capacity or grate area of such an incinerator exceed 115
kilograms (250 pounds) per hour and 0.84 square meter (9 square feet)
respectively, walls shall be not less than 20 centimeters (8 inches)
thick, lined with not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of firebrick
extending the full height of the chimney.
(3) Linings. Fire clay chimney lining shall be not
less than 16 millimeters (5/8 inch) thick. The lining shall extend from
20 centimeters (8 inches) below the lowest inlet or, in the case of
fireplaces, from the throat of the fireplace to a point above enclosing
masonry walls. Fire clay chimney linings shall be installed ahead of
the construction of the chimney as it is carried up, carefully bedded
one on the other in fire clay mortar, with close-fitting joints left so
smooth on the inside. Firebrick not less than 5 centimeters (2 inches)
thick may be used in place of fire clay chimney.
(4) Area. No chimney passageway shall be smaller in
area than the vent connection on the appliance attached thereto.
(5) Height. Every masonry chimney shall extend at
least 60 centimeters (2 feet) above the part of the roof through which
it passes and at least 60 centimeters (2 feet) above the highest
elevation of any part of a building within 3.00 meters (10 feet) to the
chimney.
(6) Corbeling. No masonry chimney shall be corbel
from a wall more than 15 centimeters (6 inches) nor shall a masonry
chimney be corbeled from a wall which is less than 30 centimeters (12
inches) in thickness unless it projects equally on each side of the
wall.n the second storey of a two-storey building of Group A Occupancy,
corbeling of masonry chimneys on the exterior of the enclosing walls
may equal the wall thickness.n every case the corbeling shall not
exceed 2.5-centimeter (1 inch) projection for each course of brick.
(7) Change in Size or Shape. No change in the size or
shape of a masonry chimney where the chimney passes through the roof
shall be made within a distance of 15 centimeters (6 inches) above or
below the roof joists or rafters.
(8) Separation. When more than one passageway is
contained in the same chimney, masonry separation at least 10
centimeters (4 inches) thick bonded into the masonry wall of the
chimney shall be provided to separate passageways.
(9) Inlets. Every inlet to masonry chimneys shall
enter the side thereof and shall be of not less than 3 millimeters (1/8
inch) thick metal or 16 millimeters (5/8 inch) refractory materials.
(10) Clearance. Combustible materials shall not be
placed within 5 centimeters (2 inches) of smoke chamber walls or
masonry chimney walls when built within a structure, or with 2.5
centimeters (1 inch) when the chimney is built entirely outside the
structure.
(11) Termination. All incineration shall terminate in
a substantially constructed spark arrester having a mesh not exceeding
19 centimeters (3/4 inch).
(12) Cleanouts. Cleanout opening shall be provided at
the base of every masonry chimney.
(b) Fireplaces and Barbecues. Fireplaces, barbecues,
smoke chamber, and fireplace chimneys shall be of solid masonry or
reinforced concrete and shall conform to the minimum requirements
specified in this Code. Factory-built metal room heating stoves may be
used in accordance with generally recognized engineering practices.
(1) Fireplace Walls. Walls of fireplaces shall be not
less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness. Walls of fireboxes
shall be not less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) in thickness: Except,
that where a lining of firebrick is used such walls shall be not less
than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness. The firebox shall be not
less than 50 centimeters (20 inches) in depth. The maximum thickness of
joints in firebrick shall be 6 millimeter (1/4 inch).
(2) Hoods. Metal hoods used as a part of a fireplace
or barbecue shall be not less than No. 18 gauge copper, galvanized
steel, or other equivalent corrosion-resistant ferrous metal with all
seams and connections of smokeproof unsoldered construction. The hoods
shall be sloped at an angle of 45 degrees or less from the vertical and
shall extend horizontally at least 15 centimeters (6 inches) beyond the
limits of the firebox. Metal hoods shall be kept a minimum of 40
centimeters (18 inches) from combustion materials unless approved for
reduced clearances.
(3) Circulators. Approved metal heat circulators may
be installed fireplaces.
(4) Smoke Chamber. Front and side walls shall be not
less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness. Smoke chamber back
walls shall not be not less than 15 centimeters (6 inches) in
thickness.
(5) Fireplace Chimneys. Walls of chimneys without
flue lining shall be not less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in
thickness. Walls of chimneys with flue lining shall be not less than 10
centimeters (4 inches) in thickness and shall not be constructed in
accordance with this Code.
(6) Clearance to Combustible Material. Combustible
material shall not be placed within 5 centimeters (2 inches) of
fireplace, smoke chamber, or chimneys walls when built entirely within
a structure, or within 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) when the chimney is
built entirely outside the structure.n lieu of 2.5-centimeter (1 inch)
clearance between chimney and exterior wall, 12 millimeters (1/2 inch)
gypsum board may be substituted. Combustible materials shall not be
placed within 15 centimeters (6 inches) of the fireplace opening. No
such combustible material within 30 centimeters (12 inches) of the
fireplace opening shall project more than 3 millimeters (1/8 inch) for
each 2.5-centimeter (1 inch) clearance from such opening. No part of
metal hoods used as part of a fireplace, barbecue, or heating stove
shall be less than 40 centimeters (18 inches) from combustible
material. This clearance may be reduced to the minimum requirements set
forth in this Code.
(7) Areas of Flues, Throats, and Dampers. The net
cross-sectional area of the flue and of the throat between the firebox
and the smoke chamber of a fireplaces shall be not less than the
requirements according to internationally recognized and accepted
principles of engineering. Where dampers are used, they shall be of not
less than No. 12 gauge metal. When fully opened, damper openings shall
be not less than 90 per cent of the required flue area. When fully
opened, damper blade shall not extent the line of inner face of the
flue.
(8) Lintel. Masonry over the fireplace opening shall
be supported by an incombustible lintel.
(9) Hearth. Every fireplace shall be provided with a
brick, concrete, stone, or other approved incombustible hearth slab at
least 30 centimeters (12 inches) wider on each side than the fireplace
opening and projecting at least 30 centimeters (18 inches) therefrom.
This slab shall be not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) thick and
shall be supported by incombustible materials or reinforced to carry
its own weight and all imposed loads. Combustible forms and centering
shall be removed.
Sec. 8.01.12: Fire-Extinguishing Systems
(a) Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems: Where
Required. Standard automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall comply
with requirements of generally recognized and accepted practices and
shall be installed in the following places:
(1) In every basement or cellar with an area of 200
square meters (2152 square feet) or more which is used for habitation,
recreation, dining, study, or work, and which base an occupant load of
more than 20.
(2) In all dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, workshops
or factories, and other rooms with an occupant load of more than 10,
assembly halls under Groups H and I Occupies with an occupant load of
more than 500, and if the exit doors of said rooms are more than 30.00
meters (100 feet) from the nearest safe fire dispersal area of the
building or opening to a court or street.
(3) In all rooms used as storage or handling of
photographic and x-ray nitrocellulose films and other inflammable
articles.
(b) Dry Standpipes. Every building six more storeys
in height shall be equipped with one or more dry standpipes.
(1) Construction and tests. Dry standpipes shall be
of wrought iron or galvanized steel and together with fittings and
connections shall be of sufficient strength to withstand 20 kilograms
per square centimeter (300 pounds per square inch) of water pressure
when ready for service, without leaking at the joints, valves, or
fittings. Tests shall be conducted by the owner or his representative
or contractor in the presence of a representative of the City or
Municipal Fire Department whenever deemed necessary for the purpose of
certification of its proper function.
(2) Size. Dry standpipes shall be of such size as to
be capable of delivering 946 liters (250 gallons) per minute from each
of any three outlets simultaneously under the pressure created by one
fire engine or pumper, based on the existing city equipment available.
The local Fire Department shall be consulted as to the proper size and
threads of those connections.
(3) Number Required. Every building six or more
storeys in height where the area of any floor above the fifth floor is
950 square meters (10,000 square feet) or less shall be equipped with
not less than one dry standpipe and an additional standpipe shall be
installed for each additional 950 square meters (10,000 square feet) or
fraction thereof.
(4) Location. Standpipes shall be located within
stairway landings or near such stairways as possible or immediately
inside of an exterior wall and 30 centimeters (12 inches) of an opening
in a stairway enclosure of the balcony or vestibule of a smokeproof
tower or an outside exit stairway.
(5) Siamese Connection. Subject to the provisions of
subparagraph (2), all 10-centimeter (4-inch) dry standpipes shall be
equipped with a two-way Siamese fire department connection. All
12.5-centimeter (5-inch) dry standpipes shall be equipped with a
three-way Siamese fire department connection and 15-centimeter (6-inch)
dry standpipes shall be equipped with a four-way Siamese fire
department connection. All Siamese inlet connections shall be located
on a street front of the building and not less than 30 centimeters (12
inches) nor more than 1.20 meters (4 feet above the grade and shall be
equipped with clapper-checks and substantial plugs. All Siamese inlet
connections shall be recessed in the wall or otherwise substantially
protected.
(6) Outlets. All dry standpipes shall be extend from
the ground floor to and over the roof and shall be equipped with a
6.3-centimeter (2-1/2-inch) outlet not more than 1.20 meters (4 feet)
above the floor level at each storey. All dry standpipes shall be
equipped with a two-way 6.3-centimeter (2-1/2 inch) outlet above the
roof. All outlets shall be equipped with gate valves with substantial
chains.
(7) Signs. An iron or bronze sign with raised letters
at least 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) high shall be rigidly attached to the
building adjacent to all Siamese connections and such sign shall read:
"CONNECTION TO DRY STANDPIPE".
(c) Wet Standpipes. Every Group H and I Occupancy of
any height and every Group C Occupancy of two or more storeys in
height, whose corridors are flanked on both sides, and every Group C
Occupancy of two or more storeys in height, whose corridors serve only
one row of rooms on one side and with an open court on the other side,
and every Group B, D, E, F, and G Occupancy of three or more storeys in
height and every Group G and E Occupancy over 1800 square meters
(20,000 square feet) in area shall be equipped with one or more
interior wet standpipes extending from the cellar or basement into the
topmost storey: provided, that Group H buildings having no stage and
having a seating capacity of less than 500 need to be equipped with
interior standpipes.
(1) Construction.nterior wet standpipes shall be
constructed as required for dry standpipes.
(2) Size
(2.1) Interior wet standpipes shall have an internal
diameter sufficient to deliver 189 liters (50 gallons) of water per
minute under 2.1 kilograms per square centimeter (30 pounds per square
inch) pressure at the lose connection, based on the available water
supply. Buildings of Groups H and I Occupancies shall have wet
standpipe systems capable of delivering the required quantity and
pressure from any two outlets simultaneously; for all other occupancies
only one outlet need be figured to be at one time.n no case shall the
internal diameter of a vet standpipe be less than 5 centimeters (2
inches), except when the standpipe is attached to an automatic
fire-extinguishing system as set by the internationally recognized and
accepted engineering practices.
(2.2) Any approved formula which determines pipe
sizes on a pressure drop basis may be used to determine pipe size for
wet standpipe systems. The Building Official may require delivery and
pressure tests on completed wet standpipe systems before approving such
systems.
(3) Numbered Required. Wet standpipes shall be so
located that any portion of the can be reached therefrom with a hose
not exceeding 23.00 meters (75 feet) in length.
(4) Location.n Groups H and I Occupancies, outlets
shall be located as follows: one on either side of the stage, one at
the rear of the auditorium, and one at the rear of the balconies. Where
occupant loads are less than 500 the above requirements may be waived:
provided, that portable fire-extinguishers of appropriate capacity and
type are installed within easy access from the said locations.n Groups
B, C, D, E, F, and G Occupancies the location of all interior wet
standpipes shall be in accordance with the requirements for dry
standpipes: provided, that at least one wet standpipe is installed to
cover not more than 650 square meters (700 square feet).
(5) Outlets. All interior wet standpipes shall be
equipped with a 3.8-centimeter (1-1/2 inch) valve in each storey
including the basement or cellar of the building , and located not less
than 30 centimeters (1 foot) nor more than 1.50 meters (5 feet) above
the floor.
(6) Threads. All hose threads in connection with the
installation of such standpipes, including valves and reducing
fittings, shall be uniform with that used by the local Fire Department.
(7) Water Supplies. All interior wet standpipes shall
be connected to a street water main not less than 10 centimeters (4
inches) in diameter, or when the water pressure is sufficient, to a
water tank of sufficient size as provided in subparagraph (8). When
more than one interior wet standpipe is required in the building, such
standpipes shall be connected at their bases or at their tops by pipes
of equal size.
(8) Pressure and Gravity Tanks. Tanks shall have a
capacity sufficient to furnish at least 1346 liters (250 gallons) per
minute for a period of not less than 10 minutes. Such tanks shall be
located so as to provide not less than 11.3 kilograms (25 pounds)
pressure at the topmost hose outlet for its entire supply. Discharge
pipes from pressure tanks shall extend 5 centimeters (2 inches) into
and above the bottom of such tanks. All tanks shall be tested in place
after installation and proved tightly at a hydrostatic pressure 50 per
cent in excess of the working pressure required. Where such tanks are
used for domestic purpose the supply pipe for such purposes shall be
located at or above the center line of such tanks.ncombustible supports
shall be provided for all such supply tanks and not less than
90-centimeter (3-foot) clearance shall be maintained over the top and
under the bottom of all pressure tanks.
(9) Fire Pumps. Fire pumps shall have a capacity of
not less than 1346 liters (250 gallons) per minute with a pressure of
not less than 11.3 kilograms (25 pounds) at the topmost hose outlet.
The source of supply for such pump shall be a street water main of not
less than 10-centimeter (4-inch) diameter or a well or cistern
containing a one-hour supply. Such pumps shall be supplied with an
adequate source of power of the building and shall be automatic in
operation.
(10) Hose and Hose Reels. Each hose outlet of all
interior wet standpipes shall be supplied with a hose not less than 3.8
centimeters (1-1/2 inches) in diameter. Such hose shall be equipped
with a suitable brass or bronze nozzle and shall be not over 23.00
meters (75 feet) in length. An approved standard form of wall hose reel
or racks shall be provided for the hose and shall be located so as to
make the hose readily accessible at all times and shall be recessed in
the walls or protected suitable cabinets.
(d) Basement Pipe Inlets. Basement pipe inlets shall
be installed in the first floor of every store, warehouse, or factory
where there are cellars or basements under same: Except, Where in such
cellars or basements there is installed a fire-extinguishing system as
specified in this Code, or where the cellars or basements are used for
banking purposes, safe deposit vaults, or similar uses.
(1) Materials. All basement pipe inlets shall be of
cast iron, steel brass, or bronze with lids of cast brass or bronze and
shall consist of a sleeve not less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in
diameter through the floor extending to and flush with the ceiling
below and with a top flange, recessed with an inside shoulder, to
receive the lid and flush with the finish floor surface. The lid shall
be a solid casting and have a ring lift recessed on the top thereof, so
as to be flush. The lid shall have the words "FIRE DEPARTMENT ONLY, DO
NOT COVER UP", cast on the top thereof. The lid shall be installed in
such a manner as to permit its removal readily from the inlet.
(2) Location. Basement pipe inlets shall be
strategically located and kept readily accessible at all times to the
Fire Department.
(e) Approval. All fire-extinguishing systems,
including automatic sprinkles, wet and dry standpipes, automatic
chemical extinguishers, basement pipe inlets, and the appurtenance
thereto shall meet the approval of the Fire Department of the
particular municipality or city as to installation and location and
shall be subject to such periodic tests as may require.
Sec. 8.01.13: Stages and Platforms
(a) Stage Ventilators. There shall be one or more
ventilators constructed of metal or other incombustible material near
the center and above the highest part of any working stage raised above
the stage roof and having a total ventilation area equal to at least
five per cent of the floor area within the stage walls. The entire
equipment shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) Opening Action. Ventilators shall open by spring
action or force of gravity sufficient to overcome the effects of
neglect, rust, dirt, or expansion by heat or warning of the framework.
(2) Glass. Glass, if used in ventilators, must be
protected against falling on the stage. A wire screen, if used under
the glass, must be so placed that if clogged it cannot reduce the
required ventilating area of interfere with the operating mechanism or
obstruct the distribution of water from the automatic
fire-extinguishing systems.
(3) Design. Ventilators, penthouses, and supporting
framework shall be designed in accordance with this Code.
(4) Automatic Openings. Each ventilator shall be
arranged to open automatically after the outbreak of fire by the use of
an approved automatic closing device as defined in this Code. The
fusible link and operating cable shall hold each door closed against a
minimum 13.5-kilogram (30-pound) counterforce exerted by springs or
counterweights. This minimum counterforce shall be exerted on each door
through its entire arc of travel and for a minimum 115 degrees. A
manual control shall be provided.
(5) Spring Actuations. Springs, when employed to
actuate ventilator doors, shall be capable of maintaining full required
tension indefinitely. Springs shall not be stressed more than 50 per
cent of their rated capacity and shall not be located directly in the
air stream, nor exposed to the elements.
(6) Location of Fusible Links. A fusible link shall
be placed in the cable control system on the underside of the
ventilator at or above the roof line, and shall be so located as not to
be affected by the operation of fire-extinguishing systems.
(7) Control. Remote, manual, or electrical control
shall provide for both opening and closing of the ventilator doors for
periodic testing and shall be located at a point on the stage
designated by the Building Official. When remote control of ventilator
is electrical, power failure shall not affect its instant operation in
the event of fire. Hand winches may be employed to facilitate operation
of manually controlled ventilators.
(8) Curb Construction. Curbs shall constructed as
required for the roof.
(b) Gridirons
(1) Gridirons, fly galleries, and pin-rails shall be
constructed of incombustible materials and fire protection of steel and
iron may be omitted. Gridirons and fly galleries shall be designed to
support a live load of not less than 112 kilograms per square meter (75
pounds per square foot). Each loft block well shall be designed to
support 37.2 kilograms per linear meter (250 pounds per linear foot)
and the block well shall be designed to support the aggregate weight of
all the loft block well served. The head block well must be provided
with an adequate strongback of lateral brace to offset torque.
(2) The main counterweight sheave beam shall be
designed to support a horizontal and vertical uniformly distributed
live load sufficient to accommodate the weight imposed by the total
number of loft blocks in the gridiron. The sheave blocks shall be
designed to accommodate the maximum load for the loft blocks or head
blocks served with a safety factor of five.
(c) Rooms Accessory to Stage.n buildings having a
stage, the dressing room sections, workshops, and storerooms shall be
located on the stage side of the proscenium wall and shall be separated
from each other and from the stage by not less than a One-Hour
Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation.
(d) Prosceniums Walls. A stage shall be completely
separated from the auditorium by a proscenium wall of not less than
two-hour incombustible construction. The proscenium wall shall extend
not less than 1.20 meters (4 feet) above the roof over the auditorium.
Proscenium walls may have, in addition to the main proscenium opening
at the orchestra pit level and not more than two openings at the stage
floor level, each of which shall be not more than 2.00 square meters
(25 square feet) in area. All openings in the proscenium wall of a
stage shall be protected by a fire assembly having a one and
one-half-hour fire-resistive rating. The proscenium opening, which
shall be the main opening for viewing performances, shall be provided
with a self-closing fire-resistive curtain according to generally
recognized and accepted engineering practices.
(e) Stage Floors. The Type of Construction for stage
floors shall depend upon the requirement based on the Type of Occupancy
and the corresponding fire-resistive requirements. All parts of the
stage floor shall be designed to support not less than 185 kilograms
per square meter (125 pounds per square foot). Openings through stage
floors shall be equipped with tight-fitting trap doors.
(f) Platforms. The Type of Construction for platforms
shall depend upon the requirements based on the Type of Occupancy and
corresponding fire-resistive requirements. Enclosed platforms shall be
provided with one or more ventilators conforming to the requirements of
stage ventilators: Except, that the total area shall be equal to five
per cent of the area of the platform. When more than one ventilators is
provided, they shall be so spaced as to provide proper exhaust
ventilation. Ventilators shall not be required for enclosed platforms
having a floor area of 45.00 square meters (500 square feet) or less.
(g) Stage Exits. At least one exit not less than 90
centimeters (3 feet) wide shall be provided from a passageway not less
than 90 centimeters (3 feet) in width to a street or exit court. An
exit stair not less than 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) wide shall
be provided for egress from each fly gallery. Each tier of dressing
rooms shall be provided with at least two means of egress each not less
than 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) wide and all such stairs shall
be constructed as specified in this Code. The stairs required in this
Subsection need to be enclosed.
Sec. 8.05.14: Motion Picture Projection Rooms
(a) General. The provisions of this Section shall
apply only where ribbon type motion picture film in excess of
22-millimeter (7/8-inch) width and electric are projection equipment
are used. Every motion picture machine using ribbon type in excess of
22-millimeter (7/8-inch) width and electric arc projection equipment,
together with all electrical devices, rheostats, machines, and all such
films present in any Group C, I, or H Occupancy, shall be enclosed in a
projection room large enough to permit the operator to walk freely on
either side and back of the machine.
(b) Construction. Every projection room shall be of
not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction throughout and the
walls and ceiling shall be finished with incombustible material. The
ceiling shall be not less than 2.40 meters (8 feet) from the finished
floor. The room shall have a floor area of not less than 7.00 square
meters (80 square feet) and 3.50 square meters (40 square feet) for
each additional machine.
(c) Exits. Every projection room shall have at least
two doorway separated by not less than one-third the perimeter of the
room, each at least 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches) wide and 2.00
meters (6 feet, 7 inches) high. All entrances to a projection room
shall be protected by a self-closing fire assembly having a
three-fourths hour fire-resistive rating. Such doors shall open outward
and lead to proper exits as required in this Code and shall not be
equipped with any latch. The maximum width of such door need be no more
than 75 centimeters (2 feet, 6 inches).
(d) Ports and Openings. Ports in projection room
walls shall be of three kinds: projection ports; observation ports; and
combination ports used for both observation and for stereopticon, spot,
or floodlight machines.
(1) Ports Required. There shall be provided for each
motion picture projector not more than one projection port, which shall
be limited in area to 774 square centimeters (120 square inches), and
not more than one observation port, which shall be limited in area to
1290 square centimeters (200 square inches). There shall be not more
than three combination ports, each of which shall not exceed 75
centimeters by 60 centimeters (30 inches by 24 inches). Each port
opening shall be completely covered with a pane of glass: Except, that
when acetate (safety) film is used projection ports may be increased in
size to an area not to exceed 4644 square centimeters (720 square
inches).
(2) Shutters. Each port and every other opening in
projection room walls, including any fresh-air inlets but excluding
exit doors and exhaust ducts, shall be provided with a shutter of not
less than No. 10 U.S. gauge sheet metal or its equivalent large enough
to overlap at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) on all sides of such
opening. Shutters shall be arranged to slide without binding in guides
constructed of material equal to the shutters in strength and fire
resistance. Each shutter shall be equipped with a 74ºC
(165ºF) fusible link, which when fused by heat will cause closure
of the shutter by gravity. Shutters of a size greater than 1290 square
centimeters (200 square inches) shall be equipped with a
counter-balance. There shall also be a fusible link located over the
upper magazine of each projector, which, upon operating, will close all
the shutters.n addition, there shall be provided suitable means for
manually closing all shutters simultaneously from any projector head
and from a point within the projection room near each exit door.
Shutters on openings not in use shall be kept closed: Except, that
shutters may be omitted when acetate (safety) film only is used.
(e) Ventilation
(1) Inlet. A fresh-air inlet from the exterior of the
building not less than 928. 8 square centimeters (114 square inches)
and protected with wire netting shall be installed within 50
millimeters (2 inches) of the floor in every projection room, the
source of which shall be remote from other outside vents or flues.
(2) Outlets. Ventilation shall be provided by one or
more mechanical exhaust systems which shall draw air from each arc lamp
and from one or more points near the ceiling. Systems shall exhaust to
outdoors either directly or through an incombustible flue used for no
other purpose. Exhaust capacity shall be not less than 0.42 cubic meter
(15 cubic feet) nor more than 1.40 cubic meters (50 cubic feet) per
minute for each are lamp plus 5.60 cubic meters (200 cubic feet) per
minute for the room itself. Systems shall be controlled from within the
enclosure and have pilot lights to indicate operation. The exhaust
system serving the projection room may be extended to cover room
associated therewith such as rewind rooms. No dampers shall be
installed in such exhaust systems. Ventilation of these rooms shall not
be connected in any way ventilating or air conditioning system serving
other portions of the building. Exhaust ducts shall be of incombustible
material, and shall either be kept 25 millimeters (1 inch) from
combustible material or covered with 10 millimeters (1/2 inch) of
incombustible heat-insulating material.
(f) Regulation of Equipment. All shelves, fixtures,
and fixed equipment in a projection room shall be constructed of
incombustible materials. All films not in actual use shall be stored in
metal cabinets having individuals compartments for reels or shall be in
generally accepted shipping containers. No solder shall be used in the
construction of such metal cabinets.
(g) Sanitary Requirements. Every projection room
shall be provided with unenclosed water closet and lavatory.
Sec. 8.01.15: Lathing, Plastering, and
Installation of Wallboards
(a) General. The installation of lath, plaster, and
gypsum wallboards shall conform to the fire-resistive rating
requirements and the Type of Construction of the building and shall be
designed in accordance with the legally accepted principles of
engineering.
TITLE 9 — MECHANICAL AND
ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 9.01 — MECHANICAL REGULATIONS
Sec. 9.01.01:
Mechanical Code
(a) All mechanical systems equipment, and
installations mentioned in this Code shall conform to the provisions of
the Mechanical Code of the Philippines, latest edition, adopted and
promulgated by the Board of Mechanical Engineering Examiners pursuant
to Commonwealth Act Numbered 294, as amended.
CHAPTER 9.02 — ELECTRICAL
REGULATIONS
Sec. 9.02.01: Electrical Code
(a) All electrical systems and installations
mentioned in this Code shall conform to the provisions of the
Philippine Electrical Code, latest edition, adopted and promulgated by
the Board of Electrical Engineering Examiners pursuant to Republic Act
No. 184, otherwise known as the Electrical Engineering Law.
TITLE 10 — SPECIAL SUBJECTS
CHAPTER 10.01 — PHOTOGRAPHIC AND
X-RAY FILMS
SECTION 10.01.01: Storage and Handling
(a) In the storage and handling of photographic and
x-ray nitrocellulose film, automatic sprinklers shall be provided in
the following case:
(1) When unexposed and the films exceed the aggregate
of 14.00 cubic meters (500 cubic feet), these should be in generally
accepted safety shipping containers for films;
(2) Where shelving used for storage of individual
packages not in said safety shipping containers and the films exceeds
1.40 cubic meters (50 cubic feet) in capacity or
(3) Storage not in generally accepted safety shipping
containers in any fire section equipped with automatic sprinklers may
be permitted up to 14.00 cubic meters (500 cubic feet).
(b) Film negatives in storage or in process of
handling shall be kept in heavy manila envelopes not exceeding 12 films
to an envelope. Expanding envelopes shall not be used.
(c) Film negatives shall be kept in properly
insulated vented cabinets, vented storage vaults or outside storage
houses. Not more than 113 kilograms (250 pounds shall be stored in any
single cabinet. Where the film stored exceeds 453.5 kilograms (1000
pounds), it shall be in vented storage vaults or in a detached
structure or roof vault. Door openings in vault shall be of four hour
fire-resistive construction and shall be kept close except when in use.
(d) Only incandescent electric lights shall be
permitted, protected with substantial wire guards or vapor proof
globes, or both. Portable lights on extension cords are prohibited.
Smoking shall be prohibited and conspicuous no smoking sign posted.
(e) No films shall be stored within 60 centimeters (2
feet) seam pipes, chimneys, or other sources of heat.
(f) First aid appliances of types using water or
water solutions shall be provided. Discarded films shall be stored and
handled in the same manner as other films until removed from the
premises.
SECTION 10.01.02: Nitrocellulose Motion Picture Film
(a) Nitrate motion picture film shall be stored or
handled only in buildings of fire-resistive construction. Every room
where nitrate film is stored or handled in quantities greater than 22.5
kilograms (50 pounds), except in motion picture booths or rewinding
rooms connected with such booths, shall be equipped with automatic
sprinklers.
(b) Buildings used for, or housing, a nitrate picture
film laboratory or studio shall have automatic sprinklers. A minimum of
one sprinkler for every 6.00 square meters (64 square feet) shall be
provided.
SECTION 10.01.03: Classes of Film Exempted
(a) The provisions of this Section do not apply to:
film for amateur photographic use in original packages of "roll" and
"film pack" films in quantities of less than 1.40 cubic meters (50
cubic feet); safety film (cellulose acetate base); dental x-ray film;
establishments manufacturing photographic films and their storage
incidental thereto; and films stored or being used in standard motion
picture booths.
(b) Safety photographic X-ray films (cellulose
acetate base) may be identified by the marking on the edge of the film.
SECTION 10.01.04: Sprinklers
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Code, all
sprinklers when so required shall be of a type, specifications, and
method of installations in accordance with generally accepted practices
CHAPTER 10.02 — PREFABRICATED
CONSTRUCTION
SECTION 10.02.01: General
(a) Prefabricated assembly is a structural unit, the
integral parts of which have been built up or assembled prior to
incorporation in the building.
(b) Special tests based on internationally recognized
and accepted engineering practices shall be required on assemblies to
determine heir structural appropriateness, durability, soundness, and
weather and fire resistance. Materials and their assembly shall comply
with the latest generally accepted engineering and architectural
specifications and standards.
(c) Every device or system designed to connect
prefabricated assemblies shall be capable of developing the strength of
the different members as a homogenous or monolithic structure, except
in the case of members forming part of a structural frame as specified
in this Code. Anchorages and connections between members and the
supporting elements of the structure or walls shall be capable of
withstanding all probable external and internal forces or other
conditions for a structurally sound construction.n structural design,
proper allowances shall be made for any material to be displaced or
removed for the installations of pipes, conduits, or other
(d) Placement of prefabricated assemblies shall be
inspected to determined compliance with this Code.
CHAPTER 10.03 — PLASTICS
SECTION 10.03.01: General
(a) Approved Plastics. Approved plastic materials
shall be those which have a flame-spread rating of 225 or less and a
smoke density not greater than that obtained from the burning of
untreated wood under similar conditions when tested in accordance with
generally recognized and accepted engineering practices for surface
burning characteristics of building materials in the way intended for
use. The products of combustion shall be no more toxic than the burning
of untreated wood under similar conditions.
SECTION 10.03.02: Installation
(a) Structural Requirements. All plastic materials
and their assemblies shall be of adequate strength and durability to
withstand the prescribed design loads. Sufficient and substantial
technical data shall be submitted to establish stresses, maximum
unsupported spans, and such other information as may be deemed
necessary for the various thickness and forms used.
(b) Fastenings. Fastenings shall be adequate to
withstand design loads and internal and external stresses required of
the assembly, Proper allowances shall be made for expansion and
contraction of plastic materials in conjunction with other materials
with which it assembled or integrated.
SECTION 10.03.03: Glazing of Openings
(a) Doors, sash and framed openings in exterior walls
of all building except Types IV and V construction may be glazed or
equipped with approved plastic: provided, that:
(1) The wall in which such glazing is installed is so
located that openings are not required to be fire-protected.
(2) Except for Type I buildings, the location, size,
and spacing of such glazed openings do not exceed the values set by
generally recognized and accepted principles of engineering.
(3) Plastics used in glazed openings of Type II
buildings shall be of materials appropriate to use according to
flame-spread characteristics and the location, size and spacing of the
openings do not exceed the values set forth by generally accepted
principles of engineering.
SECTION 10.03.04: Skylights
(a) General. Approved plastics may be used in
skylights installed on roofs Types I, II, or III buildings and all
buildings equipped with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system
in Groups A, B, C, E, F, J, H-3, an H-4 Occupancies: Except, that:
(1) Approved plastics may be used in any type of
construction or occupancy as a fire venting system when approved by the
Building Official.
(2) Plastics may be used in approved skylights in
Type I one-hour constructions which are located 30 centimeters (12
inches) or more above the lower plane of the ceiling. The walls of the
skylight well shall be no less fire-resistive than the adjacent
ceiling.
(3) Where a fire-resistive ceiling is not required in
one-storey buildings, approved plastics may be used in skylights.
(b) Installation Requirements
(1) Except in Group A Occupancies, no skylight shall
be installed within 3.00 meters (10 feet) of a property line.
(2) The edges of dome-type skylights shall be
properly flashed.
(3) Plastic skylights shall be separated from each
other by at least 2.50 meters (feet, 4 inches) Laterally and 3.00
meters (10 feet) along the slope of the roof.
(c) Allowable Areas. The area of individual plastic
skylights shall not exceed 10.00 square meters (107 square feet). The
total aggregate area of plastics used in skylights, monitors, and
sawtooth glazing shall not exceed 20 per cent of the floor area of the
room or occupancy sheltered.
(d) Curb Requirements. Plastic skylights in roofs
having a slope of less than 1 in 3 shall have a 10 centimeter (4-inch)
high curb. The curb may be omitted where a wire screen not smaller the
No. 12 U.S. gauge with 25-millimeter (1-inch) mesh is provided
immediately below the skylight. The screen shall be substantially
mounted below the skylight.
SECTION 10.03.05: Light-Transmitting Panels in
Monitors and Sawtooth Roofs
(a) General. Where a fire-resistive rating is not
required for the roof structure, and in all buildings provided with an
approved automatic fire-extinguishing system, approved plastics may be
used with or without sash as the light-transmitting medium in monitors
and sawtooth roofs: Except, that plastics used in monitors or sawtooth
roofs of Type II buildings shall be of materials appropriate to use
according to flame-spread characteristics.
(b) Allowable Areas. The area of individual plastic
glazing used in monitors and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed 15.00
square meters (150 square feet). The total aggregate area of plastics
used in skylights, monitors, and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed 20
per cent of the floor area of the room or occupancy sheltered.
(c) Area Separations. The areas of such plastic
panels shall be separated from each other by a section incombustible
materials or by a section of the roofing material of the structure not
less than 1.50 meters (5 feet) in length. The lower edge of the plastic
material shall be at least 15 centimeters (6 inches) above the surface
of the adjoining roof surface.
SECTION 10.03.06: Plastic Light Diffusers in Ceilings
(a) General. Ceiling light diffusers having an area
greater than 10 per cent of any 10.00 square meters (100 square feet)
of room area shall be approved plastics conforming to the requirements
specified in this Code.
(b) Installation. Plastic light diffusers shall be
installed in such a manner that they will not readily become detached
when subjected to room temperature of 149ºC (300ºF) for 25
minutes, except, for plastic light diffusers which are installed in the
first floor areas of Group C Occupancies having egress directly to the
exterior of the building; and plastic light diffusers which are located
between an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system and the areas
to be protected other than public corridors or Groups A, B, C, D, E, G,
H, and I Occupancies if tests in accordance with generally accepted and
recognized principles of engineering have established that such
installations will not interfere with the efficient operation of such
automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
SECTION 10.03.07: Partitions
(a) Where partitions are not required to be of
fire-resistive or incombustible construction, approved plastics
conforming to the requirements specified in this Code may be used.
SECTION 10.03.08: Exterior Veneer
(a) General. Exterior veneer may be of approved
plastic materials and shall conform to the provisions of this Section .
(b) Height. Plastic veneer may be attached to
exterior walls above the first storey of buildings located outside of
highly restrictive Fire Zones: provided, further, that the height of
veneer is not in excess of 10.50 meters (35 feet) above the adjacent
grade elevation.
(c) Area. Section of plastic veneer shall not exceed
15.00 square meters (150 square feet) in area: Except, that in less
restrictive Fire Zones the area may be increased by 50 per cent.
(d) Separation. Section s of plastic veneer shall be
separated by a minimum of 1.20 meters (4 feet) vertically and 60
centimeters (2 feet) horizontally.
SECTION 10.03.09: Awnings and Canopies
(a) Plastics of materials appropriate to use
according to flame-spread characteristics may be utilized in awnings
and canopies, and all such awnings and canopies shall be constructed in
accordance with provisions governing projections and appendages
specified in this Code.
(b) Approved plastics may be used in awnings where
untreated canvas is permitted.
(c) Approved plastics may be used in lieu of plain
glass in greenhouse in less restrictive Fire Zones.
CHAPTER 10.04 — SHEET METAL
SPRAY BOOTHS
SECTION 10.04.01: General
(a) General. Paint spray booths shall be constructed
of steel of not less than No. 18 U.S. gauge in thickness and shall be
designed in accordance with this Code.
(b) Area. The area of a paint spray booth shall not
exceed 150 square meters (1500 square feet) nor 10 per cent of the
basic area permitted for the major use of the building according to the
occupancy group.
(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 exhaust air from all parts of
the interior and all interior surfaces shall be smooth and continuous
without outstanding edges.
SECTION 10.04.02: Fire Protection
(a) Every spray booth having an open front elevation
larger than 0.90 meter (9 square feet) and which is not equipped with
doors, shall have a fire curtain or metal deflector not less than 10
centimeters (4 inches) deep installed that upper outer edge of the
booth opening.
SECTION 10.04.03: Light
(a) Paint spray booths shall illuminated through
hammered wire or heat-treated glass panels. The glass panels shall be
located in such a manner as to reduce the hazard of ignition caused by
paint spray deposit.
SECTION 10.04.04: Ventilation
(a) General. Mechanical ventilation shall be provided
direct to the exterior of the building. The mechanical exhaust system
shall be designed to move the air through any portion of the paint
spray area at the rate of not less than 30.00 linear meters (100 linear
feet) per minute. The blades of exhaust fan shall be constructed of
nonferrous materials and shall be mounted in such a manner as to
prevent contact with the exhaust duct. The motor shall not be mounted
in the spray booth or the duct system and belts shall be enclosed where
they enter the booth or duct system.
(b) Exhaust Ducts. Exhaust ducts shall be constructed
of steel having a thickness not less than the values set by generally
recognized and accepted principles of engineering. The discharge paint
for ducts in a paint spray booth shall be not less than 1.80 meters (6
feet) from adjoining combustible construction nor less than 7.50 meters
(25 feet) from adjoining exterior wall openings: Except, that the
discharge point for exhaust ducts is not regulated in a water-wash
spray booth.
CHAPTER 10.05 — GLASS AND
GLAZING
SECTION 10.05.01: General
(a) This Chapter shall apply to exterior glass and
glazing in all occupancies except Groups A, B, and J Occupancies not
over three storeys in height, and to interior and exterior glass and
glazing in all occupancies subject to human impact as specified in this
Chapter.
(b) Standards for materials shall conform to this
Chapter and to generally recognized and accepted principles of
engineering on glass dimensional tolerance, breaking stress levels, and
design (safety) factors.
(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 characteristic and thickness by etching or other
permanent identification that shall be visible after the glass is
glazed.
SECTION 10.05.02: Area Limitation
(a) Exterior glass and glazing shall be capable of
safety withstanding the loads set forth by generally recognized and
accepted principles of engineering on wind pressures for various height
zones above ground acting inward or outward. The area of individual
lights shall not be more than those set by generally recognized and
acceptable principles of engineering on the maximum allowable area of
glass according to the wind load multiplied by the appropriate
adjustment factor.
SECTION 10.05.03: Glazing
(a) Glass firmly supported on all four edges shall be
glazed with a minimum laps and edge clearances in accordance with
generally accepted and recognized principles of engineering for minimum
glazing requirements: provided, that glass edge clearance in fixed
openings shall be not less than what is required for wind and
earthquake drift. For glass not firmly supported on all four edges,
design shall be submitted for approval. Glass supports shall be
considered firm when deflection of the support at design load does not
exceed 1/175th of the span.
SECTION 10.05.04: Windows Louvered
(a) Regular plate, sheet, or patterned glass in
jalousies and louvered windows shall not be thinner than nominal 5.6
millimeters (7/32 inch) and no longer than 1.20 meters (4 feet) Exposed
glass edged shall be smooth.
SECTION 10.05.05: Impact
(a) Frameless glass, doors, glass in doors, fixed
glass panels, and similar glazed openings which may be subject to
accidental human impact shall conform with generally recognized and
accepted principles of engineering on impact loads of glass: Except, in
the following cases:
(1) Bath tub and shower enclosures shall be
constructed from approved shatter-resistant materials, such as: wire
reinforced glass not less than 5-6-millimeter (7/32-inch) thickness;
fully tempered glass not less than 4.8-millimeter (3/16-inch)
thickness; or laminated safety glass of not less than 6.4-millimeter
(1/4-inch) thickness.
(2) Glass lights located not less than 45 centimeters
(18 inches) above the adjacent finished floor or walking surface.
(3) Glass lights when the least dimension is no
greater than 45 centimeters (18 inches).
(4) Glass lights 0.55 square meter (16 square feet)
or less in area.
CHAPTER 10.06 — SIGNS
SECTION 10.06.01: General
(a) No signs or signboards shall be erected in such a
manner as to confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any
official traffic sign signal or device.
(b) No signboards shall be constructed as to unduly
obstruct the natural view of the landscape, distract or obstruct the
view of the public as to constitute a traffic hazard, or otherwise
defile, debase, or offend the aesthetic and cultural values and
traditions of the Filipino people.
SECTION 10.06.02: Maintenance
(a) All signs, together with all of their supports,
braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state
of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly
painted or posted at all times.
SECTION 10.06.03: Design and Construction
(a) General. Signs and signs structures shall be
designed and constructed to resist all wind and seismic forces. All
bracing systems shall be designed and constructed to transfer lateral
forces to the foundations. For signs on buildings the dead and lateral
loads shall be transmitted through the structural frame of the building
to the ground in such manner as not to overstress any of the elements
thereof. The overturning moment produced from lateral forces shall, in
no case, exceed two-thirds of the dead-load resisting moment. Uplift
due to overturning shall be adequately resisted by proper anchorage to
the ground or to the structural frame of the building. The weight of
earth superimposed over footings may be used in determining the
dead-load resisting moment. Such earth shall be carefully placed and
thoroughly compacted.
SECTION 10.06.04: Support
(a) General. The supports for all signs or signs
structures shall be placed in or upon private property and shall be
securely built, constructed, and erected in conformity with the
requirements of this Code.
(b) Materials. Materials of construction for signs
and sign structures shall be of the quality and grade as specified in
this Code.
(c) Restrictions and Combustible Materials. All signs
and sign structures erected in highly restrictive Fire Zones shall have
structural members of incombustible materials. Ground signs may be
constructed of any material meeting the requirements of this Code.
Combination signs, roof signs, walls signs, projecting signs, and signs
on marquees shall be constructed of incombustible materials. No
combustible materials other than approved plastics shall be used in the
construction of electric signs.
(d) Nonstructural Trim. Nonstructural trim and
portable display surface may be of wood, metal, approved plastics, or
any combination thereof.
(e) Anchorage. Member supporting unbraced signs shall
be so proportioned that the bearing loads imposed on the soil in either
direction, horizontal or vertical, shall not exceed the safe values.
Braced ground signs shall be anchored to resist the specified wind or
seismic load in any direction. Anchors and supports shall be designed
for safe bearing loads on the soil and for an effective resistance to
pull-out amounting to a force 25 per cent greater than the required
resistance to overturning. Anchors and supports shall penetrate to a
sufficient depth below ground. Portable ground signs supported by
frames or posts rigidly attached to the base shall be so proportioned
that the weight and size of the base will be adequate to resist the
wind pressure. Signs attached to masonry, concrete, or steel shall be
safely and securely fastened thereto by means of metal anchors, bolts,
or approved expansion screws of sufficient size and anchorage to
support safely the loads applied. No wooden blocks or plugs or anchors
with wood used in connection with screws or nails shall be considered
proper anchorage, except in the case of signs attached to wood framing.
No anchor or support of any sign shall be connected to, or supported
by, an unbraced parapet wall, unless such wall is designed in
accordance with the requirements for parapet walls.
(f) Display Surfaces. Display surfaces in all types
of signs may be made of metal, glass, or approved plastics.
SECTION 10.06.05: Projection and Clearance
(a) Clearance from High Voltage Power Lines. Signs
shall be located not less than 1.80 meters (6 feet) horizontally or
3.60 meters (12 feet) vertically from overhead electrical conductors
which are energized in excess of 750 volts. The term "overhead
conductor" as used in this Section means any electrical conductor,
either bare or insulated, installed above the ground except such
conductors as are enclosed in an iron pipes or other material covering
of equal strength.
(b) Clearance from Fire Escapes, Exits, or
Standpipes. No sign or signs structure shall be erected in such a
manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in
any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe.
(c) Obstruction of Openings. No sign shall obstruct
any opening to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a
point below that required by this Code. Signs erected within 1.50
meters (5 feet) of an exterior wall in which there are openings within
the area of the sign shall be constructed of incombustible material or
approved plastics.
(d) Projection Over Alleys. No sign or sign
structures shall project into any public alley below a height of 4.25
meters (14 feet) above grade nor project more than 30 centimeters (12
inches) where the sign structure is located 4.25 meters (14 feet) to
4.85 meters (16 feet) above grade. The sign or sign structure may
project not more than 0.90 meter (3 feet) into the public alley where
the sign or sign structure is located more than 4.85 meters (16 feet)
above graded.
Enacted without executive
approval, August 26, 1972.
ANNEX A — DEFINITIONS
Part A
A.01: Accessoria or Row House. A house of not more
than two storeys, composed of a row of dwelling units entirely
separated from one another by party wall or walls and with an
independent entrance for each dwelling unit.
A.02: Accessory Building. A building subordinate to
the main building on the same lot and used for purposes customarily
incidental to those of the main building, such as servants' quarters,
garage, pump house, laundry, etc.
A.03: Alley. Any public space or thoroughfare which
has been dedicated or deeded to the public or of public use as a
passageway.
A.04: Alter or Alteration. Any change, addition, or
modification in construction or occupancy.
A.05: Apartment. A room, or suite of two or more
rooms, designed and intended for, or occupied by one family for living,
sleeping, and cooking purposes.
A.06: Apartment House. Any building or portion
thereof, which is designed, built, rented, leased, let, or hired out to
be occupied, or which is occupied as the home or residence of three or
more families living independently of each other and doing their own
cooking in the said building, and shall include flats and apartments.
A.07: Arcade. Any portion of a building above the
first floor projecting over the sidewalk beyond the first-storey wall
used as protection for pedestrians against rain and sun.
A.08: Area. An open subsurface adjacent to a building
or lot line.
A.09: Assembly Building or Hall. A building or a
portion of a building used for the gathering together of fifty or more
persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment,
amusement, or awaiting transportation or of a hundred or more persons
in drinking and dining establishments.
A.10: Attic Storey. Any storey situated wholly or
part in a roof, so designed, arranged, or built as to be used for
business, storage, or habitation.
A.11: Awning. A movable shelter supported entirely
from the exterior wall of a building and of a type which be retracted,
folded, or collapsed against the face of a supporting building.
Part B
B.01: Backing. The surface or assembly to which
veneer is attached.
B. 02: Balcony. A portion of the seating space of an
assembly room, the lower part of which is raised 1.20 meters (4 feet)
or more above the level of the main floor.
B.03: Balcony, Exterior Exit. A landing or porch
projecting from the wall of a building, and which serves as a required
means of egress. The long size shall be at least 50 per cent open, and
the open area above the guardrail shall be so distributed as to prevent
the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases.
B.04: Barbecue. A stationary open hearth or brazier,
either fuel-fired or electric, used for food preparation.
B. 05: Basement. A portion of a building between
floor and ceiling which is partly below and partly above grade but so
located that the vertical distance from grade to the floor below is
less than the vertical distance from grade to ceiling.
B.06: Bay or Panel. One of the intervals or spaces
into which the building front is divided by columns, buttresses, or
division walls.
B.07: Boarding House. A house with five or more
sleeping rooms where boarders are provided with lodging and meals for
fixed sum paid by the month, or week, in accordance with the previous
arrangement.
B. 08. Boiler Room. Any room containing a steam or
hot water boiler.
B.09: Buildable Are. The remaining space in a lot
after deducting the required minimum open spaces.
B.10: Building. Any structure built for the support,
shelter, or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or property of any
kind.
B.11: Building, Existing. A building erected prior to
the adoption of this Code or one for which a legal building permit has
been issued.
B.12: Building Height. The vertical distance from the
established grade elevation to the highest point of the coping of a
flat roof, to the average height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip
roof, or to the top of the parapet if the roof is provided with a
parapet.n case of sloping ground, the average ground level of the
buildable area shall be considered the established grade elevation.
B.13: Building Length.ts general linear dimension,
usually measured in the direction of the bearing wall for girders.
B.14: Building Official. The officer charged with the
administration and enforcement of this Code; the City Engineer or the
City Public Works Supervisor in the case of chartered cities, and the
Municipal Engineer, the Land and Building Official, or the Public Works
Engineer in the case of provinces and municipalities.
B.15: Building Width.ts shortest linear dimension,
usually measured in the direction of the floor, beams or joists.
Part C
C.01: Cellar. The portion of a building between floor
and ceiling which is wholly partly below grade and so located that the
vertical distance from grade to the floor below is equal to or greater
than the vertical distance from grade to ceiling.
C.02: Chimney Classifications:
(a) Residential Appliances Type. A factory-built or
masonry chimney suitable for removing products of combustion from
residential type appliances producing combustion gases not in excess of
538C (1000F) measured at the appliance flue outlet.
(b) Low-Heat Appliance Type. A factory-built, masonry
or metal chimney suitable for removing the products of combustion from
fuel-burning low-heat appliances producing combustion gases not in
excess of 538ºC (1000ºF) under normal operating conditions
but capable of producing combustible gases of 760ºC (1400ºF)
during intermittent forced firing of period up to one hour. All
temperatures are measured at the appliance flue outlet.
(c) Medium-Heat Appliance Type. A factory-built
masonry or metal chimney suitable for removing the products of
combustion from fuel-burning medium-heated appliances producing
combustion gases not in excess of 1093ºC (2000ºF) measured at
the appliance flue outlet.
C.03: Chimney Connector. The pipe which connects a
flue-burning appliance to a chimney.
C.04: Chimney, Factory-Built. The listed chimney.
C.05: Chimney Liner. The lining material of fire clay
or other approved material.
C.06: Chimney, Masonry. The chimney of solid masonry
units, bricks, stones, listed hollow unit masonry units, or reinforced
concrete.
C.07: City. A political subdivision usually governed
by a mayor and a council having local legislative authority with broad
powers of self-government granted to it by its charter.
C.08: Concrete Block. A hollow or solid concrete
masonry unit made from portland cement and suitable aggregates such as
sand, gravel, crushed stone, bituminous or anthracite cinders, burned
clay or shale, pumice, volcanic scoria, air-cooled or expanded blast
furnace slags.
C.09: Coping. The material or units used to form a
cap of finish on top of a wall, pier, or pilaster.
C.10: Corrosion-Resistant. The non-ferrous metal, or
any metal having an unbroken surface of non-ferrous metal, or steel
with not less than 10 per cent chromium or with not less than 0.20 per
cent copper.
C.11: Corrosion-Resistant Materials. Materials that
are inherently rust-resistant or materials to which an approved
rust-resistive coating has been applied either before or after forming
or fabrication.
C.12: Course. A continuous horizontal layer of
masonry units.
C.13: Court. An unoccupied space between building
lines and lot lines other than a yard free, open, and unobstructed by
appendages from the ground upward.
Part D.
D.01: Dispersal Area (Safe). An area which will
accommodate a number of persons equal to the total capacity of the
stand and building it serves, in such a manner that no person within
the area need be closer than 15.00 meters (50 feet) from the stand or
building. Dispersal areas shall be based upon an area of not less than
0.28 square meter (3 square feet) per person.
D.02: Dormitory. A room occupied by more than two
guests.
D.03: Dwelling. Any building or any portion thereof
which is not an "apartment house', "lodging house" or a "hotel" as
defined in this Code, which contains one or two "dwelling units" or
"guest rooms", used, intended or designed to be built, used, rented,
leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or which are occupied for
living purposes.
D.04: Dwelling Multiple. A building used as a home or
residence of three or more families living independently from one
another, each occupying one or more rooms are as a single housekeeping
unit.
D.05: Dwelling, One-Family. A detached building
designated for, or occupied exclusively by one family.
D.06: Dwelling Unit. One or more habitable rooms
which are occupied or which are intended or designed to be occupied by
one family with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating.
Part E
E.01: Exit. A continuous and unobstructed means of
egress to a public way, and shall include intervening doors, doorways,
corridors, exterior exit balconies, ramps, stairways, smokeproof
enclosures, horizontal exits, exit passageways, exit courts, and yards.
An exit shall be deemed to be that point which opens directly into a
safe dispersal area or public way. All measurements are to be made to
that point when determining the permissible distance of travel.
E.02: Exit Court. A yard of court providing egress to
a public way for one or more required exits.
E.03: Exit, Horizontal. A means of passage from one
building into another building occupied by the same tenant through a
separation wall having a minimum fire resistance of one-hour.
E.04: Exit. Passageway. An enclosed means of egress
connecting a required exit or exit court with a public way.
Part F
F.01: Facing. Any masonry, forming an integral part
of a wall, used as a finished surface. (As contrasted to veneer, see
definition).
F.02: Firebrick. A refractory brick.
F.03: Fire Clay. A finely ground clay used as
plasticizer for masonry mortars; varies widely in physical properties.
F.04: Fireplace. A heart and fire chamber or
similarly prepared place in which a fire may be made and which is built
in conjunction with a chimney.
F.05: Fire Resistance or Fire-Resistive Construction.
A construction to resist the spread of fire, details of which are
specified in this Code.
F.06: Fire-Resistiveness. The degree to which a
material can withstand fire as determined by internationally recognized
and accepted testing methods. The fire-resistive time period rating is
the length of time a material can withstand being burned and is usually
classified as one-hour, two-hour, three-hour, four-hour, etc.
F.07: Fire-Retardant Treated Wood. Lumber or plywood
impregnated with chemicals and when tested in accordance with accepted
fire standards for a period of 30 minutes shall have a flame-spread of
not over 25 and show no evidence of progressive combustion. The fire
retardant properties shall not be considered permanent where exposed to
the weather.
F.08: First Storey. The storey the floor of which is
at or above the level of the sidewalk or adjoining ground, the
remaining storeys being numbered in regular succession upward.
F.09: Floor Area. The area included within the
surrounding exterior walls of a building or portion thereof, exclusive
of vent shafts and courts. The floor area of a building or portion
thereof, not provided with surrounding exterior walls shall be the
usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above.
F.10: Footing. That portion of the foundation of a
structure which spreads and transmits loads directly to the soil or the
pile.
F.11: Foundation. All the portions of the building or
structure below the footings, the earth upon which the structure rests.
Part G
G.01: Garage. A building or portion thereof in which
a motor vehicle containing gasoline, distillate or other volatile,
flammable liquid in its tank, is stored, repaired, or kept.
G. 02: Garage, Commercial. A garage where automobiles
and other motor vehicles are housed, cared for, equipped, repaired or
kept for remuneration, hire or sale.
G.03: Garage, Open Parking. A structure of one or
more tiers in height which is at least 50 per cent open on two or more
sides and is used exclusively for the parking or storage of passenger
motor vehicles having a capacity of not more than nine persons per
vehicle. Open parking garages are further classified as either ramp
access or mechanical-access. Ramp-access open parking garages are those
employing a series of continuously rising floors permitting the
movement of vehicles under their own power from and to the street
level. Mechanical-access parking garages are those employing parking
machines, lifts, elevators, or other mechanical devices for vehicles
moving from and to street and in which public occupancy is prohibited
above the street level.
G.04: Garage, Private. A building or portion of a
building in which only motor vehicles used by the tenants of the
building or buildings on the premises are stored or kept.
G.05: Garage, Public. Any garage other than a private
garage.
G.06: Girder. A horizontal structural piece which
supports the end of the floor beams or joists or walls over openings.
G.07: Grade (Adjacent Ground Elevation). The lowest
point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground between the
exterior wall of a building and a point 1.50 meters (5 feet) distant
from said wall, or the lowest point of elevation of the finished
surface of the ground between the exterior wall of a building and the
property line if it is less than 1.50 meters (5 feet) distant from said
wall.n case walls are parallel to and within 1.50 meters (5 feet) of a
public sidewalk, alley, or other public way, the grade shall be the
elevation of the sidewalk, alley, or public way.
G.08: Ground Floor. The storey at or near the level
of the grade. The other storeys, beginning with the second, for the
first next above, shall be designated by successive floor numbers
counting upward.
G.09: Guest Room. Any or rooms used, or intended to
be used by a guest for sleeping purposes. Every 9.30 square meters (100
square feet) of superficial floor area in a dormitory shall be
considered to be a guest room.
Part H
H.01: Habitable Room. Any room meeting the
requirements of this Code for sleeping, living, cooking, or dining
purposes, excluding such enclosed spaces as closets, pantries, bath or
toilet rooms, service rooms, connecting corridors, laundries,
unfinished attics, storage spaces, cellars, utility rooms, and similar
space.
H.02: Hall Common. A corridor or passageway used in
common by all the occupants within a building.
H.03. Hall, Stair. A hall which includes the stair,
stair landings, and those portions of the common halls through which it
is necessary to pass in going between the entrance floor and the room.
H.04: Heliport. An area of land or water or a
structural surface which is used, or intended for use, for the landing
and takeoff of helicopters, and any appurtenant areas which are used,
or intended for use, for heliport buildings and other heliport
facilities.
H.05: Helistop. The same as a heliport except that no
refueling, maintenance, repairs, or storage of helicopters is
permitted.
H.06: Hotel. A building or part thereof with rooms
occupied or intended to be occupied for hire as temporary aboding place
of individuals with a general kitchen and public dining room service,
but no provision for cooking in any individual suite or room.
H.07: Hotel Apartment. An apartment house which may
furnish dining room service and other services for the exclusive use of
its tenants.
Part I
I. 01: Incombustible. As applied to building
construction material, a material which, in the form it is used, is
either one of the following:
(a) Materials of which no part will ignite and burn
when subjected to fire; or
(b) Material having a structural base of
incombustible material as defined in item (a), above, with a surfacing
material not over 3.2 millimeters (1/8 inch) thick which has a
flame-spread rating of 50 or less.
"Incombustible" does not apply to surface finish materials. Material
required to be incombustible for reduced clearances to flues, heating
appliances, or other materials shall refer to material conforming to
the provisions of this Code. No material shall be classed as
incombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or
flame-spread rating beyond the limits herein established, through the
effects of age, moisture, or other atmospheric condition.
I. 02: Incombustible Material. When referred to as
structural material, means brick, stone, terracotta, concrete, iron
steel, sheet metal, or tiles used either singly or in combination.
I. 03: Incombustible Roofing. A covering of not less
than two thickness of roofing felt and a good coat of tar and gravel of
tin, corrugated iron, or other approved fire-resisting material with
standing seam or lap joint.
I. 04: Incombustible Stud Partition. A partition
plastered on both sides upon metal lath or wire cloth for the full
height, and fire-topped between the studs with incombustible material,
20 centimeters (8 inches) above the floor and at the ceiling.
Part L
L.01: Line, Building. The line formed by the
intersection of the outer surface of the inclosing wall of the building
and the surface of the ground.
L.02: Lintel. The beam or girder placed over an
opening in a wall, which supports the wall construction above.
L.03: Load Dead. The weight of the permanent portions
of a building or structure; it includes the weight of the walls,
permanent partitions, framing, floors, roofs, and all other permanent
and stationary fixtures, mechanisms, and other construction entering
into and becoming a part of a building or structure.
L.04: Load, Lateral. That load caused by winds,
earthquakes, or other dynamic forces.
L.05: Load, Live. The weight of the contents of a
building or structure; it includes all loads except dead and lateral
loads, and weight of temporary partitions, cases, counters, and similar
equipment, and all loads imposed due to the occupancy of the building
or structure.
L.06: Load Occupant. The total number of persons that
may occupy a building or portion thereof at any one time.
L.07: Lodging House. Any building or portion thereof,
containing not more than five guest rooms which are used by not more
than five guests where rent is paid in money, goods, labor, or
otherwise.
L.08: Lot. A parcel of land on which a principal
building and its accessories are placed or may be placed together with
the required open spaces. A lot may or may not be the land designated
as lot on recorded plot.
L.09: Lot, Corner. A lot situated at the junction of
two or more streets forming an angle of not more than one hundred
thirty-five degrees (135º)
L.10: Lot, Depth of. The average horizontal distance
between the front and the rear lot lines.
L.11: Lot, Front. The front boundary line of a lot
bordering on the street and in the case of a corner lot, it may be
either frontage.
L.12: Lot, Inside. A lot fronting on but one street
or public alley and the remaining sides bounded by lot lines.
L.13: Lot Line. The line of demarcation between
either public and private property.
L.14. Lot, Open. A lot bounded on all sides by street
lines.
L.15: Lot, Width of. the average horizontal distance
between the side lot lines.
Part M
M.01: Masonry. A form of construction composed of
stone, brick, concrete, gypsum, hollow clay tile, concrete block or
tile, or other similar building units or materials or combination of
these materials laid up unit by unit and set in mortar.
M.02: Masonry, Solid. Masonry of solid units built
without hollow spaces.
M.03: Masonry Unit. Brick, block, tile, stone, or
other similar building unit or combination thereof, made to be bonded
together by a cementitious agent.
M.04: Marquee. A permanent roofed structure above a
door attached to and supported by the building and projecting over a
walk or side walk.
M.05: Mezzanine or Mezzanine Floor. A partial,
intermediate floor in any storey or room of a building having an area
not more than one-half of the area of the room or space in which it is
constructed.
Part N
N.01: Non-Conforming Building. A building which does
not conform with the regulations of the district where it is situated
as to height, yard requirements, lot area and percentage of occupancy.
N.02: Non-Conforming Use. The use of a building or
land or any portion of such building or land which does not conform
with the use regulation of the zone where it is situated.
Part O
O.01: Occupancy. The purpose for which a building
shall also include the building or room housing such use. Change of
occupancy is not intended to include change of tenants or proprietors.
O.02: Owner. Any person, company, or corporation
owning the property or properties under consideration or receivers,
trustees, or other duly authorized persons.
Part P
P.01: Panic Hardware. A bar which extends across at
least one-half the width of each door leaf, which will open the door if
subjected to pressure.
P.02: Partitions. An interior subdividing wall.
P.03: Person. A natural person, his heirs, executors,
administrators or assigns, and also includes a firm, partnership, or
corporation, its or their successors or assigns or their agents.
P.04: Pier. An isolated mass of masonry forming
support for arches columns, girders, lintels, trustees, and similar
structural parts.
P.05: Pilaster. A portion of the wall which projects
on one or both sides and acts as a vertical beam, a column, or both.
P.06: Plaster, Portland Cement. A mixture of portland
cement, or portland cement and lime, and aggregate and other approved
materials as specified in this Code.
P.07: Plastics, Approved. Plastic materials which
have a flame-spread rating of 225 or less.
P.08: Platform, Enclosed. A partially enclosed
portion of an assembly room the ceiling of which is not more than 1.50
meters (5 feet) above the proscenium opening and which is designed or
used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or other
entertainment wherein scenery, drops, decorations, of the effects may
be installed or used.
P.09: Public Way. A parcel of land unobstructed from
the ground to the sky, more than 3.00 meters (10 feet) in width,
appropriated to the free passage of the general public.
Part R
R.01: Repair. The reconstruction of renewal of any
part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance. The
word "Repairs" shall not apply to any change of construction.
Part S
S.01: Shaft. A vertical opening through a building
for elevators, dumb-water, mechanical equipment, or similar purposes.
S.02: Show Window. A store window in which goods are
displayed.
S.03: Site, Sanitary, Hygienic or Safe. Shall be
understood to mean, among others:
(a) Surface condition of the site, such as being
swampy, improperly drained, or filled with refuse, garbage, or filthy
materials;
(b) Subsurface condition of the site, such as when
the soil substrata will not support safely a construction or inadequate
filing of an excavation or which a construction will be undertaken; or
(c) Nearness to certain hazardous places such as to
constitute a danger to the proposed site, such as airports, heliports,
or volcanoes.
S.04: Slum: Blighted Area; Eyesore. An area where the
values of real estate tend to deteriorate because of the dilapidated,
obsolescent, and insanitary condition of the building within the area.
An eyesore is a building or area which is markedly unpleasant to look
at.
S.05: Socalo, Masonry. The wall between the bottom of
the window sill and the ground.
S.06: Soffit. The underside of a beam, lintel or
reveal.
S.07: Stable. Any structure designed and intended for
the enclosure, shelter, or protection of any horse, carabao, or other
cattle.
S.08: Stable, Commercial. A stable wherein the
animals kept are for business, racing, or breeding purposes.
S.09: Stage. A partially enclosed portion of an
assembly building which is designed or used for the presentation of
plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment wherein scenery, drops or
other effects may be installed or used, and where the distance between
the top of the proscenium opening and the ceiling above the stage is
more than 1.50 meters (5 feet).
S.10: Stairway. Two or more risers shall constitute a
stairway.
S.11: Stairway, Private. A stairway serving one
tenant only.
S.12: Storey. That portion of a building included
between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the
floor next above, except that the topmost storey shall be that portion
of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor
and the ceiling or roof above if the finished floor level directly
above a basement, cellar or unused underfloor space is more than 50
percent of the total perimeter or is more than 3.60 meters (12 feet)
above grade as defined herein at any point, such basement, cellar or
unused underfloor space shall be considered as a storey.
S.13: Storey, Height of. The perpendicular distance
from top to top of two successive tiers of floors, floor beams, joists.
The clear height of a storey or a room is distance from the floor to
the ceiling. The clear height of balconies is measured from the highest
point of the sidewalk grade to the underside of the balcony floor
joists.f these joists are sealed, this clear height is measured to the
underside of the sealing.
S.14: Street. Any thoroughfare or public space which
has been dedicated or deeded to the public for public use.
S.15: Structure. That which is built or constructed,
an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially
built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner.
S.16: Structural Frame. The framing system including
the columns and the girders, beams, trusses, and spandrels having
direct connections to the columns and all other members which are
essential to the stability of the building as a whole. The members of
floor or roof panels which have no connection to the columns shall be
considered secondary members and not a part of the structural frame.
S.17: Suportales. The vertical supports, such as
posts or stanchions, as used in indigenous or traditional type of
construction. These may be free-standing as stilts or integrated into
the wall structure.n the case of the former, pie de gallos (knee
braces) or crosettas (cross bracings) are sometimes used.
S.18: Surface, Exterior. Weather-exposed surfaces.
S.19: Surfaces, Interior. Surfaces other than
weather-exposed surfaces.
S.20: Surface, Weather-Exposed. All surface of walls,
ceilings, floors, roofs, soffits, and similar surfaces exposed to the
weather excepting the following:
(a) Ceiling and roof soffits enclosed by walls or by
beams which extend a minimum of 30 centimeters (12 inches) below such
ceiling or roof soffits;
(b) Walls or portions of walls within an unenclosed
roof area, when located a horizontal distance from an exterior opening
equal to twice the height of the opening; and
(c) Ceiling and roof soffits beyond a horizontal
distance of 3.00 meters (10 feet) from the outer edge of the ceiling or
roof soffits.
Part V
V.01: Value or valuation of a Building. The estimated
cost to replace the building in kind, based on current replacement
costs.
V.02: Vault. Any surface of underground construction
covered on top, or any fire-proof construction intended for the storage
of valuables.
V.03: Veneer. Nonstructural facing of brick,
concrete, stone, tile, metal, plastic, or other similar approved
material attached to a backing for the purpose of ornamentation,
protection, or insulation.
V.04: Veneer, Adhered. Veneer secured and supported
through adhesion to an approved bonding material applied over an
approved backing.
V.05: Veneer, Anchored. Veneer secured to and
supported by approved mechanical fasteners attached to and approved
backing.
V.06: Veneer, Exterior. Veneer applied to
weather-exposed surfaces.
V.07: Veneer, Interior. Veneer applied to surfaces
other than weather-exposed surfaces.
Part W
W.01: Wall, Bearing. A wall which supports any load
other than its own weight.
W.02: Wall, Cross. A term which may be used
synonymously with a partition.
W.03: Wall, Curtain. The inclosing wall of an iron or
steel framework or the nonbearing portion of an inclosing wall between
piers.
W.04: Wall, Dead. A wall without openings.
W.05: Wall, Exterior. Any wall or element of a wall
or any number or group of members, which defines the exterior
boundaries or courts of a building.
W.06: Wall, Faced. A wall in which the facing and
backing are so bonded together that they act as a composite element,
and exert a common action under load.
W.07: Wall, Fire. Any wall which subdivides a
building so as to resist the spread of fire, by starting at the
foundation and extending continuously through all storeys to, or above,
the roof. Extension above the roof is 1.00 meter (3 feet, 3 inches).
W.08: Wall, Foundation. That Portion of an inclosing
wall below the first tier of floor joists.
W.09: Wall, Height of. The perpendicular distance
measured from its base line either at the grade or at the top of the
girder to the top of the coping thereon. Foundation and retaining walls
are measured from the grade downward to the base of the footing.
W.10: Wall, Nonbearing. A wall which supports no lead
other than its own weight.
W.11: Wall, Parapet. That part of any wall entirely
above the roofline.
W.12: Wall, Party. A wall separating two or more
buildings, and used or intended to be used in common by the said
buildings.
W.13. Wall, Retaining. Any wall used to resist the
lateral displacement of any material; a subsurface wall built to resist
the lateral pressure of adjoining earth, or enclosing wall to resist
the lateral pressure of internal loads.
W.14: Wall, Thickness of . The minimum thickness
measured on the bed.
W.15: Window. An opening through a wall of a building
to the outside air for the purpose of admitting natural light and air.
W.16: Window, Oriel. A projecting window similar to a
bay window, but carried on brackets or corbels. The term "bay window"
may also be applied to an oriel window projecting over the street line.
W.17: Wire Backing. Horizontal strands of tautened
wire attached to surfaces vertical wood supports which, when covered
with building paper, provide a backing for portland cement plaster.
Part Y
Y.01: Yard or Patio. The vacant space left in a lot
between the building and the property line.
Y.02: Yard, Rear. The yard lying between the side lot
lines and the nearest lot line and the nearest building line.
Y.03: Yard, Side. The yard lying between the side
line and the nearest building line and between the front and the rear
yards.
ANNEX B-TABLES
Table 3.01-A
DIMENSIONS OF WOODEN POSTS OR SUPORTALES 1
Type of Maximum
Maximum Maximum Required Maximum
Building Height of
Height Spacing of
Finished Size of
1st Floor
Total Posts Suportales
1-Storey Shed 4.00 m. 350 m.
10 cms. x 10 cms.
(4" x 4")
1-Storey Shed 3.00 m. 4.00 m.
10 cms. x 10 cms.
(4" x 4")
1-Storey Shed 5.00 m. 4.00 m.
12.5 cms x 12.5 cms.
(5" x 5")
1-Storey Shed 1.00 to 5.50 m.
3.50 m. 12.5 cms x 12.5 cms.
or Chalet 1.50 m.
(5" x 5")
2- Storey House 3.00 m. 6.00 m.
300 m. 12.5 cms x 12.5 cms.
(5" x 5")
2-Storey House 3.50 m. 7.00 m.
4.00 m. 12 cms. x 15 cms.
(6" x "6)
2-Storey House 4.50 m. 8.00 m.
4.50 m. 17.5 cms x 17.5 cms.
("7 x "7)
2-Storey House 5.00 m. 9.00 m.
4.50 m. 20 cms. x 20 cms.
(8" x 8")
1 Logs or tree trunk suportales may be used as posts
in indigenous traditional type of construction, provided that these are
of such sizes and spacing as to sustain vertical loading equivalent at
least to the loading capacities of the posts and spacing in this Table.
Table 6.01-A
PROJECTION OF BALCONIES AND APPENDAGES
Width of Street 1
Balcony Maximum Projection 2
2.00 m. to less 3.00 m. No balcony
0.30 m.
3.00 m. No balcony 0.45 m.
Over 3.00 m. but less than 8.00 m. With balcony
0.80 m.
8.00 m. to less than 10.00 m. With balcony
1.00 m.
10.00 m. to less than 11.00 m. With balcony
1.00 m.
11.00 m. to less than 12.00 m. With balcony
1.10 m.
12.00 m. to less than 13.00 m. With balcony
1.30 m.
13.00 m. to less than 14.00 m. With balcony
1.40 m.
14.00 m. or over With balcony
1.50 m.
1 The width of streets is the total width of the
right-of-way measured from the property line to property line.
2 The maximum projection shall be measured from the
property line to the outermost part of the projection. No projection
shall be allowed on national roads and public highways.
Table 6.02-A
TYPE OF PROTECTION REQUIRED FOR PEDESTRIANS 1
Height of Protection
Construction Distance from
Construction Required
2.40 Meters Less than 1.80 Meters (6 feet)
Railing
(8 feet) or less
1.80 meters (6 feet) or more None
Less than 1.80 Meters (6 feet) Fence and
More than Canopy
1.80 Meters (6 feet) or more, but not more
than one-fourth the height of construction
Fence and
Canopy
2.40 Meters
1.80 Meters (6 feet) or more, but between Fence
one-fourth to one-half the height of
construction
(8 feet)
180 Meters (6 feet) or more, but exceeding None
one-half the height of construction
1 All protective devices shall include appropriate
lights and warning signs.
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