National Building Code Rule VII and VIII Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key classification terms, building parameters, and development control standards from Rules VII and VIII of the Philippine National Building Code.

Group A Occupancies

Residential dwellings including single-family dwellings in Division 1 and exclusive non-leasing occupant structures not exceeding $10$ persons in Division 2.

Group B Occupancies

Multiple residential dwelling units accommodating more than $10$ persons, including boarding houses, hotels, apartment buildings, and row houses.

Group C Occupancies

Buildings used for school or day-care purposes involving assemblage for instruction, education, or recreation.

Group D Occupancies

Institutional buildings divided into Division 1 (mental hospitals, jails, prisons), Division 2 (nurseries, hospitals, nursing homes for non-ambulatory patients accommodating more than $5$ persons), and Division 3 (nursing homes for ambulatory patients accommodating more than $5$ persons).

Group E Occupancies

Business and mercantile occupancies including gasoline filling stations and storage garages (Division 1), wholesale/retail stores, offices, and dining establishments under $100$ persons (Division 2), and aircraft hangars or open parking garages (Division 3).

Group F Occupancies

Light industrial occupancies using incombustible and non-explosive materials, including ice plants, power plants, pumping plants, cold storage, and creameries.

Group G Occupancies

Storage and hazardous industrial occupancies categorized into five divisions based on storage of hazardous/flammable materials, woodworking, repair garages, and aircraft repair hangars.

Group H Occupancies

Assembly buildings for an occupant load of less than $1000$, including structures with or without stages, stadia, and reviewing stands.

Group I Occupancies

Any assembly building with a stage and an occupant load of $1000$ or more.

Group J Occupancies

Accessory structures including agricultural buildings (Division 1), private garages, carports, and fences over $1.80\,\text{meters}$ high (Division 2), and stages, courts, tombs, mausoleums, or vaults (Division 3).

Basic R-2

A single-attached or duplex building/structure of from one ($1$) storey up to three ($3$) storeys in height with each unit for separate use as single-family dwellings.

Maximum R-2

A low-rise multi-level building/structure of from three ($3$) up to five ($5$) storeys in height for use as multiple family dwellings.

Basic R-3

A rowhouse building/structure of from one ($1$) storey up to three ($3$) storeys in height with each unit for separate use as single-family dwellings.

Maximum R-3

A medium-rise multi-level building/structure of from six ($6$) up to twelve ($12$) storeys in height for use as multiple family dwellings.

Residential R-4

A medium to high-density residential use characterized mainly as a low-rise townhouse building/structure on an individual lot for exclusive use as multiple family dwellings.

Residential R-5

A very high-density residential use characterized mainly as a medium-rise or high-rise condominium building/structure for exclusive use as multiple family dwellings.

Allowable Maximum Building Footprint (AMBF)

The resultant area established at grade level upon which a proposed building or structure may stand, measured horizontally from property lines or firewalls.

Building Height Limit (BHL)

The maximum height allowed for buildings or structures based on their proposed use or occupancy, generally measured from established grade line to the topmost portion.

Floor to Lot Area Ratio (FLAR)

The ratio of total floor area to total lot area, serving as the primary or initial determinant of building bulk.

Gross Floor Area (GFA)

The total floor space within the perimeter of permanent external building walls, inclusive of main and auxiliary buildings, corridors, lobbies, and balconies, but excluding specified parking, utility, and open areas.

Total Gross Floor Area (TGFA)

The total floor space within main and auxiliary buildings consisting of the GFA, enclosed support areas, and usable horizontal surfaces attached to the building above or below grade level.

Outermost Faces of Building (OFB)

The outer boundary limits established by the vertical projections of the outermost faces of the Allowable Maximum Building Footprint up to the prescribed Building Height Limit.

Allowable Maximum Volume of Building (AMVB)

The maximum 3D volume of a proposed building determined by multiplying the AMBF by the BHL and reduced by superimposing angular planes originating from the RROW centerline.

Percentage of Site Occupancy (PSO)

The percentage of the total lot area occupied by the building footprint taken at ground level.

Total Open Space within Lot (TOSL)

The portions of the total lot area not occupied by the Maximum Allowable PSO, consisting of the Impervious Surface Area (ISA) and Unpaved Surface Area (USA).

Impervious Surface Area (ISA)

The paved or tiled (hardscaped) open spaces within the total lot area.

Unpaved Surface Area (USA)

The unpaved, exposed soil and softscaped planted portion of open space within a lot.

Planned Unit Development (PUD)

Land development or redevelopment schemes governed by a Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) that permits flexibility in planning, urban design, and building siting.

Four-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation

An occupancy separation of not less than four-hour fire-resistive construction having absolutely no openings therein.