Study Notes – Implementing Rules & Regulations of the National Building Code (PD 1096)

Page 1

• 2005 Revised Edition of the IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR) of the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) – Presidential Decree 1096.
• Compilation includes:
– NBCDO Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2004
– Schedule of Fees & Other Charges
– NBCDO Memorandum Circular No. 2004-2
– NBC Forms (permit, certificate & inspection templates)
– Legal Opinions
– Texts of PD 1096, RA 544 (Civil Engineering Law) & RA 9266 (Architecture Act 2004).

Page 2 – Table of Contents (extract)

RULE I – General Provisions (Secs 101-106)
RULE II – Administration & Enforcement (Secs 201-216)
RULE III – Permits & Inspection (Secs 301-309)
RULE IV – Types of Construction (Secs 401-403)
RULE V – Fire Zones
RULE VI – Fire-Resistive Requirements
RULE VII – Classification of Buildings by Use/Occupancy (Secs 701-709)
RULE VIII – Light & Ventilation (Secs 801-811)
RULE IX – Sanitation (Secs 901-907)
RULE X – Projections over Public Streets (Secs 1001-1008)
RULE XI – Protection of Pedestrians During Construction/Demolition (Secs 1101-1108)
RULE XII – General Design & Construction (Secs 1201-1215)
RULE XIII – Electrical & Mechanical
RULE XIV – Photographic & X-ray Films
RULES XV–XXI plus Glossary, fees, forms, laws.

Key Observations
• Numbering in IRR mirrors the parent Code for clarity.
• Each rule holds specific performance, dimensional & administrative standards.

Page 3 – Continuation of TOC (Rules V–VIII)

Highlights
• Rule V defines, designates & restricts Fire Zones (§§ 501-507).
• Rule VI quantifies “fire-resistive rating” & sets material/time requirements (§§ 601-604).
• Rule VII – the longest rule – lays out nine occupancy groups (A–I) plus special mixed-use provisions; governs floor area, height, yard & easement controls.
• Separate guidelines exist for cemeteries/memorial parks & bulk controls.
• Rule VIII establishes minimum natural light, airspace & ceiling-height benchmarks and recognises artificial ventilation allowances.

Page 4 – Continuation of TOC (Rules IX–XII)

• Rule IX synchronises the NBCP with the Sanitation Code (PD 856).
• Rule X governs balconies, canopies, chaflans, arcades & awnings projecting into public RROW.
• Rule XI prescribes site barricades, covered walks, debris chutes & demolition sequencing for public safety.
• Rule XII aggregates most technical disciplines: structural, exit width, stairs, roofs, fire-extinguishing systems, stages, projection rooms, etc.

Page 5 – Continuation of TOC (Rules XIII–XXI)

• Rule XIII splits electrical (wiring, load calculations, clearances) from mechanical (pressure vessels, HVAC, elevators).
• Rule XIV governs nitrate/acetate & safety film storage, limiting fire load.
• Rule XV permits factory-built components subject to load testing & QA documentation.
• Rule XVI lists approved plastics & sets thickness/area limits for skylights, diffusers & exterior veneer.
• Rule XVII details paint-spray booths (metal gauge, air changes, spark-proof lighting).
• Rule XVIII covers glass & glazing impact/area limits.
• Rule XIX legitimises computer-generated calculations, requiring sealed documentation & audit trails.
• Rule XX (Signs) stipulates anchorage, projection, illumination & annual inspections.
• Rule XXI – separability, repealing & effectivity clauses of IRR.

Page 6 – Ancillary Materials

• New Schedule of Fees & Charges (pp 254-270) – basis for cost recovery:
– $80\%$ LGU share, $20\%$ National (DPWH) share.
• Extensive NBC Forms (B-series Building, A-series Ancillary, E-series Electrical, M-series Mechanical).
• Legal opinions clarify overlapping jurisdiction (e.g.C ECA vs. NBCP).

Page 8 – Foreword

Purpose & Context
• PD 1096 (19 Feb 1977) set national baseline for life, health, property & public-welfare safeguards.
• 1977-79 MO-issued rules compiled by then-MPWTC; evolved into first IRR.
• 2005 revision addresses:
– Technological advances (high-rise, mega-city issues).
– Harmonisation with related laws (B.P. 344 Accessibility, new professional acts).
– Added permit forms for field enforcement.
• Produced by NBCRC, its Board of Consultants (BOC) & NBCDO.

Page 9 – Acknowledgement

• Lists NBCRC leadership (Asst. Sec. Raul C. Asis, Dir. Antonio V. Molano Jr., etc.).
• Board of Consultants chaired by Angel Lazaro Jr.; multidisciplinary roster (architects, engineers, lawyers, scientists).
• Recognises volunteer technical staff and government-professional cooperation model.

Page 10 – Special Order 43-2005 (NBCDO Composition)

• Reactivates Building Research & Development Staff as NBC Development Office.
• Key posts:
– Engr. Emmanuel P. Cuntapay – Acting Executive Director & Bureau of Design.
– Archt. Dante B. Potante – Acting Deputy ED.
• Enumerates 16 Technical Staff & 5 Admin Staff drawn from DPWH bureaus & regions.
• Staff serve full-time in NBCDO yet remain on parent-unit payroll.

Page 11 – NBCDO Memorandum Circular 01-2005

Seven Implementing Directives

NBCDO is Secretary’s technical arm for PD 1096 IRR enforcement.
ONLY the DPWH Secretary signs appeal resolutions; the NBCDO ED answers technical opinions.
Incumbent local Building Officials (BOs) stay until DPWH deputises new BOs nominated by their professional orgs & LGUs.
Prior to permit processing, BO must authenticate: PRC ID, IAPOA/ APO certificates, PTR, CTC & TIN of all professional signatories.
No permit/certificate for public-use buildings (including multi-family dwellings) unless they install FULL BP 344 accessibility spectrum: ramps, lifts, accessible CRs, Braille signage, reserved PWD parking, etc.
New nationwide Schedule of Fees enforced; split: $80\%$ LGU – $20\%$ National.
BOs to submit quarterly situation report using prescribed matrix (status of existing, on-going & proposed structures).

Page 12 – RULE I General Provisions

SECTION 101 – Title
• Cited as “Revised IRR of the National Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096)”.
SECTION 102 – Policy
• State safeguards life, health, property, public welfare; ensures environmental control; sets minimum standards for location, design, materials, construction, use & maintenance.
SECTION 103 – Scope

Covers architectural, civil/structural, electrical, mechanical, sanitary, plumbing & electronics disciplines and all lifecycle activities except:
– Traditional indigenous family dwellings.
– BP 220 socialised housing.
Illegal existing buildings may obtain permits after compliance but are subject to penalties.
Allied professional codes approved by DPWH Secretary serve as referral codes.
SECTION 104 – General Building Requirements
Suitability & safe construction.
Industrial buildings must protect environment.
Ongoing maintenance to remain safe & sanitary.
SECTION 105 – Site Requirements
• Must be hygienic/safe, adequately distant from polluted waters, volcanoes, fire/explosion sources.
SECTION 106 – Definitions (selected)
• Addition, Alteration, Conversion, Demolition, Building Official, OBO, Referral Codes, etc.
• Defines “Building Permit”: formal authority issued after plans pass NBCP/IRR review.

Page 15 – RULE II Administration & Enforcement

SECTION 201 – DPWH Secretary exclusively administers & enforces, including administrative penalties.
SECTION 202 – NBCDO functions: technical advice, seminars, final action on technical/legal problems.
SECTION 203 – Powers of Secretary

Formulate policies & standards.
Issue further circulars.
Appellate jurisdiction over BO decisions (final & executory, reviewable only by OP).
Approve amendments to referral codes.
Set fee schedules.
Appoint BOs distinct from city/municipal engineers.
SECTION 204 – May hire consultants/testing labs.
SECTION 205 – BO duties: field enforcement, annual inspections, quarterly reports, issue/ suspend permits, declare dangerous buildings, etc.
SECTION 206 – BO Qualifications: Filipino, good moral, PRC Architect/Civil Engineer, $5$ yrs experience, completed DPWH PD 1096 seminar.
SECTION 207 – Detailed list of BO duties incl. maintain records, impose sanctions, oversee all vertical works.
SECTION 208 – Fees
• Secretary prescribes rates.
• LGU keeps $80\%$ ; BO may retain up to $20\%$ for OBO ops.
SECTION 209 – Exemptions: public buildings & “traditional indigenous family dwellings” (cost $\le 15{,}000$ ) are fee-free.
SECTION 210 – Detailed accounting workflow for collections and remittances (segregated funds, COA/NGAS rules).
SECTION 211 – Secretary publishes further rules (3×, once-a-week).
SECTION 212 – Administrative Fines
• $\le 10{,}000$ per violation; categorised as Light, Less-Grave, Grave with surcharges (e.g.C 100 % of building fees for illegal construction).
SECTION 213 – Penal clause: court fine $\le 20{,}000$ and/or $\le 2$ yr imprisonment; alien offenders deported after sentence.
SECTION 214-216 – Dangerous/Ruinous Buildings
• Enumerates structural, fire, electrical, mechanical, sanitary & architectural deficiency indicators.
• Provides abatement & demolition procedure (15-day notices, appeals, DPWH enforcement, public auction of materials).

Page 29 – Administrative Sanctions & Demolition Procedures (Flow Highlights)

BO may act motu proprio or on complaints.
Respondent gets $\ge 5$ days to answer; formal investigation follows due process.
BO may subpoena witnesses & docs.
Closure possible on imminent danger finding.
Appeal hierarchy: BO → DPWH Secretary → Office of the President.
BO may enlist police under DILG–DPWH MOA for enforcement.
Civil Code Art. 482 & 694-707 remedies remain supplementary.

Page 32 – RULE III Permits & Inspection (General)

SECTION 301 – Building Permit Requirement
• No person (private or gov’t) may construct, alter, convert, move, demolish or occupy without permit from local BO.
Ancillary Permits (must accompany): Architectural, Civil/Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, Sanitary, Plumbing, Electronics.
Accessory Permits: vaults, pools, towers, silos, tanks, kiosks, demolition, scaffolding, excavation, fencing, etc.
Exempt Minor Works: small sheds $\le 6\,\text{m}^2$ , terraces $\le 20\,\text{m}^2$ , garden walls $\le 1.2\text{ m}$ high, routine non-structural repairs, etc.
SECTION 302 – Application Requirements
• Ownership docs (OCT/TCT, tax receipts).
• Five sets of signed & sealed plans; detailed listings for each professional discipline (architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, sanitary, plumbing, electronics, geodetic).
• Mandatory accessibility & fire-safety drawings.
• Clearances: zoning, DPWH, ATO, HLURB, DENR, BFP, others — silent approval after $7$ days.
SECTION 303 – Processing
• Flow chart (Fig. III-3): Receive → Zoning check → Line & Grade → Discipline reviews → BFP → Cashier → Permit.
• Design changes require amended permit.
SECTION 304 – Issuance
• BO must release within $15$ days of fee payment when compliant.
• Partial permits & early excavation permits allowed; excavation $>50\,\text{m}^3$ or $>2\text{ m}$ deep requires cash bond $50{,}000 + 300$ PHP/ $\text{m}^3$ in excess.
Terms & Conditions include:
– Civil Code Art 1723 liability of designers/contractors for $15$ yrs.
– Logbook & Certificate of Completion requirements.
– Posting of Notice of Construction & standard Building Permit Signboard.
SECTION 305 – Validity
• Permit lapses if work not started $\le 1$ yr or suspended $\ge 120$ days.
SECTION 306 – Non-issuance/Suspension/Revocation grounds: plan errors, false data, rule violations.
SECTION 307 – Appeal to Secretary within $15$ days.
SECTION 308 – Inspection & Supervision
• Full-time site inspector (PRC architect/CE) required; must keep logbook.
SECTION 309 – Certificate of Occupancy
• Requires as-built drawings, logbook, BO & BFP final inspection.
• Partial or change-use certificates permissible.

Page 49 – RULE IV Types of Construction

• Type I – Wood.
• Type II – Wood + 1-hr fire-resistive overlay.
• Type III – Masonry/wood, exterior incombustible, 1-hr rating.
• Type IV – Incombustible (steel, concrete, masonry) 2-hr FR for structure, 1-hr for partitions.
• Type V – Four-hour fire-resistive throughout; full steel/concrete/masonry.
SECTION 402 – Change in type allowed only if new risk $<$ old risk.
SECTION 403 – Fire-Resistive & Finish Standards
• Exterior walls: Type II–III $1$ -hr, Type IV $4$ -hr, Type V $4$ -hr.
• Interior bearing walls: Types II-IV $1$ -hr, Type V $3$ -hr.
• Structural frames: II-III $1$ -hr, IV $2$ -hr, V $3$ -hr.
• Interior wall/ceiling finish flame-spread indexing via Tunnel Test; treated materials $\le 50$ flame-spread.

Practical Note: Designers must cross-reference with the latest Fire Code IRR and the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) for detailed material/time equivalencies.

Cross-rule Linkages & Exam Tips

• Always pair Rule III permit procedures with Rule II sanctions – failure to follow the former triggers fines/penalties of the latter.
• Accessibility (BP 344) threads through Rules III (plan content), VIII (clearances) & XII (stairs/ramps).
• Fire safety touches Rules IV, VI, XI & XII – expect integrated multiple-choice questions.
• Memorise the $80\%$ / $20\%$ fee sharing and $15$ -day appeal periods – these are favorite exam items.
• Civil Code Art 1723 liability (15-year structural guarantee) is often paired with questions on designer responsibility.