Chapter 1: Administration

Overview:

  • Permit Required (Section 100): It establishes that a Registered and Licensed Master Plumber is required for compliance with the Plumbing Law. Any plumbing or drainage work requiring a permit must obtain one from the relevant authority.

  • To Whom Permits May Be Issued (Section 101): Permits for plumbing installations are only issued to Registered and Licensed Master Plumbers.

  • Application for Permit (Section 102): It details the application process, including identifying the work, describing the land, indicating the intended use or occupancy, and providing plans, specifications, and other necessary information.

  • Permit Issuance (Section 103): Outlines the process for reviewing applications, approving plans, issuing permits, and retaining records.

  • Application for Existing Plumbing System (Section 104): Covers additions, alterations, repairs, changes in building occupancy, maintenance, and requirements for moved buildings.

  • Inspections (Section 105): Specifies requirements for inspections, testing, operation of plumbing equipment, and re-inspections.

  • Connection Approval (Section 106): Governs the approval of permanent and temporary connections to water supply, sewer, or storm drain systems.

  • Special Provisions (Section 107): Establishes requirements for Licensed Master Plumbers to obtain and use a seal for official documents and applications.

  • Plumbing Fixtures Required (Section 108): Mandates that every building must have sanitary facilities in accordance with standards for mobility of disabled persons.

Proper Code:

Section 100 - PERMIT REQUIRED

To ensure compliance of the provisions of this Code, the professional services of a Registered and Licensed Master Plumber shall be enlisted in accordance with Republic Act No. 1378, the "Plumbing Law". Subsection 102.2; 102.1.5 shall give such other data and information as required by the Administrative Authority; 102.1.6. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, whether acting as principal, servant, agent or employee, to do or cause to be done any plumbing or drainage work for which a permit is required without securing a prior permit from the Office of the Building Official having jurisdiction under the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Interior & Local Government, or City Mayors.

Section 101 - TO WHOM PERMITS MAY BE ISSUED

No permit shall be issued to any person, firm or corporation, to do or cause to be done any installation of plumbing work regulated by this Code, except to a Registered and Licensed Master Plumber, holding a valid, unexpired and unrevoked certificate of registration as required by Republic Act No. 1378, as amended.

Section 102 - APPLICATION FOR PERMIT

102.1 Application

  • A Registered and Licensed Master Plumber shall file an application at the Office of the Building Official on behalf of the building Owner for whom such work shall be done and shall fill out the forms provided for that purpose. Every application shall:

  • Identify and describe the plumbing work to be covered by the permit for which an application is made;

  • Describe the land upon which the proposed plumbing work is to be done, with legal description, address, or similar description that will readily identify and locate the proposed building or work;

  • Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed plumbing work is intended;

  • Be accompanied by plans, drawings, diagrams, computations, technical specifications, and other data as required by the Administrative Authority;

  • Be signed by the Owner or permittee, who is required to submit evidence to indicate such authority;

  • Be signed and sealed by the Registered and Licensed Master Plumber.

102.2 Plans and Specifications

All plumbing plans, drawings, diagrams, design analyses/computations as required, technical specifications, bills of materials and other required documents for all types of occupancy shall be prepared, signed and sealed by a Registered and Licensed Master Plumber, without limitations, pursuant to Republic Act 1378, as amended, and shall be submitted in six (6) sets of the aforementioned requirements application for a permit.

Section 103 - PERMIT ISSUANCE

103.1

The application, plans, technical specifications, and other required documents filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the Administrative Authority. Other concerned departments which verify compliance with other applicable laws may review such plans. If the Administrative Authority finds that the work described in an application for permit and the plans, specifications, and other documents filed therewith conform to the requirements of the Plumbing Code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and upon payment of the fees specified in Section 105, a permit shall then be issued to the Applicant.

  • 103.1.2 When the Administrative Authority issues the permit, he shall endorse in writing or stamp the plans and specifications as "APPROVED". Such approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified, or altered without authorization from the Administrative Authority and all works shall be done in accordance with approved plans and specifications.

  • 103.2 The Administrative Authority may issue a Partial Permit for the construction of a part of a large and/or complicated plumbing system before the entire plans and specifications for the whole system have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and detailed statements have been filed, complying with all pertinent requirements of this Code. The holder of such partial permit may proceed at his own risk without assurance that the final permit for the entire building, structure, or plumbing system will be granted.

103.3 Retention of Plans

One set of approved plans, specifications, computations, and related data shall be retained by the Administrative Authority. Two (2) sets of approved plans, specifications, and data shall be returned to the applicant and Owner, one (1) set of which shall be kept at the jobsite at all times while the work is in progress.

103.4 Validity of Permit

The issuance of a permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be construed as a permit to violate any provision of this Plumbing Code or of any other applicable ordinances. The issuance of a permit based on submitted plans, specifications, or other documents shall not prevent the Administrative Authority from thereafter requiring the correction of errors on said plans, specifications, and other documents, and from stopping an ongoing plumbing installation violative of this Code or of other pertinent ordinances of this Jurisdiction.

103.5 Expiration

A plumbing permit issued under the provisions of this Code shall expire and become null and void if the plumbing work authorized therein is not commenced within one year from the date of such permit or if the plumbing work so authorized is suspended or abandoned at any time after having been commenced for a period of 120 days. In the case of renewal of a plumbing permit, a fee equivalent to one-half the amount of the original fee shall be paid.

Section 104 - APPLICATION FOR EXISTING PLUMBING SYSTEM

104.1 Additions, Alterations, or Repairs

may be made to any existing plumbing system provided the addition, alteration, or repair works conform to requirements for a new plumbing system. Additions, alterations, or repairs shall not render an existing system unsafe, unsanitary, or overloaded.

104.2 Changes in Building Occupancy

Plumbing systems which are a part of any building or structure undergoing a change in use or occupancy, as defined in the National Building Code, shall comply with all requirements of this Code applicable to the changed use or occupancy.

104.3 Maintenance

All plumbing systems, materials, and appurtenances, both existing and new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in proper operating condition. All devices or safeguards required by this Code shall be maintained in conformance with the existing Code edition at the time the plumbing system was installed. The owner or his designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of plumbing systems. To determine compliance with this subsection, the Administrative Authority may cause the re-inspection of any plumbing system.

104.4 Moved Buildings

Plumbing systems, which are part of buildings or structures in one place and moved into another jurisdiction, shall comply with the provisions of this Code for new installation.

Section 105 - INSPECTIONS

105.1 General

All plumbing systems for which permits are required by this Code shall be inspected by the Administrative Authority. No portion of any plumbing system shall be concealed until inspected and approved. The Administrative Authority or his representative shall not be liable for expenses incurred in the removal and replacement of materials required to warrant proper inspection. When the installation of a plumbing system is complete, an additional and final inspection shall be made. Plumbing systems regulated by this Code shall not be connected to the water and energy fuel supplies nor to the sewer system until authorized by the Administrative Authority and other Agencies concerned.

105.2 Operation of Plumbing Equipment

The requirements of this Section do not prohibit the operation or use of any plumbing accessory installed to replace existing equipment or fixtures serving an occupied portion of the building when a request for inspection of such equipment or fixtures has been filed with the Administrative Authority not more than 72 hours after such replacement work is completed and before any portion of such plumbing system is concealed by any permanent portion of the building. Such request shall be in writing and jointly signed by the Owner and the Registered and Licensed Master Plumber-Contractor. It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections required by this Code to provide access to and means for proper inspection of such work as well as provide all the equipment, the tools, power, and water required for the test.

105.3 Testing of Systems

All plumbing systems shall be tested and approved as required by this Code or the Administrative Authority.

105.4 Inspection Request

It shall be the duty of the person doing the plumbing work authorized by a permit to notify the Administrative Authority that such work is ready for inspection. The Administrative Authority requires that every request for inspection be filed at least three (3) working days before such inspection is intended.

Such request shall be in writing and jointly signed by the Owner and the Registered and Licensed Master Plumber- Contractor

It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections required by this Code to provide access to and means for proper inspection of such work as well as provide all the equipment, the tools, power and water required tor the test.

105.5 Other Inspection

In addition to the inspections required by this Code, the Administrative Authority may require other inspections of the plumbing work to comply with the other provisions of this Code, other pertinent laws and ordinances enforced by the Administrative Authority.

Section 106 - CONNECTION APPROVAL

106.1 Permanent Connections

No person shall install connections to any water supply line, sewer, or storm drain systems as required by this Code and for which other applications and permits are also required from other Agencies before approval by the Administrative Authority.

106.2 Temporary Connections

Administrative Authority will endorse to other authorities or government agencies the issuance of temporary connections of the plumbing equipment to the water supply, sewer main, power line, and gas main for the purpose of testing the equipment.

Section 107 - SPECIAL PROVISIONS

107.1

All Licensed Master Plumbers registered in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 1378 shall secure for themselves a seal of the standard size and type as required. The same shall be used on all plumbing applications for permits and all plumbing plans prepared by Registered and Licensed Master Plumbers as well as on all documents required in the practice of their profession. The seal shall be round in shape and shall be inscribed with the following:

  • Registered and Licensed Master Plumber at upper portion of the round seal.

  • Name of Registered and Licensed Master Plumber at the upper center.

  • The registration number shall appear at the center below the name.

  • Philippines, appearing at the lower portion of the round seal.

Section 108 - PLUMBING FIXTURES REQUIRED

Each building shall be provided with sanitary facilities in accordance with the best practice for the mobility of disabled persons as provided in the National Building Code of the Philippines or by other government jurisdiction departments.