Building Occupant Load Calculation

Building Official Designation and Qualifications

• The Secretary's designation of a Building Official continues until regular positions are provided or terminated by law or decree.
• A Building Official must possess the following qualifications:
  • Be a Filipino citizen of good moral character.
  • Be a duly registered architect or civil engineer.
  • Be a member of a duly accredited organization of their profession for at least two years.
  • Have at least five years of diversified and professional experience in building design and construction.

Duties of a Building Official

• The Building Official is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the National Building Code and implementing rules and regulations.
• They are charged with issuing building permits.
• They may enter any building or its premises at reasonable times to inspect and determine compliance with the Code.

Maximum Height of Buildings

• The maximum height and number of storeys of a building depend on the character of occupancy and type of construction.
• The height is measured from the highest adjoining sidewalk or ground surface.
• The height measured from the lowest adjoining surface shall not exceed the maximum height by more than 3.00 meters.
• Towers, spires, and steeples are limited in height only by structural design if completely of incombustible materials.

Minimum Requirements for Group A Dwellings

• A dwelling shall occupy not more than 90% of a corner lot and 80% of an inside lot.
• The dwelling shall be at least 2 meters from the property line.
• Every dwelling shall be constructed and arranged to provide adequate light and ventilation.
• Every dwelling shall be provided with at least one sanitary toilet and adequate washing and drainage facilities.

Exits

• The total exit width required from any storey of a building is determined by using the occupant load of that storey plus the percentage of the occupant loads of floors which exits through the level under consideration.
• The maximum exit width from any storey of a building shall be maintained.
• If only two exits are required, they shall be placed a distance apart of not less than one-fifth of the perimeter of the area served.
• No point in a building without a sprinkler system shall be more than 45.00 meters from an exterior exit door, a horizontal exit, exit passageway, or an enclosed stairway.
• In a building equipped with a complete automatic fire extinguishing system, the distance from exits may be increased to 60.00 meters.

Doors

• Exit doors shall conform to all provisions in the following cases:
  • Approved revolving doors having leaves which will collapse under opposing pressures may be used in exit situations.
  • The minimum width of revolving doors is 2.00 meters or they are not used in occupancies where exits are required to be equipped with panic hardware.

Corridors and Exterior Exit Balconies

• Every corridor or exterior exit balcony serving as a required exit for an occupant load of more than 10 shall have a minimum width of 1.10 meters.
• The required width of corridors and exterior exit balconies shall be unobstructed.
• Doors in any position shall not reduce the required width of the corridor by more than one-half.

Seating Capacity

• The width of any seat shall not be less than 450 millimeters nor more than 480 millimeters.
• The number of seats between any seat and an aisle shall not be greater than 15 for open air stands with seats without backrests, 36 for open air stands with seats having backrests, and 6 for seats with backrests in buildings.