Philippine Building Code - NBC - PDF

CHAPTER 13 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL REGULATIONS SECTION 1403. Fire Extinguishing System Unless otherwise provided in this Cod...

CHAPTER 13 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL REGULATIONS SECTION 1403. Fire Extinguishing System Unless otherwise provided in this Code, all fire extinguishing systems when so required shall be of a SECTION 1301. Electrical Regulations type, specifications, and methods of installation as prescribed in accordance with the requirements of All electrical systems, equipment and installation mentioned in this Code shall conform to the the Secretary. provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code, as adopted by the Board of Electrical Engineering pursuant to Republic Act No. 184 otherwise known as the Electrical Engineering Law. CHAPTER 15 PRE-FABRICATED CONSTRUCTION SECTION 1302. Mechanical Regulations All mechanical systems, equipment and installations mentioned in this Code shall conform to the SECTION 1501. Prefabricated Assembly provisions of the Philippine Mechanical Engineering code, as adopted by the Board of Mechanical (a) Prefabricated assembly is a structural unit, the integral parts of which have been built up or Engineering pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 294 as amended, otherwise known as the Mechanical assembled prior to incorporation in the building. Engineering Law. (b) The Secretary shall prescribe special tests to determine the structural adequacy, durability, soundness, weather and fire resistance of prefabricated assemblies. CHAPTER 14 PHOTOGRAPHIC AND X-RAY FILMS (c) Every device or system to connect prefabricated assemblies shall be capable of developing the strength of the different members as an integral structure. Except, in the case of members SECTION 1401. Storage and Handling forming part of a structural frame as specified in this Code. Anchorages and connections (a) Storage rooms of unexposed photographic and x-ray films shall be provided with automatic between members and the supporting elements of the structure or walls shall be capable of fire extinguishing systems in the following cases: withstanding all probable external and internal forces or other conditions for a structurally (1) When unexposed films in generally accepted safety shipping containers exceed the aggregate adequate construction. In structural design, proper allowances shall be made for any material of 14.00 cubic meters. to be displaced or removed for the installation of pipes, conduits, or other equipment. (2) Where shelving used for storage of individual packages not in said shipping containers (d) Placement of prefabricated assemblies shall be inspected to determine compliance with this exceeds 1.40 cubic meters in capacity; and Code. (3) Storage is not in generally accepted safety shipping containers in any section not exceeding 14.00 cubic meters. CHAPTER 16 PLASTICS (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. SECTION 1601. Approved Plastics (c) Film negatives shall be kept in properly insulated vented cabinets, vented storage vaults or Approved plastic materials shall be those which have a flame-spread rating of 225 or less and a smoke outside storage houses. Not more than 110 kilograms shall be stored in any single cabinet. density not greater than that obtained from the burning of untreated wood under similar conditions Where the film stored exceeds 450 kilograms, it shall be in vented storage vaults or in a when tested in accordance with generally accepted engineering practices. The products of combustion detached structure or roof vault. Door openings in vaults shall be of four-hour fire-resistive shall be no more toxic than the burning of untreated wood under similar conditions. construction and shall be kept closed except when in use. (d) Only incandescent electric light shall be permitted; protected with substantial wire guards or SECTION 1602. Installation vapor proof globes or both. Portable lights on extension cords are prohibited. Conspicuous (a) Structural Requirements – All plastic materials shall be of adequate strength and durability to “NO SMOKING” signs shall be posted. withstand the prescribed design loads. Sufficient and substantial technical data shall be (e) No films shall be stored within 600 millimeters of steam pipes, chimneys, or other sources submitted to establish stresses, maximum unsupported spans, and such other information as of heat. may be deemed necessary for the various thicknesses and forms used. (f) There shall be first aid provisions of types using water or water solutions. Discarded films (b) Fastenings – Fastenings shall be adequate to withstand design loads and internal and external shall be stored and handled in the same manner as other films until removed from the premises. stresses required of the assembly. Proper allowances of plastic materials in conjunction with other materials with which it is assembled or integrated shall be provided. SECTION 1402. Classes of Film Exempted (a) The provisions of this Section do not apply to the following: film for amateur photographic SECTION 1603. Glazing of Openings use in original packages of “roll” and “film pack” films in quantities of less than 1.40 cubic (a) Doors, sashes and framed openings in exterior walls of all buildings except Types IV and V meters; safety film; dental X-ray film; establishments manufacturing photographic films and Constructions may be glazed or equipped with approved plastics: Provided, that: their storage incidental thereto and films stored or being used in standard motion picture (1) The wall in which such glazing is installed is so located that openings are not required to be booths. fire-protected. (b) Safety photographic X-ray film may be identified by the marking on the edge of the film. (2) Except for Type I Construction, the location, size, and spacing of such glazed openings do not  exceed the values set forth by the Secretary. (a) General – Ceiling light diffusers having an area greater than ten percent of any 10.00 square (3) Plastics used in glazed openings for Type II Construction shall be materials appropriate for meters of room area shall be of approved plastics conforming to the requirements specified in use according to flame-spread characteristics and the location, size, and spacing of the this Code. openings do not exceed the values set forth by the Secretary. (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 80 C for 15 minutes, Except, for SECTION 1604. Skylights plastic light diffusers which are installed in the first floor area of Group C Occupancies having (a) General – Approved plastics may be used in skylights installed on roofs of Types I, II or III egress directly to the exterior of the building; and plastic light diffusers which are located constructions and all buildings in these categories shall be equipped with an approved between an approved automatic Fire-extinguishing system and the area to be protected other automatic fire- extinguishing system in Groups A, B, C, E, F, J, H-3 and H-4 Occupancies: than public corridors for Group A, B, C, D, E, G, H, and I Occupancies if tests required by the Except, that: Secretary have established that such installation will not interfere with the efficient operation (1) Approved plastics may be used in any type of construction or occupancy as a fire venting of such automatic fire-extinguishing systems. system when approved by the Building Official. (2) Plastics may be used in approved skylights in Type II one-hour fire-resistive construction SECTION 1607. Partitions which are located 300 millimeters or more above the lower flange of the ceiling. The walls of Where partitions are not required to be of fire-resistive or incombustible construction, approved the skylight well shall be no less fire-resistive than the adjacent ceiling. plastics conforming to the requirements specified in this Code may be used. (3) Where a fire-resistive ceiling is not required in one-storey buildings, approved plastics may be used in skylights. SECTION 1608. Exterior Veneer (b) Installation Requirements (a) General (1) Except in Group A Occupancies, no skylight shall be installed within 3.00 meters of a property Exterior veneer may be of approved plastic materials, and shall conform to the provisions of this line. Section. (2) The edges of dome-type skylights shall be properly flashed. (b) Height (3) Plastic skylights shall be separated from each other by at least 2.50 meters laterally and 3.00 Plastic veneer shall not be attached to any exterior wall above the first storey: Provided, that plastic meters along the slope of the roof. veneer may be attached to exterior walls above the first storey of buildings located outside of highly (c) Allowable areas – The area of individual plastic skylights shall not exceed 10.00 square restrictive Fire Zones: Provided, further that the height of veneer is not in excess of 10.00 meters above meters. The total aggregate area of plastics used in skylights, monitors, and sawtooth glazing the adjacent grade of elevation. shall not exceed twenty percent of the floor area of the room or occupancy sheltered. (c) Area (d) Curb Requirements – Plastic skylights in roofs having a slope of less than 1 in 3 shall have a Sections of plastic veneer shall not exceed 15.00 square meters in area, Except, that in less restrictive 100 millimeters high curb. The curb may be omitted where a wire screen not smaller than No. Fire Zones, the area may be increased by fifty percent. 12 U.S. gauge with a mesh not larger than 25-millimeters is provided immediately below the (d) Separation skylight. The screen shall be substantially mounted below the skylight. Sections of plastic veneer shall be separated by a minimum of 1.20 meters vertically and 600 millimeters horizontally. SECTION 1605. 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 SECTION 1609. Awnings and Canopies provided with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system, approved plastics may be (a) Plastic materials appropriate for use according to Flame Spread characteristics may be utilized used with or without sash as the light-transmitting medium in monitors and sawtooth; Except, in awnings and canopies, provided such awnings and canopies are constructed in accordance that plastics used in monitors or sawtooth roofs of Type II Construction shall be of materials with provisions governing projections and appendages as specified in this Code. appropriate to be used according to flame-spread characteristics. (b) Approved plastics may be used in awnings where untreated canvass is permitted. (b) Allowable Areas – The area of individual plastic glazing used in monitors and sawtooth (c) Approved plastics may be used in lieu of plain glass in green-houses in less restrictive Fire glazing shall not exceed 15.00 square meters. The total aggregate area of plastics used in Zones. skylights, monitors, and sawtooth glazing shall not exceed twenty percent of the floor area of the room or occupancy sheltered. CHAPTER 17 (c) Area Separation – The area of such plastic panels shall be separated from each other by a SHEET METAL PAINT SPRAY BOOTHS section of incombustible material or by a section of the roofing material of the structure not less than 1.50 meters in length. The lower edge of the plastic material shall be at least 150 SECTION 1701. Sheet Metal Paint Spray Booths millimeters above the surface of the adjoining roof surface. (a) General Paint spray booths shall be constructed of steel of not less than No. 18 U.S. gauge in thickness and SECTION 1606. Plastic Light Diffusers in Ceilings shall be designed in accordance with this Code.  (b) Area SECTION 1802. Area Limitation The area of a paint spray booth shall not exceed 150 square meters nor ten percent of the basic area Exterior glass and glazing shall be capable of safely withstanding the load due to wind pressures for permitted for the major use of the building according to its Occupancy Group. various height zones above ground acting inward or outward. The area of individual lights shall not (c) Floor Construction be more than the maximum allowable area of glass according to the wind load multiplied by the The floor shall be constructed of incombustible material. appropriate adjustment factor. (d) Interior Surface Paint spray booths shall be designed to permit the free passage of exhaust air from all parts of the SECTION 1803. Glazing interior and all interior surfaces shall be smooth and continuous without outstanding edges. Glass firmly supported on all four edges shall be glazed with minimum laps and edge clearances in accordance with Section 1801 paragraph (b), Provided, that glass edge clearance in fixed openings SECTION 1702. Fire Protection shall be not less than what is required for wind and earthquake drift. For glass not firmly supported on Every spray booth having an open front elevation larger than 1.00 square meter and which is not all four edges and design shall be submitted for approval of the Building Official. Glass supports shall equipped with doors, shall have a fire curtain or metal deflector not less than 100 millimeters deep be considered firm when deflection of the support at design load does not exceed 1/175 of the span. installed at the upper outer edge of the booth opening. SECTION 1804. Louvered Windows SECTION 1703. Light Regular plate, sheet, or patterned glass in jalousies and louvered windows shall not be thinner than 5.6 Paint spray booths shall be illuminated through hammered wire or heat-treated glass panels. The glass millimeters minimal and not longer than 1.20 meters. Exposed glass edges shall be smooth. panels shall be located in such a manner as to reduce the hazard of ignition caused by paint spray deposit. SECTION 1805. Impact Frameless glass doors, glass in doors, fixed glass panels, and similar glazed openings which may be SECTION 1704. Ventilation subject to accidental human impact shall conform with the requirements set forth by the Secretary on (a) General impact loads of glass: Except in the following cases: Mechanical ventilation shall be provided direct to the exterior of the building. The mechanical exhaust (1) Bathtub and shower enclosures shall be constructed from approved shatter-resistant materials, system shall be designed to move the air through any portion of the paint spray area at the rate of not such as: wire-reinforced glass not less than 5.6 millimeters thick; fully tempered glass not less less than 30.00 lineal meters per minute. The blades of exhaust fans shall be constructed of non-ferrous than 4.8 millimeters thick; or laminated safety glass not less than 6.4 millimeters thick. material and shall be mounted in such a manner as to prevent contact with the exhaust duct. The motor (2) Glass lights located not less than 450 millimeters above the adjacent finished floor or walking shall not be mounted in the spray booth or the duct system and belts shall be enclosed where they enter surface. the booth or duct system. (3) Glass lights when the least dimension is not greater than 450 millimeters. (b) Exhaust Ducts (4) Glass lights 1.50 square meters or less in area. Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of steel having a thickness not less than the values set by the Secretary. The discharge point for ducts in a paint spray booth shall be not less than 2.00 meters from CHAPTER 19 adjoining combustible construction nor less than 8.00 meters from adjoining exterior wall openings: THE USE OF COMPUTERS Except, that the discharge point for exhaust ducts is not regulated in a waterwash spray booth. SECTION 1901. General Rule CHAPTER 18 GLASS AND GLAZING The use of computers for all or any part of the design of buildings under this Code is permitted provided that all programs to be used are documented. SECTION 1801. General Requirements (a) This Chapter shall apply to exterior glass and glazing in all Occupancies except Groups A, B, SECTION 1902. Program Documentation and J Occupancies not over three storeys in height, and to interior and exterior glass and Documenting a program under this Code consists of filing with the Building Official a reference to a glazing in all occupancies subject to human impact as specified in this Code. publication or publications accessible to him where the detailed description of the program or a brief (b) Standards for materials shall conform to the provisions set by the Secretary on glass statement of the theoretical background of the program including a description of the algorithms used dimensional tolerances, breaking stress levels, and design safety factors. are found. (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 SECTION 1903. Submission of Computer-Generated Computations tempered or insulated, shall bear the manufacturer’s identification showing the special A copy of the output sheets for computer-generated computations shall be submitted as a part of the characteristics and thickness by etching or other permanent identification that shall be visible design computations. The out sheets shall be accompanied by a certification of a designer and/or after the glass is glazed. consultant that the output sheets are the results obtained through the use of documented programs. The certification should include the identification of the specific program used for each portion of the computer-generated computations being submitted. meters of an exterior wall in which there are openings within the area of the sign shall be constructed of incombustible material or approved plastics. CHAPTER 20 SIGNS (d) Projection over Alleys. No sign or sign structure shall project into any public alley below a height of 3.00 meters above established sidewalk grade, nor project more than 300 millimeters SECTION 2001. General Requirements where the sign structure is located 3.00 meters to 4.5 meters above established sidewalk grade. (a) No sign or signboard shall be erected in such a manner as to confuse or obstruct the view or The sign or sign structure must not project more than 1.00 meter into the public alley where interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal, or device. the sign or sign structure is located more than 4.50 meters above established sidewalk grade. (b) No sign or signboard 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 SECTION 2006. Lighting otherwise defile, debase or offend aesthetic and cultural values and traditions. Signs shall be illuminated only by electrical means in accordance with the Philippine Electrical SECTION 2002. Maintenance Code. All signs, together with all of their supports, braces, guys, and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in CHAPTER 21 TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS proper state of preservation. The display of all signs shall be kept neatly painted and secured at all times. SECTION 2101. Existing Building and Structures All buildings or structures constructed under R.A. 6541 or existing city or municipal building codes SECTION 2003. Design and Construction or ordinances, if legally done in accordance therewith, shall be respected subject to such limitations Sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist all forces in accordance with the National established in this Code. Structural Code for Buildings. For signs on buildings, the dead lateral loads shall be transmitted However, alterations, additions, conversions and/or repairs to be made in such buildings or structures through the structural frame of the building to the ground in such a manner as not to overstress any of shall be subject to the provisions of this Code. the elements 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 SECTION 2102. Interim Rules and Regulations compacted. Interim rules and regulations on buildings promulgated by the Secretary before the adoption of this Code pursuant to existing laws or decrees shall continue to have binding force and effect, when not in SECTION 2004. Supports and Anchorages conflict with the provisions of this Code. (a) General. The supports and anchorages of all signs or sign structures shall be placed in or upon private property and shall be constructed conformity with the requirements of this Code. SECTION 2103. Separability Clause (b) Materials. Materials for construction of signs or sign structures shall be of the quality and If any provision of this Decree or the application thereof is to any person or circumstance declared grade as specified in this Code. unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions. (c) Restrictions on Combustible Materials – All signs or sign structures erected in highly restrictive Fire Zones shall have structural members of incombustible materials. Ground signs SECTION 2104. Repealing Clause may be constructed of any material meeting the requirements of this Code. Combination signs, All laws, decrees, provisions of charters, executive orders, ordinances, rules and regulations or parts roof signs, wall signs, projecting signs, and signs on marquees shall be constructed of thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed, amended, or incombustible materials. No combustible material other than approved plastics shall be used modified accordingly. in the construction of electric signs. (d) Non-structural Trim – Non-structural trim and portable display surfaces may be of wood, SECTION 2105. Effectivity metal, approved plastics, or any combination thereof. This Decree shall take effect upon its promulgation. (e) Display Surfaces – Display surfaces in all types of signs may be made of metal, glass, or Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of February, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and approved plastics. seventy-seven. SECTION 2005. Projections and Clearances (a) Clearances from High Voltage Power Lines – Clearances of signs from high voltage power lines shall be in accordance with the Philippine Electrical Code. (b) Clearances from Fire Escapes, Exits, or Standpipes – No signs or sign structures shall be erected in such a manner than 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