Philippine Electrical and Mechanical Regulations PDF

CHAPTER 13 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL REGULATIONS SECTION 1301. Electrical Regulations All electrical systems, equipment and installation mentioned in this Code shall conform to the provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code, as adopted by the Board of Electrical Engineer...

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