Republic of The Philippines Camarines Sur Polytechnic College Nabua, Camarines Sur

Republic of the Philippines
Camarines Sur Polytechnic College

Nabua, Camarines Sur
An Assessment of the Electrical Installations

in the Commercial and Institutional Buildings in the City of Iriga
Gracia B. Alteza
MET
ET 200

Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM
Introduction
Electricity is a wonderful utility, but can be dangerous if not approached
carefully. There are three basic hazards that cause injury or death shock, arc-flash,
and arc-blast. It is important to remember that even a small amount of current
passing through the chest can cause death. Most deaths occurring for circuits of less
than 600 volts happen when people are working on hot, energized equipment 1
The City Engineers Office, Building Industrial and Safety Division is composed
of a team that conducts an inspection of all types of structures I securing an Annual
Inspection Certificate as well as Certificate of Occupancy to the owner or occupant of
the building.
There are several areas that comprise the team namely, structural, plumbing
or sanitary, architectural, mechanical and electronics and electrical. If these areas
are complied based on the provisions of its respective Codes, a certificate for annual
inspection or occupancy is issued.
The revised implementing rules and regulations of the national building code
of the Philippines otherwise known as PD 1096 states that to safeguard life, health,
property, and public welfare and to provide a framework of minimum standards and
requirements to regulate and control the location of buildings, site, design, quality of
material, construction, use and maintenance.
It shall cover architectural,
civil/structural, electrical, mechanical, sanitary, plumbing, electronics and interior

design; shall apply to design, location, siting, construction, alteration, repair,

conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, demolition of and addition to
public and private building and structures except traditional indigenous family
dwellings and economic and socialized housing projects. Existing buildings without
building permits/certificates of occupancy may be issued same provided they
conform to these rules and regulations2
Among those stated areas, Electrical often encounter a fire related case such
as faulty electrical wiring, overloading, misuse or negligence, from the use of
electricity that triggers fire accident.
The electrical design parameters, electrical installation guidelines and safety
rules in the Philippine Electrical Code have been formulated and developed to
safeguard persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. In
order for this objective to be achieved, the Code must be followed and enforced. Our
very own Electrical Practitioners, Building Officials, Electrical Contractors and skilled
workers have to perform their duties and responsibilities in conformance with the
Philippine Electrical Code. The strict compliance with the Code is a must. 3
It rarely happens that a building collapse due to under design or the use of
sub-standard materials, but a fire due to faulty wiring installation is very often.
The Ozone Disco tragedy killed many people because of the electrical fire.
The accident was attributed to the negligence of the electrical inspector, the fire
inspector as well as the Building Official of that place. It was evident that the Ozone
Disco continued their business operation when in fact some provisions in the
electrical and fire code has been violated or not complied.

The electrical engineer or electrical inspector plays a vital role in ensuring
safety of a building or property and most especially the lives of people.
Furthermore, it is the work of an electrical engineer or electrical inspector, to
establish basic materials and electrical work standards for the safe use of electricity
for light, heat, power, communication and for other purposes.
NIOSH reports that because electricity is a familiar part of our lives it is often
not treated with enough caution.
As a result, an average of one worker is
electrocuted on the job every day of every year. Electrocution is the leading cause of
work-related deaths among 16-17 years old, after motor vehicle deaths and
workplace homicide.
Electricity travels in closed conduits, normally through a conductor. Shock
results when the body becomes part of the electrical circuit; current enters the body
at one point and leaves at another. Typically shock occurs when a person contacts:
both wires of an energized circuit, one wire of an electrical circuit and the ground, a
metallic part in contact with an energized wire also in contact with the ground.
The electrical designer, installer and maintenance team are all expected to
provide an installation that is safe, cost effective and reliable throughout its lifetime.
The course begins with the fundamental principles that always apply to ensure
safety, the course then progresses through basic design procedures, inspection,
testing and maintenance requirements, concluding with a review of power quality
problems that affect the reliability of an installation where high technology interfaces
with a supply.3

The building inspector has the responsibility of conducting initial assessment
of the accuracy of electrical installations prior to design of every commercial or
institutional establishment. He must see to it that the safety factors required by
national and international standards, and the functional considerations that a
designer has to take into account.
Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the status of the electrical installations in the
Commercial and Institutional buildings in Iriga City. The study aims to answer the
following:
1. What is the status of the electrical installations in the Commercial and
institutional buildings in Iriga City based on the following areas;
a.) Electrical Permit
b.) Occupancy Permit
c.) Annual Inspection Permit/Business Permit
2.
What are the problems encountered by the Electrical Inspector during
inspection?
3.
What remedial measures and policies can the electrical inspector
recommend to the occupant or owner of the building?
Assumptions of the Study

This study will be guided by the following assumptions:
1. There are commercial buildings that operate business without an approved
Occupancy Permit/Final Electrical Inspection Certificate.
5

2. There are changes in the use or occupancy of the building or additional or
alteration of electrical installations.
3. There are remedial measures and policies that can be recommended by
the Electrical Inspector/Building Official.
Hypothesis
This study will prove that there is no significant difference between the findings
of the researcher and the record of the City Engineers office as to building permits,
occupancy permit and certificate of electrical inspection.
Scope and Delimitation

The study is focused on the status of the electrical installations in the
Commercial and Institutional buildings in the City of Iriga. Electrical inspection from
the Building Industrial and Safety Division of the City Engineers Office is divided into
two areas, namely: Occupancy, which includes the approved building permit and
annual inspection for establishments operating business.
The study will be based on 2008-2011 records on Building Occupancy and
Annual Inspection Permits.
Significance of the Study

The results of this study will be of great benefit to the following:
Electrical Inspector.
Results gathered will provide information that will
determine the deficiencies in order to establish and recommend quality materials and
electrical work standards for the safe use of electricity.

City Engineer/Building Official. Will have full confidence that the building
inpected has been thoroughly assessed and evaluated and ready for use.
Owner/occupant. They will have an assurance that their building or dwelling
place is safe place. This will also bring a harmonious relationship between the owner
and electrical inspector.
Definition of Terms
Common terms used in this study were defined conceptually and perationally
for clarity and better understanding.
Application forms. A preformatted prescribed application form duly accomplished
and notarized by the respective design professional with validation matrices related
to other building rules and regulations.
Applicant. Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, head of government or private
institution, organization of any character applying for the issuance of permits and
certificates.
Branch circuit. The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device
protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).
Building official. The executive officer of the Office of the Building Official appointed
by the Secretary of
Building permit. A document issued by the Building official to an owner/applicant to
proceed
with
the
construction,
installation,
addition,
alteration,
renovation,
conversion, repair, moving, demolition or other work activity of a specific

project/building/structure or portion thereof after the accompanying principal plans,
specifications and other pertinent documents with the duly notarized application are
7

found satisfactory and substantially conforming with the National Building Code of the
Philippines (the Code) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations(IRR).
Circuit Breaker. A device designed to open and close a circuit by mono automatic
means and open the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without
damage to itself when properly applied its rating.
Conductor. Bare a conductor having a conductor having a covering or electrical
insulation. Covered a conductor encased within material of composition or thickness
that is not recognized by the Code as electrical insulation. Insulated conductor
encased within material of composition and thickness that is recognized by the Code
as Electrical insulation.
Conversion. A change in the use or occupancy or building/structures or any portion
thereof, which has different requirements.
Device. A unit of an electrical system that is intended to carry but not to utilize
electric energy.
Equipment. General term including material, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures,
apparatus and the like used as a part of, or in connection with, an electrical
installation.
Grounding conductor. A conductor used to connect equipment or the grounded
circuit of a wiring system to a grounding electrode/s.
Office of the building official. The office authorized to enforce the provisions of the
Code and its IRR in the field as well as the enforcement for orders and decisions
made pursuant thereto.
Overload.

Operation of equipment in excess of normal, full load rating or of a
conductor in excess of rated ampacity that, when it persists for a sufficient length of
time, would cause damage or dangerous overheating. A fault such as short circuit or
ground fault, is not an overload.
PEC(Philippine Electrical Code). Contains provisions that are considered minimum
equirements necessary for safety.
Referral codes.
The applicable provisions of the various agency and technical
professional codes that are supplementary to the Code.

End Notes
1
Electrical Theory and Application,L&L Kiln Manufacturing, 2004, www.sheffield-
pottery.com
2
The national Building Code of the Philippines
Philippine Electrical Code, Institute of Integrated Electrical engineers of the
Philippines
4
Electrical Safety Laboratory Curriculum for the Safety Sciences

Undergraduate:
Theory to Application, Dr. Laura Helmrich Rhodes, CSP and
David P. Rhodes, CSP, NIOSH Publication , Electrical Safety -Safety and Health for
Electrical Trades Student Manual,
January 2002, Publication No. 2002-123,
Section 4 page 1) (5)
10

Chapter 2
THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS
Review of Related Literature and Studies

In order to gain a better idea and design of the study, a survey of published
and unpublished literature and studies was made to determine their relation with the
present study. The sources were the published and unpublished
masters thesis
and dissertation. Related literature s were taken from books and other forms of
printed media and publications about Electrical Safety, Installations, the Electrical
Code and the national Building Code as implemented by the Building Officials.
Access to the internet is also a very helpful tool I acquiring the necessary ideas
relative to the present study. These were taken into consideration as the basis and
guide which will lead the researcher to make decisions relevant to the present
problem.
Foreign
Grounding is a method of giving electricity the most effect way to return to the
service panel. You see current flows from the panel to the outlet or device to power it
up. The neutral wire is the return path for unused current. The ground wire is an
additional path for electrical current to return safely to ground without danger to
anyone in the event of a short circuit. In that instant, the short would cause the
current to flow through the ground wire, causing a fuse to blow or a circuit breaker to
trip.
An ungrounded electrical box, appliance, power tool, or extension cord could
become a danger if there is no path to ground, except through you. You see, without
11

a ground wire, your body may complete the ground path and you may be shocked or
electrocuted.
A properly grounded circuit has boxes, devices, and service panel grounds
that give the electrical current the easiest path to ground and that reduces the
chances of someone getting a shock or getting electrocuted. Household electrical
systems are required by the National Electrical Code to have a grounded system
connected to earth ground via a ground rod. The earth absorbs the over-current or
short circuit harmlessly and having done so, eliminates the threat to anyone that may
have otherwise been the ground path.
But ground rods and ground wires to boxes, devices, and service panels are
not enough. You must remember to bond the grounds to the houses copper water
lines. You certainly wouldnt want a short circuit to travel through the water pipes
while youre in the shower, bathtub, or using a sink. Remember that water and
electricity dont mix!
And while were on the subject of grounding, Im often asked if using a
receptacle adapter is OK. First of all, Im not a fan of doing something half way. Id
rather change the receptacle to a grounded receptacle and have the ground wire
connected to the receptacle and the box. Although you can use an adapter and
connect the center cover-plate screw to the adapter to gain a ground if the box is
grounded, it just seems like a skimpy, lazy way to fix the real problem, the need for a
new receptacle.1
Electrocution is the third leading cause of work-related deaths among 16 and
17 year-olds, after motor vehicle deaths and workplace homicide. (1) The
12

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that approximately
350 electrical-related fatalities occur each year (2) Students enrolled in the Indiana
University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Department of Safety Sciences are required to take
a course that prepares them to recognize and evaluate electrical hazards, and assist
in the implementation of hazard controls to prevent electrical fatalities and injuries in
the workplace. This article describes the lecture portion of the course and the three
phases of the laboratory training: power generation/ distribution tour and inspection,
understanding basic wiring and using test equipment to identify electrical hazards. As
a part of this article, two sample laboratory activities are provided as well as some
ideas for implementing these activities at your institution.
NIOSH three-stage safety model: recognize, evaluate, and control electrical
hazards. The lab reinforces the idea that professionals need to use this model when
assessing work; to be considered safe while working on or near energized systems,
one must think about the job and plan for hazards. To avoid injury or death, one must
understand and recognize hazards. A person needs to evaluate the situation they are
in and assess their risks. Furthermore there is a need to control hazards by creating
a safe work environment, by using safe work practices, and by reporting hazards. 2
Section1.02.03:Building permits (a) Any person, firm, or corporation, including
any department, office, bureau, agency of instrumentality of the government
intending to construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building or
structure, or cause the same to be done, shall obtain a building permit from the
Building Official for whichever of such work is proposed to be undertaken for the
building or structure, before any such work is started; b) Appropriate rules and
13

regulations shall be set by the Secretary concerning: (1Forms for application for
building permits; (2) Procedures to be observed in securing such permits;
(3) Procedures to be observed in the issuance, suspension, and revocation of such
building permits; and (4) Type, nature, and scope of plans and specifications, and
other requisite documents, which shall be prepared and designed by a licensed
architect or engineer (c) When authorized by the Building Official in accordance with
the provisions of this Code, plans and specifications need not be submitted for the
following: (1) Group A traditional indigenous type of dwelling construction costing not
more than three thousand pesos (P3,000.00); and (2) Group J Division 1 Occupancy
of Type 1 conventional wood frame construction or of the traditional indigenous type
of construction costing not more than three thousand pesos (P3,000.00). d) The
applicant for a building permit for private buildings or structures after having complied
with all the requirements prescribed therefor in accordance with the provisions of this
Code, shall be issued a building permit within fifteen (15) days from the date of
payment of the permit fee for Groups A and J Occupancies and within thirty (30) days
from the date of payment of the permit fee for other Group Occupancies, unless the
Building Official or his Deputy authorized to issue the permit shall inform the applicant
in writing why the permit should not be issued, and shall indicate thereon the
particular provisions of the Code violated by the applicant or the particular
requirements not complied with. Within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt by
the applicant of advice from the Building Official or his Deputy authorized to issue the
permit why the building permit should not be issued, or why the building permit is
suspended or revoked, the applicant may appeal the non-issuance, suspension, or
14

revocation thereof, to the Mayor of the chartered city or municipality, or the Governor
of the province where the building or structure for which the permit is being applied
for is located. Said appeal shall be decided within fifteen (15) days from receipt
thereof, otherwise, the applicant may bring the matter to the proper Court of Justice
for final disposition. (e) All public buildings shall conform to the provisions of this
Code and the Building Official of the city or province where the public building is
located shall issue the building permit therefor, stating in writing that such public
building conforms to the requirements of the Code. For national public buildings, the
Secretary of Public Works and Communications shall issue a certification that such a
building conforms to the Code. Public buildings shall be exempt from payment of
building permit, inspection, and other fees.
SECTION 1.02.05: Inspection ad Certificates of Occupancy (a) Inspection.
The duly licensed architect or engineer engaged by the owner to undertake
inspection and detailed supervision of the construction shall periodically certify that
the construction conforms to the plans and specifications submitted in the application
for a building permit. Upon submission of such periodic certifications during the
progress of construction, the Building Official shall periodically issue the required
authority to continue with the subsequent phases of construction, without prejudice to
his right to conduct on his own initiative any inspection of the said construction. Upon
completion of the construction, the said duly licensed architect or engineer shall
submit to the Building Official the final certification that the building conforms to the
provisions of the Code and with the detailed plans and specifications submitted.
(b) Certificates of Occupancy. The proper Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued to
15

the applicant within seven (7) days from completion of the requirements for
inspection and occupancy and payment of any and all fees therefore, unless the
building Official or his Deputy issuing the Certificate shall show cause in writing why
the Certificate should not be issued and shall indicate there on the particular
provisions of the Code violated or the particular requirements not complied with.
Within fifteen (15) days from receipt by the applicant of the advice from Building
Official or his Deputy authorized to issue the certificate why the certificate should not
be issued, or why the certificate is suspended or revoked, the applicant may appeal
the non-issuance, suspension, or revocation thereof, to the Mayor of the chartered
city or municipality, or the Governor of the province where the building for which the
certificate is being applied for is located. Said appeal shall be decided within fifteen
(15) days from receipts thereof, otherwise, the applicant may bring the matter to the
proper Court of Justice for final disposition. The building may be occupied only upon
issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Chan Robles virtual law library
SECTION 1.02.06: Violations of This Code Covering Designs, Materials, Methods of
Construction, and Workmanship (a) In all cases of violation of this Code covering
design, materials, methods of construction, and workmanship, the Building Official
shall observe the following procedure in ordering the alteration to conform to this
Code or demolition of the building or portion thereof: (1) Where the building is in the
process of construction, the construction of the portion or portions in violation of this
Code shall be stopped until the same shall have been altered to conform to this
Code, unless such partial violation will impair the stability and safety of the whole or
part of the structure, in which case, the whole construction shall be stopped.
16

(2) Where a building or portion thereof has been constructed, the following procedure
shall be observed:(2.1) In case it can be reasonably altered to conform to the
requirements of this Code, it shall be altered accordingly; (2.2) In case the alteration
will cost more than 50 per cent of the current construction cost of the building, it shall
be altered to conform to this Code or demolished at the option of the owner; (2.3) In
case the building or portion thereof poses an immediate danger to life, limb, or
property, the same shall be vacated immediately, then altered to conform to the
requirements of this Code or demolished in accordance with subparagraphs (1) and
(2) herein. (3) If the owner, after receipts of the order of alteration or demolition fails
to comply with such order within a period of one year, said construction shall be
declared a nuisance and be abated in accordance with the provisions of Article 699
of the Civil Code of the Philippines. (b) This Code shall not be construed to deprive
any person the right to avail himself of any and all judicial proceedings or remedies
available under existing laws. (c) Nothing in this Chapter is intended to diminish the
powers vested in the different Boards of Examiners of the various architectural and
engineering professions as provided for in existence laws regulating the practice of
architecture and engineering, nor to restrict the designing engineering or architect in
the exercise of his professional discretion within the basic minimum standards and
requirements embodied in Section 1.01.02 of this Code.3
Theoretical Framework
This study is premised on Heinrichs Domino Theory which says that an
accident is one factor in a sequence that may lead to injury . The factors can be
visualized as a series of dominoes standing on edge: when one falls, the linkage
17

required for a chain reaction is completed: each of the factors is dependent on the
preceding factor.
The Domino Safety Theory was developed by pioneer industrial safety experts
H.W. Heinrich and Alfred Lateiner to provide a graphic sense of how industrial injuries
can occur and be avoided.
Heinreich and Lateiner said that an accident occurs from a sequence of
events. It is a chain reaction. Picture shows five dominoes in row to illustrate the
sequence as shown in figure 1. The first domino Background represents a workers
lifestyle and personality. The second domino Personal Characteristics represents a
workers attitude, level of knowledge, and physical and mental conditions. The third
domino Unsafe Acts and Unsafe Conditions represents a workers behavior and
unsafe job conditions. The fourth domino-The Accident represents the unplanned
event caused by an unsafe act or condition. The fifth domino The Injury represents
someone getting hurt.
For any given incident, not much can be done about a workers background
and personal characteristics. The domino that must be targeted is unsafe acts and
unsafe conditions. When an unsafe act is detected, the worker should be stopped;
the situation should be studied; a safer way to perform the task must be found;
instruct and train the worker to do it the safer way; check and retrain as necessary;
and as a last resort discipline the worker. When an unsafe condition is detected, the
condition needs to be removed, guarded, or warned against.
18

In the woods there is special protection for workers. That protection is
Personal Protective Equipment (hard hats, gloves, eye and ear protection, chain saw
chaps, and safety boots). Picture the five dominoes standing in a row. Put your hand
between the fourth domino, The Accident and the five spot domino, The Injury. What
happened? There was an accident, but there was not an injury. As the chain reaction
begins with the first four dominoes falling together, the dominoes fell into your hand,
which represents Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE). The Injury was avoided,
and the chain reaction of the five dominoes was broken because of Personal
Protective Equipment.
The supervisor or manager on the logging crew is the closest to the action and
can target improvements in Unsafe Acts and Unsafe Conditions. The supervisor or
manager has the opportunity and authority to control unsafe acts and conditions. The
Opportunity and Authority add up to the supervisor or manager having the
Responsibility to control accidents on their job. Being alert for, illuminating, stopping,
and correcting Unsafe Acts and Unsafe Conditions will result in the reduction of
accidents.
19

Figure 1
Theoretical paradigm
20

Conceptual Framework
A clearer understanding of this research could be gleaned from the conceptual
framework as shown in the paradigm found in figure 2.
This clearly shows the
essential features included in this study.

Inputs. This refer to the results of the survey conducted on the status of the
electrical installations in the Commercial and institutional buildings in Iriga City based
on the following areas: Electrical Permit; Occupancy Permit;
Annual Inspection
Permit/Business Permit.
Process. The process includes the analysis and interpretation of the
responses and result
Output. The output is the remedial measures can the electrical inspector
recommend to the occupant or owner of the building.
The feedback mechanism will provide a means to gather necessary
information relevant to the proposed remedial measures and policies to be adopted
by the building/electrical inspector.
21

F
E
E
D
B
A
C
K
Figure 2
Conceptual Paradigm
22

Synthesis of the State of the Art
The reviewed literature and studies shows that in the past and recent years
safety in electrical installations is a vital consideration in every commercial or
institutional establishment not only because it is a part of the mandate of the law but
it is a necessity for a sustainable and safe environment.
The study will focus on the present status of the electrical installations in the
various commercial and institutional buildings in Iriga City. The researcher believes
that in cognizant to electrical safety is being a responsible citizen who comply with
the requirements of the government.
On the other hand, most of the previous studies focused on safety in electrical
installation and on the requirements of the National building Code and National
Electrical Code of the Philippines. Similarities focused on safety and government
policies on accurate electrical connections and installations and procedures. This is
shown in the extensive discussion on the content of the Code and on safety
principles. This is very significant to this research because put together will be the
creation of positive measures and policies which will improve the implementation of
the Code.
Research Gap
Based on the review discovered, there is no study conducted about the status
of the Electrical Installations in Iriga City. This is the gap which this study wants to
concentrate on. This research will contribute to the proper implementation of the
23
Code.

It will attempt to fill the research gap that aims to formulate remedial
measures and policies.
24

Notes
1
Timothy Thiele, About.com Guide, http://about.comguide/
Electrical Safety Laboratory Curriculum for the Safety Sciences

Undergraduate:
Theory to Application, Dr. Laura Helmrich Rhodes, CSP and
David P. Rhodes, CSP, NIOSH Publication , Electrical Safety -Safety and Health for
Electrical Trades Student Manual,
January 2002, Publication No. 2002-123,
Section 4 page 1) (5)
3
The National building Code
25

Republic of The Philippines Camarines Sur Polytechnic College Nabua, Camarines Sur

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Republic of The Philippines Camarines Sur Polytechnic College Nabua, Camarines Sur

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Republic of the Philippines

Camarines Sur Polytechnic College

An Assessment of the Electrical Installations