4/3/2014

NATIONAL STRUCTURAL CODE FOR HOUSING (NSCP 3)

REALITY CHECK
Residential * There are many non-engineered houses, existing
Structural and still being built.
Design Code * Even engineered houses are “non-compliant”
with prevailing building codes.
By:
MIRIAM LUSICA-TAMAYO, M.S.C.E., F.ASEP * The present National Building Code exempts
ASEP Immediate Past President
some houses from Earthquake analysis.

REALITY CHECK
* NSCP Vol. 1 is deemed very stringent for houses

WHY
and therefore, not followed/observed.
* There is no strict implementation of product
houses fall down standards for housing construction.
* “I am building JUST A HOUSE, not a building.”

REALITY CHECK
OBJECTIVE of NSCP 3: * Overloading
To come up with a housing code * “Experienced” workers with the WRONG
which will ensure the safety of experience.
people and property against hazards.
And so on …

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NSCP 3
REALITY CHECK
4. Simplified presentation of minimum loads
* Overloading
5. Minimum sizes and reinforcements for “typical
* “Experienced” workers with the WRONG cases”, especially for masonry
experience. 6. Appendix:
Detailing for Earthquake-resistant structures
And so on … Detailing for Typhoon-resilient structures
Site Selection

Typical Concerns that prompt

professional service

NSCP 3 NSCP 3 will

1. Applicable to one- to two-family dwellings.
2. Prescriptive limits for column-spacing and floor-to- 1. Focus on critical construction details related to
floor heights. building envelope, such as correct spacing of
3. Shall cover: roof sheathing nails, adequate use of roof tie-
Reinforced concrete construction downs, window protection.
Wood construction
Light gage construction 2. Emphasize construction quality.
Composite construction
Alternative materials

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NSCP 3 will
3. Simplify wind and seismic design
requirements to a degree commensurate
with knowledge and uncertainty as to
how homes actually perform.
4. Emphasize design precautions against
locating homes in steep slopes and weak
soils.
building codes and
Why regulations change over
the years
PURPOSE OF BUILDING CODES
For the protection of public health,
safety and general welfare.
4/3/2014
HISTORY OF BUILDING CODES
Historically building codes are very
reactive in that when a problem
occurs the building codes change to
ensure that the problem never
happens again.
EARLY “BUILDING CODES”
First Building Code: Code of Hammurabi
229. If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and
the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put
to death.
230. If it kills the son of the owner, the son of that builder shall be put to death.
231. If it kills a slave of the owner, then he shall pay, slave for slave, to the owner of
the house.
232. If it ruins goods, he shall make compensation for all that has been ruined, and
inasmuch as he did not construct properly this house which he built and it fell, he
shall re-erect the house from his own means.
233. …….
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EARLY “BUILDING CODES” Why? Because of …

Biblical Reference: Law of Moses

Deuteronomy, Chapter 22 verse 8
"In case you build a new house, you must also make a parapet for your roof, that you may not
place bloodguilt upon your house because someone falling might fall from it."

Why? Because of …

1
Wake-up calls

Why? Because of … Why? Because of …

NEW Research
Products
Technology

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Why? Because of … Why? Because of …

New Laws. Amendments to

existing laws.

So, how do we divide the pie?

Why? Because of …
Our LAW says
we can SHARE!
Our LAW says
the PIE is ours!

You’re all
WRONG! The PIE
is ours!
Our LAW says
the PIE is ours!

Why? Because of … Why? Because of …

3 4
Initiatives of Government
Professional initiatives
Groups

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Why? Because of … Why? Because of …

Department Orders. Typo errors,

Ordinances. Memorandum Wrong cross-
referencing.
Circulars. Missing parts,
etc.

Hearsay: DPWH says “Henceforth, Design Wind force will be

based on 300 kph”

We have established the WHYs

behind the revisions of the
building codes and regulations…
Victims of Typhoon Pablo (Dec 2012)

Initiatives of
Why? Because of … Professional
Groups
NEW Research, 3 Government
4 Initiatives
5 Products,
Technology 2
5 Benefits of a
Benefits of a WAKE-UP Closer Look
CALLS
closer look 1
reasons

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For the Codes to be effective, we need:

By REVISING and UPDATING the CODES,
is the SAFETY OBJECTIVE met? Is it COMPLIANCE
Guaranteed? by the public.

For the Codes to be effective, we need:

By REVISING and UPDATING the CODES,
is the SAFETY OBJECTIVE met? Is it ENFORCEMENT
Guaranteed?
by the government.

Not always.

To be safe…

What is needed? Compliance by Enforcement by

the public. the government

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“The best thing you can do is the

right thing;
the next best thing you can do is the
wrong thing;
the worst thing you can do is
nothing.”
-Theodore Roosevelt

Why houses fell down

Many of those which failed are non-engineered
structures.
Failures are due to: “By changing nothing, nothing changes.”
1. Absence/lack of reinforcement.
2. Poor quality of materials. Use of sea sand in -Tony Robbins
concrete mixes. Sub-standard CHB.
3. Free-standing parapet walls.
4. Small sizes of structural elements
5. Absence of lateral-force resisting system
6. Soft storey (Top heavy)
7. Inadequate anchorage.

To be safe…
Remember:
“We are in the business of saving lives, not
just money.”