Architectural Design 02

Building Codes:
Definitions and
Importance in
Design, Planning,
and Construction
WHAT ARE BUILDING CODES?

Building codes are regulations governing the design, construction, alterations, and
maintenance of structures. These codes specify the minimum requirements to safeguard the
health, safety, and welfare of the buildings occupants. They are enforced to make buildings safer to
withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

WHY BUILDING CODES ARE IMPORTANT?

Building codes are very important because they ensure that architects and contractors are
making their structures as safe as possible. Safety and the wellbeing of tenants and residents is
the ultimate goal for these regulations. This is why they are so important to implement in our
structures.

Building codes play a big part in an architecture project. They provide safety and the reassurance
that your project is safe and up to date on all the latest codes.

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

HOW BUILDING CODES ARE ENFORCED?

Local government building officials are the ones who enforce building codes. They review
design plans, inspect construction work, and issue permits. Building officials come out to the site for
inspections at different phases in the architecture project to ensure the building is being built
according to the code.

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

SOME OF THE BUILING CODES / IRR TO FOLLOW IN TH PHILIPPINES

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1096: NATIONAL BUILIDNG CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

• LAND AND BUILDING DESIGN AND PLANNING

• SIZES OF ROOMS
• HEIGHT OF BUILDING
• CONSTRUCTION METHODS

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

SOME OF THE BUILING CODES / IRR TO FOLLOW IN TH PHILIPPINES

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1185: FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

• FIRE SAFETY
• FIRE PROTECTION
• FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
• FIRE RATING OF MATERIALS

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

SOME OF THE BUILING CODES / IRR TO FOLLOW IN TH PHILIPPINES

NATIONAL STRUCTURAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

• DESIGN OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

• STRENGTH OF MATERIALS TO USE IN CONSTRUCTION

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

SOME OF THE BUILING CODES / IRR TO FOLLOW IN TH PHILIPPINES

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 957: SUBDIVISION AND CONDOMINIUM BUYERS PROTECIVE

DECREE

• LAND AND BUILDING DESIGN AND PLANNING FOR

SUBDIVISIONS AND CONDOMINIUMS

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

SOME OF THE BUILING CODES / IRR TO FOLLOW IN TH PHILIPPINES

BATAS PAMBANSA 220: ECONOMIC AND SOCIALIZE HOUSING

• LAND AND BUILDING DESIGN AND PLANNING FOR

HOUSING PROJECTS

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

SOME OF THE BUILING CODES / IRR TO FOLLOW IN TH PHILIPPINES

BATAS PAMBANSA 344: ACCESSIBILITY LAW (OR AN ACT TO ENHANCE THE MOBILITY OF
DISABLED PERSONS BY REQUIRING CERTAIN BUILDINGS, INSTITUTIONS,
ESTABLISHMENTS, AND PUBLIC UTILITIES TO INSTALL FACILITIES AND OTHER DEVICES)

• LAND AND BUILDING DESIGN AND PLANNING FOR

PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

REFERENCE: Cummins Architecture and Design, March 2018

Residential R-1 - a low-density residential zone
Residential R-2 - a medium density residential use or
occupancy
Characterized mainly by single-family, single detached dwellings with
the usual community ancillary uses on a neighborhood scale, such as
executive subdivisions and relatively exclusive residential communities
which are not subdivisions.
Characterized mainly as a low-rise single attached,
duplex or multi-level building/ structure for exclusive use as multiple
family dwellings. This includes R-2 structures within semi exclusive
subdivisions and semi-exclusive residential communities which are not
subdivisions.
There shall be two (2) general types of R-2 use or occupancy,
to wit:
a. Basic R-2 : single-attached or duplex building/structure of from one
(1) storey up to three (3) storeys in height and with
each unit for separate use as single-family dwellings and;
b. Maximum R-2 : low-rise multi-level building/structure of from three
(3) up to five (5) storeys in height and for use as multiple family
dwellings
Residential R-3 - a high-density residential use or occupancy
Residential R-4 - a medium to high-density residential use or
occupancy
Characterized mainly as a low-rise or medium-rise building/ structure
for exclusive use as multiple family dwellings with mixed housing
types. R-3 structure may include low-rise or medium-rise residential
condominium buildings that are already commercial in nature and
scale. There shall be two (2) general types of R-3 use or occupancy, to
wit:
a. Basic R-3 : rough house building/structure of from one (1) storey up
to three (3) storeys in height and with each unit for separate use as
single-family dwellings; and
b. Maximum R-3 : medium rise multi-level building/ structure of from
six (6) up to twelve (12) storeys in height and for use as multiple family
dwellings.
Characterized mainly as a low-rise townhouse building/ structure for
exclusive use as multiple family dwellings. The term R-4 specifically
refers to the building/structure on an individual lot (a townhouse unit)
and generally refers to the series or rows of R-4 buildings/structures
within a subdivided lot or property (an R-4 development).
Residential R-5 - a very high-density residential use or occupancy Characterized mainly as a medium-rise or high-rise
condominium building/structure for exclusive use as multiple family
dwelling.