NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES

STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES IN MAINTAINING HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES 2010

STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES IN MAINTAINING HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES

A. OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this document is to provide Owners and technical persons the general idea of what
MAINTENANCE OF HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES is all about, and what should and should
not be done.

B. WHAT IS MAINTENANCE?

Maintaining historic sites and structures is preserving important historic properties in order to extend
their life span and usability. Maintenance works are housekeeping chores that previous owners followed.
In keeping with this tradition, therefore, it is our responsibility and obligation in our present time to
continue maintaining our important sites and structures.

C. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED MAINTENANCE WORKS AND RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE?

The following are considered maintenance works:

1. Inspection and documentation. Observe (Once every 6 months or every year, and undertaken during
the dry season)
a. Check electrical and mechanical systems
b. Check roof structure and ceiling for leaks, pests and decay (May also be undertaken during the
rainy season)
c. Check beams, girders, posts and columns
d. Check floor planks, floor frames, floor slabs, floor tiles, vaulted structures, stairs and railings
e. Check walls, sidings and partitions
f. Check doors and windows and hardware
g. Check storm drainage system
h. Check site drainage
i. Check water supply, water tank, pump, pressure tank, pipelines
j. Undertake photo-documentation and inspection report

2. Cleaning and housekeeping jobs (Daily)

a. Cleaning and Dusting
b. Floor waxing and polishing

3. Repair and replacement (As the need arises)

4. Removal of vegetal and woody growths (As need arises)

a. Mechanical cleaning
b. Chemical cleaning

5. Repointing (Undertaken when joint mortar has either pulverized or has been lost)

6. Replastering (When existing protective plastering has become inadequate to protect the underlying
stone surface)

7. Repainting/refinishing works (Every 2 or 3 years, but can be extended to 5 years depending on the
quality of surface preparation made and paint coating materials during the last application)

8. Preservative treatment (Every 2 or 3 years)

a. Application of wood preservative treatment
b. Rust conversion and refinishing of metal components

9. Pest control treatment (Preferably right after the instance of noticing the infestation or any sign of
infestation)

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 NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES

STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES IN MAINTAINING HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES 2010

Note: Only accredited and licensed pest control applicators are qualified to perform the necessary
treatment services

10. Weatherproofing and Ventilating (As the need arises)

a. Sealing, tiling or waterproofing of exposed ledges
b. Caulking of wood sidings
c. Provision of weather strips
d. Provision of thermal insulation
e. Provision of exhaust fans

11. Corrective measures (As the need arises)

a. Roof drainage
b. Underside floor battens

12. Building Code requirements (As the need arises, based on studies)
k. Firewall between adjacent properties
l. Ventilation (natural or mechanical)
m. Accessibility

D. WHAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED MAINTENANCE WORKS?

The following are not considered maintenance works:

1. Emergency repair or rescue restoration works

2. Major structural retrofitting or restructuring works
3. Major restoration or rehabilitation works
4. Renovation works
5. Reconstruction works
6. Additional structures/dismantling works
7. Use Conversion

E. STANDARDS.

For purposes of this document, Standards shall include the basic activities that should be undertaken to
ensure upkeep and preservation of our historic properties:

1. The Owner of the property shall provide regular maintenance and protection measures for the
preservation of the property. The Owner shall preserve, maintain and protect the historical,
architectural, artistic, environmental and/or scientific significance, features, values of the structure
and its setting.

2. The Owner shall continue to use the property as it was originally intended for, or for other compatible
uses that shall not cause considerable alteration, damage or diminish the authenticity and values of the
property.

3. The Owner shall immediately attend to small or minor damages, and shall undertake appropriate
measures to repair the damage at hand, and to prevent any further damage to develop.

4. The Owner shall report to the appropriate cultural agency (NCCA, NMP, NHCP) any plan to add,
alter, remove parts, or any damage that may endanger the property.

5. The Owner shall undertake historical and technical documentation of his property for posterity, and
for maintenance and monitoring purposes.

6. The Owner shall find ways and means to improve maintenance procedures, and promote the
preservation and protection of the property.

7. The Owner shall prioritize maintenance works: Generally, the roof covering repair or patching should
be done first, followed by: pest control treatment; wood preservative treatment; repair of doors and

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STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES IN MAINTAINING HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES 2010

windows; repair and replacement of floor planks or tiles; repair of partitions; repair of ceiling and
eaves; general repainting works; repair of toilets and water leaks; repair of stairs; repointing and
replastering of stone walls; and, cleaning of exterior walls. Others shall follow.

8. The works administrator shall employ quality like materials or equivalents, and adopt traditional
construction and techniques, except when modern substitutes may prove practical and appropriate.

9. Maintenance works to be employed need not be expensive. The Owner shall repair only what is
necessary to repair, and avoid replacing whole parts of the structure that are not really damaged.

10. The Owner shall undertake maintenance works that will not alter, deface or damage the material
fabric or physical appearance of the old structure.

F. GUIDELINES.

For purposes of this document, Guidelines would refer to the recommended measures, actions and
activities based on best practices, in order to appropriately undertake the maintenance of historic
properties:

1. Conduct regular/periodic inspection and recording at least every six months, of the present
condition/s of the building structure and its setting (roof, walls, floors, ceilings, columns, beams,
doors, windows, stairs, partitions, etc., noting changes from previous inspections made such as: stone,
concrete and masonry cracks, wood decay, leaking roof, sagging beam or floor, termite infestation,
any noticeable deformation in materials and construction, defects noticed after an earthquake or
flooding, etc.

2. Undertake immediate minor repair and replacement for minor defects. NOTE: For major defects that
pose danger to lives and properties, immediate preventive measures and remedial works such as:
shoring, temporary supports, fencing, and rescue restoration shall be necessary. Major intervention
works such as rescue restoration and major intervention are not part of this “Maintenance
Guidelines”. Professional help will be needed.

3. Repair all damaged portions using like or compatible methods and techniques available.

4. Replace only portions that are damaged. There are however, other ways and means to retain the
original material, but with the integration of modern and concealed reinforcements or substitutes. The
use of equivalent or substitute may be resorted to if such equivalent or substitute would be the most
advantageous option in terms of physical compatibility with the original material.

5. Replace only those components that are beyond repair.

6. Discard and dispose all debris and unwanted materials immediately after removal.

7. Hire technical professionals to assist or guide in the scope of work to be done. Hire trusted and skilled
craftsmen to execute the repair and replacement works.

8. Prioritize works to be done relative to the available funds. Place on top priority, all works that will
provide protection from weather, dampness or excessive sunlight, strong wind and rain exposure.

9. Remove ground plants alongside exterior walls to prevent build up of moisture inside stone walls.

10. Remove moss, lichens and other biological growths on walls while still small.

11. Minor additions, adjustments and changes may be undertaken if such additions, adjustments and
changes are quite necessary for the needs of the owner, and these will promote the preservation and
enhancement of the historic values of the property.

12. Replaster stone walls as necessary. Plasters and renders are protective skins of stone walls.

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STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES IN MAINTAINING HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES 2010

13. Schedule repainting and refinishing of the exteriors and interiors of the edifice. Use quality paint
materials and chemicals for the repainting works.

14. Improve weather protection of the old edifice by providing thermal insulation, roof ventilation; bird
screen; weather seals; roof paint coatings; correct deficient roof drainage and ground drainage
systems, etc.

15. Decommission and replace embedded electrical wires and devices with surface-mounted conduit-
wires and devices

16. Replace all open electric wires above ceiling with cables following national standards set by the
National Electrical Code of the Philippines.
17. Replace all worn out/hazardous electrical fixtures and devices following national standards set by the
National Electrical Code of the Philippines.

18. Improve fire protection and safety of edifice by providing property firewall; rehabilitation and
upgrading of old electrical system, plumbing system and mechanical system; providing fire
extinguishers, smoke and fire detectors, sprinkler system, fire alarm system, etc.

19. Maintain a minimal wall embedment for building systems to be installed or added.

20. Relieve old structures from excessive loads. Provide additional compatible supports for structures
subjected to excessive loads. Avoid new structures to be carried by the old structure. They should be
isolated.

21. Hire a qualified and certified Pest Control treatment applicator for quarterly treatment.