THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Submitted: Mark Louies E. Estopace

Polytechnic University of the Philippines
marklouiesespeletaestopace@gmail.com

Our first topic for our Architectural Comprehensive Course 2 is about the National Building Code of the
Philippines. We are tasked to do sketches, blogs, and infographics about it to help us for our thesis
proposal and also to serve as our reviewer and note not only for our thesis defense, but also for our
future project that we are to handle as an architect.

The Presidential Decree no. 1096 or also known as The Building Code of the Philippines is clusters of
rules and regulations of standard guidelines in a development, be it in design phase or construction
phase. It consists of twenty-one (21) chapters of guidelines each with a different purpose.

Using the National Building Code for an infrastructural work is a good stand in developing such works as
it is the reference of standards used by master builders in creating and constructing their masterpiece.
Being the foundation of every design and construction is a great contribution for a properly constructed
building.

There are eight (8) rules that generally envelope the National Building Code of the Philippines. Rule I
that sets the general provision for building construction and general building requirements. Rule II which
is about the roles and enforcement. Rule III is about the permits and inspection of the project. Rule IV
being the preliminary considerations for building construction. Rule V sets the requirement for fire
zones. Rule VI is about the fire resistive requirements, which supplements the Rule V. And the most
commonly mentioned rules among them, the Rule VII and Rule VIII. Rule VII discusses the classifications
of building by use or occupancy, maximum heights, parking requirement, and the floor-lot-area-ratio.
Rule VIII focuses on light and ventilation which is one of the critical consideration regarding the comfort
of the users.

As an architecture student and future architect, the rules that that National Building Code have is our
stronghold for our future projects, that makes us stand firm no matter what challenge we encounter.