NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF

THE PHILIPPINES (PD 1096)

AND
LEED FOR HOMES (US)
LIGHTING REGULATION
CRITICAL REVIEW

Presented by: Jay Carlo H. Daganta

 Architectural Lighting is defined as the
illumination for building design and function
that relates not only in architecture and
lighting but also in other disciples. Lighting
plays a vital role in the design and
construction world, setting the mood and
atmosphere of a spaces and thus affecting the
users’ perception on the function of a room or
space. But through the years, issues and
Abstract concerns are piling from one another
involving the lighting in urban, cities and
metropolitan areas, thus creating the light
pollution. In this study, through Tabulated
Comparison of the Differences and
Similarities of the two codes, a significant
result gives the designers and architects the
knowledge to minimize and address other
rising concerns in the field of Architectural
Lighting and Design.
Introduction
Architectural Lighting, in its
simplest form, is defined as the
illumination for building design
and function (Alcon Lighting,
2022). It is often described as
the junction of both arts
(architecture) and technology
(lighting) and somehow is
related also to other disciplines
or field of work such as
physics, engineering, and
physiological & psychological
effects of light.
Introduction
Architectural Lighting plays a
vital role in design and
planning for it enhances certain
architectural elements to
promote, define or highlight the
building design and aesthetics
that is a requirement for good
architecture.
According to Kaplan &
Kaplan (2017), humans tend to
try to find a match in our
memory familiar to the new
environment that we are
exposed to. It helps us to
interpret, understand and feel
the mood of that environment,
thus finding familiarity in the
unknown helps us adapt.
Figure 1. Three (3) Considerations for Successful Balance of
Architecture and Lighting
Light pollution, also
called as sky glow is the
brightening of the night
sky, thus turning the
night into day,
illuminating the streets
and spaces from light of
cars, streetlights, offices,
and other buildings
(National Geographic
Society, 2019).
Light Poverty is the
inaccessibility of lighting or
lack of lighting.
 Rule 7 Section 708 – Minimum Requirements for Group A
Dwellings
National
Building Rule 7 Section 709 – Requirements for other Group
Occupancies

Code of the Guidelines on Building Bulk, Development Controls, Buildings

and Other Accessory Structures Within Cemeteries and
Philippines Memorial Parks

(NBCP) PD Guidelines on Basements

1096
Rule 8 Section 808 – Window Openings
Rule 7 Section 708 –
Minimum
Requirements for
Group A Dwellings
“Every dwelling shall be so
constructed and arranged as
to provide adequate light
and ventilation as provided
under Section 805 to Section
811 of the Code.”
 All other occupancies aside from
Group A Dwellings, it is the duty
Rule 7 Section of the Secretary who shall
“promulgate rules and regulations
709 – for each of the other Group
Requirements Occupancies covering: allowable
for other construction, height, and area;
Group location on property, exit
facilities, light and ventilation,
Occupancies sanitation; enclosures of vertical
openings; fire extinguishing
systems; and special hazards.”
 Under Accessory Structures it is
Guidelines on stated that the distances of
Building Bulk, lampposts for street lighting shall
Development be located at a maximum of
Controls, Buildings
and Other 100.00 meters or otherwise as
Accessory prescribed by the power firm
Structures Within servicing the area. It is also
Cemeteries and stated that the utility poles
Memorial Parks
should be installed along sides of
streets and pathways.
Guidelines on Basements
Rule 8 Section 808 – Window Openings
Table 1. Rule 8, Section 808 – Window Openings Standards and Requirements
SPACE/ROOM/
DESCRIPTION/CONDITION REQUIREMENTS
ELEMENTS
Provide window/s with
Area of Opening = 10% of
Habitable Rooms No Artificial ventilation system the Floor Area of the Room
Note: Opening shall not be
less than 1.00 sq.m.
Provide window/s with
Area of Opening = 1/20 or
5% of the Floor Area of the
Toilet & Bathrooms, Room
Laundry Rooms and the No Artificial ventilation system Note: Opening shall not be
like less than 240 sq.mm. and
must be open directly to s
court, yard, public street or
alley or open watercourse.
Where:
Laundry Rooms and the No Artificial ventilation system Note: Opening shall not be
like  Width:
less than 240820sq.mm.
millimeters
and
mustclear opening
be open directly to s
 Height
Rule 8 Section 808 – Window Openings yard,ofpublic
court, 1.00-meter
street or
alleyclear opening
or open watercourse.
Where:
Emergency Windows must serve  Elevated not more than
Location of Windows in 
as Abuts a court,
emergency yard,toorvacate
egress otherthe 820 millimeters from
times of emergencies public open
premises space for rescue
or access the floor
 Has a ceiling
operations
height of not less Required
Windows with storm
windows may
Roofed Porch shutters,open
screens or iron
than 2.70 m.
grilles shall be provided
 Has one of the longer sides at
with quick opening
least 65% open and
mechanisms
unobstructed
 Free of obstructions,
Not be less than 750
Eaves, Canopies and leading to a direct
Located above a required window millimeters from side and
Awnings or Media Agua access down into the
rear property lines
ground or street level.
 Can be opened from
No Openings are allowed
inside without using
on/at/with/through all types
Abutments and tools
------ of abutments erected along
Firewalls property
Width: lines
820 millimeters
except for
clear opening
permitted vent wells.
 Height of 1.00-meter
clear opening
Emergency Windows must serve
 Elevated not more than
Rule 8 Section 808 – Window Openings
 Can be opened from
inside without using
tools
 Width: 820 millimeters
clear opening
 Height of 1.00-meter
clear opening
Emergency Windows must serve  Elevated not more than
Location of Windows in as emergency egress to vacate the 820 millimeters from
times of emergencies premises or access for rescue the floor
operations  Windows with storm
shutters, screens or iron
grilles shall be provided
with quick opening
mechanisms
 Free of obstructions,
leading to a direct
access down into the
ground or street level.
No Openings are allowed
on/at/with/through all types
Abutments and
LEED for Homes (US)
LEED assists in the creation of
healthy living environments. To
protect our comfort and good health,
LEED-certified homes are designed
to provide clean indoor air and
abundant natural light, as well as use
safe building materials. They assist
us in reducing our energy and water
consumption, resulting in decreased
monthly utility costs and other
financial benefits. Homeowners are
having a net-positive influence on
their communities by implementing
LEED practices.
 Single Family
Homes

LEED
for
Homes
Low-rise Multi- Mid-rise Multi-Family
Family (1-3 storey) (4 or more storey)

Figure 1. Three (3) LEED Classification of Residential Homes

 LIGHTING CERTIFICATION
INTENT
To reduce the energy consumption associated with interior and exterior lighting.
REQUIREMENTS
Case 1. Single Family
Option 1. Indoor Lighting (1.5 points)
Install high-efficacy lighting. Meet or exceed the requirements for lighting power density for
hard-wired fixtures, as listed below:
Table 1. Points for reducing lighting power density
Maximum lighting power density
Points
Watts/sq.ft. Watts/sq.m.
0.72 7.7 0.5
0.60 6.5 1
0.48 5.2 1.5
Conclusion
As for the conclusion, based on the data collected and tabulated, the researcher
therefore concludes that there is a significant similarities and differences between
the regulations and lighting parameters set by National Building Code of the
Philippines (PD 1096) and LEED for Homes (US). It is also deemed significant
that NBCP focuses on the natural ventilation & daylighting and Window
Openings Standards and the LEED for Homes lays a detailed regulation,
requirements, and procedures in attaining and achieving a LEED Certification,
given that the regulations and standards on Lighting Power Density and Lighting
Consumption and Percentage Reduction are complied and followed. The NBCP
provided also parameters, regulations and standards for non-residential projects
while on the other hand, LEED for Homes is limited only in Residential Projects.
It has also been found that LEED for Homes, concerning the lighting parameters
of a building, provides more closer, detailed data than presented by the NBCP.
References
 Alcon Lighting, A. (2022, April 20). What is Architectural Lighting? Insights. Retrieved May 5, 2022,
from https://www.alconlighting.com/blog/lighting-design/what-are-architectural-lighting-
fixtures/#:%7E:text=Architectural%20lighting%20is%20illumination%20for,or%20interior%20aesthetic%
20or%20character.
 Garcia, A. (2018, March 29). Let there be light. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from
https://mb.com.ph/2018/04/01/let-there-be-light-2/
 LEED certification for residential | U.S. Green Building Council. (2022).
Https://Www.Usgbc.Org/Leed. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.usgbc.org/leed/rating-
systems/residential
 National Geographic Society. (2019, July 23). Light Pollution. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/light-pollution/
 Romocean, M. (2022a, March 18). The Psychological Impact of Light & Color | TCP Lighting Solutions.
TCP Lighting. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.tcpi.com/psychological-impact-light-
color/#:%7E:text=It%20can%20improve%20mood%20and,as%20reaction%20time%20and%20activation.
 Romocean, M. (2022b, March 24). The Importance of Architectural Lighting | TCP Lighting Solutions.
TCP Lighting. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.tcpi.com/importance-architectural-
lighting/
 Rule VII and Rule VIII. (2005). In Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Building Code of
the Philippines (PD 1096) (pp. 42-157).