National building code:
SECTION 805. Ceiling Heights (a) Habitable
rooms provided with artificial ventilation shall
have ceiling heights not less than 2.40 meters
measured from the floor to the ceiling; Provided
that for buildings of more than onestorey, the
minimum ceiling height of the first storey shall
be 2.70 meters and that for the second storey
2.40 meters and succeeding storeys shall have
an unobstructed typical head-room clearance of
not less than 2.10 meters above the finished
floor. Above stated rooms with a natural
ventilation shall have ceiling heights not less
than 2.70 meters.
SECTION 806. Size and Dimension of Rooms
3. Bath and toilet – 1.20 square meters with a
least dimension of 0.90 meter.
SECTION 807. Air Space Requirements in
Determining the Size of Rooms Minimum air
space shall be provided as follows: 1. School
Rooms – 3.00 cubic meters with 1.00 square
meter of floor area per person; 2. Workshops,
Factories, and Offices – 12.00 cubic meters of
air space per person; 3. Habitable rooms –
14.00 cubic meters of air space per person.
Laws and guidelines according to
DEPED
Architectural Design Standards
Republic Act. No. 9155, otherwise known as the
“Governance of Basic Education Act ”, the
Department of Education (DepEd) was vested
with the authority, accountability and
responsibility of ensuring access, promoting
equity, and improving the quality of basic
education.
a. Classroom Size
The size of the classroom for
elementary and secondary schools must be 7.0
meters in width/depth x 9.00 meters in length
or 9.00 meters in width/depth x 7.00 meters in
length measured from the centers of the walls.
b. Windows
1) The windows must be of bilateral
fenestration (transparent or translucent),
operable louver type. The window must allow
the entry of daylight even if it is closed.
2) The total area of window openings must be
at least 10.00 square meters to provide for
natural ventilation and illumination.
3) The window sill must not be lower than 0.60
meter for single-storey buildings or higher than
0.90 meter for multi-storey buildings from the
finished floor line (FFL).
4) The minimum height of the fixed louver or
transom window above the operable windows
is 0.30 meter.
5) The window panels, when opened, must not
be an obstruction along the corridor.
6) The window metal frames and jalousie
holders must be sturdy enough to withstand
vandalism.

c. Doors
1) There shall be two (2) doors for every
classroom.
2) The swing-out should be 180 degrees.
3) The doors must be 0.90 meter in clear width
and 2.10 meters in clear height.
4) The doors must withstand normal wear and
tear and shall be provided with keyed lever-
type locksets.
d. Floor
1) The floor must be of non-skid finish (grayish
color).
2) The classroom FFL should be higher than the
corridor FFL by 25 millimeters.
3) The first floor finish elevation must not be
less than 225 millimeters and 325 millimeters
for single-storey and multi-storey school
buildings, respectively. The elevation may be
increased depending on the history of flood
level.
4) A ramp must be provided with a maximum
slope of 1:12 in compliance with the
Accessibility Law (B.P. No. 344), of non-skid
finish and properly labeled.
e. Ceiling
1) The ceiling must be a drop-type ceiling.
2) The clear height of rooms from FFL to the
finished ceiling line (FCL) must be at least 2.70
meters.
3) Materials to be used for the ceiling must
provide thermal comfort inside the classroom.
4) Maintenance access to the ceiling cavity must
be through the corridor.
f. Roofing
1) The roofing material must be adequately
protected from rust/oxidation, salt air, acid rain,
or other sources and forms of corrosion. If
made of metal, the roofing sheets shall be of
0.40 mm base metal thickness (BMT) and
securely fastened to the roof frames.
2) For single-storey school buildings, gutters
may not be included however, a properly
sloped trench drain on both sides must be
provided.
3) For multi-storey school buildings, the roof
must be provided with concrete gutter and
eaves which shall be at least 1.10 meters from
the corridor.
g. Partitions
The partitions must be from floor to ceiling.
h. Corridors
1) The corridor for single-storey schoolbuildings
shall not be less than 1.50 meters.
2) For multi-storey schoolbuildings the corridors
must not be less than 2.50 meters and should
be provided with steel railings at a height not
less than 1.50 meters.
i. Stairways
1) For multi-storey schoolbuildings, concrete
stairs must have a width of not less than 1.50
meters.
2) Number of stairways per schoolbuilding shall
comply with the requirements stipulated in the
National Building Code of the Philippines
(NBCP).
3) Handrails with steel railings must be
provided.
k. Chalkboard
The classroom must be provided with a built-in
curved chalkboard measuring 4.88 meters wide
by 1.22 meters tall, with mounting heights and
specifications as per DepEd standards
l. Painting
1) The standard paint/color schedule of DepEd
schoolbuildings shall be as follows:
2) Paint materials for internal finish must be
independently certified lead-safe
paints/coatings.
3) All new schoolbuildings should follow the
standard color scheme above, except in the
following cases:
i. A different dominant color scheme already
exists. In such cases, the dominant color
scheme may be applied.
ii. Designs and/or accents depicting local culture
or school approach are practiced. In such cases,
the same design/accents may be adopted.
iii. In both cases above, no additional cost may
be charged.
4) No new design, accent, or color scheme
different from what is hereby prescribed and/or
from what already predominantly exists under
Item 3 above may be proposed/introduced.
5) There is a need to ensure, as far as
practicable, the uniformity of all public
schoolbuildings essentially to provide an
environment for educational activities, and
effective teaching and learning. At the same
time, the DepEd encourages and promotes
regional diversity and cultural identity.
m. Roof Markings
Roof Markings shall be painted on the main
building or the tallest building of the school. It
shall include only the DepEd logo and School ID
Number.
Details and specifications shall be as follows:
Note: Distance between the DepEd Logo and
the School I.D Number shall be at least 2.00m
n. Wall Markings
1) All walls must be free from any markings,
except the following which may be painted on
separate prominent places:

i. DepEd Name, Seal, Logo, Mission, Vision and

Core Values

ii. Portraits and Sayings of National Heroes

iii. Name, ID, and Location of school.

2) An interior wall section may be selected and

dedicated for the recognition of sponsors,
donors, and other school partners, provided
that the recognition material shall follow a
standard metal plaque format that will be
mounted on the wall.

o. Ventilation

Natural ventilation shall be primarily supplied

by the windows and vents. Artificial ventilation
inside each classroom shall be supplied by two
(2) units of oscillating ceiling fans

p. Illumination

Illumination falling at desk or arm rest should

be taken with combined artificial and natural
lighting. Illumination at all staircases and fire
exit stairs shall comply with R.A. No. 9514 and
its IRR.
Laws and guidelines according to
CHED
ARTICLE VI
INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES
SECTION 26 Institutional Sites and Buildings.
The school site of every private higher
education institution must be suitable and
adequate for its activities. The institution should
own the site. If not owned, there should be a
definite and feasible program for ownership
thereof within a reasonable period, or
reasonable and adequate provision for
continued use by the school through a long
term lease or usufruct of at least ten (10) yrs
In the selection of a prospective school
site, consideration should be given, among
others, to such factors as total floor area
required for occupancy at any one time, traffic
situation in the vicinity, a reasonable distance
from other schools already existing, and
location and distance from distractive
establishments such as cockpits, dancing halls,
bars or recreational places of questionable
character, bowling alleys, movie houses,
markets, garbage dumps, funeral parlor, jails,
cemeteries and others.
School buildings shall be designed and
constructed in conformity with the provisions of
the building code. As much as possible, the
school buildings:
1) Shall be so situated that they are
sufficiently far from all fire hazards and
that instruction and study can be
conducted without undue interference
from neighbors and passing traffic, and
so arranged that activities going on in
classrooms, study rooms, laboratories,
or the library do not interfere with each
other;
2) Shall be adequately planned and
constructed that in case of fire,
typhoon, earthquake, etc., all students
can evacuate the building promptly and
safely;
3) Shall be equipped with fire escapes, fire
extinguishers, and other safety devices;
4) Shall have enough lavatories for both
sexes which shall, at all times, be kept
clean;
5) Shall be adequately lighted and
ventilated;
6) Shall contain sufficient space, furniture
and fixtures for the general needs of
the administrative staff, faculty and
students;
7) Shall not be used for private residence
or in any way that might directly or
indirectly interfere with school
operations;
8) Shall have an easily accessible and well-
furnished, well-equipped library, as well
as administrative offices and faculty
rooms;
9) Shall have adequately outfitter
laboratories and equipment for the
science courses;
10) Shall have a sufficient area for student
personnel services;
11) Shall have allotted specific areas for
home economics and other vocational
courses;
12) Shall be adequately planned that
classrooms and laboratories open on to
a corridor; and
13) Shall if a multi- storey building, have at
least two staircases with a minimum
width of two meters, subject to
 government regulations. Ramps shall be
provided for students with special
needs as required by the BP Blg. 344
otherwise known as the “Accessibility
Law”
All higher education institutions, are also
required to provide for adequate auditoriums,
lecture rooms and gymnasiums, and are further
required to be sufficiently equipped to give
adequate instruction to the public.
In addition, the following are required for
school sites and buildings;
1) For safety
To ensure the safety of the students while in
the premises, all higher education institutions
are enjoined strictly to observe and follow the
applicable provisions of Presidential Decree
(PD) No. 1185, otherwise known as the “Fire
Code” and PD No.1059, otherwise known as the
“National Building Code”.
The Regional Offices are authorized to evaluate
and monitor compliance by institutions to the
said Presidential Decrees, and to report in
writing any violations thereof to the
commission.
Any higher education institution found guilty,
after due process, for violations of any
provisions of the aforementioned laws, shall be
dealt with accordingly, which may include the
revocation of permits and/or authority to
operate and/or offer courses.
2) For Sanitation, Waste Disposal and
Environmental Hygiene
In the interest of public health and safety,
particularly of students, faculty and non-
teaching personnel, all higher education
institutions are required to conduct appropriate
and effective measures to ensure that all
campus facilities and premises are properly
maintained according to sanitation and hygiene
standards as prescribed by the Code of
Sanitaion of the Philippines and other pertinent
laws
All higher education institutions are also
enjoined to: (1) coordinate closely with local
and national government agencies responsible
for sanitation and waste disposal; (2) inspect
and undertake remedial measures where
necessary, potable water supply and
distribution systems located in campus; and (3)
institute appropriate preventive and responsive
measures to combat the development and
spread of communicable diseases on campus.
To prevent and address outbreak of water and
food-borne diseases in campuses, all higher
education institutions are further required to
conduct the following activities as part of
students services:
A.) Monitoring and assurance of potable
water supply;
B.) Maintenance of cleanliness and
sanitation of school surroundings,
including comfort rooms and canteens;
C.) Health and sanitation clearances of
food handlers;
D.) Sanitary preparations and serving of
food handlers;
E.) Proper refrigeration of foods;
F.) Appropriate equipping and supply
stocking of school clinics; and
G.) Conduct of public awareness
campaigns, with emphasis on
prevention.
Section 27. Library Standards Every higher
education institution shall maintain library or
libraries for each degree program. The library
collection shall include the followings:

1) Basic collection of well-selected

relevant books and non-print
materials to support the core needs
of the general education curricula;
and
2) Such additional specialized
collections, periodicals, electronic
materials, on-line data bases,
interest access and other multi-
media resources, not violative of
the Intellectual Property Code, as
may be necessary to meet the
requirements of the various courses
of study and major programs
offered by each institution.
3) In view of the advent of new
technologies, higher education
institutions may establish and
provide for an e-library. The
presence and availability of this
facility may be considered as
substantial compliance in lieu of
books and other required printed
materials. Provided however, that
the required minimum collection of
professional books in particular
degree program shall still be
maintained
Laws and guidelines according to
National Blg. Code
Minimum Required Parking Slot,
Parking Area and Loading Space
Requirements
one (1) loading slot for a
standard truck for every
5,000.00 sq. meters of GFA; and
provide truck maneuvering area
outside of the RROW (within
property or lot lines only)
3.2. Division C-2 Public colleges and

Universities (GI)
4.2. Division D-2 Public hospital
One (1) car slot for every five (5)
One (1) off-street cum on-site car
classrooms; one (1) off-RROW (or offstreet)
parking slot for every twenty five (25)
passenger loading space that
beds; and one (1) off-RROW (or offstreet)
can accommodate two (2) queued
passenger loading space that
jeepney/shuttle slots; and one (1)
can accommodate two (2) queued
school bus slot for every two hundred
jeepney/shuttle slots; provide at least
(200) students
one (1) loading slot for articulated
Private colleges and universities (GI)
truck or vehicle (a 12.00 meter long
One (1) car slot for every three (3)
container van plus 6.00 meter length
classrooms; one (1) off-RROW (or offstreet)
for a long/hooded prime mover) and
passenger loading space that
one (1) loading slot for a standard
can accommodate two (2) queued
truck for every 5,000.00 sq. meters of
jeepney/shuttle slots; and one (1)
gross floor area (GFA); and provide
school bus slot for every one hundred
truck maneuvering area outside of the
(100) students
RROW (within property or lot lines

only)
SECTION 807. Air Space Requirements in
Determining the Size of Rooms

1. Minimum air space shall be provided as

Private hospital
follows:
One (1) off-street cum on-site a. School Rooms – 3.00 cu. meters with
car parking slot for every twelve 1.00 sq. meter of floor area per
(12) beds; and one (1) off- person;
RROW (or off-street) passenger
loading space that can
accommodate two (2) queed
jeepney/shuttle slots; provide at
least one (12) loading slot for
articulated truck or vehicle (a
12.00 meters long container van
plus 6.00 meters length for a
long/hooded prime mover) and
Table VIII.4. Minimum Requirements for Air
Changes

Hospital Room

Cubic Meter Per Minute Per Person

Min0.29 Min0.43

Air Changes Per Hour Ceiling Height (meters)

2.40m= 3 hours

3m=2 gours

3.7m=1hour to 1/2 30 mins

4.90m=1 ho

6.10m=3/4

Table XII.1. General Requirements for

Occupant Loads and Exits
(*In all occupancies, floors above the first (1st)
storey having an occupant load of more than
ten
(10) shall have at least two (2) exits)

School -unit area per occupant (sq. meters)=4.60

Minimum of Two (2) Exits Other than

Elevators are Required Where Number

of Occupants is Over=50

Hospitals -unit area per occupant (sq. meters)=

8.40

Minimum of Two (2) Exits Other than

Elevators are Required Where Number

of Occupants is Over=5

Emergency Power Systems

c. For hospitals, the transition time to transfer

power supply from the instant of interruption of
normal power supply to the emergency supply
shall not exceed 10 seconds
Laws and guidelines according to BP be provided for each total seating capacity
increase of 100
344
CATEGORY I

The following requirements shall only apply to

government-owned buildings.

3.1.3 School or company staff housing units:

One (1) unit for 26 to 50 units to be constructed
and 1 additional unit for every 100 units
thereafter. Barrier-free facilities and features
required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, and L.

5.3.2 Hospitals and Sanitaria

Barrier-free facilities and features
required in: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,
K, L, M, and N.

STANDARD OF ACCESSIBILITY FOR

SPECIAL TYPE OF FACILITIES

 When the seating capacity exceeds 500

an additional wheelchair seating space
shall be provided for each total seating
capacity increase of 100 seats
 Readily removable seats may be
installed in these spaces when such
spaces are not required to
accommodate wheelchair users.

Seating capacity wheelchair seating space

4-50 2

51-300 4

301-500 6

-when the seating capacity exceeds 500 an

additional wheel chair seating space shall