PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE (Summary)

Hannylet P. Ocate BSCE 3

The Presidential decree 1096 is known as the national building code of the Philippines, issued on February
19, 1977. This decree is the revision of Republic act no. 6541 order and decree by the former Philippine
President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. This revised IRR includes additional provisions so that each of the
Chapters of PD 1096 now has its corresponding rules and regulations for the purpose of clarity, continuity
and homogeneity. The rules and regulations are rearranged following the same sequence and numbering
as those of the Chapters and Sections of the Code. The National building codes has the following rules:

Rule i: general provisions, rule ii: administration and enforcement, rule iii: permits and inspections, rule iv
- types of construction, rule v - requirements of fire zones, rule vi - fire-resistive requirements in
construction, rule vii - classification and general requirements of all buildings by use or occupancy, rule
viii - light and ventilation, rule ix – sanitation, rule x - building projection over public street, rule xi -
protection of pedestrians during construction or demolition, rule xii - general design and construction
requirements, rule xiii - electrical and mechanical regulations, rule xiv - photographic and x-ray films, rule
xv - prefabricated constructions, rule xvi – plastics, rule xvii - sheet metal paint spray booths, rule xviii -
glass and glazing, rule xix - the use of computers, rule xx – signs, and rule xxi - transitory and final
provisions.

The purpose of the Code is to provide for all buildings and structures, a framework of minimum standards
and requirements to regulate and control their location, site, design, quality of materials, construction,
use, occupancy, and maintenance. Under those rules may include an order to abate the Violation, pay civil
fees penalty and administrative costs, or any other action as authorized or required by this title and
applicable state codes. The section under this rule has to be follow with manner, organized and manage
in order to achieve the goals for the building most effectively, efficiently and precisely. Stated in here, that
every building has to be inspected first before giving permits to operate. A building permit
essentially secures the safety, uniformity in design, and compliance with the law of a certain construction.
It will only be issued once all the legal requirements and local regulations are met. It ensures that certain
standards are complied with even before putting the building plan into action.

The construction type must be considered in building. Under this code, you cannot change into sub-type
materials that are not on the approve building permit. You have to be considered the fire zone area for
your building construction, if you have built your building under restricted zones, it shall be demolished
for safety. The Secretary shall prescribe standards and promulgate rules and regulations on the testing of
construction materials for flame-spread characteristics, tests on fire damages, fire tests of building
construction and materials, door assemblies and tinclad fire doors and window assemblies, the installation
of fire doors and windows and smoke and fire detectors for fire protective signaling system, application
and use of controlled interior finish, fire-resistive protection for structural members, fire resistive walls
and partitions, fire-resistive floor or roof ceiling, fire-resistive assemblies for protection of openings and
fire-retardant roof coverings.

Fire prevention must be followed under this code, that is why we conducted fire drill activity in every
building, including our barangay, schools and workplace. Because fire is the deadly phenomenon and
unpredictable but by following the stated building restrictions it can lead to safety of the building we are
working at.

This code states that the buildings proposed for construction shall comply with all the regulations and
specifications including safety standards embodied in the Administrative Order of DOLE herein set forth
governing quality, characteristics and properties of materials, methods of design and construction, type
of occupancy and classification. The general requirements for construction materials like wood, steels,
concrete and etc., is stated under this code. The lining, rooms, power systems, electrical and mechanical
regulations have restrictions and rules in this code.

Overall, the Philippine National Building Code or the Presidential Decree No. 1096 contains all important
aspects that are relevant for safe and orderly building development, The building that does not satisfy the
building code or violate the building code will lead to penalty, cancellation of sanction or much more, will
lead to demolition of the building.