MCE35 ME LAW, ETHICS, CODES AND

STANDARDS
RONELITO O. SAN JOSE, PME
 THE TOPIC OBJECTIVE

To develop the skills of

applying the codes to
every mechanical
engineering design.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE

The 2012 Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code

covers basic principles and data used in the field of
mechanical engineering. The PSME Technical
Committee that prepared these chapters, strive not
only to provide new information, but also to clarify past
and existing information, delete obsolete materials, and
reorganize the chapters and their contents to make the
Code more understandable and easier to use.
Unlike a Handbook, this Code is intended not only for
mechanical engineers but also to the general public as
well. A code is full of terms, information and guidelines.
A handbook helps to explain things and principles on
how an object, a process, and a system functions.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
The intent of this Code is to cover mechanical
engineering practice for multiple residential,
commercial and industrial edifices, typically where the
greater population reside and work. There is a limit
where we cannot cover plant manufacturing process
such as cement plants, oil refineries, power plants and
the like simply because these are business concerns
with proprietary rights to their technology. Further, the
people interaction is not with the public but limited only
to experienced personnel and experts with interests to
such a facility. For an engineer to learn the principle on
how these plants work and operate, he only has to refer
to a handbook. Despite this situation, we have
endeavoured to cover in this Code the minimum
mandatory requirement on how to properly install
mechanical equipment to protect the public.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Likewise, the language of this Code is written to be
understood by everyone and not only mechanical
engineers, in support to the mandate bestowed upon
us by the National Building Code of the Philippines.
A typical user of this Code, be he a building official, a
government engineer, a trade practitioner who may be
a project owner, a consultant, or an engineering
supplier, reading, interpreting or conceptualizing
designs, preparing or writing reports, specifications or
other documents related to a project, a contractor
who undertakes the scheduling, building and
commissioning of a small or large project, even a
foreign entity who joins bids, read the terms of
references and carryout tasks involved in the project he
will be doing refer to such a Code as mandated by the
government for the interest of the general public’s
welfare on the preservation of the environment,
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
The protection of life, the safeguarding of one’s safety
and to shelter each individual’s health within and
without the workplace.
The reader will view the chapters as new but, as soon as
he comprehends the contents, knowledge gained will
germinate into creative ideas, and applications will
come in as second nature but achieving the wisdom
that he is preserving in surroundings and the population
the might be affected with his decisions.
This edition radically departs from the previous editions
in that the Technical Committee adopted the Uniform
mechanical Engineering Code which has been in use
all over the world by both develop and developing
countries, to suit our local climatic conditions and
practical usage.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 1 & 2, Administration & Definitions
respectively, have outlined a process to follow
for an Authority Having Jurisdiction, normally
the government, in charge of issuing guidelines,
collecting fees and penalties, and
implementing and enforcing the laws of the
land. This is immediately followed by the typical
definitions, words, and derivatives, terms and
phrases, and certain abbreviations related to
all thins, mechanical, for the immediate
understanding of everyone reading the Code.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 3 General requirements discusses the
general requirement of heat producing and
energy utilizing equipment which must conform
to the requirements of this Code and shall not
be installed or altered in violation of this Code.
*Air being the primary building component of
life figures prominently in Chapter 4, Ventilation
Air Supply, Chapter 5, Exhaust Systems and
Chapter 6 Duct Systems, speak about the
prerequisites on natural, indoor and system
ventilation conditions and requirements as well
as the conveyance of air in various
applications.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 7 to 9 relate to Combustion Air, Chimneys and
Vents and Smoke Control System for all industrial,
commercial and residential applications paying special
attention to safety at all costs.
*Chapter 10 shifts to another essential building block for
humans, water. Water takes countless forms when used
as an energy source. Hydronics, the chapter’s title is
defined by the Webster dictionary as: relating to or
being a system of heating or cooling that involves
transfer of heat by a circulating fluid (as water or vapor)
in a closed system of pipes. In this chapter, everything
about piping is thoroughly discussed including but not
limited to piping materials, accessories pertaining to
piping, installation methods, testing and marking.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 11 deals with steam and hot water boilers for
different applications and applies to the construction,
operation and repair, and alteration of all boilers and
pressure vessels.
Chapter 12 shifts to the topic on the absence of heat,
refrigeration. In this chapter, refrigeration system, machinery
rooms, equipment control, ventilation, safety and protection,
installation, maintenance and testing are given prominence
including tables of current refrigerant in use.
Chapter 13, installation of equipment, is geared toward the
installation, commissioning, and testing of specific
equipment such as air conditioning systems, ventilation
appliances, refrigeration equipment, low pressure boilers,
plenum and air ducts, food service equipment, clothes
dryers, household cooking appliances, illuminating
appliances, incinerators, pool heaters, and power
generators.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 14 Water Supply, deals with potable and non
potable water supply systems in all types of buildings whether
industrial, commercial or residential including various piping
and plumbing materials.
Chapter 15 to 19 deal extensively with the different kinds of
piping systems, Drainage Piping, Vent Piping, Storm Drainage
Piping, Fuel Gas Piping, and Medical gas and Vacuum
Piping. These topic touch on other disciplines intermingling
with the mechanical engineering profession and the
thorough discussion will serve the reader well in his chosen
field.
Chapter 20, Fire protection System, is given prominence in
this Code and is written to put more teeth to the
implementation of the republic of the Philippines’ Fire Code.
This was reviewed extensively by a panel of experts and no
doubt, will be read thoroughly by you as well.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 21 Indirect Waste, Traps and Interceptors just
shows that for all the equipment safety and protection
undertaking, there is bound to be waste in a system
such as condensate, solid waste, chemical waste, air &
smell wastes detrimental to health. This chapter applies
the topic mentioned.
Chapter 22, Flammable and Combustible Liquid Piping
Systems and Storage deals with the safety
management of handling combustible liquids. This
chapter is very explicit and detailed when it comes to
information data, testing and installation,
commissioning, security and markings, and disposal
management. The local government will be
empowered to come up with ordinances pertaining to
safety for this particular topic.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 23 Pressure Vessel, deals with both unfired and
fired pressure vessels and discusses extensively on the
design and construction, installation, safety, inspection,
identification and even provisions for the certification
and training of qualified welders and inspectors.
Chapter 24, aptly titled Building Transportation, include
topics on the design, construction, installation,
alteration, inspection, maintenance, testing, operation,
repairing, and licensing of all types of elevator,
escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, main-lifts,
private residence elevators, inclined lifts, reciprocating
conveyors, wheelchair lifts, inclined stairway chair lifts,
private residence inclined stairway chair lifts, and
wheelchair lifts, their hoist ways and their
appurtenances.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 25, Energy conservation is a unique
chapter dealing with energy efficiency to help
and support the governments effort in operating
and maintaining a stable electrical grid. The aim
of this chapter is to make the reader be aware of
how to achieve energy efficient buildings without
sacrificing comfort which ultimately leads to a
sustainable environment, less greenhouse gas
emissions and reduce global warming. This
chapter points to the adoption of the 2010
PSVARE standard on Energy Efficiency Buildings
developed by the Philippine Society of
Ventilating Air conditioning and Refrigerating
Engineers Inc., a professional affiliate of PSME.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 26, Standard Practice for Control of
Flammable and combustible Liquids and Gases
in Manholes, Sewer and Underground Structure
is a contentious topic to give government
enforcement officials, fire authorities,
contractors and owners of underground
structures, guidance on problems involving
flammable and combustible liquids and gases
that might be found in underground structures.
A table of properties of some flammable and
combustible liquids and gases found in
underground structure is provided at the end of
the chapter.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Chapter 27, Renewable energy source and Chapter 28,
Non Renewable Energy Source are Chapters we envision
to become part of the mechanical engineering field that
will have a dynamic evolution. While the chapters are yet
to be completed, we enjoin the reader specially the
mechanical engineering practitioner to contribute to
bring our country forward in the millennium when it comes
to renewable technology about solar, wind, ocean
thermal energy, geothermal, and dendro-thermal,
biomass and hydro-electric, and stationary fuel cell,
nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion reactors, fossil fired and
internal combustion power plants. The concepts and
specific information about each technology may be
known to some individuals or groups, whether local or
foreign. We ask them to come forward as contributors and
become part of the Committee in future Code
publications.
 THE 2012 PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CODE
Finally, Chapter 29, Standards, lists summary of standard
numbers of the different organization and associations all
over the world adopted by PSME based on best practices
and years of experience of each organization’s attempt
in preserving order in the area of mechanical engineering
practice. We honor them by generously quoting their
knowledge resources and adopting their good
engineering practices adapted to our country’s prevailing
conditions.
This volume is published as bound print volume in one
edition using dual units of measurement, inch-pounds (IP)
and International System of Units (SI)