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Chapter 1
Codes and Regulations
PCE4-M
Building System Design

Prepared by:
Engr. Christian A. Arbalate
Technological University of the Philippines - Manila
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1.1 Introduction
• What is the difference between
laws and codes?

- Laws are set of rules and - Rather than serving as

regulations made by the legally binding regulations,
government that states on how building codes serve as
people may and may not behave prototypes for legal
in society and that often orders jurisdictions to refer to when
punishments if they do not obey. composing new statutes.

- Code specifies the minimum - They shall become laws

acceptable requirements for an upon being formally enacted
actual process. by the appropriate
governmental or private
authority.

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1.1 Introduction
• Why are codes and
regulations important?
- Codes are highly vital in
protecting public safety,
health, and general
welfare.
• Examples of Local Codes
1. National Building Code of
the Philippines
2. National Structural Code
of the Philippines
3. National Plumbing Code
of the Philippines
4. Philippine Electrical Code
5. The Fire Code of the
Philippines
6. The Code on Sanitation of
the Philippines

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1.1 Introduction
• Examples of International Codes/Standards

1. ACI Code (American Concrete Institute)

2. AISC Code (American Institute of Steel
Construction)
3. ASTM Standard (American Society for
Testing of Materials)
4. AASHTO Standard (American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials)

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1.2 Codes and Their Purpose

1. PD 1096 or The National Building
Code of the Philippines

It is hereby declared to be the policy

of the State to safeguard life, health,
property, and public welfare, consistent with
the principles of sound environmental
management and control; and to this end,
make it the purpose of the Code 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.

(Rule 1, Section 102 of the Revised IRR of

the NBCP 2005)
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1.2 Codes and Their Purpose

2. National Structural Code of the
Philippines

The purpose of this code is to

provide minimum requirements for the
design of buildings, towers and other
vertical structures, and minimum standards
and guidelines to safeguard life or limb,
property and public welfare by regulating
and controlling the design, construction,
quality of materials pertaining to structural
aspects of all buildings and structures
within the jurisdiction.

(Section 101.2 of the NSCP 2015)

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1.2 Codes and Their Purpose

3. RA 6541 or The National Plumbing
Code of the Philippines

The plumbing systems: water

supply, sewage collection and disposal
and stormwater drainage involve the right
choice of materials, the economical design of
the systems and their proper operation and
maintenance. The supply of adequate hot,
cold and chilled water, the efficient
conveyance and disposal of wastewater such
as food wastes and human excreta from
plumbing fixtures require provision of enough
air, which will result to the efficient installation
of the systems.

(Preface of the Revised NPCP 1999)

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1.2 Codes and Their Purpose

3. RA 7920 or The Philippine Electrical
Code

A. Practical Safeguarding – The purpose of

this “Code” is the practical safeguarding of
persons and property from hazards arising
from the use of electricity.

B. Adequacy – This Code contains

provisions that are considered minimum
requirements necessary for safety.
Compliance therewith and proper
maintenance will result in an installation that
is essentially free from hazard but not
necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate
for good service or future expansion or future
expansion of electrical use.

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1.2 Codes and Their Purpose

3. RA 7920 or The Philippine
Electrical Code

C. Intention – This Code is intended for the

exclusive use of licensed electrical practitioners
(PEE, REE, and RME). This Code is not
intended as a design specification nor an
instruction manual for a non-licensed electrical
practitioner.

D. Relation to Other International Standards

– The requirements in this Code address the
fundamental principles of protection for safety
contained in Section 131 of International
Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60364-
1, Electrical Installations of Buildings.

(Section 1.01.1 of the PEC 2009)

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1.2 Codes and Their Purpose

4. RA 9514 or The Fire Code of the
Philippines

It is the policy of the State to ensure

public safety, promote economic
development through the prevention and
suppression of all kinds of destructive fires,
and promote the professionalization of the
Fire Service as a profession. Towards this
end, the State shall enforce all laws, rules
and regulations to ensure adherence to
standard fire prevention and safety measures
and promote accountability in the fire
protection and prevention service.

(Section 2 of the Revised FCP 2019)

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1.2 Codes and Their Purpose

5. PD 856 or The Code on Sanitation
of the Philippines

• Whereas, the health of the people, being

of paramount importance, all efforts of
public services should be directed
towards the protection and promotion of
health
• Whereas, with the advance in the field of
sanitation inn recent years, there arises
need for updating and codifying our
scattered sanitary laws to ensure that
they are keeping with modern standards
of sanitation and provide a handy
reference and guide for their
enforcement.

(Introduction of the CSP 1975)

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References
1. Revise IRR of The National Building Code of the Philippines (2005)
2. National Structural Code of the Philippines (2015)
3. National Plumbing Code of the Philippines (1999)
4. Philippine Electrical Code (2019)
5. The Fire Code of the Philippines (2019)
6. The Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (1975)

Technological University of the Philippines - Manila