National Building Code of The Philippines

• The National Building Code of the Philippines is known as the "Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096)" and referred to as the "IRR"
• The policy of the State is to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, and to provide minimum standards and requirements for buildings and structures
• The IRR covers disciplines such as architectural, civil/structural, electrical, mechanical, sanitary, plumbing, and electronics
• Existing buildings without permits may be legalized if they conform to the rules and regulations, subject to penalties
• All buildings must conform to safe construction principles and be suited to their purpose
• Buildings for manufacturing must observe environmental safeguards
• Buildings and facilities must be maintained in safe, sanitary, and good working condition
• The land for construction must be sanitary, hygienic, and safe, especially for human habitation
• Definitions include terms like addition, agency of the government, alteration, application forms, applicant/permittee, building official, building permit, and more
• Construction involves on-site work like site preparation, foundation, assembly, and installation of buildings/structures
• Conversion is a change in the use or occupancy of buildings/structures with different requirements
• Demolition is the dismantling or destruction of a building/structure
• The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is involved in the implementation of the Code
• The Building Official is responsible for enforcing the Code and its IRR
• The Secretary formulates policies, issues rules and regulations, and has appellate jurisdiction over Building Official decisions
• The Secretary may secure professional and technical services and appoint Building Officials
• Building Officials must be Filipino citizens, registered architects or civil engineers, have professional experience, and attend seminars on the Code
• The Building Official enforces the Code, circulars, memoranda, opinions, and decisions/orders issued pursuant to the Code
• The Building Official is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Code, its IRR, circulars, memoranda, opinions, and decisions/orders issued pursuant to them
• The Building Official must have overall administrative control and/or supervision over all works related to buildings/structures in their area of responsibility
• All changes, modifications, and alterations in design plans during construction cannot start until the modified design plan has been evaluated and the necessary amendatory permit issued
• The Building Official must conduct annual inspections of all buildings/structures and maintain an up-to-date record of their status
• Upon complaint or motu proprio, the Building Official can take actions such as non-issuance, suspension, revocation, or invalidation of a building permit or certificate of occupancy
• The Building Official is responsible for issuing work stoppage orders, orders for discontinuance of use or occupancy of a building/structure, and declaring a building/structure as ruinous or dangerous
• The Building Official must submit a quarterly situational report to the Secretary through the NBCDO on the status of all existing, ongoing, and proposed public and private building/structure activities
• The Secretary, through Memorandum Circulars, prescribes the rates of fees and guidelines for the imposition and collection of fees
• The Building Official can retain up to 20% of the income/collection derived from permit fees and other charges for the operating expenses of their office
• Public buildings and traditional indigenous family dwellings are exempt from payment of building permit fees
• The Secretary formulates necessary rules and regulations, adopts design and construction standards, and criteria for buildings and other structures
• The Building Official may prescribe and impose fines not exceeding ten thousand pesos in cases such as erecting, constructing, altering, or demolishing a building/structure without a permit
• Violations are classified as light, less grave, and grave violations with corresponding fines for each category
• The Building Official is authorized to impose penalties or surcharges for various violations, including constructing, installing, or causing any change in occupancy/use of a building/structure without a permit
• It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, or maintain any building or structure contrary to the provisions of the Code
• Dangerous buildings are those that are structurally unsafe, constitute a fire hazard, or are dangerous to human life or public welfare
• When a building is found or declared dangerous or ruinous, the Building Official can order its repair, vacation, or demolition based on the degree of danger to life, health, or safety
• Strength, fire-resisting qualities, and weather-resisting qualities required by law for a newly constructed building of similar area, height, and occupancy in the same location
• Conditions that may lead to a building being considered a nuisance or hazard to the public:

  • Any portion of a building remains on the site after demolition
  • Any building or portion thereof is abandoned for over twelve months
• Fire hazards include:

  • Anything that may cause fire or explosion
  • Buildings lacking required fire-resistive construction or fire-extinguishing systems
  • Inadequate exits for safe evacuation in case of fire and panic
• Unsafe electrical wiring:

  • Systems not conforming to the Philippine Electrical Code
  • Inadequately maintained or improperly used electrical wirings, outlets, devices, or equipment
• Unsafe mechanical installations:

  • Systems not conforming to the Philippine Mechanical Code
  • Inadequately maintained or improperly used mechanical outlets, devices, or equipment
  • Lack of proper operation of required ventilating equipment or air-conditioning systems
  • Improperly installed or lack of protection on steam, gas, and fuel supply lines