Architectural Code
(Building Design – Philippines)
Based on the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) and related regulations
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ARCHITECTURAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Referral Code of PD 1096 - National Building Code of the Philippines
Prepared by the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Passed upon by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC)
Approved by then Gregorio R. Vigilar, DPWH Secretary on December 20, 1999
UAP issued UAP Board Resolution No. 18, Series of FY 1999-2000, entitled “Adoption of the Proposed Architectural Code,
November 1999 Version, As Prepared by the UAP Architectural Code Committee” on January 22, 2000
PRC Board of Architecture issued Resolution No. 11, Series of 2000 “Adoption and promulgation of the Architectural Code of
the Philippines” on August 16, 2000
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What is the Architectural Code of the Philippines?
The Architectural Code of the Philippines, though often referred to in a broader sense, is primarily encapsulated within the National Building Code of
the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 1096). This comprehensive set of guidelines and standards governs the design, construction, occupancy,
maintenance, and demolition of buildings and structures nationwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the life, health, property, and welfare of the
public by ensuring that all structures are built in accordance with sound architectural and engineering principles.
Public Safety & Welfare Regulatory Framework Sustainable Development
It mandates strict adherence to structural The Code serves as the foundational legal Beyond immediate safety, the Code
integrity, fire safety, sanitation, and instrument for architects, civil engineers, encourages the creation of sustainable
accessibility standards to protect builders, and urban planners, providing and resilient structures that contribute
occupants and the surrounding clear parameters for professional practice positively to the urban landscape and
community. and project execution. environmental well-being.
Compliance with the Code is mandatory for obtaining building permits and ensuring that construction activities align with national development goals
and international best practices. It reflects the nation's commitment to developing a built environment that is both safe and conducive to progress.
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General Provisions: Guiding Principles
Chapter 1 outlines the fundamental principles and scope of the Architectural Code, ensuring consistency with the National Building
Code (NBC) and promoting advancements in architectural practice.
1 Adaptation of NBC 2 Declaration of Policy 3 Dynamic Nature
Sections 102-106 of the NBC are The Code is designed to be Subject to periodic review every
adopted verbatim, with consistent, complementary, and three years to incorporate new
amplifications for modern compatible with the NBC and materials, technologies, and
advancements. allied engineering codes. methods.
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Applying the Architectural Code
Architects must consider various factors in building design to ensure compliance and optimal functionality.
Key Design Considerations
• Occupancy Grouping
• Types of Construction
• Location on Property & Buildable Area
• Floor Area & Height
• Occupant Load & Exit Requirements
• Parking Requirements
• Cultural & Historical Aspects
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Administration & Enforcement
Chapter 2 outlines the administrative framework and enforcement mechanisms for the Architectural Code, emphasizing the role of
the Registered Architect.
Legal Framework Architect's Role Enforcement
Adopts NBC Sections 201-216, Architects are responsible for National Government Agencies,
amplifying provisions for building design, requiring LGUs, and Special Economic Zones
architectural practice. collaboration with allied engineering enforce the Code.
professionals.
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Permits and Inspection Process
Chapter 3 details the procedures for obtaining building permits and the inspection process, ensuring compliance with the
Architectural Code and NBC.
01 02
Building Permit Application Processing
Submit an Architectural Permit, signed and sealed by the Ministerial review by the Architect-in-Charge of the Office of the
designing Architect. Building Official (OBO).
03 04
Validity & Amendments On-Site Inspection
Permits expire if work not commenced within one year; OBO monitors progress; Architect periodically inspects for
deviations require written authorization from the Architect. compliance.
CHAPTER 4
Classification and General Requirements of Buildings by Use or Occupancy
Chapter 4 of PD 1096 is fundamental, establishing the basis for how buildings are categorized and the universal regulations they must
adhere to. This classification dictates specific design and construction requirements, directly impacting safety, structural integrity, and
public welfare. It ensures that every building, regardless of its purpose, meets a baseline standard of compliance.
Section 401: Classification by Use
Buildings are systematically grouped based on their primary function or occupancy:
• Group A: Residential Dwellings (e.g., single-family homes)
• Group B: Residential, Hotel, & Apartment (e.g., multi-unit residences, hotels)
• Group C: Education & Recreation (e.g., schools, theaters without large assembly)
• Group D: Institutional (e.g., hospitals, prisons)
• Group E: Business & Mercantile (e.g., offices, retail stores)
• Group F: Industrial (e.g., factories, warehouses)
• Group G: Storage & Hazardous (e.g., highly flammable material storage)
• Group H: Assembly (Occupant Load < 1000) (e.g., small auditoriums, restaurants)
• Group I: Assembly (Occupant Load ≥ 1000) (e.g., convention centers, sports arenas)
• Group J: Accessory (e.g., garages, sheds, ancillary structures)
• Group K: Miscellaneous (e.g., temporary structures, specialized facilities not falling into other groups)
Section 402: General Requirements
Every building project is mandated to comply with:
• The National Building Code (PD 1096): The overarching framework.
• Zoning Regulations: Local ordinances governing land use and density.
• Related Laws & Ordinances: Including environmental, health, and fire codes.
This ensures a holistic approach to building regulation, integrating national standards with local context.
CHAPTER 5
Types of Construction and Their Implications
Chapter 5 of PD 1096 defines the classifications of building construction based on materials and fire resistance, a critical aspect that directly
impacts structural integrity, safety, and allowable building dimensions. Understanding these types is crucial for architects, engineers, and
permit reviewers to ensure compliance and public safety.
Section 501: Construction Classification
Buildings are categorized into five types, each with increasing levels of fire resistance: Sections 502-506: Allowable Dimensions & Exceptions
• Type I (Wood): Buildings constructed primarily of wood, with minimal or no
fire-resistive treatment. This type generally has the lowest allowable height These sections detail crucial parameters:
and area due to combustibility.
• Fire-Resistive Ratings: Specifies the minimum
• Type II (Wood with Treatment): Similar to Type I, but with fire-retardant duration various building elements (walls, columns,
treated wood or other protective measures, offering a slight increase in fire floors) must withstand fire exposure, expressed in
resistance. hours. This is critical for preventing fire spread.
• Type III (Masonry & Wood): Exterior walls are typically of non-combustible • Allowable Height & Floor Area: Directly linked to the type of
materials like masonry, with interior elements (floors, roofs, structural construction. More fire-resistive types (e.g., Type V) permit
frame) being wood. This offers improved fire protection for adjacent taller buildings and larger floor plates, reflecting their
properties. enhanced safety performance.
• Type IV (Steel, Iron, or Reinforced Concrete): Buildings with structural • Exceptions & Modifications: Outlines specific scenarios
frames of steel, iron, or reinforced concrete, and non-combustible walls and where deviations from standard requirements may be
partitions. While structural elements are non-combustible, they may not permitted, often with compensatory safety measures. This
have a specific fire-resistive rating for all components. allows for flexibility in unique design contexts.
• Type V (Fire-Resistive Throughout): The highest standard of construction, • Specific Requirements for Each Type: Provides detailed
where all structural elements, walls, floors, and roofs are built with fire- construction methods and material specifications unique
resistive materials, designed to withstand fire for specified durations. This to each classification, ensuring adherence to the
type allows for the greatest height and area. intended level of fire resistance and structural integrity.
CHAPTER 8
Fire-Resistive Requirements in Construction
Chapter 8 is dedicated to the technical specifications for achieving fire resistance in building components. This chapter is vital for
preventing fire spread within and between buildings, protecting occupants, and minimizing property damage. It details the precise
ratings and construction methods required for various structural and non-structural elements.
Section 801: Fire-Resistive Ratings
This section establishes the quantifiable fire-resistive ratings for various building
materials and assemblies. These ratings are determined through standardized fire
tests and indicate the duration (in hours) a component can withstand fire exposure
while maintaining its structural integrity and/or barrier function.
• Materials: Specific fire-resistive properties for concrete, steel, masonry,
gypsum, and other common building materials.
• Assemblies: Ratings apply to combinations of materials forming walls, floors,
ceilings, and columns, specifying how they perform as a system under fire
conditions.
• Crucial for Design: These ratings directly inform material selection and
detailing by architects and engineers to meet the required performance for a
given occupancy and fire zone.
Key Differences & Similarities
Scope Purpose
NBC: Covers all technical building regulations, from structural integrity to NBC: Ensures safety, structural soundness, and compliance for all buildings.
sanitation.
Architectural Code: Ensures quality and ethics in architectural services and
Architectural Code: Governs architects’ professional practice, licensure, and design output.
ethical conduct.
Enforcement Overlap
NBC: Primarily enforced by the Department of Public Works and Highways Architectural designs must inherently comply with NBC standards; architects are
(DPWH) and local building officials. mandated to integrate these requirements into their plans as part of their
professional duty.
Architectural Code: Enforced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
and the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (PRBoA).
Both codes share a fundamental objective: to promote safe, sustainable, and quality-built environments in the Philippines, albeit from
different vantage points. The NBC focuses on the physical structure, while the Architectural Code focuses on the professional creating the
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Harmonizing Codes for Safer, Better Buildings
The National Building Code (NBC) and the Architectural Code (derived from RA 9266) are not competing statutes but rather complementary pillars of the Philippine
construction and design industry.
The National Building Code sets the mandatory technical Together, they form a robust regulatory ecosystem that protects
framework for all construction. It provides the minimum standards public welfare and elevates building standards across the
for safety, structural integrity, and public welfare that every Philippines. The NBC provides the "rulebook" for construction,
building must adhere to, acting as the ultimate guardian of while the Architectural Code ensures that the "players" (architects)
physical construction quality. are qualified to interpret and apply that rulebook effectively.
The Architectural Code, on the other hand, ensures professional Compliance with both codes is essential for legal, safe, and high-
integrity and quality in architectural design by governing the quality Philippine construction projects. Ignoring one in favor of
practice of architects. It mandates that those responsible for the other would compromise either public safety or professional
conceptualizing and detailing buildings are competent, ethical, and standards, leading to potentially disastrous outcomes. Architects,
accountable for their work. developers, and contractors must navigate both sets of
regulations seamlessly to contribute to a resilient and well-
designed built environment in the nation.
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