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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6541
AN ACT TO ORDAIN AND INSTITUTE
A NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
TITLE 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE
Chapter 1.01 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1.01.01: Title
(a) This Act shall be known as the "National Building Code of the
Philippines" and shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Code".
SECTION 1.01.02: Declaration of Policy
(a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to safeguard
life, health, property, and public welfare, consistent with the
principles of environmental management and control; and to this
end, make it the purpose of this Code to provide for all buildings
and structured, a framework of minimum standards and
requirements by guiding, regulating, and controlling their location,
siting, design, quality of materials, construction, use, occupancy,
and maintenance, including their environment, utilities, fixtures,
equipment, and mechanical electrical, and other systems and
installations.
SECTION 1.01.03: Scope
(a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design, location,
siting, construction, alteration, repair, conversion, use, occupancy,
maintenance, moving, and demolition of, and addition to, public
and private buildings and structures.
(b) Additions, alterations, repairs, and changes of use or occupancy
in all buildings and structures shall comply with requirements for
new buildings and structures except as otherwise herein provided.
Only such portion or portions of the existing building or structure
which have to be altered to effect the addition, alteration, or repair
shall be made to conform to the requirements for new buildings or
structures. Alterations should preserve the aesthetic value of the
building to be altered.
(c) Where, in any specific case, different section of this Code specify
different materials, methods of construction, or other requirements,
the most restrictive shall govern.
SECTION 1.01.04: Application
(a) This Code shall apply to all buildings and structures constructed
and any change or repair made thereon after the approval of said
Code. Buildings or structures constructed before the approval of
this Code shall not be affected thereby; Except, where their
continued use or occupancy is dangerous to life or limb; or where
alterations, additions, conversions, or repairs are to be made
thereon, this Code shall apply only to such portions of the buildings
or structure which have to be altered in order to effect such
damages or repairs.
(b) This Code shall apply to chartered cities, poblaciones of
municipalities and municipal districts with a population of at least
two thousand (2,000) inhabitants, and to barrios of urban areas with
a population of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants. This Code
shall also apply to any area where there are fifty (50) or more
families per hectare.
(c) This Code shall likewise apply to any area proposed for or being
developed into a new town site, residential subdivision, commercial
or residential site, school site, housing project, and similar
construction projects where five or more buildings not covered by
paragraph (d) of this Section will be constructed even if the
poblacion or barrio population is less than two thousand (2,000) or
the density of population is less than fifty (50) families per hectare.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(d) The design and construction requirements of this Code shall not
apply to any traditional indigenous family dwelling costing not more
than five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and intended for use and
occupancy of the family of the owner only. The traditional type of
family dwellings are those that are constructed of native materials
such as bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber, wherein the distance between
vertical supports or suportales does not exceed 3.00 meters (10
feet); and if masonry walls or socalos are used, such shall not be
more than 1.00 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) from the ground: Provided,
however, That such traditional indigenous family dwelling will not
constitute a danger to life or limb of its occupants or of the public;
will not be fire hazard or an eyesore to the community; and does not
contravene any fire zoning regulation of the city or municipality in
which it is located.
(n)
(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (d) of this Section, this Code shall
apply to Group A dwellings produced on a commercial scale and
intended for use by the general public.
SECTION 1.01.05 Building Use Affecting Public Health and Safety
(a) Any building or structure, or any ancillary or accessory facility
thereto, and any alteration or addition to any building or structure
already existing, shall conform in all respects to the principles of
safe construction, shall be suited to the purpose for which the
building is designed, and shall, in no case contribute to making the
community in which it is located at eyesore, a slum, or a blighted
area.
(b) Adequate environmental safeguards shall be observed in the
design, construction, and use of any building or structure for the
manufacture and production of any kind of article or product which
constitutes a hazard or nuisance affecting public health and safety,
such as explosives, gas, noxious chemicals, inflammable
compounds, or the like.
SECTION 1.01.06: Maintenance
(a) All buildings or structures, both existing and new, and all parts
thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All
devices or safeguards, which are required by this Code in a building
or structure when constructed, altered, or repaired, shall be
maintained on good working order.
SECTION 1.01.07: Insanitary, Unsafe, Hazardous, or Dangerous
Sites
(a) The land or site upon which will be constructed any building or
structure, or any ancillary or auxillary facility thereto, shall be
sanitary , hygienic or safe. Where the land or site is polluted,
insanitary, unhygienic, unsafe, or hazardous, conditions
contributing to or causing its being polluted, insanitary, unhygienic,
unsafe, or hazardous shall be reasonably improved or corrected, or
proper remedial measures shall be prescribed or incorporated in the
design or construction of the building or structure in accordance
with the provisions of this Code.
(b) The land or site upon which be constructed a building of
structure or any ancillary or accessory facility thereto, for use of
human habitation or abode, shall be at a safe distance from
streamers or bodies of water and/source of air considered to be
polluted, volcano or volcanic site, and building or structure
considered to be a potential source of fire or explosion, such as
ammunitions factory or dump and storage place for highly
inflammable material.
SECTION 1.01.08: Dangerous and Ruinous Buildings or Structures
(a) General. - The provisions of this Code shall apply to all dangerous
buildings, as herein defined, which are now in existence or which
may hereafter be constructed, as well as to ruinous buildings as
defined in Article 482 of the Civil Code of the Philippines. chan robles
virtual law library
(b) Dangerous Buildings Defined. - Dangerous buildings are those
which are structurally unsafe or not provided with safe egrees, or
which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human
life, or which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard to
safety or health or public welfare, by reason of inadequate
maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, or
abandonment; or which otherwise contribute to the pollution of the
site or the community to an intolerable degree. Any building or
structure which has any or all of the conditions or defects
hereinafter described, or conditions or defects similar thereto, shall
be deemed to be dangerous building: Provided, That such conditions
or defect exists to the extent that the life, health, property, or
safety of the public or its occupant are endangered:
(1) Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway, or other means
of exist is not of sufficient width or size, or is not so arranged as to
provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or panic;
(2) Whenever the stress in any materials member or portion thereof,
due to all dead and live loads is more than one and one-half times
the working stresses or stresses allowed in this Code for new
building of similar structure, purpose, or location: Provided, That in
determining working stress, the working stress method of analysis
shall be used, and in the case of engineering "overstress", the
ultimate strength method;
(3) Whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by fire,
earthquake, wind, flood, or by any other cause, to such an extent
that the structural strength or the stability thereof is materially less
than it was before such catastrophe and is less than the minimum
requirements of this Code for new buildings of similar structures,
purpose, or location;
(4) Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance thereof is
likely to fall, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and
thereby injure persons or damage property;
(5) Whenever any portion or member or any appurtenance or
ornamentation of the exterior thereof is not of such sufficient
strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached, or fastened -
place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of one-half of
that specified in this Code for new buildings of similar structure;
purpose, or location without exceeding the working stresses
permitted for such buildings;
(6) Whenever any portion thereon has wracked, warped, buckled, or
settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have
materially less resistance to winds or earthquake than is required in
the case similar new construction;
(7) Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof,
because of: (i) dilapidation, deterioration, or delay; (ii) faulty
construction; (iii) the removal, movement, or instability of any
portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such
building; (iv) the deterioration, decay, or inadequacy of its
foundation; or (v) any other cause, is likely to partially or completely
collapse;
(8) Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any
portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is
being used;
(9) Whenever the exterior walls or other vertica structural members
list, lean, or buckle to such an extent that the structure falls within
the condition described in the preceding subparagraph (2), above, or
whenever any portion thereof suffers a material reduction of the fire
and weather resistance qualities of characteristics required by this
Code for newly constructed buildings of like area, height, and
occupancy in the same location;
(10) Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used
for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance,
dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement,
inadequate light, air, or sanitation facilities, or otherwise, is found to
be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or in such a condition that
is likely to cause sickness or disease; chan robles virtual law library
(11) Whenever any building or structure, because of obsolescence,
dilapidated, condition, deterioration, damage, inadequate exists,
lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, or other cause, is found
to be a fire hazard;
(12) Whenever any portion of a building or structure remains on a
site after demolition or destruction of the building or structure is
abandoned for a period in excess of six months, so as to constitute a
nuisance or hazard to the public;
(13) Whenever any building or structure is in such a condition as to
constitute a public nuisance defined in Article 694 and 695 of
the Civil Code of the Philippines.
(c) Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. In all cases of dangerous buildings,
except those covered by Article 482 and 694 to 707 of the Civil Code of
the Philippines, the Building Official shall order their repair, vacation, or
demolition in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) Where the dangerous building can reasonably be repaired such
that it will no longer be dangerous, it shall be ordered repaired;
(2) Where the dangerous building is such that to repair it would cost
more than 50 per cent of the current to replacement cost of the
building, it shall be repaired or demolished at the opinion of the
owner;
(3) Where the dangerous building poses an immediate threat to life,
limb, or property, it shall be vacated immediately, then repaired or
demolished in accordance with subparagraphs (1) or (2) herein.
SECTION 1.01.09. Alternate or new Design, Material, Method of Construction, or Workmanship; Tests:
(a) Any design, material, method of construction, or workmanship not specifically included in this Code
may be used: Provided, That such alternate or new design, material, method of construction, or
workmanship is at least the equivalent of those prescribed in this Code in effectiveness.
(b) Tests for design, materials, method of construction, or workmanship shall be prescribed by the
Secretary of Public Works and Communication in appropriate rules and regulations therefor.
SECTION 1.01.10: Municipal and Provincial Ordinances and Regulations
(a) Local ordinances should conform to the Code and suppletory requirements hereto shall in no case
diminish minimum requirements embodied in this Code. The Secretary of Public Works and
Communications or, in the proper case, the Secretary of Justice shall take any and all appropriate steps
in cases where local ordinances conflict with the Code.
