CONSTRUCTION | Building Laws | 20 Questions (EASY-MODERATE)
BUILDING LAWS
(20 Questions, Difficulty Level:EASY to MODERATE)
by Raison John J. Bassig
Q#1: A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits or fire escapes is known as what?
a. Fire Hazard
b. Pyrophoric
c. Fire Lane
d. Fire Trap
According to the 2008 Revised Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514),
"Fire Hazard - Any CONDITION or ACT which increases or may cause an increase in the PROBABILITY of the occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations and the safeguarding of life and property."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
"Pyrophoric - DESCRIPTIVE of any substance that IGNITES SPONTANEOUSLY when EXPOSED TO AIR."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
"Fire Lane - The portion of a ROADWAY or publicway that should be kept OPENED and UNOBSTRUCTED at all times for the expedient operation of fire fighting units."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
"Fire Trap - A BUILDING unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it LACKS ADEQUATE exits or fire escapes."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
Therefore, the correct answer is d. Fire Trap.
Q#2: Preferred doorknob mounting height from the floor for accessibility purposes.
a. 1.06 meters
b. 1.00 meter
c. 0.90 meter
d. 0.82 meter
According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Accessibility Law (BP 344),
"Doorknobs and other hardware should be located between 0.82 m. and 1.06 m. above the floor; 0.90 is preferred;"
(Appendix A, Sec. C.3.8 of the IRR of BP 344)
Therefore, the correct answer is c. 0.90 meter.
Q#3: Considering emergency egresses to vacate the premises or access for rescue operations, what must be the maximum height of the bottom of a window opening from the finished floor?
a. 0.82 meter
b. 0.715 meter
c. 900 millimeters
d. 29-1/4"
According to the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096),
"In locating window openings, it should be borne in mind that in cases of extreme emergencies, WINDOWS must serve as EMERGENCY EGRESS to vacate the premises or access for rescue operations. Such windows shall meet the following requirements:
They can be opened from the inside without the use of any tools;
The minimum clear opening shall have a width not less than 820 millimeters and a height of 1 meter;
THE BOTTOM OF THE OPENING SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 820 MILLIMETERS FROM THE FLOOR;
Where storm shutters, screens or iron grilles are used, these shall be provided with quick opening mechanism so that they can be readily opened from the inside for emergency egress and shall be so designed that when opened they will not drop to the ground;
All areas immediately outside a fire exit window/grille must be free of obstacles and must lead to a direct access down into the ground or street level."
(Rule VIII, Sec. 808.5 of the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
Therefore, the correct answer is a. 0.82 meter.
Q#4: The law that regulates the practice of Interior Design in the Philippines.
a. RA 9292
b. RA 10350
c. RA 8534
d. RA 4566
Republic Act No. 9292 (RA 9292) is the Electronics Engineering Law of 2004.
Republic Act No. 8534 (RA 8534) was the OLD Interior Design Act of 1998 (already repealed by a newer law).
Republic Act No. 4566 (RA 4566) is the Contractors License Law of 1965.
Republic Act No. 10350 (RA 10350) is the Philippine Interior Design Act of 2012 (the NEWER law that repealed the older RA 8534).
Therefore, the correct answer is b. RA 10350 (the Philippine Interior Design Act of 2012).
Q#5: What is the minimum size of a jeepney or shuttle parking/loading/unloading slot?
a. 3.60 meters x 18.00 meters
b. 3.60 meters x 12.00 meters
c. 3.00 meters x 9.00 meters
d. 2.15 meters x 6.00 meters
According to the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096),
"The size of an average automobile (car) parking slot must be computed at 2.50 meters by 5.00 meters for perpendicular or diagonal parking and at 2.15 meters by 6.00 meters for parallel parking. A standard truck or bus parking/loading slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60 meters by 12.00 meters. An articulated truck slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.60 meters by 18.00 meters which should be sufficient to accommodate a 12.00 meter container van or bulk carrier and a long/hooded prime mover. A JEEPNEY or SHUTTLE parking/loading/unloading slot must be computed at a minimum of 3.00 METERS BY 9.00 METERS."
(Rule VI, Sec. 707.4 of the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
So, the above choices I included in the question correspond to the following vehicles,
Choice a.) 3.6m x 18m ==> for Articulated Trucks (e.g. Trailers, Longer Trucks, etc.)
Choice b.) 3.6m x 12m ==> for Bus and Standard Trucks (e.g. Elf, non-articulated trucks, etc.)
Choice c.) 3m x 9m ==> for Jeepneys and Shuttles
Choice d.) 2.15m x 6m ==> for Cars at Parallel Parking
Therefore, the correct answer is c. 3.00 meters x 9.00 meters.
Q#6: Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.
a. Combustible
b. Flammable
c. Inflammable
d. All of the above
Note that "Flammable" and "Inflammable" have the EXACT SAME MEANING, and are both synonymous to "Combustible".
According to the 2008 Revised Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514), all three (3) aforementioned terms are defined as the same,
"Combustible, Flammable or Inflammable - Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
Combustible and incombustible are ANTONYMS (direct opposite, where the "in-" prefix in incombustible means "not", e.g., inaccurate, incomplete). However, flammable and inflammable are SYNONYMS (the same, where the "in-" prefix in inflammable means "into", e.g., inflame, intake, indent).
A bit of trivia: Inflammable was already the term used for some hundreds of years before the word flammable came about. It was only in the 1900s that flammable and "non-flammable" became much more adopted so as people will not be confused that inflammable meant "not to catch fire" (which is incorrect).
Therefore, the correct answer is d. All of the above.
Q#7: Which of the following laws regulate the environmental planning profession in the Philippines?
a. RA 10587
b. RA 8560
c. RA 1308
d. PD 1308
Republic Act No. 8560 (RA 8560) is the Philippine Geodetic Engineering Act of 1998.
Republic Act No. 1308 (RA 1308) is NOT related to any building or planning laws (it is an act converting a certain sitio into a barrio in Batangas enacted in 1955).
Presidential Decree No. 1308 (PD 1308) was the OLD Law Regulating the Environmental Planning Profession in the Philippines enacted in 1978 (already repealed by a newer law).
Republic Act No. 10587 (RA 10587) is the Environmental Planning Act of 2013 (the NEWER law that repealed the older PD 1308).
Therefore, the correct answer is a. RA 10587 (the Environmental Planning Act of 2013).
Q#8: Among the following buildings proposed for construction, which group are classified as Group B according to their use and character of its occupancy?
a. Hotels, apartment buildings, row houses, boarding and lodging houses, convents, and monasteries
b. Wholesale and retail stores, office buildings, dining establishments having an occupant load of less than 100 persons, police stations and fire stations
c. Residential dwellings
d. Mental hospitals, jails, prisons, and reformatories
According to the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096),
(Rule VII, Sec. 701 of the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
So, in my given choices above,
Choice a.) ==> Group B occupancies
Choice b.) ==> Group E (Division 2) occupancies
Choice c.) ==> Group A occupancies
Choice d.) ==> Group D (Division 1) occupancies
Therefore, the correct answer is a. Hotels, apartment buildings, row houses, boarding and lodging houses, convents, and monasteries.
Q#9: A sepulcher with niches for cinerary remains.
a. Ossuary
b. Crematorium
c. Columbarium
d. Mausoleum
e. Tomb
According to the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) under Glossary of Terms:
"OSSUARY - The interment space for bones of the dead."
"CREMATORIUM - Any designed place duly authorized by law to cremate dead persons."
"COLUMBARIUM - A sepulcher with niches for cinerary remains."
"MAUSOLEUM - A large stately tomb to accommodate one or more interments, usually with provisions for an ossuary and/or a cinerarium."
"TOMB - An above ground sepulchre without roof or canopy."
Therefore, the correct answer is c. Columbarium.
Q#10: What is the minimum area provision to be alloted for a park/playground on a Residential Condominium Project?
a. 50 square meters
b. 100 square meters
c. None / Not Required
d. 120 square meters
e. 10% of the Saleable Area
According to the 2009 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Subdivision and Condominium Buyer's Protective Decree (PD 957),
"The minimum area for a single park/playground shall be 50 SQUARE METERS. Increments of 3.00 square meters for every additional family dwelling type in excess of 10 units shall be added."
(Section 2, Item C.1.a.2 of the 2009 IRR of PD 957)
Note that Section 2 of the above IRR pertains to Design Standards and Guidelines for Residential CONDOMINIUM Project. The law, PD 957, also has a DIFFERENT CRITERIA for Residential SUBDIVISION Projects (outlined in Section 1 of the same IRR),
"Allocation of area for parks and playgrounds shall be mandatory for projects one (1) hectare or more and shall be deemed non-buildable area. The same shall be strategically located within the subdivision project. Area allocated for parks and playgrounds shall in no case be less than 100 square meters."
(Section 1, Item C.1.b.1 of the 2009 IRR of PD 957)
Given the above data, as per PD 957, we have:
50 sqm - minimum for Residential CONDOMINIUMS
100 sqm - minimum for Residential SUBDIVISIONS
Therefore, the correct answer is a. 50 square meters.
Q#11: As per Fire Code of the Philippines, it is a kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.
a. Brine
b. Fulminate
c. Blasting Agent
d. Hypergolic Fuel
According to the 2008 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514),
"Brine. Any liquid cooled by the refrigerant and used for the transmission of heat without a change in its state, having no flash point or a flash point above 65.6°C as determined by the American Society of Testing Materials Method D93."
(Rule 3 of the 2008 IRR of RA 9514)
"Blasting Agent. Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives."
(Rule 3 of the 2008 IRR of RA 9514)
"Hypergolic Fuel. A rocket or liquid propellant which consists of combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other."
(Rule 3 of the 2008 IRR of RA 9514)
"Fulminate. A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion."
(Rule 3 of the 2008 IRR of RA 9514)
Therefore, the correct answer is b. Fulminate.
Q#12: In order to aid visually-impaired persons to readily determine whether a washroom is for men or for women, the signage on women's washroom doors shall be _________________.
a. Square
b. Triangle
c. Diamond
d. Circle
According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Accessibility Law (BP 344),
"In order to aid visually impaired persons to readily determine whether a washroom is for men or for women, the signage for men's washroom door shall be an equilateral triangle with a vertex pointing upward, and THOSE FOR WOMEN SHALL BE A CIRCLE; the edges of the triangle should be 0.30m long as should be the diameter of the circle; these signages should at least be 7.5mm thick; the color and gray value of the doors; the words "men" and "women" or the appropriate stick figures should still appear on the washroom doors for the convenience of the fully sighted; Note: the totally blind could touch the edge of the signs and easily determine whether it is straight or curved;"
(Appendix A, Sec. C.8.6 of the IRR of BP 344)
Therefore, the correct answer is d. Circle (For Women).
Q#13: Which among these formulae results in the Maximum Allowable Construction Area?
a. Allowable Maximum Building Footprint (AMBF) / Total Lot Area (TLA)
b. Total Lot Area (TLA) x Floor to Lot Area Ratio (FLAR)
c. Total Open Space within Lot (TOSL) + Percentage of Site Occupancy (PSO)
d. Percentage of Site Occupancy (PSO) + Maximum Impervious Surface Area (ISA)
e. Maximum Impervious Surface Area (ISA) + Minimum Unpaved Surface Area (USA)
According to the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096),
(Excerpts from the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
So, in my given choices above,
Choice a.) ==> [AMBF / TLA] = PSO (Percentage of Site Occupancy)
Choice b.) ==> [TLA x FLAR] = GFA (Gross Floor Area)
Choice c.) ==> [PSO + TOSL] = TLA (Total Lot Area)
Choice d.) ==> [PSO + Max. ISA] = MACA (Maximum Allowable Construction Area)
Choice e.) ==> [Max. ISA + Min. USA] = Min. TOSL (Total Open Space within Lot)
Therefore, the correct answer is d. Percentage of Site Occupancy (PSO) + Maximum Impervious Surface Area (ISA).
Q#14: What is RA 7920?
a. Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998
b. Landscape Architecture Act of 2000
c. Electrical Engineering Law of 1995
d. Sanitary Engineering Law of 1955
The Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998 is Republic Act No. 8495 (RA 8495).
The Landscape Architecture Act of 2000 is Republic Act No. 9053 (RA 9053).
The Electrical Engineering Law of 1995 is Republic Act No. 7920 (RA 7920).
The Sanitary Engineering Law of 1955 is Republic Act No. 1364 (RA 1364).
Therefore, the correct answer is c. Electrical Engineering Law of 1995.
Q#15: The maximum slope for exit passageways, according to the National Building Code.
a. 7.13 degrees
b. 12.5 degrees
c. 8.00 degrees
d. 1.25 degrees
According to the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096),
"Slope: The slope of exit courts shall not exceed 1 in 10. The slope of EXIT PASSAGEWAYS shall NOT exceed 1 IN 8."
(Rule XII, Sec. 1207.10.b of the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
Note that the Code specifies the value of a slope in FRACTION (or RATIO) format. The values listed in my given choices above are in DEGREES (a unit of ANGLE).
The value in degrees is NOT equivalent to the value in percentage NOR equivalent to the value expressed in fraction or ratio. So, we need to convert the slope given in one format to another.
Recall that [Slope = Rise / Run]. When slopes are expressed in the format "1 in x", it means that for every 1 unit of Rise, there is x units of Run (or 1/x).
Slopes can be expressed in RATIO or FRACTION format as above (i.e., 1/x, 1:x, rise:run).
[1 in 8] = [1 : 8] = [1 / 8]
Slopes can also be expressed in PERCENTAGE or DECIMAL format. In computing the PERCENTAGE of the slope, given the [Rise : Run], we simply perform the operation (divide) of the given rise and the given run, then multiply by 100%,
[1 in 8] = [1 / 8] x 100% = [0.125] x 100% = 12.5%
Lastly, slopes can also be commonly expressed in ANGULAR DEGREES (i.e., 1°, 45°, 30°, etc.). In computing the DEGREES, given the ratio of [Rise : Run], recall the trigonometric function of Tangent which is,
Tan (Angle) = Opposite side / Adjacent side
Since our Opposite side is the Rise; and the Adjacent side is the Run, we can use the equation,
Tan (Angle) = Rise / Run
Finding the Angle, we now have,
Angle = Arctan (Rise / Run)
So, the slope of exit passageway in the code is given as 1 in 8, i.e., Rise = 1 and Run = 8. So, the angle (in degrees) can now be computed by,
Therefore, the correct answer is a. 7.13 degrees (or 12.5% or 1:8).
Q#16: A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned and is still oxidizing without the manifestation of flames.
a. Electrical Arc
b. Damper
c. Blasting Agent
d. Ember
e. Oxidizing Material
According to the 2008 Revised Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514),
"Electric Arc - An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric current across a space between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
"Damper - A normally open device installed inside an air duct system which automatically closes to restrict the passage of smoke or fire."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
"Blasting Agent - Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
"Ember - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still oxidizing without the manifestation of flames."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
"Oxidizing Material - A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or support combustion."
(Sec. 3 of RA 9514)
Therefore, the correct answer is d. Ember.
Q#17: What is the minimum ceiling height for a habitable room provided with artificial ventilation located in the first storey of a four-storey residential building according to the National Building Code?
a. 3.00 meters
b. 2.70 meters
c. 2.40 meters
d. 2.10 meters
According to the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) and its 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR),
"Habitable rooms provided with ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION shall have ceiling heights not less than 2.40 meters measured from the floor to the ceiling; PROVIDED that for buildings of MORE THAN ONE (1) STOREY, the minimum ceiling height of the FIRST STOREY shall be 2.70 METERS and that for the second storey 2.40 meters and the succeeding stories shall have an unobstructed typical head-room clearance of not less than 2.10 meters above the finished floor. Above-stated rooms with natural ventilation shall have ceiling heights of not less than 2.70 meters."
(Sec. 805.a of the 1977 PD 1096, and Sec. 805.1 of the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
In my question, since the habitable room provided with artificial ventilation is located in the FIRST STOREY of a 4-STOREY BUILDING (i.e., there are other storeys above it), the minimum ceiling height must be 2.70m (NOT 2.40m).
Considering that IF all the storeys in my question above are ALL provided with ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION, then, the minimum ceiling heights of each storey would be as follows:
The ONLY instance that a storey located on the ground floor CAN be 2.40m in minimum ceiling height is IF the building is only a 1-storey/single-storey building (i.e., no other storeys above it) and such is provided with ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION.
Therefore, the correct answer is b. 2.70 meters.
Q#18: Which condition for permitted abutments on property lines describes an R-2 (Residential-2) lot type/location?
Abutments shall be allowed on only one (1) side. There shall be no firewalls/abutments on the front and rear property lines.
Abutments shall be allowed on two (2) sides only or on one (1) side and the rear property line. There shall be no abutments on the front property line.
Abutments shall be allowed on two (2) sides only. There shall be no firewalls or abutments on the front and rear property lines.
Absolutely no abutments are allowed at any property line.
According to the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096),
(Rule VIII, Sec. 803.4.c of the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
So, in my given choices above,
Choice a.) ==> for R-2 lot type/location
Choice b.) ==> for R-3, R-5, and/or C-3 lot type/location
Choice c.) ==> for R-4 lot type/location
Choice d.) ==> for R-1 lot type/location
Therefore, the correct answer is a. Abutments shall be allowed on only one (1) side. There shall be no firewalls/abutments on the front and rear property lines.
Q#19: What is the minimum front setback for economic and socialized housing?
a. 4.50 meters
b. 3.00 meters
c. 2.00 meters
d. 1.50 meters
According to the 2008 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Standards and Technical Requirements for Economic and Socialized Housing Project (BP 220),
"The minimum setback of dwelling unit both for economic and socialized housing project shall be as follows:
a. Front Setback - 1.5m.
b. Side Yard - 1.5m (from the building line)
c. Rear Yard - 2.0m.
d. Abutments - May be allowed per requirements of the National Building Code of the Philippines"
(Rule II, Sec. 5.C.5 of the 2008 IRR of BP 220)
Therefore, the answer is d. 1.50 meters.
Q#20: Select the smallest window opening you can specify for the smallest Toilet-and-Bath possible without violating the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096):
a. 0.24m x 0.25m
b. 0.225m x 0.48m
c. 0.15m x 0.36m
d. 0.32m x 0.375m
Before I explain how the answer was derived, let's first take a look at the said 2004 IRR of PD 1096, regarding the minimum sizes and dimensions of rooms, specifically that of a Toilet-and-Bath,
"Minimum sizes of rooms and their least horizontal dimensions shall be as follows:
a. Rooms for Human Habitations - 6.00 sq. meters with a least dimension of 2.00 meters;
b. Kitchen - 3.00 sq. meters with a least dimension of 1.50 meters; and
c. Bath and toilet - 1.20 sq. meters with a least dimension of 900 millimeters."
(Rule VIII, Sec. 806 of the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
Notice that the value "1.20 sq. meters" is the AREA; while the "900 millimeters" is a dimension (WIDTH). Since the AREA is already given, the SMALLEST T&B must be 1.20 SQM.
Now let's go over to another provision, this time, to determine the size of the window opening,
"Rooms intended for any use, not provided with artificial ventilation system, shall be provided with a window or windows with a total free area of openings equal to at least 10% of the floor area of the room, provided that such opening shall be not less than 1.00 sq. meter. However, TOILET AND BATH ROOMS, laundry rooms and similar rooms shall be provided with window or windows with an AREA NOT LESS THAN 1/20 OF THE FLOOR AREA OF SUCH ROOMS..."
(Rule VIII, Sec. 808 of the 2004 IRR of PD 1096)
Notice that the Code provides two (2) different VALUES of window openings:
1) "10% of the floor area" (for other rooms); and
2) "1/20 of the floor area" (for toilet and bath rooms/laundry rooms)
Since our problem deals with a T&B, then the latter value (i.e., 1/20) will be used. Note that 1/20 is equal to 0.05 or 5%. We then compute,
Smallest Area of Window Opening = Area of Smallest T&B x [1/20]
Smallest Area of Window Opening = 1.20sqm x [1/20]
Smallest Area of Window Opening = 0.06 sq.m.
So, among the choices I gave, the sizes of the windows are as follows.
Choice a.) ==> [0.24m x 0.25m] = 0.06 sq.m. (smallest conforming)
Choice b.) ==> [0.225m x 0.48m] = 0.108 sq.m. (conforms, but not smallest)
Choice c.) ==> [0.15m x 0.36m] = 0.054 sq.m. (less than smallest, does NOT conform)
Choice d.) ==> [0.32m x 0.375m] = 0.12 sq.m. (conforms, but not smallest)
So, among the choices, 0.24m x 0.25m is the smallest possible window opening for the smallest possible T&B area without violating the code.
Therefore, the correct answer is a. 0.24m x 0.25m.
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