Regulations on Plumbing

and Sanitation
Arreglado, Gaco, Sanchez
 Plumbing
Excerpts from the Revised National Plumbing Code of the
Philippines, National Building Code IRR
 MASTER
PLUMBER
 Chapter 3:
General Regulations
Section 301 – DISPOSAL OF
WASTEWATERS
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, suffer or permit the
disposal of sewage, human excrement or other waste waters in any
place or manner, except through and by means of an approved
Excreta and Storm Drainage Systems installed and maintained in
accordance with the provisions of this Code.
Section 302- GRADE OF HORIZONTAL
DRAINAGE PIPINGS
Horizontal drainage pipes shall be run in practical alignments and
at a uniform slope between manholes of not less than 20 mm/m or
2% toward the point of disposal, provided that, where it is
impracticable to obtain a 2% slope due to the following constraints
in: ( l) excessive depth of the proposed drainage line, (2) structural
and/or geological features of the terrain; and (3) existing adverse in
arrangements of building or structure, any such pipe or piping 102
mm or larger in diameter may have a slope of l 0 mm/m or 1%
provided it is first approved by the Administrative Authority.
Section 302- GRADE OF HORIZONTAL
DRAINAGE PIPINGS
Section 304- CONNECTIONS TO
PLUMBING SYSTEM REQUIRED
All plumbing fixtures, drains, appurtenances and appliances used to
receive or discharge liquid wastes or sewage, shall be connected
properly to the drainage systems of the building and premises, in
accordance with the requirements of this Code.
Section 305- SEWER REQUIRED
305.1 Every building where plumbing fixtures are installed
shall have a sewer service connection to a public or
private sewer systems except as provided in Subsection
305.2 of this section.
305.2 When a Public or Private Sewer is not available for use,
excreta drainage piping from buildings and premises
shall be connected to an approved Private Sewage
Disposal System.
Section 308- LOCATION
308.1 Except as otherwise provided in this Code, no excreta
plumbing system, storm drainage system, building
drain, building sewer, private sewage disposal system
or parts thereof, shall be located in any lot other than
the lot where the site of the building, structure or
premises are served by such facilities.
308.2 No subdivision, sale, or transfer of ownership of existing
property shall be made in such a manner that the area,
clearance, and access requirements of this Code are
decreased or impaired.
 Chapter 4:
Plumbing Fixtures
Section 401- MATERIALS GEN.
REQUIREMENTS
Quality of Fixtures - plumbing fixtures shall be manufactured of dense,
durable, non-absorbent materials and must have smooth impervious
surfaces, free from unnecessary concealed fouling surfaces. Except as
permitted elsewhere in this Code, all fixtures shall conform in quality and
design to nationally recognized applicable standards or to other
approved standards acceptable to the Administrative Authority. All
porcelain enamel surfaces on plumbi.ng fixtures shall be acid resistant.

Water closet bowls for public use shall be the elongated bowl types
equipped with open-front seats. Water closet seats shall be of smooth
non-absorbent material and properly sized for the water closet bowl
used.
Section 403- OVERFLOWS
When any fixture is provided with an overflow outlet, the waste shall
be so arranged that the standing water inside the fixture cannot rise
inside the overflow way when the stopper is closed nor remain
inside the overflow way when the fixture is empty. The overflow pipe
from a fixture shall be connected to the house or inlet side of the
fixture trap. Water Closet or Urinal flush tanks shall discharge into
the bowls or wares served by them, but it shall be unlawful to
connect such overflows with any other part of the drainage system.
2. Section 404- STRAINERS AND
CONNECTIONS
404.1 Strainers- all plumbing fixtures other than water closets
and siphon action washdown or blowout urinals, shall
be equipped with approved strainers having an
approved waterway area. The strainers serving shower
drains shall have waterway equivalent to the area of the
tailpiece
404.2 Connections - Fixtures having concealed slip joint
connections shall be provided with an access panel or
utility at least 0.3 meter in its least dimension and
arranged so that the connections are readily accessible
for inspection and repair.
Section 407- INSTALLATION
407.1 Cleaning - plumbing fixture shall be installed in a
manner to provide easy access for repair and cleaning.
Where practical, all pipes from fixtures shall be run
parallel and dose to the nearest wall or building line.
407.2 Joints - where a fixture comes in contact with the wall or
floor, the joint between the fixture and wall or floor shall
be made watertight.
407.3 Securing fixtures - floor outlet or floor mounted fixtures
shall be rigidly secured on the drainage connection and
floor when so designed with the use of adequately-sized
screws or expansion bolts of copper, brass or other
equally corrosion-resistant materials.
Section 409- FLOOR DRAINS AND
SHOWER STALLS
All shower compartments, regardless of shape, shall have a
minimum finished interior area of 0.6 square meter, and shall also
be capable of encompassing a 762 mm diameter circle. The
minimum area and dimensions shall be maintained from a point
above the shower drain outlet to a height of 1.78 meters with no
protrusions other than the fixture valve or valves, shower head and
safety grab bars or rails.
Section 410- PLUMBING FIXTURES
REQUIRED (TABLE 4-1)
Each building shall be provided with sanitary facilities as prescribed
by the National Building Code or other authorities having
jurisdiction. In the absence of local requirements, a recommended
list of minimum facilities for various occupancies is given on Table
4-1 of this Code.
 Minimum Plumbing Facilities (excerpt Table 4-1)
Type of Building/ Water Closets Urinals Lavatories
Occupancy Per person Per person Per person
Assembly Places Male Female Male Male Female
(for public): 1: 1 – 100 3: 1 – 50 1: 1 – 100 1: 1 – 200 1: 1 – 200
Theaters, Auditoriums, 2: 101 – 200 4: 51 – 100 2: 101 – 200 2: 201 – 400 2: 201 – 400
Convention Halls 3: 201 – 400 8: 101 – 200 3: 201 – 400 3: 401 – 750 3: 401 – 750
11: 201 – 400 4: 401 – 600

>400,+1/500 >400, +2/300 >600 +1/500 >750,+1/500 >750,+1/500

Dormitories Male Female 1 per 25 Male/Female
School or Labor 1 per 10 1 per 8 >150, +1/ 50 male 1 per 12
>10, +1/25 >8, +1/20 >150, +1/20 male or /15 female

Office or Public Male Female Male Male Female

Buildings 1: 1 – 100 1: 1 – 200 1: 1 – 100 1: 1 – 200 1: 1 – 200
2: 101 – 200 2: 201 – 400 2: 101 – 200 2: 201 – 400 2: 201 – 400
3: 201 – 400 3: 401 – 750 3: 201 – 400 3: 401 – 750 3: 401 – 750
4: 401 – 600
>55, +1/500 >55, +2/55 >600 +1/300 >750,+1/500 >750,+1/500
Section 603- Air Gaps (excerpt Table 6-1)
Item No. Fixtures When not When affected
affected by side by side walls
walls (mm)
1 Lavatories and other fitures with effective 25 38
openings not greater than 13mm in
diameter
2 Sinks, laundry trays, gooseneck bath 38 57
faucets and other fixtures with
effective openings not greater than
19mm diameter

3 Over rim bath fillers and other fixtures with 51 76

effective openings not greater than 25mm
in diameter
4 Effective openings not greater than 25mm Two (2) diameter of Three (3) times
in diameter effective opening diameter of effective
opening
Section 605- Valves
A fullway gate valve controlling all outlets shall be installed on the
discharge side of each water meter and on each unmetered water
supply water supply piping supplying more than one building in any
premise shall be equipped with a separate fullway gate valve to
each building so arranged that the water supply can be turned on or
off to any individual or separate building, provided however, that
supply piping to a single family residence and building accessory
thereto, may be controlled by one gate valve.
Section 605- Valves
Such shutoff gate valves shall be accessible at all times. A fullway
gate valve shall be installed on the discharge piping from water
supply tanks at or near the tank. A fullway gate valve shall be
installed on the cold water supply pipe to each water heater near
the water heater. A fullway gate valve shall be installed for each
apartment or dwelling occupied by more than one family. In
addition to the main supply shutoff valve for each apartment,
individual shutoff gate valves shall be provided for each fixture.
Section 606- Supply Tanks
Elevated or gravity storage tank for potable water supply shall be
tightly covered to keep out unauthorized persons, dirt and vermin.
The covers of gravity tanks shall be vented with a return-bend vent
pipe having an area not less than the area of the down-feed riser
pipe, and the vent shall be screened with a fine corrosion-resistant
screen with openings not less than 14 nor more than 18 mess per
25 mm.
Section 608- INSTALLATION
608.1 lnstallation - all water piping shall be adequately
supported to the satisfaction of the Administrative
Authority. Burred ends shall be reamed to the full bore
of the pipe or tube. Changes in direction shall be made
by the appropriate use of fittings, except that changes
on direction in copper tubing may be made with bends
provided that the same are made with proper bending
equipment which does not deform or create a loss in cross-
sectional area of the tubing. Provisions shall be made for
expansion in hot water pipings. All pipings, equipment,
appurtenances and devices shall be installed in a
workmanlike manner in conformity with the provisions and
intents of this Code. All water service yard piping shall be at
least 0.3 m below the finish ground level.
Section 608- INSTALLATION
608.2 Water pipes shall not be run or laid in the same trench as
building sewer or storm drainage pipings constructed of clay
or materials not approved for use within the building unless
both of the following conditions are met:
608.3 The bottom of the water pipe at all points, shall is at least
0.3 m above the top of the sewer or drain line;
608.4 The water pipe shall be placed on a solid shelf excavated at
one side of the common trench with a minimum clear
horizontal distance between the sides of at least 0.3-m from
the side of sewer or drain line and the water line, and
608.5 Water pipes crossing sewer or drainage piping constructed
of clay or materials, not approved for use within a building,
shall be laid a minimum of 0.3 m above the sewer or
drainpipe.
Section 613- SUPPORT
Support all piping at intervals of not more than four (4) feet (1219
mm), at end of branches, and at change of direction or elevation.
Supports shall allow free movement, but shall I restrict upward
movement of lateral runs to avoid reverse grade. Vertical piping
shall be supported at each story or floor level. Alignment of vertical
piping shall be maintained between floors with the use of a mid-
story guide. Support trap arms in excess of three (3) feet (914 mm)
in length as close as possible to the trap. Closet rings shall be
tightly fastened with corrosive resistant fasteners up to the floor
with top surface one-quarter (1/4) inch (6.4 mm) above finish floor.
Section 708 – GRAVITY DRAINAGE
Where practicable, all plumbing fixtures shall be drained into the
public sewer or private sewage disposal system by gravity.
T&B PLUMBING WATER CYCLE
 Chapter 12:
House Drains and Sewers
Section 1201- SEWER REQUIRED
Every building in which plumbing are installed and every premises
having drainage piping thereon, shall have a connection to a public
or private excreta sewerage system.
Section 1205- SIZE OF BUILDING
SEWERS
No building sewer shall be smaller than 150 mm diameter nor less
in size than the building drain.
Section 1206- GRADE, SUPPORT, AND
PROTECTION OF BUILDING SEWER
1206.1 Building sewers shall be run in practical alignment at a
uniform slope of not less than two (2) percent or 21
mm per meter toward the point of disposal. i.e. to the
septic tank or to the street sewer main.
Section 1206- GRADE, SUPPORT, AND
PROTECTION OF BUILDING SEWER
1206.3 No building sewer or other drainage piping or part
thereof, constructed of materials other than those
approved for use underground shall be installed not
less than 0.6 meter from the outer face of any building
foundation or wall, nor less than 0.3 meter below the
finish surface of the ground. The provisions of this
Subsection include structures such as porches and
steps, whether covered or uncovered, breezeways,
roofed "porte cocheres", roofed patios, carports,
covered walks, covered driveways, and similar
structures or appurtenances.
Section 1207- CLEANOUTS
1207.1 Cleanouts shall placed inside the- building near the
connection between the building drain and the building
sewer or installed outside the building at the lower end
of the building drain and extended to grade. Two-way
clean-out fitting installed at connection point of building
drain and building sewer outside the building may be
installed in lieu of a single clean-out. Additional building
sewer cleanout shall be: installed not to exceed 15
meter on center in straight runs and for each aggregate
change in direction exceeding 135 degrees.
Section 1207- CLEANOUTS
1207.2 When a building sewer or a branch thereof does not
exceed 3 meters in length and is a short straight line
extension from a building drain which is provided with a
cleanout, no cleanout will be required at its point of
connection to the building drain.
 Sanitation
Excerpts from the Sanitation Code of the Philippines, National
Building Code IRR
RULE IX.
SANITATION

NBCP
SECTION 901. General Requirements
Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Civil Code of the Philippines on Property, Ownership,
and its Modification, all buildings hereafter erected, altered, remodeled, relocated or repaired
for human habitation shall be provided with adequate and potable water supply, plumbing
installation, and suitable wastewater treatment or disposal system, storm water drainage, pest
and vermin control, noise abatement device, and such other measures required for the
protection and promotion of health of persons occupying the premises and others living
nearby.
SECTION 902. Water Supply System
1. Whenever available, the potable water requirements for a building used for human
habitation shall be supplied from existing municipal or city waterworks system.

2.The quality of drinking water from meteoric, surface or underground sources shall conform to
the criteria set in the latest approved National Standards for Drinking Water Standards.

3. The design, construction and operation of deepwells for the abstraction of groundwater shall
be subject to the provisions of the Water Code of the Philippines (PD 1067).
SECTION 902. Water Supply System
4. The design, construction and operation of independent waterwork systems of private
housing subdivisions or industrial estates shall be governed by existing laws relating to local
waterworks system.

5. The water piping installation for water supply and distribution to each fixture including the
wastewater drainage with proper venting inside building and premises, shall conform to the
provision of the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.
SECTION 903. Wastewater Disposal System
1. Sanitary sewage from buildings and neutralized or pre-treated industrial wastewater shall be
discharged directly into the nearest street sanitary sewer main of existing municipal or city
sanitary sewerage system in accordance with the criteria set by the Code on Sanitation of the
Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

2. All buildings located in areas where there are no available sanitary sewerage system shall
dispose their sewage to “Imhoff” or septic tank and subsurface absorption field or to a suitable
waste water treatment plant or disposal system in accordance with the Code on Sanitation of
the Philippines and the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

3. Sanitary and industrial plumbing installations inside buildings and premises shall conform
to the provisions of the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.
SECTION 904. Storm Drainage System
1. Rainwater drainage shall not discharge to the sanitary sewer system.

2. Adequate provisions shall be made to drain rainwater from low areas in buildings and their
premises.

3. The drainage pipe installation and sewerage system of any premises and/or connection with
any public disposal or any acceptable terminal shall conform to the Revised National Plumbing
Code of the Philippines.
SECTION 905. Pest and Vermin Control
1. All buildings with hollow and/or wood construction shall be provided with rat-proofing.

2. Garbage bins and receptacles shall be provided with ready means for cleaning and with
positive protection against entry of pests and vermins.

3. Dining rooms for public use without artificial ventilation shall be properly screened.
SECTION 906. Noise Pollution Control
1. Industrial establishments shall be provided with positive noise abatement devices to tone
down the noise level of equipment and machineries to acceptable limits set down by the
Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources.

2. Noise as an unwanted sound both in quality and intensity and excessive vibration whose
sources in building/structure construction shall conform to acceptable limits the required
emission standards of DENR.
SECTION 907. Pipes Materials
All pipe materials to be used in buildings/structures shall conform to the standard
specifications of the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI).
SANITATION
CODE IRR

NBCP
 COMFORT ROOMS
• All eating and recreational establishments, rest areas, service stations, picnic grounds,
airports, seaports, and other similar business establishments catering to the traveling public
shall be provided with adequate number of comfort rooms and sanitary facilities conveniently
located and in conformity with the following requirements:
Plans of the comfort rooms, individual sewage disposal system and subsurface
absorption system or other treatment devise shall be approved by the local health
authority.
The number of sanitary facilities for each sex shall be determined by the health
authority upon submission of the plans, but in all cases shall have at least one for
each sex.
STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS
• Size of toilet rooms - No toilet room shall have a floor area less than one and a half (1.5) square
meters nor height less than 2.5 meters.
• Lighting and ventilation - All toilet rooms shall have sufficient lighting and ventilation either
natural or artificial. If windows shall be provided , the window area shall not be less than one-
fourth (1/4) the floor area.
• Floors and walls - The floors and walls shall be made of non-impervious materials like concrete
and constructed to be easily cleanable and smooth. If floor is finished with colored cement or
tiles, some should be laid evenly and easily cleanable.
The walls shall be evenly plastered, smooth and easily cleanable, finished in light color or
can be provided with tile wainscoting of a minimum height of 1.2 meters evenly laid.
The toilet compartment shall be provided with ceiling finished in light color.
The floor, walls and ceiling shall always be kept clean and maintained in good repair at all
times.
• Doors - Doors of toilet compartments shall be self-closing and shall not open directly to any food
preparation area or to areas where utensils are washed and stored.
 SANITARY FACILITIES
• Water closet - the water closet shall be seat type made of vitreous china or even material. It could
either be a compact type or provided with an elevated tank to contain sufficient volume of water
enough to flush the water closet after use.
• Lavatory facilities - adequate and conveniently located hand washing facilities shall be provided in
toilet compartment for each sex. A sign "Wash Your Hand After Using the Toilet" shall be posted
at a conspicuous place.
• Urinal - Urinal shall be provided in the men's toilet compartment. It can be either wall-hung urinal
or built-in. If built-in urinals are provided, it shall be of sufficient length, properly tiled and
provided with sufficient water flowing at all times.
• Garbage cans - there shall be provided at least one garbage can near the lavatory with tight fitting
cover for the disposal of used paper towels and other waste materials.
 SEWAGE COLLECTION
• Sewage Collection - the sewage from the house plumbing system shall be connected to a public
sewerage system if available or to a septic tank.
- Septic tank - shall be generally rectangular in shape built of concrete or other materials. Brick or
concrete blocks may be used where practical. The walls of the septic tank shall be plastered inside, be water
tight and free from leaks. Septic tank of any other type or materials shall need the approval of the health
authority before being installed.
• - Capacity - the septic tank capacity shall be determined from the estimated unit flow per table
attached "Quantities of Sewage Flow" based on adequate detention time. For residences, hotels, motels,
boarding houses, apartment houses, and rooming houses, the number of persons to be served shall be
computed on the basis of the number of rooms with each bedroom occupied by 2 persons or on the basis of
the actual number of persons served by the tanks whichever is greater.
QUANTITIES OF SEWAGE FLOW

TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT Gals./Day/Person

Small dwellings and cottages 50
Large dwellings with numerous fixtures 75-100
Multiple family residence 50
Rooming houses 40
Boarding houses 50
Hotels and motels 50
Restaurants (toilet and kitchen wastes per person) 7-10
Restaurants (kitchen wastes per meal served) 1-2/2-3
Kitchen wastes at hotels, camps, boarding houses, 7-10
etc., serving 3 meals/day
Tourist camps or trailer parks 35-50
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT Gals./Day/Person
Resort camps (night and day) with limited plumbing 50
Luxury camps 75-100
Work or construction camps (semi-permanent) 50
Day school without cafeterias, gymnasiums or 8
showers*
Day school with cafeterias but no gyms or showers* 12
(Quantity estimated from no.
of meals served or 80% of enrolment)
Day school with cafeterias, gyms and showers 20
(Quantity estimated from maximum
no. expected to use gyms and showers in one day)
Boarding schools 75-100
Day workers at schools and offices 15
Hospitals* (Gallons per bed) 150-250
Public institutions other than hospitals 75-125
Factories (Gal./person/shift, exclusive of industrial 15-35
wastes)
Public picnic parks (toilet wastes only) 5
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT Gals./Day/Person
Picnic parks, with bathhouse, showers and flush toilets 10
Swimming pools and bathing places* 10
Luxury residences and estates 100-150
Country clubs per resident members* 25-50
 DISPOSAL OF SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT
• the septic tank effluent shall be discharged into a subsurface soil absorption field where
applicable or shall be treated with some type of purification device. The treated effluent shall
conform to the quality standards prescribed by the National Pollution Control Commission. The
requirement of absorption field is as follows:
i. All drain tiles shall be laid in washed and screened gravel, slag or rock of similar material of such size retained on a six
millimeter screen. Broken shell if retained on a twelve millimeter screen may be used where practical. The previous material
shall extend from a minimum distance of ten centimeters below the drain tile up to top of drain tile.
ii. The maximum depth from the bottom of drain tile to the finished grade of the ground shall not exceed sixty centimeters
and the drain field shall be laid above the ground water table by at least ninety centimeters.
iii. The minimum width of the trench containing the drain tile shall be thirty centimeters. The maximum width shall be forty-
five centimeters.
iv. Pipes used in the absorption field shall be not less than ten centimeters inside diameter and shall be made of concrete,
vitrified clay or other approved materials.
v. Drain pipe shall be laid with open joints not to exceed six millimeters. All open joints shall be covered on top and down
along the open sides with heavy asphalt-treated building paper or other approved material before careful backfilling of
trench.
vi. All drain lines shall be graded from the outlet of the tank and distribution box with a downward slope of 0.3 % to 0.5%.
vii. Distance between laterals shall be no less than ninety centimeters with 2.40 meters or more recommended.
DISPOSAL OF SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT
viii. The maximum lateral length shall not exceed 25 meters and when more than one lateral is used all trenches shall be the
same lengths as near as practical with topographic condition.
ix. In the disposal of septic tank effluent, grease and/or kitchen waste or laundry waste, pumps, dry wells, seepage pits or
drain wells shall not be used.
x. The area of absorption field shall be determined from maximum daily sewage flow as estimated after conduction of
percolation test.
xi. Distribution boxes shall be provided on all drain field and shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the required number
of drain field lines. Each drain field lines shall be connected individually to the distribution box.
xii. Areas for absorption beds of drain fields shall consists of comparatively uniform soils free of impervious materials to
depth of 1.8 meters and shall give an adequate percolation time under saturated conditions.
 PLUMBING CONNECTIONS
• All plumbing installations shall be in accordance with the National Plumbing Code of the
Philippines and shall have proper size installed and maintained as to carry adequate quantities of
water and to properly convey sewage and other liquid wastes from the toilet compartments to
the sewerage or sewage disposal system.
DRAINAGE
OF
BUILDINGS

NBCP
ART. 674
• The owner of a building shall be obliged to construct its roof or covering in such manner that the
rain water shall fall on his own land or on a street or public place, and not on the land of his
neighbor, even though the adjacent land may belong to two or more persons, one of whom is the
owner of the roof. Even if it should fall on his own land, the owner shall be obliged to collect the
water in such a way as not to cause damage to the adjacent land or tenement.
ART. 675
• The owner of a tenement or a piece of land, subject to the easement of receiving water falling
from roofs, may build in such a manner as to receive the water upon his own roof or give it
another outlet in accordance with local ordinances or customs, and in such a way as not to cause
any nuisance or damage whatever to the dominant estate.
ART. 676
• Whenever the yard or court of a house is surrounded by other houses, and it is not possible to
give an outlet through the house itself to the rain water collected thereon, the establishment of
an easement of drainage can be demanded, giving an outlet to the water at the point of the
contiguous lands or tenements where its egress may be easiest, and establishing a conduit for the
drainage in such manner as to cause the least damage to the servient estate, after payment of the
proper indemnity