Building Service

Christopher C. Nazareta
MTE
Building Service
Building services are the systems installed in buildings to make
them comfortable, functional, efficient and safe

Building services might include:

- Building control systems

- Energy distribution
- Energy supply
- Escalators and lifts
- Fire safety, detection and protection
- Lighting protection, etc.
 Building Service
Everything inside a building which makes
it safe and comfortable to be in.
Building Service
THE DESIGN OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
THE DESIGN OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
It must respond to three (3) basic needs:

SECURITY

IDENTITY

OPPORTUNITY.
The Scenario:
In the Philippines, in view of budgetary limitations, these basic
needs are taken into account in any renovation or new building
plans, thus the following are considered:

1. Design Guidelines
2. Placement and Layout
3. School Building Orientation
4. Layout
5. Building Plans
6. Building Plan Requirements
7. Design Requirements
Placement and Layout
A school building shall be properly oriented, i.e. properly
placed with regard to air currents, natural light and heat
from the sun, utility of the plant and grounds and most
advantageous display.
It is directly related to the health and comfort of the
pupils/students and teachers; hence, the efficiency of the
school plant.
School Building Orientation
Orientation of school buildings located in coastal areas should
consider the direction of possible storm surge. Impact of storm surge
will be less if the shorter side of the building faces the coast instead
than its front. (Engr. Rodel Veneracion, Plan Philippines).

The proper orientation of school buildings aims primarily to minimize

direct sunlight inside the classroom and to maximize the entrance of
breeze or air currents into them. The solar path and the prevailing
winds are the two major factors to be considered in the orientation of
a school building.
School Building Orientation
The Solar/Sun Path refers to
the direction of the sunlight
as the earth rotates on its
axis which is usually from
east to west, with some
slight variation during certain
seasons of the year, which
may be regarded as
negligible.
School Building Orientation
The Prevailing
Winds/Breezes refer to the
direction in which the cooling
breezes blow. In the
Philippines, especially during
the hot season, prevailing
breezes generally have a
northeast to southwest
direction.
School Building Orientation
Taking into consideration the two factors,
the recommendable orientation of a school
building in the Philippines is a northwest-
west to southeast-east axial direction.
In special instances where the path of
typhoons occur (East to West direction), the
onset of the southeast/
northeast monsoon (amihan-habagat)
winds shall also be considered.
Layout
The layout of school building on the school site refers to the
location and arrangement of school buildings to achieve maximum
functional efficiency and aesthetic effect.

As a general rule, the different school buildings shall be laid out

according to functional grouping. The distances between school
buildings shall be such that:
Layout
As a general rule, the different school buildings shall be laid
out according to functional grouping. The distances between
school buildings shall be such that:

a. Ventilation is not obstructed

b. Natural illumination is not impeded
c. Sounds in one building do not carry into the next building.
Layout
d. The suggested minimum distances between buildings are:
d.1 Eight (8) meters between one-storey buildings positioned side by side;
d.2 Ten (10) meters between two-storey academic buildings positioned side by side;
d.3 Ten (10) meters between non-academic buildings;
d.4 For a main building facing the front gate, at least ten (10) meters distance is
suggested.
d.5 Greater distance than the minimum between school buildings is desirable.

Wider distance between buildings allows for adequate free space to be utilized for
many school-related activities.
Layout
e. The recommended minimum setback of a school from the
street is five (5) meters to minimize intrusive sounds.
f. The School Site Development Plan must be considered in
the laying-out of school buildings.
Design Requirements
The following pertinent requirements prescribed in
the National Building Code of the Philippines shall
be considered in the design of school buildings:
a. Windows
Window openings shall be equal to or at least ten (10)
percent of the floor area of the room, provided that such
opening shall be not less than one square meter, except
those in toilets and baths which shall be not less than one-
twentieth of the floor area of such rooms, or not less than
240 square millimeters.
b. Ceiling Height
The ceiling height of rooms with natural ventilation
shall be not less than 2.70 meters measured from
the floor to the ceiling; rooms provided with artificial
ventilation shall have ceiling heights not less than
2.40 meters.
c. Floor Construction
All floors shall be so framed and secured into the
framework and supporting walls so as to form an
integral part of the whole building; the type of floor
construction used shall provide means to keep the
beam and girders from lateral buckling.
d. Roof Construction
All roofs shall be so framed and tied into the
framework and supporting walls so as to form an
integral part of the whole building; dark stops, roof
drains, flushing, etc., shall be provided.
e. Exit Doors
At least two (2) exit doors are required where the
number of room occupants is over 50 in the case of
classrooms, conference rooms, exhibit rooms,
gymnasia, school shops, vocational institutions,
laboratories, and auditorium;

a door shall not be less than 2.10 meters high and

900 millimeters wide.
f. Door Shutters
Door shutters shall be swing out and be capable of
opening at least 90 degrees so that the clear width
of the exit way is not less than 700 millimeters. No
door shutter shall exceed 1.20 meters in width.
g. Corridors
Every corridor shall not be less than 1.10 meters
wide and shall be unobstructed.
h. Stairways
Stairways serving an occupant load of 50 or less must be 1.10
meters wide; those serving more than 50 shall not be less than
1.50 meters.

The rise of every step shall not exceed 200 millimeters and the
tread shall not be less than 250 millimeters.

Handrails shall be provided on each side of every stairway

having more than four steps.
References:
Educational Facilities Manual 2010, PHYSICAL FACILITIES
AND SCHOOLS’ ENGINEERING DIVISION OFFICE OF PLANNING
SERVICE Department of Education. pages 82-85

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