THE RULES ON FIREWALL OPENINGS (AND THE VALID AND SUBSISTING LAWS THAT MUST BE KEPT IN MIND).
1) It is illegal to have operable windows and an air-conditioner on a firewall as these are both fire spread hazards.
2) As written on the 2004 IRR of RA9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines/ FCP), only fire-rated glass blocks are permitted on firewalls.
3) Firewalls represent the maximum allowable use of a property along its property line. Any extension or protrusion beyond the property line is a willful violation of property rights e.g. trespassing, illegal use of the air rights of an adjoining property, etc.
4) PD1096, the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) allows the introduction of light and ventilation wells (or courts) alongside firewalls provided the operable windows are 2.0 meters (m) away from the firewall.
5) Fixed or operable windows in such a well (court) that are less than 2 m away from the firewall MUST NOT be permitted by the Local Building Officials (LBO) as these shall violate privacy laws, specifically Article 670 of RA386, the 1949 Civil Code of the Philippines (CCP).
As for the Local Building Official, if the LBO or any staff of the LGU Office of the Building Official (OBO) permits (or continues to allow) illegal openings on firewalls, these LGU officials (deputized by the DPWH Secretary to implement and enforce the NBCP) may be criminally and administratively charged for the violations of the laws mentioned above and also under RA3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Office of the Ombudsman (so that they could be suspended or removed from office). Thanks.
Repost from the Architeure Advocacy Forum’s Facebook Page.
Architects' Forum 