Department of Interior and Local Government issued Memorandum Circular 2016-23 dated February 17, 2016 which reiterates certain provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code (PEC) relative to the issuance of the Building and Construction Permits. And to quote from the letter:
Article 1.3.2.1 (f) of the Philippine Electrical Code requires the inclusion of a design analysis on the drawings, or submission of the same on separate sheets, showing the calculations of short circuit currents and voltage drop among others, to quote:
(f) Design Analysis. Design Analysis shall be included on the drawing or shall be submitted on separate sheets of standard size, and shall show:
- Branch circuits, sub-feeders, feeders, busways, and service entrance;
- Types, rating, and trip settings of the overload protective devices;
- Calculation of short circuit current for determining the interrupting capacity of overcurrent protection device for residential, commercial, and industrial establishment; and
- Calculation of voltage drops;
…all Local Chief Executives are strongly urged to be stricter in issuing Building and Construction Permits by requiring electrical plans that include design analysis to all applicants for said permits, and to ensure that those with existing buildings, factories, and infrastructures have their respective updated design analysis and calculations.
It is evident in the Philippines that some of the electrical plans are not made by duly authorized electrical professionals. Irresponsible Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and Architects are sometimes the culprits on this. Aside from compromising the safety of electrical installations, the opportunity to earn money from this are stolen from the Electrical Professionals.
Design analysis cannot be easily copied by other non-electrical professional because every electrical plan is unique to itself. Only those who truly understand the concepts and underlying principles of electrical engineering can do that calculation. But the challenge now is that if the permit-issuing body, which is the Office Building Official (OBO), are doing their part to comply with this memorandum.
Source: DILG Memorandum Circular no. 2016-23
