QuestionsQuestions (DOH)
It applies to all public and private schools (sectarian/non-sectarian), seminaries/theological schools, review and graduate schools, special schools, schools for persons with disabilities, foreign schools, technical/vocational/trade/training schools, training centers, day care/child care centers, nursery/kindergarten schools, and children’s institutions. Exemptions include certain specialty schools (e.g., Sunday schools; dancing/music; physical fitness/slimmer; massage; embalming; martial arts/yoga; swimming/scuba-diving) and similar institutions/places covered by other chapters of the Code.
No. Section 3.1 provides that no person or entity shall operate an establishment within the scope without a sanitary permit issued by the local health officer. Operating without it violates the rule and may be a basis for local health action, including suspension or revocation under Section 3.6.
Any extension, additional construction, or alteration of the establishment requires a new sanitary permit before it can be operated.
It must be filed with the city/municipal health office having jurisdiction over the establishment (Section 3.3.1).
It is valid from the day of issuance until the last day of December of the same year, and must be renewed at the beginning of every year thereafter (Section 3.6).
Within 14 working days after any change in ownership, the new owner must apply to the city/municipal health office to have the change noted and secure a certificate, paying the corresponding noting fee (Section 3.5).
Yes. The sanitary permit must be posted in a conspicuous part of the establishment for public information and must be available for inspection by health and other regulatory personnel (Section 3.7).
Outdoor noise level at school sites shall not exceed 70 decibels. In the table: Classrooms 35–40 dB; Hearing test rooms <40 dB; Music rooms <40 dB; Health rooms <45 dB; Cafeterias/canteen 50–55 dB; School sites (outdoor) <70 dB.
The distance from the school site to any public place shall be: 50 meters from cemeteries/memorial parks (interment places); 200 meters from bars/cocktail lounges/karaoke/abattoirs/markets/moviehouses/billiard/pool/bowling/video machines/amusement and recreational places; and 1000 meters from jails/night clubs/cabarets/disco houses/massage clinics/sauna baths/motels/booking outlets of racetracks and lotto/cockpits and other places of vice.
It must secure a site clearance from the regional health office with jurisdiction before any construction is made, submitting a location plan prior to construction (Sections 4.1.1–4.1.2).
Not less than 1.00 square meter of floor area and not less than 3 cubic meters of airspace per pupil/student (Section 5.2.3(a)(i)).
Windows/openings must have an area equivalent to but not less than 1/5 of the floor space (5.2.3(b)(i)); windows must have aggregate opening area of not less than 50% of gross floor area (5.2.3(b)(ii)); sill about 1 meter high; head at least 20 cm below ceiling (5.2.3(b)(iii)).
Classrooms/study halls/laboratories/offices/art rooms/shops require at least 30 foot-candles (322.80 lux); corridors require at least 5 foot-candles (53.80 lux). (Table 3).
Pre-schools: toilets shall be located within or adjacent to the playroom or classroom (6.1.10) and must have enough low toilet seats with height of 35 cm for small children (6.1.11). Also, toilets must be accessible to persons with disability (6.1.12).
For males: Below 50 pupils/students—1 toilet bowl, 1 urinal, and 1 lavatory. For 50 to 100—2 toilet bowls, 1 urinal, and 2 lavatories. For each additional 100 males: add 1 toilet bowl, 1 urinal, and 1 lavatory (Table 6 and accompanying text).
A minimum of 40 liters per capita per day must be maintained (6.3.1). Water sources must have a certificate of portability based on water analysis conducted by a DOH accredited laboratory (6.3.1). Schools must submit water samples for examination by a DOH accredited water laboratory and monitor frequently (6.3.2).
Buildings of 2 or more stories must have fire escapes (7.2.1), fire escapes and paths leading to them must be cleared of obstruction. Sufficient egress must be provided: two doors of at least 1 meter wide and 2 meters high; if only one door, it must be at least 2 meters wide (7.2.2). Exit doors must have panic locks and passageways kept free of obstruction (7.2.3).
The school administrator must maintain a vermin abatement program (6.7.1), effectively screen rooms/openings to outdoor space unless air-conditioned (6.7.2), empty flower vases/containers that collect water daily (6.7.3), rat-proof below-grade openings and other openings (6.7.4), keep the school away from potential breeding sources (6.7.5), control bushes/weeds to prevent harborage (6.7.6), and ensure deratting/disinfestation/disinfecting is handled by an accredited pest control applicator under local health office supervision (6.7.7).