New DepEd school buildings are designed for winds of 340 kph and for Seismic Zone 4, with floors raised where floods have been severe. DepEd Order (DO) No. 022, s. 2026, the Enhanced Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications for DepEd School Infrastructure and School Furniture, classes school buildings as “Essential Facilities” that “shall remain structurally safe and functional after major disasters” (Encl., Sec. VI.B.1.c). The standards apply to projects “funded under Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 appropriations and thereafter” whose procurement had not commenced when the order took effect; FY 2026 projects and those already in procurement stay under DO 64, s. 2017 and DO 006, s. 2021 (paras. 5 and 6).

The model below cuts across a single-story building, from its footings to its ridge. Pick a stop to see one requirement with its numbers and its section, and open the flood-prone site to see the same building raised. The room inside is in The DepEd Standard Classroom: An Interactive Model.

Interactive model

The roof

Slope
Between 15° and 25°, to reduce wind uplift
Overhang
At most 0.80 m, to limit wind suction
Sheets
Long-span galvanized steel with a Z40 coating, pre-painted, at least 0.50 mm in base metal thickness
Ridge
Ridge vents or deflectors, to relieve wind pressure inside
Color
Baguio Green (#355C3F)

The roof here slopes at 18°, with overhangs of 0.60 m.

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.B.3.e, VI.B.3.g, VI.B.8.d and VI.B.8.h; Table 2.0

Trusses and purlins

Trusses
High-strength rectangular or tubular steel, built for winds of up to 340 kph
Spacing
2.5 m to 3.0 m apart, on reinforced concrete tie beams
Bracing
Cross-bracing in at least two bays of each building
Anchors
M16 anchor bolts, no more than 1.2 m apart
Purlins
C-purlins at least 1.5 mm thick, 2 inches by 6 inches, no more than 0.50 m apart

The shape of the truss and its web members is the drawing's; the order leaves it to the structural design.

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.B.3.f, VI.B.8.a, VI.B.8.b and VI.B.8.e

Insulation and ceiling

Roof insulation
Mandatory: double-bubble reflective insulation or its equal, at least R15, between the roof and the purlins
Ceiling height
At least 2.70 m clear, from finished floor to ceiling
Ceiling
May be drop or cathedral type; non-combustible or fire-retardant, fastened to a stable subframe
Weight
Lightweight roofing and ceiling materials, to reduce the mass an earthquake moves
Color
White (#FFFFFF)

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.A.3.a, VI.B.4.e and VI.B.8.g; Table 2.0

Typhoon winds

Design wind
340 kph, with a wind importance factor of 1.15
Envelope
Roofing, ceilings, walls and windows fully sealed against rain in typhoons
Doors and windows
Weatherproofed against rain driven from above and from the side
Openings
Provision for storm shutters as deemed necessary, against windborne debris

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.B.3.a to VI.B.3.d

Earthquakes

Design
Seismic Zone 4, with a zone factor of 0.4, equivalent to a magnitude 8.0 earthquake
Importance factor
1.5 for all educational facilities
Frames
Ductile detailing for reinforced concrete frames, shear walls and columns
Long buildings
A seismic joint every 20 to 25 m

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.B.4.a to VI.B.4.d

Walls

Outer walls
On normal sites, 150 mm concrete hollow blocks may be used for external and load-bearing walls
Reinforcement
10 mm bars, vertical and horizontal, 600 mm apart
Anchoring
Tied to the structural frame, for wind, earthquake and fire
Water
Finished to absorb no more than 5% of the water they are exposed to
Paint
Ivory White outside, Cream inside

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Sec. VI.B.7.a; Table 2.0

Foundation

Soil
Designed for a bearing capacity of 100 kPa on normal sites, or as a soil investigation finds
Footings
Isolated or combined, at least 600 mm thick, for buildings of up to two stories
Two stories
A soil investigation before the structural design
Site check
Past floods, tides and drainage decide the foundation's level

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.B.6.a, VI.B.6.b.1 and VI.B.6.c.1

Floor levels

First floor
A first-floor finish elevation of 225 mm in a single-story building, 325 mm in a multi-story one
Classroom
25 mm above the corridor floor
Power
The service entrance at least 1.60 m above the ground or 0.30 m above the high flood level, whichever is higher
Outlets
At least 0.45 m above the floor, higher in flood-prone areas

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.A.5.a.2, VI.C.1.b and VI.C.3

A flood-prone site

Floor
At least 0.20 m above the highest flood level, where floods have been severe
Raised by
As necessary, 0.60 m to 1.0 m above the ground on high-risk sites; 2.0 m to 4.0 m above mean sea level where storm surges reach
Foundation
Piles or a mat, set 1.2 m to 1.5 m deep or deeper, for buildings of two stories or more, and any building whose shallow soils are inadequate
Around it
A containment or retaining wall, against water from the side
Walls and parapets
Walls 200 mm thick, and reinforced concrete parapets 1.0 m to 1.2 m high

The floor here is 0.80 m above the ground, 0.20 m above a flood of 0.60 m, on a mat foundation set 1.30 m deep. The parapets are not drawn.

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.B.4.f, VI.B.4.g, VI.B.6.c.2 and VI.B.7.b

Built to keep working

Class
Essential Facilities: safe and functional after major disasters
Design life
At least 25 years
Upkeep
Regular inspection and preventive maintenance
Shape
Regular and symmetrical layouts, for balanced loads

DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Encl., Secs. VI.B.1.c, VI.B.1.d and VI.B.9

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A section across a single-story school building, drawn to the numbers of DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026. The ceiling's height, the first-floor finish elevation, the purlins' spacing and the footings' thickness are the order's. The roof's 18° slope and 0.60 m overhangs, within the order's limits, the truss's shape, the column sizes, the raised floor, the mat's depth and the flood's depth are the drawing's. Model: © 2026 Mark Anthony Llego, NASH Reviewer.

Key findings

  • Wind. “All school buildings and structures shall be designed to resist a wind velocity of 340 kph” (Encl., Sec. VI.B.3.a).
  • Roof. Slopes are “between 15°–25° to minimize wind uplift”, overhangs “shall not exceed 0.80 m”, and trusses are anchored with M16 bolts no more than 1.2 m apart (Secs. VI.B.3.e to VI.B.3.g).
  • Heat. “Roof insulation shall be mandatory”, at a thermal resistance of at least R15 (Sec. VI.B.8.g), under a ceiling at least 2.70 m above the floor (Sec. VI.A.3.a).
  • Earthquakes. Buildings are designed for Seismic Zone 4, “equivalent to a magnitude 8.0 earthquake”, with an importance factor of 1.5 (Secs. VI.B.4.a and VI.B.4.b).
  • Foundations. Footings on normal sites are at least 600 mm thick, and every two-story building needs a soil investigation first (Secs. VI.B.6.b.1 and VI.B.6.c.1).
  • Floods. Where flooding has been severe, the finished floor is “at least 0.20 m above the highest flood level” (Sec. VI.B.4.f).
  • Life. The building and its structure have “a design life of at least 25 years” (Sec. VI.B.9.a).

The roof: slope, sheets, insulation and vents

Part Standard Encl., Sec.
Slope Between 15° and 25° VI.B.3.e
Overhang At most 0.80 m VI.B.3.g
Roofing sheets Long-span galvanized steel with a Z40 coating, pre-painted, at least 0.50 mm in base metal thickness VI.B.8.d
Color Baguio Green Table 2.0
C-purlins At least 1.5 mm thick, 2 inches by 6 inches, no more than 0.50 m apart VI.B.8.e
Insulation Double-bubble reflective insulation or its equal, at least R15, between the roof and the purlins VI.B.8.g
Ridge Ridge vents or deflectors VI.B.8.h
Trusses High-strength rectangular or tubular steel, 2.5 m to 3.0 m apart, on reinforced concrete tie beams VI.B.8.a and b
Bracing Cross-bracing in at least two bays of each building VI.B.8.b
Anchors M16 anchor bolts no more than 1.2 m apart VI.B.3.f

Under the roof, the ceiling is at least 2.70 m above the finished floor, and may be “drop-type or cathedral-type”, of materials that are “non-combustible or fire-retardant” (Sec. VI.A.3.a), and painted White (Table 2.0). Light materials matter in an earthquake: “To minimize inertial mass, use lightweight roofing and ceiling materials and avoid heavy alternatives” (Sec. VI.B.4.e).

Built for typhoon winds

The design wind is 340 kph, with a wind importance factor of 1.15 (Sec. VI.B.3.a). The rest of the section keeps wind and rain out: “The building envelope, including roofing, ceilings, walls, and fenestrations, shall be fully sealed to prevent rainwater intrusion during typhoons”, and doors and windows are weatherproofed (Secs. VI.B.3.c and VI.B.3.d). Buildings also carry “the necessary provisions or conditions for the installation of storm shutters to ensure adequate protection of openings against windborne debris, wind pressures, and water intrusion, as deemed necessary” (Sec. VI.B.3.b).

Built for earthquakes

Requirement Standard Encl., Sec.
Seismic zone Zone 4, with a zone factor of 0.4 VI.B.4.a
Importance factor 1.5 for all educational facilities VI.B.4.b
Detailing Ductile detailing for reinforced concrete frames, shear walls and columns VI.B.4.c
Long buildings A seismic joint every 20 to 25 m VI.B.4.d
Design by A licensed Structural Engineer, who signs and seals the structural designs VI.B.1.b

Walls and foundations

On a normal site, external and load-bearing walls may be of 150 mm concrete hollow blocks, with 10 mm bars, vertical and horizontal, 600 mm apart, anchored to the structural frame (Sec. VI.B.7.a). On high-risk sites, two-story buildings and buildings in typhoon, coastal or seismic zones use walls 200 mm thick (Sec. VI.B.7.b.3).

On a normal site, the foundation is designed for a soil bearing capacity of 100 kPa, or what a soil investigation finds, on isolated or combined footings at least 600 mm thick (Secs. VI.B.6.a.1 and VI.B.6.c.1). “All two-storey school buildings shall require a soil investigation prior to structural design” (Sec. VI.B.6.b.1).

Floor levels and floods

The first-floor finish elevation is 225 mm for a single-story building and 325 mm for a multi-story one; the elevation “may be increased according to flood history” (Sec. VI.A.5.a.2). The power service entrance is at least 1.60 m above the ground or 0.30 m above the established high flood level, whichever is higher (Sec. VI.C.3), and outlets are at least 0.45 m above the floor, higher in flood-prone areas (Sec. VI.C.1.b).

Sites with a history of severe floods, and high-risk or hazard-prone sites, get more.

Requirement Standard Encl., Sec.
Floor above floods At least 0.20 m above the highest flood level, where flooding has been severe VI.B.4.f
Raised ground floor As necessary, 0.60 m to 1.0 m above the existing ground on high-risk sites; 2.0 m to 4.0 m above mean sea level in storm-surge-prone coastal areas VI.B.6.c.2.v
Around the platform A containment wall or perimeter retaining wall VI.B.4.g
Foundation Pile or mat foundations, set 1.2 m to 1.5 m deep, or deeper, for buildings of two stories or more, and any building whose shallow soils are inadequate VI.B.6.c.2.i and iv
Parapets Reinforced concrete, 1.0 m to 1.2 m high VI.B.7.b.1
Slopes Retaining walls or slope protection where landslides threaten VI.B.6.c.2.vi

Every new building also has a storm drainage system, sized for the rain its roof sheds (Secs. VI.D.5.a and VI.D.5.b).

What this means for school heads

A school head does not design the structure, and should not judge it: structural designs are prepared, signed and sealed by a licensed Structural Engineer (Sec. VI.B.1.b). What a school head can do is supply what the designers need and keep the building as it was built:

  1. Tell the division what the site has been through. Past floods and how high they reached, landslides, and storm surges decide the floor’s height and the foundation (Secs. VI.B.4.f, VI.B.6.a.3 and VI.B.6.c.2).
  2. Keep the roof whole. Report loose sheets, missing fasteners and blocked ridge vents before the typhoon season, not after.
  3. Keep the insulation and the ceiling. Do not let either be removed during repairs; in a building under DO 022, both are part of the standard.
  4. Keep drains clear. The storm drainage only works when it is open.
  5. Keep records. The building’s plans, its turnover papers and each repair request.

“Regular inspection and preventive maintenance shall be conducted to preserve structural integrity throughout its service life” (Sec. VI.B.9.b). This is part of managing school facilities and school safety in PPSSH Domain 2, Managing School Operations and Resources. The wider standards are in School Building and Furniture Standards: DO 022, s. 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What wind speed are DepEd school buildings designed for?

A wind velocity of 340 kph, with a wind importance factor of 1.15 (DO 022, s. 2026, Encl., Sec. VI.B.3.a).

Is roof insulation required in DepEd school buildings?

Yes. “Roof insulation shall be mandatory”: double-bubble reflective insulation or its equal, with a thermal resistance of at least R15, between the roof and the purlins (Sec. VI.B.8.g).

How high must the floor be in a flood-prone area?

At least 0.20 m above the highest flood level where flooding has been severe, with the ground floor raised, as necessary, 0.60 m to 1.0 m above the existing ground on high-risk sites (Secs. VI.B.4.f and VI.B.6.c.2.v).

How long is a DepEd school building designed to last?

At least 25 years, with regular inspection and preventive maintenance (Sec. VI.B.9).

Sources

DepEd issuances

  • DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, Enhanced Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications for DepEd School Infrastructure and School Furniture, September 24, 2026. Paras. 5 and 6; Encl., Secs. VI.A.3.a, VI.A.5.a, VI.B.1, VI.B.3, VI.B.4, VI.B.6 to VI.B.9, VI.C.1, VI.C.3 and VI.D.5; Table 2.0.
  • DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2020, National Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads, September 7, 2020.

The school building standards series

Written by Mark Anthony Llego for NASH Reviewer. Sources: DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026 and DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2020. The model may be reused only with written permission from support@nash.com.ph.