REPUBLIC ACT Revised Fire Code of the Philippines

9514

DISCLAIMER:

Always double-check the values given in this document with the actual laws. For corrections or clarifications, email

arch.pedrosantosjr@gmail.com.

Repealing clause • RA 9514 repeals PD 1185 (the old Fire Code).

Outline of RA 9514 1. Interpretation

2. Coverage

3. Definition of terms

4. Authority of the BFP

5. Reorganization of the BFP

6. Fire brigades, safety practitioners

7. Assistance to the BFP

Outline of RA 9514 8. Fire safety enforcers

9. Enforcement and administration

10. Fire safety measures

11. Prohibited acts

12. Fire code taxes

13. Administrative courses of action

14. Miscellaneous provisions

Focus on three rules only • Rule 3: Definition of terms

• Rule 9: Enforcement/admin, because: – Inspections and evaluations

– FALAR

– FSIC

• Rule 10: Fire safety measures, because:

– Various design requirements

RULE 3 Definition of termsDefinition of termsDefinition of termsDefinition of terms

Abatement Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard

suppression system An integrated piping system connected to a source of extinguishing agent which suppressed fires when actuated by its automatic detecting device

Automatic fire

Fire marshall The head of the City or the Municipal Fire Station

Standpipe system A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be attached on each floor,

Combination standpipe A pipeline system filled with water and connected to a constant water supply

Dry standpipe A standpipe system in which pipes are normally not filled with water. Water is introduced into the system through fire service connections when needed.

Fire alarm Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn a building’s occupants of the presence of fire

Fire alerting system A fire alarm system activated by the the presence of fire where the signal is transmitted to designated locations instead of sounding a general alarm

Fire wall A wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire resistance rating of not less than 4 hours with sufficient structural stability to remain standing even if construction on either side collapses under fire conditions

Flame retardant Any compound which when applied improves the resistivity or fire resistance quality of a material

High-rise building Buildings 15 meters or more in height

Horizontal exit A passageway from one building to another, through or around a wall, on approximately the same floor level

Means of egress A continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one point in a building to a public way

Occupancy The purpose for which a building or space is used

Occupant load The maximum number of persons that may be allowed to occupy a particular building or space

Overloading The use of electrical appliances which draw or consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system

Sprinkler system A piping system integrated in a building with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water when activated by heat or fire combustion products

Fire hazard Any condition or act which increases the probability of the occurrence of fire, or which may hinder or interfere with fire-fighting operations

Fire trap A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits

Fire lane The portion of a roadway that should be kept unobstructed at all times for the expedient operations of fire-fighting units

Flame spread rating Time in which flame will spread over the surface of a burning material

RULE 9 Enforcement of fire safety Enforcement of fire safety Enforcement of fire safety Enforcement of fire safety

measuresmeasuresmeasuresmeasures

General enforcement

General enforcement • Inspection of all buildings shall be done by

the Fire Marshall

• Fire Safety Inspection Cetrtificate (FSIC) shall be a prerequisite for permits/licenses, including: – Occupancy permit

– Business permit

General enforcement • The Fire Marshall and the Building Official

shall review designs/drawings and issue the Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC) if the design is determined to be in accordance with the Fire Code

Evaluation and inspection

Building plan review • Six sets of plans are sent from the Building

Official to the Fire Marshall for review

• A plan evaluator review the drawings

• Based on findings, the FSEC will either be released or denied

• Note: FALAR 1 is required before plan review

Construction inspection • The Fire Marshall shall conduct inspections

during construction to ensure that plans are being followed

Inspection after completion • The Fire Marshall needs to conduct another

inspection before the Building Official can issue an occupancy permit

• When the Building Official receives an application for occupancy permit, the Fire Marshall shall be notified

Inspection after completion • Fire Marshall conducts inspection

• If OK, the Fire Marshall issues the FSIC and notifies the Building Official

• Note: FALAR 2 is required for issuance of FSIC

Routine inspection • Routine inspection

FALAR

What is the FALAR? • Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report

• Three kinds: – FALAR 1

– FALAR 2

– FALAR 3

The three FALARs • FALAR 1: Documentation on safety features

of the facility

• FALAR 2: Documentation submitted by contractor/CM certifying that construction was in accordance with FALAR 1

• FALAR 3: Documentation of periodic maintenance

FALAR applicability • For all buildings: – FALAR 1

– FALAR 2

• For buildings with occupant load of at least 50:

– FALAR 3 (annually)

FALAR 1 • Documentation on fire and life safety

features of the facility

• A written report prepared by the Architect and his Fire Protection Consultant

• A compilation of plans and specs and design analysis

FALAR 2 • Documentation submitted by

contractor/CM certifying that construction was in accordance with FALAR 1

• A compilation report of all approved submittals, test forms, acceptance forms

• Shall be included in the as-built documents given by contractor to owner

FALAR 3 • Documentation of required periodic

maintenance and upkeep of facility

• Written report prepared by the building owner, his fire safety officer

• A compilation of the maintenance and testing records

FSEC

FSEC • Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance

• Released once building plans and specs are found to be in accordance with the Fire Code

• Required for building permits

FSIC

FSIC • Fire Safety Inspection Certificate

• Certifies that the building was inspected and was found to be OK

• Required for occupancy permits, business permits, permits to operate, PHILHEALTH accreditation for hospitals, DOH License to Operate

Making sense of everything

Scenario 1: Building permit • You need a building permit, so you need an

FSEC.

• You need an FSEC, so you need a building plan review.

• You need a building plan review so you prepare FALAR 1 along with other requirements (6 sets of drawings, etc.).

Scenario 2: Occupancy permit • You’re done with construction so you need

an occupancy permit.

• You need an occupancy permit so you need an FSIC.

• You need an FSIC so you need an inspection.

• You want them to release FSIC after inspection so you prepare FALAR 2.

Scenario 3: Business permit • You need to get/renew a business permit so

you need an FSIC.

• You need an FSIC so you need an inspection.

• You want them to release the FSIC after inspection, so you prepare FALAR 3.

RULE 10 Fire safety measuresFire safety measuresFire safety measuresFire safety measures

Means of egress

Means of egress • A continuous, unobstructed route of exit

from any point in the building to a public way

• Shall be integral or permanently affixed to a building

• Minimum width: 915mm

Number of exits • For any storey, mezzanine, balcony, etc: –0-499 occupant load: 2 exits

– 500-1000 occupant load: 3 exits

– 1000 or more: 4 exits

Travel distance to exits • Depends on occupancy

• For individual rooms with max. O.L of 6: – 15 meters from any point in the room

Discharge from exits • Exits should terminate directly at a public

way or an exit discharge

–Exit discharge: Yards, courts, open spaces, etc.

• Exits that continue beyond the floor of discharge: provide an interruption

Headroom • Minimum of 2.00m

Doors • Provide a self-closing mechanism for exit

doors

• Clear opening: 710mm-1220mm

• Maximum threshold height: 13mm

Panic hardware • A mechanical device which when pushed

from the inside will cause the door to open

• Maximum required force: 7kg-f

• 2/3 the width of the door

• 760-112mm above the floor

Panic hardware • A mechanical device which when pushed

from the inside will cause the door to open

• Maximum required force: 7kg-f

• 2/3 the width of the door

• 760-112mm above the floor

Stairs • All stairways designated as a means of

egress should be continuous from the uppermost floor level to the ground floor

• Two sets of requirements – New stairs

– Existing stairs

Handrails • 760mm-865mm from upper surface of tread

Ramps

Fire escape stairs • Allowed as means of egress only in existing

buildings

• Should not constitute more than 50% of required exit capacity

Ladders • Not allowed as fire escape or means of

egress

Exit marking • Label all exits as “EXIT”

• Provide directional signs for locations where the direction of travel to exit is not obvious

• The word “EXIT” should be in letters at least 15cm high with strokes of letters at least 19mm wide

Emergency evacuation plan • Minimum dimension: letter size

• Posted in strategic and conspicuous locations

• Photoluminescent background

Features of fire protection

Protection of vertical openings

• Stairways, elevator shafts, chutes and other vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected to prevent the spread of fire, except if protected by automatic fire suppression systems

Sprinkler vent method

• A combination of an automatic detection system, automatic exhaust system, and an automatic water curtain

• Recommended for escalators

Spray nozzle method

• A combination of an automatic fire or smoke detection system and a system of high-velocity water spray nozzle

Partial enclosure method

• Enclose the opening (for example, escalator) with partitions. Provide door to access escalator/opening.

Firestopping concealed space

• Concealed space: areas in which materials have a flame-spread rating greater than Class A are exposed

• KATAMAD.

Fire alarms • Notifies occupants of the building and, when

required, emergency forces

• Automatic fire department notification is required for: – High rise buildings

– Hospitals

– -Schools, hotels, apartments 4 storeys or taller

– Malls

Wet standpipes

• Wet standpipes required for the following: – Aseembly occupancies with at least 1,000 occupant load

– Schools, hospitals, businesses, hotels, etc. 4 storeys or taller

– Hazardous occupancies exceeding 1,860 sqm per floor

• Exceptions:

– Buildings with an approved sprinkler system

Wet standpipes

• All portions of the building must be within 6 meters of a nozzle attached to a 22.00m long hose

• Minimum of 64mm diameter

Places of assembly

Occupant load

• Concentrated use without fixed seats, such as auditoriums, places of worship, dance floors: 0.65 sqm/person

• Less concentrated use such as conference rooms, dining rooms, gyms: 1.40sqm/person

• Standing rooms/waiting space: 0.28sqm/person

Mininum corridor width

• If serving 50 or more persons: 1120mm

Travel distance to exits

• 46 meters if with sprinkler system

• 61 meters if without sprinkler system

Seating

• Rows of seats back to back: 830mm

• At least 300mm from back of one seat to front of the next seat

• Seats between aisles: 14 maximum

• Seats between wall and aisle: 7

• Seats without arms: Allot 600mm/person

Minimum width of aisles

• If 60 seats or less, 760mm

• If more than 60 seats: –Single-loaded aisle: 915mm

–Double-loaded isle: 1220mm

• Measured farthest from exit

• Widens 25mm for each meter towards exit

Educational occupancies

Occupant loads

• Classroom: 1.80sqm/person

• Shops, laboratories: 4.60sqm/person

• Dry nurseries with sleeping facilities: 3.30sqm/person

• Rooms with greater than 50 occupants shall be treated as a place of assembly

Number of exits

• At least two exits from any room with capacity of 50 or more persons, or area of more than 93 sqm.

Travel distance to exits

• 46 meters if with sprinkler system

• 61 meters if without sprinkler system

Mininum corridor width

• 1.83 m

Special provisions for preschools

• Rooms used for preschoolers, first grade and second grade pupils shall not be located below or above the floor of exit discharge

Healthcare

Occupant loads

• Sleeping departments: 11.1sqm/person

• In-patient treatment departments: 22.3sqm/perosn

Door widths

• 1120mm: sleeping rooms, diagnostic and treatment rooms (surgery. X-Ray, PT, etc.)

• 910mm: All other rooms

Detention and correctional

Occupant load

• 11.1sqm/peron

Travel distance to exits

• Between any room door intended as exit access and an exit: 30.00m

• Between any point in the room: 46.00m

• Any point in a sleeping room to the door in that room: 10.00m

Residential

Occupant load

• 18.60sqm/person

• Except for single and two-family dwellings

Hotels • Minimum corridor width: 1120mm

• Minimum umber of exits: 2 for every floor

• Travel distance to exits: – From room door to exit: 30.00m

– From guest suite to corridor door: 23.00m (w/o sprinklers)

– From guest suite to corridor door: 38.00m (w/ sprinklers)

Apartment buildings • Minimum corridor width – For less than 50 persons: 910mm

– Fore more than 50 persons: 1120mm

• Travel distance to exits: –Within any unit to nearest exit: 15.50m, one storey away

max

– From apartment entrance to exit: 31.00m, or 46.50m if with sprinklers

Single and two-family dwellings • In dwellings with more than 2 rooms, every

habitable room shall have at least 2 means of escape, at least one which is a door/stairway

• No habitable room shall be accessible only by a ladder, folding stairs, or through a trap door

• Every sleeping room = 1 window min.

Single and two-family dwellings • No exit access from sleeping rooms to outside

shall be less than 900mm wide

• Doors in the path of travel should be 700mm minimum

Mercantile

Mercantile • Stores, markets, malls, supermarkets,

department stores, restaurants of less than 50 occupants – Class A: Gross area of 2,787sqm or more, 3 floors

– Class B: Gross area of 287-2,787sqm, 2 floors

– Class C: Gross area less than 287sqm, street floor only

Occupant load • Street floor or below street floor: 2.80sqm

• Upper floors: 5.60sqm

• Floors not open to public/offices: 9.30sqm

• Covered malls: 2.8sqm/person

Maximum travel distance • 30.00m if without sprinklers

• 46.00m if with sprinklers

Business

Business • Businesses other than mercantile

• Businesses that typically involve services and not the display and sale of merchandise

• Examples: Doctor/lawyer/dentist’s office, internet shops, barbershops, general offices

Occupant load • 9.30sqm/person

Travel distance to exit • 46.00m if without sprinklers

• 61.00m if with sprinklers

High rise buildings

High rise buildings • A building in which the distance between the

floor of the topmost storey and the ground level is 15.00m or more

• Building height shall be measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, to the floor of the highest occupiable storey

Sprinkler requirements • All high rise buildings shall be provided with a

fully electrically supervised sprinkler system

Other occupancies

Industrial • Occupant load: 9.30sqm/person

• Minimum corridor width: 1120mm

• Travel distance: – 31.00m if no sprinklers

– 46.00m if with sprinklers

Exit capacity • The capacity of an exit is measured in terms

of its width –Width of level components (corridors/ramps)

–Width of non-level components (stairways)

• This width is based on how many people will need to pass (width/person)

Occupant load • Maximum number of persons allowed to

occupy a space at any time

• Floor area/occupant load factor

Occupant load • Maximum number of persons allowed to

occupy a space at any time

• Floor area/occupant load factor

Features of fire protection

Places of assembly

Educational occupancies

Healthcare

Healthcare