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RA 9514 Always check the values given in this document Creative Commons
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REPEALING CLAUSE OUTLINE OF R.A. 9514 OUTLINE OF R.A. 9514

▪ RA 9514 repeals PD 1185 (the old Fire Code of 1. Interpretation 8. Fire safety enforcers
the Philippines). 2. Coverage 9. Enforcement and administration
3. Definition of terms 10. Fire safety measures
4. Authority of the BFP 11. Prohibited acts
5. Reorganization of the BFP 12. Fire code taxes
6. Fire brigades, safety practitioners 13. Administrative courses of action
7. Assistance to the BFP 14. Miscellaneous provisions

FOCUS ON THREE RULES

▪ Rule 3: Definition of terms
RULE 3
▪ Rule 9: Enforcement Terms and definitions
▪ Inspections and evaluations
▪ FALAR
▪ FSEC and FSIC
▪ Rule 10: Fire safety measures
▪ Various design requirements
 Automatic fire
Abatement suppression system Fire Marshall
Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard An integrated piping system connected to a source of The head of the City Fire Station or the Municipal Fire
extinguishing agent which suppresses fires when Station
actuated by its automatic detecting device

Standpipe system Firewall High-rise building

A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses A wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire Buildings 15 meters or more in height
can be attached on each floor resistance rating of not less than four hours with
sufficient structural stability to remain standing even if
construction on either side collapses under fire conditions

Means of egress Occupancy Occupant load

A continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one The purpose for which a building or space is used The maximum number of persons that may be allowed
point in a building to a public way to occupy a particular building or space
Fire trap RULE 9
A building that is unsafe in case of fire because it will burn
Enforcement Evaluation
easily or because it lacks adequate exits + inspection

BUILDING PLAN REVIEW CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION INSPECTION AFTER COMPLETION

▪ Six sets of plans are sent from the Building ▪ The Fire Marshall shall conduct inspections during ▪ The Fire Marshall needs to conduct another
Official to the Fire Marshall for review construction to ensure that plans are being inspection before the Building Official can issue
followed an occupancy permit
▪ A plan evaluator reviews the drawings
▪ When the Building Official receives an application
▪ Based on findings, the FSEC will either be released
for occupancy permit, the Fire Marshall shall be
or denied
notified
▪ Note: FALAR 1 is required before plan review

INSPECTION AFTER COMPLETION ROUTINE INSPECTION

▪ Fire Marshall conducts inspection ▪ Routine inspection
▪ If OK, the Fire Marshall issues the FSIC and
notifies the Building Official FALAR
▪ Note: FALAR 2 is required for issuance of FSIC
WHAT IS FALAR? FALAR APPLICABILITY THE THREE FALARS
▪ FALAR stands for Fire and Life Safety ▪ For all buildings: ▪ FALAR 1: Documentation on safety features of
Assessment Report ▪ FALAR 1 the facility
▪ There are three kinds: ▪ FALAR 2 ▪ FALAR 2: Documentation submitted by
▪ FALAR 1 ▪ For buildings with occupant load of at least 50: contractor/CM certifying that construction was in
accordance with FALAR 1
▪ FALAR 2 ▪ FALAR 3 (annually)
▪ FALAR 3 ▪ FALAR 3: Documentation of periodic maintenance

FALAR 1 FALAR 2 FALAR 3

▪ Documentation on fire and life safety features of ▪ Documentation submitted by contractor/CM ▪ Documentation of required periodic maintenance
the facility certifying that construction was in accordance and upkeep of facility
with FALAR 1
▪ A written report prepared by the Architect and his ▪ Written report prepared by the building owner and
Fire Protection Consultant ▪ A compilation report of all approved submittals, his fire safety officer
test forms, acceptance forms
▪ A compilation of plans and specs and design ▪ A compilation of the maintenance and testing
analysis ▪ Shall be included in the as-built documents given records
by contractor to owner

FSEC FSIC
▪ Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance ▪ Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
▪ Released once building plans and specs are found ▪ Certifies that the building was inspected and was
FSEC + FSIC to be in accordance with the Fire Code found to be OK
▪ Required for building permits ▪ Required for occupancy permits, business
permits, permits to operate, PHILHEALTH
accreditation for hospitals, DOH License to
Operate
 SCENARIO 1: BUILDING PERMIT SCENARIO 2: OCCUPANCY PERMIT
1. You need a building permit, so you need an 1. You’re done with construction so you need an
FSEC. occupancy permit.
Putting things 2. You need an FSEC, so you need your plans to be 2. You need an occupancy permit so you need an
together reviewed. FSIC.
3. You need a building plan review so you prepare 3. You need an FSIC so you need an inspection.
FALAR 1 along with other requirements (6 sets
4. You want them to release FSIC after inspection
of drawings, etc.).
so you prepare FALAR 2.

SCENARIO 3: BUSINESS PERMIT

1. You need to get/renew a business permit so you
need an FSIC. RULE 10: SAFETY MEASURES
Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008
2. You need an FSIC so you need an inspection. Means of egress
3. You want them to release the FSIC after
inspection, so you prepare FALAR 3.

MEANS OF EGRESS NUMBER OF EXITS TRAVEL DISTANCE TO EXITS

▪ A continuous, unobstructed route of exit from any ▪ For any storey, mezzanine, balcony, etc.: ▪ Depends on occupancy
point in the building to a public way ▪ 0-499 occupant load: 2 exits ▪ For individual rooms with max. occupant load of 6:
▪ Shall be integral or permanently affixed to a ▪ 500-1000 occupant load: 3 exits ▪ 15 meters from any point in the room
building ▪ 1000 or more: 4 exits
▪ Minimum width: 915mm
HEADROOM DOORS STAIRS
▪ Minimum of 2.00 meters ▪ Provide a self-closing mechanism for exit doors ▪ All stairways designated as a means of egress
should be continuous from the uppermost floor
▪ Clear opening: 710mm-1220mm
level to the ground floor
▪ Maximum threshold height: 13mm
▪ Two sets of requirements
▪ New stairs
▪ Existing stairs

HANDRAILS FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS LADDERS

▪ 760mm-865mm from upper surface of tread ▪ Allowed as means of egress only in existing ▪ Not allowed as fire escape or means of egress
buildings
▪ Should not constitute more than 50% of required
exit capacity
 FIRE ALARMS WET STANDPIPES
▪ Notifies occupants of the building and, when ▪ Wet standpipes required for the following:
required, emergency forces ▪ Assembly occupancies with at least 1,000 occupant
Features of fire ▪ Automatic fire department notification is required
load

protection for:
▪ Schools, hospitals, businesses, hotels, etc. 4 storeys
or taller
▪ High rise buildings ▪ Hazardous occupancies exceeding 1,860 sqm per
▪ Hospitals floor
▪ Schools, hotels, apartments 4 storeys or taller ▪ Exceptions:
▪ Malls ▪ Buildings with an approved sprinkler system

WET STANDPIPES OCCUPANT LOAD

▪ All portions of the building must be within 6 ▪ Concentrated use without fixed seats, such as
meters of a nozzle attached to a 22.00m long places of worship, dance floors: 0.65 sqm/person
hose
▪ Minimum of 64mm diameter
Places of assembly ▪ Less concentrated use such as conference
rooms, dining rooms, gyms: 1.40sqm/person
▪ Standing rooms/waiting space: 0.28sqm/person

MINIMUM CORRIDOR WIDTH TRAVEL DISTANCE TO EXITS SEATING

▪ If serving 50 or more persons: 1120mm ▪ 46 meters if without sprinkler system ▪ Rows of seats back to back: 830mm
▪ 61 meters if with sprinkler system ▪ 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 maximum
▪ Seats without arms: 600mm/person
END