Fire Safety Enforcement 2013
Fire Safety Enforcement 2013
2013
FIRE SAFETY
ENFORCEMENT
MANUAL
2013 Edition
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
CSUPT CARLITO S ROMERO
PREFACE
he enactment of RA 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 is a milestone in the history of the Bureau of
Fire Protection. It has been a long dream of the BFP and it finally
came into being. It serves as an effective tool of the BFP in achieving
its mission and the realizing its vision.
The enforcement of the new Fire Code requires a comprehensive and thorough knowledge on the code in order to effectively and
efficiently execute it. With the various memoranda, and guidelines
crafted, our fire safety enforcers and other BFP personnel who are in
the frontline services will be properly guided so as to observe the standard procedures in the implementation and enforcement of RA 9514.
In the same manner, with the reports and data submitted by the field
offices, it would be easy to monitor the implementation of the new
Fire Code.
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his is the third edition of this book which was first released in 2011. Despite of the busy schedule brought by various activities such as the
series of inspection and investigation in Serendra, the distribution of
relief goods for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda and the preparation of
programs for the Oplan Iwas Paputok, Iwas Sunog and other fire safety activities we still managed to come up with another book for our fire safety enforcers.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the following colleagues and
friends who in one way or another caused the publication of this manual:
SR SUPT IGMEDIO U BONDOC , for continuously motivating us to do
more.
ENGR ARIEL T MIRANDA and SINSP JAN GARRY LUNAS for lending to us
their illustrations and graphics presentations;
INSP RYAN REEVEN BOLITO, for including the printing of this manual in
the Annual Procurement Plan of DFSP ;
SFO3 Marlou H Serito, FO3 Arlene DN Mecinas and FO2 Dexter M Cerilla
and FO2 Lordjim Luza, for drafting the guidelines, circulars, memorandums and letter replies,
FO3 Engelbert MB Paculanang, FO2 Gideon Gandolpos, FO1 Neygee
Angilog and FO1 Marcial Albarido, for conducting research and compilation;
FO2 Maricel Pinca and F01 Jayson Elvea for encoding , and
There might be errors, misspellings and lapses in the manual, but as
they say, we are only human bound to commit mistakes. If these errors offend
anyone, the authors want to ask for indulgence. Further, the authors claim that
their endeavors are only motivated by their desire to provide quality service,
nothing more, nothing less!
- The editors
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MESSAGE
It is for this reasons, that I would like to laud the people behind
the conceptualization of this Fire Safety Enforcement Manual. This is
again another unparalleled accomplishment. Through this, BFP personnel in the field will be guided accordingly and became a catalyst
of a better Fire Bureau.
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Approximately, there are more than 50 million Filipinos who are active
users of facebook. The trend is that, Filipinos tend to shift from the traditional
medium to social network. Hence, in order to cope with the trend, this office has
created its own and official facebook and twitter accounts. The creation of the
accounts was approved on November 11, 2013 .
GDP
ACCOUNT NAME
:FIRE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
ADMINISTRATOR
: ENGR ARIEL T MIRANDA
CO-ADMINISTRATORS : Chief, Inspection Section
Chief, Prevention Section
Chief, Education Section
OBJECTIVES:
1. To be able to provide immediate response to the inquiries, clarifications, queries and issues presented by our stakeholders through internet, hence maximizing the efficiency of our personnel; and
2. To establish official social media accounts of the BFP focusing on fire
safety providing responsibility for personnel in-charge of the account,
thus deterring the unscrupulous and bogus personnel in using the
name of the BFP for malicious acts.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A. All approved guidelines and policies concerning fire safety enforcement shall be posted in the official accounts. Any other entries to be
posted shall be approved by BFP Higher Authority;
B. Approved fire safety education and information materials such as
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FSED
@FACEBOOK and TWITTER
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26
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29
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEMORANDUM NUMBER: 2009-010
SUBMISSION OF ACCOMPLISHMENT OF REPORT FOR FIRE
PREVENTION ACTIVIES
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57
61
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MEMORANDUM TO ALL REGIONAL DIRECTORS, PROVINCIAL/
DISTRICT FIRE MARSHALS, AND CITY/MUNICIPAL FIRE MARSHAL
CLARIFICATION RE. PHASING-OUT SCHEDULE OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHER CONTAINING OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCE
RELEVANT REGULATIONS ON FIRE SAFETY MEASURES
HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
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71
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C. TRAVEL DISTANCE
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C. Dry Standpipes
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D. Wet Standpipes
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BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT
A. UTILITIES
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OPERATING FEATURES
A. Fire Exit Drills
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D. Stairwells
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MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
NUMBER: 2010-017
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES IN THE APPROVAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND/OR REMEDIAL FIRE SAFETY MEASURES
I. GENERAL
Pursuant to Section 10 (c) and 54 of Republic Act (RA) 6975 and Section 5 of Republic Act (RA) 9514 otherwise known as The Fire Code of the Philippine of 2008, and in compliance with Section 14.0.0.3 of its Implementing
Rules and Regulations (IRR), these guidelines are hereby prescribed to promote
public safety relative to application and approval/acceptance of Alternative
and/or Remedial Fire Safety Measures for existing public or private buildings,
facilities or structures and their premises or portion thereof.
II. SCOPE
These Implementing Guidelines shall apply to all existing private or
public buildings, facilities or structures and their premises or portion thereof
erected or constructed before the effectivity of RA 9514 and its IRR, where compliance with the fire safety requirements as specified in the IRR of RA 9514 will
compromise the structural stability/integrity of the said buildings, facilities or
structures which necessitates Alternative and/or Remedial Fire Safety Measures.
These also apply to existing public and private buildings, facilities,
structures and their premises or portion thereof granted with Certificate of
Exemption to install Automatic Fire Sprinkler Sys-tem (AFSS) by the Chief, BuFIRE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT MANUAL
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reau of Fire Protection (BFP) and/or the Director General of the Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police (PC/INP) under Presidential Decree No.
1185.
III. OBJECTIVE
A. To prescribe guidelines in the application and approval of Alternative and/
or Remedial Fire Safety Measures.
B. To rationalize the selection or identification of appropriate Alternative and/
or Remedial Fire Safety Measures in lieu of the fire safety requirements for
installation of AFSS to existing public or private buildings, structure or facilities and their premises or portion thereof.
C.
To establish the procedure to be followed by the line units of the BFP prior
to the final action of the Chief, BFP.
IV DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.
2.
3.
Republic Act 9514 The Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 amending
Presidential Decree 1185.
Automatic Fire Suppression System- an integrated sys-tem of underground
or overhead piping connected to a source of extinguishing agent or medium,
de-signed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards to include, but not limited to Automatic Fire Sprinkler System which when actuated by its automatic detecting device suppresses fire within the area protected even without human intervention.
4.
5.
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mend appropriate action relative to application for Alternative and/ or Remedial Fire Safety Measures.
V. AUTHORITY TO GRANT APPROVAL/ACCEPTANCE
Pursuant to Section 4.0.0.4 of the IRR of RA 9514, only the Chief, BFP
may approve the Alternative and/or Remedial Fire Safety Measures in lieu of
the fire safety requirements in the installation of AFSS to existing public or private buildings, facilities or structures and their premises or portion thereof constructed or erected prior to the implementation of RA 9514, provided that any
aggrieved party may appeal to the Secretary, DILG.
VI. PROCEDURES
A. Requirements of the Application
All applications for Alternative and/or Remedial Fire Safety Measures
in lieu of the fire safety requirements pursuant to section 14.0.0.4 of the IRR of
R.A 9514 shall be supported by the following documents:
1.
Letter request stating the reason/s for applying Alter-native and/or Remedial Measures in lieu of the fire safety requirements in the installation of
ASSS.
2.
As-built plans certified by Architect or Civil Engineer showing among others, the fire exits, floor and/or location of the fire hose, standpipes, valves,
fire alarm bells, call points, switch boxes, fire extinguishers, smoke and
heat detectors, emergency lights and source of power and water, and other
fire safety requirements.
3.
Certified true copies of the building and/or renovation, and Occupancy Permits (OP) issued by the Building Official.
4.
5.
Certified true copy of the latest Fire Safety Inspection Report (FSIR) or No-
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Certification from Structural Engineer, preferably a member of the Associations of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), declaring that the
said buildings, facilities or structures cannot support additional load for
the installation of ASSS.
7.
Proposed Alternative and/or Remedial Fire Safety Measures, including designs and specifications, to be installed and/or constructed in lieu of the
fire safety requirements, duly certified by Qualified Technical Personnel/
Fire Safety Engineer/ FALAR Practitioners and approved by the owner/
authorized representative.
8.
9.
All applications for Alternative and/or Remedial Fire Safety Measures together with the required documents shall be submitted to the OC/MFM
concerned for pre-evaluation and endorsement to the BFP Regional Director thru the District/Provincial Fire Marshals (D/PFM).
2.
The Office of the Regional Director concerned shall evaluate the application
and recommend appropriate action (re approval/disapproval) before endorsing the same to the Chief, BFP (ATTN: Chairperson, Fire Safety Technical Committee (FSTC)).
3.
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structure and their premises or portion thereof being applied for and evaluate the proposed Alternative and/or Remedial Fire Safety Measures presented.
4. The inspection and evaluation reports, together with the application and
supporting documents, shall be carefully evaluated and deliberated by the
FSTC and thereafter recommend the approval/disapproval of the application by the Chief, BFP.
5.
2.
3.
The Office of the Regional Director concerned shall evaluate findings and
recommend appropriate action (re: approval/disapproval) to the C, BFP
(ATTN: Chairperson, FSTC).
4.
5.
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FSTC. The result of the deliberation will be the basis of the recommendation
for the approval/disapproval of the Chief, BFP.
6.
7.
ANNEXES
Fire Prevention Forms
2.
3.
All pipes chase must be constructed with fire collar or fitted with sealant.
4.
5.
All firewalls must be extended 20% more from the established standard
requirement.
All other fire safety construction components must be constructed in accordance with established standard requirement for any type of occupancy.
B. Occupancy Load
1.
Actual occupant load and egress capacity for all kinds of occupancies must
not exceed the established occupant load standard for any type of occupancy.
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1.
_________ 30. A mechanical device consisting of linkages and horizontal bar across a door, which when pushed from the inside will cause
the door to open and facilities exit from the building structure or facility.
A.
B.
C.
D.
C. Fire Protection
Panic Hardware
Horizontal Channel
Damper
Impact Barriers
A. Automatic
B. Manual
C. Positive
b. Self-closing fire door with minimum width of 20% more from standard requirement.
c. Battery-operated emergency light in all of the stair landings.
ANSWER KEY
1. C
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. C
6. A
7. A
8. B
9A
10. D
11. C
12. B
13. D
14. D
15. D
16. C
17. A
18. D
19. B
20. D
21. A
22. A
23. D
24. D
25. B
26. D
27. A
28. D
29. D
30.
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d. Termination of all exits to public egress, continuous and unobstructed at all times.
3. All fire exits must be mechanically pressurized.
4. Installation of illuminated exit signs in conspicuous place leading to emergency exits.
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2.
Compulsory attendance for all members of the fire brigade in all fire safety
seminars conducted in the building, facility or structure.
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C. Both such fine and imprisonment
D. All of the above
emption issued earlier are subject to review/ renewal within sixty (60) days
upon effectivity of this Memorandum Circular.
X. EFFECTIVITY
_________ 24. The following are violations that must be corrected within
twenty-four (24) hours, except:
(ORIG SIGNED)
ATTY. MARIUS P. CORPUS
Undersecretary for Public Safety
_________ 26. The following are facts on the imposition of fines, except
A. Before a fine is imposed, the violator shall first be
informed of his/her violation and ordered to correct
the same immediately, if feasible, or within a reasonable period of time.
B. Administrative fine shall be imposed for every violation
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requirements that are related to means of egress
shall be complied with.
D. A temporary Fire Safety Inspection Certificate can
be issued to owner/administrator of building or establishment if partial compliance was effected to
their building/ establishment.
SUBJECT
DATE
:
09 JANUARY 2011
____________________________________________________________________________________________
In view of the necessity of maximizing the resources of the Bureau of
Fire Protection ( hereinafter referred to as BFP, for brevity) in accordance
with Republic Act No. 9514 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, all
government officials within the National Capital Region (hereinafter referred to
as NCR, for brevity) are hereby directed to recognize the authority of the BFP
in the assessment and collection of the Fire Code Revenues, particularly the
FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION FEE.
The authority of the BFP in the assessment and collection of the Fire
Code Revenues is clearly granted in Section 13 and Section 13-A of Republic Act
No 9514, otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008, to wit:
A.
B.
C.
D.
50,000 pesos
10,000 pesos
25,000 pesos
500,000 pesos
100,000 pesos
10,000 pesos
1,000 pesos
100 pesos
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Marshal, such is still appealable to the District/
Provincial Fire Marshal.
B. Payment of administrative fine would absolve the
owner/administrator in correcting the noted violations on his/her buildings/ establishments
C. The building owner/ administrator may elevate his/
her appeal to the higher authority up to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and the
latters decision is final and executor.
D. Fire Safety Inspection must be conducted at least
twice a year on every building/establishment to
ensure compliance and fire safety.
_________ 20. The following conditions are in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Code. However, not all of it was correct. One is certainly in violation of our established rules and regulations that whenever you choose it, there is a corresponding administrative penalty
which you think is.
A. It is true that in a building, if automatic sprinkler is
required, the responsible person is its owner. Hence,
if the owner failed to comply with the requirement,
the lessee/occupant thereof could not be issued
with fire safety inspection certificate also.
B. Conveyance clearance fee is a fee derived from
the transportation of flammable and combustible
materials.
C. Requirements for interlocking or scissors typed stairs
shall only be applied to newly constructed buildings/establishments. On the other hand, in case of
existing building, interlocking or scissor typed stairs
may be allowed provided that the other fire safety
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all such collections shall be set aside and retained for use
by the city of municipal government concerned, which
shall appropriate the same exclusively for the use of the
operation and maintenance of its local fire station, including the construction and repair of fire station: Provided,
further, that the remaining eighty percent (80%) shall be
remitted to the National Treasury under a trust fund assigned for the modernization of the BFP.
The Fire Safety Inspection Fee is among the Fire Code Revenues, which
the BFP is authorized to collect as prerequisite to the grants of permits and/or
licenses by local government. Section 12.0.0.2 (A)(6) of the Implementing Rules
and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9514 states, to wit:
6. Fire Safety Inspection Fee. Fee charged for the
conduct of Fire Safety Inspection equivalent to ten per
centum (10%) of all fees charged by the building
official, or by the Local Government or by other government agencies concerned in the granting of pertinent permits or licenses
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of this circular are hereby ordered to be turned over to the possession and cusTABLE OF CONTENTS
tody of the City Fire Marshall concerned for proper remittance to the National
Treasury under the trust fund assigned to the BFP.
The City Fire Marshalls within the NCR are hereby directed to coordinate with the concerned local government officials of their respective jurisdictions as regards the efficient and expeditious procedure for the collection of the
subject fees.
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closure of building thru channel.
C. Initiate the posting of warning sign in front of the
building that such is a fire trap of fire hazard.
D. Immediately cause the stoppage of operation/
closure order in his capacity as the City/Municipal
Fire Marshals.
_________ 18. The following general procedures in the conduct of inspection is correct, except:
A. During re-inspection, initial compliance was effected by the owner/ administrator, the Notice to
Correct Violations/abatement order may not be
issued. In lieu thereof, the owner/ administrator shall
execute an affidavit of undertaking specifically
thereof among others the period of completion of
work.
B. An order to pay fine shall be issued immediately
without the need of issuing a Notice to Comply/
Correct Violations which shall be corrected immediately or twenty four (24) hours.
C. After inspection, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal or
his duly designated fire safety inspector shall inform
the owner/administrator of his violation by making
him/her sign on the After Inspection Report.
D. A Notice to Correct Violation must be issued to
building owners/administrators if violations were
noted during first inspection.
_________ 19. The following situations are correct, except:
A. If the decision is made by the City/Municipal Fire
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establishments the brand of fire extinguishers appropriate on their buildings/ establishments
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Fire safety inspection must be conducted promptly, ensuring that the fire
safety requirements under Rule 10 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9514 are strictly complied with. No FSIC shall be issued
without the full compliance to the provisions of Section 7 of RA 9514.
A routinary fire safety inspection of all occupancies within there areas of
responsibility shall be conducted by the respective City/Municipal Fire
Marshal or his authorized representative and shall ensure that all inspection shall have been completed before the end of the year. The City/
Municipal Fire Marshall shall ensure that an inspection is actually conducted as he is the primary official responsible therefore in the event of
any failure or lapses to conduct the same. Thereafter, an accomplishment
report shall be made by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal to his immediate
superior and indicating thereat those who are compliant and those who
have violations. No FSIC shall be issued if no inspection has been made.
In addition to Notice to Comply/Notice to Correct Violations to the erring occupancies, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal shall then issue written
report notifying the Local Chief Executive wherein all the local names of
non-compliant establishments are listed, and expressly stating therein a
recommendation not to issue any of the following permits, or revoke existing ones, when applicableBusiness or Mayors Permit, Permit to Operate, Occupancy Permit, PHILHEALTH Accreditation for Hospitals, DOH
License to Operate, and other licenses being issued by the local government unit (LGU). The written notice to the LGU must be submitted within
the seven (7) calendar days following the last month of the quarter when
inspection is conducted.
For all occupancies, specially residential, storage, health care and public
assembly occupancy, the Provincial/District Fire Marshal shall conduct a
bi-annual audit by making actual verification and examination that the fire
safety inspection reports submitted by the City/Municipal Fire Marshals
are in accordance with the provisions of RA 9514 and its IRR. Any finding
derived from the audit shall be indicated in the written bi-annual report
submitted to the Regional Director. The same period of inspection and
report mentioned in the preceding paragraphs applies in the conduct of
audit and actual verification. The Provincial/District Fire Marshal shall be
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C. A tax is normally paid after commencement of business while a fee is usually paid before
D. Failure to pay tax will make business illegal, while
failure to pay a fee does not make business illegal.
_________ 14. The following statements are true and correct when it
comes to the imposition of Fire Code Fees and Taxes, except:
A. Structures used as single family dwellings exempted
from payment of Fire Code Realty Tax
B. Indigent Fire Victims are exempted from paying the
Fire Incident Clearance Fee upon submission of certification from the Department of Social Welfare
and Development
C. Public schools, local government and other government agencies are exempted from paying fire drill
fee.
D. National Housing Authority (NHA) sponsored projects are exempted from payment of fees or taxes
considering that NHA is a government entity.
_________ 15. The following are the main duties and responsibilities of
Fire Safety Inspections, except:
A. Conduct fire safety lectures, seminars/ workshops
and drills
B. Prepare necessary documents and maintain files
and/ or records
C. Testify in any judicial and quasi-judicial bodies regarding matters relating to the Fire Code of the Philippines and its IRR
D. Recommend to owners/administrators of buildings/
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buildings/ establishments prior to the conduct of inspection.
A.
B.
C.
D.
_________ 11. A standard form used by the BFP local offices/ fire stations enumerating the life and fire safety requirements of the buildings,
facilities or structures to be erected/ constructed.
6.
The foregoing guidelines are mandatory in nature and any violation committed by the responsible officials mentioned herein shall be meted with
penalties set forth in Section 11 (2) and sub-articles of RA 9514.
7.
_________ 12. The FSIC for business or permit to operate has validity of:
A.
B.
C.
D.
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Republic of the Philippines
Department of the Interior and Local Government
BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Agham Road, Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City
MEMORANDUM
TO
SUBJECT
: ISSUANCE OF CONVEYANCE
DATE
: 16 September 2012
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has been receiving issues and concerns pertaining to
clients who are engaged in handling and transporting of petroleum products from one place to another. Purportedly, clients who are acquired Conveyance Clearance from a certain BFP local station
were required to pay for another set of Conveyance Clearance Fees by the station that has jurisdiction on the area of destination of intended delivery.
During the Management Committee (MANCOM) Meeting held last July 4, 2013, the body
agreed that Conveyance Clearance issued by Fire Marshals having operational jurisdiction thereat
be considered valid and effective nationwide, in the absence of any violation specified by existing
laws and policies.
In view hereof, you are directed to advise all City/ Municipal Fire Marshals, within your
respective areas of responsibility, to acknowledge and accept conveyance clearance issued to clients
by a local BFP station, where said conveyance was originally applied. They are not, however, barred
from conducting verification and inspection on the actual condition of the flammable, combustible
and hazardous materials being transported, in accordance to the packaging and other safety standard requirements set forth by the Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514) and other pertinent laws
on fire safety. Should violations be found, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal must notify the issuing
officer of such and recommend for the outright cancellation or revocation of the subject clearance.
Failure to comply with this directive shall be dealt with accordingly.
Chief, BFP
Regional Director
City/ Municipal Fire Marshal
Fire Safety Technical Committee
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D. Grant exemption on the mandatory installation of
any building or structure.
SUBJECT
This pertains to the issue raised during the 1st Semester Command
Conference on September, 2012 regarding the absence of clear policy/ directives in monitoring of fire code sales tax particularly of Ace Hardware and other
similar business establishments selling fire fighting appliances. Fire Code Sales
Tax refers to two percent (2%) of gross sales of companies, persons or agents
selling firefighting equipment, appliances or devices, including hazard detection
and warning system.
Certificate of Completion
Certificate of Training
Certificate of Competency
Certificate of Appearance
TO
Be informed that the said issue has already been clarified in a Memorandum sighed by then Chief, BFP, DIR ROLANDO M BANDILLA, CESO IV dated
January 26, 2011. Hence, the undersigned reiterates the key points of the said
Memorandum:
Stand pipes
Hose Reels
Approved Supervised Sprinkler System
Automatic Fire Suppression System
MEMORANDUM
DATE
: October 15, 2012
___________________________________________________________________________________________
__________ 5. An integrated system of underground or overhead piping connected to a source or extinguishing agent or medium, designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards
which when actuated by its automatic detecting device suppresses
fire within the area protected.
A.
B.
C.
D.
AFSS to
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Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided
before each number. Read carefully and do not be in a hurry. Good
luck!
_________ 1. It is the government agency primarily responsible in the
enforcement and administration of the Fire Code of the Philippines.
A.
B.
C.
D.
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(Test how familiar you are with the Fire
Code of the Philippines)
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
NUMBER: SOP-2012-001
SUBJECT
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be covered by an Inspection Order (IO) issued for the specific purpose and place to be inspected. The IO should not contain any allembracing purpose such as valid for inspections of any building,
business, commercial or industrial establishments within area of jurisdiction.
2. Format of IO. The IO shall be in the FORM shown in Annex
A hereof, and no inspection shall be conducted using any other
form of IO not conforming thereto.
The IO shall contain the names of Fire Safety Inspector (FSI) or
Inspectors who shall conduct the inspections, and no inspection shall
be performed by any personnel whose name is not indicated therein
and any other unauthorized personnel be al-lowed to participate in
the inspection.
3. Purpose of IO. Inspection Order shall be issued for the following purposes:
a. To conduct inspection during construction, renovation,
modification or alteration on the basis of issued Fire Safety Clearance
to deter-mine whether the plans, and specifications are being followed and safety precautions are being observed;
b. To conduct Fire Safety Inspection required under RA 9514,
known as Fire Code of the Philip-pines of 2008 and its Implementing
Rules and Regulations prior to the issuance of Fire Safety Inspection
Certificate;
c. To conduct business and routine inspection required under
Section 9.0.2.4 of the IRR of RA 9514;
d. To conduct Fire Safety Inspection prior the issuance of Fire
Safety Clearance required under Division 5 of Section 9.0.4.2 of the
IRR of RA 9514;
e. To conduct inspection prior to the issuance of Installation
Clearance required under Section 10.2.7.6 of the IRR of RA 9514;
region, follows the same standard and procedures. (Letter Reply to Vera Law dated October 21, 2010)
3. Is an accreditation certificate from the BFP required before a company can engage in the manufacture, distribution and sell of fire extinguisher ?
No. There is nothing in the provisions of the Fire Code
that requires the BFP to issue accreditation certificate for the
manufacture, distributions and sell of fire extinguisher. As long
as the company/ product is certified and accredited by Department of Trade and IndustryBureau of Product and Standards (DTI-BPS) then there is no reason for the product not to
be allowed in the market. However, a business permit from the
concerned LGU is required before the company can manufacture, sell or distribute fire extinguisher . FSIC is required before a business permit is issued. ( E-mail Reply to Hubert Lim
dated April 12, 2013)
What is being required by the Fire Code of the Philippines is the issuance of COC to all person engage in the manufacture, sell and servicing fire extinguisher. Be clarified, that it is
the person not the company or business who are required of
COC. However, as of the moment, the BFP does not issue COC
due to the absence of an implementing guidelines relative to
the issuance of COC. (Memorandum to All Regional Directors
signed by CSUPT BEARIS dated November 6, 2012)
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Note: The subsequent situations are based on real events , which were encountered by
this office during the conduct of monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of
the Fire Code of the Philippines. All answers provided herein are back-up with legal basisspecifically provisions of the Fire Code.
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total occupancies.
11) What are the instances where wet standpipe system is required in
a building?
Wet standpipe system extending from the cellar or
basement into the topmost storey shall be required in the following:
a) Assembly occupancies with an occupant load exceeding 1000;
b) Educational, healthcare and detention and correctional, business and mercantile, industrial, and hotels and apartments occupancies, four or more storeys, and
c) Hazardous storage and business and mercantile
occupancies having a floor area exceeding 1860
m2 per floor.
Exception;
a) Buildings equipped throughout with an approved,
supervised sprinkler system
b) Basement or cellars equipped with approved , supervises sprinkler system.
The exception however does not apply to the special
provision for high rise buildings which requires automatic fire
suppression system and wet standpipe systems.
2013
gate area, but over 287 m2 , or utilizing any balcony, mezzanine or floor above or below the street floor level for sales purposes shall be equipped with automatic and manual fire alarm
system.( Section 10.2.13.3, C of the IRR of RA 9514)
i) An approved automatic fire detection and alarm system
shall be required in all industrial occupancies, except for buildings with less than 25 employees where such building shall be
equipped with manual alarm system. ( Section 10.2.15.3, C(1)
of the IRR of RA 9514)
j) An approved automatic fire detection and alarm system
shall be required on all industrial occupancies except for buildings with ordinary or low hazard not exceeding 2,000 square
meters where such building shall be equipped with manual fire
alarm system.
K. Automatic fire detection and alarm system may also be required in all business occupancies where any of the following
conditions exists:
1) The building is two (2) or more storeys in height
above the level of exit discharge.
2) The occupancy is subject to fifty or more occupants
above or below the level of exit discharge. For existing building, the occupancy is subject to 100 or
more occupants above or below the level or exit
discharge.
3) The occupancy is subject to three hundred (300) or
more total occupants. For existing building, the occupancy is subject to one thousand (1000) or more
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MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
NUMBER:
2013 003
a) Any underground structures and windowless buildings subject to occupancy by fifty (50) or more persons, from which
there is no direct access to outdoors o to another area and no
outside light or light ventilation through windows, shall be
equipped with approved supervised automatic fire suppression
system. (Section 10.2.17.4 of the IRR of RA 9514)
9) What are the instances when Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm
System (FDAS) are required?
a) All assembly buildings where occupancies of the building
exceed 300 persons, the initiation shall be through an automatic detection system. ( Section 10.2.8.7, (D) (1) of the IRR of
RA 9514)
b) In educational occupancies, building provided with automatic fire suppression system the operation of the system shall
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SUBJECT
TO
I. RATIONALE
17 April 2013
Date
2013
The Bureau of Fire Protection as a government agency primarily responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive
fires is mandated under RA 9514 otherwise known as the Fire Code of
the Philippines of 2008 to enforce and administer the Code under the
direct supervision and control of the Chief, BFP through the hierarchy
of organization as provided for under RA 6975.
Section 9 of RA 9514 authorizes the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative to order closure of building, structure and their
premises or facilities in case of failure by the owner, administrator or
occupant to abate fire hazard within the period required by law, or
when the deficiency constitutes a clear and imminent danger to life
and property as provided under Section 13.0.0.1 (C-2) of the IRR of RA
9514.
In order to protect the lives and properties of building occupants, the BFP has to come up with guidelines and policies that would
carry out the provision of the Code by informing them the hazard
condition of the building through posting of warning sign that the
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II. RESPONSIBILITIES
The BFP Regional Offices shall be responsible for the printing
and production of said warning sign which shall be include in their respective OPB for proper funding.
All BFP Regional BFP Directors shall ensure strict implementation
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of this circular.
IV. EFFECTIVITY
This circular shall take effect immediately upon approval.
9514)
b) Any hazardous areas, or rooms or spaces such as
but not limited to boiler and heater rooms, laundries, repair
shops, storage of combustible supplies and equipment determined by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal as high hazard, shall
be equipped with automatic fire suppression system.
c) Every hazardous area shall be equipped with automatic fire suppression system or shall be separated from other
parts of the building by construction having fire resistance rating of at least one (1) hour and communicating equipment.
(Section 10.2.12.3, C (7) (b) of the IRR of RA 9514)
FOR APARTMENT BUILDINGS
a) All buildings shall be protected throughout by an
approved, supervised sprinkler system except in buildings
where all guest sleeping rooms or guest suites have a door
opening directly outside at the street or grade level or exterior
exit access arranged in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2. of
the IRR of RA 9514 in buildings up to and including three (3)
storeys in height. (Section 10.2.12.4, C (5) (a) of the IRR of RA
9514)
b) Any hazardous areas, or rooms or spaces such as
but not limited to boiler and heater rooms, laundries, repair
shops, storage of combustible supplies and equipment determined by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal as high hazard, shall
be provided with automatic fire suppression system. (Section
10.2.12.4, C (6) (b) of the IRR of RA 9514)
FOR MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES
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open plan building in which the travel distance to exits exceeds forty six (46) meters shall have approved supervised
sprinkler system which shall be electrically interconnected with
the school fire alarm system.
TO
SUBJECT
MEMORANDUM
DATE
:
16 September 2012
____________________________________________________________________
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has been receiving issues
and concerns pertaining to clients who are engaged in handling and
transporting of petroleum products from one place to another. Purportedly, clients who already acquired Conveyance Clearance from
a certain BFP local station were required to pay for another set of
Conveyance Clearance Fees by the station that has jurisdiction on
the area of destination of intended delivery.
During the Management Committee (MANCOM) Meeting
held last July 4, 2012, the body agreed that Conveyance Clearance
issued by Fire Marshals having operational jurisdiction thereat be considered valid and effective nationwide, in the absence of any violation specified by existing laws and policies.
In view hereof, you are directed to advise all City/Municipal
Fire Marshals, within your respective areas of responsibility, to acknowledge and accept Conveyance Clearances issued to clients by a local BFP station, where said clearance was originally applied. They are
not, however, barred from conducting verification and inspection on
the actual condition of the flammable, combustible and hazardous
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for exhibition or display and are nor part of a mixed occupancy, all assembly occupancy with all sides open and places
or worship at the level of exit discharge with sufficient means of
egress.
d) Section 10.2.8.15 Special Provisions for Exhibitions Halls. Any
place of assembly used for exhibition or display purposes shall
be equipped with a complete automatic fire suppression system, when the exhibition or display area exceeds 1394 m2.
EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES
a) Section 10.2.9.5 Protection , paragraph E of the IRR of RA
9514. Every portion of educational buildings below the floor
of exit discharge shall be protected with complete automatic sprinkler protection.
b) Section 10.2.9.5 Protection , paragraph F of the IRR of RA
9514. An area used for general storage, boiler or furnace
rooms, fuel storage, janitors closets, maintenance shops
including woodworking and painting areas, laundries and
kitchen shall be protected with automatic fire suppression
system.
Exception:
When such portion as enumerated in paragraph (b),
are separated from other parts of the building with construction having not less than one-hour fire resistance rating and all
openings are protected with self-closing fire doors.
c) Section10.2.9.7 Special Provisions for Flexible Plan and Open
Plan Buildings of the IRR of RA 9514. Any flexible plan building or
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MEMORANDUM
TO
SUBJECT
DATE
: October 15, 2012
____________________________________________________________________
One of the issues and concerns raised during the 1 st Semester
Command Conference held on September, 2012 is the absence of
clear cut policy of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in dealing with
business establishments involved in the retailing of petroleum products.
Be informed that under Section 7 of RA 9514, the Chief, BFP or
his duly authorized representatives is mandated to ensure that safety
measures are observed in the manufacture, storage, handling and /
use of hazardous materials involving flammable and combustible liquids or gases of any classification through conduct of inspection.
Relative thereto, you are hereby ordered to strictly enforce RA
9514 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on the matter of
fire safety inspection and issuance of the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) and other clearances to all establishments involved in the
retailing of Petroleum Products.
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7. Is there any provisions in the Fire Code of the Philippines and Its IRR
that authorize the BFP to issue clearance for Electrical Installation?
Section 7 (a) (1) of RA 9514 requires that a fire safety inspection
shall be conducted by the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative as prerequisite to the grants of permits and/or licenses by
local government and other government agencies concerned for the
use or occupancy of buildings, structures, facilities or their premises
including the installation or fire protection and fire safety equipment
and electrical system in any building structure or facility.
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simultaneously activates the alarm, a system which is not present in ceiling type fire extinguisher. Hence, installing ceiling
type fire extinguisher alone is not sufficient to pose substantial
compliance with the provisions of the fire code. (Memorandum
to SR SUPT ALOVEEL FERRER dated October 4, 2013)
2013
29 September 2009
Date
MEMORANDUM
NUMBER: 2009-010
SUBJECT
: SUBMISSION OF ACCOMPLISHMENT OF REPORT FOR
FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVIES
___________________________________________________________________
I. REFERENCES
A. Action Plan as a result of the Workshop conducted during
the Command Conference dated 12-14 August 2009
B. Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9514
C. Memorandum dated 16 January 2004 re. Submission of
Monthly and Year-end Reports on Fire Incidents and Fire Prevention Activities.
II. RATIONALE
Statistical interpretation or data analysis plays a vital role in
the management and decision making process. It serves as guide in
developing and crafting new policies, plans, programs, projects and
activities for effective and efficient delivery of public service. Also, it is
one of the tools utilized in determining priorities in the allocation of
funds based on the agencys legal mandates. In the Bureau of Fire
Protection, it is use to gauge fire safety and prevention activities and
in making sound assessment on how the BFP operating units perform
this task. However, the late submission of reports and the lack of interFIRE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT MANUAL
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pretation and analysis of data(s) caused delay on the part of BFP National Headquarters to act on request of other government agencies/
institution for the said data(s) as well as its interpretation and analysis.
Moreso , with the enactment of RA 9514, there is a need to revise/
amend the existing format of reporting to consider other activities required pursuant to the provisions of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of said law.
III. PURPOSE
1. To ensure on-time and uniform submission of accomplishment report on fire prevention activities with corresponding
interpretation and analysis of data.
2. To ensure the inclusion of other activities required pursuant to
the provisions of RA 9514 and its IRR which were not included in
the old format.
3. To prescribe policies and guidelines that will provide accurate and definite basis in the formulation and development of
policies, plans, programs, projects and activities on fire prevention.
IV. GUIDELINES AND POLICIES
A. All accomplishment reports on fire prevention activities
such as Establishment Inspected, Building Plan Reviewed/
Processed and Issued FSEC, FSIC for Occupancy Permit Issues, FSIC for Business or Permit to Operate Issued, Total
FSIC Issued, Notice to Comply Issued, Notice to Correct
Violation Issued, Abatement Order Issued, Establishment
Recommended for Stoppage of Operations and Closure,
and amount of Fire Code Fee Collected shall be accompanied with statistical analysis/ interpretation.
B. Statistical analysis/ interpretation shall include the following
information;
1. Variance between the accomplishment of the present month and the accomplishments during the same period
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3. Are residential buildings constructed under the socialized or lowcost housing project covered by BP 220 exempted form installing fire
extinguishers?
No. Section 10.2.3.7 of the IRR of RA 9514 provides that
All buildings, structures and facilities shall be installed with
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DATE OF SUBMISSION
Monthly
Yearend
V. RESCISSION CLAUSE
All BFP memoranda and circular contrary with this circular are
hereby rescinded/ nullified accordingly.
2013
VI. EFFECTIVITY
This circular shall take effect immediately
deferment of imposed penalties and fines.
However, all administrative actions under the Fire Code
and its IRR, by an officer were still appealable to the next
higher authority within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the pertinent order or notice. Next higher authority refers to the District
or Provincial Marshal if the decision was made by the City/
Municipal Fire Marshal. ( Section 14.0.0.1 of the IRR of RA 9514)
8. Who are exempted from paying fire code fee?
The IRR of the Fire Code of the Philippines provides the herein
instances where a person/establishment can be exempted from paying fire code fee:
a. Indigent Fire Victims are exempted from paying Fire Incident Clearance Fee upon submission of a certification
from the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD)
b. Public Schools, Local Government Units and other government agencies are exempted from paying fire drill fee.
2013
2013
2013
SUBJECT
DATE
:
November 8, 2013
___________________________________________________________________________
With the passage of RA 9514 otherwise known as the Fire Code of the
Philippines of 2008, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has established various
procedures and guidelines in order to effectively carry out the provisions of
the code. Along with it, the management requires the BFP field offices to submit reports which reflect the level of their efficiency in the delivery of fire safety
services.
However, in a further study conducted by the Directorate for Fire
Safety and Prevention (DFSP), there are reports on fire safety enforcement
which are already irrelevant and inessential. It includes reports required before
the enactment of RA 9514. Hence, in order to avoid confusion on the part of
field offices and redundant reports, enumerated hereunder are the reports,
together with sample format, that are considered essential and must be submitted to this office, to wit:
ON MONTHLY BASIS
a.
b.
c.
d.
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Officer-in-Charge, DFSP
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any authority to the BFP in granting exemptions in the assessment and collection of fire code fees indicated therein except
in cases of indigent fire victims with respect to the payment of
Fire Incident Clearance Fee and the exemption granted to
public schools, local government units and other government
agencies in paying Fire Drill Fee. As to the other Fire Code Fees,
the BFP cannot exercise more than what is mandated by law
for it to carry out. ( Memorandum to All Regional Directors
signed by CSUPT BANDILLA dated 07 June 2011)
6. Can the BFP allow the Local Government Unit to do the assessment and collection of fire code fees on their behalf?
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MEMORANDUM
TO
SUBJECT
DATE
: May 7, 2012
____________________________________________________________________
This pertains to the issue raised by GAY A TIDALGO, Officer-inCharge, Department of Trade and Industry, Agusan Del Norte regarding
the alleged requirement on the usage of HCFC 123 chemical for fire extinguisher instead of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) for enclosed/ airconditioned offices.
Let it be clarified that the Fire Code of the Philippines does not
provide specific type of fire extinguisher to be installed in enclosed/ airconditioner offices. As general requirement, fire extinguisher shall be determined by the character of the fires anticipated, the construction and
occupancy of the individual property, the hazard to be protected, ambient-temperature conditions, and other factors. Fire extinguisher shall be
selected depending on the classes of hazards to be protected. If a building or room poses Class A, B,C & D hazards, such building shall be provided with fire extinguishers capable of suppressing the same fire potentials as might be present. MAP and other dry chemical fire extinguishers
are for use on Class A-B-C fires and/or Class B-C fires. Hence, they may be
2013
allowed in an enclosed/ air-conditioned office as long as they are capable of suppressing the fire hazards therein. Provided that for the protection
of delicate electronic equipment (which may be found in computer
rooms/shops), the following provisions of the Fire Code shall apply:
Section 10.2.6.7.F.3.C of the Implementing Rules Regulations (IRR)
of RA 9514 3. Application for Specific Hazards
XXX
C. Fire Extinguishers for the protection of delicate electronic
equipment shall be selected from either a carbon dioxide type or a halogenated agent type.
However, due to their ozone depleting potential, halogenated
extinguishing agent are included in the DENR Administrative Order No.
2008-04, List of Controlled Substances of the Montreal Protocol. Corollary
hereof, clean agent extinguishers are used as their replacement. These
clean agents include hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCCF), hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), perfluorocarbon (PFC), or fluoroidiocarbon (FIC). HCFC 123
though may still be used to substitute halon-containing fire extinguishers,
suppressors and fire fighting paraphernalia until its phase out in 2040.
Henceforth, all Regional Directors are directed to ensure that the
provisions in the selection, application and distribution of fire extinguisher
as stipulated in Section 10.2.6.7 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations
of the Fire Code of the Philippines are observed by their respective City/
Municipal Fire Marshals.
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2. Who has the authority and/ or power to impose and collect Fire
Code Sales Tax under Section 12 (b) (5) of RA 9514 ?
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MEMORANDUM
TO
SUBJECT
DATE
:
October 15, 2012
____________________________________________________________________
This pertains to the issue on the issuance of Certificate of Competency (COC) for members of fire brigade as additional requirement
for the grant of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) to business establishment where organization of fire brigade is required. The said
issue was raised during the 1st Semester Command Conference on
September, 2012.
Be reminded that under Section 6.0.2.1, Rule 6 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9514 states that,
Section 6.0.2.1 Requirements
A. All business establishments employing at least
fifty (50) persons shall, in addition for the requirements
set forth under Section 7 of RA 9514 for the grant of Fire
Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC), establish an organization of fire brigade to deal with fire and other related
emergencies
Further, the IRR of RA 9514 defines fire brigade as group of fireFIRE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT MANUAL
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FAQ
(Most Frequently Asked Questions)
The said provision of the law applies to all business establishments employing at least fifty (50) persons. Business establishments
shall refer to all occupancies, government or private offices and buildings. Hence, all business establishments are mandatorily required to
comply with this provision, among other fire safety requirements of the
fire code, before they can be granted with Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC).
Relative thereto, all Regional Directors are hereby directed to
ensure that said provisions of the law including the requirements of MC
2009-017, are properly observed within their areas of responsibility.
For strict compliance.
2013
2013
SUBJECT
DATE
: October 15, 2012
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Illustration 1.15
B. All interior stairwells used as a means of egress shall be pressurized.
In no case shall stairwells in high rise buildings be allowed to be unprotected.
Illustration 1.16
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3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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All stairwells shall be enclosed and protected. All doors on stairwells shall be kept closed. Stairway doors, which can be locked,
must be provided with automatic electrical unlocking from the fire
command center.
2013
Educational quarterly
Healthcare quarterly on each shift
Residential twice a year
Hotels, Dormitories, Lodging, and Rooming Houses
Mercantile, Business and Industrial twice a year
MEMORANDUM
TO
Smoke Control
SUBJECT
High rise buildings shall be designed in such a manner that the levels of
smoke concentration in protected spaces can be maintained within values that
can be tolerated by occupants.
The protected spaces shall include stairwells, at least one elevator
shaft, and floor spaces readily accessible to all occupants and large enough to
accommodate them.
DATE
:
24 September 2012
____________________________________________________________________
I. BACKGROUND
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In line with the tenets of the Fire Code, the BFP Local Offices/
Fire Stations then designates the task to the Fire Safety Inspectors
(FSIs) of conducting inspection of a building or structure within their
area of responsibility each time the owner, administrator or occupant
shall renew his/her business permit or permit to operate as a requireFIRE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT MANUAL
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ment for the issuance of FSIC which in the same way is a pre-requisite
in granting business permits as stipulated in Section 4.0.0.3 A (4 and 5)
of the IRR of RA 9514.
Applying the provisions indicated under the Fire Code, the
phase of securing a FSIC covers a minimum period of five (5) days
processing commencing from application until the issuance of the
FSIC. However, with the emergence of several Business Permit Licensing Offices (BPLO) of local government agencies/units which are all
offering a one-stop-shop system in the renewal of permits and licenses
for the convenience of the applicants, it is appropriate for the BFP to
adjust to the demands of this times and work on delivering improved
service to the public by coming up with a proposal of implementing a
one stop shop scheme for expediency and feasibility. With this modification, BFP becomes more responsive and effective in its commitment of providing better services by employing specific guideline
such as a One Stop Shop Policy in the issuance of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC).
II. PURPOSE
A.To hasten the issuance of FSIC for the benefit of the applicants in the renewal of their permits and/or licenses.
Fire exit drills shall be conducted in coordination with the Office of the
City/Municipal Fire Marshal.
Planning and conduct of drills shall be the responsibility of the management and/or owners of business establishments. Such planning and drill
shall be made in consultation and coordination with the City/Municipal
Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
Fire alarm facilities, where available, shall be used in the conduct of fire
exit drills.
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C.
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IV. EFFECTIVITY
HAZARDS
OF
HAZARD
MIN.
MAX. TRAVEL
MAX. AREA
DISTANCE TO
(OPEN AREA)
EXTINGUISHER
EXTINGUISHER PER EXTINRATING
GUISHER
(m)
(m2)
Low
2-A
15
200
Moderate
3-A*
12
100
High
4-A*
10
75
2. Class B Hazards
Table 10: FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLASS B
HAZARDS
TYPE OF HAZARD
MAX. TRAVEL
DISTANCE TO
EXTINGUISHER
(m)
MAX. AREA
(OPEN AREA)
PER EXTINGUISHER
(m2)
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Low
5-B
10
200
Moderate
10-B
10
100
High
40-B
10
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1. All buildings with required enclosed stairway or smoke-proof enclosure shall have at least one dry standpipe outlet connection located at
every floor level landing above the first floor of every required enclosure.
2. Dry standpipes shall not be concealed in building walls or built into
plasters.
Wet Standpipes
Wet standpipe system extending from the cellar or basement into the
topmost storey shall be required in the following:
a.
b.
c.
Hazardous storage and business and mercantile occupancies having a floor area exceeding one thousand eight hundred sixty square
meters (1,860 m2) per floor.
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MEMORANDUM
TO
SUBJECT
DATE
:
August 28, 2013
_________________________________________________________________
As provided in Section 10.2.6.7. paragraph F of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Fire Code of the Philippines,
all fire extinguishers sold in the Philippines shall consist of a numerical rating that indicates the relative extinguishing effectiveness, except for the fire extinguisher for use on Class C and Class D.
The said requirement is indispensable, however, as of the
moment the Department of Trade and IndustryBureau of Product
Standards that regulates manufacture of fire extinguisher has yet to
conduct numerical rating testing in order to come up with the correct and appropriate fire rating in all fire extinguishers distributed in
the country. The testing is scheduled on October 4, 2013 in cooperation with the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Chamber of Fire Protection Industries.
Hence, all fire extinguishers specifically dry chemical which
are already out in the market are temporarily allowed pending the
result of the actual testing.
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Be guided accordingly.
CARLITO S ROMERO
CSUPT (DSC) BFP
Officer-in-Charge
Illustration 1.13
Automatic Sprinklers and Other Extinguishing Agents
1.
Automatic shall be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
2013
2013
MEMORANDUM
TO
SUBJECT
DATE
:
November 6, 2012
________________________________________________________________________________________
This pertains to issue regarding the issuance of Certificate of Competency (COC) for manufacture, sale or servicing of fire extinguishers as provided under Rule 10, Section 10.5.3.4 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9514 OR Fire Code of the Philippines 2008. Said issue is among
the prevalent concerns of BFP-field offices.
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As regards thereof, please be informed that an implementing guideline relative to that effect was already drafted. Consequently, it was forwarded to the Office of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
for approval/ signature. Pending the approval of the guidelines, the COC for
manufactures and sellers of fire extinguishers shall not be required, provided however, that those persons engaged in the said business must have
the necessary certificate from the Bureau of Product Standards Department of Trade and Industry (BPS-DTI) and other relevant certifications.
2013
Likewise, said issue has already been clarified by the Chief, BFP in a
Memorandum dated August 31, 2011.
1.
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2013
SUBJECT
DATE
:
21 September 2012
____________________________________________________________________
This pertains to the issue raised by the PHINMA PROPERTY
HOLDINGS CORPORATIONS, developer of economic and socialized
housing projects seeking exemption from compliance with the Automatic Fire Suppression System (AFSS) requirement under RA 9514 for
their existing projects approved under Batas Pambansa BLG. 220.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has the opportunity to rule
on the matter and denied the exemption sought by PHINMA. Thereafter, the issue was referred by the late Hon JESSE M ROBREDO, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for legal opinion.
In its opinion dated June 4, 2012, the DOJ simply upheld the
position maintained by the BFP. The pertinent portions of the said legal
opinion are cited hereunder for the information of all concerned ,
thus:
1.
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2013
2013
2013
SUBJECT
DATE
:
September 9, 2013
____________________________________________________________________
Illustration 1.8
Illustration 1.9
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Illustration 1.7
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Where exit enclosures are provided and are interconnected by not less than
1-hour fire resistance-rated corridor, exit separation shall be measured
along the line of travel within the corridor.
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RELEVANT REGULATIONS
A. No Sprinkler:
ON FIRE SAFETY
MEASURES
The minimum separation distance between two exits or exit access doors
shall not be less than one-third (1/3) the length of the maximum overall
diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served.
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2013
When the occupant load for any storey or portion thereof is more than five
hundred (500) but not more than one thousand (1000), the means of egress
shall not be less than three (3); in excess thereof, the means of egress shall not
be less than four (4).
Illustration 1.1
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Exit Discharge
Illustration 1.4
Permissible Exit Components
Illustration 1.2
1.Doors
Parts of a Means of Egress
2.Stairs
3.Horizontal Exits
EXIT
4.Ramps
5.Exit Passageways
6.Fire Escape Stairs
EXIT ACCESS
7.Ladders
Illustration 1.3
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