TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULE 1. INTERPRETATION................................................................... 1
RULE 2. COVERAGE .......................................................................... 1
RULE 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS .......................................................... 2
RULE 4. AUTHORITY OF THE CHIEF, BUREAU OF FIRE
PROTECTION....................................................................... 21
SECTION 4.0.0.1

GENERAL AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER AND
ENFORCE RA 9514 AND ITS IRR .................................... 21

SECTION 4.0.0.2

AUTHORITY OF THE CHIEF, BFP SUBJECT TO
APPROVAL OF SILG ......................................................... 21

SECTION 4.0.0.3

SPECIFIC AUTHORITY OF CHIEF, BFP .............................. 22

RULE 5. BFP REORGANIZATION AND PROFESSIONALIZATION ...... 23
DIVISION 1.

REORGANIZATION......................................................................... 23

SECTION 5.0.1.1

DIVISION 2.

AUTHORITY OF THE CHIEF, BFP TO REORGANIZE ......... 23

TECHNICAL STAFF .......................................................................... 24

SECTION 5.0.2.1

CONSTITUTION AND QUALIFICATIONS.......................... 24

SECTION 5.0.2.2

SOURCES .......................................................................... 24

SECTION 5.0.2.3

DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS ................................................. 24

SECTION 5.0.2.4

REMUNERATION ............................................................... 24

RULE 6. FIRE BRIGADES, FIRE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONSAND FIRE SAFETY PRACTITIONERS ..................................... 25
DIVISION 1.

SCOPE ............................................................................................. 25

DIVISION 2.

ORGANIZATION OF FIRE BRIGADES ............................................ 25

SECTION 6.0.2.1

REQUIREMENTS................................................................. 25

SECTION 6.0.2.2

COMPOSITION ................................................................. 25

SECTION 6.0.2.3

COMPONENTS ................................................................. 26

SECTION 6.0.2.4

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FIRE BRIGADE
CHIEF ................................................................................. 26

SECTION 6.0.2.5

QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE
COMPANY FIRE BRIGADE .............................................. 26

SECTION 6.0.2.6

AVAILABILITY OF PERSONNEL ......................................... 27

DIVISION 3.

TRAINING OF FIRE BRIGADES, FIRE SAFETY PRACTITIONERSAND FIRE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS .................................... 27

SECTION 6.0.3.1

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY ..................................... 27

SECTION 6.0.3.2

TRAINING DESIGN ............................................................ 27

SECTION 6.0.3.3

SCOPE OF TRAINING ....................................................... 27i

SECTION 6.0.3.4

ASSISTANCE IN TRAINING PROGRAMS ......................... 28

SECTION 6.0.3.5

IDENTIFICATION................................................................ 28

DIVISION 4.

COMMAND, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND FIRE
DRILLS .............................................................................................. 28

SECTION 6.0.4.1

PRACTICE DRILLS ............................................................. 28

SECTION 6.0.4.2

OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT ........................................... 28

SECTION 6.0.4.3

REACTIVATION OF EQUIPMENT...................................... 28

SECTION 6.0.4.4

INSPECTION AND SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
WORK ................................................................................ 28

SECTION 6.0.4.5

COMMAND AT FIRE SCENE ............................................ 28

RULE 7. ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THE BFP............................. 29
DIVISION 1.

POLICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT ................ 29

SECTION 7.0.1.1

FROM PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE ............................ 29

SECTION 7.0.1.2

FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS .............................. 29

SECTION 7.0.1.3

FROM OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ............ 30

DIVISION 2.

OTHER AGENCIES’ SUPPORT........................................................ 30

SECTION 7.0.2.1

COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES .................... 30

RULE 8. FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERS .................................................... 31
CHAPTER 1.

QUALIFICATIONS OF FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERS..................................... 31

DIVISION 1.

CHAPTER 2.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ............................................................ 31

SECTION 8.1.1.1

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS ................................................ 31

SECTION 8.1.1.2

PLAN EVALUATORS.......................................................... 32

FUNCTIONS OF FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERS .............................................. 32

DIVISION 1.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DESIGNATED FIRE SAFETY
ENFORCERS .................................................................................... 32

SECTION 8.2.1.1

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS ................................................ 32

SECTION 8.2.1.2

PLAN EVALUATORS.......................................................... 33

RULE 9. ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF FIRE SAFETYMEASURES .......................................................................... 33
DIVISION 1.

GENERAL ........................................................................................ 33

DIVISION 2.

FIRE SAFETY EVALUATION AND INSPECTION ............................. 34

SECTION 9.0.2.1

BUILDING PLAN REVIEW .................................................. 34

SECTION 9.0.2.2

INSPECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION ......................... 34

SECTION 9.0.2.3

INSPECTION AFTER COMPLETION OF
CONSTRUCTION............................................................... 35

SECTION 9.0.2.4

BUSINESS AND ROUTINE INSPECTION ............................ 36ii

DIVISION 3.

FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY ASSESSMENT REPORT .............................. 37

SECTION 9.0.3.1

APPLICABILITY .................................................................. 37

SECTION 9.0.3.2

PROCEDURES ................................................................... 37

SECTION 9.0.3.3

FORMAT OF PREPARATION ............................................ 37

DIVISION 4.

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE ........................................ 42

SECTION 9.0.4.1

FSIC AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR ISSUANCE OF
PERMIT/LICENSE ............................................................... 42

SECTION 9.0.4.2

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS ................................... 42

DIVISION 5.

FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE ............................................................. 42

DIVISION 6.

FIRE INSURANCE DATA REQUIRED .............................................. 43

RULE 10. FIRE SAFETY MEASURES ...................................................... 43
CHAPTER 1.

COVERAGE ............................................................................................. 43

CHAPTER 2.

FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES & FACILITIES .......................... 43

DIVISION 1.

SCOPE....................................................................................... 43

DIVISION 2.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................ 43

DIVISION 3.

CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY ............................................ 46

DIVISION 4.

HAZARD OF BUILDINGS ................................................................ 50

SECTION 10.2.4.1

GENERAL .......................................................................... 50

SECTION 10.2.4.2

CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARD OF CONTENTS ............... 50

DIVISION 5.

MEANS OF EGRESS ........................................................................ 51

SECTION 10.2.5.1

APPLICATION ................................................................... 51

SECTION 10.2.5.2

GENERAL PROVISIONS .................................................... 51

SECTION 10.2.5.3

DOORS .............................................................................. 58

SECTION 10.2.5.4

STAIRS ................................................................................ 63

SECTION 10.2.5.5

OUTSIDE STAIRS ................................................................ 73

SECTION 10.2.5.6

HORIZONTAL EXITS ........................................................... 73

SECTION 10.2.5.7

RAMPS............................................................................... 77

SECTION 10.2.5.8

EXIT PASSAGEWAYS ........................................................ 78

SECTION 10.2.5.9

ESCALATORS AND MOVING WALKS ............................. 79

SECTION 10.2.5.10

FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS, LADDERS AND SLIDEESCAPES ........................................................................... 79

SECTION 10.2.5.11

ILLUMINATION OF MEANS OF EGRESS .......................... 85

SECTION 10.2.5.12

EXIT MARKING .................................................................. 86

SECTION 10.2.5.13

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN ................................. 88

DIVISION 6.

FEATURES OF FIRE PROTECTION .................................................. 88

SECTION 10.2.6.1

CONSTRUCTION AND COMPARTMENTATION ............. 88iii

SECTION 10.2.6.2

PROTECTION OF VERTICAL OPENING ANDCOMBUSTIBLE CONCEALED SPACES ............................ 88

SECTION 10.2.6.3

INTERIOR FINISH ................................................................ 93

SECTION 10.2.6.4

FIRE DETECTION, ALARM, AND COMMUNICATIONSYSTEMS ............................................................................ 95

SECTION 10.2.6.5

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS AND OTHER
EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT........................................... 99

SECTION 10.2.6.6

STANDPIPES .................................................................... 100

SECTION 10.2.6.7

PORTABLE AND WHEELED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ......... 109

SECTION 10.2.6.8

SEGREGATION AND PROTECTION OF HAZARDS ....... 117

SECTION 10.2.6.9

SMOKE PARTITIONS........................................................ 117

SECTION 10.2.6.10

FIRE DOORS .................................................................... 118

DIVISION 7.

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT ................................................. 118

SECTION 10.2.7.1

UTILITIES ........................................................................... 118

SECTION 10.2.7.2

HEATING, VENTILATING AND AIRCONDITIONING ..... 119

SECTION 10.2.7.3

SMOKE VENTING ............................................................ 119

SECTION 10.2.7.4

RUBBISH CHUTES, LAUNDRY CHUTES, AND
FLUE-FED INCINERATORS .............................................. 119

SECTION 10.2.7.5

ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS .................................... 120

SECTION 10.2.7.6

INSTALLATION CLEARANCE.......................................... 120

DIVISION 8.

PLACES OF ASSEMBLY ................................................................ 120

SECTION 10.2.8.1

OCCUPANT LOAD ......................................................... 120

SECTION 10.2.8.2

EXIT DETAILS .................................................................... 121

SECTION 10.2.8.3

STAGE AND ENCLOSED PLATFORM ............................ 125

SECTION 10.2.8.4

PROJECTION BOOTH..................................................... 127

SECTION 10.2.8.5

DECORATIVE MATERIAL ................................................ 128

SECTION 10.2.8.6

PYROXYLIN COATED FABRIC ....................................... 128

SECTION 10.2.8.7

MOTION PICTURE SCREENS, STAGE CURTAINS AND
DRAPES ........................................................................... 128

SECTION 10.2.8.8

PROTECTION .................................................................. 128

SECTION 10.2.8.9

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT ................................... 130

SECTION 10.2.8.10

PLAN OF EXIT WAYS AISLES........................................... 130

SECTION 10.2.8.11

OVERCROWDING ......................................................... 131

SECTION 10.2.8.12

STANDBY FIREMEN ......................................................... 131

SECTION 10.2.8.13

OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY.................................................... 131

SECTION 10.2.8.14

UNDERGROUND STRUCTURE AND WINDOWLESSBUILDINGS....................................................................... 131

SECTION 10.2.8.15

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR EXHIBITIONS HALLS .......... 132

SECTION 10.2.8.16

EXISTING PLACES OF ASSEMBLY .................................. 132

iv

SECTION 10.2.8.17

PROJECTION ROOMS FOR SAFETY FILM ..................... 132

SECTION 10.2.8.18

OPEN FLAME .................................................................. 134

DIVISION 9.

EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES ................................................. 134

SECTION 10.2.9.1

OCCUPANCY AND OCCUPANT LOAD ...................... 134

SECTION 10.2.9.2

EXIT DETAILS .................................................................... 135

SECTION 10.2.9.3

LIGHTING AND SIGNS.................................................... 137

SECTION 10.2.9.4

WINDOWS FOR RESCUE AND VENTILATION ............... 138

SECTION 10.2.9.5

PROTECTION .................................................................. 138

SECTION 10.2.9.6

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT ................................... 139

SECTION 10.2.9.7

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR FLEXIBLE PLAN AND
OPEN PLAN BUILDINGS ................................................. 140

SECTION 10.2.9.8

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR PRE-SCHOOLS .................. 143

SECTION 10.2.9.9

UNDERGROUND AND WINDOWLESS EDUCATIONAL
BUILDINGS....................................................................... 143

SECTION 10.2.9.10

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR COMBINEDOCCUPANCIES .............................................................. 144

SECTION 10.2.9.11

EXISTING EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS ........................... 144

SECTION 10.2.9.12

CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS .......................................... 145

DIVISION 10. HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIES .................................................. 150
SECTION 10.2.10.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................. 150

SECTION 10.2.10.2

EXIT DETAILS .................................................................... 153

SECTION 10.2.10.3

PROTECTION .................................................................. 156

SECTION 10.2.10.4

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT ................................... 160

DIVISION 11. DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL OCCUPANCIES ................ 161
SECTION 10.2.11.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................. 161

SECTION 10.2.11.2

EXIT DETAILS .................................................................... 163

SECTION 10.2.11.3

PROTECTION .................................................................. 165

SECTION 10.2.11.4

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT ................................... 169

DIVISION 12. RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES ..................................................... 169
SECTION 10.2.12.1

CLASSIFICATION ............................................................ 169

SECTION 10.2.12.2

REQUIREMENTS............................................................... 170

SECTION 10.2.12.3

HOTELS AND DORMITORIES .......................................... 171

SECTION 10.2.12.4

APARTMENT BUILDINGS ................................................ 177

SECTION 10.2.12.5

LODGING OR ROOMING HOUSES .............................. 181

SECTION 10.2.12.6

SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS ....................... 182

DIVISION 13. MERCANTILE OCCUPANClES .................................................... 183
SECTION 10.2.13.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................. 183

SECTION 10.2.13.2

EXIT DETAILS .................................................................... 186

SECTION 10.2.13.3

PROTECTION .................................................................. 189v

SECTION 10.2.13.4

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT ................................... 191

SECTION 10.2.13.5

SPECIAL PROVISIONS .................................................... 191

DIVISION 14. BUSINESS OCCUPANCIES ........................................................... 193
SECTION 10.2.14.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................. 193

SECTION 10.2.14.2

EXIT DETAILS .................................................................... 194

SECTION 10.2.14.3

PROTECTION .................................................................. 198

SECTION 10.2.14.4

BUILDING SERVICE UTILITIES .......................................... 201

SECTION 10.2.14.5

COMBINED BUSINESS AND MERCANTILE
OCCUPANCY ................................................................ 202

SECTION 10.2.14.6

HIGH RISE BUILDINGS .................................................... 202

DIVISION 15. INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIES ....................................................... 202
SECTION 10.2.15.1

REQUIREMENTS............................................................... 202

SECTION 10.2.15.2

EXIT DETAILS .................................................................... 203

SECTION 10.2.15.3

PROTECTION .................................................................. 205

DIVISION 16. STORAGE OCCUPANCIES .......................................................... 207
SECTION 10.2.16.1

GENERAL STORAGE OCCUPANCIES........................... 207

SECTION 10.2.16.2

PROTECTION .................................................................. 208

SECTION 10.2.16.3

SPECIAL PROVISION FOR PARKING STRUCTURES ...... 209

SECTION 10.2.16.4

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR AIRCRAFT HANGARS....... 210

SECTION 10.2.16.5

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR GRAIN ELEVATORS .......... 211

DIVISION 17. MISCELLANEOUS STRUCTURES ................................................... 211
SECTION 10.2.17.1

TOWERS ........................................................................... 211

SECTION 10.2.17.2

PIERS AND WATER-SURROUNDED STRUCTURE ........... 212

SECTION 10.2.17.3

IMMOBILIZED VEHICLE AND VESSELS ........................... 213

SECTION 10.2.17.4

UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES AND WINDOWLESSBUILDINGS....................................................................... 213

DIVISION 18. OPERATING FEATURES ................................................................ 214
SECTION 10.2.18.1

GENERAL ........................................................................ 214

SECTION 10.2.18.2

PLACES OF ASSEMBLY ................................................... 216

SECTION 10.2.18.3

EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES ................................... 218

SECTION 10.2.18.4

HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIES ..................................... 219

SECTION 10.2.18.5

RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES ........................................ 220

SECTION 10.2.18.6

MERCANTILE, BUSINESS, AND INDUSTRIAL
OCCUPANCIES .............................................................. 220

DIVISION 19. SPECIAL PROVISION FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS ..................... 220
SECTION 10.2.19.1

SCOPE ............................................................................. 220

SECTION 10.2.19.2

DEFINITION ...................................................................... 220

SECTION 10.2.19.3

SMOKE CONTROL .......................................................... 221

vi

SECTION 10.2.19.4

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS PROTECTION ................................ 221

SECTION 10.2.19.5

FIRE COMMAND CENTER ............................................. 221

SECTION 10.2.19.6

STAIRWELLS ..................................................................... 222

SECTION 10.2.19.7

FIRST-AID PROTECTION.................................................. 223

SECTION 10.2.19.8

APPLICABILITY OF ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF
THIS CODE ...................................................................... 223

DIVISION 20. AERODROME FACILITIES............................................................. 223

CHAPTER 3.

SECTION 10.2.20.1

GENERAL FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ........................ 223

SECTION 10.2.20.2

REFUELLER UNITS ............................................................ 226

SECTION 10.2.20.3

HELISTOPS ....................................................................... 229

FIRE SAFETY FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ......................................... 230

DIVISION 1.

SCOPE ........................................................................................... 230

SECTION 10.3.1.1

APPLICABILITY ................................................................ 230

SECTION 10.3.1.2

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS ............... 230

DIVISION 2.

FIRE CLEARANCE ......................................................................... 230

DIVISION 3.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS .......................................................... 231

DIVISION 4.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS............................................................ 232

SECTION 10.3.4.1

SOLID ............................................................................... 232

SECTION 10.3.4.1.1

CELLULOSE NITRATE PLASTIC (PYROXYLIN) ................ 232

SECTION 10.3.4.1.2

COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS ..................................................... 234

SECTION 10.3.4.1.3

COMBUSTIBLE COMMODITIES...................................... 236

SECTION 10.3.4.1.4

MATCHES ........................................................................ 245

SECTION 10.3.4.1.5

MAGNESIUM .................................................................. 246

SECTION 10.3.4.2

LIQUID ............................................................................. 251

SECTION 10.3.4.2.

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS .................. 251

SECTION 10.3.4.3

GAS ................................................................................. 289

SECTION 10.3.4.3.1

CRYOGENIC FLUIDS ...................................................... 289

SECTION 10.3.4.3.2

MEDICAL AND RELATED COMPRESSED GASES ......... 299

SECTION 10.3.4.3.3

LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES ..................................... 307

SECTION 10.3.5.3.4

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS AS VEHICLE FUEL ........ 313

SECTION 10.3.4.4

OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS ... 332

SECTION 10.3.4.4.1

SCOPE ............................................................................. 332

SECTION 10.3.4.4.2

OXIDIZING MATERIALS................................................... 332

SECTION 10.3.4.4.3

RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS............................................. 332

SECTION 10.3.4.4.4

POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CHEMICALS ......................... 333

SECTION 10.3.4.4.5

ORGANIC PEROXIDES ................................................... 333

SECTION 10.3.4.4.6

NITROMETHANE.............................................................. 334

vii

SECTION 10.3.4.4.7

AMMONIUM NITRATE .................................................... 334

SECTION 10.3.4.4.8

HIGHLY TOXIC MATERIALS ............................................ 335

SECTION 10.3.4.4.9

POISONOUS GASES ....................................................... 336

SECTION 10.3.4.4.10 CORROSIVE LIQUIDS ..................................................... 336
SECTION 10.3.4.4.11 STORAGE CABINETS FOR HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS ...................................................................... 336
SECTION 10.3.4.4.12 DESIGNATION OF CARGO ........................................... 336
SECTION 10.3.4.4.13 HAZARDOUS INSULATOR/CUSHIONING
MATERIALS ...................................................................... 336
SECTION 10.3.4.4.14 FIRE PROTECTION ........................................................... 337

CHAPTER 4.

FIRE SAFETY FOR HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS ...................................... 337

DIVISION 1.

SCOPE ........................................................................................... 337

DIVISION 2.

SALVAGE YARDS ......................................................................... 338

SECTION 10.4.2.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................. 338

SECTION 10.4.2.2

FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR
HOTWORK OPERATIONS ............................................... 338

SECTION 10.4.2.3

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 338

SECTION 10.4.2.4

OPERATION .................................................................... 339

SECTION 10.4.2.5

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 339

DIVISION 3.

BOWLING ALLEYS RESURFACING AND REFINISHING ............. 339

SECTION 10.4.3.1

GENERAL ........................................................................ 339

SECTION 10.4.3.2

FIRE CLEARANCE REQUIRED ........................................ 339

SECTION 10.4.3.3

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 339

SECTION 10.4.3.4

OPERATION .................................................................... 339

SECTION 10.4.3.5

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 340

DIVISION 4.

DUST PRODUCING MACHINES .................................................. 340

SECTION 10.4.4.1

FIRE CLEARANCE REQUIRED ........................................ 340

SECTION 10.4.4.2

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 340

SECTION 10.4.4.3

OPERATION .................................................................... 340

SECTION 10.4.4.4

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 341

DIVISION 5.

EXPLOSIVES, AMMUNITION AND BLASTING AGENTS ............. 341

SECTION 10.4.5.1

APPLICATION ................................................................. 341

SECTION 10.4.5.2

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE (FSIC)REQUIRED ....................................................................... 341

SECTION 10.4.5.3

STORAGE ....................................................................... 342

SECTION 10.4.5.4

USE AND HANDLING ..................................................... 343

SECTION 10.4.5.5

TRANSPORTATION.......................................................... 344

viii

DIVISION 6.

FIREWORKS ................................................................................... 344

SECTION 10.4.6.1

APPLICATION ................................................................. 344

SECTION 10.4.6.2

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE (FSIC)REQUIRED ....................................................................... 345

SECTION 10.4.6.3

MANUFACTURING PLANTS/PROCESSINGSTATIONS ......................................................................... 345

SECTION 10.4.6.4

STORAGE ........................................................................ 346

SECTION 10.4.6.5

DISPLAY CENTER ............................................................ 346

SECTION 10.4.6.6

CLEARANCE FOR FIREWORKS EXHIBITION .................. 346

SECTION 10.4.6.7

REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREWORKS EXHIBITION ............. 346

SECTION 10.4.6.8

DISPOSAL OF UNFIRED FIREWORKS ............................. 347

DIVISION 7.

APPLICATION OF FLAMMABLE FINISHES .................................. 347

SECTION 10.4.7.1

FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE .............................................. 347

SECTION 10.4.7.2

SPRAY FINISHING OPERATION OR PROCESSES .......... 347

SECTION 10.4.7.3

DIPPING AND COATING PROCESSES ......................... 356

SECTION 10.4.7.4

ELECTROSTATIC APPARATUS ........................................ 361

SECTION 10.4.7.5

AUTOMOBILE UNDERCOATING ................................... 363

SECTION 10.4.7.6

POWDER COATING ....................................................... 363

SECTION 10.4.7.7

ORGANIC PEROXIDES AND DUAL COMPONENTCOATINGS ...................................................................... 365

DIVISION 8.

RIPENING PROCESSES ................................................................. 366

SECTION 10.4.8.1

FSIC REQUIRED ............................................................... 366

SECTION 10.4.8.2

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 366

SECTION 10.4.8.3

OPERATION .................................................................... 367

SECTION 10.4.8.4

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 368

DIVISION 9.

FUMIGATION AND THERMAL INSECTICIDAL FOGGING ......... 368

SECTION 10.4.9.1

FIRE CLEARANCE ........................................................... 368

SECTION 10.4.9.2

SOURCES OF IGNITION ................................................. 369

SECTION 10.4.9.3

WATCH PERSONNEL ...................................................... 369

SECTION 10.4.9.4

SEALING OF BUILDING .................................................. 369

SECTION 10.4.9.5

WARNING SIGNS ........................................................... 369

SECTION 10.4.9.6

VENTING AND CLEANUP .............................................. 370

SECTION 10.4.9.7

THERMAL INSECTICIDAL FOGGING LIQUIDS .............. 370

SECTION 10.4.9.8

RESTRICTED FUMIGANTS ............................................... 370

DIVISION 10. REPAIR GARAGES ....................................................................... 370
SECTION 10.4.10.1

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 370

SECTION 10.4.10.2

OPERATION .................................................................... 372

SECTION 10.4.10.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 372

ix

DIVISION 11. LUMBER YARDS, WOOD PROCESSING AND
WOODWORKING FACILITIES...................................................... 373
SECTION 10.4.11.1

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 373

SECTION 10.4.11.2

OPERATION .................................................................... 375

SECTION 10.4.11.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 376

DIVISION 12. MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION ................................................. 377
SECTION 10.4.12.1

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 378

SECTION 10.4.12.2

OPERATION .................................................................... 378

SECTION 10.4.12.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 379

DIVISION 13. MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION ................................................ 380
SECTION 10.4.13.1

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 380

SECTION 10.4.13.2

OPERATION .................................................................... 380

SECTION 10.4.13.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 380

DIVISION 14. OIL-BURNING EQUIPMENT .......................................................... 381
SECTION 10.4.14.1

GENERAL INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS.................... 381

SECTION 10.4.14.2

CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE............................................................... 381

DIVISION 15. ORGANIC COATINGS ................................................................ 386
SECTION 10.4.15.1

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 386

SECTION 10.4.15.2

OPERATION .................................................................... 390

SECTION 10.4.15.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 392

DIVISION 16. INDUSTRIAL OVENS...................................................................... 394
SECTION 10.4.16.1

CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 394

SECTION 10.4.16.2

OPERATION .................................................................... 395

SECTION 10.4.16.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 395

DIVISION 17. HOTWORKS OPERATION ............................................................ 397
SECTION 10.4.17.1 FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE FOR HOTWORKSOPERATION .................................................................... 397
SECTION 10.4.17.2

LOCATIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ......................... 397

SECTION 10.4.17.3

OPERATION .................................................................... 398

SECTION 10.4.17.4

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 402

DIVISION 18. SAFEGUARDING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION
AND ALTERATION OPERATIONS ................................................ 405
SECTION 10.4.18.1

FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM ................................................. 405

SECTION 10.4.18.2

SAFE GUARDING DURING CONSTRUCTION ............... 406

SECTION 10.4.18.3

SAFEGUARDING DURING DEMOLITION ...................... 407

SECTION 10.4.18.4

DEMOLITION USING EXPLOSIVES ................................. 407

SECTION 10.4.18.5

SAFEGUARDING DURING ALTERATIONS ..................... 407

SECTION 10.4.18.6

SAFEGUARDING UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS ....... 407

x

CHAPTER 5.

MISCELLANEOUS SAFETY MEASURES ................................................... 409

DIVISION 1.

WATER AND WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS .................... 409

SECTION 10.5.1.1

SCOPE ............................................................................. 409

SECTION 10.5.1.2

GENERAL SAFETY PRACTICES ....................................... 409

SECTION 10.5.1.3

HAZARD EVALUATION ................................................... 410

SECTION 10.5.1.4

PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT CONTROL ....................... 410

SECTION 10.5.1.5

VENTILATION .................................................................. 411

SECTION 10.5.1.6

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION .................................. 413

SECTION 10.5.1.7

EDUCATION .................................................................... 414

SECTION 10.5.1.8

FIRE PROTECTION........................................................... 414

DIVISION 2.

SMOKING ..................................................................................... 417

SECTION 10.5.2.1

DESIGNATED AND PROHIBITED SMOKING AREAS ..... 417

SECTION 10.5.2.2

NO SMOKING SIGNAGES ............................................. 417

DIVISION 3.

MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ............... 418

SECTION 10.5.3.1

SCOPE ............................................................................. 418

SECTION 10.5.3.2

MANUFACTURE AND SALE .......................................... 418

SECTION 10.5.3.3

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE ................................. 420

SECTION 10.5.3.4

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY ................................... 420

SECTION 10.5.3.5

PROHIBITED TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS......................... 421

SECTION 10.5.3.6

PROHIBITED ACTS........................................................... 421

DIVISION 4.

OPEN BURNING ........................................................................... 422

SECTION 10.5.4.1

WHEN ALLOWED............................................................ 422

SECTION 10.5.4.2

EXCEPTIONS ................................................................... 422

SECTION 10.5.4.3

PROHIBITION ON OPEN BURNING ............................... 422

SECTION 10.5.4.5

PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING FIRE SAFETY
CLEARANCE ................................................................... 423

SECTION 10.5.4.6

RESPONSIBLE PERSON FOR OUTDOOR BURNING ...... 423

DIVISION 5.

INCINERATOR ............................................................................... 424

DIVISION 6.

USE OF EQUIPMENT, APPLIANCES, DEVICES AND VACANT
BUILDINGS .................................................................................... 424

SECTION 10.5.6.1

TOY BALLOONS .............................................................. 424

SECTION 10.5.6.2

TRACER BULLETS AND SIMILAR DEVICES ..................... 424

SECTION 10.5.6.3

ASPHALT KETTLES ............................................................ 424

SECTION 10.5.6.4

ELECTRICAL WIRING AND OTHER DEVICES ................ 424

SECTION 10.5.6.5

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES/DEVICES............................. 425

SECTION 10.5.6.6

TRAPDOORS TO BE CLOSED ........................................ 425

SECTION 10.5.6.7

SHAFTWAYS TO BE MARKED ......................................... 425

xi

SECTION 10.5.6.8

USE OF TORCHES OR FLAME-PRODUCING DEVICESFOR REMOVING PAINT ................................................. 425

SECTION 10.5.6.9

HAZARDOUS WARNING LIGHTS ................................... 425

SECTION 10.5.6.10

OPEN FLAME DEVICES IN PORTS/WHARVES .............. 426

SECTION 10.5.6.11

VACATING PREMISES .................................................... 426

SECTION 10.5.6.12

VACANT BUILDINGS ...................................................... 426

DIVISION 7.

URBAN AND RURAL PRE-FIRE PLANNING ................................. 426

SECTION 10.5.7.1

HYDRANT ........................................................................ 426

SECTION 10.5.7.2

FIRE LANE ........................................................................ 427

RULE 11. PROHIBITED ACTS ............................................................. 427
SECTION 11.0.0.1

PROHIBITED ACTS AND OMISSIONS ............................ 427

RULE 12. FIRE CODE TAXES, FEES/CHARGES AND FINES ............... 428
SECTION 12.0.0.1

SOURCES OF INCOME .................................................. 428

SECTION 12.0.0.2

FIRE CODE REVENUES ................................................... 429

SECTION 12.0.0.3

ASSESSMENT ................................................................... 430

SECTION 12.0.0.4

SCHEDULE OF FEES AND FINES..................................... 431

SECTION 12.0.0.5

MANNER OF COLLECTION ........................................... 445

SECTION 12.0.0.6

DESIGNATION OF COLLECTING OFFICER................... 446

SECTION 12.0.0.7

UTILIZATION ..................................................................... 446

SECTION 12.0.0.8

MONITORING ................................................................. 446

SECTION 12.0.0.9

LOCAL TAXES, FEES AND FINES .................................... 447

RULE 13. ADMINISTRATIVE COURSES OF ACTION ......................... 447
SECTION 13.0.0.1

GENERAL GUIDELINES ................................................... 447

SECTION 13.0.0.2

FIXING OF FINES ............................................................. 448

SECTION 13.0.0.3

JURISDICTION ................................................................. 449

SECTION 13.0.0.4

GENERAL PROCEDURES .............................................. 450

SECTION 13.0.0.5

PUBLIC NUISANCE ......................................................... 452

SECTION 13.0.0.6

PERIOD FOR CORRECTING VIOLATIONS .................... 453

SECTION 13.0.0.7

PENALTIES FOR SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS........................ 457

RULE 14. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ........................................ 460
SECTION 14.0.0.1

APPEAL ........................................................................... 460

SECTION14.0.0.2

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ................................................ 460

SECTION 14.0.0.3

IMPLEMENTING DETAILS ................................................ 460

SECTION 14.0.0.4

GENERAL POWERS OF THE CHIEF, BFP......................... 461

SECTION 14.0.0.5

SEPARABILITY CLAUSE ................................................... 461

SECTION 14.0.0.6

REPEALING AND AMENDING CLAUSE ........................ 461

SECTION 14.0.0.7

EFFECTIVITY ..................................................................... 461

xii

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1:CAPACITY FACTORS .................................................................................... 52

Table 2:DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA FOR NEW STAIRS ................................................ 64

Table 3:

DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA FOR EXISTING STAIRS ......................................... 64

Table 4:NEW STAIR WIDTH ......................................................................................... 64

Table 5:DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA FOR NEW RAMPS ............................................... 77

Table 6:

DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA FOR FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS ................................... 80

Table 7:

STANDPIPE PRESSURE AT HOUSE OUTLET AND SIZE OF ORIFICE ........... 105

Table 8:SIZING FOR STANDPIPE DRAINS ................................................................ 109

Table 9:

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLASS A
HAZARDS ..................................................................................................... 115

Table 10:

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLASS B
HAZARDS ..................................................................................................... 116

Table 11:

CAPACITY FACTORS FOR THEATER TYPE SEATING ................................. 121

Table 12:NUMBER OF STAIRS PER TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION BY AGEGROUP ......................................................................................................... 148

Table 13:HAZARDOUS AREA OPERATION ............................................................... 168

Table 14:

STORAGE OF COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS.......................................................... 235

Table 15:

STANDARDS OF VENTING FOR THE STORAGE AND HANDLINGOF COMBUSTIBLE COMMODITIES ............................................................ 237

Table 16:SPRINKLER DISCHARGE DENSITIES FOR COMBUSTIBLE
COMMODITIES NOT EXCEEDING 640 cm IN HEIGHT, BY
HAZARD CLASSIFICATION ......................................................................... 244

Table 17:MINIMUM AREAS OF SPRINKLER DISCHARGE FOR COMBUSTIBLE
COMMODITIES, BY HAZARD CLASSIFICATION ....................................... 244

Table 18:

INDOOR PORTABLE CONTAINER STORAGE FOR FLAMMABLE
LIQUIDS ........................................................................................................ 253

Table 19:SPRINKLER SYSTEMS FOR INSIDE STORAGE AND HANDLINGROOMS OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS .......................................................... 255

Table 20:

STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS IN CLOSEDCONTAINERS OUTSIDE OF BUILDINGS ..................................................... 256

Table 21:

OUTDOOR PORTABLE TANK STORAGE .................................................... 256

Table 22:

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT HAZARDOUS AREA SERVICESTATIONS ...................................................................................................... 271

Table 23:

FIRE EXTINGUISHER SIZE AND PLACEMENT FOR CLASS B
HAZARDS ..................................................................................................... 274

xiii

Table 24:

MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM THE EDGE OF BELOWGROUND
AND INGROUND CRYOGENIC CONTAINERS BASED ON
CONTAINER CAPACITY ............................................................................. 294

Table 25:

PROPERTIES OF CRYOGENIC FLUIDS ....................................................... 298

Table 26:MINIMUM DISTANCES OF LPG CONTAINERS OUTSIDEBUILDINGS, BY WATER CAPACITY ........................................................... 309

Table 27:

CONTAINER (AND CONTAINER HOUSING AND FITTING)
ROAD CLEARANCE .................................................................................... 316

Table 28:

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN CNG SERVICE STATIONS ...................... 326

Table 29:MINIMUM THICKNESS OF SPRAY BOOTH EXHAUST DUCTS,BY DIAMETER ............................................................................................... 352

Table 30:

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FROM EXHAUST DUCTS AND
UNPROTECTED COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION FOR SPRAY
BOOTHS, BY TYPE OF PROTECTION USED ................................................ 353

Table 31:

DIAMATER OF BOTTOM DRAIN PIPES, BY TANK CAPACITY .................. 357

Table 32:

FIRE RESISTANCE RATING OF EXPOSING WALL OF ORGANICCOATING FACTORIES, BY DISTANCE FROM ADJOINING
PROPERTY OR STRUCTURE ......................................................................... 386

Table 33:MINIMUM VENTILATION RATES IN WATER AND WASTE WATERTREATMENT PLANTS .................................................................................... 412

xiv

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES OF 2008”

Pursuant to the provision of Section 14 in relation to Section 5 of Republic Act
No. 9514, entitled “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1185, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES”, the following Rules and Regulations are hereby adopted in orderto carry out the provisions of this Code.

RULE 1. INTERPRETATIONThis IRR shall be interpreted in the light of the Declaration of Policy found in
Section 2 of the Code:“It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety, promoteeconomic development through the prevention and suppression of
all kinds, of destructive fires, and promote the professionalization of
the fire service as a profession. Towards this end, the State shallenforce all laws, rules and regulations to ensure adherence tostandard fire prevention and safety measures, and promoteaccountability in the fire protection and prevention service.”

RULE 2. COVERAGE
This IRR shall cover the following:
A. All persons;
B. All private or public buildings, facilities or structures and their premises
erected or constructed before and after the effectivity hereof;
C. Design and installation of mechanical, electronics and electrical systems
relative to fire protection;
D. Manufacturing, storage, handling and/or use, and transportation of
explosives and/or combustible, flammable liquids and gases, toxic andother hazardous materials and operations, and their wastes;
E. Fire safety planning, design,
rehabilitation and demolition;

construction,

F. Fire protective and warning equipment or systems;

repair,maintenance,

G. All land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships or vessels docked atpiers or wharves or anchored in seaports; andH. Petroleum industry installations.

RULE 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS
For purposes of this IRR, the following terms, or words or phrases shall mean or
be understood as follows:
Abatement. Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.
Building Administrator. Any person who acts as agent of the owner andmanages the use of a building for the latter.
Aerodrome. An airport, a defined area on land or water (including any
building, installation and equipment) intended to be used wholly or in part for
the arrival, departure and surface movement of aircrafts.
Air Carrier or Operator. A person who undertakes, whether directly or
indirectly, by lease or any other arrangements, to engage in air transportation
services or air commerce.
Aircraft Engine. Any engine used, or intended to be used, for the propulsion ofan aircraft and includes all parts, appurtenances, and accessories thereof
other than propellers.
Aircraft Operation Area (AOA). Any area used or intended for use for theparking, taxiing, takeoff, landing or other ground-based aircraft activity.
Aircraft. Any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from thereactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s
surface.
Aircrafts Service Station. That portion of an airport where flammable liquids
are stored or dispensed and shall include all facilities essential thereto, such as
but not limited to, underground tanks from which aircraft fuel and lubricants
may be drawn through dispensing devices.
Airport. Any area of land or water designed, equipped, set apart orcommonly used for affording facilities for the landing and departure ofaircraft and includes any area or space, whether on the ground, on the roofof a building or elsewhere, which is designed, equipped or set apart for
affording facilities for the landing and departure of aircrafts capable ofdescending or climbing vertically.

2

Anesthetics Gas. A medical gas used as anesthetic agents for surgicalprocedures that could either be flammable or non-flammable. Examples offlammable anesthetics are cyclopropane and ethylene. Examples of nonflammable anesthetic gases are nitrous oxides and halothane.
Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Arena stage. A stage or platform that opens on at least three (3) sides toaudience seating. It may be with or without overhead scene handlingfacilities.
Authorized Government Depository Bank (AGDB) or Authorized Government
Servicing Bank (AGSB). Government servicing banks such as Land Bank of
the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), United
Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), and Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), whereinfire code revenues are deposited for subsequent remittance to the Bureau ofTreasury (BOT).
Automatic Fire Suppression System. An integrated system of underground or
overhead piping or both connected to a source of extinguishing agent or
medium and designed in accordance with fire protection engineering
standards which, when actuated by its automatic detecting device,suppresses fires within the area protected.
Automotive Service Station. That portion of property where liquids used as
motor fuels are stored and dispensed from fixed equipment into the fuel tanksof motor vehicles and shall include any facilities available for the sale andservice of tires, batteries and accessories, and for minor automotive
maintenance work.
Baffle. A non liquid-tight transverse partition in a cargo tank.
Bale. A large bundle or package of hay or a raw material such as cotton,
tightly bound with string or wire to keep it in shape during transportation orstorage.
Below Ground Container. A storage installation in which the maximum liquid
level in the container below the surrounding grade or below a backfill berm,
which is at least two hundred fifty centimeters (250 cm) wide at the top, andthen slopes away from the container at natural angle of repose or is retained
two hundred fifty centimeters (250 cm) from the container by a retaining wall,and constructed of earth, concrete, solid masonry or other suitable material
designed to prevent the escape of liquid.
Berm. In open-pit mining, a berm refers to rocks piled alongside a haulage
road or along the edge of a dump point intended as a safety measure. They
are commonly required by government organizations to be at least one-half
as tall as the wheel of the largest mining machine on-site.

3

Blasting Agent. Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used
to set off explosives.
Blowout. A sudden release of oil and gas from a well.
Boiling point. The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals
the surrounding atmospheric pressure. Where an accurate boiling point isunavailable for the material in question, or for mixture which do not have aconstant boiling point, for purposes of this classification the ten percent (10%)
point of distillation performed in accordance with the Standard Method of
Test for Distillation of Petroleum Products ASTM D-86-62, may be used as theboiling point of the liquid.
Boil-over. The expulsion of crude oil (or certain other liquids) from a burningtank in which the light fractions of the crude oil burn off producing a heatwave in the residue, which on reaching a water strata may result in the
explosion of the portion of the contents of the tank in the form of a froth.
Brine. Any liquid cooled by the refrigerant and used for the transmission ofheat without a change in its state, having no flash point or a flash point
above sixty five and six-tenths Celsius (65.6°C) as determined by theAmerican Society of Testing Materials Method D93.
Brush. Land covered with a dense undergrowth of small trees and brushes.
Bulk Oxygen System. An assembly of equipment, such as oxygen storage
containers, pressure regulators, safety devices, vaporizers, manifolds, andinterconnecting piping, that has a storage capacity of more than five
hundred sixty six cubic meters (566 m3) of oxygen including unconnected
reserves on hand at the site.
Bulk Plant. That portion of a property where liquids are received by tankvessel, pipelines, tank cars, or tank vehicle, and are stored or blended in bulk
for the purpose of distributing such liquids by tank vessels, pipeline, tank car,tank vehicle, portable tank or container.
Bulkhead. A liquid-tight closure between compartments of a cargo tank.
Cargo Tank. Any tank having a liquid capacity more than four hundred fifty
liters (450ℓ) used for carrying flammable and combustible liquids andmounted permanently or otherwise upon a tank vehicle. The term “cargotank” does not apply to any container used solely for the purpose of
supplying fuel for the propulsion of the tank vehicle upon which it is mounted.
Cellulose Nitrate or Nitro Cellulose. A highly combustible and explosive
compound produced by the reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.
Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin). Any plastic substance, materials orcompound having cellulose nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.

4

City/Municipal Fire Marshal. The duly designated head of the City or
Municipal Fire Station including those designated as “Officer-in-Charge” or inan “Acting” capacity. This shall also apply to highly urbanized Cities andStations where by its approved organization the head is the District Fire
Marshal or Station Commander as the case maybe.
Chemical Plant. A large integrated plant or that portion of such plant otherthan a refinery or distillery where flammable or combustible liquids areproduced by chemical reactions or used in chemical reactions.
Class A Fires. Fires involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood,
cloth, rubber and plastics.
Class B Fires. Fires involving flammable liquids and gases.
Class C Fires. Fires involving energized electrical equipment.
Class D Fire. Fires involving combustible materials, such as sodium,magnesium, potassium, and other similar materials.
Class K Fires. Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking
media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).
Closed Container. Any container so sealed by means of a lid or other device
that neither liquid nor vapor will escape from it at ordinary temperatures.
Collecting Officer. An accountable officer, who shall be responsible in thecollection, deposit and remittance of fire code revenues from all fire code
taxes, fees/charges and fines with AGDB or AGSB.
Combination Standpipe. A pipeline system filled with water and connected toa constant water supply for the use of the BFP and the occupants of thebuildings solely for fire suppression purposes.
Combustible Fiber Loose House. An enclosed and isolated structure where
loose fibers are worked upon, and used as storage for such fibers.
Combustible Fibers. Any readily ignitable and free-burning fibers, such as but
not limited, to cocoa fiber, cotton, excelsior, hay, hemp, henequen, istle, jute,kapok, oakrum, rags, sisal, Spanish moss, straw, tow, waste cloth, waste
paper, certain synthetic fibers commonly used in commerce, or any material
in a fibrous or shredded form that will readily ignite when heat sources arepresent.
Combustible Liquid. Any liquid having a flash point at or above thirty sevenand eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C), and classified as follows:
Class II Liquid. Any liquid that has a flash point at or above thirty seven andeight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C) and below sixty degrees Celsius (60°C).

5

Class IIIA Liquid. Any liquid that has a flash point at or above sixty degrees
Celsius (60°C), but below ninety three degrees Celsius (93°C).
Class IIIB Liquid. Any liquid that has a flash point at or above ninety threedegrees Celsius (93°C).

Combustible Waste.
Also known as loose waste material, are thosegenerated by an establishment or process and, being salvageable, areretained for scrap or reprocessing on the premises where generated. These
include, but not limited to, all combustible fibers, hay, straw, hair, feathers,
down, wood shavings, turnings, styropor, all types of plastics, all types of
paper products, soiled cloth trimmings and cuttings, rubber trimmings andbuffings, metal fines, used oil and any mixture of the above items, or any
other salvageable combustible waste material.
Community/Barangay Fire Brigade. A group of firefighters performing fire
suppression activities within a specified jurisdiction.
Compressed Gas. One that exists solely in the gaseous state under pressure in
the range of two hundred seventy three kilopascal (273 KPa) to twenty fourthousand nine hundred twenty three kilopascal (24,923 KPa) at all normal
atmospheric temperature ranging from twenty degrees Celsius (20°C) tothirty seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C) inside its container.
Compressed Gas Container. A pressure container designed to holdcompressed gases at pressures greater than one atmosphere at twenty
degrees Celsius (20°C).
Compressed Gas Mixture. A mixture of two or more compressed gases
contained in a single packaging, the hazard properties of which are
represented by the properties of the mixture as a whole.
Compressed Gas System. An assembly of components, such as containers,
reactors, pumps, compressors and connecting piping and tubing, designed
to contain, distribute or transport compressed gases.
Container. Any vessel of less than two hundred twenty seven liters (227ℓ)
capacity used for transporting or storing liquids.
Corrosive Liquid. Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic
matter or with certain chemicals.
Crude Oil. Any naturally-occurring, unrefined petroleum liquid.
Cryogenic. Is descriptive of any material which, by its nature or as a result of
its reaction with other elements, produces a rapid drop in temperature of theimmediate surroundings.

6

Cryogenic Container. A pressure or low-pressure or atmospheric container ofany size designed or used for the transportation, handling or storage of acryogenic fluid, and which utilizes venting, insulation, refrigeration or a
combination thereof to maintain the pressure within the design
parameters for such container and to keep the contents in a liquid state.
Cryogenic Fluids. Fluids produced or stored at very low temperatures andthat have normal boiling point below negative fifty five degrees Celsius (55°C).
Cryogenic Inground Container. A container in which the maximum liquid
level is below the normal surrounding grade and is constructed of natural
materials, such as earth and rock and pendent upon the freezing of watersaturated earth materials for its tightness or impervious nature.
Curtain Board. A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials
attached to and extending below the bottom chord of the roof trusses todivide the underside of the roof into separate compartments so that heatand smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.
Customer Relations Officer (CRO). is an organic member of the Bureau of Fire
Protection who is tasked to attend to the immediate needs and concerns of
the customer, applicants or any taxpayer transacting business in aunit/station/office.
Damper. A normally open device installed inside air duct systems which
automatically closes to restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
Derrick. A framework that is constructed over a mine or oil well for the
purpose of boring or lowering pipes.
Detearing. A process for rapidly removing excess wet coating material from adipped or coated object or material by passing it through an electrostatic
field.
Dip Tank. A tank, vat or container of flammable or combustible liquid in whicharticles or materials are immersed for purposes of coating, finishing, treating,or similar processes.
Dispensing Device. Equipment used to deliver petroleum products such as
gasoline, diesel and kerosene: installed in a fore court/curve area within theretail outlet. Dispensing device can either be a self-contained or with aremote/submersible pump.
Distillation. The process of first raising the temperature to separate the morevolatile from the less volatile parts and then cooling and condensing theresulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified substance.

7

Distillery. A plant or that portion where liquids produced by fermentationand distillation are concentrated, and where the concentrated products
may also be mixed, stored, or packaged.
Drum. A container which has a total capacity of two hundred twenty seven
liters (227ℓ) used in storing liquid.
Dry Standpipe. A type of standpipe system in which the pipes are normallynot filled with water. Water is introduced into the system thru fire service
connections when needed.
Duct System. A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.
Dust. Any finely divided solid, four millimeters (4 mm) or less in diameter (thatis, material capable of passing through a U.S. No. 40 standard sieve) which, if
mixed with air in the proper proportion, becomes explosive and may be
ignited by a flame or spark or other source of ignition.
Electrical Arc. An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by the passage of anelectric current across a space between two conductors or terminals.
Electrostatic Fluidized Bed. A container holding powder coating material thatis aerated from below so as to form an air-supported expanded cloud of suchmaterial that is electrically charged with a charge opposite to that of theobject to be coated. Such object is transported through a container
immediately above the charged and aerated materials in order to becoated.
Ember. A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned,
and is still oxidizing without the manifestation of flames.
Enclosed Platform. A partially enclosed portion of an assembly room theceiling of which is not more than one hundred fifty five centimeters (155 cm)
above the proscenium opening that is designed or used for the presentationof plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment wherein scenery, drops,
decorations or other effects may be installed or used.
Explosive Magazines. Buildings, structures, or facilities used for the storage of
explosive, shells, projectiles and ammunitions.
Explosive. Includes any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that iscommonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion.
Finishes. Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental orprotective purposes.
Fire Alarm. Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system towarn the occupants of the building or fire fighting elements of the presenceor danger of fire.

8

Fire Alerting System. A fire alarm system activated by the presence of fire,
where the signal is transmitted to designated locations instead of sounding ageneral alarm.
Fire Brigade. A collective term that is used to refer to a group of firefighters,
primarily performing fire suppression activities in areas such as, but not limited
to, community/barangay, company, and other government and nongovernment establishments.
Fire Code Fees/Charges. Charges for regulation, inspection and other fireservice activities in the enforcement of the Fire Code and its IRR.
Fire Code Fines. Amount imposed for violators of the Fire Code and its IRR.
Fire Code Revenues or Revenues. Collective income derived from thecollection of fire code taxes, fees/charges and fines.
Fire Code Taxes. Taxes prescribed in Section 12, b.2 to b.6 of the Fire Code.
Fire Door. A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or
partitions.
Fire Exit Drill. A practice drill for the orderly and safe evacuation of occupantsin the buildings.
Fire Hazard. Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increasein the probability of the occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay,
hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations and the safeguarding of lifeand property.
Fire Lane. The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept
opened and unobstructed at all times for the expedient conduct of firefighting operations.
Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device. Any device intended for the protectionof buildings or persons to include, but not limited to, built-in protection systemsuch as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing system, detectors forheat, smoke and combustion products and other warning systemcomponents, personal protective equipment such as fire blankets, helmets,
fire suits, gloves and other garments that may be put on or worn by persons toprotect themselves during fire.
Fire Protective Assembly. An assembly incorporated in the structure designed
to prevent the spread of fire, such as dampers, curtain boards, fire stoppers
and the like.
Fire Resistance Rating. The time duration that a material or construction can
withstand the effect of a standard fire test.

9

Fire Safety Constructions. Refers to the design and installation of walls, barriers,
doors, windows, vents, means of egress and other elements integral to andincorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize danger to life
from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated. Thesefeatures are also designed to achieve, among others, safe and rapid
evacuation of people and properties through means of egress on
construction which are sealed from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or
smoke in the room or floor of origin and delay their spread to other parts ofthe building by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant doors, walls andfloors. It shall also mean to include the treatment of building components orcontents with flame retardant chemicals.
Fire Trap. A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or
because it lacks adequate exits or fire escapes.
Fire Volunteer Organization (FVO). An organized group of private firefightersrecognized by the BFP, who have voluntarily formed themselves to perform
fire-related activities.
Fire Volunteer. A person who voluntarily enters into firefighting service througha Fire Volunteer Organization (FVO) and undergoes the same discipline asthat of BFP firefighters.
Fire Wall. A wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire
resistance rating of not less than four (4) hours with sufficient structural stability
to remain standing even if construction on either side collapses under fireconditions.
Fire. The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light ofcombustion.
Flame Retardant. Any compound or mixture which when applied properly
improves the resistivity or fire resistance quality of fabrics and other materials.
Flame Spread Rating. The time in which flame will spread over the surface ofa burning material.
Flammability. The characteristic of a material on how easily it will burn or
ignite, causing fire or combustion.
Flammable Cryogenic Fluids. Are cryogenic fluids which are flammable intheir vapor state.
Flammable Finishes. Are material coatings in which the material being
applied is a flammable liquid, combustible liquid, combustible powder or
flammable or combustible gel coating.
Flammable Liquids. Are liquids having flash points below thirty seven andeight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C) except any mixture having components

10with flash points of seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius(37.8°C) or higher,
the total of which make up ninety nine percent (99%) or more of the total
volume of the mixture. Flammable liquids are classified as follows:
Class I-A Liquids include those liquids having flash points below twenty
two and eight tenths degrees Celsius (22.8°C), and having a boiling point
below thirty seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C).
Class I-B Liquids include those liquids having flash points below twenty two
and eight tenths degrees Celsius (22.8°C), and having a boiling point at or
above thirty seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C).
Class I-C Liquids include those liquids having flash points at or above
twenty two and eight tenths degrees Celsius (22.8°C), and below thirty
seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C).
Flammable Vapor Area. An area in which the concentration of flammableconstituents (vapor, gas, fume, mist or dust) in air exceeds twenty five percent(25%) of their lower flammable limit (LFL) because of the flammable finish
processes operation. It shall include: (1) the interior of spray booths; (2) theinterior of ducts exhausting from spraying processes; (3) any area in the direct
path or any area containing dangerous quantities of air-suspended powder,
combustible residue, dust, deposits, vapor or mists as a result of spraying
operations; and (4) the area in the vicinity of dip tanks, drain boards or
associated drying, conveying or other equipment during operation or
shutdown periods.
Flash Point of a Liquid. The lowest temperature a liquid at which sufficientvapor is given off to form an ignitable mixture with air, near the surface of theliquid or within the vessel used, as determined by appropriate laboratory test,
as follows:
The flash point of liquids having a flash point at or below seventy ninedegrees Celsius (79°C), except for fuel oils and certain viscous materials
shall be determined in accordance with the Standard Method of Test forFlash Point by the Tag Closed Tester, ASTM D 56-61.
The flash point of liquids having a flash point above seventy nine degrees
Celsius (79°C), except for fuel oils, shall be determined in accordance with
the Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by the Cleveland open Cup
Tester, ASTM D 92-57.
The flash point of fuel oil, and certain viscous materials having a flash pointat or below seventy nine degrees Celsius (79°C), shall be determined inaccordance with the Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by thePensky-Martens Closed Tester, ASTM 93-62.

11

Fogging. The creation of a cloud of ultra-fine droplets, which are airborne
and readily picked up by the insect as it flies through the swathe of
insecticide, fog or mist.
Forging. A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its
shape or dimensions.
Fluidized Bed. A container holding powder coating material that is aerated
from below so as to form an air-supported expanded cloud of such material
through which the preheated object to be coated is immersed andtransported.
Fulminate. A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by
percussion.
Fumigant. Any substance which, by itself or in combination with any othersubstance, emits or liberates a gas, fume or vapor used for the destruction orcontrol of insects, fungi, vermin, germs, rats, or other pests, and shall be
distinguished from insecticides and disinfectants which are essentiallyeffective in the solid or liquid phases. Examples are methyl bromide, ethylene
dibromide, hydrogen cyanide, carbon disulphide and sulfuryl fluoride.
Fumigation. The utilization within an enclosed space of a fumigant inconcentrations that is hazardous or acutely toxic to humans.
Fumigators. Persons or establishments engaged in fumigation and thermal
insecticidal fogging.
Government Fire Brigade. A group of firefighters rendering firefighting
activities in the premises of a public office.
Hangar. A large building in which aircrafts are kept or repaired.
Hazard Evaluation. Identification of potential hazards which includes risk
evaluation that takes into account the likelihood of the hazard resulting in afire or explosion.
Hazardous Fire Area. Any area covered with dry grass, cogon, reeds, brush,and other highly combustible growth or any area used for stockpiling of usedor waste materials that, by virtue of exposure to environment, may cause its
deterioration, decomposition or other conditions that fires are likely to occur
therein and hard to suppress.
Hazardous Operation/Process. Any act of manufacturing, fabrication,
conversion, or other similar operations that use or produce materials which
are likely to cause fires or explosions.
Heavy Casting. Castings greater than eleven and three tenths kilograms (11.3kg) with walls of large cross-sectional weights six and four tenths millimeters12(6.4 mm). Castings less than eleven and three tenths kilograms (11.3 kg) areconsidered light.
Heliport. An area of land or water or a structural surface that is used, or
intended for use, for the landing and taking off of helicopters, and any
appurtenant areas which are used, or intended for use, for heliport buildings
and other heliport facilities.
Helistop. Same as “heliport,” except that fueling, defueling, maintenance,
repairs or storage of helicopters is not permitted.
High Piled Storage. Include combustible materials on pallets or in racks morethan four meters (4 m) high. For highly combustible materials such as rubber
goods and certain plastics, the critical height of piling may be as low as two
hundred forty centimeters (240 cm). Buildings shall be deemed to be used forthe storage of high piled combustible stock when the floor area used for such
purpose exceeds either one-tenths (0.10) of the total floor area, or at least
two hundred thirty two square meters (232 m2).
High Rise Buildings. Buildings, structures or facilities fifteen (15) meters or morein height.
Horizontal Channel. Any uninterrupted space between horizontal layers ofstored commodities. Such channels may be formed by pallets, shelves, racks
or other storage arrangements.
Horizontal Exit. A passageway from one building to another, or through or
around a wall in approximately the same floor level.
Hose Box. A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are
stored and arranged for fire fighting.
Hose Reel. A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose iswound and connected.
Hypergolic Fuel. A rocket or liquid propellant which consists of combinationsof fuels and oxidizers which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.
Impact Barriers.
Are structures installed for the protection of dispensing
devices against possible collision damage/s.
Industrial Baking and Drying. Is the industrial process of subjecting materials toheat for the purpose of removing solvents or moisture from the same, and/or
to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform glazing on the surface ofmaterials being treated.
Jumper. Any piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass asafety device in an electrical system.

13

Limited Spraying Space. An area in which operations for touch-up or spot
painting of a surface area not exceeding of one square meter (1 m2) or lessare conducted.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Any flammable gas liquefied throughpressure. The liquid vaporizes under normal atmospheric pressure.
Loose Fibers. Fibers that are not bundled or packaged in suitable bales.
Loose House. A separate detached building in which unbaled combustible
fibers are stored.
Machinery Room. A specific room which is permanently installed and used
for the operation of machineries. Closets solely contained within and opening
only into a room shall be considered a part of such room.
Magnesium. A highly flammable metal which burns to over two thousand
nine hundred eighty degree Celsius (2,980 °C). It is used as a principal
element of aluminum alloy for the manufacture of mobile phones, laptop
computers, cameras, and other electronic components, beverage cans,
flashlight photography, flares, pyrotechnics, fireworks sparklers, automotive
and truck components.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Is a form that contains data andinformation regarding the properties of a particular substance.
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP). Is the maximum pressure
permissible at the top of a container in its operating position for a designatedtemperature, as established by the container manufacturer.
Means of Egress. Is a continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one
point in a building, structure or facility to a public way.
Medical Air. A type of air product produced through the blending ofcompressed nitrogen and oxygen and used in variety of patients’application. It is also used during anesthesia as a substitute for nitrous oxide to
reduce the high concentration of oxygen exposure.
Medical Gas. A type of gas used in medical and similar facilities, including
oxygen, nitrous oxide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, medical air andmixtures of these gases.
Nesting. A method of securing flat-bottomed compressed gas containers
upright in a tight mass using a contiguous three-point contact system
whereby all containers within a group have a minimum of three points ofcontact with other containers, walls or bracing.
Occupancy. The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used orintended to be used.

14

Occupant Load. The maximum number of persons that may be allowed tooccupy a particular building, structure, or facility, or portions hereof.
Occupant. Any person actually occupying and using a building or portions
thereof by virtue of a lease contract with the owner or administrator or bypermission or sufferance of the latter.
Oil Burning Equipment. An oil burner of any type together with its tank, piping,wiring controls, blower, and related devices, and shall include all oil-fired
units, heating and cooking appliances.
Organic Coating. A liquid mixture of binders such as alkyd, nitrocellulose,
acrylic, or oil, and flammable and combustible solvents such as hydrocarbon,
ester, ketene or alcohol, which when spread on a surface becomes adurable protective and decorative finish.
Organic Peroxide. A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases
oxygen readily. It causes fire when in contact with combustible materials
especially under conditions of high temperature.
Overloading. The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which
draw or consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity of theexisting electrical system.
Owner. The person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a building
or real property.
Oxidizing Material. A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient
to stimulate or support combustion.
Ozone Depleting Refrigerant/Substance.
Any group of halogenatedhydrocarbon chemicals which photochemically reacts in the stratosphere ina way which destroys the ozone layer.
Panic Hardware. A mechanical device consisting of linkages and horizontal
bars across a door, which when pushed from the inside will cause the door toopen and facilitates exit from the building, structure or facility.
Picking Rooms. Rooms where baled, bundled or piled materials aresegregated into desired sizes or groups.
Plastics.
Group A Plastics. Plastic materials having heat of combustion muchhigher than that of ordinary combustibles and burning rate higher thanthat of Group B plastics. Examples of Group A plastics include, but are notlimited to, the following:•

ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer)

15

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Acetal (polyformaldehyde)
Acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate)
Butyl rubber
EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber)
FRP (fiberglass-reinforced polyester)
Natural rubber (expanded)
Nitrile rubber (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber)
PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
Polybutadiene
Polycarbonate
Polyester elastomer
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polystyrene (expanded and unexpanded)
Polyurethane (expanded and unexpanded)
PVC (polyvinyl chloride greater than fifteen (15%) percent plasticized,
e.g., coated fabric unsupported film)
SAN (styrene acrylonitrile)
SBRr (styrene butadiene rubber)Group B Plastics. Plastic materials having heat of combustion and burning
rate higher than that of ordinary combustibles, but not as high as those ofGroup A plastics. Examples of Group B plastics include, but are not limited
to, the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Cellulosics (cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl
cellulose)
Chloroprene rubber
Fluoroplastics (ECTFE, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer; ETFE,
ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer; FEP, fluorinated ethylenepropylene copolymer)
Natural rubber (nonexpanded)
Nylon (nylon 6, nylon 6/6)
PVC (polyvinyl chloride greater than 5-percent, but not exceeding
fifteen (15)-percent plasticized)
Silicone rubberGroup C Plastics. Plastic materials having heat of combustion andburning rate similar to those of ordinary combustibles. Examples of GroupC plastics include, but are not limited to, the following:
•
•
•
•
•

Fluoroplastics(PCTFE,
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene;
PTFE,
polytetrafluoroethylene)
Melamine (melamine formaldehyde)
PhenolPVC (polyvinyl chloride, rigid or plasticized less than five percent (5%),
e.g., pipe, pipe fittings)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)

16

•
•
•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)
PVF (polyvinyl fluoride)
Urea (urea formaldehyde)

Limited quantities of Group A plastics in mixed commodities shall be used
to determine the quantity of Group A plastics allowed that can be stored
in a package or carton, or on a pallet without increasing the commodity
classification.
Plenum. An air compartment or chamber to which one or more ducts areconnected and which form part of an air distribution system.
Portable Tank. Any closed vessel having a liquid capacity over two hundred
twenty seven liters (227ℓ) and not intended for fixed installation.
Fire Safety Practitioner. Any qualified person, recognized by the BFP, engagedin, but not limited to, the design, construction, installation, repair andmaintenance, assessment, and rehabilitation of fire safety construction,
suppression and control systems, protective and warning systems and life
safety related services, or employed as a safety officer of public and private
establishments/companies.
Pressurized or Forced Draft Burning Equipment. Any type of burner where thefuel is subjected to pressure prior to discharge into the combustion chamber
and/or which includes fans or other provisions for the introduction of air atabove normal atmospheric pressure into the same combustion chamber.
Propeller. An inclusive term for all parts, appurtenances, and accessories of apropeller.
Proscenium wall. A fire resistive wall which separates a stage or enclosed
platform from the public or spectators' area of an auditorium or theater.
Public Way. Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from theground to the sky, deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently
appropriated for public use.
Pyrophoric. Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when
exposed to air.
Recapping. A process of restoring used tire to a usable condition by bonding
new rubber onto the worn thread and lateral surface.
Refining. A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are
removed from a mixture in order to produce a pure element or compound. It
shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.
Refrigerating System. An assembly of four (4) major components, namely thecompressor, condenser, expansion valve, the evaporator, through which a17

very low boiling point substance (refrigerant) flow in cycle, and absorbs heatfrom the immediate surroundings, thereby producing the cooling effect (alsoknown as the refrigerating effect).
Roll Coating. A process of coating, spreading and impregnating fabrics,
paper or other materials as they are passed directly through a tank or troughcontaining flammable or combustible liquids, or over the surface of a roller
revolving partially submerged in a flammable or combustible liquid.
Safety Can. An approved container, of not more than eighteen and ninetenths liter (18.9ℓ)-capacity having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and sodesigned that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire
exposure.
Safety Factor. Is the ratio of the design burst pressure to the maximum
working pressure and shall not be less than four (4).
Salvage Yards or Shops. An inclusive term that refers to wrecking yards, junkyards or waste material handling plants/shops, which can be usedinterchangeably.
Self-Closing Doors. Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine
smoke and heat and delay the spread of fire.
Smelting. Refers to the process of melting or fusing metallic ores orcompounds so as to separate impurities from pure metals.
Smoke Developed Rating. Refers to the rating of a combustible materials
based on the density and volume of smoke developed within a certain
period of time when its surfaces are ignited.
Smoking Area. A designated area where smoking is permitted withinpremises where smoking is otherwise generally prohibited.
Solvents or Liquid Classifications. A method of classifying solvents or liquids
according to the following:
Class I Solvents. Liquids having a flash point below thirty seven and eighttenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C).
Class II Solvents. Liquids having a flash point at or above thirty seven andeight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C) and below sixty degrees Celsius(60°C).
Class IIIA Solvents. Liquids having a flash point at or above sixty degrees
Celsius (60°C) and below ninety three and three-tenths degrees Celsius(93.3°C).

18

Class IIIB Solvents. Liquids having a flash point at or above ninety three
and three-tenths degrees Celsius (93.3°C).
Class IV Solvents. Liquids classified as non-flammable.
Source of Ignition. A source of energy sufficient to ignite a flammableatmosphere and includes open flames, smoking, incandescent material,
electrical welding arcs, and electrical or mechanical equipment not suitablefor use in a particular hazard zone.
Special Bank Receipt (SBR). An accountable form transferred to the AGDB or
AGSB thru a Memorandum Receipt (MR) which shall be issued as a proof of
payment in the collection of the fees and charges imposed in pursuit of thestatutory and regulation functions of the BFP.
Spray Booth. A mechanically ventilated appliance of varying dimensions andconstruction provided to enclose or accommodate a spraying operation andto confine and limit the escape of spray vapor and residue and to exhaust it
safely.
Spraying Area. Any area in which dangerous quantities of flammable vapors
or mists, or combustible residues, dusts or deposits are present due to theoperation of spraying processes.
Sprinkler System. An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping
system installed in a building, structure or area with outlets arranged in asystematic pattern which automatically discharges water when activated byheat or combustion products from a fire.
Stage. A partially enclosed portion of an assembly building which is designed
or used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment
activities wherein scenery, drops or other effects may be installed or used,
and where the distance between the top of the proscenium opening andthe ceiling above the stage in more than one hundred fifty two centimeters(152 cm).
Standpipe System. A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses
can be attached on each floor, including a system by which water is madeavailable to water outlets as needed.
Sump Pit. The lowest part of a mine, vault, tank or a hole in the ground used
to collect water, waste water and sludge for purposes of draining through asubmersible pump.
Tank Truck. Any single self-propelled motor vehicle equipped with a cargotank mounted thereon and used for the transportation of flammable andcombustible liquids.

19

Tank Vehicle. Any vehicle carrying or towing a cargo tank used fortransporting flammable fluids or hazardous chemicals.
Tank, Full-Trailer.
Any vehicle with or without auxiliary motive power,
equipped with a cargo tank mounted thereon or built as an integral part
thereof, used for the transportation of flammable and combustible liquids,
and so constructed that practically all of its weight and load rests on its own
wheels.
Tank, Semi-Trailer. Any vehicle with or without auxiliary motive power,
equipped with a cargo tank mounted thereon or build as an integral part
thereof, used for the transportation of flammable and combustible liquids,
and so constructed that, when drawn by a tractor by means of a fifth wheel
connection, some part of its load and weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
Thermal Insecticidal Fogging Liquid.
Any insecticidal liquid specificallydesigned for emission from a thermal fog-generating unit in the form of anaerosol fog which is lethal to pest organisms and insects. Examples of thermal
insecticidal fogging liquids are permethrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, malathion,
pirimiphos methyl and fenithrothion.
Thermal Insecticidal Fogging. The utilization of any insecticidal liquids passed
through thermal fog-generating units where, by means of heat, pressure andturbulence, such liquids are transformed and discharged in the form of fog or
mist blown into an area to be treated.
Thrust Stage. The portion of a stage which projects into the audience on theaudience side of a proscenium wall or opening.
Tote Box. A box constructed for use in the handling of stocks in process orfinished stocks while in tote box store rooms.
Toxicity. The degree to which a substance is able to damage an exposedorganism.
Used Water. Liquid waste generated by treatment plants, housekeeping,
operation and maintenance, and laboratory activities, including but notlimited to washing, flushing, and cleaning activities. It also includes thecleaning, flushing and draining water that bear dirt and sludge fromsedimentation basin, settling tank, and other treatment processes and unit
operation facilities, and backwash water generated in the backwashing,cleaning and flushing of filter media or beds.
Ventilation.
The process of supplying or removing air by natural ormechanical means to or from any space. Such air may or may not havebeen conditioned.
Vertical Shaft. An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor
to floor, as well as from the base to the top of a building.

20

Vestibule. A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and theinterior parts of a house or building.
Ventilation. Refers to the copious flushing of an area with fresh air for the
mitigation of explosion and other fire hazards.
Water Treatment Plants. Single or compact or multi-stage units and/or
combination of unit processes and operation systems, including but notlimited to their facilities, appurtenances, service areas and premises, for the
purification or treatment of raw water or water from a source that requires theremoval and/or reduction of impurities or improvement of its quality tocomply with water quality standards as prescribed by the concerned
government agency, intended for public use or for specific industrial
applications.
Waste Water. Liquid waste generated by human activities that use water
and/or those water that come from residential, commercial, institutional,
recreational, industrial, agricultural and other facilities, similar occupancies
and related activities.
Waste Water Treatment Plants. Single or compact or multi-stage units and/or
combination of unit processes and operation systems, including but notlimited to their facilities, appurtenances, service areas and premises, for thetreatment of used water or waste water generated by residential,
recreational, institutional, commercial
and industrial and other similar
occupancies and related activities that required the removal and/or
reduction of contaminants and/or pollutants or improvement of its quality tocomply with effluent water quality standards of receiving body of water orenvironment as prescribed by the concerned government agency.

RULE 4. AUTHORITY OF THE CHIEF, BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTIONSECTION 4.0.0.1

GENERAL AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER AND ENFORCE RA 9514
AND ITS IRR

The Administration and Enforcement of the Fire Code and this IRR shall be
under the direct supervision and control of the Chief, BFP, through the
hierarchy of organization as provided for in Chapter VI of Republic Act No.
6975, the DILG Reorganization Act of 1990 as amended by Republic Act No.
9263, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management andPenology (BJMP) Professionalization Act of 2004.
SECTION 4.0.0.2

AUTHORITY OF THE CHIEF, BFP SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF SILG

The Chief, BFP, with the approval of the Secretary, DILG, is hereby authorizedto:21

A. Issue implementing rules and regulations, and prescribe standards,
schedules of fees/fire service charges and administrative penalties
therefore as provided in the pertinent provisions of the Fire Code;
B. Reorganize the BFP as may be necessary and appropriate;
C. Enter into long term agreement, either through public biddings ornegotiations in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184,
otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003, forthe acquisition of fire prevention, fire protection and fire fighting
investigation, rescue, paramedics, hazardous material handlingequipment, supplies, materials and related technical services necessary
for the fire service;
D. Enter into Memoranda of Agreement with other departments, bureaus,
agencies, offices and corporations of the government, as well as private
institutions, in order to define areas of cooperation and coordination anddelineate responsibility on fire prevention education, fire safety, fire
prevention, fire suppression and other matters of common concern;
SECTION 4.0.0.3

SPECIFIC AUTHORITY OF CHIEF, BFP

A. Further, the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative, is hereby
specifically authorized to:
1. Support and assist fire volunteers, practitioners and fire volunteer
organizations in the country that shall undergo mandatory fire
suppression, inspection, rescue, emergency medical services andrelated emergency response trainings and competency evaluations to
be conducted by the BFP. In the case of the fire practitioners, theyshall undergo mandatory continuous professional education andcompetency evaluation of their expertise, knowledge and skills in thearea of fire science, engineering and technology to be conducted by
the BFP;
2. Enter into external party agreements for the conduct of trainings,
education and evaluation of fire volunteers, practitioners and firevolunteer organizations, which shall be under the full control andsupervision of the BFP: Provided, however, that during firefighting
operations, fire volunteer organizations shall be under the direct
operational control of the fire ground commanders of the BFP;
3. Call on the police, other law enforcement agencies, and local
government assistance to render necessary assistance in theenforcement of the Fire Code and this IRR;
4. Designate Fire Safety Inspectors (FSI) through his/her duly authorized
representative, who shall conduct inspections of every building or
structure within his/her area of responsibility at least once a year and22every time the owner, administrator or occupant shall renew his/herbusiness permit or permit to operate;
5. Issue Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) as a pre-requisite to the
grants of permits and/or licenses by the local governments and othergovernment agencies concerned;
6. Inspect at reasonable time, any building, structure, installation or
premises for dangerous or hazardous conditions or materials as set
forth in the Fire Code and this IRR, provided that in case of single familydwelling, an inspection must be upon the consent of the occupant or
upon lawful order from the proper court. The Chief, BFP or his/her duly
authorized representative shall order the owner/occupant to remove
hazardous materials and/or stop hazardous operations/processes inaccordance with the standards set by the Fire Code and this IRR orother pertinent laws;
7. Order the owner/occupant of any building or structure to summarily
abate conditions that are deemed hazardous to life and property;
8. Require the building owner/occupant to submit plans andspecifications, and other pertinent documents of said building toensure compliance with applicable codes and standards; and9. Issue a written notice to the owner and/or contractor to stop work on
any portion of any work due to the absence, or in violation of,approved plans and specifications, permits and/or clearances orcertifications as approved by the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized
representative. The notice shall state the nature of the violation and nowork shall be continued on that portion until the violation had beencorrected.
B. However, the authority granted under this section should not in anyway
diminish the power of the SILG to change, alter, modify, revise or amend
the actions of the Chief, BFP.

RULE 5. BFP REORGANIZATION AND PROFESSIONALIZATIONDIVISION 1. REORGANIZATIONSECTION 5.0.1.1

AUTHORITY OF THE
REORGANIZATIONCHIEF,

BFP

TO

RECOMMENDTo ensure the proper implementation of the Fire Code and this IRR, the Chief,
BFP shall, as may be necessary, recommend the reorganization of the BFP.

23

DIVISION 2. TECHNICAL STAFF
SECTION 5.0.2.1

CONSTITUTION AND QUALIFICATIONSThe Chief, BFP, shall constitute a technical staff of highly qualified persons
who are knowledgeable on fire prevention, fire safety, and fire suppression.
SECTION 5.0.2.2

SOURCESThe Technical staff may be drawn from the following:
A. Organic members of the BFP;
B. Other government offices and agencies; andC. Other sources.
In the case of paragraph “B” and/or “C” above, members may either be
appointed into the service or hired as consultants in accordance with existinglaws, rules and regulations.
SECTION 5.0.2.3

DUTIES AND FUNCTIONSThe Technical Staff shall:
A. Study, review and evaluate latest developments and standards on fire
safety, prevention and suppression;
B. Prepare plans/programs on fire safety, prevention and suppression andevaluate implementation thereof;
C. Develop programs on the professionalization of the fire service;
D. Coordinate with appropriate government and private institutions for theoffering of college courses on fire technology and fire protectionengineering;
E. Propose amendments to the Fire Code and this IRR;
F. Advise the Chief, BFP on any matter brought to his attention; andG. Perform such other functions as directed by the Chief, BFP.
SECTION 5.0.2.4

REMUNERATION

Remuneration for the members of the Technical Staff shall be prescribed by
the Chief, BFP in accordance with existing government accounting andauditing rules and regulations.

24

RULE 6. FIRE BRIGADES, FIRE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS AND FIRE SAFETY
PRACTITIONERSDIVISION 1. SCOPE
This Rule shall govern the organization, equipage, operation, and proficiency
training of company and community fire brigades as well as continuous
training and competency evaluation of fire volunteers and fire volunteer
organizations in the country who shall undergo mandatory fire suppression,
inspection, rescue, emergency medical services and other related
emergency response training programs and competency evaluations to be
conducted by the BFP. This also prescribes the continuous professional
education, competency evaluation and recognition of Fire Safety
Practitioners, to be conducted by the BFP. For this purpose, the term“company” shall include government and/or private offices and buildings.
DIVISION 2. ORGANIZATION OF FIRE BRIGADESSECTION 6.0.2.1

REQUIREMENTS

A. All business establishments employing at least fifty (50) persons shall, in
addition to the requirements set forth under Section 7 of RA 9514 for the
grant of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC), establish an organizationof fire brigade to deal with fire and other related emergencies. The headof the company, through its duly designated safety officer shall evaluate
the potential magnitude of a fire emergency within the company, andthe availability of firefighting assistance from the BFP to determine thenature of the organization to be established.
B. For buildings having various occupancies, the Building Administrator
and/or owner shall initiate the organization of a fire brigade in thepremises irrespective of the number of occupants.
C. In cases where a fire brigade is already established for a building, said firebrigade shall be sufficient to comply with the requirements of para “A” ofthis Section.
D. All barangays shall likewise endeavor to organize their own Fire Brigades.
SECTION 6.0.2.2

COMPOSITION

The organization of company fire brigades shall consist of the Fire Brigade
Chief, which shall be designated by the head of the company, and shall be
assisted by selected personnel. In companies where more persons areavailable, they must be organized into teams to function as a fire brigade
established according to its needs. The organization shall be such that a firebrigade is on duty or on call at all times.

25

SECTION 6.0.2.3

COMPONENTS

The equipment that must be put into service at a fire or other related
emergencies will determine the number of men required for each operating
unit or company into which the brigade is organized, and the total number
may be composed of two or more individuals to operate a specific item ofequipment or a larger group to perform more complicated operations. Eachfire brigade shall have a Leader or a Chief. In his absence, an Assistant Chiefshall be appointed.
SECTION 6.0.2.4

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FIRE BRIGADE CHIEF

A. He/She shall be responsible for the development of fire prevention
programs and plans of action for the company or organization to addresspossible fire situation in the plant or community, subject to the approval of
the company or establishment head or fire prevention officer;
B. He/She shall initiate the procurement of necessary firefighting equipment
and supplies for use of the brigades;
C. He/She shall conduct periodic evaluation of all equipment available for
firefighting and be responsible for setting in motion necessary procedures
for replacing missing equipment or correction of inoperative equipment;
D. He/She shall also bring to the immediate attention of the company or
establishment head, or his fire prevention officer, any situation that would
likely reduce the effectiveness of firefighting operations;E. He/She shall ensure that the brigades are suitably staffed, conductperiodic review of the fire brigade roster and prepare recommendations
on the need for additional members to be selected, appointed andmade available to beef up the team;F. He/She shall prepare training programs for the members of the firebrigade and supervise its implementation; andG. In his/her absence, the Deputy Fire Brigade Chief shall assume andperform the duties and responsibilities of the Fire Brigade Chief.
SECTION 6.0.2.5

QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMPANY FIRE
BRIGADE

Members of the fire brigade shall consist of persons who have met
qualifications appropriate for the fire brigade work. For establishments,
members must be taken from the roster of its own workforce. The head of thecompany shall identify the persons who are fit to perform fire operation
activities and further assign them to specific fire suppression positions.

26

SECTION 6.0.2.6

AVAILABILITY OF PERSONNEL

To qualify as a member of a fire brigade, individuals must be available torespond to fire alarms and attend required training programs. A prearranged schedule for availability must be established to prevent conflict of
duties and to cover absences such as regular off-duty periods, vacations andsickness.
DIVISION 3. TRAINING OF FIRE BRIGADES, FIRE SAFETY PRACTITIONERS AND FIRE
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONSSECTION 6.0.3.1

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

A. Certificate of Competency shall be issued to fire volunteers, members offire brigades and fire safety practitioners after completion of themandatory training and competency evaluations conducted by the BFP
and upon submission of the following documentary requirements:
1. Certificate of completion of the fire suppression training;
2. Personal profile;
3. Certificate of employment, in the case of fire safety practitioners; and4. Other documents the BFP may require.
SECTION 6.0.3.2

TRAINING DESIGN

A training design shall be developed by the BFP for fire brigades, fire safety
practitioners and fire volunteer organizations. Members shall be required tocomplete the specified program of instruction.
SECTION 6.0.3.3

SCOPE OF TRAINING

A. All members of the fire brigade shall undergo training on fire suppression,
rescue, emergency medical services and related emergency response.
They shall be instructed on the handling of available fire rescue
apparatus, equipment, devices and tools. The training program shall be
adapted to suit the purpose of the particular brigade. It shall include fire
suppression strategies, tactics, techniques and the use of portable fire
extinguishers and other equipment, devices and tools.
B. In the case of fire safety practitioners, they shall undergo mandatory
continuous professional education and competency evaluation of theirexpertise, knowledge and skills in the areas of fire science, engineeringand technology to be conducted by the BFP.

27

SECTION 6.0.3.4

ASSISTANCE IN TRAINING PROGRAMSThe BFP shall assist in setting up a training program for the fire brigade and firevolunteer organization. Members of the fire brigade and fire volunteer
organization shall be afforded opportunities to improve their knowledge onfire prevention and suppression through attendance in seminars and special
training classes.
SECTION 6.0.3.5

IDENTIFICATION

Members of the volunteer fire brigade organization shall wear proper
identification cards duly signed by the head of their organization andauthenticated by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction over thearea.
DIVISION 4. COMMAND, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND FIRE DRILLSSECTION 6.0.4.1

PRACTICE DRILLS

Practice drills shall be held to check the ability of members to perform theoperations they are expected to carry out. Drills shall be occasionally held
under adverse weather conditions to work on special procedures needed
under such circumstances.
SECTION 6.0.4.2

OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT

In practice drills, all available equipment, devices and tools for fire
suppression and medical and rescue operation must be operated.
SECTION 6.0.4.3

REACTIVATION OF EQUIPMENTAt the conclusion of a practice drill, equipment shall be made readily
available to respond to a fire call.
SECTION 6.0.4.4

INSPECTION AND SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WORK

Inspection and maintenance of fire equipment, both fixed and portable, may
be assigned to individual members of the fire brigade. However, the Fire
Brigade Chief must establish the necessary schedules for such work, andassign these duties to specific personnel and ensure that these inspection andmaintenance operations are carried out and reported.
SECTION 6.0.4.5

COMMAND AT FIRE SCENE

During firefighting operations, the fire brigades and fire volunteer
organizations shall be under the direct operational control of the fire groundcommanders of the BFP.

28

RULE 7. ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THE BFPDIVISION 1. POLICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORTSECTION 7.0.1.1

FROM PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

Upon request, the Philippine National Police (PNP) shall render necessary
assistance to the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative on thefollowing actions:A. During actual fire fighting operations and fire scene investigations;
B. Business closure and summary abatement proceedings;
C. Installation of signs that the building/structure is a fire hazard and/or fire
trap;
D. Obstruction of designated fire lanes and fire hydrants;
E. Apprehension of violators/persons removing, destroying, tampering or
obliterating warning signs and similar abatement appurtenances; andF. Such other duties and functions of the BFP which would essentially requirepolice assistance.
SECTION 7.0.1.2

FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Local Government Units (LGU) and other government agencies shall rendernecessary assistance on the following duties of the BFP:
A. Strict observance of the requirement of fire safety measures for theissuance of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) as a pre-requisite in the
grant of and renewal of business, occupancy and other related
permits/licenses. For this purpose, the LGU and/or other government
agencies concerned shall refrain from issuing such licenses and/or permits
without the applicant first securing an FSIC from the BFP;
B. Organization and training of fire brigades in all barangays in partnershipwith BFP to serve as first responders;C. In summary abatements, closure and/or stoppage of operation ofbuildings/structures or portions thereof; andD. Such other duties and functions of the BFP which would essentially require
their assistance.

29

SECTION 7.0.1.3

FROM OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIESOther Law Enforcement Agencies, such as but not limited to, National Bureau
of Investigation and Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory shall, uponrequest, accommodate and render necessary assistance on the following
functions of the BFP:
A. Laboratory/physical examinations of the pieces of evidence gathered in
the fire scene and submit the result thereof to the Chief, BFP or his duly
authorized representative, as the case may be;
B. In the investigation and prosecution of arson cases, appear as expert
witness thereof;
C. Such other duties and functions of the BFP which require their expertise.
DIVISION 2. OTHER AGENCIES’ SUPPORTSECTION 7.0.2.1

COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES

To institutionalize the areas of cooperation and coordination of the BFP withother departments, bureaus, agencies, offices and corporations of thegovernment, as well as private institutions, the BFP may enter into
Memoranda of Agreement with, but not limited to, the following:
A. National and Local Waterworks, for providing sufficient source of water,
especially in times of fire or conflagration and for the establishment of fire
hydrants in strategic areas;
B. Electric Companies and Cooperatives, on the immediate cut-off ofelectric main lines/power lines during fires or conflagration to avoid thedanger of the people being electrocuted;
C. Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), on fire safetymeasures on all ports and land transportation vehicle, traffic flow during
fire operation and establishment of effective communication system for
the BFP;D. Department of Education (DepED), on institutionalizing the kiddie andjunior fire marshal program in all pre-school, elementary and secondary
education levels;
E. Commission on Higher Education (CHED), on coordinating with state
academic institutions to develop and promote fire safety engineeringcourses and post graduate studies on fire science and technology anddevelopment of fire testing laboratories;30

F. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), on instituting continuing
development and enhancement of standards on fire protection andrelated fire and life safety facilities, equipage and systems;
G. Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), on providing
and enhancing technical skills and know-how of BFP personnel and firevolunteer organizations as well as their subsequent accreditation/
certification.
H. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), on providing
pertinent information in the field of hazardous materials and hazardous
waste management as well as collaboration on forest fire and life safety
programs.
I.

Such other government agencies, instrumentalities and subdivisions andnon-government institutions, with respect to future concerns as may bedeemed necessary by the BFP in furtherance of the enforcement of theFire Code and this IRR.

RULE 8. FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERS
CHAPTER 1. QUALIFICATIONS OF FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERSDIVISION 1. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
BFP personnel duly designated as Fire Safety Enforcers shall posses
minimum required qualification standard stated herein.
SECTION 8.1.1.1

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS

A. UNIFORMED PERSONNEL

1. Licensed Engineer (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Sanitaryand Electronic and Communication); or Architect with at least one (1)year in the BFP service; or Graduate of any baccalaureate degree
course with at least three (3) years in the BFP service;

2. Shall have completed Fire Arson Investigation and Inspection Course(FAIIC); or have undergone at least forty (40) hours of relevant
seminars/workshops on the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008andother relevant fire safety seminars/workshops; and3. Non-licensed and non-engineering graduate must pass the written fire
safety inspection examination conducted by the BFP.

31

B. NON- UNIFORMED PERSONNEL

1. Appointed as Engineers (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical,

Sanitary and Electronics and Communication ); or Appointed as
Electrical/Building Inspectors; and2. Shall have undergone at least forty (40) hours of relevant
seminars/workshops on the Fire Code of the Philippines and otherrelevant fire safety seminars/workshops.

3. Electrical/building inspectors must pass the written examination

conducted by the BFP, otherwise they can only conduct inspection
relative to their appointment’s duties and functions.

SECTION 8.1.1.2

PLAN EVALUATORS

A. Must be a licensed Architect or Engineer; andB. Shall have undergone at least forty (40) hours of relevant training on theFire Code of the Philippines of 2008 and other relevant fire safetyseminars/workshops.
C. In cases where there is no licensed engineer or architect in a specificjurisdiction, a graduate of any baccalaureate degree with FAIIC training
shall be designated as plan evaluator.
CHAPTER 2. FUNCTIONS OF FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERSDIVISION 1. RESPONSIBILITIES OF DESIGNATED FIRE SAFETY ENFORCERSSECTION 8.2.1.1

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORSThe following shall be the main duties and responsibilities of Fire Safety
Inspectors:
A. Inspect any building, structure or facility and/or any part thereof,
hazardous operations, storage facilities and transportation vehicles ofhazardous materials to ensure compliance of the Fire Code of thePhilippines, this IRR and other related laws, regulations, standards andordinances within the area of responsibility;
B. Assess compliance with the fire safety requirements, identify andrecommend corrective actions for violations/defects and deficiencies
and inform the owner/building administrator/occupants of such actions tocomply with the provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines, this IRR andother related laws, regulations, standards and ordinances;32

C. Testify in any judicial and quasi-judicial bodies regarding matters relating
to the Fire Code of the Philippines and this IRR, and/or the performance of
his/her duties related thereto, when needed;
D. Conduct fire safety lectures, seminars/workshop and drills; andE. Prepare necessary documents and maintain files and/or records.
SECTION 8.2.1.2

PLAN EVALUATORSThe following shall be the main duties and responsibilities of Plan Evaluators:
A. Review and evaluate building plans and specifications including fire
protection system to determine compliance to the requirement of the Fire
Code, this IRR, Building Code of the Philippines and other Life and Safety
Standard; andB. Conduct site verification and inspection on building under construction todetermine compliance with the approved plans and specifications.

RULE 9. ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF FIRE SAFETY MEASURESDIVISION 1. GENERAL
A. Inspection of all buildings, structures, facilities and premises, hazardous
operations, storage facilities and transportation vehicles of hazardous
materials and the determination of compliance of provisions of the Fire
Code of the Philippines and this IRR shall be done by City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction.
B. Fire safety inspections shall be conducted as a pre-requisite to grants ofpermits and/or licenses by local governments or other government
agencies. No occupancy permit, business or permit to operate shall be
issued without securing a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) from theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
C. In coordination with the Building Official, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction shall review, evaluate and assess plans, design
calculations and specifications, and issue the necessary building Fire
Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC) upon determination that design andspecification is in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Code of thePhilippines and this IRR.

33

DIVISION 2. FIRE SAFETY EVALUATION AND INSPECTIONSECTION 9.0.2.1

BUILDING PLAN REVIEW

A. Upon receipt by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction of six(6) sets of the building plans from the Building Official (BO), the Costumer
Relation Officer or the designated staff shall check compliance of
documentary requirements, assess the Fire Code Fees (FCF) and issue
Order of Payment (OP) to be paid at the Cashier’s Office or the
Authorized Government Depository Bank (AGDB) or Authorized
Government Servicing Bank (AGSB) by the BFP. After payment of FCF, theowner or his duly authorized representative shall submit copy of the
Official Receipt (OR). The Costumer Relation Officer shall record theapplication for Building Plan Review including the date and time the plans
were received and the OR No., acknowledge and assign a control
number and endorse the same without delay to the Plan Evaluator.
B. The Plan Evaluator shall undertake the necessary evaluation and review ofthe plans indicating whether or not such plans conform to the fire safety
and life safety requirements of the Fire Code of the Philippines and this IRR.
For this purpose, a Fire Safety Checklist (FSC) shall be used to facilitatechecking of the building plan. The evaluated plans and thecorresponding FSC shall then be submitted to the Chief, Fire Safety
Enforcement Section (FSES).
C. The Chief, FSES shall consolidate and review the findings of the Plan
Evaluator and shall submit, without delay, the evaluation report and/or
recommendations to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
D. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction will either approve ordisapprovetheevaluated
plans
together
with
FSC.
The
approved/disapproved application for FSEC will then be transmitted to
the Costumer Relation Officer for its release.
E. No building plan shall be evaluated without the submission of Fire and Life
Safety Assessment Report 1 (FALAR 1) in accordance with Division 3 of thisRule.
F. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, through the Costumer
Relation Officer shall endorse back five (5) copies of the approved
Building Plans, together with the FSEC and FSC to the Building Official.
SECTION 9.0.2.2

INSPECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION

During construction, renovation, modification or alteration, theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, on the basis of issued FSC,
shall inspect the premises to determine whether the plans, andspecifications are being followed and fire safety precautions are being

34

observed. He shall cause the correction of any defects/deficiencies
noted, when necessary.
SECTION 9.0.2.3

INSPECTION AFTER COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION

A. After construction/ renovation/ modification or alteration and prior to theissuance of the occupancy permit by the Building Official, theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall inspect the premises
and issue the necessary Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) upondetermination that the required fire safety construction are in place, andfire protective and/or warning system are properly installed inaccordance with the approved plans and specifications.
B. Inspection procedure shall be as follows:
1. The process starts with the endorsement by the Building Official (BO) of
the application for Occupancy Permit accompanied by a Certificate
of Completion. The Customer Relation Officer or designated staff shallassess the Fire Code Fees and issue Order of Payment to be paid at
the Cashier’s Office or the AGDB or AGSB of the BFP. After payment,
the owner shall submit a copy of the Official Receipt to the Customer
Relation Officer. The Customer Relation Officer shall then assign anapplication control number on the endorsement/application andprepare an Inspection Order.
2. The prepared Inspection Order will be forwarded to Chief, FSES forsigning and recommendation.
3. The Chief, FSES will endorse the said Inspection Order including thename of assigned FSI to the City/Municipal Fire Marshall having
jurisdiction for approval and signature. The Inspection Order will thenbe given back to the Record Section for the assignment of a control
number and dispatch to assigned FSI.
4. The FSI shall conduct final inspection in the establishment applying for
Occupancy Permit then shall prepare an After Inspection Report (AIR)using the Classified Standard Checklist.
5. The FSI will prepare a report of recommendation (FSIC or Notice ofDisapproval (NOD)), which shall be submitted to the Chief, FSES. The FSI
will prepare the FSIC, to be signed by Chief, FSES if said establishment
has substantially complied with the provisions of the Fire Code of thePhilippines. Otherwise, the FSI shall prepare NOD.
6. The Chief, FSES will evaluate and recommend final action, which is
subject to the approval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshall having
jurisdiction.

35

7. No FSIC shall be issued without the submission of Fire and Life Safety
Assessment Report 2 (FALAR 2) in accordance with Division 3 of thisRule.
8. Upon approval or disapproval, the City/Municipal Fire Marshall having
jurisdiction shall issue an FSIC or NOD, as the case may be, andendorse to BO/Owner, retaining one (1) copy for filing and properly
maintained for future reference.
SECTION 9.0.2.4

BUSINESS AND ROUTINE INSPECTION

A. Existing Building, Structure or Facility
The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall inspect allbuildings, structures or facilities to determine the presence of any fire
hazard, the types of occupancy, the prohibited acts being committed asprovided in Section 7 of Republic Act 9514, and to check or test therequired fire protective and/or warning systems. For this purpose, thebuilding owner or administrator shall make available to the FSI copies of allplans, design calculations and specifications of the building as it was
actually built/ constructed, or in the absence of the same, copies of allplans, design calculations and specifications of the building as it is at thetime of the inspection. The provisions of Section 9.0.2.2 apply when thebuilding, structure or facility will be repaired, renovated or modified as aconsequence of the inspection.
B. Industrial, Commercial or Business Operation
The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall cause theinspection of premises of any industrial, commercial or business operations
and issue the necessary FSIC upon determination that fire safety measures
for storage, handling, and/or use of explosives or combustible, flammable,
toxic and other hazardous materials, as well as, for hazardous operations
or processes, have been complied.
C. Periodic Inspection by Fire Safety Inspectors
The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall cause the conductof periodic fire safety inspection of any building, structure, facility or
premises for the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of
the Fire Code and this IRR. For this purpose, Inspection Order shall be
issued by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction. Before
leaving the place inspected, report shall be prepared. Such inspection
Order and After Inspection Report shall conform to the herein prescribed
format, prepared in three sets and distributed as indicated. Format of theAfter Inspection Report shall follow the approved fire safety standard
inspection checklist.

36

D. No FSIC shall be issued without the submission of Fire and Life Safety
Assessment Report 3 (FALAR 3) in accordance with Division 3 of this Rule.
DIVISION 3. FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY ASSESSMENT REPORTSECTION 9.0.3.1

APPLICABILITY

A. All private and public buildings, facilities and structures to be constructedor being constructed upon the effectivity of this IRR shall be required tosubmit FALAR 1 and 2, among other documents, to the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction as one of the requirements for securing FSEC or
FSIC for the issuance of Building Permit and Occupancy Permit.
B. All existing private and public buildings, facilities or structures withoccupancy of at least fifty (50) persons shall be required to submit FALAR
3 annually to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction whensecuring FSIC.
SECTION 9.0.3.2

PROCEDURES

A. Three (3) sets of FALAR 1 shall be submitted to the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction by the building owner duly signed by theArchitect and Fire Safety Practitioner duly accredited by the BFP, together
with six (6) sets of plans and specifications. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction shall not issue a FSEC for the issuance of Building Permit
without the submission of FALAR 1.
B. Prior to beneficial occupancy, together with the Certificate ofCompletion of Construction, three (3) sets of FALAR 2 shall be submitted to
the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction by the building owner,
duly signed by the Construction Manager and Contractor. The
City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall not issue a FSIC as arequirement for the issuance of Occupancy Permit without the submissionof FALAR 2.
C. The building owner shall make available for submission to theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, three (3) sets of FALAR 3,
duly signed by the Building Administrator during the regular annual fire
safety inspection. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shallnot issue a FSIC as a requirement for the issuance of Business Permit
without the submission of FALAR 3.
SECTION 9.0.3.3

FORMAT OF PREPARATION

A. FALAR 1 - Documentation on Fire and Life-Safety Features of the Facility(Consisting of a written report prepared by the Architect and his Fire
Protection Consultant. This is a compilation of the plans/specification anddesign analysis normally submitted by the Architect and Engineers. )37

1. Objectives
2. Short Project Description
3. Statement of who is the enforcing authority for the National Building
Code and the Fire Code of the Philippines.
4. Statement of the Codes and Standards used in the design.
5. Discussion of Fire Protection and Life Safety Issues.
a. Building Classification and Construction;b. Hazards of contents and combustible loading including fire
scenarios adopted if design is performance based;c. Occupancy Classification;d. Structural Requirements/Separation of Building Spaces;
e. Exit and egress description
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
f.

Basis of design;
Number of exits;
Travel distances;
Exit calculations (may be included in appendices); andTimed-exit analysis (for equivalencies and variances);

Fire Suppression Description
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Design criteria used for sprinkler system/standpipe;
Other suppression systems;
Water supplies, and fire pumps, capacities;
Portable extinguishers;
Hydraulic and other calculations (may be placed inappendices); andRiser diagrams (may be placed in appendices);g. Fire detection, alarm, communication and evacuation systemsi.
ii.

Description of each system including features and controls;andSound pressure calculations (for equivalencies and variances);h. Smoke Control Management
i.
ii.
iii.

Description of smoke control strategies;
Design criteria used;
Calculations (may be included in appendices); and

38

iv.
i.

Exit light and emergency lighting systems
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

j.

Equipment capacities and description

Description;
Typical location of exit lights and emergency lighting systems;
Design criteria; andCalculations (equivalencies and variances).

Emergency Power Supply
i.
ii.
iii.

Description;
Capacities; andCalculations (may be included in appendices)k. Fire Department Accessi.
l.

Description and location of street hydrant and BFP station;
andOther issues not discussed above including elevator recall and useof elevators for evacuation

B. FALAR 2 - Documentation submitted by the Contractor/s and theConstruction Manager certifying that the construction was in accordancewith the FALAR 1 and authorized changes.
(Documents will be a compilation report of all approved submittals, test
and acceptance forms of all fire protection and life safety features andshall form part of the as-built documents turned over by the contractor to
the building owner.)
1. Short Description of Project.
2. Objectives of the Report.
3. Enforcing Authorities.
4. Standards used for Authorized Changes.
5. Fire Protection and Life Safety Issues.
a. Building classification and construction - a statement saying there isno deviation from FALAR 1.
b. Hazards of content and combustible loadings - description of
authorized changes from FALAR 1. If none, a statement saying
none.

39

c. Occupant characterization- description of any changes from
FALAR 1. If none, a statement saying none.
d. Structural requirements and separation of building
description of authorized changes from FALAR 1.

spacesande. Exit and Egressi. Calculations (for changes and variances)ii. Description of authorized major changes to FALAR 1.
iii. Egress calculation for variances from code requirements.
f.

Fire Suppression Systems
i. Description of authorized major changes to FALAR 1.
ii. Calculations for major changes (maybe included inappendices)g. Fire detection, alarm, communication and evacuation systems
i. Description of authorized major changes.
ii. Calculation for major changes.
iii. Testing, commissioning and acceptance data of the fire alarmand detection system.
iv. Testing, commissioning and acceptance data including fire andjockey pumps
h. Smoke Control Management
i. Description of Authorized Changes
ii. Calculation for major changesiii. Testing, commissioning and acceptance data for smoke
exhaust and pressurization blowersi.

Emergency Power Supply
i. Description of authorized changes
ii. Calculation for major changesiii. Testing, commissioning and acceptance data of the generator
set.

j.

Other issues including testing and commissioning of the elevator
recall system.

C. FALAR 3 - Documentation on the required periodic maintenance andupkeep of the fire and life-safety features of the facility.
(It consists of a written report prepared by the building owner, his fire
safety officer or his authorized representative. This is a compilation of the40maintenance and testing records kept by the buildings engineering andmaintenance departments. )1. Objectives
2. Short Description of Building or Facilities.
3. Statement on who is the enforcing authority for the National Building
Code and the Fire Code of the Philippines.
4. Statement of Testing and Maintenance Standards Used.
5. Discussions of Fire Protection and Life Safety Issues.
a. Building Classification and Construction.
b. Hazards of Content and Combustible Loadings.
c. Occupancy Classifications.
d. Separation of Building Spaces.
e. Exit and Egress
i.
ii.
f.

Number of active exits; andMaintenance records done on egress component such as
doors and enclosed stairways.

Fire Suppressioni.
ii.

Maintenance and testing records done on fire pumps,
sprinkler system, portable extinguishers, standpipes and otherfire suppression systems; andSubmit results of annual fire pump flow tests, annual main
drain tests, and water flow tests for standpipe; submit othertest results as appropriate.

g. Fire detection, alarm communication and evaluation systemi.

Testing and maintenance records done on the componentsof the detection and alarm system including the fire alarm
control panel.

h. Smoke Control Managementi.

i.

Maintenance and testing records of the various componentof the smoke management system. Include test records forpressurization fans for flows and fan controls.

Emergency Power Supply

41

i.
j.

Maintenance and testing records of the system componentsof the emergency power supply.

Other testing and maintenance records, including test results of theelevator recall system.

DIVISION 4. FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATESECTION 9.0.4.1

FSIC AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR ISSUANCE OF PERMIT/LICENSE

Upon compliance of the fire safety requirements under Rule 10 of this IRR, a
Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) shall be issued by the BFP as a pre –requisite for the issuance of Business or Mayor’s Permit, Permit to Operate,
Occupancy Permit, PHILHEALTH Accreditation for Hospitals, DOH License to
Operate and other permits or licenses being issued by other government
agencies.
SECTION 9.0.4.2

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

A. FSIC for Occupancy Permit
1. Endorsement from the Building Official (BO);
2. Photocopy of Building Permit and Assessment of Occupancy Permit
Fee;
3. Copy of Fire Insurance Policy, if any;
4. Copy of Latest Fire Safety Inspection
preceding this application, if any; andCertificate immediately

5. Three (3) sets of FALAR 2.
B. FSIC for Business Permit

1. Endorsement from the Business Permit Licensing Office (BPLO);
2. Photocopy of Building Permit and Assessment of Business Permit
Fee/Tax Bill for Business Permit;

3. Copy of Fire Insurance Policy, if any;
4. Copy of Latest Fire Safety Inspection Certificate immediately
preceding this application, if any; and5. Three (3) sets of FALAR 3.
42

DIVISION 5. FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE
Fire Safety Clearance shall be required for the storage, handling, installationand transportation of hazardous materials, operations and processes as may
be prescribed in other provisions of this IRR.
DIVISION 6. FIRE INSURANCE DATA REQUIREDAll persons having fire insurance coverage on their properties and/or businessshall submit a certified true copy of all coverages currently in effect, including
subsequent and/or additional policies to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction not later than ten (10) days after receipt of the documentfrom any insurance company. Exempted from this requirement are owners ofdetached, single- or two-family dwellings actually being used for residential
occupancy.

RULE 10. FIRE SAFETY MEASURES
CHAPTER 1. COVERAGE
This Rule covers the Fire Safety Measure for Buildings, Structures and Facilities,
Hazardous Materials and Wastes, Hazardous Operations and Processes andMiscellaneous Hazardous Premises and/or conditions, that by its very natureor relation to life, property and environment poses threat or danger.
CHAPTER 2. FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND FACILITIESDIVISION 1.

SCOPE

A. This Chapter deals with life safety from fire and like emergencies inbuildings, structures and facilities. It covers construction, protection andoccupancy features to minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, vaporand fumes before buildings are vacated. It also discusses procedures andguidelines in fire drills required for all types of occupancies to prevent
panic in times of emergencies. It specifies the number, size, andarrangement of means of egress sufficient to permit prompt and safe
escape of occupants from buildings, or structures or facilities in case offire or other conditions dangerous to life and property.
B. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prohibit a better type ofdesign, building construction, more exits, or otherwise safer conditions
than the requirements specified in this Chapter.
DIVISION 2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A. Every building or structure, new or old, designed for human occupancy
shall be provided with exits sufficient to permit the fast and safe escape43

of occupants in case of fire or other emergency. The design of exits andother fire safety construction shall be such that reliance for safety to life incase of fire or other emergency will not depend solely on any single fire
safety construction. Additional safeguards shall be provided for life safety
in case any single safeguard is ineffective due to some human or
mechanical failure.
B. Every building or structure shall be designed, constructed, equipped,
maintained and operated to avoid danger to the lives and ensure safetyof its occupants from fire, smoke, vapor and fumes, during the period of
escape from the building or structure.
C. Every building or structure shall be provided with exits of kind, number,
location and capacity appropriate to the individual building or structure,with due regard to the character of the occupancy, the number of
persons exposed, the fire protection available and the height and type of
construction of the building or structure, to afford all occupants
convenient facilities for escape.
D. Every exit of buildings or structures shall be arranged and maintained toprovide free and unobstructed egress from all parts thereof at all times.
No lock or fastening device that would prevent escape from the inside ofany building shall be installed except in mental, penal, or correctional
institutions where personnel are continually on duty and effective
provisions are made to evacuate occupants in case of fire or otheremergencies.
E. Every exit shall be clearly visible. The route to the exit shall be conspicuously marked in such a manner that every occupant of a building or
structure will readily know the direction of escape. Each route of escape,in its entirety, shall be so arranged or marked that the way to a place ofsafety outside is unmistakable. Any doorway not constituting an exit shallbe marked to minimize its possible confusion as an exit. Likewise, passage
constituting a way to reach an exit shall be marked to minimize
confusion.
F. All means of egress shall be provided with adequate and reliable
illumination.
G. Fire alarm systems or devices shall be provided in every building or
structure of such size, arrangement, or occupancy, to provide adequate
warning to occupants.
H. Every building or structure, section, or area thereof of such size,
occupancy and arrangement such that the reasonable safety of anumber of occupants may be endangered by the blocking of any single
means of egress due to fire or smoke, shall have at least two means ofegress remote from each other, so arranged as to minimize any possibility

44

that both may be blocked by any one fire or other emergency
conditions.
I.

Every vertical way of exit and other vertical openings between floors of abuilding shall be suitably enclosed or protected to afford reasonablesafety of occupants while using exits and to prevent spread of fire,smoke, or fumes through vertical openings from floor to floor before
occupants have entered exits.

J. Required Fire Safety Programs/Measures
1.

In addition to the requirements, lessees or occupants of buildings,
structures or facilities shall observe all pertinent fire safety measures;

2.

All occupants or lessees of buildings, structures or facilities shall organize themselves and develop and implement fire safety programs
to include among others, fire prevention in the premises, notification of
the BFP on the existence of a fire, evacuation of persons and initial firefighting. The building owner shall take the initiative of formulating thefire safety program for his building and of organizing the occupants toimplement the programs.

3.

In buildings, leased to and used by one or several companies or
persons, the management of each company or each person shall be
responsible for fire safety measures within the leased or occupied
areas. The building owner shall be responsible for the common areasin the building such as the means of egress, utilities and building
service equipment or systems.

4.

In building structures or facilities, such as condominium and the like,
where some units of the building are not yet sold, the provisions ofparagraph “J” sub-para "3" above shall apply. When all condominium
units have been sold, responsibility for fire safety measures in thecommon areas such as the means of egrees, utilities, building
equipment/system and the building as a whole, shall devolve jointly
upon all individual unit owners or occupants.

K. Compliance with this Chapter shall not be construed as eliminating or
reducing the necessity from complying with the other provisions for safetyof persons using a structure under normal occupancy conditions. Also, no
provision of the Fire Code of the Philippines and this IRR shall be construed
as requiring or permitting any condition that might be hazardous undernormal occupancy conditions.
L. Construction and Repair Operations
1. New Construction
a. No building or structure under construction shall be occupied in45

whole or in part until all required means of egress required for thepart to be occupied are completed, inspected and approved for
occupancy.
b. Adequate escape facilities shall be maintained at all times inbuildings under construction for the use of construction workers.
These facilities shall consist of doors, walkways, stairs, ramps, fireescapes, or other arrangements in accordance with the general
guidelines of the Fire Code of the Philippines and this IRR in so far as
they can reasonably be applied to buildings under construction.
2. Repairs or Alterations
a. Existing buildings may be occupied during repairs or alterations
provided that all existing fire protection systems/devices arecontinuously maintained or, in lieu thereof, other measures aretaken to provide equivalent safety.
b. Flammable or explosive substances or equipment necessary for the
repair or alteration of a building or structure may be introduced
therein while it is occupied, only if the conditions of use and thesafeguards therefore provided will not create any additional
danger or impair the use of the means of egress.
DIVISION 3. CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY
A. A building or structure shall be classified as follows:
1. Assemblya. Assembly occupancies include, but are not limited to, all buildings
or portions of buildings used for gathering together of fifty (50) or
more persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship,entertainment,
eating,drinking,
amusement,
awaiting
transportation, or similar uses.
b. Assembly occupancies include: theaters; assembly halls;
auditorium; exhibition halls; museum; restaurants; drinking
establishments; places of worship; classrooms of 50 persons andover capacity; libraries; internet shops of over 50 persons capacity;
dance halls; club rooms; skating rinks; gymnasiums; cockpit arenas;
bowling facilities; pool rooms; armories; passenger stations andterminals of air, surface, underground, and marine public
transportation facilities; recreational facilities; piers; court-rooms;
conference rooms; and mortuary chapels or funeral homes.
c. Restaurants and drinking establishments with an occupant load ofless than 50 persons shall be classified as mercantile occupancies.

46

d. Occupancy of any room or space for assembly purposes by lessthan fifty (50) persons in a building of other occupancy andincidental to such other occupancy shall be classified as part of theother occupancy and subject to the provisions applicable thereto.
2. Educationala. Educational occupancies include all buildings or portions thereof
used for the gathering of group of six (6) or more persons forpurposes of instruction.
b. Educational occupancies include: Schools; Universities; Colleges;
Academies; Nursery schools; Kindergartens; and Child Day Carefacilities.
c. Other occupancies associated with educational institutions shall bein accordance with the appropriate parts of this Chapter, except
licensed day care facilities of any capacity.
d. In case where instruction is incidental to some other occupancy,
the Section of the Chapter governing such other occupancy shallapply.
3. Health Carea. Health care facilities are those used for purposes of medical orother treatment or care of persons where such occupants aremostly incapable of self preservation because of age, physical ormental disability, or because of security measures not under theoccupants’ control.
b. Health care facilities include: hospitals; nursing homes; birth centers;
and residential custodial care centers such as nurseries, homes forthe aged and the like.
4. Detention and Correctionala. Detention and correctional buildings are those used to house one
or more persons under varied degrees of restraint or security wheresuch occupants are mostly incapable of self-preservation because
of security measures not under the occupants’ control.
b. Detention and correctional occupancies shall include those used
for purposes such as correctional institutions, detention facilities,
community residential centers, training schools, work camps, andsubstance abuse centers where occupants are confined or housed
under some degree of restraint or security.

47

5. Residential
a. Residential occupancies are those occupancies in which sleeping
accommodations are provided for normal residential purposes andincludeallbuildings
designedtoprovidesleeping
accommodations.
b. Residential buildings, structures or facilities are treated separately inthis Rule in the following groups: hotels; motels; apartelles; pension
houses; inns; apartments; condominiums; dormitories; lodging or
rooming houses; and one- and two-family dwellings; and the likes.
6. Mercantile
a. Mercantile occupancies include stores, markets, and other rooms,
buildings, or structures for the display and/or sale of merchandise.
b. Mercantile occupancies include: malls; supermarkets; department
stores; shopping centers; flea markets; restaurants of less than 50
persons capacity; public/private dry and wet markets; water
refilling stations; drugstores; hardwares/construction supplies;
showrooms; and auction rooms.
c. Minor merchandising operation in building predominantly of otheroccupancies, such as newsstand in an office building, shall be
subject to the exit requirements of the predominant occupancy.
d. Office, storage, and service facilities incidental to the sale ofmerchandise and located in the same building should beconsidered part of the mercantile occupancy classification.
7. Businessa. Business buildings are those used for the transaction of businessother than that covered under Mercantile, for the keeping ofaccounts and records and similar purposes.
b. Included in this occupancy group are: offices for lawyers; doctors;
dentists and other professionals; general offices; City/Municipal
halls; internet shops; massage parlors, beauty parlors, barbershopsof less than 50 occupants and court houses;
c. Minor office occupancy incidental to operations in otheroccupancy shall be considered as a part of the dominantoccupancy and shall be subject to the provisions of the Chapter
applying to the dominant occupancy.
8. Industrial
a. Industrial occupancies include factories that make products of all48

kinds and properties which shall include but not limited to productprocessing, assembling and disassembling, mixing, packaging,finishing or decorating, repairing and material recovery including,among others, the following: factories of all kinds; laboratories; drycleaning plants; power plants; pumping stations; smokehouses; gas
plants; refineries; and sawmills, laundries; creameries
9. Storagea. Storage occupancy includes all buildings or structures utilized
primarily for the storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise,
products, vehicles, or animals. Included in this occupancy groupare: warehouses; cold storages; freight terminals; truck and marine
terminals; bulk oil storage; LPG storage; parking garages; hangars;
grain elevators; barns; and stables.
b. Minor storage incidental to other occupancy shall be treated aspart of the other occupancy.
10. Mixed Occupancies
a. Refers
to
two
or
more
classesofoccupancies
occurring/located/situated/existing in the same building and/or
structures so intermingled that separate safeguards are
impracticable.
b. The means of egress shall be sufficient to meet exit requirements forthe occupants of each individual room or section, and for the
maximum occupant load of the entire building. Fire safety
construction, protective and warning systems and other safeguards
shall met requirements of the most hazardous occupancy unlessotherwise specified in Division 8 through 17 of this Chapter.
11. Miscellaneousa. This class of occupancy includes buildings or structure whichcannot be properly classified in any of the preceding occupancy
groups. Such miscellaneous buildings and structures shall conformto the fundamental guidelines provided for in Division 2 and to any
specific provisions applicable thereto in Division 17 both of this
Chapter.
B. In case of conflict as to the type or classification of occupancy, the same
shall be determined by the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized
representative.

49

DIVISION 4. HAZARD OF BUILDINGSSECTION 10.2.4.1

GENERAL

A. For purposes of this Chapter, the degree of hazard shall be the relative
danger of the start and spread of fire, the generation of smoke or gases,
the danger of explosion or other occurrences potentially endangering
the lives and safety of the occupants of the building or structure due tothe nature of the contents or processes/operations therein.
B. The degree of fire hazard shall be determined by the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction on the basis of the nature, character of thecontents and the process or operations being conducted in the building
or structure: Provided, however, that where the flame spread rating of
the interior finish or other features of the building or structure are such as
to involve a fire hazard greater than the hazard of contents, the greater
degree of fire hazard shall govern, except if such hazardous areas aresegregated or protected as specified in Section 10.2.6.8 of this IRR andthe applicable sections of Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter.
SECTION 10.2.4.2

CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARD OF CONTENTS

A. The hazard of contents of any building or structure shall be classified asfollows:
1. Low Hazard
Those of such low combustibility that no self-propagating fire therein
can occur and that consequently, the only probable danger requiring
the use of emergency exits will be from panic, fumes or smoke or firefrom some external source.
2. Moderate Hazard
Those which are liable to burn with moderate rapidity or to give off aconsiderable volume of smoke but from which neither poisonous
fumes nor explosions are to be expected in the event of fire.
3. High Hazard
Those which are liable to burn with extreme rapidity or from which
poisonous gases or explosions are to be expected in the event of fire.

50

DIVISION 5. MEANS OF EGRESSSECTION 10.2.5.1

APPLICATION

A. Means of egress for both new and existing buildings shall comply with this
Division except as may be modified for individual occupancies by
Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter.
B. Any change, alteration or addition that would reduce the means ofegress below the requirements for new buildings is prohibited.
SECTION 10.2.5.2

GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. Permissible Exit Components
An exit shall consist of the approved components that are described,
regulated, and limited as to use by Sections 10.2.5.3 through 10.2.5.12 ofthis IRR. Exit components shall be constructed as an integral part of thebuilding or shall be permanently affixed thereto.
B. Protective Enclosure of Exits
1. When an exit is required to be protected by separation from otherparts of the building by some requirements of this IRR, the constructionof the separation shall meet the following requirements:
a. The separation shall have at least one (1) hour fire resistance ratingwhen the exit connects three (3) storeys or less, regardless ofwhether the storeys connected are above or below the storey atwhich the exit discharge begins.
b. The separation shall have at least two (2) hours resistance ratingwhen the exit connects four (4) or more storeys, whether above or
below the floor of discharge. It shall be constructed ofnoncombustible materials and shall be supported by construction
having at least a two (2)-hour fire resistance rating.
c. Any opening in the separation wall/construction shall be protectedby an approved self-closing fire resistive door.
d. Openings in exit enclosure shall be confined to those necessary foraccess, to the enclosure from normally occupied spaces and foregress from the enclosure.
2. No exit enclosure shall be used for any purpose other than for meansof egress.

51

C. Capacity of Means of Egress
1. The egress capacity for approved components of means of egress
shall be based on the capacity factors shown in Table 1.
Table 1: CAPACITY FACTORS

Area
Board and Care
Health Care,
SprinkleredHealth Care, Non
Sprinklered
High Hazards
All Others

Stairways(width per person)

Level Components
and Ramps(width per person)
mm
in
5
0.2
5
0.2

mm
10
7.6

in
0.4
0.3

15

0.6

13

0.5

18
7.6

0.7
0.3

10
5

0.4
0.4

2. The required capacity of a corridor shall be the occupant load thatutilizes the corridor for exit access divided by the required number ofexits to which the corridor connects, but the corridor capacity shall be
not less than the required capacity of the exit to which the corridor
leads.
D. Occupant Load
1. The total capacity of means of egress for any floor, balcony, tier, orother occupied space shall be sufficient for the occupant load
thereof. The occupant load in any building or portion thereof shall be
the maximum number of persons that may be in the space at any
time, as determined by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction, but shall not be less than the number computed by
dividing the floor area assigned to that use by the occupant loadfactor in accordance with the requirements of Divisions 8 through 17 of
this Chapter for individual occupancies
2. Where exits serve more than one floor, only the occupant load ofeach floor considered individually need be used in computing thecapacity of the exits of that floor; Provided, that exit capacity shall not
be decreased in the direction of exit travel. When means of egressfrom the floor above and below converge at an intermediate floor,
the capacity of the means of egress from the point of convergenceshall not be less than the sum of the two.
3. When any required egress capacity from a balcony or mezzanine
passes through the room below, that required capacity shall be
added to the required egress capacity of the room below.

52

E. Measurement of Means of Egress
1. The width of means of egress shall be measured by clear width startingfrom the narrowest point of the egress component underconsideration, unless otherwise provided in para (2) hereof.
2. Projections of not more than one hundred fourteen millimeters (114mm) at a maximum height of nine hundred sixty five millimeters (965mm) within the means of egress on each side shall be permitted.
F. Minimum Width
The width of any means of egress shall not be less than nine hundred
fifteen millimeters (915 mm) except when specifically provided under
Division 8 to Division 17 of this Chapter.
G. Number of Means of Egress
1. The number of means of egress from any balcony, mezzanine, storey,
or portion thereof shall not be less than two (2), except when
specifically permitted in Division 8 through 17 of this Chapter.
2. When the occupant load for any storey or portion thereof is more than
five hundred (500) but not more than one thousand (1000), the meansof egress shall not be less than three (3); in excess thereof, the meansof egress shall not be less than four (4).
3. The occupant load of each storey considered individually shall be
required to be used in computing the number of means of egress ateach storey, provided that the required number of means of egress is
not decreased in the direction of exit travel.
4. No doors other than hoistway door, the elevator car door, and doorsthat are readily openable from the car side without a key, tool, special
knowledge, or special effort shall be allowed at the point of access toan elevator car.
5. Elevator lobbies shall have access to at least one exit. Such exit accessshall not require the use of a key, a tool, special knowledge, or special
effort.
H. Arrangement of Exit
1. Exits shall be located and exit access shall be arranged so that exits
are readily accessible at all times.
2. When exits are not immediately accessible from an open floor area,
continuous passageways, aisles, or corridors leading directly to every
exit shall be maintained and shall be arranged to provide access for53each occupant to not less than two exits by separate ways of travel.
3. Corridors shall provide exit access without passing through any
intervening rooms other than corridors, lobbies, and other spaces
permitted to be open to the corridor.
4. Remoteness shall be determined in accordance with the following:a. When more than one exit is required from a building or portion
thereof, such exits shall be remotely located from each other andshall be arranged and constructed to minimize the possibility that
more than one exit has the potential to be blocked by any fire orother emergency condition.
b. When two (2) exits or exit access doors are required, they shall belocated at a distance from one another not less than one-half (1/2)
of the length of the maximum over-all diagonal dimension of thebuilding or area to be served, measured in a straight line between
the nearest edge of the exit doors or exit access doors, unlessotherwise provided in para (c) hereof.
c. In buildings protected throughout by an approved supervised
automatic sprinkler system, the minimum separation distance
between two exits or exit access doors measured in accordancewith para (b) hereof shall not be less than one-third (1/3) the lengthof the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area
to be served.
d. Where exit enclosures are provided as the required exits specifiedin para (b) and para (c) hereof and are interconnected by not lessthan 1-hour fire resistance-rated corridor, exit separation shall bemeasured along the line of travel within the corridor.
e. Where more than two exits or exit access doors are required, atleast two (2) of the required exits or exit access doors shall bearranged to comply with the minimum separation distancerequirement.
5. Interlocking or scissor stairs shall be considered only as a single exit for
new buildings.
I.

Dead-End Limits
Means of egress shall be so arranged that there are no dead-end
pockets, hallways, corridors, passage ways or courts whose depth
exceeds the limits specified in individual occupancies by Divisions 8
through 17 of this Chapter.

54

J. Measurement of Travel Distance to Exits
1. The maximum travel distance in any occupied space to the nearest
exit shall not exceed the limits specified for individual occupancies by
Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter. Maximum travel distance shallbe determined as follows:a. The travel distance to an exit shall be measured on the floor orother walking surface along the center line of the natural path oftravel, starting from the most remote point subject to occupancy,
curving around any corner or construction with a thirty (30)centimeter clearance therefrom, and ending at the center of thedoorway or other point at which the exit begins. Where
measurement includes stairs, it shall be taken in the place of thetread nosing.
b. In the case of open areas, distance to exits shall be measured fromthe most remote point subject to occupancy. In case of individualrooms subject to occupancy by not more than six (6) persons,distance to exits shall be measured from the floors of such rooms
provided the path of travel from any point in the room to the room
door does not exceed fifteen meters (15 m).
2. Where open stairways or ramps are permitted, as a path of travel torequired exit, such as between mezzanines or balconies and the floor
below, the distance shall include the travel on the stairway or ramp,
and the travel from the end of the stairway or ramp to reach an
outside door or other exit, in addition to the distance to reach thestairway or ramp.
3. Where any part of an exterior way of exit access is within three meters(3 m) horizontal distance of any unprotected building opening, as
permitted by Section 10.2.5.5 for outside stairs, the distance to the exit
shall include the length of travel to ground level.
K. Access to Exits
1. A door from a room to an exit or to a way of exit access shall be of theside-hinged, swinging type. It shall swing with exit travel.
2. In no case shall access to exit be through a bathroom, bedroom, orother room subject to locking, except where the exit is required toserve only the bedroom or other room subject to locking, or adjoining
rooms constituting part of the same dwelling or apartment used forsingle family occupancy.
3. Ways of exit access and the doors to exits to which they lead shall be
designed and arranged to be clearly recognizable as such. Decorations or draperies shall not be placed on exit doors. Mirrors shall not55

be placed in or adjacent to any exit in such a manner as to confuse
the direction of exit.
4. Exit access shall be arranged that it will not be necessary to travel
toward any area of high hazard occupancy in order to reach thenearest exit, unless the path is protected by suitable partitions.
L. Exterior Ways of Exit Access
1. Access to an exit may be by means of any exterior balcony, porch,gallery, or roof that conforms to the requirements of this Section.
2. Exterior ways of access shall have smooth, solid floors, substantiallylevel, and shall have guards on the unenclosed sides at least
equivalent to those specified in paragraph “H” of Section 10.2.5.4 ofthis IRR.
3. A permanent, reasonably straight path of travel shall be maintained
over the required exterior way of exit access. There shall be no
obstruction by railings, barriers, or gates that divide the open space
into sections appurtenant to individual rooms, apartments, or otheruses. Where the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction findsthat the required path of travel is obstructed by furniture or othermovable objects, he shall require their removal. However, if the widthof the exterior way of exit access is greater than the required path oftravel, he may permit the relocation of such furniture to one side sothat they are out of the path's way. Such furniture shall then befastened so they can no longer be moved. Alternatively, he may
require that railings or other permanent barriers be installed to protect
the path of travel against encroachment.
4. An exterior way of exit access shall be arranged so that there are nodead-ends in excess of six meters (6 m) in length.
5. Any gallery, balcony, bridge, porch or other exterior exit access thatprojects beyond the outside wall of a building shall comply with therequirements of this Division as to width and arrangement.
M. Discharge from Exits
1. All exits shall terminate directly at a public way or at an exit discharge.
Yards, courts, open space, or other portions of the exit discharge shallbe of required width and size to provide all occupants with a safe
access to a public way.
2. Where permitted for individual occupancies by Divisions 8 through 17of this Chapter, a maximum of fifty (50) percent of the exits may
discharge through areas on the floor of discharge provided all of thefollowing requirements are met:56

a. Exits shall discharge to a free and unobstructed way to the exteriorof the building and is readily visible and identifiable from the pointof discharge from the exit.
b. The floor of discharge into which the exit discharges and any otherportion of the level of discharge with access to the discharge areas
are protected with approved, supervised sprinkler system orseparated from it in accordance with the requirement for theenclosure of exits except if the discharge area is a vestibule orfoyer complying with all of the following, and where allowed in
Divisions 8 through 17:i.

The depth from the exterior of the building is not greater than
three meters (3m);ii. The length is not greater than six meters (6m);iii. The foyer is separated from the remainder of the level ofdischarge by construction providing protection at least theequivalent of wired glass in steel frames; and the foyer serves
only for means of egress including exits directly to the outside.
c. The entire area on the floor of discharge is separated from areas
below by construction having a minimum of two-hour (2-hr) fire
resistance rating.
3. Stairs and other exits shall be so arranged as to make clear the
direction of egress to the street. Exit stairs that continue beyond thefloor of discharge shall be interrupted at the floor of discharge bypartitions, doors, or other effective means.
4. Stairs, ramps, bridges, balconies, escalators, moving walks and othercomponents of an exit discharge shall comply with the detailed
requirements of this Division for such components.
5. Subject to the approval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction, exits may be accepted where discharging to roofs or othersections of the building or adjoining buildings, where the roof has a fire
resistance rating at least the equivalent of that required for the exit enclosure, where there is a continuous and safe means of egress from theroom, and all other reasonable requirements for the safety are
maintained.
N. Headroom
The minimum headroom shall not be less than two meters (2 m) nor any
projection from the ceiling be less than two meters (2 m) from the floor.

57

O. Changes in Elevation
Where a means of egress is not level, such differences in elevation shall be
negotiated by stairs or ramps conforming to the requirements of thisSection for stairs and ramps.
P. Interior Finish in Exits
The flame spread of interior finish shall not exceed Class B in accordancewith Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR in exit enclosures except when allowed in
Division 8 through 17 of this Section.
SECTION 10.2.5.3

DOORS

A. Application
1. A door assembly, including the doorway, frame, door, and necessary
hardware, may be used as a component in a means of egress when it
conforms to the general requirements of Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR andto the specific requirements of this Section.
2. Every door and every principal entrance which are required to serveas an exit shall be designed and constructed that the way of exit
travel is obvious and direct. Windows, which because of their physicalconfiguration or design and the materials used in their construction
could be mistaken for doors, shall be made inaccessible to theoccupants by barriers or railings conforming to the requirements ofparagraph “H” of Section 10.2.5.4 of this IRR.
3. The door assembly required by this Section shall comply with the fire
protection rating and, where rated, is self-closing or automatic-closing
by means of smoke detection in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3
para “G” of this IRR, and is installed in accordance with NFPA 80,
Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows.
B. Swing and Force to Open
1. Any door in a means of egress shall be of the side-hinged or pivotedswinging type. The door shall be designed and installed so that it iscapable of swinging from any position to the full required width of the
opening in which it is installed. Doors required to be of the side-hinged
or pivoted-swinging type shall swing in the direction of egress travel
where serving a room or area with an occupant load of fifty (50) or
more persons.
2. A door shall swing in the direction of egress travel when used in an exit
enclosure or where serving a high hazard contents area, unless it is adoor from an individual living unit that opens directly into an exit
enclosure. During its swing, any door in a means of egress shall leave58not less than one-half of the required width of an aisle, corridor,
passageway, or landing unobstructed and shall not project more than
one hundred seventy eight millimeters (178 mm) into the required
width of an aisle, corridor, passageway, or landing, when fully open.
Doors shall not open directly onto a stair without a landing. The landing
shall have a width not less than the width of the door.
3. Any door used in an exit and, unless exempt by other provisions of thisRule, shall be designed and installed that when a force is applied tothe door on the side from which egress is to be made, it shall swing in
the direction of exit travel from any position to the full instant use of the
opening in which it is installed.
C. Locks, Latches, Alarm Devices
1. A door shall be arranged to be readily opened from the side fromwhich egress is to be made at all times when the building served
thereby is occupied. Locks, if provided, shall not require the use of akey, a tool, or special knowledge or effort, for operation from theinside of the building.
2. A latch or other fastening device on a door shall be provided with aknob, handle, panic bar, or other simple type releasing device, themethod of operation of which is obvious, even in darkness.
3. A door designed to be kept normally closed in a means of egress, suchas a door to a stair or horizontal exit, shall be provided with a reliableself-closing mechanism in accordance with para G of this Section,and shall not at any time be secured in the open position. A door
designed to be kept normally closed shall bear a sign reading
substantially as follows:
FIRE EXIT
KEEP DOOR CLOSED
4. Doors on buildings of four (4) or more storeys in height shall be
provided with re-entry mechanism to provide access out of thestairway to another exit. There shall be re-entry mechanism every four(4) floors that provide a way out of the stairway.
5. Doors not allowing re-entry shall be provided with a sign indicating thelocation of the nearest door, in each direction of travel that allows reentry or exit.
NO RE – ENTRY
PROCEED TO ________ FLOOR
AND _________ FLOOR

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D. Egress Capacity Width
In determining the egress width for swinging doors, only the clear width ofthe doorway when the door is open ninety degrees (90o) shall be measured. In determining the egress width for other types of doors for purposesof calculating capacity, only the clear width of the doorway when thedoor is in the full open position shall be measured. Clear width ofdoorways shall be measured between the face of the door and the stopin accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 para “E” of this IRR.
E. Width and Floor Level
1. Door openings in means of egress shall not be less than seventy one
centimeters (71 cm) in clear width. When a pair of doors is provided,
not less than one of the doors shall provide at least seventy one
centimeters (71 cm) clear width opening.
2. No single door in a doorway shall exceed one hundred twenty two
centimeters (122 cm) in width.
3. The elevation of the floor surfaces on both sides of a door shall notvary by more than one and three-tenths centimeters (1.3 cm). The
elevation shall be maintained on both sides of the doorway for a
distance not less than the width of the widest leaf. Thresholds atdoorways shall not exceed three-tenths centimeters (1.3 cm) in height.
Raised thresholds and floor level changes in excess of six millimeters (6mm) doorways shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1 in 2.
F. Panic Hardware
1. When a door is required to be equipped with panic hardware bysome other provisions of this Rule, the panic hardware shall cause thedoor latch to release when a force of not more than seven kilogramforce (7 kg-f) is applied to the releasing device in the direction of exit
travel.
2. Such releasing devices shall be bars or panel extending not less than
two-thirds (2/3) of the width of the door and placed at heights suitable
for the service required, and shall not be less than seventy six (76) nor
more than one hundred twelve centimeters(112 cm) above the floor.
3. Required panic hardware shall not be equipped with any locking or
dogging device, set screw, or other arrangement which can be used
to prevent the release of the latch when pressure is applied to the bar.
G. Self-Closing Devices
1. A door normally required to be kept closed shall be installed or
equipped with automatic door closer in accordance with thefollowing criteria:

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a. Upon release of the hold-open mechanism, the door becomes selfclosing.
b. The release device is designed so that the door instantly releases
manually and, upon release, becomes self-closing, or the door canbe readily closed.
H. MaintenanceNo lock, padlock, hasp, bar, chain, or other device, or combination
thereof shall be installed or maintained at any time on or in connection
with any door on which panic hardware is required by this Chapter, if
such device prevents, or is intended to prevent, the free use of the door
for purposes of egress.
I.

Power Operated Doors
1. Where required doors are operated by power, such as those withphoto-electric actuated mechanism which open upon the approachof a person or doors with power-assisted manual operation, the design
shall be such that in event of power failure, the door may be opened
manually to permit exit travel or closed where necessary to safeguardmeans of egress.
2. No power-operated door shall be counted as a required exit unless it
also swings with the exit travel by manual means.

J. Screen and Storm Doors
No screen door or storm door in connection with any required exit shallswing against the direction of exit travel in any case where doors are
required to swing with the exit travel.
K. Revolving Doors
1. A revolving door shall not be used in a means of egress for an exit fromthe floor of discharge directly to the outside except where specificallypermitted in other Divisions of this Chapter. It shall not be used at thefoot or top of stairs at the floor of discharge. Where permitted, therevolving door or doors shall be given a credit of only fifty (50%)
percent of the required capacity of exit except as provided inparagraph “K" (2) hereof. Such revolving doors shall be of approvedtype.
2. The number of revolving doors used as exit doors shall not exceed thenumber of swinging doors used as exit doors within six meters (6 m)
except when revolving doors may serve as exits without adjacentswinging doors for street floor elevator lobbies, if no stairways or doors
from other parts of the building discharge through the lobby, and the61lobby has no occupancy other than as a means of travel between
elevators and street.
3. Revolving doors shall be equipped with means to prevent their rotation
at too rapid a rate to permit orderly egress.
L. Turnstiles
1. No turnstiles or similar device to restrict travel to one direction, or tocollect fares or admission charges, shall be placed to obstruct any
required means of egress, except that approved turnstiles not overninety one centimeters (91 cm), which turn freely in the direction of exit
travel, may be used in any occupancy where revolving doors are
permitted. Turnstiles over ninety one centimeters (91 cm) shall be
subject to the requirements for revolving doors.
2. No turnstiles shall be placed in any required exit, or barring the way ofaccess thereto or travel therefrom, unless immediately adjacent orwithin six and one-tenth meters (6.1 m) there is a swinging door orgate opening freely in the direction of exit travel, an open passage
serving the same general path of travel as the turnstile.
3. Turnstile shall be rated the same as revolving doors as regards units ofexit width and rates of travel.
M. Doors in Folding Partitions
1. When permanently mounted folding movable partition are used todivide a room into smaller spaces, a swinging door or open doorway
shall be provided as a way of exit access from each such space.
2. The swinging door may be omitted and the partition may be used to
enclose the space completely under the following conditions:a. The subdivided space shall not be used by more than twenty (20)persons at any time;b. The use of the space shall be under adult supervision;c. The partitions shall be so arranged that they do not extend across
any aisle or corridor used as a way of access to the required exits
from the floor;d. The partitions shall conform to the interior finish and otherapplicable requirements of this Chapter; ande. The partitions shall be an approved type, shall have a simple
method of release, and shall be capable of being opened quickly
and easily by inexperienced persons in case of emergency.

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N. Horizontal Sliding Doors
1. Horizontal sliding doors shall meet the following criteria:
a. The door is readily operable from either side without special
knowledge or effort.
b. The force that, when applied to the operating device in the
direction of egress, is required to operate the door is not more thanseven kilogram force (7 kg-f).
c. The force required to operate the door in the direction of door
travel is not more than fifteen kilogram force (15 kg-f) to set thedoor in motion and is not more than seven kilogram force (7 kg-f)
to close the door or open it to the minimum required width.
d. The door assembly complies with the fire protection rating and,
where rated, is self-closing or automatic-closing by means of smoke
detection in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3 para G of this IRR,
and is installed in accordance with NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doorsand Fire Windows.
SECTION 10.2.5.4

STAIRS

A. General
1. Stairs used as a component in the means of egress shall conform to
the general requirements of Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR and to thespecial requirements of this Section.
2. All stairways designated as a means of egress shall be continuous fromthe uppermost floor level down to ground floor.
B. Dimensional Criteria
1. Standard stairs shall meet the following criteria:
a. New stairs shall be in accordance with Table 2 and 4.
b. Existing stairs shall be permitted to remain in use, provided that theymeet the requirements for existing stairs shown in Table 3.
c. Approved existing stairs shall be permitted to be rebuilt inaccordance with the following:i. Dimensional criteria of Table 3.
ii. Other stair requirements of Section 10.2.5.4 of this IRR.

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d. The requirements for new and existing stairs shall not apply to stairs
located in industrial equipment access areas except as otherwise
provided in Division 15 of this Chapter.
Table 2: DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA FOR NEW STAIRS
FeatureMinimum Width
Maximum height of risers
Minimum height of risers
Minimum tread depth
Minimum headroom
Maximum height between landings

Dimensional Criteriammin
See Table 4
180
7
100
4
280
11
2000
80
3660
144

Table 3: DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA FOR EXISTING STAIRS
Dimensional Criteriammin

FeatureMinimum width clear of all
obstructions, except projections
not more than 114 mm (4½ in) at or
below handrail height on each side
Maximum height of risers
Minimum tread depth
Minimum headroom
Maximum height between landings

915
205
230
2000
3660

36
8
9
80
144

2. Minimum New Stair Widtha. Where the total occupant load of all storeys served by the stair is
fewer than 50, the minimum width clear of all obstructions, except
projections not more than one hundred fourteen millimeters (114mm) at or below handrail height on each side, shall be nine
hundred fifteen millimeters (915 mm).
b. Where stairs serve occupant loads exceeding that permitted bypara B 2(a) of this Section, the minimum width clear of all
obstructions, except projections not more than one hundred
fourteen millimeters (114 mm) at or below handrail height on eachside, shall be in accordance with Table 4 and the requirements ofpara B 2(c), (d), and (e) of this Section.
Table 4: NEW STAIR WIDTH
Total Cumulative Occupant
Load Assigned to the Stair<2000 persons>2000 persons

64

Width
mm
in
1120
44
1420
56

c. The total cumulative occupant load assigned to a particular stairshall be that stair’s prorated share of the total occupant load, as
stipulated in (d) and (e), calculated in proportion to the stair width.
d. For downward egress travel, stair width shall be based on the total
number of occupants from storeys above the level where the width
is measured.
e. For upward egress travel, stair width shall be based on the total
number of occupants from storeys below the level where the width
is measured.
C. Curved Stairs
Curved stairs shall be permitted as a component in a means of egress,
provided that the depth of tread is not less than two hundred eighty
millimeters (280 mm) at a point three hundred five millimeters (305 mm)from the narrowest end of the tread and the smallest radius is not less than
twice the stair width.
D. Spiral Stairs
1. Where specifically permitted for individual occupancies by Divisions 8
to 17 of this Chapter, spiral stairs as a component of means of egress
shall comply with the following:a. Riser heights shall not exceed one hundred eighty millimeters (180mm).
b. The stairway shall have a tread depth of not less than two hundred
eighty millimeters (280 mm) for a portion of stairway width sufficient
to provide egress capacity for the occupant load served inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.2 para C of this IRR.
c. At the outer side of the stairway, an additional two hundred sixtyfive millimeters (265 mm) of width shall be provided clear to theother handrail, and this width shall not be included as part of therequired egress capacity.
d. Handrails shall be provided on both sides of the spiral stairway.
e. The inner handrail shall be located within six hundred ten millimeters(610 mm), measured horizontally, of the point where a tread depthof not less than two hundred eighty millimeters (280 mm) is
provided.
f.

The turn of the stairway shall be such that the outer handrail is at
the right side of descending users.

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2. Where the occupant load served does not exceed three, spiral stairs
shall be permitted, provided that the following criteria are met:a. The clear width of the stairs shall be not less than six hundred sixty
millimeters (660 mm).
b. The height of risers shall not exceed two hundred forty millimeters(240 mm).
c. The headroom shall be not less than one hundred ninety-eight
centimeters (198 cm).
d. Treads shall have a depth of not less than one hundred ninety
millimeters (190 mm) at a point three hundred five millimeters (305mm) from the narrower edge.
e. All treads shall be identical.
f.

Handrails shall be provided on both sides of the stairway.

3. Where the occupant load served does not exceed five, existing spiralstairs shall be permitted, provided that the requirements of para D 2(a)through (e) above are met.
E. Winders
Where allowed in Division 8 through Division 17 of this Chapter, winders
shall be permitted in stairs, provided that the same shall have a tread
depth of not less than one hundred fifty millimeters (150 mm) and a tread
depth of not less than two hundred eighty millimeters (280 mm) at a point
three hundred five millimeters (305 mm) from the narrowest edge.
F. Enclosure
1. All interior stairways shall be enclosed in accordance with theprovisions of Section 10.2.5.2 and Section 10.2.6.2 of this IRR, except
insofar as open stairways are permitted by paragraph "A" (2) of
Section 10.2.6.2 of this IRR.
2. There shall be no enclosed, usable space within an exit enclosure,including under stairs, nor shall any open space within the enclosure
be used for any purpose that has the potential to interfere with egress.
G. Stair Details
1. All stairs serving as required means of egress shall be of permanent
fixed construction.
Each new stair and platform, landing, balcony and stair hallway floor

66

used in building of four (4) storeys or more and in all new buildings,
required by this rule to be of fire-resistive construction, shall be noncombustible material throughout except that handrails are exemptedfrom this requirement. Treads of stairs and landing floors shall be solid.
2. Each stair, platform, landing, balcony, and stair hallways floor shall be
designed to carry a load of four hundred eighty-eight (488) kilos per
square meter or a concentrated load of one hundred thirty six (136)kilos, so located as to produce maximum stress conditions.
3. There shall be no variation exceeding five millimeters (5mm), in thewidth of treads or in height of risers in any flight, except as permitted
by paragraph H of this Section for monumental stairs.
4. Every tread less than twenty five centimeters (25 cm) shall have a nosing or an effective projection of approximately twenty five millimeters(25mm) over the level immediately below.
5. Where material of stair treads and landings is such as to involve
danger of slipping, non-slip material shall be provided on tread
surface.
6. Stairways and intermediate landings shall continue with no decrease inwidth along the direction of exit travel.
H. Guards and Handrails
1. Means of egress such as stairs, stair landings, balconies, ramps andaisles located along the edge of open-sided floor and mezzanines,
shall have guards to prevent falls over the open side. Each new stair,stair landing, and ramp shall have handrails on both sides.
2. Required guards and handrails shall continue for the full length of eachflight of stairs.
3. The design of guards and handrails and the hardware for attaching
handrails to guards, balusters, or masonry walls shall be such that there
are no projecting logs on attachment devices or non-projecting
corners or members of grilles or panels which may engage loose
clothing. Opening in guards shall be designed to prevent loose
clothing from becoming wedged in such openings.
4. Handrails Details:
a. Handrails on stairs shall be not less than seventy six centimeters (76cm) nor more than eighty six and one-half centimeters (86.5 cm)
above the upper surface of the tread, measured vertically to the
top of the rail from a point on the tread twenty five millimeters (25mm) back from the leading edge, except on stairways designed

67

for use by children an additional handrail may be provided lower
than the main handrail.
b. Handrails shall provide a clearance of at least thirty eight (38)
millimeters between handrail and wall to which it is fastened.
Handrails shall be of such design and so supported as to withstanda load of not less than ninety one kilos (91 kg) applied to any point,
downward or horizontally.
c. Handrails shall be so designed as to permit continuous sliding ofhands on them.
d. Every stairway required to be more than two hundred twenty three
centimeters (223 cm) in width, shall have intermediate handrails
dividing the stairway into portions not more than two hundred
twenty three centimeters (223 cm) in width, except that onmonumental outside stairs, two handrails may be permitted.
5. Guard Details:
a. The height of guards required by paragraphs "H" of this Section shallbe measured vertically to the top of the guard from a point on thetread twenty five millimeters (25mm) back from the leading edgeor from the floor of landings or balconies.
b. No guards shall be required for inside stairs which reverse direction
at intermediate landings, where the horizontal distance between
successive flights is not more than thirty and a half centimeters(30.5cm).
c. Guards shall nor be less than one hundred six centimeters (106cm)
high. Guards protecting changes in level one storey or less oninterior balconies and mezzanines shall be not less than ninety one
centimeters (91cm).
d. Guards shall be so constructed that the area in the plane of theguard from the top of the floor, riser, or curb to the minimum
required height of guard shall be subdivided or filled in one of thefollowing manners:i.

A sufficient number of intermediate longitudinal rails so that theclear distance between rails measured at right angles to the runof rail do not exceed twenty five and a half centimeters (25.5cm). The button rails shall not be more than twenty five and ahalf centimeters (25.5cm) from the top of the floor, tread or
curb measured vertically.

ii. Vertical balusters spaced not more than fifteen and one-fourth
centimeters (15.25 cm) apart.

68

iii. Areas filled wholly or partially by panels of solid wire mesh or expanded metal construction or by ornamental grilles which
provide protection against falling through the guard equivalent
to that provided by the intermediate rails or vertical balusters
specified in the two preceding paragraphs.
iv. The lower part of the area may consist of a continuous
substantial curb, the top of which is parallel to the run of stairs oflevel areas and the height of which is not less than seventy six
millimeters (76mm) on stairs (measured qt right angles to thecurb from its top to the nosing of the tread) and not less thanfifteen and one-fourth centimeters (15.25 cm) for level areas.
v. Masonry walls may be used for any portion of the guard.
vi. Any combination of the foregoing that provides equivalentsafety.
e. Enclosure walls and guards consisting of masonry, railings, or otherconstruction shall either be designed for toads transmitted byattached handrails or shall be designed to resist a horizontal force
of seventy five kilograms (75 kg) per lineal meter applied at the topof the guard, whichever condition produces maximum stress. For
walls or guards higher than the minimum height, the specified force
shall be applied at a height one hundred seven centimeters (107cm) above the floor or tread.
f.

I.

Intermediate rails, balusters, and panel fillers shall be designed for a
uniform load of not less than one hundred twenty two kilograms(122 kg) per square meter over the gross area of the guard(including the area of any opening in the guard) of which they area part. Reactions due to this loading need not be added to theloading specified by para H 5(c) of Guard Details in designing themain supporting members of guards.

Smokeproof Enclosures
1. General
Where smokeproof enclosures are required in other sections of thiscode, they shall comply with this Section, except for approved
existing smokeproof enclosures.
2. Performance Design
An appropriate design method shall be used to provide a system thatmeets the definition of smokeproof enclosure. The smokeproof
enclosure shall be permitted to be created by using naturalventilation, by using mechanical ventilation incorporating a vestibule,or by pressurizing the stair enclosure.

69

3. Enclosure
A smokeproof enclosure shall be enclosed from the highest point to
the lowest point by barriers having 2-hour fire resistance ratings.
Where a vestibule is used, it shall be within the 2-hour-rated enclosureand shall be considered part of the smokeproof enclosure.
4. Vestibule
Where a vestibule is provided, the doorway into the vestibule shall beprotected with an approved fire door assembly having a 1½-hour fire
resistance rating, and the fire door assembly from the vestibule to thesmokeproof enclosure shall have not less than a 20-minute fire
resistance rating. Doors shall be designed to minimize air leakage andshall be self-closing or shall be automatic-closing by actuation of asmoke detector within three meters (3 m) of the vestibule door. New
doors shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 105, Standard forthe Installation of Smoke Door Assemblies.
5. Discharge
Every smokeproof enclosure shall discharge into a public way, into ayard or court having direct access to a public way, or into an exit
passageway. Such exit passageways shall be without openings, otherthan the entrance to the smokeproof enclosure and the door to theoutside yard, court or public way. The exit passageway shall beseparated from the remainder of the building by a 2-hour fire
resistance rating.
6. AccessFor smokeproof enclosures other than those consisting of a pressurizedstair enclosure complying with para (9) hereof, access to thesmokeproof enclosure stair shall be by way of a vestibule or by way ofan exterior balcony.
7. Natural Ventilation
Smokeproof enclosures using natural ventilation shall comply withpara (3) hereof and the following:a. Where access to the stair is by means of an open exterior balcony,
the door assembly to the stair shall have a 1½-hour fire resistance
rating and shall be self-closing or shall be automatic-closing by
actuation of a smoke detector. Openings adjacent to the exteriorbalcony specified in the preceding paragraph shall be protectedb. Every vestibule shall have a net area of not less than one and ahalf (1.5 m2) of opening in an exterior wall facing an exterior court,
yard, or public space not less than six meters (6 m) in width.

70

c. Every vestibule shall have a minimum dimension of not less than
the required width of the corridor leading to it and a dimension of
not less than one hundred eighty three centimeters (183 cm) in the
direction of travel.
8. Mechanical Ventilation
Smokeproof enclosures using mechanical ventilation shall comply
with the following requirements:
a. Vestibules shall have a dimension of not less than one hundred
twelve centimeters (112 cm) in width and not less than one
hundred eighty three centimeters (183 cm) in direction of travel.
b. The vestibule shall be provided with not less than one air change
per minute, and the exhaust shall be 150 percent of the supply.
Supply air shall enter and exhaust air shall discharge from thevestibule through separate tightly constructed ducts used only forsuch purposes. Supply air shall enter the vestibule within one
hundred fifty millimeters (150 mm) of the floor level. The top of theexhaust register shall be located not more than one hundred fifty
millimeters (150 mm) below the top of the trap and shall beentirely within the smoke trap area. Doors, when in the open
position, shall not obstruct duct openings. Controlling dampers
shall be permitted in duct openings if needed to meet the design
requirements.
c. To serve as a smoke and heat trap and to provide an upwardmoving air column, the vestibule ceiling shall be not less than five
hundred ten millimeters (510 mm) higher than the door opening
into the vestibule. The height shall be permitted to be decreased
where justified by engineering design and field testing.
d. The stair shall be provided with a dampered relief opening at the
top and supplied mechanically with sufficient air to discharge atleast 70.8 m3/min through the relief opening while maintaining a
positive pressure of not less than 25 N/m2 in the stair, relative to thevestibule with all doors closed.
9. Stair Pressurizationa. Smokeproof enclosures using stair pressurization shall use anapproved engineered system with a design pressure difference
across the barrier of not less than 12.5 N/m2 in sprinkleredbuildings, or 25 N/m2 in nonsprinklered buildings, and shall becapable of maintaining these pressure differences under likely
conditions of stack effect or wind. The pressure difference acrossdoors shall not exceed that which allows the door to begin to be71

opened by a force of 133 N in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3 ofthis IRR.
b. Equipment and ductwork for stair pressurization shall be located inaccordance with one of the following specifications:i.

Exterior to the building and directly connected to the stairway
by ductwork enclosed in noncombustible construction

ii. Within the stair enclosure with intake and exhaust air vented
directly to the outside or through ductwork enclosed by a 2hour fire-resistive rating
III. Within the building under the following conditions:iii.a. Where the equipment and ductwork are separated fromthe remainder of the building, including other mechanicalequipment, by a 2-hour fire-resistive rating.
iii.b. Where the building, including the stairway enclosure, isprotected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system and the equipment andductwork are separated from the remainder of thebuilding, including other mechanical equipment, by notless than a 1-hour fire-resistive ratingc. In all cases specified by para “I” 9(a) through (b) of this Section,
openings into the required fire resistance–rated construction shallbe limited to those needed for maintenance and operation andshall be protected by self-closing fire protection–rated devices.
10. Activation of Mechanical Ventilation and Pressurized Stair Systems
a. For both mechanical ventilation and pressurized stair enclosuresystems, the activation of the systems shall be initiated by a smoke
detector installed in an approved location within three meters (3m) of the entrance to the smokeproof enclosure.
b. The required mechanical system shall operate upon the activationof the smoke detectors specified in para “I” 10(a) above and bymanual controls accessible to the fire department. The required
system also shall be initiated by the following, if provided:i.

Water flow signal from a complete automatic sprinkler system;
or

II. General evacuation alarm signal.

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11. Door Closers
The activation of an automatic-closing device on any door in thesmokeproof enclosure shall activate all other automatic-closing
devices on doors in the smokeproof enclosure.
12. Emergency Power Supply System (EPSS)EPSS for new mechanical ventilation equipment shall be provided inaccordance with NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems.
J. Monumental Stairs
Monumental stairs, either inside or outside, may be accepted as required
exits if all requirements for exit stairs are complied with, including required
enclosures and minimum width of treads, except that curved stairs may
be accepted with a radius of seven and one-half meters (7.5 m) or moreat the inner edges.
SECTION 10.2.5.5

OUTSIDE STAIRS

A. General
Any permanently installed stair outside of the building being served is
acceptable as a means of egress under the same condition.
B. Enclosures
1. Under all conditions where enclosure of inside stairways is required,outside stairs shall be separated from the interior of the buildings withwalls having the same fire-resistance rating as that required for the wall
enclosing inside stairs. Any opening in such wall shall be protected byfire doors or fixed wired glass windows.
2. Wall construction required by para “B” (1) of this Section shall extend
as follows:a. Either vertically from the ground to a point 3,050 mm above thetopmost landing of the stairs or to the roofline, whichever is lower.
b. Horizontally for not less than 3050 mm.
SECTION 10.2.5.6

HORIZONTAL EXITS

A. Application
1. A horizontal exit is a way of passage from one building to an area ofrefuge in another building on approximately the same level, or a way

73

of passage through or around a wall or partition to an area of refuge
on approximately the same level in the same building, which affords
safety from fire or smoke from the area of escape and areas
communicating therewith.
2. Horizontal exits may be substituted for other exits to an extent that the
total exit capacity of the other exits (stairs, ramps, doors leading out
side the building) will not be reduced below half that required for theentire area of the building or connected building if there were no
horizontal exits, except for heath care occupancies, the total exit
capacity of the other exits (stairs, ramps, doors leading outside thebuilding) shall not be reduced below one-third (1/3) that required forthe entire area of the building.
B. Egress from Area of Refuge
1. Every fire section allowed in connection with a horizontal exit shallhave in addition to the horizontal exit or exits at least one stairway,
doorway leading outside or other standard exit. Any fire section nothaving a stairway or doorway leading outside shall be considered aspart of an adjoining section with stairway.
2. Every horizontal exit shall be arranged that there are continuously
available paths of travel leading from each side of the exit to stairways
or other standard means of egress leading to outside the building.
This requirement is complied with where the entire areas from eachside of the horizontal exit to the stairways or other standard means ofegress are occupied by the same tenant; or where there are public
corridors or other continuously available passageways leading fromeach side of the exit to stairway or other standard means of egressleading to outside of the building.
3. Whenever either side of the horizontal exit is occupied, doors used inconnection with the horizontal exit shall swing in opposite directions
and shall not be locked from either side.
4. The floor area on either side of a horizontal exit shall be sufficient tohold the occupant of both floor areas, allowing not less than threetenths square meter (0.3 m2) clear floor areas per person.
5. Every building shall be provided with separate means of egress. incases where means of egress is by means of horizontal exit to anotherbuilding or structure, the exits of said building shall be maintained,
properly protected and readily accessible to the occupants of theother building74

C. Bridges and Balconies
1. Each bridge or balcony utilized in conjunction with horizontal exits shallcomply with the structural requirements for outside stairs and shallhave guards and handrails in general conformity with therequirements of Section 10.2.5.4 of this IRR for stairs and smokeproof
enclosures.
2. Every bridge or balcony shall be at least as wide as the door leading
to it and not less than one hundred twelve centimeters (112 cm) for
new construction.
3. Every door leading to a bridge or balcony serving as a horizontal exitfrom a fire area, shall swing with exit travel out of the fire area.
4. Where the bridge of balcony serves as a horizontal exit in one
direction, only the door from the bridge or balcony into the area ofrefuge shall swing in.
5. Where the bridge or balcony serve as a horizontal exit in both
direction, doors shall be provided in pairs swinging in opposite
directions, only the door swinging with the exit travel to be counted indetermination of exit width, unless the bridge or balcony has sufficient
floor area to accommodate the occupant load of either connectedor fire area on the basis of three-tenths square meter (0.3 m2) perperson or in existing buildings by specific permission of theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, in which case doors on
both ends of the bridge or balcony may swing out from the buildings.
6. The bridge or balcony floor shall be level with the floor of the building.
7. Ramps shall be employed where there is a difference in level between
connected buildings or floor areas. Steps may be used where thedifference in elevation is greater than fifty three and one-third
centimeters (53.34 cm). Ramps and stairs shall be in accordance withthe sections of this Rule pertaining to ramps, stairs and outside stairs.
8. All wall openings, in both of the connected buildings or fire areas any
part of which is within three meters (3 m) of any bridge or balcony asmeasured horizontally or below, shall be protected with fire doors or
fixed metal-frame wired-glass windows, except where bridges havesolid sides not less than one and eight-tenths meters (1.8 m) in height,
such protection of wall openings may be omitted.
D. Openings through Walls for Horizontal Exits
1. Walls connected by a horizontal exit between buildings shall be ofnon-combustible material having a two (2) hour fire resistance rating.
They shall provide a separation continuous to the ground.

75

2. Any opening in such walls, whether or not such opening serves as anexit, shall be adequately protected against the passage of fire or
smoke there from.
3. Swinging fire exit doors on horizontal exits shall swing with the exit
travel. Where a horizontal exit serves on both sides of a wall there shallbe adjacent openings with swinging doors at each wall, opening in
opposite directions, with signs on each side of the wall or partitions
indicating as the exit door which swings with the travel from that side,or other approved arrangements providing doors always swinging withany possible exit travel.
4. Sliding fire doors shall not be used on a horizontal exit except where
the doorway is protected by a fire door on each side of the wall inwhich such sliding fire doors are located. In this case, one fire door
shall be of the swinging type as provided in paragraph "C" (3) of thisSection and the other may be an automatic sliding fire door that shallbe kept open whenever the building is occupied.
E. Omission of Fire Partition on Certain Floors
1. Where a fire partition is used to provide a horizontal exit in any storey
of a building, such partition may be omitted in any lower storey under
the following conditions:a. The open fire area storey from which the fire partition is omitted
shall be separated from the storeys above by construction having
at least a 2-hour resistance rating.
b. Required exits from the storeys above the open fire area storey
shall be separated there from by construction having a 2-hour fire
resistance rating and shall discharge outside without travel
through the open fire area storey.
c. Vertical openings between the open fire area storey and thestoreys above shall be enclosed with construction having a 2-hour
fire resistance rating. Other details shall be in accordance with theapplicable provisions of Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
2. Where a fire partition is used to provide a horizontal exit for any storey
below the discharge level, such partition may be omitted at the levelof the discharge under the following conditions:a. The open fire area storey shall be separated from the storeys
below by construction having at least a 2-hour fire resistance
rating.
b. Required exits from storeys below the open fire area storey shall beseparated from the open fire area storey by construction having a76

2-hour fire resistance rating and all discharge directly outside
without travel through the open fire area storey.
c. Vertical openings between the open fire area storey and the floors
below shall be enclosed with the construction having a 2-hour fire
resistance rating. Other details shall be in accordance with theapplicable provisions of Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
SECTION 10.2.5.7

RAMPS

A. Application
A ramp shall be permitted as component in a means of egress when it
conforms to the general requirements of Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR and to
the special requirements of this Section.
B. Dimensional Criteria
The following dimensional criteria shall apply to ramps:
Table 5: DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA FOR NEW RAMPS
Dimensional Criteriammin

FeatureMinimum width clear of all
obstructions, except projections
not more than 4½ in. (114 mm) ator below handrail height on each side
Maximum slope
Maximum cross slope
Maximum rise for a single ramp run

441120
1 in 121 in 48760
30

C. Protective Enclosure
1. When a ramp inside a building is used as an exit or exit component, it
shall be protected by separation from other parts of the building as
specified in Section 10.2.5.2 "B" of this IRR.
2. Fixed wired glass panels in steel sash may be installed in such a
separation in a building fully provided with approved, supervised
sprinkler system.
3. There shall be no enclosed usable space under ramps in an exit
enclosure nor shall the open space under such ramps be used for any
purpose.
D. Other Details
1. A ramp and the platforms and landings associated therewith shall be

77designed for not less than four hundred eighty eight kilos per square
meter (488 kg/m2) live load and shall have a nonslip surface.
2. The slope of a ramp shall not vary between landings. Landings shall be
level and changes in direction of travel if any shall be made only at
landings.
3. A ramp used as an exit component in a building more than three (3)storeys, or in a building of any height of noncombustible or fire-resistive
construction, shall be of noncombustible material. The ramp floor andlandings shall be sold and without perforations.
4. Guards and handrails complying with Section 10.2.5.4 "H" of this IRR
shall be provided in comparable situations for ramps except that
handrails are not required on Class A ramps.
E. Special Provisions for Outside Ramps
1. Outside ramps shall be arranged to avoid any impediments to theiruse. For ramps more than three storeys in height, any arrangement
intended to meet this requirement shall be at least one hundred
twenty two centimeters (122 cm) in height.
2. Outside ramps and landings shall be designed and maintained tominimize water accumulation on their surfaces.
SECTION 10.2.5.8

EXIT PASSAGEWAYS

A. Application
Any hallway, corridor, passage or tunnel, may be designated as an exit,
passageway and used as an exit or component when conforming to allapplicable requirement of Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR as modified by theprovisions of this Section.
B. Protective Enclosure and Arrangement
1. An exit passageway shall be protected by separation from other partsof the building as specified in paragraph "B" of Section 10.2.5.2 of thisIRR.
2. Fixed wired glass panels in steel sash may be installed in such a
separation in building provided with automatic fire suppression system.
C. Width
The width of an exit passageway shall be adequate to accommodate
the aggregate capacity of all exits discharging through it.

78

D. Floor
The floor shall be solid and without perforations.
SECTION 10.2.5.9

ESCALATORS AND MOVING WALKS

Escalators and moving walks shall not constitute a part of the required meansof egress, unless they are previously approved existing escalators and moving
walks.
SECTION 10.2.5.10

FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS, LADDERS AND SLIDE ESCAPES

A. Fire Escape Stairs
1. Generala. Fire escape stairs (not those under Section 10.2.5.4 and 10.2.5.5 ofthis IRR) may be used in required means of egress only in existingbuildings, subject to the applicable provisions of Divisions 8 through17 of this Chapter. Fire escape stairs shall not constitute more than(50%) percent of the required exit capacity in any case. Fireescape stairs shall not be accepted as constituting any part of therequired means of egress for new buildings.
b. Fire escape shall provide a continuous unobstructed safe path oftravel to the ground or other safe area of refuge to which theylead. Where the fire escape is not continuous, as in cases where
stairs lead to an adjoining roof, which must be clearly indicated,and suitable walkways with handrails shall be provided where
necessary. Where a single means of egress consists of a
combination of inside stairs and fire escape stairs, each shallcomply with the applicable provision of this Chapter, and the two
shall be so arranged and connected as to provide a continuous
safe path of travel.
2. Typesa. The following types of fire escape stairs are recognized by this
Chapter:i.

Return platform types with superimposed runs; orii.

Straight run type, with platforms continuing in the same
direction.

b. Either of these may be parallel to or at right angle to the building.
They may be attached to buildings or erected independently ofthem and connected bridges.

79

3. Stairs Details
Fire escape stairs, depending upon the requirement of Division 8through 17 of this Chapter, shall be in accordance with the following
table and subsequent paragraphs.
Table 6: DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA FOR FIRE ESCAPE STAIRSDIMENSIONSPARTICULARS
Minimum widths
Minimum horizontal dimension
any landing of platform
Maximum rise
Minimum tread, exclusive of
nosing60 cm clear between rails
60 cm
23 cm
23 cm
Solid, 13 mm diameter perforation
permitted
None
None

Tread construction
Winders (spiral)
RisersMaximum height between
landings
Headroom, minimum

3.66 m2.00 mDoor or casement windows 61 cm by1.98 m or double hung windows 76.20
cm by 91.44 cm clear
Not over 30.50 cm above floor; steps if
higherSwinging stair section permitted
45 per unit* access by door; 20 if
access by climbing over window rail

Access to escape
Level of access opening
Discharge to ground
Capacity number of persons

4. Arrangement and Protection of Openings
Fire escape stairs shall be so arranged that they will be exposed by
the smallest possible or window and door openings. There shall be notransom over doors. Every opening, any portion of which is in the limits
specified below, shall be completely protected by approved fire
doors or metal-frame wired glass windows in the same manner as
provided for outside stairs and outside ramps.
5. Accessa. Access to fire escape stairs shall be provided in accordance withthe table in para “A” (3) of this Section and the general provisionsof paragraph “K” Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
b. Where access is by way of double windows, such windows shall be

80

so counterbalanced and maintained that they can be readily
opened with a minimum of physical effort. Insert screens, if any, on
any type of opening giving access to fire, an escape stair shall beof types that may be readily opened or pushed out. No storm sash
shall be used on any window providing to fire escape stairs.
c. Fire escape stairs shall extend to the roof in all cases where theroof is subject to occupancy or is constructed and arranged toprovide an area of refuge from fire. In all cases where stairs do notextend to the roof, access thereto shall be provided by a ladder inaccordance with pertinent provision of Section 10.2.5.10 of this IRR
on Fire Escape Ladder, except that such ladders are not requiredin the case of roofs with pitch or slope steeper than sixteen andtwo-thirds (16.67%) percent.
d. Balconies, to which access is secured through windows with sills
above the inside floor level, shall be not more than forty six
centimeters (46 cm) below the sill. In no case shall be balcony
level be above the sill.
6. Materials and Strengtha. Iron, steel, or reinforced or concrete or other approved
noncombustible material shall be used for the construction of firestairs, balconies, railings, and other features appurtenant thereto.
b. Balconies and stairs shall be designed to carry a load of four hundred eighty eight (488) kilos per square meter or a concentrated
load of one hundred thirty six (136) kilos so located as to produce
maximum stress conditions.
c. Except where embedded in masonry or concrete or where a suitable fire resistive and waterproof covering is provided no structural
metal member shall be employed the entire surface of which is
not capable of being inspected and painted.
d. All supporting members for balconies and stairs, which are in tension and ate fastened directly to the building, shall pass throughthe wall and be securely fastened on the opposite side or theyshall be securely fastened to the framework of the building. Where
metal members pass through walls, they shall be protected
effectively against corrosion. Holes in the wall through which metal
member pass shall be effectively fire-stopped to preserve the fire
resistive quality of the wall.
e. Balcony and stair enclosure and railings shall be designed to withstand a horizontal force of seventy five (75) kilos per meter ofrailing or enclosure without serious deflection, and support at walls

81

for such railings or enclosures shall be in the manner specified in(6)(b) for tension members, except as provided in para “A”(6)(f) of
this Section.
f.

Notwithstanding the provisions of para “A” (6)(b) and (6)(c) of thisSection, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction may
approve any existing fire escape stair for a very small building
when it has been shown by load test or other evidence asatisfactory to him to have adequate strength.

7. Guards and Handrailsa. All fire escape shall have walls or guards on both sides, inaccordance with para “H” of Section 10.2.5.4 of this IRR, except forheight, which shall be one hundred seven centimeters (107 cm)
and ninety one centimeters (91 cm) for fire escape for every smallbuildings, the height being measured vertically from a point on thestair tread twenty five millimeters (25 mm) back from the leadingedge, or vertically above any landings or balcony floor level.
b. All fire escape shall have handrails on both sides, not less thanseventy six centimeters (76 cm) not more than one hundred sevencentimeters (107 cm) high, measured vertically from a point on thestair tread twenty five millimeters (25mm) back from the leadingedge, all in general conformity to the requirements for stair
handrails, para “H” of Section 10.2.5.4 of this IRR.
c. Handrails and guards shall be so constructed as to withstand aforce of ninety one kilograms (91 kg) applied downward or
horizontally at any point.
8. Swinging Section of Fire Escape Stairs
a. Swinging stair sections shall not be used for fire escape stairs
except where termination over sidewalks, alleys or driveways
makes it impracticable to build stairs permanently to the ground.
Where used, swinging stairs shall comply with all provisions of thissubsection.
b. Swinging section of stairs shall not be located over doors, over thepath of travel from any other exit, or in any location where there
are or likely to be obstruction.
c. Width of swinging section of stairs shall be at least equal to that of
the stairs above.
d. Pitch/slope shall not be steeper than that of the stairs above.
e. Railings shall be provided similar in height and construction to
those required for the stairs above. Railings shall be designed to82

prevent any possibility of injury to persons at head or stairs or on
balconies when stairs swing downward. Minimum clearance
between moving sections where hands might be caught shall beten centimeters (10 cm).
f.

If distance from lowest platform to ground exceed three and twothirds meters (3.67 m), an intermediate balcony not more than
three and two-thirds meters (3.67 m) from the ground or less than
two meters (2 m) in the clear underneath shall be provided withwidth not less than that of the stairs and length not less than one
and two tenths meters (1.2 m).

g. Counterweight shall be provided for swinging stairs and this shallbe of type balancing about a pivot, no cables being used.
Counterweight shall be securely bolted in place, but sliding ballweights or their equivalent may be used to hold stairs up and help
lower them. Counterbalancing shall be such that a person
weighing sixty eight kilos (68 kg), who makes one step from thepivot, will not start swinging the section downward, but when he is
one quarter of the length of the swinging stairs from the pivot, thesection will swing down.
h. Pivot for swinging stairs shall either have a bronze bushing or havesufficient to prevent sucking on account on corrosion.
i.

No latch to lock swinging stairs section in up position shall be
installed.

B. Fire Escape Ladders
1. Application
No form of ladder shall be used as a fire escape under the provisionsof this Chapter, except that ladders conforming to the following
specifications may be used to provide access to unoccupied roof
spaces to provide a means of escape from boiler rooms, grain
elevators and towers as permitted by Division 16 and 17 of this
Chapter, elevated platforms around machinery or similar spaces
subject to occupancy by not more than three able-bodied adults andin single and two family dwellings and residential apartments of not
more than three (3) storey provided that the height shall not exceed
nine meters (9 m). For purposes of this subsection, mezzanine floors
shall be counted as ordinary floor.
2. Installationa. All ladders shall be permanently installed in fixed position,
supported by rigid connection to the building or structure atintervals not exceeding three meters (3 m).

83

b. Where ladders provide access to roofs or elevated platforms, rails
shall extend not less than one hundred fourteen centimeters (114cm) above roofline or platform floor or above coping or parapet,
Extension of side rails to roof shall be carried over coping orparapet to afford hand hold.
c. Ladders shall be arranged parallel to buildings or structures withtravel either between ladder and buildings, in which caseminimum clearance center of rungs and buildings shall be sixty
eight centimeters (68 cm), or outside of ladder, in which caseminimum clearance between center of rungs and buildings shallbe sixteen centimeters (16 cm).
d. Ladders shall be vertical or positively inclined. No negatively
inclined ladders (i.e., ladder sloping out over the head of a personusing it) shall be permitted.
3. Construction
a. Ladders shall be constructed of iron, of steel or of other metal indesign having equivalent strength and resistance to corrosion.
b. Rails of iron or steel ladders shall not less than one and one-fourth
centimeters (1.25 cm) by five centimeters (5 cm) in section, not lessthan forty centimeters (40 cm) apart.
c. Rungs shall not less than twenty two millimeters (22 mm) diameterand shall be riveted or welded in position not less than twenty fivecentimeters (25 cm) nor more than thirty and one-half centimeters(30.5 cm) on center.
d. The lowest rung of any ladder shall be not more than thirty andone half centimeters (30.5 cm) above the level of the ground or
balcony floor beneath it.
C. Slide Escape
1. Use and Capacity Ratinga. A slide escape may be used as component in means of egress
where specifically authorized by Divisions 8 through 17 of this
Chapter.
b. Slide escapes, where permitted as required exits, shall be rated at
one exit unit per slide, with rated travel capacity of 60 persons per
minute.
c. Slide escapes, except as permitted for high hazard manufacturingbuildings or structures, shall not constitute more than twenty five84

(25%) percent of the required number of units of exit width fromany building or structure or any individual storey or floor thereof.
d. Slide escapes, used as exits shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Division for other types of exits.
SECTION 10.2.5.11

ILLUMINATION OF MEANS OF EGRESS

A. General
1. Illumination of means of egress shall be provided for every building
and structure in accordance with this Section, as required by Divisions
8 through 17 of this Chapter.
2. Illumination of means of egress shall be continuous during the time thatthe conditions of occupancy require that the means of egress beavailable for use. Artificial lighting shall be employed at such places
and for such periods of time as required to maintain the illumination to
the minimum lumen values herein specified.
3. The floors of means of egress shall be illuminated at all points including
angles and intersections of corridors and passageways, landings ofstairs, and exit doors to values of not less than 10.7 lux.
4. Any required illumination shall be so arranged that the failure of any
lighting unit, such as the burning out of an electric bulb, will not leave
any area in darkness.
B. Sources of Illumination
1. Illumination of means of egress shall be from a source of reasonably
assured reliability, such as public utility electric service.
2. Where electricity is used as a source of illumination of means of egress,
the installation shall be properly made in accordance with the appropriate and internationally accepted standards.
3. No battery operated electric light nor any type of portable lamp or
lantern shall be used for primary illumination of means of egress; but
may be used as an emergency source to the extent permitted under
Emergency Lighting, paragraph "C" of this Section.
4. No luminescent, fluorescent, or reflective material shall be permitted
as substitutes for any of the required illumination herein specified.
C. Emergency Lighting
1. In occupancies specified in Division 8 through 17 of this Chapter,emergency lighting, facilities shall be provided for means of egress.

85

Where maintenance of illumination depends upon charging from one
energy source to another, there shall be no appreciable interruption ofillumination during the changeover. Where emergency lighting isprovided by a prime mover-operated electric generator, a delay of
not more than ten (10) seconds shall be permitted.
2. Emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to maintain the specified degree of illumination in the event of failure of the normal lighting
for a period of at least one and one half (1 ½ ) hour.
3. An emergency lighting system shall be provided as specified in Divisions 8 through 17, subject to the approval of the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction as to the suitability of the equipment for its
intended use and the conditions in the individual premises.
4. Electric battery-operated emergency lights shall use only reliable typesof storage batteries, provided with suitable facilities for maintenancein properly charged condition. Dry batteries shall not be used to satisfy
these requirements. Electric storage batteries used in such lights orunits shall be approved for their intended use and shall comply with
Philippine National Standard (PNS) or other internationally accepted
standards.
5. An emergency lighting system shall be so arranged as to provide therequired illumination automatically in the event of any interruption of
normal lighting, such as any failure of public utility or other outside
electrical power supply, opening of a circuit breaker or fuse, or any
manual act, including accidental opening of a switch controllingnormal lighting facilities.
6. An emergency lighting system shall either be continuously in operationor shall be capable of repeated automatic operation without
intervention.
7. All emergency lighting systems installed in accordance with thissection shall be properly maintained. Maintenance program shall be
documented and incorporated in FALAR 3.
SECTION 10.2.5.12

EXIT MARKING

A. Signs
1. Where required by the provisions of Division 8 through Division 17 of this
Chapter exits shall be marked by a readily visible sign. Access to exit
shall be marked by readily visible signs in all cases where the exit or
way to reach it is not immediately visible to the occupants and in any
case where required by the applicable provisions of Divisions 8 through17 of this Chapter for individual occupancies.

862. Any door, passage, or stairway, which is neither an exit nor a way ofexit access and which is so located or arranged as likely to be
mistaken for an exit, shall be identified by a sign reading "NOT AN EXIT"
and shall be identified by a sign indicating its actual character, suchas "TO BASEMENT”, "STOREROOM", "LINEN CLOSET", or the like.
3. Every required sign designating an exit or way of exit access shall be solocated and of such size, color, and design as to be readily visible. No
decorations, furnishing, or equipment which impair visibility of an exit
sign shall be permitted, nor shall there be any brightly illuminated sign(for other than exit purposes), display, or object in or near the line ofvision to the required exit sign of such a character as to distract
attention from the exit sign.
4. A sign reading "EXIT" with an arrow indicating the direction shall beplaced in every location where the direction of travel to reach thenearest exit is not immediately apparent.
5. Every sign shall be distinctive in color and shall provide contrast withdecorational interior finish, or other signs.
B. Illumination of Signs
1. Every sign shall be suitably illuminated by a reliable light source giving
a value of not less than five thousandth (0.005) lumens per squarecentimeters on the illuminated surface. Such illumination shall be
continuous as required under the provisions of Section 10.2.5.11 of thisIRR (Illumination of Means of Egress), and where emergency lighting
facilities are required, exit signs shall be illuminated from the same
source.
2. Internally illuminated signs shall be provided in all occupancies where
reduction of normal illumination is permitted, such as in motion picture
theaters.
3. Luminous directional signs shall comply with para “C” hereof.
C. Size of Signs
Every exit shall have the word "EXIT" in plainly legible letters not less thanfifteen centimeters (15 cm) high with the principal strokes of letters not lessthan nineteen millimeters (19 mm) wide, except that in existing building
externally illuminated exit signs therein having the word "EXIT" in plainly
visible letters not less than eleven and one half centimeters (11.5 cm) high,other than in places of assembly, may be continued in use. Othersignages required by this rule shall be of the same dimension unlessotherwise provided.

87

SECTION 10.2.5.13

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

An emergency evacuation plan shall be posted on strategic andconspicuous locations in the building. This shall be drawn with aphotoluminiscent background to be readable in case of power failure. The
minimum dimension shall be 8 ½ inches in height and 11 inches in width.
DIVISION 6. FEATURES OF FIRE PROTECTIONSECTION 10.2.6.1

CONSTRUCTION AND COMPARTMENTATION

A. Buildings or structures occupied or used in accordance with the individual
occupancy Division (Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter) shall meet theminimum construction requirements of those Divisions.
B. Appropriate provisions of PD 1096 and its IRR (National Building Code) shallbe used to determine the requirements for the construction classification.
C. Where the building or facility includes additions or connected structures ofdifferent construction types, the rating and classification of the structure
shall be as follows:
1. Two-hour (2-hr) fire resistance rating or greater, if vertically-aligned firebarrier wall exists between the portions of the building, and2.

The least fire-resistive type of construction of the connected portions, if
no such separation is provided.

SECTION 10.2.6.2

PROTECTION OF VERTICAL OPENING AND COMBUSTIBLE
CONCEALED SPACES

A. General
1. Every stairway, elevator shaft, light and ventilation shaft, chute andother opening between storeys shall be enclosed or protected toprevent the spread of fire or smoke, except openings of building
protected by automatic fire suppression system as permitted by other
Section of this Rule.
2. In any building with low or ordinary hazard occupancy protected withapproved, supervised sprinkler system, up to three (3) communicating
floor levels are permitted without enclosure protection between floors,
provided all the following conditions are met:a. The arrangement is permitted by the applicable occupancy section of this Chapter;b. The lowest or next to the lowest level is a street floor;88

c. The entire area, including all communicating floor levels, issufficiently open and unobstructed so that it may be assumed thata fire or other dangerous condition in any part will be immediately
obvious to the occupants of all communicating levels and areas;d. Exit capacity is sufficient to provide simultaneously for all
occupants of all communicating levels and areas, allcommunicating levels in the same fire area being considered as asingle floor area for purposes of determination of required exit
capacity;e. Each floor level, considered separately, has at least one-half of its
individual required exit capacity provided by an exit or exits
leading directly out of that area without traversing anothercommunicating floor level or being exposed to the spread of fireor smoke therefrom; andf.

All requirements of this Chapter with respect to interior finish,protection of hazards, construction and other features are fully
observed, without waivers, except openings in floors ofeducational, healthcare, and detention and correctional
occupancies shall be enclosed as required in Divisions 9, 10 and 11of this Chapter, respectively.

3. Each floor opening, as specified in paragraph A (1) of this Section shallbe enclosed by substantial walls having fire resistance not less thanthat required for stairways, paragraph A (4) hereof, with approved fire
doors at windows provided in openings therein, all so designed and installed as to provide complete barrier to the spread of fire or smoke
through such openings.
4. The enclosing walls of floor openings serving stairways or ramps shall be
so arranged as to provide a continuous path of escape including
landings and passageways, in accordance with Section 10.2.5.4 of thisIRR providing protection for person using the stairway or ramp against
fire or smoke therefrom in other parts of the building. Such walls shallhave fire resistance rating as follows:a. New buildings four storeys or more in height - two (2) hours fire
resistance rating.
b. New buildings below four storeys - One (1) hour fire resistance
rating.
B. Special Provisions for Escalator Openings
Any escalator shall have its floor opening enclosed or protected as
required for other vertical openings, except in building completely
protected by approved, supervised sprinkler system in accordance with89

Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR, escalator opening may be protected byanyone of the methods as described in paragraph C through E below.
C. Sprinkler Vent Method
1. Under the conditions specified in paragraph B (1) above, escalator
openings may be protected by the "sprinkler-vent" method, consistingof a combination of an automatic or smoke detection system,
automatic exhaust system and an automatic water curtain meetingthe design and other requirements as specified in this succeeding
sections.
2. The exhaust system shall be of such capacity as to create a downdraft
through the escalator floor opening. The downdraft has an averagevelocity of not less than ninety one and half meters per minute (91.5m/min) under normal conditions for a period of not less than thirty (30)minutes.
3. Operation of the exhaust system for any floor opening shall be initiatedby an approved device in the storey involved and shall be any one of
the following means in addition to a manual means of opening andtesting the system.
a. Thermostats - fixed temperature, rate-of-rise, or a combination ofboth.
b. Water flow in the sprinkler system.
c. Approved supervised smoke detection. Smoke detection devices,
if used, shall be located that the presence of smoke is detected
before it enters the stairway.
4. Electric power supply to all parts of the exhaust system and its control
devices shall be designed and installed for maximum reliability.
5. Any fan or duct used in connection with an automatic exhaust systemshall be of the approved type (mechanical and electrical codes)andshall be installed and maintained in accordance with goodengineering practice.
6. Periodic tests, not less frequently than quarterly, shall be made of theautomatic exhaust system to maintain the system and the control devices in good working conditions.
7. The water curtain shall be formed by open sprinklers or spray nozzles solocated and spaced as to form a complete and continuous barrier
along all exposed sides of the floor opening and reaching from theceiling to the floor. Water intensity for water curtain shall be not lessthan approximately thirty seven and one-fourth liters per minute (37.25

90

L/min) per linear meter of water curtain, measured horizontally aroundthe opening.
8. The water curtain shall operate automatically from thermal responsive
elements of fixed temperature type so placed with respect to theceiling (floor) opening that the water curtain comes into action upon
the advance of heat toward the escalator opening.
9. Every automatic exhaust system, including all motors, controls andautomatic water curtain system shall be supervised in an approved
manner, similar to that specified for automatic sprinkler systemsupervision.
D. Spray Nozzle Methods
1. Under the conditions specified in paragraph "B" (1) above, escalator
openings may be protected by the nozzle method, consisting of a
combination of an automatic fire or smoke detection system and asystem of high velocity water spray nozzle meeting the following
requirements:a. Spray nozzles shall be in the open type and shall have a solid conical spray pattern with discharged angles between forty-five (45)and ninety (90) degrees. The number of nozzles, their discharge
angles and their location shall be such that the escalator opening
between the top of the wellway housing and the treadway will becompletely filled with the dense spray on operation of the system.
b. The number and size of nozzles and water supply shall be sufficient
to deliver a discharge of one and four-tenths (1.4) liters of water
per square meter per second through the wellway, area to be
figured perpendicular to treadway.
c. Spray nozzles shall be so located as to effectively utilize the fulladvantage of the cooling and counterdraft effect. They shall be
so positioned that the center line of spray discharge is as closely as
possible in line with the slope of the escalator, not more than an
angle of thirty (30) degrees with the top slope of the wellway
housing. Nozzles shall be positioned, also so that the center line ofdischarge is an angle of not more than an angle of thirty (30)degrees with the top slope of the wellway housing.
d. Spray nozzles shall discharge at a minimum pressure of 172 KPa.
Water supply piping may be taken from the sprinkler system,
provided that in so doing an adequate supply of water will beavailable for the spray nozzles and the water pressure at the
sprinkler farthest from the supply riser is not reduced beyond therequired minimum.

91

e. Control valves shall be readily accessible to minimize water damage.
f.

A noncombustible draft curtain shall be provided extending atleast fifty one (51) centimeters below and around the opening
and a solid non-combustible wellway housing at least one and ahalf (1.5) meter long measured parallel to the handrail, andextending from the top of the handrail enclosure to the soffit of thestairway or ceiling above, at each escalator floor opening. Whennecessary, spray nozzles shall be protected against mechanicalinjury or tampering that might interfere with proper discharge.

g. The spray nozzle system shall operate automatically from thermal
response elements of the fixed temperature type, so placed withrespect to the ceiling (floor) opening that the spray nozzle systemcomes into action upon the advance of heat towards theescalator opening. Supervised smoke detector located in or near
the escalator opening may be used to sound an alarm. The spraynozzle systems shall also be provided with manual means ofoperation.
h. Control valves for the spray nozzle system and approved smoke
detection or thermostatic devices shall be supervised inaccordance with applicable provisions of Section 10.2.6.4 of thisIRR.
E. Partial Enclosure Method
1. Under the conditions specified in paragraph B of Section 10.2.6.2 of thisIRR, escalator opening may be protected by a partial enclosure, so
designed as to provide an effective barrier to the spread of smokefrom floor to floor.
2. Partial enclosure shall be of construction providing fire resistanceequivalent to that specified for stairway enclosures in the samebuilding, with openings therein protected by approved self-closing fire
doors or may be of approved wired glass and metal frame
construction with wired-glass panel doors. Such doors may beequipped with electric opening mechanism to open the door
automatically upon the approach of a person. However, themechanism shall be such as to return the door to its closed position
upon any interruption of electric current supply, and the adjustment
shall be such that the pressure of smoke will not cause opening of thedoor.
F. Firestopping Concealed Spaces
1. In new construction, any concealed space, in which materials having92

a flame-spread rating greater than Class A as defined in Section
10.2.6.3 of this IRR are exposed, shall be effectively fire-stopped asprovided below, with approved materials, unless the space is sprinkled
in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.
a. Every exterior and interior wall and partition shall be firestopped ateach level, at the top storey ceiling level, and at the level of
support for roofs.
b. Every unoccupied attic space shall be subdivided by firestops into
areas not to exceed two hundred eighty (280) square meters.
c. Any concealed space between the ceiling and the floor or roof
above shall be firestopped for the full depth of the space along
the line of support of the floor or roof structural members and, if
necessary at other locations to form areas not to exceed ninety
three square meters (93 m2) for any space between the ceilingand floor and two hundred eighty square meters (280 m2) for any
space between the ceiling and the roof.
2. In every existing building, firestopping shall be provided as required by
the provisions of Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter.
SECTION 10.2.6.3

INTERIOR FINISH

A. General
1. Interior finish means the exposed interior surfaces of buildings including,but not limited to fixed or movable walls and partitions, columns, andceilings. For requirements on decorations and furnishing, seeparagraph B of Section 10.2.18.1 of this IRR.
2. A finish floor or covering shall be exempt from the requirements of thisSection provided however; that in any case where the City/Municipal
Fire Marshal having jurisdiction finds a floor surface of unusual hazard
the floor surface shall be considered a part of the interior finish for the
purposes of this Chapter.
3. Interior finish materials shall be grouped in the following classes, inaccordance with their flame spreads rating.
a. Class A Interior Finish
Flame Spread 0.25. Include any material classified at 25 or less on
the test scale described in paragraph (4) hereof. Any element
thereof when so tested shall not continue to propagate fire;93

b. Class B Interior Finish
Flame Spread 26-75. Includes any material classified at more than
25 but not more than 75 on the test scale described in paragraph(4) hereof;c. Class C Interior Finis
Flame Spread 76-200. Includes any material classified at more than
75 but not more than 200 on the test scale described in paragraph(4) hereof;
d. Class D Interior Finish
Flame Spread 201 -500. Includes any material classified at morethan 200 but not more than 500 on the test scale described inparagraph (4) hereof, ande. Class E Interior Finish
Flame Spread over 500. Includes any material classified at over 500
on the test scale described in paragraph (4) below.
4. Interior finish materials as specified in paragraph (3) above shall beclassified in accordance with the Method of Test of Surface Burning
Characteristics of Building Materials, NFPA Pamphlet No. 255.
B. Fire Retardant Paints
1. In existing buildings the required flame spread classification of interior
surfaces may be secured by applying a proven fire retardant paints orsolutions to existing interior surfaces having a higher flame spread
rating than permitted.
2. Fire retardant paints or solution shall be renewed at such intervals asnecessary to maintain the necessary fire retardant properties.
C. Automatic Sprinklers
Where approved, supervised automatic sprinklers is installed, interior finish
with flame spread rating not over Class C may be used in any location
where Class B is normally specified, and with rating of Class B in any
location where Class A is normally specified, unless specifically prohibitedin this IRR.
D. Use of Interior Finishes
1. Interior finish material shall be used in accordance with requirements
for individual classes of occupancy specified elsewhere in the Rule.
Wherever the use of any class of interior finish is specified, the use of a94

class of lower flame spread rating shall be permitted; e.g., where Class
B is specified, Class A may be used.
2. In all new buildings other than private residences Class A or Class Cinterior shall be used in all basements or other underground spaces
from which there is no direct exit to the outside of the building, if
subject to occupancy for any purpose other than storage or service
facilities.
3. Interior finish of Class E shall not be used in any room space subject tohuman occupancy, except to such extent as may be specificallypermitted by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction on thebasis of finding that such use does not significantly increase the life
hazard, provided, however, that such use of Class E interior finish shallnot in any case exceed ten (10%) percent of the aggregate interior
surface of the walls and ceiling of the room or space in which such
Class E material is located.
SECTION 10.2.6.4

FIRE DETECTION, ALARM, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

A. General
1. Fire detection, alarm, and communication systems if required by
Division 8 through 17 of this Chapter shall be in accordance with NFPA
72 and the Philippine Electrical Code.
2. When a required fire alarm system is out of service for more than 4hours in a 24-hour period, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction shall be notified within 24 hours, and a fire watch shall beassigned until the fire alarm system has been returned to service.
3. To ensure operational integrity, the fire alarm system shall have anapproved maintenance and testing program which shall be
developed by the building management in accordance withinternationally accepted standards. Records of conductedmaintenance and testing should be maintained and submitted
together with FALAR 3 when required by the Chief, BFP or his duly
authorized representative.
B. Signal Initiation
1. As provided in Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter, activation of thecomplete fire alarm system shall be initiated by, but not be limited to,any or all of the following means of initiation;a. Manual initiation.
b. Automatic detection.
c. Extinguishing system operation.

95

2. Manual fire alarm boxes shall be used only for fire protective signaling
purposes.
3. A manual fire alarm box shall be provided in the natural path ofescape from fire near each exit from an area and shall be readily
accessible, unobstructed and at visible points.
4. Additional fire alarm boxes shall be so located that from any part ofthe building not more than thirty meters (30 m) horizontal distance on
the same floor must be traversed in order to reach a fire alarm box.
5. For fire alarm systems using automatic fire detection or waterflow
detection devices, at least one manual fire alarm box shall be
provided to initiate a fire alarm signal. This manual fire alarm box shallbe located where required by the city/municipal fire marshal or his
duly authorized representative.
6. Where a sprinkler system provides automatic detection and alarm
initiation it shall be provided with an alarm initiation device which will
operate when the flow of water is equal to or greater than that from asingle automatic sprinkler.
7. Where a complete smoke detection system is required by anothersection of this Code, automatic detection of smoke shall be provided
in all occupiable areas, common areas, and work spaces in thoseenvironments suitable for proper smoke detector operation.
C. Smoke Alarms
Where required by Division 8 through 17 of this Chapter, single-station
smoke alarms and multiple station smoke alarms shall be in accordancewith NFPA 72.
D. Occupant Notification
1. Occupant notification shall provide signal notification to alert
occupants of fire or other emergency as required by other sections of
this code.
2. A presignal system may be permitted where the initial fire alarm signal
is automatically transmitted without delay either to the nearest firestation, a fire brigade or to an on-site staff person trained to respond toa fire emergency.
3. A positive alarm sequence may be permitted, provided that it is inaccordance with NFPA 72.
4. Notification signals for occupants to evacuate shall be by audible andvisible signals in accordance with NFPA 72, or other means of
notification subject to the determination and approval of the96City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
5. The general evacuation alarm signal shall operate throughout theentire building.
E. Emergency Forces Notification
1. When required by Division 8 through 17 of this Chapter, emergency
forces notification shall be provided to alert the nearest fire stationand fire brigade in case of fire or other emergency.
2. Where fire department notification is required by another section ofthis code, the fire alarm system shall be arranged to transmit the alarm
automatically via any of the following means which shall be inaccordance with NFPA 72:
a. auxiliary fire alarm systemb. central station connection accredited by the BFP
c. proprietary systemd. remote station connection
3. Automatic fire department notification through central station
accredited by the BFP shall be mandatory to the following types ofoccupancy:a. All high rise buildings;
b. All hospitals;c. All educational institutions, hotels and apartment buildings(condominium) of at least four (4) storey in height;
d. All highly hazardous occupancies; ande. All mall buildings.
F. Emergency Control
1. A fire alarm and control system shall be arranged to activate
automatically the control functions necessary to make the protected
premises safer for building occupants.
2. Where required, the following functions shall be activated by thecomplete fire alarm system:a. release of hold-open devices for doors or other opening
protectives;97

b. stairwell or elevator shaft pressurization;c. smoke management or smoke control systems; andd. unlocking of doors
3. The functions specified in para (2) above shall be permitted to be
activated by any fire alarm and control system where otherwise notrequired by this code. Additionally, such a fire alarm and control
system shall be permitted to recall elevators, if the activation of thesystem for this purpose comes only from elevator lobby, hoistway, or
associated machine room detectors.
G. Location of Controls
Operator controls, alarm indicators, and manual communications
capability shall be installed in a control center at a convenient location
acceptable to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
H. Annunciation
1. Where alarm annunciation is required by another section of this IRR, it
shall comply with the requirements of the para (2) through para (7)below.
2. Alarm annunciation at the control center shall be by means of audible
and visible indicators.
3. For the purposes of alarm annunciation, each floor of the building,other than floors of existing buildings, shall be considered as not lessthan one zone, unless otherwise permitted by another section of thiscode.
4. Unless otherwise permitted by another Section of this Code, if a floorarea exceeds one thousand eight hundred sixty square meters (1860m2), additional zoning shall be provided, and the length of any single
zone shall not exceed ninety one meters (91 m) in any direction.
Exception: where the building is provided with automatic sprinklers
throughout, installed in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR,
the area of the alarm zone shall be permitted to coincide with theallowable area of the sprinkler zone.
5. A system trouble signal shall be annunciated at the control center bymeans of audible and visible indicators.
6. A system supervisory signal shall be annunciated at the control centerby means of audible and visible indicators.
7. Where the system serves more than one building, each building shallbe considered separately.

98

SECTION 10.2.6.5

AUTOMATICEQUIPMENTSPRINKLERS

AND

OTHER

EXTINGUISHING

A. General
1. Automatic sprinklers if required by Division 8 through Division 17 of this
Chapter shall be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems
2. All automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems required by this codeshall be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA
25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of WaterBased Fire Protection Systems. Records of conducted maintenanceand testing should be maintained and submitted together with FALAR
3.
3. Where a required automatic sprinkler system is out of service for morethan 4 hours in a 24-hour period, the owner shall notify the nearest firestation immediately upon discovery but not later than 24 hours and afire watch shall be assigned until the sprinkler system has beenreturned to service.
4. Sprinkler impairment procedures shall comply with NFPA 25, Standard
for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire
Protection Systems.
B. Supervision
1. Supervisory Signals
Where supervised automatic sprinkler systems are required by another
Section of this Code, supervisory attachments shall be installed andmonitored for integrity in accordance with NFPA 72, a distinctive
supervisory signal shall be provided to indicate a condition that would
impair the satisfactory operation of the sprinkler system. Monitoring
shall include, but shall not be limited to, monitoring of control valves,
fire pump power supplies and running conditions, water tank levels
and temperatures, tank pressure, and air pressure on dry-pipe valves.
Supervisory signals shall sound and shall be displayed either at alocation within the protected building that is constantly attended byqualified personnel or at an approved, remotely located receiving
facility.
2. Alarm Signal Transmission
Where supervision of automatic sprinkler systems is required, waterflow
alarms shall be transmitted to an approved, proprietary alarm
receiving facility, a remote station, a central station, or the fire station.

99

C. Other Automatic Extinguishing Equipment
1. In any occupancy where the character of the potential fuel fire is suchthat extinguishment or control of fire will be more effectively
accomplished by a type of automatic extinguishing systems other thanautomatic sprinkler system such as but not limited to carbon dioxide,
dry chemical, foam, or water spray, a standard extinguishing system ofappropriate type shall be installed subject to the approval of theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
2. If the extinguishing system is installed in lieu of a required, supervised
automatic sprinkler system, the activation of the extinguishing systemshall activate the building fire alarm system, where provided. The
activation of an extinguishing system that is not installed in lieu of arequired, supervised automatic sprinkler system shall be indicated at
the building fire alarm system, where provided.
D. Manual Extinguishing Equipment
1. Any fire extinguisher provided shall be installed, inspected andmaintained in accordance with Section 10.2.6.7 of this IRR.
2. Each standpipe and hose system provided shall be in accordancewith Section 10.2.6.6 of this IRR
SECTION 10.2.6.6

STANDPIPES

A. The design, installation and maintenance of Standpipe Systems shall be inaccordance with NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe,
Private Hydrant and Hose Systems.
B. Classes of Standpipe System
1. A standpipe system shall be any of the following:a. Class I System. This system is provided with 64 mm (2 ½ in.) hoseconnections for full-scale firefighting at the following designatedbuilding locations:i. At each intermediate landing between floor levels in every
required exit stairway;
ii. On each side of the wall adjacent to the exit openings ofhorizontal exits;
iii. In each exit passageway at the entrance from the building
areas into the passageway;100

iv. In covered mall buildings, at the entrance to each exit
passageway or exit corridor, and at exterior public entrances tothe mall;v. At the highest landing of stairways with stairway access to aroof and on the roof where stairways do not access the roof. An
additional 64 mm (2 ½ in) hose connection shall be provided at
the hydraulically most remote riser to facilitate testing of thesystem;vi. Where the most remote portion of a nonsprinklered floor orstorey is located in excess of 40 meters of travel distance from arequired exit containing or adjacent to a hose connection, or
the most remote portion of a sprinklered floor or storey islocated in excess of 61 meters of travel distance from arequired exit containing or adjacent to a hose connection,
additional hose connections shall be provided, in approved
locations, where required by the BFP.
b. Class II System. This a hose connection provided with 38 mm (1 ½
in.) hose or within thirty seven meters (37 m) of a hose connection
system shall be provided with 38 mm (1 ½ in.) hose connections forfirst aid fire fighting, so that all portions of each floor level of thebuilding are within forty meters (40 m) of provided with less 38 mm(1 ½ in.) hose. Distances shall be measured along a path of travel
originating at the hose connection.
c. Class III System.
This system shall be provided withconnections as required for both Class I and Class II system

hose

C. Dry Standpipes
1. Dry standpipes shall be used for Class I system.
2. All buildings with required enclosed stairway or smokeproof enclosure
shall have at least one dry standpipe outlet connection located atevery floor level landing above the first floor of every required
enclosure. No point within a building, requiring dry standpipes, shall be
more than forty meters (40 m) travel distance from a dry standpoint
outlet connection.
3. Dry standpipes shall not be concealed in building walls or built into
pilasters. Portions of dry standpipes systems not located within an
enclosed stairway or smokeproof enclosure shall be protected by adegree of fire resistance equal to that required for vertical enclosuresin the building in which they are located.

101

4. Detailed Requirementsa. Construction. Fittings and connections shall be of sufficient strength
to withstand 300 psi (21 kg/cm2) of water pressure when ready forservice. All dry standpipes shall be tested hydrostatically towithstand not less than 50 psi (3.5 kg/cm2) above the maximum
working pressure.
b. Piping. All horizontal runs of dry standpipes systems shall have atwenty (20%) percent slope for the purpose of draining. Where pipe
traps occur in such standpipes systems including fire service
connections, they shall be provided with drains. Pipings shall not
pass through hazardous areas and shall be located so that it isprotected from mechanical and fire damage.
c. Size. The size of the standpipe shall have a diameter of at least 102
mm (4 in.) in buildings in which the highest outlet is twenty three(23) meters or less above the fire service connections and shall not
be less than 153 mm (6 in.) where the highest outlet is higher thantwenty three meters (23 m) above the fire service connection.
d. Fire Service Connections. Fire service connections shall be in thestreet side of the buildings, fully visible and recognizable from thestreet or nearest point of fire apparatus accessibility. And shall belocated and arranged so that hose lines can be attached to theinlets without interference from nearby objects, including buildings,
fences, posts, or other fire service connections.
All one hundred two millimeters (102 mm) dry standpipes shallbe equipped with a four-way fire service connection. All fireservice connections shall be located on a street front, not lessthan forty six centimeters (46cm) or more than one hundred
twenty two centimeters (122cm) above grade and shall beequipped with an approved straight way check valve andsubstantial plugs or caps. All fire service connections shall beprotected against mechanical injury and shall be visible andaccessible. More than on fire service connection may berequired.
e. Valves. Connections other than for fire service use shall be
provided with an approved indicating-type valve and check valve
located close to the supply such as tanks, pumps, and connections
from waterworks system. Valves shall be provided to allow isolationof a standpipe without interrupting the supply to other standpipesfrom the same source of supply.
f.

Outlets. Each standpipe shall be equipped with an approved sixty
four millimeters (64 mm) outlet not less than sixty one centimeters102

(61 cm) nor more than one hundred twenty two centimeters (122cm) above the floor of each storey. All dry standpipe shall beequipped with a two way sixty four millimeters (64 mm) outlet
above the roof line of the building when the roof has a slope of lessthan thirty centimeters (30 cm) long wrench may be used inconnecting the hose with clearance for the wrench on all sides ofthe outlet. Standpipes located in smokeproof enclosures shall haveoutlets located in the vestibule or on the balcony. Standpipes
outlets in stairway enclosures or smoke towers shall be so locatedthat the exit doors do not interfere with the use of the outlet. All
outlets shall be equipped with an approved valve cap and chains.
g. Signs. An approved durable sign with raised letters of at least
twenty five millimeters (25mm) in height shall be permanently
attached to all fire Service street connections, cast on a plate or
fitting that reads “DRY STANDPIPE”. A sign indicating the pressure
required at the inlets to deliver the system demand shall also be
provided.
D. Wet Standpipes
1. 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 one
thousand (1,000);b. Educational, healthcare and detention and correctional, businessand mercantile, industrial, and hotels and apartments
occupancies, four or more storeys in height, andc. Hazardous storage and business and mercantile occupancies
having a floor area exceeding one thousand eight hundred sixty
square meters (1,860 m2) per floor.
2. However, the preceding provision does not apply to:a. Buildings equipped throughout with an approved, supervised
sprinkler system.
b. Basement or cellars equipped with approved, supervised sprinkler
system.
3. Locationa. Wet standpipes shall be located so that all portions of the buildings
are within six meters (6m) of a nozzle attached to twenty two
meters (22 m) of hose.

103b. In theaters, auditoriums and other assembly occupancies where
the occupant load is more than one thousand (1,000), outlets shallbe located on each side of any stage, on each side of the rear of
the auditorium and on each side of the balcony.
4. Detailed Requirementsa. Construction. Wet standpipes shall be installed and tested as
required for the water distribution system within the building.
b. Size. The size of the standpipes shall not be less than 64 mm (2 ½ in.)in diameter.
c. Outlets. All interior wet standpipes shall be equipped with thirtyeight millimeters (38 mm) valve in each storey, including thebasement or cell roof of the building and located not less thanninety one centimeters (91cm) nor more than one hundred eighty
two centimeters (182 cm) above the floor.
d. Water Supply. The wet standpipe shall deliver not less than one
hundred thirty two liters (132 ℓ) of water per minute at not less than
one and eight-tenths (1.8) kilos per square centimeters residualpressures from each of any two outlets flowing simultaneously for
thirty (30) minutes. When more than one interior wet standpipe isrequired in the building, such standpipes may be connected attheir bases or highest points by pipes of equal size. Where
combination standpipes are installed, the thirty eight millimeters (38mm) outlet system may be supplied from the combination systemwith a fifty one millimeters (51 mm) connecting line.
e. Pressure and Gravity Tanks. Pressure or gravity tanks shall have acapacity sufficient to furnish at least two hundred sixty five (265)liters of water per minutes for thirty (30) minutes. Other such tanks
shall be located so as to provide not less than one and eight-tenths(1.8) kilos per square centimeters residual pressure from each oftwo (2) outlets flowing simultaneously for thirty (30) minutes.
Discharge pipes from pressure tanks shall extend five (5)centimeters from and into the bottom of such tanks. All tanks shallbe equipped with a manhole, ladder and platform, drainpipe,water pressure gauges, and a pressure relief valve. Each pressuretanks shall be tested in place after installation and proved tight at
a hydrostatic pressure required, but not less than ten (10) kilogram
per square centimeters. Where such tanks are used also fordomestic purposes, the supply take off for such purposes shall belocated above the required capacity of such tanks. Supply tanks
shall be supported on non-combustible construction with not lessthan ninety one (91) centimeters clearances over the top and104

under the bottom of an adjacent construction. Approved pressuregauges shall be provided at pressure tanks and t the fire pump.
f.

Fire Pumps. Fire pumps shall be approved and shall deliver notless than the required fire flow and pressure. Such pumps shall be
supplied with adequate power source and shall be automatic inoperation. Where the wet standpipe system is supplied with waterfrom the domestic supply of building, approved fire pumps shall not
be required provided the domestic pump used delivers therequired fire flow.

g. Hose and Hose Reels. Each wet standpipe outlet shall be suppliedwith a hose not less than thirty eight millimeters (38 mm) indiameter. Such hose shall be equipped with an approved variable
for nozzle. An approved hose reel rack or cabinet shall be provided
and shall be located so as to make the hose accessible. The hosereel rack or cabinet shall be recessed in the wall or protected bysuitable cabinet.
h. Connection to Fire-Sprinkler System. Wet standpipe system may besupplied from a sprinkler system only when a compliance with NFPA
13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler System.
i.

Signs. Signs shall be provided. If automatic sprinklers are also
supplied by the fire service connection, the sign or combination ofsigns shall indicate both designated services. The sign shall read
“STANDPIPE AND AUTOSPKR” or “AUTOSPKR AND STANDPIPE”.

j.

Pressure Reduction. Where the static pressure at any standpipe
outlet exceeds seven (7) kilos per square-centimeter, an approvedpressure reduction device shall be permanently installed at theoutlet to reduce the water flow so that the nozzle pressure does notexceed five and six tenths (5.6) kilos per square centimeter inaccordance with Table 7.
Table 7: STANDPIPE PRESSURE AT HOUSE
OUTLET AND SIZE OF ORIFICE
Standpipe Pressureat House Outlet(Kilograms per
square centimeter)
7.75
8.45
9.15
9.86
10.6
11.27

105

Size of Orifice(millimeter)
27.0
23.0
23.8
19.1
18.3
17.5

Standpipe Pressureat House Outlet(Kilograms per
square centimeter)
11.97
12.68
14.08
15.85
17.61
19.72

Size of Orifice(millimeter)
16.7
15.9
15.1
14.3
13.5
12.7

E. Combination Standpipes
1. All combination standpipes shall comply with the requirements of thisSection. Design and installation shall be in accordance with NFPA 14,
Standard for the Installation of Standpipe, Private Hydrant and Hose
Systems. Where a combination standpipe system is installed inaccordance with section, a separate dry standpipe system need not
be installed.
2. Required combination standpipes shall be maintained in accordancewith this Section.
3. Locationa. Combinations standpipe system shall have connections for dry
standpipe located as required in para “C” above and shall have
wet standpipe outlets as required in para “D” above.
b. Portions of combination standpipe systems, including extensions forwet standpipe outlets, not within an enclosed stairway orsmokeproof enclosure shall be protected by a degree of fire
resistance equal to that required for vertical enclosures in thebuilding in which they are located.
c. In buildings where more than one combination standpipe system isprovided, they shall be cross connected at the bottom.
4. Detailed Requirementsa. Construction. Combination standpipe system shall be installed andtested as required for dry standpipe system in accordance withpara “C” above.
b. Size. Combination standpipe system shall not less than one
hundred fifty millimeters (150 mm) in diameter.

106

c. Riser shut off valve and drain. Each individual riser must be
equipped with an OS and Y valve at its base and an approved
valve for draining.
d. Fire Service Connections. All combination standpipe systems shallbe equipped with a four-way fire service connection. Combination
standpipe system with three or more standpipes shall be provided
with not less than two four-way service inlet connection.
e. All fire service connections shall be located on a street front not lessthan forty six centimeters (46 cm) nor more than one hundred
twenty two centimeters (122 cm) above grade and shall beequipped with an approved straight-way check valve andsubstantial plugs or caps. All fire service connections shall beprotected against mechanical injury and shall be visible andaccessible. The numberf.

Outlets. Every standpipe shall be equipped with a sixty four
millimeters (64 mm) outlet of not less than sixty one centimeter (61cm) nor more than one hundred twenty two centimeter (122 cm)
above the floor level at each storey. All standpipes shall beequipped with three-way sixty four millimeters (64 mm) outlet
above the roof line when the roof has a slope of less than thirty four
percent (34%). Roof outlets are not required for roofs with a greaterthan thirty four (34%) percent. All outlets shall be installed so that athirty centimeters (30 cm) long wrench may be used in connecting
the hose with wrench clearance on all sides of the outlet.
Standpipes located in smokeproof enclosures shall have outlets atthe vestibule with thirty meters (30 m) of sixty four millimeters (64mm) approved unlined fabric hose with twenty five and four-tenths
millimeters (25.4 mm) orifice, straight-tipped brass nozzle without ashutoff at the nozzle unless waived by the Chief, BFP or his duly
authorized representative. Such outlets shall be identified with asign having seventy six millimeter (76 mm) high letters reading; “BFPUSE ONLY”. The hose and nozzle shall be installed in an approved
hose cabinet. An approved drip cock or drain connection shall belocated between the standpipes outlet and the hose. Roof outlets
need not be provided with hoses.

g. Signs. An approved durable sign with raised letter at least twenty
five millimeters (25mm) high shall be permanently attached to all
fire service street connections and test connection, and such sign
shall read “COMBINATION STANDPIPE AND TEST CONNECTION”.

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F. Building Under Construction
1. During the construction of the building and until the permanent fireextinguishing system has been installed and is in service, fire protection
shall be provided in accordance with this Section.
2. Every building, six storeys or more in height, shall be provided with notless than one standpipe for fire service use during construction. Suchstandpipes shall be installed when the progress of construction is not
more than fifteen meters (15m) in height above grade. Such standpipe
shall be provided with fire service inlet connecting at accessible
locations adjacent to usable stairs. Such standpipe system shall be
extended as construction progresses to within one floor of the highest
point of construction having secured decking or flooring.
3. In each floor there shall be provided sixty four millimeter (64mm) valve
outlet for fire service use. When construction height requires installationof a combination standpipe, fire pumps and water main connection
shall be provided to serve the standpipe.
4. Temporary standpipes may be provided in place of permanent system
if they are designed to furnish two hundred eighty four liters (284ℓ) of
water per minute at three and one half kilograms (3.5 kg) per squarecentimeters pressure with a standpipe of not less than ten centimeters(10 cm). All outlets shall not be less than sixty four millimeters (64 mm).
Pumping equipment sufficient.
5. Standpipe system for building under construction shall be installed as
required for permanent standpipe system.
G. Basement Pipe Inlets
1. Basement pipe inlets shall be installed in the first floor of every storey,
warehouse, or factory having cellar or basement.
2. The location of basement/pipe inlet shall be as required by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
3. All basement pipe inlets shall be of cast iron, steel, brass, or bronze withlids of cast bronze.
4. The basement pipe inlet shall consist of a sleeve not less than twenty
centimeter (20cm) inside diameter extending through the floor andterminating flush with or through the basement or cellar ceiling andshall have a top flange recessed with an inside shoulder to receive thelid. The top flange shall be installed flush with finish floor surface. The lid
shall be a solid casting and have a lift recesses in the top. This lid shallbe provided with a casting sign reading: “FIRE SERVICE ONLY, DO NOT108

COVER.” The lid shall be installed in such a manner to permit its easy
removal from the flange shoulder.
H. Standpipe hose threads and pressure regulation device settings shall becompatible with the threads, hose and nozzles used by the BFP.
I.

Each standpipe shall be provided with a means of draining. A drain valve
and piping, located at the lowest point of the standpipe piping
downstream of the isolation valve, shall be arranged to discharge waterat an approved location. Sizing shall be specified in Table 8 below.
Table 8: SIZING FOR STANDPIPE DRAINSSTANDPIPE SIZE(in)
Up to 22 ½ , 3 , or 3 ½
4 or larger

SECTION 10.2.6.7

SIZE OF DRAIN CONNECTION(in)¾ or larger
1 ¼ or larger
2 onlyPORTABLE AND WHEELED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

A. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall designate the typeand number of fire extinguishers to be installed and maintained in allbuildings, structures and facilities, but shall not be less than the minimum
requirements as outlined in this Section.
B. All buildings, structures and facilities shall be installed with portable fire
extinguishers that are designed, installed and maintained in accordancewith this Section. Fire extinguishers shall be installed even if the property isequipped with automatic sprinklers, standpipe and hose, or other fixed
protection equipment.
C. Classification of Hazards
The classification of Hazard for purposes of application of this section shallbe as follows:
1. Low Hazard
Light hazard occupancies are locations where the total amount ofClass A combustible materials, including furnishings, decorations, andcontents, is of minor quantity. This can include some buildings or rooms
occupied as offices, classrooms, churches, assembly halls, guest room
areas of hotels/motels, and so forth. This classification anticipates thatmajority of content items are either noncombustible or so arranged
that a fire is not likely to spread rapidly. Small amounts of class B
flammables used for duplicating machines, art departments, and soforth, are included, provided that they are kept in closed containers
and safely stored.

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2. Moderate Hazard
Ordinary hazard occupancies are locations where the total amount ofClass A combustibles and Class B flammables are present in greater
amounts than expected under light (low) hazard occupancies. These
occupancies could consist of dining areas, mercantile shops, andallied storage; light manufacturing, research operations, auto
showrooms, parking garages, workshop or support service areas oflight (low) hazard occupancies; and warehouses containing Class I or
Class II commodities as defined by NFPA 231, Standard for General
Storage.
3. High Hazard
Extra hazard occupancies are locations where the total amount ofClass A combustibles and Class B flammables present, in storage,
production, use, finished product, or combination thereof, is over andabove those expected in occupancies classed as ordinary(moderate) hazard. These occupancies could consist of woodworking,vehicle repair, aircraft and boat servicing, cooking areas, individual
product display showrooms, product convention center displays, andstorage and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping, andcoating, including flammable liquid handling. Also included iswarehousing of or in-process storage of other than Class I and Class IIcommodities.
D. Classification, Ratings, and Performance of Fire Extinguishers
1. Portable fire extinguishers are classified for use on certain classes offires and rated for relative extinguishing effectiveness as determinedby the Bureau of Product Standard, DTI.
2. The classification are as follows
a. Class A: fires involving ordinary combustible solid materials
b. Class B : fires in flammable and combustible liquid and gas
c. Class C: fires involving energized electrical equipment
d. Class D: fires involving combustible metal fires
E. Fire Extinguisher General Requirements
1. The classification of fire extinguishers shall consist of a letter thatindicates the class of fire on which a fire extinguisher has been foundto be effective, preceded by a rating number (Class A and Class B
only) that indicates the relative extinguishing effectiveness, except for110

fire extinguishers classified for use on Class C, Class D hazards shall not
be required to have a number preceding the classification letter.
2. Portable fire extinguishers shall be maintained in a fully charged andoperable condition, and kept in their designated places at all times
when they are not being used.
3. Fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located where they will bereadily accessible and immediately available in the event of fire.
Preferably they shall be located along normal paths of travel,
including exits from areas.
4. The following types of fire extinguishers are considered obsolete andshall be removed from service:a. soda acidb. chemical foam (excluding film-forming agents)
c. vaporizing liquid (e.g., carbon tetrachloride)d. cartridge-operated watere. cartridge-operated loaded streamf.

copper or brass shell (excluding pump tanks) joined by soft solder
or rivets

5. Cabinets housing fire extinguishers shall not be locked, except where
fire extinguishers are subject to malicious use, locked cabinets shall bepermitted to be used, provided they include means of emergency
access.
6. Fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view,
except in large rooms, and in certain locations where visualobstruction cannot be completely avoided, arrows, lights, signs, or
coding of the wall are the acceptable means of identifying its
location.
7. Portable fire extinguishers other than wheeled types shall be securely
installed on the hanger or in the bracket supplied or placed incabinets or wall recesses. The hanger or bracket shall be securely andproperly anchored to the mounting surface in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions. Wheeled-type fire extinguishers shall belocated in a designated location. Portable fire extinguishers other thanwheeled types shall be securely installed on the hanger or in thebracket supplied or placed in cabinets or wall recesses. The hanger orbracket shall be securely and properly anchored to the mounting111

surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Wheeledtype fire extinguishers shall be located in a designated location.
8. Fire extinguishers installed under conditions where they are subject tophysical damage, (e.g., from impact, vibration, the environment) shallbe adequately protected.
9. Fire extinguishers having a gross weight not exceeding eighteen
kilogram (18 kg) shall be installed so that the top of the fire extinguisher
is not more than one and five-tenths meter (1.5 m) above the floor. Fire
extinguishers having a gross weight greater than eighteen kilogram (18kg), except wheeled types, shall be so installed that the top of the fire
extinguisher is not more than one meter (1.0 m) above the floor. In nocase shall the clearance between the bottom of the fire extinguisher
and the floor be less than one hundred millimeters (100 mm).
10. Extinguisher operating instructions, original manufacturer’s labels,
labels that specifically relate to the extinguisher’s operation or fireclassification, or inventory control labels specific to that extinguisher
shall be located on the front face of the extinguisher and be clearlyvisible, except the hazardous materials identification systems (HMIS)
labels, six-year maintenance labels, hydrotest labels, or other labels.
11. Fire extinguishers mounted in cabinets or wall recesses shall be placedso that the fire extinguisher operating instructions face outward. The
location of such fire extinguishers shall be marked conspicuously.
12. Where fire extinguishers are installed in closed cabinets that are
exposed to elevated temperatures, the cabinets shall be provided
with screened openings and drains. Vented fire extinguisher cabinets
should utilize tinted glass and should be constructed to prevent theentrance of insects and the accumulation of water. Vented fire
extinguisher cabinets constructed in this manner will lower the
maximum internal temperature 5.6°C to 8.3°C.
13. Water-type (e.g., water, AFFF, FFFP) fire extinguishers shall not be
installed in areas where the temperatures are outside the range of 40°f
to 120°f (4°c to 49°c). All other types shall not be installed in areas
where temperatures are outside the range of -40°f to 120°f (-40°c to49°c). Fire extinguishers shall not be exposed to temperatures outsideof the range shown on the fire extinguisher label, except: where it isinstalled in locations subject to temperatures outside these ranges, it
shall be of a type approved and listed for the temperature to which it
is exposed, or it shall be placed in an enclosure capable ofmaintaining the stipulated temperature range.
14. The fire extinguisher owner or the owner’s agent shall be provided withan instruction manual that details condensed instructions and cautions

112

necessary to the installation, operation, inspection, and maintenanceof the fire extinguisher(s). The manual shall refer to this standard as asource of detailed instruction.
F. Selection of Fire Extinguishers
1. General Requirements
The selection of fire extinguishers for a given situation shall be
determined by the character of the fires anticipated, the construction
and occupancy of the individual property, the hazard to beprotected, ambient-temperature conditions, and other factors. The
number, size, placement, and limitations of use of fire extinguishers
required shall meet the requirements of para 2 hereof.
2. Selection by Hazard
a. Fire extinguishers shall be selected for the Classes of hazards to beprotected.
i.

ii.

Fire extinguishers for protecting Class A hazards shall beselected from the following:i.a.

Water typei.b.

Multipurpose dry chemical typei.c.

Wet chemical typeFire extinguishers for protection of Class B hazard shall beselected from the following:ii.a.

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)

ii.b.

Film-forming fluoroprotein foam (FFFP)

ii.c.

Carbon dioxideii.d.

Dry chemical typeiii.

Fire extinguishers for protection of Class C hazard shall beselected from types that are specifically listed for use on Class C
hazards.

iv.

Fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents for the protection ofClass D hazards shall be of types approved for use on thespecific combustible-metal hazard.

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3. Application for Specific Hazards
a. Selection of fire extinguishers for pressurized flammable liquids andpressurized gas fires type of hazard shall be made on the basis ofrecommendations by manufacturers of this specialized equipment.
The system used to rate the effectiveness of fire extinguishers on
Class B fires (flammable liquids in depth) is not applicable to thesetypes of hazards. It has been determined that special nozzle design
and rates of agent application are required to cope with suchhazards.
b. Selection of fire extinguishers for fires involving Class B materials inmotion (three – dimensional Class B fires) such as pouring, running,or dripping flammable liquids and generally includes vertical aswell as one or more horizontal surfaces shall be made on the basisof recommendations by manufacturers of this specialized
equipment.
c. Fire extinguishers for the protection of delicate electronicequipment shall be selected from either a carbon dioxide type or a
halogenated agent type.
G. Distribution of Fire Extinguishers
1. General Requirements
a. Fire extinguishers shall be provided for the protection of both thebuilding structure and the occupancy hazards contained therein.
b. Required building protection shall be provided by fire extinguishers
suitable for Class A fires.
c. Occupancy hazard protection shall be provided by fire
extinguishers suitable for such Class A, B, C, D, fire potentials as
might be present.
d. Fire extinguishers provided for building protection can beconsidered also for the protection of occupancies having a class afire potential.
e. Buildings having an occupancy hazard subject to Class B or Class C
fires, or both, shall have a standard complement of Class A fire
extinguishers for building protection, plus additional Class B or ClassA fire extinguishers, or both. Where fire extinguishers have morethan one letter classification (such as 2-A:20-B:C), they can beconsidered to satisfy the requirements of each letter class.

114

f.

Rooms or areas shall be classified generally as light (low) hazard,
ordinary (moderate) hazard, or extra (high) hazard. Limited areasof greater or lesser hazard shall be protected as required.

g. On each floor level, the area protected and the travel distances
shall be based on fire extinguishers installed in accordance with
Tables 1 and 2.
2. Size and Placement
a. Class A Hazardsi.

Fire extinguishers for the different types of hazards shall be
provided on the basis of Table 9.

Table 9: FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLASS A HAZARDSTYPE OFHAZARDMIN.
EXTINGUISHERRATING

Low
Moderate
High

2-A
3-A*
4-A*

MAX. TRAVELDISTANCE TO
EXTINGUISHER
(m)
15
12
10

MAX. AREA(OPEN AREA) PER
EXTINGUISHER
(m2)
200
100
75

* Two 2-A rated fire extinguisher, provided they are installedadjacent to each other, may be used to fulfill the requirements of
one 3-A or 4-A rated extinguisher.
ii.

The protection requirements shall be permitted to be fulfilledwith fire extinguishers of higher rating, provided the travel
distance to such larger fire extinguishers does not exceed
fifteen meters (15 m).

iii.

In cases where building spaces are compartmentalized or
separated from each other by fire barriers, each compartment
not exceeding the maximum protection area specified Table 9
shall be provided with at least one (1) fire extinguisher.

b. Class B Hazards (other than for fires in flammable liquids ofappreciable depth).
i.

Fire extinguishers for the different types of Class B hazards shallbe provided on the basis of Table 10.

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Table 10: FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLASS B HAZARDSTYPE OFHAZARDMIN.
EXTINGUISHERRATING

Low
Moderate
High

5-B
10-B
40-B

MAX. TRAVELDISTANCE TO
EXTINGUISHER
(m)
10
10
10

MAX. AREA(OPEN AREA) PER
EXTINGUISHER
(m2)
200
100
75

ii.

The protection requirements shall be permitted to be fulfilledwith fire extinguishers of higher rating, provided the travel
distance to such larger fire extinguishers does not exceed
fifteen meters (15 m).

iii.

In cases where building spaces are compartmentalized or
separated from each other by fire barriers, each compartment
not exceeding the maximum protection area specified Table 10
shall be provided with at least 1 fire extinguisher.

c. Class B Hazards in Flammable Liquids of Appreciable Depth(greater than 0.6 cm).
i.

Portable fire extinguishers shall not be installed as the sole
protection for flammable liquid hazards of appreciable depth
where the surface area exceeds one square meters (1.0 m2 ).

ii.

For flammable liquid hazards of appreciable depth, a Class B
fire extinguisher shall be provided on the basis of at least two
numerical units of Class B extinguishing potential per square
meters of flammable liquid surface of the largest hazard area.

iii.

Travel distances for portable fire extinguishers shall not exceed
ten meters (10 m).

d. Class C Hazards
Fire extinguishers with Class C ratings shall be required whereenergized electrical equipment can be encountered that would
require a nonconducting extinguishing medium. This requirement
includes situations where fire either directly involves or surrounds
electrical equipment. Since the fire itself is a Class A or Class B
hazard, the fire extinguishers shall be sized and located on the basisof the anticipated Class A or class B hazard.
e. Class D Hazardsi.

Fire extinguishers or extinguishing agents with Class D ratings
shall be provided for fires involving combustible metals.

116

ii.

Fire extinguishers or extinguishing agents (media) shall belocated not more than fifteen meters (15 m) of travel distancefrom the Class D hazard.

iii.

Portable fire extinguishers or extinguishing agents (media) for
Class D hazards shall be provided in those work areas wherecombustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, chips, or similarly
sized products are generated.

iv.

Size determination shall be on the basis of the specificcombustible metal, its physical particle size, area to becovered, and recommendations by the fire extinguisher
manufacturer on data from control tests conducted.

SECTION 10.2.6.8

SEGREGATION AND PROTECTION OF HAZARDS

A. Any process, operation or storage having a degree of hazard greaterthan that normal to the general occupancy of the building or structure
under consideration shall be enclosed with construction having at least a
4-hour fire resistance rating or shall be provided with automatic fire
protection or both, as specified in Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter.
Where a hazard is high, both the fire-rated construction and automatic
fire protection shall be used.
B. All construction enclosing hazardous operation or storage shall have notless than 2-hour fire resistance, and all openings between the balance ofthe building and rooms or enclosures for hazardous operations or processes shall be protected with self-closing or automatic fire doors.
C. Where hazardous processes or storage area of such a character as to
involve an explosion hazard, explosion venting to outside the building shallbe provided by thin glass or other approved vents.
D. Where automatic protection is required, such protection shall be byautomatic sprinklers in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR orother approved extinguishing system appropriate to extinguish fires in thehazardous materials stored or handled.
SECTION 10.2.6.9

SMOKE PARTITIONS

A. Any smoke partition when required shall be constructed of fire resistive
materials and shall form an effective member, continuous from outside
wall to outside wall and from floor to floor slab thereby including continuity
through all concealed, spaces, such as those found above a suspended
ceiling, and including industrial spaces.
B. Smoke partitions shall have openings only for ingress and egress and forbuilding service equipment. Doorways shall be protected by doors
meeting the provisions of paragraph "C" hereof, and any openings where117building service equipment pierces the partitions shall be closed. Transfer
grills, whether equipped with fusible links, release dampers or not, shall not
be used in these partitions.
C. Doors in Smoke Partitions
1. Doors in required smoke partitions shall be of a swinging type and shallhave a protection rating of at least twenty (20) minutes.
2. Any glass panels in doors in smoke partitions shall be of transparent
wired glass mounted in steel frames.
3. Doors in smoke partitions shall be automatically self-closing.
4. Doors in smoke partitions shall close the opening with only the clearance for proper operation under self-closing.
5. Doors in smoke partitions shall be without undercuts, louvers, or grills.
SECTION 10.2.6.10

FIRE DOORS

A. Any fire door, installed in accordance with the requirements of this
Chapter shall be of an approved type. The fire resistance rating of any fire
door shall be as measured in accordance with the appropriate
internationally accepted standard. Each fire door shall be appropriate forthe location in which it is installed.
B. Any swinging fire door and any door in stair enclosure walls designed toprevent the spread of fire shall be provided with approved positive
latching means to hold it in the closed position against the pressure of
expanding fire gases.
DIVISION 7. BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENTSECTION 10.2.7.1

UTILITIES

A. Equipment using gas and related gas piping shall be in accordance with
NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, or NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Code, as the case may be.
B. Electrical wiring and equipment shall be in accordance with the Philippine
Electrical Code.
C. Cooking equipment shall be protected by automatic kitchen hood fire
Suppression in accordance with NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control
and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.

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SECTION 10.2.7.2

HEATING, VENTILATING AND AIRCONDITIONING

A. The design and installation of air conditioning, ventilating, heating,cooking, incinerating, or other building service equipment shall be
installed in accordance with the Philippine Mechanical Code.
B. Where ducting of airconditioning and ventilating system passes throughfrom one room to another room or from one fire barrier to another firebarrier shall be provided with automatic fire dampers.
SECTION 10.2.7.3

SMOKE VENTING

A. Design and installation of smoke venting facilities, where required for safeuse of exits, in windowless buildings, underground structures, and large
area factories in accordance with the Philippine Mechanical Code.
B. Natural draft smoke venting shall utilize roof vents in walls at or near theceiling level. Such vents shall be normally open or if closed shall be
designed for automatic opening in case of fire.
C. Where smoke venting facilities are installed for purposes of exit safety inaccordance with the requirements of this Rule, they shall be adequate toprevent dangerous accumulations of smoke during the time necessary toevacuate the area served, using available exit facilities with a standard
margin of safety to allow for unforeseen contingencies.
D. The discharge apertures of all natural draft smoke vents shall be soarranged as to be readily opened from the exterior.
E. The required natural draft vents may be substituted by a power-operated
smoke exhaust system subject to the approval of the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.2.7.4

RUBBISH CHUTES,INCINERATORSLAUNDRY

CHUTES,AND

FLUE-FED

A. Every chute and incinerator flue shall be enclosed and the openings
therein shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.2.6.2 "A" (1) and"A" (3) of this IRR, respectively. In new construction, inlet openings serving
chutes shall open only to a room that is designed and used exclusively foraccessing the chute opening rubbish chutes and laundry chutes shall bepermitted to open into rooms not exceeding 37 m2 that are used forstorage, provided that the rooms is protected by automatic sprinklers.
B. Every incinerator flue, rubbish chute, and laundry chute shall be designed
and maintained in accordance with the Philippine Mechanical Code.
C. In new constructions, any chute other than an incinerator flue shall be
provided with approved, supervised sprinkler system.

119

D. The above requirements shall not apply to detached single- or two-familydwellings.
SECTION 10.2.7.5

ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORSA. Elevator installations shall be in accordance with the PSME Code.
B. All new elevators shall conform to the firefighters’ emergency operations
requirements of ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators,
except buildings of less than 5-storeys in height.
C. Elevators shall be subject to periodic inspections and tests by building
management, without prejudice to the power or authority of the BFP to
conduct inspections. All elevators equipped with firefighters’ emergency
operation in accordance with paragraph (2) hereof shall be subject to amonthly operation with a written record of the findings made and kept by
the building management. Such record shall be included in thesubmission of FALAR 3.
SECTION 10.2.7.6

INSTALLATION CLEARANCEAll equipment/utilities/facilities mentioned in Section 10.2.7.1 to 10.2.7.5 of this IRR
shall not be installed without first securing an installation clearance from the
C/MFM having jurisdiction. This installation clearance shall be a pre-requisite forthe issuance of permits required by law for these installations.
DIVISION 8. PLACES OF ASSEMBLYSECTION 10.2.8.1

OCCUPANT LOAD

A. The occupant load permitted in any assembly building, structure, or
portion thereof shall be determined by dividing the net floor area or
space assigned to that use by the square meter per occupant as follows:
1. As assembly area of concentrated use without fixed seats such as anauditorium, place of worship, dance floor, and lodge room: sixty-five
hundredths (0.65) square meter per person.
2.

An assembly area of less concentrated use such as conference room,
dining room, drinking establishment, exhibit room, gymnasium, or
lounge: one and four-tenths (1.4) square meters per person.

3.

Standing room or waiting space: twenty-eight hundredths (0.28)
square meter per person.

4.

The occupant load of an area having fixed seats shall be determinedby the number of fixed seats installed. Required aisle space serving the
fixed seats shall not be used to increase the occupant load.

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5. Every room constituting a place of assembly and not having fixedseats shall have the occupant load of the room posted in aconspicuous place near the main exit from the room. Approved signs
shall be maintained in legible manner. Signs shall be durable and shallindicate the number of occupants permitted for each room.
6. In theaters and similar places of assembly where person are admitted
to the building at times when seats are not available for them and areallowed to wait in a lobby or similar space until seats are available,
such use of lobby or similar spaces shall not encroach upon therequired clear width of exits. Such waiting spaces shall be restricted toareas other than the required means of egress. Exits shall be provided
for such waiting spaces on the basis of one person for each one-fourth(0.25) square meters of waiting space area. Such exits shall be inaddition to the exits specified for the main auditorium area and shallconform in construction and arrangement to the general rules for exits
given in this division.
7. In areas not in excess of nine hundred thirty square meters (930 m2),
the occupant load shall not exceed one person in forty-six tenths
square meters (0.46 m2); in areas in excess of nine hundred thirtysquare meters (930 m2), the occupant load shall not exceed one
person in sixty-five tenths square meters (0.65 m2).
SECTION 10.2.8.2

EXIT DETAILS

A. Capacity of Exits
1. The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 paragraph C or shall be in accordance with succeeding
paragraph for means of egress serving theater-type seating or similar
seating arranged in rows.
2. Minimum clear width of aisles and other means of egress serving
theater-type seating, or similar seating arranged in rows, shall be inaccordance with Table 11 below.
Table 11: CAPACITY FACTORS FOR THEATER TYPE SEATING

No. of seats

Clear width per seat served (in mm)
Passageways, Ramps, andStairs
Doorways

Unlimited

7.6 AB

5.6C

3. The minimum clear widths shown in Table 11 shall be modified inaccordance with all of the following:a. If risers exceed one hundred seventy-eight millimeters (178 mm) in121

height, multiply the stair width in Table 8 by factor A, whereA = 1 + (RISER HEIGHT – 178/125)
b. Stairs without a handrail located within a seven hundred sixty
millimeters (760 mm) horizontal distance shall be 25 percent wider
than otherwise calculated, that is, multiply by factor B = 1.25.
c. Ramps steeper than 1 in 10 slope where used in ascent shall havetheir widths increased by 10 percent, that is, multiply by factor C =1.10.
B. Minimum Number of Exit
The number of exits shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 para “G”
of this IRR .
C. Location of Exits
1. Main Exit
Every assembly occupancy shall be provided with a main exit. The
main exit shall be of sufficient width to accommodate one-half (1/2) of
the total occupant load, but shall be not less than the total required
width of all aisles, exit passageways and stairways leading thereto,and shall connect to a stairway or ramp leading to a street.
2. Other Exits
Each level of an assembly occupancy shall have access to the main
exit and an addition shall be provided with exits of sufficient width toaccommodate two-thirds (2/3) of the total occupant load served bythat level. Such exits shall open directly to a street or into an exit court,
enclosed stairway, outside stairway, or exit passageway leading to astreet. Such exits shall be located as far apart and as far from the mainexits as practicable. Such exits shall be accessible from a cross aisle ora side aisle.
D. Minimum Corridor Width
The width of any exit access corridor serving 50 or more persons shall not
be less than one hundred twelve centimeters (112 cm).
E. Travel Distance To Exits
Exits shall be so arranged that the total length of travel from any point toreach an exit will not exceed forty six (46) meters in any place of assemblyfor spaces not protected by approved, supervised sprinkler system andsixty one (61) meters in areas so protected.

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F. Types of Exits
1. Exits of the specified number and width shall be of one or more of thefollowing types, in accordance with the provisions of Division 5 of thisRule.
a. Doors of the swinging type leading directly outside or through alobby or passageway leading to the outside of the building.
b. Horizontal exits
c. Smokeproof enclosuresd. Stairse. Ramps
2. Turnstiles
No turnstiles or other devices to restrict the movement of persons shallbe installed in any place of assembly in such a manner as to interfere
in any way with required exit facilities. (See Division 5 of this Chapter for
further requirements for turnstiles).
G. Panic Hardware
An exit door from an assembly occupancy shall not be provided with alatch or lock unless it is panic hardware.
H. Seating, Aisles and Railings
1. Seatinga. The spacing of rows of seats from back to back shall be not lessthan eighty three centimeters (83 cm), nor less than sixty eight
centimeters (68 cm) plus the sum of the thickness of the back andinclination of the back. There shall be a space of not less than thirty
centimeters (30 cm) from the back of one seat and the front of theseat immediately behind it as measured between plumb lines.
b. Rows of seats between aisles shall have not more than fourteen(14) seats.
c. Rows of seats opening onto an aisle at one side only shall have notmore than seven (7) seats.
d. Seats without dividing arms shall have their capacity determinedby allowing sixty centimeters (60 cm) per person.

1232. Aisles
Every portion of any assembly building which contains seats, tables,
displays, equipment, or other materials shall be provided with aisles
leading to exit as follows:a. When serving more than sixty (60) seats; every aisle shall be not lessthan nine hundred fifteen millimeters (915 mm) when serving seatson one side only and not less than one hundred twenty-two
centimeters (122 cm) when serving seats on both sides. Such
minimum width shall be measured at the point farthest from an exit,
cross aisles, or foyer and shall be increased in width by two and ahalf centimeters (2.5 cm) for each meter in length toward the exit,
cross aisles, or foyer.
b. When serving sixty (60) seats or less, aisles shall be not less thanseventy six centimeters (76 cm) wide.
c. Aisles shall terminate in a cross aisle, foyer, or exit. The width of suchcross aisle, foyer, or exit shall be not less than the sum of therequired width of the widest aisle plus fifty (50%) percent of thetotal required width of the remaining aisles which it serves.
d. No dead-end aisle shall be greater than six and one-tenth meters(6.1 m) in length. In arena or thrust stage theaters, dead-end aisles
at the stage shall not exceed five rows beyond a cross aisle.
e. The length of travel to an exit door by any aisle shall be not greaterthan forty six meters (46 m).
f.

Steps shall not be placed in aisles to overcome differences in levelunless the gradient exceeds twelve and a half (12.5%) percent.
Steps in aisles shall conform to the requirement for stairs as to riseend tread.

g. The gradient of sloping aisles shall not exceed twelve and a half
(12.5%) percent.
3. Railings
a. The fasciae of boxes, balconies and galleries shall have substantial
railings not less than sixty six centimeters (66 cm) high above thefloor.
b. The railings at the ends of aisles extending to the fasciae shall be
not less than seventy six centimeters (76 cm) high for the width of
the aisle, or ninety one centimeters (91 cm) high if at foot of steps.
c. Cross aisles shall be provided with railings not less than sixty-six (66)centimeters high.

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I.

Lighting and Signs
1. All places of assembly shall have exit lighting in accordance with
Section 10.2.5.11 and signs in accordance with Section 10.2.5.12 of thisIRR. All places of assembly shall be provided with emergency lighting.
2. In every auditorium or other places of assembly where pictures, motion
pictures or other projections are made by means of directed light, theillumination projections are made by means of directed light, theillumination of the floors of exit access may be reduced during such
period projection to values of not less than two ten-thousandths(0.0002) lumen per square centimeter.

J. Exits Common to Other Occupancies
1. Places of assembly in building of other occupancy may use exits
common to the place of assembly and the other occupancy
provided that the assembly area and the other occupancy
considered separately each have exits sufficient to meet therequirements of this Chapter.
2. Exits shall be sufficient for simultaneous occupancy of both the placeof assembly and other parts of the building.
SECTION 10.2.8.3

STAGE AND ENCLOSED PLATFORM

A. Definitions
1. Enclosed Platform – is a partially enclosed portion of an assembly room
the ceiling of which is not more than one hundred fifty five centimeters (155 cm) above the proscenium opening of which is designed
or used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or otherentertainment wherein scenery, drops, decorations or other effects
may be installed or used.
2. Stage – is partially enclosed portion of an assembly building which isdesigned or used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, orother entertainment wherein scenery, drops or other effects may beinstalled or used, and where the distance between the top of theproscenium opening and the ceiling above the stage in more than
one hundred fifty two centimeters (152 cm).
3. Thrust Stage – is that portion of a stage which projects into theaudience on the audience side of a proscenium wall or opening.
4. Arena stage – is a stage of platform open on at least three (3) sides toaudience seating. It may be with or without overhead scene handlingfacilities.

1255. Proscenium wall – is a fire resistive wall which separates a stage or
enclosed platform from the public or spectators' area of an auditorium
or theater.
B. Every stage equipped with fly galleries, gridirons, and rigging for movable
theater-type scenery, and every enclosed platform larger than forty six
and a half square meters (46.5 m2) in area shall be protected with theautomatic fire suppression system at the ceiling, under the gridiron, in
usable spaces under the stage or platform and in auxiliary spaces anddressing rooms, storerooms, and workshops.
When opening are provided in the stage floor for stage lifts, trap doors or
stairs, automatic fire suppression system shall be provided around theopening at the ceiling below the stage, and baffles at least thirty (30)centimeters in depth shall be installed around the perimeter of the
opening.
C. Every stage and every enclosed platform larger than forty six and a halfsquare meters (46.5 m2) shall have ventilators in or above it, operable fromthe stage floor by hand and also opening by fusible links or otherapproved automatic heat actuated device, or heat and smoke
actuated device, to give a free opening equal to at least five (5) percentof the area floor of the stage or enclosed platform. Where mechanicalventilation is provided it shall be so arranged that natural ventilation, atleast equal to the above, will be available. Make up air for mechanicalventilation shall not be obtained from the audience (seating) areas.
D. The proscenium opening of every stage shall be provided with a fire
resistant curtain constructed and mounted so as to intercept hot gases,
flames, and smoke, and to prevent glow from a severe fire on the stage
showing on the auditorium side within a five (5) minute period. The curtain
shall be automatic closing without the use of applied power.
E. Every stage shall be provided with a fire control station located on or
adjoining the stage. The fire control station shall have the following:

1. Lights to indicate the operations of all emergency lights and power
circuits.

2. Manual operating devices to actuate automatic spray heads at
proscenium, proscenium curtain, and smoke vents.

3. Indicator light to show that the automatic fire suppression system isoperating, or sprinkler system valves are open and system is charged
with water under pressure.

4. A public address system energized from normal and emergency lightand power sources.

1265. An alarm system connected to the manager's office, dressing rooms,
and auxiliary stage spaces. It shall not sound an alarm audible in theaudience or seating portion of the theater.

F. Auxiliary stage spaces such as under-stage areas, dressing rooms,
workshops and similar spaces associated with the functioning of a stage
shall comply with the following:

1. No point within any auxiliary space shall be more than fifteen and onefourth meters (15.25 m) from a door providing access to an exit.

2. There shall be at least two (2) exits available from every auxiliary stage

space, one of which shall be available within a travel distance oftwenty three meters (23 m). A common path of travel of six meters (6m) to the two (2) exits shall be permitted.

3. Auxiliary stage spaces shall be protected as provided under thisSection.

4. No workshop involving the use of combustible or flammable paint,liquids, or gases, or their storage shall open directly upon a stage.

G. Where approved, supervised sprinkler system is not required, theproscenium wall of every theater using movable scenery or decorations
shall not have more than two (2) openings entering the stage, exclusive of
the proscenium opening. Such opening shall not exceed two square
meters (2 m2) each and shall be fitted with self-closing fire doors.
H. Each stage shall be equipped with a one and a half inch (38.1 millimeters)
wet-standpipe equipped with at least 30 meters hose on -each side of thestage.
SECTION 10.2.8.4

PROJECTION BOOTH

A. Every place of assembly in which pictures are projected from cellulose
acetate, or other safety film using electric arc, xenon, or other lightsources, which generate hazardous gases, dust, or radiation, shall have aprojection room which complies with Section 10.2.8.17 of this IRR and thefollowing paragraph. This also applies to other latest types of projection(e.g. LCD and i-MAX)
B. There shall be posted on the outside of each projection room door andwithin the projection room proper, a conspicuous sign in block letterstwenty (25) millimeters stroke stating: "Safety Film Only Permitted in This
Room."

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SECTION 10.2.8.5

DECORATIVE MATERIAL

A. No decorative material, which will ignite and allow flame to spread overthe surface when exposed to a flame test shall be allowed to be used inplaces of assembly.
B. The method of test shall be as follows: the piece shall be exposed to theflame from a common match and held in horizontal position twelve andseven-tenths (12.7) millimeters underneath the piece, and a constantlocation for a minimum of fifteen (15 ) seconds.
C. Treatments may be applied to decorative material to accomplish flame
proofing. Such treatments shall be renewed as often as may be necessary
to maintain the flame-proofed condition of the material.
SECTION 10.2.8.6

PYROXYLIN COATED FABRIC

Use of pyroxylin coated fabrics inside places of assembly shall be restricted asfollows:
A. The nitrocellulose coating shall not exceed four hundred thirty (430)grams for every square meter of fabric.
B. The total surface area of fabric-complying with paragraph “A” above
shall not exceed one (1) square meter for every four and a half (4.5) cubic
meter of room volume.
C. Where the coating exceeds forty seven (47) grams per square meter, thetotal area of such fabric shall not exceed one (1) square meter for every
two and one-fourth (2.25) cubic meter of room volume.
SECTION 10.2.8.7

MOTION PICTURE SCREENS, STAGE CURTAINS AND DRAPES

No motion picture screens or screen masking curtains, buntings or otherdraperies shall be used unless the material is flame-proofed and will pass thematch-flame test described in Section 10.2.8.5 of this IRR.
SECTION 10.2.8.8

PROTECTION

A. Protection of Vertical Opening
Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with
Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
B. Interior Finish

1. The interior finish requirements of this Section shall be in accordancewith Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR and subject to modifications specified
therein.

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2. Interior finish in all means of egress in all places of assembly shall beClass A.

3. Interior finish in general assembly areas shall be Class A.
4. Screen on which pictures are projected shall comply with requirementsof Class A or Class B interior finish, as the case maybe.

C. Protection from Hazards
Rooms or spaces used for hazardous equipment, operations and process,such as but not limited to rooms containing high –pressure vessels,
refrigerating machineries, large transformers, or other service equipment;rooms or spaces used for the storage, processing or use of boilers or
furnaces, combustible supplies, hazardous materials or flammable or
combustible liquids; laundries; and maintenance shops including
woodworking and painting areas; shall not be directly located under or
abutting required exits and shall be separated from other parts of thebuilding by fire barriers by construction of not less than 1 hour fire
resistance rating.
D. Fire Detection and Alarm System

1. All assembly occupancies shall be provided with fire alarm system withmanual initiation, provided, however that where occupants of thebuilding exceed 300 persons, the initiation shall be through an
automatic detection system.

2. The required fire alarm system shall activate an audible and visible

alarm in a constantly attended receiving station within the building
when occupied for purposes of initiating emergency action.

E. Extinguishing Requirement

1. The following assembly occupancies shall be protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system:a. bars with live entertainment;b. dance halls;c. discotheques; andd. assembly occupancies with festival seating.

2. Buildings containing assembly occupancies with occupant loads ofmore than 300 shall be protected by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system:

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a. throughout the storey containing the assembly occupancy;b. throughout all storeys below the storey containing the assembly
occupancy;c. in case of an assembly occupancy located below the level of exit
discharge, throughout all storeys intervening between that storey
and the level of exit discharge, including the level of exit discharge.

3. The provisions of para “E” (1) and (2) above shall not apply toassembly occupancies consisting of single multipurpose room of lessthan 1115 square meters that are not used for exhibition or display andare not part of a mixed occupancy, all assembly occupancy with allsides open and places of worship at the level of exit discharge with
sufficient means of egress.

SECTION 10.2.8.9

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT

A. Elevators
Elevators shall not constitute required means of exit. When places ofassembly are more than three (3) storeys above ground level andequipped with automatic elevators, at least one elevator shall be
designed and equipped for fire emergency use by members of the BFP, or
as may be determined by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal. Key operation
shall transfer automatic elevator operation to manual and bring elevator
to ground or first floor use by said members. The elevator shall be situatedso as to be readily accessible.
B. Air Conditioning
All air conditioning, heating, and ventilation installations shall comply withthe provisions of Division 7 of this Chapter.
C. Special Provisions for Food Service Establishments

1. All devices in connection with the preparation of food shall be
installed and operated to avoid hazard to the safety of occupants
and shall be installed and maintained in accordance with good engineering practice.

2. Cooking equipment shall be protected by automatic kitchen hood fire
suppression in accordance with NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation
Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.

SECTION 10.2.8.10

PLAN OF EXIT WAYS AISLES

A. A plan showing the capacity and location of the exit ways and aisles
thereto shall be submitted for approval by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal,

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and approved copy of such plan shall be kept prominently on display inthe premises.
B. In all theaters, nightclubs, dance halls and similar occupancies, anaudible announcement and other means of announcement shall bemade prior to the performance describing the location of exits to be usedin case of fire or other emergencies.
SECTION 10.2.8.11

OVERCROWDING

No person shall permit the overcrowding or admittance of any person
beyond the approved capacity of any place of public assemblage. The
City/Municipal Fire Marshal, upon finding any overcrowding condition or
obstruction in aisles, passageways or other means of egress; or upon finding
any condition which constitutes a serious menace of life, shall cause theperformance, presentation, or entertainment to be stopped until thecondition or obstruction is corrected.
SECTION 10.2.8.12

STANDBY FIREMEN

A. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction whenever in his
judgment, it is essential for public safety to deploy standby firemen in any
place of public assembly, or any other place where people congregate,
due to the number of persons, or the nature of the performance,
exhibition, display contest or activity, is authorized to detail standby
firemen at such place.
B. The said firemen shall be in uniform and remain on duty during the timesuch places are open to the public, or when the activity is being
conducted. Before each performance or the start of the activity, the said
firemen shall inspect the required fire appliances provided, to see thatthey are in proper place and in good working order, and shall keep
diligent watch for fires during the time such place is open to the public orsuch activity is being conducted and take prompt measures for theextinguishment of fire that may occur.
SECTION 10.2.8.13

OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY

A. All grandstands, tents, and other places of outdoor assembly shall comply
with the requirements of NFPA Pamphlet No. 102, “Standards for Tents,
Grandstands, and Air-Supported Structures used for Public Assembly”.
B. Grandstand and bleacher type seating may be used as indoor typeseating only when it meets with the requirements of this Division.
SECTION 10.2.8.14

UNDERGROUND STRUCTURE AND WINDOWLESS BUILDINGSThe requirements of underground structures and windowless buildings used
as places of assembly shall be in accordance with Division 17 of this Chapter.

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SECTION 10.2.8.15

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR EXHIBITIONS HALLS

A. No display or exhibit shall be so installed or operated as to interfere in any
way with access to any required exit or with visibility of any required exit orof any required exit sign, nor shall any display block access to fire fighting
equipment.
B. All displays or exhibits of combustible material or construction and all
booths and temporary construction in connection therewith shall be solimited in combustibility or protected as to avoid any undue hazard of fire
which might endanger occupants before they have opportunity to use
available exits.
C. Any place of assembly used for exhibition or display purposes shall beequipped with a complete automatic fire suppression system, when the
exhibition or display area exceeds one thousand three hundred ninety
four square meters (1394 m2). For combustible materials not on display,storage room having an enclosure with a fire resistance rating of at least
two (2) hours and protected by an automatic fire extinguishing systemshall be provided.
SECTION 10.2.8.16

EXISTING PLACES OF ASSEMBLY

A. Capacity Limitations
In existing places of assembly, the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative may permit occupancy by number of persons not to exceedthat for which the existing exits are adequate provided that measures are
established satisfactory to the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative to prevent occupancy by any greater number of persons basedon the calculated occupant load of the building.
B. INTERIOR FINISH
Provisions of Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR shall apply in existing places ofassembly where interior finish does not conform to the requirements for
new assembly buildings.
SECTION 10.2.8.17

PROJECTION ROOMS FOR SAFETY FILM

A. Every projection room shall be of permanent construction consistent withthe construction requirements for the Type of building in which the
projection room is located. The room shall have a floor area of not lessthan seven and four-tenths square meters (7.4 m2) for a single machine
and at least three and three-fourths square meters (3.75 m2) for each
additional machine. Each motion picture projector, floodlight, spotlight,
or similar piece of equipment shall have a clear working space not lessthan two and one-fourth square meters (2.25 m2).

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B. Each projection room shall be at least one out-swinging, self-closing door
not less than seventy six centimeters (76 cm) wide by two meters (2 m)high.
C. The aggregate of ports and openings for projection equipment shall not
exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the area of the wall between the
projection room and the auditorium. All opening shall be provided withglass or other approved materials, so as to completely close the opening.
D. Projection booth room ventilation shall be not less than the following:

1. Supply Air
Each projection room shall be provided with two or more separate
fresh air inlet ducts with screened openings terminating within thirty
centimeters (30 cm) of the floor, and located at opposite ends of theroom. Such air inlets shall be of sufficient size to permit an air change
every three minutes. Fresh air may be supplied from the generalbuilding air conditioning system, providing it is so arranged that the
projection booth will continue to receive one change of air every
three (3) minutes, when no other air is supplied by the general air
conditioning system.

2. Exhaust Air
Each projection room shall be provided with one or more exhaust air
outlets which may be manifold into a single duct outside the booth.
Such outlets shall be so located as to ensure circulation throughout theroom. Projection room exhaust air system shall be independent of any
other air systems in the buildings. Exhaust air ducts shall terminate at
the exterior of the building in such a location that the exhaust systemshall be mechanically operated and of such a capacity as to provide
a minimum of one change of air every three minutes. The blower
motor shall be outside the duct system. The projection room ventilation
system may also appurtenant rooms, such as the generator room andthe rewind room.
E. Each projection machine shall be provided with an exhaust duct which
will draw air from each lamp and exhaust it directly to the outside of thebuilding in such a fashion that it will not be picked up by supply inlets.
Such a duct shall be of rigid materials, except for a continuous flexible
connector approved for the purpose. The lamp exhaust systems shall not
be interconnected with any other system.

1. Electric Arc Projection Equipment
The exhaust capacity shall be five and two-thirds cubic meters (5.66m3) per minute for each lamp connected to the lamp exhaust system133

or as recommended by the equipment manufacturer, whichever «sgreater. Auxiliary air may be introduced into the system through ascreened opening to stabilize the arc.

2. Xenon Projection Equipment
The lamp exhaust shall exhaust not less than eight and one-half (8.5)
cubic meters per minute per lamp, nor less than that exhaust volume
required or recommended by the equipment manufacturer,
whichever is greater. The external temperature of the lamp housing
shall not exceed fifty four and one-half (54.5˚C) degrees Celsius when
operating.
F. Each projection room shall be provided with rewind and film storage
facilities.
G. A maximum of four (4) containers for flammable liquids not greater than
one-half liter (0.5ℓ) capacity and of a non-breakable type may be permitted in each projection booth.
H. Appurtenant electrical equipment such as rheostats, transformers, andgenerators may be located within the booth or in a separate room ofequivalent fire resistance construction.
SECTION 10.2.8.18

OPEN FLAME

No person shall cause or permit any open flame to be used in any place of
public assemblage, or drinking or eating establishments, except when used inconjunction with approved heating or cooking appliances or under a written
permit from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
DIVISION 9. EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIESSECTION 10.2.9.1

OCCUPANCY AND OCCUPANT LOAD

A. Classification of Educational Occupancies

1. Educational occupancies shall include all buildings used for thegathering of groups of six (6) or more persons for purposes of
instruction, such as schools, universities, colleges, and academies.

2. Educational occupancy includes part-day, nursery schools, kinder-

gartens, day care facilities, and other schools whose purpose is
primarily educational even though the children are of pre-school age.

3. Other occupancies associated with educational institutions shall be inaccordance with the appropriate parts of this Chapter.

4. In cases where instruction is incidental to some other occupancy the134Section of the Chapter governing such other occupancy shall apply.
B. Occupant Load

1. The occupant load of educational buildings or any individual storey or

section thereof for the purpose of determining exits shall not be lessthan one person for each one and nine -tenths square meters (1.9 m2)of net classroom area or four and six-tenths (4.6) square meters of net
area of shops, laboratories, and similar vocational rooms. In dry nurseries where sleeping facilities are provided, the occupant load shall be
not less than one person for each three and three tenths square
meters (3.3 m2).

2. The occupant load of an area having fixed seats shall be determinedby the number of fixed seats installed. Required aisle space serving the
fixed seats shall not be used to increase the occupant load.

3. The occupant load of individual lecture rooms, gymnasiums, orcafeterias used for assembly purposes of more than fifty (50) persons
shall be determined in accordance with Section 10.2.8.1 of this IRR.

SECTION 10.2.9.2

EXIT DETAILS

A. Capacity of Exits
Capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2
para “C” of this IRR.
B. Minimum Number of Exits

1. Every room or space with a capacity of fifty (50) or more persons orover ninety three square meters (93 m2) in area shall have at least two(2) doorways as remote from each other as practicable. Suchdoorways shall provide access to separate exits, but, where egress isthrough corridors, shall open upon a common corridor leading toseparate exits in opposite directions.

2. Not less than two separate exits shall be provided on every storey andaccessible from every part of every storey and mezzanine.

C. Travel Distance to Exits
Travel distance to an exit from any point in a building without anapproved, supervised automatic sprinkler system shall not exceed forty six
meters (46 m), and shall not exceed sixty one meters (61 m) in any
building protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system.

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D. Access to Exits

1. Every aisle, corridor, balcony, other means of access to exits, anddischarge from exit shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of thisIRR.

2. Any corridor shall be not less than one and eighty-three tenths meters(1.83 m) wide in the clear.

3. Doors which swing into an exit access corridor shall be recessed toprevent interference with corridor traffic; any doors not so recessedshall open the one hundred eighty degrees (180˚) to stop against thewall. Doors in any position shall not reduce the required corridor widthby more than one half.

4. Drinking fountains or other equipment, fixed or movable shall not be soplaced as to obstruct the required minimum 1.83 meters corridor
width.

E. Exterior Corridors or Balconies

1. Where exterior corridors or balconies are provided as means of exit,
they shall open to the outside air except for railings or balustrades withstairs or level exits to grade not over seventy six and one-fourth meters(76.25 m) apart, so located that an exit will be available in either
direction from the door to any individual room or space, with deadends not to exceed six meters (6 m). If balconies are enclosed by glassor in any other manner, they shall be treated as interior corridors.

2. The floors of balconies (exterior corridors) and stairs shall be solid,

without openings, and shall comply with requirements for outside stairs
as regards balustrades or railings, width and pitch of stairs, and otherdetails, but are not required to be shielded from fire within the buildingby blank walls, wired glass windows or the like where the stairs arelocated on the side of balcony or corridor away from the building andare separated from the building by the full width of the balcony orcorridor.

F. Exit Arrangement

1. Exits shall be so arranged that at least two (2) separate exits will beavailable from every floor area. Exits shall be as remote from eachother as practicable, so arranged that there will be no pockets ordead ends in which occupants may be trapped, and in no case shallany dead-end corridor extend more than six meters (6 m) beyond thestairway or other means of exit therefrom.

2. Every classroom or room used for educational purposes or student
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occupancy below the floor of exit discharge shall have access to atleast one (1) exit which leads directly to the exterior at level ofdischarge without entering the floor above.
G. Types of Exits

1. Exits of the specified number and width shall be of one or more of thefollowing types, in accordance with the provisions of Division 5 of this
Chapter.
a. Doors of the swinging type leading directly outside or through alobby or passageway leading to the outside of the building. Any
exterior door and any room door subject to use by fifty (50) or more
persons shall be operated by bars or other panic hardware device
with re – entry mechanism, in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3 ofthis IRR, except that a door leading directly to the outside from aclassroom occupied by less than 50 persons may be equipped withthe same knob-operated schoolhouse type lock as is used onclassroom doors leading to corridor, with no provision whatsoever
for locking against egress from the classroom.
b. Horizontal exits
c. Smokeproof enclosuresd. Stairse. Ramps

H. Additional Exit Details
The provisions of this Section are based on occupancy by normal
individuals. Educational buildings used by persons with physical or mental
handicaps shall have additional features as may be required by the
Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative to ensure safe use of suchexits in an emergency.
SECTION 10.2.9.3

LIGHTING AND SIGNS

A. All educational buildings shall have adequate exit illumination inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.11 of this IRR. Flexible plan and open
plan buildings and buildings designed for night occupancy and portionsof buildings having interior and windowless rooms, areas, and corridors,
shall have emergency lighting.
B. All educational buildings shall have signs designating the location of exits
or the path of travel to reach them, in accordance with Section 10.2.5.12of this IRR.

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SECTION 10.2.9.4

WINDOWS FOR RESCUE AND VENTILATION

A. Except in buildings with protected with approved, supervised sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR, every room orspace used for classroom or other educational purposes or normallysubject to student occupancy, unless it has a door leading directly to theoutside of building, shall have at least one outside window which canreadily be used for emergency rescue or ventilation purposes, and whichmeets all of the following provisions:
1. It can readily be opened from the inside without the use of tools.
2. It provides a clear opening with a minimum dimension of 560 mm inwidth and 800 mm in height.
3. The bottom of window opening is not more than eighty two (82)centimeters above the floor; and4. Where storm windows, screens, or anti-burglar devices are used, theseshall be provided with quick opening mechanism so that they may bereadily opened from the inside for emergency egress and shall be soarranged that when opened they will not drop to the ground.
SECTION 10.2.9.5

PROTECTION

A. Vertical Opening
Any interior stairways and other vertical openings in educational buildings
shall be enclosed and protected in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 ofthis IRR, except when it serves only one adjacent floor other than abasement, it is not connected to other stairway serving other floors and it
is not connected with corridors or stairways serving other floors.
B. Interior Corridors

1. Every interior corridor shall be of construction having not less than a
one-half fire resistance rating, and all openings therein protectedaccordingly. Room doors may be forty four (44) millimeters solid
bonded core wood doors or the equivalent. Such corridor protection
shall not be required when all classrooms served by such corridors
have at least one door directly to the outside or to an exterior balcony
or corridor as in Section 10.2.9.2 of this IRR.

2. Any interior corridor more than ninety one (91) meters in length shall be

divided into sections not to exceed ninety one (91) meters in length bysmoke partitions installed in accordance with Section 10.2.6.7 of this
IRR.

138

C. Interior Finish
Interior finish shall be Class A in corridors, stairways and other means ofegress and may be Class B or Class C elsewhere, in accordance with theprovisions of Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR.
D. Fire Alarm System

1. Approved fire alarm facilities capable of being manually operated inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR shall be provided in every
educational building.

2. In building provided with automatic fire suppression system theoperation of the system shall automatically actuate electrical school
fire alarm system.

E. Automatic Fire Suppression System
Every portion of educational buildings below the floor of exit discharge
shall be protected with complete automatic sprinkler protection inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.
F. Hazardous Areas
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 separated from other parts of thebuilding with construction having not less than a one-hour fire resistance
rating, and all openings shall be protected with self-closing fire doors, orsuch area shall be provided with automatic fire suppression system. Where
the hazard is high as determined by the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized
representative, both the fire resistive separation and automatic fire
suppression system shall be provided.
G. Cooking equipment
Cooking equipment shall be protected by automatic kitchen hood fire
suppression in accordance with NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control
and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.
SECTION 10.2.9.6

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT

A. Elevators

1. An elevator shall not constitute required means of exit.
2. When an educational occupancy is more than three (3) storeys andequipped with automatic elevators, one or more elevators shall be
designed and equipped for fire emergency use by firefighters, as

139

specified in Section 10.2.7.5 of this IRR. Key operation shall transfer
automatic elevator operation to manual and bring elevator to groundor first floor for use of firefighters. The elevator shall be situated so as tobe readily accessible. If the building is equipped with only one
elevator, the same shall be equipped with firefighter’s switch to becapable of being manually operated.
B. Air conditioning
Every air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating installation shall comply
with Division 7 of this Chapter.
C. Electrical Wiring and Equipment
Electrical wiring and equipment shall be in accordance with provisions of
the Philippine Electrical Code, and all cooking, heating, incinerating andother building service equipment shall be installed in accordance with
Division 7 of this Chapter.
SECTION 10.2.9.7

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR FLEXIBLE PLAN AND OPEN PLAN
BUILDINGS

A. Definitions

1. Flexible plan and open plan educational buildings or portion of abuilding not having corridors which comply with Section 10.2.9.1 of thisIRR and are designed for multiple teaching stations.
a. Flexible plan buildings have movable corridor walls and movablepartitions of full height construction with doors leading from rooms
to corridors. Flexible plan buildings without exit access doors
between rooms and corridors shall be classified as open planbuildings.
b. Open plan buildings have rooms and corridors delineated by useof tables, chairs, desks, bookcases, counters, low height partitions,or similar furnishings.

2. Common Atmosphere – a common atmosphere exits between rooms,
spaces or area within a building, which are not separated by anapproved smoke partition.

3. Separate Atmosphere – a separate atmosphere exits between rooms,
spaces area, that are separated by an approved smoke partition.

4. Smoke Partition – (See Section 10.2.6.9). For purposes of this Section,smoke partitions shall also include floors and openings therein.

5. Room – for the purpose of this Section, a room is a space or area140

bounded by an obstruction to egress which at any time enclose morethan eighty (80%) percent of the perimeter of the space or area.
Openings of less than two (2) meters high shall not be considered incomputing the unobstructed perimeter.

6. Interior Room – a room whose only means of egress is through an
adjoining or intervening room which is not an exit.

7. Separate Means of Egress – a means of egress separated in such amanner from other means of egress as to provide an atmosphereseparation which preclude contamination of both means of egress by
the same fire. (See Section 10.2.6.7 of this IRR).

B. Area Limitations and Separations

1. Flexible plan and open plan buildings shall not exceed two thousand

seven hundred eighty seven square meters (2,787 m2) in undivided
area. A solid wall or smoke partition (Section 10.2.6.7 of this IRR) shallbe provided at maximum intervals of ninety one (91) meters andopenings in such walls or partition shall comply with Section 10.2.6.7 ofthis IRR.

2. Vertical openings shall be enclosed as required by Section 10.2.9.1 ofthis IRR.

3. Stages in places of assembly shall be separated from school areas byconstruction of non-combustible materials having at least a two-hour
fire resistance rating and shall comply with Section 10.2.8.1 of this IRR.

4. Shops, laboratories, and similar vocational rooms, as well as storage
rooms, shall be separated from school areas by construction having atleast a one-hour fire resistance rating, they shall have exits
independent from other areas.

C. General Provisions

1. The specific requirements of this Section are not intended to preventthe design or use of other systems, equipment or techniques which will
effectively prevent the products of combustion from breaching theatmospheric separation.

2. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to the requirements forproviding separate atmosphere. The fire resistance requirements shallcomply with other provisions of this Chapter.
a. Walls, partitions and floors forming all of or part of an atmosphericseparation shall be of materials consistent with the requirements forthe type of construction, but of construction not less effective than141

a smoke partition. Openings in walls or partition, used to allow thepassage of light shall be wired glass set in metal frames.
b. Every door opening therein shall be protected with a fire assembly
as required in this Chapter, but not less than a self-closing or automatic closing, tight-fitting smoke assembly having a fire-protection
rating of not less than twenty (20) minutes.
c. Ducts penetrating atmospheric separation walls, partitions or floors,
shall be equipped with an approved automatic-closing smoke
damper when having openings into more than one atmosphere oratmospheric separation shall be maintained by an approved
method of smoke control.
d. All automatic-closing fire assemblies installed in the atmosphericseparation shall be activated by approved smoke detectors.
e. Janitor closets and storage rooms shall be enclosed by materials
having one-hour fire resistance. Stages and enclosed platform shallbe constructed in accordance with Division 8.
D. Means of Egress

1. Each room occupied by more than three hundred (300) persons shallhave one of its exit access through a separate means of egress. Where
three (3) or more means of egress are required, not more than two (2)of them shall enter into the same means of egress.

2. Means of egress from interior rooms may pass through an adjoining or

in intervening room, provided that the travel distance do not exceed
those set forth in the succeeding paragraph entitled Travel Distance ofExit. Foyers and lobbies constructed as required for corridors shall not
be construed as intervening rooms. Where the only means of egressfrom a room is through an adjoining or intervening room, smoke
detectors shall be installed in the area of common atmospherethrough which the means of egress must pass. The detectors shallactuate alarms audible in the interior room and shall be connected tothe school fire alarm system.

E. Travel Distance to Exits
No point in a building shall be more than forty six (46) meters from an exit,
measured in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
F. Interior Finish
Interior finish in flexible plan and open plan buildings shall be as follows:1421. Corridors in flexible plan buildings
Class A on rigid material which will not deform at temperature below
two hundred thirty two degrees Celsius (232˚C).

2. Other than corridor walls
Class A and Class B throughout except that fixtures and low heightpartitions may be Class C. In one-storey buildings the exposed portionsof structural members complying with the requirements for heavy
timber construction may be permitted. (See also Section 10.2.6.3 of thisIRR).
G. Variable Plans

1. Flexible plan schools may have walls and partitions rearranged

periodically, only after revised plans or diagrams have been approvedby the City/Municipal Fire Marshal.

2. Open plan schools shall have furniture, fixtures, or low height partitions
so arranged that exits be clearly visible and unobstructed, and exit
paths are direct, not circuitous. If paths or corridors are established,
they shall be at least as wide as required by Section 10.2.9.1 of this IRR.

H. Sprinkler Systems

1. Any flexible plan building or open plan building in which the travel

distance to exits exceeds forty six (46) meters shall have approved,
supervised sprinkler systems in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of thisIRR. Such systems shall be electrically interconnected with the school
fire alarm system.

2. Automatic fire suppression systems shall be modified to conform withpartition changes. Modification plans shall have prior approval of theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal.

SECTION 10.2.9.8

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR PRE-SCHOOLS

Rooms used for pre-schoolers, first grade and second grade pupils shall not
be located above or below the floor of exit discharge.
SECTION 10.2.9.9

UNDERGROUND AND WINDOWLESS EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGSThe provisions of Section 10.2.17.4 of this IRR shall apply to Underground andWindowless Educational Buildings and such buildings shall be provided
completely with automatic fire suppression system.

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SECTION 10.2.9.10 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR COMBINED OCCUPANCIES
A. Assembly and Educational
Any auditorium, assembly room, cafeteria, gymnasium used for assembly
purposes such as athletic events with provisions for seating of spectators,
or other spaces subject to assembly occupancy shall comply with Division
8 which provided that where auditorium and gymnasium exits leadthrough corridors stairways also serving as exits for other parts of thebuilding, the exit capacity shall be sufficient to permit simultaneous exitfrom auditorium and classroom sections.
B. Dormitory and Classroom
Any building used for both classroom and dormitory purposes shallcomply with the applicable provisions of Division 12 in addition tocomplying with Division 9 of this Chapter. Where Classroom and dormitory
sections are not subject to simultaneous occupancy, the same exit
capacity may serve both sections.
C. Other Combined Occupancies
Any other combinations of occupancy not covered in this Section shallcomply with all applicable Divisions of this Chapter, with exits adequate toserve all occupancies simultaneously.
SECTION 10.2.9.11

EXISTING EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS

A. General
An existing building being used for educational occupancies establishedprior to the effective date of this Fire Code may have its use continued if
it conforms or is made to conform to the provisions of this Rule to theextent that, in the opinion of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction, reasonable life safety against the hazards of fire, explosion,and panic is provided and maintained subject to the provisions of para“B” through “E” below.
B. Additional Protection
The provision of additional means of egress, automatic fire suppression
system, area separations, emergency lighting, and other alternate meansof protection may be used to provide reasonable life safety from fire andpanic.

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C. Exits

1. Exit deficiency may be corrected by adding additional exits,
preferably those which will provide direct exit to the outside fromclassroom or student-occupied areas.

2. In lieu of direct exit to the outside from classrooms, additional life safety

may be afforded by the provisions of communicating doors between
classroom or student-occupied areas to provide access to at least one(1) exit stair without passing through interior corridors.

D. Interior Finish
In existing educational buildings which have interior finish that do notcomply with the requirements for new buildings, the provisions of Section
10.2.6.3 of this IRR shall be acceptable as alternate requirements.
E. Fire Alarm Systems
Requirements for Fire Alarm System for existing educational buildings shallconform to those for new educational buildings.
SECTION 10.2.9.12

CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS

A. General

1. Applicationa. This Section establishes life safety requirements for child day carecenters, in children receive care, maintenance and supervision fortwenty-four (24) hours or less per day.
b. For the purposes of this section, children are classified in age
groups, as follow: Children under three (3) years of age, children
from three (3) through five (5) years of age, and children six (6)years of age and older.
c. The text principally applies to centers for children under three (3)years of age. Variation for centers housing children three (3) yearsof age and older are indicated.
d. Centers housing children six (6) years of age and older shallconform to the requirements for educational occupancies.
e. Where a facility houses more than one age group, therequirements for the younger children shall apply, unless the area
housing the younger children is maintained as a separate fire area.
f.

Where centers are located in a building containing mixed145

occupancies the separation requirements of the Building Codeshall be satisfied.

2. Occupant Load
The occupant load for which means of egress shall be provided to any
floor shall be the maximum number of persons intended to occupythat floor but not less than one person for each three and three tenths
square meters (3.3 m2) of net floor area used by the children.
B. Exit Details

1. Numbera. The storey below the floor of exit discharge may be used inbuildings of fire-resistive construction, protected non-combustible
construction, protected wood frame construction and protected
ordinary construction, if the following conditions are met:i.

For up to thirty (30) children there shall be two (2) remote exits.
One exit shall discharge directly outside and the vertical travelto ground level shall not exceed two hundred forty four
centimeters (244 cm). There shall be no unprotected opening
into the enclosure of the second exit.

ii.

For over thirty (30) children a minimum of two (2) exits shall be
provided directly outside with one of the two (2) exiting at
ground level.

2. Access to Exitsa. Travel distance between any room or intended as exit access andan exit shall not exceed thirty and a half meters (30.50 m);
b. Travel distance between any point in a room and an exit shall not
exceed forty five and eight-tenths meters (45.80m);
c. Travel distance between any point in a sleeping room or suite shallnot exceed fifteen and one fourth meters (15.25 m).
d. The travel distance in (a) and (b) above may be increased by
fifteen and one fourth meters (15.25 m) in building completely
equipped with an approved, supervised sprinkler system.
e. Travel distance shall be measured in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR.

146

3. Doorsa. Doors in means of egress shall swing in the direction of exit traveland shall meet the requirements of Section 10.2.9.2 of this IRR.
b. Every closet door latch shall be such that children can open thedoor from inside the closet.
c. Every bathroom door lock shall be designed to permit opening of
the locked door from the outside in an emergency, and theopening device shall be readily accessible to the staff.

4. Stairs
a. Exit stairs shall be enclosed in accordance with Section 10.2.6.2of
this IRR
b. There shall be no enclosed usable space under stairs in an exit
enclosure nor shall the open space under such stairs be used forany purpose.

5. Areas of Refuge
In building over five (5) storeys above ground level, areas of refuge
shall be provided for occupants of child day care centers, either bysmokeproof enclosures or horizontal exits.

6. Emergency Lighting
Means of egress in each day care center shall be provided withemergency lighting, in accordance with Section 10.2.5.11 of this IRR.
C. Protection

1. Centers Housing Children
a. Sleeping areas in centers housing children under three (3) years ofage shall be compartmentalized with partitions having a one (1)hour fire resistance rating so there are not more than six (6) children
in each compartment.
b. Compartment doors shall be not less than ninety one centimeters(91 cm) in new construction and not less than eighty one and onefourth centimeters (81.25 cm) wide in existing building. Doorassemblies shall have a twenty-minute (20) fire protection rating
and shall be equipped with a self-closing device, a latch and an
automatic hold-open device as specified in Section 10.2.5.3of this
IRR.

147

2. Centers in Apartment Buildings
a. If the two (2) exit access from the center the same corridor as in anapartment building, the exit access shall be separated in thecorridor by a smoke partition having not less than one-hour fire
resistance rating. The smoke partition shall be so located that there
is an exit on each side of it.
b. The door in the smoke partition shall be not less than ninety one
centimeters (91 cm) wide.
c. The door assembly shall have a fire protection rating of at least
twenty (20) minutes and shall be equipped with self-closing device,a latch and an automatic hold-open device as specified in
Section 10.2.5.3of this IRR.

3. Minimum Construction Standards
Centers shall not be located above the heights indicated for the types of
construction given in Table 12:
Table 12: NUMBER OF STAIRS PER TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION BY AGE GROUP

Type ofConstruction

Age
group

Fire Resistive
and Protected
Noncombustible
Protected
Wood
Frame andProtected
Ordinary
Heavy Timber
Unprotected
Non combustible

Number of Stairs(Storeys are counted startingat floor of exit discharge)
12

3

4 and over

0 to 33 to 5

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

6 & older

X

X

X

X

0 to 33 to 5X
X

See Note 1
See Note 1

1
X

Not permitted
See Note 1

6 & olderX

See Note 1

X

See Note 1

0 to 33 to 56 & older
0 to 33 to 56 & older
0 to 33 to 56 & older

X
X
X
X
X
X

See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
Not permitted
See Note 1
See Note 2148

Note 1.

Permitted if entire building is equipped with an automatic fire suppression system.
Note 2. May be permitted for children three (3) years of age andolder if the children are limited to the first floor and number of children
to fifty (50) and there are two (2) remote exits; or if they are limited to
the first floor and the number of children is limited to one hundred (100)and each room has an exit directly to the outside.

4. Protection of Vertical Openings
Any vertical opening in centers shall be enclosed and protected inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.2of this IRR.

5. Interior Finish
a. In centers for children five (5) years old or less, interior finish for all
walls and ceilings shall be Class A or Class B in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR and floors shall be Class A, B or C.
b. In centers for children more than five (5) years of age, interior finish
for means of egress shall be Class A or Class B for individual rooms.
Floors shall be Class A, B, or C.
c. Decorations and furnishing shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.18.1 of this IRR.

6. Extinguishing and Alarm Systems
a. Smoke and/or heat detectors shall be installed on the ceiling ofeach storey in front of the doors to the stairways and at no greaterthan nine meters (9 m) spacing in the corridors of all floors
containing the centers. Detectors shall also be installed in lounges
and recreation areas in centers. The detectors may be single
station unit with an integral local alarm having a decibel rating ofat least 85, and shall be electrically connected to the centralized
fire alarm system.
b. There shall be manually operated switch for the fire alarm systemon each floor of the center. In centers with more than one
hundred (100) children, the fire alarm system shall be installed totransmit an alarm by the most direct and reliable method.
c. Portable fire extinguishers, suitable for Class B fires shall be installedin kitchens and cooking areas and extinguishers suitable for Class A
fires shall be installed throughout the remainder of the center. (See
Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR).
d. Standpipes shall be installed in all buildings of four (4) storeys ormore housing child day care centers.

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7. Hazardous Areas
An area used for general storage, boiler or furnace rooms, fuelstorage, janitor's closets, maintenance shops including woodworking
and painting areas, laundries and kitchens shall be separated fromother parts of the building with construction having not less than a
one-hour fire resistance rating and all openings shall be protected with
self-closing fire doors, or such area shall be provided with automatic
fire suppression system. Where the hazard is high as determined by the
Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative, both the fire-resistive
separation and automatic fire suppression systems shall be provided.
D. Center Service Equipment

1. Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Heating, Cooking and other Service
Equipment

Airconditioning, ventilating, heating, cooking and other service
equipment shall be in accordance with Division 7 of this Chapter.

2. Electrical Services
a. Electrical wiring in new construction shall be installed in accordance with the provision of the Philippine Electrical Code.
b. Receptacles and outlets services by extension cord type wiring areprohibited. Electrical appliances shall be grounded.
c. Special protective receptacle covers shall be installed in all areas
occupied by children in centers for children under five (5) years ofage.
DIVISION 10. HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIESSECTION 10.2.10.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Definitions

1. Hospitals
A building or part thereof used for the medical, psychiatric, obstetricalor surgical care, on a 24-hour basis, of four (4) or more inpatients.
Hospitals, wherever used in this Chapter, shall include general hospitals, mental hospitals, tuberculosis hospitals, children's hospitals, andany such facilities providing inpatient care.

2. Nursing Home
A building or part thereof used for the lodging, boarding and nursing
care, on a 24-hour basis, of four (4) more persons who, because of150

mental or physical incapacity, maybe unable to provide for their own
needs and safety without the assistance of another person. Nursing
home, wherever used in this IRR, shall include nursing and convalescent homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, andinfirmaries of homes for the aged.

3. Residential-Custodial Care Facility
A building, or part thereof, used for the lodging or boarding of four (4)or more persons who are incapable of self-preservation because ofage, or physical or mental limitation. This includes facilities such as
homes for the aged, nurseries (custodial care for children under six (6)years of age), and mentally retarded care institutions. Day carefacilities that do not provide lodging or boarding for institutional
occupants are not covered in this Division.
B. Fundamental Requirements

1. All health care buildings shall be so designed, constructed, maintained, and operated as to minimize the possibility of a fire emergency
requiring the evacuation of occupants. Because the safety ofoccupants of health care buildings cannot be assured adequately bydependence on evacuation of the building, their protection from thefire shall be provided by appropriate arrangement of facilities,
adequate staffing, and careful development of operating andmaintenance procedure composed of the following:a. Proper design, construction, and compartmentation;b. Provisions for detection, alarm, and extinguishment; andc. Fire prevention and the planning, training, and drilling in programsfor the isolation of fire and transfer of occupants to areas of refuge
or evacuation of the building.

2. It is recognized that in buildings housing various types of psychiatricpatients, it may be necessary to lock doors and bar windows to
confine and protect building inhabitants. Sections of this Rule requiring
the keeping of exits unlocked maybe waived by the Chief, BFP or his
duly authorized representative. It is also recognized that some
psychiatric patients are not capable of seeking safety without
guidance. In buildings in which doors are locked or windows are
barred, provisions shall be made for the removal of occupants by suchreliable means as the remote control of locks or by keying all locks to
keys carried by attendants.

C. Emergency Rooms, Operating Rooms, Intensive Care Units, Delivery
Rooms and Other Similar Facilities

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Emergency rooms, operating rooms, intensive care units, delivery rooms
and other similar facilities shall not be located more than one (1) storey
above or below the floor of exit discharge. In existing buildings where anyof the aforementioned facilities are located above or below the floor ofexit discharge, same shall be equipped with ramps complying with
Section 10.2.5.7 of this IRR.
D. New Construction, Additions, Conversion

1. Any addition shall be separated from any existing non-conforming
structure by a non-combustible fire partition having at least a 2-hour
fire resistance rating. Communicating openings in such dividing firepartition shall occur only in corridors and shall be protected by anapproved self-closing fire door. Such doors shall normally be kept
closed.

2. Any building converted to these occupancies shall comply with all
requirements for new facilities.

E. Occupancy and Occupant Load

1. Health care occupancies in buildings housing other occupancies shallbe completely separated from them by noncombustible construction
having at least a two (2)-hour fire-resistance rating. All means of egressfrom health care occupancies that traverse non-health care spaces
shall conform to requirements of this standard for health careoccupancies. Any occupancy with a hazard of contents classified
higher than that of the health care and located in the same building
as health care occupancies shall be protected. Industrial, office,mercantile and storage occupancies categorized as high hazard shallnot be permitted in buildings housing health care occupancies.

2. Sections of health care buildings may be classified as other occupancies if they meet at the following conditions:a. They are not intended to serve health care occupants for purposesof housing, treatment, customary access, or means of egress.
b. They are adequately separated from areas of health care occupancies by construction having a two-(2) hour fire resistance rating.

3. Auditoriums, chapels, staff residential areas, garages or similar oc-

cupancies provided in connection with health care occupancy shallhave exits provided in accordance with other applicable sections of
this Chapter.

4. The occupant load for which means of egress shall be provided forany floor shall be the maximum number of persons intended tooccupy that floor but not less than one (1) persons for each eleven152

square meters (11.1 m2) gross floor area in health care sleeping
departments and not less than one (1) persons for each twenty twosquare meters (22.3 m2) of gross floor area of inpatient health caretreatment departments. Gross floors areas shall be measured within
the exterior building walls with no deductions.
SECTION 10.2.10.2

EXIT DETAILS

A. Number and Types

1. Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible types;
a. Doors leading directly outside the buildingb. Stairs and smoke-proof enclosuresc. Ramps
d. Horizontal exits
e. Exit Passageways

2. At least two (2) exits of the above types, remote from each other, shallbe provided for each floor or fire section of the building.

3. Elevators constitute a supplementary facility, but-shall not be counted
as required exits.

B. Capacity of Exits
The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 para “C” of this IRR.
C. Access to Exit

1. Every aisle, passageway, corridor, exit discharge, exit location andaccess shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR, except
as modified in the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection.

2. Travel distance shall comply with the following:a. Between any room door intended as exit access and an exit shallnot exceed thirty (30) meters;
b. Between any point in a room and an exit shall not exceed forty six(46) meters;c. Between any point in a health care sleeping room or suite and anexit access door of that room or suite shall not exceed fifteen (15)meters.

153

d. Travel distance shall be measured in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
e. The travel distances in para (2) (a) and (b) above may be
increased by fifteen meters (15 m) in buildings completely
equipped with an automatic fire suppression system.

3. Every health care sleeping room, unless it has a door opening at

ground level, shall have an exit access door leading directly to acorridor which leads to an exit. One adjacent room such as a sitting or
anteroom may intervene if all doors along the path of exit travel are
equipped with non-lockable hardware, and this intervening room is
not intended to serve more than eight (8) health care sleeping beds.
However, special nursing suites or nurseries permitted in this Division
shall not be limited to eight (8) cribs or bassinets.

4. Aisles, corridors and ramps required for exit access of exit in hospitals or
nursing homes shall be at least two hundred forty four (244) centimeters in clear and unobstructed width. Aisles, corridors and ramps
required for exit access or exit in a residential-custodial care institution
shall be at least one hundred eighty three centimeters (183 cm) inclear and unobstructed width. Corridors and ramps in adjunct areas
not intended for the housing, treatment, or use of inpatients, shall be atleast one hundred eighty three centimeters (183 cm) in clear andunobstructed width.

5. Any rooms and any suite or rooms of more than ninety three square
meters (93 m2) shall have at least two (2) exit access doors remotefrom each other.

6. Every exit or exit access shall be so arranged that no corridor or aisle
has a pocket or dead-end exceeding six meters (6 m).

7. Any health care sleeping room which complies with the requirements
previously set forth in this section may be subdivided with non firerated, non-combustible partitions, provided, that the arrangement
allows for direct and constant visual supervision by nursing personnel.
Rooms which are so subdivided shall not exceed four hundred sixty fivesquare meters (465 m2).

D. Doors

1. Doors shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3, except as modified

in this subsection. For door requirements in horizontal exits and smoke
partitions, see Section 10.2.5.6, Section 10.2.6.Error! Reference source
not found.9 and this Section.

2. Locks shall not be permitted on patient sleeping room doors.
154

Exception No. 1: Key-locking devices that restrict access to the roomfrom the corridor and that are operable only by staff from the corridor
side shall be permitted. Such devices shall not restrict egress from theroom.
Exception No. 2: Door-locking arrangements shall be permitted inhealth care occupancies, or portions of health care occupancies,
where the clinical needs of the patients require specialized security
measures for their safety, provided that keys are carried by staff at all
times.

3. Exit access doors from hospital and nursing home sleeping rooms,

diagnostic and treatment rooms or areas such as X-ray, surgery andphysical therapy, all doors between these spaces and the required
exits, and all exit doors serving these spaces shall be at least one
hundred twelve (112) centimeters. Doors to residential-custodial
sleeping rooms and door to nursery sleeping rooms and all exit doors
serving these spaces shall be at least ninety one centimeters (91 cm)
wide.

4. Any door in a fire separation, horizontal exit or a smoke partition may

be held open only by an electrical device which complies with
Section 10.2.5.3. Each of the following systems shall be so arranged as
to initiate the self-closing action throughout the entire health carefacility.
a. The required alarm systemb. The required automatic fire detection systemc. An approved automatic fire suppression system,

5. Doors in stair enclosures and in walls surrounding hazardous areas shallnot be equipped with hold-open devices.

E. Stairs and Smokeproof Enclosures
Every stair and smokeproof enclosure shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.5.4.
F. Horizontal Exits
A horizontal exit shall be in conformance with Section 10.2.5.6and/or as
modified in this subsection.

1. At least two and eight-tenths (2.80) square meter per occupant in a
hospital or nursing home or one and four-tenths (1.40) square meterper occupant in a residential-custodial care institution shall be
provided on each side of the horizontal exit for the total number of155

occupants in adjoining compartments.

2. A single door may be used as a horizontal exit if it serves one direction,

only and is at least one hundred twelve centimeters (112 cm) wide fora hospital or nursing home or at least ninety one centimeters (91 cm)
wide for residential-custodial care institutions. The swing shall be in the
direction of exit travel.

3. A horizontal exit involving a corridor two and four tenths (2.40) meters
or more in width serving as means of egress from both sides of thedoorway shall have the opening protected by a pair of swinging
doors, each door having a clear width of 1055 mm and swinging in
the opposite direction from the other.

4. An approved vision panel is required in each horizontal exit door.
Center mullions are prohibited.

G. Ramps
Ramps in accordance with Section 10.2.5.7 shall be permitted.
H. Emergency Lighting, Exit Markings, Alarms and Communication Systems

1. Each hospital shall be provided with emergency lighting as describedin Section 10.2.5.11 and exit markings as described in Section 10.2.5.12of this IRR. Such emergency lighting and the illumination of required
exits and directional signs shall be supplied by the Life Safety Branch of
the hospital electrical system as described in NFPA 99, Standard for
Health Care Facilities. The Life Safety Branch shall also serve alarms,
emergency communication systems and the illumination of generator
set locations as described in paragraph (c), (d) and (e), Section 312 of
the same reference.

2. Each nursing home and residential-custodial care facility shall haveemergency lighting in accordance with Section 10.2.5.11 of this IRR.
Emergency lighting with at least 1 ½ hour duration shall be provided.

3. Exit signs shall be provided in each hospital, nursing home, andresidential custodial care facility in accordance with Section 10.2.5.12of this IRR.

SECTION 10.2.10.3

PROTECTION

A. Subdivision of Building Spaces

1. Smoke Partitions Required - Smoke partitions shall be provided,
regardless of building construction type, as follows:a. To divide into at least two (2) compartments every storey used by156

inpatients for sleeping or treatment and any storey having an
occupant load of fifty (50) or more persons.
b. To limit on any storey the maximum area of each smoke compartment to no more than two thousand one hundred square meters(2,100 m2), of which both length and width shall be no more thanforty six meters (46 m).
Note: Protection may be accomplished in conjunction with theprovisions of horizontal exits.

2. Smoke partitions shall be provided on storeys which are usable but
unoccupied.

3. Any smoke partition shall be constructed in accordance with Section

10.2.6.9 of this IRR and shall have a fire resistance rating of at least one(1) hour.

4. At least two and eight-tenths square meters (2.8 m2) per occupant for

the total of bed or litter patients shall be provided on each side of thesmoke partition. On other storeys not housing bed or litter patients atleast one half square meter (0.5 m2) per occupant shall be provided
on each side of the smoke partition for the total number of occupantsin adjoining compartments.

5. Corridor openings in smoke partitions shall be protected by a pair ofswinging doors, door to swing in a direction opposite from the other.
The minimum width of each door for hospitals and nursing homes shallbe one hundred twelve centimeters (112 cm), while that for residentialcustodial care institutions shall be eighty one centimeters (81 cm).

6. Doors in smoke partitions shall comply with Section 10.2.6.9 of this IRR

and shall be self-closing and held open only if they meet therequirements of this section.

7. Vision panels of approved transparent wired glass not exceeding forty

six-hundredth square meter (0.46 m2) in steel frames shall be provided
in all doors in smoke partitions.

8. Stops are required on the head and sides of door frames in smoke partitions and center mullions are prohibited.

B. Minimum Construction Standards

1. Health care buildings of one (1) storey only may be constructed ofprotected non-combustible construction, fire-resistive construction,
protected ordinary construction, protected wood frame construction,
heavy timber construction or unprotected noncombustible
construction. For the purpose of this subsection, storeys shall be157counted starting at the lowest floor of exit discharge. All levels below
the floor of exit discharge shall be separated from the floor of exit
discharge by at least protected non-combustible construction.

2. Health care buildings two (2) storeys or more shall be at least fireresistive construction.

3. Health care occupancies two (2) or more storeys shall have enclosure

walls of non-combustible materials having a fire resistance rating of atleast two (2) hours around stairways, elevators, chutes, and othervertical openings between floors.

4. All interior walls and partitions in buildings of fire-resistive and non-combustible construction shall be composed on non-combustible
materials.

5. Every health care sleeping room shall have an outside window or

outside door arranged and located so that it can be opened from theinside without the use of tools or keys to permit the products of
combustion and to permit any occupant to have direct access tofresh air in case of emergency. The maximum allowable sill height shallnot exceed ninety one centimeters (91 cm) above the floor exceptthat in special nursing care areas the window sill may be one and ahalf meters (1.5 m) above the floor.

C. Construction of Corridor Walls

1. Corridors shall be separated from use areas by partitions having a fireresistance rating of at least one (1) hour.

2. These walls shall be continuous from the floor slab to the underside of

the floor or rood slab above, through any concealed spaces such as
those above the, suspended ceilings and through interstitial structuraland mechanical spaces.

3. Doors with a twenty (20) minute fire protection rating shall be used on

openings other than those serving exits or hazardous areas. Doors shallbe provided with latches of a type suitable for keeping the door tightly
closed.

4. Transfer grills, whether protected by fusible link-operated dampers or
not, shall not be used in these walls or doors.

5. Fixed wired glass vision panels may be placed in corridor walls,

provided they do not exceed eighty four-hundredth square meters(0.84 m2) in size and are installed in approved steel frames. Fixed wired
glass vision panels may be installed in wooden doors, provided they
do not exceed forty six-hundredth square meters (0.46 m2) size andare installed in approved steel frames.

158

6. Waiting areas of twenty three square meters (23 m2) or less on an
institutional sleeping floor of fifty six square meters (56 m2) or less onother floors may be open to the corridor, provided that they arelocated to permit direct supervision by the institutional staff so
arranged as not to obstruct any access to required exits. Such areas
shall be equipped with an electrically supervised automatic smoke
detection system installed in accordance with this Section. Not morethan one such waiting area is permitted in each smoke compartment.

D. Protection of Vertical Openings and Fire-stopping

1. Any stairway, ramp, elevator shaft, light and ventilation shaft, chuteand other openings between storeys shall be enclosed with
noncombustible materials in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2.,
Section 10.2.6.2 of this IRR and this Section.

2. A door in a stairway enclosure shall be self-closing, shall normally bekept in closed position and shall be marked in accordance with
Section 10.2.5.3 of this IRR.

3. Fire-stopping shall be provided in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 ofthis IRR.

E. Interior Finish
Interior finish of walls and ceilings in means of egress and of any room shallbe Class A in accordance with Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR, while floor finish
material shall be Class A or B throughout all hospitals, nursing homes andresidential-custodial care facilities.
F. Alarm, Detection and Extinguishment Systems

1. Every building shall have an electrically supervised automatic fire

alarm system capable of being manually operated in accordancewith Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR. The fire alarm system shall be installedwith provisions for future connection to the nearest BFP station in thelocality. Internal audible alarm devices shall be provided inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR. Pre-signal systems shall not
be permitted in healthcare occupancies.

2. An approved automatic heat and/or smoke detection system shall be

installed in all corridors of hospitals, nursing homes, and residentialcustodial care facilities, such systems shall be installed in accordancewith the applicable standards of the NFPA 72, but in no case shallsmoke detectors be spaced further apart than nine (9) meters on centers or more than four and six-tenths meters (4.60 m) from any wall all
automatic heat and/or smoke detection systems required by thissection shall be electrically inter-connected to the fire alarm system.

159

3. Approved, supervised sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all

hospitals, nursing homes, and residential-custodial care facilities.
Replenishment of water supplies shall be strictly considered in thedesign. Quick-response sprinklers shall be required in smoke
compartments containing patient sleeping rooms.

4. Approved, supervised sprinkler system shall be in accordance with therequirements of Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

5. In light hazard occupancies, required automatic fire suppression

systems shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR for
systems and shall be electrically interconnected with the fire alarmsystem. The main automatic fire suppression control valve shall beelectrically monitored so that at least a local alarm will sound whenthe valve is closed.

6. If the fire suppression system is an automatic sprinkler, its piping serving

no more than six (6) sprinklers for any isolated hazardous area, may beconnected directly to a domestic water supply system having acapacity sufficient to provide six (6) liters per minute per square metersof floor area throughout the entire enclosed area. As outside-screwand-yoke shutoff valve shall be installed in an accessible location
between the sprinklers and the connection to the domestic watersupply.

7. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all institutional occupancies in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

G. Hazardous Areas
Any hazardous area shall be segregated and protected in accordancewith Section 10.2.6.8 of this IRR. Hazardous areas include, but are notlimited to the following:
Boiler and heater rooms
Laundries
Kitchens
Repair shops
Handicraft shops
Employee locker rooms*Soiled linen rooms*Paint shops*Rooms or spaces, including shops, used forthe storage of combustible supplies andequipmentinquantities
deemedhazardous by the Chief, BFP or his duly
authorized representative.
Trash collection rooms
Gift shops

Those areas marked by asterisk (*) shall be both separated and provided
with automatic fire suppression system.
SECTION 10.2.10.4

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT

A. Air Conditioning, Ventilating, Heating, Cooking and Other Service

160

Equipment

1. Air-conditioning, ventilating, heating, cooking and other service
equipment shall be in accordance with Division 7 of this Chapter.

2. Any heating device other than a central heating plant shall be sodesigned and installed that combustible material will not be ignited byit or its appurtenances. If fuel fired, such heating devices shall bechimney or vent connected, shall take air for combustion directly fromoutside, and shall be so designed and installed to provide forcomplete separation of the combustion system from the atmosphereof the occupied area. The heating system shall have safety devices toimmediately stop the flow of fuel and shut down the equipment incase of either excessive temperatures or ignition failure. Fire-places
may be installed and used only in areas other than patient sleeping
areas, provided that these areas are separated from patient sleeping
spaces by construction having a one-hour fire resistance rating. In
addition thereto, the fireplace shall be equipped with a hearth thatshall be raised at least ten centimeters (10 cm), and a heat tempered
glass fireplace enclosure guaranteed against breakage up to atemperature of three hundred forty three (343˚C) degrees Celsius. If
special hazards are present, a lock on the enclosure and other safety
precautions may be required.

3. Combustion and ventilation air for Boiler, incinerator or heater rooms
shall be taken directly from and discharged directly to the outside air.

4. Any rubbish chute and linen chute including pneumatic systems shallbe safeguarded in accordance with Section 10.2.6.2and 10.2.7.4 ofthis IRR. An incinerator shall not be directly flue-fed nor shall any floor
charging chute directly connect with the combustion chamber. Any
rubbish chute shall discharge into a rubbish collecting room used forno other purpose and protected in accordance with Section 10.2.6.8
of this IRR

DIVISION 11. DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL OCCUPANCIESSECTION 10.2.11.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Definition
Detention and correctional occupancies shall include those used for
purposes such as correctional institutions, detention facilities, community
residential centers and substance abuse or rehabilitation centers whereoccupants are confined or housed under some degree of restraint or
security.
B. Occupancy161

1. For the application of the life safety requirements of this Division, theresident user category shall be divided into the following five groups.

a. Use Condition I — Free Egress. Free movement is allowed fromsleeping areas and other spaces where access or occupancy ispermitted to the exterior via means of egress that meet therequirements of this IRR.
b. Use Condition II — Zoned Egress. Free movement is allowed fromsleeping areas and any other occupied smoke compartment to
one or more other smoke compartments.
c. Use Condition III — Zoned Impeded Egress. Free movement isallowed within individual smoke compartments, such as within aresidential unit comprised of individual sleeping rooms and a group
activity space, with egress impeded by remote-controlled releaseof means of egress from such a smoke compartment to anothersmoke compartment.
d. Use Condition IV — Impeded Egress. Free movement is restrictedfrom an occupied space. Remote-controlled release is provided toallow movement from all sleeping rooms, activity spaces, and otheroccupied areas within the smoke compartment to another smoke
compartment.
e. Use Condition V — Contained. Free movement is restricted from an
occupied space. Staff-controlled manual release at each door isprovided to allow movement from all sleeping rooms, activity
spaces, and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment
to another smoke compartment.

2. To be classified as Use Condition III or Use Condition IV, thearrangement, accessibility, and security of the release mechanism(s)used for emergency egress shall be such that the minimum available
staff, at any time, can promptly release the locks.

3. Areas housing occupancies corresponding to Use Condition I shallconform to the requirements of residential occupancies under this
Chapter.
Exception: Use Condition I facilities shall be permitted to conform to
the requirements of this Division for Use Condition II facilities, provided
that said facilities is provided with a 24-hour on-duty staff.

C. Occupant Load
The occupant load for which means of egress shall be provided for any
floor shall be the maximum number of persons intended to occupy that162

floor but not less than one (1) person for each eleven and one-tenthsquare meters (11.1 m2) gross floor area.
SECTION 10.2.11.2

EXIT DETAILS

A. Types

1. Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible types;
a. Doorsb. Stairs and smoke-proof enclosuresc. Horizontal exits
d. Exit passageways
B. Capacity of Exits
The capacity of means of egress shall be calculated in accordance with
Section 10.2.5.2 para “C” of this IRR.
C. Number of Exits

1. At least two (2) exits of the above types, remote from each other, shallbe provided for each floor or fire section of the building.

2. Exit access travel shall be permitted to be common path notexceeding thirty meters (30 m).

D. Access to Exit
Every aisle, passageway, corridor, exit discharge, exit location and accessshall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
E. Arrangement of Means of Egress

1. Every sleeping room shall have a door leading directly to an exit
access corridor, unless otherwise permitted by the following:a. If there is an exit door opening directly to the outside from the roomat the ground level.
b. One adjacent room, such as a day room, group activity space, orother common space shall be permitted to intervene. Where
sleeping rooms directly adjoin a day room or group activity spacethat is used for access to an exit, such sleeping rooms shall bepermitted to open directly to the day room or space and shall be163permitted to be separated in elevation by a one-half or full storey
height.

2. No exit or exit access shall contain a corridor, hallway, or aisle having a
pocket or dead end exceeding six meters (6 m).

3. A sally port shall be permitted in a means of egress where there areprovisions for continuous and unobstructed travel through the sally port
during an emergency egress condition.

F. Travel Distance to Exits

1. Between any room door intended as exit access and an exit shall not
exceed thirty meters (30 m);

2. Between any point in a room and an exit shall not exceed forty six
meters (46 m); and3. Any point in a sleeping room to the door in that room shall have amaximum travel distance of ten meters (10 m).

G. Discharge from Exits

1. Exits shall be permitted to discharge into a fenced or walled courtyard,

provided that not more than two walls of the courtyard are thebuilding walls from which egress is being made. Enclosed yards or
courts shall be of sufficient size to accommodate all occupants at a
distance of not less than fifteen meters (15 m) from the building whileproviding a net area of one and four-tenths square meters (1.4 m2)
per person.

2. All exits shall be permitted to discharge through the level of exit

discharge. This requirement shall be waived, provided that not morethan 50 percent of the exits discharge into a single fire compartment
separated from other compartments by construction having not lessthan a 1-hour fire resistance rating.

H. Emergency Lighting and Exit Markings

1. Means of egress shall be illuminated in accordance with Section
10.2.5.11 of this IRR.

2. Emergency lighting shall be provided in accordance with Section
10.2.5.11 of this IRR.

3. Exit signs shall be provided in areas accessible to the public.

164

SECTION 10.2.11.3

PROTECTION

A. Protection of Vertical Opening

1. Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected.
Exception no. 1: Unprotected vertical openings in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.2 of this IRR shall be permitted.
Exception no. 2:
In sleeping quarters smoke compartments,
unprotected vertical openings shall be permitted in accordance withthe conditions of 10.2.6.2of this IRR, provided that the height between
the lowest and highest finished floor levels does not exceed sevenmeters (7 m). The number of levels shall not be restricted. Sleeping
quarters subdivided in accordance with this section shall be permitted
to be considered as part of the communicating space. The separation
shall not be required to have a fire resistance rating.
B. Interior Finish
Interior finish shall be Class A or Class B
C. Detection, Alarm and Communication Systems

1. Detention and correctional occupancies shall be provided with a fire

alarm system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR, except as
modified by the succeeding paragraphs.

2. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by manual means inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR, by means of any required
detection devices or detection systems, and by means of waterflow
alarm in the sprinkler system.
Exception No. 1: Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to belocked, provided that staff is present within the area when it isoccupied and staff has keys readily available to unlock the boxes.
Exception No. 2: Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to belocated in a staff location, provided that the staff location is attended
when the building is occupied and that the staff attendant has directsupervision of the sleeping area.

3. Occupant notification shall be accomplished automatically inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR, a positive alarm
sequence shall be permitted.
Exception: any smoke detectors required by this chapter shall bepermitted to be arranged to alarm at a constantly attended location
only and shall not be required to accomplish general occupant165

notification.

4. Fire department notification shall be accomplished in accordancewith section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR, a positive alarm sequence shall bepermitted .
Exception no. 1: Any smoke detectors required by this chapter shallnot be required to transmit an alarm to the fire department.
Exception no. 2: This requirement shall not apply where staff isprovided at a constantly attended location that has the capability topromptly notify the fire department or has direct communication witha control room having direct access to the fire department.

5. An approved automatic smoke detection system shall be inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR, as modified by the para 6
through 8 hereof throughout all resident sleeping areas and adjacent
day rooms, activity rooms, or contiguous common spaces.

6. Smoke detectors shall not be required in sleeping rooms with four or
fewer occupants.

7. Other arrangements and positioning of smoke detectors shall bepermitted to prevent damage or tampering, or for other purposes.
Such arrangements shall be capable of detecting any fire, and theplacement of detectors shall be such that the speed of detection isequivalent to that provided by the spacing and arrangements
required by the installation standards referenced in Section 10.2.6.4of
this IRR. Detectors shall be permitted to be located in exhaust ducts
from cells, behind grilles, or in other locations.

8. Smoke detectors shall not be required in Use Condition II open
dormitories where staff is present within the dormitory whenever thedormitory is occupied.

D. Extinguishment Requirements

1. All buildings classified as Use Condition II, Use Condition III, Use

Condition IV, or Use Condition V shall be protected throughout by anapproved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

2. The automatic sprinkler system required by the preceding paragraphshall be fully supervised and electrically connected to the fire alarmsystem.

3. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.5 para “C” of this IRR.

166

Exception No. 1:
Access to portable fire extinguishers shall bepermitted to be locked, provided that personnel are on duty on a 24hour basis and keys are readily available to unlock access to theextinguishers.
Exception No. 2: Portable fire extinguishers shall be permitted to belocated at staff locations only.

4. Standpipe and hose systems shall be provided in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.5 “C” of this IRR as follows:a. Class I standpipe systems shall be provided for any building overtwo storeys in height.
b. Class III standpipe and hose systems shall be provided for allnonsprinklered buildings over two storeys in height.
Exception No. 1: Separate Class I and Class II systems shall bepermitted in lieu of a Class III system.
E. Subdivision of Building Spaces

1. Every storey used for sleeping by residents, or any other storey with an

occupant load of fifty (50) or more persons, shall be subdivided into
compartments by means of smoke barrier.

2. The requirement for subdivision of building space shall be permitted asfollows:

a. By smoke compartments having exit to the public way, provided
that such exit serves only one area and has no opening to otherareas;
b. A building separated from the resident housing area by 2 – hour fire
resistance rating or 14 meters of open area ; andc. Secured open area holding a space located 15 meters from thehousing area that provides 1.4 m2 or more of refuge area for each
person.
F. Hazardous Areas

1. Any hazardous area shall be protected in accordance with Section
10.2.6.8 The areas described in Table 13 shall be protected asindicated.

167

Table 13: HAZARDOUS AREA OPERATIONHAZARDOUS AREA DESCRIPTIONSEPARATION/PROTECTION

Areas not incidental to resident housing
Boiler and fuel-fired heater rooms
Central or bulk laundries > 9.3 m2
Commercial cooking equipment
Commissaries
Employee locker rooms
Hobby/handicraft shops
Maintenance shops
Padded cells
Soiled linen rooms
Storage rooms >4.6 m2 in area but 9.3 m2 inarea storing combustible material
Storage rooms >9.3 m2 storing combustible
materials
Trash collection rooms

2 hours
1 hour
1 hourIn accordance with 3.601
Smoke resistant
Smoke resistant
Smoke resistant
Smoke resistant
1 hour
1 hourSmoke resistant
1 hour
1 hour

Doors used to access the areas specified above shall meet therequirements for doors at smoke barriers for the applicable use
condition.

2. Where smoke barriers are required, they shall limit the occupant load
to not more than 200 residents in any smoke compartment and limit
the travel distance to a door in a smoke barrier as follows:a. The distance from any room door required as exit access shall not
exceed forty five meters (45 m).
b. The distance from any point in a room shall not exceed sixty meters(60 m).

3. Any required smoke barrier shall be constructed in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.9. Barriers shall be of substantial construction and shallhave structural fire resistance.

4. Openings in smoke barriers shall be protected in accordance with

Section 10.2.6.9 of this IRR, provided, that, there shall be no restriction
on the total number of vision panels in any barrier. Provided, further,that sliding doors in smoke barriers that are designed to normally bekept closed and are remotely operated from a continuously attended
location shall not be required to be self-closing.

5. Not less than fifty six hundredths square meters (0.56 m2) of net area

per occupant shall be provided on each side of the smoke barrier for168

the total number of occupants in adjoining compartments. This spaceshall be readily available wherever occupants are moved across thesmoke barrier in a fire emergency.

6. Doors shall provide resistance to the passage of smoke. Swinging doors

shall be self-latching, or the opening resistance of the door shall be notless than 22 N.

7. Doors in smoke barriers shall conform to the requirements for doors inmeans of egress and shall have locking and release arrangements
according to the applicable use condition.

8. Vision panels shall be provided in smoke barriers at points where thebarrier crosses an exit access corridor.

9. Smoke dampers shall be provided.
SECTION 10.2.11.4

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT

A. Air-conditioning,

ventilating, heating, cooking and other service
equipment shall be in accordance with Division 7 of this Chapter, andshall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications,
except as modified in the following paragraphs.

B. Combustion and ventilation air for boiler or incinerator shall be taken
directly from and discharged directly to the outside air.

C. Any rubbish chute and linen chute including pneumatic systems shall besafeguarded in accordance with Sections 10.2.6.2 and 10.2.7.4 of this IRR.
An incinerator shall not be directly flue-fed nor shall any floor charging
chute directly connect with the combustion chamber. Any trash chuteshall discharge into a trash collecting room used for no other purpose andprotected in accordance with Section 10.2.6.8 of this IRR.
DIVISION 12. RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIESSECTION 10.2.12.1

CLASSIFICATION

Residential occupancies shall include all occupancies so classified in Division 3 ofthis IRR. They shall be classified in the following groups, subject to determinationby the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative.
A. Hotels – includes buildings or groups of building under the same
management in which there are more than fifteen (15) sleeping
accommodations for hire, primarily used by transients who are lodged
with or without meals, whether designated as a hotel, inn, motel, or by
any other name. So-called appartelle, condotel or pension houses shallbe classified as hotels, because they are potentially subject to transient169

occupancy like that of hotels.
B. Dormitories – includes buildings where group sleeping accommodation
are provided for persons, not members of the same family group in one
room or in series of closely associated room under joint occupancy andsingle management, as in college dormitories, convents, fraternity houses,
military barracks, and the like.
C. Apartment Buildings – includes buildings containing three (3) or more living
units independent cooking and bathroom facilities, whether designatedas condominium, row house, apartment house, tenement, garden
apartment, or by any other name.
D. Lodging or Rooming Houses – includes building in which separate sleeping
rooms are rented providing sleeping accommodations for a total of
fifteen (15) or less persons, on either a transient or permanent basis; with orwithout meals, but without separate cooking facilities for individual occupants.
E. Single-and-Two Family Dwellings – includes detached dwellings in which
each living unit is occupied by members of a single family.
SECTION 10.2.12.2

REQUIREMENTS

A. Occupant Load
The occupant load of residential occupancies in number of persons forwhom exits are to be provided except in detached single-and-two-familydwellings shall be determined on the basis of one (1) person per eighteen
and six-tenths square meters (18.6 m2) gross floor area, or the maximum
probable population of any room or section under consideration,
whichever is greater. The occupant load of any open mezzanine orbalcony shall be added to the occupant load of the floor below for the
purpose of determining exit capacity.
B. Capacity of Exits
Capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2
paragraph “C” of this IRR.
C. Maintenance of Exits

1. No door in any means of egress shall be locked against egress when
the building is occupied.

2. No residential occupancy shall have its means of egress pass throughany nonresidential occupancy in the same building, except inbuildings provided with approved, supervised sprinkler system provided
that the means of egress shall not pass through a high hazard content

170

area as determined by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction and the means of egress shall be separated by aconstruction of not less than 1 hour.

3. No guest room or guest suite shall be permitted to be located above anonresidential occupancy except when the guest room or guest suiteand its exits are separated from the nonresidential occupancy byconstruction having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour orwhen the nonresidential occupancy is protected throughout by
approved, supervised sprinkler system.

SECTION 10.2.12.3

HOTELS AND DORMITORIES

A. Requirements

1. Any ballroom assembly or exhibition hall, and other space used for
purposes of public assembly shall be in accordance, with Division 7 ofthis Chapter. Restaurant having a capacity of fifty (50) or more persons
shall be treated as places of assembly.

2. Any dormitory divided into suites of rooms, with one or more bedrooms
opening into a living room or study that has a door opening into acommon corridor serving number of suites, shall be classified as anapartment building.

B. Exit Details

1. Requirements
a. Any room having a capacity of less than fifty (50) persons with anoutside door at street or ground level may have such outside door
as a single exit provided that no part of the room or area is morethan fifteen and one-fourth meters (15.25 m) from the door
measured along the natural path of travel.
b. Any floor below the floor of exit discharge occupied for public
purposes shall have exits arranged in accordance with thesubsequent paragraph of this Section, with access thereto inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
c. Any floor below the floor of exit discharge not open to the public
and used only for mechanical equipment, storage, and service
operations (other than kitchens which are considered part of thehotel occupancy) shall have exits appropriate to its actual
occupancy in accordance with applicable sections of this
Chapter.

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d. The same stairway or other exit required to serve any one upper
floor may also serve other upper floor, except that no inside open
stairway, escalator, or ramp may serve as a required egress from
more than one floor.

2. Types of Exits
Exits, arranged in accordance with Division 5 of this Chapter, shall be
one or more of the following types:
a. Doors, provided that doors in any means of egress shall not belocked against egress when the building is occupied. Delayedegress locks may be permitted, provided that not more than one
such is located in any one egress path.
b. Stairs and smokeproof enclosures.
c. Ramps.
d. Horizontal exits.

3. Minimum Corridor Width
Corridors, other than those in within individual guest rooms or individual
guest suites, shall be of sufficient width to accommodate the required
occupant load and shall not be less than one hundred twelve
centimeters (112 cm).

4. Number of Exits
Not less than two (2) exits shall be accessible from every floor,
including floors below the floor of exit discharge and occupied for
public purposes.

5. Travel Distance to Exits
a. Any exit shall be such that it will not be necessary to travel morethan thirty meters (30 m) from the door of any room to reach thenearest exit.
b. Travel distance within a guest room or guest suite to a corridor door
shall not exceed twenty three meters (23 m) in buildings notprotected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system.
c. Travel distance within a guest room or guest suite to a corridor door
shall not exceed thirty eight meters (38 m) in buildings protected by
an approved, supervised sprinkler system.

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6. Access to and Arrangement of Exitsa. Access to all required exits shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR, shall be unobstructed, and shall not be veiled
from open view by ornamentation, curtain, or other appurtenance.
b. Means of egress shall be so arranged that, from every point in any
open area or from any room door, exits will be accessible in at least
two (2) different directions.
c. Doors between guest rooms and corridors shall be self-closing.
d. Common path of travel shall not exceed ten meters (10 m).
e. Dead end corridors shall not exceed six meters (6 m).

7. Discharge from Exitsa. At least half of the required number of units of exit from upper
floors, exclusive of horizontal exits, shall load directly to the street or
through a yard, court, or passageway with protected openings
and separated from all parts of the interior of the buildings.
b. A maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the exits may discharge
through areas on the floor of exit discharge provided:i.

Such exits discharge to a free and unobstructed way to theexterior of the building, which way is readily visible andidentifiable from the point of discharge from the exit.

ii.

The floor of discharge into which the exit discharge is provided
with automatic fire suppression system and any other portion of
the level of discharge with access to the discharge area isprovided with automatic fire suppression system or separated
from it in accordance with the requirements for the enclosure ofexit. (See Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR),

iii.

The entire area on the floor of discharge is separated fromareas below by construction having a minimum fire-resistance
rating of two (2) hours.

8. Lighting and Signs
a. Each public space, hallway, stairway, or other means of egress
shall have illumination in accordance with Section 10.2.5.11 of thisIRR. Access to exit shall be continuously illuminated at all times. Any
hotel and dormitory shall have emergency lighting installed inindividual guest rooms or guest suites, hallways, landings ofstairways and other appropriate areas as determined by the
C/MFM having jurisdiction.

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b. Every exit access door from public hallways or from corridors on
floors with sleeping accommodations shall have an illuminated signin accordance with Section 10.2.5.12 of this IRR. Where exits are notvisible in a hallway or corridor, illuminated directional signs shall be
provided to indicate the direction of exit.
C. Protection

1. Protection of Vertical Openings
a. Every stairway, elevator shaft and other vertical openings shall be
enclosed or protected in accordance with Section 10.2.6.2 of thisIRR.
b. Any required exit stair which is so located that it is necessary to passthrough the lobby or other open space to reach the outside of thebuilding shall be continuously enclosed down to the lobby level.
c. No floor below the floor of exit discharge, used only for storage,
heating requirements, or other than hotel occupancy open to
guest or the public, shall have unprotected openings to floors used
for hotel purposes.

2. Protection of Guest Rooms
a. In any new hotel building every corridor shall be separated fromguest rooms by partitions having at least a one (1) hour fire
resistance rating.
b. Each guest room shall be provided with a door having a fire
protection rating at least twenty (20) minutes.
c. Openings in corridor partitions other than door openings shall be
prohibited.
d. Doors that open directly onto exit access corridors shall be selfclosing and self-latching.

3. Interior Finish
Interior finish, in accordance with Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR and
subject to the limitations and modifications therein specified, shall be
as follows:a. For new construction or new Interior Finishi.

Exits – Class A or Class B;ii.

Lobbies, corridors – Class A or Class B;

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iii.

Places of assembly – See Section 10.2.8.1 of this IRR;

iv.

Individual guest rooms – B, or C; andb. Existing Interior Finishi.

Exits – Class A or B;ii.

Lobbies and Corridors;
ii.a.

Used as exit access – Class A or Bii.b.

Not used as required exit access – Class A, B or C

iii.

Places of Assembly – See Section 10.2.8.16 of this IRR;

iv.

Individual guest rooms – Class A, B or C; andv.

Other rooms – Class A, B or C.

4. Fire Detection and Alarm Systema. An automatic fire detection and alarm system, in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR, shall be provided for any hotel ordormitory having accommodations for fifteen (15) or more guests.
For less than 15 guests, a manual fire alarm system shall be installed.
b. Every sounding device shall be of such character and so locatedas to arouse all occupants of the building or section thereof
endangered by fire.
c. An alarm-sending station and manual fire alarm box shall be
provided at the hotel desk or other convenient central control
point under continuous supervision of responsible employees.
d. Suitable facilities shall be provided for immediate notification of the
BFP.
e. Positive fire alarm sequence may be permitted.
f.

Hotels and dormitories including its guest rooms and guests suites
shall be required to be equipped with both audible and visible
notification appliance.

g. In hotels and dormitories not equipped with automatic fire
detection and alarm system, guest rooms, living area and sleeping
rooms within a guest suite shall be installed with single-station
smoke detectors.

1755. Extinguishing Requirementsa. All buildings shall be protected throughout by an approve,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 arrangedin accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR in buildings up to
and including three (3) storeys in height.
b. Listed quick response or listed residential sprinklers shall be usedthroughout guest rooms and guest room suites.
c. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.7 of this IRR.

6. Subdivision of Building Spaces
a. In buildings not protected by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system, each hotel guest room, including guest suites, anddormitory rooms shall be separated from other guest rooms or
dormitory rooms by walls and floors having fire resistance ratings of
not less than one (1) hour.
b. In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system, each hotel guest room, including guest
suites, and dormitory room shall be separated from other guest
rooms or dormitory rooms by walls and floors constructed a firebarriers having fire resistance ratings of not less than one half (½)
hour.

7. Hazardous Areasa. Any room containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating machinery,transformers, or other service equipment to possible explosion shallnot be located directly under or directly adjacent to exits. All suchrooms shall be effectively cut off from other parts of the building as
specified in Section 10.2.6.8 of this IRR.
b. Every hazardous area shall be separated from other parts of thebuilding by construction having a fire-resistance rating of at leastone (1) hour and communicating openings shall be protected byapproved automatic or self-closing fire doors, or such area shall beequipped with automatic fire suppression system. Where a hazard
is high as determined by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction, both fire-resistive construction and automatic fire
suppression system shall be used. Hazardous areas include, but are
not limited to:

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i.

Boiler and heater roomsii.

Laundriesiii.

Repair shops

iv.

Rooms or spaces used storage of combustible supplies andequipment in quantified deemed hazardous by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.

D. Building Service Equipment

1. Air-Conditioning and Ventilation
a. Every air conditioning installation shall comply with Division 7 of this
Chapter.
b. No transom/windowpane shall be installed in partition of sleeping
rooms in new buildings. In existing buildings transoms shall be fixedin the closed position and shall be covered or otherwise protected
to provide a fire-resistance rating at least equivalent to that of thewall in which they are installed.

2. All other building services equipment installed or used in hotels anddormitories shall comply with Division 7 of this Chapter.

SECTION 10.2.12.4

APARTMENT BUILDINGS

A. General Requirements

1. Any apartment building which complied with all of the preceding

requirements of this Section for hotels may be considered as a hotel
and as such, the following requirements for apartment buildings will
not be applicable.

2. Every individual unit covered by this Section shall at least comply withthe minimum provisions of Section 10.2.12.6 of this IRR entitled Single
and Two-Family Dwellings.

B. Exit Details

1. General Types and Capacities of Exitsa. Exits of the same arrangement, types and capacities, as requiredby Section 10.2.12.3 of this IRR shall be provided.
b. Street floor exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of thestreet floor plus the required capacity of stairs and ramps
discharging onto the street floor.

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2. Number of Exitsa. Every living unit shall have access to at least two (2) separate exits.
Exception 1: Any living unit, which has an exit directly to the street
or yard at ground level or by way of an outside stairway that servea maximum of two units or an enclosed stairway with fire-resistance
rating of one (1) hour or more serving that apartment only and notcommunicating with any floor below the floor of exit discharge orother area not a part of the apartment served, may have a single
exit.
Exception 2: Apartment buildings of not more than three storeys inheight with not more than six (6) living units per floor, with a smokeproof enclosure or an outside stairway as the exit, immediately
accessible to all apartments served thereby, may have a single
exit.
Exception 3: Any building not more than three (3) storeys in heightwith no floor below the floor of exit discharge or, in case there issuch a floor, with the street floor construction of at least one-hour
fire resistance, may have a single exit, under the following
conditions:i.

The stairway is completely enclosed with a partition having afire resistance rating of at least one (1) hour with self-closing fire
doors protecting all openings between the stairway enclosed
and the building.

ii.

The stairway does not serve any floor below the floor of exit discharge,iii.

All corridors serving as access to exits at least a one (1) hour fireresistance rating.

iv.

There is not more than six and one-tenth meters (6.10 m) oftravel distance to reach an exit from entrance door of any livingunit.

3. Minimum Corridor Widtha. Corridors with a required capacity of more than 50 persons shall beof sufficient width to accommodate the required occupant load
but have a width of not less than one hundred twelve centimeters(112 cm).
b. Corridors with a required capacity of not more than 50 persons shallnot be less than ninety one centimeters (91 cm).

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4. Access to Exitsa. Exits shall be remote from each other, as required by Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
b. Exits shall be so arranged that there are no dead-end pockets,
hallways, corridors, passageways or courts.
c. Exits and exit access shall be so located that:i.

It will not be necessary to travel more than fifteen and one-halfmeters (15.50 m) within any individual living unit to reach thenearest exit, or to reach an entrance door of the apartment
which provides access through a public corridor to an exit on
the same floor level.

ii.

Within any individual living unit it will not be necessary to
traverse stairs more than one (1) storey above or below the floor
level of the apartment to the nearest exit or entrance door.

iii.

The entrance door to any apartment is within thirty one meters(31 m) of an exit of within forty six and a half meters (46.50 m) ina building protected by approved, supervised sprinkler system inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

d. Doors between apartments and corridors shall be self-closing.

5. Discharge from Exits
Discharge from exits shall be the same as required for hotels. (See
Section 10.2.12.3 of this IRR)

6. Lighting and Signs
a. Every public space, hallway, stairway, and other means of egress
shall have illumination in accordance with Section 10.2.5.11 of thisIRR. All apartment buildings shall have emergency lighting.
b. Signs in accordance with Section 10.2.5.12 of this IRR shall be
provided in all apartment buildings .
C. Protection

1. Segregation of Dwelling Units
Dwelling units in row apartments shall be separated from each otherby partition walls having a fire resistance rating of four (4) hours. Suchwalls shall be constructed solidly and continuously from the ground tolevel one (1) meter above the ridge line of the roof.

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2. Protection of Vertical Openings
Protection of vertical openings shall be the same as required for hotels.
(See Section 10.2.12.3 of this IRR) There shall be no unprotectedvertical opening in any building or fire section with only one exit.

3. Interior Finish
a. For new construction and new interior finishi.

Exits - Class A or Class B;ii.

Lobbies, corridors and public spaces - Class A or B; andiii.

Individual living units - Class A or B or C

b. Existing Interior Finishi.

Exits - Class A or B

ii.

Other spaces - Class A or B or C.

4. Alarm Systems
a. Every apartment building of four (4) storeys or more in height, ormore than twelve (12) apartment units shall have an automatic fire
detection and alarm system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.4 ofthis IRR, except buildings provided with approved, supervised
sprinkler protection in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.
b. Apartment buildings of not more than three (3) storeys in height
shall be provided with manual fire alarm system, provided thatdwelling units shall be installed with single – station or multi –station
smoke detectors.

5. Extinguishing Requirementsa. All buildings shall be protected throughout by an approve,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 arrangedin accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR in buildings up to
and including three (3) storeys in height.
b. Listed quick response or listed residential sprinklers shall be usedthroughout all dwelling units.
c. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

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6. Hazardous Areasa. Every hazardous area shall be separated from other parts of thebuilding construction having a fire-resistance rating of at least one(1) hour. Communicating openings shall be protected byapproved automatic or self-closing fire doors. Hazardous areas
include, but shall not be limited to:•••

Boiler and heater
rooms
Laundries
Repair Shops•

Rooms or spaces used forstorage of combustible supplies
and equipment in quantities
deemed hazardous by the
C/MFM having jurisdiction.

b. Where the hazard is high as determined by the C/MFM having
jurisdiction, both fire-resistant construction and automatic fire
suppression system shall be provided.
D. Building Service Equipment

1. Air-Conditioning and Ventilation – Air conditioning and ventilation,
when provided, shall be in accordance with Division 7 of this Chapter.

2. All other building services equipment installed or used in hotels anddormitories shall comply with Division 7 of this Chapter.

SECTION 10.2.12.5

LODGING OR ROOMING HOUSES

A. General

1. This Section applies only to lodging or rooming houses providing
sleeping accommodations for less than fifteen (15) persons, as
specified in Section 10.2.12.1 of this IRR.

2. In addition to the following provisions, every lodging or rooming houseshall comply with the minimum requirements for detached single andtwo family dwellings.

B. Means of Escape Requirement

1. Every sleeping room and living area shall have access to two means ofescape complying with that of single or two family dwelling.

2. Every sleeping room above or below the street floor shall have access

to two (2) separate means of exit, at least one (1) of which shall consistof an enclosed interior stairway, an exterior stairway, a fire escape or ahorizontal exit.

181

3. All exits shall be arranged to provide a safe path of travel to theoutside of the building without traversing any corridor or space
exposed to an unprotected vertical opening.

4. Any sleeping room below the street floor shall have direct access tothe outside or the building.

C. Alarm System
A manual fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with Section
10.2.6.4 of this IRR.
SECTION 10.2.12.6 SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS
A. General
This Section covers detached single and two family dwellings as specified
in Section 10.2.12.1 of this IRR. Where the occupancy is so limited, the only
requirements applicable are those in this Section.
B. Means of Escape Requirements

1. Number, Type and Access to Means of Escapea. In any dwelling of more than two (2) rooms, every room used forsleeping, living or dining purposes shall have at least two (2) meansof escape at least one (1) of which shall be a door or stairway
providing a means of unobstructed travel to the outside of thebuilding at street or ground level. No room or space shall beoccupied for living or sleeping purposes which is accessible only bya ladder, folding stairs or through a trap door.
b. Every sleeping room shall have at least one (1) outside window.
Such window could be opened from the inside, without the use oftools, keys or special effort or knowledge to provide a clear
opening of not less than five hundred sixty millimeters (560 mm) inwidth and eight hundred millimeters (800 mm) in height. The
bottom of the opening shall be not more than one hundred twenty
two centimeters (122 cm) above the floor, except if the room has
two (2) doors providing separate ways of escape or has a door
leading directly outside of the building.
c. No required path of travel to the outside from any room shall bethrough another room or apartment not under the immediate
control of the occupant of the first room or his family, not through abathroom or other space subject to locking.
d. No exit access from sleeping rooms to outside shall be less thanninety centimeters (90 cm) wide.

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2. Doorsa. No doors in the path of travel providing means of escape shall beless than seventy centimeters (70 cm) of clear width.
b. Every closet door latch shall be such that children can open thedoor from inside the closet.
c. Every bathroom door lock shall be designed to permit the openingof the locked door from the outside in an emergency.

3. Stairs
The width, risers, and treads of every stair shall comply at least with theminimum requirements for stairs, as described in Section 10.2.5.4 of thisIRR.
C. Interior Finish
Interior finish of occupied spaces of new buildings shall be Class A, B or C
as defined in Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR and in existing buildings the interior
finish shall be Class A, B, C or D.
D. Building Service Equipment
No heating equipment such as stove or combustion heater shall be solocated as to block escape in case of fire arising from malfunctioning of
the stove or heater.
DIVISION 13. MERCANTILE OCCUPANClES
SECTION 10.2.13.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Classification of Occupancy

1. Mercantile occupancies shall include all buildings and structures orparts thereof with occupancy as described in Division 3 of this
Chapter.

2. Sub-classification of Occupancy
a. Mercantile occupancies shall be classified as follows:i.

Class A. AII stores having aggregate gross area of two thousand
seven hundred eighty seven square meters (2,787 m2) or more,or utilizing more than three (3) floor levels for sales purposes.

ii.

Class B. All stores of less than two thousand seven hundred
eighty seven square meters (2,787 m2) aggregate area, but

183over two hundred eighty seven square meters (287 m2), or
utilizing any balcony, mezzanine or floor above or below thestreet floor level for sales purposes except that if more than
three (3) floors are utilized, the store shall be considered Class A,
regardless of area.
iii.

Class C. All stores of two hundred seventy eight square meters(278 m2) or less gross area used for sales purposes on the street
floor only.

b. For the purpose of Class A and Class B, C, the aggregate grossarea shall be the total area of all floors used for mercantile
purposes and, where a store is divided into sections by fire walls
shall include the area of all sections used for sales purposes. Areasof floors not used for sales purposes, such as a floor below the street
floor used only for storage and not open to the public, shall not becounted for the purpose of the above classifications, but exits shallbe provided for such non-sales area in accordance with theiroccupancy, as specified by other Divisions of this Chapter.
c. A balcony or mezzanine floor having an area less than one-half(1/2) of the floor below shall not be counted as a floor level for the
purpose of applying the classification, but if there are two (2)balconies or mezzanine floors, one (1) shall be counted.
d. Storeys not used for sales above or below sales floor are notcounted in the height classification.
e. A mezzanine less than or equal to 1/3 the area (new) or less than orequal to ½ the area (existing) of the floor below is permitted.
f.

Where a number of stores under different management arelocated in the same building or in adjoining buildings with no firewall or other standard fire separations in between, the aggregate
gross of all such stores shall be used in determining classification.

B. Classification of Hazard
The contents of mercantile occupancies shall be classified in accordancewith Division 4 of this Chapter.
Exception: Mercantile occupancies classified as high hazard inaccordance with Division 4 of this Chapter shall meet the following
additional requirements:

1. Exits shall be located not more than twenty three (23) meters of travelfrom any point is needed to reach the nearest exit.

2. From every point there shall be at least two (2) exits accessible by184

travel in different directions (no common path of travel).

3. All vertical opening shall be enclosed.
C. Occupant Load

1. For purposes of determining required exits, the occupant load of
mercantile buildings or parts of building used for mercantile purposes
shall not be less than the following:a. Street floor, one (I) person for each two and eight-tenths square
meters (2.8 m2) gross floor area. In stores with no street floor as
defined in Division 2 of this Chapter, but with access directly fromthe street by stairs or escalators, the principal floor at the point ofentrance to the store shall be considered the street floor. In stores
where due to difference in grade of streets on different sides, there
are two (2) or more floors directly accessible from the street (notincluding alleys or similar back streets), each such floor shall beconsidered a street floor for the purpose of determining occupantload.
b. Due to differences in grade of streets on different sides, two or
more floors directly accessible from streets (not including alleys orsimilar back streets) exist; each such floor is permitted to beconsidered a street floor. The occupant load factor is one personfor each 3.7 square meters of gross floor area of sales space.
c. Sales floors below the street floor: same as street floor.
d. Upper floors, used for sale: one (1) person for each five and six
tenths square meters (5.6 m2) gross floor area.
e. Floor or sections used only for offices, storage, shipping and notopen to the general public: one (1) person for each nine andthree-tenths (9.3) square meters gross floor area.
f.

Floors or sections used for assembly purposes: occupant load
determined in accordance with Division 8 of this Chapter.

g. Covered Walls: one (1) person for each two and eight-tenths
square meters (2.8 m2) gross floor area.

2. Where any required egress capacity from a balcony or mezzanine
passes through the room below, that required capacity shall be
added to the required egress capacity of the room below.

185

SECTION 10.2.13.2

EXIT DETAILS

A. General

1. All exit facilities shall be in accordance with Division 5 of this Chapter
and this Division. Only types of exits specified in this Section shall be
used as required exit facilities in any mercantile occupancy.

2. Where a stairway, escalator, outside stair, or ramp serves two (2) ormore upper floors, the same stairway or other exit required to serve
anyone (1) upper floor may also serve other upper floors.
Exception: No inside open stairway, escalator, or ramp may serve as
required egress facility from more than one (1) floor.

3. Where there are two (2) or more floors below the street floor, the samestairway or other exit may serve all floors, but all required exits fromsuch areas shall be independent of any open stairways between street
and the floor below it.

4. Where a level outside exit from upper floors is possible owing to hills,
such outside exits may serve instead of horizontal exits. If, however,such outside exits from the upper floor also serve as an entrance froma principal street, the upper floor shall be classified as a street, and issubject to the requirements of this Section for street floors.

B. Types of Exits

1. Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible types:
a. Doors;b. Stairs and Smokeproof Enclosures;c. Horizontal exits; andd. Ramps.

2. In existing interior stair or fire escape not complying with Section
10.2.5.4 or Section 10.2.5.10 of this IRR may be continued in use, subject
to the approval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.

C. Capacity of Means of Egress

1. The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR.

2. In Class A and Class B mercantile occupancies, street floor exits shallbe sufficient for the occupant load of the street floor plus the required186

capacity of stairs and ramps discharging through the street floor.
D. Number of Exits

1. Exits shall comply with the following, except as otherwise permitted byparagraphs (2) through (5) below:

a. The number of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
b. Not less than two separate exits shall be provided on every storey.
c. Not less than two separate exits shall be accessible from every partof every storey.

2. Exit access as required by para (1) (c) above, shall be permitted toinclude a single exit access path for the distances permitted ascommon path of travel.

3. A single means of egress shall be permitted in a Class C mercantile

occupancy, provided that the travel distance to the exit or to a malldoes not exceed twenty meters (23 m).

4. A single means of egress shall be permitted in a Class C mercantile

occupancy, provided that the travel distance to the exit or to a malldoes not exceed thirty meters (30 m), and the storey on which theoccupancy is located, and all communicating levels that are
traversed to reach the exit or mall, are protected throughout by anapproved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

5. A single means of egress to an exit or to a mall shall be permitted froma mezzanine within any Class A, Class B, or Class C mercantile
occupancy, provided that the common path of travel does notexceed thirty meters (30 m) if protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

E. Arrangement and Access of Exits

1. Exits shall be remote from each other and shall be arranged tominimize the possibility that both may be blocked by an emergency.

Exception: A common path may be permitted for the first fifteen (15)meters from any point. (See Section 10.2.13.1 of this IRR, if there arehigh hazard contents).

2. The aggregate width of all aisles leading to each exit shall be equal to187

at least the required width of the exit.

3. In no case shall aisle be less than eighty centimeters (80 cm) in clear
width.

4. In Class A stores, at least one (1) aisle of one and one-half meters (1.5m) minimum width shall lead directly to an exit.

5. In the only means of entrance of customer is through one (1) exteriorwall of the building, two-thirds (2/3) of the required exit width shall belocated in this wall,

6. At least one-and one-half (1.5) of the required exits shall be so locatedas to be reached without going through check-out stands In no careshall checkout stands or associated railings or barriers obstruct exits or
required aisles or approached thereto.

F. Measurement of Travel Distance to Exits
Travel distance to exits shall be measured in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
Exception: An increase in the above travel distance to forty six (46) meters
shall be permitted in a building completely protected by an approved,
supervised sprinkler system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.
G. Discharge from Exits
In buildings with automatic fire suppression system in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR, one-half (0.5) of rated number of exit units ofstairways, escalators or ramps serving as required exits from floors above
or below the street floor, may discharge through the main street floorarea, instead of directly to the street, provided that:

1. Not more than one-half (0.5) of the required exit units from any single
floor considered separately discharge through the street floor area.

2. The exits are enclosed in accordance with Section 10.2.6.2 of this IRR,
to the street floor.

3. The distance of travel from the termination of the enclosure to an
outside street door is-not more than fifteen and one-half meters (15 .5m).

4. The street floor doors provide sufficient units of exit width to serve exits

discharging through the street floor in addition to the street floor itself,
per Section 10.2.13.1 o f this IRR.

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H. Doors

1. Every street floor door shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3of

this IRR, and a horizontal exit door, if used, in accordance with Section
10.2.5.6 of this IRR.

2. All doors at the foot of stairs from upper floors or at the end of stairsleading to floors below the street floor shall swing with the exit travel.

I.

Exit Signs and Lighting

1. Every mercantile occupancy shall have exit illumination and signs inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.11 and 10.2.5.12 of this IRR.

2. Every Class A and Class B store shall have emergency lighting facilities
conforming to Section 10.2.5.11 of this IRR.

SECTION 10.2.13.3

PROTECTION

A. Protection of Vertical Openings

1. Any stairway, elevator shaft, escalator opening or other criticalopening shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with Section
10.2.6.2 of this IRR, except as permitted in this Section.

2. Exceptions for Class A or Class B storesa. In any Class A or Class B store, openings may be unprotected
between any two (2) floors, such as open stairs or escalators
between street floor and the floor below, or open stairs to second
floor or balconies or mezzanines above the street floor level (notboth to the floor below the street floor and above unless protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic fire suppression
system).
b. In any Class A or Class B store protected throughout by anapproved, supervised sprinkler system in accordance with Section
10.2.6.5 openings may be unprotected under the conditions
permitted by Section 10.2.6.2 of this IRR or between the street floor
and the floor below the street and between street floor andsecond floor or, if no openings to the floor below the street floor,
between street floor, street floor balcony, or mezzanine, andsecond floor, but not between more than three (3) floor levels.
c. In existing Class A or Class B stores only one (1) floor above thoseotherwise permitted may open if such floor is not used for sales
purposes and the entire building is protected by an approved,
supervised automatic fire suppression system.

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3. Exceptions for Class C stores
In any Class C store, openings may be unprotected between street
floor and balcony or mezzanine.
B. Interior Finish

1. Interior finish of exits of all stores shall be Class A and Class B in
accordance with Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR.

2. In any Class A or Class B store, interior finish of the ceiling shall be Class

A or Class B in accordance with Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR, unlesscompletely protected by an approved, supervised automatic fire
suppression system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR, inwhich case Class C interior finish may be used in any Class A or Class B
store, interior finish of the' walls shall be Class A, Class B or Class C inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR.

3. In any mercantile occupancy, exposed portions of structural members

complying with the requirements for heavy timber construction may
be permitted. Laminated wood shall be delaminate under the
influence of heat.

4. In a Class C store, interior finish shall be Class A, B or C in accordancewith Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR.

C. Alarm Systems
Class A and Class B stores shall be provided with an automatic andmanual fire alarm system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.4of this IRR.
D. Automatic Sprinkler Protection
Approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system protection shall be
installed in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR in all mercantile
occupancies as follows:

1. Throughout all mercantile occupancies three or more storeys in height.
2. Throughout all mercantile occupancies exceeding one thousand one
hundred fifteen square meters (1,115 m2) in gross area.

3. Throughout floor below the street floor having an area exceeding two
hundred thirty two square meters (232 m2) when used for the sale,storage or handling of combustible goods and merchandise.

E. Hazardous Areas

1. An area used for general storage, boiler or furnace rooms, fuel190

storage, janitor closet, maintenance shops including woodworking
and painting areas, and kitchens shall be separated from other partsof the building by construction having a fire-resistance rating of not lessthan one (1) hour, and all openings shall be protected with self-closing
fire doors.

2. Areas which high hazard contents as defined in Division 4 of this
Chapter, shall be provided with both fire-resistive construction andautomatic fire suppression system.

3. Cooking equipment shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 96,

Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial
Cooking Operations, unless the cooking equipment is one of thefollowing types:
a. Outdoor equipment;b. Portable equipment;c. Equipment used only for food warming.

SECTION 10.2.13.4

BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT

A. Air conditioning, ventilating, heating, cooking, and other service
equipment shall be in accordance with Division 7 of this Chapter.
B. An elevator shall not constitute required means of exit. When mercantile
occupancies are more than three (3) storeys or more than three (3)storeys above the street floor and equipped with automatic elevator,
one (1) or more elevators and escalators shall be designed andequipped for fire emergency use by fire fighters as specified in Division 7of this Chapter. Key operation shall transfer automatic elevator
operation to manual and bring elevator to the street floor for use of fireservice. The elevator shall be situated so as to be readily accessible byfirefighters.
SECTION 10.2.13.5

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

A. Self-Service Stores

1. In any self-service store, no check-out stand or associated railings or
barriers shall obstruct exits or required aisles or approaches thereto.

2. In every self-service store where, wheeled carts or buggIes are used bycustomers, adequate provision shall be made for the transit andparking of such carts to minimize the possibility that they may obstruct
exits.

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B. Open-Air Mercantile Operations

1. Open-air mercantile, operations, such as open-air markets, gasoline
filling stations, auto LPG refilling stations, roadside stands for the sale offarm produce and other outdoor mercantile operations shall be soarranged and conducted as to maintain free and unobstructed waysof travel at all times to permit prompt escape from any point of
danger in case of fire or other emergency, with no dead ends in which
persons might be trapped due to display stands, adjoining buildings,
fences, vehicles, or other obstructions.

2. If mercantile operations are conducted in roof-over areas, they shallbe treated as mercantile buildings, provided that canopies overindividual small stands to protect merchandise from the weather shallnot be construed to constitute buildings for the purpose of this
Chapter.

C. Combined Mercantile and Residential Occupancies.
No dwelling unit shall have its sole means of exit through any mercantile
occupancy in the same building.
Exception No. 1: Where the dwelling occupancy and exits therefrom areseparated from the mercantile occupancy by construction having a fire
resistance rating of at least one (1) hour.
Exception No. 2: Where the mercantile occupancy is protected byautomatic fire suppression system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 ofthis IRR.
Exception No. 3: Where an existing building with not more than two (2)dwelling units above the mercantile occupancy is protected by anautomatic fire detection systems in accordance with Section 10.2.6.4 ofthis IRR.
D. Covered Malls and Walkway.
A covered or roofed interior area used as a pedestrian public way andconnecting buildings housing individual or multiple tenants. Use of theterm covered mall shall include covered walkways.

1. Covered Mall and Walkways. - A covered or roofed interior area used

as a pedestrian public way and connecting buildings housing
individual or multiple tenants. Use of the term covered mall shall
include covered walkways.

2. A covered mall and all buildings connected to it shall be treated as asingle mercantile building and shall be subject to the requirements for192

mercantile occupancies, except as provided herein.

3. Exit Details
a. Every covered mall shall have no less than two (2) exits locatedremote from each other.
b. No less than one-half (0.5) the required exit widths for each Class A
or Class B store connected to a covered mall shall lead directly
outside without passing through the mall.
c. Every mall shall be provided with unobstructed exit access, parallelto and adjacent to the connected buildings: This exit access shallextend to each mall exit.
d. In no case shall an exit access through a covered mall be less than
three (3) meters and sixty six centimeters (66 cm) in clear width.
DIVISION 14. BUSINESS OCCUPANCIESSECTION 10.2.14.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Classification of Occupancy
Business Occupancies shall include all buildings and structures or parts
thereof with occupancy described in Division 3 of this Chapter.
B. Classification of Hazard of Contents
The contents of business occupancies shall be classified as ordinary
hazard in accordance with Division 4 of this Chapter. For purposes of thedesign of an automatic fire suppression system, as office occupancy shallbe classified as "Light hazard occupancy".
C. Occupant Load

1. For purposes of determining required exits, the occupant load of
business purposes shall be no less than one (1) person per nine andthree tenths square meters (9.3 m2) of gross floor area.

2. In the case of mezzanine or balcony open to the floor below of otherunprotected vertical openings between floors, the occupant load ofthe mezzanine or other subsidiary floor level shall be added to that of
the street floor for the purpose of determining required exits. However,in no case shall the total number of exit units be less than would be
required if all vertical openings were enclosed.

193

SECTION 10.2.14.2

EXIT DETAILS

A. General

1. All exit facilities shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.10 of this IRR
and this Division. However, only types of exits specified in Subsection bon types of exits may be used as required exit facilities in any businessoccupancy with access thereto and ways of travel therefrom inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.

2. If, owing to differences in grade level, any street floor exits are at points
above or below the street or ground level, such exits shall comply withthe provisions for exits from upper floors or floors below the street floor.

3. Stairs and ramps serving two (2) or more floors below a street floor
occupied for business use shall be permitted in accordance with para
(4) and (5) below.

4. Where two (2) or more upper floors below the street floor are occupied
for business use, the same stairs or ramps shall be permitted to serveeach.

5. An inside open stairway or inside open ramp shall be permitted toserve as a required egress facility from not more than one (1) floor level
below the street floor.

6. Floor levels below that are below the street floor; are used only forstorage, heating, and other service equipment; and are not subject tobusiness occupancy shall have means of egress in accordance with
Division 16 (Storage Occupancies) of this IRR.

B. Types of Exits

1. Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible types:
a. Doors.
b. Stairs and smoke proof enclosures.
c. Horizontal exits.
d. Ramps.
e. Exit Passagewaysf.

Fire escape ladders

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C. Capacity of Means of Egress

1. The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR.

2. The clear width of any corridor or passageway serving an occupantload of fifty (50) or more shall be not less than 1.12 meters.

a. It is not the intent that this provision apply to non-corridor or nonpassageway areas of exit access, such as the spaces between rowsof desks created by office layout or low-height partitions.

3. Street floor exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of the street

floor plus the required capacity of stairs and ramps discharging
through the street floor.

D. Number of Exits

1. Exits shall comply with the following, except as otherwise permitted bypara (2) through (6) below:

a. The number of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section
10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
b. Not less than two (2) separate exits shall be provided on every
storey.
c. Not less than two (2) separate exits shall be accessible from every
part of every storey.

2. Exit access, as required by para (D) (1) (a) through (c) above, shall bepermitted to include a single exit access path for the distances
permitted as common paths of travel.

3. A single exit shall be permitted for a room or area with a total

occupant load of fewer than 100 persons, provided that the following
criteria are met:a. The exit shall discharge directly to the outside at the level of exit
discharge for the building.

b. The total distance of travel from any point, including travel within
the exit, shall not exceed 30 meters.
c. The total distance of travel specified in para (3) (b) above shall beon the same floor level or, if traversing of stairs is necessary, suchstairs shall not exceed four thousand five hundred seventy
millimeters (4570) mm in height and the stairs shall be provided withcomplete enclosures to separate them from any other part of thebuilding, with no door openings therein.

195

d. A single outside stair in accordance with Section 10.2.5.4 of this IRR
shall be permitted to serve all floors permitted within the 4570 mm
vertical travel limitation.

4. Any business occupancy not exceeding three (3) storeys, and notexceeding an occupant load of 30 people per floor, shall bepermitted a single separate exit to each floor, provided that thefollowing criteria are met:a. This arrangement shall be permitted only where the total travel
distance to the outside of the building does not exceed thirty
meters (30 m) and where the exit is enclosed in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.2of this IRR, serves no other levels, and discharges
directly to the outside.
b. A single outside stair in accordance with Section 10.2.5.5 of this IRR
shall be permitted to serve all floors.

5. A single means of egress shall be permitted from a mezzanine within abusiness occupancy, provided that the common path of travel does
not exceed twenty three meters (23 m), or thirty meters (30 m) if
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems.

6. A single exit shall be permitted for a maximum two-storey, single-tenant

space/building that is protected throughout by an approved,
supervised sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard forthe Installation of Sprinkler Systems and where the total travel to theoutside does not exceed thirty meters (30 m).

E. Arrangement of Means of Egress

1. Means of egress shall be arranged in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2of this IRR.

2. Dead-end corridors shall be permitted in accordance with thefollowing:a. In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard
for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, dead-end corridors shall not
exceed fifteen meters (15 m).
b. In buildings other than those complying with para (c) below, deadend corridors shall not exceed six meters (6 m).
c. It is recognized that dead ends exceeding the permitted limits exist

196

and, in some cases, are impractical to eliminate. The
City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction might permit suchdead ends to continue to exist, taking into consideration any or allof the following:i.

Tenant arrangementii.

Automatic sprinkler protectioniii.

Smoke detection

iv.

Exit remoteness

3. Limitations on common path of travel shall be in accordance with thefollowing:a. Common path of travel shall not exceed thirty meters (30 m) in abuilding protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard
for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
b. Common path of travel shall not exceed thirty meters (30 m) within
a single tenant space having an occupant load not exceeding 30
persons.
c. In buildings other than those complying with para (3) (a) or (b)above, the common path of travel shall not exceed twenty threemeters (23 m).
d. It is recognized that common paths of travel exceeding thepermitted limits exist and, in some cases, are impractical toeliminate. The authority having jurisdiction might permit suchcommon paths of travel to continue to exist, taking into
consideration any or all of the following:i.

Tenant arrangement;ii.

Automatic sprinkler protection; andiii.

Smoke detection.

iv.

Exit remotenessF. Travel Distance to Exits

1. In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised

sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems, the travel distance shall not exceed
sixty one meters (61 m).

197

2. In buildings other than those complying with para (1) above, the travel

distance, measured in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR,
shall not exceed forty-six meters (46 m).

G. Discharge from Exits
Exit discharge shall comply with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
H. Exit Signs and Lighting

1. Exit illumination shall be provided in accordance with Section 10.2.5.11of this IRR.

2. Emergency lighting shall be provided in accordance with Section
10.2.5.11 of this IRR in any building where any one of the following
conditions exists:

a. The building is two (2) or more storeys in height above the level ofexit discharge.
b. The occupancy is subject to fifty (50) or more occupants above or
below the level of exit discharge.
c. The occupancy is subject to three hundred (300) or more total
occupants.

3. Emergency lighting in accordance with 10.2.5.11 of this IRR shall be
provided for all underground and limited access structures.

4. Means of egress shall have signs in accordance with Section 10.2.5.12of this IRR.

SECTION 10.2.14.3

PROTECTION

A. Protection of Vertical Openings

1. Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in accordance withsection 10.2.6.2of this IRR, unless otherwise permitted by the following:a. Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with Section 10.2.6.2of this IRR shall be permitted.
b. Exit stairs shall be permitted to be unenclosed in two-storey, single
tenant spaces that are provided with a single exit in accordancewith Section 10.2.14.2 para “D” (6) of this IRR.
c. Unprotected vertical openings shall be permitted in existingbuildings complying with all of the following:

198

i.

Where protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

ii.

Where no unprotected vertical opening serves as any part ofany required means of egress.

iii.

Where required exits consist of exit doors that discharge directly
to grade in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3, outside stairs inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.4, smokeproof enclosures inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.4, or horizontal exits inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.6 of this IRR.

d. Floors that are below the street floor and are used for storage orother than a business occupancy shall have no unprotected
openings to business occupancy floors.
B. Interior Finish

1. Interior finish shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR.
2. Interior wall and ceiling finish.
a. Interior wall and ceiling finish material complying with Section
10.2.6.3 of this IRR shall be Class A or Class B in exits and in exit
access corridors.
b. Interior wall and ceiling finishes shall be Class A, Class B, or Class C
in areas other than those specified in para (a) above.

3. Interior floor finish
a. Interior floor finish shall comply with Section 10.2.6.3 of this IRR.
b. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures shall be Class I or Class II.
C. Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems

1. A fire alarm system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR shallbe provided in all business occupancies where any one of thefollowing conditions exists:
a. The building is two (2) or more storeys in height above the level ofexit discharge.
b. The occupancy is subject to fifty (50) or more occupants above or
below the level of exit discharge. For existing building, theoccupancy is subject to one hundred (100) or more occupants
above or below the level of exit discharge.

199

c. 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 total occupants.

2. Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by one of
the following means:a. Manual means in accordance with Section 10.2.6.4of this IRR.
b. Means of an approved automatic fire detection system thatcomplies with Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR, and provides protection
throughout the building.
c. Means of an approved automatic sprinkler system that complies
with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR, and provides protection throughout
the building.

3. Occupant notification. During all times that the building is occupied,
the required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one of thefollowing functions:a. For new and existing building, it shall activate a general alarm inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.4 throughout the building. A
positive alarm sequence in accordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of thisIRR shall be permitted.
b. For existing building, a pre-signal system in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR shall be permitted.
c. For new and existing building, it shall activate an alarm signal in acontinuously attended location for the purpose of initiating
emergency action by personnel trained to respond to
emergencies as follows:i.

Emergency action shall be initiated by means of live voice
public address system announcements originating from theattended location where the alarm signal is received, unlessotherwise permitted by para (iii) below.

ii.

The live voice public address system shall be permitted to be
used for other announcements, provided that the emergency
action use takes precedence over any other use.

iii.

In lieu of live voice public address system announcements,
any other occupant notification means in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR shall be permitted.

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D. Protection from Hazard

1. Hazardous areas including, but not limited to, areas used for general

storage, boiler or furnace rooms, and maintenance shops that include
woodworking and painting areas shall be protected in accordancewith Section 10.2.6.8 of this IRR.

2. It is not the intent of this provision that rooms inside individual tenant
spaces that are used to store routine office supplies for that tenant berequired to be either separated or sprinklered.

3. High hazard contents areas. High hazard contents areas, as classified
in Division 4, shall meet the following criteria:

a. The area shall be separated from other parts of the building by firebarriers having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, withall openings therein protected by ¾-hour, fire protection-rated,
self-closing fire door assemblies.
b. The area shall be protected by an automatic extinguishing system
in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems.

4. The requirement for separating high hazard contents areas from otherparts of the building is intended to isolate the hazard, and Section
10.2.6.8 of this IRR is applicable.

5. Cooking Equipment. Cooking equipment shall be protected inaccordance with NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire
Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, unless the cooking
equipment is one of the following types:
a. Outdoor equipment
b. Portable equipment not flue connectedc. Equipment used only for food warming

SECTION 10.2.14.4. BUILDING SERVICE UTILITIES
Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Section 10.2.7.1 of this IRR.
A. Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning. Heating ventilating, and airconditioning equipment shall comply with the provisions of Section
10.2.7.2 of this IRR.
B. Elevators, escalators, and conveyors, elevators, escalators, andconveyors shall comply with the provisions of Section 10.2.7.5 of this IRR.

201

C. Rubbish chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes. Rubbish chutes,
incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the provisions ofSection 10.2.7.4 of this IRR.
SECTION 10.2.14.5

COMBINED BUSINESS AND MERCANTILE OCCUPANCY

In any building occupied for both business and mercantile purposes, the entire
building shall have exits in accordance with Division 14 of this Chapter.
Exception: If mercantile occupancy sections are effectively segregated frombusiness section, exit facilities may be treated separately.
SECTION 10.2.14.6

HIGH RISE BUILDINGSAll business occupancy buildings fifteen (15) meters or more in height shall be
provided throughout with approved, supervised sprinkler system, fully electricallysupervised designed in accordance with NFPA 13: Standard for the Installationof Sprinklers (latest edition); or shall be designed with a system that will provide
equivalent safety. Building height shall be measured from the ground level tofloor of the topmost storey.
In addition to the above requirements, all buildings regardless of height shallcomply with other applicable provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines andthis IRR.

DIVISION 15. INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIESSECTION 10.2.15.1

REQUIREMENTS

A. Sub – Classification of Occupancy and Occupant Load

1. Sub – Classification of Occupancy
a. General Industrial Occupancy. Industrial occupancies that
conduct ordinary and low hazard industrial operations conductedin buildings of conventional design suitable for various types ofindustrial process.
This include multi-storey buildings where floors are occupied bydifferent tenants, or buildings suitable for such occupancy andtherefore subject to possible use for types of industrial process witha high density of employee population.
b. Special Purpose Industrial Occupancy. Includes industrial
occupancies that conduct ordinary and low hazard industrial
operations in buildings all except high hazard occupancy,
designed for and suitable only for particular types of operations,202

characterized by a relatively low density of employee population
with much of the area occupied by machinery or equipment.
c. High Hazard Industrial Occupancy. Includes industrial occupancies
that use high hazard materials or processes or house high hazard
contents.
d. Open Industrial Structures. - Includes operations conducted in the
open air as distinguished from enclosure with buildings, such as
those often found in oil refining and chemical processing plants
where equipment is in the open platforms used for necessary
access, sometimes with roofs or canopies to provide some shelter,but no walls.

2. Occupant Loada. The occupant load of industrial occupancies for which exits are to
be provided shall be one (1) person per nine and three-tenths
square meters (9.3 m2) gross floor area, provided that in Special
Purpose Industrial Occupancy and for Open Industrial Structures,the occupant load shall be the maximum number of persons to
occupy the area under any probable conditions, and further
provided that in existing industrial occupancies, the Chief, BFP or his
duly authorized representative may waive requirements for
additional exits if the existing exits are adequate for the maximum
number of persons actually employed.
b. Every auditorium, restaurant, office, garage and medical facility inconnection with industrial occupancies shall have exits inaccordance with the other applicable Sections of this IRR.
c. Exit requirements for specific occupancies shall comply with this
Division.
SECTION 10.2.15.2

EXIT DETAILS

A. General
Each required exit shall be in accordance with the applicable Sections ofDivision 4 of this Chapter, with access thereto and ways of travel
therefrom in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
B. Types of Exits

1. Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible types:
a. Doorsb. Stairs, or smokeproof enclosures203

c. Horizontal exits
d. Ramps
e. Slide Escapes
C. Minimum Corridor Width
The minimum width of any corridor or passageway serving as a required
exit or means of travel to or from required exit shall be one hundred
twelve centimeters (112 cm) in the clear.
D. Capacity of Exits
Capacity of means of egress shall be determined in accordance with
Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR.
E. Number of Exits
At least two (2) exits shall be provided for every floor or section, including
floors below the floor of exit discharge used for industrial purposes or uses
incidental thereto. At least one of which shall be reached without
traversing another storey.
Exception: For rooms or areas with a total capacity of less than twenty five(25) persons having direct exit to the street or to an open area outside thebuilding at ground level, with a total travel distance from any point of notover fifteen and one-half meters (15.5 m), a single exit may be permitted.
Such travel shall be on the same floor level. If the traversing of stairs is
required, there shall not be a vertical travel or more than four and sixtenths meters (4.6 m) and such stairs shall be provided with complete
enclosures to separate them from any other part of the building with nodoor openings therein.
F. Travel Distance to Exits

1. Exits shall be as remote from other as practicable, so arranged that it

will not be necessary to travel more than thirty one meters (31 m)from any point to reach the nearest exit for buildings not protected by
a complete automatic fire suppression system, or forty six meters (46m) in a building protected by an approved, supervised sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

2. From every point there shall be at least two (2) separate exits
accessible, so arranged as to be reached by different paths of travelin different directions.

Exception: A common path of travel may be permitted for the first
fifteen meters (15 m) from any point; i.e., no dead-end may be more204

than fifteen and one-half meters (15.5 m) deep.
G. Discharge from Exits
A maximum of fifty (50%) percent of the exits may discharge throughareas on the floor of exit discharge provided:

1. Such exits discharges to a free and unobstructed way to the exteriorof the building, which way is readily visible and identifiable from thepoint of discharge from the exit.

2. The floor of discharge into which the exit discharges is provided with
automatic fire suppression system and any other portion of the level ofdischarge with access to the discharge area is provided with
automatic fire suppression system protection or separated from it inaccordance with the requirements for the enclosure of exits (seeSection 10.2.6.2 of this IRR).

Exception: If the discharge area is a vestibule or foyer with nodimension exceeding three (3) meters and separated from theremainder of the floor or discharge by construction providing
protection at least the equivalent of wired glass in steel frames, andserving only for means of egress including exits directly to the outside,
the requirements of Section 10.2.6.2 of this IRR may be waived.

3. The entire area on the floor of discharge is separated from areas

below by construction having a minimum of two (2) hour fireresistance rating.

H. Signs, Lighting, and Exit Signages

1. Signs designating exits or ways of travel there to shall be provided inaccordance with Section 10.2.5.12 of this IRR.

2. Exit lighting shall be provided in accordance with Section 10.2.5.11 of
this IRR.

3. Emergency lighting shall be provided in accordance with Section
10.2.5.11 of this IRR.

SECTION 10.2.15.3

PROTECTION

A. Protection of Vertical Openings

1. Every stairway, elevator shaft, escalator opening and other verticalopening shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with Section
10.2.6.2 of this IRR.
Exception No. 1: Unprotected vertical openings connecting not more205

than three (3) storeys used for industrial occupancy only maybe
permitted in accordance with the conditions of Section 10.2.6.2 of thisIRR, with approved, supervised sprinkler system.
Exception No.2: In any existing building only, where provided withapproved, supervised sprinkler system in accordance with Section
10.2.6.5 of this IRR, vertical openings not constituting as required meansof egress may be unprotected provided, that, all required exits shallconsist of smoke-proof enclosure or outside stairway in accordancewith Section 10.2.5.5 or horizontal exits in accordance with Section
10.2.5.6 of this IRR.
B. Interior Finish.
Interior finish shall be Class A, Class B or Class C.
C. Detection, Alarm and Communications Systems

1. An approved automatic fire detection and alarm system shall be

required on all industrial occupancies except for buildings with lessthan 25 employees where such building shall be equipped withmanual fire alarm system.

2. Not less than one (1) fire alarm box shall be installed for buildings
equipped with automatic fire detection and alarm system.

3. If buildings are equipped with approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system, the flow of water shall initiate the fire alarm system.

D. Extinguishing Requirement

1. Every high hazard occupancy shall have automatic fire suppression

system protection or other equivalent protection as may beappropriate to the particular hazard, including explosion venting for
any area subject to an explosion hazard, designed to minimize danger
to occupants in case of fire or other emergency before they havetime to utilize exits to escape.

2. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in accordance with Section
10.2.6.7 of this IRR.

3. Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with Section
10.2.6.6 of this IRR.

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DIVISION 16. STORAGE OCCUPANCIESSECTION 10.2.16.1

GENERAL STORAGE OCCUPANCIES

A. Occupancy Load
The occupant load, in number of persons for whom means of egress andother provisions are required, shall be determined on the basis of the
maximum probable population of the space under consideration.
B. Exit Details

1. Types of Exits
Means of egress for storage occupancies shall be restricted to thefollowing types:
a. Doorsb. Stairs and Smokeproof Enclosuresc. Horizontal Exits
d. Ramps
e. Slide Escapes

2. Capacity of means of egress
The capacity of means of egress shall be determined in accordancewith Section 10.2.5.2, para “C” of this IRR.

3. Number of Exitsa. Every building or structure used for storage and every section
thereof considered separately shall have at least two (2) separate
means of egress, as remote from each other as practicable.
Exception: In rooms or spaces of less than one thousand threehundred ninety four square meters (1,394 m2) gross area where lessthan ten (10) persons may normally be present, at least one (I)means of egress shall be provided for any person employed
therein.
b. Every storage area shall have access to at least one (1) means ofexit which can be readily opened, not subject to locking at any
time that any persons are therein, and not dependent on any
power-operated doors except where the design of the poweroperated doors may be opened manually in case of power failure
to permit exit travel.

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4. Travel Distance to Exits
Every area used for the storage of high hazard commodities shall havean exit within twenty three meters (23 m) of any point in the area
where persons may be present, except where automatic fire
suppression system protection is provided, distances may be increased
to thirty meters (30 m).

5. Signs, Lighting and Exit Signages
a. Means of egress shall be installed with signs that comply with
Section 10.2.5.12 of this IRR.
b. Means of egress shall be properly illuminated in accordance with
Section 10.2.5.11 of this IRR.
c. Emergency lighting shall be provided on normally occupied areas
and on component of means of egress.
SECTION 10.2.16.2

PROTECTION

A. Protection of Vertical Opening

1. Any vertical opening shall be protected in accordance with Section
10.2.6.2 of this IRR except for existing open stairs and open ramps shallpermitted where connecting only two floor levels.

2. Existing

unprotected vertical opening in buildings protected
throughout by approved supervised sprinkler system in accordancewith Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR, vertical openings not constituting as
required means of egress may be unprotected provided, that, allrequired exits shall consist of smoke-proof enclosure or outside stairway
in accordance with Section 10.2.5.5 or horizontal exits in accordancewith Section 10.2.5.6 of this IRR.

B. Detection, Alarm and Communications Systems

1. An approved automatic fire detection and alarm system shall be
required on all industrial occupancies except for buildings withordinary or low hazard not exceeding 2,000 square meters where suchbuilding shall be equipped with manual fire alarm system.

2. Not less than one (1) fire alarm box shall be installed for buildings
equipped with automatic fire detection and alarm system.

3. If buildings are equipped with approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system, the flow of water shall initiate the fire alarm system.

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C. Extinguishing Requirement

1. Every high hazard occupancy shall have automatic fire suppression

system protection or other equivalent protection as may beappropriate to the particular hazard, including explosion venting for
any area subject to an explosion hazard, designed to minimize danger
to occupants in case of fire or other emergency before they havetime to utilize exits to escape.

2. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in accordance with Section
10.2.6.7 of this IRR.

3. Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with Section
10.2.6.6 of this IRR.

SECTION 10.2.16.3

SPECIAL PROVISION FOR PARKING STRUCTURES

A. General Requirements
The following provisions apply to parking structures of closed or open type,above or below ground, but not to mechanical or exclusively attendantparking facilities, which are not occupied by customers and thus require aminimum of exits. Where repair operations are conducted the exits shallcomply with the rules on Industrial Occupancies, except if the parking
and repair sections are effectively separated by not less than 1-hour fire
resistive construction, the parking and repair sections shall be treatedseparately.
B. Exit Details

1. Number and Types of Exits
Every floor of every parking structure shall have access to at least two(2) separate exits. Such exits shall be provided with doors, interior stairsof smokeproof towers, outside stairs or a horizontal exit in accordancewith this IRR.
Exception No. 1: In an open -type parking structure with open ramps
not subject to closure, the ramp may serve in lieu of the second exit,
provided the ramp discharges directly outside at the street level.
Exception No. 2. For parking structure extending only (1) floor level
below the floor of exit discharge, a ramp leading directly to theoutside may serve in lieu of the second exit.

2. Arrangement of and Travel Distance to Exita. Exits in parking structures shall be so arranged that no point in thearea will be more than forty five meters (45 m) from the nearest exit

209

other than a ramp on the same floor level.
Exception no. 1: travel distance may be increased to ninety one
meters (91 m) for open floors of open parking structures.
Exception no 2: travel distance may be increased to sixty meters(60 m) for enclosed parking structures completely protected by anapproved, supervised sprinkler system in accordance with Section
10.2.6.5 of this IRR.
b. Exits shall be so arranged that from any point in the parking
structures, the paths of travel to the two (2) exits will be in different
directions, except that a common path of travel may be permitted
for the first fifteen (l 5) meters from any point.
c. If fuel pumps are located within any closed parking garage, exits
shall be so located that travel away from the fuel pump in any
direction which leads to an exit, with no dead end in which
occupants might be trapped by fire or explosion at any fuel pump.
Such exit shall lead to the outside of the building on the same levelor down stairs: no upward travel permitted unless direct outside
exits are available from that floor.
Any storey below the storey at which is being dispensed shall haveexits direct to the outside via outside stairs or doors at ground level.
C. Illumination of Means of Egress
Every public space, hallway, stairway and other means of egress shallhave illumination and emergency lighting facilities in accordance with
Section 10.2.5.11 of this IRR.
D. Exit Marking
Signs in accordance with Section 10.2.5.12 of this IRR shall be provided for
all required exits and exit access.
SECTION 10.2.16.4

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR AIRCRAFT HANGARS

A. Exit Details

1. Exits from aircraft storage of servicing areas shall be provided atintervals of not more than forty (40) meters on all exteriors waIls or
aircraft hangars. There will be a minimum of two (2) exits serving eachaircraft storage or servicing area. Horizontal exits through interior firewalls shall be provided at intervals of not more than thirty meters (30m). Dwarf or "smash" doors in doors accommodating aircraft may be
used to comply with these requirements. All doors designated as exits
shall be kept unlocked in the direction of exit travel while the area is
occupied.

210

2. Exits from mezzanine floors in aircraft storage or servicing areas shall be

so arranged that the maximum travel to reach the nearest exit fromany point on mezzanine shall not exceed twenty three meters (23 m).
Such exits shall lead directly to a properly enclosed stairwell
discharging directly to the exterior or to a suitably cut-off area or tooutside stairs.

B. Signs
Exits signs shall be provided above all doors and exit ways in accordancewith Section 10.2.5.12 of this IRR.
SECTION 10.2.16.5

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR GRAIN ELEVATORS

A. In grain elevators, there shall be at least one (1) stair tower from storeys
below the floor of exit discharge to the floor of exit discharge and fromthe floor of exit discharge to the top floor of the working house enclosed
on a dust tight non-combustible shaft.
B. Noncombustible doors of the self-closing type shall be provided at eachfloor landing.
C. An exterior stair or basket ladder type fire escape accessible from all
working levels of the head house that provides access to the top of theadjoining structure and that provides a continuous path to the means ofegress.
D. An exterior stair or basket ladder type fire escape accessible from all
working levels of the head house that provides passage to the groundlevel.
DIVISION 17. MISCELLANEOUS STRUCTURES
Any building or structure occupied for purposes not covered by Division 8through 17 of this IRR shall have exits and related safeguards in accordance withthe fundamental principles of this Chapter, and shall comply with the following
provisions where applicable.
SECTION 10.2.17.1

TOWERS

A. Any tower utilized for such purposes as observation, signaling, either as anindependent structure or on top of a building, shall be permitted to havea single stairway or ramp exit if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The tower is of such size as not to be subject to occupancy by morethan twenty five (25) persons at any floor level.

2. The tower shall not be used for living or sleeping purposes.
211

3. The construction shall be fire-resistant, noncombustible or constructedof heavy timber. The interior finish, if any, is Class A or Class B, andthere shall be no combustible materials in, under, or in the immediate
vicinity of the tower except necessary furniture such as bare wooden
or metal chairs or benches.

B. In each tower where there is no occupancy below the top floor level andthe conditions required by para “A” (1) through (3) above are met, stairs
may be open with no enclosure required or, where the structure is entirely
open, fire-escape type stairs may be used.
C. Stairs shall be Class B for new construction. For existing towers, outside
stairs or fire-escape type stairs may be allowed
D. A tower such as a forest observation tower and a railroad signal tower,
designed for occupancy only of not more than three (3) persons
employed therein, may be of any type of construction, and may beserved by ladders instead of stairs. However, if used for living or sleeping
purposes, it shall at least comply with exit requirements of Section 10.2.12.6
for family dwellings.
E. Utility/transmitter building shall be provided with appropriate type of
automatic fire extinguishing system and, if subject to occupancy bytechnician/authorized personnel, automatic fire alarm system andportable fire extinguishers shall also be provided.
F. Advertisement structures shall be made of fire-resistant materials including
its signage components.
SECTION 10.2.17.2

PIERS AND WATER-SURROUNDED STRUCTURE

A. This Section applies to water-surrounded structures or piers occupied as aplace of amusement, passenger terminal or used for any purpose otherthan for the mooring of vessels and handling of cargo. Such piers shall be
provided with means of exit from any structures thereon and to the shore
appropriate to the character or occupancy of the pier in generalaccordance with the applicable sections of Division 8 through 17 of thisIRR.
B. Any pier so occupied, extending more than forty six meters (46 m) fromthe shore, shall be so arranged as to minimize the possibility that fire in or
under the pier, may block escape of occupants to shore by one or moreof the following measures:

1. It must be provided with two (2) separate ways of travel to shore, by
two (2) well-separated walkways or independent structures.

2. The pier deck must be open fire-resistant and supported with noncombustible materials.

212

3. The pier deck must be provided with automatic fire suppression system
protection for combustible structure and for superstructure, if any.

4. It should be completely open and unobstructed and is fifteen meters(15 m) in width if less than one hundred fifty two meters (152 m) long; orits width is not less than ten (10%) percent of its length if over one
hundred fifty two meters (152 m) long.

C. Any building or structure surrounded by water such as a lighthouse shallhave sufficient outside area of ground as on an island, or fire-resistantplatform, to provide an adequate area of refuge from any fire in the
structure. Means shall be available for transportation of occupants awayfrom such structures to the shore or other places of safety such as by boator helicopter, in case of fire or other emergency, within a reasonable
period of time.
SECTION 10.2.17.3

IMMOBILIZED VEHICLE AND VESSELS

A. Any house trailer or similar vehicle, railroad car, street car, truck or bus
from which the wheels have been removed, provided with a permanenttype foundation, or otherwise fixed so that it is not mobile shall beconsidered as a building and shall be subject to the requirements of thisRule which are applicable to buildings of similar occupancy.
B. Any ship, barge, or other vessel, which is permanently moored or agroundand is occupied for purposes other than navigation, shall be subject tothe requirements of this Rule applicable to buildings or similar occupancy.

SECTION 10.2.17.4

UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES AND WINDOWLESS BUILDINGS

A. General

1. Any area subject to occupancy by fifty (50) or more persons, fromwhich there is no direct access to outdoors or to another area and nooutside light or ventilation through windows, shall be equipped withapproved, supervised automatic fire suppression system protection inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

2. Any underground structure, building, or floor area lacking direct

outside access or windows and having combustible contents, interior
finish, or construction, if subject to occupancy by more than one
hundred (100) persons shall have automatic smoke venting facilities inaccordance with Division 6 of this Chapter in addition to automatic
fire suppression system protection.

3. Any underground structure or windowless building, for which no213

natural lighting is provided, shall be provided with emergency lighting
in accordance with Section 10.2.5.11 of this IRR.
B. Underground Structures
Where required from underground structure involving upward travel suchas ascending stairs or ramps, such upward exits shall be cut off from main
floor areas and shall be provided with outside smoke venting facilities orother means to prevent the exits serving as flues for smoke from any fire in
the area served by the exits, thereby making the exits impassable.
C. Windowless Buildings
Every windowless building shall be provided with outside access panels oneach floor level. Such panels shall be designed for use of firefighters.
DIVISION 18. OPERATING FEATURESSECTION 10.2.18.1

GENERAL

Fire exit drills shall be conducted in coordination with the Office of theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal.
A. Fire Exit Drills

1. Fire exit drills conforming to the provisions of this Division shall be

regularly conducted in schools and in other occupancies where
specified by the provisions of Divisions 8 through 17 of this Chapter, orby appropriate action of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction over the area. The Chief, BFP or his duly authorized
representative shall exercise discretion for the necessary modifications
in detail of procedures to make the drills more effective for theirintended purposes.

2. Fire exit drills, where required, shall be held with sufficient frequency tofamiliarize all occupants with the drill procedure and to have theconduct of the drill a matter of established routine.

3. Drills shall be held at unexpected times and under varying conditions
to simulate the unusual conditions obtaining in case of fire.

4. Planning and conduct of drills shall be the responsibility of the
management and/or owners of business establishments. Suchplanning and drill shall be made in consultation and coordination with
the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.

5. In the conduct of drills, emphasis shall be placed upon orderly

evacuation under proper discipline rather than upon speed. As such,no running or horse play shall be permitted.

214

6. Drills shall include suitable procedures to make sure that all persons in
the building, or all persons subject to the drill, actually participate.

7. Fire alarm facilities, where available, shall be used in the conduct offire exit drills.

B. Furnishing and Decorations

1. No furnishing, decorations, or other objects shall be so placed as toobstruct exits, access thereto, egress therefrom, or visibility thereof.

2. Furnishing or decorations shall be treated with flame retardant whererequired by the applicable provisions of the Fire Code and this IRR.

3. No furnishing or decorations of an explosive or highly flammablecharacter shall be used in any place of assembly or other occupancy.

C. Automatic Fire Suppression System
All automatic fire suppression systems required by this Chapter shall be
continuously maintained in reliable operational condition at all times andsuch periodic inspections and tests shall be made to assure proper
maintenance.
D. Alarm and Fire Detection Systems

1. Systems shall be under the supervision of qualified and competentpersons, who shall cause proper tests to be made at specified intervals
and have general charge of all alternations and additions.

2. Systems shall be tested at intervals as recommended by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.

3. Fire alarm signaling equipment shall be restored to service as promptly
as possible after each test or alarm and shall be kept in normal
conditions ready for operation. Equipment requiring rewinding or
replenishing shall be rewound or replenished as promptly as possible
after test or alarm.

E. Fire Retardant Paints
Fire retardant paints or solutions shall be reapplied at such intervals asnecessary to maintain the necessary flame retardant properties.
F. Recognition of Means of Egress
Hangings or draperies shall not be placed over exit doors or otherwise
located as to conceal or obscure any exit. Mirrors shall not be placed onexit doors nor in or adjacent to any exit in such a manner as to confuse
the direction of exit.

215

G. Preventive Maintenance Record
Preventive maintenance records shall be prepared and submitted to theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal every after inspection and test.
SECTION 10.2.18.2

PLACES OF ASSEMBLY

A. Drills
The employees or attendants of places or public assembly shall be trainedand drilled in the duties they are to perform in case of fire, panic, or otherrelated emergencies in order to be of greatest service in effecting theorderly exit of occupants.
B. Opens Flame Devices
No open flame lighting devices shall be used in any place of assembly.
Exception No. I: Where necessary for ceremonial or religious purposes, theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction may permit open flame
lighting under such restrictions as are necessary to avoid danger ofignition of combustible materials or injury to occupants.
Exception No. 2: Open the flame devices may be used on stages where anecessary part of theatrical performances provided that adequate
precautions, satisfactory to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction, are taken to prevent ignition of any combustible materials.
Exception No. 3: Gas lights may be permitted provided that adequate
precautions satisfactory to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction are taken to prevent ignition or any combustible materials.
C. Special Food Service Devices
Portable cooking equipment shall be permitted only as follows:

1. Equipment fueled by small heat sources which can be readily

extinguished by water, such as candles or alcohol-burning equipment(including "solid alcohol") may be used. Adequate precautions
satisfactory to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction aretaken to prevent ignition of any combustible materials.

2. Candles may be used on tables for food service if securely supported
on substantial non-combustible bases, so located as to avoid dangerof ignition of combustible materials and only if approved by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction. Candle flames shall beprotected.

3. "Flaming Sword" or other equipment involving open flames and flamed216

dishes such as cherries jubilee, crepes suzette, etc., may be permitted
provided that necessary precautions are taken, and subject to theapproval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
D. Smoking

1. Smoking in placesof assembly shall be
City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.

regulatedbythe

2. In rooms or areas where smoking is prohibited, plainly visible "NOSMOKING" signs shall be posted.

3. No person shall smoke in prohibited areas.
4. Where smoking is permitted, suitable ash trays or receptacles should
be provided in convenient locations.

E. Decorations and Stage Scenery

1. Combustible materials shall be treated with an effective flame
retardant material. Stage settings made of combustible materials shall
likewise be treated with flame retardant materials.

2. Only noncombustible materials or fire retardant pressure treated wood

may be used for stage scenery or props, on the audience side of theproscenium arch.

3. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction over the area shall

impose controls on the volume and arrangement of combustible
contents (including decorations) in places of assembly to provide
adequate level of safety to life from fire.

F. Seating

1. Seats inassembly occupancies accommodating more than two
hundred (200) persons shall be securely fastened to the floor except
together in groups of not less than three (3) or more than seven (7) andas permitted by the next paragraph. All seats in balconies andgalleries shall be securely fastened to the floor, except in places ofworship.

2. Seats not secured to the floor may be permitted in restaurants, nightclubs, and other occupancies where the fastening of seats to the floor
may be impractical; Provided, that in the area used for seating(excluding dance floors, stage, etc.), there shall be not more than one(1) seat for each one and four-tenths square meters (1.4 m2) of net
floor area and adequate aisles to reach exits shall be maintained at all
times.

217

SECTION 10.2.18.3

EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES

A. Drills

1. Fire exit drills shall be conducted regularly in accordance with theapplicable provisions of the following paragraphs.

2. There shall be at least four (4) exit drills a year in consultation andcoordination with the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction
over the area.

3. Drills shall be conducted during class hours; during the changing ofclasses; when the school is at assembly; during the recess or gymnastic
periods; etc., so as to avoid distinction between drills and actual fires. If
a drill is called when pupils are going up and down the stairways, as
during the time classes are changing, the pupils shall be instructed toform in line and immediately proceed to the nearest available exit inan orderly manner.

4. Every fire exit drill shall be an exercise by the school management.

Teachers shall have a complete control of the class. Great stress shallbe laid upon the execution of each drill in a brisk, quiet, and orderly
manner. Running shall be prohibited. In case there are pupils
incapable of holding their places in a line moving at a reasonable
speed, provisions shall be made to have them taken care of by themore sturdy pupils, moving independently of the regular line of march.

5. BFP personnel shall be appointed to assist in the proper execution of all

drills. The searching of toilets and other rooms shall be the duty of theteachers or other members of the staff.

6. As drills simulate an actual fire condition, pupils shall not be allowed toobtain anything after the alarm is sounded, even when in classrooms,
which would contribute to the confusion.

7. Each class or group shall proceed to a primary predetermined point

outside the building and remain there while a check is made to makesure that all are accounted for, leaving only when a recall signal isgiven to return to their classrooms, or when dismissed. Such points shallbe sufficiently far away from the building and from each other as to
avoid danger from any fire in the building, interference with fire
department operations, or confusion between different classes orgroups. An alternate assembly point shall be planned for and usedduring other drills to ensure safety of the children if and when the
primary assembly point cannot be used by any reason.

8. Where necessary for drill lines to cross roadways, signs reading "STOP!
SCHOOL FIRE DRILL" or equivalent shall be carried by assigned

218personnel to the traffic intersecting points in order to stop the flow
traffic during the period of the drill.
B. Signals

1. All fire exit drill alarms shall be sounded on the fire alarm system andnot on the signal system used to dismiss classes.

2. Whenever any of the school authorities determine an actual fire exists,they shall immediately call the nearest fire station. At the same time,they shall try to extinguish the fire as circumstances permit.

3. In order to ensure that pupils will not return to a burning building, therecall signal shall be one that is separate and distinct from and cannot
be mistaken for any other signals.

C. Child Day Care Centers

1. Fire prevention inspection shall be conducted monthly by a trained

senior member of the staff. A copy of the latest inspection form shallbe posted in a conspicuous place in the day care facility.

2. An approved fire evacuation plan shall be implemented at least once
every two (2) months.

3. Furnishing and decorations in child day care centers shall be inaccordance with the provisions of Section 10.2.18.1 of this IRR.

4. Waste baskets and other waste containers shall be made of noncombustible materials and provided with close fitting covers.

5. Child-prepared artwork and teaching materials may be attacheddirectly to the walls but shall not exceed twenty (20%) percent of thewall area.

SECTION 10.2.18.4

HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIES

A. Evacuation Plan and Fire Exit Drills

1. The administration of every hospital, nursing home and residential-

custodial care institution shall have an approved evacuation plan for
the guidance of all persons in the event of fire. Copies of such plans
shall be made available to all supervisors and personnel. All employees
shall be instructed and kept informed of their detailed duties under theplan. A copy of the plan shall be readily available at all times, in thetelephone operator’s position, or at the security center.

2. Every bed intended for use by institutional occupants shall be easily219

movable under conditions of evacuation and shall be equipped withthe type and size of casters to allow easy mobility, especially over elements of the structure such as expansion plates and elevator
thresholds. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction may
make exceptions in the equipping of beds intended for use in areas
limited to patients such as convalescent, self-care or psychiatricpatients.

3. Fire exit drills in hospitals shall include the transmission of a fire alarm

signal and simulation of emergency fire conditions except that the
movement of infirm or bed-ridden patients to safe areas or to theexterior or the building is not required. Drills shall be conductedquarterly on each shift to familiarize hospital personnel (nurses, interns,
maintenance personnel and administrative staff) with signals andemergency action required under varied conditions.

SECTION 10.2.18.5

RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES

A. Hotel Emergency Organization

1. All employees of hotels shall be instructed and drilled in the duties they
are to perform in case of fire, panic, or other related emergencies.

2. Drills of the hotel emergency organization shall be held twice a year

covering such points as the operation and maintenance of theavailable first aid fire appliances, the testing of guest alerting devices,
and a study of instruction for emergency duties.

B. Dormitories, Lodging and Rooming Houses
Fire exit drills shall be regularly conducted at least twice a year.
SECTION 10.2.18.6

MERCANTILE, BUSINESS, AND INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIESIn every mercantile, business and industrial occupancies subject tooccupancy with fifty (50) or more persons, fire exit drills shall be held at least
twice a year.
DIVISION 19. SPECIAL PROVISION FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGSSECTION 10.2.19.1

SCOPE

This Division deals with life safety from fires and similar emergencies in high risebuildings. It covers fire safety features in construction and protection of exits
and passageways, and provisions for fire protection.
SECTION 10.2.19.2

DEFINITION

A high rise building is one in which the distance between the floor of the220topmost storey and the ground level is fifteen meters (15 m) or more. Buildingheight shall be measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access to the floor of the highest occupiable storey.
SECTION 10.2.19.3

SMOKE CONTROLHigh rise buildings shall be designed in such a manner that the levels of smoke
concentration in protected spaces can be maintained within values that canbe tolerated by occupants. The protected spaces shall include stairwells, atleast one elevator shaft, and floor spaces readily accessible to all occupants
and large enough to accommodate them. In the spaces to which therequirement for control of smoke level applies, the atmosphere shall notinclude more than one (1%) percent by volume of the contaminatedatmosphere emanating from the fire area.
SECTION 10.2.19.4

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS PROTECTION

High rise buildings shall be protected with approved, supervised sprinkler
systems designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for
Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The approved, supervised sprinkler systems
must protect all floor spaces including every closet and concealed spaces
and plenums of certain configuration and construction – particularly wherecombustible materials are located such as exposed electrical wiring,
combustible duct work, and combustible sound/thermal insulation. The
system shall be interconnected to a fire command center of the building.
SECTION 10.2.19.5

FIRE COMMAND CENTER

A. For buildings ten (10) storeys or more, a fire command center shall be
provided in a location approved by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction and shall contain the following features:

1. The emergency voice/alarm communication system unit must havethe following features:a. Provide a predetermined message to the fire area where the alarm
originated, actuated by a smoke detector, sprinkler head, waterflow device, or manual fire alarm. The message must provide
applicable information and directions to occupants.
b. The fire department two-way communication system must operate
between the fire command center and every elevator, elevator
lobby, exit stairway, and exit access corridor. A telephone stationor jack shall be provided in each fire pump room.

2. The fire department communication unit.
3. Fire detection and alarm system annunciator unit
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4. Elevator floor location and operation annunciator.
5. Sprinkler valve and water flow display panels.
6. Emergency generator supervision devices, manual start and transferfeatures. Emergency power must be available within ten (10) seconds
to operate the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Emergency voice/alarm communication systems.
Fire alarm systems.
Automatic fire detection systems.
Elevator car lighting.
Escape route lighting.
Exit sign illumination.
Stairway doors

7. Controls for unlocking stairway doors simultaneously.
8. Telephone for fire department use with controlled access to the public
telephone system.

9. Fire pump status indicators.
10. Status indicators and controls for air handling systems.
11. The fire fighters control panel for smoke control systems.
12. Emergency power and standby power status indicators.
13. Schematic building plans indicating the typical floor plan anddetailing the building core, means of egress, fire protection systems,
firefighting equipment and fire department access.

14. Public address system, where specifically required by other rules of thiscode.

B. Shut off valves and water flow devices at the riser connection must be
provided on each floor. Combined sprinkler/standpipe systems must havean individual control valve and check valve at each sprinkler connection.
SECTION 10.2.19.6

STAIRWELLS

A. All stairwells shall be enclosed and protected in accordance with Rule 3.
All doors on stairwells shall be kept closed. Stairway doors, which can belocked, must be provided with automatic electrical unlocking from the firecommand center.
B. All interior stairwells used as a means of egress shall be pressurized. In no222

case shall stairwells in high rise buildings be allowed to be unprotected.
SECTION 10.2.19.7

FIRST-AID PROTECTION

A. In addition to the other requirements of this Code, each floor shall be
provided with at least thirty eight (38) to nineteen (19) millimeters
lightweight flexible hose equipped with a spray nozzle and connected to
the wet standpipe system or other water supply capable of providing
nineteen (19) to thirty eight (38) liter per minute of water for a period ofthirty minutes.
B. Portable fire extinguisher installed in accordance with Section 10.2.6.7
shall be provided.
SECTION 10.2.19.8

APPLICABILITY OF ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS CODE

This Section shall supplement all other applicable provisions of the Fire Codeand this IRR.
DIVISION 20. AERODROME FACILITIESSECTION 10.2.20.1

GENERAL FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

A. The BFP shall conduct regular and periodic fire safety inspection on all
Aerodrome facilities.
B. No dispensing, transfer or storage of flammable or combustible liquids
shall be permitted within aerodrome facilities, except as provided in
Section 10.3.4.2.1 of this IRR.
C. Flammable and combustible liquid and fuel shall not be dispensed into or
removed from the fuel system of an aircraft within any aircraft hangar, acontainer, tank, vehicle or aircraft except in locations approved by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
D. The application of flammable and combustible liquid finishes shall bedone only in locations approved by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction.
E. No person shall clean any aircraft engines or parts of an aircraft in anaircraft hangar nor within fifteen meters (15 m) of another aircraft, building
or hangar with any flammable liquid having a flash point under thirty
seven and eight-tenths degree Celsius (37.80°C).
F. In case of spills on Aerodrome Facilities, the following shall be observed:

1. All activities in the affected area not related to the mitigation of thespill shall cease until the spilled material has been removed or thehazard has been mitigated.

223

2. No aircraft or other vehicles shall be moved through the spill area until
the spilled material has been removed or the hazard has been
mitigated.

3. Spills shall be reported immediately to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction, documented and mitigated.

G. Every aircraft hangar shall be equipped and maintained with metal drip
pans under the engines of all aircraft stored or parked thereon.
H. No open flame, flame-producing device, or other source of ignition shallbe permitted in any hangar, except in locations approved by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
I.

“NO SMOKING” signs with white letters at least ten centimeters (10 cm),high upon a red background shall be posted conspicuously throughout
every aircraft hangar and each fuel transfer point except in approved
designated and posted locations where smoking is permitted.

J. Smoking equipment such as cigarette lighters and ash trays shall be
prohibited in aircraft-fueling vehicles.
K. No person shall run the engine of any aircraft in any aircraft hangar
except in approved engine test area.
L. All repairing of aircraft requiring the use of open flames, fire-producing
devices or the heating parts above two hundred sixty degrees Celsius(260°C) shall be done in the open or in a room separated from any
hangar or other building by a fire resistive construction having fire
resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours.
M. Storage of flammable and combustible or other hazardous materials in anaircraft hangar shall be prohibited, except in locations and containers
approved by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
N. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed as follows:

1. Every vehicle used for towing aircraft and every welding apparatus

shall be equipped with at least one (1) fire extinguisher having aminimum 4-B-C classification.

2. Every aircraft refueller shall be equipped with a minimum of two (2) BC Fire extinguishers. The fire extinguisher shall be readily accessible
from either side of the vehicle.

3. At every aircraft service station, including heliports, there shall be atleast one fire extinguisher having a minimum 6-B-C classification, and224

shall be so located that no pump or dispenser shall be more thantwenty three (23) meters from such extinguisher.
O. All pumps of a positive displacement type shall be provided with a bypass relief valve set at a pressure of not more than thirty-five (35) percent
in excess of the normal working pressure of the unit. Such unit shall beequipped and maintained with a pressure gauge on the discharged sideof the pumps.
P. Dispensing Hose and Nozzle shall conform to the following:

1. Only hose designed for the transferring of hydrocarbon liquids shall bepermitted.

2. The length of the hose shall be limited to the actual needs of theindividual transfer apparatus. Such hose shall be equipped with anapproved shut-off nozzle. Fuel transfer nozzles shall be of self closing
type, designed to be actuated by hand pressure only. No notches orother devices shall be used for holding the nozzle valve handle in an
open position. Such nozzle shall be equipped with a grounding cable
complete with proper attachment for the aircraft to be serviced.

Q. Electrical wiring, switches, lights and any other source of ignition, whenlocated in compartment housing piping, pumps, air eliminators, water
separators, hose reels and the like shall be enclosed in a vapor-tighthousing. Any electric motor located in such a compartment shall be of a
type approved for use in hazardous locations as specified in the Philippine
Electrical CodeR. Compartments housing piping and the like, pumps, air eliminators, water
separators, hose reels, shall be adequately ventilated at floor level orwithin the floor itself.
S. Accessory Equipment shall conform to the following:

1. Ladders constructed from non-combustible material may be used

with, or attached to any aircraft refueller unit; Provided that themanner of attachment or use of such ladder is approved and shall notin any occasion constitute any additional fire or accident hazard in
the operation of such refueller unit.

2. Hose reels used in connecting with any such refueller unit shall be

constructed of noncombustible materials and shall be provided with apacing gland or other device which will preclude fuel leakage
between such reel and fuel manifold in connection therewith.

3. Similar accessory equipment shall be of approved type225

T. Bonding and Grounding shall be as follows:

1. Every transfer apparatus shall be metallically interconnected with thetank, chassis, axles and springs of every aircraft refueller unit.

2. Every aircraft refueller unit shall be provided and maintained with asubstantially heavy ground cable of sufficient length to be bonded tothe aircraft to be serviced. Such cable shall be metallically connectedto the transfer apparatus of chassis of the aircraft refueller unit on one
and shall be provided with a suitable metal clamp on the other end,
to be fixed to the aircraft.

3. The ground cable shall be bare or have a transparent protective
sleeve and be carried on a reel or in a compartment for no otherpurpose in such a manner that it will not be subjected to sharp kinks or
accidental breakage under conditions of general use.

SECTION 10.2.20.2

REFUELLER UNITS

A. Design and Construction of Aircraft Refuellers shall conform to thefollowing:

1. Tanks and vehicles shall be designed and constructed in accordancewith NFPA 385, “Tank Vehicles for Flammable Liquids,” and NFPA 407,
Part IV, “Aircraft Fuel Servicing Tank Vehicles.”

2. Every aircraft refueller unit shall be equipped and maintained with anapproved transfer apparatus.

a. If such transfer apparatus is operated by an individual unit ofinternal combustion motor type, such power unit shall be locatedas remotely as practicable from any pumps, piping, meters, aireliminators, water separators, hose reels, etc., and shall be housed
in separate compartment from any aforementioned items; the fueltank in connection therewith shall be suitably designed andinstalled and the maximum capacity shall not exceed nineteen(19) liters when such tank is installed on any such engine or in any
compartment housing any such engine. The exhaust pipe, muffler
and tail pipes shall be shielded.
b. If operated with gears or chains, the gears, chains, shafts, bearings,
housing and all parts thereof shall be of an approved design andshall be installed in a workmanlike manner and so maintained.
c. Flexible connections for the purpose of eliminating vibration may
be permitted if the material used therein is designed, installed andmaintained in an approved manner and provided suchconnections do not exceed sixty one (61) centimeters in length.

226

B. Operations, Maintenance and Use of Aircraft Refueller Units shall conformto the following:

1. In addition to all other applicable provisions of this Code, the following
regulations shall apply to the operations, maintenance, and use of
aircraft refueller units.

a. Aircraft-fueling vehicles and all related equipment shall be properly
maintained and kept in good working condition. Accumulations ofoil, grease, fuel and other flammable or combustible materials areprohibited. Maintenance and servicing of such equipment shall beaccomplished in approved areas.
Minor adjustment and repairs may be made when necessary tomove such units to the storage locations when failure occurs
elsewhere on the airport or heliport.
b. Tanks, pipes, hoses, valves and other fuel delivery equipment shallbe maintained leak free at all times.
c. Aircraft-fueling vehicles and related equipment which are inviolation of this rule shall be immediately defueled and removed
from service and shall not be returned to service until proper repairs
have been made.
d. Aircraft-fueling vehicles that are operated by a person, firm or
corporation other than the permitee’s authorized employee shallbe provided with a legible sign visible from outside the vehicle
showing the name of a person, firm or corporation operating such
unit and signage conforming with.
C. Fueling and Defueling shall conform to the following:

1. Aircraft refueller units shall not be located, parked, or permitted tostand under any portions of an aircraft nor in any position where such
unit could obstruct egress from aircraft should fire occur during fueltransfer operations.

2. Every aircraft refueller unit shall be electrically bonded to the aircraft

being fueled or defueled and either the aircraft refueller unit or theaircraft shall be adequately grounded in approved manner. A dragchain and flexible ground conductor shall not be deemed to fulfill therequirements of this Section for grounding during fuel transfer.

3. Transfer nozzle shall be equipped with approved bonding conductors

which shall be clipped or otherwise positively engaged with thebonding attachment provided on the aircraft adjacent to the fueltank cap.

2274. All bonding and ground connections required by this section shall bemade prior to any fuel transfer and shall not be disconnected until fueltransfer operations are completed.

5. During fuel transfer operations, qualified persons shall be in immediate

control of each transfer nozzle and fuel pumping equipment to shut off
or otherwise control the flow of fuel from the time fuelling operations
have begun until they are completed except for under wing refueling

6. Fuel transfer nozzle shall not be held in the open position by any
device other than by direct hand pressure by the operator.

D. Aircraft refueller unit shall be attended and operated only by qualified
personnel. Each qualified operator shall be required to carry
his
identification card and to submit documents issued by the employer
certifying his qualifications to the BFP.
E. The fuel transfer hoses shall be properly placed on the approved reels, orin the compartment provided, or may be stored on top decking ofrefuellers; provided that rails of proper height are provided for security
and protection of such equipment before any aircraft refueller unit is
moved. Such transfer hose shall not be looped or dropped over any partof the refueller unit nor shall fuel transfer hose be dragged when suchrefueller unit is moved from fueling unit to another.
F. Maintenance of Refuelling Units shall conform to the following:

1. Every aircraft refueller unit and all equipment shall be maintained in asafe operating condition and in good repair at all times.

2. On finding any aircraft servicing equipment which is in use for fuelling
operations to be defective or in a state of disrepair, and by reason ofsuch defect or disrepair, the use of such aircraft servicing equipment
constitutes an undue fire hazard, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction shall order the use of such equipment discontinued
until such repairs, replacements or such changes are made asnecessary to render the same safe for continued use. No person shalluse any such defective equipment until the same is rendered safe by
the City/Municipal Fire Marshal.

G. Loading and Unloading shall conform to the following:

1. Aircraft refueller units shall be loaded only at an approved loading
rack, except that when refueling aircraft, such unit may be loaded
from the fuel tanks or the aircraft.

228

2. The fuel cargo of any such unit shall be unloaded only by approved
transfer apparatus into the fuel tanks of aircrafts, underground storage
tanks or approved gravity storage tanks.

H. Passenger may be loaded aboard an aircraft during the time fuel transfer
operations are in progress provided that the following provisions are strictly
enforced:

1. No person shall smoke or produce any open flame in the cabin of theaircraft or in the outside thereof within fifteen meters (15 m).

2. A qualified employee of the air vehicle owner shall be responsible for

ensuring that the passengers are not allowed to smoke when aboard
the aircraft, nor while going across the ramp from the gate to suchaircraft or vice-versa.

3. Passengers shall not be permitted to linger about the plane but shallproceed directly from the loading gate and the aircraft, and viceversa.

4. Passenger loading stands shall be left in loading position until all fueltransfer operations are completed.

5. Fuel transfer operations shall not be performed on the main exit side of
any aircraft containing passengers.

I.

No smoking or open flames shall be allowed within fifteen meters (15 m)from the point where fuel is being transferred nor shall any electrical or
motor driven devices be connected from any air craft at any time while
refueling operations are in progress on such aircraft.

SECTION 10.2.20.3

HELISTOPS

A. Approval must first be obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority of thePhilippines and City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction before any
helistops can be operated.
B. The touchdown area shall be surrounded on all sides by a clear area
having a minimum average width of the roof level of four and six-tenths
meters (4.6 m) with no width less than one and a half meters (1.5 m).
C. Landing areas on the structures shall be so maintained as to confine any
flammable liquid spillage to the landing area itself and shall be made todrain such spillage away from any exit or stairway.
D. Exit and stairways from helistops shall be maintained in accordance with
the Section 10.2.5.2 of this IRR except that all landing areas located onbuilding or structures shall have two or more exits. For landing platforms or229

roof areas less than eighteen and three-tenths meters (18.3 m) in length, orless than one hundred eighty six square meters (186 m2) in area, thesecond exit may be a fire escape stair conforming to Section 10.2.5.10.

CHAPTER 3. FIRE SAFETY FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALSDIVISION 1. SCOPESECTION 10.3.1.1

APPLICABILITY

This Chapter shall apply to materials and chemicals which are:
A. Highly flammable that may react to cause fires or explosions; or
B. By their presence may create a fire or explosion hazard; or
C. Their toxicity, flammability, or reactivity, render fire fighting dangerous; or
D. Flammable or combustible liquids which are chemically unstable andwhich may spontaneously form explosive compounds; or
E. Flammable or combustible liquids which undergo spontaneous reactionsof explosive violence or with sufficient evolution of heat to be a fire
hazard.
SECTION 10.3.1.2

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS

Hazardous materials and chemicals shall include, but not limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

flammable solids;
corrosive liquids;
radioactive materials;
oxidizing materials;
potentially explosive chemicals;
highly toxic materials; andpoisonous gases.
DIVISION 2. FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE

A. In addition for the issuance FSIC, a Fire Safety Clearance shall be issued by
the BFP as prerequisite for the issuance of appropriate permits andlicenses from the local governments and other government agencies
concerned, for the following:
1. Installation and storage of:230

a. Nitrocellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin)
b. Combustible Fibersc. Combustible Commodities
d. Matchese. Magnesium
f. Flammable and Combustible Liquids
g. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
h. Medical and Related Compressed Gas
i. Cryogenic
j. Other hazardous materials and chemicals
2. Transportation or conveyance of:a. Matchesb. Flammable and Combustible Liquids
c. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
d. Medical and Related Compressed Gas
e. Cryogenic
f. Other hazardous materials and chemicals
3. Disposal or abandonment of:a. Tanker and vessel for flammable and combustible liquids
b. Containers of all types of compressed gasesc. Other hazardous materials and chemicals
DIVISION 3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A. The manufacture, storage handling and use of hazardous materials andchemicals shall be safeguarded with protective facilities or devices as
public safety may require.
B. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall require theseparation or isolation from other storage occupancies or buildings of any
chemical that, in combination with other substances, may bring about afire or explosion or may liberate a flammable or poisonous gas.
C. Defective containers shall be disposed of or repaired in accordance withrecognized safety practices. No spilled materials shall be allowed toaccumulate on floors or shelves.
D. Where stored for retail, storage shall be neat and orderly.
E. Where no specific requirements have been established, storage, handling, and use of hazardous chemicals shall be in accordance withinternationally recognized good practice.

231

F. All hazardous chemicals as defined in this Chapter shall bear especiallydesigned and color coded labels consisting of four diamonds arranged
into one large diamond with the first, indicating the toxicity and healthhazards; the second, its flammability; the third, its reactivity; and thefourth, fire-fighting and first aid instructions.
DIVISION 4. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 10.3.4.1

SOLID

Hazardous solid materials are classified according to: (1) flexible materials
such as textiles and cushioning; and (2) structural materials, which can
include everything from steel and concrete to wood and synthetic structural
plastic foams. The fire hazards posed by inorganic structural materials aremost likely to be passive.
SECTION 10.3.4.1.1 CELLULOSE NITRATE PLASTIC (PYROXYLIN)
All raw cellulose nitrate plastic (pyroxylin) materials shall be stored, handled,protected and displayed as follows:
A. On Storage and Handling
1. Cellulose Nitrate in excess of ten kilograms (10 kg) shall be stored in avented cabinet or vented and sprinklered vault.
2. The maximum weight of raw materials to be stored in a cabinet shallbe two hundred twenty five kilograms (225 kg) with two (2)compartments equally divided.
3. The maximum weight of raw materials to be stored in a workroom shallbe four hundred fifty kilograms (450 kg).
4. All raw materials in excess of four hundred fifty kilograms (450 kg) shallbe stored in a vented vault with a capacity not exceeding forty two
cubic meters (42 m3) with one (1) automatic sprinkler head for every
three and five tenths cubic meters (3.5 m3) of the total vault space;
5. Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) shall not be stored in any room orcompartment or within one meter (1 m) from any heat producing
appliances such as but not limited to steam pipes, radiators, chimneys,
stove, torch, forge, flame, fire or electric, or similar equipment likely to
produce spark.
6. In factories, operators working in a work room using cellulose nitrate
plastic (pyroxylin) shall be stationed at least one meter (1 m) apart,and the amount of material per operator shall not exceed one-half(1/2) day supply and be limited to three (3) tote boxes.

2327. All waste cellulose nitrate plastic (pyroxylin) materials such as shavings,
chips, turnings, sawdust, edging and trimmings shall be stored underwater in metal receptacles until removed from the premises.
8. Smoking shall be strictly prohibited in any building or establishment
where cellulose plastic (pyroxylin) are stored, displayed or
manufactured. A “NO SMOKING” sign shall be posted in conspicuous
places.
9. The storage area of cellulose nitrate plastic (pyroxylin) shall be marked
with a sign that states: “NITROCELLULOSE — FLAMMABLE SOLID — KEEP
HEAT, SPARKS, AND FLAME AWAY” or equivalent wording.
B. On Fire Protection
1. All new and existing buildings or any portion thereof including factories
used for the manufacture or storage of articles of cellulose nitrate
plastic (pyroxylin) in quantities exceeding forty five kilograms (45 kg)
shall be equipped with an approved, supervised sprinkler system andthe storage area shall be constructed of fire resistive materials with twohour (2-hr) fire resistance rating. The structural elements shall be ofsteel, iron, concrete or masonry construction.
2. First aid fire protection equipment/appliances shall be installed inbuildings where storing, handling and displaying of cellulose nitrate
plastic (pyroxylin) is conducted.
C. On Display
In stores or establishments, displays of cellulose nitrate plastic (pyroxylin)
articles shall be in show cases or show windows.
Exception:
1. Articles may be displayed and placed on tables, provided that:a. It is over ninety centimeters (90 cm) apart;b. If displayed on counters, such counters shall be arranged in thefollowing manner:i.

Each table shall measure one meter (1 m) wide and threemeters (3 m) long;

ii. The space beneath each table or counter shall be free ofstorage or obstruction of any kind;iii. The display tables shall be arranged and located so as not to
obstruct the passage to exits in the event of emergency;233

c. Lights shall not be located directly above any cellulose nitratematerial or storage, unless the light fixture is provided with asuitable guard to prevent heated particles from falling.

D. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance for the storage of cellulose nitrate or cellulose
nitrate plastic (pyroxylin) shall be obtained from City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.3.4.1.2 COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
All combustible fibers shall be stored, handled and protected as follows:
A. On Storage and Handling
1. Common Requirements:a. Combustible fibers shall not be stored in rooms or buildings withhazardous gases, flammable liquids, dangerous chemicals or othersimilar materials.
b. Trucks or automobiles shall not enter any fiber storage room orbuilding. They shall however be allowed to enter at loading
platforms. All forklifts, vehicles and equipment used within
combustible fibers storage areas shall be equipped with flash or
spark suppressors or arresters.
c. Smoking, open flame, and hotworks, shall not be permitted in any
area where combustible fibers are handled or stored. A “NOSMOKING” sign shall be posted.
d. Agricultural products such as, but not limited to, straw and hay shallnot be stored adjacent to buildings of combustible materials unlessa clear distance equal to the height of the pile is maintained.
e. Storage shall be limited to stocks of one hundred (100) metric tons.
A fire resistive wall with a fire resistance rating of two (2) hours or aclear space of six meters (6m) shall be maintained between stacks.
f.

A one meter (1m) clearance shall be maintained between sprinkler
pipes in protected storage vaults and top of the piles.

2. Specific Requirements for Loose Combustible Fibers
a. Loose combustible fibers shall be stored as shown in the Table 14
below.

234

Table 14: STORAGE OF COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
Volume of Material
in cubic meters (m3)0–3Method of Storage
Combustible Fiber Storage Bin*with self-closing cover
Combustible fiber storage room
having 1-hr fire resistance barrier
Combustible fiber storage vault
having 2-hr fire resistance barrier
and approved opening
Combustible fiber storage vault
with approved opening andprotected by approved,
supervised sprinkler system

3.1 – 1414.1 – 28

28 up (protected)* Quantities of loose combustible fiber up to 3 cubic meters (3m3)shall not be kept in any building unless stored in a metal or metallined bin equipped with a self-closing cover.
b. Loose combustible fiber exceeding twenty eight cubic meters (28m3) but not more than seventy cubic meters (70 m3) may be stored
in a "loose house" or detached structure with opening properly
protected against sparks and shall not be used for any otherpurpose.
3. Specific Requirements for Baled Combustible Fibers
a. A single block or pile shall contain a maximum of seven hundred
cubic meters (700 m3) of baled fiber.
b. Each block or pile shall be separated from the adjacent storage by
an aisle measuring not less than one hundred fifty centimeters (150cm) wide or by barriers consisting of continuous sheets of noncombustible material extending from the floor to a height of atleast thirty centimeters (30cm) beyond the topside of the piles.
c. Fibers in bales bound with combustible tie ropes, as well as jute andother fibers liable to swell when wet shall be stored to allow for
expansion in any direction and shall have one meter (1m)clearance from walls to piles.
d. If the storage compartment is less than nine meters (9 m) in width,
there shall be a forty five centimeters (45 cm) clearance from walls
to piles and a center aisle of not less than one hundred fifty
centimeters (150 cm) width is maintained.

235

B. On Fire Protection
1. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed as required for extra-hazard
occupancy protection in accordance to NFPA 10, “Standard for
Portable Fire Extinguishers”.
C. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance from City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction shall be obtained for the storage of combustible fiber.
SECTION 10.3.4.1.3 COMBUSTIBLE COMMODITIESIn the storage of combustible commodities, the following factors shall beconsidered:
1. method and height of stock piling;
2. combustibility of materials;
3. fuel load and rate of spread;
4. areas and size of piles;
5. aisle ways;
6. water supply;
7. sprinkler protection;
8. building construction, including height and area;
9. draft curtains;
10. roof vents; and11. fire separations.
A. Storage and Handling
1. Common Requirements:
a. Storage of combustible commodities to include permanent
partition of walls and ceilings shall be of fire resistive materials suchas steel, iron, concrete, or masonry construction;b. There shall be roof vents installed in each building or portion thereofwith a minimum dimension of not less than one hundred twenty
centimeters (120 cm).
c. In lieu of roof vents, a perimeter venting in the exterior wall in theform of windows may be installed within twenty-three meters (23m)from the exterior wall. The upper portion of that window shall belocated thirty-one centimeters (31cm) from the roof or ceiling level.
The window opening shall not be less than seven hundred sixty two
millimeters (762 mm) in height and one hundred fifty centimeters(150 cm) wide. Venting shall be in accordance with the following
table:

236

Table 15: STANDARDS OF VENTING FOR THE STORAGE AND
HANDLING OF COMBUSTIBLE COMMODITIESHAZARD
CLASSIFICATION
Low
AverageHigh
Very HighVENT AREA TO
FLOOR AREA RATIO
14.00
9.30
4.70
2.80

MAXIMUM SPACINGBETWEEN VENT CENTERS
50 meters
40 meters
30 meters
23 metersd. Vents shall consist of automatic roof vents equipped with a fusible
link designed to release prior to sprinkler operation, or roof openings
covered with approved plastic that will melt when heated anddrop out prior to sprinkler operation. Windows shall be equippedwith single thickness glass or plastic panels.
e. Aisles separating combustible commodities shall be not less than
two hundred forty centimeters (240 cm) in width. Aisles separating
commodities more than six meters (6m) in height shall be not lessthan three meters (3m) in width. Main aisles shall be locatedbeneath draft curtains. Stock piles shall not extend beyond or
beneath a draft curtain. Aisles not less than one thousand one
hundred eighteen millimeters (1,118 mm) in width shall beestablished to provide access to exits and firefighters’ accessdoors. Aisles shall be kept clear of storage, waste materials anddebris at all times.
f.

Firefighters’ access door, aisles and exit doors shall not be
obstructed. Access shall be provided at ground level for
firefighting. There shall be at least one (1) door not less than two
meters (2 m) in height for each thirty lineal meters (30 m). Metal rollup doors are not allowed for such purpose.

g. The structural integrity of racks shall be maintained. Clearance
between ignition sources, such as light fixtures, heaters and flameproducing devices, and combustible materials shall be maintained.
Smoking shall be prohibited and a “NO SMOKING” sign shall be
posted in conspicuous places.
2. Factors to be considered in the storage of common commodities:
a. Method and Height of Stock Pilingi.

Bulk storage - consists of piles of loose, free-flowing materials,
including powder, granules, pellets, or flakes, and agricultural
items. The commodities are typically stored in silos, bins, tanks, orin large piles on the floor.

ii. Solid piling - consists of cartons, boxes, bales, bags, etc., indirect contact with each other. Air spaces or flues exist only237

where contact is imperfect, or where a pile is close to, but nottouching, another pile. Because pallets are not typically used,
stacking is done by hand or by lift trucks using side clamps orprongs, which are pried between packages or bales without
damaging the product.
iii. Palletized storage - consists of unit loads placed on pallets thatare then stacked on top of one another. A pallet load usuallytakes the form of a cube, with dimensions about one hundred
twenty to one hundred fifty centimeters (120 cm to 150 cm) inheight, and consists of a single or multiple package(s). The top
surface of the pallet load must adequately support other palletloads so that the commodity would not be crushed or the pilewould not become unstable. Due to these considerations, themaximum height of palletized storage shall not exceed nine
hundred ten centimeters (910 cm)
iv. Rack storage – is a structural framework in which thecommodity is placed usually as a pallet load. The design of rack
storage systems maximizes vertical storage capacity. The ceilingheight or the vertical reach of material handling equipment
limits storage heights. Some rack storage arrangements areover thirty meters (30m) high.
iv.a.

Single row racks include racks up to one hundred eighty
centimeters (180 cm) wide, separated from other storage
by at least one meter (1m) aisles.

iv.b.

Double row racks consist of two single row racks placedback to back with a combined width of up to threehundred seventy centimeters (370 cm) and aisles at least
one meter (1m) wide on each side.

iv.c.

Multiple row racks utilize a flow through or drive in
configuration. They consist of racks greater than threehundred seventy centimeters (370 cm) wide, or single or
double row racks separated by aisles less than one meter(1m) wide, with overall width exceeding three hundred
seventy centimeters (370 cm).

b. Combustibility of Materialsi.

Commodity Classification
The following classification of commodities shall be used as a
guide in determining sprinkler, venting, aisle spacing and otherfire safety requirements for high piled storage:i.a. Class I commodities are essentially noncombustible
products on wooden or non-expanded polyethylene solid238

deck pallets, in ordinary corrugated cartons with or without
single-thickness dividers, or in ordinary paper wrappings withor without pallets. Class I commodities are allowed tocontain a limited amount of Group “A” plastics. Examples ofClass I commodities include, but are not limited to, thefollowing:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Alcoholic beverages, with not exceeding 20-percent of
alcohol
Appliances noncombustible, electrical
Cement in bags
Ceramics
Dairy products in non wax-coated containers (excluding
bottles)Dry insecticides
Foods in noncombustible containers
Fresh fruits and vegetables in non-plastic trays orcontainers
Frozen foods
Glass
Glycol in metal cans
Gypsum board
Inert materials, bagged
Insulation, noncombustible
Noncombustible liquids in plastic containers having lessthan a 5-gallon (19 ℓ) capacity
Noncombustible metal products

i.b. Class II commodities are Class I products in slatted wooden
crates, solid wooden boxes, multiple-thickness paperboard
cartons or equivalent combustible packaging material withor without pallets. Class II commodities are allowed tocontain a limited amount of Group “A” plastics. Examples ofClass II commodities include, but are not limited to, thefollowing:••••

Alcoholic beverages, with not exceeding 20-percent
alcohol, in combustible containers
Foods in combustible containers
Incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs in cartons
Thinly coated fine wire on reels or in cartonsi.c. Class III commodities are commodities of wood, paper,
natural fiber cloth, or group C plastics or products thereof,
with or without pallets. Products are allowed to containlimited amounts of Group “A” or “B” plastics, such as metal
bicycles with plastic handles, pedals, seats and tires.

239

Examples of Class III commodities include, but are not limited
to, the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Combustible fiberboard
Cork, baled
Feeds, bagged
Fertilizers, bagged
Food in plastic containers
Furniture: wood, natural fiber, upholstered, non-plastic
Wood or metal with plastic-padded and -covered arm
rests
Glycol in combustible containers not exceeding 25
percent
Lubricating or hydraulic fluid in metal cans
Lumber
Mattresses, excluding foam rubber and foam plastics
Noncombustible liquids in plastic containers having acapacity of more than 5 gallons (19 ℓ)
Paints, oil base, in metal cans
Paper, waste, baled
Paper and pulp, horizontal storage, or vertical storage
that is banded or protected with approved wrap
Paper in cardboard boxes
Pillows, excluding foam rubber and foam plastics
Plastic-coated paper food containers
Plywood
Rags, baledRugs, without foam backing
Sugar, bagged
Wood, baled
Wood doors, frames and cabinets
Yarns of natural fiber and viscose

i.d. Class IV commodities are class I, II or III products containing
Group “A” plastics in ordinary corrugated cartons, and class
I, II and III products with group “A” plastic packaging with orwithout pallets. Group “B” plastics and free-flowing Group“A” plastics are also included in this class. Examples of Class
IV commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:
•
•
•
•
•

Alcoholic beverages, with more than 20-percent but lessthan 80-percent alcohol, in cans, bottles, or cartons.
Clothing, synthetic or non-viscose
Combustible metal products (solid)
Furniture, plastic upholstered
Furniture, wood or metal with plastic covering andpadding

240

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Glycol in combustible containers (greater than 25
percent and less than 50 percent)
Linoleum products
Paints, oil-based in combustible containers
Pharmaceutical, alcoholic elixirs, tonics, etc.
Rugs, foam backShingles, asphalt
Thread or yarn, synthetic or non-viscose

i.e. High-hazard commodities are high-hazard productspresenting special fire hazards beyond those of class I, II, III or
IV. Group “A” plastics not otherwise classified are included inthis class. Examples of high-hazard commodities include, but
are not limited to, the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Alcoholic beverages, with more than 80-percent alcohol,in bottles or cartonsCommodities of any class in plastic containers in carousel
storage
Flammable solids (except solid combustible metals)
Glycol in combustible containers (50 percent or greater)
Lacquers, which dry by solvent evaporation, in metalcans or cartons
Lubricating or hydraulic fluid in plastic containers
Mattresses, foam rubber or foam plastics
Pallets and flats which are idle combustible
Paper, asphalt, rolled, horizontal storage
Paper, asphalt, rolled, vertical storage
Paper and pulp, rolled, in vertical storage which is
unbanded or not protected with an approved wrap
Pillows, foam rubber and foam plastics
Pyroxylin
Rubber tires
Vegetable oil and butter in plastic containers

ii. Hazard Classification
Hazard shall be classified according to the combustibility of thecontents, giving primary consideration to the intensity of fire that
could occur; the form in which the products are stored; methodof storage; rate of heat release; and period of active burning,
to wit:ii.a. Low Hazard Materials
Items unpacked except as noted
Appliances, electrical241

Cables and wiring on reels
Fertilizers, bagged (excluding ammonium nitrate)
Hides, leather
Inert materials, bagged
Metals on wood pallets
Sugar, bagged, raw
Tobacco in hogsheads
Wallboard, gypsum
Wool, baledii.b. Average Hazard Materials
ii.b.1. Stocks in Cartons
Books
Ceramics
CerealFiberboard, vegetable
Foods, frozen
Glass
Glycols, in cans
Hydraulic fluids, in cans
Insulators, non-combustible
Liquids, noncombustible, in bottles
Lubricants, in cans
MetalsPaints, oil-based, in cans
Pharmaceuticals, alcoholic elixir, tonics, etc., lessthan 80 proof
Plastics, low hazard
Stationery
TextilesTobacco products
Wiring, electric
Yarns
ii.b.2. Other Stock
Cartons flats
Clothing, packaged or in racks
Feed, bagged
Fiberboard, vegetable on pallets
Flour, bagged
Grain, bagged
Mattresses (excluding foamed) rubber and foamed
plastics)
Paper and pulp, rolled, vertical storage (adequately
banded)242

Paper and pulp, horizontal storage (without racks)
Pillows (excluding foamed rubber and foamed
plastics)
Pulp, batedRags, baled
Rugs (no foamed backing)
Shingles, asphalt
Sugar, bagged, refinedii.c. High Hazard Materials
Flammable liquids posted in cans metals containers
Baked cork or other insulating materials
Upholstered furniture
Linoleum rugs or piles
Alcohol, weighty proof or higher, in barrels, tank or bottles
Paper products in loosed form not baled not banded andstored horizontally
Baled waste paper
Pharmaceutical containing eighty (80) proof alcohol orhigher, in glass/plastic bottles.
Other plastic products
Bags and mats with plastic foam or cellular rubber backing
ii.d. Very High Hazard Materials
Paper products such as pulp/waxed paper, asphalt
coated paper in loose form or bobbies or rolled, notbanded or baled, and stored vertically
Pyroxylin or foam plastic products unpacked or packed in
carton.
Rubber goods and foamed rubber products, unpacked or
packed in carton
Flammable liquids, such as acetone, alcohol, lighter fluids,
varnish, paints, cleaning fluids, and the like, packed inplastic containers or glass bottles
Cork or other insulating materials, NOT BALED
Ammonium nitrate fertilizer
B. On Fire Protection
1. An approved, supervised sprinkler system shall be required in eachbuilding or portion thereof used for storage of combustible
commodities when the area exceeds two-thirds of the sum of thebasic floor area.
2. The design and installation of an approved, supervised sprinkler systemshall conform to NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler

243

System.”
3. Sprinkler discharge densities (liters/square meters) for combustible
commodities not exceeding six hundred forty centimeters (640 cm) inheight shall conform to the following table:
Table 16: SPRINKLER DISCHARGE DENSITIES FORCOMBUSTIBLE COMMODITIES NOT EXCEEDING 640 cm IN
HEIGHT, BY HAZARD CLASSIFICATIONHAZARD
CLASSIFICATION
Low
AverageHigh
Very HighCOMMODITY CLASS
I or II
II or IIIIII or IV
8.2
8.2
10.2
9.4
11.4
13.5
14.3
17.1
20.4

4. The protection of combustible commodities six hundred forty
centimeters (640 cm) and seven hundred sixty centimeters (760 cm) inheight will require up to thirty percent (30%) increase in the densities
listed in the above table. Commodities piled more than seven hundred
sixty centimeters (760 cm) in height will require multi-level sprinkler
application.
5. Sprinkler system protecting combustible commodities shall be
designed and installed to discharge the required water density within
the following prescribed minimum areas, except that areas shall be
not less than three hundred seventy square meters (370 m2) in
calculating water flows when densities of less than one thousand one
hundred forty-one liters per minute per square meters (1,141L/(min.m2))
are specified.
Table 17: MINIMUM AREAS OF SPRINKLER DISCHARGE FOR COMBUSTIBLE
COMMODITIES, BY HAZARD CLASSIFICATIONHAZARD
CLASSIFICATION
Low
AverageHigh
Very HighAREA (m2)
370
378
418
557

6. The above-listed minimum areas are based on the regulations for roof
venting, draft curtains, aisle spacing, size pile and method of storage.
Higher densities may be required in buildings that do not conform tothese standards.
7. Sprinkler system shall be designed to utilize sprinklers with ordinaltemperature classification, except that sprinklers with an intermediate244

classification may be used in the design of systems to protect high orvery high hazard occupancies.
8. A minimum clearance of one meter (1 m) shall be provided between
sprinkler deflectors and top of storage.
9. Draft curtains shall be provided to limit the area of sprinkler operationand to aid the operation of roof vents.
10. Draft Curtains shall be at least two meters (2 m) in depth and shall beof noncombustible materials. In low or average hazard occupancies,
draft curtains, shall divide the under roof area into section not toexceed nine hundred twenty nine square meters (929 m2). In high orvery high hazard storage areas, draft curtains shall divide the underroof area into sections not to exceed five hundred fifty seven square
meters (557 m2).
11. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in combustible commodities
storage.
C. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance from City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction shall be obtained for the storage of combustible commodities.
A floor plan showing the dimension and location of high piled storage
area and aisle dimensions between each storage shall be submitted.
SECTION 10.3.4.1.4 MATCHES
Matches shall be stored, handled and protected as follows:
A. On Storage and Handling
1. In wholesale establishments with matches exceeding sixty (60)matchman’s gross stored in shipping container, matches shall bearranged in piles not exceeding three meters (3 m) in height nor morethan four hundred twenty five cubic meters (425 m3) in volume withaisles at least one hundred twenty centimeter (120 cm) wide between
piles;
2. Where other materials or commodities are stored on the same floor
with matches, a portion of the room shall be devoted to match
storage exclusively, and a clear space of not less than one hundred
fifty centimeters (150 cm) between match storage and such othermaterials or commodities shall be maintained;
3. Matches shall be stored in a building, trailer, semi trailer, or metal
shipping container with a two-hour (2-hr) fire resistance rating;245

4. Matches shall not be stored within three meters (3 m) of any elevator
shaft opening, open stairway, or other vertical opening;
5. Where shipping container that contain matches are opened, thecontents shall be transferred in bins provided with metal-lined covers.
6. Where matches are sold in retail, original sealed packages shall be
stored in shelves. When such packages are broken, individual boxes
shall be stored in metal or metal-lined bins.
B. On Fire Protection
1. Smoking is prohibited in areas where matches are stored. A “NOSMOKING” sign shall be conspicuously posted in designated areas.
2. The owner shall be responsible for the prompt removal of any
hazardous condition, accumulations of combustible materials,
including proper maintenance of equipment and safety devices.
3. Approved, supervised sprinkler system and portable fire extinguishers
shall be provided throughout storage and manufacturing areas.
C. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance from City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction shall be obtained for the storage and transportation ofmatches exceeding in aggregate twenty (20) matchman's gross (14,000
matches’ per matchman’s gross).
SECTION 10.3.4.1.5 MAGNESIUM
Magnesium shall be stored, handled and protected as follows:
A. On Storage
1. Magnesium ingots, pigs, and billets shall be carefully piled on firm andgenerally level areas. Any combustible material shall not be stored
within a distance of seven hundred sixty centimeters (760 cm) fromany pile of magnesium pigs, ingots, and billets;
2. Outdoor storage of magnesium pigs, ingots and billets shall be in piles
not exceeding forty five thousand four hundred kilograms (45,400 kg)
each, separated by aisles with width not less than one-half (1/2) theheight of the pile;
3. Storage of pigs, ingots and billets in buildings shall be on floors of noncombustible construction. Floors shall be well drained from water. Eachpile shall not be larger than twenty three thousand kilograms (23,000kg), and shall be separated by aisles with width not less than one-half246

(1/2) the height of the pile;
4. All magnesium castings shall be clean and free of chips or fineparticles of magnesium. The size of storage piles of heavy magnesium
castings, either in cartons or crates or free of any packing material
shall be limited to thirty six cubic meters (36 m3). Aisle width shall be atleast one-half the height of the piles and shall be at least three meters(3 m).
5. Piles of stored light magnesium castings, either in cartons or crates orwithout packing, shall be limited in size to twenty eight cubic meters(28 m3).
6. Aisle spaces in front of racks shall be equal to the height of the racks.
All aisle spaces shall be kept clear.
7. Combustible rubbish, spare crates, and separators shall not be
permitted to accumulate within the aisles between racks.
8. Wet magnesium scrap (chips, fines, swarf, or sludge) shall be kept
under water in covered and vented steel containers at an outside
location. Sources of ignition shall be kept away from the drum ventand top. Containers shall not be stacked.
9. Storage of dry scrap in quantities greater than one and four tenths
cubic meters (1.4 m3) shall be kept separated from other occupancies
by fire-resistive construction without window openings or by an open
space of at least fifteen meters (15 m). Such buildings shall be wellventilated.
10. Magnesium powder shall be stored in steel drums or other closed
conductive containers. The containers shall be tightly sealed andstored in a dry location.
11. Magnesium storage in quantities greater than one and four tenths
cubic meters (1.4 m3) shall be separated from storage of othermaterials that are either combustible or in combustible containers byaisles with a minimum width equal to the height of the piles ofmagnesium products.
12. Magnesium products stored in quantities greater than twenty eight
cubic meters (28 m3) shall be separated into piles each not larger thantwenty eight cubic meters (28 m3 ), with the minimum aisle width equal
to the height of the piles but in no case shall be less than three meters(3 m).
13. Where storage in quantity greater than twenty eight cubic meters(28m3) is in a building of combustible construction, or the magnesium ispacked in combustible crates or cartons, or there is combustible

247

storage within nine meters (9 m) of the magnesium, the storage area
shall be protected by an automatic fire fighting equipment.
14. The size of storage piles of magnesium articles in foundries andprocessing plants shall not exceed twenty five cubic meters (25 m3)
and shall be separated by aisles of not less than one-half (1/2) theheight of the pile.
15. Storage in quantity exceeding one and four-tenths cubic meters (1.4m3) of fine magnesium scrap shall be separated from otheroccupancies by fire-resistive construction without window openings orby an open space of at least one thousand five hundred fifty
centimeters (1,550 cm).
16. Storage in quantity greater than twenty eight cubic meters (28 m3) ofshall be separated from all buildings other than those used formagnesium scrap recovery operations by a distance of not less than
thirty meters (30 m).
B. On Handling and Processing
1. Magnesium powder production plants shall be located on a site large
enough, and shall be located at least nine thousand one hundred fifty
centimeters (9,150 cm) away from public roads and from any
occupied structure, such as public buildings, dwellings, and business or
manufacturing establishments, other than those buildings that are apart of the magnesium powder production plant;
2. Different production operations shall be located in separate but not
adjoining buildings that are located at least fifteen meters (15 m) fromeach other;
3. All buildings used for the manufacture, packing, or loading forshipment of magnesium powders shall be single storey, without
basements, constructed of non-combustible materials throughout;
4. Connecting ducts shall be completely without bends. ducts shall befabricated and assembled with a smooth interior, with internal lap
joints pointing in the direction of airflow and without unused cappedside outlets, pockets or other dead-end spaces;
5. At each operation, dust shall be collected by means of suitable hoods
or an enclosure which is also connected to a blower located outdoors.
storage bins for powders should be sealed and purged with inert gas
prior to filling;
6. Each machine shall be equipped with its individual dust separating
unit, except that with multi-unit machines, not more than two dustproducing units maybe served by one (1) separator;

248

7. The entire dust collection system shall be constructed of conductive
material and shall be completely bonded and grounded. it shall not
be provided with filters or other obstructions;
8. Dry dust collectors shall be located outside, in a safe location, andshall be provided with barriers or other means. the area around thecollector shall be posted with the following:“CAUTION: THIS DUST COLLECTOR CAN CONTAIN EXPLOSIBLE DUST.
KEEP OUTSIDE THE MARKED AREA WHILE EQUIPMENT IS OPERATING.”
9. All machines shall be provided with a pan or tray to catch chips or
turnings, where they shall be collected every day. Magnesium fines
shall be kept separated from other combustible materials;
10. All electric wiring, fixtures and equipment in the immediate vicinity ofand attached to dust-producing machines, including those used inconnection with separator equipment shall be of types approved forused in class ii, group e hazardous (see building code) and installed inaccordance with the Philippine Electrical Code;
11. The power supply to the dust-producing equipment shall beinterlocked with the airflow from the exhaust blower and the liquid
level controller of the wet-type dust collector;
12. All equipment shall be securely grounded by permanent ground wires;
13. In powder handling or manufacturing buildings and in the operation of
dust-conveying systems, every precaution shall be taken to avoid
sparks from static electricity, electrical faults, friction, or impact (e.g.,iron or steel articles on stones, on each other, or on concrete);
14. Heat treating ovens -approved means shall be provided for control ofmagnesium fire in heat treating ovens;
15. Melt rooms shall provide access to facilitate fire control. floors shall beof noncombustible construction and be kept clean and free ofmoisture and standing water;
16. Operators in melting and casting areas shall wear flame-resistantclothing, high foundry shoes, and face protection. Clothing worn
where molten magnesium is present shall have no exposed pockets orcuffs;
17. Systematic cleaning of the entire grinding area, including roof
members, pipes, conduits, etc. shall be carried out daily. Periodic
inspections on buildings and machinery shall be carried out as
frequently as conditions warrant.

249

C. On Fire Protection
1. Only approved Class D extinguishing agents or those tested andshown to be effective for extinguishing magnesium fires shall bepermitted. A supply of extinguishing agent for manual application
shall be kept within easy reach of personnel while they are working
with magnesium. The quantity of extinguishing agent shall be sufficient
to contain anticipated fires.
2. Dry sodium chloride, or other dry chemicals or compounds suitable forextinguishment or containment of magnesium fires, shall be permitted
to be substituted for Class D fire extinguishers. All extinguishingmaterials shall be approved for use on magnesium fires.
3. Approved fire-extinguishing materials shall be provided for every
operator performing machining, grinding or other processing
operation on magnesium as follows:a. Within nine hundred fourteen centimeters (914 cm), a supply ofbulk dry extinguishing agents in an approved container with ahand scoop or shovel for applying the material; orb. Within two thousand two hundred eighty six centimeters (2,286 cm),an approved Class D portable fire extinguisher.
Pressurized
extinguishing agents shall be applied carefully on magnesium
powder or chip fire, so as not to disturb or spread the magnesium
powder.
4. Application of wet extinguishing agents accelerates a magnesium fireand could result in an explosion. The following agents should not be
used as extinguishing agents on a magnesium fire because of adverse
reaction:a. Waterb. Gaseous-based foams
c. Halond. Carbon dioxidee. Sand and other high Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)-containing materials
D. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance from City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction shall be obtained for the storage and transportation
magnesium.

250

SECTION 10.3.4.2

LIQUIDAn empirical measure that combines volatility with the heat-producing
capabilities of the vapor is the flash point determination. The flashpoint is simply
the temperature at which a liquid takes off vapor that can be ignited under
specified laboratory conditions. Flash point determinations give rise to hazard
classification systems, the most severe hazard being afforded by those liquids
with the lowest flash point. Hazardous liquid can be flammable or combustible,
depending on the flash point.
SECTION 10.3.4.2.1 FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
All flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored, handled, transported,
used and manufactured as follows:
A. On Storage and Handling
1. General Requirements
Flammable and combustible liquid shall be stored on approved
containers or tanks properly labeled with the physical properties of its
content, flammability or combustibility and precautionary measures.
2. Specific Requirements for Portable Storage
In the storage and dispensing of flammable and combustible liquids insafety cans, drums or other approved containers not exceeding two
hundred twenty seven liters (227ℓ) in individual capacity, and thoseportable tanks not exceeding two thousand four hundred ninety eightliters (2,498ℓ) in individual capacity, on different types of occupancies,
the following requirements shall be complied:a. Flammable or combustible liquids specified above shall not be
stored near exits stairways or areas normally used as means ofegress and ingress. It shall be stored either in storage cabinets or
inside storage rooms.
b. The storage of flammable and combustible liquids in closed
containers shall comply with the following occupancy schedule:i.

Residential occupancies with not more than three (3) dwelling
units with detached garages shall store flammable andcombustible liquids up to a maximum of ninety four liters (94 ℓ).

ii. Assembly, business and residential occupancies with more than
three (3) dwelling units shall store Class I and Class II flammableand combustible combined liquids up to a maximum of thirtyeight liters (38 ℓ) or two hundred twenty seven liters (227 ℓ) of
Class IIIA liquids.

251

iii. Educational, healthcare, and detention and correctional
occupancies shall store flammable and combustible liquids up
to a maximum of four liters (4ℓ).
iv. Mercantile and industrial occupancies, where rooms or areas
are accessible to the public, storage shall be limited toquantities needed for display and normal merchandising
purposes which shall not exceed eighty one liters (81ℓ) per
square meter of gross floor area.
c. In rooms or areas not accessible to the public, storage shall belimited to two hundred twenty seven liters (227ℓ) of Class IA, four
hundred fifty four liters (454 ℓ) of Class IB, six hundred eighty one
liters (681 ℓ) of Class 1C, nine hundred eight liters (908 ℓ) of Class II,
one thousand eight hundred ninety three liters (1,893 ℓ) of
combustible liquids or any combination of flammable liquids
totaling nine hundred eight liters (908 ℓ).
d. Containers less than one hundred thirteen liters (113 ℓ) capacity
shall not be stacked more than one meter (1 m) or two containers
high, whichever is greater, unless on fixed shelving or otherwise
satisfactorily secured. Containers more than one hundred thirteen
liters (113 ℓ) shall not be stacked one upon the other. All containers
shall be stored in an upright position.
e. Shelving shall be in a stable construction, of sufficient depth andsuch arrangement that containers displayed thereon shall not beeasily displaced.
f.

Leaking containers shall be secured immediately from any possible
source of ignition and the contents of which shall be transferred toan approved container and placed to a safe location notaccessible to the public. The spill shall be appropriately contained
and collected for proper waste disposal.

g. Dispensing of Class II or III liquids from a single container having acapacity of more than two hundred twenty seven liters (227 ℓ) may
be permitted outside of storage and handling room using
dispensing device and fire control measures. Both the dispensing
container and any reserve containers shall be considered ascontributing to the totals allowed capacity under para “A” (2) (e)above.
h. No pile shall be closer than one meter (1 m) to the nearest beam,
chord, girder or other obstruction, and shall be one meter (1 m)
below sprinkler deflectors, or discharge orifices of water spray, orother overhead fire protection systems or other obstructions.

252

Table 18: INDOOR PORTABLE CONTAINER STORAGE FOR FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
CLASS
LEVEL
LIQUID

STORAGELEVEL
Ground & Upper
FloorsBasement
Ground & Upper
FloorsBasement
Ground & Upper
FloorsBasement
Ground & Upper
FloorsBasement
Ground & Upper
FloorsBasement

IA

IB

IC

II

III

LITERSPROTECTED STORAGE UNPROTECTED STORAGE
MAXIMUM PER PILE
MAXIMUM PER PILE
10,4092,498

NOT PERMITTEDNOT PERMITTED

20,8185,204

NOT PERMITTEDNOT PERMITTED

62,453

15,613

NOT PERMITTEDNOT PERMITTED

62,453

15,613

20,818NOT PERMITTED

208,175

52,044

31,226

NOT PERMITTEDi.

Solid or palletized pile storage shall be so arranged that piles are
separated from each other by at least 1.2m (4ft) wide aisle.

j.

Main aisle shall be provided with a minimum width of 2.4m or of awidth providing sufficient space to operate a forklift truck,whenever necessary.

k. Where the storage of liquid is on racks, a minimum of 1.2m (4 ft)
wide aisle shall be provided between adjacent rows of racks andadjacent storage of liquids.
l.

Where ordinary combustible commodities are stored in the same
area as liquids in containers, the minimum distance between thetwo (2) types of storage shall be 2.4m (8 ft) wide aisle.

m. Storage cabinets may be used where it is desired to keep morethan thirty eight liters (38ℓ) of flammable or, combustible liquids
inside buildings. Individual container shall not exceed nineteen liters(19ℓ) capacity and not more than one hundred ninety liters (190ℓ)
shall be stored in one cabinet.
n. Storage cabinets shall be approved and shall be substantiallyconstructed to one and two-tenths millimeters (1.2 mm) sheet ironor two and fifty four hundredths centimeters (2.54 cm) plywood or
equivalent. A minimum five centimeters (5 cm) sill shall be
provided, and cabinet shall be liquid tight to the top of the sill.

253

Doors shall be equipped with latching device. Cabinets shall be
painted with an approved in tumescent type Fire 1 retardant paint.
Cabinets shall be conspicuously labeled in red letters “FLAMMABLE
LIQUIDS".
o. Storage cabinets shall be located at least eight meters (8 m) awayfrom any source of ignition.
p. Inside storage and handling rooms shall be constructed to meetthe required fire-resistive rating. An approved, supervised sprinkler
system shall be installed:i.

Opening to other rooms or buildings shall be provided with
noncombustible liquid-tight raised sills or ramps at least ten
centimeters (10 cm) in height or the floor in the room shall be atleast ten centimeters (10 cm) below the surrounding floors. . A
permissible alternate to the sill or ramp is an open-grated trench
inside the room. A downgraded flooring shall be provided forspillage which drains to a safe location or an open-grated
trench.

ii. The room shall be provided with approved self-closing fire
doors. Where other portions of the building or other properties
are exposed, windows shall be of fire rated construction andproperly sealed to avoid the spread of vapor. Wood of at least
two and fifty four hundredths centimeters (2.54 cm) nominal
thickness may be used for shelving rack, dunnage scuff boards,
floor overlay and similar installations.
iii. Ventilation shall be designed to provide for a complete changeof air within the room at least six (6) times per hour. Ventilation
shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of NFPA
Pamphlet No. 91, "Blower and Exhaust System." It shall becontrolled by a switch located outside the door. The ventilationequipment and any lighting fixtures shall be operated by thesame switch. A pilot light shall be installed adjacent to theswitch if Class I flammable liquids are dispensed or used within
the room.
iv. Inside storage and handling rooms shall contain at least one
aisle with a minimum width of one meter (1 m). Storage shallnot be closer one meter (1 m) to ceiling, or sprinkler heads orother obstructions.
v. Stacking of containers shall be in accordance to Table 18
above.

254

vi. Inside storage and handling room shall comply with approved,
supervised sprinkler system as shown in Table 19 below:
Table 19: SPRINKLER SYSTEMS FOR INSIDE STORAGE AND
HANDLING ROOMS OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDSSPRINKLERSYSTEMPROVIDED
Yes
No
Yes
No

FIRE
RESISTANCE
RATING
2 hours
2 hours
1 hour
1 hourMAXIMUM SIZE
(Floor Area)

TOTAL LITERSALLOWED46.5 sq. m
46.5 sq. m
13.9 sq. m
13.9 sq. m

18, 925
7, 5703,785
1,893

q. Outside Storagei.

Storage of over 100 drums of Class I liquids shall be limited togroups of one hundred (100) drums, located at least eighteen
meters (18 m) from the nearest building or line of adjacent
property and each group shall be separated by at least twelve
meters (12 m).

ii. Storage of over three hundred (300) drums of Class II or III liquids
shall be limited to groups of three hundred (300) drums locatedat least fifteen meters (15 m) from the nearest building or line ofadjoining property and each group shall be separated by atleast nine meters (9 m).
iii. The drum shall be stored in a safe location to prevent runoff ordrainage toward other storage of buildings. The area shall be
kept clear of grass weeds and other foreign combustibles. Signs
shall be posted prohibiting open flames and smoking. Fencesor other control measures shall be provided where necessary toprotect against tampering or trespassers.
iv. Storage of flammable or combustible liquids in closed
containers in quantities of eighteen thousand nine hundred
twenty five liters (18,925 ℓ) or less outside of buildings shall belocated with respect to buildings or line of adjoining property as
shown in the Table below. These distances may be reducedwith respect to warehouses and industrial
buildings
ornoncombustible or fire-resistive construction.

255

Table 20: STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS IN
CLOSED CONTAINERS OUTSIDE OF BUILDINGSQUANTITY IN LITERSDISTANCE FROM BUILDINGOR LINE OF ADJOINING
PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE
BUILT UPON IN METERS

CLASS I
1 to 568 (3 drums)
568 to 1892 (3 to 10 drums)
1893 to 18925 (10 to 100 drums)
CLASS II or III
1 to 568 (3 drums)
568 to 1892 (3 to 10 drums)
1893 to 18925 (10 to 100 drums)

4.5
7.5
15
1.5
3
9

v. In occupancies where the public is invited or allowed to enter,
the above distances shall be double.
vi. Combustible materials shall not be stored or be permitted toaccumulate adjacent to flammable or combustible liquidstorage outside of buildings in such a manner as to constitute a
dangerous exposure to the liquid storage in event of fire. A
distance of not less than four and a half meters (4.5 m) shall bemaintained between the liquid storage and any combustible
materials.
vii. Storage Limitation of Portable Tanks of flammable andcombustible liquids shall be in accordance with the Table 21
below:
Table 21: OUTDOOR PORTABLE TANK STORAGE

CLASS

MAXIMUM
PER PILE(Liter)DISTANCE
BETWEEN
PILES(meter)

IA
IB
IC
II
Combustible

8,327
1 6,654
33,30866,616
66,540

1 .5
1 .5
1 .5
1 .5
1 .5

DISTANCE TO
PROPERTY LINESCAN BE BUILT
UPON(meter)
6
6
6
3
3

DISTANCE TO
STREET
ALLEY PUBLIC
WAY(meter)
3
3
3
1 .5
1 .5

NOTES:•

When two or more classes of materials are stored in a single
pile, the maximum capacity in that pile shall be the smallest of
the two or more separate capacities. The identity of the more256

hazardous class and the total amount in the pile cannot
exceed that allowed for that class.

r.

•

Within sixty meters (60 m) of each group of portable tanks in apile, there shall be a three and five tenths (3.5) meters wideaccess way to approach of fire control apparatus.

•

The distances listed apply to properties that have protection
for exposures as defined. If there are exposures, and suchprotection for exposure does not exist, the distances in column
4 shall be doubled.

•

When total quantity stored does not exceed fifty (50) percent
of maximum per pile, the distances in columns 4 and 5 may be
reduced 50 percent, but not less than ninety-one centimeters(91 cm).

•The storage of empty portable tanks, and containers, anddrums previously used for the storage of flammable or
combustible liquids, unless free from explosives vapors, shall be
the same as provided for the storage of flammable liquids;
provided, however, that the provisions of this Section shall not
apply to portable or safety containers cans.

•

Tanks and containers when emptied shall immediately becovered, replaced or plugged in the openings.

•

Containers of flammable or combustible liquids when piled
one upon the other shall be separated to provide stability andto prevent excessive stress on container walls. The height ofpiles shall be consistent with the stability and strength ofcontainers. In no case shall nominal two hundred liters (200 ℓ)in drums be stored over three times high without approved
structural support.

Dispensingi.

The dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids is limited to
not more than one hundred eight liters (108 ℓ) per container
drums at any time and shall be by approved pumps taking
suction through the top of the container.

ii. All mixing, blending, and similar operations involving the use of
flammable or combustible liquids shall be performed in an
inside storage and handling room of two (2) hours fire-resistive
construction.
s. Fire Protection. The following are requirements for fire protection in
the storage of flammable liquids:

257

i.

Approved portable firs-aid fire protection appliances;ii. Approved, supervised sprinkler system;iii. Pre-connected hose line of one and a half inch (1 ½ in)diameter;iv. Open flames, smoking and other sources of ignition, shall not be
permitted in flammable or combustible liquid storage rooms. A“NO SMOKING” sign shall be posted; andv. Materials, which react with water or other liquids to produce a
hazard, shall not be stored in the same room with flammable or
combustible liquids.
3. Specific Requirements for Bulk Plant and Storage
In the storage and dispensing of flammable and combustible liquids inbulk and bulk plant, the following requirements shall be complied:a. Class I, Class II and Class III flammable liquids shall be stored inclosed containers with a capacity exceeding that of portabletanks. Such tanks may be stored aboveground or undergroundoutside the building.
b. For above ground tanks:i.

Tanks shall be installed or rest on the ground and on concrete
foundation, masonry, piling or steel. Tank foundation shall be
designed to minimize the possibility of uneven settling of thetank and to minimize corrosion in any part of the tank resting on
the foundation;

ii. Tank support for Class I, Class II or Class III liquids shall be
installed on a firm foundation either of masonry or steel;iii. Steel supports or exposed piling shall be protected withmaterials having a fire resistance rating of not less than two (2)hours; except that when it is supported by steel saddle, it shallnot be less than three tenths meter (0.3m) high at the lowest
point;
iv. Tanks when supported by sphere, special engineering
considerations shall be required to prevent excessive
concentration of loads on the supporting portion of the shell;v. For tanks located in an area subject to flooding, precautions
shall be undertaken to prevent it from floating during rise ofwater level.

258

c. For underground tanks:i.

Underground tank storage for Class I, Class II or Class III liquids
shall be covered with a minimum of sixty centimeters (60 cm)
earth or shall be covered with not less than thirty centimeters(30 cm) of earth on top of which shall be placed a slab ofreinforced concrete not less than ten centimeters (10 cm) inthickness;

ii. Tanks subjected to traffic shall be protected against damage
from vehicles passing over them by at least ninety centimeters(90 cm) of earth cover or fifty centimeters (50 cm) of welltamped earth, and topped with 5 centimeters (5 cm) ofconcrete or twenty centimeters (20 cm)
of asphalted
concrete;iii. Asphalted or reinforced pavement used as part of theprotection of the tank shall be extended at least thirty
centimeters (30 cm) horizontally beyond the outline of the tankin all directions;
iv. Where tank may become buoyant due to rise in the level ofwater table or due to location in area that may be subjected
to flooding, suitable precautions shall be observed to anchor
the tank in place.
d. Piping systems:i.

The design, fabrication, assembly, test, and inspection of piping
systems containing flammable and combustible liquids shall besuitable for the expected working pressures and structuralstresses in conformity with the internationally accepted
standards.

ii. Joints shall be made liquid-tight and shall be either welded,
flanged, or threaded, except that listed flexible connectors
shall be permitted to be used where installed.
iii. Threaded joints shall be made up tight with a suitable thread
sealant or lubricant. Joints in piping systems handling Class I
liquids shall be welded when located in concealed spaces
within buildings.
iv. Pipe joints, dependent upon the friction characteristics orresiliency of combustible materials for mechanical continuity or
liquid-tightness of piping, shall not be used inside buildings.
They shall be permitted to be used outside of buildings
aboveground or underground. If used aboveground or outsideof buildings, the piping shall either be secured to prevent259

disengagement at the fitting, or the piping system shall be sodesigned that any spill resulting therefrom will not expose,
cause damage or harm to persons, buildings or structures andcould be readily controlled by remote valves.
v. Pipe systems shall contain a sufficient number of valves tooperate it properly and to protect the plant. Pipe systems
connected to pumps shall contain a sufficient number of valves
to control properly the flow of liquid in normal operation and in
event of physical damage. Connection to pipe lines ofequipment such as tank cars or tank vehicles discharging
flammable or combustible liquids into storage tanks by meansof pump, shall be provided with check valves for automatic
protection against backflow.
e. Vents location, arrangement, size and piping:i.

Vent pipes from tanks storing flammable or combustible liquids
shall be so located that the discharge point is outside ofbuildings, shall terminate not less than two and forty two
hundredths meters (2.42 m) above the fill pipe opening and notless than three and sixty four hundredths meters (3.64 m) above
the adjacent ground level. Vent pipes shall discharge only
upward or horizontally (not downward) in order to disperse
vapors. Vent pipes five centimeters (5 cm) or less in nominal
inside diameter shall not be obstructed by devices that will
reduce their capacity and thus cause excessive backpressure.
Vent pipe outlet shall be so located that flammable vapors will
not enter building openings or to be trapped under the eavesof other obstructions. If the vent pipe is less than three meters (3m) in length or greater than five centimeters (5 cm) in nominal
inside diameter, the outlet shall be provided with a vacuum
and pressure relief device, or there shall be an approved flame
arrester located in the vent line at the outlet. In no case shall aflame arrester be located more than four and five tenths meters(4.5) from the outlet and from the vent line.

ii. Vent lines from tanks shall not be used for any other purpose.
iii. Each tank shall be vented through piping adequate in size toprevent blowback of vapor or liquid at the fill opening whiletank is being filled. Vent pipes shall not be less than thirty two
millimeters (32 mm) in nominal inside diameter.
iv. Vent pipes shall be so laid as to drain toward the tank withoutsags or traps in which liquid can collect. They shall be solocated that they will not be subjected to physical damages.
Vent pipes from tanks storing the same class of liquids may be260connected into one outlet pipe. The outlet pipe shall be atleast one pipe size larger than the largest individual vent pipe
connected thereto. In no case shall the point of connection
between vent lines be lower than the top of any fill pipe
opening. The lower end of a vent pipe shall enter the tankthrough the top and shall not extend into the tank more than
two and fifty-four hundredths centimeters (2.54cm).
f.

Fill and discharge lines for Class I, II and III liquids, where practical,
shall enter tanks only through the top and shall be graded toward
the tank.

g. The fill-pipe opening shall be located outside of a building. For
flammable and combustible liquid storage, the fill-pipe opening
shall not be less than one and a half meters (1.5 m) from any dooror cellar opening. The fill-pipe for filling by tank car or tank truck
shall not be larger than ten centimeters (10 cm) in nominal inside
diameter and shall not be constricted. Fill-pipe opening shall beidentified by a definite color scheme or other means.
h. Gauge openings, if independent of fill-pipe, shall be provided witha liquid-tight cap or cover. If inside a building, each opening shallbe protected against liquid overflow and possible vapor release bymeans of a spring loaded check valve or other approved device.
i.

Tanks used for storage of flammable or combustible liquids shall not
be installed inside buildings except in industrial establishments,
processing plants and service stations.

j.

The storage of flammable and combustible liquids in abovegroundtanks outside of buildings shall be restricted within the limits
established by law or zoning ordinances.

k. Tank Loading and Unloading Facilities
In the loading and unloading of flammable and combustible
liquids, the following requirements shall be complied:i.

Noncombustible materials shall be used for the construction ofloading racks facilities.

ii. Tank car loading or unloading facilities shall have a distance ofat least seven and six tenths (7.6 m) for Class I liquids and at
least four and six tenths meter (4.6 m) for Class II and Class III
liquids, measured from the nearest fill spout or (liquid or vapor)transfer connection.
Buildings for pumps or shelters for
personnel may be a part of the facility.

261

iii. Equipment such as piping, pumps and meters used for thetransfer of Class I liquids between storage tanks and the fill stemof the loading rack shall not be used for the transfer of Class II or
Class III liquids.
iv. Remote pumps located in underground tanks shall be installedon the pump discharge side. A listed and approved leakdetection device that will provide an indication if the piping
system is not essentially liquid tight shall be installed. This device
shall be checked and tested at least annually according to the
manufacturer’s specifications to insure proper installation andoperation.
v. Loading at the top of a tank vehicle with Class I and Class II
liquid without vapor control is allowed if the following iscomplied:v.i.

The valve used for the final control of the flow shall be of
the self-closing type and shall be manually held open;
and

v.ii.

Automatic means are provided for shutting off the flow
when the tank is full.

vi. When bottom loading a tank vehicle, with or without vapor
control, a positive means shall be provided for loading apredetermined quantity of liquid, together with an automatic
secondary shutoff control to prevent overfill. The connecting
components between the loading rack and the tank vehicle
required to operate the secondary control shall be functionallycompatible.
vii. When bottom loading a tank vehicle that is equipped withvapor control, but when vapor control is not used, the tank shallbe vented to the atmosphere to prevent pressurization of thetank. Such venting shall be at a height not lower than the topof the cargo tank on the vehicle.
viii. When bottom loading a tank vehicle, the coupling between
the liquid loading hose or pipe and the truck piping shall be bymeans of a dry disconnect coupling.
ix. Connections to the plant vapor control system shall be
designed to prevent the escape of vapor to the atmospherewhen not connected to a tank vehicle.
x. Loading racks facilities shall be equipped with protection
against static sparks during truck filling. Protection shall consistof a bare metallic bond wire permanently electrically262connected to the fill stem or some part of the fill-stem piping.
The free end of such wire shall be provided with a clamp or
similar device for convenient attachment to some metallic partof the cargo tank of the tank vehicle.
The bond wire
connection shall be securely fastened prior to the opening of
the dome cover. It shall be maintained in place during theentire filling operation and the dome covers shall be closed
before the bond wire is disconnected from the cargo tank.
xi. Each loading rack facility or property upon which a loading
rack facility is located shall be surrounded by a fence not lessthan one five-tenths (1.5) meters high, constructed of wire mesh,
metal sheet or masonry.
xii. No person shall load or unload, or allow the loading or
unloading of a tank vehicle, unless such vehicle is entirely withinsuch enclosure. No person shall drive or allow the driving of any
tank vehicle, into or from the premises of a bulk plant, except
while traveling in a forward direction.
xiii. There shall be installed on each loading rack facility, riser pipe
between the ground and the outlet, and at least two valves,
one being of the lever-operated type and the other is of theself-closing type, which may be readily operated from theloading rack facility platform or top of the vehicle being filled. It
shall be unlawful for any person to tie or unlock such self-closing
valve in the open position.
xiv. Class I flammable liquids shall not be dispensed into containers
unless:xiv.i.

The nozzle
connected;

andcontainerareelectricallyinter-

xiv.ii.

The metallic floor plate on which the container stands
while filling is electrically connected to the fill stem; or

xiv.iii. The fill stem is bonded to the container during filling
operations by means of a bond wire.
l.

Drainage and Waste Disposali.

Flammable or combustible liquids spilled at the loading or unloading areas shall not be directly discharged into the publicsewer and drainage system or natural waterways. Grading
driveways or intercepting canals with trench grating connected
to separator pits and/or other equally effective means shall be
constructed.

263

ii. Used or accumulated residues of flammable or combustible
liquids shall not be dumped on the ground, into sewers,
drainage ditches or storm drains, but shall be stored in tanks ortight drums outside of any building until removed from thepremises.
iii. In buildings, rooms or other confined spaces in which
flammable or combustible liquids are stored, no combustible
waste materials shall be allowed to accumulate.
m. Electrical Equipment
All wirings and electrical equipment located within seven and one
half meters (7.5 m) of any portion of the loading rack facility shallbe designed, operated and installed in accordance with the latest
edition of the Philippine Electrical Code.
n. Testing
All tanks, whether shop-built or field erected, shall be tested. All
piping, before being covered, enclosed, or placed in use, shall behydrostatically tested to 150% of the maximum anticipatedpressure of the system, or pneumatically tested to 110% of the
maximum anticipated pressure of the system but not less than 5 psi(34.5 kpa) gauge at the highest point of the system. This test shallbe maintained for a sufficient time to complete visual inspection of
all joints and connections, but for at least 10 minutes. A certificate
of testing shall be submitted to the City or Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction.
o. Abandonment of Tanksi.

Any tank not used for a period of ninety (90) days, shall beproperly safeguarded or removed in a manner approved by
the City or Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.

ii. Tanks "temporarily out of service" shall have fill line, gauge
opening and pump connection secured against tampering.
Vent lines shall remain open and maintained in accordancewith the requirements of this Rule for vent lines.
iii. Any aboveground tank, which has been abandoned for aperiod of one (1) year, shall be removed from the property in amanner approved by the City or Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction.
iv. Any underground tank, which has been abandoned for aperiod of one (1) year, shall be removed from the ground andthe hole properly filled.

264

v. Tanks which are to be reinstalled for flammable or combustible
liquid service shall comply the same requirements in the
installation of tanks.
vi. Tanks which are to be placed back in service shall be tested
accordingly.
p. On Fire Protectioni.

Flammable or combustible liquids shall not be handled, drawn
or dispensed where flammable vapors may reach a source ofignition. Smoking shall be prohibited except in designatedlocations. "NO SMOKING" signs shall be posted in conspicuous
places where hazard from flammable vapors is normallypresent.

ii. Foam fire protection shall be provided for any abovegroundtank except floating roof type, or pressure tanks operating at or
above seventy and four-tenths grams (70.4 g) per squarecentimeters gauge pressure, and used for the storage or
handling of Class I flammable liquids such that tank or group oftanks are spaced less than fifteen (15) meters apart, shell toshell, has a liquid surface area in excess of one hundred fortysquare meters (140 m2).
iii. Legible signs shall be maintained at the entrance gate or gatesof each bulk plant and near each loading rack facility with thewords "NO SMOKING”. Restriction on the use of electronic
devices within the premises of bulk plants shall be observed.
iv. Signs identifying the pump master switch shall be labeled"EMERGENCY PUMP SHUTOFF".
v. The master switch on all individual pump circuits switches shallbe set in the "OFF" position before closing the services station forbusiness at any time.
vi. Pressure system shall incorporate with each turbine, an indicatorlight illuminated when the turbine is running. Said light shall bevisible from the dispensing pump island, and suitably identifiable
as to the system served.
4. Service Stations for Automobile
a. Service stations shall be constructed with facilities for storage,
handling and dispensing of flammable and combustible liquids,
including its equipment, appurtenances and service area in either
inside or outside buildings.

265

b. Service stations or portions thereof where flammable gases such as
but not limited to liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), liquefied naturalgases (LNG), or compressed natural gases (CNG) shall begoverned in a separate rule.
c. Buildings used for office, grocery store, rest room, utility room andthe like shall conform to the succeeding paragraphs hereof.
i.

The service station location standard for facilities, clearancesand distance applicable to all kinds of lots from mid-block lot,corner lot and passing-thru lot shall comply with the standards
set forth under Philippine National Standard on “Petroleum
Products-Retail Outlet-Health, Safety and Environment” PNS/DOE FS 1-1:2005.

ii.

Apparatuses dispensing Class I flammable liquids into the fueltanks of motor vehicles of the public shall not be located at abulk plant unless separated by a fence or similar barrier from thearea in which bulk operations are conducted.

iii. Tanks shall be located to minimize the amount of maneuvering
necessary for the tank truck making the product delivery toreach the fill openings whenever possible. Deliveries shall beaccomplished without the need for the truck to move or travel
in reverse.
iv. Tanks shall be located so that the tank truck making the
product delivery will not be on public right of way, block
motorists’ views of roadway, or impede the flow of vehicles orpedestrians.
v. Tank edge shall not be less than one meter (1 m) from theproperty line or any other buildings or structures. If soil stability
creates
concern, qualified professional assistance isrecommended.
vi. Underground tanks or tanks under buildings shall be so locatedwith respect to existing building foundation and support so thatthe load carried by the latter cannot be transmitted to thetanks.
vii. Dispensing devices at automobile service stations shall belocated that all parts of a vehicle being serviced are within thepremises of the service station.
viii. Dispensing devices at automobile service stations shall belocated not less than six (6) meters from any building openings
and public ways. Such dispensing devices shall also be solocated that the nozzle, when hose is fully extended, shall not266reach within one and a half meters (1.5 m) of any building
opening.
ix. All dispensing devices shall be mounted on a concrete islandor shall otherwise be protected against collision damage by anacceptable means. Dispensing device shall be securely bolted
in place. Dispensing devices shall be installed in accordancewith the manufacturers’ instruction. The minimum height of theconcrete island shall be not less than fifteen centimeters (15cm).
x. Emergency controls shall be installed at a location acceptable
to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, but
controls shall be not more than thirty meters (30 m) fromdispensers.
d. On Storage and Handlingi.

Class I liquid shall be stored in closed containers or tanks
located underground or in special enclosures.
i-a. Special enclosures shall be liquid and vapor tight without
backfill. The sides, top and bottom of enclosures shall beof reinforced concrete at least fifteen centimeters (15 cm)
in thickness, with openings for inspection through the top.
i-b. Tank connection shall be a closed pipe connection or
installation. Precautionary measures shall be provided
whereby portable equipment may be employed todischarge to the outside any vapors, which might
accumulate, should leakage occur.

ii. Class I liquids shall not be stored or handled within a building
having a basement or pit into which flammable vapors may
travel unless such area is provided with ventilation designed toprevent the accumulation of flammable vapors therein.
iii. Aboveground tanks located in an adjoining bulk plant may beconnected by piping to service station underground tanks. An
emergency shut-off valve shall be provided within the control ofservice station personnel.
iv. Flammable and combustible liquids may be stored in an
approved container inside service station buildings, provided
that the following conditions are observed:
iv.a.

Class I liquids stored in approved closed containersof aggregate capacity not exceeding four hundred
fifty four liters (454 ℓ), provided that a single container

267

shall not exceed two hundred twenty seven (227 ℓ)liters capacity and equipped with an approved
pump; andiv.b.

Class II and III liquids stored in approved containers of
not exceeding four hundred fifty five four liters (454 ℓ)
capacity for each class, with an aggregate capacity
not exceeding nine hundred eight liters (908 ℓ).

v. Piping, valves and fittings shall be in accordance with theprovisions of Specific Requirement for Bulk Plant and Storage.
vi. Class I liquids shall not be dispensed or transferred within aservice station building, except:
vi.a.

When the dispensing device is connected to any
pump motor circuit energized by a switch located oneach dispenser and can be operated by removal or
displacement of the nozzle in its bracket;

vi.b.

A clearly labeled manually operated pump masterswitch is provided in an approved location, withintwenty-two meters (22 m) of, but not nearer than fourand six-tenths meters (4.6 m) to any dispensing
device. Where such master switch is not visible fromall dispensing devices, the location thereof shall be
indicated by approved signs;

vi.c.

Signs identifying the pump master switch shall belabeled "EMERGENCY PUMP SHUTOFF";vi.d.

The master switch on all individual pump circuits
switches shall be set in the "OFF" position before
closing the service station for business; andvi.e.

Pressure system shall incorporate with each turbine,
an indicator light illuminated when the turbine isrunning. Said light shall be visible from the dispensing
pump island, and suitably identifiable as to the system
served.

vii. Class II and III liquids may be dispensed in lubrication or service
station buildings provided that flammable vapors do not reachheating equipments or other sources of ignition. Smoking shallbe prohibited except in designated locations. "NO SMOKING"signs shall be posted conspicuous areas where hazard fromflammable vapors is normally present.

268

viii. No delivery of any flammable or combustible liquid shall bemade into portable containers unless such container is ofapproved material and construction, having a tight closure withscrewed or spring cover, so designed that the contents can bedispensed without spilling. The dispensing of flammable liquids
into fuel tanks of vehicles or into a container shall at all times be
under the supervision of a qualified attendant, except in service
stations not open to the public. Such stations may be used bycommercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing
establishments for fueling vehicles used in connection with theiractivities or operation.
However, personnel of such
establishments shall have knowledge and skills in dispensing
flammable and combustible liquids.
ix. Dispensing Services
ix.a.

Flammable and combustible Class I liquids shall betransferred from underground tanks by means of fixedpumps designed and equipped to allow control of
the flow and to prevent leakage or accidental
discharge. Supplemental means shall be provided
outside of the dispensing device whereby the sourceof power may be readily disconnected in the eventof fire or other related accidents.

ix.b.

Dispensing pumps that take suction at the top of thecontainer shall be of approved type as UL and FM
Listed or other equivalent internationally accepted
standard.

ix.c.

Any device that operates through pressure within astorage tank or container shall not be allowed, unlessthe tank or container has been approved as pressure
vessels. In no case shall air or oxygen pressure beused for dispensing flammable and combustible
liquids.

x. Pumps pressure delivery on service station shall be installed
above grade level outside of buildings and shall be located notless than three meters (3 m) from line of adjoining property ofnoncombustible materials with at least one (1) hour fire
resistance rating or from a property line that abut upon a publicright-of-way or thoroughfare.
x.a.

Pumps installed above grade level shall be mounted
on a concrete foundation and shall be protectedagainst possible damage by vehicles.

269

x.b.

Submersible or subsurface pumps shall be installed inaccordance with approved standards.

xi. Special dispensing device
xi.a.

Approved type are those but not limited to selfservice and remote preset types.
At least one
qualified attendant shall be on duty while the station
is open to the public.
The attendant's primaryfunction shall be to supervise, observe and control
the dispensing of Class I flammable and combustible
liquids. It shall be the responsibility of the attendant to
see to it that the dispensing of Class I liquids are inapproved portable containers.

xi.b.

The attendant or supervisor on duty shall be capableof performing the functions and assuming the
responsibilities covered as mentioned hereof.

xi.c.

Instructions for the operation of dispensers shall be
posted in conspicuous places.

xi.d.

Remote preset type devices are to be in the “OFF”
position while not in use so that dispensers cannot be
activated without the knowledge of the attendant.

xii. If the dispensing of Class I liquids at a service station available
and open to the public is to be done by a person other than
the service station attendant, the nozzle shall be of a listed andapproved automatic closing type.
xiii. Every service station open to the public shall have an attendantor supervisor on duty duly qualified and/or trained by the BFP.
xiv. Piping, Valves and Fittings
xiv.a. Piping valves and fittings shall be designed for theworking pressure and structural stresses to which they
may be subjected. They shall be galvanized orotherwise protected against external corrosion with
an approved material.
All threaded joints orconnections shall be made up tight with the use of an
approved pipe joint sealing compound.
xiv.b. A check or manual valve shall be provided in the
discharge dispensing supply line from the pump witha union between the valve and the same pumpdischarge.

270xiv.c. An approved impact valve, incorporating a fusible
link, designed to close automatically in the event ofsevere impact or fire exposure shall be properly
installed, rigidly mounted, and connected by a unionin the dispensing supply line at the base of eachdispensing device.
xiv.d. After completion of the installation, the system shallbe tested.
xv. All electrical equipment, wiring and wiring devices for service
stations shall comply with the latest edition of the Philippine
Electrical Code (PEC).
xvi. Classified area shall not extend beyond the un-pierce wall orother solid partition as shown in Table 22 below:
Table 22: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT HAZARDOUS AREA SERVICE STATIONSLOCATION

NEC CLASS I,GROUP DDIVISION
1

Underground Tank-fill
Opening2

1
Underground TankVent Discharging
Upward2

Dispenser-Pits

1

Dispenser-Enclosure

1

Dispenser-Outdoor

EXTENT OF CLASSIFIED AREA
Any pit, box or space below gradelevel, any part at which is within the
Division 1 to 2 of classified area
Up to forty six (46) centimeters levelwithin a horizontal radius of three (3)meters from a loosen fill connection andwithin the horizontal radius of one and ahalf (1.5) meters from a tight fillconnection
Within ninety one (91) centimeters ofopen and off vent, extending in all
directions
Area between ninety one (91)
centimeters and one and a half (1.5)
meters of open and off vent, extendingin all directions
Any pit, box or space below grade level,any part of which is within the Division 1
or 2 classified area
The area one and two-tenths (1.2)
meters vertically above grade within theenclosure of forty six (46) meters in all
direction
Up to forty six (46) centimeters above
grade level within six (6) meters
horizontally of any edge of enclosure271

NEC CLASS I,GROUP DDIVISIONLOCATION
Dispenser-Indoor with
Mechanical
Ventilation

2

1
Remote Pump
Outdoor2

1
Remote Pump Indoor

2

1
Lubrication Room

2

Lubrication Room
Dispenser for Class I
Liquids
Special Enclosure
Inside Building per
Sec.23.703 (b)2Up to forty six (46) centimeters above
grade or floor level within seven and sixtenths (7.6) meters horizontally of anyedge of enclosure
Any pit, box or space below grade level
if any part is within a horizontal distant of
three (3) meters from any edge of pumpWithin ninety one (91) centimeters of
any edge of pump, extending in all
directions. Also up to forty six (46)centimeters above grade level within
three (3) meters horizontally from anyedge of pump
Entire area within any pit
Within one and a half (1.5) meters of anyedge of pump, extending, in all
directions. Also up to ninety one (91)
centimeters above floor or grade levelwithin seven and six-tenths (7.6) meters
horizontally from any edge of pump.
Entire area within any pit
Area up to forty six (46) centimeters
above floor or grade level within entire
lubrication room
Within ninety one (91)centimeters, ofany fill or dispensing point, extending inall directions
Entire enclosure

1

Sales Storage and Rest
Rooms

xvii.

EXTENT OF CLASSIFIED AREA

Ordinary

If there is any opening of these rooms
within the extent of an outdoor classifiedarea, the entire room shall be the sameas the area classification at the point of
the opening. If there is any opening ofthese rooms within the extent of anindoor classified area, the room shall beclassified the same as if the wall, curb or
partition did not exit.

Drainage and waste disposal
xvii.a. Flammable or combustible liquids spilled within thepremises of service stations shall not be directly272

discharged into the public sewer and drainage
system or natural waterways.
Precautionary
measures to contain such spill shall be adopted but
not limited to grading driveways or intercepting
canals with trench grating for containment leading toa catch basin with a capacity that canaccommodate the contents of the largest
compartment of the tank vehicle being dispensed.
xvii.b. Used or accumulated residues of flammable or
combustible liquids from separator pits and/or otherequally effective means shall not be dumped on the
ground, into sewers, drainage ditches or storm drains,
but shall be stored in tanks or tight drums outside ofany building until removed from the premises.
xvii.c. Pits intended to contain subsurface pumps or fittingsfrom submersible pumps shall not be longer thannecessary to contain the intended equipment and topermit the free movement of hand tools operated
from above grade.
xvii.d. Pits and covers shall be designed and constructed towithstand the external forces to which they may besubjected. When located above any undergroundtank, at least thirty centimeters (30 cm) of earth orsand cover shall be maintained over the top of thetank.
xvii.e. Pits shall be protected against ignition of vapors by
any of the following methods:•

Sealing the un-pierced cover with mastic or bybolting against a gasket in an approved manner.

•

Filling the pit with a noncombustible inert material.

5. Service stations inside buildings
a. Service stations inside buildings shall be separated from otherportions of the building by wall, partition, floor, or floor-ceilingassemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than two (2)hours.
b. The dispensing area shall be located at street level, with nodispensing device located more than fifteen meters (15 m) fromwhich vehicles exit to, or entrance from, the outside of the building.
Such area shall also be provided with an approved mechanical or
gravity ventilation system. Ventilating systems shall be electricallyinterlocked with Class I dispensing devices so that the same cannot273

be operated unless the ventilating fan motors are energized.
c. Dispensing shall be limited to the area required to serve not morethan four (4) vehicles at a time;d. Where an outside location is impractical, dispensing devices may
be approved inside garages or similar establishments that store,park, service or repair automotive equipment, provided that thefollowing requirements are complied:i.

The dispensing device shall be located in a well ventilated areaof fire-resistive construction, and shall not be less than six meters(6 m) from any activity involving sources of ignition;

ii. It shall be protected against physical damage from vehicles bymounting impact barriers on a concrete island or by equivalentmeans, and shall be located in a position where it cannot be
stuck by vehicle descending a ramp or other slope out ofcontrol; andiii. A remote emergency shutoff electric power to the dispensing
unit and the pump supplying it shall be provided at anaccessible location and shall be clearly labeled as to its
intended purpose.
e. Fire Protectioni.

A minimum classification of Class 5-B, C fire extinguishers shall be
provided and so located that no pump, dispenser or fill-pipe
opening shall be of a greater distance than nine and fifteen
tenths meters (9.15 M) from such extinguishers and shall bereadily accessible where fires are likely to occur.

ii. Placement and size of fire extinguishers shall be in accordancewith Table 23 below.
Table 23: FIRE EXTINGUISHER SIZE AND
PLACEMENT FOR CLASS B HAZARDSType of Hazard
Light (low)Ordinary (moderate)
Extra (high)274

Basic Minimum
Extinguisher
Rating
5-B
10-B
10-B
20-B
40-B
80-B

Maximum Travel
Distance toExtinguishers
(m)
9.15
15.25
9.15
15.25
9.15
15.25

iii. Existing service stations with dispensing areas located below
street level may be permitted, provided that an approved
automatic sprinkler system is installed and the provision ofparagraph e sub-para i above shall be complied.
f.

Safety Precautioni.

The engine of all vehicles being fueled shall be shut-off during
fueling or re-fueling.

ii. Smoking, use of electronic devices and open flames are strictly
prohibited in areas where flammable or combustible liquids are
dispensed.
iii. Signs of the above prohibitions shall be posted within thepremises of the service station. A warning sign shall beconspicuously posted in the dispensing area indicating that it isunlawful and dangerous to dispense gasoline into unapproved
containers.
iv. All vendors using open flames are also prohibited within thepremises.
v. Necessary repairs of the service station involving hotworks shallcomply with the applicable provisions of Division 17 of this IRR.
6. Marine Service Stations
a. Marine service stations shall not be located at bulk plants unlessseparated by a fence or similar barriers from the area in which bulk
operations are conducted.
b. Piers, wharves and floats where flammable or combustible liquid
dispensers are located shall be of fire-resistive construction andimpervious to spills of such liquids and oils within the immediatearea of the dispenser.
c. Flammable and combustible liquids may be stored in approved
portable containers within marine service station buildings. Storageof Class I liquids in approved closed portable containers shall not
exceed thirty-eight liters (38 ℓ) aggregate capacity except withinrooms or buildings approved for such storage or which meet therequirements of ventilation.
d. Class II or III liquids may be stored and dispensed inside marine
service station buildings from approved containers of not morethan four hundred fifty five liters (455 ℓ) capacity, provided that;

275

i.

Tanks, valves, fittings and piping for flammable or combustible
liquids and liquefied petroleum gases are approved for such
use and fully protected from external-corrosion.

ii. There shall be no connection between any aboveground tank
and any underground tank except that aboveground tanks
located in an adjoining bulk plant may be connected bypiping to marine service station underground tanks if, inaddition to valves at the above ground tanks, a valve is also
installed within control of marine service station.
iii. Pipelines of marine service stations attached to piers, wharves
or other structures shall be fully protected against physicaldamage and excessive stresses.
iv. A valve capable of shutting off supply from the shore shall be
provided in each product line at or near the approach of thepier, wharf or other structure and an approved quick throw
valve shall be provided above each flexible connection to stop
flow to float in the event of rupture or such flexible connections.
v. Not more than two flexible connections shall be permitted in
any line leading from any pier or wharf to a float. Whenunusual conditions exist, additional flexible connections may beallowed subject to the approval of the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction.
vi. All commodity piping at marine service stations shall be weldedor welded flanged of steel construction. Screwed piping of fivecentimeters (5 cm) or less in diameter shall be permitted.
vii. Piping systems used in handling Class I liquids shall be grounded
to control stray electrical current.
viii. Testing of piping systems shall be in accordance withapplicable provisions of this IRR on testing.
e. Wharves, piers, or floats at marine service stations shall be used
exclusively for the dispensing or transfer of petroleum products to orfrom marine craft, except that transfer of essential supplies for ship
stores is permitted. Sales of ship stores or merchandise shall not beallowed in an area where fuel is dispensed into the tank of motor
crafts.
i.

Tanks and pumps, other than those integral with approved
dispensing devices that supply flammable or combustible
liquids at marine service stations, shall be located only on shore.
Approved dispensing devices with or without integral pumps
may be located on shore piers of solid fill type, open pier,276

wharves of floating docks, but only upon express permission of
the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
ii. Dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids and liquefied
petroleum gases shall at all times be under the direct control ofcompetent person who is fully aware of the operation,mechanics, and hazards inherent to fueling of boats.
iii. Dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into the fueltanks of marine crafts shall be by means of an approved typehose, equipped with a listed automatic closing nozzle withlatch open device.
iv. Hoses used for dispensing or transferring flammable or
combustible liquids shall be reeled, racked or otherwise
protected from mechanical damage when not in use.
v. Fueling of floating marine crafts other than from a marine
service station is prohibited.
vi. No delivery of any flammable or combustible liquids shall bemade into portable containers unless such containers is ofapproved material and construction, having a tight closure
with screwed or spring cover, so designed that the contents
can be dispensed without spilling.
vii. Liquefied petroleum gas cylinders shall not be filled ordischarged at any petroleum marine service station without firstobtaining written permission from the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction. Approved storage facilities forliquefied petroleum gas cylinders shall be provided.
viii. The dispensing area shall be located away from otherstructures to provide room for safe ingress and egress of crafts
to be fueled. Dispensing units shall, in all cases, be at least six
meters (6 m) from any activity involving fixed sources of ignition.
f.

Fire Prevention Regulationsi.

All marine facilities shall be maintained in a neat and orderly
manner and no accumulation of rubbish or waste oils inexcessive amounts shall be permitted. Any spills of flammableor combustible liquids at or upon the water of marine service
stations shall be reported immediately to the BFP and port
authorities.

ii. Metal containers with tight-fitting or self-closing metal lids shallbe provided for the temporary storage of combustible trash or
rubbish.

277

iii. No vessel or craft shall be allowed to moor or berth at any fueldocks serving a marine services station, except during fueling
operations.
iv. No construction, maintenance, repair or reconditioning work
involving the use of open flames or arcs or spark-producing
devices shall be performed at any marine service station facility
or within fifteen meters (15 m) of the dispensing facilities
including piers, wharves, or floats. The City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction may grant permission in writing to
make repair provided no fueling is done at the pier, wharf, of
float during the course of such emergency repairs.
v. All electrical equipment must comply with the latest edition of
the Philippine Electrical Code as it applies to wet, damp andhazardous location. Clearly identified emergency switches
readily accessible in case of fire at any dispensing unit shall be
provided on each main float and at the shore approach to thepier, wharf or floating dock, to shut off power to all pump
motors from any individual location and reset only from themaster switch. Each switch shall be identified by an approved
sign: "EMERGENCY PUMP SHUTOFF". The master switch shall be
set in the "OFF" position before closing a marine service station.
Pressure system shall incorporate with each turbine an indicatorlight illuminated when the turbine is running. Said lights shall bevisible from the shore approach and from the dispenser
location and suitably identify the system served.
vi. Smoking or open flames shall be prohibited within fifteen meters(15 m) of fueling operations. "NO SMOKING" signs shall be
posted conspicuously within the premises. Such signs shall haveletters not less than centimeters (10 cm) in height on a
background of contrasting color.
vii. Boat owners or operators shall not offer their craft for fuelingunless the tanks being filled are properly vented to dissipate
fumes to the outside atmosphere.
viii. There shall be prominently displayed at the face of each wharf,pier of float at such elevation as to be clearly visible from thedecks of marine craft being fueled, a sign or signs with letters
not less than eight centimeters (8 cm) in height in a
background of contrasting color bearing the following or
equivalent wording:
WARNINGNO SMOKING - STOP ENGINE WHILE FUELING.
SHUT OFF ELECTRICITY. DO NOT START ENGINE UNTIL AFTERBELOW-DECK SPACES ARE VENTILATED

278

g. Fire Protectioni.

Appropriate communication means shall be available forcalling the Fire Department. Such means may consist of a
proprietary alarm system, a firefighters’ alarm box or telephone
not requiring a coin to operate. It must be within meters (30 m)of the premises of a marine service station.

ii. Piers, wharves and floats at marine service stations shall beequipped with wet standpipes connected to a reliable watersupply with piping not less than five centimeters (5 cm) indiameter.
iii. Pipe fittings and joints shall be adequately treated to protect
metal from corrosion. A flexible connection may be permitted
between the dock or pier and any floating deck.
iv. Hose stations shall be equipped with a thirty-eight millimeter (38mm) valve, at least twenty-two meters (22 m) of approved fire
hose, and a combination fog and straight streams shutoff typenozzle.
Hose stations shall be so spaced as to provide
protection to any portion of docks, piers, wharves or floating
crafts. Hose shall be enclosed within a cabinet connected andmounted on a reel or rack for instant use. Hose stations shall belabeled "FIRE HOSE-EMERGENCY USE ONLY". All tests and valvesmust meet the approval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction.
v. Fire extinguishers each having a rating of 20-B, C shall be
provided as follows: One (1) on each float and one (1) on thepier or wharf within seven and a half meters (7.5 m) of the headof the gangway to the float, except that where the office iswithin seven and a half meters (7.5 m) of the gangway or is on
the float, an extinguisher at the head of the gangway need not
be provided.
7. Processing Plants
a. On storage and handling
The manner of storage, handling, dispensing and fire protection of
flammable or combustible liquids in Processing Plants shall comply
with the requirements and standards set forth under bulk and bulk
plants storage, and the requirements and standards on portablestorage. In addition, the following requirements shall also becomplied:

279

i.

Mixing or blending rooms or buildings shall meet the design
requirements set forth under the rule on “Design andConstruction of Inside Storage and Handling Rooms.”

ii. Vessels used for mixing or blending of Class I flammable liquids
shall be provided with self-closing, tight-fitting noncombustible
lids that will control fire within such vessels. Where such devices
are impracticable, approved automatic or manually controlled
fire-extinguishing systems/devices shall be provided.
iii. All equipment, such as vessels, machinery, and piping, wherean ignitable mixture could be present shall be bonded orconnected to a ground. The bond or ground or both shall bephysically applied or shall be inherently present by the nature of
the installation. Electrically isolated sections of metallic piping
or equipment shall be bonded to the other portions of thesystem or individually grounded to prevent the hazardous
accumulation of static electricity.
8. Refineries, Chemical Plants and Distilleriesa. On Storage and Handling
The manner of storage, handling, dispensing and fire protection of
flammable or combustible liquids in Refineries, Chemical Plants andDistilleries shall comply the requirements and standards for bulk andbulk plants storage, requirements and standards on portablestorage. In addition, the following requirements shall also becomplied:i.

Processing units shall be located to at least one side to make it
accessible for the purpose of fire control. Where topographicalconditions are such that flammable or combustible liquids may
flow from a processing area to constitute a fire hazard to otherproperties, provisions shall be made to divert or impound theflow by curbs, drains or other suitable means.

ii. Water shall be available in pressure and quantity sufficient toprovide cooling streams for any unit of any tank in theprocessing area. Hoses and hydrants shall be available insufficient number to provide application for cooling streams.
9. Crude Oil Production
a. On Storage and Handling
The manner of storage and fire protection of flammable or
combustible liquids in crude oil production shall comply thestandards and requirements for bulk and bulk plants storage and280standards and requirements for portable storage. In addition, thefollowing requirements shall also be complied:i.

Oil wells shall have a minimum distance of fifty meters (50 m)from a surface property line.

ii. No oil well shall be drilled within fifty meters (50 m) or one andone half (1-1/2) times the height of the derrick, whichever isgreater from any road or highway or major aboveground utilityline or railroad.
iii. No oil well shall be drilled nor production equipment andstorage tank installed within less than the following setbacks:iii.a.

One hundred sixteen meters (116 m) from an existing
occupied building and/or habitable dwellingiii.b.

One hundred sixteen meters (116 m) from educational
facility, public places assembly and institutional
occupancy

iv. No boiler, fired vessel, heater-breather, open flame device orother potential sources of ignition shall be located nearer thanfifty meters (50 m) to any oil well or storage tank. Vehicles andequipment used in the drilling and well servicing operations are
exempt from the above provision.
v. No sump or other basin for the retention of oil or petroleum
products shall exceed three hundred seventy centimeters (370cm) in width.
vi. No sump or other basin for the retention of oil or petroleum
products, larger than one hundred eighty centimeters (180 cm)
deep shall be maintained longer than sixty (60) days after the
cessation of drilling operations.
vii. Sumps, diversion ditches or depressions used as sumps shall be
securely fenced or covered.
viii. Adequate blowout prevention equipment shall be used on all
well servicing operations. Blowout prevention equipment shallcontain pipe rams that enable closure on the pipe being used.
The choke line and kill lines shall be anchored, tied or otherwise
secured to prevent whipping resulting from pressure surges.
ix. Blowout prevention equipment shall be inspected daily and apreventer operating test shall be performed on each round trip,
but not more than once every twenty-four (24) hours. Notationof operating tests shall be made on the daily report.

281

x. Drilling operations shall not proceed until blowout prevention
equipment are tested and found to be serviceable.
xi. Berms shall be constructed around crude oil and condensate
storage tanks in the absence of remote impounding. It shallenclose an area sufficient to contain at least one hundred fifty
percent (150%) of the largest single tank.
xii. Not more than two (2) crude oil and condensate storage tanks
shall be located within a single berm.
xiii. Berms shall be inspected at regular intervals to maintaincontainment integrity.
xiv. Where soundproofing material is required during oil field
operations, such materials shall be non-combustible. A fireretardant treated material may be used and maintained
subject to the approval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction.
10. Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids
The manner of storage, handling, operation and fire protection in tankvehicle for flammable or combustible liquids shall comply the following
requirements:a. On Storage, Handling and Operationi.

Design and Construction of Tank Vehiclei.a.

Tank vehicles shall be designed, constructed, equipped
and maintained in accordance with NFPA 385, “Standard
for Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquid.”
Design of the tank vehicle shall consider the structural
relationship between the cargo tank, propulsion
equipment, and the supporting members with due regard
to the weight and temperature of the cargo, roadperformance, braking and required ruggedness.
Thegeneral design of the cargo tank and vehicle chassis shallbe arranged to give the best combination of structuralcharacteristics and vehicle performance.

i.b.

The material used in the construction of cargo tanks shallbe compatible with the chemical characteristics of the
flammable and combustible liquids to be transported.

i.c.

If a single cargo tank is divided into compartments ofdifferent specification construction, each compartment282

shall conform to the specification requirements and shallbe identified with a permanent non-corrosive metal plate.
i.d.

Any cargo tank designed for transporting materials at
liquid temperatures above ambient temperatures shallhave a non-corrosive metal warning plate permanently
affixed to the tank or tank frame located conspicuously at
the right side near the front specifying the maximum
allowable cargo temperature. Stamped or embossedcharacters shall be at least thirteen millimeters (13 mm) inheight.

ii. Full Trailers and Semi-Trailers
ii.a. Trailers shall be firmly and securely attached to the vehicle
drawing them, in a manner conforming to accepted
engineering practice.
ii.b. Each full trailer and semi-trailer shall be equipped withreliable brakes on all wheels, and adequate provision shallbe made for their efficient operation from the driver's seatof the vehicle drawing the trailer or semi-trailer.
ii.c. Trailer connections shall be such as to prevent the towed
vehicle from whipping or swerving from side to sidedangerously or unreasonably, and shall cause the trailer tofollow substantially in the path of the towing vehicle.
iii. Operation of Tank Vehicles
iii.a. Tank vehicles shall not be operated unless they are inproper state of serviceability, devoid of accumulation ofgrease, oil or other flammable and from leaks.
iii.b. Drivers shall be thoroughly trained in the operation of tankvehicles and proper procedures for loading andunloading.
iii.c. Dome covers shall be closed and latched while the tankvehicle is in transit.
iii.d. No tank vehicle shall be operated with a cargo
temperature above the maximum allowable cargo
temperature specified on the warning sign.
iii.e. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be loaded only
into cargo tanks whose material used in construction shallbe compatible with the chemical characteristics of theliquid being loaded. The flammable and combustible283

liquid being loaded shall also be chemically compatible
with the liquid hauled on the previous load unless the
cargo tank compartment, piping, pumps, meters and hose
has been thoroughly cleaned and completely drained.
iii.f. Class II or Class III liquids shall not be loaded into a
compartment adjacent to Class I liquids unless double
bulkheads are provided, nor shall chemically noncompatible chemicals be loaded into adjacentcompartments unless separated by double bulkheads.
iii.g. Repair of tank vehicles shall be made with caution. No
repair shall be made when there is presence of hazard
due to combustible vapors nor any loaded tank vehicle
be repaired in a closed garage.
iii.h. Cargo tank shall not be repaired using any method
employing a flame, arc, or other sources of ignition, unlessthe tank is maintained vapor-free or otherwise made safe
in an approved manner.
iv. Loading and unloading tank vehicles
iv.a. Loading and unloading of tank vehicles shall only be done
in approved locations prescribed by the concerned
agency.
iv.b. Flammable or combustible liquid shall not be transferred toor from any tank vehicles, unless the parking brake issecurely set and all other reasonable precautions havebeen taken to prevent motion of the vehicle.
iv.c. The driver, operator or attendant of any tank vehicle shallnot leave the vehicle while it is being filled or discharged.
Delivery hose, when attached to a tank vehicle, shall beconsidered a part of the tank vehicle.
iv.d. Engine of tank vehicles shall be shut down during making
or breaking hose connections. If loading or unloading isdone without the use of a power pump, the tank vehicle
motor shall be shut down throughout such operations.
iv.e. Cargo tank or a compartment thereof used for thetransportation of any flammable or combustible liquid shallnot be loaded liquid full. The unfilled space (outage) in acargo tank or compartment thereof used in thetransportation or combustible liquids shall in no case beless than one percent (1%). Sufficient space (outage) shallbe left vacant in every case to prevent leakage from or284

distortion of such tank or compartment by expansion of
the contents due to rise in temperature in transit.
iv.f. The driver, operator or attendant of any tank vehicle shall,
before making delivery to any tank, determine the unfilledcapacity of such tank by a suitable gauging device. To
prevent overfilling, he shall not deliver in excess of thatamount.
iv.g. During loading, hatch covers shall be secured on allcompartments except in the receiving compartments.
iv.h. Delivery of Class I liquids to underground tanks of morethan three thousand eight hundred liters (3,800 ℓ) capacity
shall be made by means of mechanically tightconnections between the hose and the fill pipe.
iv.i. Where a cargo tank is filled through bottom loading, apositive means shall be provided for loading apredetermined quantity of liquid and an automatic
secondary shut-off control shall be installed in eachcompartment to prevent overfill. The secondary shutoff
control system shall be labeled as to manufacturer andtype and any electrical system used for secondary shut-off
shall be in accordance with Philippine Electrical Code.
iv.j. No material shall be loaded into or transported in a tankvehicle at a temperature above its ignition temperatureunless properly safeguarded in an approved manner.
iv.k. The cargo tank shall be bonded to the fill stem or to somepart of the rack structure, electrically interconnected withthe fill-stem piping, except tank vehicles loading any
flammable or combustible liquids through bottom
connections and tank vehicles used exclusively fortransporting Class II and Class III liquids when loaded at
locations where no Class I liquids are handled.
iv.l. The cargo tank shall be bonded to the fill pipe whenloading. The bond-wire connection shall be made prior to
opening the dome covers. It shall be maintained in place
during the entire filling operation and the dome covers
shall be securely closed before the bond wire is
disconnected from the cargo tank.
iv.m. No external bond-wire connection or bond-wire integral toa hose shall be needed for the unloading of flammableand combustible liquids into underground tanks or when a285

tank vehicle is loaded or unloaded through tightconnections to an aboveground or through bottom
connections.
v. Vapor recovery process
v.a. In all cases where underground tanks are equipped withany type of vapor recovery system, all connections shallbe safe and designed to prevent release of vapors at
grade level and shall remain connected throughout theloading and unloading process.
v.b. For bottom loading vehicles, where vapor recovery is not
required, the tank vapor system shall be open to theatmosphere to prevent pressurization of the tank and thevapor system.
v.c. The vapor recovery connection of the bottom-loadingtank vehicles equipped with a vapor recovery system shallbe used to lead vapor away from the loading area using
terminal vapor recovery system, discharge standpipe, orby opening the tank fill opening (manholes).
v.d. Where a “dry disconnect vapor recovery adapter” is used,provisions shall be made to ensure that the vapor recovery
system is fully vented before unloading to prevent collapseof the tank.
vi. Parking and Garaging
vi.a. No person shall leave a tank vehicle unattended on any
street, highway, avenue or alley;vi.b. No person shall park a tank vehicle at any one point for
longer than one (1) hour except:•

Off a street, highway, avenue of alley.

•

Inside a bulk plant and seven and a half meters (7.5 m)from the property line or within a building approved forsuch use.

•

At other approved locations not less than fifteen
meters (15 m) from any building except those
approved for the storage or servicing of such vehicles.

•

When, in case of breakdown or other emergency, theoperator must leave the vehicle to take necessary
action to correct the emergency.

286

vi.c. Tank vehicles shall not be parked or garaged in any
building other than those specifically approved for suchuse by the concerned agency.
b. On Fire Protection and Other Safety Measuresi.

Tank vehicles used for the transportation of any flammable or
combustible liquids, regardless of the quantity beingtransported, whether loaded or empty shall be conspicuously
and legibly marked. Such markings shall display the following:
i.a.
i.b.
i.c.
i.d.
i.e.
i.f.
i.g.
i.h.
i.i.
i.j.
i.k.
i.l.
i.m.
i.n.

Vehicle manufacturer;
Manufacturer’s serial number;
Date of manufacture;
Original test date;Certificate date;
Design pressure;
Head material;
Shell material;
Weld material;
Lining material;
Nominal tank capacity by compartment;
Maximum product load;
Loading limits;
Unloading limits;

ii. These markings shall not be modified, obstructed, madeinaccessible or unreadable by paints or any fixtures.
iii. Installation of any plate onto the tank with these markings shallnot compromise the safety of the tank.
iv. Placards/ warning signs shall comply with NFPA 704, “Standard
System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for
Emergency Response” and/or other internationally accepted
standard for signage. The size of signage shall measure at least
two hundred seventy three millimeters (273 mm) on both sides
and have a thirteen millimeters (13 mm) inner solid line border.
The text indicating the hazard and the hazard class should be
at least forty-one millimeters (41 mm).
v. In addition to the markings and warning signs, a certification
signed by a responsible official of the manufacturer of the
cargo tank, or from a competent testing agency, certifying thateach cargo tank is designed, constructed, and tested incompliance with NFPA 385, “Standard for Tank Vehicles for
Flammable and Combustible Liquid” and applicable standards
and such certification shall be retained in the files of the carrier287

at all times that such cargo tank is engaged in the transport offlammable and combustible liquids.
vi. Smoking is prohibited while driving, making deliveries, filling or
making repairs to tank vehicles.
vii. While loading or unloading, extreme care shall be taken to
keep away fire and to prevent persons in the vicinity fromsmoking, lighting matches, or carrying any flame or lighted
cigar, pipe or cigarette.
viii. Each tank vehicle shall have at least one (1) unit of twenty
pounds (20 lb) or two (2) units of ten pounds (10 lbs) BC-rating
portable fire extinguisher.
ix. Fire extinguishers shall be kept and maintained in good
operating conditions at all times. They shall be visibly located inan accessible place on each tank vehicle and shall beprotected from damage and impact.
x. Trailer/tank vehicle operators, contractors, drivers, handlers andcrews shall have undergone proper qualification by aconcerned agency.
Crews shall include repair andmaintenance personnel.
B. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance shall be obtained from the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction for the following:
1. Storage, handling or use of Class I flammable liquids in excess of threeand eight tenths liters (3.8 ℓ) in any dwelling or other place of humanhabitation; or in excess of nineteen liters (19 ℓ) in any other building orother occupancy; or in excess of thirty eight liters (38 ℓ) outside of any
building, except:
a. Storage or use of flammable liquids in the fuel tank of a motor
vehicle, aircraft, motorboat, mobile power plant or mobile heating
plant.
b. Liquids used for building maintenance, painting, or other similar
infrequent maintenance purposes shall be permitted to be stored
temporarily in closed containers safely secured outside of storage
cabinets or inside storage area, limited to an amount that does notexceed six (6) days supply at anticipated rates of use.
2. Storage, handling, or use of Class II or III liquids in excess of ninety fiveliters (95 ℓ) in a building; or in excess of two hundred twenty seven liters

288

(227 ℓ) outside a building except for fuel oil used in connection with oilburning equipment.
3. Installation and use of equipment and premises for the storage,
handling, use or sale of flammable or combustible liquids as hereinstipulated. The required permit shall be obtained prior to thecommencement of any work, installation, use of equipment ofpremises for the storage and handling and sale of combustible andflammable liquids.
4. A material safety data sheet (MSDS) shall be a pre-requisite in theapplication of such fire clearance.
5. Prior to removal, abandonment, place temporarily out of service orotherwise disposal of any flammable or combustible liquid tank. For thispurpose a proper disposal and/or abandonment procedure shall be
submitted.
6. Where more than one hundred (100) drums of flammable and/or
combustible liquids are to be stored outside of the buildings, plans ofstorage area and building structures shall be submitted showing
methods of storage, quantities to be stored, distance from buildings
and property lines, access ways between group of drums, fire
protection facilities, and provisions for drainage and runoff.
SECTION 10.3.4.3

GAS

In order to handle variety of gases effectively, consider classification of gases
which based on the physical property and primary use. Gases are classified
as cryogenic, compressed and liquefied.
SECTION 10.3.4.3.1 CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
Cryogenic fluids except those used as refrigerants in refrigerating systems shallbe stored, handled and transported as follows:
A. Storage and Handling
1. Cryogenic Fluids shall be stored inside containers with the following
design:a. Containers used for the storage and handling of cryogenic fluids
shall be in accordance with the materials and design requirements
set forth in the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME)
Code, particularly Chapter 7 for boilers and pressure vessels, or withthe applicable standards of the Department of Energy (DOE)
and/or Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), or other concerned
government agencies.

289

b. Metallic containers shall be built, inspected and tested inaccordance with applicable provisions of the PSME Code for
Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage
Tanks, depending on the temperature and pressure of the productstored.
c. Concrete containers shall be built in accordance with theapplicable provisions of the National Building Code.
Barriermaterials used in connection with concrete but not functioning
structurally shall be made of materials authorized by the PSME
Unfired Pressure Vessel Code.
d. Pressurized containers shall be protected by a pressure-relieving
device or devices. If only one pressure relief device is used, it shallbe set to operate a pressure not to exceed the Maximum
Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP). Additional relief devices may
be set to operate at a higher pressure but shall not exceed one
hundred ten percent (110%) of the MAWP.
i.

Containers that may be subjected to an exposure to fire
hazards shall be protected by pressure relieving devices
designed to protect against excessive pressure caused by such
exposures. Such devices shall be set to operate at a pressure
not in excess of one hundred ten percent (110%) of the MAWP,
and shall have a relieving capacity sufficient to prevent thepressure from rising more than twenty percent (20%) above the
MAWP. If only one device is used, it shall be set to operate at apressure not to exceed the MAWP.

ii. Relief devices shall be located so that they are readily
accessible for inspection and repair and shall be protectedagainst tampering. All relief devices shall be so designed or
located to prevent accumulation of moisture and freezing
which would interfere with the proper operation of the device.
iii. No shutoff valves shall be installed between relief valves andcontainer except that shutoff valves may be used on multiple
valve installations where the arrangement of the valves will
provide the required flow through the relief devices at all times.
iv. Outer containers shall be equipped with pressure and vacuum
relief devices or rupture discs to adequately protect thecontainer.
v. Heat exchangers and similar vessels shall be protected with arelieving device of sufficient capacity to avoid pressure in caseof an internal failure.

290

vi. Safety relief valves shall normally be mounted in a vertical
position and shall not be subjected to low temperature except
when operating.
e. Containers shall be provided with substantial concrete or masonryfoundations, or structural steel supports on firm concrete or
masonry foundations. Foundations and supports shall be of amaterial and design to withstand the low temperature effects ofcryogenic fluid spillage. Structural steel supports, above forty-six
centimeters (46 cm) in height, or flammable cryogenic fluid
container shall be protected with protective coating having a fireresistance rating of two (2) hours.
f.

Horizontal containers shall be so mounted on foundations as topermit expansion and contraction.
Every container shall besupported to prevent the concentration of excessive loads on the
supporting portion of the shell. That portion on the container incontact with foundation or saddles shall be protected against
corrosion.

g. Secure anchorage or elevation of container shall be provided in anarea that may be subjected to flooding.
h. Storage containers, piping, valves, regulating equipment, andother accessories shall be protected against physical damage andagainst tampering.
i.

Containers shall be secured as may be necessary to prevent
shifting or upset.

2. Containers shall be equipped with drainage, dikes and walls having
the following conditions:a. The area surrounding a container for cryogenic fluids shall be diked
to prevent accidental discharge of fluids thereby endangering
adjacent containers, buildings and equipment, adjoining property
or reaching waterways.
b. Drainage shall be provided at a slope of not less than one percent(1%) away from the container towards an impounding basin or an
appropriate means of disposal having a capacity equal to thecontainer being served. This termination area and the route of thedrainage system shall be so located that a fire occurring indrainage system will not seriously endanger adjacent containers orproperty.
c. Where diked areas are utilized to provide the required protection,
the following shall apply:

291

i.

More than one container may be installed in a single area
provided:i.a.

The usable volume of the enclosure shall be at least one
hundred percent (100%) of the capacity of the largest
container enclosed,i.b.

Containers shall be elevated above grade so thatcryogenic liquids will not reach the outside container wallin the event of a liquid spill, ori.c.

If cryogenic liquids can reach the outside container wall,
the material that can be wetted by spilled liquid shall besuitable for use at the temperature of the liquid with thelowest normal boiling point within the enclosure.

ii. Dike walls shall be of earth or other materials compatible to thefluid stored, designed to be liquid tight, and to withstandthermal shock.
iii. The dike and diked area shall be kept clear of all weeds, grass,and other combustible materials.
iv. Containers of cryogenic fluids shall not be located within dikes
enclosing flammable or combustible liquid containers, liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) containers or compressed gas containers.
3. Location of Aboveground Containers with Respect to Exposurea. A cryogenic fluid container or containers with an aggregate
capacity in excess of seven hundred fifteen thousand liters (715,000ℓ) and their loading stations shall be located at a minimum offifteen meters (15 m) from a building utilized for the production ofsuch fluids. Such container or containers and their loading stations
shall be located a minimum of thirty meters (30 ℓ) fromaboveground storage of flammable or noncombustible liquids andfrom any building of such construction or occupancy whichconstitute an exposure of hazard to a container in the event of fireor explosion in said buildings. When the capacity is seven hundred
fifteen thousand liters (715,000 ℓ) or less, the distance required fromaboveground storage of flammable or combustible liquids andbuildings which constitute an exposure to hazard shall be based on
the capacity of the container or containers and the physicalfeatures of the installation with three meters (3 m) being theminimum distance allowed.
b. The minimum distance from the edge of a flammable cryogenic
container having a capacity in excess of seven hundred fifteen
thousand liters (715,000 ℓ), to the nearest building or group of292

buildings not associated with the cryogenic liquid plant, or to theproperty line of public way shall be sixty meters (60 m). In no caseshall the distance from the dike surrounding the container or the
distance from a drainage area be less than thirty meters (30) fromthe nearest building or group of buildings or the property line or
public way.
c. Flammable cryogenic fluid container with a capacity of eleventhousand liters (11,000 ℓ) or less shall be located in accordance with
NFPA 50A, “Standard for Gaseous Hydrogen Systems at Consumer
Sites.”
d. Containers and equipment used in the storage and handling of
liquid oxygen shall be installed and maintained in accordance with
NFPA 55, “Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling ofCompressed and Liquefied Gases in Portable Cylinders.”
4. Installation of Belowground Concrete Containers
a. Belowground concrete containers shall be installed on foundationor support of concrete, masonry piling, steel or a suitablefoundation of aggregate and shall be designed and constructedin accordance with the National Building Code of the Philippines.
b. The container storage area shall be fenced or otherwise protected.
A minimum of two (2) access openings shall be provided and theyshall be of sufficient size to accommodate emergency equipment.
5. Installation of Cryogenic Inground Containers
a. Natural materials such as earth shall be proven to have adequatechemical and physical properties for the construction andoperation of the container at the operating temperature.
b. Containers shall be bottomed out in material naturally
impermeable or made impermeable by other approved means
based on internationally accepted standards.
c. Any foundation, such as those for the superstructure of roof, shallbe properly designed and constructed in accordance with the
National Building Code of the Philippines.
d. The container storage area shall be constructed with masonry
fence or otherwise protected with equally or stronger type of
construction. A minimum of two (2) access openings shall be
provided and they shall be of sufficient size to accommodate
emergency equipment.

293

6. Location of Belowground and Inground Containers with Respect toExposurea. The minimum distance from the edge of belowground andinground flammable cryogenic containers to the nearest importantbuilding, property line or public way from aboveground flammableor combustible liquid shall be in accordance with the Table 24
below:
Table 24: MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM THE EDGE OF BELOWGROUND
AND INGROUND CRYOGENIC CONTAINERS BASED ON CONTAINERCAPACITYCONTAINER CAPACITYMINIMUM DISTANCE
a. Less than one thousand nine a. One hundred fifty five (155)hundred (1,900) liters
centimeters
b. One thousand nine hundred b. Seven and three-fourth (7.75)
meters(1,900) liters to three
thousand eight hundred(3,800) litersc. Over three thousand eightc. Fifteen and a half (15.5)
hundred (3,800) liters
meters
7. Pressure Relief Vent Piping
a. The piping of all relief vents shall be at least equal to the area of
opening of the relief valve and so arranged as not to unduly restrict
the flow.
b. Relief devices and/or relief device vents shall be so arranged thatescaping gas will discharge unobstructed to the open air and not
impinge on personnel, containers, equipment and structures orenter enclosed spaces.
c. Vents shall be installed in such a manner as to exclude or remove
moisture and condensate, and to prevent malfunction due tofreezing or icing. Drains shall be so installed as to prevent possible
flame impingement on the container, piping, equipment andstructures.
8. Dispensing of flammable cryogenic fluids, liquefied, or liquid oxidizers
shall be at a locations not less than one and a half meter (1.5 m) in any
direction away from any exterior source of ignition, openings into
direct-vent (sealed combustion system) appliances, or mechanicalventilation air intakes.

294

9. Piping, Materials and Construction
a. All pipings and materials such as gaskets, thread compound, etc.,
shall be suitable for the intended use through the full range ofpressure and temperature to which they will be subjected,
maintaining a safety factor of four (4) to one (1).
b. The piping system shall be designed and constructed to provide
adequate allowance for expansion, contraction, vibration,
settlement, and fire exposure.
c. Joints on all container piping and tubing over five (5) centimeters innominal diameter shall be made by welding or with welded
flanges.
d. Piping outside buildings may be either buried or aboveground. In
either case, it shall be well supported and protected against
physical damage and corrosion.
e. All piping and tubing shall be tested after installation, at not lessthan one and one-half (1 ½) times hydraulically, or one and one
fourth (1 ¼) times pneumatically, the maximum working pressure
and proven free of leaks.
B. Equipment and Devices
1. All cryogenic containers, equipment and devices used for the storage,
handling and transportation of cryogenic fluids shall be of
approved type. Approved types are those covered with appropriate
certification from its manufacturers and/or certifying authority
concerned.
2. Electrical Equipment
a. Electrical installations and equipment shall conform to theprovisions of the Philippine Electrical Code, equipment
manufacturers’ instruction and/or other applicable international
standards as deemed necessary.
b. Proper lighting, including emergency lights shall be provided for fire
protection appliances and operating facilities such as walkways,
control valves, gauges, and similar devices or servicing facilities forthe cryogenic fluids.
3. Electrical Grounding or Bonding
a. Containers, systems, and equipment used for flammable cryogenic
fluids shall be grounded and/or bonded in accordance with NFPA
77, “Recommended Practice on Static Electricity,” and the295

Philippine Electrical Code. Suitable means shall be taken toprotect the system against corrosion, including corrosion caused bystray electric currents.
b. Containers and systems containing cryogenic fluids shall beequipped with lightning protection when installed outside thebuilding/ structure.
4. Valves and Accessory Equipmenta. All valves and equipment shall be suitable for the intended use at
the temperature of the application and shall be designed for notless than the maximum pressure and the minimum temperature towhich they may be subjected, maintaining a safety factor and four(4) to one (1).
b. Shutoff valves shall be provided on all container connections.
Shutoff valves shall be located as close as practicable to thecontainer.
c. All liquids and vapor connections on flammable cryogenic fluid
containers, except relief and gauging connections over twelve
millimeters (12 mm) pipe size, shall be equipped with check valves,or remotely controlled automatic quick-closing valves, and shallremain closed except during operating periods.
d. Shutoff valves shall be installed in the piping system as needed tolimit the volume of liquids discharged in the event of piping or
equipment failure. Relief valves shall be installed between shutoff
valves in all pipelines.
e. All inlet and outlet connections, except relief valves, liquid level
gauging devices, and pressure gages on any container, shall belabeled to designate whether they are connected to vapor or
liquid space.
C. Warning Labels
1. Warning labels and signs shall be posted visibly from any direction of
approach on cryogenic containers and equipment. In addition, theyshall be properly marked with the name of the specific cryogenic fluid,
manufacturer/ supplier and contact details.
2. The name of the specific cryogenic fluid shall be conspicuously affixedat the entrances to locations where they are stored, handled, used, ordispensed, and at such other locations as may be designated by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.

296

3. Warning labels and signs shall adopt the hazard identification signs as
set forth in NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the
Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response.
4. Signs and markings shall not be obscured or removed,
5. Markings on Containers
Each container shall be identified by the attachment of a nameplatein an accessible place marked with the following information:
a. Builder's name and date built
b. Nominal capacity, in litersc. MAWP
d. Maximum permissible specific gravity of liquid to be storede. Maximum level to which container may be filled with stored liquid
f. Maximum level to which container may be filled with water forcontainer was designed
g. Minimum temperature in degrees Celsius (Centigrade) for whichcontainer was designed
6. Vehicles transporting cryogenic fluids shall be labeled at the front, rearand on each side identifying the product. Labels/placards shall haveletters not less than four inches (4 in) in height using approximately afive-eight inch (5/8 in) stroke. Abbreviations shall not be used. In
addition to the label/placard identifying the product, vehicles shallalso bear "FLAMMABLE GAS”, or “OXIDIZER".
D. Safety Measures
1. Insulation shall be non-combustible and shall be non-reactive withoxygen-enriched air.
2. A positive alarm or other approved device based on internationallyaccepted standard shall be provided to warn against overfilling.
3. Vehicles transporting cryogenic fluids shall be equipped with at leastone (1) unit of approved type fire extinguisher, with a minimum rating
20-B, C; and with adequate chock blocks.
E. Fire Safety Clearance
1. A Fire Safety Clearance shall be obtained from the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction, for the following:a. Manufacture, storage or sale of cryogenic fluids;b. Transportation on the highway of flammable cryogenic fluids inexcess of four hundred fifty liters (450 ℓ);

297

c. Transportation on the highway of liquefied oxygen or cryogenic
oxidizers in excess of four hundred fifty liters (450 ℓ).
d. Storage and transporting of non-flammable nontoxic cryogenic
fluids in excess of one thousand nine hundred liters (1,900 ℓ).
e. Storage or use of more than thirty eight liters (38 ℓ) of liquefied
oxygen, flammable cryogenic fluids or cryogenic oxidizers.
2. Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) shall be a pre-requisite to theissuance of the required Fire Safety Clearance.
Table 25: PROPERTIES OF CRYOGENIC FLUIDS°C°F-269.9-268.9-252.7249.5

453.8-452.0-422.9VOLUMEEXPANSION TO
GAS
757 TO 1
757 TO 1
851 TO 1-417.1...

YES

TRITIUM-248.0-414.4

...

YES

NEON
NITROGENCARBONMONOXIDE
FLUORINE-245.9-195.8-410.6-320.4

1,438 TO 1
696 TO 1

NO
NO

NO(A)
NO(A)
NO(A)
RADIOACTIVE
RADIOACTIVE
NO(A)
NO(A)

-192.0-313.6

...

YES

YES

NO

-187.0185.7
183.0-161.4-151.8-304.6

888 TO 1

NO

YES

SHARP

-302.3847 TO 1

NO

NO(A)

NO

-297.4860 TO 1

NO

NO(A)

NO

258.5
-241.2578 TO 1
700 TO 1

YES
NO

NO(A)
NO(A)

NO
NO

-128.0-198.0

...

NO

YES

NO

-111.9-109.1103.8-100.3-89.5-88.3-169.4-164.4...
573 TO 1

YES
NO

YES
NO(A)

YES
NO

-154.8

...

YES

NO(A)

SWEET

-148.5-129.1-126.9...
666 TO 1
...

NO
NO
YES

YES
NO(A)
NO(A)

PUNGENT-85.0-121.0

...

NO

YES

PUNGENT-84.0-119.2

...

YES

YES

GARLICGASHELIUM-3
HELIUM-4
HYDROGEN
DEUTERIUM

ARGON
OXYGENMETHANEKRYPTONTETRAFLUOROMETHANE
OZONE
XENON
ETHYLENE
BORON TRIFLUORIDENITROUS OXIDEETHANEHYDROGENCHLORIDE
ACETYLENE

BOILING POINT

298

FLAMMABLE
NO
NO
YES

TOXIC

ODOR
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO

SWEET
NO

GAS
FLUOROFORM
1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENECHLOROTRIFLUOROMETHANE
CARBON DIOXIDE

°C

°F

-84.0

-119.2

VOLUMEEXPANSION TO
GAS
...

-83.0

-117.4

...

YES

NO(A)

ETHER

-81.4

-114.5

...

NO

YES

MILD

-78 5(B)-109.3553 TO 1

NO

YES(A)

PUNGENTBOILING POINT

FLAMMABLE

TOXIC

ODOR

NO

NO(A)

NO

0°C = 32°F.
(A) NONTOXIC, BUT CAN ACT AS AN ASPHYXIANT BY DISPLACING AIR NEEDED TOSUPPORT LIFE. AS WITH MOST CHEMICALS, EVEN HARMLESS MATERIALS CAN BE TOXICOR POISONOUS IF TAKEN IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES UNDER THE RIGHTCIRCUMSTANCES.
(B) SUBLIMES.

SECTION 10.3.4.3.2 MEDICAL AND RELATED COMPRESSED GASES
Medical and related compressed gasses such as flammable anesthetic; nonflammable medical gases in hospitals, medical schools, laboratories andsimilar facilities; bulk oxygen in industrial and healthcare consumer sites; andother compressed gases of similar and related uses shall be stored, handled,transported and manufactured as follows:
A. On Storage and Handling
1. All compressed gas containers, shall be stored in an upright position
with the valve end up. For non-liquefied gases, the axis of thecontainer shall be limited to forty-five degrees (45˚) from the verticalprovided that it is properly secured except, when it is empty, its
content is less than five liters (5 ℓ) or the container is designed for use ina horizontal position.
2. Racks or fastenings shall be made to protect cylinders from accidental
damage or dislocation.
3. Indoor and outdoor storage of compressed gases shall comply withthe material-specific requirements provided in the MSDS or
manufacturer’s technical specifications/ data or other applicableprovisions of this IRR.
4. Indoor storage, use areas and storage buildings shall be provided withmechanical exhaust ventilation or natural ventilation.
Whenmechanical ventilation is provided, the system shall be operational
during such time as the building or space is occupied.

299

5. Compressed gases shall be stored in areas dedicated to the storageof such gases without other storage or uses.
If containers ofcompressed gases in quantities greater than the maximum allowable
quantity per control area, said containers shall be stored in a room ora gas cabinet with two (2) hour resistance rating located insidebuildings or structures, with the following conditions:a. For rooms:i.

Openings between the room and interior spaces shall beprotected by self-closing smoke and draft-control assemblies
having a fire protection rating of not less than 2 hours.

ii. Rooms having exterior walls shall be provided with at least twovents in such walls, each having not less than twenty threehundredths square meter (0.023 m2) free area. One vent shallbe within one hundred fifty two millimeters (152 mm) of the floor
and one shall be within one hundred fifty two millimeters (152mm) of the ceiling.
iii. Rooms with no exterior walls shall be exhausted through a duct
to the outdoors. Supply and exhaust ducts shall be enclosed ina one (1) hour rated shaft enclosure from the room to the
outdoors.
iv. Approved mechanical ventilation shall comply with therequirements of the Philippine Mechanical Code and be
provided at a minimum rate of five hundred eight thousandthcubic meter per second per square meter [0.00508 m3/(s·m2)]of the area of the room.
v. Rooms shall be protected by an approved, supervised sprinkler
system.
b. For gas cabinets:i.

The average velocity of ventilation at the face of access ports
or windows shall not be less than sixty one meters per second(61 m/s), with a minimum of forty six meters per second (46 m/s)
at any point of the access port or window to maintain thetemperature of the cylinders at fifty four degree Celsius (54°C).

ii. Connected to an exhaust system.
iii. Internally protected by a sprinkler system.
6. The storage of compressed gases located outdoors in quantities
greater than the allowable amount shall be located as shown in the
figure;300

Figure 1: STORAGE OF COMPRESSED GASES OUTDOORS

These distances do not apply where protective structures
having fire resistance rating of two (2) hours interrupt theline-of-sight between un-insulated portions of the bulk
oxygen storage installation and the exposure. The protective
structures protect un-insulated oxygen storage containers or
supports, control equipment, and system piping (or parts
thereof) from external fire exposure. Liquid oxygen storage
containers are insulated. Such containers may provide lineof-sight protection for un-insulated system components.
Interruption of the line-of-sight means that an “eye” on any
part of the un-insulated portion of the bulk oxygen storage
installation cannot “see” any part of the exposure.

301

7. Cylinders on Medical Gas Storage containing compressed gases andcontainers for volatile liquids shall be kept away from radiators, steam
piping, and like sources of heat. When cylinder valve protection caps
are supplied, they shall be secured tightly in place unless the cylinder isconnected for use. Containers shall not be stored in a tightly closed
space such as a closet.
8. Compressed gas systems shall be suitable for the intended use,
designed and installed by qualified practitioners recognized by the
BFP. For this purpose, training certificate of the person in charge shallbe required prior to the issuance of the fire clearance by the BFP.
9. Materials, devices and appurtenances used in compressed gas
systems shall comply with the DTI Product Standards or covered by an
International Commodity Clearance (ICC). This does not limit the useof other materials, devices and appurtenances that are legallyacquired and complying with other internationally accepted
standards, qualified and recognized by the Chief, BFP.
10. Compressed gas system controls shall be so designed to prevent
materials from entering or leaving process or reaction systems at otherthan the intended time, rate or path. Automatic controls shall be
designed to be fail-safe.
11. Piping, including tubing, valves, fittings and pressure regulators, shallcomply with the requirements of hazardous materials and chemicals
handling.
Piping, tubing, pressure regulators, valves and otherapparatus shall be kept gas-tight to prevent leakage. Adequate
pressure-relief devices shall be provided where refrigerated liquefied
gas can become trapped in the piping.
12. Valves utilized on compressed gas systems shall be suitable for the use
intended and shall be accessible. Valve handles or operators forrequired shutoff valves shall not be removed or otherwise altered toprevent access or hinder operation.
13. Venting of gases shall be directed to an approved location. Venting
shall comply with the requirements of the Philippine Society of
Mechanical Engineering (PSME) Code.
14. Compressed gas containers, except those designed for use in ahorizontal position, and all compressed gas containers containing nonliquefied gases, shall be used in an upright position with the valve end
up. The axis of a container being used in an upright position may be
inclined as much as forty-five degrees (45˚) from the vertical provided
that it is properly secured. Use of nonflammable liquefied gases in the
inverted position when the compressed gas is in the liquid state shall302

be allowed provided that the container is properly secured and thedispensing apparatus is designed for such liquefied gas use.
Exception: compressed gas containers with an internal volume lessthan five thousandth cubic meter (0.005 m3) may be used in ahorizontal position.
15. The handling of compressed gas containers shall comply with thefollowing requirements:
a. Carts and trucks. Containers shall be moved using an approved
method. Where containers are moved by hand cart, hand truck orother mobile device, such carts, trucks or devices shall be designed
for the secure movement of containers. Carts and trucks utilized formoving compressed gas containers outdoors shall be so designedthat the containers will be secured against dropping or otherwise
striking against each other or other surfaces.
b. Lifting of containers. Ropes, chains or slings shall not be used tosuspend compressed gas containers unless such containers havebeen designed for such handling. Valves of compressed gas
containers shall not be used for lifting.
16. Compressed gas containers, equipment and devices used for the
storage, handling and transportation of compressed gases shall be of
approved type.
17. Approved containers, equipment or devices are those covered withappropriate certification from its manufacturers and/or certifying
authority concerned.
18. Electrical installations and equipment shall conform to the provisions of
the Philippine Electrical Code, equipment manufacturers’ instruction
and/or other applicable international standards as deemednecessary.
19. Proper lighting, including emergency lights shall be provided toilluminate fire protection appliances and operating facilities such as
walkways, control valves, gauges, and similar devices or servicing
facilities for the compressed gas
20. Lighting equipment and facilities shall be of explosion proof type.
21. Container design and construction shall be maintained as follows:a. Compressed gas containers shall be designed and fabricated inaccordance with the specifications of the PSME Boiler and Pressure
Vessels Code or shall comply with appropriate standards of the
DOE and DTI.

303

b. Compressed gas containers that are not designed for refillable use
shall not be refilled after use of the original contents.
c. Partially full compressed gas containers containing residual gases
shall be considered as full for purposes of the controls required.
B. On Manufacturing
1. The compressor air intake shall be located where no contaminationfrom engine exhausts, fuel storage vents, vacuum system discharges,
particulate matter, or odor of any type is anticipated.
2. The intake to medical air compressors shall be located outdoors
above roof level at a minimum distance of three meters (3 m) fromany door, window, exhaust, other intake, or opening in the building,and a minimum distance of six meter (6 m) above the ground. Intakes
shall be turned down and screened or otherwise be protected against
the entry of vermin or water, with screening that shall be fabricated orcomposed of a non-corrosive material such as stainless steel or othersuitable material.
3. Ventilating systems having fans with motors or drive belts located in the
air stream shall not be used as a source of medical air intake.
4. Two or more compressors shall be installed as alternate forsimultaneous demand. Compressors shall be sized to serve peakdemand with the largest compressor out of service.
5. A device shall be provided to automatically activate the additional
compressors if the unit in operation is incapable of adequately
maintaining pressure. A signal indicating that the reserve compressor is
running shall operate a local audio and visual alarm and serve toactivate remote master alarms.
6. Compressors shall be provided with automatic or manual alternation
to allow division of operating time. If automatic alternation ofcompressors is not provided, the facility shall arrange a proper
schedule for manual alternation.
7. Each compressor shall be provided with a dedicated disconnect
switch, motor starting device, and overload protection.
The
disconnect switches shall be installed in the electrical circuit ahead ofeach motor starter. Where compressor systems having two or morecompressors employ a control transformer or other voltage control
power device, at least two such devices shall be provided. Control
circuits shall be arranged in such a manner that the shutdown of one
compressor does not interrupt the operation of another compressor.
8. Inflatable equipment, devices or balloons shall be pressurized or filled
only with nonflammable gases.

304

9. Containers, systems, and equipment used for flammable compressed
gases shall be grounded and/or bonded in accordance with thePhilippine Electrical Code. Suitable means shall be taken to protect
the system against corrosion including corrosion caused by strayelectric currents.
10. Containers and systems containing compressed gas under pressure
are not required to be equipped with lightning protection.
11. Compressed gas containers and systems shall be secured andprotected against physical damage and tampering, andunauthorized entry and safeguarded in accordance with thefollowing:a. Physical protection. Compressed gas containers and systems that
could be exposed to physical damage shall be protected. Barriers,
posts and/or other approved means of protection shall be
provided to protect containers, systems indoors, and outdoors fromany hazards and/or damages.
b. Securing compressed gas containers. Compressed gas containers
shall be secured to prevent movement from contact, vibration orseismic activity, utilizing one or more of the following methods:i.

Securing containers to a fixed object with one or morenoncombustible restraints. Containers shall not be secured toplumbing systems or electrical conduits.

ii.

Securing containers on a cart or other mobile device designed
for the movement of compressed gas containers.

iii.

Nesting of compressed gas containers at container filling orservicing facilities or in seller’s warehouses not accessible to the
public shall be allowed provided the nested containers, if
dislodged, do not obstruct any required means of egress.

iv.

Securing of compressed gas containers to or within a rack,framework, cabinet or similar assembly designed for such use,
except when the containers are in the process of examination,
filling, transport or servicing.

v.

Securing stationary compressed gas containers to a foundation
designed for such use in accordance with the construction
codes.

c. Valve protection. Compressed gas container valves shall beprotected from physical damage by means of protective caps,
collars, plugs or similar devices provided for the purpose. These
devices shall always be in place except when the containers are inuse or are being serviced or filled.

305

d. Separation from hazardous conditions. Compressed gas containers
and systems in storage or use shall be separated from materials
and conditions that present potential hazards to them, or to which
they present potential hazards. Separation shall be by fire barrier oftwo (2) hours fire resistance rating and /or distance as shown Figure
1.
C. On Fire Protection and Markings
1. A written emergency plan to be implemented in the event of spill or
leak shall be prepared, maintained on the premises and madeavailable at all times.
2. Automatic fire extinguishment and fire detection systems, whererequired, shall be connected to the facility fire alarm system and shallbe arranged to immediately sound an alarm.
3. Vehicles shall be labeled at the front, rear and on each side identifying
the product labels/placards which shall have letter not less than one
hundred two millimeters (102mm) in height using approximately asixteen millimeters (16mm) stroke. Abbreviations shall not be used. A
sign bearing the words “COMPRESSED GAS” or similar wording small be
posted on vehicles transporting compressed gases.
4. Vehicles shall be equipped with not less than one (1) approved type offire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 20-B and C.
5. Vehicles shall be equipped with adequate chock blocks.
6. Outdoor storage shall display precautionary sign, readable from a
distance of one and five tenths meter (1.5 m) the following words:“CAUTIONOXIDIZING GASES STORED WITHINNO SMOKING
NO OPEN FLAME”
7. Stationary compressed gas containers shall be properly marked asfollows:
a. The name of the gas shall be visible from any direction of
approach.
b. Hazard identification signs as set forth in NFPA 704, “Standard
System for the Identification pf the Hazards of Materials for
Emergency Response” for the specific material contained shall beconspicuously affixed on stationary containers and abovegroundtanks and at entrances to locations where compressed gases are
stored, handled or used, including dispensing.

306

c. Signs reading “COMPRESSED GAS” shall be conspicuously posted at
the entrance to rooms or on cabinets containing compressed
gases.
8. Portable compressed gas containers shall be marked in accordancewith the standards prescribed by DTI and DOE.
9. Markings used for piping systems shall consist of the name of thecontents and include an arrow indicating direction of flow. Markings
shall be provided at each valve; at wall, floor or ceiling penetrations;at each change of direction; and at a minimum of every six thousand
ninety six millimeters (6096 mm) or fraction thereof throughout thepiping run.
10. Piping that is designed or intended to carry more than one
compressed gas at various times shall have appropriate signs ormarkings posted at the manifold, along the piping and at each pointof use to provide clear identification and warning.
11. Piping within gas-manufacturing plants, gas-processing plants andsimilar occupancies shall be marked in an approved manner.
12. Out-of-service compressed gas containers shall be marked to indicatethat they are no longer available for service.
D. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance shall be obtained from the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction, for the following:
1. Manufacture, storage or sale of compressed gases.
2. Transportation on the highway of flammable compressed gases inexcess of four hundred fifty liters (450 ℓ).
3.

Transportation of non-flammable compressed gases in excess of one
thousand nine hundred liters (1,900 ℓ).

4. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a prerequisite in the applicationof such Fire Safety Clearance.
SECTION 10.3.4.3.3 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
The storage, handling, transportation and protection of Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (LPG) and the installation of all equipment related to its use shall comply
the following requirements
A. On Storage and Handling307

1. Storage containers for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shall be
designed, fabricated, tested and marked or stamped in accordancewith the applicable Philippine National Standards (PNS) and/or U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, or ASME Boiler andPressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, “Rules for the Construction of Unfired
Pressure Vessels”, or API-ASME Code for Unfired Vessels for Petroleum
Liquids and Gases for bulk, stationary and portable containers.
2. No person shall install or maintain any LPG container, or operate any
tank vehicle used for the transportation of LPG without a permit fromthe Department of Energy (DOE) and other concerned government
agencies.
3. For the installation of portable LPG containers exceeding four hundred
fifty four liters (454 ℓ) water capacity but not more than four thousand
five hundred forty liters (4,540 ℓ) water capacity, the installer shallsecure a Fire Safety Clearance from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction. In case of a single container or the aggregate ofinterconnected containers exceeding four thousand five hundred forty
liters (4,540 ℓ) water capacity, the installer shall submit plans to thesame BFP Official concerned.
4. No person shall install or maintain an LPG container with a capacity offour thousand five hundred forty liters (4,540 ℓ) or less, within seven anda half meters (7.5 m) of any open flame device outside of buildings,
nor shall any person install or maintain any such container with acapacity in excess of four thousand five hundred forty liters (4,540 ℓ)within fifteen meters (15 m) of any such open flame device.
5. Installers shall maintain a record of all installations including those forwhich permits are not required by para “A” 3 above, but not including
the installation of gas burning appliances and the replacement of
portable cylinders and have it available for inspection by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
6. In heavily populated or congested commercial areas, the aggregate
capacity of LPG shall not exceed eight thousand liters (8,000 ℓ) watercapacity except that in particular installations, this capacity limit may
be altered at the discretion of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction, after consideration of special features such as proximity tobuilding, capacity of proposed tanks, degree of private fire protection
to be provided, facilities of the Local BFP Office, and provisions of local
zoning ordinances.
7. Multiple container installation with a total storage of more than six
hundred eighty thousand liters (680,000 ℓ) water capacity or
approximately five hundred sixty seven thousand liters (567,000 ℓ) LPG
capacity, shall be subdivided into groups of six hundred eighty

308

thousand liters (680,000 ℓ) or five hundred sixty seven thousand liters(567,000 ℓ) LPG capacity in each group. Such groups shall beseparated by a distance of not less than fifteen meters (15 m) unlessthe tanks are:a. Mounted in an approved manner;b. Protected with approved insulation on such areas that may besubject to impingement of ignited gas from pipelines or otherleakage;c. Protected by firewalls of approved construction,d. Protected by an approved system for the application of water; ore. Protected by other approved means.
Where one of these forms of protection is provided, the separation
shall not less than seven and a half meters (7.5 m) between suchcontainer groups.
8. Storage and transportation of LPG, and the installation of all pertinentequipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA
58, “Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code.”
9. Containers installed outside of buildings, whether of the portable typereplaced on a cylinder exchange basis or permanently installed andrefilled at the installation, shall be located with respect to the adjacentcontainers, important building, group of buildings, or line of adjoining
property that can be built upon, in accordance with Table 26:
Table 26: MINIMUM DISTANCES OF LPG CONTAINERS OUTSIDEBUILDINGS, BY WATER CAPACITYWATER CAPACITY PERCONTAINER(in liters)
Less than 500
500 to 1,000
Above 1,000 to 1,900
Above 1,900 to 7,600
Above 7,600 to 11,400
Above 11,400 to 26,500
Above 26,500 to 34,100
Above 34,100 to 45,400
Above 45,400 to 75,700
Above 75,700 to 378,500
Above 378,500

MINIMUM DISTANCES (in meters)
Mounded orAboveground
Between
UndergroundContainers
Containers
Containers
3
0
0
3
3
0
3
3
1
3
7.6
1
15
15
1.5
15
23
15
30
¼ of sum of
15
38
diametersofadjacent
15
61
containers
15
91
15
122

309

10. No stationary storage tank shall be less than three meters (3 m) fromthe nearest street line or sidewalk.
11. No person shall fill or maintain an LPG container with LPG in excess ofthe fixed outage gauge installed by the manufacturer or the weightstamped on the tank.
12. Outside bulk LPG storage and filling stations
a. All LPG cylinders shall be provided with pressure relief valves, valve
stem caps, protective collars and foot rings and shall be able towithstand the internal pressures in accordance with ASME Code on
Unfired Pressure Vessels.
b. Filling empty cylinders or transferring of LPG from one container toanother is prohibited in areas outside authorized LPG bulk storage
and filling facilities.
c. Each delivery of LPG cylinders/tanks to replace empty ones at theend user’s premises shall be accompanied by duly qualified
technicians by concerned government agencies, who shallconduct a thorough test of the operable condition of the LPG
appliance/set and the integrity of all its components/assemblies. If
a defect is found, the empty LPG tank shall not be replaced, unlessthe defect is corrected.
B. On Transportation
1. The parking and garaging of tank vehicles used for the transportationof LPG shall comply with the provisions on parking and garaging of
Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
2. During the unloading or transfer of LPG, the tank truck shall be locatedor parked clear of a public thoroughfare, unless:a. The failure to transfer would create a hazard; orb. It is impossible due to topography.
3. LPG tank/cylinders shall be stacked in upright position and tied
securely to the vehicle. Where two or more layers of cylinders aretransported, such layers shall be provided with damage protection to
separate one layer from the other. In no case shall filled cylinders beloaded on its side.
4. Trailer/tank vehicle operators, contractors, drivers, handlers and crews
shall undergo proper qualification by concerned agency. Crews shall
include repair and maintenance personnel.

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C. Equipment and Appliances
1. All LPG equipment including such equipment installed at utility gas
plants shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of NFPA 59,"Liquefied Petroleum Gases at Utility Gas Plant", manufacturer’s
instructions, applicable codes or practices and other internationallyaccepted standards, in addition to those explicitly prescribed in thisIRR.
2. LPG shall not be used for operating any device or equipment unlesssuch equipment or device is approved for use with LPG.
3. Delivery of LPG stove, burner, rotisseries and other LPG appliances toan end-user shall be accompanied by a technician duly trained andqualified by the Philippine Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association(PLPGA), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Association (LPGIA) and/orthemanufacturer,
who
shall
personallyinstalltheequipment/appliance and teach the user on its safe use andmaintenance.
4. LPG shall not be released to the atmosphere except through anapproved liquid level gauge or other approved device.
5. Whenever the use of LPG equipment has been discontinued, they shallbe abandoned in an approved manner within a period of thirty (30)days after securing a fire clearance from the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction.
6. Recommended abandonment procedures, which shall have priorapproval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, shall be
as follows:a. Removal of all LPG equipment.
b. Burn-off of the contents of containers.
c. Venting contents of containers to the atmosphere when the
discharge of gas can lead to a safe point of discharge,
d. All service openings shall be capped or plugged after contents
have been removed from the container.
D. On Fire Protection and Other Safety Measures
1. No person shall smoke nor install nor maintain any open flame devices
outside of buildings within seven and a half meters (7.5 m) of any LPG
container of four thousand five hundred forty liters (4,540 ℓ) capacity orless, nor within fifteen meters (15 m) of any such container over fourthousand five hundred forty liters (4,540 ℓ) capacity.

311

2. No person shall tamper with or make ineffective the safety devices of
any LPG container.
3. All weeds, grass, brush, trash or other combustible materials shall be
kept at a minimum of three meters (3 m) away from all LPG tanks orcontainers.
4. In some installations, LPG cylinders are placed in compartments near
the appliances. Such compartments, whether or not integral to theappliance, shall be aired/ventilated periodically during the day. No
combustible or spark-producing objects shall be stored within the said
compartments.
5. LPG cylinders shall not be placed directly adjacent to electricalconvenience outlets and/or switches.
6. As a precaution, if the burner does not have an automatic igniter, alighted matchstick shall be placed on the burner before the gas knob
is turned on.
7. Tank/cylinder valves/regulators
appliance is used.

shall

be

closed

after

the

LPG

8. All provisions of the Safety Code of the PLPGA, which are notinconsistent with this IRR shall be adopted. In case of variance, thestricter provision shall be applied.
9. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall inspect LPG
installations to determine if the provisions of this IRR are being complied
with.
E. Fuel Gas Applications
In addition to the above cited provisions on LPG, the fire safety measures
for fuel gas applications shall comply with the applicable provisions of
Chapter 11 of NFPA 58 “Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code”, Philippine
National Standards (PNS) No. PNS/DOE FS 3:2006 ICS 75.200 “Auto-LPG
Dispensing Station”; Department of Energy (DOE) Circular No. DC2007-020002 “Providing for the Rules and Regulations Governing the Business ofSupplying, Hauling, Storage, Handling, Marketing and Distribution ofLiquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for Automotive Use” and applicable
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Rules andRegulations, and Standards that cover the following:
1. Power units to drive automotive vehicles and trucks and to operate
forklifts or other industrial equipment;
2. Portable engines, such as floor maintenance machines or portableelectrical generators; and312

3. Stationary engines, such as gas or electric turbines.
F. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance for the installation, storage, handling, sale,maintenance and transportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shallbe obtained from City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.3.5.3.4 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS AS VEHICLE FUEL
This Section shall govern the storage, installation, operation, repair andmaintenance, fire protection and other safety measures of compressed
natural gas (CNG) engine fuel systems on vehicles of all types, including thefollowing:•••

Original equipment manufacturers (OEM);
Vehicle converters; andVehicle fuelling (dispensing) systems.

A. General CNG and Equipment Qualifications
1. Containers shall be for CNG service, and its repair or alteration inaccordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and/or
manufacturer’s instruction. It shall be fabricated either of steel,aluminium, or composite materials, designed and permanently
marked “CNG” by the manufacturer.
2. Each container or cylinder shall be fitted with one or more pressure
relief devices of approved type and whose discharge flow rate shallnot be reduced below that required for the capacity of the container
upon which the device is installed.
3. Pressure relief devices shall be appropriately installed, located,
protected, repaired, adjusted, and tested in accordance with theaforementioned ASME Code and manufacturer’s instruction.
4. A pressure gauge, if provided, shall be capable of reading at least 1.2
times the system design pressure. Such gauge shall have an opening
not to exceed one and four-tenths millimeters (1.4 mm) (No. 54 drillsize) at the inlet connection.
5. A pressure regulator inlet and each chamber service pressure shall bewith a pressure safety factor of at least 4. Its low-pressure chambers
shall provide for overpressure relief or shall be able to withstand theservice pressure of the upstream pressure chamber.
6. Pipes, tubing, fittings, gaskets, and packing material for fuel lines shallbe compatible with the fuel under the service conditions. Such shallbe capable of withstanding a hydrostatic test of at least four times the313

rated service pressure without structural failure. The fabrication andtesting shall be in accordance with ANSI/ASME B31.3, “Chemical Plant
and Petroleum Refinery Piping”. Piping components such as strainers,
snubbers, and expansion joints shall be permanently marked by the
manufacturer to indicate the service ratings.
7. Valves or shutoff valves shall have a rated service pressure not lessthan the rated service pressure of the entire system and shall becapable of withstanding a hydrostatic test of at least four times the
rated service pressure without rupture. Leakage shall not occur at notless than one-and-a-half (1.5) times the rated service pressure, using
dry air as the test medium. The valve body shall bear the permanentmarking of “CNG”, service ratings and ASTM or internationallyaccepted standards adopted by the manufacturer.
8. Hose, metallic hose, flexible metal hose, tubing, and their connections
shall be resistant to corrosion and exposure to natural gas and canresist the most severe pressures and temperatures expected undernormal operating conditions with a burst pressure of at least four (4)times the service pressure. Hose and metallic hose shall be distinctly
marked by the manufacturer indicating its name or trademark,applicable service identifier, and design pressure.
9. Vehicle fuelling connection devices shall be of the approved typecomplying with applicable ASME Code and other internationallyaccepted standards. The use of adapters shall be prohibited.
B. Engine Fuel Systems
1. Storage and Installationa. The storage, installation, inspection, testing, repair andmaintenance, and safety measures of CNG fuel supply systems forvehicular internal combustion engines shall comply with NFPA 52,
Vehicular Fuel Systems Code, manufacturer’s instructions and otherinternationally accepted standards.
b. Aluminum or copper pipe, tubing, or fittings shall not be used
between the fuel container and the first-stage pressure regulator.
c. Fuel supply containers its piping, fittings, and valves located within,
below or above the driver or passenger compartment shall beprotected with a means to prevent damage that can occur due toroad hazards, loading, unloading, direct sunlight, exhaust heat,and vehicle use including accidental cargo leakage.
d. No portion of a fuel supply container or container appurtenanceshall be located ahead of the front axle or behind the point of
attachment of the rear bumper to the vehicle. Container valves314

shall be protected from physical damage using the vehicle
structure, valve protectors, or a suitable metal shield. The cylinder
shall also be protected from accidental contact with overheadelectrical wiring by metallic or non-metallic covers.
e. Containers that are installed behind a rear axle of a CNG vehicle
shall be installed transversely.
Exception: Containers shall be permitted to be installed in otherorientations where the container valve and fittings are located at
the end of the container most protected from a source of impact.
f.

Each container rack shall be secured to the vehicle body, bed, orframe to prevent damage from road hazards, slippage, loosening,or rotation using a method capable of withstanding a static force
in the six principal directions of eight times the weight of a fullypressurized container(s).
The container weight shall not be
supported by outlet valves, manifolds, or other fuel connections.

g. Each fuel supply container in the rack shall be secured to its cradlein such a manner that it is capable of withstanding a static force
applied in the six principal directions of eight times the weight of
the fully pressurized container with a maximum displacement ofthirteen millimeters (13 mm).
h. Fuel supply containers located less than two hundred millimeters(200 mm) from the exhaust system shall be shielded against direct
heat.
i.

The mounting system shall minimize fretting corrosion between thecontainer and the mounting system. A resilient gasket that does notretain water shall be installed between metal clamping bands andtheir supports and container. The resilient gasket shall provide
insulation to protect clamping bands from galvanic corrosion incontact with carbon fiber containers.

j.

Containers located in a vehicle compartment capable ofaccumulating natural gas shall install a pressure relief device
vented to the outside through a metallic tube or hose and shall bemaintained to prevent it from being blocked by debris.

k. The minimum clearance from the road to a container, its housing,or fittings, whichever is lowest where the container is installed below
the frame and between the axles of a CNG vehicle, with thevehicle loaded to its gross weight rating, shall be in accordancewith the Table 27.

315

Table 27: CONTAINER (AND CONTAINER HOUSING
AND FITTING) ROAD CLEARANCEl.

Vehicle Wheel Base

Minimum Road Clearance

3230 mm> 3230 mm

180 mm
230 mmThe venting system for the discharge of pressure relief devices(pressure relief device channels) shall be constructed of metallic
tubing with threaded compression, or flare fittings and shall be
secured at the outer end. It shall not exit into a wheel well nor
restrict the operation of a container pressure relief device orpressure relief device channel. It shall also be protected by caps,
covers, or other means to keep water, dirt, and insects fromcollecting in the lines, but shall not restrict the flow of gas.

m. Fuel lines shall be mounted, braced, and supported to minimize
vibration and shall be protected against damage, corrosion, or
breakage due to strain or wear. A fuel line shall be installed,
supported, protected, and secured in such a manner as tominimize the possibility of damage, corrosion, or breakage due toexpansion, contraction, vibration, strains, or wear and to preclude
any loosening while in operation. Where a fuel supply container islocated on a trailer, the fuel supply line shall contain an emergency
breakaway device designed to retain CNG on both sides of the
breakaway point.
n. Every cylinder shall be equipped with either a manual valve or anormally closed, remotely actuated shutoff valve connected
directly to the cylinder.
Remotely actuated valves shall beequipped to bleed the cylinder manually. In addition, a shutoff
valve shall be installed that allows isolation of the container(s) fromthe remainder of the fuel system.
o. A valve that automatically prevents the flow of gaseous fuel to theengine when the engine is not running, even if the ignition isswitched on, shall be provided in the system. Where multiple fuelsystems are installed on the vehicle, automatic valves shall be
provided, as necessary, to shut off the fuel system not being used.
p. The fuel system shall be equipped with a backflow check valvethat prevents the return flow of gas from the container(s) to thefilling connection.
q. A pressure gauge located inside the driver or passenger
compartment shall be installed in such a manner that no gas flows
through the gauge in the event of failure.

316

r.

An automatic pressure reducing regulator(s) shall be installed toreduce the fuel container pressure to a level consistent with theservice pressure required by the gas-air mixer and provided withsupport so that their weight is not placed on the gas lines, as well asmeans to prevent malfunctioning due to refrigeration effects.

s. The fueling connection receptacle shall be mounted to withstandthe breakaway force not greater than sixty-eight kilograms (68 kg)
when applied in any horizontal direction. The receptacle shall be
installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The
clearance around the fueling connection shall be free ofinterference that prevents the connection of the fueling nozzle.
2. Maintenance, Fire Protection and Other Safety Measures
a. Safety Testing, Maintenance and Repairi.

The complete assembly shall be leak-tested using natural gas or
non-flammable gas. Before use, every connection shall beverified leak-free with a non-corrosive leak detector solution ora leak detector instrument after the equipment is connected
and pressurized to its service pressure. The testing shall be done
under adequately ventilated conditions.

ii. Where a vehicle is involved in an accident or fire causing
damage to the CNG container, or if the container is subjected
to a pressure greater than one hundred twenty five percent(125%) of service pressure, the CNG container shall be replacedor removed, inspected, and retested in accordance with the
document under which it was originally manufactured before
being returned to service.
iii. Where a vehicle is involved in an accident or fire causing
damage to any part of the CNG fuel system, the system shall be
repaired and retested before being returned to service.
iv. All containers, container appurtenances, piping systems,
venting systems, and other components shall be maintained ina safe condition. Damaged fuel lines shall be replaced and not
be repaired. It shall be verified that the container retest date or
expiration date is current.
v. All pressure relief devices on the cylinder shall be maintained inaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and only
qualified personnel shall be permitted to service pressure relief
devices.
vi. Fire and other safety measures during vehicle maintenance:

317

vi.a. Close the quarter turn fuel delivery valve nearest theengine unless engine operation is required.
vi.b. Prohibit torches, welding, or grinding equipment on ornear high-pressure fuel lines and containers.
vi.c. Prevent damage to containers, including actions such as
dropping, dragging, or rolling of the container.
vi.d. Prevent exposure of composite wrapped containers tostrong chemicals such as battery acid or metal cleaning
solvents.
vi.e. Prevent hoists or jacks from coming into direct contact
with containers.
vi.f.

Provision of at least a stand-by 20B:C type of fire
extinguisher readily available to provide first aid fire
protection.

vii. A regulated and safe discharge of CNG from vehicle containers
shall comply with the following:vii.a. The venting or depressurization of a compressed natural
gas container shall be performed only by trained
personnel using written procedures. The gas to be
removed from the container shall be discharged into a
closed transfer system and shall be vented by anapproved atmospheric venting method.
vii.b. Personnel performing container depressurization shall:•••

Use grounding to prevent static electrical chargebuild-up;
Limit the rate of gas release from plastic-lined
containers to a value not greater than that specified
by the container manufacturer; andRestrain containers during depressurization to prevent
container movement.

viii. Direct gas venting shall be done through a vent tube that will
divert the gas flow to the atmosphere. The vent tube shall havea gas-tight connection to the container prior to venting, and allcomponents shall be properly grounded. The vent tube shall be
constructed of Schedule 80 pipe of at least five centimeter (5cm) diameter. The vent tube shall not be provided with any
feature that would limit or obstruct gas flow.

318

b. Electrical Safety
All wiring Installations shall be secured and protected from abrasion
and corrosion to the same standard as the original wiring on thevehicle. In addition, it shall be sized and fuse-protected.
c. Markings and Safety Labellingi.

Fuel-carrying components shall be labelled or stamped with thefollowing:i.a.

The manufacturer’s name or symbol;

i.b.

The model designation;i.c.

The design service pressure;i.d.

The direction of fuel flow where necessary for correct
installation; andi.e.

The capacity or electrical rating, as applicable.

ii. Where a manual valve is used, the valve location shall be
indicated with the words “MANUAL SHUTOFF VALVE.”
A
weather-resistant decal or label with red, blue, or black letterson a white or silver reflective background shall be used.
iii. A vehicle equipped with a CNG fuel system shall bear thefollowing durable labels.
iii.a.

iii.b.

A label readily visible and located in the engine
compartment shall include the following:•

Identification as a CNG-fueled vehicle;•

System service pressure;•

Installer’s name or company;•

Container retest date(s) or expiration date; and•Total container water volume in liters (gallons).

A label located at the fuelling connection receptacle
shall include the following:•

Identification as a CNG-fuelled vehicle;•

System working pressure; and•Container retest date(s) or expiration date.

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Exception: If both labels are located in one of the above
areas, the labels shall be permitted to be combined intoa single label.
iv. Each vehicle shall be identified with a weather-resistant,diamond-shaped label located on an exterior vertical surface
or near-vertical surface on the lower right rear of the vehicle(e.g., on the trunk lid of a vehicle so equipped, but not on the
bumper of any vehicle) inboard from any other markings. The
label shall be a minimum of one hundred twenty milimeters (120mm) in length and eighty-three (83 mm) in height. The marking
shall consist of a border and the letters “CNG”, twenty fivemillimetres (25 mm) minimum height centered in the diamond,of silver or white reflective luminous material on a blue
background.
C. CNG Compression, Storage, and Dispensing Systems
1. Compression equipment shall be designed for use with CNG and forthe pressures and temperatures to which it can be subjected undernormal operating conditions. It shall have pressure relief devices that
limit each stage pressure to the maximum allowable service pressure
for the compression cylinder and piping associated with that stage ofcompression. Compression equipment shall incorporate a means tominimize liquid carryover to the storage system.
2. Unattended CNG compression equipment shall be equipped with ahigh discharge and a low suction pressure automatic shutdown
control.
3. Engine-driven compressor installations shall conform, whereapplicable, to NFPA 37, Standard for the Installation and Use of
Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines.
4. Control devices shall be installed so that internal or external icing or
hydrate formation does not cause vehicle or fueling station
malfunction.
5. The fueling connection shall prevent the escape of gas where theconnector is not properly engaged or becomes separated. Fuelingnozzles shall be listed in accordance with ANSI/IAS NGV1, Standard forCompressed Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Fueling Connection Devices.
6. Locations
a. Outdoorsi.

A facility in which CNG compression, storage, and dispensing
equipment are sheltered by an enclosure that is constructed of320

non-combustible or limited-combustible materials and that has
at least one side predominantly open and a roof designed forventilation and dispersal of escaped gas shall be consideredlocated outdoors.
ii. Compression, storage, and dispensing equipment locatedoutdoors shall be:i.a.

Above ground and not be beneath electric power lines,
located at least three meters (3.0 m) from the nearest
important building or line of adjoining property that abuilding can be built upon or from any source of ignition;i.b.

More than three meters (3.0 m) from the nearest public
street or sidewalk line and at least fifteen meters (15 m)from the nearest rail of any railroad main track;i.c.

Provided with a clear space of at least one meter (1) m foraccess to all valves and fittings of multiple groups ofcontainers;

i.d.

Provided with a minimum separation of three meters (3.0m) from readily ignitable material of any stationary
container;

i.e.

Provided with a minimum separation of six hundred ten
centimeters(610cm) between containers andaboveground tanks containing flammable or combustible
liquids.

iii. During outdoor fueling operations, the point where the fuelingconnection is made shall be located at least three meters (3.0m) from any important building, mobile home, public sidewalk,highway, street, or road and at least one meter (1 m) fromstorage containers
iv. A lesser distance shall be from buildings or walls constructed ofconcrete or masonry materials or of other material having a fire
resistance rating of at least two (2) hours, but at least threemeters (3.0 m) from any building openings.
b. Indoorsi.

Compression, dispensing equipment, and storage containersconnected for use shall be permitted to be located inside ofbuildings reserved exclusively for these purposes or in rooms
within or attached to buildings in accordance hereof.

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ii. Storage shall be limited to not more than two hundred eighty
three cubic meters (283 m3) of natural gas in each building orroom.
Exception:
containers.

CNG stored in vehicle-mounted fuel supply

iii. Deflagration (explosion) venting shall be provided in exterior
walls or roof only.
iv. Rooms within or attached to other buildings shall be
constructed of non-combustible or limited-combustible
materials. Interior walls or partitions shall be continuous fromfloor to ceiling, shall be securely anchored, and shall have a fire
resistance rating of at least two (2) hours. At least one wall shallbe an exterior wall.
v. Indoor locations shall be ventilated utilizing air supply inlets andexhaust outlets arranged to provide uniform air movement to
the extent practical. Inlets shall be uniformly arranged on
exterior walls near floor level. Outlets shall be located at thehigh point of the room in exterior walls or the roof. A ventilation
system for a room within or attached to another building shallbe separate from any ventilation system for the other building.
vi. Ventilation shall be by a continuous mechanical ventilation
system or by a mechanical ventilation system activated by acontinuously monitoring natural gas detection system where agas concentration of not more than one-fifth (1/5) of the lower
flammable limit is present. The ventilation rate shall be at least 1
m3/min·12 m3 of room volume. In either case, the system shallshut down the fueling system in the event of failure of theventilation system. Reactivation of the fueling system shall be
by manual restart and shall be conducted by trained personnel.
vii. Where installed, a gas detection system shall be equipped tosound an alarm and visually indicate when a maximum of onefifth (1/5) of the lower flammable limit is reached.
viii. Buildings and rooms used for compression, storage, anddispensing shall be classified in accordance with Table 28. No
electrical sources of ignition, other than electrical installations aspermitted by the preceding provision, shall be permitted.
ix. Pressure relief devices on storage systems shall have pressure
relief device channels to convey escaping gas to the outdoors
and then upward to a safe area to prevent impinging on

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buildings, other equipment, or areas open to the public (e.g.,sidewalks).
x. Access doors shall have warning signs with the words“WARNING—NO SMOKING—FLAMMABLE GAS”. Such wording
shall be in plainly legible, bright red letters on a whitebackground with letters not less than twenty-five millimetres (25mm) in height.
xi. Fast-fill fueling indoors is permitted where storage andcompression equipment is located outdoors complying the
aforementioned indoor requirements.
In addition, an
emergency manual shutdown device shall be installed asprescribed hereto and a gas detection system equipped tosound an alarm and visually indicate when a maximum of onefifth (1/5) of the lower flammable limit is reached shall be
installed. The detector shall shut down the compressor and stop
the flow of gas into the structure.
7. Installation of Containers and Container Appurtenances (Other Than
Pressure Relief Devices)a. Storage containers shall be installed above ground on stable,
noncombustible foundations or in vaults with ventilation anddrainage. Horizontal containers shall have no more than two points
of support longitudinally.
Where flooding can occur, eachcontainer shall be securely anchored to prevent floating.
b. Containers shall be provided with corrosion protection inaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Horizontally
installed containers shall not be in direct contact with each other.
c. Means shall be provided to prevent the flow or accumulation of
flammable or combustible liquids under containers, such as bygrading, pads, or diversion curbs.
8. Installation of Pressure Relief Devices
a. Pressure relief valves shall discharge to a safe area and escaping
gas shall not impinge on buildings, other equipment, or areas
subject to occupancy.
b. Pressure relief valves on pressure vessels shall be in vertical positions
and fitted with rain caps.
c. An overpressure protection device, other than a rupture disc, shallbe installed in the fueling transfer system to prevent overpressure in
the vehicle. The set pressure of the device shall not exceed one
hundred twenty five percent (125%) of the service pressure of the
fueling nozzle it supplies.

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9. Installation of Pressure Regulators
Regulators shall be installed so that their operation is not affected byweather, mud, insects, or debris.
10. Installation of Pressure Gauges
Gauges shall be installed to indicate compression discharge pressure,storage pressure, and fuel supply container fill pressure.
11. Installation of Piping and Hosesa. Piping and hose shall be run as directly as practical and withadequate provisions for expansion, contraction, jarring, vibration,and settling. Exterior piping shall be either buried or installed above
ground and shall be supported and protected against mechanicaldamage. Underground piping shall be buried not less than four
hundred sixty millimetres (460 mm) below the surface of the groundunless otherwise protected from damage by movement of theground. Underground and aboveground piping shall be protectedfrom corrosion in compliance with recognized practices. Threaded
pipe and fittings shall not be used under ground.
b. Manifolds connecting fuel containers shall be fabricated tominimize vibration and shall be installed in a protected location, orshielded to prevent damage from unsecured objects.
c. Piping installation, including its fittings and methods of jointing shallcomply with the applicable Plumbing Code of Practice for CNG
Vehicles.
d. Natural gas shall be vented only to a safe point of discharge. A
vent pipe or stack shall have the open end protected to prevent
entrance of rain, and solid material. Vertical vent pipes and stacks
shall have provisions for drainage.
e. The use of hose in an installation shall be limited to the following:i.

A vehicle fueling hose;ii. An inlet connection to compression equipment; oriii. A section of metallic hose not exceeding nine hundred ten
millimeters (910 mm) in length in a pipeline to provide flexibility
where necessary. Each section shall be so installed that it isprotected against mechanical damage and is readily visible forinspection. The manufacturer’s identification shall be retainedin each section.
f.

At public fueling stations, provision shall be provided to recycle gas
used for calibration and testing.

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12. Testinga. Piping, tubing and hose, and hose assemblies shall be leak tested
after assembly to prove them free from leaks at a pressure equal toat least the normal service pressure of that portion of the system.
b. Pressure relief valves shall be tested at least every five (5) years.
13. Installation of Emergency Shutdown Equipment
a. A manually operated container valve shall be provided for each
DOT or TC storage cylinder. Each group of ASME storage vessels up
to a maximum combined capacity of two hundred eighty three
cubic meters (283 m3) shall be provided with a manually operated
shutoff valve.
b. The fill line on a storage container shall be equipped with abackflow check valve to prevent discharge of natural gas from thecontainer in case of the rupture of the line, hose, or fittings.
c. A manually operated shutoff valve shall be installed in a manifold
as close to a container or group of containers as practical.
d. Gas piping from an outdoor compressor or storage system into abuilding shall be provided with shutoff valves located outside thebuilding.
e. An emergency manual shutdown device shall be provided at thedispensing area and at a location remote from the dispensing
area. This device, when activated, shall shut off the power supply
and gas supply to the compressor and the dispenser.
f.

A breakaway device shall be installed at every dispensing point.
Such device shall be arranged to separate using a force notgreater than sixty-eight kilograms (68 kg) when applied in any
horizontal direction.

g. Control circuits shall be arranged so that, when an emergency
shutdown device is activated or electric power is cut off, systems
that shut down shall remain down until manually activated or reset
after a safe condition is restored.
h. Each line between a gas storage facility and a dispenser at a fastfill station shall have a valve that closes when one of the following
occurs:i.

The power supply to the dispenser is cut off; orii. Any emergency shutdown device at the refueling station is
activated.

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i.

A fast-closing, “quarter turn” manual shutoff valve shall be
provided at a fast-fill station upstream of the breakaway device,readily accessible to the person dispensing natural gas.

j.

A self-closing valve shall be provided on the inlet of the compressor
that shuts off the gas supply to the compressor.

14. Installation of Electrical Equipment
Fixed electrical equipment and wiring, within areas specified in Table
28 below, shall comply with same table and shall be installed inaccordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®.
Electrical equipment on internal combustion engines shall be installedin accordance with NFPA 37, Standard for the Installation and Use of
Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines.
Table 28: ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN CNG SERVICE STATIONS
Location

Divisionor ZoneExtent of Classified Area

Containers(otherthanmountedfuelsupply2Within 3 m of container
containers)
Area containing compression and ancillary equipment
Outdoors
2
Up to 4.6 m from equipment
Indoors2
Up to 4.6 m from equipment
Dispensing equipment
Outdoors
1
Inside the dispenser enclosure
Outdoors
2
From 0 to 1.5 m from the dispenser
Indoors1
Inside the dispenser enclosure
Entireroom,
withadequate
Indoors2
ventilation
Outdoors
Discharge from relief valves
1.5 m in all directions from the point1
or vents
sourceBeyond 1.5 m but within 4.6 m in all2
directions from point of discharge
Valves, flanges of screwed
None
Unclassified
fittings
Discharge from relief valves
within 15 degrees of the line of
1
4.6 m
discharge
Exception: Listed dispensers shall be permitted to be installed using classified
areas in accordance with the terms of the listing.

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15. Stray or Impressed Currents and Bonding
a. Where stray or impressed currents are present, ignition shall betaken in accordance with API RP 2003, Protection Against Ignitions
Arising Out of Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents.
b. Static protection shall not be required where CNG is loaded or
unloaded by conductive or nonconductive hose, flexible metallic
tubing, or pipe connections where both halves of the metallic
couplings are in contact.
c. A cylinder shall not be charged in excess of the design pressure at
the normal temperature for that cylinder as per manufacturer’s
instructions.
d. A fuel supply container shall not have a settled pressure above theservice pressure that is stamped on the container and displayed ona label near the filling connection, corrected for the ambient
temperature at the time of filling.
e. CNG dispensing systems shall be equipped to stop fuel flow
automatically when a fuel supply container reaches thetemperature-corrected fill pressure.
Where an overpressure
incident that results in operation of the overpressure protection
system occurs, the dispenser pressure control system shall be
examined and certified by a qualified technician prior to being
returned to service.
f.

The transfer of CNG into a fuel supply container shall be performedin accordance with instructions posted at the dispensing station.

g. Where CNG is being transferred to or from a motor vehicle, theengine shall be turned off.
h. During the transfer of CNG to or from cargo vehicles, the hand or
emergency brake of the vehicle shall be set, and chock blocks
shall be used to prevent rolling of the vehicle.
i.

Transfer systems shall be capable of depressurizing to facilitate
disconnection. Bleed connections shall lead to a safe point ofdischarge.

j.

Sources of ignition shall not be permitted within three meters (3.0 m)of any filling connection during a transfer operation.

k. A warning sign with the words “STOP MOTOR, NO SMOKING,FLAMMABLE GAS” shall be posted at dispensing station andcompressor areas. The location of signs shall be determined by327

local conditions, but the lettering shall be large enough to bevisible and legible from each point of transfer.
16. Fire Protection
A portable fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 20-B:C shallbe provided at the dispensing area.
17. Maintenancea. Containers and their appurtenances, piping systems, compression
equipment, controls, and devices shall be maintained in proper
operating condition.
b. After the original installation, vehicle-fueling hoses shall be
examined visually at such intervals as are necessary to ensure thatthey are safe for use.
Hose shall be tested for leaks per
manufacturer’s requirements, but at least annually, and any unsafe
leakage shall be reason for rejection.
c. While in transit, fueling hose and flexible metal hose on a cargovehicle to be used in a transfer operation, including theirconnections, shall be depressurized and protected from wear andinjury.
d. Pressure relief valves shall be maintained in proper operating
condition.
18. Vehicle Fueling Appliances in Nonresidential Occupancies
a. Vehicle fueling appliances (VFAs) shall be of the approved typeand shall not exceed a gas flow of 10 scf/min (0.28 standard cubic
meter/min).
b. VFAs shall be permitted to be used to fill stationary containers at
vehicle fueling locations.
c. The installation of VFAs shall comply with the requirements of theprovisions set forth for Residential Fueling Facility.
d. VFAs shall not be installed within three meters (3.0 m) of any
storage.
Exception: Storage in the vehicle fuel supply containere. Where installed indoors in public assembly and educational
occupancies, a VFA shall be located in a portion of theoccupancy where NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, or the local
building code permits the installation of hazardous equipment.

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D. Residential Fueling Facility
The capacity of a residential fueling facility (RFF) shall not exceed 0.14
standard cubic meter/min of natural gas. Storage of CNG shall be
prohibited; however, CNG shall be permitted to be stored in the vehicle
fuel supply container.
1. All equipment related to RFF installation shall be protected to minimize
the possibility of physical damage and vandalism. This requirement
shall be permitted to be met by the use of an enclosure for thecompressor package, similar to that of a central air conditioner.
2. All equipment related to RFF installation shall be designed for thepressure, temperature, and service expected.
3. Vehicles shall be considered as unclassified electrically with respect to
NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Article 500.
4. Natural gas shall not be vented to the atmosphere under normal
operation.
5. Unless specifically permitted by the installation instructions, multiple
VFAs shall not be manifolded together on the discharge side.
6. Where more than one VFA are located in a common area, spacing
between VFAs shall not be less than one meter (1 m) unless permitted
by the installation instructions.
7. Installationa. CNG compression and dispensing shall be located and conducted
outdoors wherever practical. However, where not practical (e.g.,where inclement weather is common), compression anddispensing shall be permitted to be located indoors.
b. All RFF equipment shall be installed in accordance with theequipment manufacturer’s instructions.
c. The RFF shall have a nameplate marked with minimum andmaximum gas inlet pressure and flow rate, gas outlet maximum
pressure, and electrical requirements.
d. Indoor Installations
i.

Where it is necessary to install the compression unit andrefueling connections indoors, the compression unit shall bemounted or otherwise located such that the compression unit isvented outdoors.

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ii. Where the RFF or the vehicle being fueled is located indoors, agas detector set to operate at one-fifth the lower limit offlammability of natural gas shall be installed in the room. The
detector shall be located within one hundred fifty millimeters(150 mm) of the ceiling or the highest point in the room. The
detector shall stop the compressor and operate an audible or avisual alarm.
e. Outdoor Installations
The RFF shall be installed on a firm, noncombustible support toprevent undue stress on piping and conduit.
f.

Installation of Pressure Relief Valves
Pressure relief valves shall have pressure relief device vents or ventlines to convey escaping gas to the outdoors and then upward toa safe area to prevent impinging on buildings, other equipment, or
areas open to the public (e.g., sidewalks).

g. Installation of Pressure Gauges
For measurement and test purposes, pressure gauges shall bepermitted to be installed but shall not be required.
h. Pressure Regulation
An RFF shall be equipped to stop fuel flow automatically when thecontainer(s) reaches the temperature-corrected fill pressure.
i.

Piping and Hosei.

All piping and hose from the outlet of the compressor shall be
supplied as part of the RFF.

ii. All gas piping to the RFF shall be installed in accordance with
NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code.
iii. The use of hose in an installation shall be restricted to thefollowing:i.a.

A fueling hose that shall be limited to a maximum length ofseven hundred sixty centimeters (760 cm) and shall besupported above the floor/ground level or otherwise
protected from mechanical damage from abrasion andbeing driven over by a vehicle

330

i.b.

A maximum of one meter (1 m) in length where used toprevent abrasion damage resulting from vibration on theinlet or outlet, or bothiv. Transfer systems shall be capable of depressurizing to facilitate
disconnection. Bleed connections shall lead to a safe point ofdischarge.
j.

Testing
All piping and tubing shall be tested after assembly to be provenfree of leaks at a pressure equal to the maximum service pressureof that portion of the system.

k. Installation of Emergency Shutdown Equipmenti.

An RFF shall be equipped with emergency manual shutdown of
the gas supply and electric power. The emergency electricalswitch shall be at least one hundred fifty centimeters (150 cm)
from the RFF and in view of the RFF.

ii. Breakaway protection shall be provided in a manner so that, inthe event of a pull away, natural gas would cease to flow.
iii. A breakaway device shall be installed at every dispensing
point. Such a device shall be so arranged as to separate using
a force not greater than sixty-eight kilograms (68 kg) whenapplied in any horizontal direction.
l.

Operationi.

An RFF shall be operated
manufacturer’s instructions.

inaccordance

with

the

ii. A fuel supply container shall not be charged in excess of its
maximum allowable service pressure at normal temperature.
DOT and TC containers shall be charged in accordance with
DOT and TC regulations.
iii. Where CNG is being transferred to a motor vehicle, the engine
shall be stopped.
m. Maintenance and Inspectioni.

All RFF equipment shall be inspected and maintained inaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

ii. After installation, all hoses shall be examined visually as part ofthis inspection. Hoses that are kinked or worn shall be replaced.

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iii. All safety relief valves shall be maintained in proper operating
condition in accordance with the manufacturer or supplier’s
recommendation.
SECTION 10.3.4.4

OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND CHEMICALSSECTION 10.3.4.4.1 SCOPE
This Division shall apply to the storage, handling, transport and protection of
hazardous materials and chemicals not covered on Chapter 3 of this Rule.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.2 OXIDIZING MATERIALS
A. Packaged oxidizing materials shall be stored in dry locations andseparated from stored organic materials. Bulk oxidizing materials shall not
be stored on or against wooden surfaces.
B. Oxidizing materials shall be stored separately from flammable solids,
combustible materials, hazardous chemicals, corrosive liquids and suchother non-combustible materials.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.3 RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
A. Durable, clearly visible signs of warning of radiation dangers shall beplaced at all entrances to areas or rooms where radioactive materials areused or stored. In addition, each container in which radioactive materials
are used, stored, or transported shall bear a durable, clearly visible,
appropriate warning sign. Such signs shall bear the three-bladed radiation
symbol in magenta or purple on a yellow background in accordancewith the Rules of the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission.
B. Except for liquids, signs are not required for the storage of manufactured
articles such as instruments or closk dials or electronic tubes or apparatus,of which radioactive materials are a component part, and luminous
compounds, when securely packed in strong containers, provided the
gamma radiation at any surface of the package is less than ten (10)milliroentgens in 24 hours.
C. When not in use, radioactive materials shall be kept in adequately
shielded fire-resistant containers of such design that the gamma radiation
will not exceed 200 milliroentgens per hour or its equivalent at any point ofreadily accessible surface.
D. The opinion of the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission shall be obtainedin all cases of doubt as to the safety of radioactive materials. The
Commission's ruling shall be final and non-appealable.

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SECTION 10.3.4.4.4 POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CHEMICALS
A. Potentially explosive chemicals shall be stored away from all heatproducing appliances and electrical devices and shall be protected fromexternal, hat, fire and explosion.
B. Explosives and blasting agents shall not be stored in the same building orin close proximity to such materials except in accordance with this Code.
C. Good housekeeping shall be maintained uncontaminated of broken or
cracked bags, packages or other containers shall be transferred to newand clean container before storing.
D. Other spilled materials and discarded containers shall be promptly
gathered and destroyed in an approved manner.
E. All electric bulbs shall be equipped with guards to prevent breakage.
F. Open lights or flames and smoking shall be prohibited in or near storage
areas.
G. Internal combustion motor vehicles or lift trucks shall not be parked in theroom or compartment where such chemicals are located.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.5 ORGANIC PEROXIDES
A. A detached, well isolated, ventilated and un-heated storage building
constructed with walls having a fire resistance rating of not less than two(2) hours, a non-combustible floor, and a light weight insulated roof shallbe provided for the storage of twenty two kilograms (22 kg) or more oforganic peroxides. If not adequately protected by a fast-acting deluge
type automatic fire-fighting system, the storage building shall be locatedat the following minimum distances from flammable or combustible liquid,building or highway.
WEIGHT OF ORGANIC PEROXIDES(Kilograms)
22 to 4545 to 227
227 to 445
445 to 1364
1363 to 2270

DISTANCE(Meters)
23.00
30.00
38.00
60.00
92.00

B. The organic peroxides shall be stored in the original shipping containers.
C. Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of thesechemicals.

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D. Readily legible warning signs and placards as prescribed in Chapter 3
Division 2 of this Rule. Signs shall be prominently placed in the storage andprocessing areas.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.6 NITROMETHANE
A. A suitable isolated
nitromethane.

outdoorstorage

are

shall

be

providedforB. Hazardous processing shall not be permitted in the vicinity of this storage
area.
C. Nitromethane shall be stored in the drums in which it is received or in anunderground tank with suitable corrosion protection and a minimum of
sixty centimeters (60 cm) or earth over the tank or in barricaded tanks
above-ground shall be provided. If the drum storage is not adequately
protected by a fast-acting deluge automatic type fire-fighting system/thestorage of nine hundred nine kilograms (909 kg.) or more shall be locatedat the following minimum distances from inhabited buildings.
WEIGHT(Kilograms)
Beginning of 908 kg
909 kg to 4546 kg
4547 kg to 9091 kg
9092 kg to 18,182 kg
18,183 kg to 36,364 kg

APPROXIMATENUMBER OF DRUMS
4
20
40
80
160

DISTANCE(meters)
30
60
90
120
150

D. Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of thischemical.
E. Readily legible warning signs and placards as prescribed in this Rule shallbe prominently placed in the transport, storage and processing area.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.7 AMMONIUM NITRATE
A. All flooring in storage and handling areas shall be of non-combustible
material and shall be without drains, traps, pits or pockets into which any
molten ammonium nitrate could flow and be confined in case of fire.
B. Each storage pile of bags or other authorized packages and container ofsuch materials shall not exceed three hundred sixty five centimeters (365cm) in height, three hundred sixty five (365 cm) centimeters in width andnine meters and fifteen centimeters (9.15 cm) in length.
C. Pile units shall be separated by a clear space of not less than ninety two
centimeters (92 cm) in width from the top of piles, serving as cross aisles inthe storage are which shall not be less than one hundred twenty centimeters (120 cm) in width.

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D. A clearance of not less than seventy six centimeters (76 cm) shall bemaintained from building walls and partitions, and not less than ninety
centimeters (90 cm)from ceilings of roof structural members with aminimum of forty five centimeters (45 cm) from sprinklers.
E. Ammonium nitrate storage shall be separated by a space of nine meters(9m) or by tight non-combustible partition from storage of organic
chemicals, corrosive liquids, compressed gases, flammable and combustible materials, or other contaminating substance such as sulfur, coal,flour, and metallic powders such a zinc, copper, and magnesium wherestorage of such materials is permitted with ammonium nitrate.
F. Quantities of ammonium or ammonium nitrate fertilizers having no organic
coating, in the form of crystals, flakes, grains or pills including fertilizers,
dynamic grade, nitrous oxide grade and technical grade ammonium
nitrate and ammonium nitrate phosphate (containing 60% of ammonium
nitrate by weight) or more than fifty (50) metric tons of total weight, shallbe stored in well-ventilated building of fire-resistive or noncombustible
construction, or in a building of other type of construction equipped with
an approved automatic sprinkler system.
G. In populated areas, quantities of two thousand five hundred (2,500) tons
or more shall be stored in well-ventilated buildings of one-hour fire-resistive
or non-combustible construction equipped with an approved automatic
sprinkler system. No combustible material or ammonium nitrate sensitizing
contaminants shall be stored in this building.
H. Storage of ammonium nitrate, coated or mixed with organic anti-caking
materials, except compounded blasting agent shall not be permitted in
populated and congested areas. Outside such areas, quantities of five
hundred (500) metric tons or less may be stored in well-ventilated buildingsof fire-resistive or non-combustible construction equipped with an approved automatic firefighting system.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.8 HIGHLY TOXIC MATERIALS
A. Highly toxic materials shall be segregated from other chemicals andcombustible and flammable substances in a room or compartment
separated from other areas by walls and floor and ceiling assemblies
having a fire-resistive rating of not less than one (1) hour.
B. The storage room shall be provided with adequate drainage facilities andnatural or chemical ventilation to the outside atmosphere.
C. Readily legible warning signs and placards as prescribed in this Rule shallbe prominently placed in the transport, storage and processing area.

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SECTION 10.3.4.4.9 POISONOUS GASES
A. Storage of poisonous gases shall be in rooms of at least one-hour fireresistive construction and having natural or mechanical ventilation
adequate to remove leaking gas. Such ventilation shall not discharge to apoint where gases may endanger any person.
B. Readily legible warning signs and placards as prescribed in this Rule shallbe prominently placed in the transport, storage and processing area.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.10 CORROSIVE LIQUIDS
A. Satisfactory provision shall be made for containing and neutralizing orsafely flushing away leakage of corrosive liquids which may occur duringstorage or handling.
B. Readily legible warning signs and placards as prescribed in this Rule shallbe prominently placed in the transport, storage and processing area.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.11 STORAGE CABINETS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
A. Cabinets for the storage of hazardous materials shall be approved andsubstantially constructed of one-eighth (1/8) centimeters thick sheet ironor a minimum of two hundred fifty four millimeters (254 mm) plywood or
equivalent.
B. Doors shall be self-closing and self-latching.
C. Cabinets shall be painted with luminescent type paint and shall beconspicuously labeled in red letters: "Hazardous - Keep Fire Away."
SECTION 10.3.4.4.12 DESIGNATION OF CARGO
A. No person shall operate any tank vehicle transporting any corrosive
cryogenic, hypergolic, or phyrophoric materials unless at all time of suchtransportation there is displayed upon each side and the rear of the tankvehicle a sign in letter not less than seven hundred sixty-two millimeters(762 mm) in height upon a background of sharply contrasting color, whichshall specifically designate the cargo.
B. Readily legible warning signs and placards as prescribed in this Rule shallbe prominently placed in the transport, storage and processing areas.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.13 HAZARDOUS INSULATOR/CUSHIONING MATERIALS
A. The storage areas for plastic-based, fire-supporting, fire-conductive,
smoke generating, or toxic gas producing materials that are used as
insulators or cushioning material for crates, boxes, walls, air conditioning336

ducts, beds, chairs, and the like shall be provided with automatic fire
extinguishing systems of an approved type.
SECTION 10.3.4.4.14 FIRE PROTECTION
All hazardous materials enumerated in this Chapter shall be protected byapproved supervised sprinkler system and other appropriate fire protection
appliances.

CHAPTER 4. FIRE SAFETY FOR HAZARDOUS OPERATIONSDIVISION 1. SCOPE
A. This Chapter shall govern the Fire Safety Measures for the following
Hazardous Operations:
1. Salvage Yards;
2. Bowling Alleys Resurfacing and Refinishing;
3. Dust Producing Machines;
4. Explosives, Ammunitions and Blasting Agents;
5. Fire Works;
6. Application of Flammable Finishes;
7. Ripening Processes;
8. Fumigation and Insecticidal Fogging;
9. Repair Garages;
10. Lumber Yards, Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities;
11. Mechanical Refrigeration;
12. Motion Picture Projection;
13. Oil Burning Equipment;
14. Organic Coatings;
15. Industrial Ovens;
16. Hotworks Operations; and17. Safeguarding
Operations

Building

Construction,

337

Demolition

andAlteration

DIVISION 2. SALVAGE YARDSSECTION 10.4.2.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Salvage yards shall be operated and maintained with the following
requirements:
1. No salvage yard shall be so located as to seriously expose adjacent
properties to fire. Serious exposure shall include situations wherematerials are stored or operations performed within four and a half
meters (4.5 m) of an adjacent private property line.
2. The entire premises devoted to such yard or plant shall be enclosedwith a chain-linked fence not less than two and a half meters (2.5 m) inheight, with two (2) gates of four and a half meters (4.5 m) width forfire department access.
3. No roof of any building located in a salvage yard shall be used forstorage. This applies to all buildings on a property where salvage work
is performed or waste materials are handled, including those used forstorage, vehicle shelters, administration and sales.
4. No motor vehicles, or any part thereof, junk, or other waste materials,
shall be stored, displayed or kept in such a manner as to unnecessarilyhinder or endanger fire fighting operations. Aisles or passageways offour and a half meters (4.5 m) wide shall be provided to permit accessfor firefighting equipment and personnel.
SECTION 10.4.2.2

FIRE SAFETY
OPERATIONSCLEARANCEREQUIREDFOR

HOTWORKNo welding and cutting operations in salvage yards shall be conductedwithout a fire safety clearance issued by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction for hotworks operations.
SECTION 10.4.2.3

CONSTRUCTION

A. Vertical openings in such building shall be enclosed with approved
automatic self-closing fire doors in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3 of thisIRR.
B. Picking shall be done in rooms separated from storage rooms or otheroccupancies by fire resistive walls and doors having a fire resistance of notless than one (1) hour. Picking rooms shall be provided with exhaustsystems to adequately and safely remove dust and dirt.

338

SECTION 10.4.2.4

OPERATION

A. The storage and handling of flammable and combustible materials shallbe in accordance with Division 4, Chapter 3, Rule 10 of this IRR.
B. Welding and cutting operations shall conform to the provisions of Division
17 of this Chapter.
SECTION 10.4.2.5

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. In no case shall smoking, or open flame be permitted in any area wherecombustible fibers or other combustible waste materials are stored or
handled. "NO SMOKING" signs shall be provided in accordance with
Division 3, Chapter 5, Rule 10 of this IRR.
B. The burning of wrecked or discarded motor vehicles or of junks, or of any
waste materials shall be done only in locations and in a manner approved
or prescribed for such purpose by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction.
DIVISION 3. BOWLING ALLEYS RESURFACING AND REFINISHINGSECTION 10.4.3.1

GENERAL

Bowling alleys shall conform to applicable requirements of this IRR, as well as
the provisions of this Division.
SECTION 10.4.3.2

FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE REQUIREDThe operator/owner of a bowling establishment shall secure a fire safety
clearance from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, before
performing any refinishing and alley resurfacing operations involving the useof flammable liquids or materials on the premises.
SECTION 10.4.3.3

CONSTRUCTION

Pin finishes involving the application of flammable or combustible finishes, or
sanding or buffing operations if done within a building, shall be done only in afire resistive room having a fire resistance rating of two (2) hours.
SECTION 10.4.3.4

OPERATION

A. Resurfacing and refinishing operations shall not be carried on while theestablishment is open for business.
B. Proper ventilation shall be provided. Heating, ventilating, or coolingsystems employing recirculation of air shall not be operated during
resurfacing and refinishing operations or within one (1) hour following theapplication of flammable finishes.

339

C. All electric motors or other equipment in the area, which is a potential
source of ignition, shall be shut down and all smoking and use of open
flames shall be prohibited during the application of flammable finishes
and for one (1) hour thereafter.
SECTION 10.4.3.5

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Sanding and buffing machines shall be provided with approved
equipment for collecting dust during such operations. Contents shall be
removed daily and disposed of safely.
B. All power tools shall be effectively grounded.
C. Storage of flammable or combustible liquids in any room shall not exceed
a combined aggregate of two hundred twenty-five liters (225ℓ), and it
shall be in flammable liquid storage cabinet or in approved safetycontainers not exceeding nineteen liters (19ℓ) individual capacity. An
approved metal waste bin with a self-closing cover shall be provided for
all waste rags and materials with the contents to be removed daily.
Smoking shall be prohibited at all times in pin refinishing rooms.
DIVISION 4. DUST PRODUCING MACHINESSECTION 10.4.4.1

FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE REQUIREDNo person shall operate any grain elevator, flour, starch or feed mill, saw mill,or plant pulverizing aluminum, coal, cocoa, magnesium, spices, or othermaterial producing dust without a fire safety clearance issued by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.4.4.2

CONSTRUCTION

A. Approved magnetic of pneumatic separators shall be installed ahead of
all shelters, crackers, crushers, grinding machines, pulverizers and similar
machines in which the entrance of metallic or other foreign materials may
cause sparks to be generated.
B. Suitable dust collecting equipment shall be installed and accumulation ofdust shall be kept at a minimum in the interior of the buildings.
SECTION 10.4.4.3

OPERATION

Properly designed and located vents equipped with explosion proof exhaustfans which will relieve the pressure resulting from dust accumulation or an
explosion and prevent or reduce damage to buildings or equipment, shall be
required in all buildings where flammable or explosive dusts are
manufactured, processed or generated. The design of such equipment shallbe in accordance with internationally accepted standards or NFPA 68,“Explosion Venting.”

340

SECTION 10.4.4.4

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. All dust-producing or dust-agitating machinery such as grinding mills andseparators, and all elevators, elevator legs, spouts, hopper and otherconveyors shall be provided with casing or enclosures maintained asnearly dust-tight as possible
B. All machinery and metal parts of the crushing, drying, pulverizing andconveying systems shall be provided with grounding system inaccordance with the Philippine Electrical Code.
C. Smoking and the carrying of matches, the use of heating or other devices
employing open flames, or use of any spark-producing equipment isprohibited in areas containing dust-producing or dust-agitating operators.
All wiring and electrical equipment of artificial lighting installed in suchareas shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Philippine Electrical
Code.
D. Static electricity shall be removed from all machinery and othercomponent parts by permanent grounds and/or bonds. The design ofsuch equipment shall be in accordance with internationally accepted
standards or NFPA 77, “Static Electricity.”

DIVISION 5. EXPLOSIVES, AMMUNITION AND BLASTING AGENTSSECTION 10.4.5.1

APPLICATION

A. This Division shall not apply to:
1. Explosives, ammunition and blasting agents used by the Armed Forcesof the Philippines (AFP);
2. Transportation and use of explosives, ammunition, or blasting agentsby the Bureau of Mines, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and
the Philippine National Police (PNP) acting in their official capacity.
SECTION 10.4.5.2

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE (FSIC) REQUIREDNo person shall manufacture, store, handle and/or use any blasting agents,
explosives and special and industrial explosive materials, blasting caps, black
powder, liquid nitro-glycerin, dynamite, nitro cellulose, fulminates of any kind,and plastic explosives containing ammonium salt or chlorate, without
securing a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) from the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction, which is a pre-requisite for the granting of
manufacturer’s, dealer’s, purchaser’s, foreman’s license and permit tounload issued by the PNP in accordance with R.A. 1866, as amended.

341

SECTION 10.4.5.3

STORAGE

A. The manufacture of explosives or blasting agents shall be prohibited unlesssuch manufacture is authorized by law.
B. Explosives, including special industrial high explosive materials, shall be
stored in magazines that meet the requirement of the Fire Code and thisIRR.
C. Smoking, matches, open flames, spark-producing devices, firearms andcombustible materials shall be prohibited inside or within fifteen meters (15m) from the magazine.
D. The land surrounding magazines shall be kept clear or brush, dried grass,leaves, trash and debris for a distance of at least fifteen meters (15 m).
E. Magazines shall be kept locked except when being inspected or when
explosives are being placed therein or removed therefrom.
F. Magazines shall be kept clean, dry and free of grit, paper, empty
packages and rubbish.
G. Magazines shall not be provided with other than approved artificial heator light. Approved electric safety flashlights or safety lanterns may be
used.
H. Blasting caps, electric blasting caps, detonating primers and primed
cartridges shall not be stored in the same magazine with other explosives.
I.

Packages of explosives shall not be unpacked or repacked in a magazine
nor within forty-five and eight-tenths meters (45.8 m) of a magazine or inclose proximity to other explosives. Opened packages of explosives shallbe securely closed before being returned to a magazine.

J. Magazines shall not be used for the storage of any metals, tools nor any
commodity except explosives, blasting agents and oxidizers used incompounding blasting agents. The quantity of blasting agents andoxidizers shall be included when computing the total quantity of
explosives for determining distance requirements.
K. Floors of magazines shall be securely fastened in place and shall becapable of withstanding the loads imposed.
L. The roofs and exterior sides of building-type magazines shall be made ofconcrete materials with fire resistance rating of two (2) hours.
M. Magazines shall be ventilated to minimize dampness and heating ofstored explosives. Ventilation openings shall be screened with 14 mesh,342

no.21 protected in a manner that will maintain the bullet resistance of themagazine.
N. Doors and warning signs shall be in accordance with the provision of RA
1866 and its IRR, as amended.
SECTION 10.4.5.4

USE AND HANDLING

A. Use, handling and blasting operation of explosives shall be in accordancewith RA 1866 and its IRR, as amended, and the following conditions:
1. No person shall handle explosives while under the influence of
intoxicants or narcotics;
2. No person shall smoke or carry matches while handling explosives orwhile in the vicinity thereof;
3. No open flame light shall be used in the vicinity of explosives;
4. Whenever blasting is being conducted in the vicinity of gas, electric,
water, fire alarm, telephone, telegraph or steam utilities, the blastershall notify the appropriate representative of such utilities at least
twenty four hours (24 hrs.) in advance of blasting, specifying thelocation and intended time of such blasting. In an emergency, thistime limit may be waived by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction;
5. Blasting operations shall be conducted in accordance with internationally recognized good practice;
6. Before a blast is fired, the person in charge shall make certain that all
surplus explosives are in a safe place, all persons and vehicles are at asafe distance or under sufficient cover, and a loud warning signal has
been sounded;
7. Due precautions shall be taken to prevent accidental discharge ofelectric blasting caps from current induced by radio or radartransmitters, lightning, adjacent power lines, dust storms, or othersources of extraneous electricity. These precaution shall include;a. The suspension of all blasting operations and removal of persons
from the blasting area during the approach and progress of anelectrical storm;b. The posting of signs warning against the use of mobile radio transmitters on all roads within one hundred seven meters (107 m) of theblasting operations;343

c. Compliance with internationally recognized good practice whenblasting within two and a half kilometers (2.5 km) of broadcast or
high power short wave transmitters.
d. When blasting is done in a congested area or in close proximity toa building, structure, railway, highway or any other installation that
may be damaged by material being thrown into the air, the blast
shall be covered with an adequate blasting mat;e. Tools used for opening packages of explosives shall be constructedof non-sparking materials;f.

Empty boxes and paper and fiber packing materials which havepreviously contained high explosives shall not be used again forany purpose, but shall be disposed of in a manner approved by
the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction; andg. Explosives shall not be abandoned.
SECTION 10.4.5.5

TRANSPORTATION

A. Every vehicle, when used for transporting explosives, shall be equippedwith not less than two (2) fire extinguishers. Extinguishers shall be solocated as to be readily available for use.
B. Every vehicle transporting explosives shall be marked or labeled on bothsides and rear with the word "EXPLOSIVES" in letters not less than eight
centimeters (8 cm) in height a contrasting background.
C. Vehicle transporting explosives traveling in the same direction shall not begiven within one hundred meters (100 m) of each other.
D. Vehicles transporting explosives shall not be left unattended at any timewithin inhabited or populated areas.
E. Unauthorized persons shall not ride vehicles transporting explosives.
F. Delivery shall only be made by authorized persons into approved
magazines or approved temporary storage or handling area.
G. Other safety measures in transporting of explosive shall be in accordancewith the IRR of RA 1866, as amended.
DIVISION 6. FIREWORKSSECTION 10.4.6.1

APPLICATIONThis Division shall not apply to the use of fireworks by railroads or othertransportation agencies for signals or purposes of illumination, or the sale or344

use of blank cartridges for a show on theater, or for signal or ceremonial
purpose in athletics or sports or for use of military organizations.
SECTION 10.4.6.2

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE (FSIC) REQUIREDNo person shall manufacture, store, handle and/or use any firework materialsof any kind or form without securing a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC)
from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, which is a prerequisite for the granting of permit issued by the PNP in accordance with R.A.
7183, as amended.
SECTION 10.4.6.3

MANUFACTURING PLANTS/PROCESSING STATIONS

A. Fireworks manufacturing plants/processing stations shall be made ofconcrete materials and shall be provided with the following:
1. Fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with Section
10.2.6.7of this IRR;
2. Two (2) means of egress separate and remote from each other andterminates along safe refuge area;
3. Wet stand pipe of 1 ½ hose line;
4. Emergency plan; and5. All electrical wiring installations shall be explosion proof and dust tightin accordance with Philippine Electrical Code.
B. Smoking within the premises of the manufacturing plant/processing
station is strictly prohibited. Conspicuous signs that read “WARNING — NO
SMOKING — NO TRESPASSING” shall be posted at frequent intervals
around the plant perimeter.
C. All plant buildings containing pyrotechnic composition, explosive
composition, or fireworks shall be locked securely at the end of theworkday, or wherever plant personnel are not present to provide security.
D. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall be permitted inside
the plant without special permission of the person in charge;
E. No employee or other person shall be permitted to enter the plant while inpossession of, or under the influence of, alcohol, drugs, or narcotics.
F. Each plant shall designate a safety officer who shall be responsible forgeneral safety, fire prevention and protection, and employee safety
training.
G. Stoves, exposed flames, and portable electric heaters shall be prohibited.

345

SECTION 10.4.6.4

STORAGE

Storage of fireworks and other pyrotechnics shall be in accordance with
Republic Act No. 7183.
SECTION 10.4.6.5

DISPLAY CENTER

A. Display centers for selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics shall beseparated from each other by a firewall with a fire resistance rating of notless than two (2) hours;
B. All malls and other similar establishments shall not be utilized as display
centers for selling of firecrackers and pyrotechnics unless done throughmedia presentation or other means without necessarily displaying the said
firecrackers therein;
C. Fire extinguisher/s shall be provided in accordance with Section 10.2.6.7 ofthis IRR;
D. Smoking within fifteen meters (15 m) from a display center shall not beallowed;E. Testing of firecrackers and pyrotechnics shall be prohibited; andF. Stoves, exposed flames, and portable electric heaters shall be prohibited.
SECTION 10.4.6.6

CLEARANCE FOR FIREWORKS EXHIBITION

No person shall be allowed to conduct firework exhibition without first
securing a clearance from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.4.6.7

REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREWORKS EXHIBITION

A. That a permit to posses and display fireworks shall first be secured from thePhilippine National Police;
B. That fireworks be fired at a distance of one hundred feet (100 ft) awayfrom people;
C. That all fireworks shall project upwards;
D. That a responsible person of at least twenty one years (21 yrs) and withadequate knowledge of handling fireworks shall be assigned to supervise
fireworks display;
E. That sufficient approved type of first aid fire protection equipment shall beon hand at the site during fireworks exhibitions; andF. That the nearest fire station shall be notified of such exhibitions.

346

SECTION 10.4.6.8

DISPOSAL OF UNFIRED FIREWORKS

Any fireworks that remain unfired after the display is concluded shall be
immediately disposed properly.
DIVISION 7. APPLICATION OF FLAMMABLE FINISHESSECTION 10.4.7.1

FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCEA Fire Safety Clearance from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction shall be issued for spraying and dipping operations utilizing
flammable liquid, and powders included within the scope of this IRR.
SECTION 10.4.7.2

SPRAY FINISHING OPERATION OR PROCESSES

A. Construction
1. Electric wiring and equipment shall conform to the applicableprovisions of the Philippine Electric Code.
2. Spray finishing operations shall not be conducted in buildings classified
and used for assembly, educational, health care or residential
occupancies except in a room-designed for the purpose, protectedwith an approved automatic fire control and extinguishing system andseparated vertically and horizontally from other areas.
3. In other occupancies, all spraying operations performed inside abuilding shall be conducted in an approved spray booth, spray room
or in spraying areas approved for such use.
4. Spray booths shall be substantially constructed of steel not less than
one and two-tenths millimeters (1.2 mm) in thickness, securely andrigidly supported, or of concrete masonry except for aluminum orother approved substantial noncombustible materials, which may be
used for intermittent or low volume spraying.
5. The interior surfaces of spray booths shall be smooth, continuous
without edges and otherwise designed to prevent pocketing ofresidue and facilitate ventilation, cleaning, and washing without injury.
Spray booths shall be designed to allow the free passage of exhaust
air from all parts of the interior as well as to sweep air currents toward
the exhaust outlet.
6. The floor of the spray booth and operator's working area shall be noncombustible, non-sparking material of such character as to facilitate
the safe cleaning and removal of residue.
7. Distribution or baffle plates, if installed to promote an even flow of air
through the booth or cause the deposits of overspray before it enters347

exhaust ducts, shall be of non-combustible material and readily
removable or accessible on both sides for cleaning. Such plates shallnot be located in the exhaust ducts.
8. Each spray booth having a frontal area larger than one square meter(1 m2) shall have a metal deflector or curtain not less than eleven andfour tenths centimeter (11.4 cm) deep installed at the upper outeredges of the booth over the opening.
9. Each spray booth shall be separated from other operations by not lessthan ninety one and five tenths centimeters (91.5 cm), or by a greater
distance, or by such partition, wall, or floor/ceiling assembly having aminimum fire resistance of one (1) hour to reduce the danger ofjuxtaposition of hazardous operations as the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction may require, except for spray enclosuresused for drying at elevated temperature.
10. Spray booths shall be installed that all portions are readily accessible
for cleaning. A clear space of not less than ninety-one and five tenths
centimeters (91.5 cm) on sides shall be kept clear of any storage or
combustible materials.
11. When spraying areas are illuminated through glass panels or othertransparent materials, only fixed lighting units shall be used as a sourceof illumination. Panels shall effectively isolate the spraying area fromthe area in which the lighting unit is located, and shall be of noncombustible material of such a nature or so protected that breakage
will be unlikely. Panels shall be arranged so that normal accumulationsof residue on the exposed surface of the panel will not be raised to adangerous temperature by radiation or conduction from the source of
illumination.
B. Operation
1. Spraying operations, except electrostatic spraying operations, shall be
designed, installed and maintained that the average air velocity fromthe spray impeller over the open face of the booth (or booth crosssection spraying operations) shall not be less than thirty meters (30 m)
per minute.
Dry spray booths equipped with a filter roll that
automatically advances when the air velocity is reduced to thatspecified in this paragraph shall be arranged to cause shutdown ofspraying operations if the filter roll fails to advance automatically.
Visible gauges or audible alarm devices shall be installed to indicatethat the required air velocity is maintained.
2. Electrostatic spraying operations may be conducted with an air
velocity over the open face of the booth of not less than eighteen
meters (18 m) per minute or more depending on the volume of the348finishing material being applied and its flammability and explosion
characteristics. Visible gauges or audible alarm or pressure-activateddevices shall be installed to indicate or ensure that the required air
velocity is maintained.
3. All discarded filter pads and filter rolls shall be immediately removed toa safe, well-detached location or placed in water-filled metal
containers and disposed at the close of the day's operation unlessmaintained completely in water.
4. The storage and handling of flammable or combustible liquids inconnection with spraying operations shall be in accordance with this
Division.
5. The quantity of flammable and combustible liquids kept in the vicinityof spraying operations shall be the minimum required for operations
and should not exceed a supply of one (1) day or one (1) shift. Bulk
storage of portable containers of flammable and combustible liquids
shall be in separate, constructed building detached from otherimportant building or cut off in a standard manner.
6. Originally sealed containers, approved portable tanks, approved
safety cans, or a properly arranged system of piping shall be used forbringing flammable or combustible liquids into spray finishing room.
Open or glass containers shall not be used.
7. Drying, curing or fusion apparatus in connection with spray applicationof flammable and combustible finishes shall conform to NFPA 86,“Standard for Ovens and Furnaces”, and the requirements of this IRR.
8. Spray booths, rooms or other enclosures used for spraying operations
shall not be alternately used for drying by any arrangements, which willcause a material increase in the surface temperature of the spraybooth, room, or enclosure.
9. Except as specifically provided in paragraph “B” (7) of this Section,
drying curing, or fusion units utilizing a heating system having open
flames or which may produce sparks shall not be installed in a spraying
area as defined. However, it may be installed adjacent thereto whenequipped with an interlocked ventilating system arranged to:a. Thoroughly ventilate the drying space before the heating system
can be started;b. Maintain a safe atmosphere at any source of ignition; andc. Automatically shut down the heating system in the event of failureof the ventilating system.

349

10. Automobile refinishing spray booths or enclosures, otherwise installed
and maintained in conformity with this Division, may alternately be
used for drying with portable electrically infrared drying apparatus
when conforming with the following:a. The procedures shall be restricted to low-volume, occasional spray
application;b. The interior (especially floors) of spray enclosures shall be kept freeof overspray deposits;c. During spray operations, the drying apparatus and electricalconnections and wiring thereto shall not be located within thespray enclosure nor in any other location where spray residue may
be deposited;d. Spraying apparatus, drying apparatus and ventilating systems of
the spray enclosure shall be equipped with suitable interlocks soarranged that:i.

The spraying apparatus cannot be operated while the drying
apparatus is inside the spray enclosure.

ii.

The spray enclosure will be purged of spray vapors for a periodof not less than three minutes (3 min) before drying apparatus
can be energized.

iii.

The ventilating system will maintain a safe atmosphere within
the enclosure during the drying process and the drying
apparatus will automatically shut off in the event of failure of
the ventilating system.

C. Protection and Maintenance
1. The filters in a spray booth shall be located in such a manner as not to
reduce the effective booth enclosure of the articles being sprayed.
2. Space within spray booths on the downstream and upstream sides offilters shall be protected with approved automatic sprinklers and/or fire
control and extinguishing systems.
3. Filters or filter rolls shall not be used when applying a spray material
known to be highly susceptible to spontaneous heating and ignition.
4. Clean filters or filter rolls shall be non-combustible or of approved type
having combustibility not in excess of Class 2 filters as listed by
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Filters. Filter rolls shall not be alternately
used for different types of coating materials, where the combination ofmaterials may be susceptible to spontaneous ignition.

350

5. Smoking and open flames shall be prohibited in any spray booths.
6. Finishing areas in the vicinity of dip tanks and paint storage rooms, “No
smoking and open flames" signs in large letters on contrasting color
background shall be conspicuously posted in such areas.
7. There shall be no open flames or spark-producing equipment orprocesses that may expose the surface and exceed the auto-ignition
temperature of the material being sprayed in any spraying area orwithin six meters (6 m) therefrom, unless separated by a partition.
8. Space heating appliances, steam pipes or hot surfaces shall not belocated in spraying areas where deposits of combustible residues may
readily accumulate unless specifically approved for locations
containing both deposits of readily ignitable residue and explosive
vapors. There shall be no electrical equipment in any spraying area
where deposits of combustible residue may readily accumulate,
except in rigid conduits, boxes, or fittings containing no taps, splices or
terminal connections, and except as hereinafter provided.
9. Electrical wiring, motors and other equipment capable of producing
sparks or hot metal particles not subject to deposits of combustible
residues but located above or adjacent to spraying area shall be of
explosion-proof type approved for use in such hazardous location orshall be of the totally enclosed type or construction to prevent theescape of sparks or hot metal particles.
10. Electrical wiring, motors, and other equipment outside of, but within six
meters (6 m) horizontally and three meters (3 m) vertically of an
enclosed spraying area and not separated by partitions, shall notmake sparks under normal operating conditions.
11. Electric lamps outside, but within six meters (6 m), of any spraying areaand not separated by a partition, shall be totally enclosed to preventthe falling of hot particles and shall be protected from physicaldamage by suitable guards or by location.
12. Portable electric lamps shall not be used in any spraying area during
spraying operations. Portable electric lamps, if used during cleaning or
repairing operations, shall be of the type approved for hazardous
locations in accordance with the Philippine Electrical Code.
13. All metal parts of spray booths, exhaust ducts and piping systems
conveying flammable or combustible liquids shall be properly
electrically grounded in an effective and preventive manner inaccordance with the Philippine Electrical Code.
14. All spraying areas shall be provided with mechanical ventilation
adequate to prevent the dangerous accumulation of vapors as well351

as in removing flammable vapors, mists or powders to a safe locationand capable of confining and controlling combustible residues, dusts
and deposits.
15. Mechanical ventilation shall be kept in operation at all times, while
spraying operations are being conducted and for a sufficient time
thereafter to allow vapors from drying coated particles and dryfinishing material residues to be exhausted. Where spray operations
are conducted automatically without an operator constantly on duty,
the operating controls shall be arranged that the spray apparatus
cannot function unless exhaust fans are operating.
16. Each spray booth shall have an independent exhaust duct systemdischarging to the exterior of the building. However, multiple cabinet
spray booths in which identical spray finishing material is used with a
combined frontal area of not more than one and sixty-seven
hundredths square meters (1.67 m2) may have a common exhaust. If
more than one (1) fan serves one (1) booth, all fans shall beinterconnected that one (1) fan cannot operate without operating all.
17. Electric motors driving exhaust fans shall not be placed inside boothsor ducts. Fan rotating elements shall be non-ferrous or non-sparking or
the casing shall consist of, or be lined with, such material. There shallbe ample clearance between the fan-rotating element and the fancasing to avoid a fire by friction, necessary allowance being made forordinary expansion and loading to prevent contact between moving
parts and the duct or fan housing. Fan blades shall be mounted on ashaft sufficiently heavy to maintain perfect alignment even when theblades of the fan are heavily loaded, with the shaft preferably to havebearings outside the duct and booth. All bearings shall be of the selflubricating type, or lubricated from the outside duct.
18. Belts shall not enter the duct or booth unless belt and pulley within theduct or booth are tightly enclosed.
19. Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of steel having a thickness not lessthan that indicated in Table 29 and shall be substantially supported:
Table 29: MINIMUM THICKNESS OF SPRAY BOOTH
EXHAUST DUCTS, BY DIAMETER
Diameter of duct

Minimum thickness

20 cms or less
20 to 46 cms inclusive
46 to 76 cms inclusive
Over 76 cms(0.60 mm)(0.75 mm)(0.90 mm)(1.20 mm)352

20. Unless the spray booth exhaust duct terminal is from a water-wash
spray booth, the terminal discharge point shall be not less than one
and eight tenths meters (1.80 m) from any combustible exterior wall orroof, nor discharge in the direction of any combustible construction or
unprotected opening in any noncombustible exterior wall within sevenand six tenths meters (7.60 m).
21. Exhaust ducts without dampers are preferred. However, if dampers
are installed, exhaust ducts shall be maintained so that they will be in afull open position at all times the ventilating system is in operation.
22. Exhaust ducts shall have a clearance from unprotected combustible
construction or material of not less than forty-five centimeters (45 cm).
If combustible construction is provided with the following protection
applied to all surfaces within forty-five centimeters (45), clearance
may be reduced to the distances indicated in Table 30:
Table 30: CLEARANCE REQUIRED FROM EXHAUST DUCTS AND UNPROTECTEDCOMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION FOR SPRAY BOOTHS, BY TYPE OF PROTECTION USED
Protection Used
Gauge 28 sheet metal on ¼ -inch asbestos millboard.
Gauge 28 sheet metal on 1/8-inch asbestos millboard
space out 1 inch (2.54 cm) on noncombustible spacers.
Gauge 22 sheet metal on 1-inch (2.54 cm) coatedbatts reinforced with wire mesh or the equivalent.
Where ducts are protected with an approved automatic
sprinkler system, the clearance required in section “V” ofthis section may be reduced.

Clearance required
cm
in
30.48
12
22.86

9

7.62

3

15.24

6

23. Air exhaust from spray operations shall not be directed so that it will notcontaminate makeup air being introduced into the spraying area orother ventilating intakes.
24. Exhaust ducts shall be permitted to be round, rectangular, or othersuitable shape. They shall be provided with doors, panels or othermeans to facilitate inspection, maintenance, cleaning and access tofire protection devices.
25. Containers supplying spray nozzles shall be of closed type or provided
with closed metal covers. Containers not resting on floors shall be on
non-combustible supports or suspended by wire cables. Containers
supplying spray nozzles by gravity flow shall not exceed thirty eightliters (38ℓ) capacity.
26. All containers or piping to which a hose or flexible connection is
attached shall be provided with a shut-off valve at the connection.

353

Such valve shall be kept shut when not in use.
27. When pump is used to deliver products, automatic means shall be
provided to prevent pressure in excess of the design working pressureof accessories, piping and hose.
28. All pressure hoses and couplings shall be inspected at regular intervals
appropriate to its intended use. The hose and coupling shall be tested
with the hose extended, and using the “in-service maximum operatingpressures.” Any hose showing material deformations, signs of leakage,or weakness in its carcass or at the couplings, shall be withdrawn fromservice and repaired or discarded.
29. Piping systems conveying flammable and combustible liquids shall beof steel or other materials having comparable properties of resistanceto heat and physical damage. Piping systems shall be properly
bonded and grounded.
30. Heaters shall not be located in spray booths nor other locations subject
to the accumulation of deposits or combustible residue.
31. If flammable or combustible liquids are supplied to spray nozzles by
positive displacement pumps, the pump discharge lines shall be
provided with an approved relief valve discharging to a pump suction
or a safe detached location, or a device provided to stop the prime
mover if the discharge pressure exceeds the safe operating pressure of
the system.
32. Whenever flammable or combustible liquids are transferred from one
container to another, both containers shall be effectively bonded andgrounded to prevent the discharge sparks of static electricity.
33. In addition to the automatic fire control extinguishing equipment
provided for above, suitable portable fire protection equipment shallbe provided near all spraying areas as required for extra hazardous
occupancies. For continuous spray application, activation of fire
extinguishing system shall automatically accomplish all the following:a. Activate a local alarm in the vicinity of the spraying operation andactivate the facility’s alarm system, if such is provided.
b. Shut down the coating material delivery system.
c. Terminate all spray application operations.
d. Stop conveyors into and out of the spray area.
34. A manual fire alarm and emergency system shut-down station shall be
installed to serve each spray area. When activated, this station shall354accomplish all the functions listed above. At least one (1) such station
shall be within ready access of operating personnel. If access to thisstation is likely to involve exposure to danger, additional station shallbe located adjacent to an exit from the area.
35. Automatic sprinklers protecting each spray booth (together with its
connecting exhaust) shall be under an accessibly located separate
outside stem and yoke (OS & Y) (gate valve mechanism) sub-control
valve.
36. Sprinklers protecting spraying areas shall be kept as free from deposits
or overspray residue as practical by cleaning daily if necessary. If
covered, cellophane bags having a thickness of 0.076 mm or less, orthin paper bags shall be used. Coverings shall be replaced frequently
so that heavy deposits of residue do not accumulate. Sprinklers thathave been painted or coated, except by the sprinkler manufacturer,
shall be replaced with the new listed sprinklers having the samecharacteristics.
37. All spraying areas shall be free from accumulation of deposits of
combustible residue as practical, with cleaning conducted daily ifnecessary. Scrapers, spuds, or other tools used for cleaning purposes
shall be of non-sparking material.
38. Residue scraping and debris contaminated with residue shall be
immediately removed from the premises and properly disposed of. An
approved metal waste cans shall be provided whenever rags or waste
are impregnated with finishing material and all such rags or waste
deposited therein are disposed of immediately after use. The contents
of waste cans shall be properly disposed of at least once a day or at
the end of each shift.
39. The use of solvents for cleaning operations shall be restricted to Class II
and III liquids as defined in this IRR and those having flashpoints not lessthan 100ºF, except that the solvents with flash points not less than thosenormally used in spraying operations may be used for cleaning spraynozzles and auxiliary equipment, provided that such cleaning is
conducted inside spray booths and ventilating equipment is operating
during cleaning.
40. Spray booths shall not be alternately used for different types of coating
materials where the combination of the materials may be conduciveto spontaneous ignition, unless all deposits of the first material used areremoved from the booth and exhaust ducts prior to spraying with thesecond material.
41. Spraying shall not be conducted outside of predetermined spraying
areas.

355

42. Clothing of spray finishing employees shall not be left on the premises
overnight unless kept in metal lockers.
43. All electrical wiring and equipment of drying apparatus shall conformto the provisions of this IRR and shall otherwise be installed in accordance with the provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code. Only
equipment of a type approved for hazardous locations as provided forin this IRR shall be located within forty five centimeters (45 cm) of thefloor level. All metallic parts of drying apparatus shall be properly,
electrically bonded and grounded.
44. The drying apparatus shall contain a prominently located,
permanently attached warning sign indicating that ventilation should
be maintained during the drying period and that spraying should not
be conducted in the vicinity that spray will deposit on apparatus.
SECTION 10.4.7.3

DIPPING AND COATING PROCESSES

A. Construction
1. It shall be separated from other operations, materials, or occupancies
by location, firewalls, fire partitions, or by other means allowed in thisIRR.
2. Dipping and coating tanks shall be constructed of steel, reinforced
concrete, masonry or other non-combustible materials and shall be
securely and rigidly supported. Supports for tanks that exceed one
thousand eight hundred nine five liters (1895 ℓ) capacity or one
square meter (1 m2) of liquid surface shall have a minimum fire
resistance rating of one (1) hour.
3. To prevent the overflow of burning liquid from the dipping andcoating tank should a fire in the tank actuate automatic sprinklers,
the following requirements shall be done:a. Drain boards shall be arranged so that sprinkler discharge will not
flow into the tank.
b. Tanks shall be equipped with automatic closing covers andoverflow pipes.
c. The level of liquid in the dipping and coating tank shall bemaintained not less than one hundred and fifty two millimeters(152 mm) below the top of the tank to allow the effective
application of extinguishing agents in the event of fire.
d. Dipping and coating tanks that exceeds five hundred seventy
liters (570 ℓ) in capacity or ninety three-hundredths square meters(0.93 m2) in liquid surface area shall be equipped with a properly356

trapped overflow pipe leading to a safe location.
e. The connection of the overflow pipe to the tank shall be madenot less than one hundred and fifty two millimeters (152 mm)
below the top of the tank.
4. Dipping and coating tanks that exceed one thousand eight hundrednine five liters (1,895 ℓ) in liquid capacity shall be equipped withbottom drains automatically and manually arranged/operated toquickly drain the tank in the event of fire, unless the viscosity of theliquid at normal atmosphere makes this impractical.
Manualoperation shall be from a safe and accessible location. Where
gravity flow is not practicable, automatic pumps shall be provided.
5. Such drains shall be trapped and discharged to a closed, properly
vented salvage tank or to a safe outside location.
6. The diameter of the bottom drain pipe or pipes shall be sized toempty the dipping and coating tank within five (5) minutes, but in nocase shall be less than that indicated in Table 31:
Table 31: DIAMATER OF BOTTOM DRAIN
PIPES, BY TANK CAPACITY
Pipe diameter
(cm)
8
10
13
15
20

Tank capacity(liters)
1900 to 2850
2851 to 3800
3801 to 9500
9501 to 15000
Over 15000

7. Where salvage tank or tanks are employed, their capacity shall begreater than the capacity of the dipping and coating tanks to which
they are connected. Pumping arrangement shall be provided for the
retrieval of the contents. The salvage tanks shall be emptied before
the dipping and coating tank is refilled.
8. Dipping and coating process utilizing conveyor systems shall bearranged to automatically stop or cease motion in the event of fire
and if the required rate of ventilation is not maintained.
9. Open flames, spark-producing equipment/devices, or equipment
whose exposed surfaces exceed the auto-ignition temperature ofdipping or coating liquid, shall not be located in the process area
unless the said equipment or apparatus is of totally enclosed typeand construction to prevent the escape of sparks or particles of hot
metal.

357

10. Electrical wiring and equipment that is located in the process area
and is subject to deposits of combustible residues shall be of
explosion-proof type approved for use in such hazardous locations inaccordance with the Philippine Electrical Code.
11. Unless specifically approved for locations containing both deposits ofreadily ignitable residue and explosive vapors, there shall be noelectrical equipment in the vicinity of dip tanks or associated drainboards or drying operations which are subject to splashing or dripping
or dip tank liquids, except wiring in rigid conduits or in threaded boxes
or fittings containing no taps, splices or terminal connections andexcept as hereinafter specifically permitted relating to electrostatic
apparatus.
12. Open flames or spark producing equipment, which is not separated
by tight partitions, shall not be located within six meters (6 m) in any
floor space outside the process area. Drying and fusion apparatus
may be installed adjacent to process areas subject to applicableprovision of this rule.
13. In order to prevent sparks from the accumulation of static electricity,
all persons and all electrically conductive objects, including any
metal parts of the process equipment or apparatus, containers ofmaterial, exhaust ducts, and piping systems that convey flammableor combustible liquids, shall be electrically grounded.
14. Hardening and tempering tanks shall conform to all applicableprovisions of this Section and the following:a.

Tanks shall be located as far as practicable from furnaces andshall not be located on or near combustible floors.

b.

Tanks shall be provided with a non-combustible hood and ventor other equally effective means, venting to the outside of thebuilding to serve as a vent in case of fire. All such vent ducts shallbe treated as flues and be kept away from combustible roots ormaterials.

c.

Tanks shall be equipped with a mechanical high temperature
limit switch arranged to sound the alarm when the temperatureof the quenching medium reaches ten degrees (10°C) Celsius
below flash point.

d.

Hardening and tempering tanks of over one thousand eight
hundred ninety five liters (1,895 ℓ) capacity or two andthirty-two hundredths square meters (2.32 m2) surface area shallbe protected as specified in section.

e.

Air under pressure shall not be used to fill or to agitate oil in tanks,358

unless the air feed system is provided with a mechanical shut off
device that shall be activated to effectively eliminate airflow
once the mechanical alarm system required above is actuated.
15. Dipping and coating processes of over five hundred seventy liters(570 ℓ) capacity or ninety three hundredths square meters (0.93 m2)
liquid surface area and containing liquids having a flash points above
93°C
shall be protected with an approved automatic fire
extinguishing system.
16. Covers arranged to close automatically in the event of fire shall be
actuated by approved automatic mechanical devices and shall bearranged for remote manual operation.
17. Covers shall be made of non-combustible materials with overlap sides
by at least twenty-five millimeters (25 mm) and have a recess orflange that extends downward around the tank when it is closed.
18. Chains or wire ropes shall not be used to support the cover or
operating mechanism where the burning of a cord could interferewith the action of a device. All pulleys, catches, and other fasteners
shall be made of metal and shall be attached to noncombustible
mountings.
19. Dipping and coating process areas shall be provided withmechanical ventilation that is capable of confining the vapor area to
not more than one thousand five hundred twenty five millimeters(1525 mm) from the vapor source and removing the vapors in a safe
location. The concentration of the vapors in the exhaust stream ofthe ventilation system shall not exceed twenty five percent (25%) of
the lower flammable limit. However, if the physical size of a process
does not allow adequate removal of vapors by mechanicalventilation alone, a properly designed enclosure shall be provided
and the ventilation shall be capable of confining all vapors to theenclosure.
B. Operation
1. Mechanical ventilation shall be kept in operation at all times while
dipping and coating processes are being conducted and for a
sufficient time thereafter to allow all vapors to be exhausted until thevapor area no longer constitutes a vapor source. Where dipping andcoating processes are conducted automatically without an
attendant constantly on duty, the operating controls shall bearranged so that the apparatus cannot function unless the exhaustfans are operating.
2. Flow coat operations shall conform to the requirements for dipping359

and coating tanks, considering the area of the sump and any area
on which paints flow as the surface area of a dipping and coatingtank.
3. Paint shall be supplied by direct low pressure pumping arranged toautomatically shut down by means of approved heat mechanicaldevices in case of fire, or by gravity tank not exceeding thirty-eightliters (38 ℓ) in capacity.
4. The processes of roll coating, spreading, and impregnating, in which
fabrics, paper or other materials are passed directly through a tank or
through containing flammable liquids, or over the surface of a rollerthat revolves partially submerged in a flammable liquid, shall conformto the succeeding paragraph and to the other applicable provisionsof the foregoing sections of this IRR.
5. The storage and handling of flammable liquids shall be inaccordance with Section 10.3.4.2.1 and other pertinent provisions of
the Fire Code of this Philippines and this IRR.
C. Protection and Maintenance

1. Dipping and coating processes shall only be conducted in a building

designed for the purpose, protected with an approved automatic
sprinkler system that is designed and installed in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR, and is separated vertically and horizontallyfrom other areas by construction of non-combustible material with afire resistance of two (2) hours.

2. It shall be located so that in the event of fire originating at theprocess of equipment, access to means of egress will not be
impaired.

3. Controls shall be provided to automatically shut down the dipping or
coating process and sound an alarm if the ventilating system fails.

4. Areas in the vicinity of dipping and coating operations, especiallydrain boards and drip pans, shall be cleaned on a regular basis tominimize the accumulation of combustible residues and unnecessary
combustible materials.
Combustible coverings and strippable
coatings shall be permitted to be used to facilitate cleaning
operations in dipping and coating areas. If residue accumulates inwork areas, ducts, duct discharge points, or other adjacent areas, alldipping and coating operations shall be discontinued until conditions
are corrected.
Cleaning operations shall be conducted withventilating equipment in operation.

5. Approved waste container shall be provided for rags or waste360impregnated with flammable or combustible material, and all suchrags or waste shall be deposited therein immediately after use. The
contents of waste cans shall be properly disposed of at least once a
day or at the end of each shift.

6. Periodic inspections or tests shall be made of all process tanks

including covers, overflow pipe inlets, outlets and discharges, bottom
drains, pumps and valves, electrical wiring and utilization equipment,
grounding and bonding connections, ventilation systems, and all
extinguishing equipment. Any defects found shall be promptly
corrected. Inspection shall be conducted at least monthly.

7. Areas in the vicinity of dipping and coating processes shall be

provided with suitable portable fire extinguishers in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.7 of this IRR.

8. Covers shall be kept closed when tanks are not in use.
9. Adequate arrangements shall be made to prevent sparks from static
electricity by electrically bonding and grounding all metallic rotatingparts and other parts of machinery and equipment and by the
installation of static collectors or maintaining a conducive
atmosphere by means such as high relative humidity.

SECTION 10.4.7.4

ELECTROSTATIC APPARATUS

A. Construction
1. A safe distance of six meters (6 m) shall be maintained between goods
being painted or treated and electrodes, electrostatic atomizing
heads or conductors of at least twice the sparkling distance. A
suitable sign indicating this safe distance shall be conspicuously
posted near the assembly.
2. Electrostatic apparatus shall be equipped with automatic controls
which will operate without time delay to disconnect the power supply
to the high voltage transformer and to signal the operator under anyof the following conditions:a. Stoppage of ventilation fans or failure of ventilating equipmentfrom any cause.
b. Stoppage of the conveyor carrying goods through the highvoltage.
c. Occurrence of a ground or of an imminent ground at any point on
the high voltage system.
d. Reduction of clearance below that specified in para "A" (1) of thisSection.

361

3. Adequate booths, fencing, railing, or guards shall be placed aroundthe equipment so that, by either their location or character, or both,they assure that a safe isolation of the process is maintained from plantstorage or personnel. Such railings, fencing, and guards shall be of
conductive material, adequately grounded, and shall be at least one
and a half meters (1.5 m) from processing equipment.
4. Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads shall be adequately
supported in permanent locations, and shall be effectively insulated
from the ground. Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads which
are permanently attached to their bases, supports, or reciprocators,
shall be deemed to comply with this Section. Insulators shall be nonferrous and non-combustible.
5. High-voltage leads to electrodes shall be properly insulated andprotected from mechanical injury or exposure to destructive
chemicals. Electrostatic atomizing heads and any exposed elements
shall be effectively guarded against accidental contact or grounding.
Automatic means shall be provided for grounding the electrodesystem when it is electrically de-energized for any reason.
B. Operation
1. Electrostatic apparatus and devices used in connection with paintspraying and paint detearing operations shall be of a typeconforming to internationally approved standards.
2. Transformers, power packs, control apparatus, and all other electric
portions of the equipment, shall be located outside of the spraying or
vapor areas, and shall conform to the requirements of the otherprovisions of this IRR.
C. Protection and Maintenance
1. Designate the process zone as dangerous with regard to fire andaccident.
2. Signs designating the process zone as dangerous because of fire andaccident hazards shall be conspicuously posted.
3. Identify the grounding requirements for all electrically conductive
objects in the spray are, including persons.
4. Restrict access to qualified personnel only.
5. All insulators shall be kept clean and dry.
6. Drip plates and screens subject to paint deposits shall be removed
and taken to a safe place for cleaning.
7. The spraying area shall be adequately ventilated.

362

SECTION 10.4.7.5

AUTOMOBILE UNDERCOATING

A. Operation
1. When approved by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction,
automobile undercoating spray operations conducted in areas having
adequate natural or mechanical ventilation may be exempted fromthe requirements pertaining to spray finishing operations when using
undercoating materials which are not more hazardous than kerosene(as listed by underwriters’ laboratories in respect to fire hazard rating
30-40), undercoating materials using only solvents having a flash pointin excess of thirty seven and eight-tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C), or
no flames are within six thousand one hundred millimeters (6100 mm)
while such operations are conducted.
2. Undercoating spray operations not conforming to this provision are
subject to all applicable provisions of this IRR.
SECTION 10.4.7.6

POWDER COATING

A. Construction
1. Electrical equipment and other sources of ignition shall conform to therequirements of the Philippine Electrical Code.
2. Exhaust ventilation shall be sufficient to maintain the atmosphere
below the lowest explosive limits for the material being applied. All
non-deposited air-suspended powders shall be safely removed via
exhaust ducts to the powder recovery cyclone or receptacle.
Powders shall not be released to the outside atmosphere.
3. The provisions of internationally recognized standards for ovens andfurnaces shall apply.
4. Electrostatic fluidized beds and associated equipment shall be of
approved types. The maximum surface temperature of this equipmentin the coating area shall not exceed sixty-five and six-tenths degrees
Celsius (65.6°C). High voltage circuits shall be designed so as not to
produce a spark of sufficient intensity to ignite any powder-air mixture
nor result in shock hazard upon coming in contact with a grounded
object under normal operating conditions.
5. Transformers, power packs, control apparatus and all other electricalportions of the equipment, with the exception of the charging
electrodes and their connections to power, shall be located outside of
the power coating area or shall otherwise conform to the requirementsof this IRR.

363

6. All electrically conductive objects within the charging influence of theelectrodes shall be adequately grounded. The powder coating
equipment shall carry a prominent, permanently installed warning sign
regarding the necessity for grounding these objects.
7. Objects being coated shall be maintained in contact with theconveyor or other support in order to insure proper grounding.
Hangers shall be regularly cleaned to ensure effective contact, andareas of contact shall be sharp point or knife's edges where possible.
8. Electrical equipment shall be so interlocked with the ventilation system,
such that the equipment cannot be operated unless the ventilationfans are in operation.
B. Operation
1. Powder coating operations shall be conducted in:a. Completely
enclosed
rooms
made
of
non-combustible
materials/construction with smooth surfaces designed to prevent
accumulation of powder and to facilitate cleaning; orb. Enclosed powder
ventilated, or

coatingfacilities

which

are

adequately

c. Adequately ventilated spray booths meeting the requirements ofthis IRR.
2. The application of powders by means of non-electrostatic fluidized
bed or powder spray gun normally requires the part to be preheated.
Preheating is also sometimes used with electrostatic equipment. Caremust be taken to insure that the temperature of the part to be coateddoes not exceed the ignition temperature of the powder being used.
3. Precaution shall be taken to minimize the possibility of ignition by static
electrical sparks through static grounding, where possible, of powdertransport, application and recovery equipment.
4. All areas shall be free from accumulation of powder coating dusts,
particularly such horizontal surfaces as ledges, beams, pipes, hoods,
booths and floors.
5. Surfaces shall be cleaned in such manner as to avoid scattering dust
to other places or creating dust clouds. Vacuum sweeping equipment,
when used, shall be of approved type for use in hazardous locations.
6. Care shall be exercised to prevent iron or spark-producing metals frombeing introduced into the powder being applied. Magnetic and filter
type separators are recommended.

364

7. "NO SMOKING OR OPEN FLAMES" signs in letters on contrasting color
background shall be conspicuously posted at all powder coatingareas and powder storage rooms.
8. These provisions shall apply to finely ground particles protective
finishing material applied in dry powder form by one of the following
methods:a. Fluidized bed
b. Electrostatic fluidized bed
c. Powder spray guns
d. Electrostatic powder spray guns
9. Each method requires certain essential protective measures, whichshall be compatible with the method employed.
SECTION 10.4.7.7

ORGANIC PEROXIDES AND DUAL COMPONENT COATINGS

A. Operation
1. Extreme care should be exercised at all times in preventing thecontamination of organic peroxide formulations with any foreign
substance.
Only spray guns and related handling equipment
specifically manufactured for use with organic peroxide formulations
shall be used. Separate pressure vessels/air handling fluid equipment
shall be used for the resin and for the catalyst and they shall not beinterchanged.
2. The wetted portion of the equipment and apparatus that handle
organic peroxides formulations shall be made of stainless steel (300series), polyethylene, Teflon, or other materials specifically
recommended for the application.
B. Protection and Maintenance
1. Organic peroxides shall be stored in a cool detached building apartfrom other finishing materials. Only minimum daily requirements shallbe brought to the processing area. Such material remaining at thespraying station at the end of a day's operation shall be carefully
disposed of. Organic peroxides shall be kept away from all sources ofheat including steam pipes, radiators, open flames or sparks and solar
radiation.
2. Care shall be exercised in handling organic peroxide formulations to
avoid shock and friction, which can cause decomposition and violent
reaction.
3. Organic peroxides shall not be mixed directly with any cobalt

365

compounds or other accelerators or promoters as violent
decomposition or explosion may result. To avoid the possibility of such
accidental mixing, these materials shall not be stored adjacent toeach other.
4. Smoking shall be prohibited and "NO SMOKING" signs shall beprominently displayed and only non-sparking tools shall be used in any
area where organic peroxides are stored, mixed or applied.
5. Only designated personnel trained to use and handle organic
peroxide formulations shall be permitted to work with such materials.
6. Extra care shall be exercised to prevent contamination of organic
peroxide formulations with dusts or overspray residue resulting from thesanding or spray application of finishing materials. Such mixing canresult in spontaneous fire or explosion.
7. All spilled organic peroxides formulations shall be promptly removed.
Spilled material shall be absorbed by using a non-combustible
absorbent and then promptly disposed of in accordance with the
manufacturer's recommendation.
8. All spraying operations involving the use of organic peroxide
formulations and other dual component coatings shall be conductedin spray areas that are protected by approved automatic sprinkler
systems meeting the requirements of Section 10.2.6.5.
DIVISION 8. RIPENING PROCESSESSECTION 10.4.8.1

FSIC REQUIREDA Fire Safety Inspection Certificate shall be issued by the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction as required for any fruit and crop ripening
processes using combustible or flammable gas, such as ethylene, acetylene
and the like.
SECTION 10.4.8.2

CONSTRUCTION

A. The location of buildings in which fruit ripening processes utilizing
combustible or flammable gas are conducted shall be approved by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction. In towns or municipalities
without existing fire stations, the approving authority is the Provincial Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction.
B. Containers storing the gas or materials from which they are generated
shall be built in accordance with internationally recognized practice.
C. Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in accordance with thestandards of the Philippine Electrical Code.

366

D. Lighting shall be by approved electric lamps or fixtures.
E. Ethylene generators shall be listed and labeled including documentationthat ethylene concentration gas does not exceed twenty-five percent(25%) of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).
SECTION 10.4.8.3

OPERATION

A. Gas piping shall be of iron pipe. Flexible connectors and hose, whenused, shall be of approved type. Tubing shall be of brass or copper withnot less one-eight centimeters (0.125 cm) wall thickness.
B. Ethylene gas shall be discharged only into approved rooms or enclosures.
Valves controlling discharge shall be provided by positive and fail-closed
control of flow.
C. Ripening room shall be open for at least twenty minutes (20 min) every
twelve hours (12 hr) of operation.
D. Heating of ripening rooms shall be by indirect means utilizing low pressure
steam, hot water, or warm air. Approved electric heaters or approved
gas or kerosene heaters shall have sealed combustion chambers.
E. Steam, hot water pipes and radiators, shall have a clearance of at least
two and a half centimeters (2.5 cm) to combustible material.
F. Gas heaters and their vents shall be installed in accordance withinternationally recognized practice. Gas heaters shall be equipped with
an automatic pilot device to shut off the gas supply whenever the flameis extinguished.
G. Burners for gas or kerosene heaters shall be installed in such a manner thatthe air for combustion is taken from outside the ripening room and the
products of combustion are discharged to the outside.
H. Kerosene heaters shall be installed in accordance with the applicableprovisions of Rule 10, Chapter 4, Division 14, “Oil Burning Equipment”, ofthis IRR.
I.

Electric heaters shall be of a type having no exposed surface at atemperature higher than four hundred twenty six degrees Celsius (426oC)
and with thermostatic elements that produce no sparks and shall be of a
type approved for use in hazardous locations.

J. Protective guards shall be provided around heaters to prevent thepossibility of their being knocked over.

367

SECTION 10.4.8.4

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Portable fire extinguisher shall be installed in building or structure withripening rooms.
B. Ripening rooms shall be cleared of all combustible materials at all time.
Waste materials shall be disposed of properly.
C. The combustible or flammable gas shall be introduced by some means
under positive control and measured so that the quantity introduced
does not exceed one (1) part of gas to one thousand (1,000) parts of air.
D. Containers other than those in actual use shall be stored outside of thebuilding or in a special building, except that not more than two portableapproved containers not in actual use may be stored inside the building
premises. Such inside rooms or portions of a building used for storage ofthese containers shall be constructed of fire resistive walls and doors witha fire resistive rating of not less than two (2) hours.
E. Open flame heaters and open lights shall be prohibited in the ripening
rooms.
F. "NO SMOKING" signs shall be posted at every entrance and smoking shallbe prohibited in the ripening rooms.
G. Approved warning signs indicating the danger involved and necessary
precautions shall be posted in conspicuous places.
DIVISION 9. FUMIGATION AND THERMAL INSECTICIDAL FOGGINGSECTION 10.4.9.1

FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE

No person shall engage in fumigation or thermal insecticidal fogging withouta fire safety clearance from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction. An operational license for fumigators from the Fertilizer andPesticide Authority (FPA) is a prerequisite for the issuance of such clearance.
For the issuance of clearance, the following must be complied with:
A. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall be notified inwriting at least three (3) days before closing any structure or ship for
fumigation or opening spaces for fogging.
B. Notification shall provide the following information:
1. Business name of the applicant, its address and contact number;
2. Location or name of establishment/address to be fumigated or where
fogging operations are to be conducted;

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3. Fumigants or insecticides, as well as thermal devices, to be used;
4. Person(s) responsible for the operation; and5. Date and time of operation
C. Notice of any fumigation or thermal insecticidal fogging shall be served atleast one (1) day to the occupants involved in the premises to give themsufficient time for evacuation or appropriate preparation for theoperation.
SECTION 10.4.9.2

SOURCES OF IGNITION

A. All fires, open flames and similar sources of ignition shall not be allowed inspaces under fumigation or thermal insecticidal fogging. Heating, if
needed, shall be done by indirect means with steam or hot water.
B. Electricity shall be shut off during operations, except where circulatingfans are used. Such equipment shall be designed and installed inaccordance with the Philippine Electrical Code.
SECTION 10.4.9.3

WATCH PERSONNEL

A. During operation, the premises shall be sealed to keep the fumigant
suspended in the air.
The owner/building administrator shall be
responsible for the supervision of the operation. Indoor fogging operations
shall be supervised within three (3) to five (5) hours from the time thepremises are fumigated/fogged until all ventilation work is completed.
B. For outdoor operations, the requesting party shall be the one responsible
for the supervision.
SECTION 10.4.9.4

SEALING OF BUILDING

Depending on the construction of the building, doors, windows, and all
crevices, cracks or openings in the building, or portion thereof, to be
fumigated, except the exit, shall be sealed with tape and plastic sheet
before fumigation materials are applied. In case of houses, a rubber tent
shall be placed over the entire house to confine the poisonous gases or
prevent them from escaping. Irrespective of the type of fumigant employed,
paper or other similar non-fire retardant materials used as sealing or covermaterials for buildings, except for approved tarpaulins, in excess of that
required is prohibited.
SECTION 10.4.9.5

WARNING SIGNSWhenever fumigants are used or stored, conspicuous warning signs bearing
the “skull and crossbones” emblem with the words “DANGER, POISON GAS!
KEEP OUT!” shall be posted on all doors and entrances to the premises and369

upon all gangplanks and ladders from the deck, pier or land to the ship. The
signs shall also include the name of the fumigant used; the fumigator’s nameand his/her address and telephone number; and the date and time ofoperation. Notices shall be printed in red ink on white background. Letters in
the headlines must be at least 2 inches (51 mm) in height. A warning shallstate that the occupied premises must be vacated at least two (2) to three(3) hours before the operation begins and shall not be reentered until thedanger signs are removed by the proper authorities.
SECTION 10.4.9.6

VENTING AND CLEANUPAt the end of the exposure period, fumigators shall safely and properly
ventilate the premises and contents and properly dispose all fumigant
containers, residues, debris and other materials used in the fumigation.
SECTION 10.4.9.7

THERMAL INSECTICIDAL FOGGING LIQUIDSNo thermal insecticidal fogging liquid with a flash point below thirty-eight
degrees Celsius (38°C) shall be used. During operation, fog shall not beblasted directly against any combustible object or materials, e.g. Cartons,
papers, curtains and, or within 3 meters, therefrom.
SECTION 10.4.9.8

RESTRICTED FUMIGANTS

Use of Carbon Disulfide (CS2) and Hydrocyanic Acid (HCN) shall be used onlyin agricultural fumigations.
DIVISION 10. REPAIR GARAGESSECTION 10.4.10.1

CONSTRUCTION

A. Repair garages shall be built in accordance with the National Building
Code, and the provisions of this Section.
B. A repair garage shall not be located within or attached to a building or
structure used for any purpose other than a repair garage unlessseparated by walls and floor or floor-ceiling assemblies having a fire
resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours.
C. Any single area occupied for salesrooms, showrooms, offices, or similar
spaces shall be separated from vehicle repair or parking areas by walls
and floor or floor-ceiling assemblies having a fire resistance rating of notless than two (2) hours.
D. Ceiling assemblies shall be constructed in such a manner as to restrict thepassage of smoke, vehicle exhaust gases, and odors from the repair orparking area to these spaces.

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E. In cases of parts storage areas, it shall also be separated from all otherportions of the building by walls or partitions and floor or floor-ceilingassemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours.
F. In areas of repair garages used for repair or servicing of vehicles, floor
assemblies shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or, if
combustible materials are used in the assembly, shall be surfaced withapproved noncombustible material. Floors shall be liquid tight to preventthe leakage or seepage of liquids and shall be sloped to facilitate themovement of water, fuel, or other liquids to floor drains.
G. In areas of repair garages where motor fuels are dispensed or where
vehicles are serviced, floor drains shall be provided. They shall beproperly trapped and shall discharge through an oil separator to thesewer or to an outside vented sump.
H. The contents of oil separators and traps of floor drainage systems shall becollected at sufficiently frequent intervals to prevent oil from being carried
into the sewers. Disposal of which shall be in accordance with Rule 10,
Chapter 4, Division 2 and Section 10.3.4.2.1 of this IRR.
I.

Pits and sub-floor work areas shall comply with the following:

1. Walls, floors, and piers shall be constructed of masonry, concrete, orother suitable noncombustible material.

2. Pits shall have a minimum of two unobstructed means of egress. Steps
shall be noncombustible, slip resistant, and constructed with noaccessible storage space beneath.

3. Pits and sub-floor areas shall be provided with an individual ventilating
system capable of providing a complete air change every fiveminutes (5 min) with the intake located near floor level.

J. Repair garages shall be limited in height and area, depending on thetype of construction, and shall be provided with proper ventilation fire
protective system in accordance with this IRR.
K. Below-grade areas occupied for repairing, or communicating areas
located below a repair garage, shall be continuously ventilated by amechanical ventilating system having positive means for exhausting
indoor air at a rate of not less than 1 m3/min per m2 of floor area. An
approved means of ventilation shall be provided for introducing an equalamount of outdoor air.

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SECTION 10.4.10.2

OPERATION

A. Welding, Cutting and Hotworks Operations
1. Welding, cutting and hotworks operations shall be in accordance with
Rule 10, Chapter 4, Division 17 of this IRR.
2. Electric arc welding generators or transformers, electrical wiring forlight, power, heat, and signal or control circuits, as well as electricallyoperated equipments, tools, portable appliances, and devices shallbe in accordance the Philippine Electrical Code.
B. Spray Painting And Undercoating
1. Spray application operations, and processes shall be confined tospray booths, spray rooms, or spray areas. There shall be no open
flame devices or spark-producing electrical equipment or appliances
within six and one-tenth meters (6.1 m) radial distance horizontally
while such operations are conducted.
2. Undercoating materials shall be dry before starting the engine of theundercoated vehicle.
3. Where only a small portion of a vehicle is spray painted and noaccumulations of paint residues are allowed to form, such occasional
painting shall be permitted in an open area located not less than six
and one-tenth meters (6.1 m) radial distance horizontally from all open
flame devices or spark-producing electrical equipment or appliances.
SECTION 10.4.10.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Fire Protective System
1. Approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system shall be provided inrepair garages in accordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR andunder the following conditions:a. Repair garages more than one (1) storey in height or locatedbeneath another occupancy wherein such repair garage exceeds
an area of seventy hundred forty three square meters (743 m2).

b. One-storey repair garages exceeding an area of one thousand
one hundred fifteen square meters (1,115 m2).

c. All below-grade floors of repair garages, the ceilings of which areless than sixty-one hundredths meter (0.61 m) above grade.

2. Approved portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all repair
garages conforming to the provisions of Section 10.2.6.7 of this IRR.

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3. All repair garages that exceed a height of fifteen and two tenths
meters (15.2 m), have parking levels below grade, or are unsprinkleredand more than one (1) storey in height shall be provided with one ormore standpipes conforming to the provisions Section 10.2.6.6.
B. Housekeeping
1. An authorized employee/ officer of the firm, or the owner shall makedaily inspections of the garage and shall be responsible for the prompt
removal or repair of any hazardous condition, including proper
maintenance of equipment and safety devices and the immediate
removal of accumulations of combustible materials.
2. Clear aisle space shall be maintained to permit ready access to andthe use of fire-fighting equipment.
3. The contents of oil separators and traps of floor drainage systems shallbe collected at sufficiently frequent intervals to prevent oil from being
carried into the sewers.
4. Floors shall be kept clean and free of oil and grease. Only approved
water solutions or detergents, floor-sweeping compounds, and grease
absorbents shall be used for cleaning floors.
5. Metal lockers shall be provided for employees’ clothes.
6. Approved metal receptacles with self-closing covers shall be provided
for the storage or disposal of oil-soaked waste or clothes.
7. Combustible rubbish shall be placed in covered metal receptacles
until removed to a safe place for disposal. Contents of suchcontainers shall be removed daily.
8.

“NO SMOKING” signage’s shall be conspicuously posted on
hazardous areas in accordance to Division 3, Chapter 5, Rule 10 of thisIRR.

DIVISION 11. LUMBER YARDS, WOOD PROCESSING AND WOODWORKINGFACILITIESSECTION 10.4.11.1

CONSTRUCTION

A. Open Yard Storage
1. Driveways between and around lumber piles shall be at least four anda half meters (4.5 m) wide and maintained free from theaccumulation of rubbish, equipment or other articles or materials.
Driveways shall be so spaced that a maximum grid system unit offifteen meters (15 m) by forty-five meters (45 m) is produced.

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2. Permanent lumber storage, operating under a permit fromappropriate government agencies, shall be surrounded with a suitablefence at least one and eight tenths meters (1.8 m) in height, unlessstorage is within a building.
B. Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities
1. Building constructions shall be in accordance with the National
Building Code (NBC) and other accepted international standards.
2. Processing and wood working facilities shall be properly
compartmentalized and protected through fire walls and fire barriers
to prevent spread of fire and explosions or both between sections of
the facility with different hazards in accordance with Section 10.2.6.8
of this IRR.
3. Fire protection features shall include separation of adjacent building
by open space, or separation of adjoining building areas by firewalls
and fire partitions, or draft curtain boards as well as elimination of
unnecessary opening through floors.
4. Raw material storage, finish product storage, manufacturing areas,
non-manufacturing areas and high hazard occupancies shall beconsidered as different hazards.
5. Walls, floor, doors and openings shall comply with the following:a. If walls are erected as firewalls between adjoining buildings, thenthey shall be designed for a minimum of four (4)-hour fire resistance
rating.
b. Interior walls erected as fire barrier between adjoining areas shallbe designed for a minimum of one (1)-hour fire resistance rating.
c. All penetrations of floors and walls shall be provided withfirestopping having a fire resistance rating equal to that of the flooror wall.
d. Piping and ductwork shall not be embedded in firewalls.
e. Interior walls erected to isolate dust explosion hazards shall be
designed for sufficient explosion resistance to preclude damage tothese walls before the explosion pressure can be safely vented tothe outside.
f.

Where there are openings in fire-rated assemblies, including
conveyor and chute openings, such shall be protected byapproved, automatic-closing fire doors or fire dampers that have afire resistance rating equivalent to the fire-rated assembly.

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g. Fire doors shall be installed in accordance with Section 10.2.5.3 ofthis IRR.
h. Where there are openings in walls designed to be explosion
resistant, such shall be protected by doors that provide the same
degree of explosion protection as the walls. Such doors shall be
kept closed at all times when not in use. Such doors shall not be
considered as part of a means of egress. Such doors shall bemarked “NOT AN EXIT.”
6. Surfaces and ledges in dusty areas shall comply with the following:a. Interior surfaces and ledges shall be designed to minimize dust
accumulation.
b. Surfaces not readily accessible for cleaning shall be inclined at anangle of not less than forty-five degrees (45˚) from the horizontal tominimize dust accumulation.
SECTION 10.4.11.2

OPERATION

A. Open Yard Storage
1. Lumber shall be piled with due regard to stability of piles, and in nocase higher than three meters (3 m). Where lumber is piled next to aproperty line, it shall not be less than three meters (3 m) in distance.
2. The burning of shavings, sawdust, and refuse materials shall bepermitted only under boilers, in furnaces, or in incinerators or refuse
burners safely constructed which will eliminate the danger from sparks
such as an expansion chamber, baffle, walls, or other effective
arrangements. At boilers or other points where sawdust of shavings
are used as fuel, a storage bin of non-combustible, with raised sill, shallbe provided.
3. Smoking shall be prohibited except in specified safe locations inbuildings. Large "NO SMOKING" signs shall be painted on exteriorbuildings walls and on signs, erected at driveways' edges. "NOSMOKING" signs shall be posted throughout all buildings except in
specified locations designated as safe for smoking purposes.
4. Weeds shall be kept down throughout the entire year and shall be
sprayed as often as needed with a satisfactory weed killer or grubbed
out. Dead weeds shall be removed.
5. Debris such as sawdust, chips and shorts shall be removed daily.
Proper housekeeping shall be maintained at all times.

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B. Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities
1. Dust collecting system shall be designed in accordance with thePhilippine Mechanical Code and the latest edition of NFPA 664.
2. Thermal oil heating system shall be in accordance with the Philippine
Mechanical Code and the latest edition of NFPA 664.
3. Wood pulverizing operations shall be in accordance with thePhilippine Mechanical Code and the latest edition of NFPA 664.
4. Composite board plants shall be in accordance with the Philippine
Mechanical Code and the latest edition of NFPA 664.
SECTION 10.4.11.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Open Yard Storage
An approved yard hydrant system or water barrels and pails shall be
provided for in open storage yards. Yard hydrant systems shall be installedin accordance with internationally accepted standards. Water barrels
with three pails each shall be located at driveways so that a travel
distance of at least ten meters (10 m) but not more than twenty-threemeters (23 m) along driveways is needed from any part of the open yard
to reach a barrel. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.7 of this IRR.
B. Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities
1. Deflagration venting

1. If a dust explosion hazard exists in equipment, rooms, buildings, orother enclosures, such areas shall be provided with deflagration
venting.
An approved fire suppression system installed inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR.

2. Where room or building dust accumulations exceed three

millimeters (3 mm) or where visible dust clouds exist, it shall beconsidered an explosion hazard. In such rooms or buildings, an
explosion hazard shall be provided with damage-limiting
construction, including deflagration venting to a safe outside
location

2. Housekeeping
a. Removal of static dust shall be made for systematic, thoroughcleaning of the entire plant at sufficient intervals to prevent theaccumulations of finely divided wood dust that might be dislodged
and lead to an explosion.

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b. The use of compressed air or other similar means to remove dust
accumulations from areas that are not readily accessible forcleaning by other methods shall be permitted only if done
frequently enough to prevent hazardous concentrations of dust in
suspension. Any open flame or spark-producing equipment shallnot be used during blowdown.
c. Any metal scrap, such as nails, band iron, or any wood containing
metal, shall be separately collected and disposed so that it will notenter the wood-handling or processing equipment, the dustcollecting system, or the scrap wood hog.
3. Electrical installation and maintenancea. All electrical installation and maintenance shall comply with theprovisions of Philippine Electrical Code.
b. Static electricity shall be prevented from accumulating on
machines or on equipment that is subject to accumulation of static
electric charge by the following methods:

i. Permanent grounding and bonding wires
ii. Grounded metal combs
iii. Other effective meansc. Lightning protection, if necessary, shall be installed in accordancewith the Philippine Electrical Code.
4. Fire Protective Systema. Portable fire extinguishers, and standpipes and hose systems,
where required, shall be provided in accordance with Section
10.2.6.7 of this IRR. Hose stations of three and eight tenths
centimeters (3.8-cm or 1 ½ inch) diameter shall be provided
throughout all woodworking facilities.
b. Automatic sprinklers, where required, shall comply with Section
10.2.6.5 of this IRR. Deluge heads shall be used to protect hard-toreach areas, such as spaces between press cylinders.
DIVISION 12. MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION
The principal applications of refrigeration systems include, but not limited to,the following:
A. Industrial, refining, and chemical377

1. Controlling vapor pressure of volatiles during distillation, separation, or
processing.
2. Shifting solubility relationships to permit segregation and removal ofundesired contents, such as asphalt or wax, in lubricating oils.
B. Manufacture, freezing, preservation, and distribution of food products
C. Air conditioning
D. Manufacture, preservation, and distribution of medicine and drugs
E. Environment testing chambers
F. Cold treatment of metals
G. Industrial testing
H. Miscellaneous
1. Cold storage of flowers and furs.
2. Ice making and skating rinks
SECTION 10.4.12.1

CONSTRUCTION

All mechanical refrigeration systems shall be designed and installed inaccordance with the provisions of this Division, PSME Code, IMC, NBC andother related acceptable codes.
SECTION 10.4.12.2

OPERATION

A. Operating Instructions
1. An operating instruction shall be posted conspicuously and as near aspracticable to the refrigerant condensing unit.
2. The operating instruction shall include the following:a. Instructions for shutting down the system in case of emergency;
b. Mechanical and substance specification;c. The name, address and contact numbers for obtaining technicalservices; andd. The name, address and telephone number of the local building
official and the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction for
notification.

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B. Ammonia Diffusion Systems
1. Ammonia refrigerating plants containing more than thirteen and one
half kilograms (13.5 kg) of refrigerant shall be equipped with facilities
for diffusing the ammonia vapors.
2. Systems containing more than thirteen and one half kilograms (13.5 kg)of refrigerant shall be discharged to the outside of the building at least
sixty one centimeters (61 cm) above the roof and so located thatdischarged refrigerants will not cause discomfort or harmful effects topersons or such discharge shall be directed into a tank of fresh water
having a capacity of eight and a half liters (8.5 ℓ) for each kilogram ofrefrigerant and used for no other than ammonia absorption.
3. Systems containing more than forty-five kilograms (45 kg) of refrigerant
shall be provided with an approved diffuser consisting of sixty-threeand one half millimeters (63.5 mm) hose connections, mixing chamber
and a permanent discharge connection to the sewer or drainage
system.
4. Control valves for diffusers shall be outside of the machinery room in abox protected against tampering. Such valve control box shall be
plainly marked “FOR FIRE SERVICE USE ONLY – AMMONIA CONTROLVALVES.”SECTION 10.4.12.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. All refrigeration equipments shall be kept clean, free from accumulationsof oil, dirt, waste and other debris, and shall be easily accessible at all
times and shall undergo preventive maintenance program.
B. Each refrigerating system shall be provided with a legible metal signpermanently attached and easily noticeable, indicating thereon thename and address of the manufacturer or installer, the kind and total
number of kilograms (pounds) of refrigerant contained in the system, andthe field test pressure applied.
C. Systems containing more than forty-five kilograms (45 kg) of refrigerant
shall be provided with signs having letters not less than one and one fourth
centimeters (1.25 cm) in height designating the main shut-off-valves toeach vessel, main steam or electrical control, remote control switch andpressure limiting device.
D. Valve control box shall be plainly marked “FOR FIRE SERVICE USE ONLY –REFRIGERANT CONTROL VALVES.”
E. No person shall be allowed to use any ozone depleting refrigerants in any
mechanical refrigeration system.

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DIVISION 13. MOTION PICTURE PROJECTIONSECTION 10.4.13.1 CONSTRUCTION
A. Every motion picture projection equipment, except those portable types,
shall be kept securely fastened to a stable surface.
B. Electrical wiring installation and location of associated electricalequipment and emergency systems/devices shall conform to thePhilippine Electrical Code.
C. Every projection booth shall be of not less than one (1)-hour fire resistive
construction throughout and the walls and ceiling shall be finished withincombustible materials. The ceiling shall be not less than two and four
tenths meters (2.40 m) from the finished floor. The room shall have floorarea of not less than seven square meters (7 m2) and three and a halfsquare meters (3.5 m2) for each additional machine.
D. Every motion picture projection equipment, regardless of the type of film
used, shall be enclosed in a motion picture projection room as provided inpara “C” of this Section.
E. No person shall handle, store, use, test, repair, duplicate, transport ordestruct nitrate-based motion picture film without clearance, health andsafety training and proper monitoring from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.4.13.2

OPERATION

A. Processes like splicing, cleaning, repairing, cataloging and marking shallbe done in projection rooms only.
B. No person shall smoke or maintain any other source of ignition within any
projection room; nor shall a manager or projectionist allow any person tosmoke or to maintain any other source of ignition within said room.
SECTION 10.4.13.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. As a prerequisite for the issuance of FSIC, projectionists/operators shallundergo the required fire safety orientation/seminar to be conducted by
the BFP.
B. In every projection room there shall be installed at least two (2) approved
first aid fire protection appliances of Class ABC type.
C. The operator or any occupant shall, at all times, observe goodhousekeeping of the projection room.

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DIVISION 14. OIL-BURNING EQUIPMENTSECTION 10.4.14.1

GENERAL INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Use of oil burning equipment shall be of type acceptable to the Bureau of
Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (BPS-DTI).
B. The grade of fuel used in a burner shall be that for which the burner isapproved, and as stipulated by the manufacturer. Crankcase oil or any
oil containing gasoline shall not be used.
C. The installation shall be made in accordance with the Philippine
Mechanical Code, with plans duly sealed and signed by a professional
mechanical engineer and shall be submitted to the City /Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction, and the following guidelines:
1. Oil-burning appliances and equipment shall be installed so that aminimum of nine tenths meter (0.9 m) separation is maintained fromany electrical panel board and a minimum of one and a half meters(1.5 m) separation is maintained from any unenclosed fuel oil tank.
2. After installation, the appliance or equipment shall be tested forproper operation and combustion performance to make certain thatthe burner is operating in a safe and acceptable manner and that allaccessory equipment, controls, and safety devices function as
intended.
3. Contractors installing industrial oil-burning systems shall furnish
diagrams showing the main oil lines and control valves, one of whichshall be posted at the equipment and another at a place that will bereadily accessible in case of emergency.
4. After completing the installation, the installer shall instruct the owner or
operator on the proper operation of the equipment. The installer shallalso furnish the owner or operator with name(s) and telephone
numbers of person(s) to contact for technical information or assistanceand for routine or emergency services.
SECTION 10.4.14.2

CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Electrical Services
1. Electrical wiring and utilization equipment used in connection with oilburning appliances or equipment shall be installed in accordance with
Philippine Electrical Code and the following guidelines;
a. Safety control circuits shall be 2-wire, 1 side grounded, with anominal voltage not exceeding 220~230 volts;

381

b. Safety controls or protective devices shall be connected so thatthey interrupt the ungrounded conductor and shut all fuel flow tothe appliance, including fuel flow to any pilot flame or burner.
c. The control circuit shall be connected to a power supply branch
circuit fused at not more than the value appropriate for the ratingof any control or device included in the circuit.
B. Fuel Oil Tanks
1. The design, construction and installation of fuel tanks shall conform to
the standards of the American Petroleum Institute or otherinternationally accepted standards and the following:a. Fuel oil supply tanks may be installed inside buildings provided thatthey are enclosed in accordance with Division 7, Chapter 5, Rule
10 of this IRR.
b. Stoves that are designed for barometric feed shall not be
connected to separate oil supply tanks.
c. Unvented heating appliances shall be equipped with integral tankswith a capacity of not more than seven and a half liters (7.5 ℓ).
d. Oil supply tanks other than those furnished as an integral part of thestove or range shall not be located within one and a half meters(1.5 m) horizontally, of any fire or flame except that tanks not overtwenty three liters (23 ℓ) capacity may be within this distance but
not within sixty centimeters (60 cm) of the stove or range in which
the burner is installed; provided that the temperature rise of the oil
supply at this distance shall not approximate the flash point of theoil when the burner is operated at full capacity.
e. Tanks shall rest on the ground or on foundations made of concrete,masonry, piling, or steel. Tank foundations shall be designed tominimize the possibility of uneven settling and to minimize corrosion
in any part of the tank resting on the foundation.
f.

Where tanks are supported above the foundations, the supports
shall be firmly anchored to the foundation. Supports shall be ofconcrete, masonry, or steel. Single wood timber supports (notcribbing) laid horizontally shall be permitted to be used for outside
aboveground tanks if the supports are less than 12 in. (0.3 m) highat their lowest point.

C. Fill, Return, Supply and Vent Piping
1. A fill pipe on a tank larger than two hundred twenty seven liters (227 ℓ)
capacity shall terminate outside of a building at least sixty centimeters382

(60 cm) from any building opening. Every fill pipe terminal shall beequipped with a tight cover.
2. A return line from a burner or pump to a supply tank shall enter
through the top of the tank.
3. An auxiliary tank installed in the supply between a burner and its main
supply tank shall be filled by pumping from the storage tanks.
4. All piping, except the burner supply line from a tank having a capacity
not over two thousand liters (2,000 ℓ) and the cross connection
between two such tanks having an aggregate capacity of two
thousand liters (2,000 ℓ) or less, shall be connected into the top of the
supply tank.
5. The burner supply connection to the tanks or tanks having a capacityof more than two thousand liters (2,000 ℓ) shall be connected to the
top of the tank. In commercial and industrial installations for numbers
5&6 oil, the burner supply connection may be below the liquid levelbut each such connection shall be provided with an approved valve.
6. Pressure feed from tanks is prohibited.
7. All tanks in which a constant oil level is not maintained by anautomatic pump shall be equipped with an approved method ofdetermining the oil level.
D. Pumps, Piping and Valves
1. An oil pump, not part of an approved burner, shall be of a positive
displacement type, which automatically shuts off the oil supply when
the oil pump is stopped.
2. All piping shall be standard full weight wrought iron, steel or brass pipewith standard fittings or brass or copper tubing fittings of an approved
type, except that approved flexible metal hose, may be used for
reducing the effect of jarring and vibration or where rigid connections
are impractical. Cast iron fittings shall not be used.
3. Aluminum tubing shall not be used between fuel oil tank and theburner unit.
4. Pipes used in the installation of all burners and appliances other thanconversion range oil burner shall not be smaller than ninety-fivemillimeters (95 mm), iron pipe size on ninety-five millimeters (95 mm)outside diameter tubing.
5. Piping between conversion range burners and tanks shall be standard
steel, wrought iron, or brass pipe not smaller than six and four tenths

383

millimeters (6.4 mm) in size or brass or copper tubing not less than eight
millimeters (8 mm) outside diameter with a wall thickness not less than
one and one fourth millimeters (1.25 mm).
6. Piping shall be substantially supported and protected against physicaldamage and, where necessary protected against corrosion. Allburied piping shall be protected against corrosion.
7. Pipe joints and connections shall be made tight with suitable lubricant
or pipe compound. Unions requiring gaskets or packing, right and left
couplings, and sweat fittings, shall not be used in oil lines.
8. Proper allowance shall be made for expansion, contraction, jarringand vibration.
9. Where supplies are set below the level of the burner, the oil piping shallbe so laid as to pitch toward the supply tank without traps.
10. Readily accessible manual shut-off valves shall be installed to avoid oil
spillages during servicing. The valve shall be installed to close against
the supply.
11. Where the shut-off valve installed in the discharge line of an oil pumpthat is not an integral part of a burner, a pressure relief valve shall beconnected into the discharge line between the pump shut-off valve
and arranged to return surplus oil to the supply tank or to bypass itaround.
12. Where oil is supplied to a burner requiring uniform flow by gravity feed
and a constant level valve is not incorporated in the burning assemblyor the oil is not supplied by an automatic pump, a constant level valve
shall be installed in the supply line at the gravity tank or as close
thereto as practicable, to insure uniform delivery of oil to the burner.
The vent opening of such constant level valve shall be provided withan anti-flooding device. Vent piping or tubing or constant level valve
shall not be connected to tanks or tank vents.
E. Conversion Oil Burners and Oil-Fired Units
1. Oil burners other than oil stoves with internal tanks, shall be provided
with some means for manually stopping the flow of oil to the burner.
Such device or devices shall be placed in a convenient location at asafe distance from the burner.
2. Oil burners for which a competent attendant will not be constantly on
duty in the room where the burner is located while the burner is on
operation shall be equipped with a primary safety control or a typespecifically approved for the burner with which it is used. Whenprimary safety controls are installed in connection with other oil

384burners, such automatic devices shall be of a type specificallyapproved for use with the burner to which they are attached.
3. Each appliance fired by conversion oil burners, and each oil-fired unit,
shall be provided with automatic limit controls which will prevent
unsafe pressure or low water in a steam boiler or over-heating within a
hot-water boiler, furnace or heater.
4. Limiting controls and low water shut-offs intended to prevent unsafe
operation of heating equipment by opening an electrical circuit to theburner of shut-off device shall be so arranged as to effect the direct
opening of that circuit whether the switching mechanism is integral
with the sensing element or remote from same.
5. A water heater shall be provided with water pressure, temperature,and vacuum relief devices. Means shall be provided to prevent shiphoning in any boiler or tank to which any circulating water heater is
attached.
6. Electric motor-driven oil burners or a type not equipped with primary
safety controls with integral oil pumps and electric motor-driven pumpsets for use with such burner, not equipped with integral pumps, shallbe provided with a motor controller incorporating no-voltage
protection to be wired into the power supply to the motor.
7. In systems where either steam or air is used for atomizing the oil, or
where air for combustion is supplied by a source which may beinterrupted without shutting off the oil supply, the oil and atomizing or
air supply shall be interlocked in a manner to immediately shut off oil
supply upon failure of the atomizing or air supply.
8. Where automatically opened burners are used in installations
equipped with force or induced draft fans or both, means shall be
provided to immediately shut-off the oil supply upon fan failure.
9. Oil burners not equipped to provide safe automatic restarting after
shut down shall require manual restarting after any control function to
extinguish the burner flame.
10. Oil-fired appliances shall be installed in rooms that are large
compared with the size of the appliance specifically approved for
installation in a confined space such as an alcove or closet installation
is in compliance with the approval. In alcove and closet installations,the clearances from the appliance to the walls and ceilings shall not
be less than specified in the approval regardless of the type of
construction.

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F. Installation of Heating and Cooking Appliances
1. Kerosene and oil stove shall be equipped with a primary control
furnished as an integral part of the appliance by the manufacturer tostop the flow of oil in the event of flame failure.
2. A conversion range oil burner shall be equipped with a thermal (heatactuated) valve in the oil supply line, located in the burnercompartment of the stove.
3. Oil burning appliance, small heating and cooking appliances shall be
installed in accordance with NFPA 31 on Standards for the Installationof Oil Burning Equipment or with other internationally accepted
standards.
DIVISION 15. ORGANIC COATINGSSECTION 10.4.15.1

CONSTRUCTION

A. Process Building
1. Manufacturing of organic coating shall be done on buildings without
basements or pits and shall be constructed with non-load bearing
walls and with fire resistive construction of noncombustible materials.
2. Organic coating manufacturing operations and operations incidental
to or connected with organic coating manufacturing shall not belocated in the same building with other occupancies.
3. Each organic coating factory located within fifteen meters (15 m) of
adjoining property or structures or public thoroughfare shall have theexposing wall constructed as indicated below:
Table 32: FIRE RESISTANCE RATING OF EXPOSING WALL OF ORGANICCOATING FACTORIES, BY DISTANCE FROM ADJOINING PROPERTY OR
STRUCTURE
Distance from adjoining property or
structure of public thoroughfareLess than 3 meters
3 meters to 9 meters
Over 9 meters but less than 15 meters

Fire Resistance Ratingof Exposing WallAt least 4 hours
At least 3 hours
At least 2 hours

4. Raw materials and finished stock storage buildings shall be limited toone (1) storey in height and either detached or cut-off frommanufacturing buildings by non-combustible construction having a fire
resistance rating of at least two (2) hours. Openings shall be equippedwith fire doors of at least one and a half (1.5)-hours fire resistance
rating.

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5. Stairway enclosures and structures housing elevators shall be enclosed
by non-combustible walls having a fire-resistance rating of at least two(2) hours, and equipped with fire doors at least one and a half (1.5)hours fire resistance rating.
6. Each manufacturing room shall have at least two (2) exits, well separated or remote from each other, one of which shall be directly to theoutside. Access to all exits shall be kept clear and doors shall open in
the direction of travel. Door fastenings shall be of the safety release
type. Supervisory management offices, change and locker rooms
located in manufacturing buildings shall be provided with exits
adequate to accommodate the number of occupants. The means ofegress shall not be exposed by drainage facilities.
7. Structures in which Class I liquids or finely divided flammable solids areprocessed shall be provided with explosion or deflagration venting.
8. Enclosed buildings in which Class I liquids are processed or handled inopen containers and equipment shall be adequately or continuously
ventilated at a rate of not less than one cubic meters per minute (1m3/min) for every six and a half square meters (6.50 m2) of solid floor
area. This shall be accomplished by exhaust fans taking suction at
floor levels and discharging to a safe location outside the building.
Provisions shall be made for introduction of non-contaminated intake
air in such a manner that all portions of solid floor areas will be subject
to continuous distributed movement of air.
9. Enclosed buildings in which Class I liquids are processed or handled inclosed containers and equipment shall be equipped with a point-ofuse and point-of-emission local exhaust ventilation system designed toprevent accumulation of flammable vapors during the operation of
the equipment. This shall be accomplished by exhaust fans taking
suction at all potential points of flammable vapor release from theequipment. During a shutdown period, when equipment is open andthere is a potential for vapor emission, sufficient ventilation shall be
provided to maintain a safe atmosphere.
10. Heating in hazardous areas, if required, shall be provided by indirectmeans. Ignition sources such as open flames or electrical heating
elements except as provided in this IRR shall not be used within thebuilding.
11. An organic coating manufacturing operation shall be accessible fromat least one side for the purpose fire control. Approved aisles shall bemaintained for the unobstructed movement of personnel and fire
suppression equipment.
12. Where topographical conditions are such that flammable and com-387

bustible liquids may flow from the organic coating manufacturing
operation so as to constitute a fire hazard to properties of others,
drainage facilities shall be provided in accordance with the following:a. Drainage facilities shall be provided to direct flammable andcombustible liquid leakage and fire protection water to a safe
location away from the building.
b. Emergency drainage systems containing flammable and combustible liquids connected to public sewers or discharging into public
waterways shall be equipped with traps or separator tanks.
c. Emergency drainage systems for leaks of flammable or
combustible liquids and for fire protection system discharge shallbe provided and shall have curbs, scuppers, or special drainage
systems to control the spillage and spread of fire. The containmentarea shall have a capacity not less than that of the largest tankthat can drain into it.
B. Process Piping
1. All piping, valves and fittings shall be designed for the working
pressures and structural stresses to which they may be subjected. They
shall be of steel or other material approved for the service intended.
Cast-iron valves, fittings, and pipe shall not be used.
2. Valves shall be of an indicating type. Terminal valves on remotepumping system shall be of the "dead-man" type, which will shut off
both the pump and the flow of solvent.
3. Piping systems shall be substantially supported and protected against
physical damage. Piping shall be pitched to avoid unintentional
trapping of liquids, or suitable drains shall be provided.
4. Approved flexible connectors shall be installed where vibration exists
or where frequent movement is necessary. Approved hose shall be
used at dispensing stations.
5. Before being placed in service, all piping shall be hydrostaticallytested to not less than one and a half (1 ½) times the expectedworking pressure or thirty five kilo Pascal (35 kpa) at the highest point in
the system for a minimum of thirty minutes (30 min) to determine thatthe piping is free of leaks.
C. Electrical Equipment
1. All electrical wiring and equipment within storage or processing areas
shall be installed to be reasonably safe to persons and property inaccordance with the Philippine Electrical Code and other388

internationally accepted standards.
2. Where Class I liquids are exposed to the air, the design of equipment
and ventilation of buildings shall be such as to limit Class I liquid
locations to pits, the interior of equipment and the "immediate vicinity"of pumps or equipment locations such as dispensing stations open
centrifuges, plate and frame filters, opened vacuum filters, changecans, and the surfaces of open equipment. Immediate vicinity meansa zone extending from the vapor liberation point six meters (6 m)horizontally in all directions and vertically from the floor to a level two
meters (2 m) above the highest point of vapor liberation.
3. All locations not covered by this Section where Class I liquid's arehandled shall be considered Class I, Second Division. If the flash pointof the liquid processed is higher than the ambient temperature and at
least thirty-seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C), ordinary
electrical equipment may be used, though care shall be used inlocating electrical apparatus to prevent hot metal from falling into
open processing equipment.
4. Ordinary electrical equipment, including switchgear is prohibited,
except if installed in a room, which is maintained under positive
pressure with respect to the hazardous area. Air or other media forpressurization shall be taken from a location that will not cause any
amount or type of flammable vapor to be introduced into the room.
D. Protection Against Static Electricity and Lighting
1. All equipment such as tanks, machinery and piping where an ignitablemixture may be present shall be bonded and connected to a ground.
The bond or ground, or both, shall be physically applied or shall beinherently present by the nature of the installation. The resistance toground of a metallic grounding path shall not exceed 25 ohms andthe resistance to ground of a nonconductive or semi-conductive
grounding path shall not exceed 1 million ohms (1 mega ohm).
2. Electrically isolated section of metallic piping or equipment shall bebonded to the other portions of the system or grounded.
3. Tank vehicles loaded or unloaded through open connections shall begrounded and bonded to the receiving system.
4. When a flammable mixture is transferred from a portable container toanother, a bond shall be provided between the two containers, andone shall be grounded.
5. Steel or metal framing of buildings shall be grounded with resistance of
not more than five (5) ohms.

389

SECTION 10.4.15.2

OPERATION

A. Storage of Raw Materials and Finished Products
1. Tank storage of raw materials for organic coatings inside building shallbe permitted only in storage areas at or above grade that havedrainage which are detached from the processing area or cut off
from the processing area by non-combustible construction having atleast a two (2)-hour fire resistance rating. Openings shall be equippedwith doors having two (2)-hour fire resistance rating.
2. Tank car and tank vehicle loading and unloading stations for Class I
liquids shall be separated from the processing area, other plantbuildings, and nearest line of adjoining property that may be built
upon or public thoroughfare by a clear distance of not less than eight
meters (8 m). Tank cars for flammable liquids shall be unloaded suchthat safety to persons and property is ensured. Tank vehicles for
flammable and combustible liquids shall be loaded and unloaded inaccordance with Section 10.3.4.2.1 of this IRR.
3. Loading and unloading structures and platforms for flammable andcombustible liquids shall be designed and installed in accordancewith this IRR.
4. Finished products of organic coatings shall be stored outside of thebuildings, in separate building, or in separate room cut-off from theprocessing area by a non-combustible wall or partition having at least
a two (2)-hour fire resistance rating. Openings shall be equipped withdoors having two (2)-hour fire resistance rating. The storage of finishedproducts shall be in tanks or in closed containers.
5. The nitrocellulose storage shall be in a separate building or in a room
cut off by non-combustible construction having a fire resistance ratingof at least two (2) hours and openings shall be equipped with doors
having a minimum of two (2)-hour fire resistance rating.
The
nitrocellulose storage shall be used for no other purpose and shall beprotected by a sprinkler system that provides a density of fourteen andthree tenths liters per minute per square meter (14.3 l/min·m2) over theentire storage area. Electrical wiring and equipment installed shall bein accordance with the Philippine Electrical Code.
6. Nitrocellulose shall be stored in closed-containers. Barrels shall be
stored in an upright position with the lid up and shall not be stored
more than two (2) barrels high. Barrels or other containers ofnitrocellulose shall not be opened in the main storage building but
only at the point of use or other location intended for this purpose. The
storage area shall be marked with a sign that states: “NITROCELLULOSE— FLAMMABLE SOLID — KEEP HEAT, SPARKS, AND FLAME AWAY” or390

equivalent wording.
7. Spilled nitrocellulose shall be cleaned up immediately. Material thathas dried or is suspected of having dried shall be wet with water orsolvent and placed in a covered metal container and be disposed ofproperly.
8. This storage of organic peroxides shall be in accordance with Section
10.3.4.4.5 of this IRR.
9. The size of the package containing the organic peroxide shall beselected so that as nearly as practical, full packages are utilized at
one time. Any peroxide spilled shall be promptly cleaned up anddisposed of as recommended by the supplier.
B. Process Mills, Mixers, and Kettles
1. Mills operating with close clearances and used for the processing of
flammable and heat sensitive materials such as nitrocellulose, shall belocated in a detached building or in a non-combustible structure
without other occupancy. The amount of nitrocellulose or otherflammable material brought into the area shall be no more than that
required for a batch.
2. Mixers shall be of the enclosed type, or if the open type shall be
provided with properly fitted covers. Where flow is by gravity, a shutoff valve shall be installed as closed as practical to the mixer and acontrol valve shall be provided near the end of the (fire) fill pipe.
3. Open kettle shall be located in an outside area, provided with aprotective roof or in a separate building of non-combustible
construction or separated from other areas by means of a noncombustible wall or partition having a fire resistance rating of two (2)hours.
4. The vaporizer section of heat-transfer system heating closed kettles
containing solvents shall be remotely located. Contact-heated kettles
containing solvents shall be equipped with safety devices that in caseof fire can turn the process heat off, turn the cooling medium on, andinject inert gas into the kettle.
5. The kettle and thin-down tank shall be instrumented, controlled andinterlocked so that any failure of the controls will result in a safe
condition. The kettle shall be provided with a pressure rupture disc in
addition to the primary vent. The vent piping from the ruptured discshall be of a minimum length and shall discharge to a safe location.
The thin-down tank shall be adequately vented. Thinning operations
shall be provided with a vapor removal system capable of ensuring asafe atmosphere.

391

C. Transfer of Raw Materials
1. The transfer of large quantities of flammable and combustible liquids
shall be through a closed piping system by means of pump or by
gravity flow. The use of compressed air as a transfer medium isprohibited.
2. Pumps shall be selected for the raw materials used, the working
pressures and the structural stresses to which they may be subjected.
3. Where solvents are pumped from storage to points of use, emergency
switches shall be provided in the processing area, at an exit door orother safe location outside the process area, and at the pumps to shut
down all the pumps and to stop the flow of flammable or combustible
liquids in case of an emergency.
4. Empty and filled containers shall be stored outside the filing area.
SECTION 10.4.15.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Raw Materials in Process Areas
1. The amount of nitrocellulose brought into the operating area shall not
exceed that required for a shift. Any nitrocellulose which may be
spilled on the floor or elsewhere shall be promptly swept up, put into apail of water, and removed at the end of the day shift and disposed ofproperly.
2. Organic peroxides brought into the operating area shall be in theoriginal shipping container and shall not exceed the quantity required
for a shift. When in the operating area, the peroxide shall not be
placed in locations exposed to ignition sources, heat or mechanicalshocks.
B. Fire Control And Detection
1. Manufacturing and storage buildings shall be protected by anautomatic sprinkler system equipped with fire-fighting foam that issuitable for use with the materials being protected, where properly
designed in accordance with standard for the installation of sprinkler
systems; standard for low-expansion foam; or standard on the
installation of foam-water sprinkler and foam-water spray systems.
2. Appropriate portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in organic
coating areas.
3. Where public hydrants and water mains are not available or are
inadequate, private hydrants and water mains shall be provided.

392

4. An approved fire alarm system shall be provided.
5. All fire protection system installed shall be properly maintained andtested periodically.
6. In the absence of automatic sprinkler system, standpipe and hosesystems shall be installed. One and a half inches (1 ½ in.), or two anda half inches (2 ½ in.), or a combination of both hose connections withcombination nozzles/ spray nozzles shall be used.
C. Maintenance
1. The cleaning of tanks or vessels which have previously contained
flammable or combustible liquids shall only be done under thesupervision of competent persons who understand the fire and explosion potentials of the tanks.
2. When necessary to make repairs involving welding and cutting or
hotworks, the work shall be authorized by the plant superintendent or
responsible individual in charge before the work is started.
3. When necessary to enter a tank, pit manhole or other confined
spaces, such entry can be authorized by the responsible individuals incharge.
4. Power operated industrial trucks shall be of a type approved for thelocation.
5. Open flames and direct-fired heating devices shall be prohibited inareas where flammable vapor-air mixture may exist.
6. Smoking shall be prohibited except in designated safe areas. An
approved “NO SMOKING” sign shall be posted in all hazardous areas.
7. Empty containers previously used for flammable or combustible liquids
shall be removed to a well detached outside location and if notcleaned on the premises, the empty container shall be removed fromthe plant immediately.
8. Storage in containers outside of buildings shall conform to applicableprovisions of this IRR.
9. Adequate aisles shall be maintained for the unobstructed movementof personnel and fire protection equipment.

393

DIVISION 16. INDUSTRIAL OVENSSECTION 10.4.16.1

CONSTRUCTION

A. Location and Construction
1. Ovens, oven heaters and related heat utilization equipment shall belocated where they will present the least possible hazard to life andproperty. To prevent and minimize damage from fire or explosion,
they may need to be surrounded by walls or partitions.
2. Ovens shall be located at or above grade, or if in basements at least
fifty percent (50%) of the wall area of the room in which the oven islocated shall be above grade, because basements below grade are
difficult to ventilate and offer severe obstacles to proper explosion
release.
3. Ovens shall be located in areas that are readily accessible withadequate space above them for automatic sprinklers, the proper useof hose streams, routine inspection and maintenance, and withadequate clearances to permit the proper functioning of explosion
vents. Roofs and floors of the ovens shall be sufficiently insulated andventilated to keep temperatures of combustible ceilings and floors
below seventy-one degrees Celsius (71°C).
4. Ovens and the building that houses it shall be constructed of noncombustible materials throughout, except where the maximum oven
operating temperature is not over seventy one degrees Celsius (71°C)
and adequate guards shall be provided to protect personnel.
5. Ovens which may contain flammable air-gas mixtures shall beequipped with devices or relief vents for freely relieving internal
explosions causative pressure.
6. All duct works shall be constructed of non-combustible materials.
Ducts shall be made tight throughout and shall have no opening otherthan those required for the proper operation and maintenance of thesystem. Ducts passing through combustible well, floors or roofs shallhave adequate insulation and clearances to prevent surface
temperature from exceeding seventy-one degrees Celsius (71°C).
Exhaust ducts shall not discharge near doors, windows, or other air
intakes in a manner that will permit reentry of vapors into the building.
7. Ovens shall be well separated from valuable stock, important power
equipment, machinery and automatic sprinkler rises, so there will beminimum interruption to production and protection if there areaccidents to the oven. Combustibles in the vicinity of the oven shallbe adequately separated or properly insulated.
8. Each oven shall have its own venting facilities.

394

B. Ventilation
1. Ovens, where flammable or toxic vapors are liberated, or throughwhich products or combustion are circulated shall be ventilated by
the introduction of a supply of fresh air and the proper exhaust to the
outdoors. Discharge pipes shall not terminate within three meters (3m) measured horizontally, from any door window or wood frame wallof any building. Such oven ventilation shall be arranged to provide
vigorous and well distributed air circulation within the oven to insurethat the flammable vapor concentration will be safely below the lower
explosive limit at all times. Unless the oven is operated in accordancewith specific approval specifying particular solvents and rate ofventilation, the rate of ventilation shall not be less than seventy five
cubic meters (75 m3) of fresh air per liter of solvent evaporated incontinuous process ovens, and not less than three cubic meters (3 m3)
per minute per liter of flammable solvent evaporated in batch process
ovens.
2. Exhaust duct openings shall be located in the area of greatest concentration or vapors.
3. All exhaust shall be by mechanical means using power driven fans.
SECTION 10.4.16.2

OPERATION

A. Operators Training
1. Operator training shall include information on: (1) combustion of airfuel mixtures, (2) explosion hazards, (3) sources of ignition and ignition
temperature, (4) atmosphere analysis, (5) handling of flammable andtoxic atmosphere gases, (6) functions of control of safety devices, and(7) purpose and basic principles of the gas atmosphere generators.
2. Regular operators shall be retrained at intervals to maintainproficiency and effectiveness. New operators shall be thoroughly
trained and tested in the use of equipment. Operators must haveaccess to operating instructions at all times.
3. Operating instructions shall be provided by the manufacturer. These
instructions shall include schematic piping and wiring diagrams as wellas light-up, shut-down, emergency and maintenance procedures.
SECTION 10.4.16.3

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
1. The equipment manufacturer shall inform the user regarding the needfor operational checks and maintenance and shall provide complete
and clear inspection, testing and maintenance instructions. The final

395

responsibility for establishing an inspection, testing and maintenanceprogram that ensures the equipment is in working order shall be of theuser.
2. When the original equipment manufacturer no longer exists, plant
personnel shall develop adequate operational checks andmaintenance procedures.
3. An operational maintenance checklist shall be maintained and isessential to the safe operation of the equipment.
4. Foreign material, parts, and residue shall be removed from therecirculation blowers, exhaust blowers, heat exchangers, burner andpilot ports, combustion blowers, ductwork and equipment interiors.
Ductwork shall be checked for obstructions.
5. It shall be the user’s responsibility to prevent the flammable loadingfrom exceeding the safety ventilation design capacity of the oven.
6. The operating and supervisory control equipment of each oven shallbe checked and tested regularly, preferably once a week. At lessfrequent intervals, a more comprehensive test and check must be
performed by an expert.
7. All deficiencies must be corrected promptly, and a regular cleaning
program must be followed to cover all portions of the oven and its
attachments. Access openings for cleaning the oven enclosure andthe connecting ducts must be provided.
8. The program for inspecting and maintaining oven safety controls shallbe in accordance with the NFPA Standards for Ovens and Furnaces.
B. Safety Controls
1. Safety controls shall be sufficient in number and substantiallyconstructed and arranged to maintain the required conditions ofsafety and prevent the development of fire and explosion hazards.
2. Ventilation controls, suitably interlocked, shall be provided which will
insure required ventilation of the system.
3. Fuel safety controls, suitably interlocked and arranged to minimized
the possibility of dangerous accumulations of explosives air-fuelmixture in the heating systems, shall be provided.
4. Excess temperature controls shall be provided to maintain a safe
operating temperature within the oven.
5. Conveyor interlocks shall be provided in conveyor ovens having a396

flammable vapor hazard, so that the conveyor cannot move unlessventilating fans are operating and discharging the required amount of
air.
C. Fire and Explosion Protection
1. Ovens containing or processing sufficient combustible materials tosustain a fire shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers or water
spray.
This shall include sprinklers in the exhaust ducts, whennecessary.
2. The amount of fire protection required depends upon the construction
and arrangement of the oven and materials in it. If combustible
materials are processed, or if trucks or racks are combustible, fixed fire
protection shall extend as far as necessary into the enclosure andexhaust ducts.
3. Where automatic sprinkler protection is not feasible or where othertype of extinguishing means is better suited to provide the required
protection, an automatic fire protection system shall be provided
subject to the approval of the concerned City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction.
4. There shall be appropriate portable fire extinguishers located near theoven, oven heater, and related equipment.
5. Ovens that may contain flammable gas or vapor mixtures shall beequipped with unobstructed relief vents to release internal explosion
pressures.
DIVISION 17. HOTWORKS OPERATIONSECTION 10.4.17.1 FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE FOR HOTWORKS OPERATIONA Fire Safety Clearance shall be secured from City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction prior to any hotworks operations.
SECTION 10.4.17.2

LOCATIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

A. All combustibles shall be relocated at least eleven meters (11 m)
horizontally from the work site. If relocation is impractical, combustibles
shall be protected with fire-retardant covers or otherwise shielded withmetal or fire-retardant guards or curtains. Edges of covers at the floor
shall be tight to prevent sparks from going under them, including where
several covers overlap when protecting a large pile.
B. If hotworks is done near walls, partitions, ceilings, or roofs of combustible
construction, fire-retardant shields or guards shall be provided to prevent
ignition.

397

C. Hotworks shall not be attempted on a partition, wall, ceiling that has a
combustible covering or insulation, or on walls or partitions ofcombustibles sandwich-type panel construction.
D. Hotworks that is performed on pipes or other metal that is in contact withcombustible walls, partitions, ceilings, roofs, or other combustibles shall not
be undertaken if the work is close enough to cause ignition by
conduction.
E. All hotworks operations in confined spaces shall be adequately ventilated
to prevent the accumulation of toxic materials or possible oxygen
deficiency.
SECTION 10.4.17.3

OPERATION

A. The designated working area shall be inspected at least once a day while
the hotworks permit is in effect to ensure that it is a fire-free area.
B. No device or attachment facilitating or permitting mixture of air or oxygenwith combustible gases shall be allowed unless approved for the purpose.
C. The user shall not transfer gases from one cylinder to another, or mix gases
in a cylinder.
D. When moving compressed gas cylinder by crane, suitable cradles shall be
used in order to reduce the possibility of dropping. Ordinary rope slings orelectro-magnets shall not be used.
E. Welding equipment shall be inspected daily. Inspection and testing ofequipment and components shall include regulators, torches, hoses andconnections, piping, oxygen cylinders and manifolds, acetylene cylinders
and manifolds, electrical wires for portable welding machines, fuses andthe portable welding machine.
F. Acetylene generators shall be of approved type and shall be plainly
marked with the rate in cubic meter of acetylene per hour for which they
are designed, the amount of weight of carbide necessary for a single
charge, the manufacturer’s name and address, and the name or numberof the type of generator.
G. Stationary generators shall be installed either in a well-ventilated onestorey non-combustible outside generator house, or in a well-ventilatedroom or compartment of ample size and of construction as outlined in
the succeeding paragraphs, either in a one- storey building or on the top
floor or roof of multi-storeys building. The storage of fuel gas cylinder insuch rooms or compartments shall not exceed a total volume of fiftyseven cubic meters (57 m3) or twelve (12) kilograms in case of liquefied
petroleum gas.

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H. Inside generator rooms or compartments
1. The walls or partitions, floor, and ceiling on such room orcompartments shall be constructed having a fire-resistance rating of
not less than two (2) hours.
Walls or partitions shall be ofnoncombustible construction and continuous from the floor to ceilingand shall be securely anchored. At least one wall of an inside
generator room shall be an exterior wall.
2. Opening from the generator room or compartment to other parts ofthe building shall be protected by an approved self- closing fire door
for a Class B opening and have a rating of at least one (1) hour or theswinging type and close into a rabbet, or otherwise be made tight toprevent passage of flame around edges. Exit doors shall be locatedto be readily accessible in case of emergency. Windows, if provided
in partitions, shall be wired glass on approved metal- frames with fixedsash.
3. A portion of the exterior walls equal to not less than ten percent (10%)
of the combined areas of the enclosing walls shall be of light noncombustible materials such as single thickness, single strength glass.
Single thickness, single strength window glass skylights, or lightly
fastened roof hatch covers, swinging doors in exterior walls opening
outward, sheet metal siding or lightly fastened roofs, may be
accepted in part or entirely in lieu of the glass area or its equivalent,
provided the required percentage of explosion venting area is thus
obtained.
4. Generators installed inside buildings shall be enclosed in a separate
room. Exit doors shall be so located as to be readily accessible in caseof emergency.
5. The installation of acetylene generators within buildings shall be
restricted to buildings not exceeding one storey in height except on
the roof or top floor of a building.
6. Operating instructions shall be posted in a conspicuous place near thegenerator or kept in a suitable place available for ready reference.
I.

Portable generators
1. Portable generators shall not be used in rooms of total volume lessthan thirty five (35) times the total gas generating capacity per chargeof generators in the room. The gas generating capacity in cubic
meters per charge shall be assumed as three-tenths (0.3) times theweight of carbide per charge in kilograms. Generators shall not be
used in rooms having a ceiling height of less than three meters (3 m).
2. No portable acetylene generator shall be moved by derrick crane or
hoist while charged with carbide.

399

3. Portable generators shall be located at a safe distance from thewelding position so that they will not be exposed to sparks, slag, or
misdirection of the torch flame or overheating from hot materials orprocesses.
4. Portable generators shall be cleaned and recharged and the air
mixture blown off outside buildings.
J. Oxygen-fuel gas welding, cutting and hotworks
1. Mixture of fuel gases and air or oxygen shall be guarded. No device
or attachment facilitating or permitting mixtures of air or oxygen withflammable gases shall be allowed unless approved for the purpose.
2. Oxygen cylinders shall not be stored near highly combustible materials,
especially oil and grease; or near reserve stocks of carbide andacetylene or other fuel-gas cylinders, or near any other substancelikely to cause or accelerate fire; or in an acetylene generator
compartment.
K. Piping of oxygen fuel gases
1. Except as provided in this Division, piping shall be of wrought iron,steel, brass or copper pipe, or approved seamless copper, brass orother approved gas tubing. Heavy duty piping and fittings may be
used for conveying gas or liquid with pressures up to ten and fifty
fourth-hundredths kilograms (10.54 kg) per square centimeters.
2. For pressures in excess of ten and fifty four-hundredths kilograms (10.54kg) per square centimeter, extra heavy-duty pipe and fittings shall be
used.
3. Joints in steel or wrought iron pipe shall be welded or made up withthreaded or flanged fittings; or rolled, forged or cast steel, or
malleable iron fittings may be used.
4. Joints in brass or copper pipe may be welded or made up withthreaded or flanged fittings. Joints in approved seamless copper,
brass or other approved non-ferrous gas tubing shall be made bymeans of approved fittings or, if of the socket type, with silver solder, or
similar high melting point material.
5. Cast-iron fittings shall be prohibited.
6. Threaded connections in oxygen piping shall be tinned or made up
with other suitable joint sealer applied to the thread of male coupling.
7. Acetylene piping shall be made of steel or wrought iron pipe only.

400

8. Oxygen piping shall be made of steel, wrought iron, brass or copper
pipe or approved seamless non-ferrous gas tubing. Tubing shall be
used only for pressures of ten and fifty four-hundredths kilograms (10.54kg) per square centimeters or less.
9. Piping shall be protected against injury, and allowance made forcontraction, expansion, jarring and vibration. If laid underground, it
shall be protected against corrosion. Low points in piping shall be
provided with drip pots and drain valves, the latter to be normallyclosed with screw caps or plugs. Oxygen piping shall not be placed in
any location where it may be exposed to contact with oil.
10. All piping shall be tested and proven tight at one and one-half (1.5)
times its maximum working pressure. Any medium used for testing
oxygen lines shall be oil-free. Flames shall not be used to detect leaks.
11. All buried pipe and tubing and outdoor ferrous pipe and tubing shallbe covered or painted with a suitable corrosion-resisting material.
12. No hotworks shall be performed on an acetylene or oxygen pipeline,
including the attachment of hangers or supports, until the line has
been purged. Only oil-free air, oil-free nitrogen, or oil-free carbon
dioxide shall be used to purge oxygen lines.
L. Manifolding of Cylinders
1. Oxygen manifold shall not be located in an acetylene generator
room, or in close proximity to cylinders of combustible gases. Oxygen
manifolds shall be located away from highly flammable material,
especially oil, grease or any substance likely to cause or accelerate
fire.
2. The aggregate capacity of fuel gas cylinders connected to one
manifold inside a building shall not exceed eighty four and nine tenths
cubic meters (84.9 m3)of gas or one hundred thirty five kilograms (135kg) in the case of liquefied petroleum gas. More than one suchmanifold each supplying one blowpipe or one machine may belocated in the same room if separated with at least fifteen meters (15m) distance.
3. It is necessary to manifold fuel gas cylinders having an aggregate gas
capacity in excess of eighty-four and nine tenths cubic meters (84.9m3) or one hundred fourteen kilograms (114 kg) of liquefied petroleumgas (LPG). Storage exceeding above amount shall be in separate
room as provided for by this IRR, or cylinders shall be kept outside or ina special building. Buildings, rooms or compartments provided forsuch storage shall be well ventilated and be without open flame
heating or lighting devices.

4014. Cylinders stored inside of buildings shall be away from highly
combustible materials and in locations where they are not subject toexcessive rise in temperature, mechanical injury or tampering. All
cylinders including empty ones shall have their caps in place and all
valves tightly closed.
5. Acetylene and liquefied fuel-gas cylinders connected to a portablemanifold inside a building shall be manifolded in a vertical position.
SECTION 10.4.17.4

PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Hotworks equipment to be used shall be in satisfactory operating
condition.
B. Where combustible materials, such as paper clippings, wood shavings, or
textile fibers are on the floor, the floor shall be swept clean for a radius of
eleven meters (11 m). Combustible floors (except wood on concrete)
shall be kept wet, be covered with damp sand, or be protected bynoncombustible or fire retardant shields. Where floors have been wet
down, personnel operating arc welding or cutting equipment shall beprotected from possible shock.
C. Opening or cracks in walls, floors, or ducts within eleven meters (11 m) of
the site shall be tightly covered with fire-retardant or noncombustible
material to prevent the passage of sparks to adjacent areas.
D. Conveyor systems that might carry sparks to distant combustibles shall beshielded.
E. Fully charged hose line and at least one (1) fire extinguisher that areappropriate for the type of possible fire shall be available immediately at
the work area.
F. If hotworks is done in close proximity to a sprinkler head, a wet rag shall belaid over the head and then removed at the conclusion of the welding or
cutting operation.
G. In hotworks done inside ships docked/anchored on shore or in shipyards,
and in tanks and confined spaces where a concentration of combustible
fumes/gases and liquids are reasonably suspected, an explosimeter shallbe employed to determine the level of combustible fumes/gases present.
Hotworks shall not be permitted if the concentration of the fumes/gases
falls between the lower explosive/flammability limit (LE/FL) and upper
explosive/flammability limit (UE/FL). Standard range for LE/FL and UE/FL
shall be based with internationally accepted standards.
H. Under no conditions shall acetylene gas be generated, piped (except inapproved cylinder manifold), or utilized at a pressure in excess of one andfive-hundredths kilograms (1.05 kg) per square centimeters gauge402

pressure, except when dissolved in a suitable solvent in cylinders
manufactured according to internationally recognized safe practice.
I.

Acetylene gas shall not be brought in contact with unalloyed copper
except in a blowpipe torch.

J. Oxygen shall never be used from a cylinder or cylinder manifold unless apressure-regulating device intended for use with oxygen, and so marked,
is provided.
K. Fuel gas shall never be used from cylinders, through torches or otherdevice equipped with shut-off valves without reducing the pressure
through a suitable regulator attached to the cylinder valve manifold.
L. Cylinders, valves, regulators, hose and other apparatus and fittings
containing or using oxygen shall be kept free from oil or grease. Oxygen
cylinders, apparatus and fittings shall not be handled with oily hands or
gloves or greasy materials.
M. Oxygen and fuel gas cylinder and acetylene generators shall be placed
far away enough from the welding position so that they will not be unduly
heated by radiation from heated materials, by sparks or slag, or by
misdirection of the torch flame.
N. No gas welding or cutting shall be done in or near rooms or locations
where flammable liquids or vapors, lint, dust, or loose combustible stocks,
are so located or arranged that sparks or hot metal from the welding or
cutting operations may cause ignition or explosion of such materials.
O. Valves of cylinders used for hotworks operations shall be properly closed
and the lines bled after use or when not in actual use. It is the
responsibility of the PAI to oversee such measure every after hotworks
operations is done.
P. Oil or grease shall not be used for lubrication of welding, cutting andhotworkss equipment.
Q. The use of liquid acetylene is prohibited.
R. Liquid oxygen
This provision shall be enforced in consonance with Section 10.3.4.2.1 ofthis IRR. Where liquid oxygen in a quantity exceeding three hundred
eighty liters (380ℓ) is to be used for welding and cutting, the container orcontainers shall be located outside or in a special building having noother occupancy except that related to the handling and gasification of
the oxygen.

403

S. Hose and hose connection
1. Hose shall be capable of withstanding a hydrostatic pressure of fifty six
kilograms (56 kg) per square centimeter.
2. A single hose having more than one gas passage, a wall failure ofwhich would permit the flow of one gas into the other gas-passage,
shall not be used. Where two hoses joined by a web so as to form
integral lengths of double hose are used, the two hoses shall beidentified as follows:a. By exterior color, such as by employing green for oxygen and red
for acetylene, orb. If the entire exterior of both passages are of the same color, the twosides shall be distinguished by feel or touch (i.e., smooth versus rib orrough exterior surface).
3. When parallel lengths as oxygen and acetylene hoses are taped
together for convenience and to prevent tangling, not more than ten
centimeters (10 cm) shall be covered with tape.
4. Hose connections shall be clamped or otherwise securely fastened ina manner that will withstand twice the pressure to which they arenormally subjected in service but in no case shall be less than apressure of twenty-one kilograms (21 kg) per square centimeters.
5. Hoses shall be inspected frequently for leaks, burns, torn places, loose
connections or other defects, which may render the hose unfit forservice. Where hose shows excessive wear or has been subjected to
flashbacks, it shall be inspected and tested at twice the normalpressure to which it is subject in service but in no case at less thanfourteen kilograms (14 kg) per square centimeter before being
returned to service. Defective length or hose shall be discarded.
T. Containers for calcium carbide
Containers used for the storage of calcium carbide shall be of metal of
sufficient strength to insure handling without rupture, and shall be
provided with a screw top or its equivalent. They shall be of water tightconstruction. Solder shall not be used on joints in such a manner that firewould break open the package. Packages shall be marked “CALCIUMCARBIDE IS DANGEROUS IF NOT KEPT DRY.”
U. Storage of calcium carbide in building
1. Storage of calcium carbide inside the building shall be in a dry
waterproof and well-ventilated location.

404

2. Calcium carbide in excess of two hundred seventy three kilograms(273 kg) shall not be stored in a building containing other occupancy
unless in acetylene generator room or compartment, in a one-storey
building without a cellar or basement underneath the carbide storage
section. Such rooms shall be constructed to have a fire-resistance
rating of not less than one (1) hour, with opening to other parts of thebuilding protected be approved self-closing fire doors or stationary
wired glass windows in approved metal frame.
The room orcompartments may also be used for storage of fuel gas cylinders, but
not oxygen. Adequate ventilation shall be provided. Metal tools shallnot be located in the calcium carbide storage room.
3. Calcium Carbide in excess of two thousand two hundred seventy
three kilograms (2,273 kg) shall be stored in one-storey buildings
without cellar or basement and used for no other purpose except thestorage of fuel gas cylinders, or in outside acetylene generator houses.
Location of such storage buildings shall be outside congested
mercantile and manufacturing districts. If the storage building is of
non-combustible construction, it may adjoin other one-storey buildings
if separated therefrom by unpierced firewalls. If detached, less than
three meters (3 m) from such building, there shall be no opening in anyof the mutually exposing side of such buildings within three meters (3m). If the storage building is of combustible construction it shall not bewithin six meters (6 m) of any other one- or two-storey building, and at
least within nine meters (9 m) of any other building exceeding two
storeys.
4. Calcium carbide in unopened metal containers may be stored
outdoors upon examination that they in good condition. Periodic
reexaminations should be made to check for rusting or other damage
to a container that might affect its water or air tightness.
DIVISION 18. SAFEGUARDING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND
ALTERATION OPERATIONSSECTION 10.4.18.1

FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM

A. An overall construction, alteration, or demolition fire safety program shallbe developed, administered and enforced by the owner during the said
operations.
B. The building owner shall designate a safety officer representing thecontractor or builder in charge of fire protection and safety program ofthe building under construction, alteration or demolition.
His
responsibilities shall include maintenance and location of automatic fire
suppression systems and protective equipment, general supervision ofsafeguards, and the establishment and maintenance of safe cutting andwelding operations.

405

SECTION 10.4.18.2

SAFE GUARDING DURING CONSTRUCTION

A. Temporary offices and sheds
Construction of temporary office trailers, sheds, and other related facilities
or structures for storage of tools and materials when located within thebuilding, on the sidewalk, or within nine meters (9 m) from the building
shall be of non-combustible materials. When located more than ninemeters (9 m) from the building and constructed of combustible materials,
it is desirable to separate them into small detached units.
B. Temporary enclosures
Only non-combustible panels, flame resistant tarpaulin or otheracceptable materials of equivalent fire retardant characteristics shall be
used to enclose structures temporarily. The enclosing material shall befastened securely or guarded by construction so it cannot be blown
against sources of ignition by the wind.
C. Scaffolding, shoring and forms
Unnecessary accumulations of combustible forms or form lumber shall be
prohibited. Combustible forms or form lumber shall be brought into thestructure only if needed and shall be removed as soon as stripping iscomplete. Those portions of the structures where combustible forms arepresent shall not be used for the storage of other combustible building
materials.
D. Construction equipment
1. Internal combustion engines and associated equipment, such as air
compressors, hoists, derricks, pumps, and similar devices, shall be solocated that the exhausts will discharge well away from combustible
materials. Where the exhausts are piped to outside the structure
under construction, alteration, or demolition, a clearance of at least
twenty three centimeters (23 cm) shall be maintained between suchpiping and combustible material.
2. Internal combustion equipment shall be shut down and allowed tocool sufficiently prior to refueling. Suitable fire extinguishers shall be
provided on manned construction equipment utilizing fuel.
3. Service areas for construction equipment shall not be located within
structures under construction.
4. Fuel for internal combustion engines shall not be stored within
structures under construction.

406

SECTION 10.4.18.3

SAFEGUARDING DURING DEMOLITION

A. Charged hose lines of an adequate number and size shall be provided
where demolition work is performed in areas where floors are soaked withoil or other flammable liquid, dust accumulations are present,
combustible insulation is present on floors, walls, ceilings/roofs andhotworks is being performed.
B. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be drained from tanks andmachinery reservoirs in a safe manner and removed from the building
immediately. Particular attention shall be paid to the removal of residue
and sludge accumulations if hotworks operations are involved.
C. Smoking shall be prohibited throughout demolition areas.
SECTION 10.4.18.4

DEMOLITION USING EXPLOSIVES

If explosives are used in demolition work (implosion), all blasting operations
shall be under the direct supervision of an individual who is legally licensed touse explosives and in possession of all the required permits prior to
conducting the blasting operations in coordination with the Bureau of Fire
Protection and other concerned government agencies.
SECTION 10.4.18.5

SAFEGUARDING DURING ALTERATIONS

The provision of Sections 11.4.18.2 and 11.4.18.3 of this IRR shall be followed.
SECTION 10.4.18.6

SAFEGUARDING UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS

A. Fire detection and protection systems
Suitable fire extinguisher shall be installed so that travel distance from any
one point in a tunnel does not exceed ninety one meters (91 m) on ahorizontal plane. Audible and visible alarm and emergency lighting forsafe evacuation shall be required. Two means of communications withthe surface shall be available at all times from all areas of theunderground facility. All communications systems shall be tested weekly.
B. Fire communications systems
1. All areas within the underground facility and aboveground shall be
provided with two means of reliable communications that shall betested weekly.
2. Mobile equipment conductors and multi-conductor portable cables
shall be protected or guarded to avoid physical damage. Equipment
grounding conductors shall be provided in accordance with thePhilippine Electrical Code.

407

3. Bare terminals of transformers, switches, motor controllers, and otherequipment shall be enclosed to prevent accidental contact withenergized parts. Enclosures for use in tunnels shall be rain tight,
rainproof, or watertight as defined in NFPA 70, National ElectricalCode, where necessitated by the environmental conditions.
4. Special attention shall be given to maintaining clear access andadequate workspace around electrical equipment in accordancewith NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for
Employee Workplaces. Proper housekeeping shall be maintained to
avoid fire hazards.
5. All non-energized metal parts of electrical equipment and metal
raceways and cable sheaths shall be grounded and bonded to all
metal pipes and rails at the portal and at intervals not exceeding threehundred five meters (305 m) throughout the tunnel.
C. Hazardous Operations and Procedures
1. The quantity of combustible materials to be used underground shall be
kept to a minimum. Advance planning shall provide for the use ofmaterials having the most favorable combination of high ignition
points, low rates of combustion, and low emissions of smoke andharmful gases. Class I flammable liquids shall not be taken, stored, orused underground or within thirty meters (30 m) of a tunnel portal or
shaft opening. Class II and Class III liquids shall be transported andstored in approved closed containers, safety cans, or tanks. Quantities
shall be limited to those necessary for one work shift.
1. Lubricating oils, greases, and rope dressings taken underground shallbe in closed and enclosable approved containers that do not allow
the contents to leak or spill.
2. Oil, grease, and diesel fuel stored underground shall be kept in tightly
sealed containers in fire-resistant areas located at least thirty meters(30 m) from shafts and inclines. Storage areas shall be positioned or
diked so that the contents of ruptured or overturned containers
cannot flow from the storage area.
3. Areas within eight meters (8 m) of major electrical installations andunburied tanks for storage of combustible liquids shall be free oftransient combustible materials.
4. Fan houses, fan bulkheads for main and booster fans, and air ducts
connecting main fans to underground opening shall be constructed ofnoncombustible materials.
D. No combustible structure shall be erected and no combustible materials
shall be stored within thirty meters (30 m) of an access shaft, shaft hoist, or408

other entry. Metal containers with self-closing lids shall be provided andto store combustible waste and debris, and shall be removed and taken
to surface daily.
E. The ventilation system shall be sufficient for the number of personnel andequipment underground. Air-sampling logs shall be maintained. Air tests
shall be conducted before each shift or after each shift. Air-sampling logs
shall be available to the authority having jurisdiction.
CHAPTER 5. MISCELLANEOUS SAFETY MEASURESDIVISION 1. WATER AND WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTSSECTION 10.5.1.1

SCOPE

This Division shall cover the fire safety measures and explosion prevention at
water and waste water treatment units, plants or facilities, including but notlimited to their unit processes and operations, such as collection andpumping, liquid and solid treatment systems, and related appurtenances,service areas and premises.
SECTION 10.5.1.2

GENERAL SAFETY PRACTICES

A. Basic control procedures shall be adopted by the plant owner or operator
to minimize potential fire and explosion incidents in water or waste water
treatment plants, and shall be contained in the Fire and Life-safety
Assessment Report (FALAR) as prerequisite for the issuance of fire
clearances and/or Fire Safety Inspection Certificates by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction. It shall include hazard
evaluation, process and equipment controls, ventilation, materials of
construction, and education.
B. Observance of fundamental electrical safety practices shall be pursued
by the plant owner or operator through proper electrical classification of
hazardous locations, and the proper selection, installation, and operationof electrical equipment, motors, and devices that are suitable for theselocations. Electrical systems, devices and installations, and its operations
and maintenance shall comply with the Philippine Electrical Code andmanufacturer’s instructions and in cases where applicable, with the NFPA
70, National Electrical Code and other internationally accepted
standards.
C. The plant owner or operator or their duly authorized representatives shallensure that the handling of chemicals, fuels and materials used, including
but not limited to solvents, oxidizing materials, chlorine, lime, hydrogen,oxygen, acetylene, petroleum liquids, oils, and a variety of chemicals andspecialty gases used in treatment processes, laboratory analyses andinstrumentation calibration, and generated wastes in or around water orwaste water treatment plants that present potential hazards of fire andexplosion, shall be made in compliance with the applicable provisions of
this IRR.

409

SECTION 10.5.1.3

HAZARD EVALUATION

A. A hazard evaluation shall be initiated early in the design process andhazard prevention and protection recommendations shall be integrated
into plant process specifications and design considerations.
B. Identification of potential hazards associated with the raw water or raw
waste water entering the plant, the materials used in the treatment
processes, and materials or wastes produced by the treatment processes
and operations shall be completely understood and evaluated.
C. Risk evaluation shall prescribe specific control measures to beincorporated at the design stage of the plant, as well as during theoperation and maintenance of the plant. These measures shall include,
but not limited to, address fail-safe design, emergency controls,
redundant instrumentation, occurrence of leaks and spills, venting andpressure relief systems, pipe and equipment support, anchorage andvibration prevention, and damage limiting construction in relation to fire
and/or explosion.
D. Special attention shall be given to more potential hazards associated with
fuel gases, sewer and sludge gases, specialty gases, liquids, solids, dusts,
their mixture or when mixed or reacted with oxygen or other gases,
construction and maintenance materials, repairs and hotworks as sourcesof ignition, fire and/or explosion. As a result of this evaluation, a written
plant safety plan shall be prepared and carried out through an
integrated safety program, done and implemented in close coordination
with the Office of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
E. The evaluation shall be reviewed and updated periodically as conditions
at the plant change. A report shall be prepared and maintained by theplant operator/owner and shall be made available to the Office of theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.5.1.4

PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT CONTROL

A. Plant processes and equipment operations manuals shall be preparedand made available at all times to plant technicians and/or operators attheir respective stations, readily made accessible for reference, even to
the member of the BFP conducting inspections. These manuals shallidentify or prescribed control of fire and explosions, covering among
others the removal of possible accumulation of source of fuel or explosive
materials, limitation of oxygen required for combustion, removal ofsources of ignition, and means of fire suppression and explosion venting(prevention) and shielding (protection), as well as emergency evacuation
when applicable.
B. Identification of different potential sources of ignition shall be consideredin each part of the plant system, whether collection, liquid treatment, solid
treatment, or fuel and chemical handling. Control of ignition resulting410

from one or more causes, such as open flames and hot surfaces,
electrical arcs, sparks, or chemical reactions, shall be covered by theabovementioned manuals and shall comply with the applicableprovisions of this IRR and/or in applicable cases by therein adopted Codeof Practices prescribed by the manufacturer or internationally accepted
standards.
C. To address control and/or reduce the potential for ignition within
plant, the following measures are prescribed:

the

1. All entry sites within a plant, collection system, manholes, pumping
stations and other facilities shall be properly protected fromunauthorized entries. It shall be provided with appropriate security
system and protection, by or in combination of security fencing,lockable gates/doors, at least two (2) hours fire rated
compartmentation, posting of guards and/or installation of electronic
video camera monitoring system as applicable, and made accessible
only to authorized personnel and/or persons in authority.
2. Introduction of ignition sources at these sites as well as other parts ofthe plant shall be limited and regulated by an accepted life andsafety procedural guidelines, supervised by a certified safety
practitioner. As a general rule, introduction of ignition sources in thesesites or areas shall be limited and adequate ventilation shall always beprovided. Provided further, in cases where hotworkss or repair,rehabilitation, maintenance and other related activities that may
introduce ignition are carried in a water or waste water treatment
plant, an appropriate Fire Safety Clearance shall first be secured from
City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
3. Application of removal by vacuum or coverage with foam shall benecessary in event that a foreign combustible material enters thesewer system.
4. Chemicals and fuels shall always be stored in accordance withapplicable provisions of this IRR and/or manufacturer’s instructions orinternational acceptable standards as adopted in the plant. Reactive
chemicals shall always be stored separately with the foregoingreference to safety standards. In cases of having two or more degrees
of safety, the most stringent degree of requirement shall prevail.
SECTION 10.5.1.5

VENTILATION

A. Ventilation rates for enclosed spaces containing used water or waste
water exposed to the atmosphere shall be based on the calculated
vaporization rate of the most volatile liquid anticipated to be present in
the plant.
B. In considering ventilation requirements, the designer shall base his
calculations upon the surface area of channels, tanks, or other vessels

411

containing the used water or waste water exposed to atmosphere, thetemperature of used water or waste water, the ambient air temperature,and the vaporization rate of the volatile liquid. Allowance shall be madefor vaporization of volatile liquid from the free water surface in connecting
sewers within a reasonable distance from the structure, turbulence that
may accelerate vaporization of the volatile liquid, inefficiency of theventilation system in purging the enclosures, and any other factors thatthe designer could reasonably expect to effect the rate of release of the
flammable vapour to the structure.
C. Ventilation rate shall conform to Table 33 which presents typicalventilation rates for various areas in the treatment plants or shall be basedon actual calculations whichever is greater. In reference to the said
table, the following notes shall be considered:
1. The superscript (1) - prescribed the installation of combustible gas
detector and alarm system to monitor and provide warnings for the
explosive level of the confined combustible vapors.
2. The ventilation rates prescribed above are considered to be theminimum necessary for protection against combustible vapors.
3. Ventilation rates shall be increased above those recommended if
unusual accumulations of volatile combustible liquid or combustible
vapors are expected or if toxic gases may be present.
Table 33: MINIMUM VENTILATION RATES IN
WATER AND WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS
Description

Ventilation Rates

Wet wells, screen rooms, and other enclosed spaces
with used water or waste water exposed toatmosphere(1)Rooms or spaces intended for storage or conveyanceof used water or waste water solids, (e.g., grits, sludge,
hardened or cakes of fats and grease, etc.)
Equipment rooms, tunnels, and other below grade
spaces.
• With gas piping and/or gas handling equipment(1)• With diesel fuel or other volatile combustible liquidtanks, pumps and supply piping(1)Without gas piping

412

15 air changes
per hour
12 air changes
per hour
12 air changes
per hour or
40 km/min velocity
in tunnels or galleries
10 air changes
per hour or
27 km/min velocity intunnels or galleries

SECTION 10.5.1.6

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION

A. For the purpose of this IRR, the selection and/or usage of materials for theconstruction of treatment plants shall require the understanding of its
classification and suitability of its application as divided in three basic
categories, such as: (1) combustible, (2) non-combustible, and (3) limited
combustibility, and shall comply with NFPA 220, Standards Types of
Building Construction, or applicable internationally accepted standards
for treatment plants.
B. Construction materials being considered for treatment plants shall beselected based on the fire hazard and fire risk evaluation. The applicationof these materials shall be based on the reduction or elimination of theeffects of fire or explosion by maintaining structural integrity, controllingfire spread and smoke generation, preventing the release of toxic
products of combustion, and maintaining serviceability and operation of
the facility.
C. All buildings or unit processes that are considered critical to the integrity oftreatment plants shall be of non-combustible type and shall be
constructed in accordance with the National Building Code of thePhilippines. Fire safety measures in buildings as prescribed in this IRR andother internationally accepted standards shall also be observed.
D. In specific cases for waste water treatment plants, notwithstanding theapplicability of some provisions to water treatment plants for similar
applications, the following prescriptions shall strictly be observed:
1. Sewers that handle or may handle flammable or hazardous materials
shall be of non-combustible materials.
2. Manholes, factory-built pumping stations, and other structures enteredby personnel that handle raw or partially treated waste water shall be
constructed only of non-combustible materials.
3. Non-combustible materials shall be used for air supply and exhaustsystems. Provided, in cases when combustible or limited combustible
materials are used to control corrosion, approved smoke and firedampers shall be installed. A separate smoke ventilation system shallbe preferred; however, smoke venting shall be allowed as integrated
into normal ventilation system using automatic or manually positioned
dampers and motor speed control.
4. No cellular or foamed plastic materials shall be used as interior finish.
Interior finishes shall provide a maximum degree of fire resistance, withminimum flame spread rate and smoke generation for particularapplication. This information shall be secured from material413

manufacturers and supported by test certificates attesting to its
validity.
5. In cases of plastic or fibreglass-reinforced plastic products and/or
materials of construction in unit process, such as rotating biologicalcontactors, bio-towers, filters or trickling filters, inclined plate or tube
settlers, ventilation ducts, and other equipment which may be subject
to corrosion, extreme care shall be taken with open flames, such as
cutting torches, during maintenance or repair operations, as thesematerials may present a considerable fuel load, if ignited.
SECTION 10.5.1.7

EDUCATION

A. The role of education in the promotion of general safety and mitigation
measure shall be given importance in this particular case. In-housetraining programs, such as but not limited to plant emergency
organization, and housekeeping, operation, repair and maintenance(preventive and rehabilitation), first aid, occupational health and safety,
fire prevention and suppression techniques, for all plant personnel shallbe established. A priority objective shall be to provide information on how
to (1) understand, (2) identify, (3) prevent, and (4) handle hazardous
sources or situation relating to potential fire, explosion, and toxicity
problems.
B. A close liaison shall be established, pursued and sustained between the
City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction, including other authorized
emergency personnel, and treatment plant’s owner or operator, specially
its safety personnel so that mutually approved emergency procedures,
including familiarity of the plant, shall be established.
SECTION 10.5.1.8

FIRE PROTECTION

The fire protection and suppression measures in treatment plants shall include
but not limited to the following:
A. Automatic Sprinkler Systems. Approved supervised Sprinkler Systems shallbe installed in buildings or structures located at the treatment plant inaccordance with Section 10.2.6.5 of this IRR and/or other internationallyaccepted standards. Provided further, that in certain areas, such as
chemical storage areas, underground tunnels or structures, or areas
where electrical hazard is a principal concern, the use of otherappropriate fire protection measures shall be considered based on
manufacturer’s instructions and/or internationally accepted standards,
subject to the evaluation and approval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction.
B. Chemical Suppression System. Clean agent, chemical wetting agent,foam, and dry chemical systems shall be installed or used whenever414

applicable, in buildings or structures located at treatment plants based on
manufacturer’s instructions and/or internationally accepted standards,
subject to the evaluation and approval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction.
1. Chemical wetting agents, ionized water mists, and foam extinguishingsystems effectiveness shall be considered or used for wet wells, grit andscreening processes, primary clarifiers, and pits and tanks where
floating flammable liquid may collect on the surface.
2. Clean agents, ionized water mists, inert gas suppressants, and carbon
dioxide extinguishing systems effectiveness shall be considered or used
where electronics and computer equipment are located.
3. Clean agent, ionized water mists, carbon dioxide, and dry chemical
extinguishing systems shall be considered or used in chemical storage
areas, underground tunnels or structures, or where electrical hazard isa principal concern and where water damage would seriously impair
the integrity of the treatment plant.
C. Standpipes and Hydrants. Standpipes, hose streams, and hydrants shall be
provided where appropriate in buildings or structures located attreatment plants in accordance with Section 10.2.6.6 of this IRR and/or
other internationally accepted standards, subject to the evaluation andapproval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
D. Fire Suppression Supply Systems
1. Water supplies shall be capable of delivering the total demand of
sprinklers, hose streams, foam and other chemical systems inaccordance with Sections 10.2.6.5 and 10.2.6.6 of this IRR.
2. In areas where there is no public water supply or where the public
water supply is inadequate, treatment plant effluent or recycled watershall be used for fire protection.
3. In cases when the plant water system is used as the principal source forfire protection, the system shall be capable of providing an adequate
quantity and pressure, and have sufficient standby capacity to meet
all fire water flow requirements. If the plant water system is used asback up to public water supply, the system shall provide easy accessand connections for pumper equipment or fire fighting apparatus.
4. When fire pumps are the source of supply used in the plant water
system, multiple pumps with sufficient capacity to meet fire flow
requirements, even with the largest pump out of service shall be
provided. Pumps used shall be automatic starting with manual
shutdown or mechanical equipment.

415

E. Portable fire extinguishers of appropriate types shall be provided inbuildings or structures located at treatment plant in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.7 of this IRR and/or other internationally accepted
standards, subject to the evaluation and approval of the City/Municipal
Fire Marshal having jurisdiction. In some areas of treatment plant, such as
basements, underground pipe galleries connecting buildings, and otherareas which are not occupied continuously, optional reduction of theportable units shall be considered and may be requested, depending on
frequency of occupancy, intended use and equipment contained in thespace, and hazards potential for fire and/or explosion subject to theevaluation and approval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction.
F. Special Fire Protection and Miscellaneous Measures. Special fire
protection and miscellaneous measure shall be considered in sometreatment plants and processes having unique problems or situations,such as but not limited to the following:
1. Applicable special or alternative fire protection measures during
construction at both new and existing treatment plant facilities shall beconsidered based on safety to life, protection of property, andpotential for delays in construction, as well as plant or unit process startup as recommended by qualified fire safety/protection practitioner
and subject to the evaluation and approval of the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction.
2. Lightning protection shall be provided for structures in accordancewith NFPA 780, Lightning Protection Guide, Appendix L (Principles ofLightning Protection).
3. Traffic flow and crowd management arrangements shall be made topermit rapid entry to the plant by firefighters, police and otherauthorized personnel of concerned government agencies, in cases offire or other emergencies.
4. The plant emergency organization, where provided, shall be properly
instructed and trained in the use of all fire protection equipment
located at the treatment plant.
5. Early detection and notification system in case of fire and explosion
shall also be established to protect the integrity of the buildings andunit processes. Protective measures to detect flame, heat or smoke
shall be selected and installed where needed in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.4 of this IRR and/or manufacturer’s instruction and otherinternationally accepted standards, subject to the evaluation andapproval of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.

416

6. Where appropriate, central station, local protective auxiliary, remotestation, or proprietary sprinkler water flow alarms shall be provided
based on manufacturer’s instructions and/or other internationallyaccepted standards, subject to the evaluation and approval of theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
DIVISION 2. SMOKING
SECTION 10.5.2.1

DESIGNATED AND PROHIBITED SMOKING AREAS

A. In areas where flammable and combustible materials are stored or
handled, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal is empowered and authorized toorder the owner or occupant in writing to post “NO SMOKING” signages ineach building, structure, room or place in which smoking shall be
prohibited. Such signs shall be conspicuously and suitably located. The
City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall designate specific safe
locations, if necessary, in any building structure, or place in which smoking
may be permitted.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person during that period of the year declaredby the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction as the hazardous
season, to light, ignite or smoke any tobacco, cigarette, pipe, or cigar inor upon any brush or forest covered land or land covered with flammablematerials. However, nothing in this section shall apply to the area within
the boundaries of any established smoking areas as designated by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.5.2.2

NO SMOKING SIGNAGES

A. The letters “NO SMOKING” shall be made readable and recognizable
within a minimum distance of fifteen and one fourth meters (15.25 m) at
any given time, at least ten centimeters (10 cm) high preferably withwhite-colored letters upon a red background. The posting location ofsuch signs shall be in conspicuous places or as deemed required by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
B. Likewise, the designated smoking areas shall be properly identified by theplacement of a signage identifying such area on its entrance. Such area
shall adopt precautionary measures relative to fire safety.
C. In no case shall a signage of “SMOKING AREA” be of different color fromthe “NO SMOKING” sign. The “SMOKING AREA” sign shall be posted on
the entrance of the area designated as such.

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DIVISION 3. MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERSSECTION 10.5.3.1

SCOPE

This Division prescribes the guidelines for the regulation of fire safety measuresin the manufacture, sale, servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishers,
including but not limited to prescribing standards and requirements thereof.
SECTION 10.5.3.2

MANUFACTURE AND SALE

No person shall engage in the manufacture, sale or servicing of extinguishers
unless a permit or license is first obtained from the Department of Trade andIndustry (DTI). A fire safety inspection certificate (FSIC) to be issued by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall be prerequisite before thegrant of a license to manufacture by the DTI.
A FSIC shall be issued only upon payment of two per centum (2%) of the
manufacturer’s/dealer’s/servicing firm’s gross sales.
A. Standards
1. All locally manufactured fire extinguishers shall be classified, tested
and rated in accordance with the Philippine National Standards (PNS)
No. 27:1984, Rules for Classification, Fire Testing and Rating of Portable
Fire Extinguishers. Provided that in the absence, non-coverage orlimitation of existing PNS on other quality standard requirements,
adoption of other internationally accepted standards and/oralignment to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)norms shall be applicable for its manufacture, including but notlimited to its containers (cylinders or tanks), types of chemical
extinguishing agents used, accessories and ancillary devices.
2. All extinguishers that are made and imported from other countries shallbe considered acceptable when manufactured in accordance with
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) norms and/orinternationally accepted standards and/or listings or certifications,such as, but not limited to the following agencies:a. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
b. Underwriter Laboratory, Incorporated (UL)c. Factory Manual, Incorporated (FM)d. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)e. Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPC or LPCB)
f.

European Committee for Standardization (CE or CEN)

418

g. Australia Standards Association (ASA)
h. Japan Industrial Standard Committee (JIS or JISC)i.

Korea Fire Industry Technology Institute (KFI)

3. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as to preclude the use ofother standards, if and when, such standards are proven to be equal
or more stringent that the above-listed standards, as evaluated andrecommended by the Fire Code Technical Staff and approved by
Chief, BFP.
B. Fire Extinguishers Marks and Labels
All fire extinguishers manufactured or sold in the Philippines shall bemarked and labeled providing the following information:
1. Containers (tanks or cylinders) shall have permanent markings(stamped, pressed or embossed) that identify its manufacturer (e.g.,logoorinitialsorabbreviationorsymbols),dateofmanufacture/fabrication, lot number and applicable standards (e.g.,
ASME, ANSI, ASTM, etc.) or patent registration in case of original
invention.
2. Basic product labels or marks
among others:presenting the following information,a. Name, address, and contact details of the manufacturer and/or
dealerb. Date of original filling of the containerc. Chemical contents – The extinguishing agent shall be identified
both under the common name and the chemical formula. Wherethe extinguishing agent is a formula, details on their proportions
shall likewise be indicated.
d. Type of extinguishersi.

Whether or not useful for Class A, B, C, or D fires for locallymanufactured types or appropriate classifications forimported types based on adopted standards; andii.

Numerical rating of the extinguisher.

e. Opening instructionsf.

Safety procedure in usage419

C. Tagging of Serviced Fire Extinguishers
Whenever any person duly qualified by the Department of Trade andIndustry or its equivalent services a fire extinguisher, a tag shall at leastindicate:
1. The month and year the services are performed.
2. The chemical name and formula of the contents.
3. The type of extinguisher serviced.
4. The name, address, contact details and certificate of registration
number of the servicing firm.
SECTION 10.5.3.3

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

A. Maintenance and servicing of fire extinguishers shall be performed
periodically, but at least once every twelve (12) months, after each use,or when an inspection shows that the need is obvious.
B. Hydrostatic test shall be performed every five (5) years.
SECTION 10.5.3.4

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

A. No person shall engage in the manufacture, sale or servicing of fire
extinguishers without a certificate of competency issued by the BFP.
B. All salesmen shall possess working knowledge on the following matters,
among others, as a requirement for the issuance of certificate ofcompetency:
1. Principles of fire fighting;
2. Types of extinguishers and their capabilities;
3. Selection and matching the extinguishers to the hazard, theenvironment and the user’s capability;
4. Number and distribution of extinguisher for a particular hazard;
5. Operation and maintenance of extinguishers; and6. Health and operational safety considerations.
C. All technicians engaged in the manufacture, sale or servicing of fire
extinguishers shall possess, in addition to those required of salesmen perpara “B” above, working knowledge on standards in the following:
1. Hydrostatic testing;420

2. Safe filling and charging procedures;
3. Testing and rating procedures;
4. The various chemicals and formulation of extinguishing and theirproperties;
5. When and how to destroy any extinguisher container; and6. Retrieval and disposal of prohibited or banned fire extinguishers.
SECTION 10.5.3.5

PROHIBITED TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS

The following types of fire extinguishers and/or extinguishing agents areprohibited for manufacture or sale:
A. All inverting types which require inversion of the extinguisher before its
operation;
B. Soda-acid extinguishers;
C. Stored pressure or cartridge-operated foam solution, water or loaded
stream;D. Vaporizing liquids (e.g. carbon tetrachloride);
E. Thermal special hazards single station extinguishers with extinguishingcapability of less than four and a half cubic meters (4.5 m3);
F. Fire extinguishers containing Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS); andG. Other types which may be prohibited and banned hereinafter by proper
authorities.
SECTION 10.5.3.6

PROHIBITED ACTS

The following are declared prohibited acts with regard to fire extinguishers:
A. Removal of inspection tags attached to fire extinguishers.
B. Refilling a discharged extinguisher with an extinguishing agent other thanwhat the unit was designed to contain.
C. Selling extinguishers not appropriate to the hazard.
D. Selling any extinguisher prohibited under Section 10.5.4.5 of this IRR.
E. Selling defective or substandard extinguishers.

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F. Using/installing two (2) or more thermal special hazard vaporizing liquid
unit in rooms with volume greater than the nominal capability of one unit.
G. Installing pressure gauges in fire extinguishers that do not indicate theactual pressure of the interior of the fire extinguisher, such as, but notlimited to, using defective or not calibrated gauges; not providing, or
blocking the connection between the gauge and the interior; orfixing/tampering the indicator or needle to indicate a certain pressure.
DIVISION 4. OPEN BURNINGSECTION 10.5.4.1

WHEN ALLOWEDOpen burning is allowed provided that a Fire Safety Clearance shall first be
obtained from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.5.4.2

EXCEPTIONSFire SAFETY clearance shall not be required in the following:
A. Fires for outdoor food cooking/preparation, provided that such fire is built
and maintained in a pit fully containing the fire, or a fire proof container
made of brick, stone, metal or other fire proof material TO prevent firefrom spreading.
B. Fires that are used for recreation and ceremony such as symbolic torch,camp fires, and religious/cultural fires provided that burning must be
attended and supervised at all times.
SECTION 10.5.4.3

PROHIBITION ON OPEN BURNING

The following acts shall be prohibited:
A. When atmospheric conditions or circumstances make the fire hazardousor produce excessive or unnecessary smoke, soot, odors, visible emissions,heat, flame or radiation so as to cause nuisance, hazard or to violate
other laws, rules and regulations, issuances and ordinances, specifically as
provided under IRR of RA 8749, such as:
1. Burning using any materials in any quantities which shall cause theemission of toxic and poisonous fumes. Such materials include but notlimited to plastic, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, paints, ink, wastes
containing heavy metals, organic chemicals, petroleum related
compound, industrial wastes, ozone depleting substances and othersimilar toxic and hazardous substances; and,2. Burning or cause open burning of waste materials in the premises ofany establishment, firm, company, government or private entity or422

organizations within the area of their jurisdiction, including recognized
or unrecognized dumpsites in any quality or quantity.
B. Discarding burning objects or dropping any lighted match, cigar,
cigarette or other burning substance, on or near combustible material orin places where fire is likely to occur.
C. Depositing hot ashes or cinders, or smoldering coals, or greasy or oily
substances liable to spontaneous ignition, into any combustible
receptacle.
D. Kindling of fire upon the land of another without permission of the owner
thereof or his agent.
SECTION 10.5.4.4 REQUIREMENTS
Outdoor burning, when authorized shall be subject to the following requirements:
A. The location thereof shall not be less than fifteen meters (15 m) from any
structure and adequate provision is made to prevent fire from spreading
to within fifteen meters (15 m) of any structure.
B. Burning is permitted only when wind direction and other meteorologicalconditions such as smoke and other pollutants will not present hazard to
any public road, landing strip, navigable water, or have a negative effecton any building, structure or sensitive receptor/ electronic equipment.
C. Any residual fires and/or smoldering objects that continue to emit smoke
shall be extinguished each day at the end of the burning activity.
D. Other fire safety measures necessary that may be imposed by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.5.4.5

PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE

Application for fire safety clearance shall be filed in writing before the Officeof the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction at least two (2) days prior
to the date of burning.
SECTION 10.5.4.6

RESPONSIBLE PERSON FOR OUTDOOR BURNING

A. The applicant shall be the responsible person for outdoor burning who
shall be present prior and during the burning activity. He shall be liable forthe consequences, damages, or injuries resulting from the said burning.
B. The granting of the herein fire safety clearance does not exempt or
excuse the applicant thereof from complying with all other applicablelaws, ordinances, regulations and orders of governmental entities having
jurisdiction.

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DIVISION 5. INCINERATOR
Incinerators shall comply with the Implementing Rules and Regulations ofRepublic Act No. 8749 “Clean Air Act”.
DIVISION 6. USE OF EQUIPMENT, APPLIANCES, DEVICES AND VACANT BUILDINGSSECTION 10.5.6.1

TOY BALLOONSNo person without any authority from the City/Municipal Fire Marshall having
jurisdiction shall inflate any toy balloon or other similar device with any toxic,
explosive or flammable gas, or sell, give away or furnish any suchballoon/device when so inflated. Open flame shall be prohibited in thevicinity where toy balloons are inflated, or where inflated toy balloons arepresent.
SECTION 10.5.6.2

TRACER BULLETS AND SIMILAR DEVICES

No person shall, possess or fire or discharge or cause to be fired any tracer
bullet or tracer charge, or any type of projectile or device, such as fireworks,that discharges smoldering or flammable material, in any brush or grasscovered area, or any area where flammable materials are present.
SECTION 10.5.6.3

ASPHALT KETTLESIt shall be unlawful to transport over any highway, road or street any asphalt
kettle beneath which is being heated by an open fire, coals or ashes. Heatingof asphalt kettles inside or on the roof of any building shall be done only withauthority from the C/MFM having jurisdiction concerned. There shall be atleast one approved fire extinguisher of a minimum 12-B or C classification
within nine meters (9 m) of each asphalt kettle being heated and one
additional fire extinguisher of 16-B or C classification in the area of work being
covered.
SECTION 10.5.6.4

ELECTRICAL WIRING AND OTHER DEVICES

A. Use and Installation
It shall be unlawful to use and/or install any electrical wiring appliance,
apparatus or device in violation of the Philippine Electrical Code.
B. Fire Hazard
The City/Municipal Fire Marshall having jurisdiction shall notify the local
Building Official of the existence of any hazardous electrical installation.
He may order the use of such installation discontinued immediately until
correction or the hazard be effected.

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SECTION 10.5.6.5

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES/DEVICES

No person shall sell, offer for sale, rent, dispose of by gift or premium, give or
make available for use any electrical appliance, unless it is of an approved
type.
SECTION 10.5.6.6

TRAPDOORS TO BE CLOSEDAll trapdoors and scuttle covers, except those that are automatic in theiroperations, in any building other than single-family dwelling, shall be kept
closed at all times, in order to prevent the easy passage of smoke and heat incase of fire.
SECTION 10.5.6.7

SHAFTWAYS TO BE MARKED

To preclude accidents during fire operations, every outside window in abuilding used for manufacture purposes or for storage which opens directly
on any hoist way or other vertical means of communication between two or
more floors in such buildings shall be plainly marked with the word
"SHAFTWAY" in red letters at least fifteen centimeters (15 cm) on a whitebackground. Such warning sign shall be placed as to be easily discernible
from the outside of the building. Every door or window opening on suchshaftway from the interior of the building shall be similarly marked with thewarning word "SHAFTWAY" so placed as to be easily visible to anyone
approaching the shaftway from the interior of the building.
SECTION 10.5.6.8

USE OF TORCHES OR FLAME-PRODUCING DEVICES FORREMOVING PAINT

Any person using a torch or other flame-producing device for removing paintfrom any surface within a building or structure shall secure an authority fromthe City/Municipal Fire Marshall having jurisdiction and provide one
approved fire extinguisher or water hose equipped with a suitable nozzle,
sufficient in length to reach all portions of the building, and connected to thewater supply on the premises where such operation is being done. In allcases, the person doing the removal of paint shall remain on the premises
one hour after the torch or flame-producing device has been used.
SECTION 10.5.6.9

HAZARDOUS WARNING LIGHTSIt shall be unlawful to maintain any torch or lantern utilizing an open flame
along any excavation or road, or any place where the dislodgement of suchtorch or lantern might permit the same to roll, or slide on to any brushcovered land, or any land containing flammable material.

425

SECTION 10.5.6.10

OPEN FLAME DEVICES IN PORTS/WHARVES

A. No person shall use any open flame device for maintenance or repair on
any boat, ship or wharf without a permit from the Philippine Coast Guard
and/or the Philippine Port Authority.
B. No person shall use any portable barbecue, brazier or cooking device on
any boat, ship or wharf without a permit from the Philippine Coast Guard
and/or the Philippine Port Authority.
C. Any open flame device used for lighting or decoration on the exterior ofany boat, ship or wharf must be approved by the Philippine Coast Guard
and/or the Philippine Port Authority.
SECTION 10.5.6.11

VACATING PREMISES

Upon vacating or abandoning any premise, the occupant thereof shallremove any and all noxious and hazardous material or waste matter which
has been deposited, allowed to come to rest, or permitted to accumulate
thereon, and such premises shall be left in clean and neat condition.
SECTION 10.5.6.12

VACANT BUILDINGS

Every person owning, or in charge or control of, any vacant building shallremove therefrom all accumulation of flammable or combustible waste or
rubbish and shall securely lock, barricade, or otherwise secure all doors,
windows and other openings thereof.
DIVISION 7. URBAN AND RURAL PRE-FIRE PLANNING
SECTION 10.5.7.1

HYDRANT

A. Project developers or owners of housing projects shall provide a hydrant
system and develop the source of water used for the purpose of providing
adequate water supply for fire suppression use on both economic andsocialized housing in connection with this Code.
B. Local Government Units (LGUs) in coordination with the BFP shall provide
each community with fire hydrants and cisterns or elevated tanks that will
suffice the requirement pertaining to provision of water for fire fighting
operation.
C. All reservoir or water tanks must provide a 20% fire reserve over and above
the Average Daily Demand Supply (ADDS).

426

D. In communities where no public water supply is available, a water well or
any other devices with water impounding capability shall be provided.

SECTION 10.5.7.2

FIRE LANE

The BFP is authorized to direct installation of fire lanes, signages or otherapproved notices for emergency use in coordination with concerned
government agencies.
A. Requirements
1. Curb top and side shall be painted red and the words "FIRE LANE" shallbe stenciled on the top and side of all red curbs at a maximum intervalof 50 feet. Letters shall be three inches (3") in height with a minimum
3/4-inch in stroke.
2. Outlining or painting the fire lane area in red with the words "FIRE LANE"
in white, at intervals of not more than 50 feet or as otherwise directedby the BFP. Size of lettering shall be not less than 24 inches in height
and three inches (3") in stroke.
B. Enforcement
The enforcement of fire lanes shall be the responsibility of the BFP in
coordination with the LGU and other concerned government agencies.

RULE 11. PROHIBITED ACTS
SECTION 11.0.0.1

PROHIBITED ACTS AND OMISSIONS

The following are declared as prohibited acts and omissions:A. Obstructing or blocking the exit ways or across to buildings clearly marked
for fire safety purposes, such as but not limited to aisles in interior rooms,
any part of stairways, hallways, corridors, vestibules, balconies or bridges
leading to a stairway or exit of any kind, or tolerating or allowing said
violations;
B. Constructing gates, entrances and walkways to building components andyards, and temporary or permanent structures on public ways, which
obstruct the orderly and easy passage of fire fighting vehicles andequipment;427

C. Prevention, interference or obstruction of any operation of the fire service,or of duly organized and authorized fire brigades;
D. Obstructing designated fire lanes or access to fire hydrants;
E. Overcrowding or admission of persons beyond the authorized capacity inmovie houses, theaters, coliseums, auditoriums or other public assemblybuildings, except in other assembly areas on the ground floor with open
sides or open doors sufficient to provide safe exits;
F. Locking fire exits during period when people are inside the building;
G. Prevention or obstruction of the automatic closure of fire doors or smoke
partitions or dampers;
H. Use of fire protective of fire fighting equipment of the fire service otherthan for fire fighting except in other emergencies where their use are
justified;
I.

Giving false or malicious fire alarms;

J. Smoking in prohibited areas as may be determined by fire service, or
throwing of cigars, cigarettes, burning objects in places which may start orcause fire;
K. Abandoning or leaving a building or structure by the occupant or ownerwithout appropriate safety measures;
L. Removing. destroying, tampering or obliterating any authorized mark,seal, sign or tag posted or required by the fire service for fire safety in any
building, structure or processing equipment; and
M. Use of jumpers or tampering with electrical wiring or overloading theelectrical system beyond its designated capacity or such other practices
that would tend to undermine the fire safety features of the electricalsystem.

RULE 12. FIRE CODE TAXES, FEES/CHARGES AND FINESSECTION 12.0.0.1

SOURCES OF INCOME

Pursuant to Section 12, in relation to Section 13 of RA 9514, the following shallbe the sources of income of the BFP:

428

A. Fees to be charged for the issuance of certificates, permits and licenses asprovided for in Section 7 of RA 9514;
B. One-tenth of one per centum (0.10%) of the verified estimated value ofbuildings or structures to be erected, from the owner thereof, but not toexceed fifty thousand (PhP 50,000.00) pesos, at least fifty per centum(50%) to be paid prior to the issuance of the building permit, and thebalance, after final inspection and prior to the issuance of the use andoccupancy permit;
C. One-hundredth of one per centum (0.01%) of the assessed value ofbuildings or structures annually payable upon payment of the real estatetax, except on structures used as single family dwellings;
D. Two per centum (2%) of all premiums, excluding re-insurance premiums forthe sale of fire, earthquake and explosion hazard insurance collected bycompanies, persons or agents licensed to sell such insurances in thePhilippines;
E. Two per centum (2%) of gross sales of companies, persons or agentsselling fire fighting equipment, appliances or devices, including hazard
detection and warning systems; andF. Two per centum (2%) of the service fees received from fire, earthquake,and explosion hazard reinsurance surveys and post loss service of
insurance adjustment companies doing business in the Philippines directly
through agents.
SECTION 12.0.0.2

FIRE CODE REVENUES

A. The classification of Fire Code revenues and rates are prescribed in thefollowing schedule:
1.

Fire Code Construction Tax. Tax prescribed in Section 12.0.0.1(B) of
this IRR.

2. Fire Code Realty Tax. Tax prescribed in Section 12.0.0.1(C) of this IRR.
3. Fire Code Premium Tax. Tax prescribed in Section 12.0.0.1 (D) of thisIRR.
4. Fire Code Sales Tax. Tax prescribed in Section 12.0.0.1 (E) of this IRR.
5. Fire Code Proceeds Tax. Tax prescribed in Section 12.0.0.1 (F) of this
IRR.

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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 othergovernment agencies concerned in the granting of pertinent permits
or licenses.
7. Storage Clearance Fee. Fee derived from storage of flammable andcombustible materials.
8. Conveyance Clearance Fee.
Feeflammable and combustible materials.

derivedfromtransporting

9. Installation Clearance Fee. Fee derived from installation of tanks andpipes of flammable and combustible substances and other fire
protection system.
10. Other Clearance Fees.
Fees derived from fireworks display,
fumigation/fogging, fire drill, hotworks, and other clearances asprovided under this IRR.
11. Fire Code Fines – are fees derived from imposition of administrativefines and penalties.
B. The account codes of the above classified taxes, fees/charges and fines
shall be prescribed by the Commission on Audit (COA).
SECTION 12.0.0.3

ASSESSMENT

A. The assessment of fire code taxes, fees/ charges and fines as revenue isvested upon the BFP. The Chief, BFP shall prescribe the procedural rules
for such purpose, subject to the approval of the Secretary, DILG.
B. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall assess theprescribed Fire Code revenues within his area of jurisdiction.
C. The Chief, BFP or his duly authorized representative shall exercise thegeneral power to assess the prescribed fire code taxes, fees/charges andfines for installations, structures, facilities and operations not within thejurisdiction of any Fire Marshal or in any other conditions as the need
thereto arises.
D. The result of the assessment shall be the basis for issuance of Order of
Payment Slip (OPS) by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction
for purposes of collection and deposit.

430

SECTION 12.0.0.4

SCHEDULE OF FEES AND FINES

A. The following are the schedule of fees.
1. Storage Clearance Fee - storage clearance shall be issued upon paymentof a fee based on the storage capacity as indicated:
a. Flammable/combustible solidsi.

Calcium carbide
STORAGE CAPACITY(in kilograms)
From 40 to 80
Over 80 to 200
Over 200 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 20,000
Over 20,000 to 40,000
Over 40,000 to 200,000
Over 200,000

ii.

Pyroxylin
STORAGE CAPACITY(in kilograms)
From 40 to 200
Over 200 to 800
Over 800 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 12,000
Over 12,000 to 40,000
Over 40,000

iii.

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
12.00
24.00
48.00
90.00
180.00300.00600.00Matches
STORAGE CAPACITY(in kilograms)
From 100 to 400
Over 400 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 20,000
Over 20,000

iv.

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
14.00
18.00
36.00
54.00
72.00
90.00
135.00180.00ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
12.00
60.00
120.00240.00480.00

Nitrate, phosphorous, bromine, sodium, picric acid and otherhazardous chemicals of similar flammable, explosive, oxidizing orlacrymatory properties:

431

STORAGE CAPACITY(in kilograms)
From 20 to 100
Over 100 to 400
Over 400 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 20,000
Over 20,000v.

Shredded combustible materials such as wood shaving, excelsior(kusot), sawdust, kapok, straw, hay, combustible loose fibers:
cotton waste, (estopa) sisal, oakum and other similar combustible
shavings and fine materials:
STORAGE CAPACITY(in cubic meters)
From 0.25 to 3
Over 3 to 14
Over 14 to 28
Over 28 to 70
Over 70vi.

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
12.00
18.00
45.00
90.00
134.00180.00ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
12.00
32.00
54.00
90.00
139.00Tar, resin, waxes, copra, rubber, cork, bituminous coal and similar
combustible materials:
STORAGE CAPACITY(in kilograms)
From 200 to 400
Over 400 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 20,000
Over 20,000

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
14.00
28.00
54.00
90.00

b. Flammable/Combustible Liquidsi.

For flammable liquids having flashpoint of -6.67oC or below. Suchas gasoline, ether, carbon bisolphide, naptha, benzol (benzene),collodion, aflodin and acetone.
STORAGE CAPACITY(in liters)
From 20 to 100
Over 100 to 200
Over 200 to 400
Over 400 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 6,000
Over 6,000 to 8,000
Over 8,000 to 10,000

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
10.00
12.00
24.00
48.00
72.00
100.00120.00144.00432

Over 10,000 to 12,000
Over 12,000 to 14,000
Over 14,000 to 16,000
Over 16,000 to 32,000
Over 32,000 to 40,000
Over 40,000 to 200,000
Over 200,000 to 800,000
Over 800,000 to 2,000,000
Over 2,000,000 to 6,000,000
Over 6,000,000 to 8,000,000
In excess of 8,000,000
ii.

For flammable liquids having flashpoint of above -6.67oC andbelow 22.8oC such as alcohol, amyl, tulouol, ethyl, acetate andlike.
STORAGE CAPACITY(in liters)
From 20 to 100
Over 100 to 200
Over 200 to 400
Over 400 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 20,000
Over 20,000 to 100,000
Over 100,000 to 200,000
Over 200,000

iii.

192.00240.00288.00360.00480.00720.001,080.00
1,440.00
1,920.00
2,400.00
2,400 +
1.00/400 liters

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
9.00
12.00
18.00
30.00
48.00
100.00240.00480.00600.00For liquids having flashpoint of 22.8oC and below 93.3oC, such as
kerosene, turpentine, thinner, prepared paints, varnish, diesel oil,fuel oil, kerosene, cleansing solvent, polishing liquids and similar
STORAGE CAPACITY(in liters)
From 20 to 100
Over 100 to 200
Over 200 to 400
Over 400 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 20,000
Over 20,000 to 40,000
Over 40,000 to 200,000
Over 200,000 to 400,000
Over 400,000 to 2,000,000
Over 2,000,000 to 3,600,000
Over 3,600,000

433

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
5.00
8.00
12.00
30.00
90.00
120.00180.00300.00480.00500.00600.00iv.

For combustible liquids having flash point greater than 93.3oC thatis subject to spontaneous ignition or is artificially heated to atemperature equal to or higher than its flash point, such as crudeoil, petroleum oil and others.
STORAGE CAPACITY(in liters)
From 20 to 100
Over 100 to 200
Over 200 to 400
Over 400 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 4,000
Over 4,000 to 80,000
Over 80,000

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
5.00
8.00
12.00
24.00
30.00
90.00
180.00c. Flammable gasesi.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in liter water capacityi.a.

For bulk storage:
STORAGE CAPACITY(in liters)
200 and below
Over 200 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 8,000
Over 8,000 to 20,000
Over 20,000 to 200,000
Over 200,000 to 400,000
For every additional 4,000liters or fraction thereof inexcess of 400,000

i.b.

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
20.00
40.00
80.00
200.00400.001,600.00
10.00

For other than bulk storage:
STORAGE CAPACITY(in liters)
60 and below
Over 60 to 100
Over 100 to 200
Over 200 to 400
Over 400 to 800
Over 800 to 1,200
Over 1,200 to 2,000
For every additional 400
liters water capacity inexcess of 2,000

434

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
1.50
2.00
3.00
4.00
8.00
12.00
16.00
1.00

ii.

Other flammable gases in liter water capacity
STORAGE CAPACITY(in liters)
From 20 to 100
Over 100 to 400
Over 400 to 2,000
Over 2,000 to 8,000
Over 8,000 to 40,000
Over 40,000 to 200,000
Over 200,000 to 400,000
Over 400,000

ANNUAL FEES
(in PhP)
6.00
12.00
36.00
72.00
180.00360.00540.00900.002. Conveyance Clearance Fee – Conveyance Clearance shall be issued tovehicles transporting any explosives, inflammable liquids and combustible
materials over the street of, or through pipelines, or to load or unload such
explosives, inflammable liquids or combustible materials in or from any
vessel, boat or craft, or railway upon payment of fee based on theircapacity as indicated:a. For every conveyance clearance issued on cargo trucks
or motor vehicles with a load capacity not exceeding
2,000 liters of inflammable liquid with a flash point of
93.3oC payable annually …………………………………..….
i.

For every additional 400 liters or fraction thereof……

b. For every conveyance clearance issued on cargo trucks
or motor vehicles with a load capacity of notexceeding 500 kilograms of explosives and/or
combustible materials, including hazardous chemicals
and gases payable annually……………………………...…..
i.

PhP 500.00
20.00

PhP 300.00

For every additional 100 kilos or fraction thereof ……..

20.00

c. For every conveyance clearance issued on tank trucks,
tank trailers, and tank semi-trailers carrying inflammableliquids described in sub-paragraph “a” hereof with 2,000liters capacity tanks which shall be good for period ofone (1) year ………………………………………………………

PhP 500.00

435

i.

For every additional 400 liters capacity or fraction
hereof………………………………………………………….

50.00

d. For every conveyance clearance issued to cover thetransfer of inflammable liquids described in subparagraph a., to shore tanks at terminal, including thedischarge of inflammable cargo to bulk lighters
undertaken at bay, and its subsequent transportation bywater to petroleum wharves, or transfer by bulk lightersfrom said terminals to vessel at bay:i.

For the first 2,000 liters……………………………………….

PhP 200.00

ii. For every additional 400 liters or fraction thereof notexceeding 400,000 liters……………………………………

50.00

iii. For every additional 4,000 liters or fraction thereof inexcess of 400,000 liters………………………………………

20.00

e. Provided, that for discharge of flammable liquids withflash points of not less than 65.5oC, clearance fees shallbe as follows:i.

f.

For the first 2,000 liters……………………………………….

50.00

ii. For every additional 400 liters or fraction thereof notexceeding 400,000 liters……………………………………

20.00

For every additional 4,000 liters or fraction thereof inexcess of 400,000 liters………………………………….............

20.00

i.

If the transfer or conveyance of liquids in bulk doneby lighters or through pipelines from refineries, thefollowing fees shall be imposed to wit:

ii. For flammable liquids having a flash point of lessthan 65.5oC for the first 2,000 liters…………….…………

436

PhP 200.00

iii. For every additional 4,000 liters or fraction thereof inexcess of 2,000 liters ………………………………………...

20.00

g. For flammable liquids having flash point of 65.5 to 93.3oCi.

For the first 2,000 liters………………………………………

20.00

ii. For every additional 4,000 liters or fraction thereof inexcess of 2,000 liters ……………………………………….

20.00

h. For every clearance issued covering the wholeoperations of loading and unloading to or from a boat,
vessel, craft, or railway tanks cars and the transfer ofpackages of containers of explosives, flammable liquidsor
combustible
materials,
includinghazardous
chemicals and gases at terminals or piers:i.

For the first 2,000 liters or kilograms ………………………

PhP 200.00

ii. For every additional 400 liters or 100 kilos or fraction
thereof not exceeding 40,000 liters or 10,000
kilograms……………………………………………………..

100.00iii. For every additional 4,000 liters or 1,000 kilos or
fraction thereof in excess of 40,000 liters or 10,000
kilograms……………………………………………………..

10.00

3. Installation Clearance Fee – For installing gas and liquid systems other thanat bulk premises, an Installation Clearance shall be issued upon paymentof the installer of the amount as prescribed below:
a. Gases (LPG, CNG and other compressed gases)
exceeding 454 liters water capacity

PhP 80.00

For every additional 100 liters water capacity or
fraction thereof in excess of 454 liters

20.00

437

b. Flammable and combustible liquids in abovegroundand underground tanks

300.004. Other Clearance Fee – Hereunder is the schedule of fees for issuance of aclearance relative to the conduct of the following activities and/or
authentication of documents:a.

Fireworks display

PhP 300.00

b.

Fumigation/Fogging

100.00c.

Fire Drill

200.00d.

Hotworks

150.00e.

Fire Incident Clearance

100.00f. Certified true copy of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate

100.00g. Certified true copy of Building Fire Safety Clearance

100.00h. Certified true copy of Fire Clearance

100.00B. Administrative Fines - The following are the schedule of Fire CodeAdministrative Fines:
1. Failure to provide safety measures for the manufacture, storage, handling,
display and/or use of the following hazardous material required in Section
7, paragraph (b) of Republic Act No. 9514.

a.

DESCRIPTIONSCHEDULE OF FINES

Cellulose nitrate plastic of any kind

PhP 400.00/kg or less but
not exceeding PhP 1,250.00

438

b.

Combustible fibers

PhP 400.00/m3 or less but
not exceeding PhP 4,000.00

c.

Cellular materials such as foamrubber, sponge rubber and plastic
foam

PhP 400.00/m3 or less but
not exceeding PhP 4,000.00d.

Flammable and combustible liquids orgases of any classificatione.

Flammable paints, varnishes, stains
and organic coatings

PhP 400.00/liter or less but
not exceeding PhP 2,500.00

f.

High piled or widely spread
combustible stock

PhP 80.00/m3 or less but notexceeding PhP 12,500.00

g.

Metallic magnesium in any formh.

Corrosive liquids, oxidizing materials,
organic peroxide, nitromethane,ammonium nitrate or any amount ofhighly toxic pyrophoric, hypergolic or
cryogenic materials or poisonous gases aswell as material compounds which when
exposed to heat [of] OR flame become afire conductor or generate excessive
smoke or toxic gases

PhP 400.00 per
kilogram/liter or less but notexceeding PhP 12,500.00

i.

Blasting agents, explosives and special
industrial explosive materials, blasting
caps, black powder, liquid nitro-glycerin,
dynamite, nitro-cellulose, fulminates ofany kind and plastic explosives containing
ammonium salt or chlorate

PhP 2,000.00 per
kilogram/liter or less but notexceeding PhP 12,500.00

j.

Liquid Nitroglycerine and liquid
Trinitrotoluene

PhP 4,000.00/liter or less but
not exceeding PhP
12,500.00

439

PhP 400.00/liter or less but
not exceeding PhP
12,500.00

PhP 400.00/kilo or less but
not exceeding PhP
12,500.00

k.

Firework materials of any kind or form

PhP 2,000.00 per kilogramor less but not exceeding
PhP 12,500.00

l.

Matches in commercial quantities

PhP 400.00 per matchmangross but not exceeding
PhP 12,500.00m.

Hot ashes, live coals and embers

PhP 200.00/m3 but notexceeding PhP 4,000.00

n.

Mineral, vegetable or animal oils andother derivative/by-productso.

Recycling, reuse and resale ofcombustible and flammable liquids
and other waste materials]
combustible waste materials forrecycling or resalep.

Explosives dusts and vaporsq.

Agriculture, forest, marine or mineralproducts which may undergo
spontaneous combustion

PhP 400.00/m3 or less but
not exceeding PhP 4,000.00

r.

Any other substance with potential tocause harm to persons, property or
environment because of one or moreof the following:

Similar nature shall be
penalized accordinglyi.

The chemical properties of thesubstance;

ii. The physical properties of thesubstance;440

PhP 40.00 per liter in excessof twenty five (25) liters but
not exceeding PhP 4,000.00
PhP 40.00/m3 but notexceeding PhP 4,000.00

PhP 4,000.00 to PhP
12,500.00 per violation

iii. The biological properties of thesubstance. Without limiting thedefinition of hazardous material, alldangerous goods, combustible
liquids and chemicals arehazardous materials.
2. Failure to provide safety measures for the following hazardous operations
or processes as required in Section 7, paragraph (c) of the Republic Act
No. 9514.
a.

Welding or soldering

PhP 400.00 to
PhP 4,000.00b.

Industrial baking and drying

PhP 4,000.00 to
PhP 8,000.00

c.

Waste Disposal

PhP 4,000.00 to
PhP 8,000.00

d.

Pressurized/forced-draft burning equipment

PhP 4,000.00 to
PhP 8,000.00

e.

Smelting and forging

PhP 8,000.00 to
PhP 12,500.00

f.

Motion picture projection using electrical arc lamp

PhP 400.00 to
PhP 4,000.00

g.

Refining, distillation and solvent extraction

PhP 8,000.00 to
PhP 12,500.00

441

3. Failure to provide the following safety construction protective andwarning systems as required in Section 7, paragraph (d) of Republic Act
No. 9514.
a.

Fire protection features such as sprinkler alarms
hose boxes, hose reels or standpipe alarms andother firefighting equipmentb.

Fire alarm systemsc.

Fire walls to separate adjoining alarms fee, or
alarms fees and storage areas from otheroccupancies in the same building

PhP 25,000.00
to PhP 37,500.00

d.

Provisions for confining the fire at its source suchas fire resistive floors and walls extending up to
the next floor slab or roof, curtain boards andother fire containing of stopping components

PhP 12,500.00
to PhP 25,000.00e.

Termination of all exits in an area affording safe
passage to a public way or safe dispersal areaf.

Stairways, vertical shafts, horizontal exits andother means of egress sealed from smoke andheat.

PhP 37,500.00
to PhP 50,000.00

g.

A fire exit plan for each floor of the building,showing the routes from each room toappropriate exits, displayed prominently on thedoor of each room.

PhP 12,500.00
to PhP 25,000.00h.

Self-closing fire resistive doors leading to corridors.

i.

PhP 25,000.00
to PhP 37,500.00

PhP 25,000.00
to PhP 37,500.00

Fire dampers in centralized air- conditioning ducts.

442

PhP 37,500.00
to PhP 50,000.00

PhP 37,500.00
to PhP 50,000.00
PhP 37,500.00
to PhP 50,000.00

j.

Roof vents for use of firefighters.

PhP 37,500.00
to PhP 50,000.00

k.

Properly marked and lighted exits with provision
for emergency lights to adequately illuminate
exit ways in case of power failure.

PhP 12,500.00
to PhP 25,000.00

4. Failure to observe the following declared prohibited acts and omissions as
required under Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9514.
a.

Obstructing or blocking the exit ways or across tobuildings clearly marked for fire safety purposes,
such as but not limited to aisles in interior rooms,
any part of the stairways, corridors, vestibules,
balconies or bridges leading to a stairway or exitof any kind or tolerating or allowing said
violations.

PhP 12,500.00
to PhP 25,000.00b.

Constructing gates, entrances and walkways tobuilding components and yards, and temporary
or permanent structures on public ways, which
obstruct the orderly and easy passage offirefighting vehicles and equipment.

PhP 12,500.00
to PhP 25,000.00

c.

Prevention, interference and obstruction of any
operation of the BFP or of duly organized andauthorized fire brigades.

PhP 12,500.00
to PhP 25,000.00

d.

Obstructing designated fire lanes or access to fire
hydrants.

PhP 12,500.00
to PhP 25,000.00

e.

Overcrowding or admission of alarms beyond theauthorized capacity in movie houses, theaters,
coliseum, auditorium or other public assemblybuildings, except in other assembly areas on the
ground floor with open sides or open doors
sufficient to provide safe exits.

PhP 25,000.00
to PhP 37,500.00

443

f.

Locking fire exits during period when people areinside the building.

PhP 37,500.00
to PhP 50,000.00

g.

Prevention or obstruction of the automatic
closure of fire doors or smoke partition or
dampers.

PhP 12,500.00
to PhP 25,000.00h.

Use of fire protective or fire fighting equipment of
the BFP other than for fire fighting except in otheremergencies where their use are justified.

PhP 4,000,00
to PhP 12,500.00

i.

Giving false or malicious fire alarms.

PhP 4,000.00
to PhP 12,500.00

j.

Smoking in prohibited areas as may be
determined by the BFP, or throwing of cigars,
cigarettes, burning objects in places which may
start or cause fire.

PhP 4,000.00
to PhP 12,500.00

k.

Abandoning or leaving a building or structure by
the occupant or owner without appropriate
safety measures.

PHP 4,000.00 to
PHP 20,000.00l.

Removing, destroying, tampering or obliterating
any authorized mark, seal, sign or tag posted or
required by the BFP for fire safety in any building,
structure or processing equipment.

PhP 25,000.00
to PhP 37,500.00

m.

Use of jumpers or tampering with electrical wiring
or overloading the electrical system beyond its
designed capacity or such other practices thatwould tend to undermine the fire safety featuresof the electrical system.

PhP 25,000.00
to PhP 37,500.00

n.

Failure to submit copy of fire insurance policy
within the prescribed time limit.

PhP 4,000.00 to
PhP 12,500.00

444

5. Other violations similar to or of the same nature as any of the above, but
not included in this listing, shall likewise be penalized with the sameamount.
C. Indigent Fire Victims are exempted from paying the Fire Incident Clearance
fee upon submission of a certification from the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD).
D. Public Schools, Local Government Units and other government agencies are
exempted from paying fire drill fee.
E. The foregoing schedule of fees and fines may be changed, altered oramended by the Chief, BFP subject to the approval of the Secretary of theInterior and Local Government.
SECTION 12.0.0.5

MANNER OF COLLECTION

A. The BFP shall collect the prescribed fire code revenues thru any of thefollowing options:
1. Direct payment thru Authorized Government Servicing Bank (AGSB) or
Authorized Government Depository Bank (AGDB);
2. Collection by collecting officers; and3. Other options that the Chief, BFP may later prescribe, subject to theexisting accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
B. In cases where direct payments using prescribed Special Bank Receipt(SBR) or other options are not yet adopted, all revenue collections shallhave corresponding Official Receipt (OR) issued by the BFP. The
collections shall be deposited to the AGSB or AGDB unless otherwise laterprescribed.
C. The twenty percent (20%) of all revenues collected set aside and retained
for use of the local government concerned and collected by the BFP,
shall be remitted to the escrow account of the City/Municipal
government concerned.
D. The eighty percent (80%) of all revenues collected by the BFP shall beremitted to the National Treasury under a trust account prescribed by the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
E. All Fire Code taxes, fees, charges and fines collected by theCity/Municipal Treasurer upon effectivity of RA 9514 and prior to theeffectivity of its IRR shall be remitted to the Bureau of Treasury (BOT) withinsix (6) months from effectivity of IRR of RA 9514 to the Special Trust Fund
Account of the BFP.

445

SECTION 12.0.0.6

DESIGNATION OF COLLECTING OFFICER

The Chief, BFP or the Regional Director concerned shall designate a Collecting
Officer in every City and Municipal BFP office upon recommendation of theirrespective Fire Marshals.
SECTION 12.0.0.7

UTILIZATION

A. The twenty percent (20%) set aside and retained for use of the local
government concerned, for the purpose as herein prescribed, shall beutilized in accordance with the guidelines as set forth in a Memorandum
Circular to be issued by the DILG Secretary.
B. The eighty percent (80%) of all revenues collected by the BFP shall be
used for its modernization as herein prescribed. The Chief, BFP is
authorized, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior andLocal Government, to use the income generated under the fire code for
procurement of fire protection and fire investigation supplies andequipment, rescue, paramedics, supplies and materials, and related
technical services necessary for the fire service and the improvement offacilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection and abatement of fire hazards.
C. The BFP shall prepare progressive modernization plans for its capability
building and resource allocation at the national, regional, provincial andcity/municipal levels as well as determine among others the optimal
number of equipment, including, but not limited to firetrucks and fire
hydrants, required by every local government unit for the proper deliveryof fire protection services in its jurisdiction.
D. Standards shall be established and regularly updated to serve as guide in
the procurement of the firefighting and investigation supplies andmaterials, the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the Department ofTrade and Industry (DTI) shall evaluate, determine and certify if the supply
so procured conforms to the product standards fixed by the BFP. For thispurpose, the BFP shall submit to the BPS a detailed set of productstandards that must be complied with in the procurement of firefighting
and investigation supplies and materials within six (6) months from theeffectivity of this Act.
SECTION 12.0.0.8

MONITORINGThe Chief, BFP shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this IRR, submit
to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government for his/her approval, amanagement tool mechanism that would ensure effective monitoring of theenforcement of the fire code to include the amount of fire code feescollected.

446

A. Every Fire Marshal shall keep a secured permanent recording system for
efficient and effective accounting and monitoring of all collected taxes,
fire code fees, fines and other charges.
B. Detailed procedures in assessment, collection, monitoring/reporting shallbe embodied in a manual of procedures to be approved by the
Secretary, DILG.
SECTION 12.0.0.9

LOCAL TAXES, FEES AND FINESThe collection and assessment of taxes, fees and fines as prescribed in the
Local Government Code, except those contained in this Code, shall be thefunction of the concerned Local Government Units (LGU).

RULE 13. ADMINISTRATIVE COURSES OF ACTIONSECTION 13.0.0.1

GENERAL GUIDELINES

A. Fines
Before a fine is imposed, the violator shall first be informed of his violation/sand ordered to correct the same immediately, if feasible, or within a reasonable period of time as prescribed in Section 13.0.0.6 of this IRR. At the
expiration of the period to comply the deficiency/deficiencies, a reinspection shall be conducted to determine compliance. If compliance
was not effected or if compliance does not conform to the required
standards, the first violation is committed and the violator shall be finedand further ordered to effect the correction.
Repeated failure on the part of the violator to effect corrections will
constitute subsequent violations. Administrative fines shall be imposed forevery violation.
B. Abatement
A. All fire hazards shall be abated immediately. Abatement is any act
that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard. Such acts are specified
in the Notice to Comply.
B. Abatement includes, among others, any one or combination or all of
the following:a. Removal of the source of ignition;
b. Rearranging or adjusting articles within the minimum clearances ordimensions;447

c. Reduction in the amount/quantity of flammable, combustible and/or hazardous materials.
d. Changes in procedure in the conduct of hazardous operation;e. Constructions to limit and control the spread of fire and smoke;f. Installation of fire protective and/or warning systems; andg. Remodeling, repairing, strengthening, reconstructing, removal anddemolition, either partial or total, of the building or structure.
h. Where there is inaction on the part of the violator, abatement may
be made summarily by the BFP if this is the only recourse to remove
the imminent danger to life and property and achieve fire safety. In
this case, the provisions of Sections 9, 10 and 11 of RA 9514 applies.
C. Stoppage of Operations/Closure
1. Stoppage of operation/Closure of the building shall be resorted to by
the BFP when the offender fails to comply with the abatement order.
2. Recourse to closure and/or stoppage of operations may likewise beresorted to when the deficiency constitutes a clear and imminent
danger to life and property such that evacuation of the building or
establishment and stoppage of operations therein are extremely
necessary.
SECTION 13.0.0.2

FIXING OF FINES

A. Administrative fines shall be determined as follows:
1. When the violation carries an administrative fine which has a rate perunit volume, weight or unit, the fine shall be computed by multiplying
the weight/volume/unit by the rate.
2. Where the violation carries a fine within a certain range (for example,
PhP 25,000.00 – PhP 37,500.00), the fine increases with the number oftimes a violation of the same provision is committed:
a. First violation – the fine shall be the minimum amount in the range.
b. Second violation – the fine shall be the maximum amount in therange.
3. When two or more offenses are committed, the same procedures inpara “A” 1 and 2 above shall be followed, but the fine shall be sum of
all administrative fines; Provided, that the total fines shall not exceed
fifty thousand pesos (PhP 50,000.00).

448

B. Failure to Pay Fine. – Failure on the part of the violator to pay theadministrative fine within the period fixed in the Notice shall constitute a
ground for the issuance of an Order for Stoppage of Operation of thebuilding or the portion thereof or stoppage of the hazardous operation insuch building.
SECTION 13.0.0.3

JURISDICTION

A. Fines
1. Fines up to thirty thousand pesos (PhP 30,000.00) shall be imposed by
the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
2. Fines exceeding thirty thousand pesos but not more than forty
thousand pesos (PhP 40,000.00) shall be imposed by theProvincial/District Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
3. Fines exceeding forty thousand pesos up to fifty thousand pesos (PhP
50,000.00) shall be imposed by the Regional Director having
jurisdiction.
B. Stoppage of Operation/Closure of Buildings
This penalty shall be imposed by the Regional Director upon therecommendation of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction
thru channel. The implementation of this order may be delegated to theProvincial/District Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
C. Declaration of Public NuisanceThe declaration of a building, structure or facility as a public nuisancepursuant to Section 9 of RA 9514 shall be made by the Chief, BFP upon therecommendation of the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction
thru channel.
D. Abatement
1. Orders for simple abatement such as removal of fire hazardous
materials, removal of obstruction to exit ways or means of egress orsimilar actions that do not entail financial expenditures on the part ofviolator, shall be issued by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction concerned.
2. Orders for abatement involving alteration, modification or repair ofequipment, machinery, protective systems, buildings, structures, or
facilities shall be issued by the Provincial/District Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction.

449

3. Orders for abatement involving condemnation and/or removal of
defective machinery, equipment or protective system, or demolition,either partial or total, of buildings, structures or facilities shall be issued
by the Regional Director having jurisdiction.
4. Orders for the summary abatement of a building, structure, or facility
declared as a public nuisance shall be issued by the Chief, BFP.
5. The expenses incurred by the government for such summary
abatement shall be borne by the owner, administrator or occupant.
These expenses shall constitute a prior lien upon such property.
6. If the owner, administrator or occupant fails to reimburse thegovernment of the expenses incurred in the summary abatement
within ninety (90) days from the completion of such abatement, thebuilding or structure shall be forfeited in favor of the government andsold at public auction in accordance with existing laws and rules. No
property subject of lien under Section 9 of RA 9514, may be sold at a
price lower than the abatement expenses incurred by thegovernment. The property shall be forfeited in favor of the government
if the highest bid is not at least equal to the abatement expenses.
E. The decisions of the foregoing authorities are executory, subject to
exception provided in Section 13.0.0.1.
SECTION 13.0.0.4

GENERAL PROCEDURES

A. When the Inspection Report submitted by the Fire Safety Inspector
indicates violation of the Fire Code or its IRR, the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction shall immediately issue notice to comply within
which compliance shall be effected within the period provided for under
Section 13.0.0.6. Such Notice shall include, among others, a citation of
the specific provision/s of the Fire Code and its IRR violated and thespecific actions/corrections that should be complied for period of notexceeding fifteen (15) days. The original copy of such Notice shall beserved upon the person responsible for the violation within five (5) days
from submission of the Report.
B. After the lapse of the prescribed period to comply, a re-inspection shallbe conducted. When the after re-inspection report submitted by the FSI
indicates non-compliance of the Notice, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction shall impose the following:
1. Put up a sign in front of the building or structure that it is a fire hazard.
Specifically, the notice shall bear the words "WARNING: THISBUILDING/STRUCTURE IS A FIRE HAZARD", which shall remain posted until
such time that the owner, administrator, occupant or other persons
responsible for the condition of the building, structure and their450

premises or facilities correct the same, but such period shall not
exceed fifteen (15) days from the lapse of the initial period given in thenotice/order to comply;
2. Impose the corresponding administrative fines; and3. Issue the notice to correct violation. The said notice shall include,
among others, a citation of the specific provision/s of the Fire Codeand its IRR violated and the specific actions/corrections that should becomplied for a period of not exceeding fifteen (15) days.
C. After the lapse of the prescribed period to comply provided for under thenotice to correct violations, a re-inspection shall be conducted. When the
re-inspection report submitted by the FSI indicates non-compliance of theorder contained in the notice to correct violations, the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction shall:
1. Effect the continuous posting of the sign in front of the building or
structure that it is a fire hazard. Specifically, the notice shall bear thewords "WARNING: THIS BUILDING/STRUCTURE IS A FIRE HAZARD", whichshall remain posted until such time that the owner, administrator,
occupant or other persons responsible for the condition of thebuilding, structure and their premises or facilities correct the same, butsuch period shall not exceed fifteen (15) days from the lapse of theperiod given in the notice to correct violations;
2. Impose the administrative fine for the violation;
3. Issue abatement order to the owner, administrator or occupant of thebuilding, structure and their premises or facilities for a period notexceeding fifteen (15) days.
D. After the lapse of the prescribed period to comply provided for under theabatement order, a re-inspection shall be conducted. When the reinspection report submitted by the FSI indicates non-compliance of theabatement order, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall:
1. Effect the continuous posting of the sign in front of the building or
structure that it is a fire hazard. Specifically, the notice shall bear thewords "WARNING: THIS BUILDING/STRUCTURE IS A FIRE HAZARD", whichshall remain posted until such time that the owner, administrator,
occupant or other persons responsible for the condition of thebuilding, structure and their premises or facilities abate the same.
2. Recommend, through channel, to the Regional Director for theissuance of an order for stoppage of operations and closure order;
E. During re-inspection under para “B” to “D” of this Section, initial
compliance was effected by the owner, the said notice to correct
violations/abatement order may not be issued. In lieu thereof, the owner451

shall execute an affidavit of undertaking specifically thereof among
others the period of completion of work. For this purpose, the owner shallattach in his affidavit the contract of works, if any.
F.

An Order to Pay Fine shall be issued immediately without need of issuing a
Notice to Comply/Correct Violation for the violations which shall becorrected immediately or within 24 hours as provided in Section 13.0.0.6.

SECTION 13.0.0.5

PUBLIC NUISANCE

Any building or structure assessed and declared by the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction as a fire trap on account of the gravity or palpabilityof the violation or is causing clear and present imminent danger, in accordancewith para “A” of this Section, to adjoining establishments and habitations shall berecommended for declaration as public nuisance to the Chief, BFP.
A. Imminent Danger
1. An establishment shall be declared an imminent danger when asecondary exit is not present;
2. A residential, healthcare and assembly establishment shall bedeclared imminent danger if at least two (2) of the following violations
are committed:
a. Insufficient exit widthb. Absence of fire-resistive enclosure for main and secondary exitc. Swing of exit door against the flow of travel
d. Obstructed/padlocked fire exite. Absence/defective fire alarm and smoke detection systemf.

Absence/inadequate automatic battery-operated emergency
light or illuminated exit signs

g. Absence of standpipe systemh. Absence of automatic fire suppression system
3. A business, mercantile and educational establishments shall bedeclared imminent danger if at least three (3) of the violations cited in
Section 13.0.0.5 para “A” (2) (a) through (h) are committed.
B. Procedures
1. A notice of declaration as a public nuisance shall be issued by the
Chief, BFP to the owner, administrator, occupant or other person
responsible for the condition of the building, structure and their452

premises or facilities. The notice shall contain the grounds relied uponin declaring the same as public nuisance.
2. Upon receipt of the notice, the owner, administrator, occupant orother person responsible for the condition of the building, structure andtheir premises or facilities shall cause the immediate abatement of thehazard therein specified within the following periods:
a. If the assessed value of the nuisance or the amount to be spent inabating the same is not more than one hundred thousand pesos(PhP100,000.00), the owner, administrator or occupant thereof shallabate the hazard within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the orderdeclaring said building or structure a public nuisance; orb. If the assessed value is more than one hundred thousand pesos(PhP 100,000.00), the owner, administrator or occupant thereof
shall abate the hazard within thirty (30) days from receipt of theorder declaring said building or structure a public nuisance;
3. Failure to comply within five (5) days from the receipt of the notice
shall cause the Chief, BFP to put up a sign in front of the building or
structure, at or near the entrance of such premises, notifying the publicthat such building or structure is a "FIRETRAP", which shall remain
posted until the owner, administrator, occupant or other person
responsible for the condition of the building, structure and theirpremises or facilities abate the same within the specified period.
4. Failure of the owner, administrator, occupant or other person
responsible for the condition of the building, structure and theirpremises or facilities to abate the same, shall constrain the BFP to
employ all corrective measures undertaken to abate hazards whichshall include but not limited to remodeling, repairing, strengthening,reconstructing, removal and demolition, either partial or total, of thebuilding or structure.
SECTION 13.0.0.6

PERIOD FOR CORRECTING VIOLATIONS

A. Immediately or within twenty four (24) hours
1. Obstructing or blocking the exit ways or access to building clearlymarked for fire safety purposes, such as, but not limited to aisles ininterior rooms, any part of stairways, hallways, corridors, vestibules,
balconies or bridges leading to a stairway or exit of any kind, or
tolerating or allowing said violations;
2. Prevention, interference or obstruction of any operation of the BFP, orof duly organized and authorized fire brigades.
3. Obstructing designated fire lanes or access to fire hydrant.

453

4. Overcrowding or admission of person beyond the authorized capacity
in movie houses, theaters, coliseums, auditorium or other public
assembly buildings except in other assembly areas on the ground floor
with open sides or open doors sufficient to provide exits;
5. Locking fire exits during periods when people are inside the building;
6. Prevention or obstruction of the automatic closure of fire doors or
smoke partitions or dampers;
7. Use of fire protective or fire fighting equipment of the Fire Service otherthan for fire fighting except in other emergencies where their use are
justified.
8. Giving false or malicious fire alarms;
9. Smoking in prohibited areas as may be determined by the Fire Service,or throwing cigars, cigarettes, or burning objects in places which may
start or cause fires;
10. Removing, destroying, tampering or obliterating any authorized mark,seal sign, or tag posted or required by the Fire Service for fire safety inany building, structure or processing equipment;
11. Use of jumpers or tampering with electrical wiring or overloading theelectrical system beyond its designed capacity or such other practices
that tend to undermine the fire safety features of the electrical system;
12. Failure to observe fire safety precaution for the following:a. Hot ashes, live coals and embers;b. Flammable paints, varnishes, stains and organic coatings;
c. Flammable and combustible liquids or gases of any classification;
d. Metallic magnesium in any form;e. Blasting agents, explosives and special industrial, explosive
materials, blasting caps, black powder, dynamic, nitrocellulose,
fulminates of any kind, and plastic explosives containing
ammonium salt or chlorate;
f. Liquid nitroglycerine and liquid trinitrotoluoene;g. Firework materials of any kind of form;h. Explosive dusts and vapors;454

i. Welding or soldering;j. Industrial/commercial baking and drying;k. Smelting and forging; orl. Refilling, distillation and solvent extraction of flammable/combustible liquids; and13. Other violations similar to or of the same nature as any of the above,
but not included in this listing, shall likewise be allocated the same
period.
B. Within three (3) days
1. Constructing gates, entrances and walkways to building components
and yards which obstruct the orderly and easy passage of fire fighting
vehicles and equipment;
2. Abandonment or leaving a building or structure by the occupant orowner without appropriate safety measures;
3. Failure to submit copy of fire insurance policy within the prescribedtime limit;
4. Failure to observe fire safety precaution for the following:a. High piled or widely spread combustible stock;b. Corrosive liquids, oxidizing materials, organic peroxide, nitromethane, ammonium nitrate or any amount of highly toxic pyrophoric,
hypergolic or cryogenic materials or poisonous gases as well as
materials compounds which when exposed to heat or flame
become a lire conductor or generate excessive smoke or toxic
gases;
c. Matches in commercial quantities (more than 60 watchman's
gross);
d. Combustible waste materials for recycling or resale;e. Agricultural, forest, marine or mineral products which may undergo
spontaneous combustion;
f. Waste disposal of combustible materials;
g. Pressurized/forced-draft burning equipment; or
h. Motion picture projection using electrical lamp; and455

5. Other violations similar to or the same nature as any of the above, but
not included in this listing, shall likewise be allocated the same period.
C. Within seven (7) days
1. For failure to provide the fire safety precautions for the following:a. Combustible fibers;b. Cellular materials such as foam rubber, sponge rubber and plastic
foam;
c. Mineral, vegetable or animal oils and other derivative by-products.
2. Other violations similar to or of the same nature as any of the above,
but not included in this listing, shall likewise be allocated the same
period.
D. Within ten (10) days
1. Failure to provide fire walls to separate adjoining building, or warehouse and storage areas from other occupancies in the samebuilding; and2. Other violations similar to or of the same nature as any of the above,
but not included in this listing, shall likewise be allocated the same
period.
E. Within fifteen (15) days
1. Failure to provide, install and maintain the following:a. Fire alarm system;b. Provision for confining the fire at its source such as fire resistive floorslab or roof, curtain boards and other fire containing or stopping
components;c. A fire exit plan or diagram for each floor of the building showing theroutes from each room to appropriate exits, displayed prominently
on the door of each room;d. Properly marked and lighted exits with provisions for emergency
lights to adequately exit ways in case of power failure;
2. Failure to develop and implement a fire safety and education
programs.
3. Failure to provide on effect the following:456

a. Fire protection features such as sprinkler systems, hose boxes, hosereels or standpipe system and other fire fighting equipment;b. Termination of all exits in area affording sale passage to a public
way or safe dispersal area;c. Stairways, vertical shafts, horizontal exits and other means of egresssealed from smoke and heat;d. Self-closing fire resistive door leading to corridors;e. Fire dampers in centralized air-conditioning ducts; orf. Roof vents for use by fire fighters; and4. Other violations similar to or of the same nature as any of the above,
but not included in this listing, shall likewise be allocated the same
period.
SECTION 13.0.0.7

PENALTIES FOR SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS

A. Against Private Person
1. Administrative Penalties
a. The owner, administrator, occupant or other person responsible forthe condition of the building, structure and their premises or
facilities who violates any provision of the Fire Code or any of its
implementing rules and regulations shall be penalized by:i.

Administrative fine of not exceeding Fifty thousand pesos(P50,000.00); orii.

Stoppage of operations or by closure of such buildings,
structures and their premises or facilities which do not comply
with the requirements; oriii.

Both such administrative fine and closure/stoppage of
operation to be imposed by the proper authorities.

Provided that, payment of the fine, stoppage of operations and/or
closure of such buildings, structures, and their premises or facilities
shall not absolve the violator from correcting the deficiency or
abating the fire hazard.
2. Punitive Penalties
a. In case of willful failure to correct the deficiency or abate the fire
hazard as provided in the preceding subsection, the violator shall,
upon conviction, be punished by:

457

i.

Imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than six(6) years, orii.

By a fine of not more than One hundred thousand pesos(P100,000.00) oriii.

Both such fine and imprisonment

Provided, however, that in the case of a corporation, firm,
partnership or association, the fine and/or imprisonment shall be
imposed upon its officials responsible for such violation, and in casethe guilty party is an alien, in addition to the penalties hereinprescribed, he shall immediately be deported: Provided, finally,that where the violation is attended by injury, loss of life and/or
damage to property, the violator shall be proceeded against
under the applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
b. Any person who, without authority, maliciously removes the signthat a building or structure is a fire hazard/firetrap placed by theauthorized person in this Code shall be liable for imprisonment for
thirty (30) days or a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00) or both in the discretion of the court.
c. Any person, who disobeys the lawful order of the fire groundcommander during a firefighting operation, shall be penalized withimprisonment of one (1) day to thirty (30) days and a fine of Five
thousand pesos (P5, 000.00).
3. In all cases mentioned above, regardless of whether the violation iscategorized as administrative or punitive, the City or Municipal Fireshall have the authority to determine whether a criminal charge isgoing to be instituted and shall initiate the filing thereof.
B. Against Public Officer
1. Administrative
The following acts or omissions shall render the public officer/employee
in charge of the enforcement of the Fire Code, its implementing rules
and regulation and other pertinent laws, administratively liable andshall be punished by reprimand, suspension or removal at thediscretion of the disciplining authority, depending on the gravity of theoffense:a. Unjustified failure of the public officer/employee to conduct
inspection of buildings or structures at least once a year;
b. Deliberate failure to put up a sign in front of the building or structure
within his/her area of responsibility found to be violating this Code,458

its implementing rules and regulations and other pertinent laws,that the same is a "FIRE HAZARD" or a "FIRETRAP";
c. Endorsing to the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative
for the certification, or submitting a report that the building or
structure complies with the standards set by this Code, its
implementing rules or regulations or other pertinent laws when thesame is contrary to fact;d. Issuance or renewal of occupancy or business permit without thefire safety inspection certificate issued by the Chief, BFP or his/her
duly authorized representative;
e. Failure to cancel the occupancy or business permit after theowner, administrator, occupant or other person responsible for thecondition of the building, structure and other premises failed tocomply with the notice/order for compliance with the standards
set by this Code, its implementing rules and regulations and otherpertinent laws, within the specified period;f.

Failure to abate a public nuisance within fifteen (15) days after theowner, administrator, occupant or other responsible person failed
to abate the same within the period contained in the notice toabate;

g. Abusing his/her authority in the performance of his/her duty
through acts of corruption and other unethical practices; orh. Other willful impropriety or gross negligence in the performance of
his/her duty as provided in this act or its implementing rules andregulations.
2. Punitive
In case of willful violation involving the abovementioned acts oromissions enumerated under Section 11 subparagraph 2(A), the public
official shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not lessthan six (6) months nor more than six (6) years, or by a fine of not morethan One hundred thousand pesos (PhP100,000.00) or both such fineand imprisonment: Provided, That where the violation is attended byinjury, loss of life and/or property, the violator shall be proceededagainst under the applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

459

RULE 14. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONSSECTION 14.0.0.1

APPEALA. All administrative actions under the Fire Code and its IRR, by an Officer
pursuant to Rule 13 of this IRR shall be appealable to the next higher
authority within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the pertinent order ornotice. For this purpose, next higher authority refers to: District Fire
Marshal/Provincial Fire Marshal if the decision was made by theCity/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction; the Regional Director, forthe decisions of District Fire Marshal/Provincial Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction; the Chief BFP, for the decisions of the Regional Director; andlastly the Secretary, DILG for decisions of the Chief, BFP.
B. The decisions of the said appellate authorities are final and executory
except in cases of stoppage of operation and closure of buildings where
appeal may be elevated up to the Secretary, DILG. Decisions of theSecretary, DILG shall be final and executory.
SECTION14.0.0.2

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

A. Cooperation with BFPThe Fire Code and its IRR are designed to achieve fire safety in thecommunity. To this end, inspections are to be conducted by elements of
the BFP. All inspections of premises shall be done by duly designated andauthorized BFP personnel in distinctive uniform, with proper identification
cards and mission orders. Citizens can assist in achieving the goals of
public fire safety by cooperating with such duly authorized inspectors andaffording them the opportunity to accomplish their mission.
B. Individual and Group Initiative
All persons are encouraged to inspect their own premises and to abate
any fire hazard therein, as well as take the necessary fire safety
precautions. They shall strive to organize themselves into effective fire
safety and fire prevention organizations in their community and places ofwork in order for them to take the necessary contingent actions during fire
emergencies and eventually avoid unnecessary loss of life and property.
SECTION 14.0.0.3

IMPLEMENTING DETAILSThe Chief, BFP shall have the authority to issue such further implementing
details as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of RA 9514 and theseRules and Regulations, with the approval of the Secretary, DILG.

460

SECTION 14.0.0.4

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF, BFP

A. It is the duty of the Chief, BFP to ensure strict implementation of the Fire
Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
B. However, in cases of existing buildings which when forced to comply
will compromise the structural stability/integrity, the Chief, BFP may
accept adequate alternative and/or remedial fire safety measures inlieu of the fire safety requirements of this IRR upon application by theowner/occupant/building administrator of the building or structure.
C. For this purpose, a Technical Committee shall be created to assist theChief, BFP in determining the adequacy of the said alternative
measures.
D. The basis for the evaluation of the Technical Committee shall be inaccordance with an implementing guidelines approved by the
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.
SECTION 14.0.0.5

SEPARABILITY CLAUSE

If any provision of this IRR or the application thereof to any person or
circumstances is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court,
the other sections and provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shallcontinue to be in full force.
SECTION 14.0.0.6

REPEALING AND AMENDING CLAUSE

All administrative orders, rules and regulations, memoranda, circulars andother issuances inconsistent herewith or contrary to the provisions of theserules and regulations are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.
SECTION 14.0.0.7

EFFECTIVITY

These Implementing Rules and Regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days
after publication of the last installment in a newspaper of general circulation.
Done in Quezon City, this 24th day of June 2009.

Recommend Approval:

Approved by:461