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FOmTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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7 JUI. -3 
AI7 :.?8 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is a fact that window bars are most prevalent in low-income areas and high 
crime areas, where other security risks often overshadow fire safety standards. 
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, children, the elderly, persons who are 
mobility-impaired, and firefighters are especially vulnerable to fatalities or injuries 
involving residential window bars. Many people have died in residential fires as a result 
of being trapped by window bars. There should be a campaign to raise public awareness 
on the risks and casualties of window bar entrapment during residential fires. 
The Bureau of Fire Protection encourages fire prevention through fire sprinklers, 
smoke detectors, and planned escape routes as main goals of avoiding casualties in 
residential and commercial fires. 
This bill seeks to give the local governments, the Department of Trade and 
Industry and the Bureau of Fire Protection jurisdiction with respect lo releasing systems 
on residential window bars and to establish a consumer product safety standard ensuring 
that all such bars include a quick-release mechanism.' 
This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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7 JLlL -3 
All 1% 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR SAFE ACCESS IN FRF! EMERGENCIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Safe Access in Fire 
Emergencies Act of 2007.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to ensure the safety of its people against fire emergencies, through establishing 
measures which will prevent injuries, most especially death. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. 
“Window Bars” means any metal or other bars, grills, grates, heavy-duty screens, 
glazing, or other barriers that are designed-- 
(1) to cover exterior and interior escape windows in residential dwelling units; 
and 
(2) to deter any physical security threats to the home, including threats from 
burglars. 
Such term does not include any such barriers that (a) protect children from falling 
from open windows in upper floors of buildings, and (b) protect nonresidential or 
commercial properties. 
SECTION 4. Safety Standard for Window Bars. - 
(a) Rulemaking Required- The Department of, Trade and Industry (DTI) in 
cooperation and coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shall initiate a 
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mlemaking proceeding within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act to 
establish a consumer product safety standard for window bars, except that the DTI and 
the BFP may extend such 90-day period for good cause. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the DTI and BFP shall promulgate a final rule establishing such 
consumer product safety standard within 12 months after the date on which the 
rulemalting pursuant to this subsection is initiated, except that both may extend such 12- 
month period for good cause. Such consumer product safety standard shall take effect 
upon the expiration of the 6-month period beginning on the date on which the final rule 
establishing such standard is promulgated. 
(b) Releasing System Requirement - The standard established pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall-- 
(1) require all window bars that are manufactured or installed in the Republic of 
the Philippines to incorporate releasing systems that meet the minimum standards under 
subsection (c); and 
(2) address releasing systems for interior- and exterior-based window bars. 
(c) Minimum Standards for Releasing Systems - The minimum standards under 
this subsection for releasing systems for window bars shall require that such systems-- 
(1) when actuated, can move such bars and provide egress to occupants of 
residential dwelling units equipped with such bars; and 
(2) at a minimum, can be actuated manually from the interior of a residential 
dwelling unit and provide escape through the protected opening. 
(d) Consultation- In developing the standard pursuant to subsection (a), the DTI 
and BFP shall consult with experts, including manufacturers of window bars, housing and 
building codes authorities, and representatives of the appropriate government agencies., 
officials in different regions that have in effect window bar safety standards, and other 
similar public safety -related organizations. 
SECTION 5. Labeling Requirement. - The Department of Trade and Industry 
shall require each manufacturer selling, or offering for sale, in the Philippines, any 
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window bars to include in the packaging for the window bars a written statement clearly 
explaining how the window bars are to be configured and installed and the inclusion and 
operation of the releasing system incorporated pursuant to section 4(b). 
SECTION 6. Provision Of Data. - The Department of Trade and Industry and the 
Bureau of Fire Protection shall establish and maintain a National Electronic Injury 
Surveillance System (NEISS) code and system for collection of information and statistics 
on casualties associated with window bas. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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