Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1378

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE FOR SAFE ACCESS IN FIRE EMERGENCIES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In order to deter crime and other security risks, most of our countrymen
resort to window bars especially those residing in low-income areas. But most
often than not, this poses a serious threat to their lives and goes against fire
safety standards

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, those severely affected in fire
cases are children, the elderly, persons who are mobility-impaired, and
firefighters themselves. They are especially vulnerable to fatalities or injuries
involving residential window bars and many people have died trapped as a result.
In view of this, there should be a strong campaign to raise public awareness on
the risks and casualties of window bar entrapment during residential fires.

While the BFP instills fire prevention through fire sprinklers, smoke
detectors, and planned escape routes as main goals of avoiding casualties in
residential and commercial fires, there is a need to look further into the hazards
of window bars given the numerous incidents in the past which claimed the lives
of hundreds of our people

The proposed measure seeks to give local governments, the Department
of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Fire Protection jurisdiction with respect
to releasing systems on residential window bars and to establish a consumer



product safety standard ensuring that all such bars include a quick-release
mechanism to avoid untoward accidents in the future

It is for these reasons the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
requested

DIOSDADO MACARAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1378

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE FOR SAFE ACCESS IN FIRE EMERGENCIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Safe Access in
Fire Emergencies Act of 2013.”

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 (DT!) in
cooperation and coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
shall initiate a rulemaking 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
rulemaking 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 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 bars

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

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,