SEQF REPRESENTATIVES
REGREP

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) DATE:

OF THE PHILIPPINES ) TIME, pes
First Regular Session ) Se le
. REGIST: ‘ON UNIT
HOUSE OF REPRIGHNEATIVE Bilis 0 nex SERVICE

H.B. No.

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE FOR SAFE ACCESS IN FIRE EMERGENCIES
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 to releasing systems


on residential window bars and to establish a consumer product safety standard ensuring
H
that all such bars include a quick-release mechanism.!

(Auf

HARRY L. ROQUE JR.

This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session, and refiled by
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in the Fifteenth Congress, First Regular Session,

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HB.No. 3037

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque Jr.

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.”

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. For purposes of this Act, “window bars” mean
any metal or other bars, grills, grates, heavy-duty screens, glazing, or other barriers that
are designed~

(A) to cover exterior and interior escape windows in residential dwelling units;
and

(B) 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


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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
rulemaking proceeding within 90 days after the date of effectivity 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 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
paragraph (a) shall
(1) require all window bars that are manufactured or installed in the
Philippines to incorporate releasing systems that meet the minimum standards
under paragraph (c); and
(2) address releasing systems for interior- and exterior-based window bars.
(c) Minimum Standards for Releasing Systems. — The minimum standards 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 paragraph (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 5S. Labelling Requirement. — The DTI 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 DTI and the BFP 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 of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other

provisions hereof,

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby

repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,