REPUBLIC ACT 9514

Revised Fire Code of the Philippines

DISCLAIMER:
Always double-check the values given in this document with
the actual laws. For corrections or clarifications, email
arch.pedrosantosjr@gmail.com.

Repealing clause
RA 9514 repeals PD 1185 (the old Fire Code).

Outline of RA 9514
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Interpretation
Coverage
Definition of terms
Authority of the BFP
Reorganization of the BFP
Fire brigades, safety practitioners
Assistance to the BFP

Outline of RA 9514
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Fire safety enforcers

Enforcement and administration
Fire safety measures
Prohibited acts
Fire code taxes
Administrative courses of action
Miscellaneous provisions

Focus on three rules only

Rule 3: Definition of terms
Rule 9: Enforcement/admin, because:
Inspections and evaluations
FALAR
FSIC

Rule 10: Fire safety measures, because:

Various design requirements

RULE 3

Definition of terms

Abatement
Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard

Automatic fire
suppression system

An integrated piping system connected to a source

of extinguishing agent which suppressed fires when
actuated by its automatic detecting device

Fire
marshall
The head of the City or the Municipal Fire Station

Standpipe
system
A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire
hoses can be attached on each floor,

Combination standpipe
A pipeline system filled with water and connected to
a constant water supply

Dry
standpipe
A standpipe system in which pipes are normally not
filled with water. Water is introduced into the system
through fire service connections when needed.

Fire
alarm
Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or
system to warn a buildings occupants of the
presence of fire

Fire
alerting
system
A fire alarm system activated by the the presence of
fire where the signal is transmitted to designated
locations instead of sounding a general alarm

Fire
wall
A wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a
fire resistance rating of not less than 4 hours with
sufficient structural stability to remain standing even
if construction on either side collapses under fire
conditions

Flame
retardant
Any compound which when applied improves the
resistivity or fire resistance quality of a material

High-rise
building
Buildings 15 meters or more in height

Horizontal
exit
A passageway from one building to another, through
or around a wall, on approximately the same floor
level

Means
of
egress
A continuous and unobstructed route of exit from
one point in a building to a public way

Occupancy
The purpose for which a building or space is used

Occupant
load
The maximum number of persons that may be
allowed to occupy a particular building or space

Overloading
The use of electrical appliances which draw or
consume electrical current beyond the designed
capacity of the existing electrical system

Sprinkler
system
A piping system integrated in a building with outlets
arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically
discharges water when activated by heat or fire
combustion products

Fire
hazard
Any condition or act which increases the probability
of the occurrence of fire, or which may hinder or
interfere with fire-fighting operations

Fire
trap
A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn
easily or because it lacks adequate exits

Fire
lane
The portion of a roadway that should be kept
unobstructed at all times for the expedient
operations of fire-fighting units

Flame
spread
rating
Time in which flame will spread over the surface of a
burning material

RULE 9

Enforcement of fire safety

measures

General enforcement

General enforcement
Inspection of all buildings shall be done by
the Fire Marshall
Fire Safety Inspection Cetrtificate (FSIC)
shall be a prerequisite for permits/licenses,
including:
Occupancy permit
Business permit

General enforcement
The Fire Marshall and the Building Official
shall review designs/drawings and issue the
Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC) if
the design is determined to be in accordance
with the Fire Code

Evaluation and
inspection

Building plan review

Six sets of plans are sent from the Building
Official to the Fire Marshall for review
A plan evaluator review the drawings
Based on findings, the FSEC will either be
released or denied
Note: FALAR 1 is required before plan review

Construction inspection
The Fire Marshall shall conduct inspections
during construction to ensure that plans are
being followed

Inspection after completion

The Fire Marshall needs to conduct another
inspection before the Building Official can
issue an occupancy permit
When the Building Official receives an
application for occupancy permit, the Fire
Marshall shall be notified

Inspection after completion

Fire Marshall conducts inspection
If OK, the Fire Marshall issues the FSIC and
notifies the Building Official
Note: FALAR 2 is required for issuance of
FSIC

Routine inspection
Routine inspection

FALAR

What is the FALAR?

Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report
Three kinds:
FALAR 1
FALAR 2
FALAR 3

The three FALARs

FALAR 1: Documentation on safety features
of the facility
FALAR 2: Documentation submitted by
contractor/CM certifying that construction
was in accordance with FALAR 1
FALAR 3: Documentation of periodic
maintenance

FALAR applicability
For all buildings:
FALAR 1
FALAR 2

For buildings with occupant load of at least 50:

FALAR 3 (annually)

FALAR 1
Documentation on fire and life safety
features of the facility
A written report prepared by the Architect
and his Fire Protection Consultant
A compilation of plans and specs and design
analysis

FALAR 2
Documentation submitted by
contractor/CM certifying that construction
was in accordance with FALAR 1
A compilation report of all approved
submittals, test forms, acceptance forms
Shall be included in the as-built documents
given by contractor to owner

FALAR 3
Documentation of required periodic
maintenance and upkeep of facility
Written report prepared by the building
owner, his fire safety officer
A compilation of the maintenance and
testing records

FSEC

FSEC
Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance
Released once building plans and specs are
found to be in accordance with the Fire Code
Required for building permits

FSIC

FSIC
Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
Certifies that the building was inspected and
was found to be OK
Required for occupancy permits, business
permits, permits to operate, PHILHEALTH
accreditation for hospitals, DOH License to
Operate

Making sense of
everything

Scenario 1: Building permit

You need a building permit, so you need an
FSEC.
You need an FSEC, so you need a building
plan review.
You need a building plan review so you
prepare FALAR 1 along with other
requirements (6 sets of drawings, etc.).

Scenario 2: Occupancy permit

Youre done with construction so you need
an occupancy permit.
You need an occupancy permit so you need
an FSIC.
You need an FSIC so you need an inspection.
You want them to release FSIC after
inspection so you prepare FALAR 2.

Scenario 3: Business permit

You need to get/renew a business permit so
you need an FSIC.
You need an FSIC so you need an inspection.
You want them to release the FSIC after
inspection, so you prepare FALAR 3.

RULE 10

Fire safety measures

Means of egress

Means of egress
A continuous, unobstructed route of exit
from any point in the building to a public
way
Shall be integral or permanently affixed to a
building
Minimum width: 915mm

Number of exits
For any storey, mezzanine, balcony, etc:
0-499 occupant load: 2 exits
500-1000 occupant load: 3 exits
1000 or more: 4 exits

Travel distance to exits

Depends on occupancy
For individual rooms with max. O.L of 6:
15 meters from any point in the room

Discharge from exits

Exits should terminate directly at a public
way or an exit discharge
Exit discharge: Yards, courts, open spaces, etc.

Exits that continue beyond the floor of

discharge: provide an interruption

Headroom
Minimum of 2.00m

Doors
Provide a self-closing mechanism for exit
doors
Clear opening: 710mm-1220mm
Maximum threshold height: 13mm

Panic hardware
A mechanical device which when pushed
from the inside will cause the door to open
Maximum required force: 7kg-f
2/3 the width of the door
760-112mm above the floor

Panic hardware
A mechanical device which when pushed
from the inside will cause the door to open
Maximum required force: 7kg-f
2/3 the width of the door
760-112mm above the floor

Stairs
All stairways designated as a means of
egress should be continuous from the
uppermost floor level to the ground floor
Two sets of requirements
New stairs
Existing stairs

Handrails
760mm-865mm from upper surface of tread

Ramps

Fire escape stairs

Allowed as means of egress only in existing
buildings
Should not constitute more than 50% of
required exit capacity

Ladders
Not allowed as fire escape or means of
egress

Exit marking
Label all exits as EXIT
Provide directional signs for locations where
the direction of travel to exit is not obvious
The word EXIT should be in letters at least
15cm high with strokes of letters at least
19mm wide

Emergency evacuation plan

Minimum dimension: letter size
Posted in strategic and conspicuous
locations
Photoluminescent background

Features of fire
protection

Protection of vertical openings

Stairways, elevator shafts, chutes and other
vertical openings shall be enclosed or
protected to prevent the spread of fire,
except if protected by automatic fire
suppression systems

Sprinkler vent method

A combination of an automatic detection
system, automatic exhaust system, and an
automatic water curtain
Recommended for escalators

Spray nozzle method

A combination of an automatic fire or smoke
detection system and a system of highvelocity water spray nozzle

Partial enclosure method

Enclose the opening (for example, escalator)
with partitions. Provide door to access
escalator/opening.

Firestopping concealed space

Concealed space: areas in which materials
have a flame-spread rating greater than
Class A are exposed
KATAMAD.

Fire alarms
Notifies occupants of the building and, when
required, emergency forces
Automatic fire department notification is
required for:

High rise buildings

Hospitals
-Schools, hotels, apartments 4 storeys or taller
Malls

Wet standpipes
Wet standpipes required for the following:
Aseembly occupancies with at least 1,000 occupant load
Schools, hospitals, businesses, hotels, etc. 4 storeys or
taller
Hazardous occupancies exceeding 1,860 sqm per floor

Exceptions:
Buildings with an approved sprinkler system

Wet standpipes
All portions of the building must be within 6
meters of a nozzle attached to a 22.00m long
hose
Minimum of 64mm diameter

Places of assembly

Occupant load
Concentrated use without fixed seats, such
as auditoriums, places of worship, dance
floors: 0.65 sqm/person
Less concentrated use such as conference
rooms, dining rooms, gyms: 1.40sqm/person
Standing rooms/waiting space:
0.28sqm/person

Mininum corridor width

If serving 50 or more persons: 1120mm

Travel distance to exits

46 meters if with sprinkler system
61 meters if without sprinkler system

Seating
Rows of seats back to back: 830mm
At least 300mm from back of one seat to
front of the next seat
Seats between aisles: 14 maximum
Seats between wall and aisle: 7
Seats without arms: Allot 600mm/person

Minimum width of aisles

If 60 seats or less, 760mm
If more than 60 seats:
Single-loaded aisle: 915mm
Double-loaded isle: 1220mm

Measured farthest from exit

Widens 25mm for each meter towards exit

Educational
occupancies

Occupant loads
Classroom: 1.80sqm/person
Shops, laboratories: 4.60sqm/person
Dry nurseries with sleeping facilities:
3.30sqm/person
Rooms with greater than 50 occupants
shall be treated as a place of assembly

Number of exits
At least two exits from any room with
capacity of 50 or more persons, or area
of more than 93 sqm.

Travel distance to exits

46 meters if with sprinkler system
61 meters if without sprinkler system

Mininum corridor width

1.83 m

Special provisions for preschools

Rooms used for preschoolers, first grade and
second grade pupils shall not be located
below or above the floor of exit discharge

Healthcare

Occupant loads
Sleeping departments: 11.1sqm/person
In-patient treatment departments:
22.3sqm/perosn

Door widths
1120mm: sleeping rooms, diagnostic and
treatment rooms (surgery. X-Ray, PT, etc.)
910mm: All other rooms

Detention and
correctional

Occupant load
11.1sqm/peron

Travel distance to exits

Between any room door intended as exit
access and an exit: 30.00m
Between any point in the room: 46.00m
Any point in a sleeping room to the door in
that room: 10.00m

Residential

Occupant load
18.60sqm/person
Except for single and two-family dwellings

Hotels
Minimum corridor width: 1120mm
Minimum umber of exits: 2 for every floor
Travel distance to exits:
From room door to exit: 30.00m
From guest suite to corridor door: 23.00m (w/o
sprinklers)
From guest suite to corridor door: 38.00m (w/
sprinklers)

Apartment buildings
Minimum corridor width
For less than 50 persons: 910mm
Fore more than 50 persons: 1120mm

Travel distance to exits:

Within any unit to nearest exit: 15.50m, one storey away
max
From apartment entrance to exit: 31.00m, or 46.50m if with
sprinklers

Single and two-family dwellings

In dwellings with more than 2 rooms, every
habitable room shall have at least 2 means of
escape, at least one which is a door/stairway
No habitable room shall be accessible only by
a ladder, folding stairs, or through a trap door
Every sleeping room = 1 window min.

Single and two-family dwellings

No exit access from sleeping rooms to outside
shall be less than 900mm wide
Doors in the path of travel should be 700mm
minimum

Mercantile

Mercantile
Stores, markets, malls, supermarkets,
department stores, restaurants of less than 50
occupants
Class A: Gross area of 2,787sqm or more, 3 floors
Class B: Gross area of 287-2,787sqm, 2 floors
Class C: Gross area less than 287sqm, street floor only

Occupant load

Street floor or below street floor: 2.80sqm

Upper floors: 5.60sqm
Floors not open to public/offices: 9.30sqm
Covered malls: 2.8sqm/person

Maximum travel distance

30.00m if without sprinklers
46.00m if with sprinklers

Business

Business
Businesses other than mercantile
Businesses that typically involve services and
not the display and sale of merchandise
Examples: Doctor/lawyer/dentists office,
internet shops, barbershops, general offices

Occupant load
9.30sqm/person

Travel distance to exit

46.00m if without sprinklers
61.00m if with sprinklers

High rise buildings

High rise buildings

A building in which the distance between the
floor of the topmost storey and the ground
level is 15.00m or more
Building height shall be measured from the
lowest level of fire department vehicle access,
to the floor of the highest occupiable storey

Sprinkler requirements
All high rise buildings shall be provided with a
fully electrically supervised sprinkler system

Other occupancies

Industrial
Occupant load: 9.30sqm/person
Minimum corridor width: 1120mm
Travel distance:
31.00m if no sprinklers
46.00m if with sprinklers

Exit capacity
The capacity of an exit is measured in terms
of its width
Width of level components (corridors/ramps)
Width of non-level components (stairways)

This width is based on how many people will

need to pass (width/person)

Occupant load
Maximum number of persons allowed to
occupy a space at any time
Floor area/occupant load factor

Occupant load
Maximum number of persons allowed to
occupy a space at any time
Floor area/occupant load factor

Features of fire
protection

Places of assembly

Educational
occupancies

Healthcare

Healthcare