Building Code of the Philippines

R.A. 6541
Contains standard rules for safety in the construction of buildings.

~ It is a policy of the state to safeguard life, health, property, and public

welfare,consistent with the principles of environmental management and control.

~ This Code shall apply to all buildings and structures constructed and any change
or repair made thereon

~ Adequate environmental safeguards shall be observed in the design,

construction and use of any building or structure for the manufacture and
production of any kind of article or product which constitutes a hazard or nuisance
affecting public health and safety.

~ The land or site upon which will be constructed any building shall be sanitary,
hygienic or safe.

~Local ordinances should conform to the Code and suppletory requirements hereto
shall in no case diminish minimum requirements embodied in the Code.

Fire Zones ~ are areas within which only certain types of building are permitted to
be constructed based on their use, occupancy, type of construction, and resistance to
fire.

Types of Construction
Classification of all buildings by types of construction and general requirements

Every building proposed for construction shall be identified according to the

following:

1. Type I ~ buildings shall be of wood construction.

1. Type II~ buildings shall be of wood construction with protective fire- resistant
materials and one-hour fire resistive throughout: Except, that permanent
nonbearing partitions may use fire-retardant treated wood within the framing
assembly.

1. Type III~ buildings shall be of masonry and wood construction, structural

elements may be any of the materials permitted by this Code: Provided that the
building shall be one-hour fire-resistive throughout. Exterior walls shall be of
incombustible fire-resistive construction.
 1. Type IV~ buildings shall be of masonry and wood construction, structural
elements may be any of the materials permitted by this Code: Provided that the
building shall be one-hour fire-resistive throughout. Exterior walls shall be of
incombustible fire-resistive construction.

1. Type V~ buildings shall be fire-resistive. The structural elements shall be of

steel,iron, concrete, or masonry construction.
Walls and permanent partitions shall be incombustible fire-resistive construction.

Section 8.01.12
Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems where required:

1. In every basement or cellar with an area of 200 square meters (2152 square feet)
or more which is used for habitation, recreation, dining, study, or work, and which
base an occupant load of more than 20.

2. In all dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, workshops or factories, and other rooms
with an occupant load of more than 10, assembly halls under Groups H and I
Occupies with an occupant load of more than 500, and if the exit doors of said
rooms are more than 100 feet from the nearest safe fire dispersal area of the
building or opening to a court or street

Dry Standpipes ~ every building six more stories in height shall be equipped with
one or more dry standpipes.

~All fire extinguishing systems, including automatic sprinklets, wet and dry
standpipes, automatic chemical extinguishers, basement pipe inlets, and the
appurtenance there to shall be approved.

Building Code Requirements:

a. Intended Occupancy and use
b. Life Safety
c. Fixed Fire Protection System
d. Spacing of Structures
e. Height Requirements
f. Fire retarding features
ARSON INVESTIGATION

Arson –when any person burns or sets fire to the property of another, or his own
property under circumstance which expose to danger the life or property of
another.

Kinds of Arson:
 
1. Arson (Sec. 1, PD No. 1613)
2. Destructive arson
3. Other cases of arson
(Sec. 3, PD No. 1613)

PRIMA FACIE CASE OF ARSON

1. If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or
establishment.

2. If substantial amount of flammable substances or materials are stored within

the building not of the offender nor for the household.

3. If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible substances

or materials soaked therewith or containers thereof, or any mechanical,
electrical, chemical, or electronic contrivance designed to start a fire, or ashes
or traces of any of the foregoing are found in the ruins or premises of the
burned building or property.

4. If the building or property is insured for substantially more than its actual value
at the time of the issuance of the policy.

5. If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance more than two fires
have occurred in the same or other premises owned or under the control of the
offender and /or insured.

6. If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored
in a building or property had been withdrawn from the premises except in the
ordinary course of business.

7. If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the fire
in exchange for the desistance of the offender or for the safety of the person or
property of the victim.
CASES:
CASE I
A person, intending to burn a wooden structure, collects some rags, soaks them in
gasoline and places them beside the wooden wall of the building. When he is about
to light a match to set fire to the rags, He is discovered by another who chases him
away. ( Attempted Arson)

CASE II
If that person is able to light or set fire to the rags but the fire was put out before
any part of the building was burned? ( Frustrated Arson)

CASE III
If before the fire was put out, it had burned a part of the building? (Consummated
Arson)

Special Aggravating Circumstances in Arson:

 
a. If committed with intent to gain
b. If committed for the benefit of another.
c. If the offender be motivated by hatred towards the owner or occupant of the
property burned
d. If committed by a syndicate