CHAPTER 1 through an unintended, shorter pathway instead of

following the circuit.

THE PHILIPPINES’ FIRE PROBLEM
*Negligence
*Sheer Apathy
FIRE PREVENTION MONTH IN THE
PHILIPPNINES
*March (National Prevention Month in the
Philippines) Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A of
1966 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos
* March of every year as “Burn Prevention Month”.
TYPES OF SHORT CIRCUITS
*Normal Short Circuit
It occurs when a powered or hot wire touches a
neutral wire. Immediately, resistance drops and
current begins to move in another path
*Ground Fault Short Circuit
It occurs when powered or hot wire touches a
grounded section of a box, device, appliance, outlet,
bare ground wire, or anything else supplied by the
electrical circuit.

Presidential Proclamation No. 360 of 1989 by CAUISES OF SHORT CIRCUITS

President Corazon C. Aquino *Vermin or pests chewing though wires;
*Water or other fluids coming into contact with
CAUSES OF FIRES IN THE PHILIPPINES electrical wiring;
*Loose connections in an electrical box
1. ELECTRICAL OVERLOADING *Old or damaged outlets, switches, lights,
Occurs when too much passes through electric appliances, or other electrical devices;
wires. *Nails or screws piercing through walls and
coming into contact with wires;
Types of Electrical Loading *Deterioration of electrical cable sheathing; and
*Temporary overloads/transients *Build-up or surges of electricity.
*Continuous overloads
SIGNS OF SHORT CIRCUITS
MAIN CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL *Previous Short Circuits
OVERLOAD >Charred wire or light switch
* Inrush currents when starting a motor; >Recent short circuit may smell a metallic or
* Worn bearings of a motor burned plastic
*too many loads in a single circuit; *Ongoing Short Circuits
*Overloaded machine tools; and >Circuit Breaker shuts off
*damaged material and products. >Sparks and bright light
>Loud zapping sound or a boom can accompany
WARNING SIGNS OF AN OVERLOADED short circuit
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT >A device that suddenly stops working
*Dimming Lights;
*Buzzing outlets or switches; HOW TO FIND AND FIX SHORT CIRCUITS
*Very hot appliances or motors; *Isolate Circuit
*Burning smells; * Make Circuit safe to Work on
*Sluggish electronics; and *List Devices
*Power out-stage in a room or whole house. *Examine Devices
*Look Inside Devices
2. ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT *Check Cables in Wall and Attics
*Electric Circuit – a path for transmitting
electric current. 3. INCENDIARISM (ARSON)
1. A device that gives energy to the charged - Pertains to the malicious burning of property,
particles constituting the current, such as battery or using certain chemicals, bombs, etc.,
generator.
2. Devices that use current. Such as lamps, 4. OPEN FLAMES
electric motors, or computers; *Unattended burning candles or kerosene lamps that
3.The connecting wires or transmission lines. are placed near flammable/ combustible material is
*Short Circuit – an abnormal condition in an a fire waiting to happen.
electrical circuit where electrical current flows
*Unattended cooking (Oil or Fat starting to smoke
is near the combustion point and can ignite
violently.
5. LIQUEFIED PETRULEUM GAS (LPG)
*LPG may leak as a gas or a liquid.
* Rusty and corroded LPG tanks are fire hazard.
*Liquid leaks quickly evaporate and form a
relatively large cloud of gas which drop to the
ground, as it is heavier than air.
*Can burn or explode when meets a source.
the city or provincial prosecutor who has
jurisdiction over the case.
* In the time of national emergency, all elements of
the BFP shall upon direction of the President, assist
the AFP in meeting the National emergency; and
* Shall establish at the one (1) fire station with
adequate personnel, fire fighting facilities and
equipment in every provincial capital, city and
municipal subject to standard rules and regulations
as maybe promulgated bt the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) (Sec 56).

7. SPONTANEOUS IGNITION
- A combustion that results when materials undergo Rank Classification
atmospheric oxidation at such a rate that the heat The rank classification of the members of the BFP
generation exceeds heat dissipation gradually builds are the follows (RA 6975, Sec. 58)
up to a sufficient degree to cause the mass of
materials to inflame. *Director
*Chief Superintendent
8. IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF CIGARETTE *Senior Superintendent
BUTTS *Superintendent
*Careless smoking *Chief Inspector
* Improper disposal of cigarette butts *Senior Inspector
*Inspector
THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION *Senior Fire Officer IV
*Senior Fire Officer III
Republic Act No. 6975 *Senior Fire Officer II
* Department of the Interior and Local Government *Senior Fire officer I
Act of 1990
* An act that created the Bureau of Fire Protection Republic Act No. 9263
(BFP) * Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail
* An act establishes the Philippine National Police management and Penology Professionalization Act
under a reorganized Department of Interior and of 2004.
Local Government. * Signed by the former President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo on March 10, 2004.
Mandate and Functions of BFP According to * An act that provides for the professionalization of
Section 54 of RA 6975 the Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail
* Be responsible for the prevention and suppression management, and Penology.
of all destructive fires RA 6975:
>Building, houses and other structures; Minimum Qualification of the BFP Uniformed
>Forest; Personnel
> Land transportation vehicles and equipment; 1. A citizen of the Republic of the Philippines;
>Ships and vessel docked at piers or wharves 2. A person of good moral character;
anchored in major sea ports; 3. Must have passed the psychiatric/ psychological,
>Petroleum industry installations; drug and physical test for the purpose of
> Plane crashes; and determining his/ her physical and mental health;
> Other similar activities 4. Must possess a baccalaureate degree from
recognized institution of learning;
Mandate and Functions of BFP According to 5.Must posse the appropriate civil service
Section 54 of RA 6975 eligibility;
* Be responsible for the enforcement of the Fire 6. Must not have been dishonourably discharged of
Code of the Philippines (PD 1185) and other related dismissal for cause from previous employment;
laws; 7. Must not have been convicted by final judgement
* Shall have the power to investigate all causes of of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude;
fires and if necessary, file the proper complaint with
8. Must be at least one meter and sixty-two
centimetres (1.62 m.) for female: Provided, that a
waiver for height and age requirement/ s shall be
automatically granted to applicants belonging to the
cultural communities: and
9. Must weight not more or less than five kilograms
(5 kgs.) from the standard weight corresponding to
his/ her height, age and sex.