Authorship + Disclaimer

This work is the property of Arch. Pedro Santos Jr.

RA 9514 Always check the values given in this document
against the original references. For questions or
Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 corrections, contact the author at
arch.pedrosantosjr@gmail.com.
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REPEALING CLAUSE OUTLINE OF R.A. 9514 OUTLINE OF R.A. 9514

▪ RA 9514 repeals PD 1185 (the old Fire Code of 1. Interpretation 8. Fire safety enforcers
the Philippines). 2. Coverage 9. Enforcement and administration
3. Definition of terms 10. Fire safety measures
4. Authority of the BFP 11. Prohibited acts
5. Reorganization of the BFP 12. Fire code taxes
6. Fire brigades, safety practitioners 13. Administrative courses of action
7. Assistance to the BFP 14. Miscellaneous provisions

FOCUS ON THREE RULES

▪ Rule 3: Definition of terms
RULE 3
▪ Rule 9: Enforcement Terms and definitions
▪ Inspections and evaluations
▪ FALAR
▪ FSEC and FSIC
▪ Rule 10: Fire safety measures
▪ Various design requirements
 Automatic fire
Abatement suppression system Fire Marshall
Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard An integrated piping system connected to a source of The head of the City Fire Station or the Municipal Fire
extinguishing agent which suppresses fires when Station
actuated by its automatic detecting device

Standpipe system Firewall High-rise building

A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses A wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire Buildings 15 meters or more in height
can be attached on each floor resistance rating of not less than four hours with
sufficient structural stability to remain standing even if
construction on either side collapses under fire conditions

Means of egress Occupancy Occupant load

A continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one The purpose for which a building or space is used The maximum number of persons that may be allowed
point in a building to a public way to occupy a particular building or space
Fire trap RULE 9
A building that is unsafe in case of fire because it will burn
Enforcement Evaluation
easily or because it lacks adequate exits + inspection

BUILDING PLAN REVIEW CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION INSPECTION AFTER COMPLETION

▪ Six sets of plans are sent from the Building
Official to the Fire Marshall for review
▪ A plan evaluator reviews the drawings
▪ Based on findings, the FSEC will either be released
or denied
▪ Note: FALAR 1 is required before plan review
▪ The Fire Marshall shall conduct inspections during
construction to ensure that plans are being
followed
▪ 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 ROUTINE INSPECTION

▪ Fire Marshall conducts inspection ▪ Routine inspection
▪ If OK, the Fire Marshall issues the FSIC and
notifies the Building Official FALAR
▪ Note: FALAR 2 is required for issuance of FSIC
WHAT IS FALAR? FALAR APPLICABILITY THE THREE FALARS
▪ FALAR stands for Fire and Life Safety ▪ For all buildings: ▪ FALAR 1: Documentation on safety features of
Assessment Report ▪ FALAR 1 the facility
▪ There are three kinds: ▪ FALAR 2 ▪ FALAR 2: Documentation submitted by
▪ FALAR 1 ▪ For buildings with occupant load of at least 50: contractor/CM certifying that construction was in
accordance with FALAR 1
▪ FALAR 2 ▪ FALAR 3 (annually)
▪ FALAR 3 ▪ FALAR 3: Documentation of periodic maintenance

FALAR 1 FALAR 2 FALAR 3

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

FSEC
▪ Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance
▪ Released once building plans and specs are found
FSEC + FSIC to be in accordance with the Fire Code
▪ Required for building permits
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

Putting things
together
SCENARIO 3: BUSINESS PERMIT
1. You need to get/renew a business permit so you
need an FSIC.
2. You need an FSIC so you need an inspection.
3. You want them to release the FSIC after
inspection, so you prepare FALAR 3.
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
SCENARIO 1: BUILDING PERMIT
1. You need a building permit, so you need an
FSEC.
2. You need an FSEC, so you need your plans to be
reviewed.
3. You need a building plan review so you prepare
FALAR 1 along with other requirements (6 sets
of drawings, etc.).
RULE 10: SAFETY MEASURES
Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008
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
SCENARIO 2: OCCUPANCY PERMIT
1. You’re done with construction so you need an
occupancy permit.
2. You need an occupancy permit so you need an
FSIC.
3. You need an FSIC so you need an inspection.
4. You want them to release FSIC after inspection
so you prepare FALAR 2.
Means of egress
TRAVEL DISTANCE TO EXITS
▪ Depends on occupancy
▪ For individual rooms with max. occupant load of 6:
▪ 15 meters from any point in the room
HEADROOM DOORS STAIRS
▪ Minimum of 2.00 meters ▪ Provide a self-closing mechanism for exit doors ▪ All stairways designated as a means of egress
should be continuous from the uppermost floor
▪ Clear opening: 710mm-1220mm
level to the ground floor
▪ Maximum threshold height: 13mm
▪ Two sets of requirements
▪ New stairs
▪ Existing stairs

HANDRAILS FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS LADDERS

▪ 760mm-865mm from upper surface of tread ▪ Allowed as means of egress only in existing ▪ Not allowed as fire escape or means of egress
buildings
▪ Should not constitute more than 50% of required
exit capacity
 FIRE ALARMS WET STANDPIPES
▪ Notifies occupants of the building and, when ▪ Wet standpipes required for the following:
required, emergency forces ▪ Assembly occupancies with at least 1,000 occupant
Features of fire ▪ Automatic fire department notification is required
load

protection for:
▪ Schools, hospitals, businesses, hotels, etc. 4 storeys
or taller
▪ High rise buildings ▪ Hazardous occupancies exceeding 1,860 sqm per
▪ Hospitals floor
▪ Schools, hotels, apartments 4 storeys or taller ▪ Exceptions:
▪ Malls ▪ Buildings with an approved sprinkler system

WET STANDPIPES OCCUPANT LOAD

▪ All portions of the building must be within 6 ▪ Concentrated use without fixed seats, such as
meters of a nozzle attached to a 22.00m long places of worship, dance floors: 0.65 sqm/person
hose
▪ Minimum of 64mm diameter
Places of assembly ▪ Less concentrated use such as conference
rooms, dining rooms, gyms: 1.40sqm/person
▪ Standing rooms/waiting space: 0.28sqm/person

MINIMUM CORRIDOR WIDTH TRAVEL DISTANCE TO EXITS SEATING

▪ If serving 50 or more persons: 1120mm
▪ 46 meters if without sprinkler system
▪ 61 meters if with sprinkler system
▪ 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 maximum
▪ Seats without arms: 600mm/person
END