1) Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9514 otherwise known as the “Fire Code of The

Philippines of 2008”
▪ An act establishing a comprehensive Fire Code of The Philippines, repealing Presidential Decree
No. 1185, and for other Purposes”, the following rules and regulations are hereby adopted in order
to carry out the provisions of this code.

History 7 Development –Refer to the Current Edition of FCP

Interpretation
This IRR shall be interpreted in the light of the Declaration of Policy found in Section 2 of the Code:
“It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety, promote economic development through the
prevention and suppression of all kinds, of destructive fires, and promote the professionalization of the
fire service as a profession. Towards this end, the State shall enforce all laws, rules and regulations to
ensure adherence to standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability in the
fire protection and prevention service.”

Coverage
This IRR shall cover the following:
A. All persons;
B. All private or public buildings, facilities or structures and their premises erected or constructed
before and after the effectivity hereof;
C. Design and installation of mechanical, electronics and electrical systems relative to fire
protection;
D. Manufacturing, storage, handling and/or use, and transportation of explosives and/or combustible,
flammable liquids and gases, toxic and other hazardous materials and operations, and their wastes;
E. Fire safety planning, design, construction, repair, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition;
F. Fire protective and warning equipment or systems;
G. All land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships or vessels docked at piers or wharves or
anchored in seaports; and
H. Petroleum industry installations.

Definition of terms - Refer to Current Edition of FCP

2. Fire Clearance
It is required by State Community Care Licensing (CCL) for large family. child care homes. The
purpose of an inspection is to ensure that the home is free of fire and safety hazards and has proper
and sufficient fire prevention devices/equipment, evacuation plans and escape routes.
3. Requirements for Fire Clearance

Fire Safety Inspection Certificate for Occupancy Permit

1. Duly accomplished Application Form.

2. Building Permit. (Photocopy)
3. Assessment of Occupancy Permit Fee.
4. Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance with Fire Safety Checklist.
5. Certificate of Completion.
6. Endorsement from building official.

Fire Safety Inspection Certificate for Business Application Form

1. Duly accomplished Application Form.

2. Previous Business Permit. (Photocopy)
3. Photocopy of Tax Bill. (Current Year)
4. Fire Insurance Policy, if any. (Photocopy)
5. Previous FSIC, if any.

Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC)

1. Duly accomplished Application Form.

2. Locational Clearance. (Photocopy)
3. Original Bill of materials. (Signed and Sealed)
4. Four (4) sets of the following plan:

a.) Architectural Plan

b.) Fire Protection including calculation (if required)
c.) Fire Detection and Alarm System (if required)
d.) Other Applicable plans
(e.g. Stairway Pressurization Smoke Management System, Stand pipe system)
FIRE SAFETY FOR BUSINESSES AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENT

A. INSPECTION PROCESS

A. INSPECTION PROCESS

A
A. INSPECTION PROCESS

Fire safety inspections should be conducted as a pre-requisite to grants of permits and/or licenses by local
governments or other government agencies (Section 7a).

Inspections should be done at least once a year and every time the owner, administrator or occupant shall
renew his/her business permit or permit to operate (Sec. 5, (g))

1. Building plan review

o Building owners/occupants are required to submit 6 sets of building plans and other pertinent
documents to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal (Sec. 9.0.2.1 a)
o Upon assessment, buildings owners/occupants will be asked to pay Fire Code fees (Sec.
9.0.2.1 a)
o Submit the Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report 1 (FALAR)
o City/Municipal Fire Marshal will either approve or disapprove the evaluated plans together
with the Fire Safety Checklist (FSC) and the approved/disapproved Fire Safety Evaluation
Clearance (FSEC)
2. Inspection during construction
3. Inspection after completion of construction
o Submit the Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report 2 (FALAR)
4. Business and routine inspection
o Submit the Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report 3 (FALAR)
o If the building premises comply with the fire safety requirements and fire protective and/or
warning systems such as fire sprinkler systems, automatic extinguishing systems, and fire
alarms are properly installed, the City/Municipal Fire Marshal will issue the Fire Safety
Inspection Certificate (FSIC)
 ▪ No occupancy permit, business or permit to operate shall be issued without securing
a Fire Safety Inspection Certification (FSIC) from the BFP Chief or his/her duly
authorized representative (Sec. 5, (g))
▪
B. REQUIRED PAPERS/PERMITS

• Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report (FALAR) 1: Documentation on Fire and Life-Safety Features
of the Facility – prepared by the Architect and his Fire Protection Consultant
o Compilation of Plans/Specifications and design analysis
• Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report (FALAR) 2: Documentations submitted by the Contractor/s
and the Construction Manager certifying that the construction was in accordance with the FALAR 1
and authorized changes
• Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report (FALAR) 3: Documentation on the required periodic
maintenance of the fire and life-safety features of the facility – prepared by the building owner, his
fire safety officer/authorized representative
• Fire Insurance Data
o All persons having fire insurance coverage on their properties and/or business shall submit
a certified true copy of all coverages currently in effect, including subsequent and/or
additional policies to the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction not later than ten
(10) days after receipt of the document from any insurance company. Exempted from this
requirement are owners of detached, single- or two-family dwellings actually being used for
residential occupancy.
• Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) – pre-requisite for issuance of Business or Mayor’s permit,
Permit to Operate, Occupancy Permit, PHILHEALTH Accreditation for Hospitals, DOH License to
Operate and other permits or licenses
• Building Permit
• Occupancy Permit

4. Bureau of Fire Protection

It is the government fire service of the Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Department of the
Interior and Local Government.
Functions and duties
▪ Prevention and suppression of all destructive fires;
▪ Enforcement of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) of the Republic Act No.
9514 otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185) and other related laws;
▪ Investigate the causes of fires and if necessary, file a complaint to the city or provincial prosecutor
relating to the case;
▪ In events of national emergency, will assist the military on the orders of the President of the
Philippines;
▪ And establish at least one fire station with all personnel and equipment per municipality and provincial
capital.

The Administration and Enforcement of the Fire Code and this IRR shall be under the direct
supervision and control of the Chief, BFP, through the hierarchy of organization as provided for in
 Chapter VI of Republic Act No. 6975, the DILG Reorganization Act of 1990 as amended by Republic Act
No. 9263, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)
Professionalization Act of 2004.

5. Fire Safety Enforcers

A representative of an agency or an organization that promulgates and/or enforces standards
Fire Safety Inspectors
A. Uniformed Personnel
▪ Licensed Engineer (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Sanitary and Electronic and
Communication); or Architect with at least one (1) year in the BFP service; or Graduate of any
baccalaureate degree course with at least three (3) years in the BFP service;
▪ Shall have completed Fire Arson Investigation and Inspection Course (FAIIC); or have undergone at
least forty (40) hours of relevant seminars/workshops on the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 and
other relevant fire safety seminars/workshops; and
▪ Non-licensed and non-engineering graduate must pass the written fire safety inspection examination
conducted by the BFP.
B. Non- Uniformed Personnel
▪ Appointed as Engineers (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Sanitary and Electronics and
Communication; or Appointed as Electrical/Building Inspectors; and
▪ Shall have undergone at least forty (40) hours of relevant seminars/workshops on the Fire Code of the
Philippines and other relevant fire safety seminars/workshops.
▪ Electrical/building inspectors must pass the written examination conducted by the BFP, otherwise they
can only conduct inspection relative to their appointment’s duties and functions.

Plan Evaluators
▪ Must be a licensed Architect or Engineer; and
▪ Shall have undergone at least forty (40) hours of relevant training on the Fire Code of the Philippines
of 2008 and other relevant fire safety seminars/workshops.
▪ In cases where there is no licensed engineer or architect in a specific jurisdiction, a graduate of any
baccalaureate degree with FAIIC training shall be designated as plan evaluator.

6. Fire Safety Measures

Fire safety is a fundamental consideration in building design and management, but unfortunately,
one that is often overlooked—firewalls are today more likely to be associated with IT security than with
physical safety.
1. Provide adequate means of escape
The first rule of fire management requires sufficient escape routes out of the building, in accordance
with its scale and occupancy. The number, size and location of exits are specified in the National Building
Code (NBC), a detailed set of guidelines for constructing, maintaining and operating buildings of all types.
Office occupiers must additionally ensure that staircases, stairwells and corridors are well-maintained,
ventilated and free of obstacles in order to be effective in an emergency.
2. Outline clear pathways to exit doors
 Getting to exits is as important as providing enough exits. NBC guidelines specify the maximum
distance a person must travel in order to access a fire exit, and the importance of photo-luminescent signage
to enable evacuation at night. Refuge areas such as terraces are critical for high-rises where people can
safely congregate, when asked to leave the building in phases.
3. Install smoke detection systems
The first few minutes of a fire are crucial in containing it. Automatic fire alarm systems such as smoke
and heat detectors are mandatory elements in international building codes, and particularly useful in spotting
fires during times when occupancy in the building is low.
4. Maintain smoke suppression systems
Fire extinguishers are only useful if they work, so check them regularly. High-rise buildings, which
are harder to access and evacuate, should consider installing automatic sprinkler systems.
5. Conduct regular fire drills
Preventing panic in an emergency is as important as staying away from flames and fumes. Regular
fire drills familiarize people with emergency evacuation methods at little cost. Nominate a fire safety officer in
every building to ensure that this becomes standard operating procedure.
6. Use flame-retardant materials in interiors
Materials used in the interiors can save or endanger lives. The combination of wood, paper and
textiles makes workstations highly combustible. Fabrics can be made flame-retardant, however, so that they
self-extinguish when lit.
Doors are also assigned a fire-resistance rating, measuring how long they can remain resistant to
excessive temperatures and flames without collapsing.
7. Make your office accessible to firefighters
Grilled windows are a widespread urban phenomenon, and observes that “residents who have grills
on their windows presume that only thieves are kept out, and not firefighters". Occupants of offices in
residential buildings with few exits should be wary of locking themselves into confined spaces.
8. Keep the building plans handy
The tragedy was heightened by the lack of buildings plans to guide rescue agencies. It is imperative
to make multiple copies of your building plan available, especially during an emergency.
9. Ask the local fire brigade to assess safety
Fire departments, for a nominal fee, will independently assess your building’s level of fire safety.
Storage of hazardous or inflammable materials, old and unstable structures, inadequate escape routes or
electricity overloads are potential death traps that are best assessed by professionals.
10. Comply with National Building Code
“Green buildings" are in trend but safe structures are sadly not. Most of the buildings likely violate
accepted codes of building safety, with ignorance and personal whims leading to illegal modifications after
gaining requisite occupancy permission.

❖ Size of fire exit door (know the standards)

❖ Door opening
❖ Width of corridor (know the standards)
❖ No of fire exits depends on the no. of occupants and type of occupancies
❖ Fire extinguishers
❖ Fire alarm
❖ Smoke detector
 ❖ Grills on windows
❖ Wet & Dry Stand pipe
❖
A "wet" standpipe is filled with water and is pressurized at all times. In contrast to dry standpipes, which
can be used only by firefighters, wet standpipes can be used by building occupants. Wet standpipes generally already
come with hoses so that building occupants may fight fires quickly.
A dry standpipe is a network of in-place piping allowing connection of a water supply (usually a fire
department mobile apparatus known as a pumper) to a dedicated inlet at street level, with hose outlet valves
on each floor.

7. Prohibited Acts - Refer to Current Edition of FCP

8. Fire Code Taxes, Fees/Charges and Fines - Refer to Current Edition of FCP
9. Administrative Courses of Action - Refer to Current Edition of FCP
10. Miscellaneous Provisions - Refer to Current Edition of FCP

Classes of fire
There are six different types of fire classes and here is a detailed list covering types of fire included in each
class:

• Class A – fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper or textiles.

• Class B – fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel or oils.
• Class C – fires involving gases.
• Class D – fires involving metals.
• Class E – fires involving live electrical apparatus. (Technically ‘Class E’ doesn’t exists however this
is used for convenience here)
• Class F – fires involving cooking oils such as in deep-fat fryers

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Foam Extinguishers
These are the most common type of fire extinguishers
used for class B fires. However, these are water-based
which means they these can also be used for class A
fires. The label colour is cream.
These fire extinguishers may be used for fires caused
by various organic materials including wood, coal,
textiles, fabrics, cardboard and paper among other
things as well as flammable liquids including petrol and
paint.
This type of fire extinguisher should not be used for
fires caused by flammable metals, kitchen fires and
fires that involve electrical equipment
.
How This Extinguisher Works
These extinguishers work by creating a cooling effect on the fuel that is responsible for causing the fire. When
it is poured on burning liquid, the fire is extinguished by creating a barrier between the fuel and the flame with
the help of the foaming agent.
Foam extinguishers are needed by business and premises where the building is made from various organic
materials or in buildings where such organic materials are likely to be found including warehouses, residential
properties, hospitals, schools, offices and buildings storing flammable liquids. In simple terms, most of the
buildings require the presence of foam or water extinguishers.
Location
This type of extinguisher should be placed by the exits on floors that have been identified as a fire risk for
class A or class B.

Water Extinguishers
Water extinguishers are mostly used for class A fire
risk. In most premises, it is necessary to have either
foam or water extinguishers. It has a bright red label.
This type of extinguisher is used for fires caused by
various organic materials including fabrics, textiles,
coal, wood, cardboard and paper among others. It
should not be used for kitchen fires, fires caused by
flammable gas and liquids as well as fires that involve
electrical equipment.
How This Extinguisher Works
As far as the inner working is concerned, a water
extinguisher works by having a cooling effect on the
liquid that causes the burning fuel to burn at a slower
rate until the flames are completely extinguished.
The type of businesses or premises where these
extinguishers are needed include buildings made of wood or organic materials or business premises
containing certain types of organic materials such as hospitals, schools, offices, warehouses and residential
properties. Most of the buildings require either foam or water extinguishers.
Location
These extinguishers are required to be placed by the exit on floors that have been identified for class A fire
risk.
What’s different about water spray extinguishers?
This type of extinguisher comes equipped with a spray nozzle instead of a jet nozzle which means the water
is able to cover much greater surface area quickly in order to put out fire more rapidly.
What’s different about water mist extinguishers?
As the name suggests, this type of extinguishers come equipped with a different type of nozzle that is
responsible for releasing extremely small, microscopic water particles. This extinguisher nozzle releases
micro particles that suffocate the fire and also keep the person using the extinguisher safe by creating a wall
of mist which helps in reducing the feeling of heat.

Dry Powder Extinguishers

The standard dry powder extinguishers are also
known as ABC extinguishers as these can be used for
class A, class B and class C fires. However, these
should not be used in enclosed spaces as the dry
powder in the extinguisher can be easily inhaled. Also,
it’s not easy to clean up the leftover residue once the
fire is over. These can also be used for fires involving
electrical equipment. There are also special dry
powder extinguishers that are typically used for fires
caused by flammable metals. The label colour for this
type of extinguisher is blue.
This type of fire extinguisher may be used for fires
caused by various organic materials including wood,
coal, textiles, fabrics, cardboard and paper among
others. It may also be used for fires caused by
flammable liquids including petrol and paint as well as
flammable gases including acetylene and liquid petroleum gas. Any fires that involve electrical equipment up
to 1000 V may also be dealt with the help of this fire extinguisher.
As mentioned above, there are special dry powder extinguishers but these are typically used only on
flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium.
This type of fire extinguisher should not be used for fires that involve electrical equipment over 1000 V and
fires that involve cooking oil.
Location
Garage forecourts, welding and flame cutting businesses and buildings with large boiler rooms are examples
of premises using flammable gases for chemical processes where this type of fire extinguisher is required.
Wet Chemical Extinguishers
Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for use on
Class F fires, involving cooking oils and fats. They
can also be used on Class A fires although it is more
usual to have a foam or water extinguisher for this
type of fire risk
For fires involving cooking oils and fats (a Class F
fire), a wet chemical extinguisher can be used. The
wet chemical fire extinguisher can also be used on
Class A fire, but foam or water extinguishers are
more common. Dry powder extinguishers smother
fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and
source of oxygen. The label colour for this type of
extinguisher is yellow.
Wet chemical extinguishers can also be used for
fires caused by various organic materials including
wood, coal, textiles, fabrics, cardboard and paper.
Location
This type of fire extinguisher needs to be placed near to the source of the fire risk in commercial kitchens and
canteens.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers

CO2 extinguishers are mainly used for electrical
fire risks and are usually the main fire extinguisher
type provided in computer server rooms. They
also put out Class B fires. CO2 extinguishers
suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire
needs to burn. This type of extinguisher has a
black label.
Location
CO2 extinguishers need to be place near to the
source of the fire risk or near the fire exits such as
offices, kitchens, server rooms and premises with
electrical appliances and equipment.
Our Services
If you are in need of fire extinguisher servicing,
our accredited fire engineers will attend your sites
at a time convenient to you. Contact us today to
arrange a visit and decide on the future course of
action.
De-ionised water mist fire extinguishers have a white
label and are highly effective on class A, B, C and
burning electrical equipment.

The unique design of the water mist extinguishers'

supersonic nozzle creates a microscopic mist curtain,
reducing the oxygen content. Water mist extinguishers
are safe and well suited for use on burning electrical
equipment as the de-ionised water mist does not
conduct electricity and the water mist does not form
puddles which could lead to electrocution.

Causes of fires
• Faulty Electrical Connections / Electrical Overloading. The usual causes of Fires due to electrical
faults are Old Wiring, Improper Connections, and Poor/Damaged Wire Quality. ...
• Unattended Cooking / Candles. ...
• Cigarette Butts. ...
• Flammable Chemical

Prepared by:

ENGR. RITCHIE C. MALASAN

Faculty, Department of Civil Engineering
Date: 11/07/2022