RA 9514 - Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008

1 Minimum exit door width. 0.71 mtr.

2 Minimum floor to ceiling height. 2.30 mts.
3 Maximum stair rise height for a class A stair. 0.19 mtr.
4 Maximum height between landings for class A stair. 2.75 mts.
5 Minimum headroom for class A & B stairs. 2.00 mts.
6 Unit area per person for waiting areas or standing rooms. 0.28 sqm.
7 Number of exits for place of assembly for 1000 occupants 4
8 Travel distance to an exit without fire sprinkler system. 46.00 mts.
9 Travel distance to an exit with fire sprinkler system. 61.00 mts.
10 Minimum spacing of rows of seats from back to back for a public assembly building. 0.83 mtr.
11 Maximum number of seats in a row in between aisles. 14
12 Maximum number of seats in a row opening on to an aisle at one side. 7
13 Standard width of a seat without dividing arms for places of assembly. 60 cms.
14 Minimum width of an aisle serving an occupant of 60. 91 cms.
15 Minimum headroom created by any projection from the ceiling. 2.00 mts.
16 Minimum clear width of turnstiles. 56 cms.
17 Minimum dimension of landings in direction of travel for class A & B stairs. 112 cms.
18 Minimum number of risers in any one (1) flight of stairs. 3
19 Minimum height of a handrail above the upper surface of the tread. 76 cms.
20 Minimum clearance of a handrail from any wall. 38 mm.
21 Minimum height of a guard rail. 91 cms.
22 Maximum height of a guard rail. 106 cms.
23 Minimum inner radius of a monumental stair. 7.50 mts.
24 Minimum width of any balcony or bridge. 112 cms.
25 Minimum width of a class A ramp. 112 cms.
26 Maximum rise of any floor from the balcony floor to which an access door leads. 20.3 cms
27 Maximum vertical height in floors for an escalator. 1floor
28 Minimum width of a fire escape stair for existing stairs. 55.9 cms.
29 Minimum width of landing for a fire escape stair for existing stairs. 55.9 cms.
30 Minimum tread for a fire escape stair for small buildings. 15.25 cms.
31 Maximum rise of fire escape stair for a small building. 30.5 cms.
32 Maximum rise of fire escape stair for existing stairs. 22.9 cms.
33 Maximum height between landings for a fire escape stair for existing stairs. 3.66 mts.
34 Minimum headroom clearance for a fire escape stair for existing stairs. 2.13 mts.
35 Minimum headroom clearance for a fire escape stair for small buildings. 1.98 mts.
36 Number of exits for place of assembly for 600-1000 occupants. 3
37 Maximum occupant load for a class C public assembly. 50-300
38 Minimum number of exit for an Institutional type of structure. 2
39 Maximum travel distance between room door intended as exit access and exit with
30 mts.
sprinkler system for institutional use.
40 Maximum travel distance from the door of any room to exit for hotels with sprinkler. 30 mts.
41 Maximum travel distance from the main entrance door to exit for apartments with sprinkler. 31 mts.
42 Minimum increase in width for an aisle per linear meter. 2.5 cms.
43 Minimum width of an aisle serving an occupant of 60 or more serving one side for a
91 cms.
public assembly building.
44 Minimum width of an aisle serving an occupant of 60 or more serving two sides for a
1.00 mtr.
public assembly building.
45 Minimum width of an aisle serving an occupant of below 60 for a public assembly building. 76 cms.
46 Minimum width of an aisle for an educational use building. 1.80 mts.
47 Minimum width of an aisle for hospitals or nursing homes. 2.44 mts.
48 Minimum width of an aisle for custodial care institutions. 1.83 mts.
49 Minimum width of an aisle for business use structure. 112 cms.
50 Minimum width of an aisle for an industrial building. 112 cms.
51 Occupant load per person for laboratories. 4.60 sqm.
52 Jails are classified under what classification of occupancy. Institutional
53 Courtrooms with an occupant load of more than 100 are classified under what
Assembly
classification of occupancy.
54 Armories with an occupant load of more than 100 are classified under what classification
Assembly

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 Fire Code of the Philippines

of occupancy
55 Libraries are classified under what classification of occupancy. Business
56 Rooms where baled, bundled or piled materials segregated into desired sizes or groups. Picking rooms.
57 Buildings or structures 15 meters or more in height. High rise building
58 Buildings or structures used for the storage of explosives, shells, projectile, etc. Explosive magazine
59 An air compartment or chamber to which 1 or more ducts are connected and which form
Plenum
part of an air distribution system.
60 A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion. Fulminate
61 Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to air. Phyrophoric
62 A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or support
Oxidizing material
combustion.
63 A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape and dimension. Forging
64 The process of first raising the temperature to separate the more volatile from the less
volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the result vapor so as to produce a nearly Distillation
purified substance.
65 A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion and
Dust
ignited will cause an explosion.
66 Temperature rating at flash point. 37.8 oC (100 oF)
67 A class of fire with flammable liquid and gasses. Class B
68 The temperature at which a liquid is transformed or converted into vapor. Boiling Point
69 Minimum fire resistance rating for a firewall. 4 hrs.
70 A continuous passageway for the transmission of air. Duct System
71 The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in sufficient
Flash Point
concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.
72 A gas, fume or vapor used for the destruction or control of insects, fungi, vermin, germs,
Fumigant
rodents or other pests.
73 Minimum width of any driveway in and around a lumber yard / piles. 4.50 mts.
74 Minimum height of fence for a lumber yard for exterior storage of lumbers. 1.80 mts.
75 Maximum width of sumps for the retention of oil and petroleum products. 3.70 mts.
For Refineries, distilleries, and chemical plants, the minimum height for a fence. 1.50 mts.
76 Minimum travel distance from any individual room subject to occupancy by not more
15.00 mts.
6 persons.
77 Maximum distance of travel from the high hazard area to an exit. 23.00 mts.
78 Minimum distance of an incinerator from any structure used other than a single family
3.00 mts.
dwelling.
79 Maximum reduction in width of a stair by a handrail. 9 cms.
80 Minimum door width of a single door in a door way. 71 cms.
81 Maximum change in elevation between the interior of a door to the outside of it other than
20.5 cms.
a balcony.
82 Maximum force in kilograms required for a panic hardware. 7 kgs.
83 Maximum height required for a panic hardware installation. 112 cms.
84 Minimum height required for a panic hardware installation. 76 cms.
85 Maximum number of occupant for a subdivided room or space by a folding partition. 20
86 Minimum width of a door for family day care homes. 61 cms.
87 Minimum stair width for a class B stair serving an occupant load of less than 50. 91 cms.
88 Length of a nosing or effective projection over the level immediately below it for tread
25 mm
below 25 cms in dimension.
89 Maximum height of a handrail. 86.5 cms.
90 A combustible liquid is any liquid having a flash point at or above. 37.8 oC (100 oF)
91 The time duration that a material or construction can withstand the effect of standard
Fire resistance rating
fire test is known as.
92 Any material which by its nature or as a result of its reaction with other elements
Cryogenic
produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate surrounding.
93 Classified as mercantile occupancies, the travel distance from exits shall be. 30.50 mts.
94 Under what classification of occupancy does pool rooms fall. Assembly
95 Under what classification of occupancy does home for the aged fall. Institutional
96 Under what classification of occupancy does court houses fall. Business
97 Under what classification of occupancy does refineries fall. Industrial

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 Fire Code of the Philippines

98 Under what classification of occupancy does drugstores fall. Mercantile

99 Minimum width of an aisle in a store for mercantile occupancies. 71 cms.
100 Minimum number of aisles for Class 'A' stores. 1
101 Minimum clear width of aisles for a Class 'A' store. 1.50 mts.
102 Minimum clear width of an exit access through a covered mall. 3.66 mts.
103 Minimum height of buildings requiring automatic sprinkler protection. 15 mts.
104 Standard inner radius of a curved stair in business occupancies. 763 cms.
105 Maximum height of riser for Class 'A' stairs. 19 cms.
106 Maximum height of riser for Class 'B' Stairs. 20 cms.
107 Minimum width of stair for Class 'B' stairs serving more than 50 persons. 112 cms.
108 Minimum width of stair for Class 'B' stairs serving 50 persons and below. 91 cms.
109 Maximum horizontal projection of a handrail over a stair. 38 mm.
110 Minimum width of a stair width for Class 'A' stairs. 25 mm.
111 Maximum height between landings for a Class 'B' stairs. 3.70 mts.
112 Minimum width of landings in direction of travel for Class 'A / B' stairs. 112 cms.
113 Minimum width of Class 'A' ramp. 112 cms.
114 Minimum width of Class 'B' ramp. 76 cms.
115 Standard slope of Class 'B' ramp in percentage. 10-17%
116 Maximum height between landings for Class 'A' ramp. No limit
117 Maximum height between landings for Class 'B' ramp. 3.66 mts.
118 Minimum width of ramps of 3 stories or more in height. 1.20 mts.
119 Minimum width for fire escape for existing stairs. 55.9 cms.
120 Minimum horizontal dimension of any landing of platform for existing stairs for fire escape. 55.9 cms.
121 Maximum rise for a fire escape for very small buildings. 30.5 cms.
122 Maximum height between landings for fire escape for existing stairs. 3.66 mts.
123 Minimum distance travel to an exit for storage occupancies of high hazard commodities. 23 mts.
124 Class of fire involving combustible metals, such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, and
Class D
other similar materials.
125 Class of fire involving ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, papers, cloth,
Class A
rubber, and plastics.
126 A tank, vat or container of flammable or combustible liquid in which articles or materials
Dip Tank
are immersed for the purpose of coating, finishing, treating or similar processes.
127 An integrated system of under ground or overhead piping or both connected to a source Automatic
of extinguishing agents or medium and designed in accordance with fire protection Fire
engineering standards which when actuated by its automatic detecting device, Suppression
suppresses fire within the area protected. System
128 A continuous and unobstructed route of exit from any point in a building to a public way. Means of Egress
129 Minimum distance of an incinerator containing kindled fire or rubbish fire or bonfires. 5.00 mts.
130 Under what classification of occupancy does museums fall? Assembly
131 Under what classification of occupancy does town halls fall? Business
132 Maximum width of a single door in a doorway. 1.22 mts.
133 Minimum tread for a fire escape stair for existing stairs. 22.9 cms.
134 Maximum spacing of rungs for a fire escape ladder. 30.5 cms.
135 Minimum spacing of rungs for a fire escape ladder. 25 cms.
136 Class III combustible liquids shall mean any liquid having a flash point at how many
60 oC
degrees Celsius?
137 In standard seating, the minimum spacing from back to back. 0.83 mtr.
138 Minimum space from the back of chair to the front of the chair behind. 30 cms.
139 Maximum slope for aisles for public assembly structures. (1:8) 12.5%
140 Size of standpipe provided for each stage for public assembly building. 63.5 mm.
141 Occupant load per person for classrooms. 1.8 sqm.
142 Where exterior corridors or balconies are provided as means of exit, they shall open to the
76.25 mts.
outside and shall be spaced ___ meters apart. (Educational)
143 Minimum dimension of a rescue window for educational occupancies. 55 cms.
144 Maximum height from the floor for a rescue window for educational occupancies. 82 cms.
145 Minimum width of corridors, aisles, and ramps for exits in hospitals and nursing homes. 2.44 mts.
146 Minimum width of corridors, aisles, and ramps for exits in residential-custodial care. 1.83 mts.
147 Any room for sleeping in institutional occupancies if subdivided shall have a maximum
465 sqm.

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 Fire Code of the Philippines

area of how many square meters?

148 Includes buildings or groups of building under the same management in which there are
Hotel
more than 15 sleeping accommodations for hire.
149 Includes buildings containing three or more living units independent cooking and bathroom
facilities, whether designed as rowhouse, apartment house, tenement, garden apartment, Apartment Buildings
or by any other name.
150 Minimum number of stories of apartment buildings requiring fire alarm system. 3
151 Minimum number of apartment units requiring fire alarm system. 12
 RULE 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Abatement. Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

Automatic Fire Suppression System. An integrated system of underground or

overhead piping or both connected to a source of extinguishing agent or
medium and designed in accordance with fire protection engineering
standards which, when actuated by its automatic detecting device,
suppresses fires within the area protected.

City/Municipal Fire Marshal. The duly designated head of the City or

Municipal Fire Station including those designated as “Officer-in-Charge” or in
an “Acting” capacity. This shall also apply to highly urbanized Cities and
Stations where by its approved organization the head is the District Fire
Marshal or Station Commander as the case maybe.

Chemical Plant. A large integrated plant or that portion of such plant other
than a refinery or distillery where flammable or combustible liquids are
produced by chemical reactions or used in chemical reactions.

Class A Fires . Fires involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood,

cloth, rubber and plastics.

Class B Fires. Fires involving flammable liquids and gases.

Class C Fires. Fires involving energized electrical equipment.

Class D Fire. Fires involving combustible materials, such as sodium, magnesium,

potassium, and other similar materials.

Class K Fires. Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking

media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).

Combination Standpipe. A pipeline system filled with water and connected to

a constant water supply for the use of the BFP and the occupants of the
buildings solely for fire suppression purposes.

Combustible Fibers. Any readily ignitable and free-burning fibers, such as but
not limited, to cocoa fiber, cotton, excelsior, hay, hemp, henequen, istle, jute,
kapok, oakrum, rags, sisal, Spanish moss, straw, tow, waste cloth, waste paper,
certain synthetic fibers commonly used in commerce, or any material in a
fibrous or shredded form that will readily ignite when heat sources are present.

Combustible Liquid. Any liquid having a flash point at or above thirty seven
and eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C), and classified as follows:

Corrosive Liquid. Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic
matter or with certain chemicals.
Cryogenic. Is descriptive of any material which, by its nature or as a result of
its reaction with other elements, produces a rapid drop in temperature of the
immediate surroundings.

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

Fire Alarm. Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to

warn the occupants of the building or fire fighting elements of the presence
or danger of fire.

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

Fire Hazard. Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase
in the probability of the occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay,
hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations and the safeguarding of life
and property.

Fire Lane. The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept
opened and unobstructed at all times for the expedient conduct of fire
fighting operations.

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

Fire Volunteer. A person who voluntarily enters into firefighting service through
a Fire Volunteer Organization (FVO) and undergoes the same discipline as
that of BFP firefighters.

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

Flame Retardant. Any compound or mixture which when applied properly

improves the resistivity or fire resistance quality of fabrics and other materials.

Flame Spread Rating. The time in which flame will spread over the surface of
a burning material.

Flammable Liquids. Are liquids having flash points below thirty seven and
eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C) except any mixture having components

Flash Point of a Liquid. The lowest temperature a liquid at which sufficient

vapor is given off to form an ignitable mixture with air, near the surface of the
liquid or within the vessel used, as determined by appropriate laboratory test,
as follows:

High Rise Buildings. Buildings, structures or facilities fifteen (15) meters or more
in height.

Horizontal Exit. A passageway from one building to another, or through or

around a wall in approximately the same floor level.

Means of Egress. Is a continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one

point in a building, structure or facility to a public way.

Occupancy. The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or

intended to be used.
Occupant Load. The maximum number of persons that may be allowed to
occupy a particular building, structure, or facility, or portions hereof.

Overloading. The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which

draw or consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity of the
existing electrical system.
Oxidizing Material. A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient
to stimulate or support combustion.

Plenum. An air compartment or chamber to which one or more ducts are

connected and which form part of an air distribution system.

Fire Safety Practitioner. Any qualified person, recognized by the BFP, engaged
in, but not limited to, the design, construction, installation, repair and
maintenance, assessment, and rehabilitation of fire safety construction,
suppression and control systems, protective and warning systems and life
safety related services, or employed as a safety officer of public and private
establishments/companies.

Smoke Developed Rating. Refers to the rating of a combustible materials

based on the density and volume of smoke developed within a certain
period of time when its surfaces are ignited.

Sprinkler System. An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping

system installed in a building, structure or area with outlets arranged in a
systematic pattern which automatically discharges water when activated by
heat or combustion products from a fire.

Standpipe System . A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses

can be attached on each floor, including a system by which water is made
available to water outlets as needed.

Vestibule. A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the
interior parts of a house or building.
SECTION 9.0.3.3 FORMAT OF PREPARATION

A. FALAR 1 - Documentation on Fire and Life-Safety Features of the Facility

(Consisting of a written report prepared by the Architect and his Fire

Protection Consultant. This is a compilation of the plans/specification and
design analysis normally submitted by the Architect and Engineers. )
Objectives

Short Project Description

Statement of who is the enforcing authority for the National Building

Code and the Fire Code of the Philippines.

Statement of the Codes and Standards used in the design.

Discussion of Fire Protection and Life Safety Issues.

Building Classification and Construction;

Hazards of contents and combustible loading including fire

scenarios adopted if design is performance based;

Occupancy Classification;

Structural Requirements/Separation of Building Spaces;

Exit and egress description

Basis of design;
Number of exits;
Travel distances;
Exit calculations (may be included in appendices); and
Timed-exit analysis (for equivalencies and variances);

Fire Suppression Description

Design criteria used for sprinkler system/standpipe;

Other suppression systems;
Water supplies, and fire pumps, capacities;
Portable extinguishers;
Hydraulic and other calculations (may be placed in
appendices); and
Riser diagrams (may be placed in appendices);

Fire detection, alarm, communication and evacuation systems

Description of each system including features and controls;

and
Sound pressure calculations (for equivalencies and variances);

Smoke Control Management

 Description of smoke control strategies;
Design criteria used;
Calculations (may be included in appendices); and

Equipment capacities and description

Exit light and emergency lighting systems

Description;
Typical location of exit lights and emergency lighting systems;
Design criteria; and
Calculations (equivalencies and variances).

Emergency Power Supply

Description;
Capacities; and
Calculations (may be included in appendices)

Fire Department Access

Description and location of street hydrant and BFP station;

and

Other issues not discussed above including elevator recall and use of
elevators for evacuation

FALAR 2 - Documentation submitted by the Contractor/s and the

Construction Manager certifying that the construction was in accordance
with the FALAR 1 and authorized changes.

(Documents will be a compilation report of all approved submittals, test

and acceptance forms of all fire protection and life safety features and
shall form part of the as-built documents turned over by the contractor to
the building owner.)

Short Description of Project.

Objectives of the Report.

Enforcing Authorities.

Standards used for Authorized Changes.

Fire Protection and Life Safety Issues.

Building classification and construction - a statement saying there is

no deviation from FALAR 1.

Hazards of content and combustible loadings - description of

authorized changes from FALAR 1. If none, a statement saying
none.
 c. Occupant characterization- description of any changes from
FALAR 1. If none, a statement saying none.

d. Structural requirements and separation of building spaces and

description of authorized changes from FALAR 1.

Exit and Egress

Calculations (for changes and variances)

Description of authorized major changes to FALAR 1.
Egress calculation for variances from code requirements.

Fire Suppression Systems

Description of authorized major changes to FALAR 1.

Calculations for major changes (maybe included in
appendices)

Fire detection, alarm, communication and evacuation systems

Description of authorized major changes.

Calculation for major changes.
Testing, commissioning and acceptance data of the fire alarm
and detection system.
Testing, commissioning and acceptance data including fire and
jockey pumps

Smoke Control Management

Description of Authorized Changes

Calculation for major changes
Testing, commissioning and acceptance data for smoke
exhaust and pressurization blowers

Emergency Power Supply

Description of authorized changes

Calculation for major changes
Testing, commissioning and acceptance data of the
generator set.

Other issues including testing and commissioning of the elevator

recall system.

FALAR 3 - Documentation on the required periodic maintenance and

upkeep of the fire and life-safety features of the facility.

(It consists of a written report prepared by the building owner, his fire
safety officer or his authorized representative. This is a compilation of the
maintenance and testing records kept by the buildings engineering and
maintenance departments. )

Objectives

Short Description of Building or Facilities.

Statement on who is the enforcing authority for the National Building

Code and the Fire Code of the Philippines.

Statement of Testing and Maintenance Standards Used.

Discussions of Fire Protection and Life Safety Issues.

Building Classification and Construction.

Hazards of Content and Combustible Loadings.

Occupancy Classifications.

Separation of Building Spaces.

Exit and Egress

Number of active exits; and

Maintenance records done on egress component such
as doors and enclosed stairways.

Fire Suppression

Maintenance and testing records done on fire pumps,

sprinkler system, portable extinguishers, standpipes and other
fire suppression systems; and
Submit results of annual fire pump flow tests, annual main
drain tests, and water flow tests for standpipe; submit other
test results as appropriate.

Fire detection, alarm communication and evaluation system

Testing and maintenance records done on the components

of the detection and alarm system including the fire alarm
control panel.

Smoke Control Management

Maintenance and testing records of the various component

of the smoke management system. Include test records for
pressurization fans for flows and fan controls.

Emergency Power Supply

 Maintenance and testing records of the system components of the
emergency power supply.

Other testing and maintenance records, including test results of the elevator
recall system.

DIVISION 4. FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE

SECTION 9.0.4.1 FSIC AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR ISSUANCE OF PERMIT/LICENSE

Upon compliance of the fire safety requirements under Rule 10 of this IRR, a Fire Safety
Inspection Certificate (FSIC) shall be issued by the BFP as a pre – requisite for the 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 being issued by other
government agencies.

SECTION 9.0.4.2 DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

FSIC for Occupancy Permit

Endorsement from the Building Official (BO);

Photocopy of Building Permit and Assessment of Occupancy Permit Fee;

Copy of Fire Insurance Policy, if any;

Copy of Latest Fire Safety Inspection Certificate immediately preceding this

application, if any; and

Three (3) sets of FALAR 2.

FSIC for Business Permit

Endorsement from the Business Permit Licensing Office (BPLO);

Photocopy of Building Permit and Assessment of Business Permit Fee/Tax Bill for
Business Permit;

Copy of Fire Insurance Policy, if any;

Copy of Latest Fire Safety Inspection Certificate immediately preceding this

application, if any; and

Three (3) sets of FALAR 3.