Building Laws: RA 9514 Fire Code

Revised Fire Code of the Philippines

RA 9514

PD 1185

the old Fire Code

Rule 3, 9 and 10

RA 9514 focus on three rules only

Rule 3

Definition of terms

Rule 9

Enforcement and administration

Rule 10

Fire safety measures

Abatement

Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard

suppression system

Consist of means to control and extinguish fires, such as fire extinguishers, fire hoses, and sprinkler systems.

suppression system

An integrated piping system connected to a source of extinguishing agent which suppressed fires when actuated by its automatic detecting device

Fire marshall

Who is in charge of fire equipment, safety walk through, fire parties, and repair locker training?

Fire marshall

The head of the City or the Municipal Fire Station

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

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 Wall

A wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire resistance rating of not less than 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.

High-rise building

Buildings 15 meters or more in height

Means of egress

A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way

Occupancy

The purpose for which a building or space is used

Occupancy

acquisition of title by taking possession of personal property that belongs to no one else

Occupant load

The maximum number of persons that may be allowed to occupy a particular building or space

Occupant load

The number of persons for which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed. (IBC)

Sprinkler system

A piping system integrated in a building with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water when activated by heat or fire combustion products

Fire hazard

Any condition or act which increases the probability of the occurrence of fire, or which may hinder or interfere with fire-fighting operations

Fire trap

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

Fire lane

The portion of a roadway that should be kept unobstructed at all times for the expedient operations of fire-fighting units

Fire Marshall

Inspection of all buildings shall be done by the _____

Fire Safety Inspection Cetrtificate

FSIC

FSIC

shall be a prerequisite for permits/licenses

Occupancy permit

Business permit

types of permits/licenses FSIC prerequisites

Fire Marshall and building official

who reviews designs/drawings and issue the Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance if the design is determined to be in accordance with the Fire Code

Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance

FSEC

Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance

A clearance released once building plans and specifications submitted are found to be in accordance with the Fire Code; required for building permits

6

how many sets of plans are sent from the Building Official to the Fire Marshall for review

FALAR 1

is required before plan review

plan evaluator

who review the drawings

Building plan review

Based on findings, the FSEC will either be released or denied

Fire Marshall

conduct inspections during construction to ensure that plans are being followed

FALAR 2

required for issuance of FSIC

routine inspection

Regulartory scheduled inspection to determine the physical and functional condition

Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report

What is the FALAR?

FALAR 1

FALAR 2

FALAR 3

Three kinds of FALAR

FALAR 1

Documentation on safety features of the facility

FALAR 2

Documentation submitted by contractor/CM certifying that construction was in accordance with FALAR 1

FALAR 3

Documentation of periodic maintenance

FALAR 3

A 3 sets of documentation of required periodic maintenance shall be submitted by the owner to the Fire Marshal, duly signed by the Building Administrator during the regular annual fire safety inspection; an FSIC will be issued as a requirement for the issuance of Business Permit

FALAR 2

A 3 sets of documentation shall be submitted by the owner to the Fire Marshal, duly signed by the contractor and the construction manager certifying that the construction was in accordance with the FALAR 1; an FSIC shall then be issued as a requirement for the issuance of occupancy permit;

FALAR 1

A 3 sets of documentation on safety features of the facility shall be submitted together with 6 sets of plans and specifications before a building plan shall be evaluated

FALAR 1

FALAR 2

FALAR applicability For all buildings

FALAR 3

FALAR applicability For buildings with occupant load of at least 50

FSEC

Released once building plans and specs are found to be in accordance with the Fire Code;

Required for building permits

FSIC

Certifies that the building was inspected and was found to be OK

FSIC

Required for occupancy permits, business permits, permits to operate, PHILHEALTH accreditation for hospitals, DOH License to Operate

Building permit

Written governmental permission for the construction, alteration, or demolition of an improvement, showing compliance with building codes and zoning ordinances.

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

915mm

min. width of means of egress

2

no. of exits for 0-499 occupant load

3

no. of exits for 500-1000 occupant load

4

no. of exits for 1000 or more occupant load

15m

Travel distance to exits for individual rooms with max. occupant load of 6:

Yards, courts, open spaces

Exit discharge

interruption

Exits that continue beyond the floor of discharge: provide an ____

2m

min. dimension pf headroom

self-closing mechanism

RA 9514, type of exit doors

710-1220mm

clear opening for doors

13mm

max. threshold height of door

Panic hardware

A mechanical device which when pushed from the inside will cause the door to open

7kg-f

max. requires force for a panic hardware

2/3

Panic hardware width of the door

760-1120mm

panic hardware distance from the floor

new stairs

existing stairs

two sets of stair requirements

1120mm or 44in

min. width for new stairs with less than 2000 persons

1420mm or 56in

min. width for new stairs with more than 2000 persons

180mm or 7in

max. height of risers for new stairs

100mm or 4in

min. height of risers for new stairs

280mm or 11in

min. tread depth for new stairs

2000mm or 80in

min. headroom for new stairs

3660mm or 144in

max. height between landings for new stairs

915mm or 36in

min. width clear of all obstructions for existing stairs;

except projections not more than 114mm (4-1/2in) at or below handrail height on each side

205mm or 8in

max. height of risers for existing stairs

230mm or 9in

min. tread depth for existing stairs

2000mm or 80in

min. headroom for existing stairs

3660mm or 144in

max. height between landings for existing stairs

760-865mm

Handrails height from upper surface of tread

1120mm or 44in

min. width clear of all obstructions for NEW RAMPS

except projections not more than 114mm (4-1/2in) at or below handrail height on each side

1:12

max. slope for new ramps

1:48

max. cross slope for new ramps

760mm or 30in

max. rise for a single ramp run

50%

Fire escape stairs should not constitute more than ____ of required exit capacity

Fire escape stairs

Allowed as means of egress only in existing buildings

Ladders

Not allowed as fire escape or means of egress

exit

Label all exits as

Exit marking

Provide directional signs for locations where the direction of travel to exit is not obvious

15cm, 19mm

The word "EXIT" height and width

letter size

Emergency evacuation plan min. dimension

Emergency evacuation plan

Posted in strategic and conspicuous locations

photoluminescent

exit signs that are charged during the day with energy absorbed from the ambient lighting during normal building operation

photoluminescent

Emergency evacuation plan background

Fire alarms

Notifies occupants of the building and, when required, emergency forces

64mm

Wet standpipes min. diameter