Comprehensive Guide to the Bureau of Fire Protection and Fire Safety Standards
The Bureau of Fire Protection and Republic Act No. 6975
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was established through the enactment of Republic Act No. 6975, which is formally titled the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act of 1990. Under this legislative mandate, the Fire Service was transitioned from the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP) to become a separate and distinct agency known as the Bureau of Fire Protection on August 2, 1991. The primary mandates of the BFP involve the prevention and suppression of all types of destructive fires, the conduct of fire investigations, the provision of emergency medical and rescue services, and the strict enforcement of Republic Act No. 9514.
The Revised Fire Code of the Philippines (R.A. 9514)
Republic Act No. 9514, otherwise known as the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), serve as the primary legal framework for fire safety in the country. This law mandates several critical safety measures, including the performance of Fire Safety Inspections and the facilitation of Fire Safety Seminars. Furthermore, it requires the conduct of Fire Drills and the establishment of a dedicated Fire Brigade for any establishment that employs a minimum of persons. These regulations ensure that workplaces and public spaces maintain a baseline level of preparedness and safety compliance.
The Nature and Chemistry of Fire
According to RA 9514, fire is defined as the active principle of burning, which is specifically characterized by the heat and light produced during combustion. From a scientific perspective, it is a rapid oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of light and heat at varying intensities. For fire to occur and be sustained, specific conditions regarding oxygen and heat must be met. Oxygen sources are vital, as a minimum of approximately oxygen is required for burning to take place, whereas normal atmospheric air contains approximately . It is also noted that some fuel materials contain enough oxygen within their own chemical makeup to support combustion without external air.
Heat sources are necessary to reach the ignition temperature of a fuel. These sources can include open flames, direct energy from the sun, hot surfaces, sparks and arcs, friction, chemical actions, electrical energy, and the compression of gases. The fuels consumed by fire exist in three states: gas, liquid, and solid. Gaseous fuels include natural gas, propane, butane, hydrogen, acetylene, and carbon monoxide. Liquid fuels encompass gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, alcohol, liver oil, paint, varnish, and lacquer. Solid fuels range from bulky items like wood and coal to finely divided materials such as dust, paper, cloth, plastic, and various grains. The interaction of these elements concludes in a chemical reaction that sustains the flame.
Stages of Fire Development
The life cycle of a fire is broken down into several distinct stages. The first is the Ignition Stage, which is the exact point where the fire starts; in this stage, there is an abundance of oxygen but relatively little heat and smoke, with the fire remaining small and confined to the initial fuel source. This is followed by the Growth Stage, during which temperature and smoke levels rise while oxygen levels begin to decrease. In this phase, the fuel dries out, and hot gases rise to the ceiling before spreading outward toward the walls. The smoke layer thickens and the fire begins spreading to nearby furniture.
A critical transition is the Flashover, which represents the shift between the growth stage and the fully developed stage. This is marked by huge volumes of smoke indicating a rapid change in the situation, often involving all exposed combustibles and a significant decrease in visibility as gases are generated by intense heat. In the Fully Developed stage, all combustible materials present are burning continuously, and the maximum amount of heat is released. The volume of the fire here is contingent upon the size and number of ventilation openings; unburned gases may flow into adjacent spaces and ignite upon meeting oxygen-rich air. Finally, the Decay stage occurs when the fire's intensity decreases due to a lack of available fuel, leading to a state where most fuel has been consumed and efforts are focused on cooling the remaining embers.
Methods of Heat Transfer
Heat energy is transferred during a fire through four primary methods. Radiation is the transmission of heat energy through electromagnetic waves. Convection involves the transfer of heat energy through the movement of heated fluids, which include both liquids and gases. Conduction is the transmission of heat from one body to another or from one molecule to another through direct contact within a solid material. Direct Contact is the fourth method, where the flame itself touches a new fuel source.
Fire Extinguishment Theory and Methods
The theory of fire extinguishment is based on removing one or more elements of the fire tetrahedron. Cooling involves temperature reduction by using agents that absorb heat; water is considered the best cooling agent, and foam is also effective as it contains approximately water. Smothering is the process of oxygen dilution or deprivation, which can be achieved by securing doors in a closed position, displacing oxygen with , or blanketing the fire with a wet blanket or foam. Fuel Removal involves shutting off the fuel supply or relocating flammable and combustible materials away from the heat source. Inhibition refers to breaking the chemical chain reaction of combustion using specific chemical agents.
Classifications of Fire and Extinguishing Agents
Fires are classified based on the type of fuel they consume to determine the appropriate extinguishing method. Class A fires involve ordinary combustibles or fibrous materials such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and some plastics. Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids like gasoline, kerosene, paint, thinners, and propane. Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment, including appliances, switches, panel boxes, and power tools. Class D fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, and sodium, which may react violently with water. Class K fires involve combustible cooking fluids, specifically oils and fats found in kitchens.
Fire extinguishers are the primary first-aid firefighting appliances and include several types. Hexafluoropropane (HFC-236fa or FE-36) is a "clean agent" that serves as an environmentally preferred alternative to Halon; it has zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and is compliant with the Montreal Protocol and RA 8749 (The Philippine Clean Air Act). It is recommended for Class A, B, and C fires. Dry Chemical extinguishers are the most widely used multipurpose tools effective for Class A, B, and C fires, working by creating a barrier between oxygen and fuel. Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) extinguishers remove heat and separate oxygen, primarily for Class A and sometimes Class B fires, though they pose a shock hazard for Class C. Wet Chemical (Class K) extinguishers were developed for modern deep-fat fryers, removing heat and preventing re-ignition. Dry Powder extinguishers are strictly for Class D fires and are ineffective on all other classes.
Operating Fire Extinguishers and Fire Drill Procedures
The standard procedure for operating a fire extinguisher is the P.A.S.S. method: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle, Squeeze the lever, and Sweep side to side at the base of the fire. A fire extinguisher consists of several parts: the discharge hose, discharge nozzle, discharge orifice, body, data plate, carrying handle, pressure gauge (not present on models), discharge lever, and the locking pin and seal.
A Fire Drill is a practical exercise designed to teach occupants how to leave a building safely. Its purposes are to ensure the efficient use of exits, prevent panic, help occupants locate fire exits, ensure a smooth and disciplined evacuation, familiarize occupants with the fire alarm sound, and establish assembly points at designated evacuation areas.
Organizational Structure of a Fire Brigade
A Fire Brigade is led by the Fire Marshal (FM), who monitors the situation, sets up a Command Post, maintains building floor plans, and organizes drills. The Assistant Brigade Marshal (ABM) takes charge in the FM's absence. The Communication Team confirms the fire and calls the fire station or emergency hotlines while preparing public addresses. The Firefighting Team must have at least members acting as a Nozzle man, Back-up, Line man, and Valve operator; the first responders (2 persons) should bring fire extinguishers and a handheld radio to provide quick assessments.
The Evacuation Team requires at least members per floor to assist occupants to safety. The Security/Traffic Team, composed of all security personnel, guides BFP responders and assists with crowd control. The Rescue Team conducts search and rescue and brings victims to the first aid station. The Salvage Team is responsible for saving property to minimize financial loss. The First Aid Team applies basic first aid and CPR, while also monitoring the hospitals where victims are sent. Finally, Fire Safety Personnel perform daily inspections and manage isolation valves for the sprinkler system.
Emergency Protocols and Building Safety Features
In the event of a fire, individuals should remain calm, proceed to evacuation areas, leave via the nearest exit, notify others, and never return to the burning building. A Command Post must be established with a white board, floor plans, and radios. The white board should record essential data: time fire started, floors involved, time of call to the fire department, time evacuation started and ended, arrival of responders, time of "fire out," victim names, injury types, responding ambulances, and recipient hospitals.
Buildings must be equipped with basic fire safety features, including Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (Sprinklers), Fire Hose Cabinets, Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (Smoke detectors), Means of Egress (Emergency Exits), and Portable Fire Extinguishers. Firefighters utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including helmets, bunker/fire coats, trousers, suspenders, gloves, and fire boots. General safety tips include identifying hazards, unplugging unnecessary equipment, maintaining good housekeeping, enforcing "No Smoking" policies, avoiding overloaded circuits, and ensuring full attendance at fire safety seminars and drills.