Fire Protection Systems

and
Building Requirements
Fire Code of the Philippines provides that....
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 (SECTION 2, RA 9514).
The need of a building “Fire Protection System”.
Very essential to:

• detect;
• control;
• extinguish; and
• alert building occupants to fire or smoke.
SECTION 7, RA 9514 provides……
Inspections, Safety Measures, Fire Safety,
Constructions and Protective and/or Warning
Systems.
a) Inspection Requirement
A fire safety inspection shall be conducted by
the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized
representative as prerequisite to the grants of
permits and/or licenses by local governments
and other government agencies concerned.
b) Safety Measures for Hazardous Materials

Fire safety measures shall be required for the

manufacture, storage, handling and/or use of
hazardous materials.
c) Safety Measures for Hazardous
Operation/Processes
Fire safety measures shall be required for the
hazardous operation/processes.
d) Provision on Fire Safety Construction,
Protective and Warning System
Owners, occupants or administrator or
buildings, structures and their premises or
facilities, except such other buildings or
structures as may be exempted in the rules and
regulations to be promulgated under Section 5
hereof, shall incorporate and provide therein fire
safety construction, protective and warning
system, and shall develop and implement fire
safety programs.
Such as:
(1) Fire protection featuring sprinkler systems,
hose boxes, hose reels or standpipe systems and
other fire fighting equipment;

(2) Fire alarm systems;

(3) Fire walls to separate adjoining buildings, or
warehouses and storage areas from other
occupancies in the same building;

(4) Provisions for confining the fire at its source

such as fire resistive floors and walls extending
up to the next floor slab or roof;
And others as mentioned in section 7 of this act.
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM
A design to ensure:
 Life Safety
 Saving property
 Preserving business continuity
Components for Fire Building Design
• Detection Systems.
Essentials in order to prevent ignition or continuity of
fire.
• Alarms and Notification Systems.
Alert building occupants and emergency public
responders (police and fire departments) through a
central station link to be able that they can initiate a
response.
• Suppression Systems.
The presence of water sprinklers.
Violations of the Fire Code

In such case, Chief, BFP or duly authorized

representative, upon the report that there is a
violation of this Code, the Chief shall issue order
to comply to the owner, occupant for the
condition of the building, the period within
which compliance shall be within ten (10) to
fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the
notice/order. (Section 9. RA 9514)
After the lapse of the aforesaid period, the owner,
occupant failed to comply, the Chief, BFP shall put up
a sign in front of the building that it is fire hazard
bearing the words "WARNING: THIS
BUILDING/STRUCTURE IS A FIRE HAZARD“. And
remain posted until such time that the owner,
occupant responsible for the condition of the building
abate the hazard, but such period shall not exceed
fifteen (15) days from the lapse of the initial period
given in the order to comply. (Sec. 9 RA 9514)
With the failure of the owner to comply within
the period of completion, the Chief, BFP may
issue order for such abatement. If the owner, or
occupant of buildings, does not abate the same
within the period fixed in said order, the building
or structure shall be ordered closed by the Chief,
BFP or his/her duly authorized representative
despite any permit clearance or certificate earlier
issued by the local authorities (Sec. 9 RA9514).
Any building or structure assessed and declared
by the Chief, BFP as a firetrap (unsafe building
incase of fire) on account of causing clear and
present imminent fire danger to adjoining
establishments and habitations shall be declared
a public nuisance. (case that threaten the health,
safety, comfort, convenience or welfare of the
community) (Sec. 9 RA 9514).
Means all corrective measures undertaken to
abate hazards which shall include, but not
limited to remodeling, repairing, strengthening,
reconstructing, removal and demolition, either
partial or total, of the building or structure (Sec.
9 RA 9514).
 Building Requirements
Building Code provides a standard rules for the
safety in the construction of buildings. Building
codes vary in their fire-resistance requirements
in accordance with the occupancy classification.
RA 6541 – Building Code of the Philippines

A policy of the State to safeguard life, health, property,

and public welfare, consistent with the principles of
environmental management and control.
Hence, the purpose of this Code is to provide all
buildings and structures, with a framework of
minimum standards and requirements by guiding,
regulating, and controlling their location, siting,
design, quality of materials, construction, use,
occupancy, and maintenance (Section 2, Chapter 1 of
RA 6514 IRR).
Building Code Requirements
1. Intended Occupancy and Use
It should be based upon the occupancy of the
individual structure, considering both the
combustibility of the contents and the human
factors of occupancy. For an instance, buildings
that contain high combustible materials call for a
greater degree of fire resistance in the structure.
2. Life Safety
Having adequate fire exits is the most
important feature in designing a building for life
safety. Once fire is notified, occupants can leave
the building in the least possible time through
the exits free from fire, heat, and smoke.
3. Fixed Fire Protection System
Fire protection system installed should be in
accordance with sound economical and
engineering practices. These systems insure the
maximum life safety or maximum degree of
property protection.
4. Spacing Structure
Planning and construction of an adequate
separation of buildings and structures is very
important to prevent the spread of fire from an
adjacent building. Spacing requirements that
restrict types of occupancies or specified areas
having an important bearing upon fire safety.
5. Height Requirement
The height of buildings of masonry or
concrete wall and wood construction is generally
limited to a height assued to bbe the maximum
at which the fire departments can operate and
fight fire effectively. Fire resistive buildings are
commonly permitted without any height limit on
the theory that that structural integrity of the
buildings will be maintained.
6. Fire Retarding Features
Based on the design of the building,
everything possible should be planned and done
to make the facility eventually fire safe. Fire
retarding features must be specified in the
plans. For the safety of personnel, important
provisions in preventing the spread of fire
vertically and horizontally.
Example of Fire Retarting Features
Fire Stops – Concealed spaces in a building filled
with noncombustible material.
Fire Partition – installed to separatevareas of
hazardous occupancies that resist the passage of
fire from one area to another.
Fire Walls – are installed for the purpose of
preventing the passage of fire from one building
to another or from one fire area of a building to
another area.
 Conclusion
Destructive fires are always going to occur, for some instances there is no
possible way to prevent the occurrence. However, there are possible ways to be
done to avoid its dangerous existence.
In order to inhibit unwanted ignitions, fire protection systems should be
installed and activated regardless of what type of structure (residential,
commercial, hospital or educational facility) to be able to detect and prevent
the occurrence and spread of fire. Likewise, authorities should strictly
implement the Fire Code and building Code especially on matters pertaining to
the regulation of issuance of certification, checking the standard specifications
for the building construction and regular monitoring for their compliance.
Indeed, above statements should be taken to ensure the occupants safety
and security from any hazard that may arise. It is likewise important to note for
immediate dissemination of updates regarding the Fire Safety Code to provide
clarity and awareness of compliance for the building occupants/owners.