Philippine Mechanical Code Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a Class III standpipe system?

To maintain a permanent water supply for automatic systems

To provide water for extinguishing fires in vehicles

To supply both building occupants and fire departments with water (correct)

To function as a manual pump for emergency water supply

Which of the following describes a wet-chemical extinguishing agent?

A combination of water and potassium-based chemicals for fanning and extinguishing (correct)

A non-water-based chemical solution for cooling hot surfaces

A solid chemical agent applied during firefighting efforts

A solution of water combined only with potassium-carbonate

Who is responsible for the maintenance of a fire protection system?

Fire marshal

Impairment coordinator (correct)

Safety officer

Risk manager

What characterizes a manual dry standpipe system?

It requires water from a fire department pumper to function Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum allowable pressure for sprinkler heads in a sprinkler system?

175 psi Signup and view all the answers

What is the required discharge rate for structures manufacturing cellulose nitrate plastic?

1.66 gal/min/sq.ft Signup and view all the answers

How often should a dry chemical extinguishing system be inspected and tested?

Every 6 months Signup and view all the answers

In which types of buildings is a foam extinguishing system particularly necessary?

Maintenance aircraft hangars Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire extinguishing system utilizes carbon dioxide as its primary fire suppression agent?

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing System Signup and view all the answers

What type of sprinkler system is activated by heat and discharges water over a fire area?

Automatic Sprinkler System Signup and view all the answers

In which extinguishing system is foam employed to provide protection over the fire area?

Foam Extinguishing System Signup and view all the answers

What type of alarm is activated by causes that cannot be determined, including system malfunctions?

Nuisance Alarm Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a Class II Standpipe System from a Class I Standpipe System?

The size of hose connections Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following systems uses halogen elements such as fluorine and bromine for extinguishing fires?

Halogenated Extinguishing System Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of an Automatic Fire Extinguishing System?

Automatically detects a fire and discharges an agent Signup and view all the answers

Which system is characterized by its piping connected to a valve that opens through a detection mechanism?

Deluge System Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum distance a boiler must be located from the outside wall of a building not made of fire-resistive material?

3 m Signup and view all the answers

What is the required wind load resistance for smoke stacks?

175 km/hr Signup and view all the answers

For boilers with a heating surface of more than 46 sq m, how many means of feeding water are required?

Two Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum height smoke stacks must rise above the eaves of any building within a radius of 50 m?

5 m Signup and view all the answers

How many safety valves are required for boilers with a water surface heating of more than 46 sq m?

Two Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum pressure that sprinkler heads should not exceed?

175 psi Signup and view all the answers

What is the effective temperature range for comfortable cooling?

15 deg C to 17 deg C Signup and view all the answers

In what type of areas should carbon dioxide extinguishing systems not be installed?

Areas occupied by persons Signup and view all the answers

What is the required effective relative humidity for comfortable cooling?

50% to 60% Signup and view all the answers

What is the age limit for a specific type of boiler operating over a certain pressure?

30 years Signup and view all the answers

What minimum height must be maintained between the top of a boiler proper and the ceiling?

2,130 mm Signup and view all the answers

When using ammonia, how much water is required for every 120 gallons of ammonia?

1 liter Signup and view all the answers

At what temperature does the quick response for wet-pipe foam-water sprinkler systems activate?

75 deg.F Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum height a valve stem must be above the ceiling in new boiler installations?

915 mm Signup and view all the answers

How frequently should carbon dioxide extinguishing systems be inspected and tested?

12 months Signup and view all the answers

How high must a compressor or condensing unit rest above the ground?

3 inches Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum height limitation for using dry standpipe systems?

More than 8-storey building Signup and view all the answers

For which type of buildings is a Class I automatic wet or manual wet standpipe system required?

Underground buildings Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum net free area required for permanent gravity ventilation openings?

2 ft² Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire-extinguishing system uses halogen chemical series elements?

Halogenated extinguishing system Signup and view all the answers

What is the required frequency for mechanical exhaust systems to change the air in a room?

20 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the required travel distance to exits for building sprinkler systems in a flexible plan building?

46 m Signup and view all the answers

What is the height above the floor at which fire extinguishers should be installed?

1,500 mm Signup and view all the answers

What height is required for automatic sprinkler systems in business occupancy buildings?

15 m high Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum number of persons allowed to work in an area per square meter?

1 person per 12 square meters Signup and view all the answers

How many times the weight of machinery should the foundation mass be if only the machinery's weight is considered?

3 to 5 times Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum height requirement for standard railings from the floor level?

1000 mm Signup and view all the answers

What is the safe bearing capacity factor of safety for the distribution of weight of machinery and foundation?

5 Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum isolation distance recommended for a machine foundation from floor slab or building footings?

25 mm Signup and view all the answers

What is the explosive range of air and gasoline vapors?

1.3 % to 6.0 % Signup and view all the answers

How many times the weight of machinery should the foundation mass be if unbalanced forces produced by the machine are known?

10 to 20 times Signup and view all the answers

How are LPG mixtures primarily classified commercially?

Propane and Butane Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philippine Mechanical Code Study Notes

Equipment Enclosures: Roof-mounted equipment enclosures must withstand local climate. Minimum 36 inches (900 mm) clearance between panels and enclosure walls.
Guards and Rails: Equipment must have at least 6 feet (1829 mm) clearance from roof edges or similar hazards. Exposed sides of building structures must have guards at least 42 inches (1067 mm) high.
Strainer Plates: Drain inlet strainer plate openings should not exceed ½ inch in smallest dimension.
Elevator Hoisting Ropes: Traction elevators need at least 3 hoisting ropes. Drum-type elevators require at least 2 ropes. Minimum diameter for hoisting and counterweight ropes is 30 mm.
Elevator Service: Apartments or condominiums with 5 or more stories require at least 1 elevator on 24-hour service. A maximum of 4 elevators are allowed in any one hoistway.
Boiler Location: Boilers not made of fire-resistant material should be located a minimum of 3 meters from main building walls
Smoke Stack Capacity: Smoke stacks (self-supporting or guyed) must handle fuel gases. Minimum wind load capacity of 175 km/hr.
Smoke Stack Height: Smoke stacks should rise at least 5 meters above building eaves within a 50-meter radius.
Boiler Water Feeds: Boilers exceeding 46 sq meters heating surface require 2 water feed systems (including one electrically driven and one steam-driven OR one pump and one injector).
Boiler Safety Valves: Each boiler requires at least one safety valve; boilers over 46sqm of heating surface or generating capacity exceeding 910 kg/hr require at least 2 safety valves.
Escalator Inclination: Escalators can't exceed 30 degrees and less than 1.2 m width.
Effective Temperature: Comfortable cooling for living areas needs 18 °C to 22 °C and 50% to 60% humidity.
Refrigerant Container Storage: Maximum 140 kg of refrigerant in approved containers is permitted in one machine room.
Ammonia Discharge: Ammonia discharge should be into a water tank, dedicated exclusively for ammonia absorption, at a rate of 1 liter of water per 120 gallons of ammonia.
Refrigerant Plant Protection: Helmets and refrigerant masks are required for refrigerating plants with ratings above 45 kg.
Window AC Exhaust: Window-type air conditioners, discharging into corridors or walkways, must have exhaust ducts at least 2.10 meters above the ground level.
Pneumatic Tank Pressure: Pneumatic tanks should be designed for a pressure at least 1.5 times the dynamic pressure.
Piping Diameter: Flanged fittings are required for piping with diameters of 100mm or more; piping less than 100 mm uses screwed fittings. Automatic shut-off devices are required for piping carrying propane, butane, and other gases heavier than air.
Boiler Classifications: Different boiler types (hot water, low pressure, miniature, package) have specific pressure and temperature restrictions, and requirements.
Pressure Vessel (Unfired): Closed containers with diameters exceeding 6 inches and volumes exceeding 1.5 cubic feet used for liquids at pressures exceeding 15 psia (103 kPa), including steam.
Standpipe Classes: Standpipe systems for building use are classified based on the intended use for water quantity supplied. (Class I, II, III)
Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems: Automatic fire extinguishing, sprinkling, carbon dioxide, deluge, foam, and halogenated systems are required for specific building uses, occupancy and structural characteristics.
Inspection Intervals: Regular inspection intervals are required for various fire safety equipment systems
Accessibility of Machinary: Machine rooms must have sufficient walking space for operations and maintenance (at least 3 ft wide; 6 feet 8 inches high)
Building Occupancies: Buildings with high storage or specific occupations require supervised sprinkler systems.
Building Heights: Different standpipe classes based on different storey counts
Fire Extinguisher Height: Fire extinguishers should be installed 1500mm above the floor level.
Pressure Zones: Sprinkler heads should not be subjected to pressures exceeding 175 psi.
Occupant Density: Work rooms should have a minimum ceiling-to-floor height of 3000 mm and not exceed 1 person per 12 square meters.
Foundation Mass: Machine foundations should be 3-to-5 times the weight of the machinery they support.
Boiler Height: Minimum 2130mm between ceiling and high points of boiler.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of the Philippine Mechanical Code with this quiz that covers essential topics like equipment enclosures, guards and rails, elevator requirements, and boiler locations. Ensure you understand safety standards and regulations involved in mechanical installations.