Philippine Mechanical Code Overview

If a building isn't fire-resistant, boilers must be placed at least 3 meters away from its exterior wall.

Smoke stacks, whether supported independently or with cables, should be strong enough to withstand winds reaching 175 km/hr.

Smoke stacks need to be at least 5 meters taller than the highest part of any building within a 50-meter radius.

Boilers with a heating surface exceeding 46 square meters require two separate methods for feeding water: one steam-driven and one either electric or using a pump and injector.

Besides the regular shut-off valve, there should be two check valves installed between the feed pump and the boiler.

Every boiler needs at least one safety valve, and boilers with a heating surface exceeding 46 square meters or a steam production rate exceeding 910 kg/hr require two safety valves.

The steam gauge on each boiler should measure pressures from 1.5 to 2 times the maximum allowable working pressure.

For comfortable cooling, aim for an air temperature between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.

A fire suppression system that automatically detects a fire and discharges an approved fire extinguishing agent.

A system of underground and overhead piping, activated by heat, that discharges water over the fire area.

A fire suppression system that utilizes carbon dioxide (CO2) to extinguish fires, delivered through fixed pipes and nozzles. It can be activated manually or automatically.

A fire extinguishing agent that is electrically non-conducting, volatile, or gaseous and does not leave residue after evaporation.

A sprinkler system that uses open sprinklers connected to a water supply through a valve, which is opened by a detection system installed in the same area. All sprinklers attached to the piping system discharge water simultaneously.

A fire suppression system utilizing foam made from concentrates to extinguish fires, either mechanically or chemically.

A fire extinguishing system that uses one or more atoms from the halogen chemical series (fluorine chlorine, bromine and iodine) to suppress fire.

An alarm caused by a mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of maintenance or a cause that cannot be determined.

A standpipe system designed for building occupants with 1.5-inch connections and a larger 2.5-inch connection for fire departments.

A water-based extinguishing agent containing potassium carbonate or acetate designed to suppress fire by cooling and disrupting the chemical chain reaction.

The individual responsible for maintaining the functionality and readiness of a specific fire protection system.

A fire protection system that transmits and receives signals without the need for wires.

A dry standpipe system with no permanent water supply, requiring a fire department pumper to provide water through a connection.

A wet standpipe system connected to a water supply but lacking the capacity to meet full system demand. It needs additional water provided by a fire department pumper.

Sprinkler systems should be divided into pressure zones to prevent exceeding a maximum pressure of 175 psi on sprinkler heads.

Buildings involved in manufacturing or storing cellulose nitrate materials must have automatic sprinkler systems capable of discharging 1.66 gallons per minute per square foot.

A sprinkler head designed to quickly activate in wet-pipe foam-water sprinkler systems.

Carbon Dioxide extinguishing systems should be inspected and tested every year to ensure they are working properly.

High-pressure cylinders used in fire suppression systems need to be weighed and their hydrostatic test dates verified every 6 months.

Dry standpipe systems (Class I or III) are not suitable for buildings taller than 8 stories.

Wet standpipe systems (Class I or III) are not suitable for buildings taller than 8 stories.

Underground buildings should use wet standpipe systems throughout, either automated or manually operated.

Buildings with five or more floors and multiple residential units require elevators.

Sprinkler heads should not be exposed to pressure exceeding 175 psi.

Carbon dioxide fire suppression systems are not allowed in areas where people typically occupy.

Horizontal return tubular boilers with longitudinal lap joints operating above 3.45 Bar gauge pressure have a maximum service life of 30 years.

A minimum of 2,130 mm must be maintained between the top of the boiler and the ceiling when installing or replacing boilers.

The valve stem on a single boiler or self-contained unit must be at least 915 mm above the ceiling.

Compressors or condensing units supported on the ground should rest on a concrete base extending at least 3 inches (76 mm) above the ground level.

Spaces requiring natural ventilation must have permanent openings with a minimum of 2 ft² net free area, directly to the outside or through a continuous duct.

Mechanical exhaust systems in rooms requiring ventilation should be able to change the air completely at least every 20 minutes.

LPG is primarily composed of propane and butane, which are hydrocarbons liquefied under pressure for efficient storage and transportation.

Kerosene is a petroleum distillate that ignites at a minimum temperature of 22.8°C, making it suitable for use in wick lamps.

A mixture of air and gasoline vapors can be explosive if the concentration falls between 1.3% and 6.0%.

Coke is the solid residue left after heating bituminous coal without air. This process removes volatile components, leaving behind a hard, carbon-rich material.

Crude oil is classified as paraffinic, naphthenic, or mixed base depending on its physical characteristics.

Standard railings should be at least 1000mm tall from the floor to the top of the rail.

Work rooms, such as machine rooms and maintenance shops, require a minimum ceiling height of 3000mm from the floor.

The maximum number of people allowed in a work area should not exceed one person per 12 square meters.