RA 9514 Revised Fire Code of the Philippines Slides PDF

REPUBLIC ACT 9514 Revised Fire Code of the Philippines Repealing clause RA 9514 repeals PD 1185 (the old Fire Code). Outline of RA 9514 1. Interpretation 2. Coverage 3. Definition of terms 4. Authority of the BFP 5. Reorganization of the BFP 6. Fire brigades, safety practitioners 7...

REPUBLIC ACT 9514 Revised Fire Code of the Philippines Repealing clause RA 9514 repeals PD 1185 (the old Fire Code). Outline of RA 9514 1. Interpretation 2. Coverage 3. Definition of terms 4. Authority of the BFP 5. Reorganization of the BFP 6. Fire brigades, safety practitioners 7. Assistance to the BFP Outline of RA 9514 8. Fire safety enforcers 9. Enforcement and administration 10. Fire safety measures 11. Prohibited acts 12. Fire code taxes 13. Administrative courses of action 14. Miscellaneous provisions Focus on three rules only Rule 3: Definition of terms Rule 9: Enforcement/admin, because: – Inspections and evaluations – FALAR – FSIC Rule 10: Fire safety measures, because: – Various design requirements  RULE 3 Definition of terms Abatement Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard Automatic fire 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 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, Combination standpipe A pipeline system filled with water and connected to a constant water supply Dry standpipe A standpipe system in which pipes are normally not filled with water. Water is introduced into the system through fire service connections when needed. Fire alarm Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn a building’s occupants of the presence of fire Fire alerting system A fire alarm system activated by the 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 which when applied improves the resistivity or fire resistance quality of a material High-rise building Buildings 15 meters or more in height Horizontal exit A passageway from one building to another, through or around a wall, on approximately the same floor level Means of egress A continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one point in a building to a public way Occupancy The purpose for which a building or space is used Occupant load The maximum number of persons that may be allowed to occupy a particular building or space Overloading The use of electrical appliances which draw or consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system 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 Flame spread rating Time in which flame will spread over the surface of a burning material  RULE 9 Enforcement of fire safety measures General enforcement General enforcement Inspection of all buildings shall be done by the Fire Marshall Fire Safety Inspection Cetrtificate (FSIC) shall be a prerequisite for permits/licenses, including: – Occupancy permit – Business permit General enforcement The Fire Marshall and the Building Official shall review designs/drawings and issue the Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC) if the design is determined to be in accordance with the Fire Code Evaluation and inspection Building plan review Six sets of plans are sent from the Building Official to the Fire Marshall for review A plan evaluator review the drawings Based on findings, the FSEC will either be released or denied Note: FALAR 1 is required before plan review Construction inspection The Fire Marshall shall conduct inspections during construction to ensure that plans are being followed Inspection after completion The Fire Marshall needs to conduct another inspection before the Building Official can issue an occupancy permit When the Building Official receives an application for occupancy permit, the Fire Marshall shall be notified Inspection after completion Fire Marshall conducts inspection If OK, the Fire Marshall issues the FSIC and notifies the Building Official Note: FALAR 2 is required for issuance of FSIC Routine inspection Routine inspection FALAR What is the FALAR? Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report Three kinds: – FALAR 1 – FALAR 2 – FALAR 3 The three FALARs 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 applicability For all buildings: – FALAR 1 – FALAR 2 For buildings with occupant load of at least 50: – FALAR 3 (annually) FALAR 1 Documentation on fire and life safety features of the facility A written report prepared by the Architect and his Fire Protection Consultant A compilation of plans and specs and design analysis FALAR 2 Documentation submitted by contractor/CM certifying that construction was in accordance with FALAR 1 A compilation report of all approved submittals, test forms, acceptance forms Shall be included in the as-built documents given by contractor to owner FALAR 3 Documentation of required periodic maintenance and upkeep of facility Written report prepared by the building owner, his fire safety officer A compilation of the maintenance and testing records FSEC FSEC Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance Released once building plans and specs are found to be in accordance with the Fire Code Required for building permits FSIC FSIC Fire Safety Inspection Certificate Certifies that the building was inspected and was found to be OK Required for occupancy permits, business permits, permits to operate, PHILHEALTH accreditation for hospitals, DOH License to Operate Making sense of everything Scenario 1: Building permit You need a building permit, so you need an FSEC. You need an FSEC, so you need a building plan review. You need a building plan review so you prepare FALAR 1 along with other requirements (6 sets of drawings, etc.). Scenario 2: Occupancy permit You’re done with construction so you need an occupancy permit. You need an occupancy permit so you need an FSIC. You need an FSIC so you need an inspection. You want them to release FSIC after inspection so you prepare FALAR 2. Scenario 3: Business permit You need to get/renew a business permit so you need an FSIC. You need an FSIC so you need an inspection. You want them to release the FSIC after inspection, so you prepare FALAR 3.  RULE 10 Fire safety measures Means of egress 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 Minimum width: 915mm Number of exits For any storey, mezzanine, balcony, etc: – 0-499 occupant load: 2 exits – 500-1000 occupant load: 3 exits – 1000 or more: 4 exits Travel distance to exits Depends on occupancy For individual rooms with max. O.L of 6: – 15 meters from any point in the room Discharge from exits Exits should terminate directly at a public way or an exit discharge – Exit discharge: Yards, courts, open spaces, etc. Exits that continue beyond the floor of discharge: provide an interruption Headroom Minimum of 2.00m Doors Provide a self-closing mechanism for exit doors Clear opening: 710mm-1220mm Maximum threshold height: 13mm Panic hardware A mechanical device which when pushed from the inside will cause the door to open Maximum required force: 7kg-f 2/3 the width of the door 760-112mm above the floor Panic hardware A mechanical device which when pushed from the inside will cause the door to open Maximum required force: 7kg-f 2/3 the width of the door 760-112mm above the floor Stairs All stairways designated as a means of egress should be continuous from the uppermost floor level to the ground floor Two sets of requirements – New stairs – Existing stairs Handrails 760mm-865mm from upper surface of tread Ramps Fire escape stairs Allowed as means of egress only in existing buildings Should not constitute more than 50% of required exit capacity Ladders Not allowed as fire escape or means of egress Exit marking Label all exits as “EXIT” Provide directional signs for locations where the direction of travel to exit is not obvious The word “EXIT” should be in letters at least 15cm high with strokes of letters at least 19mm wide Emergency evacuation plan Minimum dimension: letter size Posted in strategic and conspicuous locations Photoluminescent background Features of fire protection Protection of vertical openings Stairways, elevator shafts, chutes and other vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected to prevent the spread of fire, except if protected by automatic fire suppression systems Sprinkler vent method A combination of an automatic detection system, automatic exhaust system, and an automatic water curtain Recommended for escalators Spray nozzle method A combination of an automatic fire or smoke detection system and a system of high- velocity water spray nozzle Partial enclosure method Enclose the opening (for example, escalator) with partitions. Provide door to access escalator/opening. Firestopping concealed space Concealed space: areas in which materials have a flame-spread rating greater than Class A are exposed KATAMAD. Fire alarms Notifies occupants of the building and, when required, emergency forces Automatic fire department notification is required for: – High rise buildings – Hospitals – -Schools, hotels, apartments 4 storeys or taller – Malls Wet standpipes Wet standpipes required for the following: – Aseembly occupancies with at least 1,000 occupant load – Schools, hospitals, businesses, hotels, etc. 4 storeys or taller – Hazardous occupancies exceeding 1,860 sqm per floor Exceptions: – Buildings with an approved sprinkler system Wet standpipes All portions of the building must be within 6 meters of a nozzle attached to a 22.00m long hose Minimum of 64mm diameter Places of assembly Occupant load Concentrated use without fixed seats, such as auditoriums, places of worship, dance floors: 0.65 sqm/person Less concentrated use such as conference rooms, dining rooms, gyms: 1.40sqm/person Standing rooms/waiting space: 0.28sqm/person Mininum corridor width If serving 50 or more persons: 1120mm Travel distance to exits 46 meters if with sprinkler system 61 meters if without sprinkler system Seating Rows of seats back to back: 830mm At least 300mm from back of one seat to front of the next seat Seats between aisles: 14 maximum Seats between wall and aisle: 7 Seats without arms: Allot 600mm/person Minimum width of aisles If 60 seats or less, 760mm If more than 60 seats: – Single-loaded aisle: 915mm – Double-loaded isle: 1220mm Measured farthest from exit Widens 25mm for each meter towards exit Educational occupancies Occupant loads Classroom: 1.80sqm/person Shops, laboratories: 4.60sqm/person Dry nurseries with sleeping facilities: 3.30sqm/person Rooms with greater than 50 occupants shall be treated as a place of assembly Number of exits At least two exits from any room with capacity of 50 or more persons, or area of more than 93 sqm. Travel distance to exits 46 meters if with sprinkler system 61 meters if without sprinkler system Mininum corridor width 1.83 m Special provisions for preschools Rooms used for preschoolers, first grade and second grade pupils shall not be located below or above the floor of exit discharge Healthcare Occupant loads Sleeping departments: 11.1sqm/person In-patient treatment departments: 22.3sqm/perosn Door widths 1120mm: sleeping rooms, diagnostic and treatment rooms (surgery. X-Ray, PT, etc.) 910mm: All other rooms Detention and correctional Occupant load 11.1sqm/peron Travel distance to exits Between any room door intended as exit access and an exit: 30.00m Between any point in the room: 46.00m Any point in a sleeping room to the door in that room: 10.00m Residential Occupant load 18.60sqm/person Except for single and two-family dwellings Hotels Minimum corridor width: 1120mm Minimum umber of exits: 2 for every floor Travel distance to exits: – From room door to exit: 30.00m – From guest suite to corridor door: 23.00m (w/o sprinklers) – From guest suite to corridor door: 38.00m (w/ sprinklers) Apartment buildings Minimum corridor width – For less than 50 persons: 910mm – Fore more than 50 persons: 1120mm Travel distance to exits: – Within any unit to nearest exit: 15.50m, one storey away max – From apartment entrance to exit: 31.00m, or 46.50m if with sprinklers Single and two-family dwellings In dwellings with more than 2 rooms, every habitable room shall have at least 2 means of escape, at least one which is a door/stairway No habitable room shall be accessible only by a ladder, folding stairs, or through a trap door Every sleeping room = 1 window min. Single and two-family dwellings No exit access from sleeping rooms to outside shall be less than 900mm wide Doors in the path of travel should be 700mm minimum Mercantile Mercantile Stores, markets, malls, supermarkets, department stores, restaurants of less than 50 occupants – Class A: Gross area of 2,787sqm or more, 3 floors – Class B: Gross area of 287-2,787sqm, 2 floors – Class C: Gross area less than 287sqm, street floor only Occupant load Street floor or below street floor: 2.80sqm Upper floors: 5.60sqm Floors not open to public/offices: 9.30sqm Covered malls: 2.8sqm/person Maximum travel distance 30.00m if without sprinklers 46.00m if with sprinklers Business Business Businesses other than mercantile Businesses that typically involve services and not the display and sale of merchandise Examples: Doctor/lawyer/dentist’s office, internet shops, barbershops, general offices Occupant load 9.30sqm/person Travel distance to exit 46.00m if without sprinklers 61.00m if with sprinklers High rise buildings High rise buildings A building in which the distance between the floor of the topmost storey and the ground level is 15.00m or more Building height shall be measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, to the floor of the highest occupiable storey Sprinkler requirements All high rise buildings shall be provided with a fully electrically supervised sprinkler system Other occupancies Industrial Occupant load: 9.30sqm/person Minimum corridor width: 1120mm Travel distance: – 31.00m if no sprinklers – 46.00m if with sprinklers Exit capacity The capacity of an exit is measured in terms of its width – Width of level components (corridors/ramps) – Width of non-level components (stairways) This width is based on how many people will need to pass (width/person) Occupant load Maximum number of persons allowed to occupy a space at any time Floor area/occupant load factor Occupant load Maximum number of persons allowed to occupy a space at any time Floor area/occupant load factor Features of fire protection Places of assembly Educational occupancies Healthcare Healthcare