Fire Code Of The Philippines

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Fire Code of the Philippines

Declaration of Policies (Section 2):
- Develop fire safety standards and regulations suitable for Philippine conditions. (2a)
- Emphasize fire prevention and fire safety education as much as fire suppression. (2b)
- Improve the Fire Service's organization, personnel, equipment, and fire alarm systems. (2c)
- Professionalize the Fire Service through educational institutions offering fire technology and fire protection engineering courses. (2d)

Definitions (Section 3):
- Defines various terms related to fire safety, fire hazards, fire equipment, fire materials, and fire operations.

Applicability and Grace Period (Sections 4 and 5):
- The Fire Code applies to all persons and buildings, with a 2-year grace period for existing buildings to comply with fire safety construction and protective systems requirements. (4, 5)

Enforcement and Technical Staff (Sections 6 and 7):
- The Fire Service under the Integrated National Police is responsible for enforcing the Fire Code. (6)
- The Director General can issue rules and regulations, reorganize the Fire Service, acquire equipment, and coordinate with other agencies. (6)
- A technical staff of qualified persons will study fire technology, prepare plans, and advise the Director General. (7)

Inspections, Safety Measures, and Fire Safety Requirements (Section 8):
- Owners, administrators, or occupants must comply with the following:
- Fire safety inspections for permits and licenses. (8a)
- Safety measures for hazardous materials like flammable liquids, explosives, and toxic substances. (8b)
- Safety measures for hazardous operations like welding, industrial baking, and waste disposal. (8c)
- Fire safety constructions like sprinkler systems, fire alarms, fire walls, exits, and emergency lighting. (8d)

Prohibited Acts (Section 9):
- Lists prohibited acts like obstructing exits, fire lanes, or fire service operations, overcrowding public assembly buildings, locking fire exits, smoking in prohibited areas, and tampering with fire safety equipment. (9)

Abatement of Fire Hazards (Sections 10 and 11):
- Fire hazards must be abated immediately upon order from the Director General. (10)
- Buildings declared as firetraps or public nuisances must be abated within 30-60 days, or the government can conduct summary abatement and recover expenses through a lien on the property. (10, 11)

Penalties (Section 12):
- Administrative fines up to ₱12,000 or stoppage of operations/closure for violations. (12a)
- Imprisonment of 6 months to 6 years, or a fine up to ₱20,000, or both for willful failure to correct deficiencies or abate hazards. (12b)

Appropriation and Sources of Income (Sections 13 and 14):
- ₱100 million appropriated for the Fire Service, with additional annual appropriations for 10 years. (13a)
- Taxes and fees imposed, including:
- Fees for certificates, permits, and licenses. (13b1)
- 0.1% of building value, up to ₱50,000, for new constructions. (13b2)
- 0.01% of assessed value of buildings annually, except single-family dwellings. (13b3)
- 2% of fire, earthquake, and explosion insurance premiums. (13b4)
- 2% of gross sales of fire fighting equipment and devices. (13b5)
- 2% of service fees for pre-insurance surveys and post-loss adjustments. (13b6)
- Taxes, fees, and fines collected by local treasurers and remitted to the National Treasury. (14)

Other Provisions:
- Separability clause for unconstitutional provisions. (15)
- Repealing clause for inconsistent laws and regulations. (16)
- Effectivity 30 days after publication in newspapers. (17)