MALACA�ANG
M a n i l a

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1185

FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, death and injury to persons and loss and damage to property by fire have reached alarming proportion that the economic and social gains of the society are being continually undermined;

WHEREAS, in order to effect a meaningful reduction of the alarming fire losses, there is a need to develop national consciousness and involvement of all persons in the prevention and suppression of fires;

WHEREAS, fire prevention and suppression require the adoption of uniform fire safety standards, the incorporation of fire safety construction and provision of protective and safety devices in buildings and structures;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for an agency primarily responsible for the implementation and coordination of the activities of all sectors of society on fire safety, prevention and suppression;

WHEREAS, in order to effectively implement all efforts to minimize the occurrence of fires and their destructive effects, full financial, equipment and personnel support by the government and the private sector is necessary;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree as part of the law of the land the following:

Section 1. Title. This Decree and the Rules and Regulations for its implementation shall be known as the "Fire Code of the Philippines" and shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Fire Code".

Section 2. Declaration Of Policies. The following are declared policies of the State:

Section 3. Definition Of Terms. As used in this Fire Code, the following words and phrases shall mean and be construed as indicated:

ABATEMENT Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

ADMINISTRATOR Any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages the use of a building for him.

BLASTING AGENT Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.

CELLULOSE NITRATE OR NITRO CELLULOSE A highly combustible and explosive compound produced by the reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.

CELLULOSE NITRATE PLASTIC (PYROXYLIN) Any plastic substance, materials or compound having cellulose nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.

COMBUSTIBLE, FLAMMABLE OR INFLAMMABLE Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.

COMBUSTIBLE FIBER Any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, waste cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss, excelsior and other similar materials commonly used in commerce.

COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID Any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8_C (100_F).

CORROSIVE LIQUID Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals.

CURTAIN BOARD A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials attached to and extending below the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate compartments so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.

CRYOGENIC Descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a result of its reaction with other elements produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate surroundings.

DAMPER A normally open device installed inside an air duct system which automatically closes to restrict the passage of smoke or fire.

DISTILLATION The process of first raising the temperature in separate the more volatile from the less volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified substance.

DUCT SYSTEM A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.

DUST A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion and ignited will cause an explosion.

ELECTRICAL ARC An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric current across a space between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.

EMBER A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still oxidizing without the manifestation of flames.

FINISHES Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective purposes.

FIRE The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.

FIRE TRAP A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits or fire escapes.

FIRE ALARM Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warm the occupants of the building or fire fighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake immediate action to save life and property and to suppress the fire.

FIRE DOOR A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or partitions.

FIRE HAZARD Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the probability of the occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations and the safeguarding of life and property.

FIRE LANE The portion of a roadway or publicway that should be kept opened and unobstructed at all times for the expedient operation of fire fighting units.

FIRE PROTECTIVE AND FIRE SAFETY DEVICE Any device intended for the protection of buildings or persons to include but not limited to built-in protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing system, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion products and other warning system components, personal protective equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and other garments that may be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.

FIRE SAFETY CONSTRUCTIONS Refers to design and installation of walls, barriers, doors, windows, vents, means of egress, etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated. These features are also designed to achieve, among others, safe and rapid evacuation of people through means of egress sealed from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of origin and delay their spread to other parts of the building by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant doors, walls and floors. It shall also mean to include the treatment of buildings components or contents with flame retardant chemicals.

FLASH POINT The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.

FORCING A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.

FULMINATE A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.

HAZARDOUS OPERATION/PROCESS Any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses or produces materials which are likely to cause fires or explosions.

HORIZONTAL EXIT Passageway from one building to another or through or around a wall in approximately the same floor level.

HOSE BOX A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are stored and arranged for fire fighting.

HOSE REEL A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose is wound and connected.

HYPERGOLIC FUEL A rocket or liquid propellant which consist of combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.

INDUSTRIAL BAKING AND DRYING The industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for the purpose of removing solvents or moisture from the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform glazing the surface of materials being treated.

JUMPER A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in an electrical system.

OCCUPANCY The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.

OCCUPANT Any person actually occupying and using a building or portions thereof by virtue of a lease contract with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.

ORGANIC PEROXIDE A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases oxygen readily. It causes fire when in contact with combustible materials especially under conditions of high temperature.

OVERLOADING The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which draw or consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.

OWNER The person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a building or real property.

OXIDIZING MATERIAL A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or support combustion.

PRESSURIZED OR FORCED DRAFT BURNING EQUIPMENT Type or burner where the fuel is subjected to pressure prior to discharge into the combustion chamber and/or which includes fans or other provisions for the introduction of air at above normal atmosphere pressure into the same combustion chamber.

PUBLIC ASSEMBLY BUILDING Any building or structure where fifty (50) or more people congregate, gather, or assemble for any purpose.

PUBLIC WAY Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky, deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.

PYROPHORIC Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to air.

REFINING A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are removed from a mixture in order to produce a pure element of compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.

SELF-CLOSING DOORS Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat and delay the spread of fire.

SMELTING Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to separate impurities from pure metals.

SPRINKLER SYSTEM An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping installed in a building, structure or area with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water when activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.

STANDPIPE SYSTEM A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be attached on each floor, including a system by which water is made available to the outlets as needed.

VESTIBULE A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a house or building.

VERTICAL SHAFT An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor, as well as from the base to the top of the building.

Section 4. Applicability Of The Code. The provisions of the Fire Code shall apply to all persons and all private and public buildings, facilities or structures erected or constructed before and after its effectivity.

Section 5. Grace Period. The owner, administrator or occupant of buildings or structures existing at the time of the effectivity of the Fire Code is given two (2) years to comply with the provisions thereof on fire safety constructions and on protective and warning systems. However, the Director General of the Integrated National Police may prescribe a shorter period depending upon the degree of hazard to be recorded and the cost and extent of the work to be done.

Section 6. Responsibility for the Enforcement of this Code. The Fire Service, under the direct supervision and control of the Director General of the Integrated National Police, hereinafter referred to as the "Director General" shall be responsible for the enforcement of this Code, as well as pertinent provisions of other laws pertaining to fire protection or fire safety. With the approval of the Secretary of National Defense, the Director General is hereby authorized to:

Section 7. Technical Staff. The Director General shall constitute a technical staff of highly qualified persons who are knowledgeable on fire prevention, fire safety, and fire suppression. They may be drawn not only from the organic members of the Integrated National Police and other government offices and agencies, but also from other sources. In the latter case, they will either be appointed into the service or hired as consultants in accordance with law. The technical staff shall study, review and evaluate latest developments and standards on fire technology; prepare plans/programs on fire safety, prevention and suppression and evaluate implementation thereof; develop programs on the professionalization of the fire service; coordinate with appropriate government and private institutions for the offering of college courses on fire technology and fire protection engineering; propose amendments to the Fire Code; advise the Director General on any matter brought to his attention; and perform such other functions as directed on any matter brought to his attention and perform such other functions as directed by higher authorities.

Section 8. Inspections, Safety Measures, Fire Safety, Constructions, and Protective and/or Warning Systems. As may be defined and provided in the Rules and Regulations, owners, administrators or occupants of buildings, structures and their premises or facilities and other responsible persons shall be required to comply with the following, as may be appropriate:

Section 9. Prohibited Acts. The following are declared as prohibited act and omission.

Section 10. Abatement of Fire Hazard. Fire hazards shall be abated immediately. For this purpose, the Director General or his duly authorized representative may issue order for such abatement. If the owner, administrator or occupant of buildings, structure and their premises or facilities does not abate the same within the period fixed in said order, the occupancy permit or permit to operate shall be canceled. Any building or structure declared as a firetrap or is causing clear and present fire danger to adjoining establishments and habitations shall be declared a public nuisance, as defined in the Civil Code of the Philippines. If the assessed value of the building or structure is not more than twenty thousand (P20,000.00) pesos, the owner, administrator or occupant thereof shall abate the hazard within thirty (30 days or if the assessed value is more than twenty thousand (P20,000.00) pesos, within sixty (60) days from receipt of the order declaring said building or structure a public nuisance; otherwise, the Director General or his duly authorized representative shall forthwith cause its summary abatement. Summary abatement as used herein shall mean 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. The expenses incurred by the government for such summary abatement shall be borne by the owner, administrator or occupant. These expenses shall constitute a prior lien upon such property.

Section 11. Enforcement of The Lien. If the owner, administrator or occupant fails to reimburse the government of the expenses incurred in the summary abatement within ninety (90) days from the completion of such abatement, the building or structure shall be sold at public auction in accordance with existing laws and rules. No property subject of lien under Section 10 hereof, may be sold at a price lower than the abatement expenses incurred by the government. The property shall be forfeited in favor of the government if the highest bid is not at least equal to the abatement expenses.

Section 12. Penalties.

Section 13. Appropriation and Sources of Income.

Section 14. Collection of Taxes, Fees and Fines. All taxes, fees and fines provided in Section 13 hereof, shall be collected by the City or Municipal Treasurer concerned for remittance to the National Treasury.

Section 15. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Code or the application of such provisions to any person or circumstance is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of the Code or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

Section 16. Repealing Clause. Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended and Presidential Decree No. 1096, otherwise known as the National Building Code and other laws, decrees, orders or regulations in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this Fire Code are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 17. Effectivity. This Fire Code and its Rules and Regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in newspapers of general circulation.

Done in the City of Manila, this 26th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-seven.