Republic Act (R.A.

) 9514
The Fire Code of the Philippines
Approved: December 19, 2008

COVERAGE
The Implementing Rules and Regulation of R.A. 9514 shall cover the following:

A. All persons;
B. All private or public buildings, facilities or structures and their premises erected or constructed before
and after the effectivity hereof;
C. Design and installation of mechanical, electronics and electrical systems relative to fire protection;
D. Manufacturing, storage, handling and/or use, and transportation of explosives and/or combustible,
flammable liquids and gases, toxic and other hazardous materials and operations, and their wastes;
E. Fire safety planning, design, construction, repair, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition;
F. Fire protective and warning equipment or systems;
G. All land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships or vessels docked at piers or wharves or anchored
in seaports; and
H. Petroleum industry installations

DEFINITION OF TERMS

5 Meters Minimum height of a building from street level requiring for a stand pipe
installation
56 cm The measurement of one unit width of exit
Abatement The act or process of removal or neutralizing fire hazard
Automatic Fire An integrated system of underground or overhead piping or both connected to a
Suppression System source of extinguishing agent or medium and designed in accordance with fire
protection engineering standards which, when actuated by its automatic
detecting device, suppresses fires within the area protected
Building Permit A written authorization granted by building officials allowing an applicant to
proceed with construction of a specific project
Business An occupancy where building are used for transacting business like office for
lawyers, doctors, dentists, court houses, libraries, etc
Chemistry of Fire Science that deals with the study on the composition and structure of fire
City/Municipal Fire The duly designated head of the City or Municipal Fire Station including those
Marshal designated as “Officer-in-Charge” or in an “Acting” capacity. This shall also apply
to highly urbanized Cities and Stations where by its approved organization, the
head is the District Fire Marshal or Station Commander as the case maybe is.
Code A standard that is an extensive compilation of provisions covering broad subject
matter or that is suitable for adoption into a law independently of other codes
and standards
Collecting Officer An accountable officer, who shall be responsible in the collection, deposit and
remittance of fire code revenues from all fire code taxes, fees/charges and fines
with AGDB (Authorized Government Depository Bank)
Control Refers to all measures to avoid fire spread
Corrosive Liquid Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with an organic matter or certain
chemicals
Dead Load The weight of all the permanent parts of the building / structure
Detention and A type of occupancy used to house one or more persons under varied degrees of
Correctional restraint or security where such occupants are mostly incapable of self-
preservation
Dry Standpipe A type of standpipe system in which the pipes are normally not filled with water.
Water in introduced in to the system thru fire service connections when needed.
Education The element of Fire Prevention and Control that undertake seminars, trainings or
fire drills
Educational A type of occupancy in which six or more people gather for purpose of
 instruction
Enforcement The element of Fire Prevention and Control involving the fire code
Engineering The element of Fire Prevention and Control that involves fire safety inspection
fire protection system and pre-fire plans
Fire Code Charges for regulation, inspection and other fire service activities in the
Fees/Charges enforcement of the Fire Code and its IRR
Fire Alarm Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn the
occupants of the building or fire fighting elements of the elements of the
presence or danger of fire
Fire Code Fines Amount imposed to violators of the Fire Code and its IRR
Fire Code Revenues or Collective income derived from the collection of fire code taxes, fees/charges
Revenues and fines
Fire Code Taxes Taxes prescribed in Section 12, b.2 to b.6 of the Fire Code
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 operation and the safeguarding of life and property
Fire Lane The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept open and
unobstructed at all times for the expedient conduct of fire fighting operations
Fire Prevention Refers to all measures towards the avoidance or occurrence of fire
Fire Resistance Rating The time duration that a material or construction can withstand the effect of a
standard fire test
Fire Safety Inspection A tool or implementing an or mechanism of Fire Prevention and Control to
determine the defects deficiencies or a violations of a building
Fire Trap A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks
adequate exits or fire escapes
Fire Wall A wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire resistance rating of
not less than four (4) hours with sufficient structural stability to remain standing
even if construction on either side collapses under fire condition
Hazard Any arrangement of materials and heat sources that presents the potential for
harm, such as personal injury or ignition of combustibles
Hazardous Material Any substance or material in any form or quantity which poses an unreasonable
risk to safety, health and property
Health Care A type of occupancy that are used for purposes of medical or other treatment
care of persons
High Rise Buildings Buildings, structures or facilities fifteen (15) meters or more in height
Hose Box A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are stored and
arranged for fire fighting
Industrial A type of occupancy wherein a building which are designed for making produce
of all kinds and devoted to operations such as processing, assembling, mixing,
packaging, etc
Means of Egress A continuous and unobstructed route to exit
Mercantile A type of occupancy used for the purpose of selling merchandise or goods
Miscellaneous This class of occupancy includes buildings or structure which cannot be properly
classified in any of the preceding occupancy groups
Mixed A type of occupancy where a building or structure in which two or more classes
of occupancies are present
Occupancy The purpose of which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be
used
Occupant Any person actually occupying and using a building or portion thereof by virtue
of the lease contract with owner or admistrator or by permission or sufference
of the latter
Occupant Load The number of person that can occupy a given area and vacate same area in
given time
Octopus Connection A violation describes as multiple electrical connection
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
Places of Assembly A type of occupancy in which 50 or more people gather together for purpose
 such as entertainment, worship, amusement, etc.
Residential Those occupancies in which sleeping accommodations are provided for normal
residential purposes and include all buildings designed to provide sleeping
accommodation
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 water outlets
as needed
Storage Includes all buildings or structures utilized primarily for the storage or sheltering
of goods, merchandise, products, vehicles or animals.

SECTION 8. PROHIBITED ACTS

A. Obstructing or blocking the exit ways or across to building clearly marked for fire safety purposes, such
as but not limited to aisles in interior rooms, any part of stairways, hallways, corridors, vestibules,
balconies or bridges leading to a stairway or exit of any kind, or tolerating or allowing said violations;
B. Constructing gates, entrances and walkways to building components and yards, and temporary or
permanent structures on public ways, which obstruct the orderly and easy passage of fire fighting
vehicles and equipment.
C. Prevention, interference or obstruction of any operation of the fire service, or of duly organized and
authorized fire brigades;
D. Obstructing designated fire lanes or access to fire hydrants;
E. Overcrowding or admission of persons beyond the authorized capacity in movie houses, theaters,
coliseums, auditoriums or other public assembly buildings, except in other assembly areas on the
ground floor with open sides or open doors sufficient to provide safe exits;
F. Locking fire exits during period when people are inside the building;
G. Prevention or obstruction of the automatic closure of fire doors or smoke partitions or dampers;
H. Use of fire protective or firefighting equipment of the fire service other than for firefighting except in
other emergencies where their use are justified;
I. Giving false or malicious fire alarms;
J. Smoking in prohibited areas as may be determined by fire service, or throwing of cigars, cigarettes,
burning objects in places which may stat or cause fire;
K. Abandoning or leaving a building or structure by the occupant or owner without appropriate safety
measures;
L. Removing, destroying, tampering or obliterating any authorized mark, seal, sign or tag posted or
required by the fire service for fire safety in any building, structure or processing equipment; and
M. Use of jumpers or tampering with electrical wiring or overloading the electrical system beyond its
designated capacity or such other practices that would tend to undermine the fire safety features of the
electrical system.

CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY

1. Assembly
2. Educational
3. Health Care
4. Detention and Correctional
5. Residential
6. Mercantile
7. Business
8. Industrial
9. Storage
10. Mixed Occupancy
11. Miscellaneous
Fire Safety Enforcement Exam

1. Fire extinguisher recommended for the protection of delicate electronic equipment.

 Halogenated agent type

2. Dwelling units in row apartments shall be separated from each other by partition wall shaving a fire
resistance rating of ____ hours. Such walls shall be constructed solidly and continuously from the
ground to level one (1) meter above the ridge line of the roof.
 4
3. For health care facilities, any room and any suite or room of more than ____ square meters shall have at
least two (2) exit access doors remote from each other.
 93

4. Occupant load factor for a standing room or waiting space of a place of assembly (square meters per
person).
 0.28

5. Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media (vegetables or animal oils and fats).
 Class K

6. Releasing devices shall be bars or panel extending not less that ____ of the width of the door.
 2/3

7. For business occupancies, the clear width of any corridor or passageway serving an occupant load of fifty
(50) or more shall be not lest that ____ meters.
 1.12

8. For both mechanical ventilation and pressurized stair enclosure systems, the activation of the systems
shall be initiated by a smoke detector installed in an approved location within ____ meters of the
entrance to the smoke proof enclosure.
 3

9. As per Fire Code, emergency lighting shall be arranged to maintain specified level of illumination in the
event of failure of the normal lighting for a period of at least ____ hours in buildings more than 36.5
meters in height.
 1.5

10. The occupant load for which means of egress shall be provided for any floor shall be the maximum
number of persons intended to occupy that floor but not less than one (1) person for each ____ square
meters gross floor area for detention and correctional occupancies.
 11.1

11. Each wet standpipe outlet shall be supplied with a hose not less than ____ millimeters in diameter.
 38

12. Emergency rooms, operating rooms, intensive care units, delivery rooms and other similar facilities shall
not be located more than ____ above or below the floor of exit discharge.
 1 storey
13. The floors of means of egress shall be illuminated at all points including angles and intersections of
corridors and passageways, landings of stairs, and exit doors to values of not less than ____ lux.
 10.7
14. Wide stairways shall have intermediate handrails dividing the stairway into portions not more than ____
centimeters in width.
 223

15. Each guest room for hotels shall be provided with a door having a fire protection rating at least ____
minutes.
a. 20

16. In building over ____ storey above ground level, areas of refuge shall be provided for occupants of child
day care centers, either by smoke proof enclosures or horizontal exits.
 5

17. In buildings protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system, the minimum
separation distance between two exits or exit access doors shall not be less than ____ the length of the
maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served.
 1/3

18. For purposes of determining required exits, the occupant load of business purposes shall be no less than
one (1) person per ____ square meters of gross floor area.
 9.3

19. The occupant load for which means of egress shall be provided to any floor shall be the maximum
number or persons intended to occupy that floor but no less than one person for each ____ square
meters of net floor area used by the children for child day care centers.
 3.3

20. All mercantile stores of two hundred seventy eight square meters (278 m 2) or less gross area used for
sales purposes on the street floor only.
 Class C

21. Corridors for hotels and dormitories, other than those in within individual guest rooms or individual
guest suites, shall be of sufficient width to accommodate the required occupant load and shall not be
less than ____ centimeters.
 112

22. The number of means of egress from any balcony, mezzanine, storey, or portion thereof shall not be less
than ____.
 2

23. Rows of seats between aisles for places of assembly shall have not more than ____seats.
 14

24. Smoke proof enclosures using mechanical ventilation shall have vestibules with a dimension of not less
than ____ centimeters in width and not less than ____ centimeters in direction of travel.
 112:183

25. The letters “NO SMOKING” shall be made readable and recognizable within a minimum distance of ____
meters at any given time, at least ten centimeters (10 cm) high preferably with white-colored letters
upon a red background.
 15.25
26. A high rise building is one which the distance between the floor of the topmost storey and the ground
level is ____ meters or more.
 15

27. Who is responsible for the maintenance of fire extinguisher and fire protection equipment installed in a
building?
 Fire Safety Inspector

28. What is the maximum imposable administrative fines?

 50,000 pesos

29. Who is responsible for the approval of application for alternative and/or remedial fire safety measures
in lieu of sprinkler system?
 Chief, BFP

30. How much is the Fire Code Construction Tax to be paid by Mr. Ma Goo Lhang whose building to be
erected cost 500 million pesos as indicated in its Bill of Materials?
 50,000 pesos

31. Mr. Nagsesei Sy’s apartment has a total floor area of 200 square meters. What and how many fire
extinguishers should be required in his apartment?
 2-A, 1

32. Mr. Bahtoo Gan applied for Conveyance Clearance for his cargo truck with a load capacity of 2450 liters.
How much should Mr. Bahtoo Gan pay for his conveyance clearance?
 540 pesos

33. Who are qualified to be designated as fire safety inspectors?

 Those BFP personnel who possess the minimum requirements stipulated in Rule 8 of the IRR of RA
9514

34. What are the four elements of fire tetrahedron?

 Oxygen, fuel, heat and self-sustained chemical chain reaction

35. It is the transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases, usually in upward direction?
 Convection

36. Which of the following phrases about the classification of fire is true?
 Household appliances, computers, transformers, electric motors and overhead transmission lines
are typical sources of Class C fires.

37. It is the systematic removal of heated air, smoke and fire gases from a burning building and replacing
them with cooler air.
 Ventilation

38. Which of the following phrases is a sign of a potential backdraft?

 Pressurized smoke coming from small cracks
 Smoke puffing at intervals from the building (appearance of breathing)
 Smoke-stained windows
39. It refers to the portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept open and unobstructed at all
times for the expedient conduct of fire fighting operations.
 Fire Lane

40. Which of the phrases about Assembly Occupancies is most appropriate?

 Assembly Occupancies include, but not limited to, all buildings or portions of buildings used for
gathering together of fifty (50) or more persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship,
entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, or similar uses.

41. Which type of occupancy a Gasoline Station belongs?

 Mercantile Occupancy

42. It refers to an act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

 Abatement

43. It refers to alarm initiating device designed to actuate when visible or invisible products of combustion
are present in the space where the unit is installed.
 Smoke Detector

44. Which of the following statement is true about the effect of sprinkler systems on Life Safety?
 Preventing fire spread upwards in multistory buildings

45. It refers to fire-rated wall with specified degree of fire resistance, built of fire-resistive materials and
usually extending from the foundation up to and through the roof of a building, which is designed to
limit the spread of a fire within a structure or between adjacent structures.
 Fire Wall

46. Who is responsible for the inspection of all buildings, structures, facilities and premises, hazardous
operations, storage facilities and transportation vehicles of hazardous materials and the determination
of compliance of provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines and its IRR?
 City/Municipal Fire Marshal

47. After conducting Fire Safety Inspection at the University Of GDM School Of Engineers, you found that
the following violations exist in the building, insufficient exit width and defective fire alarm and smoke
detection system. Given those violations, what action should you recommend to your Fire Marshal
towards the owner/administrator of the building?
 Issue Notice to Comply with the person responsible for the violation within five (5) days from
submission of the report.

48. A high rise building is one which the distance between the floor of the topmost storey and ground level
is ____ meters or more.
 15

49. After the lapse of the prescribed period to comply provided for under the notice to correct violations.
FO3 Dimalus Oatan and FO3 Laging T Ama conducted a re-inspection on the apartment of Mr Matih
Gasulo located at Diliman, Quezon City. Based on their submitted re-inspection report, no compliance
was made by Mr Matih Gasulo. What should the City Fire Marshal do?
 Put up a sign in front of the building or structure that the building is a fire hazard, impose the
corresponding administrative fines, and issue abatement order.
50. In an inspection report submitted by FO3 Mahly Lito and FO3 Dinah Marunong, on their inspection
conducted at St. Therese Doctor’s Hospital located at Parañaque City. The following violations were
reflected; Absence of standpipe system and defective fire alarm and smoke detection system. Based on
that report what should the City Fire Marshal do?
 Recommend for declaration as public nuisance to the Chief, BFP

51. For purposes of determining required exits, the occupant load of business purposes shall be no less than
one (1) person per ____ square meters of gross floor area.
 9.3

52. According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the RA 9514, storage of fireworks and other
pyrotechnics shall be in accordance with RA ____.
 7183

53. What are the instances where approved supervised sprinkler system becomes mandatory for residential
occupancy?
 All residential building with four (4) storeys or more in height shall be provided with approved
supervised sprinkler system.

54. When should the BFP impose administrative fines for buildings with violation?
 When after lapse of notice to comply and re-inspection shows no compliance was effected by the
owner.

55. Ms. Ma. Cecilia A. Ramos, Proprietress of J-Par Construction requested for an exemption for the
installation of sprinkler system for the four storey residential building they started to construct in
October 29, 2009 or before the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9514. The
plans and specification of the building were approved based on the provisions of PD 1185 or the old fire
code of the Philippines where sprinkler system for four storey residential building is not a mandatory
requirement. Can the BFP grant the request exemption of Ma. Cecilia Ramos?
 No, because the BFP has not yet issued FSIC for occupancy, besides there is still time to comply with
the requirements of the new fire code of the Philippines. MC 2011-06 provides two years grace
period for these existing establishments to fully comply with the fire safety requirements and
measures under RA 9514 and its IRR.

56. The Department of Agriculture requested Quezon City Fire District to conduct fire drill in their office in
Agham. The fire code fee assessor required them to pay 200 pesos for the fire drill. However, DA refuse
to pay the 200 pesos for the fire drill fee citing that they are government agency and therefore
exempted from paying such. Is the contention of DA proper?
 Yes, government agencies are exempted from paying fire drill fee as prescribed under Section
12.0.0.4 of the IRR of the Fire Code of the Philippines

57. After lapse of the prescribed period to comply provided for under the notice to correct violations, FO3
Dimalus Otan and FO3 Laging T Ama conducted a re-inspection on the apartment of Mr Matih Gasulo
located at Diliman, Quezon City. Based on their submitted re-inspection report, no compliance was
made by Mr Matih Gasulo. What should the City Fire Marshal do?
 Request the building owner to execute affidavit of undertaking specifically thereof among others the
period of completion of work.

58. RA 9514 is an act establishing a comprehensive fire code of the Philippines repealing Presidential Decree
No. 1185. The said act is also known as ____.
 Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008
59. According to the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008, what is the minimum required qualification of a
non-licensed and non-engineering graduate before he can be designated as fire safety inspector?
 At least 3 years in the BFP service, must have completed 40 hours relevant seminar/workshop on
the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 and must pass the written fire safety inspection examination
conducted by the BFP

60. Based on the BFP Service Standard or Citizens Charter, the BFP shall act on an application for fire safety
inspection certificate for minimum days of 5. If the establishment has not complied with the provision of
the Fire Code of the Philippines, what should the BFP do in order not to violate the BFP Citizen’s
Charter?
 Issue Notice to Comply to notify the owner / administrator of the establishment of the violation

61. All assembly area of concentrated use without fixed seats such as an auditorium, place of worship,
dance floor and lodge room shall have an occupant load of ____.
 0.65 sq. meter per person

62. Each level of assembly occupancy shall have access to the main exit and an addition shall be provided
with exits of sufficient width to accommodate ____ of the total occupant load served by that level.
 2/3

63. Travel distance within a guest room or guest suite to a corridor shall not exceed in buildings protected
by an approved, supervised sprinkler system.
 23 m

64. For any hotel or dormitory having accommodation for fifteen or more guests shall be provided with
what type of fire detection and alarm system?
 Automatic

65. For apartment buildings, corridors with a required capacity of not more than 50 persons shall not be less
than ____.
 91 cm

66. When should the BFP impose administrative fines for buildings with violation?
 When during re-inspection, no compliance was effected by owner

67. ____ shall be required for the manufacture, storage, handling and or / use of hazardous materials.
 Fire Safety Measures

68. Issue a ___ to the owner and / or contractor to stop work or portion of my work due to absence, or in
violation of approved plans and specification
 Written Notice

69. The ____ and ____ of the Fire Code and the IRR shall be under the direct supervision and control of the
Chief BFP.
 Administration and Enforcement

70. The Chief BFP shall constitute a ____ of highly qualified persons who are knowledgeable on fire
prevention, fire safety and fire suppression.
 Technical staff
71. All business establishments employing at least fifty (50) persons shall establish an organization of ____.
 Fire brigade

72. ____ shall be issued to fire volunteer, members of fire brigades and fire safety practitioner after
completion of the mandatory training and competency evaluation conducted by the BFP.
 Certificate of Competency

73. Strict observance of the requirements of ____ for the issuance of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate as
pre-requisite in the grant of and renewal of business, occupancy and other related permits / licenses.
 Fire Safety Measures

74. Assess compliance with the fire safety requirements, identify and recommend ____ for violations /
defects and deficiencies and inform the owner / building administrator / occupants.
 Corrective Actions

75. Review and ____ building plans and specification including fire protection system to determine
compliance to the requirement of the Fire Code.
 Evaluate

76. In coordination with the ____, the City / Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction shall review, evaluate
and assess plans, design calculations and specifications.
 Building Official

77. Those which are liable to burn with moderate rapidity or to give off a considerable volume of smoke but
from which neither poisonous fumes nor explosion are to be expected in the event of fire.
 Medium Hazard

78. Exit shall be located and exit access shall be arranged so that exits are ____ at all times.
 Readily Accessible

79. Exit access shall be arranged that it will not be necessary to ravel toward any area of ____ occupancy in
order to reach the nearest exit, unless the path is protected by suitable partitions.
 High Hazard