Fire Prevention
"Tol! Prevention is better than cure - mas maganda kung walang sunog! Ang BFP Fire Officer dapat expert sa mga batas at standards na ito. Ito ang foundation ng fire safety sa Pilipinas!"
1. RA 9514 - Revised Fire Code of the Philippines 📜
Ito ang PRIMARY LAW sa fire safety sa Pilipinas. Enacted noong 2008, replacing the old PD 1185.
Key Provisions of RA 9514:
- Section 3: BFP shall have exclusive jurisdiction over fire prevention and suppression
- Section 5: All buildings require Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC)
- Section 6: Fire Safety Enforcers have right of entry for inspection
- Section 7: Owner/occupant must comply with fire safety requirements
- Section 8: Prohibited acts (obstruction of exits, defective equipment)
- Section 9: Penalties ranging from P10,000 to P500,000 + imprisonment
Fire Safety Requirements:
- Fire exits (minimum 2 for buildings)
- Fire extinguishers (proper type and number)
- Fire alarm systems
- Emergency lighting
- Fire suppression systems (sprinklers)
- Fire drills (annual requirement)
Required Documents:
- Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC)
- Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC)
- Fire Safety Compliance Report (FSCR)
- Fire Insurance Policy
- Fire Drill Certificate
2. PD 1096 - National Building Code of the Philippines 🏗️
Establishes minimum standards for building construction including fire-resistive requirements.
Fire-Resistive Requirements by Building Type:
| Building Type | Fire-Resistive Rating |
|---|---|
| Type I (Wood Frame) | 0 hour (non-rated) |
| Type II (Wood/Steel Frame) | 1 hour |
| Type III (Masonry) | 2 hours |
| Type IV (Steel Frame) | 3 hours |
| Type V (Reinforced Concrete) | 4 hours |
Key Building Code Fire Safety Provisions:
- Exit Requirements: Maximum travel distance, minimum width, proper signage
- Corridor Width: Minimum 1.10 meters
- Stairway Width: Minimum 1.10 meters, max rise 200mm
- Fire Walls: Required between different occupancies
- Fire Doors: Self-closing, rated for minimum 1 hour
3. Fire Safety Inspections 🔍
Regular inspections ensure compliance with fire safety laws. Ito ang primary duty ng Fire Safety Enforcers (FSE).
Types of Inspection:
- Pre-Occupancy: Before building is occupied
- Annual: Required for FSIC renewal
- Complaint-Based: Upon report of violation
- Routine/Random: Regular monitoring
- Post-Fire: After fire incident
Inspection Checklist Items:
- Fire exits (clear, properly marked)
- Fire extinguishers (charged, accessible)
- Electrical wiring (no overloading)
- Storage of flammables (proper containers)
- Fire alarm system (functional)
- Sprinkler system (if required)
4. Fire Extinguisher Requirements 🧯
Dapat malaman ang tamang type at placement ng fire extinguishers.
Fire Extinguisher Classes & Uses:
Wood, paper, cloth, rubber
Gasoline, oil, grease, paint
Appliances, wiring, outlets
Magnesium, titanium, sodium
Kitchen fires, deep fryers
Placement Requirements:
- Maximum travel distance: 75 feet (23 meters) for Class A, 50 feet (15 meters) for Class B
- Height: 3.5 to 5 feet from floor (1.07 to 1.52 meters)
- Visibility: Clearly visible and accessible
- Signage: Location marked with signs
- Maintenance: Monthly inspection, annual servicing
P.A.S.S. Technique:
- Pull the pin
- Aim at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep side to side
5. Fire Prevention Programs 🎯
BFP conducts various programs para maprevent ang sunog sa community.
Key BFP Programs:
- Fire Prevention Month (March): Nationwide fire safety awareness campaign
- Oplan Ligtas Sa Pasko: Christmas season fire prevention
- Fire Olympics: Competition to promote fire safety skills
- School Fire Drills: Mandatory for all schools
- Community Fire Brigades: Training barangay volunteers
- Fire Safety Education: Lectures and seminars
Common Causes of Fire in PH (Know these!):
- Faulty electrical wiring (Top cause!)
- Unattended cooking
- Careless smoking
- Open flames/candles
- Improper storage of flammables
- Arson/Intentional burning
- LPG leaks
- Children playing with fire
6. Practice Questions 📝
1. What is the primary law governing fire safety in the Philippines?
View Answer
RA 9514 - The Revised Fire Code of the Philippines (2008), which replaced PD 1185.
2. What certificate is required annually for commercial establishments?
View Answer
Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) - issued by BFP after passing inspection.
3. What type of fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires?
View Answer
Class C extinguisher (CO2 or dry chemical type). NEVER use water on electrical fires!
4. What is the top cause of fire in the Philippines?
View Answer
Faulty electrical wiring/overloading - accounts for more than 30% of fire incidents.
5. When is Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines?
View Answer
March - declared through Presidential Proclamation 115-A.
💡 Exam Strategy Tips
- RA 9514: This is THE fire code - know its key sections!
- FSIC vs FSEC: FSIC = Inspection Certificate (annual), FSEC = Evaluation Clearance (new construction)
- Building Types: Type I (wood) to Type V (concrete) - increasing fire resistance
- Fire Classes: A-B-C-D-K - memorize what each covers
- P.A.S.S.: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep - know this!
- Top Fire Cause: Electrical problems - always the answer for statistics questions!
Test Your Knowledge! 🧠
Ready ka na ba? Take the practice quiz for Fire Prevention to reinforce what you just learned.
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