PRE-TEST

FIRE PREVENTION, SUPPRESSION AND INVESTIGATION

Instruction: Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. Bakery is what type of occupancy?
a. Public assembly
b. Miscellaneous
c. Storage
d. Industrial
2. 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.
a. 1 storey
b. 2 storey
c. 3 storey
d. 4 storey
3. The letters “NO SMOKING” shall be made readable and recognizable within a
minimum distance of ____ meters at any given time, at least ten (10 cm) high
preferably with white-colored letter upon a red background.
a. 15.25
b. 16.25
c. 17.25
d. 18.25
4. The time duration that a material or construction can withstanding effect of a standard
fire test.
a. Fire Yielding
b. Fire Resistance Rating
c. Fire Control
d. Fire Alarm
5. A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment stored and arranged for
firefighting.
a. Fire Box
b. Hose Box
c. Tool Box
d. Cartoon Box
6. A continuous passage for the transmission of air:
a. Ventilation
b. Curtain Board
c. Duct System
d. Damper
7. Which of the following best illustrates arson?
a. Simultaneous fire
b. Faulty electric wiring
c. Unexplained explosion
d. Thick reddish smoke
8. Why is water prohibited to quench Class D fires?
 a. Burning metals are too hot
b. Water is not capable extinguishing the fire
c. There is the danger of electrocution
d. Class D fires react violently with water
9. A class of fire that involves ordinary combustible materials.
a. Class A
b. Class B
c. Class C
d. Class D
10. Which of the following classes involves electrical fire?
a. Class A
b. Class B
c. Class C
d. Class D
11. The type of occupancy that involves hospital.
a. Public Assembly
b. Educational
c. Institution
d. Health care
12. Chemical change in which fuel and oxygen react, releasing heat.
a. Decomposition
b. Detonation
c. Oxidation
d. Ignition
13. 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.
a. Ember
b. Electrical Arc
c. Blasting Agent
d. Cryogenic
14. The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept opened and unobstructed
at all times for the expedient operations of firefighting units.
a. Fire Lane
b. Fire Exit
c. Public Way
d. Means of egress
15. A building is unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily because it lacks
adequate exits of fire escapes.
a. Fire door
b. Fire exit
c. Fire trap
d. Fire hazard
16. A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can attached in each floor,
including a system by which water is made available to the outlets as needed.
a. Standpipe system
 b. Smelting
c. Sprinkler’s system
d. Vestibule
17. That portion of an airport where flammable liquids are stored dispensed and shall
include all facilities essential thereto, such as underground tanks from which aircraft
fuel and lubricants maybe drawn through dispensing agents.
a. Storage
b. Gasoline station
c. Aircraft service station
d. none
18. Any compound mixture which when applied properly improves fire resistant quality
of fabrics and other materials.
a. Flame retardant
b. Fumigant
c. Pyrolysis
d. explosive
19. The content of the color blue fire extinguisher is called.
a. Dry chemical
b. AFFF
c. HCFC
d. None of these
20. A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in an
electrical system.
a. Fuse
b. Electrical
c. Insulator
d. jumper
21. Who among the fire marshals cannot impose fine?
a. City fire marshal
b. Provincial fire marshal
c. Regional fire marshal
d. None of these
22. Who promotes fire safety in the absence of Bureau of Fire Protection?
a. Chief of police
b. Mayor
c. Building official
d. Barangay captain
23. Failure to submit fire insurance policy should be corrected within.
a. 12 hours
b. 24 hours
c. 36 hours
d. None of these
24. Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidized used to set off explosives.
a. Cellulose nitrate
b. Explosives
c. Blasting agents
 d. None of these
25. The following are factors that affect the degree of hazard except.
a. Height of the building
b. Occupant building
c. Age of building
d. Contents of the building
26. High rise building are structures or facilities___ in height.
a. 10 meters
b. 15 meters
c. 20 meters
d. 25 meters
27. A type of building where structural elements is made of wood.
a. Type I
b. Type II
c. Type III
d. Type V
28. The location of a deputy ground commander in the first scene.
a. Front
b. Back
c. Left side
d. Right side
29. The location of a ground commander in the fire scene.
a. Front
b. Back
c. Left side
d. Right side
30. Which of the following is tax- free?
a. Hospitals
b. Church
c. Park
d. schools
31. What ethical conduct is required for government employees provide service to
everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation.
a. Political Neutrality
b. Professionalism
c. Justness and sincerity
d. None of these
32. Destructive arson is committed to the following places except.
a. Ammunition factory
b. Hospital
c. Inhabited house or dwelling
d. none
33. The kind of heat transfer through circulation within a medium such as gas or liquid.
a. Convection
b. Conduction
c. Radiation
 d. Direct contact
34. The following are parts of the investigation reports except____.
a. Authority
b. Facts of the case
c. Matters investigated
d. Opinion of the investigator
35. Which of the following fire is the most difficult to extinguish?
a. Hospital fire
b. Residential fire
c. Forest fire
d. Structural fire
36. The transformation of a compound into one or more other substances by heat alone.
a. Ignition
b. Flash point
c. Flashover
d. pyrolysis
37. The heat transfer by wat of electromagnetic energy.
a. Radiation
b. Convection
c. Conduction
d. Direct contact
38. The phase of firefighting operation the removes smoke and fire from the building.
a. Cover exposure
b. Confinement
c. Ventilation
d. salvage
39. Physical effects that are visible or measurable that remains the fire is called?
a. Line of demarcation
b. Fire pattern
c. Wood char
d. Loss of material
40. A phase of fire operation that prevents fire from extending to another portion within
the building.
a. Confinement
b. Cover-exposure
c. Extinguishment
d. overhauling
41. A phase of fire operation that prevents fire from affecting structure.
a. Confinement
b. Cover-exposure
c. Extinguishment
d. Overhauling
42. The chemical decomposition of matter through the action of
a. Charcoal
b. Carbon
c. Ashes
 d. Pyrolysis
43. The combustion product must responsible for the spread of fire in the building is___.
a. Heat
b. Smoke
c. Flame
d. conduction
44. The primary reason why arson is committed by suspect,
a. Revenge
b. Jealously
c. Economic gain
d. Mental illness
45. Any act that would remove or neutralize fire hazard.
a. Administer
b. Abatement
c. Extinguish
d. None of these
46. Incandescent gases accompanied by rapid oxidation of combustible materials is called
___.
a. Smoke
b. Ashes
c. Heat
d. Flames
47. The Bureau of Fire Protection was created by virtue of R.A. No.
a. 9263
b. 6975
c. 6759
d. None of these
48. The Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008?
a. RA 9263
b. RA 9415
c. RA 1185
d. RA 8551
49. Presidential Proclamation 115-A, the observance of the fire prevention month
every___.
a. January
b. February
c. March
d. April
50. Miss Farah Sulo emptied a container inside the house of Mr. Ador Brut, her
gallivanting boyfriend; she got her lighter and threw into rugs moistened by gasoline.
As a result, fire automatically ensued. It was the instance that Mr. Brut arrived and
extinguished the fire by the use of fire extinguisher. What is the crime committed by
Miss Sulo assuming only the rugs where burned?
a. Malicious mischief
b. Attempted arson
c. Consummated arson
 d. Frustrated arson
51. The color of smoke that indicate humid materials.
a. Black smoke
b. White smoke
c. Biting smoke
d. Garlic odor smoke
52. The following are the components of the triangle for fire, except one.
a. Heat
b. Oxygen
c. Fuel
d. flame
53. Heat generated in a stove is distributed throughout the room by heating the air
conductively, but the circulation of the heated aur through the room to some distant is
a heat transfer made of.
a. Convection
b. Conduction
c. Radiation
d. All of the above
54. When steam pipes in contract with a wood transfer its heat to the wood, this heat
transfer is an example of ____.
a. Convection
b. Conduction
c. Radiation
d. All of the above
55. This type of heat energy is when a current flows through a conductor or when sparks
jump on air gap.
a. Solar
b. Chemical
c. Electrical
d. mechanical
56. These are the system attached and distributed in the ceiling of buildings, activated by
the increase of temperature and water is delivered right where it is needed.
a. Fire hydrant
b. Fire extinguisher
c. Automatic sprinklers
d. Fire pump
57. Arson to prejudice an insurance company is motivated by ______.
a. Revenge
b. Pyromania
c. Fraud
d. vandalism
58. Any material that flames or burns.
a. Oxygen
b. Fuel
c. Heat
d. Chain reaction
59. Amount of oxygen in percent sufficient for combustion
a. 16%
b. 21%
c. 30%
d. 1%
60. A means of heat transfer when energy travels thru space or extreme heat from
sunlight.
a. Radiation
b. Conduction
c. Convection
d. Direct contact
61. Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn the occupants of
the building or firefighting elements of the presence of danger of fire to enable them
to undertake immediate action to save lives and property.
a. Fire trap
b. Fire alarm
c. Fire hazard
d. Fire lane
62. In essence, it is a chemical reaction in which the substance combines with oxygen,
heat is released and the form of substance is destroyed.
a. Fire
b. Fuel
c. Ignition
d. oxygen
63. 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 firefighting
operations and the safeguarding of life and property.
a. Fire trap
b. Fire alarm
c. Fire hazard
d. Fire lane
64. Burning of magnesium produced the color of…
a. White smoke with bright white flames
b. Heavy brown smoke
c. Greenish yellow flames
d. Black smoke with red flames
65. What special law punishes the crime of Arson which amends the provision of the
Revised Penal Code?
a. PD 603
b. PD 968
c. PD 1612
d. PD 1613
66. What factors are taken into consideration in the determination of the liability of the
person found guilty of arson?
a. The kind of building or property that was burned
b. The location of the building
 c. Whether the building is inhabited or not
d. All of the above
67. In accordance with Se. 6 of PD 1613, which of the following circumstances does not
constitute a prima facie evidence of arson?
a. The property was insured substantially more that its actual value at the time of the
issuance of the policy.
b. Substantial amounts of flammable substances were stored within the building not
necessary in the business.
c. Doors and windows that were normally kept open in the course of business were
found closed during fire.
d. The fire started in more than one part of the building or establishment.
68. One of the following situations is a good indication of an accidental fire.
a. Smell of ammonia
b. Fire of several origin
c. Intense heat
d. Fire of only one origin
69. The purpose of closing the doors and windows during fire is to ___.
a. Stop the fire
b. Confine the fire
c. Slow the spread of fire
d. Spread the accelerant
70. The purpose of opening the doors and windows of adjacent rooms in a burning
building is to ____.
a. Extinguish the fire
b. Supply the oxygen in the area
c. Prevent the back draft
d. Serve as entrance of firemen.
71. An arsonist may rearrange materials of furniture in a room prior to setting it on dire in
order to _____.
a. Mislead the investigator
b. Camouflage the odor of accelerants
c. Provide a quick burning situation
d. All of the above
72. If the fire is set by rationale motive, the important point to establishment is ___.
a. Intensity of fire
b. Size of fire
c. Rapidity of spread
d. Origin of fire
73. The fire that started in almost all concerns of the building at the same time is called
___.
a. Separate burning
b. Related burning
c. Spontaneous burning
d. Non-related burning
74. In cases where a structure is completely burned to the ground, the position of doors
during fire whether opened or closed may be ascertained by ____.
 a. Consulting the original structure blueprint on file
b. Interviewing the spectators
c. Collecting broken pieces of window glasses
d. Locating the hardware used in the construction of such doors.
75. Using electrical appliances, which draws electrical current beyond the designed
capacity of the electrical circuit, is known as.
a. Over capacity
b. Over plugging
c. Over loading
d. Over using
76. Fire extinguisher recommended for the protection of delicate electronic equipment.
a. Water based type
b. Halogenated agent type
c. Multi-purpose dry chemical type
d. Wet chemical type
77. Dwelling units in row apartments shall be separated from each other partition walls
having a fire resistance rating of ____ hours. Such walls shall be constructed solidly
and continuously from the ground to level one (1) meter the ridge line of the roof.
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
78. For healthcare facilities, any room and any suite or room for more than _____ square
meters shall have at least two (2) exit access doors remote from each other.
a. 92
b. 93
c. 94
d. 95
79. Occupant load factor for standing room or waiting space of a place of assembly.
(square meters per person)
a. 0.18
b. 0.28
c. 0.38
d. 0.48
80. Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media vegetable or
animal oils and fats).
a. Class A
b. Class B
c. Class C
d. Class K
81. Releasing device shall be bars or panel extending not less than ___ of the width of the
floor.
a. ½
b. 1/3
c. ¼
d. 2/3
82. For business occupancies, the clear width of any corridor or passage-way serving an
occupant load of fifty (50) or more shall be not less than ___ meters.
a. 1.12
b. 1.10
c. 1.22
d. 1.21
83. 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.
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
84. 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 building more than 36.5 meters
a. 1.0
b. 1.5
c. 2.0
d. 3.0
85. 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.
a. 11.1
b. 11.2
c. 12.1
d. 12.2
86. Each wet standpipe outlet shall be supplied with a hose not less than ____ millimeters
in diameter.
a. 32
b. 34
c. 36
d. 38
87. Which of the following is the most important element of fire?
a. Heat
b. Oxygen
c. Fuel
d. temperature
88. Which of these beset describes conduction?
a. Heat transfer through liquid
b. Heat transfer through heat wave
c. Heat transfer through solid materials
d. Heat transfer through air motion
89. Which of the following does not fall under Class A fires?
a. None of these
 b. Exploding gas depot
c. Burning nipa hut
d. Forest fire
90. Carbon dioxide is hazardous because it is ___.
a. Poisonous
b. Explodes when ignited by spark
c. Does not support life
d. Supports combustion
91. The following is commonly used to put out Class C fires?
a. CO
b. Sand
c. Water
d. Baking soda
92. Primary component of wood.
a. Fiber
b. Carbon
c. Pulp
d. cellulose
93. Which of the following is commonly used in fire resistant materials?
a. Cotton
b. Diamond
c. Asbestos
d. asphalt
94. The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.
a. Flash point
b. Boiling point
c. Oxidation
d. fire
95. A pre-requisite to grant permits/license by local government unit for any particular
establishment.
a. Fire drill certificate
b. Fire safety evaluation certificate (FSEC)
c. Fire safety inspection certificate (FSIC)
d. Certification of recognition
96. They are fires caused by unforeseen acts of God.
a. Intentional
b. Accidental
c. Providential
d. Arson
97. Gasoline is an example of…
a. Combustible liquid
b. Flammable liquid
c. Both A and B
d. None of these
98. Flammable liquids are liquids having flash points below___ degrees Celsius.
a. 37.8
 b. 38.7
c. 39.7
d. 39.8
99. Which of the following fire is most difficult to respond?
a. Hospital fire
b. Residential fire
c. Industrial fire
d. Forest fire
100. In the crime of arson, what is the very important evidence to prove liability of
arsonist?
a. Motive
b. Prima facie
c. Documentary
d. Probable
 GLOSSARY
A
Abatement = any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.
Building Administrator = any person who acts as agent of the owner and managers the use
if a building for the latter.
Aerodrome = an airport, a defined area on land or water (including any building, installation
and equipment) intended to be used wholly or in part for the arrival, departure and surface
movement of aircrafts.
Air carrier or operator = a person who undertakes, whether directly or indirectly, by lease
or ant other arrangements, to engage in air transportation services or air commerce.
Aircraft engine = any engine used, or intended to be used, for the propulsion of an aircraft
and includes all parts, appurtenances, and accessories thereof other than propellers.
Aircraft operation Area (AOA) = any area used or intended for use for the parking, taxiing,
takeoff, landing or other ground-based aircraft activity.
Aircraft = any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the
air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface.
Aircraft service station = that portion of an airport where flammable liquids are stored or
dispensed and shall include all facilities essential thereto, such as but not limited to,
underground tanks from which aircraft fuel and lubricants may be drawn through dispensing
devices.
Airport = any area of land or water designed, equipped, set apart or commonly used for
affording facilities for the landing and departure of aircraft and includes any area or space
whether on the ground, on the roof of a building or elsewhere, which is designed, equipped or
set apart for affording facilities for the landing and departure of aircrafts capable of
descending or climbing vertically.
Anesthetic gas = a medical gas used as anesthetic agents for surgical procedures that could
either be flammable or non-flammable. Examples of flammable anesthetics are cyclopropane
and ethylene. Examples of non-flammable anesthetic gases are nitrous oxides and halothane.
Approved = acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Arena stage = a stage or platform that opens on at least three (3) sides to audience seating. It
may be with or without overhead scene handling facilities.
Authorized Government Depository Bank (AGDB or authorized Government Servicing
Bank (AGSB) = government servicing banks such as Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP),
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), and
Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), wherein fire code revenues are deposited for subsequent
remittance to the Bureau of Treasury (BOT).
Automatic Fire Suppression System = An integrated system of underground or overhead
piping or both connected to a 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.
Automotive service station = that portion of property where liquids used as property where
liquids used as motor fuels are stored and dispensed from fixed equipment into the fuel tanks
of motor vehicles and shall include any facilities available for the sale accessories, and for
minor automotive maintenance work.
B
Baffle = a nonliquid-tight transverse partition in a cargo tank.
Bale = a large bundle or package of hay or a raw material such as cotton, tightly bound with
string or wire to keep it in shape during transportation or storage.
Below ground container = a storage installation in which the maximum liquid level in the
container below the surrounding grade or below a backfill berm, which is at least two
hundred fifty centimeters (250 cm) wide at the top, and then slopes away from the container
at natural angle of repose or is retained two hundred fifty centimeters (250 cm) from the
container by a retaining wall, and constructed of earth, concrete, solid masonry or other
suitable material designed to prevent the escape of liquid.
Berm = in open-pit mining, a berm refers to ricks piled alongside a haulage road or along the
edge of a dump point intended as a safety measure. They are commonly required by
government organizations to be at least one-half as tall as the wheel of the largest mining
machine on-site.
Blasting agent = any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off
explosives.
Blowout = a sudden release of oil and gas from a well.
Boiling point = the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals the
surrounding atmospheric pressure. Where an accurate boiling point is unavailable for the
material in question, or for mixture which do not have a constant boiling point, for purposes
of this classification the ten percent (10%) point of distillation performed in accordance with
the standard method if test for distillation of petroleum products ASTM D-86-62, may be
used as the boiling point of the liquid.
Boil-over = the expulsion of crude oil (or certain other liquids) from a burning tank in which
the light fractions of the crude oil burn off producing a heat wave in the residue, which on
reaching a water strata may result in the explosion of the potion of the contents of the tank in
the form of a froth.
Brine = any liquid cooled by the refrigerant and used for the transmission of heat without a
change in its state, having no flash point or a flash point above sixty-five and six-tenths
Celsius (65.6 ℃) as determined by the American society of testing materials method D93.
Brush = Land covered with as dense undergrowth of small trees and brushes.
Bulk oxygen system = an assembly of equipment, such as oxygen storage containers,
pressure regulators, safety devices, vaporizers, manifolds, and interconnecting piping, that
has a storage capacity of more than five hundred sixty-six cubic meters (566 m3) of oxygen
including unconnected reserves on hand at the site.
Bulk plant = that portion of a property where liquids are received by tank vessel, pipelines,
tank cars, or tank vehicle, and are stored or blended in bulk for the purpose of distributing
such liquids by tank vessels, pipeline, tank car, tank vehicle, portable tank or container.
Bulkhead = a liquid-tight closure between compartments of a cargo tank.
C
Cargo Tank = Any tank having a liquid capacity more than four hundred fifty liters (450L)
used for carrying flammable and combustible liquids and mounted permanently or otherwise
upon a tank vehicle. The term “cargo tank” does not apply to any container used solely for
the purpose of supplying fuel for the propulsion of the tank vehicle upon which it is mounted.
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 (Pyroxyline) = Any plastic substance, materials or compound
having cellulose nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.
City/Municipal fire marshal = The duly designated head of the city of municipal fire station
including those 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.
Chemical plant = A large integrated plant or that portion of such plant other than a refinery
or distillery where flammable or combustible liquids are produced by chemical reactions or
used in chemical reactions.
Class A Fires = fires involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, rubber
and plastics.
Class B Fires = fires involving flammable liquids and gases.
Class C fires = fires involving energized electrical equipment
Class D fires = Fires involving combustible materials, such as sodium, magnesium,
potassium, and other similar materials.
Class K fires = fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media
(vegetable or animal oils and fats).
Closed Container = any container so sealed by means of a lid or other device that neither
liquid nor vapor will escape form it at ordinary temperatures.
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 or AGSB.
Combination standpipe = a pipeline system filled with water and connected to a constant
water supply for the use of the BFP and the occupants of the buildings solely for fire
suppression purposes.
Combustible fiber loose house = an enclosed and isolated structure where loose fibers are
worked upon, and used as storage for such fibers.
Combustible fibers = any readily ignitable and free-burning fibers, such as but not limited,
to cocoa fiber, cotton, excelsior, hay, hemp, henequen, istle, jute, kapok, oakrum, rags, sisal,
Spanish moss, straw, tow, waste cloth, waste paper, certain synthetic fibers commonly used
in commerce, or any material in a fibrous or shredded form that will readily ignite when heat
sources are present.
Combustible liquid = any liquid having a flash point at or above thirty-seven and eight tenth
degrees Celsius (37.8℃) and classified as follows: Class II liquid.
Any liquid that has a flash point at or above thirty-seven and eight tenths’ degrees Celsius
(37.8℃) and below sixty degrees Celsius (60℃). 6 class IIIA liquid. Any liquid that has a
flash point at or above sixty degrees Celsius (60℃), but below ninety-three degrees Celsius
(93℃). Class IIIB liquid. Any liquid that has a flash point at or above ninety-three degrees
Celsius (93℃).
Combustible waste = also known as loose waste material, are those generated by an
establishment or process and, being salvageable, are retained for scrap or reprocessing on the
premises where generated. These include, but not limited to, all combustible fibers, hay,
straw, hair, feathers, down, wood shavings, turnings, styropor, all types of plastics, all types
of paper products, soiled cloth trimmings and cuttings, rubber trimmings and buffing, metal
fines, used oil and any mixture of the above terms, or any other salvageable combustible
waste materials.
Community/barangay fire brigade = a group of firefighters performing fire suppression
activities within a specified jurisdiction.
Compressed gas = one that exists solely in the gaseous state under the pressure in the range
of two hundred seventy-three kilopascal (273 KPa) to twenty four thousand nine hundred
twenty three kilopascal (24, 923 KPa) at all normal atmospheric temperature ranging from
twenty degrees Celsius (20℃) to thirty seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8℃)
inside its container.
Compressed gas container = a pressure container designed to hold compressed gases at
pressures greater than one atmosphere at twenty degrees Celsius (20℃).
Compressed gas mixture = a mixture of two or more compressed gases contained in a single
packaging, the hazard properties of which are represented by the properties of the mixture as
a whole.
Compressed gas system = an assembly of components, such as containers, reactors, pumps,
compressors and connecting piping and tubing, designed to contain, distribute or transport
compressed gases.
Container = any vessel of less than two hundred twenty-seven liters (227 L) capacity used
for transporting or storing liquids.
Corrosive liquid = any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic matter or with
certain chemicals.
Crude oil = any naturally occurring, unrefined petroleum liquid.
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.
Cryogenic container = a pressure or low-pressure or atmospheric container of any size
designed or used for the transportation, handling or storage of a cryogenic fluid, and which
utilizes venting, insulation, refrigeration or a combination thereof to maintain pressure within
the design parameters for such container and to keep the contents in a liquid state.
Cryogenic Fluids = fluids produced or stored at very low temperatures and that have normal
boiling point below negative fifty-five degrees Celsius (-55℃).
Cryogenic Inground Container = a container in which the maximum liquid level is below
the normal surrounding grade and is constructed of natural materials, such as earth and rock
and pendent upon the freezing of water saturated earth materials for its tightness or
impervious nature.
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.
Customer Relations Officer (CRO) = is an organic member of the Bureau of Fire
Protection who is tasked to attend to the immediate needs concerns of the customer,
applicants or any taxpayer transacting business in a unit/station/office.
D
Damper = a normally open device installed inside air duct systems which automatically
closes to restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
Derrick = a framework that is constructed over a mine or oil well for the purpose of boring
or lowering pipes.
De tearing = a process for rapidly removing excess wet coating material from a dipped or
coated object or material by passing it through an electrostatic field.
Dip tank = a tank, vat or container of flammable or combustible liquid in which articles or
materials are immersed for purposes of coating, finishing, treating, or similar processes.
Dispensing device = equipment used to deliver petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel
and kerosene: installed in a force court/ curve area within the retail outlet. Dispensing device
can either be a self-contained or with a remote/ submersible pump.
Distillation = the process of first raising the temperature to separate the more volatile parts
and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified
substance.
Distillery = a plant or that portion where liquids produced by fermentation and distillation are
concentrated, and where the concentrated products may also be mixed, stored, or packaged.
Drum = a container which has a total capacity of two hundred twenty-seven liters (227 L)
used in storing liquid.
Dry standpipe = a type of standpipe system in which the pipes are normally not filled with
water. Water in introduced into the system thru fire service connections when needed.
Duct system = a continuous passageway for the transmission of air.
Dust = any finely divided solid, four millimeters (4mm) or less in diameter (that is, material
capable of passing through a U.S. No. 40 standard sieve) which, if mixed with air in the
proper proportion, becomes explosive and may be ignited by a flame or spark or other source
of ignition.
E
Electrical arc = an extremely hot luminous bridge formed by the passage of an electric
current across a space between two conductors or terminals.
Electrostatic fluidized bed = a container holding powder coating material that is aerated
from below so as to form as air-supported expanded cloud of such material that is electrically
charged with a charge opposite to that of the object to coated. Such object is transported
through a container immediately above the charged and aerated materials in order to be
coated.
Ember = a hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still
oxidizing without the manifestation of flames.
Enclosed platform = a partially enclosed portion of an assembly room the ceiling of which is
not more than one hundred fifty-five centimeters (155 cm) above the proscenium opening
that is designed or used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment
wherein scenery, drops, decorations, or other effects may be installed or used.
Explosive magazines = buildings, structures, or facilities used for the storage of explosive
shells projectiles and ammunitions.
Explosive = includes any chemical compound or chemical mixture that is commonly used or
intended for the purpose of producing an explosion.
F
Finishes = materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective purpose.
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 presence or danger of fire.
Fire Alerting System = A fire alarm system activated by the presence of fire, where the
signal is transmitted to designated locations instead of sounding a general alarm.
Fire Brigade = A collective term that is used to refer to a group of firefighters, primarily
performing fire suppression activities in areas such as, but not limited to,
community/barangay, company, and other government and nongovernment establishments.

Fire Code Fees/Charges＝Charges for regulation, inspection and other fire service activities
in the enforcement of the Fire Code and its IRR. Fire Code Fines. Amount imposed for
violators of the Fire Code and its IRR. Fire Code Revenues or Revenues. Collective income
derived from the collection of fire code taxes, fees/charges and fines.
Fire Code Taxes=Taxes prescribed in Section 12, b.2 to b.6 of the Fire Code.
Fire Door = A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or
partitions.
Fire Exit Drill = A practice drill for the orderly and safe evacuation of occupants in the
buildings.
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 public way that should be kept opened and
unobstructed at all times for the expedient conduct of fire-fighting operations.
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 Protective Assembly = An assembly incorporated in the structure designed to prevent
the spread of fire, such as dampers, curtain boards, fire stoppers and the like.
Fire Resistance Rating = The time duration that a material or construction can withstand the
effect of a standard fire test.

Fire Safety Constructions＝ Refers to the design and installation of walls, barriers, doors,
windows, vents, means of egress and other elements 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 and properties through means of egress on construction
which are 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 building
components or contents with flame retardant chemicals.

Fire trap ＝a building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks
adequate ties or fire escapes.

Fire volunteer organizations (FVO) ＝an organized group of private firefighters recognized
by the BFP, who have voluntarily framed themselves to perform fire related activities.

Fire volunteer ＝a person who voluntarily enters into firefighting service through a Fire
volunteer Organizations (FVO) and undergoes the same discipline as that of BFP firefighters.

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 conditions.

Fire＝the active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light combustion.
Flame Retardant=Any compound or mixture which when applied properly improves the
resistivity or fire resistance quality of fabrics and other materials.
Flame Spread Rating = The time in which flame will spread over the surface of a burning
material.
Flammability = The characteristic of a material on how easily it. Will burn or ignite, causing
fire or combustion.
Flammable Cryogenic Fluids ＝ Are cryogenic fluids which are flammable in their vapor
state.
Flammable Finishes = Are material coatings in which the material being applied is a
flammable liquid, combustible liquid, combustible powder or flammable or combustible gel
coating.
Flammable Liquids = Are liquids having flash points below thirty seven and eight tenths
degrees Celsius (37.8°C) except any mixture having components 11 with flash points of
seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius(37.8°C) or higher, the total of which make up. ninety
nine percent (99%) or more of the total volume of the mixture. Flammable liquids are
classified as follows:
Class I-A Liquids include those liquids having flash points below twenty-two and eight tenth
degrees Celsius (22.8°C), and having a boiling point below thirty-seven and eight tenth
degrees Celsius (37.8°C).
Class I-B Liquids include those liquids having flash points below twenty-two and eight tenths
degrees Celsius (22.8°C), and having a boiling point at or above thirty
seven and eight tenths degrees Celsius (37.8°C).
Class I-C Liquids include those liquids having flash points at or above twenty two and eight
tenths degrees Celsius (22.8°C), and below thirty seven and eight tenths
degrees Celsius (37.8°C).
Flammable Vapor Area = An area in which the concentration
of flammable constituents (vapor, gas, fume, mist or dust) in air exceeds twenty five percent
(25%) of their lower flammable limit (LFL) because of the flammable finish
processes operation. It shall include: (1) the interior of spray booths; (2) the interior of ducts
exhausting from spraying processes; (3) any area in the direct path or any area containing
dangerous quantities of air suspended powder, combustible residue, dust, deposits, vapor or
mists as a result of spraying operations; and (4) the area in the
vicinity of dip tanks, drain boards or associated drying, conveying or other equipment during
operation or shutdown periods.
Flash Point of a Liquid = The lowest temperature a liquid at which sufficient vapor is given
off to form an ignitable mixture with air, near the surface of the liquid or within the vessel
used, as determined by. Appropriate laboratory test, as follows: The flash point of liquids
having a flash point at or below seventy-nine degrees Celsius (79°℃), except for fuel oils
and certain viscous materials shall be determined in accordance
with the Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by the Tag Closed Tester, ASTM D 56-61.
The flash point of liquids having a flash point above seventy-nine degrees Celsius(79°C),
except for fuel oils, shall be determined in accordance with the Standard Method of Test
for Flash Point by the Cleveland open Cup Tester, ASTM D 92-57. The flash point of fuel
oil, and certain viscous materials having a flash point at or below seventy-nine degrees
Celsius (79°C), shall be determined in accordance with
the Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by the Pensky-Martens Closed Tester, ASTM
93-62. 12
Fogging = The creation of a cloud of ultra-fine droplets, which are airborne and readily
picked up by the insect as it flies through the swathe of insecticide, fog or mist.
Forging = A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or
dimensions.
Fluidized Bed=A container holding powder coating material that is aerated from below so as
to form an air-supported expanded cloud of such material through which
the preheated object to be coated is immersed and transported.
Fulminate = A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.
Fumigant = any substance which by it self or in combination with any other substance, emits
or liberates a gas, fume or vapor used for the destruction or control of insects, fungi, vermin,
germs, rats, or other pests, and shall be distinguished from insecticides and disinfectants
which are essentially effective in the solid or liquid phases. Examples are methyl bromide,
ethylene dibromide, hydrogen cyanide, carbon disulphide and sulfuryl fluoride.
Fumigation = the utilization within an enclosed space of a fumigant in concentrations that is
hazardous or acutely toxic to humans.
Fumigators = persons or establishments engaged in fumigation and thermal insecticidal
fogging.
G
Government Fire Brigade = a group of firefighters rendering firefighting activities in the
premises of a public office.
H
Hangar = a large building in which aircrafts are kept or repaired.
Hazard = evaluation. Identification or potential hazards which includes risk evaluation that
takes into account the likelihood of the hazard resulting in a fire or explosion.
Hazardous Fire Area = any area covered with dry grass, cogon, reeds, brush and other
highly combustible growth or any area used for stockpiling of used or waste materials that, by
virtue of exposure to environment, may cause its deterioration, decomposition or other
conditions that fires are likely to occur therein and hard to suppress.

Hazardous Operation/Process ＝ Any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, or

other similar operations that use or produce materials which are likely to cause fires or
explosions.
Heavy Casting = Castings greater than eleven and three tenth kilograms (11.3 kg) with walls
of large cross-sectional weights six and four tenth millimeters 13 (6.4 mm). Castings less than
eleven and three tenth kilograms (11.3 kg) are considered light.
Heliport =An area of land or water or a structural surface that is used, or intended for use, for
the landing and taking off of helicopters, and any appurtenant areas which are used, or
intended for use, for heliport buildings and other heliport facilities.
Helistop = Same as “heliport,". except that fueling, defueling, maintenance, repairs or storage
of helicopters is not permitted.
High Piled Storage = Include combustible materials on pallets or in racks more than four
meters（4 m) high. For highly combustible materials such as rubber goods and certain
plastics, the critical height of pilling may be as low as two hundred forty centimeters (240
cm). building shall be deemed to be used for the storage of high piled combustible stock
when the floor area used for such purpose exceeds either one-tenths (0.10) of the total floor
area, or at least two hundred thirty-two square meters (232 m2).
High Rise Buildings = Buildings, structures or facilities fifteen (15) meters or more in
height.
Horizontal Channel＝ Any uninterrupted space between horizontal layers of stored
commodities. Such channels may be formed by pallets, shelves, racks or other storage
arrangements.
Horizontal Exit = A 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 firefighting.
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 consists of combinations of fuels and
oxidizers which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.
I
Impact Barriers = Are structures installed for the protection of dispensing devices against
possible collision damage/s.
Industrial Baking and Drying = Is 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 on the surface of materials being treated.
J
Jumper = Any piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in an
electrical system.
L
Limited Spraying Space =An area in which operations for touch-up or spot painting of a
surface area not exceeding one square meter (1 m2) or less are conducted.

Liquified Petroleum Gas（LPG) = Any flammable gas liquified through pressure. The
liquid vaporizes under normal atmospheric pressure.
Loose Fibers = Fibers that are not bundled or packaged in suitable bales.
Loose House =A separate detached building in which unbaled combustible fibers are stored.
M
Machinery Room = A specific room which is permanently installed and used for the
operation of machineries. Closets solely contained within and opening only into a room shall
be considered a part of such room.
Magnesium = A highly flammable metal which burns to over two thousand nine hundred
eighty degree Celsius (2,980 °C). It is used as a principal element of aluminum alloy for the
manufacture of mobile phones, laptop computers, cameras, and other electronic components,
beverage cans, flashlight photography, flares, pyrotechnics, fireworks sparklers, automotive
and truck components. Material Safety Data Sheet（MSDS). Is a form that contains data and
information regarding the properties of a particular substance.

Maximum Allowable Working Pressure（MAWP) = Is the maximum pressure

permissible at the top of a container in its operating position for a designated temperature, as
established by the container manufacturer.
Means of Egress = Is a continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one point in a
building, structure or facility to a public way.
Medical Air = A type of air product produced through the blending of compressed nitrogen
and oxygen and used in variety of patients' application. It is also used during anesthesia as a
substitute for nitrous oxide to reduce the high concentration of oxygen exposure.
Medical Gas = A type of gas used in medical and similar facilities, including oxygen, nitrous
oxide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, medical air and mixtures of these gases.
N
Nesting = A method of securing flat-bottomed compressed gas containers upright in a tight
mass using a contiguous three-point contact system whereby all containers within a group
have a minimum of three points of contact with other containers, walls or bracing.
O
Occupancy = The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be
used.
Occupant Load = The maximum number of persons that may be allowed to occupy a
particular building, structure, or facility, or portions hereof.
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.
Oil Burning Equipment = An oil burner of any type together with its tank, piping, wiring
controls, blower, and related devices, and shall include all oil-fired units, heating and cooking
appliances.
Organic Coating = A liquid mixture of binders such as alkyd, nitrocellulose, acrylic, or oil,
and flammable and combustible solvents such as hydrocarbon, ester, ketene or alcohol, which
when spread on a surface becomes a durable protective and decorative finish.
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.

Ozone Depleting Refrigerant/Substance＝ Any group of halogenated hydrocarbon

chemicals which photochemically reacts in the stratosphere in a way which destroys the
ozone layer.
P
Panic hardware = a mechanical device consisting of linkages and horizontal bars across a
____ which when pushed form the inside will cause the door to open and facilitates exit form
the building structure or facility.
Picking Rooms = rooms when baled, bundled or piled materials are segregated into desired
sizes and groups.
Plastic = group A plastics. Plastic materials having heat and combustion much higher than
those ordinary combustibles and burning rate higher than that the Group B plastics. Examples
of Group A plastics include, but and not limited to, the following:

 ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene copolymer)16

 Acetal (polyformaldehyde)
 Acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate)
 Butyl rubber
 EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber)
 FRP (fiberglass-reinforced polyester)
 Natural rubber (expanded)
 Nitrile rubber (acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber)
 PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
 Polybutadiene
 Polycarbonate
 Polyester elastomer
 Polyethylene
 Polypropylene
 Polystyrene (expanded and unexpanded)
 PVC (polyvinyl chloride greater than fifteen (15%) percent plasticized, e.g., coated
fabric unsupported film)
 SAN (styrene acrylonitrile)
 SBRr（styrene butadiene rubber) Group B Plastics. Plastic materials having heat of
combustion and burning rate higher than that of ordinary combustibles, but not as
high as those of Group A plastics. Examples of Group B plastics include, but are not
limited to, the following:
 Cellulosics (cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose)
 Chloroprene rubber
  Fluoroplastics (ECTFE, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene-copolymer; ETFE, ethylene-
tetrafluoroethylene copolymer; FEP, fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer)
 Natural rubber (nonexpanded)
 Nylon (nylon 6, nylon 6/6)
 PVC (polyvinyl chloride greater than 5-percent, but not exceeding fifteen (15) percent
plasticized)
 Silicone rubber Group C Plastics.
Plastic materials having heat of combustion and burning rate similar to those of
ordinary combustibles Examples of Group C plastics include, but are not limited to,
the following: Fluoroplastics (PCTFE, Polychlorotrifluoroethylene; PTFE,
polytetrafluoroethylene)
 Phenol
 PVC (polyvinyl chloride, rigid or plasticized less than five percent (5%), e.g., pipe,
pipe fittings)
 PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) 17
 PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)
 PVF (polyvinyl fluoride)
 Urea (urea formaldehyde) Limited quantities of Group A plastics in mixed
commodities shall be used to determine the quantity of Group A plastics allowed that
can be stored in a package or carton, or on a pallet without increasing the commodity
classification.
Plenum = An air compartment or chamber to which one or more ducts are connected and
which form part of an air distribution system.
Portable Tank = Any closed vessel having a liquid capacity over two hundred twenty seven
liters（227L) and not intended for fixed installation.
Fire Safety Practitioner = Any qualified person, recognized by the BFP, engaged in, but
not limited to, the design, construction, installation, repair and maintenance, assessment, and
rehabilitation of fire' safety construction, suppression and control systems, protective. And
warning systems and life safety related services, or employed as a safety officer of public and
private establishments/companies.
Pressurized or Forced Draft Burning Equipment = Any type of 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 atmospheric pressure into
the same combustion chamber.
Propeller = An inclusive term for all parts, appurtenances, and accessories of a propeller.
Proscenium wall = A fire resistive wall which separates a stage or enclosed platform from
the public or spectators' area of an auditorium or theater.
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.
Recapping. A process of restoring used tire to a usable condition by bonding new rubber onto
the worn thread and lateral surface.
R
Refining＝A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are removed from a
mixture in order to produce a pure element or compound. It shall also refer to partial
distillation and electrolysis.
Refrigerating System = An assembly of four (4) major components. namely the compressor,
condenser, expansion valve, the evaporator, through which a 18 very low boiling point
substance (refrigerant) flow in cycle, and absorbs heat from the immediate surroundings,
thereby producing the cooling effect (also known as the refrigerating effect).
Roll Coating = A process of coating, spreading and impregnating fabrics, paper or other
materials as they are passed directly through a tank or trough containing flammable or
combustible liquids, or over the surface of a roller revolving partially submerged in a
flammable or combustible liquid.
S
Safety Can=An approved container, of not more than eighteen and nine tenths liter（18.9
L)-capacity having a spring closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely
relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.
Safety Factor = Is the ratio of the design burst pressure to the maximum working pressure
and shall not be less than four (4).
Salvage Yards or Shops = An inclusive term that refers to wrecking yards, junk yards or
waste material handling plants/shops, which can be used interchangeably.
Self-closing doors = automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat
and delay the spread of fire.
Smelting = refers to the process of melting or fusing metallic ores and compounds so as to
separate impurities from pure metals.
Smoke Developed rating = refers to the rating of a combustible materials based on the
density and volume of smoke developed within a certain period of time when its surfaces are
ignited.
Smoking Area = a designated area where smoking is permitted within premises where
smoking is otherwise generally prohibited.
Solvents or liquid classifications = a method of classifying solvents or liquids according to
the following:
Class I solvents. Liquids having a flash point below thirty-seven and eight tenth degrees
Celsius (37.8℃).
Class II solvents. Liquids having a flash point at or above thirty-seven and eight tenths’
degrees Celsius (37.8℃) and below sixty degrees Celsius (60℃).
Class IIIA solvents. Liquids having a flash point at or above sixty degrees Celsius (60℃) and
below ninety-three and three-tenths degree Celsius (93.3℃).
Class IV solvents. Liquids classified as non-flammable.
Source of Ignition = A source of energy sufficient to ignite a flammable atmosphere and
includes open flames, smoking, incandescent material, electrical welding arcs, and electrical
or mechanical equipment not suitable for use in a particular hazard zone.
Special Bank Receipt (SBR) = An accountable form transferred to the AGDB or AGSB thru
a Memorandum Receipt (MR) which shall be issued as a proof of payment in the collection
of the fees and charges imposed in pursuit of the statutory and regulation functions of the
BFP. Spray Booth. A mechanically ventilated appliance of varying dimensions and
construction provided to enclose or accommodate a spraying operation
and to confine and limit the escape of spray vapor and residue and to exhaust it safely.
Spraying Area = Any area in which dangerous quantities of flammable vapors or mists, or
combustible residues, dusts or deposits are present due to the operation of spraying processes.
Sprinkler System = An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping system 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.
Stage = A partially enclosed portion of an assembly building which is designed or used for
the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment activities wherein
scenery, drops or other effects may be installed or used, and where the distance between the
top of the proscenium opening and the ceiling above the stage in more than one hundred fifty
two centimeters (152cm).
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.
Sump Pit = The lowest part of a mine, vault, tank or a hole in the ground used to collect
water, waste water and sludge for purposes of draining through a submersible pump.
T
Tank Truck = Any single self-propelled motor vehicle equipped with a cargo tank mounted
thereon and used for the transportation of flammable and combustible
liquids.
Tank Vehicle = Any vehicle carrying or towing a cargo tank used for transporting flammable
fluids or hazardous chemicals.
Tank, Full-Trailer = Any vehicle with or without auxiliary motive power, equipped with a
cargo tank mounted thereon or built as an integral part thereof, used for the transportation of
flammable and combustible liquids, and so constructed that practically all of its weight and
load rests on its own wheels.
Tank, Semi-Trailer = Any vehicle with or without auxiliary motive power, equipped with a
cargo tank mounted thereon or build as an integral part thereof, used for the transportation of
flammable and combustible liquids, and so constructed that, when drawn by a tractor by
means of a fifth wheel connection, some part of its load and weight rests upon the towing
vehicle.
Thermal Insecticidal Fogging Liquid = Any insecticidal liquid specifically designed for
emission from a thermal fog-generating unit in the form of an aerosol fog which is lethal to
pest organisms and insects. Examples of thermal insecticidal fogging liquids
are permethrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, malathion, pirimiphos methyl and fenitrothion.
Thermal Insecticidal Fogging = The utilization of any insecticidal liquids passed through
thermal fog generating units where, by means of heat, pressure and turbulence, such liquids
are transformed and discharged in the form of fog or mist blown into an area to be treated.
Thrust Stage = The portion of a stage which projects into. The audience on the audience side
of a proscenium wall or opening.
Tote Box = a box constructed for use in the handling of sticks in process or finished stocks
while in tote box store rooms.
Toxicity = the degree to which a substance is able to damage an exposed organism.
U
Used water = liquid waste generated by treatment plants, housekeeping, operating and
maintenance, and laboratory activities, including but not limited to washing, flushing, and
cleaning activities. It also includes the cleaning, flushing and draining water that bear dirt and
sludge from sedimentation basin, settling tank, and other treatment processes and unit
operation facilities, and backwash water generated in the backwashing, cleaning and brushing
of filter media or beds.
V
Ventilation = the process of supplying or removing air by natural or mechanical means to or
from any space. Such air may or may not of filter media or beds.
Vertical shaft = an enclosed vertical space of passage that attends from floor to floor, as well
as from the base to the top of a building.
Vestibule = a passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a
house or building.
Ventilation = Refers to the copious flushing of an area with fresh air for the mitigation of
explosion and other fire hazards.
W
Water Treatment Plants= Single or compact or multi-stage units and/ or combination of
unit processes and operation systems, including but not limited to their facilities,
appurtenances, service areas and premises, for the purification or treatment of raw water or
water from a source that requires the removal and/or reduction of
impurities or improvement of its quality to comply with water quality standards as prescribed
by the concerned government agency, intended for public use or for specific industrial
applications.
Waste Water = Liquid waste generated by human activities that use water and/or those water
that come from residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, industrial, agricultural and
other facilities, similar occupancies and related activities.

Waste Water Treatment Plants＝Single or compact or multi-stage units and/or

combination of unit processes and operation systems, including but not limited to their
facilities, appurtenances, service areas and premises, for the treatment of used water or waste
water generated by residential, recreational, institutional. commercial and industrial and other
similar occupancies and related activities that required the removal and/or reduction of
contaminants and/or pollutants or improvement of its quality to comply with effluent water
quality standards of receiving body of water or environment as prescribed by the concerned
government agency.
 BFP PROFILE
Mission:
We commit to prevent and suppress destructive fire, investigate its causes, enforce Fire Code
and other related laws; respond to man-made and natural disasters and other emergencies
Vision:
A modern fire protection service fully capable of ensuring a fire-safe nation by 2034.
Legal Mandate:
The BFP was created by virtue of RA 6975 otherwise known as the DILG Act of 1990.
Section 53. The Bureau of Fire Protection, hereinafter referred to as the Fire Bureau, is
hereby created initially consisting of the existing officers and uniformed members of the fire
service of the Integrated National Police as constituted under Presidential Decree
No.R.A.6975
Section 54. Powers and Functions.
1. The Fire Bureau shall be responsible for the prevention and
suppression of all destructive fires on...
a. buildings
b. houses and other structures
c. forest
d. land transportation vehicles and equipment
e. ships or vessels docked at piers or wharves or anchored in major seaports
f. petroleum industry installations
g. plane crashes and other similar incidents
2. The Fire Bureau shall be responsible for the enforcement of the Fire Code (RA 9514 of
2008) and other fire-related laws.
3. The Fire Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary,
file the proper complaints with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the
case.
Section 55. Organization. The Fire Bureau shall be headed by a chief who shall be assisted
by a deputy chief. It shall be composed of provincial offices, district offices and city or
municipal stations. At the provincial level, there shall be an office of the provincial fire
marshal which shall implement the policies, plans and programs of the Department; and
monitor, evaluate and coordinate the operations and activities of the fire service operating
units at the city and municipal levels. In the case of large provinces, district offices may be
established, to be headed by a district fire marshal. At the city or municipal level, there shall
be a fire station, each headed by a city or municipal fire marshal: Provided, That, in the case
of large cities and municipalities, a district office with subordinate fire stations headed by a
district fire marshal may be organized as necessary. The Fire Chief shall recommend to the
Secretary the organizational structure and staffing pattern, as well as the disciplinary
machinery for officers and men of the Bureau, in accordance with the guidelines set forth
herein and as provided in Section 85 of this Act. The local government units at the city and
municipal levels shall be responsible for the fire protection and various emergency services
such as rescue and evacuation of injured people at fire-related incidents and, in general, all
fire prevention and suppression measures to secure the safety of life and property of the
citizenry.
Section 56. Establishment of Fire Station. There shall be established at least one (1) fire
station with adequate personnel, firefighting facilities and equipment in every provincial
capital, city and municipality subject to the standards, rules and regulations as may be
promulgated by the Department. The local government unit shall, however, provide the
necessary and or site of the station.
Section 57. Qualification Standards. The qualification standards of the members of the Fire
Bureau shall be as prescribed by the Department based on the requirement of the service.
Section 58. Rank Classification. For purposes of efficient administration, supervision and
control, the rank classification of the members of the Fire Bureau shall be as follows:
Director-Chief Superintendent
Senior Superintendent
Superintendent
Chief Inspector
Senior Inspector
Inspector
Senior Fire Officer IV
Senior Fire Officer III
Senior Fire Officer II
Senior Fire Officer I
Fire Officer III
Fire Officer II
Fire Officer I
Section 59. Key Positions. The head of the Fire Bureau with the rank of director shall have
the position title of Chief of the Fire Bureau. He shall be assisted by a deputy chief with the
rank of chief superintendent. The assistant heads of the Department's regional offices with the
rank of senior superintendent shall assume the position title of Assistant Regional Director
for Fire Protection as provided in Section 11 of this Act; the heads of the NCR district offices
with the rank of senior superintendent shall have the position title of District Fire Marshall;
the heads of the provincial offices with the rank of superintendent shall be known as
Provincial Fire Marshall; the heads of the district offices with the rank of chief inspector shall
have the position title of District Fire Marshall; and the heads of the municipal or city stations
with the rank of senior inspector shall be known as Chief of Municipal/City Fire Station.
MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE BFP
1. Fire Prevention －Before Fire
2. Fire Suppression/Firefighting －During Fire
3. Fire Investigation －After Fire
 I-FIRE PREVENTION
Fire Prevention refers primarily to measures
directed towards avoiding the occurrence of fire.
Effective fire prevention works, will mean better
safety and security, less fire losses and tragedies,
if we have not actually experience fire outbreaks,
this idea is vaque in the minds of majority of us.

3 E'S
1. ENFORCEMENT of Fire Safety Laws
-RA 9514 otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 and its Implementing
Rules and Regulations (IRR).
-Other fire-related laws (Provincial/City/Municipal Ordinances)
2. EDUCATION - to educate the public to take precautions to prevent potentially harmful
fires, and be educated about surviving them. It is a proactive method of reducing emergencies
and the damage caused by them.
-Seminar
-Lecture
-Symposium
-Fire Drill
3. ENGINEERING
a. Pre-fire Planning
b. Review building Plans
c. Conduct ocular inspection

II-FIRE OPERATION/FIREFIGHTING
a. Fire Suppression - act or process of lowering the intensity of heat.
b. Fire Control - act or process of preventing the fire from spreading.
c. Fire Extinguishment - act or process to put out the main body of fire.
10 PHASES of FIREFIGHTING TACTICS/OPERATION:
1. Pre-Fire Planning Phase
Evaluation of building plans submitted
o Determine the exits
o Structure
o Content
2. Sizing Up Phase
－is to estimate the situation is to start after the fire alarm is received and considered the
following:
o Nature of Fire
o Tools and equipment available
o Assistance if it is necessary
3. Rescue Phase
Is to remove the victims from endangered areas and bringing them to a place of safety.
o Searching for victims
o Estimate the status of the victims
o Determine the nature of injury, if any
o Stabilizing the victims - first aid
o Bring the victims to the place of safety(hospital)
4. Cover Exposure Phase
－Is to prevent the fire from extending to other uninvolved buildings.
－ It involves:
o Placing fire streams directly to exposed building
o Placing fire streams between burning building and exposed building.
o Enter exposed building and windows, placing fire streams directly to burning building.
5. Confinement Phase
－ Is to prevent the fire from extending to other portions of the burning building but not yet
involved by the fire.
6. Ventilation Phase
-Is to remove smoke gas and heated air by allowing pure air to circulate through the involved
building.
-It involves:
o Making openings
o Use smoke ejector
o Proper use of fog streams
7. Extinguishment Phase
-is to put out the main body of fire.
－It involves:
o Locate the main body of fire
o Proper use and techniques of applying fire streams:
 Direct attack - if fire is limited and approachable.
 Indirect attack - if fire involves a large area and confined
the hottest portion and apply a fog stream over the hottest
area.
 Combination attack- if whole building is already involved
by fire and entry is difficult.
8. Salvage Phase
－Is to protect the valuable properties from damage other than fire.
－It involves:
o Covering properties endangered of indirect damage (water and heat damage)
o Removing endangered properties (safekeeping)
9. Overhauling Phase
Is to prevent the fire from rekindling and to leave the premises is a safe condition.
o Looking for remaining sources of origin such as embers, open flame, sparks among debris.
o Making the areas safe and habitable
o Gathering of physical evidences among debris to determine the cause fire.
10. Post Fire Analysis Phase
－Is to analyze the phases of operation.
－It involves:
o Evaluation
o Initial investigation

III-FIRE INVESTIGATION
 －Fire investigation is to determine
the origin (where) and cause（What) and nature (Why and How) of the fire. Fire
investigation is the analysis of fire-related incidents. After firefighters extinguish a fire, an
investigation is launched to determine the origin and cause of the fire or explosion.
a. ORIGIN – specific place where fire initially started.
b. CAUSE – the initial source of heat that ignited the initial fuel that burned.
c. NATURE – the manner and circumstances how fire initially started and how it
spread.
i. Providential – no human hand involved
Ex. Lightning
ii. Accidental – with human hand involved but without malicious intent.
iii. Incendiary (ARSON) – with human hand involved with malicious intent.

ARSON & OTHER CRIMES INVOLVING DESTRUCTIONS

(Art. 320-326 of the RPC)
Art. 320. Destructive arson. - The penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period to
reclusion Perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall burn:
1. Any arsenal, shipyard, storehouse or military powder or fireworks factory, ordinance,
storehouse, archives or general museum of the Government.
2. Any passenger train or motor vehicle in motion or vessel out of port.
3. In an inhabited place, any storehouse or factory of inflammable or explosive materials.
Art. 321. Other forms of arson. - When the arson consists in the. burning of -other property
and under the circumstances given hereunder. the offender shall be punishable:
1. By reclusion temporal or reclusion Perpetua:
（a) If the offender shall set fire to any building, farmhouse, warehouse. hut, shelter, or
vessel in port, knowing it to be occupied at the time by one or more persons;
（b) If the building burned is a public building and value of damage caused exceeds 6,000
pesos;
（c) If the building burned is a public building and the purpose is: destroy evidence kept
therein to be used in instituting prosecution for the punishment of violators of the law,
irrespective of the amount of the damage;
（d) If the building burned is a public building and the purpose is to destroy evidence kept
therein to be used in legislative, judicial or administrative proceedings, irrespective of the
amount of the damage; Provided, however, That if the evidence destroyed is to be used
against the defendant for the prosecution of any crime punishable under existing laws, the
penalty shall be reclusion Perpetua;
（e) If the arson shall have been committed with the intention of collecting under an
insurance policy against loss or damage by fire.
2. By reclusion temporal:
（a) If an inhabited house. or any other building in which people are accustomed to meet is
set on fire, and the culprit did not know that such house or building was occupied at the time,
or if he shall set fire to a moving freight train or motor vehicle, and the value of the damage
caused exceeds 6,000 pesos;
（b) If the value of the damage caused in paragraph (b) of the preceding subdivision does not
exceed 6,000 pesos;
（c) If a farm, sugar mill, cane mill, mill central, bamboo groves or any similar plantation is
set on fire and the damage caused exceeds 6,000 pesos; and
（d) If grain fields, pasture lands, or forests, or plantings are set on fire, and the damage
caused exceeds 6,000 pesos.
3. By prision mayor:
（a) If the value of the damage caused in the case mentioned in paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) in
the next preceding subdivision does not exceed 6,000 pesos;
（b) If a building not used as a dwelling or place of assembly, located in a populated place, is
set on fire, and the damage caused exceeds 6,000 pesos;
4. By prision correccional in its maximum period to prision mayor in its medium period:
（a) If a building used as dwelling located in an uninhabited place is set on fire and the
damage caused exceeds 1,000 pesos;
（b) If the value or the damage caused in the case mentioned in paragraphs
(c) and (d) of subdivision 2 of this article does not exceed 200 pesos.
5. By prision correccional in its medium period to prision mayor in its minimum period,
when the damage caused is over 200 pesos but does not exceed 1,000 pesos, and the property
referred to in paragraph (a) of the preceding subdivision is set on fire; but when the value of
such property does not exceed 200 pesos, the penalty next lower in degree than that
prescribed in this subdivision shall be imposed.
6. The penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if the damage
caused in the case mentioned in paragraph
（b) of subdivision 3 of this article does not exceed 6,000 pesos but is over 200 pesos.
7. The penalty of prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods, if the damage
caused in the case mentioned paragraph (b) subdivision 3 of this article does not exceed 200
pesos.
8. The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine ranging from fifty to one hundred per centum if the
damage caused shall be imposed, when the property burned consists of grain fields, pasture
lands, forests, or plantations when the value of such property does not exceed 200 pesos. (As
amended by R.A. 5467, approved May 12, 1969).

Art. 322. Cases of arson not included in the preceding articles. - Cases
of arson not included in the next preceding articles shall be punished:
1. By arresto mayor in its medium and maximum periods, when the
damage caused does not exceed 50 pesos;
2. By arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its minimum period,
when the damage caused is over 50 pesos but does not exceed 200 pesos;
3. By prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods, if the damage caused is over
200 pesos but does not exceed 1,000 pesos; and
4. By prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if it is over 1,000 pesos.

Art.323.Arson of property of small value. -The arson of any uninhabited hut, storehouse,
barn, shed, or any other property the value of which does not exceed 25 pesos, committed at a
time or under circumstances which clearly exclude all danger of the fire spreading, shall not
be punished by the penalties respectively prescribed in this chapter, but in accordance with
the damage caused and under the provisions of the following chapter.
Art 324.Crimes involving destruction. - Any person who shall cause destruction by means
of explosion, discharge of electric current, inundation, sinking or stranding of a vessel,
intentional damaging of the engine of said vessel, taking up the rails from a railway track,
maliciously changing railway signals for the safety of moving trains, destroying telegraph
wires and telegraph posts, or those of any other system, and, in general, by using any other
agency or means of destruction as effective as those above enumerated, shall be punished by
reclusion temporal if the commission has endangered the safety of any person, otherwise, the
penalty of prision mayor shall be imposed.
Art. 325. Burning one's own property as means to commit arson. - person guilty of arson
or causing great destruction of the property belonging to another shall suffer the penalties
prescribed in this chapter, even though he shall have set fire to or destroyed his own property
for the purposes of committing the crime.
Art. 326. Setting fire to property exclusively owned by the offender.
if the property burned shall be the exclusive property of the offender, shall be punished by
arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its minimum period, if the
arson he shall have been committed for the purpose of defrauding or causing damage to
another, or prejudice shall actually have been caused, or if the thing burned shall have been a
building in an inhabited place.
326-A. In cases where death resulted as a consequence of arson.
－If death resulted as a consequence of arson committed on any of the properties and under
any of the circumstances mentioned in the preceding articles, the court shall impose the death
penalty.
326-B. Prima facie evidence of arson. - Any of the following circumstances shall constitute
prima facie evidence of arson:
1. If after the fire, are found materials or substances soaked in gasoline, kerosene, petroleum,
or other inflammables, or any mechanical, electrical chemical or traces or any of the
foregoing.
2. That substantial amount of inflammable substance or materials were stored within the
building not necessary in the course of the defendant's business; and
3. That the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or locale under
circumstances that cannot normally be due to accidental or unintentional causes: Provided,
however, that at least one of the following is present in any of the three above-mentioned
circumstances:
(a) that the total insurance carried on the building and/or goods is more than 80 per
cent of the value of such building and/or goods at the time of the fire;
(b) that the defendant after the fire has presented a fraudulent claim for loss.
The penalty of prision correccional shall be imposed on one who plants the
articles above-mentioned, in order to secure a conviction, or as a means of
extortion or coercion. (As amended by R.A. 5467, approved May 12,1969).

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1613 AMENDING THE LAW ON ARSON

Sec. 1. Arson. - Any person who burns or sets fire to the property of
another shall be punished by Prision mayor. The same penalty shall be imposed when a
person sets fire to his own property under circumstances which expose to danger the life or
property of another.
Sec.2.Destructive Arson. -The penalty of Reclusion temporal in its maximum period to
Reclusion perpetua shall be imposed if the property burned is any of the following:
1. Any ammunition factory and other establishment where explosives, inflammable or
combustible materials are stored.
2. Any archive, museum, whether public or private or any edifice devoted to culture,
education or social services.
3. Any church or place or worship or other building where people usually assemble.
4. Any train, airplane or any aircraft, vessel or watercraft, or conveyance for transportation of
persons or property.
5. Any building where evidence is kept for use in any legislative. judicial, administrative or
other official proceedings.
6. Any hospital, hotel, dormitory, lodging house, housing tenement. shopping center, public
or private market, theater or movie house or any similar place or building.
7. Any building, whether used as dwelling or not, situated in a populated or congested area.
Sec. 3. Other Cases of Arson. - The penalty of Reclusion temporal to Reclusion perpetua
shall be imposed if the property burned is any of the following:
1. Any building used as offices of the government or any of its agencies;
2. Any uninhabited house or dwelling;
3. Any industrial establishment, shipyard, oil well or mine shaft, platform or tunnel;
4. Any plantation, farm, pastureland, growing crop, grain filed, orchard, bamboo grove or
forest;
5. Any rice mill, cane mill or mill central; and
6. Any railway or bus station, airport, wharf or warehouse.
Sec. 4. Special Aggravating Circumstances in Arson. -The penalty in any case of arson
shall be imposed in its maximum period:
1. If committed with intent to gain;
2. If committed for the benefit of another;
3. If the offender is motivated by spite or hatred towards the owner or occupant of the
property burned;
4. If committed by a syndicate.
The offense is committed by a syndicate if it is planned or carried out by a group of three (3)
or more persons.
Sec.5. Where Death Results from Arson. - If by reason of or on the occasion of arson death
results, the penalty of Reclusion perpetua to death shall be imposed.
Sec.6. Prima Facie Evidence of Arson. -Any of the following circumstances
shall constitute prima facie evidence of arson:
1. If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or establishment.
2. If substantial amount of flammable substances or materials are stored within the building
not necessary in the business of the offender nor for household use.
3. Gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible substances or materials
soaked therewith or containers, thereof, or any mechanical, electrical, chemical, or electronic
contrivance designed to start a fire, or ashes or traces of any of the foregoing are found in the
ruins or premises of the burned building or property.
4. If the building or property is insured for substantially more than its actual value at the time
of the issuance of the policy.
5. if during the lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance policy more than two fires have
occurred in the same or other premises owned or under the control of the offender and/or
insured.
6. if shortly before the fire a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored in building
or property had been withdrawn from the premises except in the ordinary course of business.
7. if a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the fire in
exchange for the desistance of the offender or for the safety of other person or property of the
victim.
Sec. 7. Conspiracy to commit arson – conspiracy to commit arson shall be punished by
prision mayor in its minimum period.
Sec. 8. Confiscation of object of arson – the building which is the object of arson including
the land on which it is situated shall be confiscated and escheated to the state, unless the
owner thereof can prove that he has no participation in nor knowledge of such arson despite
the exercise of due diligence on his part.
Sec.9. Repealing Clause – the provision of articles 320 to 326-B of the Revised Penal Code
and all laws, executive orders, rules and regulation, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the
provisions of this decree are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec.10. Effectivity -this decree take effect immediately upon publication thereof at least once
in a newspaper of general circulation.
Done in the city of Manila this 7th day of March nineteen hundred and seventy-nine.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO.1744 AMENDING ARTICLE

THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY OF THE REVISED
 PENAL CODE PROVISIONS ON ARSON

Sec.1.Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code shall read as follows:

Art.320.Destructive Arson. -The penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period to
death shall be imposed upon any person who shall burn:
1. One (1) or more buildings or edifices, consequent to one single act of burning or as a result
of simultaneous burnings, or committed on several or different occasions;
2. Any building of public or private ownership, devoted to the public in general or where
people usually gather or congregate for a definite purpose such as but not limited to official
governmental function or business, private transaction, commerce, trade workshop, meetings
and conferences, or merely incidental to a definite purpose such as but not limited to hotels,
motels, transient dwellings, public conveyance or stops or terminals, regardless of whether
the offender had knowledge that there are persons in said building or edifice at the time it is
set on fire and regardless also of whether the building is actually inhabited or not.
3. Any train or locomotive, ship or vessel, airship or airplane, devoted to transportation or
conveyance, or for public use, entertainment or leisure.
4. Any building, factory, warehouse installation and any appurtenances thereto, which are
devoted to the service of public utilities.
5. Any building the burning of which is for the purpose of concealing or destroying evidence
of another violation of law, or for the purpose of concealing bankruptcy or defrauding
creditors or to collect from insurance. irrespective of the application of the above enumerated
qualifying circumstances, the penalty of death shall likewise be imposed when the arson is
perpetrated or committed by two (2) or more persons or by a group of persons, regardless of
whether their purpose is merely to burn or
destroy the building or the burning merely constitutes an overt act in the commission or
another violation of law.
The penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period to death shall also be imposed upon
any person who shall burn:
1. Any arsenal, shipyard, storehouse or military powder or fireworks factory, ordinance,
storehouse, archives or general museum of the government.
2. In an inhabited place, any storehouse or factory of inflammable or explosive materials. If
as a consequence of his commission of any of the acts penalized under
this Article, death or injury results, or any valuable documents, equipment, machineries,
apparatus, or other valuable properties were burned or destroyed, the mandatory penalty of
death shall be imposed.”

Sec.2.Provisions of Articles 320, 321 and 322 of the Revised Penal Code
which are or may be inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
Sec.3.Effectivity.-This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen
hundred and eighty.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 9263

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE BUREAU OF
FIRE PROTECTION (BFP) AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND
PENOLOGY (BJMP), AMENDING CERTAIN, PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT
NO.6975, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SEC. I. Title. -This Act shall be known as the “Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004.”
SEC.2. Declaration of Policy and Principles. - It is declared policy of the state to maintain
peace and order, protect life, liberty and property, and promote the general welfare essential
for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy (Article II, Section 5 of the
Philippine Constitution)Moreover it recognizes the responsibility of the state to strengthen
government capability aimed towards the strengthening of the delivery of basic services to
the citizenry though the institutionalization of highly efficient and competent fire and jail
services. It is provided for under Republic Act No.6975, otherwise known as the “Department
of the Interior and Local Government Act 1990", that the task of fire protection, and jail
management and penology shall be the responsibility of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP),
respectively. Moreover, Section 3 of the Republic Act No.8551, otherwise known as the
"Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998", provides that in times
of national emergency, BFP and the BJMP along with the Philippine National Police (PNP)
shall, upon the direction of the president, assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in
meeting the national emergency, in addition to the performance of their inherent functions as
mandated by law. It is therefore recognized that the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the
BJMP, as member of the uniformed service of the government under the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG), are required the same amount of sacrifice, service
and dedication like their counterparts in the PNP and the AFP to carry out their respective
duties to the extent of risking their lives and limbs. Towards this end, the state shall provide
for the Professionalization and restructuring of the BFP and the BJMP by upgrading the level
of qualifications of their uniformed personnel and standardizing their base pay, retirement
and other benefits, making it at par with those of the PNP and the AFP.
SEC.3.Organization and Key Positions of the BFP and the BJMP.-The BFP and the
BJMP shall be respectively headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by two (2) deputy chiefs,
one (1) for administration and one (1) for operations, all of whom shall be appointed by the
President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG from among the qualified
officers with at least the rank of senior superintendent in the service: Provided, that in no case
shall any officer who has retired or is retirable within six (6) month from his/her compulsory
retirement age be appointed as Chief of the Fire Bureau or Chief of the Jail Bureau, as the
case may be, Provided, further, that the Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau
shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed four (4) years: Provided, however, that in times of war
or other national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend such tour of
duty. The Heads of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of director shall have the position
title of Chief of the Fire Bureau and the chief of the Jail Bureau, respectively. The second
officers in command of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of chief superintendent shall
have the position title of Deputy Chief for Administration of the Jail Bureau, respectively.
The third officer in command of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of chief superintendent
shall have the position title of Deputy Chief for Operation of Fire Bureau and Deputy Chief
for Operation of the jail Bureau, respectively. The fourth officers in command of the BFP and
the BJMP with the rank of chief superintendent shall have the respective position title of
chief of Directorial staff of the fire bureau and Chief of Directorial Staff of the Jail Bureau,
who shall be assisted by the directors of the directorates in the respective national
headquarters office with at least the rank of senior superintendent. The BFP and the shall
establish, operate and maintain their respective regional offices in each of the administrative
regions of the country which shall be respectively headed by a Regional Director for Fire
Protection and a Regional Director of Jail Management and Penology with the rank of senior
superintendent. He She shall be respectively assisted by the following officers with the rank
of superintendent: Assistant Regional Director for Administration, Assistant Director for
Operations, and Regional Chief of Directorial Staff.
SEC. 4. Professionalization and Upgrading of Qualification Standards in
the Appointment of Uniformed Personnel to the BFP and the BJMP. -No
person shall be appointed as uniformed personnel of the BFP and the
BJMP unless he/she possesses the following minimum qualifications:
a) A citizen of the Republic of the Philippines;
b) A person of good moral character;
c) Must have passed the psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical test for the purpose of
determining his/her physical and mental health;
d) Must possess a baccalaureate degree from recognized institution of learning;
e) Must possess the appropriate civil service eligibility;
f) Must not have been dishonorably discharged of dismissal for cause from previous
employment;
g) Must not have been convicted by final judgement of an offense or
crime involving moral turpitude;
h) Must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters (1.62 m.) in height for male, and one
meter and fifty-seven centimeters (1.57 m.) for female: Provided, That a waiver for height
and age requirement\s shall be automatically granted to applicants belonging to the cultural
communities; and

I.) Must weight not more or less than five kilograms (5 kgs.) from the standard weight
corresponding to his/her height, age and sex; Provided, That a new applicants must be less
than twenty one (21) nor more than thirty (30) years of age: except for this particular
provision, the above-enumerated qualifications shall be continuing in character and an
absence of any one of them at any given time shall be ground for separation or retirement
from the service: Provided, further, That the uniformed personnel who are already in the
service upon the effectivity of this Act shall be given five (5) years to obtain the minimum
educational qualification and one (1) year to
satisfy the weight requirement. After the lapse of the time of period for the satisfaction of a
specific requirement, current uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP who will fail to
satisfy any of the requirements enumerated under this Section shall be separated from the
service if they are below fifty (50) years of age and have served in the government for less
than twenty (20) years, or retired if
they are age fifty (50) and above and have served in the government for at least twenty (20)
years without prejudice in either case to the payment of benefits they may be entitled to under
existing laws.

SEC.5.Appointment of Uniformed Personnel to the BFP and the BJMP. -

The appointment of the BFP and the BJMP shall be affected in the following
manners:

a) Fire/Jail Officer I to Senior Fire/Jail Officer IV.-Appointed by the respective

Regional Director for Fire Protection and Regional Director for Jail Management and
Penology for the regional office uniformed personnel or by the respective Chief of the
Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau for the national headquarters office
uniformed personnel, and attested by the Civil Service Commission（CSC);
b)“Fire/Jail Inspector to Fire/Jail Superintendent.-Appointed by the respective
Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau, as recommended by their
immediate superiors, and attested by the CSC;
c) Fire/Jail Senior Superintendent. - Appointed by the Secretary of the DILG upon
recommendation of the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail
Bureau, with the proper attestation of the CSC; and
d) Fire/ Jail Chief Superintendent to Fire/Jail Director. - Appointed by the
President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG, with the proper
endorsement by the Chairman of the CSC.

SEC. 6. Lateral Entry of Officer into the BFP and the BJMP. - In general, all original
appointments of officers in the Fire Bureau and Jail Bureau shall commence the rank of
fire/jail inspector wherein applicants for lateral entry into the BFP shall include all those with
highly specialized and technical qualifications such as, but not limited to, civil engineers,
mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, chemical engineers, chemist, architects,
criminologists, certified public accountants, nurses, physical
therapists, and dentists, while applicants for lateral entry into the BJMP. shall include all
those with highly specialized and technical qualifications such as, but not limited to, social
workers, psychologists, teachers, nurses, dentists and engineers. Doctor of Medicine,
members of the Philippine Bar and chaplains shall be appointed to the rank of fire/jail senior
inspector in their particular technical service. Graduate of the Philippine National Police
Academy (PNPA) shall be automatically appointed to the initial rank of fire/jail inspector.

SEC.7.Professionalization and Upgrading of Qualification Standards in

the Designation of Uniformed Personnel of the BFP and the BJMP to Key
Positions. –

a) No person shall be designated to the following key positions of the BFP and the
BJMP unless he/she has met the qualifications provided therein:
1) Municipal Fire Marshal. - Should have the rank of senior inspector, who must
have finished at least second year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twelve (12)
 units in a master's degree program in public administration, management, engineering,
public safety, criminology or other related discipline from recognized institution of
learning, and must have satisfactory passed the necessary training of career courses
for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau;
2)City Fire Marshal.-Should have the rank of chief senior inspector, who must have
finished at least second year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twenty four (24)
units in a master's degree program in public administration, management, engineering,
public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from recognized institution of
learning, and must have satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses
for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau;
3) District Fire Marshal, Provincial Fire Marshal, Assistant Regional
Director for Administration, Assistant Regional Director for
Operations and Regional Chief of Directorial Staff. - Should have the rank of
superintendent, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a master's
degree in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology
or other related disciplines from recognized institution of learning, and
must have satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such
position as may be established by the Fire Bureau;
4) District Fire Marshal for the National Capital Region, Regional
Director for Fire Protection and Director of the Directorate of the
National Headquarters Office. - Should have at least the rank of senior
superintendent, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of master's
degree in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology
or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have
satisfactory passed the necessary training or career course for such position as may be
established by the Fire Bureau;
5) Deputy Chief for Administration of the Fire Bureau, Deputy
Chief for Operations of the Fire Bureau and Chief Directorial Staff
of the Fire Bureau.- Should have the rank of superintendent, who must be a member of the
Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public administration, management,
engineering, public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from recognized
institution of learning, and must have satisfactory passed the necessary training or career
courses for such as may be established by the Fire Bureau; and
6) Chief of the Fire Bureau. - Should have the rank of director, who must be a member of
the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public administration, management,
engineering, public safety, criminology or other related discipline from a recognized
institution of learning, and must satisfactory passed
the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Fire
Bureau.

SEC. 8. Professionalization and qualifications upgrading Program – The DILG shall

design and establish a professionalization and qualifications upgrading program for
uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP in coordination with the CSC and the
Commission of Higher Education (CHED) though an off-campus education program or other
similar programs within ninety (90) days from the effective of this Act.

SEC. 9. Attrition system for the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP – there
shall be established a system of attrition for the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the
BJMP within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act to be submitted by said bureaus to
the DILG for approval. Such attrition system shall include. But is not limited to, the provision
of the following principles.
a) Attrition by Demotion in Position or Rank. - Any uniformed personnel of the
BFP and the BJMP who is relieved and assigned to a position lower than that is
established for his/her grade in the. respective staffing pattern of the Fire Bureau
and the Jail Bureau, and who shall not be assigned to a position commensurate to
his/ her grade within two (2) years after such demotion in position shall be
separated or retired from the service;
b) Attrition by Non-Promotion. - Any uniformed personnel of the BFP and the
BJMP who has not been promoted for a continuous period of ten (10) years shall
be separated or retired from the service, except for those who are occupying a
third-level position;
c) Attrition by Other Means. - Any uniformed personnel of the BFP and the
BJMP with at least five (5) years of accumulated active service shall be separated
from the service based on any of the following factors:

1) Inefficiency based on poor performance during the last two (2) successive
semestral ratings period;
2) Inefficiency based on poor performance for three (3) cumulative semestral
rating period;
3) Physical and/or mental incapacity to perform his/her duties and functions; or
4) Failure to complete the required career courses and/or appropriate
civil service eligibility for his/her position except for justifiable; and

d) Separation or Retirement from the Fire Bureau and the Jail Bureau
under this Section. - Any personnel who is dismissed from the BFP and the
BJMP pursuant to the above-enumerated principles in this Section shall be
separated if he/she has rendered less than twenty (20) years of service, and.be
retired if he/she has rendered at least twenty (20) years of service unless the
concerned personnel are disqualified by law to receive such benefits.
SEC.10. Promotion System for the Uniformed Personnel of the BFP and
BJMP. - Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, the DILG shall establish a
system of promotion for the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP though the
following principles:
a) Rationalized Promotion System. - The system of promotion shall be based on merits and
on the availability of vacant ranks in the BFP and the BJMP staffing pattern. Such system
shall be gender fair so as to ensure that women personnel of the Fire Bureau and the Jail
Bureau shall enjoy equal opportunity for promotion as to men;
b) Requirement for Promotion. - 1) Any personnel of the BFP and the BJMP shall not
eligible for promotion to a higher rank unless he/she has met the minimum qualification
standards or the appropriate civil service eligibility set by the CSC, and has the satisfactorily
passed the required psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical test; 2) Any personnel of the
BFP and the BJMP who has exhibited act of conspicuous courage and gallantry at the risk
his/her life above and beyond the call of duty, or selected as such in a nationwide search
conducted by any accredited civic organization, shall be promoted to the next higher rank,
Provided, That these shall be validated by the DILG and the CSC based on established
criteria.

SEC. 11. Performance Evaluation System. - There shall be an established performance

evaluation system which shall be administered in accordance with the rules, regulations and
standards. The code of conduct for the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP to be
promulgated by the Fire Bureau and the Jail Bureau through the DILG. Performance
evaluation system shall be administered in such a way as to foster the improvement of the
individual efficiency and behavioral discipline as well as the promotion of organizational
effectiveness and commitment to service. The rating system as contemplated herein shall be
based on standard prescribed by the Fire Bureau and the Jail Bureau through the DILG and
shall be consider the result of the annual psychiatric/psychological and physical test
conducted on the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP.

SEC. 12. Standardization of the Base Pay, Retirement and other Benefits
of the Uniformed Personnel of the BFP and the BJMP. - In order to enhance the general
welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of the uniformed personnel of the BFP
and the BJMP, they shall receive the minimum starting salary equivalent to the salary grade
level of the corresponding rank classification of their counterparts in the PNP, as provided
under Section 36 of Republic Act No. 8551, and in the AFP, as provided under Section 2 of
Republic Act No. 9166. The rate of the base pay of the uniformed personnel of the BFP and
the BJMP shall be adjusted
in accordance with the following salary grade schedule: RANK SALARY GRADE

Fire/Jail Director －28

Fire/Jail Chief Superintendent －27
Fire/Jail Senior Superintendent －26
Fire/Jail Superintendent －25
Fire/Jail Chief Inspector －24
Fire/Jail Senior Inspector －23
Fire/Jail Inspector －22
Senior Fire/Jail Officer IV －19
Senior Fire/Jail Officer III －18
Senior Fire/Jail Officer II －17
Senior Fire/Jail Officer I －16
 Fire/Jail Officer III －14
Fire/Jail Officer II －12
Fire/Jail Officer I －10

Provided, that all benefits currently receive by the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the
BJMP under existing laws shall continue to be received by them: Provided, further, that their
retirement pay shall be subject to adjustment/s based on the prevailing scale of base pay of
the uniformed personnel in the active service.

SEC. 13. Implementation. -The implementation of this Act shall be undertaken in staggered
phases, but not to exceed three (3) years, taking into consideration the financial position of
the national government: Provided, that any partial implementation shall be uniform and
proportionate for all ranks.

SEC. 14. Implementation Rules and Regulations. -The DILG in coordination

with the BFP and the BJMP, the CSC, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
and the Department of Finance (DOF) shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of
this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provision of this
Act.

SEC. 15. Annual Report. -The BFP and the BJMP through the DILG and the DBM shall
jointly submit to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
an annual report on the implementation of this Act. This report shall include information on
the application of the budget for the salary and other benefits provided under this Act. The
DBM, in consultation with the BFP and the BJMP though the DILG, shall periodically
review and adjust every five (5) years the rates of base pay, taking into consideration labor
productivity, consume: price index, oil price and other similar economic indicators as may be
determined by the National Economic and Development authority (NEDA).

SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions
not affected thereby.

SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other
issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 18. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers
of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.