NOTES ON CRIME DETECTION AND INVESTIGATION C.

HEAT
CDI-6: FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON INVESTIGATION - the energy component of the fire tetrahedron
- when heat comes into contact with a fuel, the energy supports
the combustion reaction
FIRE
- heat energy is measured in units of Joules (J), however it can
- a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the
also be measured in Calories (1 Calorie = 4.184 J) and BTU's
evolution of heat and light of varying intensity
(1 BTU = 1055 J)
- an active chemical reaction that takes place between fuel,
heat and oxygen in the form of light and noticeable heat
- a chemical reaction; the rapid oxidation of a fuel producing TEMPERATURE
heat and light - a measure of the degree of molecular activity of a material
- an oxidation taking place with a rate rapid enough to produce compared to a reference point
heat and light - a measure of the degree of molecular activity of a material
compared to a reference point
TECHNOLOGY - measured in degrees Farenheit or degrees Celsius
- the branch of knowledge that deals with industrial arts and  
sciences ºC ºF Response
- the application of such knowledge that is used to produce the 37 98.6 Normal human oral/body
material necessity of society temperature
44 111 Human skin begins to feel pain
ELEMENTS OF FIRE OR TRIANGLE OF FIRE 48 118 Human skin receives a first
degree burn injury
FUEL - anything that will burn when heated with sufficient oxygen 55 131 Human skin receives a second
degree burn injury
OXYGEN 62 140 A phase where burned human
- aids in combustion; comes from the atmosphere we breath; tissue becomes numb
the atmosphere contains: 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 1% 72 162 Human skin is instantly
impurities destroyed
HEAT - source of ignition 100 212 Water boils and produces steam
140 284 Glass transition temperature of
TRIANGLE OF FIRE polycarbonate
For many years, the fire triangle (oxygen, fuel and heat) was 230 446 Melting temperature of
taught as the components of fire. While this simple example is useful, it polycarbonate
is NOT technically correct. 250 482 Charring of natural cotton
begins
300 572 Charring of modern protective
TETRAHEDRON OF FIRE clothing fabrics begins
- a geometric representation of what is required for fire to 600 1112 Temperatures inside a post-
exist, namely, fuel, an oxidizing agent, heat, and an flashover room fire
uninhibited chemical reaction  
TYPES OF ENERGY (COMMON SOURCES OF HEAT)
FIRE TETRAHEDRON 1.CHEMICAL ENERGY
- Oxygen (oxidizing agent) - the most common source of heat in combustion reactions
- Fuel
- Heat When any combustible is in contact with oxygen, oxidation
- Self-sustained chemical reaction occurs. The reaction of this process results in the production
of heat.
Each component of the tetrahedron must be in ex. Heat generated from burning match, self heating
place for combustion to occur. Remove one of the four (spontaneous heating)
components and combustion will not occur. If ignition has 2. ELECTRICAL ENERGY
already occurred, the fire is extinguished when one of the - can generate temperature high enough to ignite any
components is removed from the reaction. combustible material near the heated area
Examples:
A.OXYGEN (Oxidizing Agent) 1. over current or overload
- a colorless, odorless gas and one of the compositions of air 2. arcing
which is approximately 21% percent by volume 3. sparking
Oxygen sources: Oxygen requirements: 4. static
1. 21% of normal oxygen 1. 12% no fire 5. lightning
2. 78% nitrogen 2. 14% flash point 3. NUCLEAR ENERGY
3. 1% other gases 3. 21% fire point - generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or combine
(fusion)
B. FUEL
Ex.
- the material or substance being oxidized or burned in the
1. fission heats water to drive steam turbines and produce
combustion process.
electricity
Fuel sources
2. solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction
1. Solid - molecules are closely packed together
4. MECHANICAL ENERGY
2. Liquid- molecules are loosely packed
- an energy created by friction and compression
3. Gas- molecules are free to move
a. Heat of friction - the movement of two surfaces against each
other, thus producing sparks
 b. Heat of compression - heat is generated when a gas is
compressed in a container or cylinder
D. SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION
Combustion is a complex reaction that requires a fuel (in the
gaseous or vapor state), an oxidizer, and heat energy to come together
in a very specific way. Once flaming combustion or fire occurs, it can
only continue when enough heat energy is produced to cause the
continued development of fuel vapors or gases. Scientists call this type
of reaction a “chain reaction”.
A chain reaction is a series of reactions that occur in
sequence with the result of each individual reaction being added to the
rest.
FIRE DEVELOPMENT
When the four components of the fire tetrahedron come
together, ignition occurs. For a fire to grow beyond the first material
ignited, heat must be transmitted beyond the first material to additional
fuel packages.
STAGES OF FIRE
1.IGNITION
- describes the period when the four elements of the fire
tetrahedron come together and combustion begins
2. GROWTH
- shortly after ignition, a fire plume begins to form above the
burning fuel. As the plume develops, it begins to draw or
entrain air from the surrounding space into the column.
3. FLASHOVER
- the transition between the growth and the fully developed fire
stages and is not a specific event such as ignition. During
flashover, conditions in the compartment change very rapidly
as the fire changes from one that is dominated by the burning
of the materials first ignited to one that involves all of the
exposed combustible surfaces within the compartment.
4. FULLY-DEVELOPED
- occurs when all combustible materials in the compartment
are involved in the fire
5.DECAY
- as the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment,
the rate of heat released begins to decline.
THREE (3) STAGES OF FIRE
1. INCIPIENT STAGE
- initial stage of fire
Characteristics
- normal room temperature
- oxygen plentiful
- thermal updraft rise accumulates at higher point
- temperature at 1000 F
- Producing C02, CO, SO2, water and other gases
2. FREE BURNING PHASE
- a phase of burning in which materials or structures
are burning in the presence of adequate oxygen
Characteristics
- fire has involved more fuel
- oxygen supply has depleted
- heat accumulates at upper area
- temperature exceeds 1,330 F
- area is fully involved
3. SMOLDERING PHASE
- final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but
dense smoke and heat completely fill the confined
room
MODES OF HEAT TRANSFER
Heat is by-product of combustion that is of significant
importance to the firefighter. It is heat that causes fire to sustain its
combustion and, more important, to extend. When heat given off as a
product of combustion is exposed to an unheated substance, certain
changes occur that can make the new substance a contributing factor in
extending a fire.
CONDUCTION
- heat transfer within solids or between contacting
solids
When a hot object transfers its heat, conduction has taken
place. The transfer could be to another object or to another portion of
the same object. As we have discovered and will be constantly
reinforced about, combustion occurs on the molecular level. When an
object heats up, the atoms become agitated and begin to collide with
one another. A chain reaction of molecules and atoms, like wave
energy, occurs and causes the agitated molecules to pass the heat
energy to areas of non-heat.
CONVECTION
- heat transfer by the movement of liquids or gasses
Air that is hotter than its surroundings rises. Air that is cooler
than its surroundings sinks. Air is made up of many molecules floating
about freely. Even so, it still has weight. Some molecules are made up
of the same element. For example, oxygen in its natural state will
combine with another oxygen atom to form a stable oxygen molecule.
In a given volume, air at a given temperature will have the same
density. When heated, as in conduction theory, the molecules become
agitated and begin to collide with one another. In the process, the
molecules are demanding more space to accommodate the vibrations
and they push into one another as they seek that space. When that
happens, the density of a given volume is reduced and it weighs less.
Because it weighs less, it rises until it reaches equilibrium-the level at
which the weight is the same as the surrounding atmosphere.
RADIATION
- heat transfer by electromagnetic waves
The last form of heat transfer occurs by radiation. As we have
already seen, heat energy can be transmitted directly when molecules
collide with one another and cause the waves of heat energy to travel.
FLAME CONTACT
- heat may be conducted from one body to another by direct
flame contact
PROPERTIES OF FIRE
1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
a. Specific gravity
- the ratio of the weight of a solid or substance to the
weight of an equal volume of water
b. Vapor density
- the weight of volume of pure gas compared to
weight of a volume of dry air at the same
temperature and pressure
c. Vapor pressure
- the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of
the liquid at the equilibrium
d. Temperature
- the measure of the thermal degree of the agitation
of molecules of a given substance; the measure of
the molecular activity within the substance
e. Boiling Point
- the constant temperature at which the vapor
pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric
pressure
f. Ignition temperature
- the minimum temperature to which the substance in
the air must be heated in order to initiate or cause
self-contained combustion without addition of heat
from outside sources
g. Fire point
 - the temperature at which the material will give off II. BASED ON BURNING FUEL
ample vapors to keep burning CLASS A
h. Flash point - ordinary solid materials such as wood, paper, fabrics, etc.
- the temperature at which the material is not hot - this will be indicated by deep cited fire, leaves ashes and
enough to keep burning, but still gives off enough embers (glowing coals) after burning
vapors to cause a flame across the surface CLASS B
2. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES - flammable liquids such as gasoline, lube oil, kerosene, paint
a. Endothermic reaction thinner, etc.
- are changes whereby energy is absorbed or is added CLASS C
before the reaction takes place - electrical appliances; causes electric shock
b. Exothermic reaction CLASS D
- reactions or changes that releases or give off energy - metal fire such as magnesium (white element burning with
c. Oxidation dazzling light), sodium (a silver white metallic element), etc.;
- a chemical change in which combustible material creates violent reaction
and an oxidizing material react CLASS E
d. Combustion or flame - flammable gases such as LPG, LNG, etc.; also creates violent
- the manifestation of fire is in its gas-phased reaction
combustion; matter that is produced by fire.
Fire Classes in the United Kingdom and Europe
Material Ignition Temperature A – ordinary combustibles
F C B – flammable or flammable liquids
Gasoline 536 280 C – flammable gasses
Kerosene 410 210 D – combustible metals
Turpentine 488 E – (this class is no longer existing in Europe)
253 F – cooking oils and fats
Paper 842
450 Fire Classes in Australia and Asia
Wood 489 A – everyday combustibles
254 B – combustible or combustible liquids
Coal 750 C – combustible gasses
400 D – combustible metals
E – electrical equipment
CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIRE F – cooking fats and oils
I. BASED ON CAUSE
a. Natural fire/ providential Fire Classes in the U.S.A. (NFPA)
b. Accidental fire A – regular combustibles
c. Intentional Fire/Incendiary B – flammable liquids and gasses
d. Undetermined C – electrical appliances
D – combustible metals
A. NATURAL FIRE K – cooking oils and fats
- involves fires without direct human intervention
Examples:
- Earthquake FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT
- Typhoon
- Lightning EXTINGUISHING AGENT
- Spontaneous combustion arising from the storage 1. Class A – water (all agents)
of combustible materials in poorly ventilated places 2. Class B – foam/carbon dioxide (all agents)
- Explosion from petroleum products, alcohol and 3. Class C – carbon dioxide/powder (never use water, soda acid
other substances and foam)
- Sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as a 4. Class D – special powder
convex lens 5. Class E – all agents
B. ACCIDENTAL FIRE
- Carelessly discarded cigarettes METHODS OF EXTINGUISHMENT
- Careless disposition of readily combustible 1. COOLING – heat absorption.
materials 2. SEPARATION – the removal of the fuel.
- Poorly managed or defective heating facilities 3. SMOTHERING – by expelling oxygen
- Overheating, spark and electrical defects 4. Inhibition or the interruption of chemical chain reaction
- Overload electric circuits/ Octopus connections
- Children playing matches Strategies Used in Firefighting:
- Use of candles 1. Locate the fire
C. INCENDIARY FIRE 2. Confine the fire
- is one deliberately set under circumstances in 3. Extinguish the fire
which the person knows that the fire should not be 4. Exposures
set
D. UNDETERMINED FIRE CAUSE Factors to Consider in Extinguishment:
- whenever the cause cannot be proven, the proper 1. Time
classification is undetermined 2. Weather (temperature, humidity, wind)
3. Fire ( ex. Extent, location, bldg construction, contents
involved)
 4. Occupancy
5. Ventilation (used for clearing the bldg of smoke and gases)
Types of Ventilation:
a. Vertical ventilation - must be worked from the top to bottom
b. Cross or horizontal ventilation - used if gases have not
reached the higher level through the opening of windows
c. Mechanical force ventilation - a method whereby a device
such as smoke ejector is utilized to remove faster excessive
heat and dense smoke
Factors to determine the location for the opening:
1. Location of intensity of fire
2. Highest point on the roof
3. Direction of wind
4. Existing exposure
5. Extent of fire
6. Obstruction
ADDITIONAL BASIC TACTICS USED IN EXTINGUISHING
FIRE
1. RESCUE - any action taken by the firefighters to remove
occupants/ persons from building/ hazards to a safety place
2. OVERHAUL - a complete and detailed checked of the
structures and materials involved in the fire to make sure that
every spark and ember has been extinguished and to have
assurance against re-ignition
3. SALVAGE - an action taken by the firefighters in preventing
excessive damage by fire, water with the use of salvage cover
or by removing materials out from the burning building
Types of ladder
1. Ground ladders (10 to 55 ft. long)
2. Aerial ladders
Purposes of ladders
a. for rescue
b. to stretch line into a fire building
c. to provide ventilation by giving access to places that are hard to
reach
Forms of ground ladders
a. Wall
b. Extension
c. Hook or straight ladder
d. Attic ladder
LADDER TERMINOLOGY
1. Bed ladder - the lowest section of an extension ladder
2. Fly ladder - the top section of an extension ladder
3. Butt - the bottom end of a ladder
4. Heel - the part of the ladder that touches the ground
5. Halyard - a rope or cable used to raised the fly ladder
6. Pawl or dog - the mechanism located at the end of the fly
ladder that locks to the bed ladder
7. Rung - the cross member of the ladder that is used for
climbing
8. Top or tip - it is the top part of the ladder
9. Hooks - part of a ladder that is used to hook over a roof peak,
sills, or walls where the heel does not rest on a foundation.
(roof type ladders)
10. Stops - made of metal or wood blocks used to prevent the fly
of an extension ladder from extending out further from the
ladder
11. Guides - light metal strips of an extension ladder that guides
the fly ladder while it is being raised or lowered
ARSON INVESTIGATIVE GUIDE AND PROCEDURES
ARSON
- the willful and malicious burning of all kinds of buildings
and structures including personal properties
INVESTIGATION
- an art that deals with the identity and location of the offender
and provides evidence of his guilt in criminal proceedings
ELEMENTS OF ARSON
1. Actual burning took place
2. Actual burning is done with malicious intent
3. The actual burning is done by person(s) legally and
criminally liable
LAW AND JURISPRUDENCE
The law on arson in the Philippines is covered by Articles
320 to 326 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by PD No. 1613,
PD No. 1744, and Sec. 50 Rule VIII IRR of RA 6975 which provides
that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shall have the power to
investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper
complaint with the City/Provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over
arson cases.
LAWS ON ARSON
1. Article 320 – 326 of the Revised Penal Code
- defines arson, its forms and penalties
2. PD 1613 – the law amending the law on arson
- defining the prima facie evidence of arson
3. RA 7659
- An Act to Impose Death Penalty on Certain
Heinous Crimes, amending for that purpose the Revised
Penal Code as amended, other special laws, and for other
purposes
4. RA 6975 Sec. 54
- provides that the Fire Bureau shall have the power
to investigate all causes of fires and if necessary file the
proper complaint with the City/Provincial Prosecutor who has
jurisdiction over the case
What Constitutes Arson?
1. Burning
2. Willfulness – means intentional and implies that the act was
done purposely and intentionally
3. Malice – denotes hatred or ill will or a desire for revenge;
deliberate intention of doing unjustified harm for the
satisfaction of doing it
4. Motive – the moving cause which induces the commission of
a crime; something that leads or influences a person to do
something
5. Intent – the purpose or design with which the act is done and
involves the will; an essential element of crime, motive is not
Why is arson very hard to investigate?
Arson is one of the most difficult offenses to investigate
because the arsonist can be able to set a fire and escape undetected. The
fire can consume the scene and destroy much physical evidence of the
offense. Harder forms of evidence are often buried in debris and
grossly altered in appearance.
What Constitutes Burning?
 The mere fact that a building is scorched or discolored by
heat is not sufficient nor will bare intention or even an
attempt to burn a house amount to arson, if no part of it is
burned.
 Yet, if there is actual ignition of any part of the building,
arson is committed, although there be no flame or the fire
immediately goes out of itself.
  To burn means to consume by fire and in the case of arson, if
the wood is blackened but no fibers are wasted, there is no
burning, yet the wood need not be in flame or blaze, and the
burning of any part, however, small is sufficient to constitute
arson, and if the house is charred in a single place so as to
destroy the fibers of the wood, it is sufficient to constitute
arson.
What is Attempted Arson?
 In attempted arson, it is not necessary that there be a fire
before the crime is committed. No hard and fast rule is laid
down by the law as to the requirements for attempted arson.
The peculiar facts and circumstances of a particular case
should carry more weight in the decision of the case. Thus, a
person intending to burn a wooden structure, collects some
rags, soaks them in gasoline and places them beside the
wooden wall of the building. When he is about to light a
match to set fire to the rags, he is discovered by another who
chases him away.
 The crime committed is attempted arson, because the
offender begins the commission of the crime directly by
overacts (placing the rags soaked in gasoline beside the
wooden wall of the building and lighting a match) but he
does not perform all the acts of execution (the setting of the
fire to the rags) due to the timely intervention of another who
chases away) the offender.
What is Frustrated Arson?
 In frustrated arson, the fact of having set fire to some rags
and jute sacks soaked in kerosene oil and placed near the
partition of the entire soil of an inhabited house, should not
be qualified as a consummated arson, in as much as no part of
the house had begun to burn, although fire would have started
in the said partition had it not been extinguished on time. The
crime committed was frustrated arson.
What is Consummated Arson?
 The offender did in fact set fire to the roof of the house and
said house was partially burned. The crime was consummated
arson, notwithstanding the fact that the fire afterwards
extinguished for once it has been started, the consummation
of the crime of arson does not depend upon the extent of the
damage caused.
 Setting fire to the contents of a building constitutes the
consummated crime of setting fire to a building even if no
part of the building was burned.
Basis of Liability in Arson:
1. Kind and character of the building, whether of public or
private ownership.
2. Its location, whether in an uninhabited place or in a populated
place.
3. Extent of damage caused; and
4. The fact of its being inhabited or not.
Some of the Arson Evidence that the Investigator should seek at
the Fire scene are the following:
1. Unusually rapid spread of the fire.
2. Where it originated?
3. Separate fires – when two or more separate fires break-out
within a building, the fire is certainly suspicious.
4. Unusual odors – the odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and
other inflammable liquids are indicated by their
characteristics and oftentimes, arsonists are trapped because
of this tell tale signs.
5. Objects that appear to be foreign to the scene such as cans,
candles, matches, explosives, electrical appliances such as
irons, heating elements, clocks, radios, flammables, trailers,
etc.
6. Charring pattern may indicate fire characteristics. The fact that
the fire feeds on combustible while propagating itself,
indicates that the char will generally be deepest from where
the fire originates. When a fire is extinguished quickly, the
charring is only slightly below the surface. Fire burning for a
longer period of time will indicate a char that is deep and
pronounced. These facts are most apparent in the charring of
wood as a fire burns. The charring from fire on woods looks
like the hide of a black alligator. Fire extinguished quickly on
wood will show a large alligatoring pattern that has not
penetrate the wood to any extent. Fire burning for a long
period of time on wood will show small alligatoring pattern
but the char will go deep into the wood. The direction of fire
can also be taken into consideration with charring. The
exposed side of combustible will have a deeper char than the
unexposed side.
7. Evidence of forcible entry or lack of same may be important
depending on the circumstances at the time of the fire. If the
investigator determines there was no forcible entry and finds
that the building was secured prior to discovery of the fire, he
can reasonably suspect there is possibility that the person
who sets the fire entered the building with a key. Doors and
windows showing signs of forced entry may point to arson
preceded by burglary or arson by someone without a key to
the premises.
Motives of Arson
Motive
 Motive is the moving cause which induces a person to
commit a crime.
Is Motive Necessary to be Proven in Criminal Proceedings?
 No. motive is not necessary to be proven in criminal
proceedings but once motive is shown, then intent can easily
established.
 In the crime of arson, the distinction between motive and
intent is clearly defined. INTENT is a material element of
arson while motive is not. INTENT is the purpose of design
with which the act is done and involves the will while
MOTIVE is what induces the criminal.
Motive Can Be Established By:
I. Economic Gain
A. Insurance fraud with the assured directly benefiting:
1. Desire to move
– the premises may no longer be desirable because of
the condition of the building, the fact that the
quarters are outgrown or because of the locality.
2. Disposing of Merchandise
– the stocks on hand may have lost value by reason
of the seasonal nature of the business, obsolesce,
scarcity of materials necessary to complete the
contracts, overstock in the absence of expected
order or a changing market.
3. Property Transaction
– the business itself may no longer be desirable
because of impending liquidation, settlement of an
estate of which it is a part, the need for cash,
prospective failure, the comparatively greater value
of the land, or the comparatively greater value of
the insurance benefits.
B. Profit by the Perpetrator other than the assured:
1. Insurance agents wishing business
2. Insurance adjusters desiring to adjust a loss by
securing a contract
3. Business competitors
4. Persons seeking jobs as protection personnel
5. Salvagers
6. Contractors wishing to rebuild or wreck
Concealment of Crime:
 the arsonists may set fire to a building in order to
conceal a projected or past crime. He may wish to
divert attention in order to loot the burning
 premises or steal in other places. The burning may
be for the purpose of destroying evidences.
Punitive Measure:
- An arsonists may use fire as a means of punishing another
person for reason of jealousy, hatred or revenge.
Intimidation or Economic Disabling:
- The fire may be used as a weapon of the saboteurs, the
strikers or the racketeers to intimidate or to disable
economically as a step toward forcing submission to certain
demands.
Pyromania
– is the uncontrollable impulse of a person to burn anything
without motivation. Pyromaniacs usually do not run away
from the scene of the crime, usually alone and feel satisfied
watching the flame
Types of Pyromaniacs:
1. Abnormal Youth – Epileptics, imbeciles and morons may set
fire without knowing the seriousness of the act.
2. The Hero Type – a person may set fire on a building,
subsequently pretends to discover it and turn in the alarm so
that he will appear a hero to the public. A person may burn a
building and endeavor to achieve spectacular rescue in order
to attract the attention of spectators.
3. Alcoholics and Drug Addicts – persons who subject
themselves to intense artificial stimulants such as narcotics
sometimes develop a strong urge toward incendiaries.
4. Sexual Deviates – some sex perverts derive sexual
stimulation from setting a fire and watching the flame.
Frequently, he is chronic masturbator who stimulates and
enhances his sexual gratification by means of arson.
Public Disturbance
- an offender may resort to arson as a means of a public
disturbance because a fire attracts people and destruction
causes confusion that gives rise to attendant problems that
divert police attention.
Vandalism
– is a general term denoting intentional burning to destroy
properties.
In determining motive, a fire investigator concentrates on three
major factors:
1. Points of origin of the fire
2. Modus operandi of the arsonist
3. Identify of persons who might benefits from the fire.
Incendiary Materials
- materials used to start a fire; combustible fuels
1. Arson Chemicals (liquids) – are incendiary materials often
used by arsonists as accelerants. Possess excellent properties.
Examples: alcohol, benzene, petroleum ether, gasoline,
kerosene, naptha, turpentine.
2. Gases as acetylene, butane, CO, ethylene, hydrogen, natural
gas, propane, these are common gases resulting in fires from
explosion. These when mix with air possess excellent in
ignition properties and when present in an enclosed area can
lead to explosion.
3. Solids as chlorates, perchlorates, chromates, bichromates,
nitrates, permanganates – are typical families of oxidizing
agents which give off oxygen on decomposition thus aiding
in combustion.
FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Republic Act No. 9514
- Approved on December 19, 2008
- Repealed PD 1185
- known as the "Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008".
Definition of terms
Abatement - Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.
Administrator - Any person who acts as agent of the owner and
manages the use of a building for him.
Blasting Agent - Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and
oxidizer used to set off explosives.
Cellulose Nitrate Or Nitro Cellulose - A highly combustible and
explosive compound produced by the reaction of nitric acid with a
cellulose material.
Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) - Any plastic substance, materials
or compound having cellulose nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.
Combustible, Flammable or Inflammable - Descriptive of materials that
are easily set on fire.
Combustible Fiber - Any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such
as cotton, oakum, rags, waste cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw,
Spanish moss, excelsior and other similar materials commonly used in
commerce.
Combustible Liquid - Any liquid having a flash point at or above
37.8_C (100_F).
Corrosive Liquid - Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with
organic matter or with certain chemicals.
Curtain Board - A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive
materials attached to and extending below the bottom chord of the roof
trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate compartments
so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.
Cryogenic - Descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a
result of its reaction with other elements produces a rapid drop in
temperature of the immediate surroundings.
Damper - A normally open device installed inside an air duct system
which automatically closes to restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
Distillation - The process of first raising the temperature in separate the
more volatile from the less volatile parts and then cooling and
condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified
substance.
Duct System - A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.
Dust - A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the
proper proportion and ignited will cause an explosion.
Electrical Arc - An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage
of an electric current across a space between two conductors or
terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.
Ember - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially
burned, and is still oxidizing without the manifestation of flames.
Finishes - Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or
protective purposes.
Fire - The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and
light of combustion.
Fire Trap - A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily
or because it lacks adequate exits or fire escapes.
Fire Alarm - Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or
system to warm the occupants of the building or fire fighting elements
of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake immediate
action to save life and property and to suppress the fire.
Fire Door - A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire
separation walls or partitions.
Fire Hazard - Any condition or act which increases or may cause an
increase in the probability of the occurrence of fire, or which may
obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations and the
safeguarding of life and property.
Fire Lane - The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept
opened and unobstructed at all times for the expedient operation of fire
fighting units.
Fire Protective And Fire Safety Device - Any device intended for the
protection of buildings or persons to include but not limited to built-in
protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing
system, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion products and other
warning system components, personal protective equipment such as fire
blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and other garments that may be put
on or worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.
Fire Safety Constructions - Refers to design and installation of walls,
barriers, doors, windows, vents, means of egress, etc. integral to and
incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize danger to
life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated.
These features are also designed to achieve, among others, safe and
rapid evacuation of people through means of egress sealed from smoke
or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of origin
and delay their spread to other parts of the building by means of smoke
sealed and fire resistant doors, walls and floors. It shall also mean to
include the treatment of buildings components or contents with flame
retardant chemicals.
Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which any material gives
off vapor in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with
air.
Forcing -A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing
its shape or dimensions.
Fulminate - A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by
percussion.
Hazardous Operation/Process - Any act of manufacturing, fabrication,
conversion, etc., that uses or produces materials which are likely to
cause fires or explosions.
Horizontal Exit - Passageway from one building to another or through
or around a wall in approximately the same floor level.
Hose Box - A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other
equipment are stored and arranged for fire fighting.
Hose Reel - A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire
hose is wound and connected.
Hypergolic Fuel - A rocket or liquid propellant which consists of
combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ignite spontaneously on
contact with each other.
Industrial Baking And Drying - The industrial process of subjecting
materials to heat for the purpose of removing solvents or moisture from
the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform
glazing the surface of materials being treated.
Jumper - A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a
safety device in an electrical system.
Occupancy - The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is
used or intended to be used.
Occupant - Any person actually occupying and using a building or
portions thereof by virtue of a lease contract with the owner or
administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.
Organic Peroxide - A strong oxidizing organic compound which
releases oxygen readily. It causes fire when in contact with combustible
materials especially under conditions of high temperature.
Overloading - The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices
which draw or consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity
of the existing electrical system.
Owner - The person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a
building or real property.
Oxidizing Material - A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities
sufficient to stimulate or support combustion.
Pressurized Or Forced Draft Burning Equipment - Type or burner
where the fuel is subjected to pressure prior to discharge into the
combustion chamber and/or which includes fans or other provisions for
the introduction of air at above normal atmosphere pressure into the
same combustion chamber.
Public Assembly Building - Any building or structure where fifty (50)
or more people congregate, gather, or assemble for any purpose.
Public Way - Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from
the ground to the sky, deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently
appropriated for public use.
Pyrophoric - Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously
when exposed to air.
Refining - A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are
removed from a mixture in order to produce a pure element of
compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.
Self-Closing Doors - Automatic closing doors that are designed to
confine smoke and heat and delay the spread of fire.
Smelting - Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to
separate impurities from pure metals.
Sprinkler System - An integrated network of hydraulically designed
piping installed in a building, structure or area with outlets arranged in
a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water when
activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.
Standpipe System - A system of vertical pipes in a building to which
fire hoses can be attached on each floor, including a system by which
water is made available to the outlets as needed.
Vestibule - A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and
the interior parts of a house or building.
Vertical Shaft - An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from
floor to floor, as well as from the base to the top of the building.
Collection of Liquid Samples for Accelerant Testing
Liquid accelerants may be collected with
a. New syringe
b. Siphoning device
c. Evidence container itself
d. Sterilize cotton balls or gauge pads may also be used to
absorbed the liquid
Where liquid accelerants are believed to have become trapped in
porous materials such as concrete floor:
a. Lime
b. Diatomaceous earth
c. flour
Collection of liquid evidence absorbed by solid materials including
soils and sand:
a. Scooping
b. Sawing
c. Scraping
d. Core drilling
Collecting of Solid samples for accelerant testing
Solid accelerant may be common household materials and compounds
or dangerous chemicals. When collecting solid accelerants:
a. The fire investigator must ensure that the solid accelerant is
maintained in physical state in which is found
b. Some incendiary materials remain Corrosive and Reactive
c. Ensure the corrosive nature of these residue does not attack
the packaging container
 Collection of Gaseous samples
Method of Collection:
a. Use of commercially available mechanical sampling device
b. Utilization evacuated air sampling cans. These cans are
specifically designed for taking gaseous samples
c. Use of clean glass bottled filled with distilled water. Distilled
water use as it has had most of the impurities removed from
it. This method simply require the investigator poured the
distilled water out of its bottle in the atmosphere to be
sampled. As distilled water leaves the bottle it is replaced by
the gaseous sample
Guide on Interpreting the Damage on Electrical Wire
Collection of Electrical Equipments and Components
Before wires are cut, a photograph should be taken of the wires, and the
both ends of the wire should be tagged and cut so that they can be
identified as one of the following:
a. The device or appliance to which it was attached or from
which it was severed
b. The circuit breaker or fuse number or location to which the
wire was attached or from which it was severed
c. The wire’s path or the route it took between the device and
the circuit protector,
electrical switches, receptacles, thermostats, relays, junction
boxes, electrical distribution panels, and similar equipment
and components are often collected as physical evidence.
FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (PD1185)
SECTION 8. Inspections, Safety Measures, Fire Safety Construction and
Protective and/or Warning Systems.
a) Safety Measure for hazardous operation - Fire Safety Measures shall
be required for the following hazardous operations/ processes:
1) Welding or soldering 2) Industrial baking and drying 3) Waste
Disposal 4) Pressurized/forced-draft burning equipment 5) Smelting and
Forging 6) Motion picture projection using electrical are lamps 7)
Refining, distillation and solvent extraction.
PROVISION ON FIRE SAFETY CONTRUCTION PROTECTIVE
AND WARNING SYSTEM
Owners, occupants or administrator of buildings, structures
and their premises or facilities, except such other buildings or structures
as may be exempted in the rules and regulations under Section 6 hereof,
shall incorporate and provide therein fire safety construction, protective
and warning system, and shall develop and implement fire safety
programs, to wit:
1) Fire Protection Features such as sprinkler systems, hose boxes, hose
reels or standpipe systems and other fire fighting equipment;
2) Fire alarm systems;
3) Fire walls to separate adjoining buildings, or warehouses and storage
areas from other occupancies in the same building;
4) Provisions for confining the fire at its source such as fire resistive
floors and walls extending up to the next floor slab or roof, certain boards
and other fire containing or stopping components;
5) Termination of all exits in an area affording safe passage to a public
way or safe dispersal area;
6) Stairways, vertical shafts, horizontal exits and other means of egress
sealed from smoke and heat;
7) A fire exit plan for each floor of the building showing the routes from
each room to appropriate exits, displayed prominently on the door of each
room;
8) Self-enclosing fire resistive doors loading to corridors;
9) Fire dampers in centralized airconditioning ducts;
10) Roof vents for use by fire fighters;
11) Properly marked and lighted exits with provision for emergency
lights to adequately illuminate exit ways in case of power failure.
SEC. 9. PROHIBITED ACTS - The following are declared as
prohibited acts and omissions:
a) Obstructing or blocking the exit ways or access to building clearly
marked for fire safety purpose, such as but not limited to aisles in interior
rooms, any part of stairways, hallway, corridors, vestibules, balconies or
bridges leading to a stairway or exit of any kind, or tolerating or allowing
sand violations;
b) Constructing gates, entrances and walkways to building components
and yards which obstruct orderly and easy passage of fire fighting
vehicles and equipment;
c) Prevention, interference or obstruction of any operation of the Fire
Service, or of duly organized and authorized fire brigades;
d) Obstructing designated fire lanes or access to fire hydrants;
e) Overcrowding or admission of persons beyond the authorized capacity
in movie houses, theaters, coliseums, auditoriums or other public
assembly buildings, except in other assembly areas on the ground floor
with open sides or open doors sufficient to provide safe exits;
f) Locking fire exits during periods when people are inside the building;
g) Prevention or obstruction of the automotive closure of Fire Service
other than for fire doors or smoke partitions or dampers;
h) Use of Fire protective or fire fighting except in other emergencies
where their use are justified;
i) Giving false or malicious fire alarms;
j) Smoking in prohibited areas as may be determined by Fire Service or
throwing of cigars, cigarettes, burning objects in places which may start
or cause fire;
k) Removing, destroying, tampering or obliterating any authorized mark,
seal, sign or tag posted or required by the Fire Service for Fire safety in
any building, structure or processing equipment;
l) Use of jumpers or tampering with electrical wiring or overloading the
electrical system beyond its designed capacity or such other practices that
would tend to undermine the fire safety features of the electrical system.
RULES AND REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE FIRE
CODE
RULE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS:
DIVISION 1 – GENERAL
SEC. 1 SCOPE - The provisions of the Fire Code shall apply to and
govern the following;
a. All persons b. All private or public buildings, facilities, structures and
their premises, constructed before or after the effectively hereof;
c. Storage, handling or use of explosives and/or combustible, flammable,
toxic and other hazardous materials; d. Design and installation of
electrical system; e. Fire Safety construction and f. Fire protective and
Warning equipment or systems.
SEC. 5 DEFINITIONS
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 fire within the area protected.
COMBINATION STANDPIPE - pipe line system filled with water and
connected to a constant water supply for the use of the service and the
occupants of the building solely for the use of the service and the
occupants of the building solely for fire suppression purposes.
DRY STANDPIPE - a type of standpipe system in which the pipes are
normally not filled with water. Water is introduced into the system thru
Fire Service connections when needed.
FIRE ALERTING SYSTEM - a fire alarm system activated by the
presence of a fire, where the signal is transmitted to designated locations
instead of sounding a general alarm, in order to prevent panic.
FIRE RESISTANCE RATING - the time duration that a material or
construction can withstand the effect of standard fire Test.
FIRE WALL - a wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire
resistance rating of not less that four (4) hours with sufficient structural
stability to remain standing even if construction on either side collapse
under fire conditions.
FLAME SPREAD RATING - The time in which flame will spread over
the surface of a burning material.
FLAME (FIRE) RETARDANT - any compound, or mixture which when
applied properly improves the fire resistant quality of fabrics and other
materials like wood.
FUMIGANT - a gas, fume, or vapor used for the destruction or control of
insects, fungi, vermin, germs, rodents or other pests.
MEANS OF EGRESS - a continuos and unobstructed route or exit from
any point in a building, structure, or facility to a public way.
OCCUPANT LOAD - The maximum number of persons that may be
allowed to occupy a particular building, structure or facility or portions
thereof.
PANIC HARDWARE - a mechanical device consisting of linkages and a
horizontal bar across a door, which cause the door to open and facilitates
exit from a building, structure or facility.
PLENUM - an air compartment or chamber to which one or more ducts
are connected and which form part of an air distribution system.
DIVISION 2 - ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 1. Fire Safety Inspection - Inspection of all buildings structure and
facilities and the determination of compliance of provisions of this Fire
Safety Inspector of the Fire Service of the Integrated National Police.
SEC. 2. Inspection Requirements - Fire Safety Inspection shall be
conducted as a prerequisite to grants of permits and /or licenses by local
governments or other government agencies.
RULE II GENERAL PRECAUITONS AGAINST FIRE
DIVISION 1 - INCINERATORS AND OPEN BURNING
SEC. 1. Bonfires and Outdoor Rubbish Fires - No person shall kindle or
maintain any bonfire or rubbish fire or authorize any such fire to be
kindled unless:
1) The location is not less than fifteen (15) meters from any structure and
adequate provision is made to prevent fire from spreading t within fifteen
(15) meters of any structure; 2) The Fire is contained in an approved
waste burner or incinerator located safely not less than five (5) meters
from any structure.
SEC. 2. Types and Construction of Incinerators
a) Fixed commercial, industrial and apartment type incinerators shall be
constructed in accordance with the provisions of the Building Code. b)
Residential fixed incinerators shall be constructed of brick, concrete
hollow blocks, or other five-resistive material other than metal, with a
completely enclosed combustion chamber and shall be equipped with a
permanently attached spark arrester constructed of iron, heavy wire mesh,
or other noncombustible material; with openings not larger than thirteen
(13) millimeters.
SEC. 3. Location - Any residential incinerator used in connection with a
single family dwelling shall be located not less than one and one-half (1 ½
) meters from any wood frame building or structure, or other combustible
material, or not less than one (1) meter from a masonry, stucco, or similar
fire resistive building or structure and not less than one and one half (1 ½)
meters from any opening of said building or structures. Any residential
incinerator used in connection with any occupancy other than a single
family dwelling shall be location not less than one and one half (1 ½)
meters from any combustible roof, overhang on eave construction.
RULE III FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDING, STRUCTURES AND
FACILITIES
DIVISION 1 - ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 1.01. Scope
a) This rule deals with life safety from fire and like emergencies, it
covers construction, protection and occupancy features to minimize
danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes, or panic before buildings are
vacated. It specifies the number, size and arrangement of means of egress
sufficient to permit prompt escape of occupants from buildings, or
structures or facilities in case of fire.
b) Nothing in this rule shall be construed to prohibit a better type of
building construction, more exits or otherwise safer conditions than the
requirements specified in this Rule.
c) This rule recognizes that panic in a burning building may be
uncontrollable. It deals with the potential panic hazard through measures
designed to prevent the development of panic. Experience indicates that
Panic seldom develops even in the presence of potential danger, so long
as occupants of buildings are moving toward exits which they can see
within a reasonable distance with no obstruction or undue congestion in
the part of Travel. However, any uncertainty as to the location or
adequacy of means of egress, the presence of smoke, or stopping of travel,
such as may occur when one person stumbles and falls on stairs may be
conducive to panic. Panic danger is greatest when the number of people
in a confined area, exceeds the capacity of the exits.
DIVISION 2. GENERAL
SEC. 2.01. Fundamental Requirements
a. Building or structure, new or old, designed for human occupancy shall
be provided with exits sufficient to permit the fast escape of occupants in
case of fire or other emergency. The design of exits and other fire safety
construction shall be such that reliance for safety to life in case of fire or
other emergency will not depend solely on any single fire safety
construction. Additional safeguards shall be provided for life safely in
case any single safeguard is ineffective due to some human or mechanical
failure.
b. Every building or structure shall be so designed, constructed,
equipped, maintained and operated as to avoid danger to the lives and
safety of its occupants from fire, smoke, “fumes, or resulting panic during
the period for escape from the building or structure.
c. Every building or structure shall be provided with Exits of kinds,
numbers, location and capacity appropriate to the individual building or
structure, with
due regard to the character of the occupancy, the number of persons
exposed. The fire protection available and the height and type of
construction of the building or structure, to afford all occupants
convenient facilities for escape.
d. Every exit of buildings or structures shall be so arranged and
maintained as to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts
thereof, at all times. NO LOCK or fastening that would prevent escape,
from the inside of any building shall be installed except in mental, penal,
or correctional institutions where personnel are continually on duty on
duty and effective provisions are made to evacuate occupants in case of
fire or other emergency.
e. Every exit shall be clearly visible. The route to the exit shall be
conspicuously marked in such a manner that every occupant of a building
or structure will readily know the direction of escape. Each route of
escape, in its entirely, shall be so arranged or marked that the way to a
place of safety outside is unmistakable. Any doorway or passage not
constituting out exit or way to reach an exit, which may be mistaken for
an exit, shall be MARKED as to minimize its possible confusion with an
exit.
f. All means of egress shall be provided with adequate and reliable
ILLUMINATION.
g. In every building or structure of such size, arrangement, or occupancy
that a fire may not itself provide adequate warning to occupants, FIRE
ALARM FACILITIES shall be provided.
h. Every building or structure, section, or area thereof of such size,
occupancy, and arrangement such that the reasonable safety of a number
of occupants may be endangered by the blocking of any single means of
egress due to fire or smoke, shall have at least two means of egress
REMOTE from each other, so arranged as to minimize any possibility
that both may be blocked by any one fire or other emergency conditions.
i. Every vertical way of exit and other vertical opening between floors of
a building shall be suitably enclosed or protected as necessary to afford
reasonable safety to occupants while using, exits and to provent spread of
fires, smoke, or fumes through vertical openings from floor to floor before
occupants have entered exits.
DIVISION 3 - CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY
a. ASSEMBLY - Places of Assembly include buildings used for
gathering together of fifty (50) or more persons in commercial places of
assembly and one hundred (100) or more persons in noncommercial
places of assembly. This include theaters; exhibition
halls, restaurant, churches, dance halls, restaurants, churches, dance hall,
restaurants, gymnasium, terminals, court rooms, etc.
b. EDUCATIONAL - include all buildings used for the gathering of
groups of six (6) or more persons for purposes of instrument. This
include schools, colleges, universities, academics, etc.
c. INSTITUTIONAL - those used for purposes such as treatment or care
of persons suffering from physical or mental illness, disease or infirmity;
care of infants, convalescent or aged persons; and for penal or
correctional purposes. These building are provided with sleeping
facilities for the occupied by persons who are mostly incapable of self
preservation because of age, physical or mental disability, or because of
security measures not under the occupant control.
d. RESIDENTIAL - One in which sleeping and/or sleeping
accommodation are provided for residential purposes, except those
classified under Institutional occupancies. The following groups are
hotels; motels, pension houses, inns, apartments, dormitories, orphanages;
lodging or rooming houses; and one and two family dwellings.
e. MERCANTILE - Occupancies include stores, markets, and other
rooms, buildings, or structures for the display and / or sale of
merchandise. Included in this occupancy group are: Supermarkets;
department stores; shopping centers; drugstores; and auction rooms.
f. BUSINESS - Buildings used for the transaction of business other than
that covered under mercantile, for the keeping of accounts and records
and similar purposes. Included in this occupancy group are office for
lawyer; doctors; dentists; and other professionals, general offices;
City/town hall; court houses and libraries.
g. INDUSTRIAL - Occupancies include factories making products of all
kinds and properties devoted to operations such as processing,
assembling, mixing, packaging, finishing or decorating, and repairing,
including among others, the following: Factories of all kinds;
laboratories; dry cleaning plants; power plants; pumping stations,
smokehouses; laundries; creameries; gas plants; refineries, and sawmills.
h. STORAGE - Includes all buildings, or structures utilized primarily for
the storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise, products, vehicles or
animals. Included in this occupancy group are: Waterhouses, Cold
storages; freight terminals; truck and marine terminals, bulk oil storage;
parking garage; hangars; grain elevators; barns and stable.
SEC. 3.302. Hazardous Contents - For purposes of this rule hazard of
contents shall be the relative danger of the start and spread of fire, the
generation of smoke or gases, the danger of explosion or other occurrence
potentially endangering the lives and safety of the occupants of the
building or structure due to the nature of the contents or
processes/operations therein.
Classification of Hazard of Contents:
a) LOW Hazard Contents - are those of such low combustibility that no
self propagating fire therein can occur and that consequently the only
probable danger requiring the use of emergency exits will be from panic,
fumes or smoke or fire from some external source.
b) Ordinary hazard contents - are those which are liable to burn with
moderate rapidity or to give off a considerable volume of smoke, but from
which neither poisonous fumes nor explosions are likely to occur in case
of fire.
c) High Hazard Contents - are those which are liable to burn with
extreme rapidity or from which gases or explosions are to be expected in
the event of fire.
Special Provisions for High Hazard Contents
1. Exit shall be provided for such types and numbers and so arranged as
to permit all occupants to escape from the building or structure or from
the hazardous area thereof the outside or to a place of safety with a travel
distance of not over twenty three (23) meters.
2. Capacity of Exits - not less than one (1) unit of exit width for each
thirty (30) persons if the exit is by inside or outside stairs; or one (1) unit
of exit width for each fifty (50) persons if the exit is by doors at ground
level, by horizontal exits or by class A ramps.
DIVISION 4 - MEANS OF EGRESS
Protective Enclosure of Exits
1) When an exit is required to be protected by separation from other parts
of the building by some requirements of this rule, the separating
construction shall meet the following requirements.
a) The separation shall have at least one-hour fire resistance rating when
the exit connects three (3) stories or less, regardless of whether the
stories connected are above or below the storey at which the exit
discharge begins.
b) The separation shall have at least two-hour resistance rating when the
exit connects four (4) stories or more whether above or below the floor of
discharge.
c) Any opening in the separation wall construction shall be protected by
an approved self-closing fire resistive door.
d) Openings in exit enclosure shall be confine to those necessary for
access to the enclosure form normally occupied spaces and for egress
from the enclosure.
D. Width and Capacity of Means of Edgress
1) The capacity in number of persons per unit of exit width for approved
components of means of egress shall be as follows: Level egress
components (including Class A ramps) Inclined egress components
(including Class B ramps) - 60 persons
2) Means of egress shall be measured in units of exits width of fifty five
(55) centimeters, Fractions of a unit shall be counted, except that thirty
(30) centimeters added to one or more full units shall be counted as one-
half (0.5) of a unit of exit width.
3) Units of exit width shall be measured at the narrowest unobstructed
point of the means of egress except that a handrail may project inside the
measured width on each side not more than eighty nine (89) millimeters
and a stringer may project inside the measured width not more than thirty
eight (38) millimeters. An exit or exit access door swinging into an aisle
or passageway shall not restrict the effective width thereof at any point
during its swing to less than minimum width hereafter specified.
E. Egress Capacity and Occupant Load
1) The capacity of means of egress for any floor, balcony, tier, or other
occupied space shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof. The
occupant load shall be the maximum number of persons that may be in the
space at any time, but shall not be less than the number computed in
accordance with the individual occupancies.
For Places of Assembly
Occupant load: The occupant load permitted by dividing the net floor area
or space assigned to that use by the square meter per occupant as follows:
An assembly area of concentrated use without fixed seats such as
auditoriums, church, dance floor, (0.65 sq.m, per person)
An Assembly area of less concentrated use such as conference room,
dining room, drinking establishment, exhibit room, gymnasium, (1.4 sq.
m/person)
Standing room or waiting space (0.28) sq.m. per person)
For Educational Occupancies
The occupant load shall be the maximum load but not less than one
person for each 1.8 square meteries of net classroom area or 4.6 sq.m. of
net area of shops, laboratories, etc.]
For Institutional Occupancies
The occupant load shall be the maximum number of persons intended to
occupy that floor but not less than one (1) person for each 11 sq. m. gross
floor area in institutional sleeping departments and not less than one (1)
person for each 22 square meters of gross floor area of inpatient
institutional Treatment departments.
For Residential
The occupant load in numbers of persons except for single and two family
dwellings shall be determined on the basis of one (1) person per 18. 6
square meters gross floor area.
For Mercantile Occupancies
One street floor, the occupant load is one (1) person for each 5.6 sq.m.
gross floor area floors used for offices, storage, shipping not open to
general public; one (1) person for each 4.3 sq.m. gross floor area.
For Business Occupancies
The occupant load of business purposes shall be no less than one (1)
person per nine and three tenth (9.3) square meters of gross floor area.
For Industrial Occupancies
The occupant load shall be one (1) person per 9.3 square meters gross
floor area.
2) Where exits serve more than one floor, only the occupant load of each
floor considered individually need be used in computing the capacity of
the exits at that floor: Provided, that exit capacity shall not be decreased
in the direction of exit travel. When means of egress from floor above
and below coverage at an intermediate floor, the capacity of the means of
egress from the points of convergence, shall not be less than the sum of
the two.
F. Arrangement of Exit:
When more than one exit is required from a story, at least two of the exits
shall be remote from each other and so arranged and constructed as to
minimize any possibility that both may be blocked by any one fire or
other emergency condition.
G. Exit Distance and Dead-End Limits:
The maximum travel distance in any occupied space to at least one exit,
measured in accordance with the following requirements shall not exceed
the limits for individual occupancies means of egress shall be so arranged
that there are no dead-end pockets, hallways, corridors, passage ways or
courts whose depth exceeds the limits specified for individual
occupancies.
For Places of Assembly
a) No individual unit of exit width shall serve more than 100 person.
b) Every Class A (1,000 or more) capacity shall have at least four (4)
separate exits as remote from each other.
c) Class (B) 300-600 capacity shall at least two (2) separate exits 600
above shall have three (3) exits.
d) Class (C) 50-300 capacity shall have at least 2 means of exit,
consisting of separate exits leading to a corridor giving access to 2
separate independent exits in different directors.
e) Every assembly occupancy shall be provided with a man exit to
accommodate ½ of the total occupant load.
f) Travel distance - 46 meters minimum if not protected by automatic the
suppression and 61 meters if protected.
H. Measurement of Travel Distance to Exits
1) The travel distance to an exit shall be measured on the floor or other
walling surface along the center line of the natural path of travel, starting
30 centimeters from the most remote point, curving around any corner or
construction with a 30 centimeters
clearance therefrom, and ending at the center of the doorway or other
point at which the exit begins. Where measurement included stairs, it
shall be taken in the plane of the tread nosing.
2) In the case of open areas, distance to exits shall be measured from the
most remote point subject to occupancy. IN case of individual rooms
subject to occupancy by not more than six (6) persons, distance to exits
shall be measured from the doors of such rooms provided the path of
travel from any point in the room to the room door does not exceed 15
meters.
3) Where open stairway or ramps are permitted. As a path of travel to
required exits, such as between mezzanines or balconies and the floor
below, the distance shall include the travel on the stairway or ramp, and
the travel on the stairway or ramp, and the travel from the end of the
stairway or ramp to reach an outside door or other exit, in addition to the
distance to reach the stairway or ramp.
4) Where any part of an exterior way of exit access is within four and a
half (4.5) meters horizontal distance of any unprotected building opening,
for outside stairs, the distance to the exit shall include the length of travel
to ground level.
I. Access to Exits:
1) Exit shall be so located and exit access shall be so arranged that exits
are readily accessible at all times. Where exits are not immediately
accessible from an open floor area, safe and continuous passageways,
aisles, or corridors leading directly to every exit shall be maintained and
shall be so arrange as to provide convenient access for each occupant to at
least 2 exits be separate ways of travel, except where single exit or limited
dead-ends are permitted by other provisions of this rule.
2) A door form a room to an exit or to a way of exit access shall be of the
sidehinged, swinging type. It shall swing with exit travel when the room
is occupied by more than 50 persons or used for a high hazard occupancy
such access doors shall conform to the appropriate requirements of Sec.
3.402 on doors.
3) In no case shall access to exit be, through a bathroom, bedroom or
other room subject to locking, or adjoining rooms constituting part of the
same dwelling or apartment used for single family occupancy.

4) Way of exit access and the doors to exits to which they lead shall be so
designed and arranged as to be clearly recognizable as such. Decorations
or draperies shall not be placed on exit doors. Mirrors shall not be placed
in or adjacent to any exit in such a manner as to confuse the direction of
exit.
5) Exit access shall be so arranged that it will not be necessary to travel
toward any area of high hazard occupancy in order to reach the nearest
exit, unless the path is protected by suitable partitions.
6) The minimum width of any way of exit access shall be as specified for
individual occupancies, but in no case shall such width be less than 71
centimeters. Where a single way of exit shall be at least equal to the
required capacity of the exit to which it leads. Where more than one way
of exit access leads to an exit. Each shall have a width adequate for the
number of persons it must-accommodate.
J. Exterior Ways of Exit Access
1) Access to an exit may be by means of any exterior balcony, porch,
gallery, or roof that conforms to the requirements of this division.
2) Exterior ways of exit access shall have smooth, solid floors,
substantially level, and shall have guards on the unclosed sides at least
equivalent to those specified in paragraph “F” of Sec. 3.403.
3) A permanent, reasonably straight path of travel shall be maintained
over the required exterior way of exit access. There shall be no
obstruction by railing barriers or gates that divide the open space into
sections appurtenances to individual rooms, apartments, or other uses.
However, if , the width of the exterior way of exit access is greater than
the required path of travel, it may be permitted to relocate furniture on
one side out of the path’s way.
4) an exterior way of exit access shall be so arranged that there are no
dead-ends in excess of six (6) meters in length.
5) Any gallery, balcony, bridge, porch or other exterior exit access that
projects beyond the outside wall of a building shall comply with the
requirements of this Division as to width and arrangement. The material
of construction may be as permitted for the building served.
K. Discharge from Exits
1) All exits shall terminate directly at a public way or at an exit
discharge. Yards, courts, open space, or other portions of the exit
discharge shall be of
required width and size to provide all occupants with a safe access to a
public way.
2) Where permitted for individual occupants, a minimum of 50 percent of
the exits may discharge through areas on the floor of discharge provided
all of the following are met:
a) Exits shall discharge to a free and unobstructed way to the exterior of
the building which way is ready visible and identifiable from the point of
discharge from the exit.
b) The floor of discharge into which the exit discharges and any other
portion of the level of discharge with access to the discharges areas are
protected with automatic fire suppression system or separated from it in
accordance with the requirements for the enclosure of exits (Section 3.401
paragraph “o”).
Exception: The above requirements may waived if the discharge area is a
vestibule or foyer complying with all the following: The depth from the
exterior of the building is not greater than 3.00 meters and the length is
not greater than 6 meters. The foyer is a separated from the remainder of
the level of discharge by construction providing protection at least the
equivalent of wired glass in steel frames, and the foyer serves only for
means of egress including exits directly to the outside.
c) The entire area on the floor of discharge is separated from areas below
by construction having a minimum of two-hour fire-resistance rating.
3) Stairs and other exits shall be so arranged as to make clear the
direction of egress to the street. Exit stairs that continue beyond the floor
of discharge shall be interrupted at the floor of discharge by partitions,
doors, or other effective means.
4) Stairs, ramps, bridges, balconies, escalators, moving walls and other
components of an exit discharge shall comply with the detailed
requirements of this division for such components.
5) Subject to approval, exits may be accepted where discharging to roofs
or other sections of the building or adjoining buildings, where the roof has
a fire resistance rating at least the equivalent of that required for the exit
enclosure, where there is a continuous and safe means of egress from the
room, and all other reasonable requirements for fire safety are maintained.
L. Headroom:
Means of egress shall be so designed and maintained as to provide
adequate headroom as provided in other sections of this rule but in no
case shall the ceiling height (headroom) be less than 2.3 meters nor any
projection from the ceiling be less than 2.00 meters from the floor.
M. Changes in Elevation:
Where a means of egress is not level such difference n elevation shall be
negotiated by stairs or ramps conforming to the requirements of this
division for stairs and ramps.
N. Interior Finish in Exits:
The flame spread of interior finish shall not exceed Class B in exit
enclosures.
O. Maintenance and Workmanship
1) Doors, stairs, ramps, passage, signs, and all other components of
means of egress shall be of substantial, reliable construction and shall be
built or installed in accordance with good engineering practice.
2) Means of egress shall be continually maintained free of all
destruction’s or impediments to insure instant use in case of fire or other
emergency.
3) Any device or alarm installed to restrict the improper use of a means
of egress shall be so designed and installed that it cannot, even in case of
failure, impede or prevent emergency use of such means of egress.
SEC. 3.402 Doors
A. Application
1) A door assembly, including the doorway, frame, door, and necessary
hardware, may be used as a component in a means of egress when it
conforms to the general requirements of Sec. 3.401 and to the special
requirements of this Section. At such the assembly is designated as a
door.
2) Every door and every principal entrance which are required to serve as
an exit shall be so designed and constructed that the way of exit travel is
obvious and direct. Windows, which because of their physical
configuration or design and the materials used in their construction could
be mistaken for doors, shall be made inaccessible to the occupants by
barriers or railings conforming to the requirements of paragraph “F” of
Section 3.403.
B. Swing and Force to Open
1) Any door used in an exit shall be so designed and installed that when a
force is applied to the door on the side from which egress is to be made, it
shall swing in the direction of exit travel from any position to the full
instant use of the opening in which it is installed. During its opening
process or when fully opened, door shall not obstruct the exit width as
determined by paragraph ‘D” of Section 3.402.
2) A door providing access to a stairway shall swing in the direction of
exit travel. A door during its swing shall not block stairs or landings and
in no case, in new buildings, shall any door at any point in its swing
reduce the effective width of stair or landing to less than one unit of exit
width, nor when opened interface with the full use of the stairs.
3) The force required to fully open door shall not exceed twenty three
(23) kilos applied to the latch stile.
C. Lock, Latches, Alarm Devices:
1) A door shall be so arranged as to be readily opened from the side from
which egress is to be made at all times when the building served thereby
is occupied. Locks, if provided, shall not required the use o a key for
operation from the inside of the building.
2) A latch or other fastening device on a door shall be provided with a
knob, handle, panic bar, of other simple type releasing device, the method
of operation of which is obvious, even in darkness.
3) The floor on both sides of a door shall be substantially level and shall
have the same elevation on both sides of the door, for a distance on each
side at least equal to the width of the widest single door. When the door
discharges to the outside or to an exterior balcony, exterior exit, or
exterior exit, access, the floor level outside the door may be one step
lower than the inside but not more than twenty and half (20.5) centimeters
lower.
E. Panic Hardware
1) When a door is required to be equipped with panic hardware, the panic
hardware shall cause the door latch to release when a force of not more
than seven (7) kilos is applied to the releasing device in the direction of
exit travel.
2) Such releasing devices shall be bars or panels extending not less than
two trirds (2/3) of the width of the door and placed at heights suitable for
the
service required, and shall not be less than seventy six (76) nor more than
one hundred twelve (112) centimeters above the floor.
3) Only approved panic hardware shall be used. 4) Required panic
hardware shall not be equipped with any locking or dogging device, set
screw, or other arrangement which can be used to prevent the release of
the latch when pressure is applied to other bar.
G. Maintenance
No lock, padlock, hasp, bar, chain, or other device or combination thereof
shall be installed or maintained at any time on or in connection with any
door on which panic hardware is required by this rule, if such device
prevents, or is intended to prevent, the free use of the door for purposes of
egress.
H. Power Operated Doors
1) Where required doors are operated by power, such as those photo-
electric activated mechanism which open upon the approach of a person
or doors with power-assisted manual operation, the design shall be such
that in event of power failure the door may be opened manually to permit
exit travel or closed where necessary to safeguard means of egress.
2) No power-operated door shall be counted as a required exit unless it
also swings with the exit travel by manual means.
I. Screen and Storm Doors
No screen door or storm door in connection with any required exit shall
swing against the direction of exit travel in any case doors are required to
swing with the exit travel.
J. Revolving Doors:
1) A revolving door shall not be used in a means of egress for an exit
from the floor of discharge directly to the outside except where
specifically permitted. It shall not be used at the foot or top of stairs at the
floor of discharge. Where permitted, the revolving door shall be given a
credit of only fifty (50) percent of the required units of exit width.
2) The number of revolving doors used as exit doors shall not exceed the
number of swinging doors used as exit doors within six (6) meters.
Exception: Revolving doors may serve as exit doors shall not exceed the
number of swinging doors for street floor elevator lobbies, if no stairways
or doors from, other parts of the building discharge through the lobby, and
the lobby has no occupancy other than as means of travel between
elevators and street.
3) Revolving doors shall be equipped with means to prevent their rotation
at too rapid a rate to permit orderly egress.
K. Turnstiles
1) No turnstiles or similar device to restrict travel, to one direction, or to
collect fares or admission charges, shall be so placed as to obstruct any
required means of egress, except that approved turnstiles not over ninety
one (91) centimeters, which turn freely in the direction of exit travel, may
be used in any direction of exit travel, may be used in any occupancy
where revolving doors are permitted.
2) Turnstile in or furnishing access to required exits shall be of such
design as to provide fifty six (56) centimeters clear width as the turnstiles
rotates.
SEC. 3.403. Interior Stairs and Smoke proof Towers
A. General
All stairs serving as required means of egress shall be of permanent fixed
construction.
B. Classes of stairs - Stairs shall be of Class A or class B types. In class
A the maximum height between landings is 2.75 m and the Class B is
3.70 M.
C. Treads and Risers
1) The height of every riser and the width of every tread shall be so
proportioned that the sum of two (2) risers and a tread, exclusive of its
nosing of projections is not less than sixty (60) centimeters nor more than
sixty three and a half (63.5) centimeters.
2) The minimum number of risers in any one flight of stairs shall be three
(3)
D. Enclosure:
All interior stairways shall be enclosed in accordance with the provisions
of Section 3.501 of this Rule:
E. Stair Details
1) Each new stair and platform, landing, balcony and stair hallway floor
used in building of four (4) stories or more and in all new buildings,
required by this rule to be of fire-resistive construction, shall be non-
combustible material throughout except that handrails are exempted from
this requirement. Treads of stairs and landing floors shall be solid. 2)
Each stair, platform, landing, balcony, and stair hallway floor shall be
designed to carry a load of four hundred eighty-eight (488) kilos per
square meter, or a concentrated load of one hundred thirty six (136) kilo,
so located as to produce maximum stress conditions. 3) Where material
of stair treads and landings is such as to involve danger of slipping,
nonslip material shall be provided on tread surface.
4) Stairways and intermediate landings shall continue with no decrease in
width along the direction of exit travel.
F. Guards and Handrails
1) Means of egress such as stairs, stair landings, balconies, ramps and
aisles, located along the edge of open-sided floors and mezzanines, shall
have guards to prevent falls over the open side. Each new stair landing,
and Class B ramp shall have handrails on both sides. 2) Required guards
and handrails shall continue for the full length of each flight of stairs. 3)
The design of guards and handrails and the hardware for attaching
handrails to guard balusters or masonry walls shall be such that there are
no projecting lugs on attachment devices or non projecting corners or
members of grills or panels which may engage loose clothing. Opening in
guard shall be designed to prevent loose clothing from becoming wedged
in such openings. 4) Handrails Details:
a) Handrails on stair shall be not less than seventy six (76) centimeters
nor more than eighty six and one-half (86.5) centimeters above the upper
surface of the tread, measured vertically to the top of the rail from a point
on the tread twenty five (25) millimeters back from the leading edge.
b) Handrails shall provide a clearance of a least thirty eight (38)
millimeters between handrail and wall to which it is fastened.
c) Handrails shall be so designed as to permit continuous sliding of hands
on them.
d) Every stairway required to be more than two hundred twenty three
(223) centimeters in width shall have intermediate handrails dividing the
stairway into portions not more than two hundred twenty three (223)
centimeters in width.
5) Guard and Details
a) The height of guard shall be measured vertically to the top of the guard
from a point on the tread twenty five (25) millimeters back from the
leading edge or from the floor of landings or balconies.
b) No guards shall be required for inside stairs which reverse direction at
intermediate landings where the horizontal distance between successive
flights is not more than thirty and a half (30.5) centimeters.
c) Guards shall both be less than one hundred six (106) centimeters high.
Guards protecting changes in level one story or less on interior balconies
and mezzanines shall be not less than ninety one (91) centimeters.
d) Guards shall be so constructed that the area in the plane of the guard
from the top of the floor, riser, or curb to the minimum required height of
guard shall be subdivided or filled in one of the following manners:
• A sufficient number of intermediate longitudinal rails so that the clear
distance between rails measured at right angles to the run of rail does not
exceed twenty five and half centimeters (25.5). The bottom rails shall not
be more than twenty five and a half (25.5) centimeters from the top of the
floor measured vertically.
• Vertical balusters spaced not more than fifteen and one fourth (15.25)
centimeters apart.
• Areas filled wholly or partially by panels of solid wire mesh or
expanded metal construction or by ornamental grills which provide
protection against falling through the guard equivalent to the provided by
the intermediate rails or vertical balusters.
• The lower part of the area may consist of a continuous substantial curb,
the top of which is not less than seventy six (76) millimeters on stairs
(measured at right angle to the curb from its top to the nosing of the tread)
and not less than fifteen and one-fourth (15.25) centimeter for level areas.
G. Smokeproof Tower:
1) A smokeproof tower shall be a stairway endurance so designed that the
movement into the smokeproof tower of products of combustion,
produced by a fire occuring in any part of the building, shall be limited.
2) A smokeproof tower, as herein specified, shall be a continuous fire-
resistive enclosure protecting a stairway from fire or smoke in the
building served, with communication between the building and the tower
by means of balconies directly open to the outer air.
3) Stairs, enclosure walls, vestibules, balconies and other components of
smokeproof towers shall be of noncombutisble materials, and all other
requirements hereinbefore specified for inside stairs shall apply to stairs
in smokeproof towers.
4) Stairways shall be completely enclosed by walls having a two hour fire
resistance rating and comprised on noncombustible material. There shall
be no openings in walls separating the enclosure from the interior of the
building. Fixed or automatic fire windows are permitted in an exterior
wall not subject to serve fire exposure hazard from the same or nearby
buildings.
5) Access to the smokeproof tower shall be provided from every story
through vestibules open to the outside. On an exterior wall or from
balconies overhanging an exterior wall, but not subject to severe fire
exposure hazard. Every such vestibule or balcony shall have an obstructed
length and width no less than the required width of exit doors serving the
same and shall be directly open to a street or alley or yard or to an
enclosed court open at the top not less than six (6) meters in width- and
ninety two (92) square meters in area. Balconies or vestibules shall have
guards not less than hundred six (106) centimeters high and shall conform
with paragraph “F” (5) of this Section. Wall openings exposing balconies
or vestibules shall be protected in accordance with paragraph “B” of
Section 3.404.
6) Access from a building to vestibules or balconies shall be through
doorways not less than one (1) meter wide for new and niety one (91)
centimeters wide for existing towers. These openings and the entrance to
the towers shall be provided with approved, self-closing fire doors
swinging with the exit travel. Clear wire glass not exceeding one half
(0.5) square meter shall be provided in all doors giving access to the
enclosure.
H. Monumental Stairs
Monumental stairs, either inside or outside, army be accepted as required
exits’ if al requirements for exit stairs are complied with, including
required enclosures and minimum width of treads, except that curved
stairs may be accepted with a radius of seven and one-half (7.5) meters or
more at the inner edges.
SEC. 3.404. Outside Stairs
A. General
1) Any permanently installed stair outside of the building served is
acceptable in a means of egress under the same condition.
B. Enclosures
1) Under all conditions where enclosure of inside stairways is required,
outside stairs shall be separated from the interior of the buildings with
walls having the same fire-resistance rating as that required for the wall
enclosing inside stairs. Any opening in such wall shall be protected by
fire doors or fixed wired glass windows. Protection of opening maybe
waived of the building is three (3) stories or less and it is provided with a
remote second unit.
2) If the building is four (4) stories or more, openings within the
distances set below shall be protected.
a) Within four and a half (4.5) meters from any balcony, platform or
stairway constituting a part of the exterior or outside stairs. b) Within
three (3) stories or ten and two thirds (10.67) meters directly below any
balcony, platform or stair-way consisting a part of the outside stairs. c)
Within two (2) stories or six and one-tenth (6.1) meters directly below a
platform or walkway leading from any story to the exits.
B) Egress from Area of Refuge:
1) Every fire section for which credit is allowed in connection with a
horizontal exit shall have in addition to the horizontal exit shall have in
addition to the horizontal exit or exits at least one stairway, doorway
leading outside, or other standard exit. Any fire section not having a
stairway or doorway leading outside shall be considered as part of an
adjoining section with stairway.
2) Every horizontal exit for which credit is given shall be so arranged
that there are continuously available paths of travel leading from each side
of the exit to stairways or other standard means of egress leading to
outside the building.
This requirement is complied with where the entire areas from each side
of the horizontal exit to the stairways or other standard means of egress
are occupied by the same tenant; or where there are public corridors or
other continuously available passageways leading from each side of the
exit to stairways or other standard means of egress leading to outside the
building.
3) Whenever either side of the horizontal exit shall be sufficient to hold
the occupant of both floor areas, allowing not less than three-tenths (0.3)
square meter clear floor area per person.
C. Bridges and balconies
1) Each bridge or balcony utilized in conjunction with horizontal exits
shall comply with the structural requirements for outside stairs and shall
have guard and handrails in general conformity with the requirements of
Section 3.403 for stairs and smokeproof towers.
2) Every bridge or balcony shall be at least as wide as the door leading to
it and not less than one hundred twelve (112) centimeters from new
construction.
3) Every door leading to a bridge or balcony serving as a horizontal exit
from a fire area, shall swing with the exit travel out of the fire area.
4) Where the bridge or balcony serves as a horizontal exit in one
direction, only the door from the bridge or balcony into the area of refuge
shall swing in.
5) Where the bridge or balcony serves as a horizontal exit in both
directions, doors shall be provided in pairs swinging in opposite direction,
only the door swinging with the exit travel to be counted in determination
of exit width, unless the bridge or balcony has sufficient floor area to
accommodate the occupant load of either connected building or fire area
on the basis of three tenths (0.3) square meter per person or in existing
buildings by specific permission of the direction general or his duly
authorized representative, in which case doors on both ends of the bridge
or balcony may swing out from the building may swing out from the
building.
6) The bridge or balcony floor shall be level with the floor of the
building.
7) Ramps shall be employed where there is a difference in level between
connected buildings or floor areas. Steps may be used where the
difference in elevation is greater than fifty three and one-third (53.34)
centimeters. Ramps and stairs shall be in accordance with the sections of
this rule pertaining to ramps, stairs and outside.
8) All wall openings, in both of the connected buildings of fire areas any
part of which is within three (3) meters of any bridge or balcony as
measured horizontally or below, shall be protected with fire doors or fixed
metal-frame wired-glass windows.
D. Openings Through Walls for Horizontal Exits:
1) Walls connected by a horizontal exit between buildings shall be of
noncombustible material having a two (2) hour fire resistance rating.
They shall provide a separation continuous to the ground.
2) Any opening in such walls, whether or not such openings serves as an
exit, shall be adequately protected against the passage of fire as smoke
therefrom.
3) Swinging fire doors a horizontal exits shall swing with the exit travel.
Where a horizontal exit serves areas on both sides of a wall there shall be
adjacent openings with swinging doors at each wall, opening in opposite
directions, with signs on each side of the wall of partitions indicating as
the exit the door which swings with the travel for that side, or other
approved arrangements providing doors always swinging with any
possible exit travel.
4) Sliding fire doors shall not be used on a horizontal exit except where
the doorway is protected by a fire door on each side of the wall in which
such sliding fire doors are located. In this case, on fire door shall be of
the swinging type as provided in paragraph “C” (3) above and the other
may be an automatic sliding fire door that shall be kept open whenever
the building is occupied.
E. Omission of Fire Partition on Certain Floors:
1) Where a fire partition is used to provide a horizontal exit in any story
of a building, such partition may be omitted in any lower story nder the
following conditions:
a) The open fire area story from which the fire partition is omitted shall
be separated from the stories above the construction having a least a
2hour fire resistance rating. b) Required exits from the stories above the
open fire area story shall be separated therefrom by construction having a
2-hour fire resistance rating and shall discharge outside without travel
through the open fire area story. c) Vertical openings between the open
fire area story and the stories above shall be enclosed with construction
having a 2-hour fire resistance rating. Other details shall be in accordance
with the applicable provisions of Section 3.501.
2) Where a fire partition is used to provide a horizontal exit for any story
below the discharge under the following conditions:
a) The open fire area story shall be separated from the stories below by
construction having at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating. b) Required
exits from stories below the open fire area story shall be separated from
the open fire area story by construction having a 2-hour fire resistance
rating and shall discharge directly outside without travel through the open
fire area story. c) Vertical openings between the open fire story and the
floors below shall be enclosed with the construction having 2-hour fire
resistance rating. Other details shall be in accordance with the applicable
provision of Section 3.501.
SEC. 3.406. Ramps
A. Inside Ramps:
1) Application: A ramps shall be permitted as component in a means of
egress when it conforms to the general requirements of Section 3.401 and
to the special requirements of this Section.
2) Classfication:
a) A ramp shall be designated as Class A or Class B in accordance with
the following table:
Class A Class B Width …………………… 112 cm and greater 76 to 112
cm Slope …………………… 8 to 10% 10 to 17% Maximum height
between Landings………… No limit 3.66 m Capacity in person per unit
as modified by Divisions 7 through 5 Down …………………… 60 45
Up ……………………… 45 45
3). Protective Enclosure:
a) When a ramp inside a building is used as an exit or exit component, it
shall be protected by separation from other parts of the building as
specified in Section 3.401 “C”.
b) Fixed wired glass panels in steel sash may be installed in such a
separation in a building fully provided with automatic fire suppression
system.
c) There shall be no enclosed usable space under ramps in an exit
enclosure nor shall the open space under such ramps be used for any
purpose.
4) Other Details:
a) A ramp and the platforms and landings associated therewith shall be
designed for not less than four hundred eighty-eight (488) kilos per square
meter live load and shall have a nonslip surface.
b) The slope of a ramp shall not vary between landings. Landings shall
be level and changes in direction of travel if any shall be made only at
landings. c) A ramp used as an exit component in a building more than
three (3) stories, or in a building of any height of noncombustible or fire
resistive construction, shall be on noncombustible material. The ramp
floor and landings shall be solid and without perforations. d) Guards and
handrails complying with Section 3.403 “F” shall be provided in
comparable situations for ramps except that handrails are not required on
Class A ramps.
B. Outside Ramps:
1) General
a) Any ramp permanently installed on the outside of the building may be
accepted as component in a means of egress under the same conditions as
an inside ramp: Provided, That it complies with all requirements for
inside ramps except as modified by the following provisions of this
subsection “E”.
b) Outside ramps shall be so arranged as to avoid any handicap to their
use by persons having a fear of high places. For ramps more than three
(3) stories, any arrangement intended to meet this requirement shall be at
least one hundred twenty (120) centimeters.
2) Enclosures:
a) Under all conditions where enclosures of inside ramps is required
outside ramps serving as exits shall be separated from the interior of
the building by a wall construction that has a fire resistance rating equal to
that required for such enclosure. In buildings three (3) stories or less,
such protection need not be remote second exit. If the building is four (4)
stories or more in heights, the openings in the wall be protected in the
same manner as provided for outside the stair.
b) Balconies, to which access doors, shall be approximately level with
the floor of the building, or no more than twenty and three-tenths (20.3)
centimeters below of the inside floor.
3) Ramp Details
a) Except where embedded in masonry or concrete or where a suitable
fire resistive and waterproof covering is provided, no structural metal
member shall be employed the entire surface of which is not capable of
being inspected and painted.
b) All supporting members for balconies and ramps, which are in tension
and fastened directly to the building, shall pass through the wall and be
securely fastened on the opposite side of shall be securely fastened to the
framework of the building. Metal members shall protected effectively
against corrosion, where they pass through walls. Holes I the walls
through which metal members pass shall be effectively firestopped to
preserve the fire resistive quality of the wall.
c) Balcony and ramp enclosures and railing shall be designed to resist a
horizontal force of seventy five (75) kilos per lineal meter of railing or
enclosure applied at the top of the railing or to the enclosure on e hundred
seven (107) centimeters above the floor.
SEC. 3.407. Exit Passageway
A. Application
Any hallway, corridor, passage or tunnel, may be designed as an exit
passageway and used as an exit component when conforming to all other
requirements of Section 3.401 as modified by the provisions of this
Section.
B. Protective Enclosure and Arrangement:
1) An exit passageway shall be protected by separation from other parts
of the building as specified in paragraph “C” on Section 3.401. 2) Fixed
wired glass panels is steel sash may be installed in such a separation in a
building fully provided with automatic fire suppression system.
C. Width:
The width of an exit passageway shall be adequate to accommodate the
aggregate of all exits discharge through it.
D. Floor:
The floor shall be solid and without perforations.
SEC. 3.408. Escalators and Moving Walks
A. Application:
1) An escalator or moving walk may be accepted as a component in a
means of egress when it conforms to the general requirements of Section
3.401 and to the special requirements of this Section.
2) A sign indicating the direction of the nearest approved exit shall be
placed at the point of entrance to any escalator or moving walk that is not
a means of egress.
3) An escalator shall be of horizontal tread type and shall be of
noncombustible construction throughout, except for the step tread
surfaces, handrails and step wheels.
4) A single escalator eighty one (81) centimeters wide shall be credited as
one (1) unit of exit width. An escalator one hundred twenty one (121)
centimeters wide, shall be given credit for two (two) units of exit width.
5) There shall be an unobstructed space of a least ten (10) centimeters
outside the handrails and above the handrail for the full length of the
escalator.
6) No single escalator shall an uninterrupted vertical travel of more than
one story.
7) As escalator shall be designed and operated according to generally
accepted standards of safe engineering practice.
C. Moving Walks
1) An inclined moving walk shall comply with the applicable
requirement of Section 3.406 for ramps, and a level moving walk shall
comply with
the applicable requirements of Section 3.407 for exit passageways, except
as modified by this section.
2) No moving walk capable of being operated in the direction against the
normal exit travel shall be used in a means of egress.
3) A moving walk shall be designed and operated according to generally
accepted standards of safe engineering practice.
SEC. 3.409. Fire Escape, Stairs, Ladders, and Slide Escapes.
A. Fire Escape Stairs
1) General
Fire escape stairs (not those under Section 3.403 and 3.404) may be used
in required means of egress only in existing buildings, subject to the
applicable provisions of Divisions 7 through 15. Fire escape stairs shall
not constitute more than fifty (50%) percent of the required exit capacity
in any case. Fire escape stairs shall not be accepted as constituting any
part of the required means of egress for new buildings.
B. Fire Escape Shall provide a continuous unobstructed safe path of
travel to the ground or other safe or refuge to which they lead. Where the
fire escape is not continuous, as in cases where stairs lead to an adjoining
roof, which must be crossed before continuing downward travel, the
direction of travel shall be clearly indicated, and suitable walkways with
handrails shall be provided where necessary. Where a single means of
egress consists of a combination of inside stairs and fire escape stairs,
each shall comply with the applicable provisions of this Rule, and the two
shall be so arranged and connected as to provide a continuous safe path of
travel.
2) Types
The following types of fire escape stairs are recognized by this Rule:
Return platform types with superimposed runs or straight run type, with
platforms continuing in the same direction. Either or these may be
parallel to or at right angle to the building. They may be attached to
buildings or erected independently of them and connected bridges.
3) Stair Details:
Fire escape stairs, depending upon the requirements of Division 7 through
15 of this Rule, shall be in accordance with the following table and
subsequent paragraphs.
Existing Stairs Existing for Very Small Stairs Buildings Minimum Widths
……………………………….. 55.9 cm clear 45.7 cm clear Minimum
horizontal dimension any landing of platform
……………………………… 55.9 cm 45.7 cm Maximum rise
………………………………….. 22.9 cm 30.5 cm Minimum tread,
exclusive of nosing ……………. 22.9 cm 15.25 cm Minimum nosing or
projection …………………. 2.5 cm No requirements Tread Construction
…………………………….. Solid, 13 mm Flat metal bars on diameter
edge, or square perforation against turning permitted spaced 38.1 mm
maximum on centers. Winbars (spiral) ………………………………..
None Permitted subject to capacity penalty Risers
………………………………………….. None No requirement
Maximum height between landings …………… 3.66 m No requirement
Headroom, minimum …………………………. 2.13 m 1.98 m Access to
Escape ……………………………… Door or casement windows 61 cm
by 1.98 m or double hung windows 76.2 cm by 91.44 cm clear opening
Level of access opening ……………………………Not over 30.5 Same
cm above floor; steps if higher Discharge to ground
……………………………. Swinging stair Swinging stair section
permit- or ladder if ted approved Capacity number of persons
………………………. 45 per unit, 38 if winders or access by door;
ladder from bottom 20 if access by balcony 5; if both. Climbing over
window rail
4) Arrangement and Protection of Openings:
a) Fire escape stairs shall be so arranged that they will be exposed by the
smallest possible number of window and door openings. There shall be
no transom over doors. Every opening, any portion of which is in the
limit specified below, shall be completely protected by approved fire
doors or metalframe wire glass windows in the same manner as provided
for outside stairs and outside ramps.
5) Access:
a) Access to fire escape stairs shall be provided in accordance with the
table in paragraph (3) (a) of Section 3.409 and the general provisions of
paragraph “G” Section 3.401.
b) Where access is by way of double windows, such windows shall be so
counterbalanced and maintained that they can be readily opened with a
minimum of physical effort. Insert screens, if any, on any type of opening
giving access to fire a escape stair shall be of types that may be readily
opened or pushed out . NO storm sash shall be used on any window
providing to fire escape stairs.
c) Fire escape stairs shall extend to the roof in all cases where the roof if
subject to occupancy or is constructed and stranged to provide an area of
refuse from fire. In all cases where stairs do not extend to the roof, access
thereto shall be provided by a ladder, except that such ladders are not
required in the case of roofs with pitch or slope steeper than sixteen and
two thirds (16.76%) percent.
d) Balconies, to which access is secured through windows with sills
above the inside floor level, shall be not more than forty six (46)
centimeters below the sill. In no case shall be balcony level be above the
sill.
6) Material and Strength:
a) Iron, steel or concrete or other approved no-combustible material shall
be used for the construction of fire escape, balconies, railings, and other
features appurtenant thereto.
b) Balconies and stairs shall be designed to carry a load of four hundred
thirty six (436) kilos so located as to produce maximum stress conditions.
c) Except where embedded in masonry or concrete or where a suitable
fire resistive and waterproof covering is provided no structural metal
member shall be employed the entire surface of which is not capable of
being inspected and painted.
d) All supporting members for balconies and stairs, which are in tension
and are fastened directly to the building. Where metal members pass
through walls, they shall be protected effectively fire stopped to preserve
the fire resistive quality of the wall.
e) Balcony and stair enclosure and railings shall be designed to withstand
a horizontal force of seventy five (75) kilos per meter of railing or
enclosure without serious deflection, and support at walls for such railings
or enclosures shall be in the manner specified in (6) (b) for tension
members except as provided in (6) (f).
(7) Guards and Handrails:
a) All fire escapes shall have walls or guards on both sides, in accordance
with “E” (1) and “F” (5) of Section 3.403, except for height, which shall
be one hundred seven (107) centimeters and ninety one (91) centimeters
for fire escape for every small buildings, the height being measured
vertically from a point on the stair tread twenty five (25) millimeters back
from the leading edge, or vertically above any landings or balcony floor
level.
b) All fire escape shall have handrails on both sides, not less than seventy
six (76) centimeters not more than one hundred seven (107) centimeters
high, measured vertically from a point on the stair tread twenty fire (25)
millimeters back from the leading edge, all in general conformity to the
requirements for stair handrails. “F” (1) through “F” (4) of Section 3.403.
c) Handrails and guards shall be so constructed as to withstand a force of
ninety one (91) kilos applied downward or horizontally at any point.
8) Swinging Section of Fire Escape Stairs:
a) Swinging stair sections shall not be used for fire escape stairs except
where termination over sidewalks, alleys or driveways makes it
impracticable to build stairs permanently to the ground. Where used,
swinging stairs shall comply with all provisions of this subsection.
b) Swinging section of stairs shall not be located over doors, over the
path of travel from any other exit, or in any location where there are or are
likely to be obstructions.
c) Width of swinging section of stairs shall be at least equal to that of the
stairs above,
d) Pitch/slope shall not be steeper than that of the stairs above.
e) Railings shall be provided similar in height and construction to those
required for the stairs above. Railings shall be designed to prevent any
possibility of injury to persons at head or stairs or on balconies when
stairs swing downward. Minimum clearance between moving section
where hands might be caught shall be ten (10) centimeters.
f) If distance from lowest platform to ground exceed three and two thirds
(3.67) meters, an intermediate balcony not more than three an two-thirds
(3.67) meters from the ground or less than two (2) meters in the clear
underneath shall be provided with not less than that of the stairs and
length not less than one and two tenths (1.2) meters.
g) Counterweight shall be provided for swinging stairs and this shall be
of type balancing about a pivot, no cables being used. Counterweight
shall be securely bolted in place, but sliding ball weight or their
equivalent may be used to hold stairs up and help lower them.
Counterbalancing shall be such that a person weighing sixty eight (68)
kilos, who makes one step for the pivot, will not start swinging the section
downward, but when he is one quarter of the length of the swinging stairs
from the pivot, the section will swing down.
h) Pivot for swinging stairs shall have a bronze bushing or have sufficient
clearance to prevent sticking on account of corrosion.
i) No latch to lock swinging stair section in up position shall be installed.
B. Fire Escape Ladders
1) USE - No form of ladder shall be used as a fire escape under the
provisions of this Rule, except that ladders conforming to the following
specifications may be used to provide a means of escape from boiler
rooms, grain elevators and towers as permitted by Division 14 and 15,
elevated platforms around machinery or similar spaces subject to
occupancy by not more than three ablebodied adults. 2) Installation
a) All leaders shall be permanently installed in fixed position, supported
by rigid connection to the building or structure at intervals not exceeding
three (3) meters.
b) Where ladders provide access to roofs or elevated platforms, rails shall
extend not less than one hundred fourteen (114) centimeters above roof
line or platform floor or above coping or parapet to afford hand hold. c)
Ladders shall be arranged parallel to buildings or structures with travel
either between ladder and building, in which case minimum clearance
center of rungs and building shall be sixty eight (68) centimeters, or
outside of ladder, in which case minimum clearance between center of
rungs and building shall be sixteen (16) centimeters. d) Ladders shall be
vertical or positively inclined (i.e. ladder sloping out over the head of a
person using it) shall be permitted.
3. Constructions:
a) Ladders shall be constructed of iron, of steel or of other metal in
design having equivalent strength and resistance to corrosion. b) Rails of
iron or steel ladders shall be not less than one and one-fourth (1.25)
centimeters by five (5) centimeters in section, not less than forty (40)
centimeters apart. c) Rungs shall be not less than twenty two (22)
centimeters nor more than thirty and one-half (30.5) centimeters on
center. d) The lowest rung of any ladder shall be not more than thirty and
onehalf (30.5) centimeters above the level of the ground or balcony floor
beneath it.
C. Slide Escape:
1) Use and Capacity Rating
a) A slide escape may be used at component in means of egress where
specifically authorized by Divisions 7 through 15.
b) Slide escapes, where permitted as required exits, shall be rated at one
unit per slide, with rated travel capacity of 60 persons per minute.
c) Slide escapes, except as permitted for high hazard manufacturing
buildings or structures, shall not constitute more than twenty five (25%)
percent of the required number of units of exit width from any building or
structure or any individual story or floor thereof.
d) Slide escape, used as exits shall comply with the applicable
requirements of this Division for other types of exits subject to the
discretion of the Director General of is authorized representative.
SEC. 3.410. Illumination of Means of Egress
A. General
1) Illumination of means of egress shall be continuous during the time
that the condition of occupancy require that the means of egress be
available for use. Artificial lighting shall be employed at such places and
for such periods of time as required to maintain the illumination to the
minimum lumen values herein specified.
2) Illumination of means of egress shall be provided for every building
and structures, as required by Division 7 through 15.
3) The floors of means of egress shall be illuminated at all points
including angles and intersection of corridors and passageways, landings
of stairs, and exit doors to values of not less than one thousandth (0.001)
lumens per herein specified.
4) Any required illumination shall be so arranged that the failure of any
lighting unit, such as the burning out of an electric bulb, will not leave
area in darkness.
B. Source of Illumination:
1) Illumination of means of egress shall be from a source of reasonably
assured reliability, such as public utility electric service.
2) Where electricity is used as a source of illumination of means of
egress, the installation shall be properly made in accordance with the
appropriate made in accordance with the appropriate made in accordance
with the appropriate and internationally accepted standards.
3) No battery operated electric light nor any type of portable lam or
lantern shall be used for primary illumination of means of egress, but may
be used as an emergency source to the extent permitted under Emergency
Lighting paragraph “C” of the Section.
4) No luminescent, fluorescent, or reflective material shall be permitted
as substitutes for any of the required illumination herein specified.
C. Emergency Lighting:
1) In occupancies specified in Division 7 through 15, emergency lighting
facilities shall be provided for means of egress. Where maintenance of
illumination depends upon charging from one energy source to another,
there shall be no appreciable interruption of illumination during the
changeover. Where emergency lighting is provided by a prime mover-
operated electric generator, delay or not more than ten (10) seconds shall
be permitted.
2) Emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to maintain the
specified degree of illumination in the event of failure of the normal
lighting for a period of at least one half (1/2) hour in building more than
thirty six and a half (36.5) meters in height.
3) A emergency lighting system shall be provided as specified in
Division 7 through 15, subject to the ground of Director General or his
duly authorized representative as to the suitability of the equipment for its
intended use and the conditions in the individual premises.
4) Electric battery-operated emergency lights shall use only reliable types
of storage batteries, provided with suitability of the equipment for its
intended use and the conditions in the individual premises.
5) An emergency lighting system shall be so arranged as to provide the
required illumination automatically in the event of any interruption of
normal lighting, such as any failure of public utility or other outside
electrical power supply, opening of a circuit breaker or fuse, or any
manual act, including accidental opening of a. switch controlling normal
lighting facilities.
6) An emergency lighting system shall either be continuously in
operation or shall be capable of repeated automatic operation without
intervention.
SEC. 3.411. Exit Masking
A. Signs:
1) Where required by the provisions of division 15, exits shall be marked
by a readily visible sign. Access to exits shall be marked by readily
visible sign in all cases where the exit or way to reach it’s not
immediately visible to the occupants and in any case where required by
the applicable provisions of Divisions 7 through 15 for individual
occupancies.

2) Any door, passage, or stairway which is neither an exit nor a way of
exit access and which is so located or arranged as likely to be mistaken
for an exit, shall be identified by a sign reading “NOT AN EXIT” and
shall be identified by a sign indicating its actual character, such as “TO
BASEMENT” “STOREROOM”, “LINEN CLOSET” or the like.
3) Every required sign designating an exit or way of exit access shall be
so located and such size, color, and design as to readily visible. No
decorations, furnishing, or equipment which impair visibility of an exit
sigh shall be permitted nor shall be permitted, nor shall there be any
brightly illuminated sign (for other than exit purposes), display, or
display, or object in or near the line of vision to the required exit sign of
such a character as to so detract attention from the exit sign.
4) A sign reading “EXIT”, with an arrow indicating the direction, shall be
placed in every location where the direction of travel to reach the nearest
exit is not immediately apparent.
5) Every sigh shall be distinctive in color and shall provide contrast with
decorations, interior finish or other signs.
B. Illumination of Signs:
1) Every sign shall be suitably illuminated by a reliable light source
giving a value of not less than thousandth (0.005) lumens per square
centimeters on the illuminated surface. Such illumination shall be
continuous as required under the provisions of Section 3.510.
(Illumination of Means of Egress) and where emergency lighting facilities
are required, exit sign shall be illuminated from the same source. 2)
Internally illuminated sign shall be provided in all occupancies where
reduction of normal illumination is permitted such as to motion picture
theaters.
C. Size of Signs:
Every exit shall have the word “EXIT” in plainly legible letters not less
than fifteen (15) centimeters high with the principal strokes of letters not
less than nineteen (19) millimeters wide, except that in exiting buildings
externally illuminated exit signs therein having the word “EXIT” in
plainly visible letters not less than eleven and one-half (11.5) centimeters
high, other than in places of assembly, may continued in-use.
DIVISIONS 5 - FEATURES OF FIRE PROTECTION
SEC. 3.501 Protection of Vertical Opening and Combustible
Concealed Spaces
A. General:
1) Every stairway, elevator shaft, light and ventilation shaft, chute and
other opening between stories shall be enclosed or protected to prevent
the spread of fire of smoke, except openings of building protected by
automatic fire suppression system as permitted by other Section of this
Rule.
2) In any building with low or ordinary hazard occupancy protected with
automatic fire suppression system, up to three (3) communicating floor
levels are permitted without enclosure protection between floors, provided
all the following conditions are met.
a) The arrangement is permitted by the applicable occupancy section of
this Rule and by the Director General of his duly authorized
representative;
b) The lowest or next to the lowest level is a street floor;
c) The entire area including all communicating floor levels is sufficiently
open and unobstructed so that it may be assured that fire or other
dangerous condition in any part will be immediately obvious to the
occupants of all communicating levels and areas;
d) Exit capacity is sufficient to provide simultaneously for all occupants
of all communicating levels and areas, all communicating levels in the
same fire area being considered as a single floor area for purposes of
determination of required exit capacity.
e) Each floor level, considered separately, has at least one-half of its
individual required exit capacity provided by an exit or exits leading
directly out of that area without traversing another communicating floor
level or being exposed to the spread of fire or smoke therefrom; and
f) All requirement of this Rule with respect to interior finish, protection
of hazards, construction and other features are fully observed, without
waivers, expect openings in floors of educational and educational and
institutional occupancies shall be enclosed as required in Divisions 8 and
9, respectively.
3) Each floor opening, as specified in paragraph “A” (1) of this Section
shall be enclosed by substantial walls having fire resistance not less than
that required for stairways, paragraph “A” (4) hereof, with approved fire
doors or windows provided in opening therein, all so designed and
installed as to proved a complete barrier to the spread of fire or smoke
through such openings. 4) The enclosing walls of floor openings serving
stairways or ramps shall be so arranged as to provide a continuous path of
escape including landings and passageway, in accordance with Section
3.403, providing protection for using the stairways or ramp against fire or
smoke therefrom in other persons using the stairways or ramp against
fire or smoke therefrom in other parts of the building. Such wall shall
have fire resistance as follows:
a) New buildings four stores or more n height two hours five resistance.
b) Other new buildings - One (1) hour c) Existing buildings - ½ hour,
except where greater resistance is required by the Director General or his
duly authorized representative in consideration of the hazard present.
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1613 (AMENDING THE LAW
ON ARSON)
WHEREAS, findings of the police and intelligence agencies of the
government reveal that fires and other crimes involving destruction in
Metro Manila and other urban centers in the country are being
perpetrated by criminal syndicates, some of which have foreign
connections;
WHEREAS, the current law on arson suffers from certain inadequacies
that impede the successful enforcement and prosecution of arsonists;
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the high incidence of fires and other
crimes involving destruction be prevented to protect the national
economy and preserve the social, economic and political stability of the
country;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,
do hereby order and decree as part of the law of the land, the following:
Section 1. 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 of 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
4. Any building where evidence is kept for use in any legislative,
judicial, administrative or other official proceedings.
5. Any hospital, hotel, dormitory, lodging house, housing tenement,
shopping center, public or private market, theater or movie house or
any similar place or building.
6. Any building, whether used as a 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 inhabited house or dwelling;
3. Any industrial establishment, shipyard, oil well or mine shaft,
platform or tunnel;
4. Any plantation, farm, pastureland, growing crop, grain field, orchard,
bamboo grove or forest;
4. Any rice mill, sugar mill, cane mill or mill central; and
5. 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 its 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 the 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 note necessary in the business of the offender nor
for household us.
3. If 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.
4. 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.
5. If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the effects insured
and stored in a building or property had been withdrawn from the
premises except in the ordinary course of business.
6. 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 the 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 provisions of Articles 320 to 326-B of
the Revised Penal Code and all laws, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this
Decree are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Section 10. Effectivity. This Decree shall 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, in the year of Our
Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-nine.
FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
WATER TANK- this apparatus enables to secure water scarce areas for
speedy firefighting operations. Usually equipped with 10,000 to
25,000 liters capacity of tanks.
COMMAND SERVICE VEHICLE-refers to the vehicle where the fire
chief usually rides and uses as command post during the fire fighting
operation. Equipped with radio and other command equipment.
PUMPER TRUCK/FIRE ENGINE- a kind of firefighting apparatus
designed to use diverse water supply sources as hydrants usually
equipped with a water tank and centrifugal pump. They are effective
even at fire sites where water supply is limited or non-existent. Usually
equipped with 4,000 liter tank.
CHEMICAL TRUCK- capable to discharge foams which is the most
effective means to extinguish not only ordinary CLASS A, but also
CLASS B fires due to chemicals, inflammable liquids. It is equipped
with 2,500 liters water tank and the pump proportioning system
AERIAL PLATFORM- a firefighting apparatus usually used in
firefighting operations of high-rise structures. Used also in rescue
operations. It has a working height of 27 meters (90 feet) from the
ground and 24 meters (80 feet) from the ground., 2 boom 23 meters (75
feet)
BREAK SQUiRT (WATER TOWER)- a firefighting apparatus
equipped with breaking device and monitor nozzle which can reach a
height of 23 meters, provide massive fire extinguishing capability
especially in close quarters where extra maneuverability is essential.
RESCUE AND UTILITY TRUCK- usually equipped with a winch,
loaded with rescue equipment as hydraulic rescue tools and floodlights
and power generators. This apparatus can perform rescue operations in
case of fire, earthquake AND OTHER DISASTER.
AERIAL LADDER-this firefighting apparatus is designed mainly for
fighting high-rise fires and can be used to rescue trapped people as well
as to shoot water at high locations. Equipped with a lift and a basket.
This rising angle cover from 10 to 25 degrees.
LIGHTING TOWER TRUCK-this apparatus are essential to throw
light on firefighting and rescue operations. It has a wide lighting range
of 220 degrees. It is so powerful that a newspaper can be read at 100
meters or 32 feet from the light source.
STRAIGHT LADDER- non adjustable in length and consist only of
one section. Sometimes called “wall ladder” and is used for quick
access to windows and roofs of one and two storey buildings.
EXTENSION LADDER- is adjustable in length. It consists of two or
more sections which travel in guides or brackets to permit length
adjustments.
FOG GUN- used to fight fire inside a building or underground by
straight spot water application or fine fog application.
STRAIGHT NOZZLE- used to fight fire and it is possible to speed up
water stream rectified in the play pipe
NOZZLE- a piece of firefighting equipment used to direct or control a
stream of water. The characteristics of the stream of water or fire
stream is determined mainly by the nozzle.
PORTABLE PUMPS- usually used during firefighting operations and
equipped with fire hose. This is used if fighting fires in forests
inaccessible by vehicle or areas with narrow roads.
FIRE HOSE- a type of flexible tube used by firefighters to carry water
under pressure from the source of supply to a point where it is
discharged to extinguish fire
HOSE CLAMP- is a tool to shut off the water in hose lines when other
control valves are not applicable.
HOSE JACKET- is used to seal small cuts or breaks, which may occur
in fire hose, or to connect mismatched or damaged coupling of the
same size.
FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS
AXES AND HATCHETS
a. Pick-head axe - the pick ends serves to give the firefighter an
opportunity to make a starting point to begin cutting or to pierce
material.
B. Flat-head axe – becomes a vital addition to the forcible entry team
because the flat head can be used as striking tool.
Handsaws - and tool having a toothed blade for cutting 4) COVER EXPOSURE – To prevent the fire into
Power saws - a tool driven by a motor extending/spreading to other uninvolved buildings.
Cutting torch - can use it to cut steel to size and shape.  Placing fire streams directly to exposed building.
metal cutting device – tools to cut metal  Placing fire streams between burning building and
Manual prying tools - It is used as a lever either to force apart two exposed building.
objects or to remove nails. Prying tools are commonly used to open  Entering exposed building and from windows
nailed wooden crates. Common uses for larger crowbars are: removing placing fire streams directly to burning building.
nails, prying apart boards, and generally breaking things.
Hydraulic rescue equipment – used to rescue victims by hydraulically 5) CONFINEMENT – To prevent the fire from extending to the other
removing, pulling, bending of cutting obstacles. portion of the burning building
Standard pike pole – used to pull apart debris and burning materials,  Involves protection of avenues of extension.
open walls, ceiling and remove trim.  UPWARD EXTENSION – Most rapid thru stairways,
Helmets and protective hoods – was designed to help shed water and windows and air ducks.
to prevent hot embers from falling down on the firefighter’s face, ears,  SIDEWARD – thru combustible partitions and doors.
hairs and neck.  DOWNWARD – Slow thru combustible floors, stairways,
SAFETY SHOES – rubber boots easy to don, excellent water and air ducks.
repellency, easy decontamination,
GLOVES – it provides thermal protection, as well as from cuts, 06) VENTILATION- To displace hot smoke, poisonous and toxic
punctures and scraps. gases from contaminated area and replacing fresh air from outside.
PROTECTIVE COATS AND TROUSERS a) Make an opening ( forced ventilation).
b) Use of fog streams.
c) Always consider the wind direction.
PRINCIPLE OF FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE CONTROL –An act or process of preventing the fire from
07) EXTINGUISHMENT – To put out the main body of fire.
spreading, thus preventing further damages.
a) Locating the main body of fire.
FIRE SUPPRESSION – Act or process of lowering down the
b) Proper use and techniques of applying fire streams.
intensity of heat.
DIRECT ATTACK – If fire is limited and approachable. Applying a
10 PHASES OF FIRE OPERATION :
solid stream directly to the base of the fire.
1) PRE -FIRE PLANNING – To know the problem which may be INDIRECT ATTACK- If the fire involves a large area and confined by
encountered and what to do at the fire ground in case fire starts in a locating the Hottest portion and applying a stream over hottest portion.
particular building or area. COMBINATION ATTACK – If the whole building id already involve
a) Gather information about existing conditions at the vicinity by the fire and entry is difficult.
of the building or area which is subject for planning.
b) Conducting fire company inspection. 08) SALVAGE – To protect properties of value from preventable
damages due to sources other than fire.
2)SIZING UP – Mental evaluation by the Ground Commander which  Covering properties endangered of indirect
enables him to determine his course of action and to accomplish his damage.(water or heat).
mission.  Removing endangered properties.
- To estimate the situation.  Removal of excess water.
- Begins after alarm is received.
a) Nature of fire. 4 SALVAGE PRACTICES
b) Tools or equipment available. 1) Removal or evacuating of properties according to its priority.
c)The action to take. (decision from the Ground Commander) 2) Removal of properties to avoid fire spread.
d)Wind direction. 3) Protect properties by arranging covering to avoid damage.
4) Removal of personal belonging of the victims for safe
3) RESCUE – Removal of the victim/s from endangered area and bring keeping
to the place of safety
 Looking for victim/s. 09) OVERHAULING – To prevent the fire from rekindling.
 Extrication of victims.  Looking for remaining sources of ignition such as embers,
 Determining the nature of injury. open flames, sparks among debris.
 Stabilizing the victim.  Making the area safe and habitable.
 Bringing victims to a safe place.  Gathering physical evidences among debris to determine
 Stabilizing the scene of incident. cause of the fire.
 Wrap up ( collect equipment and accounting of
personnel). 10) POST FIRE ANALYSIS
 Post incident analysis.
– To conduct a critique of what was done during the fire
CONDITIONS IN WHICH VICTIMS MAYBE FOUND: operation. Is a cooperative discussion of fire personnel about
 Injured victim all phases of fire from the time of the alarm was received
 Unconscious until return to the station.
 Wounded • Fire fighter priorities are:
 Burned – Saving lives
 Panicky – Controlling the fire
 Shocked – Protecting property
 Sleeping • Salvage and overhaul help to protect property.
 Intoxicated • Salvage
 Bedfast – Efforts to limit smoke, water, and physical damage
to contents
 • Overhaul
– Efforts to identify and extinguish hidden pockets of
fire and smoldering embers to prevent further
progression or rekindles
• Conducted to save property and reduce damage
• Aimed at limiting secondary losses from smoke and water
damage
FIRE ARSON INVESTIGATION TEAM
COMPOSITION OF INVESTIGATION TEAM AND
THEIR DESIGNATED RESPONSIBIITIES:
Team Leader – assumes overall control of the fire scene.
Lead Fire Arson Investigator – coordinates with the Team Leader
regarding appropriate investigation approach.
Fire Scene Photographer – photographs the fire scene prior entry of
the investigation team and during walk-through.
Fire Scene Sketch Preparer – diagrams and illustrates the immediate
area of the fire scene.
Evidence Recovery Personnel and Custodian – conducts actual
exhaustive search of probable pieces of evidence with the direct
guidance of the Team Leader and Lead FAI at the fire scene.
Team Security Personnel – ensures the overall security/safety of the
investigating team.
Incident Command Post (ICP) – the designated area for planning and
communication point for members of the Fire Arson Investigation.
DETERMINING FIRE ORIGIN
Fire Spread – the movement of fire from one place to another.
Fire Pattern - the visible or measurable physical changes, or
identifiable shapes, formed by a fire effect or group of fire effects.
Point of Fire Origin / Base of Fire – exact physical location where a
heat source and a fuel came in contact with each other and where the
fire begins.
Methodical Examination – the systematic approach in all relevant
details found at the fire scene during the actual conduct of
investigation.
Scientific Method – the analytical process necessary in a successful
conduct of investigation.
Evidence Spoliation – loss, destruction or material alteration of an
object or document which can be used in a legal proceeding by a person
who has the responsibility for its preservation.
FIRST RESPONDER PERFORMS INITIAL ACTIONS
1. Fire Arson Investigator (FAI) receives assignment from the unit
commander.
2. Fire Arson Investigation Team responds immediately and proceeds
to the fire scene.
2.1 Size up / assess fire scene.
2.2 Cordon and secure the fire scene to prevent entry of any
unauthorized person.
2.3 Conduct initial interview to available witnesses within the
immediate vicinity of the fire scene.
3. Fire Scene Photographer documents the fire scene using camera /
video.
4. FAI preserves and protects the evidential value of the identified
focal point of fire (evidence spoliation), and prepares inventory of the
items.
5. FAI prepares the Fire Investigation Response Form (FIRP).
6. Team Leader / Lead Fire Arson Investigator reports to superior or
higher investigating unit officer about the incident, and if necessary,
turn over the conduct of investigation according to the Level of
Authority. CONDUCT ON-SCENE / ON-SITE INVESTIGATION
7. Team Leader / Lead Fire Arson Investigator establishes Incident
Command Post (ICP).
8. Fire Arson Investigation Team performs preliminary survey PRE /
BEFORE ACTUAL / DURING GENERAL PROCEDURES: 246
POST / AFTER EFFECTIVENESS CRITERIA: Point of origin
properly identified. Fatality / Casualty (if any) duly accounted. Fire
scene properly secured and preserved.
Spot Investigation Report (SIR) submitted within the
reglementary period. by conducting walkthrough to have an initial
assessment of the fire scene.
9. FAI establishes the pre-fire condition of the fire scene by
theoretically reconstructing the burned structure.
10. FAI determines the external and internal degree of damages caused
by the fire.
11. FAI conducts thorough analysis of the Fire Spread Patterns to
identify the Point of Fire Origin.
12. Fire Scene Photographer documents the fire area by the use of any
verifiable means or source of recording.
13. Fire Scene Sketch Preparer diagrams or sketches the immediate
area of the fire scene. SUBMIT
MANDATORY REPORT
14. Fire Arson Investigation Team submits Spot Investigation Report
(SIR) within 24 hours to MFM/CFM copy furnished DFM, PFM, RD,
Chief, BFP thru IID, BFP-NHQ. Standard, Law or Regulation Other
Procedures, Documents, etc. NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Letter /
Mission Order Explosion Investigations 2008 Edition SOP NR: IID
2008-01 (Operational Standards on Comprehensive Fire and Arson
Investigation and Filing of Criminal Complaint Procedures) Criminal
Investigation Philippine Edition 2011 (Karen M. Hess, Ph. D, Christine
Hess Orthmann, M.S.) PNP Investigative Manual REFERENCES:
247 Fire Investigation Response Form (FIRF) Spot
Investigation Report (SIR) CFM / MFM / DFM / PFM / Office of the
Regional Director / Chief, BFP thru IID BFP-NHQ FORMS /
RECORDS: Record/Form/Activity Name User/Receiver REQUIRED
BY THE PROCESS / PROCEDURE OTHER FORMS / RECORDS
248 POLICY: PURPOSE: BASIC CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND
GUIDEPOSTS: SCOPE: RESPONSIBILITIES:
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 54,
RA 6975). Accurately determine the cause of fire that will form part of
the basis of fire prevention activities and filing of appropriate action in
court. The determination of the cause of the fire requires the
identification of materials, circumstances and factors that were
necessary for the fire to have occurred. Likewise, the determination of
the cause of fire will expose whether or not a certain person or entity
must be held legally accountable for the occurrence of the fire.
Fire Arson Investigator (FAI) handling the case may require
other documents necessary in the conduct of the investigation. And
should also consider and delve into other possible sources of
information. (Local neighborhood inquiry, available public records,
concerned insurance company/ies and other reliable sources).
Fire Arson Investigator (FAI) must follow the instructions
pertaining to evidence collection and handling of evidence as provided
for in MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2010-LAB-01: Guidelines
in the Collection, Labeling, Preservation, Chain of Custody and
Submission of Physical Evidence to BFP Laboratory. Fire Arson
Investigation Team / Chief, Arson Team Leader – assumes overall
control of the fire scene. Lead Fire Arson Investigator – coordinates
with the Team Leader regarding appropriate investigation approach.
Fire Scene Photographer – photographs the fire scene prior entry of the
investigation team and during walk-through. Fire Scene Sketch
Preparer – diagrams and illustrates the immediate area of the fire scene.
Evidence Recovery Personnel and Custodian – conducts actual
exhaustive search of probable pieces of evidence with the direct
guidance of the Team Leader and Lead FAI at the fire scene. Team
Security Personnel – ensures the overall security/safety of 5.2
DETERMINING FIRE CAUSE 249 the investigating team. Arson
Laboratory Section (ALS) – BFP team that subjects/tests the pieces of
evidence for laboratory examination. Area of Fire Origin – the room or
area where the fire began. Inductive Reasoning – the process by which
a person starts from a particular experience and proceeds to
generalizations. The process by which hypothesis are developed based
upon observable or knows facts and the training, experience,
knowledge, and expertise of the observer.
DEFINITIONS: FIRE SCENE DOCUMENTATION
1. Fire Scene Sketch Preparer and Fire Scene Photographer ensures the
availability of all tools and equipment they need for the investigation.
2. Fire Scene Sketch Preparer prepares a detailed illustration of the
interior and exterior portion of the fire scene, illustration of the Area of
Fire Origin and the Point of Fire Origin, Fire Spread Pattern, affected
and unaffected areas at the fire scene.
3. Fire Scene Photographer photographs the fire scene in wide and
close-up angles for detailed and sequential presentation. SUBMISSION
OF PERTINENT DOCUMENTS FOR INVESTIGATION
4. Fire Arson Investigator (FAI) prepares the LIST OF DOCUMENTS
needed to be accomplished / submitted by the fire victim/s, building
occupant/s and other parties affected by the fire. The required
documents are listed in Form FAI02: Required Documents for
Investigation. Documents to be obtained from the fire victim vary
based on the TYPE OF OCCUPANCY or the INVOLVED
STRUCTURE gutted by fire.
5. FAI prepares and submits the mandatory reports within the
reglementary period of submission. COLLECTION AND
PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE
6. FAI prepares the apparatus to be used for the collection of evidences.
7. FAI identifies and collects physical evidences found at the fire scene
that have Evidentiary Value in the conduct of fire investigation. PRE /
BEFORE ACTUAL / DURING GENERAL PROCEDURES: 250
8. Evidence Recovery Personnel and Custodian coordinates with Fire
Scene Sketch Preparer for the illustrations of the position and location
of all pieces of evidence collected.
9. Fire Arson Investigator photographs the pieces of evidences to be
collected before lifting and should be in the presence of a witness
independent from the Fire Arson Investigation Team.
10. FAI properly documents, packs, seals and labels the pieces of
evidence recovered prior to transportation and submission to Arson
Laboratory Section BFP-NHQ, within 72 hours upon lifting from the
fire scene, for laboratory examination.
11. FAI fully records/documents, collect, and itemize in detailed format
all the recovered pieces of evidence using the Evidence Collection and
Recovery Record (ECRR).
12. FAI attaches the copy of the Evidence Collection and Recovery
Record (ECRR) to the Evidence Chain of Custody (ECC) form.
INTERVIEW AND QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES
13. FAI issues Invitation Letter to all witnesses to appear before the
Office of the Investigation and Intelligence concerned for a formal
interview.
14. FAI requires the witness to execute and sign his/her Sworn
Statement under oath, and have the same duly subscribed and sworn to
before a person legally authorized to administer oath (Notary Public,
Prosecutor, Clerk of Courts and Judges) or at least a member of the
BFP investigation team with the rank of Fire Inspector.
15. FAI conducts interview and questioning to other experts /
professionals who can provide relevant information about the
occurrence of the fire. CONDUCT FIRE CAUSE DETERMINATION
PROCEDURE
16. FAI collects data by observation or other direct data gathering
means.
17. FAI analyzes collected data based on acquired knowledge through
training, experience, and expertise.
18. FAI develops hypothesis from collected data using inductive
reasoning.
19. FAI tests the hypothesis if it can stand the test of careful and serious
challenge.
20. FAI selects final hypothesis. SUBMIT MANDATORY REPORT
21. Fire Arson Investigation Team submits Progress Investigation
Report (PIR) within 7 days from the inception of the investigation to
MFM / CFM copy furnished DFM, PFM, RD, Chief, BFP thru IID,
BFP-NHQ. POST / AFTER 251 Standard, Law or Regulation Other
Procedures, Documents, etc. Formal Letter of Invitation for interview
of witnesses Letter of Cognizance to investigate Property Recovery and
Clearing Permit (PRCP) Release of Fire Scene (RFS) Fire Clearance
Certificate (FCC) MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NR: 2010-LAB-01:
Guidelines in the Collection, Labeling, Preservation, Chain of Custody
and Submission of Physical Evidence to BFP Laboratory NFPA 921:
Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations 2008 Edition
SOP NR: IID 2008-01 (Operational Standards on Comprehensive Fire
and Arson Investigation and Filing of Criminal Complaint Procedures)
Criminal Investigation Philippine Edition 2011 (Karen M. Hess, Ph. D,
Christine Hess Orthmann, M.S.) Photographs and photographic log
Evidence Collection and Recovery Record (ECRR) Evidence Chain of
Custody (ECC) CFM/MFM / DFM/PFM / Office of the Regional
Director/ Chief, BFP thru IID BFP-NHQ Record/Form/Activity Name
User/Receiver Proper documentation of fire scene investigation by
means of sketch and photographs. Information relevant in the
determination of the cause of fire obtained. 22. Fire Arson Investigation
Team submits Final Investigation Report (FIR) within 45 days from the
inception of the investigation to MFM / CFM copy furnished DFM,
PFM, RD, Chief, BFP thru IID, BFP-NHQ. EFFECTIVENESS
CRITERIA: REFERENCES: FORMS / RECORDS: REQUIRED BY
THE PROCESS / PROCEDURE OTHER FORMS / RECORDS 252
Form FAI-02: Required Documents for Investigation Affidavit and
Sworn Statement of Witnesses duly subscribed and sworn to before a
person authorized to administer oath Evidence Submission Form (Form
Nr 05-01, Nr 06-04 and Nr 06-06) properly accomplished Progress /
Final Investigation
BFP VISION
- a modern fire protection agency working towards a safe and
progressive society
BFP MISSION
- To prevent and suppress destructive fires; investigate its
causes; provide emergency medical and rescue services and
enforce other fire-related laws with active involvement of the
community
CORE VALUES
R-reliability (we serve 24/7)
E- efficiency (we find ways)
S-selflessness (we risk our lives so that others may live)
P-professionalism (we conduct ourselves on a professional matters)
O-Oneness (we work as a team)
N-Nationalism (we contribute in the preservatio on the country’s gains)
S-Service (we continually improve our service)
I-Integrity (we uphold ethical norms)
V- Vibrancy (we adapt to positive change)
E- Effectiveness ( we do right things at the right time)
FIRE FIGHTING TECHNIQUES
INITIAL ACTIONS
•REPORT the fire to a controlling station (ie.DCC, Quarterdeck,
Bridge)
•SIZE UP the fire -location / size / agent
•EVACUATE all personnel from affected area
•ISOLATE and contain the fire area
•ATTACK the fire with available equipment
•FIGHT FIRE until relieved by RRT or untilspace becomes untenable
SCENE LEADER THOUGHT PROCESS
•Determine number of hoses required and direction of attack
 •Determine Personal Protective Equipment required
•Determine lighting requirements in fire affected space
•Determine the need for a NFTI
•Determine venting / desmoking options
ATTACK OPTIONS
•Direct Attack - Preferred method •Fog Attack - Used when:
 – Overhead gases are burning (Rollover) – Seat of fire is
obstructed – Multiple seats of fire present
•Indirect Attack •Venting Options• Attacking from space above
•Vertical Trunk entry

HOSE HANDLING
•Preliminary Actions to Ensure Readiness
– Proper stowage of hoses – Hand tight couplings – Hoses in
good condition – Hose reel brakes properly set
•Controlling the Hose
 – One person can operate an 11/2
inch hose in initial attack, sustainedoperation requires a
minimum of 2 hose handlers in addition to thenozzleman
(requirements increase based on hose length andnumber of
turns)
 – Two people can operate a 21/2
inch hose in initialattack, sustained operation requires a
minimum of 4hose handlers in addition to the
nozzleman(requirements increase based on hose length
andnumber of turns)
•Teamwork / Coordination is the key to Success!
•Advancing the Hose
– Advance to nearest location possible to affected space
prior tocharging – With hose completely off camel
back, charge hose, straightenkinks and check for leaks –  Non-
collapsible hoses may be charged while still on the reel(ability to advance is
limited by strength of individual)*Experience has shown that hoses
expand whencharged, causing difficulty removing from hose
reel*
– When maneuvering below decks place all hosehandlers on
the same side of the hose for ease of movement in narrow
areas – When using 2 hoses, place hose handlers on outsideof
hoses to minimize interference
•Attack Team Relief  – Begin at perimeter and work to point of origin – Check for
– Attack hose may be left in fire affected space duringrelief
process / Team Leader responsible for informing OSL of
nozzle location and spaceconditions – It is NOT
NECESSARY to close the plug valvewhile doing so
• Nozzle Handling / The Nozzleman must:
– Direct the hose stream where desired – Use the appropriate
spray pattern – Use the appropriate flow rate – Devote one
hand to holding the nozzle and directingthe stream, leaving
the other hand available to operatethe bail shut-off handle and
the pattern shroud
– The nozzleman may hold the hose line over the shoulder
or under an arm whichever is more comfortable
•WARNING - WHEN HOLDING THE HOSEUNDER THE
ARM THE OBA BREATHING BAGMAY BECOME
DEFLATED IF PRESSED ON BYTHE HOSE• Nozzle
control is critical
– Straight stream / Used in direct attack  –  Narrow angle fog
/ General firefighting pattern, goodfor providing a “push” to
flame fronts – Wide angle fog / Good heat absorption, used
for  personnel protection
•Hose stream reach in no wind w/nozzle pressure of 100 PSI
 – Straight stream 100 feet – Narrow angle fog 50 feet – Wide angle fog
5-10 feet
SPACE REENTRY
•Position firefighters on the non-hinged
sideof door, hoseline ready. Stay low!
– When door is opened, if fire shows or rolls out,direct water
fog at the doorway overhead for cooling and control of
escaping gases. – When conditions permit, Team Leader
enter thespace and assess conditions. Remain low!
ATTACKING FROM THE SPACE ABOVE
•When attacking from the space above the followingshould be
considered when conducting either a direct or indirect attack from the
hot deck over the fire space.
– Rotate personnel frequently to avoid heat strain.
Emphasisshould be on each person or team accomplishing a
minor task rather than staying until exhausted. – Keep scene
leader outside high heat area to prevent impaired judgment
and increase endurance.
– Avoid stationing personnel at local hot spotssuch as
immediately above the fire. – Utilize support team personnel
for indirectcooling and gaining access. These jobs
are physically demanding and should not be performed by the
primary attack team. – Using additional gloves for hot
surfaces duringaccess may prevent burned hands.
BACKUP HOSE CONSIDERATIONS
•Decision to layout, man, charge or bring the back-uphose to the scene
of the fire made by the OSL basedon following:
– Is a second hose required for fire attack? – Are burning
gases present in the overhead? – Are combustible materials
near scene of fire that requirecooling? – Is protection required
for primary attack team due to high probability of explosion?
ATTACK TEAM RELIEF
•Relieve as a team or individually•Manage reliefs from a single control
point•Personnel standing by should minimize heatstress while
waiting•Personnel relieved should proceed to freshair, cool off and
replenish body fluids
FIRE OVERHAUL
•Final Extinguishment / Examination andCleanup
all possible areas of fire spread as well asclues for
concealed fires
•Smoke creeping out of openings•Bulkheads hot to touch• NFTI
inspection results
VENTILATION OPTIONS
•Vari-nozzle Technique• Natural Ventilation•Portable
Ventilation•Active Desmoking•Installed Ventilation
ACTIVE DESMOKING
•Authorized for ALL classes of fire•Used to improve conditions in the
smoke control zone•OSL discretion•Procedure
– Prepare desmoking flow path – Rig portable exhaust
blowers and establish low pressure area – Supply make-up air
(ship maneuvering may be required)
TYPICAL DIFFICULTIES IN FIRE FIGHTING
•EXTREME Heat
•Firefighter Fatigue
•Limited Access
•Communications Breakdowns
•Limited Visibility
•Personnel Management
FIRE SUPPRESSION:
1. Level of oxygen when a person feels dizziness, headache and rapid
fatigue. Ans: 12%
2. Level of oxygen present in air. Ans: 21%
3. Level of oxygen wherein the person becomes unconscious. Ans: 9%
4. What do you call the first phase of fire. Ans: Incipient
5. First known firefighting unit organized thousands of years B.C. Ans:
Bucket Brigade
6. The min. temperature at which a liquid fuel gives off sufficient vapor
to form an ignitable mixture. Ans: Flash Point
7. Condition that occurs when a portion of the fire gases trapped at the
uppEr level of a room ignite, spreading flame across the ceiling of the
room. Ans: Flameover
8. State at which everything in a confined area ignites at almost the
same time. Ans: Flashover
9. Heat transfer between solid like metals. Ans: Conduction
10. Heat transfer between a solid surface and a fluid. Ans: Convection
11. Mode of heat transfer involving two bodies separated by a distance.
Ans: Radiation
12. To prevent fire from extending to other uninvolved buildings or
structures. Ans: Cover Exposure
13. To prevent the fire from extending to other uninvolved portions of
the burning buildings. Ans: Confinement
14. To protect properties of value from preventable damages. Ans:
Salvage
15. Prevent fire from rekindling. Ans: Overhaul
16. A device containing chemicals, fluid and gasses for extinguishing
and used for small area of fire. Ans: Fire Extinguisher
17. An upright pipe, usually in a street, connected to a water main with
a valve to which a hose can be attached. Ans: Hydrant
18. Unburned smoke is heated in the absence of oxygen and produces
explosive force once oxygen in introduced. Ans: Backdraft
19. Carefully planned release of the products of combustion from a
confined area or structure. Ans: Ventilation
20. Firefighting apparatus designed to use diverse water supply sources
as hydrants usually equipped with a water tank and centrifugal pump.
Ans: Pumper Truck / Fire Engine
21. Firefighting apparatus usually used in firefighting operations of
high-rise structures. Ans: Aerial Platform
22. A firefighting apparatus equipped with monitor nozzle, which can
be rotated 90° horizontally and 240° vertically. Ans: Squirt
23. An aparatus which enables to secure water scarce areas for speedy
firefighting operation. Ans: Water Tank
24. A firefighting apparatus capable of discharging foams which is the
most effective means to extinguish not only ordinary Class A but also
Class B fires. Ans: Chemical Truck
25. A piece of firefighting equipment used to direct or control a stream
of water. Ans: Nozzle
26. A type of flexible tube used to carru water under pressure from the
source to a point of dischraged. Ans: Fire Hose
27. Classification of fire involving ordinary combustibles lime woods,
paper, cloth, plastic, etc. Ans: Class A
28. Classification of fire involving flammable and combustible liquids,
gasses, and grease like gasoline, oils, alcoh, etc. Ans: Class B
29. Classification of fire involving electricity. Ans: Class C
30. Classification of fire involving combustible metal and alloy lime
magnesium, sodium, lithium and potassium. Ans: Class D
31. Basic procedure in putting out fires by cooling /removing the
element of heat or reducing tje temperature. Ans: Quenching
32. Basic procedure in putting out fire by removing oxygen or
oxidizing agent of fire. Ans: Smothering
33. To know the problems and what to do in case fire starts in a
particular building or area. Ans: Pre-Fire Planning
34. Removal of victims from endangered areas amd bringing them to a
place of safety. Ans: Rescue
35. Basic procedure in putting out fire by removing or reducing fuel.
Ans: Starving
36. Basic procedure in putting out fire by stopping chain reaction. Ans:
Inhibiting
37. What is the third element of fire if fuel and heat are present. Ans:
Oxygen
38. Form of energy that raises temperature. Ans: Heat
39. Any material or substance capable of burning. Ans: Fuel
40. A chemical reaction that releases energy as heat and usually light.
Ans: Combustion
41. A rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the
evolution of heat and light in varying intensities. Ans: Fire
42. The minimum temperature to which a fuel in air must be heated to
start selfsustained combustion. Ans: Ignition Temperature
43. To put out the main body of the fire. Ans: Extinguishment
44. A combination of material, mostly unburned hydrocarbons and a
product of fire. Ans: Smoke
45. An apparatus that protects the face and lungs from toxic smoke and
products of combustion. Ans: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
46. Protects the head from impact amd puncture as well as scalding
water. Ans: Helmet
47. It protects the firefighters trunk and limbs against cuts, abrasions
and burn injuries. Ans: Protective Coats and Trousers
48. It protects the feet from burn injuries, punctures, wpunds and
insulated materials/environment. Ans: Protective Boots
49. A technique used by firemen to gain access to a structure whose
normal means of
access is locked, blocked or nonexistent. Ans: Forcible Entry
50. In a Class C fire, can you use water as extinguishing agent? Ans:
No
51. The most common agent used in fire suppression. Ans: Water
52. What do you call the extinguishment mechanism wherein water-
based or aqueous agents are highly effective in reducing the
temperature of fire. Ans: Reduction of Heat
53. Tools or equipments used by firefighters to make an opening in
walls and floors. Ans: Axes
54. Tools or equipment used by firefighters to open ceiling on fire
extension. Ans: Pike Poles/Paster Hooks
55. An instrument used by firefighters to quick access to windows and
roofs of one and two storey buildings. Ans: Straight Ladder
56. Kind 0f pumps used during firefighting operation and equipped
with fire hose. Ans: Portable Pumps
57. An essential component of every procedure carried out by
firefighters. Ans: Safety
58. Aside fom sight, sound and electronic sensors, what is another way
in detecting hidden fires. Ans: Touch
59. A stream of water after it leaves the tip of a nozzle thru a fir hose
until it reaches the desired point of use. Ans: Fire Stream
60. What do you call the force per unit area in a water stream. Ans:
Pressure
61. A mechanical device used to create pressure. Ans: Pump
62. Controls the amount of water that flows to the tip. Ans: Shutoff
Valve
63. Filing up a pump with water to eliminate air locks to allow drafting.
Ans: Priming
64. The resulting surge of water when it flows thru a fire hose or pipe is
suddenly stopped. Ans: Water Hammer
65. Loss of pressure as a column of water is raised to a certain height or
elevation due to gravity. Ans: Back Pressure
66. A pump which uses impellers to impart velocity to water by
centrifugal force. Ans: Centrifugal Pump
67. Volume of water produce per unit time. Ans: Rate of Discharge
68. The pressure of water when at rest or motionless. Ans: Static
Pressure
69. The combustion process comsumes oxygen while producing gasses
that either physically displaces or dilutes its concentration Ans: Oxygen
Deficiency
70. Two (2) basic types of water storage containers are Ground
Container and ____. Ans: Elevated Container
FIRE PREVENTION:
1. A type of occupancy in which 50 or more people gather together for
the purpose such as entertainment, worship, amusement, etc.
✔PLACES OF ASSEMBLY
2. A type of occupancy in which six or more people gather for purpose
of instruction. ✔EDUCATIONAL
3. A type of occupancy used for the purpose of selling merchandise or
goods. ✔MERCHANTILE
4. A type of occupancy where a building or structure in which two or
more classes of occupancies are present. ✔MIXED
5. A type of occupancy in which buildings used for the purpose such as
treatment or care of persons suffering from physical or mental illness
✔INSTITUTIONAL
6. A type of occupancy wherein a building which are designed for
making products of all kinds and devoted to operations such as
processing, assembling, mixing, packaging, etc. ✔INDUSTRIAL
7. An occupancy where buildings are used for transacting business like
office for lawyers, doctors, dentists, court houses, libraries, etc.
✔BUSINESS
8. Any subtance or material in any form or quantity which poses an
unreasonable risk to safety, health and property. ✔HAZARD
MATERIAL
9. Any act or condition which increases or may cause increase in the
probability of the occurence of fire or which may hinder, delay,
obstruct or interfere with firefighting operation.
✔FIRE HAZARD
10. The act or process of removal or nuetralizing fire hazard.
✔ABATEMENT
11. Any liquid having a flash point below normal room temperature,
37.8°C or 100°F. ✔FLAMMABLE LIQUID
12. Any liquid having a flash point at or above normal room
temperature, 37.8°C. ✔COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID
13. Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with an organic
matter or certain chemicals. ✔CORROSIVE LIQUID
14. A written authorization granted by building officials allowing an
applicant to proceed with the construction of a specific project.
✔BUILDING PERMIT
15. How many centimeters is the equivalent of one (1) unit width of
exit? ✔55cm
16. The weight of all the permanent parts of the building/structure.
✔DEAD LOAD
17. A tool or implementing arm or mechanism of Fire Prevention and
Control to determine the defects,deficiencies or violations of a building.
✔FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION
18. The number of a person that can occupy a given area and vacate
same area in a given time. ✔OCCUPANT LOAD
19. What is the minimum height of a building from street level
requiring for a stand pipe installation? ✔5 METERS
20. Refers to all measures towards the avoidance or occurence of fire.
✔FIRE PREVENTION
21. Refers to all measures to avoid fire spread. ✔CONTROL
22. The element of Fire Prevention and Control that involves fire safety
inspection, fire protection system and pre-fire plans. ✔ENGINEERING
23. The element of Fire Prevention and Control that undertake
seminars, trainings or fire drills. ✔EDUCATION
24. The element of Fire Prevention and Control involving fire code.
✔ENFORCEMENT
25. Science that deals with the study on the composition and structure
of fire. ✔CHEMISTRY OF FIRE
26. A violation described as multiple electrical connection.
✔OCTOPUS CONNECTION
27. A continuous and unobstructed route to exit. ✔MEANS OF
EGRESS
FIRE INVESTIGATION:
1. An act committed by any person who burns or sets fire to the
property of another. ✏arson
2. What is the penalty imposed to any person who commits arson?
✏prision mayor
3. Type of fire wherein total damages do not exceed 5,000 pesos.
✏index fire
4. Investigation report made just after responding to a fire incident.
✏spot investigation report
5. Investigation report indicating more details on the fire incident
which follows after Spot Investigation Report. ✏progress investigation
report
6. Investigation Report finalizing/closing a particular fire incident.
✏final investigation report
7. A sudden conversation of potential energy into kinetic energy in the
form of rapidly expanding gases usually accompanied by heat and light.
✏explosion
8. Code with the primary objectives of establishing basic materials
quality and electrical work standards for the safe use of electricity.
✏Philippine Electrical Code
9. What are the six cardinals points of investigation. ✏what, when,
who, where, why and how / 5W & 1H
10. The collection of facts inorder to identify the guilty part, locate the
guilty party and to provide evidence for his guilt. ✏criminal
investigation
11. The three (3) I's of Investigation are Information, Instrumentation
and ___. ✏interrogation
12. In this crime scene search method, three (3) searchers follow each
other along the path of a spiral, beginning on the outside and spiraling
in towards the center. ✏spiral search method
13. This crime scene search method, one searcher is assigned to each
subdivision of a
quadrant, then each quadrant is cut into another set of quadrants.
✏zone search method
14. The force that impels one to do an act or that induces a criminal to
act. ✏motive
15. In modern sense of the term means THE ACTUAL COMMISSION
OF THE CRIME CHARGED. ✏corpus delicti
16. Refers to the accomplishment of the criminal act. ✏intent
ADMIN MATTERS WITH VALUES:
1. The number of leaves that an employee can earn within a year. ✒30
days
2. To what office shall Fire Code Fees be paid. ✒local treasury
GENERAL ABILITY-CSC:
1. The decree creating the Fire Code of the Philippines. ✔PD 1185
2. The decree separating the police, fire and jail management. ✔PD 765
3. When did the fire code took effect. ✔June 27, 1978
4. First Filipino Fire Chief. ✔Capt. Jacinto Lorenzo
5. The incident that occurred in 1911 in New York which lead to the
adoption and promulgation of Fire Codes. ✔great triangle fire
6. Organized in 1896 to set standard fire prevention and fire
procedures. ✔National Fire Protection Association
7. The location in which a crime occurred. ✔crime scene
8. Self-incrimination statement of a suspect short of acknowledgement
of guilt. ✔admission
9. A direct acknowledgement of one's guilt, or some essential parts of
the commission of the criminal act itself. ✔confession.
FIRE SUPPRESSION AND STRATEGIES AND CONTROL
TACTICS:
1. Improper ventilationay reault in a? ✔BACKDRAFT
2. A column of hot genes, flames and smoke rising above a fire?
✔PLUME
3. A transition in fire development wherein a substance reach
temperature more or less simultaneously and fire sprwad rapidly
throughout the space? ✔FLASHOVER
4. One of the most common methods of extinguisher is ____ with
water. ✔WATER
5. The fire can be extinguished by stopping the flow of liquids as
gaseous fuel or by removing solid fuel in the path of a fire. ✔FUEL
REMOVAL
6. Another method of fuel removal is allow a fire tip burn until all ___.
✔FUEL IS CONSUMED
7. An extinguishment theory that separate the fuel from oxygen by
blanketing in smothering. ✔OXYGEN
8. A fire extinguishment theory that utilize extinguishing agents such as
dry chemicals, AFFF, CO2 or halons. ✔CHEMICAL FLAME
INHIBITION
9. Most ignitable liquids have specific gravity of less than 1 use of ___
the fuel can float on its while continuing to burns and it could
unintentionally spread the fire. ✔WATER
10. Gases that are less dense than air tend to rise and dumpster when
released, an example of which is ___. ✔METHANE
11. Gases are viprr with viper densities greater than tend to huge the
ground and trails as directed by terrain and wind. Example of which is
___. ✔LPG
12. A type of size-up that generally occurs during inspection of the
building which is made prior to the fire. ✔PRELIMINARY SIZE UP
13. Knowing the location of the emergency will provide knowledge as
to the number and types of companies that can be expected this size up
is known as ____. ✔PRE-ALARM SIZE UP
14. Is the immediate estimate of the situation made by officer in charge
of the fire upon arrived at the scene.
✔RESPONSE SIZE UP
15. Must be initiated before any other operations commences that
include sheltering in place or relocation rather that removal. ✔
16. Is the removal of smoke, heat and toxic gases which require timing
in relation to rescue of fire attack. ✔VENTILLATION
17. Is a property conversation method which include throwing covers
and making of catch all the chutes. ✔SALVAGE
18. Is the final task performed by firefighters at the scene of the fire?
✔OVERHAUL
19. Is the action which is necessary to contain the fire in the smallest
parable area? ✔CONFINEMENT
20. As use in the fire sue it means any building or materials that is
likely to become invalid either directly or indirectly with existing fire?
✔EXPOSURE
21. Is an overall plan for controlling an incident of situation and
describing how in general terms the operation will conducted?
✔STRATEGIC PLAN
22. Action of action taken to achieve the chosen strategy? ✔LIFE
SAFETY
23. Created for specific incident based on priorities and tactical
objectives? ✔INCIDENT STABILIZATION
24. When marginal strategy is utilize by a commander the incident
priority is ___. ✔SEARCH AND RESCUE
25. The incident priority which focus much on extinguishment of fire.
✔LIFE SAFETY