SALIENT FEATURES OF

THE
FIRE CODE OF 2008
(R.A. No. 9514 AND ITS
IMPLEMENTING RULES
AND REGULATIONS

INTRODUCTION

The New Fire Code of the Philippines

was signed into law last December 19, 2008
and took effect last January 20, 2009.
Pursuant to the provision of Section 5
of Republic Act No. 9514, entitled AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1185, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES, the implementing Rules
and Regulations were crafted in order to
carry out the provisions of the Code.

THE IRR
OF THE
FIRE CODE
OF 2008

RULE 1. INTERPRETATION
It is the policy of the State to ensure public
safety, promote economic development through
the prevention and suppression of all kinds, of
destructive
fires
and
promote
the
professionalization of the fire service as a
profession. Towards this end, the State shall
enforce all laws, rules and regulations to ensure
adherence to standard fire prevention and safety
measures, and promote accountability in the fire
protection and prevention service.

The Code speaks of how it is to be interpreted in the light of the

Declaration of policy found in Section 2 of the Code, it provides
that:

RULE 2. COVERAGE
A.

All persons.

B. All private and public buildings, facilities or

structures and
their premises erected or
constructed before and after the effectivity
hereof;
C. Design and installation of mechanical,
electronics and
electrical system relative to
fire protection: (NOTE: Electronics
was
included in the coverage)

RULE 2. COVERAGE
D. Manufacturing, storage, handling and/or use,
and
transportation of explosives,
combustible, flammable liquids and gases,
toxics and other hazardous materials and
operations, and their wastes;
E. Fire safety planning, design, construction,
repair,
maintenance, rehabilitation and
demolition;
F. Fire protective and warning equipment or
systems;
G. All land transportation vehicles and equipment,
ships or
vessels docked at piers or wharves
or anchored in seaports; and

RULE 3. DEFINITION OF
TERMS
RULE 4. AUTHORITY OF THE
CHIEF, BFP

1. The Administration and Enforcement of

the Fire Code and its IRR shall be under
the direct supervision and control of
the Chief, BFP, through the hierarchy of
organization as provided for in Chapter
VI of R.A. No. 6975, the DILG
Reorganization Act of 1990 as amended
by R.A. No. 9263, the Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP)
Professionalization Act of 2004;

RULE 4. AUTHORITY OF THE

CHIEF, BFP

2. The Authority of the Chief, BFP subject

to approval of SILG includes the
following:
A. Issue implementing
regulations;

rules

and

B. Reorganize the BFP as may be

necessary and appropriate;
C. Enter into long term agreement;
D. Enter
into
Agreement.

Memorandum

of

RULE 4. AUTHORITY OF THE

CHIEF, BFP
3. The Specific Authority of the Chief, BFP, includes:
A. To support and assist fire volunteers,
practitioners and fire volunteer organizations in
the country;
B. Enter into external party agreements for the
conduct of trainings, education and evaluation
of fire volunteers, practitioners and fire
volunteer organizations;
C. Call on the police, other law enforcement
agencies;
D. Designate Fire Safety Inspectors (FSI) through
his/her duly authorized representative:
E. Issue Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) as
a pre-requisite to the grants of permits and/or

RULE 4. AUTHORITY OF THE

CHIEF, BFP
3. The Specific Authority of the Chief, BFP, includes:
F. Inspect at reasonable time, any building,
structure, installation or premises for dangerous
or hazardous conditions or materials as set
forth in the Fire Code and this IRR, provided that
in case of single family dwelling, an inspection
must be upon the consent of the occupant or
upon lawful order from the proper court. The
Chief,
BFP
or
his/her
duly
authorized
representative shall order the owner/occupant
to remove hazardous operations/ processes in
accordance with the standards set by the Fire
Code and this IRR or other pertinent laws;
G. Order the owner/occupant of any building or
structure to summarily abate conditions that

RULE 4. AUTHORITY OF THE

CHIEF, BFP
3. The Specific Authority of the Chief, BFP, includes:
H. Require the building owner/occupant to submit
plans and specifications, and other pertinent
documents of said building to ensure
compliance
with
applicable
codes
and
standards; and
I. Issue a written notice to the owner and/or
contractor to stop work on any portion of any
work due to the absence, or in violation of,
approved plans and specifications, permits
and/or clearances or certifications as approved
by the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized
representative. The notices shall state the
nature of the violation and no work shall be
continued on that portion until the violation has

RULE 5. BFP
REORGANIZATION AND
This RulePROFESSIONAL
speaks of the authority of the Chief,
BFP, to reorganize the BFP and the establishment
of the BFP technical staff of highly qualified
persons who are knowledgeable on the fire
prevention, fire safety and fire suppression. This
Technical Staff may be drawn from the following:
A. Organic members of the BFP;
B. Other government offices and agencies;
and
C. Other sources.
In case of paragraph B and/or C above,
members may either be appointed into the
service or hire as consultants in accordance with

RULE 6. FIRE BRIGADES, FIRE

VOLUNTEER
ORGANIZATIONS AND
FIRE SAFETY
This Rule provides for the provisions on
PRACTITIONERS
Fire Brigades, Fire Volunteer Organizations
and Fire Safety Practitioners. What is new
here is the provision which provides that
during fire operations, the fire volunteer is
under the direct control and supervision of
he Fire Ground Commander of the BFP.

RULE 7. ASSISTANCE AND

SUPPORT TO THE BFP
This Rule is a new provision of the Fire
Code, which provides for the authority of
the BFP to call on the Police and Other
Law Enforcement Agency to render
assistance.

RULE 7. ASSISTANCE AND

SUPPORT TO THE BFP
For the PNP:
A.During actual fire fighting operations and fire scene
investigations;
B.Business
closure
proceedings;

and

summary

abatement

C.Installation of signs that the building/structure is afire

hazard and or/fire trap
D.Obstruction of designated fire lanes and fire hydrants;
E.Apprehension
of
violators/persons
removing,
destroying, tampering or obliterating warning signs and
similar abatement appurtenances; and
F.Such other duties and functions of the BFP which would

RULE 7. ASSISTANCE AND

SUPPORT TO THE BFP
For the LGU:
A.Strict observance of the requirement of fire safety
measures for the issuance of Fire Safety Inspection
Certificate (FSIC) as a free-requisite in the grant of the
renewal of business, occupancy and other related
permits/licenses. For this purpose, the LGU and/or other
government agencies concerned shall retain from issuing
such licenses and/or permits without the applicant first
securing an FSIC from the BFP.
B.Organization and training of fire bridges in all
barangays in partnership with BFP to serve as first
responders;
C.In summary abatements, closure and/or stoppage of
operation of buildings/structures or portions thereof; and

RULE 7. ASSISTANCE AND

SUPPORT TO THE BFP
Other Law Enforcement Agencies:

Such as but limited to, National Bureau of Investigation

and Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory shall,
upon request, accommodate and render necessary
assistance on the following function of the BFP:
A.Laboratory /physical examinations of the pieces of
evidence gathered in the fire scene and submit the
result thereof to the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized
representative, as the case maybe;
B.In the Investigation, and prosecution of arson cases,
appear as expert witness thereof;
C.Such other duties and functions of the BFP which
require their expertise.

RULE 8. FIRE SAFETY

ENFORCERS
This Rule is a a new provision which aims to
professionalize and institutionalize and conduct of the
fire safety inspection. For that purpose, the Rule now
provides that BFP personnel duly designated as Fire
Safety Enforcers shall posses minimum required
qualification standard stated herein.

RULE 8. FIRE SAFETY

ENFORCERS
For Fire Safety
Enforcers:
A.Uniformed Personnel

1. Licensed engineer (Civil, electrical, mechanical,

chemical,
sanitary
and
electronic
and
communication); or Architect with at least one
(1) year in the BFP service; or graduate of any
baccalaureate degree course with at least three
(3) years in the BFP;
2. Shall have completed Fire Arson Investigation
and Inspection Course (FAIIC); or have undergone
at
least
forty
(40)
hours
of
relevant
seminars/workshops on the Fire Code of the
Philippines and other relevant Fire Safety
seminars/workshops; and
3. Non-licensed and non-engineering graduate

RULE 8. FIRE SAFETY

ENFORCERS
For Fire Safety
Enforcers:
B.Non-Uniformed Personnel

1. Appointed as engineers (Civil, Electrical,

Mechanical, Chemical, Sanitary and Electronics
and
Communication);
or
Appointed
as
Electrical/Building Inspectors; and
2. Shall have undergone at least forty (40) hours of
relevant seminars/workshops.
3. Electrical /Building inspectors must pass the
written examination conducted by the BFP,
otherwise they can only conduct inspection
relative to their appointments duties and
functions.

RULE 8. FIRE SAFETY

ENFORCERS

For Plan Evaluators:

1.Must be a licensed Architect or Engineer, and

2.Shall have undergone at least forty (40) hours of
revelant training on the Fire Code of the Philippines
of
2008
and
other
relevant
fire
safety
seminars/workshops.
3.In cases where there is no licensed engineer or
architect in a specific jurisdiction, a graduate of any
baccalaureate degree with FAIIC training shall be
designated as plan evaluator.

RULE 8. FIRE SAFETY

The following ENFORCERS
shall be the main duties and responsibilities of Fire
Safety Inspectors:
1.Inspect any building, structure of facility and/or any part
thereof, hazardous materials to ensure compliance of the Fire
Code of the Philippines, this IRR and other related laws,
regulations, standards and ordinances within the area of
responsibility;
2.Assess compliance with the fire safety requirements, identify
and recommend corrective actions for violations/defects and
deficiencies
and
inform
the
owner/building
administrator/occupants of such actions to comply with the
provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines , this IRR and other
related laws, regulations, standards or ordinance.
3.Testify in any judicial and quasi-judicial bodies regarding matters
relating to the Fire Code of the Philippines and this IRR, and/or the
performance of his/her duties related thereto, when needed;
4.Conduct fire safety lectures, seminars/workshop and drills; and
5.Prepare necessary documents and maintain files and/or records.


The following shall be the main duties and
responsibilities of plan Evaluators:

A. Review and evaluate building plans

specifications including fire protection system to
determine compliance to the requirement of the Fire
Code, this IRR, Building code of the Philippines and
other Life and Safety Standards; and
B. Conduct site verification and inspection on
building under construction to determine compliance
with the approved plans and specifications.