Fire Protection and Rule

Control 1940
Reference: Occupational Safety and
Health Standards (OSHS)
 General Provisions 1941
• Areas provided for by applicable zoning regulations of the
locality.
• Building Code of the Philippines – standards in design and
construction, occupancy and use of buildings and facilities
• Fire Code of the Philippines - fire tests of building materials and
fire protection equipment
• Chapter 9 of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers
(PSME) Code - standards for the design and installation of
indoor, outdoor general storage, sprinkler system and fire
protection system
 Definitions 1942
Fire-Rating - the time duration that a material shall withstand a standard
fire exposure test.
Flash Point - the minimum temperature in degrees at which material will
give off flammable vapor.
Wood-frame Construction - a construction in which wooden frame-work
forms the structural support for enclosure walls, floors, and doors.
Slow-burning Construction - construction consisting of substantial masonry
walls and heavy timber interior.
Fire-resistant Construction - construction in which all walls, partitions,
floors, stairs, roofs, window frames and sashes, doors and other interior
finish, consist of fire resistant materials designed to withstand, without
collapse during burning of the contents of the building for a specified time.
Building Construction and Facilities 1943
1943.01: Types of Building Constructions
The height of buildings used as places of employment are provided in
Table 45a. Existing buildings not in conformity within the given table
will be given five years to comply. The number of stories provided in
Table 45a may be increased by two if approved automatic sprinkler
protection is provided.
 1943.02: Segregation
Processes involving serious explosions and flash-fire hazards
shall be located in segregated buildings and only a minimum
number of workers shall be allowed inside at any given time.

1943.03: Exits
• At least two exits shall be provided in every floor and basement
of workplace capable of clearing the work area in 5 minutes.
• Additional exits shall be provided if the travel distance in any high
hazard occupancy exceeds 23 meters.
• If automatic-sprinkler protection is installed, the travel distance
in high hazard occupancy may be increased to 25 meters, while for
moderate or low-hazard occupancy may be increased to 46 meters.
• The width of the exits shall be computed by dividing the total
occupants of a floor (maximum allowable) by 60 in industrial and
commercial establishments; by 45 in service establishments; and
by 75 in places of assembly and the quotient multiplied by 55 to
get the width of the exit in centimeters.
• Slide escapes may be considered as exits in high hazard
occupancies but not constituting more than 25% of the total
number of the required means of egress.
• Safe, continuous and unobstructed passageways with a minimum
width of at least 1 meter, but not less than the width of the exit
• Construction shall be in accordance with the provisions of the
Building Code and the Electrical Code of the Philippines. In the
absence of such, the Fire Code of the Philippines shall apply.
 1943.04: Stairways
• In buildings of any type of construction over 3 stories in height
used as fire exits shall be constructed of incombustible
materials.
• Buildings over 3 stories in height of non-fire resistant
construction and with roofs having a slope of less than 1 in 4, at
least one stairway shall extend through the roof.
• All stairways used as fire exits shall lead directly to the street
or through fire resistant passages
• All approaches to fire exits shall be cleared of any obstruction
and properly marked to make the direction of egress clear.
 1943.05: Fire Doors
• Stairway enclosures, fire exits and partitions shall be provided with
fire doors of the self-closing type and easily opened from either
side towards the line of travel in leaving the building except the
last floor which should open away from the exit.
• Doors giving access to stairways shall not open directly on stairs, but
shall open on landings.
• Doors swinging on both sides, vertical-sliding doors, rolling shutters
and revolving doors shall not be allowed as exits.
• Where for practical reasons swinging doors are not suitable,
horizontal sliding doors may be used.
• Doors from stairways to the outside of the building shall have a
width equal to at least the effective width of the stairs.
 1943.06: Installation of Facilities
Installation of building facilities like hot water pipes, chimneys,
or heat producing appliances shall be provided in this Standards.

1943.07: Storage
• Commodities with fire hazards greater than normal quantities
shall be separated from the main bulk by fire walls
• Commodities which may be hazardous when combined with each
other shall be stored separately to prevent contact
• Water absorbed during fire fighting operations shall be
considered in the determination of safe floor loads.
 Fire-Fighting Facilities 1944
1944.01: General Requirements
Portable installations, vehicles, except those for public utility, are subject
to the provisions of this Standards.

1944.02: Water Supply

• If connection from a public water supply system is not available, an
adequate private water supply reservoir capable of supplying all fire
fighting systems for 8 hours shall be provided.
• Supply system shall be located and protected that their operation will
not be impaired by a fire in the workplace.
 1944.03: Hydrants
Hydrants shall be of the same types and sizes as those used by
the local public fire department and located or protected that
they will not be exposed to mechanical damage from vehicles.

1944.04: Hose
• Hose couplings, outside hydrants or standing nipples shall be of the
same type and size as those used by the local public fire department.
• Hose shall be thoroughly drained and dried after each use, and
tested at frequent intervals or at least once every 4 months.

1944.05: Portable Extinguisher

• General Requirements
portable extinguishers shall be maintained in operable condition and
kept in designated places at all times when not in use
 extinguishers shall be installed on hangers or brackets conspicuously
located in unobstructed areas readily accessible in the event of fire
extinguishers having group weight not exceeding 18 kilograms shall be
installed so that the top is not more than 1.5 meter above the floor.
Those exceeding 18 kg., except wheeled types, shall be installed at least
1 m. above the floor.
extinguishers shall be inspected monthly or at more frequent intervals
when circumstances require to ensure they are in their designated
places, to determine physical damages and that they are in good
operable condition
on the place where extinguishers are located, the type and use of the
extinguishers and instructions on its proper use shall be marked in
visible and easily readable letters

• Selection of Extinguishers
 Class "A" hazards, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and other similar
ordinary materials, shall be selected from foam, loaded stream,
multipurpose dry chemical and water types
Class "B" hazards, fires in flammable liquids, gases and greases, shall be
selected from carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam, loaded stream and
multipurpose dry chemical;
Class "C" hazards, fires which involve energized electrical equipment
where the electrical non-conductivity of the extinguishing media if of
importance, shall be selected from carbon dioxide, dry chemicals, and
multi-purpose dry chemicals;

When the electrical energy is disconnected, Class "C" fire may be

treated as either Class "A" or Class "B“

Class "D" hazards fire in combustible metals, such as magnesium,

titanium, zirconium, sodium and potassium, shall be of types approved
for use on the specific combustible metal hazard. Only suitable dry
powder extinguishers shall be used for metal fires;
Toxic vaporizing extinguisher is not recommended for any type of fire;
Soda acid fire extinguishers are not recommended for use.
• Distribution of fire extinguishers
 Extinguishers for light hazards Class "A" fires shall be located in areas
not more than 30 meters from any point to reach the nearest
extinguisher. One unit of 5 to 6 quarts (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 gal.) foam
extinguisher for at least every 250 sq. meters (2,500 sq. ft.) of floor
area shall be provided.
 Extinguishers for ordinary hazards Class "A" fires shall be located in
areas not more than 15 meters from any point to reach the nearest
extinguishing capacity for at least every 125 sq. meters of floor area.
 Extinguishers for extra hazard Class "B" fires shall be provided with a
2.7 kilograms of dry chemical for at least every 60 sq. meters of floor
area.
 For deep-layer flammable liquid Class "B" fires in deep or quench
tanks, at least one extinguisher shall be provided for every 60 sq.
meters of floor area or a greater fraction. The travel distance to
reach the nearest extinguisher shall not be more than 15 meters.
Extinguishers suitable for Class "B" fires are not acceptable in lieu of
the required extinguishers for Class "A" fires unless it has also a Class
"A" rating. An extinguisher carrying both Class "A" and "B“ ratings may
be accepted for area requirements under each individual letter
classification and at the numerical rating for that class;
Extinguishers with Class "C" rating shall be required where energized
electrical equipment may be encountered. The size and location shall be
on the basis of the anticipated Class "A" or "B" hazards;
Extinguishers shall have a durable tag securely attached to show the
maintenance and re-charge data and containing the signatures of
persons performing the service;
Extinguishers shall be properly marked to indicate the suitability of
the extinguishers for particular class of fires;
Extinguishers shall be hydrostatically tested before use and
periodically tested at least once in every 5 years or as may be required
by the enforcing authority when inspection indicate the need for such
examination.
Flammable and Combustible Liquids 1945
• This requirement shall apply to liquids with a flash point of not more
than 93.30 °C
• Liquids of flash points above 93.30 °C but have the characteristic of
lower flash points liquids when heated shall be covered by this provision.

1945.01: Tank Storage

• Tanks for flammable and combustible liquids shall be built of steel.
• Tanks may be built of materials other than steel for underground
installation or if required by the properties of the liquid stored.
• Tanks located above ground or inside buildings shall be of non-
combustible construction.
 1945.02: Design and Fabrication
• Designs and specifications used in construction and installation
of tanks shall be as provided under regulations of the American
Petroleum Institute and the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessels
Code, which are adopted for this purpose.
• Plans for fabrication and fabrication processes shall be
approved and supervised by the Bureau.

1945.03: Installation of Outside Tanks

• Every above ground tank for the storage of flammable or
combustible liquids, except those liquids operating at pressures not
exceeding 2.5 psig. and equipped with emergency venting, shall be
located in accordance with Table 45b.
Table 45b
• Every above ground tank for the storage of flammable or
combustible liquids, except those liquids with boil over
characteristics and unstable or combustible liquids operating at
pressures exceeding 2.5 psig. and equipped with emergency
venting shall be located in accordance with Table 45 c.

Table 45c
• Every above ground tank for the storage of flammable or
combustible liquids with boil-over characteristics shall be
located in accordance with Table 45 d.

Table 45d
• Every above ground tank for the storage of unstable liquids
shall be located in accordance with Table 45e.

Table 45e
• Reference distances for use in Table 45b-e shall be as
provided in Table 45f.

Table 45f
• Distance between two storage tanks shall not be less than 3 ft.,
except two tanks of diverse ownership where the Regional
Office or authorized representative may substitute the
distances provided in Tables 45b-e on the written request and
consent of the owners.
1945.04: Drainage, Dikes and Walls of the Above Ground Tanks
• The area surrounding a tank or group of tanks shall be provided
with drainage. When the tanks under consideration do not
constitute a hazard to adjoining property, the Regional Office or
authorized representative may waive or suspend this provision.
• The volumetric capacity of the drainage shall not be less than the
amount of the full liquid content of the largest tank within the
diked area.
 1945.05: Installation of Tanks inside of Buildings
Tanks shall not be installed inside buildings except service or
supply tanks with a capacity of not more than 6 gallons.
1945.06: Installation of Underground Tanks
• The distance from any part of tanks storing liquids having flash points
below 37.77 °C (100 °F) to the nearest wall of a building, basement or pit
shall not be less than 30.50 cm. (1 ft.); and the property line not less
than 91.50 cm. (3 ft.).
• The distance from any part of a tank storing liquids having flash points
at or above 37.77 °C (100 °F.) to the nearest wall of a building basement
pit or property line shall not be less than 30.50 cm. (1 ft.)
• Underground tanks shall be set on firm foundations and surrounded with
at least 6 inches of noncorrosive inert material. Tanks shall be covered
with a minimum of 2 feet of earth or 4 inches reinforced concrete slab
on top of one foot of earth.
• Vent pipes shall terminate outside of buildings and higher than
the fill opening. The size of the vent shall depend on the filling
or withdrawal rate to prevent the pressure to exceed 2.5 psig

1945.07: Service Stations

• Tank used in automotive service stations shall be buried as
provided in Rule 1945.06 but with at least 6 inches thick
reinforced concrete slab over one foot of earth.
• Maximum of three tanks in one service station containing 6,000
gallons per tank and a total aggregate of 18,000 gallons.
• Above ground tanks used in automotive stations shall be as
provided in Rule 1945.05.
• No smoking or open flames in the area, and the motors of all
equipment being fueled shall be shut off.
 1945.08: Processing and Bulk Plants
All buildings, installations and operations in processing and bulk
plants shall be as provided in Rule 1160 and the Philippine
Electrical Code.

1945.09: Other Installations

All other tanks installed not in conformity with this Rule shall
reduce their contents to comply with the distance requirements.
Those to be installed shall be with the prior approval of the
Department.
 Combustible Solids 1946
1946.01: Nitrate Motion Picture Film
• Shall be stored or handled in buildings of fire-resistant construction
• Rooms where nitrate motion picture films are stored or handled shall be
separated from each other and from all other parts of the building by
partition of suitable stability and fire-resistance.
• Minimum aisle of 80 cm. (31.24) width.
• At least 3.25 sq. m. of floor area allotted to each worker in every room
and not more than 15 persons shall work at any one time in a room
• Tables and racks used shall be non-combustible, or made of wood with no
member less than 3.75 cm. and kept at least 10 cm. away from any
radiator or heating apparatus
Artificial illumination is restricted to incandescent or fluorescent
electric lights. Light fixture shall be firmly set in place and provided
with guards.

1946.02: Pyroxylin Plastics

• Buildings are made of fire-resistant materials. But budding for factory
use may be of non-fire-resistant construction but not exceed height of
4 stories or 17 meter.
• Adequate aisle space and have at least two exits remote from each
other
• No pyroxylin plastic shall be stored within I meter from steam pipes,
chimneys and other heating apparatus nor within 6 meters from any
manufacturing operations.
• Smoking is prohibited
• Fire fighting equipment of the right type and number shall be provided
 1946.03: Magnesium
• Melting and Casting
 Shall be done in buildings of non-combustible materials with high roof
for adequate ventilation
 Pots and crucibles are inspected regularly and discarded as soon as
there is any evidence of possible failure. Safety run-off containers
shall be provided for melting pots and crucibles.
 Ladles, skimmers and sludge pans must be thoroughly pre-dried.
 Flame-resistant clothing, high foundry shoes, and adequate face
protection
• Rough Finishing and Castings
 Proper removal of dust produced by grinders and for the immediate
quenching of sparks produced; cuttings from band saws should be
swept.
 Non-combustible work benches and other equipment. If fixtures of
wood or combustible materials are considered necessary, these shall be
treated.
  Caps and hard finished or fire-resistant outer clothing without pockets
or cuffs

• Heat Treating
 Thermocouples used shall be properly maintained to prevent
overheating
 Furnace should be tested initially and at regular interval, and properly
and tightly constructed. Gas or oil-fired furnaces shall be provided
with combustion safety controls.
 Two sets of temperature controls operating independently, one
maintaining the desired temperature and the other for high
temperature limit control. The high temperature limit control shall be
adjusted to operate at a temperature slightly above the controller.
Free from magnesium turnings, chips and sawdust
 Magnesium billets, castings and wrought products are placed in a heat
treating furnace with wood spacers or other materials below the
normal heat treating range.
 Aluminum parts, sheets or separators must not be included
 Heat treating temperature cycle recommended by the alloy manufacturer
shall be strictly obeyed
Molten salts containing nitrates shall not be used

• Machining Magnesium
 Tools used for machining shall not be allowed to ride on the metal
without cutting
 Holes with depths greater than 5 times the drill - high helix drill (45°)
shall be used to prevent resultant frictional heating and possible flash
fire in the fine chips.
 Provided with pans to catch the chips or turnings in a way that the pans
can be readily withdrawn under the machine in case of fire

1946.04: Titanium
• Fire-resistant or of noncombustible materials
• Have adequate ventilation and doors at more than one location shall be
remote from each other.
• Noncombustible materials, preferably of concrete, brick or steel plates
flooring, and slightly crowned or sloped to prevent accumulation of water

• Storage
Cool, well-ventilated dry place away from the areas of acute fire
hazards, and shall be labeled and stored carefully to avoid mechanical
injury

• Mechanical Equipment
 Inspected and checked regularly to detect defects and leaks; no
equipment found to be defective shall be used.
 Furnace setting must be kept dry and free of iron scales
 Fuel supply lines with control valves at an accessible location remote
from the reactors
 Benches, stands, and tables used shall be of noncombustible
materials
• Fire Prevention
 Carried out in enclosed oxygen- free containers
 Inert-gas dispensing system shall be installed for processing inert-
gas requirement
 Pipes, fittings, and valves in the inert gas-dispensing or distributing
system shall be checked to ensure an uninterrupted flow of gas
 Containers and metals involve in processes with molten metal shall be
thoroughly dried before using
 Good housekeeping is essential
 Ordinary combustible materials must not be stored or allowed to
accumulate near furnaces or other ready sources of ignition
 Supplies or materials in the reactor building and dry rooms shall be
limited to the amount needed

• Fire Protection
 Only extinguishers developed especially for combustible metal fires
shall be used
  Portable fire extinguishers of appropriate size and type shall be
provided at locations where the presence of ordinary combustibles
constitute the principal hazard
 Automatic sprinkler protection - deflecting shield or hood for the
furnaces, reactors or other places with molten metal

• Safety Precautions for Personnel

 Special clothing of the type including high foundry man shoes; fire
retardant, easily removable with snap fasteners and without cuffs
or pockets.
 Caps, or hoods and standard type face protectors and protective
clothing designed for protection against skin contact and of the
approved type (respirators and chemical goggles)

• Casting
 Designed to avoid the contact of molten metal with water
  Retain spilled metal under vacuum or inert gas protection and contact
with water shall be prevented
 Pre-dried and heated to remove volatiles before molten metal is poured
into them

• Forging
 Fire protection in forging areas may be of the type generally provided
for fires in ordinary combustibles, electrical or oil fires

1946.05: Zirconium
• Good housekeeping, removal of dust and fine scrap from the premises
shall be considered important steps
• Machining operation is conducted under controlled conditions to prevent
dust dispersion and excessive heating that may lead to ignition of the
zirconium
 Electrical Installation 1947
1947.01: General Requirements

All electrical installations shall be in accordance with the provisions of

Rule 1210.

1947.02: Emergency Systems

Emergency lighting system shall be provided to automatically light

emergency exits in case of failure of the main electrical power line.
Alarm Systems and Fire Drills 1948
1948.01: Sounding Devices
• Buildings with two or more stories in height shall be equipped with fire
alarm system and signals of distinctive quality and pitch clearly audible
• Hand-operated sending stations of fire alarm boxes on every floor
located at a station not more than 30 meters for industrial and
commercial establishments with moderate or low hazard occupancy, not
more than 61 meters for business establishments
• Fire-alarm stations shall be conspicuous, readily accessible, and in the
natural path of escape from fire
 1948.02: Fire Fighting Drills

• Every place of employment shall organize a fire brigade to deal

with fires and other related emergencies.
• Members of the fire brigade shall be physically qualified for the
job and properly trained on firefighting use of hose, line,
ventilation of buildings, salvage operations, rescue operations, first
aid, and other related activities.
 1948.03: Fire Fighting Drills
• Conducted at least twice a year unless the local fire department
requires a higher frequency of fire drills
• Only include evacuation of persons; shall not include salvage operation
• In buildings where population is changing, fire-exit training of the
regular employees includes proper procedure to direct other
occupants to safety
• Occupants of each department, floor or portion of the building shall
be designated a particular place to assemble
• When two or more establishments occupy a budding, fire exit drills
shall be planned as if there is only one establishment
• The organization and the composition is as provided by the
requirements of the local fire department
THANK YOU!