Amendment of Paragraph C Section 10.2.10.1 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9514, Otherwise Known as the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008

September 25, 2018

DILG-BFP FIRE CODE TECHNICAL STAFF RESOLUTION NO. 006-18

AMENDMENT OF PARAGRAPH C SECTION 10.2.10.1 OF THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF RA 9514, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES OF 2008

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Fire Protection is mandated to enforce the provisions of Republic Act of 9514 otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR);

WHEREAS, the Fire Code Technical Staff (FCTS) was created pursuant to Section 5 of RA 9514 and Division 2, Rule 5 of its IRR to study, review and evaluate latest developments on fire safety, prevention and suppressions and to advise the Chief, BFP on any matter brought to his attention as among its functions;

WHEREAS, in a letter dated 25 July 2018 from Arch. Maria Rebecca M. Peñafiel, CESO IV, Director II of Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, the latter requested for an exemption to the requirements of Section 10.2.10.1 Paragraph C, of the IRR of the Fire Code of the Philippines due to the following reasons: cHaCAS

l. From our country's experience of Typhoon Ondoy's disastrous floods, the DOH made it a policy to make our hospitals climate change resilient. Thus, direct patient-related hospitals areas starting from the emergency, outpatient, x-ray and laboratory departments had to be elevated where they will not be affected in case of severe flooding; correspondingly service areas such as dietary, morgue, engineering and laundry/linen areas had to be elevated also. The result is that these areas had to be found on the ground and second floors of the hospital.

2. For that reason and due to site limitations, the new 8-storey Wards Buildings critical area, such as the operation room, delivery room and intensive care units had to be located on the third floor. However, a ramp will be provided from the third floor down to the upper ground floor with exit directly leading to the lobby towards the existing vehicular ramp. ScHADI

WHEREAS, after thorough deliberation and careful study of the issue raised on 13 August 2018, the FCTS finds the request legally and technically feasible considering that ramps can provide safe access to exit discharge for patients who are non-ambulatory and requires assistance.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is hereby recommended that para. C of Section 10.2.10.1 of the IRR of RA 9514 be amended and be read as:

"Section 10.2.10.1

C. Emergency rooms, operating rooms, intensive care units, delivery rooms and other similar facilities shall not be located above or below the floor of exit discharge. In cases where said facilities are located above the floor of exit discharge but in no case shall exceed five (5) floors, it shall be equipped with a fully enclosed ramp complying with Section 10.2.5.7 of this IRR leading directly to exit discharge or a horizontal exit leading to another separate building, which complies with the provision of Section 10.2.5.6 of this IRR. The ramp should be so designed to accommodate the movement of hospital bed with non-ambulatory patients to exit discharge. The enclosure shall have the minimum fire rating of two (2) hours." DACcIH

The said amendment shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication of this resolution in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.

Done this 25th day of September 2018, at the Bureau of Fire Protection, National Headquarters Building, Agham Road, Sitio San Roque, Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) INSP. GABRIEL G. SOLANOMember/Secretariat

(SGD.) INSP. MARLO H. SERITOMember/Secretariat

SINSP. MARIO R. TEOPE JR.Member/Secretariat

(SGD.) SINSP. RUEL B. CARRIEDOMember/Secretariat

(SGD.) SINSP. EDNA M. CONSULTAMember

(SGD.) CINSP. RODOLFO D. PFLEIDERMember/Head Secretariat

(SGD.) CINSP. JAN GARRY D. LUNASMember

(SGD.) CINSP. ESTRELLA-LUZ M. LANTIONMember

(SGD.) ENGR. ARIEL T. MIRANDAMember

(SGD.) SUPT. RENATO B. CAPUZMember

(SGD.) SSUPT. RENATO B. MARCIALVice Chairman

(SGD.) SSUPT. GILBERT D. DOLOTDirector for Fire Safety and Enforcement

RECOMMENDING APPROVAL:

(SGD.) LEONARD R. BAÑAGOFire Director (DSC)

APPROVED:

(SGD.) USEC. EDUARDO M. AÑOOIC, DILG