The Bureau of Fire Protection (Filipino: Kawanihan ng Pagtatanggol sa Sunog) is an

agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) responsible for
implementing national policies related to Firefighting and fire prevention as well as
implementation of the Philippine Fire Code (PD 1185), which has been repealed and
replaced by the New Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514). Formerly known as
the Integrated National Police Fire Service, the BFP is in charge of the administration
and management of municipal and city fire and emergency services all over the country.
The BFP traces its roots from the defunct Constabulary Fire Protection Bureau, then
later PC-INP Office of Fire Protection Service.
The agency was founded on January 29, 1991, pursuant to the provisions of Republic
Act 6975, which established the Department of Interior and Local Government.
The Bureau now is in charge of management, administration, and implementation of fire
and emergency services all over the country.

Mandates and Functions

The Bureau of Fire Protection was created by virtue of RA 6975 primarily to perform the
following functions:
1. Be responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires on:
Building, houses and other structures;
Forest;
Land transportation vehicles and equipment;
Ships and vessels docked at piers or wharves anchored in major sea ports;
Petroleum industry installations;
Plane crashes; and
Other similar activities
2. Be responsible for the enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185)
and other related laws;
3. Shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and if necessary, file the
proper complaint with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over
the case;
4. In the time of national emergency, all elements of the BFP shall upon direction of
the President, assist the AFP in meeting the national emergency; and

5. Shall establish at least one (1) fire station with adequate personnel, firefighting
facilities and equipment in every provincial capital, city and municipality subject to
standard rules and regulations as maybe promulgated by
Vision
A modern fire service fully capable of ensuring a fire safe nation by 2034.
Mission
We commit to prevent and suppress destructive fires, investigate its causes; enforce
Fire Code and other related laws: respond to man-made and natural disasters and other
emergencies.
The BFP has fire alarm levels to determine how many fire trucks should respond
to the scene:
1. First alarm 2. Second alarm

Senior Fire Officer/ Shift-in-charge/ Team leader

3. Third alarm

CFM/ MFM concerned

4. Fourth alarm
5. Fifth alarm

Provincial/ District Operations Chief

6. Task Force Alpha

P/DFM concerned

7. Task Force Bravo

Chief, Operation, Intelligence and Investigation Branch, P/DFM and all

C/MFMs of the provincial district concerned

8. Task Force Charlie

Deputy Regional Director

9. Task Force Delta

10. Task Force Echo

11. Task Force Hotel
12. Task Force India
13. General Alarm

Regional Director

Republic Act No. 9514

Repealed PD 1185

December 19, 2008

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1185 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled::
Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008".
Section 2. It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety and 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 for fire safety in the fire protection service and prevention service.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Fire Code, the following words and phrases shall
mean and be construed as indicated:
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 publicway 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 consist 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.
Section 4. Applicability of The Code. - The provisions of the Fire Code shall apply to all persons
and all private and public buildings, facilities or structures erected or constructed before and after its
effectivity.
Section 5. Responsibility for the Enforcement of this Code. - This Code shall be administered
and enforced by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), under the direct supervision and control of the
Chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection, through the hierarchy of organization as provided for in
Chapter VI of Republic Act No. 6975. with the approval of the Secretary of the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG), the BFP, is hereby authorized to:
a. Issue implementing rules and regulations, and prescribe standards, schedules of fees/fire
service charges and administrative penalties therefore as provided in the pertinent provisions
of this Code;

b. Reorganize the BFP as may be necessary and appropriate;

c. Support and assist fire volunteers, practitioners and fire volunteer organizations in the
country who shall undergo mandatory fire suppression, inspection, rescue, emergency
medical services and related emergency response trainings and competency evaluations to
be conducted by the BFP. In the case of the Fire practitiones, they shall undergo mandatory
continuous professional education and competency evaluation of their expertise, knowledge
and skills in the area of fire science, engineering and technology to be conducted by the
BFP;
The BFP may enter into external party agreements for the conduct of training, education and
evaluation of fire volunteers, practitioners and fire volunteer organizations, which shall be
under the full control and supervision of the BFP: Provided, however, That during firefighting
operations, fire volunteer organizations shall be under the direct operational control of the
fire ground commanders of the BFP;
d. Enter into long term agreement, either through public biddings or negotiations in
accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the
Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003, for the acquisition of fire prevention, fire
protection and fire fighting investigation, rescue, paramedics, hazardous material handling
equipment, supplies, materials and related technical services necessary for the fire services;
e. Enter into Memoranda of Agreement with other departments, bureaus, agencies, offices
and corporations of the government, as well as private institutions, in order to define areas of
cooperation and coordination and delineate responsibility on fire prevention education, fire
safety, fire prevention, fire suppression and other matters of common concern;
f. Call on the police, other law enforcement agencies, and local government assistance to
render necessary assistance in the enforcement of this Code;
g. Designate a fire safety inspector through his/her duly authorized representative, who shall
conduct an inspection of every building or structure within his area of responsibility at least
once a year and every time the owner, administrator or occupant shall renew his/her
business permit or permit to operate;
No occupancy permit, business or permit to operate shall be issued without securing a Fire
Safety Inspection Certification (FSIC) from the Chief, BFP, or his/her duly authorized
representative;
h. Inspect at reasonable time, any building, structure, installation or premises for dangerous
or hazardous conditions or materials as set forth in this Code, 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 materials and/or stop hazardous
operation/process in accordance with the standards set by this Code or its implementing
rules or regulations or other pertinent laws;

i. Where conditions exist and are deemed hazardous to life and property, to order the
owner/occupant of any building or structure to summarily abate such hazardous conditions;
j. 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
k. Issue a written notice to the owner and/or contractor to stop work on portion of any work
due to absence, or in violation of approved plans and specifications, permit and/or clearance
or certification as approved by the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative. The
notice shall state the nature of the violation and no work shall be continued on that portion
until the violation has been corrected.
Section 6. Technical Staff. - The Chief, BFP shall constitute a technical staff of highly qualified
persons who are knowledgeable on fire prevention, fire safety, and fire suppression. They may be
drawn not only from the organic members of the BFP and other government offices and agencies,
but also from other sources. In the latter case, they will either be appointed into the service or hired
as consultants in accordance with law. The technical staff shall study, review and evaluate latest
developments and standards on fire technology; prepare plans/programs on fire safety, prevention
and suppression and evaluate implementation thereof; develop programs on the professionalization
of the fire service; coordinate with appropriate government and private institutions for the offering of
college courses on fire technology and fire protection engineering; propose amendments to the Fire
Code; advise the Chief, BFP on any matter brought to his attention; and perform such other
functions as directed on any matter brought to his attention and perform such other functions as
directed by higher authorities.
Section 7. Inspections, Safety Measures, Fire Safety, Constructions, and Protective and/or
Warning Systems. - As may be defined and provided in the Rules and Regulations, owners,
administrators or occupants of buildings, structures and their premises or facilities and other
responsible persons shall be required to comply with the following, as may be appropriate:
a. Inspection Requirement - A fire safety inspection shall be conducted by the Chief, BFP or
his duly authorized representative as prerequisite to the grants of permits and/or licenses by
local governments and other government agencies concerned, for the:
(1) Use or occupancy of buildings, structures, facilities or their premises including the
installation or fire protection and fire safety equipment, and electrical system in any
building structure or facility; and
(2) Storage, handling and/or use of explosives or of combustible, flammable, toxic
and other hazardous materials;
b. Safety Measures for Hazardous Materials - Fire safety measures shall be required for the
manufacture, storage, handling and/or use of hazardous materials involving:
(1) cellulose nitrate plastic of any kind;

(2) combustible fibers;

(3) cellular materials such as foam, rubber, sponge rubber and plastic foam;
(4) flammable and combustible liquids or gases of any classification;
(5) flammable paints, varnishes, stains and organic coatings;
(6) high-piled or widely spread combustible stock;
(7) metallic magnesium in any form;
(8) corrosive liquids, oxidizing materials, organic peroxide, nitromethane, ammonium
nitrate, or any amount of highly toxic, pyrophoric, hypergolic, or cryogenic materials
or poisonous gases as well as material compounds which when exposed to heat or
flame become a fire conductor, or generate excessive smoke or toxic gases;
(9) blasting agents, explosives and special industrial explosive materials, blasting
caps, black powder, liquid nitro-glycerine, dynamite, nitro cellulose, fulminates of any
kind, and plastic explosives containing ammonium salt or chlorate;
(10) fireworks materials of any kind or form;
(11) matches in commercial quantities;
(12) hot ashes, live coals and embers;
(13) mineral, vegetable or animal oils and other derivatives/by products;
(14) combustible waste materials for recycling or resale;
(15) explosive dusts and vapors; and
(16) agriculture, forest, marine or mineral products which may undergo spontaneous
combustion.
(17) any other substance with potential to cause harm to persons, property or the
environment because of one or more of the following: a) The chemical properties of
the substance; b) The physical properties of the substance; c) The biological
properties of the substance. Without limiting the definition of hazardous material, all
dangerous goods, combustible liquids and chemicals are hazardous materials.
c. Safety Measures for Hazardous Operation/Processes - Fire Safety measures shall be
required for the following hazardous operation/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 arc lamps;
(7) refining, distillation and solvent extraction; and
(8) such other operations or processes as may hereafter be prescribed in the Rules
and Regulations.
d. Provision on Fire Safety Construction, Protective and Warning System - Owners,
occupants or administrator or buildings, structures and their premises or facilities, except
such other buildings or structures as may be exempted in the rules and regulations to be
promulgated under Section 5 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, curtain 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) Stairway, 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 other
room to appropriate exits, displayed prominently on the door of such room;
(8) Self-closing fire resistive doors leading to corridors;
(9) Fire dampers in centralized airconditioning ducts;

(10) Roof vents for use by fire fighters; and

(11) Properly marked and lighted exits with provision for emergency lights to
adequately illuminate exit ways in case of power failure.
Section 8. Prohibited Acts. - The following are declared as prohibited act and omission.
(a) Obstructing or blocking the exit ways or across to buildings clearly marked for fire safety
purposes, such as but not limited to aisles in interior rooms, any part of stairways, hallways,
corridors, vestibules, balconies or bridges leading to a stairway or exit of any kind, or
tolerating or allowing said violations;
(b) Constructing gates, entrances and walkways to buildings components and yards which
obstruct the 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 period when people are inside the building;
(g) Prevention or obstruction of the automatic closure of fire doors or smoke partitions or
dampers;
(h) Use of fire protective of fire fighting equipment of the fire service other than for 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) Abandoning or leaving a building or structure by the occupant or owner without
appropriate safety measures;
(l) 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; and

(m) Use of jumpers or tampering with electrical wiring or overloading the electrical system
beyond its designated capacity or such other practices that would tend to undermine the fire
safety features of the electrical system.
Section 9. Violation, Penalties and Abatement of Fire Hazard. - Fire hazards shall be abated
immediately. The Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative, upon the report that a
violation of this Code or other pertinent laws, rules and regulations is being committed, shall issue
notice/order to comply to the owner, administrator, occupant or other person responsible for the
condition of the building or structure, indicating among other things, the period within which
compliance shall be effected, which shall be within ten (10) to fifteen (15) days after the receipt of
the notice/order, depending on the reasonableness to adequately comply with the same.
If, after the lapse of the aforesaid period, the owner, administrator, occupant or other responsible
person failed to comply, the Chief, BFP or his/her authorized representative shall put up a sign in
front of the building or structure that it is fire hazard. Specifically, the notice shall bear the words
"WARNING: THIS BUILDING/STRUCTURE IS A FIRE HAZARD", which shall remain posted until
such time that the owner, administrator, occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the
building, structure and their premises or facilities abate the same, but such period shall not exceed
fifteen (15) days from the lapse of the initial period given in the notice/order to comply.
Finally, with the failure of the owner, administrator, occupant or other person responsible for the
condition of the building, structure and their premises or facilities to comply within the period
specified above, the Chief, BFP may issue order for such abatement. If the owner, administrator or
occupant of buildings, structure and their premises or facilities does not abate the same within the
period fixed in said order, the building, structure, premises or facilities shall be ordered closed by the
Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative notwithstanding any permit clearance or
certificate earlier issued by the local authorities.
Any building or structure assessed and declared by the chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized
representative as a firetrap on account of the gravity or palpability of the violation or is causing clear
and present imminent fire danger to adjoining establishments and habitations shall be declared a
public nuisance, as defined in the Civil Code of the Philippines in a notice to be issued to the owner,
administrator, occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the building, structure and
their premises or facilities. If the assessed value of the nuisance or the amount to be spent in
abating the same is not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), the owner,
administrator or occupant thereof shall abate the hazard within fifteen (15) days, or if the assessed
value is more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), within thirty (30) days from receipt
of the order declaring said building or structure a public nuisance; otherwise, the Chief, BFP or
his/her duly authorized representative shall forthwith cause its summary abatement. failure to comply
within five (5) days from the receipt of the notice shall cause the Chief, BFP or his/her duly
authorized representative to put up a sign in front of the building or structure, at or near the entrance
of such premises, notifying the public that such building or structure is a "FIRETRAP", which shall
remain until the owner, administrator, occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the
building, structure and their premises or facilities abate the same within the specified period.

Summary abatement as used herein shall mean all corrective measures undertaken to abate
hazards which shall include, but not limited to remodeling, repairing, strengthening, reconstructing,
removal and demolition, either partial or total, of the building or structure. The expenses incurred by
the government for such summary abatement shall be borne by the owner, administrator or
occupant. These expenses shall constitute a prior lien upon such property.
Section 10. Enforcement of The Lien. - If the owner, administrator or occupant fails to reimburse
the government of the expenses incurred in the summary abatement within ninety (90) days from the
completion of such abatement, the building or structure shall be sold at public auction in accordance
with existing laws and rules. No property subject of lien under Section 9 hereof, may be sold at a
price lower than the abatement expenses incurred by the government. The property shall be
forfeited in favor of the government if the highest bid is not at least equal to the abatement
expenses.
Section 11. Penalties. 1. Against the private individual:
a) Administrative fine - Any person who violates any provision of the Fire Code or any
of the rules and regulations promulgated under this Act shall be penalized by an
administrative fine of not exceeding Fifty thousand (P50,000.00) pesos or in the
proper case, by stoppage of operations or by closure of such buildings, structures
and their premises or facilities which do not comply with the requirements or by both
such administrative fine and closure/stoppage of operation to be imposed by the
Chief, BFP. Provided, That the payment of the fine, stoppage of operations and/or
closure of such buildings, structures, and their premises or facilities shall not absolve
the violator from correcting the deficiency or abating the fire hazard. The decision of
the Chief, BFP, under this subsection, may be appealed to the Secretary of the
Interior and Local Government. Unless ordered by the Secretary of the Interior and
Local Government the appeal shall not stay the execution of the order of the Chief,
BFP. The decision of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government shall be
final and executory.
(b) Punitive - In case of willful failure to correct the deficiency or abate the fire hazard
as provided in the preceding subsection, the violator shall, upon conviction, be
punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than six (6)
years, or by a fine of not more than One hundred thousand (P100,000.00) pesos or
both such fine and imprisonment; Provided, however, that in case of a corporation,
firm, partnership or association, the fine and/or imprisonment shall be imposed upon
its officials responsible for such violation, and in case the guilty party is an alien, in
addition to the penalties herein prescribed, he shall immediately be
deported; Provided, finally, that were the violation is attended by injury, loss of life
and/or damage to property, the violator shall be proceeded against under the
applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

Any person who, without authority, maliciously removes the sign that a building or
structure is a fire hazard/firetrap placed by the authorized person in this Code shall
be liable for imprisonment for thirty (30) days or a fine not exceeding One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both in the discretion of the court.
Any person, who disobeys the lawful order of the fire ground commander during a
firefighting operation shall be penalized with imprisonment of one (1) day to thirty
(30) days and a fine of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00).
2. Against the public officer/employee
a) Administrative - The following acts or omissions shall render the public
officer/employee in charge of the enforcement of this Code, its implementing rules
and regulation and other pertinent laws, administratively liable, and shall be punished
by reprimand, suspension or removal in the discretion of the disciplining authority,
depending on the gravity of the offense and without prejudice to the provisions of
other applicable laws:
(1) Unjustified failure of the public officer/employee to conduct inspection of
buildings or structures at least once a year;
(2) Deliberate failure to put up a sign in front of the building or structure within
his/her area of responsibility found to be violating this Code, its implementing
rules and regulations and other pertinent laws, that the same is a "FIRE
HAZARD" or a "FIRETRAP";
(3) Endorsing to the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative for
the certification, or submitting a report that the building or structure complies
with the standards set by this Code, its implementing rules or regulations or
other pertinent laws when the same is contrary to fact;
(4) Issuance or renewal of occupancy or business permit without the fire
safety inspection certificate issued by the Chief, BFP or his/her duly
authorized representative;
(5) Failure to cancel the occupancy or business permit after the owner,
administrator, occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the
building, structure and other premises failed to comply with the notice/order
for compliance with the standards set by this Code, its implementing rules
and regulations and other pertinent laws, within the specified period;
(6) Failure to abate a public nuisance within fifteen (15) days after the owner,
administrator, occupant or other responsible person failed to abate the same
within the period contained in the notice to abate;

(7) Abusing his/her authority in the performance of his/her duty through acts
of corruption and other unethical practices; or
(8) Other willful impropriety or gross negligence in the performance of his/her
duty as provided in this act or its implementing rules and regulations.
b) Punitive - In the case of willful violation involving the abovementioned acts or
omissions enumerated under Section 11 subparagraph 2(A) the public
officer/employees shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not less
than six (6) months nor more than six (6) years or by a fine of not more than One
hundred thousand (P100,000.00) or both such fine and imprisonment:Provided, That
where the violation is attended by injury, loss of life and/or property, the violator shall
be proceeded against under the applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
Section 12. Appropriation and Sources of Income. (a) To support the manpower, infrastructure and equipment needs of the fire service of the
BFP, such amount as may be necessary to attain the objectives of the Fire Code shall be
appropriated and included in the annual appropriation of the BFP.
(b) To partially provide for the funding of the fire service the following taxes and fees which
shall accrue to the General Fund of the National Government, are hereby imposed:
(1) Fees to be charged for the issuance of certificates, permits and licenses as
provided for in Section 7 (a) hereof;
(2) One-tenth of one per centum (0.1%) of the verified estimated value of buildings or
structures to be erected, from the owner thereof, but not to exceed fifty thousand
(P50,000.00) pesos, one half to be paid prior to the issuance of the building permit,
and the balance, after final inspection and prior to the issuance of the use and
occupancy permit;
(3) One-hundredth of one per centum (0.10%) of the assessed value of buildings or
structures annually payable upon payment of the real estate tax, except on structures
used as single family dwellings;
(4) Two per centum (2%) of all premiums, excluding re-insurance premiums for the
sale of fire, earthquake and explosion hazard insurance collected by companies,
persons or agents licensed to sell such insurances in the Philippines;
(5) Two per centum (2%) of gross sales of companies, persons or agents selling fire
fighting equipment, appliances or devices, including hazard detection and warning
systems; and

(6) Two per centum (2%) of the service fees received from fire, earthquake, and
explosion hazard reinsurance surveys and post loss service of insurance adjustment
companies doing business in the Philippines directly through agents.
Section 13. Collection of Taxes, Fees and Fines. - All taxes, fees and fines provided in this Code,
shall be collected by the BFP. Provided, That twenty percent (20%) of such collection shall be set
aside and retained for use by the city or municipal government concerned, which shall appropriate
the same exclusive for the use of the operation and maintenance of its local fire station, including the
construction and repair of fire station: Provided,further, That the remaining eighty (80%) shall be
remitted to the National Treasury under a trust fund assigned for the modernization of the BFP.
"Sec. 13-A. Assessment of Fire Code Taxes, Fees and Fines. - The assessment of fire code taxes,
fees and fines is vested upon the BFP. The BFP shall, subject to the approval of the DILG, prescribe
the procedural rules for such purpose.
Sec. 13-B. Collection and Assessment of Local Taxes, Fees and Fines. - The collection and
assessment of taxes, fees and fines as prescribed in the Local Government Code, except those
contained in this Code, shall be function of the concerned local government units.
Sec. 13-C. Use of Income Generated from the Enforcement of the Fire Code. - The Chief, BFP is
authorized, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, to use the
income generated under the Fire Code for procurement of fire protection and fire fighting
investigation, rescue, paramedics, supplies and materials, and related technical services necessary
for the fire service and the improvement of facilites of the Bureau of Fire Protection and abatement
of fire hazards.
The BFP shall determine the optimal number of equipment, including, but not limited to, fire trucks
and fire hydrants, required by every local government unit for the proper delivery of fire protection
services in its jurisdiction.
In the procurement of fire fighting and investigation supplies and materials, the Bureau of Product
Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry shall evaluate, determine and certify if the supply
to procured conforms to the product standards fixed by the BFP. For this purpose, the BFP shall
submit to the Bureau of Product Standards a detailed set of product standards that must be
complied with in the procurement of fire fighting and investigation supplies and materials within six
(6) months from the effectivity of this act.
Sec. 13-D. Monitoring the Implementation of the Fire Code and the Amount of the Fees Collected. The Chief, BFP shall, within six (6) month from the effectivity of this Code, submit to the Secretary of
the Interior and Local Government for his/her approval, a management tool or mechanism that would
ensure effective monitoring of the enforcement of the Fire Code to include the amount of Fire Code
fees collected.
Section 14. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior and
Local Government shall issue the rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

Section 15. Presidential Decree No 1185 is hereby repealed. All laws, presidential decrees, letters of
instructions, executive orders, rules and regulations insofar as they are inconsistent with this Act, are
hereby repealed or amended as the case may be.
Section 16. In case any provision of this Act or any portion thereof is declared unconstitutional by a
competent court, other provisions shall not be affected thereby.
Section 17. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation