CHAPTER 4.

FIRE SAFETY FOR HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS

DIVISION 2. SALVAGE YARDS

SECTION 10.4.2.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

 Should not be located as to seriously expose adjacent properties to fire.
 Should be enclosed with chain-linked fence with two (2) gates of four and a
half meters (4.5 m) width for fire department access. (Height: 2.5m)
 No motor vehicles, junk, or other waste materials, shall be stored, displayed
or kept in such a manner as to unnecessarily hinder or endanger firefighting
operations.

SECTION 10.4.2.2 FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR HOTWORK

OPERATIONS
 No welding and cutting operations in salvage yards shall be conducted
without a fire safety clearance issued by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction for hot works operations.

SECTION 10.4.2.3 CONSTRUCTION
 Vertical openings in such building shall be enclosed with approved automatic
self-closing fire door.
 Picking shall be done in rooms separated from fire resistive walls and doors
having a fire resistance of not less than one (1) hour.
 Picking rooms shall be provided with exhaust systems to adequately and
safely remove dust and dirt.

SECTION 10.4.2.4 OPERATION

 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible materials shall be in
accordance with Division 4, Chapter 3, and Rule 10 of this IRR.
 Welding and cutting operations shall conform to the provisions of Division 17
of this Chapter.

SECTION 10.4.2.5 PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

 "NO SMOKING" signs shall be provided.
 Smoking, or open flame be permitted in any area where combustible fibers or
other combustible waste materials are stored or handled.
 Burning of wrecked or any waste materials should be done in approved
location by the city/municipal fire marshal having jurisdiction.

DIVISION 4. DUST PRODUCING MACHINES

SECTION 10.4.4.1 FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE REQUIRED

• No person shall operate any other material producing dust without a fire
safety clearance issued by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.4.4.2 CONSTRUCTION
• Approved magnetic of pneumatic separators shall be installed ahead of all
machines in which the entrance of metallic or other foreign materials may
cause sparks to be generated.
• Suitable dust collecting equipment shall be installed and accumulation of dust
shall be kept at a minimum in the interior of the buildings.

SECTION 10.4.4.3 OPERATION

• Properly designed and located vents equipped with explosion proof exhaust
fans which will relieve the pressure resulting from dust accumulation or an
explosion and prevent or reduce damage to buildings or equipment, shall be
required in all buildings where flammable or explosive dusts are
manufactured, processed or generated.

SECTION 10.4.4.4 PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

• All dust-agitating machinery such as grinding mills and separators, and all
elevators, and other conveyors shall be provided with casing or enclosures
maintained as nearly dust-tight as possible.
• All machinery and metal parts of the crushing, drying, pulverizing and
conveying systems shall be provided with grounding system in accordance
with the Philippine Electrical Code.
• Smoking and the carrying of matches, the use of heating or other devices
employing open flames, or use of any spark-producing equipment is
prohibited.

DIVISION 7. APPLICATION OF FLAMMABLE FINISHES

SECTION 10.4.7.1 FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE

• A Fire Safety Clearance from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction shall be issued for spraying and dipping operations utilizing
flammable liquid, and powders included within the scope of this IRR.

SECTION 10.4.7.2 SPRAY FINISHING OPERATION OR PROCESSES

• When flammable or combustible liquids are transferred from one container to
another, both containers must be bonded and grounded to prevent discharge
sparks of static electricity.
• Portable electric lamps may not be used in any spraying area during spraying
operations.

SECTION 10.4.7.3 DIPPING AND COATING PROCESSES

• Dipping and coating tanks shall be constructed of steel, reinforced concrete,
masonry or other non-combustible materials and shall be securely and rigidly
supported.
• Mechanical ventilation shall be kept in operation at all times while dipping and
coating processes are being conducted and for a sufficient time thereafter to
 allow all vapors to be exhausted until the vapor area no longer constitutes a
vapor source.

SECTION 10.4.7.4 ELECTROSTATIC APPARATUS

• A safe distance of six meters (6 m) shall be maintained between goods being
painted or treated and electrodes, electrostatic atomizing heads or conductors
of at least twice the sparkling distance.
• Electrostatic apparatus and devices used in connection with paint spraying
and paint detailing operations shall be of a type conforming to internationally
approved standards.

DIVISION 8. RIPENING PROCESSES

SECTION 10.4.8.1 FSIC REQUIRED

• A Fire Safety Inspection Certificate shall be issued by the City/Municipal Fire
Marshal having jurisdiction as required for any fruit and crop ripening
processes using combustible or flammable gas, such as ethylene, acetylene
and the like.

SECTION 10.4.8.2 CONSTRUCTION

• Containers storing the gas or materials from which they are generated shall
be built in accordance with internationally recognized practice.
• Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in accordance with the
standards of the Philippine Electrical Code.

SECTION 10.4.8.3 OPERATION

• Gas piping shall be of iron pipe. Flexible connectors and hose, when used,
shall be of approved type. Tubing shall be of brass or copper with not less
one-eight centimeters (0.125 cm) wall thickness.
• Ripening room shall be open for at least twenty minutes (20 min) every twelve
hours (12 hrs.) of operation.
• Protective guards shall be provided around heaters to prevent the possibility
of their being knocked over.

SECTION 10.4.8.4 PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

• Portable fire extinguisher shall be installed in building or structure with
ripening rooms.
• Open flame heaters and open lights shall be prohibited in the ripening rooms.
• Approved warning signs indicating the danger involved and necessary
precautions shall be posted in conspicuous places.

DIVISION 9. FUMIGATION AND THERMAL INSECTICIDAL FOGGING

SECTION 10.4.9.1 FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE

• No person shall engage in fumigation or thermal insecticidal fogging without a
fire safety clearance from the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.4.9.2 SOURCES OF IGNITION
• All fires, open flames and similar sources of ignition shall not be allowed in
spaces under fumigation or thermal insecticidal fogging.
• Electricity shall be shut off during operations, except where circulating fans
are used.

SECTION 10.4.9.3 WATCH PERSONNEL

• During operation, the premises shall be sealed to keep the fumigant
suspended in the air. The owner/building administrator shall be responsible
for the supervision of the operation. Indoor fogging operations shall be
supervised within three (3) to five (5) hours from the time the premises are
fumigated/fogged until all ventilation work is completed.

SECTION 10.4.9.4 SEALING OF BUILDING

• Irrespective of the type of fumigant employed, paper or other similar non-fire
retardant materials used as sealing or cover materials for buildings, except for
approved tarpaulins, in excess of that required is prohibited.

SECTION 10.4.9.5 WARNING SIGNS

 Fumigants are used or stored, conspicuous warning signs bearing the “skull
and crossbones” emblem with the words “DANGER, POISON GAS! KEEP
OUT!” shall be posted on all doors and entrances to the premises.

SECTION 10.4.9.6 VENTING AND CLEANUP

 Fumigators shall safely and properly ventilate the premises and contents and
properly dispose all fumigant containers, residues, debris and other materials
used in the fumigation.

SECTION 10.4.9.7 THERMAL INSECTICIDAL FOGGING LIQUIDS

 No thermal insecticidal fogging liquid with a flash point below thirty-eight
degrees Celsius (38°C) shall be used. During operation, fog shall not be
blasted directly against any combustible object or materials.

SECTION 10.4.9.8 RESTRICTED FUMIGANTS

 Use of Carbon Disulfide (CS2) and Hydrocyanic Acid (HCN) shall be used
only in agricultural fumigations.

DIVISION 12. MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION

SECTION 10.4.12.1 CONSTRUCTION

• All mechanical refrigeration systems shall be designed and installed in
accordance with the provisions of this Division, PSME Code, IMC, NBC and
other related acceptable codes.
SECTION 10.4.12.2 OPERATION
• An operating instruction shall be posted conspicuously and as near as
practicable to the refrigerant condensing unit.
• . Control valves for diffusers shall be outside of the machinery room in a box
protected against tampering “FOR FIRE SERVICE USE ONLY – AMMONIA
CONTROL VALVES.”

SECTION 10.4.12.3 PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

• All refrigeration equipment shall be kept clean, free from accumulations of oil,
dirt, waste and other debris, and shall be easily accessible at all times and
shall undergo preventive maintenance program.
• Valve control box shall be plainly marked “FOR FIRE SERVICE USE ONLY –
REFRIGERANT CONTROL VALVES.”

DIVISION 14. OIL-BURNING EQUIPMENT

SECTION 10.4.14.1 GENERAL INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

 Use of oil burning equipment shall be of type acceptable to the Bureau of
Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (BPS-DTI).
 The grade of fuel used in a burner shall be that for which the burner is
approved, and as stipulated by the manufacturer. Crankcase oil or any oil
containing gasoline shall not be used.
 The installation shall be made in accordance with the Philippine Mechanical
Code, with plans duly sealed and signed by a professional mechanical
engineer and shall be submitted to the City /Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.4.14.2 CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
 Electrical wiring and utilization equipment used in connection with oil burning
appliances or equipment shall be installed in accordance with Philippine
Electrical Code.
 The design, construction and installation of fuel tanks shall conform to the
standards of the American Petroleum Institute or other internationally
accepted standards.
 An auxiliary tank installed in the supply between a burner and its main supply
tank shall be filled by pumping from the storage tanks.
 An oil pump, not part of an approved burner, shall be of a positive
displacement type, which automatically shuts off the oil supply when the oil
pump is stopped.

DIVISION 16. INDUSTRIAL OVENS

SECTION 10.4.16.1 CONSTRUCTION

 Ovens shall be located at or above grade, or if in basements at least fifty
percent (50%) of the wall area of the room in which the oven is located shall
be above grade
  Ovens which may contain flammable air-gas mixtures shall be equipped with
devices or relief vents for freely relieving internal explosions causative
pressure.
 Exhaust duct openings shall be located in the area of greatest concentration
or vapors.

SECTION 10.4.16.2 OPERATION

 Regular operators shall be retrained at intervals to maintain proficiency and
effectiveness. New operators shall be thoroughly trained and tested in the use
of equipment. Operators must have access to operating instructions at all
times.

SECTION 10.4.16.3 PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

 The equipment manufacturer shall inform the user regarding the need for
operational checks and maintenance and shall provide complete and clear
inspection, testing and maintenance instructions.
 An operational maintenance checklist shall be maintained and is essential to
the safe operation of the equipment.
 Safety controls shall be sufficient in number and substantially constructed and
arranged to maintain the required conditions of safety and prevent the
development of fire and explosion hazards.

DIVISION 17. HOTWORKS OPERATION

SECTION 10.4.17.1 FIRE SAFETY CLEARANCE FOR HOTWORKS OPERATION

 A Fire Safety Clearance shall be secured from City/Municipal Fire Marshal
having jurisdiction prior to any hot works operations.

SECTION 10.4.17.2 LOCATIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

 All combustibles shall be relocated at least eleven meters (11 m) horizontally
from the work site.
 Edges of covers at the floor shall be tight to prevent sparks from going under
them, including where several covers overlap when protecting a large pile.
 Hot works shall not be attempted on a partition, wall, ceiling that has a
combustible covering or insulation, or on walls or partitions of combustibles
sandwich-type panel construction.

SECTION 10.4.17.3 OPERATION

 The designated working area shall be inspected at least once a day while the
hot works permit is in effect to ensure that it is a fire-free area.
 The user shall not transfer gases from one cylinder to another, or mix gases in
a cylinder.
 The installation of acetylene generators within buildings shall be restricted to
buildings not exceeding one story in height except on the roof or top floor of a
building.
SECTION 10.4.17.4 PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE
 Hot works equipment to be used shall be in satisfactory operating condition.
 Opening or cracks in walls, floors, or ducts within eleven meters (11 m) of the
site shall be tightly covered with fire-retardant or noncombustible material to
prevent the passage of sparks to adjacent areas.
 If hot works is done in close proximity to a sprinkler head, a wet rag shall be
laid over the head and then removed at the conclusion of the welding or
cutting operation.
 The use of liquid acetylene is prohibited.