PME CODE 2012, Section 2003
Automatic sprinkler and stand pipe system
2003.1 General. Automatic sprinkler system shall comply with this section.
2003.2 WHERE REQUIRED. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in the new buildings and
structures shall be provided in the locations described in this section in accordance with the RA
9514, Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008. See Table 2, “Summary of RA 9514
Sprinkler Protection Requirement”. Standpipe shall be provided in accordance with RA 9514 and
PD 1096, National Building code. Refer to appendix G Chapter 29 for National Building Code
Occupancy Classifications. Refer to Appendix H for the Latest IBC Occupancy Classifications.
Exception:
1. Spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for
telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment,
batteries and standby engines, provided those spaces or areas are equipped throughout
with an automatic fire alarm system and are separated from the remainder of the building
by the fire barriers consisting of not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated walls and 2-
hour fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling assemblies.
2. Automatic fire sprinkler protection for fixed guide way transit system shall be as
per section 2005.3.10.
Summary of RA 9514 Sprinkler Protection Requirement
a. Assembly Occupancies
1. Bars with live entertainment.
2. Dance Halls.
3. Discotheques.
4. Assembly occupancies with festival seating.
5. Occupant load greater than 300 persons.
b. Educational Occupancies
1. Every portion of educational buildings below the floor of exit discharge shall be
protected with complete automatic sprinkler protection.
2. Any flexible plan building or open plan building in which the travel distance to exits
exceeds forty six (46) meters shall have approved, supervised sprinkler systems.
c. Health Care Occupancies
1. Approved, supervised sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all hospitals, nursing
homes, and residential-custodial care facilities.
d. Detention and Correctional Facilities
1. All buildings classified as Use Condition II, Use Condition III, Use Condition IV, or Use
Condition V shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system.
e. Residential Occupancies
1. Hotels and dormitories.
All buildings shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised sprinkler system
except buildings where all guest sleeping rooms or guest suites have a door opening
directly outside at the street or grade level or exterior exit access in buildings up to and
including three (3) storeys in height.
2. Apartment Buildings.
All building shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised sprinkler system
except in buildings where all guest sleeping rooms or guest suites have a door opening
directly outside at the street or grade level or exterior exit access in buildings up to and
including three (3) storeys in height.
f. Mercantile Occupancies.
Approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system protections are shall be provided for
mercantile occupancies as follows:
1. Throughout all mercantile occupancies three or more storeys in height.
2. throughout all mercantile occupancies exceeding one thousand on hundred fifteen square
meters (1,115 m²)
3. Throughout floor below the street floor having an area exceeding two hundred thirty two
square meters (232 m²) when used for the sale, storage or handling of combustion goods
and merchandise.
g. Business Occupancies.
All business occupancy building fifteen (15) meters or more in height shall be
provided throughout with approved, supervised sprinkler system. Building height shall be
measured from the ground level to floor of the topmost storey.
h. Industrial Occupancies
Every high hazard occupancy shall have automatic fire suppression system
protection or other equivalent protection as may be appropriate to the particular hazard,
including explosion venting for any area subject to an explosion hazard, designed to
minimize danger to occupants in case of fire or other emergency before they have time to
utilize exits to escape.
i. Storage Occupancies
Every high hazard occupancy shall have automatic fire suppression system
protection or other equivalent protection as may be appropriate to the particular hazard,
including explosion venting for any area subject to an explosion hazard, designed to
minimize danger to occupants in case of fire or other emergency before they have time to
utilize exits to escape.
2003.2.1. WINDOWLESS STORIES IN ALL OCCUPANCIES.
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in the location set forth in
Sections 2003.2. 10.1 through 2003.2. 10. 1.3.
Exception: Group R-3 and Group U.
2003.2.1.1 STORIES AND BASEMENT WITHOUT OPENINGS.
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in every storey or basement of all
buildings where the floor area exceeds 1,500 square feet (139.4 m²) and where there is
not provided at least one of the following types of exterior wall opening:
1. Openings below grade that lead directly to ground level by an exterior stairway
complying with Section 1009 or an outside ramp complying with Section 1010. Opening
shall be located in each 50 Linear feet (15,240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior wall
in the story on at least one side.
2. Opening entirely above the adjoining ground level totaling at least 20 square feet (1.96
m²) in each 50 linear feet (15,240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior wall in the story on
at least one side.
2003.2.1.2 OPENING DIMENSION AND ACCESS.
Opening shall have a minimum dimension of not less than 30 inches (762 mm).
Such Openings shall be accessible to the fire department from the exterior and shall not
be obstructed in a manner that tire lighting or rescue cannot be accomplished from the
exterior.
2003.2.1.3 OPENING ON ONE-SIDE ONLY
Where openings in a story are provided on only on side and the opposite wall of
such story of more than 75 feet (22860 mm) from such openings, the story shall be
equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system or openings as
specified above shall be provided on at least two sides of the story.
2003.2.1.4 BASEMENTS.
Where any portion of a basement is located more than 75 feet (22860 mm) from
openings required by Section 2003.2.10.1, the basement shall be equipped throughout
with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
2003.2.2 RUBBISH AND LINEN CHUTES.
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed at the top of rubbish and linen chutes and
in their terminal rooms. Chutes extending through three or more floors shall have additional
sprinkler heads installed within such chutes at alternate floors. Chute sprinklers shall be
accessible for servicing.
2003.2.3 BUILDING 55 feet (16,764 MM) OR MORE IN HEIGHT
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings with a floor level
having an occupant load of 30 or more that is located 55 feet (16,764 mm) or more above the
lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
Exceptions:
1. Airport Control Towers
2. Open parking Structures
2003.2.4 PRESSURE ZONES
Sprinkler system in high rise buildings shall have pressure zones so that sprinkler heads
will not be subjected to pressure that is more than 160 psi. Combined sprinkler and standpipe
system shall be designed in accordance with the applicable sections of NFPA 13 and NFPA 14.
2003.2.5 DURING CONSTRUCTION.
All automatic sprinkler systems shall remain operational during construction, alteration
and demolition operations of existing buildings.
2003.2.6 OTHER HAZARDS.
Automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided for the hazards indicated in sections
2003.2 and table 1.
2003.2.6.1 DUCTS CONVEYING HAZARDOUS EXHAUST
Where required by this code, automatic sprinklers shall be provided in ducts
conveying hazardous exhaust, flammable or combustible materials.
Exception: Ducts where the largest cross-sectional diameter of the duct is less than 10
inches (254mm).
2003.2.3.2 COMMERCIAL COOKING OPREATIONS
An automatic sprinkler must be installed is a commercial kitchen exhaust hood
and duel system where all automatic sprinkler system is used to comply with section
20040.
2003.2.7 OTHER REQUIRED SUPPRESSION SYSTEM.
In addition to the requirements of Section 2003.2, the provisions indicated in the table 2.0
[Uniform Fire Code] also require the installation of a suppression system for certain buildings
and areas.
2003.2.8 Motion picture and television production studio sound stages approved production
facilities anti production locations.
2003.2.8.1 Existing sound stages and approved production facilities.
All existing sound stages and approved production facilities equipped with an
automatic fire sprinkler system shall he maintained in accordance with the provisions of
Fire Code of the Philippines.
2003.2.8.2 New sound stages.
All new sound stages shall be equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler
system. The system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Code
of the Philippines and shall meet the minimum design requirements of an Extra Hazard,
Group 2 system.
2003.2.9 Automatic Sprinkler system-existing High-Rise Building
Regardless of any other provisions of these regulations, every existing high-rise building
shall be provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system conforming to NFPA 13.
2003.2.10 Existing high-rise buildings fire extinguishing system.
Automatic fire extinguishing system installed in any existing high-rise structure shall
have an approved flow indicator electrically interconnected to the required fire alarm system.
2003.2.11 Laboratory Occupancies
An automatic fire protection system shall be installed throughout buildings housing
laboratory occupancies. Sprinkler system design for research laboratories and similar areas of
occupancy shall not be less than required for ordinary hazard group 2 with design area of not less
than 3,000 square feet (279 m²).
In mixed occupancies, portion of floors or buildings/lot classified as laboratory
occupancies shall he provided with sprinkler protection designed of not less than what is required
for ordinary hazard group 1 with a design area of no less than 3,000 square feet (279m²).
