Presidential Decree No. 1185
FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
WHEREAS, death and injury to persons and loss and damage to property by fire
have reached alarming proportion that the economic and social gains of the society
are being continually undermined;
WHEREAS, in order to effect a meaningful reduction of the alarming fire losses,
there is a need to develop national consciousness and involvement of all persons in
the prevention and suppression of fires;
WHEREAS, fire prevention and suppression require the adoption of uniform fire
safety standards, the incorporation of fire safety construction and provision of
protective and safety devices in buildings and structures;
WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for an agency primarily responsible for the
implementation and coordination of the activities of all sectors of society on fire
safety, prevention and suppression;
WHEREAS, in order to effectively implement all efforts to minimize the occurrence
of fires and their destructive effects, full financial, equipment and personnel support
by the government and the private sector is necessary;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by
virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree as
part of the law of the land the following:
Section 1. Title. This Decree and the Rules and Regulations for its implementation
shall be known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines” and shall hereinafter be
referred to as the “Fire Code”.
Section 2. Declaration of Policies. The following are declared policies of the State:
(a) The government, with the cooperation of the private sector, shall develop and
promulgate sets of standards and regulations taking into consideration the latest
development in fire technology suitable to Philippine conditions;
(b) Fire prevention and fire safety shall be given equal, if not greater emphasis as the
suppression or extinguishment of fires. Fire prevention education shall be
undertaken continuously involving all sectors of the community;
(c) The Fire Service of the Integrated National Police shall endeavor to respond to
all fires before they reach critical and conflagration stages. Towards this end, the
organization, administration and operation of the Fire Service shall be improved and
developed, its personnel and equipment augmented and effective fire alarm systems
set up; and
(d) The Fire Service shall be professionalized. For this purpose, educational
institutions shall endeavor to include in their curricula, courses on fire technology
and fire protection engineering.
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.
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