Fire Code of the Philippines (FCP) RIRR of 2004

Division 4: CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY

Occupancy classification is a key part of fire safety planning. It identifies the building's main use
and the type of people using it—whether they're residents, workers, or the general public. Each
type comes with different layouts, hazards, and fire risks, which means different fire protection
strategies are needed.
It is important to know the occupancy classification early in the design process. It guides
decisions on exits, sprinklers, alarms, and other safety features. This summary outlines the
major occupancy types under the Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514) and how they relate to
fire risk and architectural planning.

ASSEMBLY
Used for gatherings of 50 or more persons for events such as worship, entertainment, dining, or
transportation. Includes theaters, churches, and exhibition halls.
Occupant Behavior and Fire Risk:
Crowds may panic or move toward familiar exits, leading to bottlenecks. Flammable decorations
and high density increase the risk.
Design Strategies:
 Clear signage, open aisles, and trained staff.
 Use voice evacuation systems for orderly guidance.
 Plan for partial evacuations when needed.

Fire Code Requirements:

 Automatic Fire Suppression System for venues with ≥150 occupants.

 Standpipe System for buildings ≥4 storeys or floors ≥1860 sqm.
 Automatic Fire Detection for occupant loads exceeding 300 persons.

ILLUSTRATIONS
EDUCATIONAL
Used for instruction of six (6) or more persons. Includes all academic institutions from
kindergarten to universities.

Occupant Behavior and Fire Risk:

Children need guidance, and younger students may panic. Crowding in hallways during class
changes can slow evacuation.
Design Strategies:
 Conduct frequent fire drills.
 Use compartmentation to isolate fire/smoke.
 Safely manage labs and other hazardous classroom equipment.
Fire Code Requirements:
 Automatic Fire Suppression required for schools ≥15m in height or with basement
classrooms.
 Standpipe System required for 4+ storeys
 Fire detection system required.

ILLUSTRATIONS

DAY-CARE
Buildings where 4 or more clients (children or adults) receive care, maintenance, and
supervision for less than 24 hours by non-relatives.
Occupant Behavior & Fire Risk:
Highly dependent occupants, often very young or elderly, require assistance. Fire risk is high due
to slow response and limited mobility.
Design Strategies:
 Ground-floor or direct-exit layout preferred
 Provide wide, unobstructed corridors and ramps
 Use clear visual cues and simplified exit signs
 Conduct regular staff-led evacuation drills
Fire Code Requirements:
 Automatic Fire Suppression System required if 4+ storeys
  Standpipe System required if 4+ storeys
 FDAS required if occupant load ≥15 or multi-level use


ILLUSTRATIONS

HEALTH CARE
Buildings used for medical treatment or patient care, where occupants are incapable of self-
evacuation. Includes hospitals, nursing homes, and birth centers.
Occupant Behavior and Fire Risk:
Patients depend on staff, may be unconscious or bedridden. Oxygen use increases
combustibility. Staff training is critical.
Design Strategies:
 Use compartmentation to defend in place.
 Train staff for horizontal evacuation.
 Ensure corridors can accommodate stretchers or wheelchairs.
Fire Code Requirements:
 Automatic Fire Suppression System required (with an exception for small, 1-storey
buildings).
 Standpipe System required for 4+ storeys
 Automatic Fire Detection System required.

ILLUSTRATIONS

RESIDENTIAL BOARD AND CARE

Group housing for 4 or more non-relatives, offering personal care without nursing treatment.
Occupant Behavior & Fire Risk:
Elderly or impaired residents may respond slowly. Fire hazards often come from heaters,
smoking, or appliance misuse.
Design Strategies:
 Compartmentalize living areas with fire-rated walls
 Staff training for evacuation assistance
 Smoke detectors in all sleeping rooms
 Avoid stairs without handrails; provide elevators or ramps if needed
Fire Code Requirements:
 Suppression required (NFPA 13R/13 by height)
 Standpipe required if 4+ storeys
 FDAS required if occupants >15

ILLUSTRATIONS

DETENTION/CORRECTIONAL
Facilities used to confine or restrain persons, including jails, rehab centers, or detention halls.
Occupant Behavior & Fire Risk:
Occupants cannot evacuate on their own. Locked cells and limited egress make fire containment
and staff action critical.
Design Strategies:
 Use defend-in-place fire zones and secure fire-rated compartments
 Provide emergency override on locks
 Wide corridors and staff-only egress paths
 Conduct staff-only evacuation drills
Fire Code Requirements:
 Automatic Fire Suppression Required
 Standpipe System Required for 4+ storeys
 FDAS always required
ILLUSTRATIONS
RESIDENTIAL
Any building designed for sleeping accommodations, including single homes, apartments,
dormitories, and hotels.
Occupant Behavior & Fire Risk:
Fires often occur at night or due to cooking. Some residents may ignore alarms or attempt to
control the fire first.
Fire Code Requirements (varies):
 Single/Two-Family Homes:
• No suppression or standpipe required
• Battery-operated smoke alarms mandatory
 Multi-unit Residences (e.g., Apartments/Dorms/Hotels):
• Automatic Fire Suppression NFPA 13R/13 required by height
• Standpipe System required for 4+ storeys
• FDAS required for >15 guests or 12+ units
Design Strategies:
 Two means of egress per unit or floor
 Place detectors near kitchens and bedrooms
 Ensure hallways and stairwells are unobstructed
 Provide clear evacuation diagrams in common areas

ILLUSTRATIONS

MERCANTILE
Used for selling goods or merchandise. Includes malls, department stores, markets, and small
restaurants with fewer than 50 seats.
Occupant Behavior and Fire Risk:
Customers may not notice fires quickly. Overcrowding and tightly packed goods can lead to
rapid fire spread.
Design Strategies:
 Maintain clear aisles and exits.
  Train staff in early fire response and crowd control.
 Voice systems help in large stores.
Fire Code Requirements:
(Varies—refer to specific code sections for area-based and occupancy thresholds.)

ILLUSTRATIONS

BUSINESS
Used for administrative, professional, or service-based activities—not retail or mercantile.
Includes offices, BPOs, government halls, and clinics with <50 persons.
Occupant Behavior and Fire Risk:
Generally alert adults, but some may delay evacuation to secure documents or equipment.
Electrical loads can cause hidden risks.
Design Strategies:
 Perform routine drills.
 Keep exit routes and stairwells clear.
 In tall buildings, consider refuge floors and phased evacuations.
Fire Code Requirements:
 Automatic Fire Detection and Automatic Fire Suppression System depending on area
and occupancy load.

ILLUSTRATIONS

INDUSTRIAL
Properties used for manufacturing, assembling, processing, or repairing goods. Includes
factories, refineries, sawmills, and labs.
Occupant Behavior and Fire Risk:
Employees may not hear alarms due to machinery noise. Shifts may lead to inconsistent
training. Flammable materials and chemical reactions are serious hazards.
Design Strategies:
  Train workers on material handling and alarm protocols.
 Use fire barriers to isolate production zones.
 Maintain dust control and proper storage.
Fire Code Requirements:
 Automatic Fire Suppression System required in high-hazard settings.
 Standpipe System for 4+ storeys.
 Automatic Fire Detection required if ≥25 occupants.

ILLUSTRATIONS

STORAGE
Buildings primarily used to store goods, vehicles, animals, or hazardous materials. Examples:
warehouses, LPG depots, cold storage, parking garages.
Occupant Behavior and Fire Risk:
Low staffing means fire can go undetected. Stacked combustibles, flammable chemicals, and
poor housekeeping can increase fire severity.
Design Strategies:
 Install and maintain sprinkler systems.
 Ensure standpipe access and firefighter access routes.
 Design for early detection and zoning in large areas.
Fire Code Requirements:
 Automatic Fire Suppression System required in high-hazard occupancies.
 Standpipe System required if area >1860 sqm/floor.
 Automatic Fire Detection required unless low-hazard ≤2000 sqm.

ILLUSTRATIONS
MIXED
Buildings with two or more overlapping occupancy types where separation is impractical.
Occupant Behavior & Fire Risk:
Risk is complex due to different users (e.g., office workers, residents, shoppers). Responses vary
based on familiarity and use.
Design Strategies:
 Clearly separate functions by floor or wing
 Use compartmentation between uses
 Provide dedicated exits and systems per occupancy where feasible
 Apply shared fire alarm and communication systems
Fire Code Requirements:
 Follow the most stringent requirements of the occupancies present
 Separate fire zones if possible
 Suppression and FDAS mandatory if required by any one group
ILLUSTRATIONS

SPECIAL STRUCTURES
Buildings that don’t fit standard categories, including towers, pavilions, monuments, and hybrid-
use spaces.
Occupant Behavior & Fire Risk:
Varies widely. May involve public crowds, industrial setups, or low-frequency use. Evacuation
may be complex due to unique geometry or access.
Design Strategies:
 Create customized fire protection plans
 Design for rapid detection, visible exits, and redundancy
 Ensure accessibility for fire response teams
 Use special systems (e.g., aspirating detectors, gas suppression) where appropriate
Fire Code Requirements:
 Must comply with Division 2 (basic fire principles)
 Follow Division 19 for custom structures
 Must be evaluated and approved by the local fire authority

ILLUSTRATIONS

Occupancies Definition Summary Example Buildings Fire Risk Level

1. Assembly Churches, Theaters,
Gathering of ≥50 Libraries, Restaurants,
High
people Drinking
Establishments
2. Educational Instruction for ≥6 Schools, Colleges Moderate-High
3. Day-Care Supervision for ≥4 Nurseries, Kinder High
4. Health Care Incapable of self-
Hospitals, Clinics Very High
evacuation
5. Residential Board and Care Personal care lodging Elder care homes High
6. Detention/Correctional Occupants under
Jails, Youth centers Very High
restraint
7. Residential Sleeping Condos, Apartments,
Moderate
accommodation Hotels
8. Mercantile Malls, Markets,
Department Stores,
Sale/display of goods shopping centers, Moderate
public/private wet or
dry market
9. Business Professional services Offices, BPOs Low-Moderate
10. Industrial Manufacturing, repair Factories, Labs High
11. Storage Goods/vehicle storage Warehouses, Hangars High
12. Mixed Overlapping functions Mall with residential Varies
13. Special Structures Not covered by others Towers, Heritage sites Depends
Table 1: Summary of Classification of Occupancy