GUIDELINES

DIVISION 8. PLACES OF ASSEMBLY

SECTION 10.2.8.1 OCCUPANT LOAD

A. The occupant load permitted in any assembly building, structure, or portion thereof shall be
determined by dividing the net floor area or space assigned to that use by the square meter per
occupant as follows:

3. Standing room or waiting space: twenty-eight hundredths (0.28) square meter per person.

4. The occupant load of an area having fixed seats shall be determined by the number of fixed seats
installed. Required aisle space serving the fixed seats shall not be used to increase the occupant load.

6. In theaters and similar places of assembly where person are admitted to the building at times when
seats are not available for them and are allowed to wait in a lobby or similar space until seats are
available, such use of lobby or similar spaces shall not encroach upon the required clear width of exits.
Such waiting spaces shall be restricted to areas other than the required means of egress. Exits shall be
provided for such waiting spaces on the basis of one person for each one-fourth (0.25) square meters of
waiting space area. Such exits shall be in addition to the exits specified for the main auditorium area and
shall conform in construction.

SECTION 10.2.8.2 EXIT DETAILS

2. Minimum clear width of aisles and other means of egress serving theater-type seating, or similar
seating arranged in rows, shall be in accordance with Table 11 below.

Table 11: CAPACITY FACTORS FOR THEATER TYPE SEATING

Clear width per seat served (in mm)

A = 1 + (RISER HEIGHT – 178/125)

b. Stairs without a handrail located within a seven hundred sixty millimeters (760 mm) horizontal
distance shall be 25 percent wider than otherwise calculated, that is, multiply by factor B = 1.25.

c. Ramps steeper than 1 in 10 slope where used in ascent shall have their widths increased by 10
percent, that is, multiply by factor C = 1.10.
C. Location of Exits

1. Main Exit

Every assembly occupancy shall be provided with a main exit. The main exit shall be of sufficient width
to accommodate one-half (1/2) of the total occupant load, but shall be not less than the total required
width of all aisles, exit passageways and stairways leading thereto, and shall connect to a stairway or
ramp leading to a street.

2. Other Exits

Each level of an assembly occupancy shall have access to the main exit and an addition shall be provided
with exits of sufficient width to accommodate two-thirds (2/3) of the total occupant load served by that
level. Such exits shall open directly to a street or into an exit court, enclosed stairway, outside stairway,
or exit passageway leading to a street. Such exits shall be located as far apart and as far from the main
exits as practicable. Such exits shall be accessible from a cross aisle or a side aisle.

D. Minimum Corridor Width The width of any exit access corridor serving 50 or more persons shall not
be less than one hundred twelve centimeters (112 cm).

E. Travel Distance To Exits Exits shall be so arranged that the total length of travel from any point to
reach an exit will not exceed forty six (46) meters in any place of assembly for spaces not protected by
approved, supervised sprinkler system and sixty one (61) meters in areas so protected.

H. Seating, Aisles and Railings

1. Seating

a. The spacing of rows of seats from back to back shall be not less than eighty three centimeters (83 cm),
nor less than sixty eight centimeters (68 cm) plus the sum of the thickness of the back and inclination of
the back. There shall be a space of not less than thirty centimeters (30 cm) from the back of one seat
and the front of the seat immediately behind it as measured between plumb lines.

b. Rows of seats between aisles shall have not more than fourteen (14) seats.

c. Rows of seats opening onto an aisle at one side only shall have not more than seven (7) seats.

d. Seats without dividing arms shall have their capacity determined by allowing sixty centimeters (60 cm)
per person.

2. Aisles

Every portion of any assembly building which contains seats, tables, displays, equipment, or other
materials shall be provided with aisles leading to exit as follows:
c. Aisles shall terminate in a cross aisle, foyer, or exit. The width of such cross aisle, foyer, or exit shall be
not less than the sum of the required width of the widest aisle plus fifty (50%) percent of the total
required width of the remaining aisles which it serves.

d. No dead-end aisle shall be greater than six and one-tenth meters (6.1 m) in length. In arena or thrust
stage theaters, dead-end aisles at the stage shall not exceed five rows beyond a cross aisle.

e. The length of travel to an exit door by any aisle shall be not greater than forty six meters (46 m).

f. Steps shall not be placed in aisles to overcome differences in level unless the gradient exceeds twelve
and a half (12.5%) percent. Steps in aisles shall conform to the requirement for stairs as to rise end
tread. g. The gradient of sloping aisles shall not exceed twelve and a half (12.5%) percent.

3. Railings

a. The fasciae of boxes, balconies and galleries shall have substantial railings not less than sixty six
centimeters (66 cm) high above the floor.

b. The railings at the ends of aisles extending to the fasciae shall be not less than seventy six centimeters
(76 cm) high for the width of the aisle, or ninety one centimeters (91 cm) high if at foot of steps.

c. Cross aisles shall be provided with railings not less than sixty-six (66) centimeters high.

I. Lighting and Signs

1. All places of assembly shall have exit lighting in accordance with Section 10.2.5.11 and signs in
accordance with Section 10.2.5.12 of this IRR. All places of assembly shall be provided with emergency
lighting.

J. Exits Common to Other Occupancies

1. Places of assembly in building of other occupancy may use exits common to the place of assembly and
the other occupancy provided that the assembly area and the other occupancy considered separately
each have exits sufficient to meet the requirements of this Chapter.

2. Exits shall be sufficient for simultaneous occupancy of both the place of assembly and other parts of
the building.

SECTION 10.2.8.3 STAGE AND ENCLOSED PLATFORM

A. Definitions

1. Enclosed Platform – is a partially enclosed portion of an assembly room the ceiling of which is not
more than one hundred fifty five centimeters (155 cm) above the proscenium opening of which is
designed or used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment wherein
scenery, drops, decorations or other effects may be installed or used.
2. Stage – is partially enclosed portion of an assembly building which is designed or used for the
presentation of plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment wherein scenery, drops or other effects
may be installed or used, and where the distance between the top of the proscenium opening and the
ceiling above the stage in more than one hundred fifty two centimeters (152 cm).

3. Thrust Stage – is that portion of a stage which projects into the audience on the audience side of a
proscenium wall or opening.

4. Arena stage – is a stage of platform open on at least three (3) sides to audience seating. It may be
with or without overhead scene handling facilities.

5. Proscenium wall – is a fire resistive wall which separates a stage or enclosed platform from the public
or spectators' area of an auditorium or theater.

B. Every stage equipped with fly galleries, gridirons, and rigging for movable theater-type scenery, and
every enclosed platform larger than forty six and a half square meters (46.5 m2) in area shall be
protected with the automatic fire suppression system at the ceiling, under the gridiron, in usable spaces
under the stage or platform and in auxiliary spaces and dressing rooms, storerooms, and workshops.
When opening are provided in the stage floor for stage lifts, trap doors or stairs, automatic fire
suppression system shall be provided around the opening at the ceiling below the stage, and baffles at
least thirty (30) centimeters in depth shall be installed around the perimeter of the opening.

C. Every stage and every enclosed platform larger than forty six and a half square meters (46.5 m2) shall
have ventilators in or above it, operable from the stage floor by hand and also opening by fusible links or
other approved automatic heat actuated device, or heat and smoke actuated device, to give a free
opening equal to at least five (5) percent of the area floor of the stage or enclosed platform. Where
mechanical ventilation is provided it shall be so arranged that natural ventilation, at least equal to the
above, will be available. Make up air for mechanical ventilation shall not be obtained from the audience
(seating) areas.

D. The proscenium opening of every stage shall be provided with a fire resistant curtain constructed and
mounted so as to intercept hot gases, flames, and smoke, and to prevent glow from a severe fire on the
stage showing on the auditorium side within a five (5) minute period. The curtain shall be automatic
closing without the use of applied power.

E. Every stage shall be provided with a fire control station located on or adjoining the stage. The fire
control station shall have the following:

1. Lights to indicate the operations of all emergency lights and power circuits.

2. Manual operating devices to actuate automatic spray heads at proscenium, proscenium curtain, and
smoke vents.

3. Indicator light to show that the automatic fire suppression system is operating, or sprinkler system
valves are open and system is charged with water under pressure.
4. A public address system energized from normal and emergency light and power sources.

5. An alarm system connected to the manager's office, dressing rooms, and auxiliary stage spaces. It
shall not sound an alarm audible in the audience or seating portion of the theater.

F. Auxiliary stage spaces such as under-stage areas, dressing rooms, workshops and similar spaces
associated with the functioning of a stage shall comply with the following:

1. No point within any auxiliary space shall be more than fifteen and onefourth meters (15.25 m) from a
door providing access to an exit.

2. There shall be at least two (2) exits available from every auxiliary stage space, one of which shall be
available within a travel distance of twenty three meters (23 m). A common path of travel of six meters
(6 m) to the two (2) exits shall be permitted.

3. Auxiliary stage spaces shall be protected as provided under this Section.

4. No workshop involving the use of combustible or flammable paint, liquids, or gases, or their storage
shall open directly upon a stage.

G. Where approved, supervised sprinkler system is not required, the proscenium wall of every theater
using movable scenery or decorations shall not have more than two (2) openings entering the stage,
exclusive of the proscenium opening. Such opening shall not exceed two square meters (2 m2) each and
shall be fitted with self-closing fire doors.

H. Each stage shall be equipped with a one and a half inch (38.1 millimeters) wet-standpipe equipped
with at least 30 meters hose on -each side of the stage.

SECTION 10.2.8.6 PYROXYLIN COATED FABRIC

Use of pyroxylin coated fabrics inside places of assembly shall be restricted as follows:

A. The nitrocellulose coating shall not exceed four hundred thirty (430) grams for every square meter of
fabric.

C. Where the coating exceeds forty seven (47) grams per square meter, the total area of such fabric shall
not exceed one (1) square meter for every two and one-fourth (2.25) cubic meter of room volume.

D. Fire Detection and Alarm System

1. All assembly occupancies shall be provided with fire alarm system with manual initiation, provided,
however that where occupants of the building exceed 300 persons, the initiation shall be through an
automatic detection system.

2. The required fire alarm system shall activate an audible and visible alarm in a constantly attended
receiving station within the building when occupied for purposes of initiating emergency action.
SECTION 10.2.8.10 PLAN OF EXIT WAYS AISLES

A. A plan showing the capacity and location of the exit ways and aisles thereto shall be submitted for
approval by the City/Municipal Fire Marshal, and approved copy of such plan shall be kept prominently
on display in the premises.

B. In all theaters, nightclubs, dance halls and similar occupancies, an audible announcement and other
means of announcement shall be made prior to the performance describing the location of exits to be
used in case of fire or other emergencies.

SECTION 10.2.8.11 OVERCROWDING

No person shall permit the overcrowding or admittance of any person beyond the approved capacity of
any place of public assemblage. The City/Municipal Fire Marshal, upon finding any overcrowding
condition or obstruction in aisles, passageways or other means of egress; or upon finding any condition
which constitutes a serious menace of life, shall cause the performance, presentation, or entertainment
to be stopped until the condition or obstruction is corrected.
Reference:

The Revised Fire Code of the Philippines (2008) DIVISION 8 PLACES OF ASSEMBLY SECTION 10.2.8.1-
SECTION 10.2.8.11, The Revised Fire Code of the Philippines (2008) 120-131