A Fire Tragedy that destroys everything, an analysis?

Ensuring fire and life safety is crucial in any built environment, and architects must consider these factors in their designs. Over time, active and passive fire protection systems have been developed to mitigate fire risks.

When a fire occurs, it's easy to blame faulty electrical wiring or poor electrical engineering. However, accidents can happen even in properly designed buildings. This article is not about blame but understanding the complex nature of building design and construction. It's a collaborative effort, and we all must identify the causes of accidents resulting in life loss.

To begin with, this article will use an actual accident that occurred 28 years ago in the Philippines to help us understand what happened when the victorious party turned into ashes. As someone reviewing codes for almost four years, I am occasionally invited to conduct lectures on the fire code for Filipino architects and aspirants. This is my favorite topic to discuss. However, please keep in mind that this article is for educational purposes only, and the names of the buildings and people involved have been kept hidden to avoid any potential legal issues.

On the evening of March 1996, a group of graduating college students gathered at a small disco house to celebrate their years of hard work and sleepless nights. As graduation was approaching, many establishments in Greater Manila, including the owner of the disco house, offered discounts and freebies for graduating students.

During a party, where students were dancing, drinking, and chatting, a fire suddenly broke out, resulting in the death of 162 people and injury to 228, including employees. The fire was caused by an electrical overload that started in the DJ's booth. Initially, most patrons mistook the spark and smoke as part of the party's effects, but they later realized that it was a fire. The electrical design is not responsible for the tragedy, and it should not be blamed for the increase in the improvised connections used to accommodate the surge of patrons that night.

The primary reasons for the deaths and injuries were inadequate exits, overcrowding, and inward-swinging doors. After 18 years, justice was finally served, and the public officials and owners were found guilty and sentenced to 6 to 10 years in prison.?

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The Facility:

The facility is located at the corner of busy streets in Quezon City, Philippines, and is famous for its nightclubs and restaurants. The streets are named in memory of Boy Scouts who were killed in an airplane crash some 61 years ago.?

Being in an interior lot restricts the exit locations to the front side of the building. The building has only one emergency exit leading to the adjacent property, which was later blocked. As a result, the only exit that can be used is the main entry door, which has been reported to swing inwards.

It is impossible to verify the exact number of occupants of the facility as there is no available information regarding its size. However, it has been confirmed that the space is compact and has been designed cleverly to maximize the use of the public area, ensuring that every inch is utilized effectively.

The dance hall's DJ booth is in the front, next to a storage room for technical equipment. The booth's ceiling is said to be decorated with ornamental egg cartons, while the walls are lined with acoustic foam for noise and sound control. Additionally, there is a semi-circular bar on the side, along with tables and chairs for customers to sit and enjoy their drinks.

In anticipation of the upcoming graduation season, a mezzanine has been added to accommodate extra guests, even without a building permit.

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What went wrong?

?From the architect’s point of view, the tragic incident could have been prevented if the building code had been strictly followed and enforced. During that time, two building codes were in effect: The National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) and the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185, later repealed by RA 9514). It is also important to note that Architects and Engineers have a 15-year civil liability per Article 1723 of the Civil Code of the Philippines. Fortunately, there are no reports that Architects and Engineers involved in the design of this facility were charged or found guilty of malpractice. It could also be possible that no Architects or engineers were involved in establishing this facility. The author's opinions on the reasons for deaths and injuries are highlighted below.

According to the code, a building must have at least two exits. However, a single exit is permitted in certain cases based on the occupancy use or hazard classification. This is only allowed if the common path of the exit travel is within the maximum limit specified by the code. Unfortunately, as no information about the room dimensions is available, it cannot be validated in this article.?

The OBO has stated that this building is designed to accommodate only 35 people; thus, it is not classified as an assembly place but as a mercantile.

Mercantile occupancies are "restaurants and drinking establishments with an occupant load of less than 50 persons". As a result, a single exit is permitted for this building.

Based on the information gathered in the news and reports, people rush to the main entrance to find their way to the exit. According to a study, people tend to rush towards the same point during emergencies and panic. This was demonstrated in this clubhouse where people rushed to the main exit, only to get trapped because the door opened inwards. The safety code mandates that when the occupant load is 300 or more, at least 50% of the occupants must discharge directly into the main entry/exit. However, this requirement does not apply to the current project.

There is a belief among the Chinese that Filipinos have adopted the idea that doors should swing inwards. However, it is important to note that doors should swing toward exit travel. Nonetheless, the code allows the door to swing in the opposite direction if the occupant load is less than 50.

Assembly occupancy requires a post indicating the minimum number of people allowed in a specific area due to overcrowding. However, this is not the case for this facility as this is not an assembly occupancy.

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Conclusion:

Tragic incidents where needlessly lost lives often occur when greed precedes safety regulations. The building code in the Philippines is based on the recommendations of International Organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), but these recommendations are frequently ignored. The recent fire at a disco house is not an isolated incident. It is just one of the many tragic events in the country due to a lack of adherence to safety protocols. Unfortunately, such incidents, with their alarming frequency, are often caused by greed and selfishness.

It is unlikely that any professional (Architects/Engineers) would risk their hard-earned license over this decision made by the owners. None of them violated Article 1723 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, except for the City Hall official.

As Martin Luther King says, "The time is always right to do the right thing."

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