No let-up in BFP fire safety drive
ROXAS CITY – The Roxas City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is not letting up in its fire safety inspection drive.
Roxas City Fire Marshall Pancho dela Cruz said that they continue to intensify their effort in conducting safety inspection activities here.
In particular, they are stepping up their efforts in their fire safety inspection in major installations and structures, like hospitals, schools, commercial establishments and dormitories, dela Cruz said.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno recently ordered the BFP to continuously implement a campaign on fire safety inspection of public places to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and standards.
The directive came in the light of recent major fire incidents that hit major establishments in Metro Manila.
In his directive, Puno asked the BFP to check all the fire safety requirements of malls, hotels, motels, inns, theaters, hospitals, residential and commercial buildings, universities, school buildings and other similar establishments, whether they have complied with the issued Notices to Correct Violation.
"Any structure or establishment that is found to be operating without mandatory fire safety requirements and in clear violation of the Fire Code of the Philippines and the authority of the BFP must be charged in the proper court," he said.
Among the common violations and deficiencies of establishments include the absence of secondary exit at the projection room, lack of wet standpipe system, standard fire exit or fire doors are not provided with self-closing mechanism, and no extension of fire escape to ground floor.
Other deficiencies are defective manual fire alarm, lack of smoke and heat detector, inadequate battery operated energy light, and the corridors, walls, ceiling and openings made of light wooden materials.
Meanwhile, BFP Director Enrique Linsangan has advised all BFP regional/district directors, city and provincial fire marshals in their area of responsibilities to look into the compliance of said requirements.
Linsangan also ordered fire safety inspectors to check all points of egress and give special attention to the food courts in malls where most LPG tanks which are potential sources of fire-related accidents are located.
On the other hand, dela Cruz reminded Capiceños to allow only licensed electricians for electrical installation as well as regularly make fire safety inspection in their respective homes or establishments and other safety precautions. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)