Friday, June 01, 2007 Unregistered dorms aren't checked: fire bureau By Grace L. Plata
THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Davao City has urged students to opt to stay in registered dormitories and boarding houses as these are regulated and inspected according to standards set for multiple use and occupancy, and thus are safer than ordinary houses renting out a room or bed spaces.
"Don't go for very cheap boarding houses na attached lang sa bahay, prefer safer ones. Check the electrical installations and outlets kung nakabitin lang ba (if merely left hanging) or left open na malapit sa tubig (near the water) because in most cases, faulty wirings are the cause ng sunog (fire)," BFP-Davao City chief Wilberto Rico Neil Kwantiu said.
It is also safer to look for the establishment's business and other accreditation permits to make sure that they have been checked by the BFP, he said.
Kwantiu admits that while they are inspecting all educational institutions, dormitories, and boarding houses in preparation for the school opening, they are relying only on the list of establishments issued by the business bureau, thus boarding houses or dormitories that are not declared are most likely not going to be checked unless concerned citizens complain.
"It is really hard to monitor boarding houses na part lang ng private dwelling at hindi (not) registered sa business bureau and these are the places na most prone sa fire kasi mga dikit-dikit na mga bahay (closely built houses)," Kwantiu said.
Kwantiu said Thursday that the BFP national office has issued a memorandum last April for a "no let-up drive" policy for fire safety inspection with emphasis in schools and dormitories and boarding houses.
To ensure that schools and establishments will comply with the provisions of the Fire Code, BFP-Davao has sent letters to regulating bodies such as the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Labor and Employment, and Technical Education Skills Development Authority to require these institutions to have a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) before they are given accreditation or permits to operate.
"Having the FSIC will mean we have already checked and inspected their buildings to make sure na meron nga sila nung mga kinakailangan gamit at iba pang (they have the necessary equipment and other) requirements that would make it easier for students or boarders to come to safety in times of fire or other emergencies," Kwantiu said.
Among the requirements for the issuance of the FSIC is visible and accessible exit that is big enough to accommodate grown persons.
"Yung mga na-check namin na medyo maliit yung exits or may obstruction dun sa exits, we issue them a notice to correct violation para mapalakihan or ma-clear yung exit," Kwantiu said.
BFP will monitor and follow-up establishments who are given notices and should they not comply after 2 warnings, BFP will recommend for their closure.
