60% of schools in NegOcc fail in fire safety standards

ABOUT 60 percent of the public schools in Negros Occidental are non-compliant to fire safety standards, an official of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

Superitendent Fred Trajeras, provincial fire marshal, told Sun.Star Bacolod that more than half of the public schools in the province, including Bacolod City, fail to implement some provisions of the Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines.

Trajeras said most of the violations are non-installation of fire safety equipment like fire extinguisher and direction signage, including fire safety exits, especially among schools with two-storey buildings.

He added that some private schools and universities are also still in the process of securing permits from BFP.

A BFP permit is one of the documents required before they are given business permit by city or municipal government.

“We already ordered all city and municipal fire marshals to frequently inspect and inform school heads about prevailing fire safety concerns in their respective areas,” Trajeras added.

As classes start this month, Trajeras said they will conduct intensive information campaign through series of fire drills and symposium in schools.

The BFP warned schools not implementing fire safety measures and urged students, teachers, and staff to report any unsafe conditions like fire hazards through their hotline (0999)6582243.