OFFICIALS of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility in the City of Naga, Cebu said they are implementing fire safety precautions more than the standard operating procedure.
William Cabibil, of Petronas Energy Philippines Inc., said yesterday that residents of Barangay Langtad have no reason to fear as their facility has up-to-date firefighting equipment.
Cabibil, Petronas engineering service manager, made the statement in response to allegations by a concerned citizen that their facility violated Republic Act 9514, or the Fire Code of the Philippines.
Danger
Complainant Zosimo Abaquita said the Petronas facility is about 65 meters from his house, which is not what the law says, which 122 meters. Abaquita said the facility can pose danger to him and his family.
But Cabibil, in a press conference yesterday, said their plant has complied with the latest industrial standards, including the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, or NFPA 58.
The NFPA 58 is an international industry benchmark in the LPG industry.
Cabibil said their facility is armed with a gas detection system for leakage.
There are also automatic shutdown and deluge sprinkler systems that activate once fire and smoke are detected within the facility, Cabibil said.
Sprinkler
The automatic deluge sprinkler system is supported by a manual sprinkler in case it malfunctions. Also, two tanks containing 670,000 liters of water are on standby.
Cabibil assured that a fire within the plant will not affect the residents as their bulk storage tanks are located 200 feet from residential areas.
Cabibil said that even the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has approved their fire safety equipment.
Cabibil said their fire safety equipment was constructed in accordance with the standard set by the international safety organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association, the American Petroleum Institute, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.