At least 86 schools and universities and 65 dormitories in Metro Manila, have been inspected by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and found to have violated certain fire safety rules and regulations, BFP Officer-in-Charge C/Supt. Samuel Perez said yesterday.

In a report to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, of the 86 schools and universities inspected, 46 were in Manila, 21 in Muntinlupa, 11 in Makati and eight in San Juan, while the 65 dormitories were from the city of Manila, the BFP Director said.

The inspection was conducted by teams from Manila Fire District under Fire Marshal Felixberto Abrenica, San Juan Fire Marshal C/Insp. Gilbert D. Dolot, Makati Fire Marshal Supt. Ricardo Perdigon and Muntinlupa Fire Marshal C/Insp. Rodrick Aguto.

Perez explained the inspection was in line with Robredo’s earlier directive to intensify the re-inspection of schools, universities, dormitories to check the readiness of those establishment for the regular opening of classes next week.

He said the teams found numerous violations in some establishments such as classroom window with iron grill construction and some window opening which can be used for emergency rescue and ventilation is padlocked, no emergency evacuation plan posted on the hallway and corridors of the building indicating ways of travel to the nearest fire exits, main stairway not extended to upper floors, not standard type of fire exit ladder, no ac/dc emergency lights at fire exit stair, no automatic sprinkler system installed, no fire escapes installed, defective units of automatic battery emergency lights installed, no fire resistive enclosure for main stairway, defective fire alarm system, no smoke and heat detectors installed and access to fire exit passes thru room which is subject to locking.

He said some establishments do not even have a fire alarm or a fire extinguisher, and have defective fire exit signage, which are not luminous and not of the standard size.

Perez said his office has already issued Notices to Comply (NTC) to the erring establishments to allow them to correct the deficiencies for a period of 15 days. He further said that if the establishments fail to comply after the said period, they will be issued Notices to Correct Violations (NTCV) and slapped with administrative fines and shall be given another 15 days to correct the violations.

Perez said establishments and building owners which has four floors or more must complied with the requirements of installation of the automatic fire suppression system (AFSS) or sprinkler system which is one of the mandatory requirements of the law.

According to Perez, the BFP is now on an alert status and is ready to respond to any fire emergency that may suddenly occur in schools particularly in urban areas like Metro Manila. He said that during the inspections, the BFP gave them useful tips on what to do in case a fire breaks out, and reminded them to remember the telephone numbers of the nearest fire station or call emergency ‘PATROL 117”.

Robredo directed Perez to inform all BFP Regional Directors, District Directors, Provincial Fire Marshals and City Fire Marshals in their area of responsibilities (AOR) to ensure that the said establishments have adequate and fully functioning fire exits, fire alarms, smoke detectors and other fire safety equipment and facilities.

The DILG has also called on all local chief executives nationwide to deploy barangay tanods to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring the safety of around 23 million students who are expected to go back to school on June in support of “Oplan Balik Eskwela” (OBE) being spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd).

DILG Central News Archive DILG Regional News Archive