[ manilastandardtoday.com ] June 16, 2011
Building owners have two years to install a fire sprinkler system in their buildings, which is one of the requirements under the Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection said on Wednesday.
In a report to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, fire bureau chief Rolando Bandilla Jr. said the two-year moratorium on establishments covered by the Fire Code requirement will give building owners enough time to install the automatic fire suppression system or sprinkler systems in compliance with the law.
The amendment was necessary as many buildings that were affected by the Code provision found it difficult to immediately comply with the requirement, Bandilla said.
The fire chief said that automatic fire control facilities have proven to help ensuresafety in establishments by preventing the loss of life and of mitigating damage to property caused by fire.
Under the guidelines released by the fire bureau, the fire marshal or his representative shall evaluate the documentary requirements and find out if the building has complied with the law.
After evaluation and inspection, the fire chief said the building administrator will then be required to execute an affidavit of undertaking stating that he will install the AFSS within the two-year moratorium period.
After complying with the other requirements of the Fire Code, an FSIC will then be issued in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Bandilla, however, said that if the building is not covered under the two-year moratorium, the administrator shall apply for alternative/remedial fire safety measures.
“In this case, the issuance of the FSIC shall be dependent on their compliance to the approved alternative/remedial measure,” he said.
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