The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bontoc Station strengthened fire safety within the municipality through regular inspections and educational programs for residents and businesses as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 9514 of 2019 or the Fire Code of the Philippines.
Ensuring safe Business
As required by said RA, all establishments must undergo the fire safety inspection for safety where all buildings for businesses must have directional exit sites wherein the entrance and exit is easy to find. An evacuation plan is also required per floor to easily locate the parts of the building.
Charles Gulocan, a fire officer at Bontoc BFP Station, explained some requirements for building or establishing fire exits in certain establishments.
From zero to 499 occupant persons except for the street level, two exits are required. For 500 to 999 occupants, three exits are required. 1000 and above occupant person requires four exits, he said.
Essential Safety Measures:
Appropriate number of exits per occupancy per floor; zero to 499-person occupancy requires two exits; 500 to 999-person occupancy requires three exits; 1000 and above requires four exits. Presence of portable fire extinguisher in visible areas per floor; installation of emergency lights and alarms and; installation of sprinkler system.
Gulocan also added that the installment of emergency lights should include a sprinkler system especially in the areas with a dark theme for an easy alarm in case a fire occurs. Every floor of the establishment must have the presence of first aid for fire-fighting equipment like the portable fire extinguisher where it is visible to the public.
If they fail to abide by the requirements, the BFP will not release the fire safety inspection certificate. Thus, this prevents the issuance of business permits by the municipal mayor until they comply with the inspection that needs to be conducted.