BFP seeks replacement of Tabunok market wirings

The Bureau of Fire Protection has sought for the replacement of the electrical wirings at the Tabunok Public Market because they are posing dangers to the public.

In his inspection report, City Fire Marshal Felipe Canillas stated that there were "lapses on the installation and arrangement of electric meters in the market premises especially in the meat section."

A group of fire safety inspectors - FO3 Rudyard Abellanosa, FO2 Alberto Jagdon, FO1 Edilberto Sevilla Jr, and FO1 Sherwin Algoso - went to check the electrical wirings early last month following the request of market supervisor Winefredo Bas.

The team saw that the city's old market has electric meters "improperly arranged" on its post.

The old secondary lines were "smaller than the standard size prescribed for the purpose" and Canillas suggested that these should be replaced with the right wires to avoid accidents.

The group also found out that some stall owners are "unsafely" extending their power supply to other stalls that "may lead to electrical short circuits."

Canillas suggested that there should be a main power divided into sub-meters to be extended to stallholders to prevent overloading and illegal wiretapping.

Aside from the wiring problems, Canillas' men also saw cobwebs in electrical connections that should be cleaned immediately. Canillas asked the vendors to do their tasks in cleaning their respective areas.

City Engineer's Office staff members Arnel Cabanero and Baby Baring, who had also conducted an ocular inspection, confirmed the electrical problems discovered by the fire department.

In their inspection report submitted to city engineer Audie Bacasmas, they advised that the power supply of stall owners that was extended to other stalls should be disconnected to "avoid fire hazard."

The group also suggested that each stall should have its own meter and safety switches, and that all wires found to be inaccurate should be replaced.

Bacasmas submitted the report to Mayor Socrates Fernandez. - Liv G. Campo