3 city schools are fire hazards

CEBU, Philippines – Three public schools in Cebu City were given notices by the Bureau of Fire Protection after its inspection teams found that they have not complied with the fire safety standards.

The report of the fire safety inspecting team showed that Abellana National High School, City Central School and Regino Mercado Elementary school had numerous violations that have to be corrected.

The two-storey building of Abellana National High School has no manual fire alarm, and had only one fire extinguisher. Another building of the school was also found out to have no emergency light, no fire extinguisher, and had incomplete stand pipe accessories while another four-storey building was also said to have the same violations as the other buildings.

In the City Central School, its five-story building was found out to have no stand pipe accessories, and had a substandard fire department connection. Also, they lack fire extinguishers in violation of the BFP requirement that each floor should have at least one extinguisher.

The report also showed that the three-storey building of the Regino Mercado Elementary School had no alternate stairs which is one of the requirements of BFP.

The three schools were already given notices to correct their violations which they need to comply within 30 days.

BFP rules showed that after a notice is given and the 30 days have passed, the schools that have not corrected their violations would be given another notice.

The notice to correct violations would only be given thrice according to BFP, but after receiving three notices and they still have not corrected their violations, the matter would be endorsed to the BFP national office in Manila for further action.  

BFP fire prevention chief Engr. Restituo Gabisan said that the schools should make sure that they are complying with the requirements so that problems would not occur in case a fire breaks out.

He said that even without the inspection or notices given, it is the responsibility of the schools to ensure the safety of their students and teachers.

BFP has started their inspection in schools, boarding houses and apartments prior to the start of classes as part of their routine inspection, and in compliance of the memorandum sent by the BFP national office. — AJ de la Torre/WAB (THE FREEMAN)