Fire bureau to crack down on ‘firetrap’ dorms, boarding houses

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is soon to launch a crackdown on the so-called "firetrap" dormitories and boarding houses in Manila’s University Belt in time for the school opening next month.

BFP Director Rogelio Asignado warned owners of dormitories and boarding houses to comply with the requirements of the building and fire code by installing fire safety devices or face immediate closure.

Asignado directed all fire department chiefs, particularly in Metro Manila, to conduct thorough inspections of establishments in their respective areas of jurisdiction as part of the government campaign to eliminate firetrap establishments.

"Firetrap is any building or structure regarded as a fire hazard, either because it is built of combustible materials or lacks adequate means of escape. All of them would be checked," BFP spokesman Chief Inspector Renato Marcial said.

Marcial noted the incident where eight people perished in a fire that hit a boarding house in Sampaloc, Manila late last year.

He said the boarding house had no adequate fire exits and other safety devices that led to the tragedy.

"We are intensifying the inspection of boarding houses to prevent disasters or injuries to the students. We will check if they have enough fire exits, safety provisions, and fire extinguishers," Marcial said.

Under the Fire Code of the Philippines, the BFP has the power to order the closure of any establishment found to have failed to comply with the provisions of the law on fire safety measures.

The BFP had recommended the closure of some 242 commercial establishments and directed over 100,000 others to complete or correct fire safety requirements last January.

In its annual report for 2005, the BFP inspected a total of 340,742 establishments in the country.

Of the said number, the BFP reported that 39,497 lacked fire safety measures, while 61,335 were advised to complete safety requirements.

Asignado also appealed to student boarders to check out if their boarding houses or dormitories have sufficient fire exits installed and other adequate fire safety provisions.

He said the students can themselves help the BFP determine if any establishment is ignoring fire safety measures.

"Our appeal is for the students to report to us in case they observe these violations, they have to check whether boarding houses, dormitories are operating legally," Asignado added.

He issued the call as the BFP intensified the inspection of boarding houses and dormitories ahead of the school opening next month.

Marcial added fire department chiefs have been tasked to coordinate with local government officials to help ensure that all establishments are complying with fire safety provisions.