BFP to keep an eye on 168 Mall's fire code compliance

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the management of 168 Mall, famous for its cheap merchandise, has started complying with the fire code to ensure that the building would no longer be a fire trap.

BFP Director Rolando Bandilla said their field officers reported that officials of the 168 Mall in Divisoria, Manila have started complying with the requirements of the Fire Code of the Philippines.

“We will continuously monitor them especially with Christmas season to ensure 100 percent compliance,” Bandilla told The STAR.

He said he has alerted all BFP regional, provincial and station commanders to ensure establishments in their respective areas are following the law to prevent accidents during the holidays.

BFP officials inspected the 168 Mall last month and said the mall was a fire hazard with at least 10 violations of the fire code.

They found that stall owners’ merchandise obstructed access to the exits, and the stall owners used the sprinkler heads to display their wares.

The inspection team also found that the mall lacked fire exit signs, and the signs the mall does have are neither luminous nor of the standard size. They also found the mall has no first aid fire protection, and that the ceiling was used as a stockroom.

Manila Fire Marshal Felixberto Abrenica said they have ordered the management of the 168 Mall to immediately correct all the violations.

Under the law, any building management has a certain specific timeframe to correct the violations.

With Christmas drawing closer, the BFP said it will have even the smallest fire code violation corrected since people’s lives are at stake.

“Remember that in case a fire breaks out, the people should be out of the building within three to four minutes,” the BFP said. The BFP is adopting a strategy to prevent or minimize fires during the holidays. – Cecille Suerte Felipe