Petronas: Naga City plant did not violate Fire Code

CEBU, Philippines - Petronas Energy Philippines, Inc. has claimed that it did not violate any laws when it constructed a plant in barangay Langtad in Naga City, Cebu.

William Cabibil, engineering services manager of Petronas, said that they have complied with the standards set under Republic Act 9514 or the Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 58) or the LPG Code.

Cabibil told the media that what was highlighted in the complaint filed against them was the provisions on storage and handling, and the minimum distance from the storage tanks to the perimeter fence which is 122 meters.

A concerned citizen and the Pryce Gases, Incorporated (PGI) filed the complaint before the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-7.

“Paragraph 9 was highlighted but they did not mention the paragraph 8 which states storage and transportation of LPG and the installation of all pertinent equipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 58,” Cabibil said.

In its investigation report, FOII Ana Joy Parungao of the Regional Internal Affairs Services (RIAS) of the BFP-7 ruled that Petronas did not violate the law.

Although the distance of the complained LPG Bulk Tanks were short of 56.5 meters from its perimeter fence, the same shortage can still be allowed if the tank is designated, fabricated, tested and marked or stamped in accordance with API-ASME Code for Unfired Vessels for petroleum liquids and gases for bulk, stationary and portable containers, read the findings.

Parungao in her report said that based on the ocular investigation/fire safety inspection conducted by S/Insp. Joel Abarquez, it was found out that the construction of the two spherical tanks of Petronas were in accordance with API-ASME standard with water capacity of 2,272,727 liters each and had a distance of 65.5 meters from its property line.

Cabibil said everything in the plant were automatic claiming that the BFP said they complied more than what was required in the safety matters.

“If there will be gas leak the plant will automatically shutdown,” he said, adding deluge sprinkler were installed in the area and two tanks of water reservoir.

PGI filed an appeal before the BFP Central Office citing that the findings of the BFP-7 is “highly erroneous.”

PGI sought for the reversal of the ruling of the BFP-7 and asked for the nullification of the fire safety inspection certificate issued by the fire marshall of the City of Naga.— /GMR (FREEMAN)