Case Analysis for the Lapses in the Issuance of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate

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R.A. 6975 created of Bureau of Fire Protection with its primary mission to ensure public safety through prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires with the active support of the community. There are also non-governmental organizations composing of private individual and private companies that are also equipped with firefighting facilities and equipment readily of service whenever there are outbreaks of fire helping the Bureau of Fire Protection firefighters.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (KawanihanngPagtatanggolsaSunog) is an Agency of the Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) responsible for implementing national policies related to Firefighting and Protection as well as implementation of the Philippine Fire Code (PD 1185), which was repealed and replaced by the new Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514) formerly known as the Integrated National Police – Fire Service, the BFP is in-charge of the Administration and Management of the Municipal and City fire and Emergency services all over the country.

Fire safety management is a legal responsibility on having control over premises and to take reasonable measures to prevent the occurrence of a fire and to protect the lives and safety of personnel in the event of a fire. The personnel has to be aware of the significance of the responsibilities and of the appropriate action to take in the event of fire. Every site must have a nominated person, a head of fire safety, in charge of fire safety including fire protection systems. The Site Manager has the ultimate responsibility for establishing and maintaining fire safety for the site and provides

continuing support for the person in charge of fire safety. Supervisors must brief employees on the specific hazards of their work area, on fire safety, rescue and evacuation plans, and fire extinguishers locations. Fire teams are taking care of initial firefighting until fire brigade arrives at the site.

Fire safety inspections Fire safety is a vitally important area of concern for Corporate Management. Therefore the Company has a comprehensive fire safety inspection program, which consists of Corporation level inspections as well as locally conducted inspections. The sites are responsible to invite fire safety authorities to conduct inspections. Careful planning, implementation and maintenance are all essential parts of a successful fire safety program.

In Accordance to the Fire code of the Philippines RA 9514 sec. 5(g), the BFP shall designate a fire safety inspector through his/her duly authorized representative, who shall conduct inspection of every building or structure within his area of responsibility at least once a year and every time the Owner, Administrator or Occupant shall renew his/her Business Permit to operate:

“No Occupancy permit or Business permit to operate shall be issued without securing a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the Chief BFP, or his/her duly authorized representative”

Consequently, the owner, administrator or the occupant of a building or structure shall agree to follow the requirements enlisted in the Fire code of the Philippines RA 9514 Sec.7 such as Inspections, Safety Measures, Fire Safety, Constructions and Protective and/or Warning Systems.

Considering that an FSIC is one of the responsibilities of being a business owner, an occupant or an administrator, they are still not highly motivated to accomplish all the requirements from the BFP due to its overall cost. However the BFP duly authorized

representative will still be the one that will fix that situation and do different kinds of approach to encourage the owner to comply to the requirements as soon as possible.

Therefore, the Lapses in the issuance of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate is an issue that needs to be resolve. As a matter of fact there are these dilemmas encountering by the BFP annually;

-Compliance of the requirements of the building owner

- Lack of Trained personnel to conduct building inspections

- Number of inspections conducted annually

IV. Literature Review

All the related literature and studies have been for the development of the study. They serve as a guide and good sample for the researcher and having a better understanding in what the study is all about. This related literature and studies were beneficial because the researcher believed that through the computerization, people involved in doing the certain task would minimize their work, problems encountered in manual operational can be dominated and a good quality of service can be.

Fire safety is very important in the field of fire fighting and fire prevention. The purpose of fire safety is to eliminate injuries. There are many different forms of safety. There are also safety programs for firefighters. The main goals of the safety program consist of preventing damage or loss of equipment, preventing human suffering, casualties, injuries, and exposures to hazardous atmospheres and transmittable diseases. Safety needs to be respected by everyone who works together or else something can go wrong. Firefighters have many health considerations. For instance, they must stay informed about job-related health issues. They must also use precautions to avoid exposure to AIDS. Other considerations even consist of properly cleaning and storing tools and equipment. Firefighters also have to keep up with physical fitness also. All of these things help to maintain a good safety record. The different types of safety consist of being on the apparatus, safety in the fire station, personal safety, tool and equipment safety, safety in training, and emergency scene safety. Riding the apparatus is the most common danger to a firefighter. Firefighters are not to dress while the apparatus is in motion. Firefighters must also have fastened seat belts while in motion. If sirens exceed 90 decibels, firefighters must also have ear protection. This is all to ensure safety to the firefighter and his company. Firefighters should also always use handrails when getting on and off the apparatus. This reduces the chance of slipping or falling from the engine or ladder. Safety in the fire station is as equally important. Hazards in the fire station are not only dangerous to firefighters, but to visitors too. Firefighters are constantly making sure that the firehouse is safe.

The most crucial aspect of a building's safety in the face of fire is the possibility of safe escape. An important precondition is that its fire safety facilities enable independent and adequate fire response performances by the building's