DILG focuses on malls' compliance to fire, safety standards

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered on Monday the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to step up the inspection of all shopping malls in Metro Manila starting this week to ensure their strict compliance with fire safety regulations and standards. In a statement, DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Marius Corpus said the re-inspection will start in Metro Manila, where most big shopping malls are located. “We are stepping up our inspections of these commercial establishments as part of our Fire Prevention Month preparations in March," Corpus said. “We will focus on malls because these are very highly populated areas but the BFP is also conducting its annual inspections of boarding houses, dormitories and other commercial structures to help ensure public safety," he added. Corpus said that he has ordered BFP Director Chief Supt. Enrique Linsangan to give special attention to the food courts inside shopping malls, where most liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks, which are potential sources of fire-related accidents, are located. Besides the inspection of LPG and diesel tanks, the BFP will also inspect the electrical wirings of mall structures and any possible obstructions to all points of exits, Corpus said. He added that the BFP will also find out if all fire exits, fire alarms, smoke detectors and other fire safety equipment and facilities are fully functioning inside malls. Corpus said that mall operators and owners of shopping stalls inside these commercial establishments should fully comply with all fire safety regulations and standards and guarantee their access to adequate water supply. Violators, Corpus said, will either be given warnings and ordered to correct their non-compliance or slapped with criminal charges arising from violations of Presidential Decree 1185 or the Fire Code of the Philippines if they are found to be delinquent in complying with fire safety provisions. - GMANews.TV