Page 96 - GS_Journal_2014

Urdaneta City University

The specific problems determined, No.1. the current status of the establishments
of Urdaneta City with respect to: a) Fire Safety Inspection Certificate as issued by the BFP,
and b) Duration of its status with regards to Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC), c) Fire
Prevention equipment per square meter floor area; No.2.the status of the Fire Safety equipment
and facilities in place in the subject establishments, in the areas of: a) Fire detection and alarm
systems, b) Fire suppression systems, and c) Budget earmarked for fire protection; No. 3. the
significant differences in the existing status Fire Safety equipment and facilities across the type
of establishments with regards to the Fire Safety standards; No.4. the budgetary cost needed
to upgrade the status of the existing fire safety equipment and facilities in each of the subject
establishments, and finally, No.5. the Fixed Assets Ratio of the subject establishments, with
regard to their Fire Safety program.
Its fire detection system is in place but in fault mode. Establishment B has 2 zones
conventional FACP-type alarm system but it is not energized. And Establishment C has a standalone
smoke detector therefore needing an integrated detection, alarm and auto-suppression system.
Fire suppression systems are present. However, the fire detection system audit of Establishment
A indicated that there are some deficits or gaps from the standard. Establishment B has many
gaps and Establishment C although have fewer gaps in most components, it lacks the more
important ones. The ratio of the Fixed Assets to budget earmarked for fire protection was found
to be 0.003841, 0.026790, 0.001600 for Establishments A, B and C respectively.
The Fixed Assets Ratio applied to the fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems
of A, a commercial mall, is approximately 0.003841, while in B, an educational institution is
0.1700 and in C, an industrial firm is 0.001666. All have a FSIC; all also have deficits in terms
of standard fire suppression system and equipment required. The fire detection systems audits
indicate that all have gaps. The Fixed Asset Ratios of the three establishments differ from each
other.
It recommended that the BFP should make an audit and use specialized Fire Prevention
equipment on establishment-specific basis: no establishments are alike therefore Fire and Safety
Equipments should be designed particularly, for each. Stricter policies and procedures in the
processes and issuance of the FSIC is recommended, i.e, Fire and Safety design of equipment
and devices and alarm system needed should be definitive and should be strictly enforced.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the City Engineering Office should strictly require all
constructions of new buildings in the City to comply to Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185),
RA 9514 and RA 9514 IRR, and the supplemental requirements of NFPA for requirements not
covered under the previously mentioned Fire Code .
All establishments should use their individual Fixed Assets Ratio as guide in their
allocation for fire detection, alarm, and suppression system.

83