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Essay, 34 pages (9000 words)

Assessment of fire safety law implementation

ASSESSMENT OF FIRE SAFETY LAWS IMPLEMENTATION IN THE CITY OF LEGAZPI A Thesis Proposal Submitted to the Faculty of the Political Science Department College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Bicol University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science By: Ram Derick S. Balde Nigel Paul D. Arranzado 2011 Chapter 1 The Problem and its Setting

Introduction The horrendous probability of fire starting at any time of the day , any minute and anywhere is recognized by the government that resulted to the issuance of Presidential Decree 1185 otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines by President Ferdinand Marcos and was the fire safety reference for over three decades. Fires of long ago were fierier and fast burning than before with the onset of new construction materials and make of appliances.

Lightweight, plastic The often- based materials are more flammable than wood and concrete. repeated line “ It’s better to be safe than sorry” has become more relevant today than it has since the advancement of technology. Fire safety is the central focus of all and the concern of everyone, young and old, from factory owners and other manufacturing establishments, malls, offices, schools, universities, etc for the health and safety of shoppers, students as well as employees.

The advancement of science and modern technology rendered PD 1185 antiquated and thus to meet today’s and future more pressing fire safety problems , it was amended by Republic Act 9514 entitled ‘ an Act Establishing a Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines, otherwise known as the New Fire Code of 2008. The new code necessitates the installation of Fire Detection Alarm System (FDAS) and Automatic Fire Sprinkler System (AFSS) which makes our fire protection capability at par with those of other countries. Such is the need for fire protection that the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronnie V.

Puno has said that a sustained modernization program for the Bureau of Fire Protection is now guaranteed because the BFP’s 80% share of the projected P1 billion to P1. 5 billion in annual revenues from the fire code fees will be dedicated to modernization. Puno made this assurance as he bared that “ more fire fighting personnel will be hired every year to boost the firefighting manpower of this critical public safety agency. ” Under Republic Act 9514, or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines, the BFP retains 80% of the estimated P1 billion to P1. billion in fire code fees, thereby providing an institutional money pool to fund the BFP’s modernization program. Abroad, the State Fire Marshal’s Office of California keeps statistics for the entire state through the California Fire Incident Reporting System (CFIRS). A review of these statistics for the twenty year period, 1974-1994, showed an improving fire safety picture for the state. According to the National Fire Protection Sprinkler Association June, 1997, newsletter “ The population of the state increased 33. 7% during this time, to 31. million, but total fires dropped 48. 7% and the total number of residential fires dropped 58%. On top of this, the civilian deaths and injuries dropped by 52. 8% and 43. 4% respectively. Obviously, smoke detectors and fire sprinklers have begun to show their real life saving potential in this state. ” Most experts believe, and formal studies confirm, that the primary reasons why the death and injury rate has decreased so dramatically are due to fire prevention inspection programs, widespread use of smoke detectors and the ncreasing installation of sprinkler systems in both commercial and residential buildings. 1 Similarly, advocacy programs on safety and prevention were intensified to keep-in-check fire incidents. Education on fire safety and prevention needs to be consistently prioritized in the Philippines given the large number of fires that occur throughout the country, most of which are due to faulty electrical connections. In 2006 alone, there were some 8, 823 fire incidents in the Philippines, causing 271 deaths, 596 injuries, and about P3. 2 billion worth of property damage. In Bicol, according to the records of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Regional Office 5 Intelligence and Investigation Branch from 2006 to 2008 there were a total of 789 fire incidence with a total resulting fire damages or economic loss of P 433, 385, 329. 60. 3 The growing number of fire incidents is a social vulnerability issue that affects the resilience of the legazpi community communities. Frequently felt, the socially vulnerable are more likely to be adversely affected, specifically, they are less likely to recover and more likely to die.

Effectively addressing fire safeness decreases both human suffering and the economic loss related to providing social services and public assistance after a fire incident which is always considered a disaster. In terms of fire prevention for the CY 2010 there was a total of 29, 551 Establishments inspected, of which 5, 247 are of Business Occupancies, and 416 are of Educational Occupancies. 4 Legazpi City is considered the administrative capital of Bicol and the capital City of the Albay province; it is located at the midsection of the eastern portion of the province of Albay as well as the Bicol region.

It is about 556 kilometers south of Manila. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Sto. Domingo; on the east by the Albay gulf and the municipality of Manito, Albay; on the west of municipality of Daraga, Albay; and on the south by the municipalities of Pilar and Castilla, Sorsogon. Legazpi is likewise, the administrative center of Bicol region. It has a total land area of 20, 420. 40 hectares or 204. 204 square kilometers representing about 8 percent of the total land area of the province of Albay. It is composed of 70 barangays, 41 of which are urban and 29 are rural.

According to the 2007 census, Legazpi city has a population of 179, 481 inhabitants and belongs to the 147 emerging cities in the Philippines with more than 100, 000 residences. Legazpi is the gateway to the Island Province of Masbate and Island Province of Catanduanes to anywhere in Luzon. Highly urbanized, Legazpi needs more intensified fire prevention education to advocate code regulations; since public education is the key to preventing fires in the first place and fire regulations should be in placed to sustain publics support. When a business is put up, its primary goal is to make this successful and fire regulations / code helps.

Benefits of fire regulations is that , fire regulations are made for the purpose to save lives as well as give complete peace of mind to homeowners and business owners that their properties are safe and secured. Every owner wants everything to be in proper order, especially in its daily operation. However, before it operates the owner would want to have enough security. Owners will have their assets insured so they will not have to encounter problems if terrible accidents might come along way. Installing all sorts of fire fighting equipment will help minimize the loopholes when they claim for insurance later on.

When the building is secured and complied with fire regulations, then everything will come easy. Another benefit for complying with these fire regulations is that the processing of building permit for any business would be easier and faster. As what was mentioned earlier, there is already a law that mandates every business owner to comply with fire regulations by installing different fire fighting devices all over the establishment. This is one way of protecting their business as well as their staff from any terrible occurrences. 5 But despite of these advantages, fire safety provisions are not fully complied.

As circumstances would have it, most existing establishments were not corrected before construction and will need major repairs and thus costly, and some repairs are detrimental to the structural soundness of the structure itself, and it may weaken the structure and remediation is resorted to. According to the BFP Records in 2010 there were 2, 335 establishments issued with notice to comply. A proper implementation of ordinances by the LGUs in support of the RA 9514 should be enough to ensure that all applicants of new or renewal of business permits will undergo the process of plan checking and fire inspection, nd deficiencies or violations can be verified at that very same time and suggested corrections can be prescribed on the spot. According to the RA 9514, Rule 9, Division 1. c ‘ fire safety inspections’ shall be conducted as a pre-requisite to grants of permits and or licenses by local government or other government agencies. Nom occupancy permit, business permit to operate shall be issued without securing a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) from the City/ Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction. There are still establishments that are not compliant to the fire code in spite of intensified fire safety programs.

The public needs more reminders and persuasion through a more intensive application of the law, in the locale of the City of Legazpi. Aware of these limitations, the researchers wish to contribute to the awareness of the need for fire safety regulations in the City of Legazpi by identifying existing fire safety ordinances and fire code provisions related for possible adoption of the City of Legazpi. Statement of the Problem This study aims to identify what fire safety laws are being implemented in the city of Legazpi and the felt changes brought by its implementation as experienced by the community.

The RA 9514, New Fire Code of the Philippines as reference to the study will further identify those laws related to the implementation of fire safety. Specifically, the study attempts to answer the following sub-problems: 1. What fire safety laws, adopted locally or otherwise are being implemented in the City of Legazpi? 2. What is the level of participation of schools, malls and hotel administrators of the fire safety laws in terms of awareness and applicability? 3. What are the factors that delay implementation of the local fire safety laws in schools, universities and malls? . What steps should be undertaken by the LGU Legazpi to reinforce these laws? Scope and Delimitation This study focuses on the fire safety laws implementation in the City of Legazpi. The study attempts to identify existing ordinances that addressed fire safety in addition to Republic Act 9514 otherwise known as the New Fire Code of 2008 and the factors that impede the implementation of such laws as preventive solutions, in view of the saving of lives and properties in general. The study is focused on business, educational and residential stablishments; or MALLS, SCHOOLS and HOTELS in the city of Legazpi. Significance of the Study Identifying fire safety laws and existing ordinances and reinforcing it would help in the fire safety awareness-mileage and smooth the progress of its implementation. Fire safety laws are explicit and provide safety guidelines for Owners, Contractors, Engineers and Architects , for it is primarily a complement to structural safety, for total ‘ safeness’ , so the owners, occupants, tenants are able to sleep without fear of fire in the middle of the night.

This study will bring into the open all fire safety laws that needs to be implemented to help sustain Legazpi city’s development forward and beyond. It looks at theories of social vulnerability and protection, and risk management the causes and consequences of fire incidents, and decision-making processes and interventions to reduce risk. This study is of significance to the following: The Legazpi City Government. The result of the study may serve as basis for the creation of new ordinances based on RA 9514 otherwise known as the New Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008.

The findings herein shall serve as eye-opener on the fire safety laws requirements and their implementations and compel more cooperation from the LGU to the Legazpi City Bureau of Fire Protection Office on all fire safety programs for a zero fire incidence. General Public. This study may raise public awareness to the vital importance of the fire safety corrections as determined by the fire inspectors’ , with corresponding grace periods to include the costly installation of the fire engineering features, specifically, fire detection and alarm system (FDAS) ; utomatic fire sprinkler system (AFSS) ; fire extinguishers (F. E) and emergency lights per corridor. Through this study community participation is enjoined to advocate fire safety and prevention practices. Building Owners / Tenants Administrators and School Authorities. The result of the study may serve as review of the existing fire prevention practices and the laws implementing them to remind building owners, tenants/ school administrators to adopt an aggressive attitude towards the correction of deficiencies; infusion in the plans for renovation or new construction as the case maybe.

The study provides avenue for a more pronounced ‘ Community Fire Safety Relation’ aim of the government through the BFP. Legazpi City Fire Headquarters. The study will help bridge the relationship between the Business and Education Sector, harmonizing towards the advocacy of zero fire incidences in the city. Other Researchers. This study will examine the linkages between hazards, vulnerability and disasters, and the factors affecting the governance of disaster risk management, investigate the causal factors and symptoms of vulnerability and acquire skills in carrying out vulnerability analysis.

This study can be used a basis to improve their protective functions and ordinances. NOTES 1 Study_sprinkler_ordinance BFP Official Website. http://www. bfpresponse. gov. ph Intelligence and Investigation Branch (IIB), BFP Regional Office 5, Fire Safety Enforcement Section (FSES) , BFP Regional Office 5 2 3 4 5 Fire Regulations – The Importance of Adhering to the Laws by Brian Ayling http://hubpages. com/hub/understand-FireRegulations CHAPTER 2 Review of Related Literature and Study This chapter includes discussions of reviewed studies, researches and literature which in certain aspects are relevant to the present study.

The lack of available materials on assessment of fire safety laws implementation in the city of Legazpi requires the review of foreign and local, mostly foreign reading materials that infused ideas which aided the researcher synthesized the research. This study also includes the state-of-the-art, and the gap to be bridged by study, the theoretical and conceptual framework, and the conceptual and operational definition of terms are also presented in this study. Related Literature Regulating fire safety on buildings is a perennial problem, dating back to the pre-Marcos era.

Even with the passing of the PD 1185, there was the clamor for more participation and more regulations to address the issue. The move was to mobilize direct impact residents, establishment owners / tenants, as well as school administrators as force-multipliers of fire prevention and hoped that they observe safety practices. A resulting need for reinforcing ordinances to compel the community to support is one sure-fire strategy seen by authorities. SunStar Baguio newspaper – Barangays to help prevent fires Thursday, April 21, 2011 Firefighters are urging barangays to form their own volunteer irefighting teams to augment manpower and immediately respond during fires. Baguio City Fire Marshall Senior Superintendent Richard Villanueva said this is one of the strategies they have to use to market their services to the community. Since villagers are the first group to respond during fires, the Baguio Fire Department has opted to train Barangay volunteer groups to augment and mitigate the current lack of firefighters and equipment in the city. As of this month, Villanueva said they have already conducted trainings among volunteers in T.

Alonzo, New Lucban, Bonifacio and Slaughterhouse. Villanueva added the city currently lacks substations to address fires immediately as only one fire substation in Irisan has been constructed. However, another substation in Aurora Hill will soon be constructed, he said. There are still 18 fire substations needing to be constructed in the city to immediately respond during fire incidents. He added the city only has four working fire trucks, compromising firefighting operations once fires occur simultaneously in three or four different locations.

Villanueva said awareness on fire safety measures and enforcing the fire safety designs in buildings are the key to preventing big fires from happening. Organizing volunteer firefighting teams or fire brigades ensures the immediate suppression of fire in its early stage. The most qualified and effective responders are the residents themselves, with proper and effective training, these residents become “ the first-line-of defense”, to address the fire prior to the arrival of the firefighters.

In addition to the Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigades, the Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigades should be institutionalized in the locale by an ordinance in support of RA 9514, Rule 7. Assistance and support the BFP, Section 7. 0. 1. 2 from local government units. 1 Organizing volunteer firefighting teams or fire brigades ensures the immediate suppression of fire at its early stage. The most qualified and effective responders are the residents themselves. With proper training, these residents become the “ first-line-of–defense to address the fire prior to the arrival of the firefighters.

In addition to the Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigades; Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigades should be institutionalized in the locale by an ordinance in support of RA 9514. Rule 7 entitled Assistance and Support to the BFP, Section 7. 0. 1. 2 from Local Government Units, dictates that Local Government Units and other Government Agencies shall render support on the following duties of the BFP, para b. Organization and Training of Fire Brigades in all Barangays to organize first responders.

The 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center identified a new, challenging frontier in public safety for the International Code Council (ICC), the primary developer of construction industry building safety codes and standards used throughout the United States. “ The hazards we historically evaluated and planned for in building safety and fire prevention codes to save lives and reduce property damage are largely measurable and predictable when applied to natural disasters ranging from tornadoes to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and fires.

But the events of 9/11 revealed the effects of terror attacks on buildings are neither quantifiable nor predictable. They are limited only by the expertise and resources available to those bent on destruction,” said Gary Lewis, who for several years chaired the International Code Council Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism-Resistant Buildings. Among the experts serving on the committee created to address the 9/11 tragedy were code enforcement officials representing building and fire departments, design professionals and fire protection engineers, including Lewis who is the Chief Inspector for Summit, N.

J. , and has been in code enforcement for more than 30 years. The committee finished its work in May 2010. The nation’s building and fire codes historically have been responsive to tragedy. Whether it was the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City or more recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, construction codes have been reevaluated to address the consequences of natural disasters.

The Code Council’s activity heightened when the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal agency, released its Report on the Collapse of the World Trade Center, which contained 30 broad recommendations for the model codes, standards industry, design community and emergency responders. “ ICC evaluated the recommendations related to model codes, and initiated code change proposals designed to mitigate the effects of a terror event in case preventive measures such as governmental intelligence activities or building security somehow failed,” Lewis said. The code change proposals were not all successful, although many were incorporated. Some that were not have since prompted activity in other areas such as structural design to address the concerns. Some of the code change proposals resulted in higher construction costs, but others were so simple they had little or no cost impact, but great potential benefits. ” Changes to the International Codes as a result of 9/11 include: Elevators are required in high-rise buildings more than 120 feet tall so firefighters can get to, and fight fires, without alking up from the ground floor with heavy equipment; An additional stairway for high-rises that are more than 420 feet tall; In lieu of the additional stairway, an option to provide enhanced elevators that can be used by the building occupants for emergency evacuation without waiting for assistance from emergency personnel; A higher standard for fire resistance in high-rise buildings more than 420 feet tall; More robust fire proofing for buildings more than 75 feet tall, which will be less likely to be dislodged by impacts or explosions; Shafts enclosing elevators and exit stairways that have impact resistant walls; Self-luminous exit pathway markings in all exit stairways that provide a lighted pathway when both the primary and secondary lighting fails; and Radio coverage systems within the building to allow emergency personnel to better communicate within the building and with emergency staff outside the building supporting the response. “ What we learned from this process is that building vulnerabilities can be addressed in areas where there is clear benefit,” Lewis said. “ The Code Council has done an admirable job in that regard. Beyond that, building owners, operators and state and local governments will need to be ever vigilant and tailor their preventive strategies based on threat and risk assessment. ” 2 Threats and risks to be properly addressed is to come up with a hazard based contingency plan where preventive strategies are outline with complemented with the identified risks, threats or vulnerabilities. The LGU should ome-up with an ordinance with appropriate penalties or fines to whichever is appropriate to curve or totally prevent and eradicate fire starters in the city. CEBU CITY — The Robinsons Place fire has raised the need to check the fire preventing and firefighting systems of high-rise buildings in this city. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said Monday that he plans to create a task force that will inspect establishments, to ensure these have functional fire alarm system, and sprinklers, among others. Rama instructed city information officer Carlo Duga-duga to arrange a meeting between him and high-rise building owners to discuss fire safety and security. Several shoppers and employees of Robinsons Place were trapped last Sunday when fire broke in one of the boutiques on the second floor of the mall.

Guests of the Cebu Midtown Hotel, located above the mall, were also trapped. Alarm Hotel guests said they did not hear a fire alarm, but Cebu City Fire Marshall Aderson Comar said the temperature during the fire was not high enough to trigger the alarm system. The city firefighters also realized last Sunday that they needed to improve their equipment. A ladder, for example, malfunctioned during the incident. To help government firefighters, Rama said each high-rise building should have a fire brigade. He added this should be a requirement in getting a building permit. He directed City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete to draft a proposed ordinance on the matter. Review.

Poblete said, though, that he needs to review existing ordinances to determine if all that is needed is an amendment, or if there is a need for an entirely new ordinance. Once these questions are addressed, he said, the mayor’s office will ask a city councilor to sponsor a proposed ordinance or an amendment to an existing measure. Rama said the fire brigade should be composed of the building’s personnel. He also directed Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Alvin Santillana to create a fire brigade at City Hall. “ Kay eight storeys ra ba ning atoang building (This building has eight storeys),” Rama noted.

The mayor said he will also ask the Filipino-Chinese community to donate additional fire ladders for their fire brigade volunteers. He will also request the Department of Interior and Local Government to invest in firefighting equipment for the city fire department. He cited the fire department’s ladder that malfunctioned during the blaze at Robinsons Place. Rama said the City Government allotted P20 million this year for additional firefighting equipment and fire trucks. 3 Like any other LGU, Cebu city has not anticipated the incident for if they had, they could have known beforehand the inadequacies of the city in terms of fire protection capability, that of the local BFP and other volunteer fire brigades.

The concerned local officials could have planned side-by-side with the fire officials on how to address the threats of fire, both in terms of equipment, manpower and local ordinance. Under the leadership of the Mayor the LGU is responsible for the general well-being “ safety and peace & order” of the community by not just coordination and reporting but also by financially supporting their local BFP Office. CRANFORD – with the urging of the township Fire Chief, the Township Committee approved in a split vote an ordinance that places limitations on recreational fires. During a Nov. 24 meeting, the majority of the committee members agreed with the ordinance suggested by Fire Chief Leonard Dolan, which empowers the Cranford Fire Department to stop recreational fires that pose a safety hazard.

According to the ordinance, recreational fires are permitted if they are restricted to a three-foot diameter and two-foot height, contained in a chiminea, outdoor fireplace, fire pit or appropriate receptacle that is covered with a screen, and are extinguished by midnight. Such fires must also be kept in a rear yard, at least 15 feet from any structure, and off porches, decks or balconies. The ordinance also prohibits the burning of yard waste, treated or untreated lumber, and garbage in recreational fires, but does allow for kindling to be used. Speaking about the need for such restrictions, during a workshop meeting on Nov. 23, Dolan referenced an incident in which a resident used an outdoor fire to burn construction waste. The Fire Department was summoned to the scene when the blaze became so hot that it melted vinyl siding on the home.

In another incident, an outdoor fire sent smoke into the home of a severely asthmatic neighbor, but without an ordinance to enforce the department had no power to order that the recreational blaze be extinguished. “ This type of circumstance is out there on a recurring basis, and the ordinance is needed,” Dolan told the committee. However, the ordinance drew objections from Commissioner Mark Dugan, who questioned the need for such restrictions. He added that limitations in the ordinance sought to “ regulate common sense. ” Dolan countered that the need to protect residents’ safety, sometimes from seemingly innocuous fire materials, should be carefully outlined to make the ordinance as effective as possible. “ Pressure-treated lumber gives off very oxious fumes, and I don’t think the average homeowner knows that,” Dolan said in explaining the restrictions on materials contained in the ordinance. While the other four commissioners approved of the ordinance, which had been refined during previous meetings, Dugan voted in opposition, calling the restrictions were not sufficiently outlined. “ This ordinance is not sufficiently circumscribed,” he said as he made his objections during the official meeting. The public hearing and second reading of the ordinance is slated to be held at the Dec. 15 meeting. 4 A law or ordinance must be properly understood and applicable for it to be appreciated by the community and facilitate its aim of effectiveness. Common ense is absent, when interests are not in the person on the issue at hand; so acceptance for the ordinance therefore is slow. Local control has long been one of the mantras of state Republicans, but now that they control both houses of the Legislature and the governor’s seat, those calls are remarkably silent. That doesn’t mean the GOP agenda is any different, though. The calls in the past have often been against state-ordered mandates on local government or restrictions on businesses. Now, because they are in control, the agenda is to limit local regulations that would be more prohibitive or restrictive than state laws – an effort to help businesses.

We saw it earlier this year in Senate Bill 107, which would void municipal ordinances that stop landlords from obtaining household income, occupation, court records, rental history and credit records. It would also end ordinances that prevent landlords from showing a property while a current tenant is living there. Now, the GOP is getting set to advance another housing-related bill, but this one has the potential for a much deadlier trade-off: business cost savings vs. student lives. The bill, authored by state Sen. Terry Moulton, R-Chippewa Falls, would prohibit municipalities from enforcing any ordinance that surpasses the state fire code. Our guess is it probably would have little or no impact in Chippewa Falls.

But in Madison, home to thousands of rental units and tens of thousands of students, it would kill a two-year-old city ordinance that came about after the tragic death of 23-year-old man in a two-story Bedford Street apartment house just a block from the Kohl Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. That death, in 2007, sparked a two-year campaign to get a city ordinance that requires tamper-resistant or hard-wired smoke detectors in apartment buildings and homes. It was a sensible response to the death and since the law went into effect there have been – knock on wood – no fire deaths. The Senate bill has the support of two major lobbying organizations – the Wisconsin Builders Association and Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin.

A spokesman for the Builders Association said: “ In a time that we’re trying to look for ways to drive economic development, I think it makes sense to have one strong, solid statewide code that folks throughout the whole state follow, instead of having a patchwork of changes throughout the state. ” For the most part, a uniform state fire code is what we have, but there are communities that have special situations that can, and should, be remedied by tougher local ordinances – even if it costs a builder a buck or two extra. Madison is one such community. Its high student population and routine turnover in apartment buildings and rental houses, with all the wear and tear that brings, can exact a toll on housing – and that includes smoke detectors.

Madison Fire Marshal Ed Ruckriegel is critical of the bill and said: “ Under this proposal our smoke alarm ordinance would go away, when in fact the smoke alarm ordinance has saved lives. ” He said other portions of Madison’s ordinances could also be voided – like one that requires installing strobe lights on outside sprinkler systems so firefighters can locate and pump water into them. “ Its minimal cost, minimal impact on the building and developer, but a huge safety provision,” Ruckriegel said. He argues that some communities, like Madison, have unique needs and should be able to address them in their fire codes. That, of course, is what local control allows municipalities to do. If a community is host to a research park that deals with unique hazards, its fire codes should reflect that.

If a community is the home of giant paper manufacturing and processing plants, we would expect they, too, would have the need for industry specific ordinances. Cookie-cutter laws can be fine for establishing baselines. But communities and their leaders often know their needs best and should have the power and freedom to tailor laws that best protect their cities and towns. 5 Legazpi city has both urban and rural areas, and the fire safety requirements differ. Of course, simply for most businesses and schools are located in the urban side of Legazpi. The situation of both areas uniquely differs from each one, and should be addressed separately.

As commonsense put it, in review of existing ordinances and related special provisions the LGU should immediately come up with an appropriate ordinance. The Legazpi City fire headquarters can assist and identify provisions in the RA 9514 as reference basis for any proposed fire safety ordinance. Related Studies The following studies are related to the present undertaking: Suratos 2001, in his study the Implementation of Letter of Instruction 01/99-Mayon Implan, An Assessment to assess the implementation of the general guidelines set by the LOI 01/99 issued by Albay Police Provincial Office and carried out by the PNP Task Force Mayon 2000 in the recent Mt. Mayon eruptions of 1999-2000.

According to him in order sustain or even enhance the level of preparedness concerned agencies of the country from the National Disaster Coordinating Council down to the Barangay Disaster Unit should continue to strengthen its organization and source out funds to ensure financial readiness in the implementation of disaster preparedness and other contingency plans. 6 For establishment owners, tenants and administrators, to abide with the provisions of the RA 9514, otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines on fire safety, the initial inspection should be thoroughly done. One (1) copy of the After Inspection Report should be received by the owner, tenant or administrator to serve as a notice of violations for them to correct.

This study is related to that of suratos, since both talk about assessment and sustaining and enhancing the preparedness of the city of legazpi for fire-disasters. In the study conducted by Balde 2011, on the vulnerability assessment of urban specific fire hazards in legazpi city to identify fire prone areas and evaluate the risks and vulnerabilities and hazards encountered by the fire responding units during actual firefighting operations and as per the existing fire prone selection standards of the Bureau of Fire Protection, he concluded that the Barangay Councils should work together with the Legazpi City Fire Station to propose measures to the City Mayor and the Sanggunian Panglungsod to prioritize fire mitigating measures to include equipage and he provisions of Telephone / VHF Radio sets for immediate notification of the BFP; installation of fire hydrants; constructions of Barangay roads and training funds and institutionalization of Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigades similar to the Public Safety Officers. The Office of the Legazpi City Mayor through its Sanggunian to pass an ordinance compelling all Barangays to adopt an integrated fire plan to establish fire mitigating measures not limited to: organization of a permanent Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigades, fire truck accessibility roads compliant to the DPWH standard (entrance and interior), construction of fire walls on need basis, installation of fire hydrants, and other physical features as maybe deemed necessary. Similarly the present study call for community participation and the awareness of the local authorities referring to the Mayor and her Sanggunian Panglunsod to consider adaption of more safety provisions of RA 9514 otherwise known as the fire code of the Philippines of 2008, for a fire safe legazpi. In a study conducted by French Fire Protection Engineer Joel Kruppa on Fire Safety Engineering, Current Practice and Foreseen Revolution outlined that alternative designs have been permissive in terms of fire resistance and smoke control. He says that amongst these principles, mainly for the design of fire scenario proposals are considered major needs. Regulatory authorities are waiting for straightforward statement on how to calculate occupant egress and define tenability conditions in order to broaden current regulations. A unified regulation dealing with fire safety matters in buildings and civil engineering works.

Such a regulation would promote consistency between requirements, leading designers to consider appropriate protective means based on risk analysis. 8 The working together of the LGU and the fire authorities to identify appropriate measures to ensure compliance to fire safety regulations of All establishments is a must to achieve a comprehensive strategy to fight fire. Designers / Architects and Engineers will be compelled to abide with safety and construction designs if there is a strict ordinance recommending it. The study of kruppa is highly related as it advocate for a total cooperation of all sectors concerned. Fire Protection in Existing Buildings study of William E. Koffel, FSFPE, oncluded that owners of old existing buildings are reluctant to make improvements, more so the installation of the automatic fire sprinkler system as a fire safety engineering feature as safeguard from fire. Further, he established that most owners did not want regulatory officials involved for typically, existing codes requires “ alterations to” or “ modernization of”. 9 The study of Koffel, illustrates a factor that impedes the effective implementation of fire safety laws, related to the present study which also seeks to identify those same factors to determine appropriate solutions to once and for all solve this problem and push forward the effective implementation of safety laws. Clay P Aler, P. E , Gilman Hall Case Study is about the rehabilitation of Gilman Hall located at Charles Street Campus of John Hopkins University in Baltimore.

He found out that the rehabilitation of Gilman Hall provides supplementary fire protection and life safety features that do not correctly exist in the building, which will include a complete automatic sprinkler system, a standpipe system within the exit stairs, and a new addressable voice evacuation fire alarm system. Egress for Gilman Hall is via two new enclosed exit stairs. The original building included an enclosed courtyard open to the environment. As part of the rehabilitation project, the courtyard will be covered with a skylight supported a state-of-the-art lightweight steel framing system, in effect, creating a four story tall atrium space. A performance-based analysis was used to size the smoke exhaust system for the atrium. In addition, qualitative analysis was used to justify omission of sprinkler protection at the sky light level of the atrium.

The design team worked closely with the Baltimore City Fire Marshal to incorporate the supplementary and life safety features into Gilman Hall while still maintaining its important historic architectural features. 10 The study of Aler on the rehabilitation of existing buildings is related with the study in terms of consultation with the fire authorities by the design teams in order to arrive at a safe design. Consultation could have been prevented if there was an existing ordinance calling for all existing old buildings to be compliant no matter what. The ordinance should strictly enforce a no exemption policy since any building can be a fire starter and he absence of fire engineering protection features can escalate a fire uncontrollably and can spread to its neighboring establishments. Similarly, rule 2 , para b of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the RA 9514 , says that all private or public buildings , faculties or structures and their premises constructed before and after the effectivity hereof, is prescribes the same ‘ no exemption’ ruling. Synthesis of the State-of-the-Art The study is an assessment of the implementation of fire safety laws, which is supposedly supported by both local and foreign related studies. Intensive research disclosed that there is limited local study relating to law implementation assessment. The related study found focused more on law implementation.

Suratos 2001, in his study the Implementation of Letter of Instruction 01/99-Mayon Implan, an Assessment to assess the implementation of the general guidelines set by the LOI 01/99 issued by Albay Police Provincial Office and carried out by the PNP Task Force Mayon 2000 in the recent Mt. Mayon eruptions of 1999-2000. He asserts that there is a need to enhance the preparedness of the city of Legazpi on disasters. The study conducted by Balde 2011, on the vulnerability assessment of urban specific fire hazards in legazpi city to identify fire prone areas and evaluate the risks and vulnerabilities and hazards, concluded that barangay councils should work together with the Legazpi city fire Station to propose measures to the City Mayor through the Sangguniang panglungsod and prioritize fire safety measures to include equipage of the local BFP.

Kruppa’s study outlined that alternative designs have been permissive in terms of fire resistance and smoke control. Such a regulation would promote consistency between requirements, leading designers to consider appropriate protective means based on risk analysis. Koffel, concluded that owners of old existing buildings are reluctant to make improvements, more so the installation of the automatic fire sprinkler system as a fire safety engineering feature as safeguard from fire. He established that most owners did not want regulatory officials involved for typically, existing codes requires “ alterations to” or “ modernization of”. Aler’s study found out that the rehabilitation of Gilman Hall provides supplementary fire protection and ife safety features that do not correctly exist in the building, which will include a complete automatic sprinkler system, a standpipe system within the exit stairs, and a new addressable voice evacuation fire alarm system. The foregoing enumeration of the related studies reviewed, brought to light the need to comply with what is prescribed by law on fire safety. It also stimulates further study on the delay in compliance to the law and its remedial measures in cases of extreme difficulties and performance based measures. The Gap-to-be- Bridge by the Study The problem provides mind’s eye view on fire safety complementing structural safety, useful in application to management procedures, later on. There are gaps in the literatures and studies which this present study attempts to bridge.

While some existing literatures points to urban interface and capabilities there is scarcity of research on law implementation assessment, the importance of existing ordinances for that matter evaluates the degree of the local government units’ preparedness, part and partial of their protective services commitment to its constituents. Being the entity in-charge for the over-all safety, the LGU has both paternal and maternal obligations, not only in terms of Social services of community protection, referring to the Peace and Order and Fire Protection. Relevant laws requires to be adapted as an ordinance to address specific situations, to provide a more thus more direct and practical solution, easily understood by the community.

To address this gap in the literature, this study was conducted to specifically explore the extent of fire safety law implementation in legazpi city, its limitations according to awareness and applicability. The researcher found out that there are no studies yet in the subject of this research particularly in the City of Legazpi. There were similar studies, but they are not even closely related, thus, this study proposes to bridge that gap. Theoretical Framework Fire safety laws, like any other law regulates as to provide order. Implementation assures protection of lives and properties, thus is beneficial for the common good. Assessing the implementation of laws, also evaluates the possible ripple effect introduced by the new changes in the Physical feature of establishments. This study is anchored on 1) Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory which defines field as the “ totality of coexisting facts which are conceived of as a mutually interdependent” individuals may see to behave differently according to the way in which tensions between perceptions of the self and environment were worked through. Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory understood the importance of context and the fact that as any process happens; it is continually informed and changed by the unfolding situation. When new laws are passed it dictates a change in direction and in the traditional ways things are done. This study is also assisted by the (2) theory of Plato which is the main theory of this study, states that the government is the core of the state and is established as an instrument for carrying the will and purpose of the state primarily directed for the common good . The government is the solely esponsible for the delivery of services to include protection services and fire protection among them. It is mandated in them to make certain laws ‘ ordinances’ that will address to the present societal needs and for the betterment of the state. This study is anchored on the theory of (3) Henry Fayol’s that states ‘ an organization as a working unit, a ‘ system’ of relationship for the attainment of its specific objectives; perceive here of Legazpi City community as one organization working together. It is also viewed as a (4) General Systems Theory where the parts are interconnected and continuously interact. A change in the part of the system will affect other parts of the system.

The changes, Physical changes that correct violations will result to unfamiliarity at first but appreciation later-on. The quest for a safe and progressive economy is never ending. (5) Maslow’s hierarchy of needs “ man’s needs cannot simply be terminated. Every achievement is never enough not to endeavor for more. Hence, man faces undulating challenges as he aims for a better life. Progress is coupled by evolving threats – to living things and environment. The theory of (6) Leonard D. White, “ the art of administration is the direction, coordination and control of many persons to achieve some purposes or objectives” is also used in this study referring to LGU cooperation with the BFP that will edound to the benefit of the community itself. Importantly, this study on the assessment of fire safety laws implementation in the city of legazpi is anchored on the (7) theory of Robert J. Hazen and Clarence E. Philips of FBI US, department of Justice which states that “ the degree of success in alleviating human suffering, minimizing property losses and restoring orders will be mutually related to the degree of preparation. Compliance to the fire code prevents the onset of fire disasters, that the concerned Local Government Unit should make and sustain proactive steps to curve non-compliance to the code. Fire Safety Laws Public Community Fire Safety Relations Cooperation

LGU’s Awareness and Support Figure 1. Paradigm of the Theoretical Framework. This shows the relation between the existence of fire safety laws and the Support to the LGU to these laws and its key result of enhanced public cooperation. Conceptual Framework of the Study The conceptual framework of the study is focused on assessment of fire safety laws implementation in the city of legazpi. The conceptual paradigm illustrates the graphical dimension of relationships is shown in Figure 2. The paradigm illustrates the conceptual framework of the study and how assessment can aid in the effective implementation of fire safety laws in the city of Legazpi.

The factors that prevent the implementation of these laws should be identified and all possible solutions should be based on RA 9514. Along with the complied corrections, the periodic inspection of establishments should be sustained. After identification of the existing fire safety laws and its reinforcing ordinance, and the factors that impedes effective implementation, a communication plan is appropriate to inform the Legazpi City Mayor and Council on the importance of the new ordinances to make legazpi a fire-free city. ASSESSMENT OF FIRE SAFETY LAWS IMPLEMENTATION IN THE CITY OF LEGAZPI Factors that Impedes Effective Implementation Fire Safety Ordinances Community Fire Safety Relation Feedback Figure 2. Paradigm of the Conceptual Framework.

The conceptual framework of the study totally revolves around assessment of the fire safety laws implementation in the city of Legazpi. The conceptual paradigm illustrates the graphical dimension of relationships in the purpose of the study and how assessment can aid in the adaption of new fire safety ordinances in the city of Legazpi. Assumptions With the problems raised in the study, the researchers formulated the following assumptions. 1. That fire safety ordinances are existing, passed by the City Government of Legazpi in initiative to address fire hazard and vulnerabilities. 2. That all establishments are aware and compliant to the fire safety prescription of the RA 9514 otherwise known as the new Fire Code of 2008. 3.

That there are proposed solutions and or programs employed by the City Government of Legazpi to address the problems encountered in implementation of fire safety laws. Definition of Terms For further understanding of the key terms used in this study, the prominent terms were conceptually and operationally defined in this study: Assessment. The act of making a judgment about something: the act of assessing something. As used, means the determination of the existence of ordinances and the awareness of the public on the RA 9514. Implementation. To begin to do or use (something, such as a plan): to make (something) active or effective. As used in this study, is the realization of an application, or execution of the fire safety law. Fire Safety Measures.

Refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire that may result in death, injury, or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of a fire in the event one occurs, better enable those threatened by a fire to survive, or to reduce the damage caused by a fire. Fire Safety Law. A statutory instrument which places the ‘ onus’ (blame/burden) on individuals to carry out risk assessments to identify, manage and reduce the risk of fire. As used in this study, refers to the Fire Code where it prescribed fro citizens to ensure fire safeness of their respective domains as well as workplaces. LGU. Local Government Unit. Refers here to Legazpi City. Ordinance. A law or regulation made by a city or town government. As referred to herein refers to the initiatives of legazpi city to come up with a law to address fire hazards. Fire Prevention.

Refers to the practices used to keep the combination of heat, fuel and oxidizer from continuing to threaten life or property. It is an active, assertive process of creating conditions that promotes the well-being of people against fire. As used in this study, it refers to the fire safety and fire reaction education trainings served by the Fire Safety Educators to the community through the regular Barangay Ugnayan. Community Fire Safety Relations. The active involvement of people from communities preparing for, or reacting to, disasters. As used herein, it pertains to the initiative of the Barangay or the appreciation of the community to the fire safety and prevention efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Risk. (deaths, The probability of harmful consequences, or expected losses property, livelihoods, economic activity disrupted or injuries, environment damaged) resulting from interactions between natural or humaninduced hazards and vulnerable conditions. Conventionally risk is expressed by the notation Risk = Hazards x Vulnerability. Some disciplines also include the concept And as used in the study refers to the exposure to a chance of an occurrence of fire. NOTES 1 JM Agreda, Barangays to help prevent fires. Sun Star Baguio newspaper 21, 2011 Issue. http://www. sunstar. com. ph/baguio/local- April news/2011/04/21/barangays-help 2 Building Safety

Codes Changed as a Result of 9/11. – http://www. fireengineering. com//content/fe/en/articles/2011/08/9-11-code changes. html 3 City mulls creation of building fire brigades, Published in the Sun. Star Cebu newspaper on April 19, 2011. 4 Cranford poised to approve ordinance on recreational fires. Published: Friday, December 04, 2009, 5: 00 PM By Leslie Murray / Cranford Chronicle. http://blog. nj. com/cranford_impact/print. html? entry=/2009/12/cranford 5 Fire laws should stay locally controlled. Copyright 2011 JournalTimes. com. All rights reserved. Posted in Editorial on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 7: 07 pm Updated: 7: 08 pm. http://www. journaltimes. om/news/opinion/editorial/article. 6 Benjamin S Suratos 2001, The Implementation of Letter of Instruction 01/99 Mayon Implan: An Assessment. Unpublished thesis Bicol University 2001. 7 Aramis Balde 2011, Vulnerability Assessment of urban Specific Fire Hazards in the City of Legazpi. Unpublished thesis Bicol University 2011. 8 Joel Kruppa, FSPE Current Practice and Foreseen Evolution, A Case Analysis on French Regulations. www. FPEmag. com 9 William E. Koffel, P. E. , FSFPE Fire protection In Existing Buildings: A Case on Rehabilitation Codes and Performance Based Design. Study www. FPEmag. com 10 Clay P Aler, P. E , Gilman Hall Case Study, www. FPEmag. com

CHAPTER 3 Research Methodology This chapter presents the research design of the study, the research instruments and the data gathering procedures and the statistical treatment used in this study. Research Method The descriptive method is used in this research. The survey technique is utilized using a questionnaire as the main instrument. Frequency count, percentage and weighted mean are the statistical tool used in this study. The frequency will measure the factors that affect implementation and the common fire safety violations. Moreover, the records of the fire safety enforcement section of the BFP Regional Office were also consulted to be able to present a more descriptive assessment on the extent of the fire safety law implementation.

Sources of Data The main source of data gathered for analysis and interpretation to answer the research problems stated at the beginning of this study are the existing ordinances on record of Sanggunian Panglunsod , and the records at the BFP Regional Office 5 on the number and type of establishments that are code compliant. Procedure of Investigation Before the study was conducted, an approval to perform the study was obtained. Informed consent will also be requested from all the Malls , Schools and Hotels in the city. A letter of permission to conduct the study was prepared by the researcher, and endorsed by the Dean of the College of Science and Philosophy, before distribution of questionnaires. Data Gathering Instrument A questionnaire was developed by the researchers to gather data on the factors that prevent effective implementation of the code provisions.

The respondents will simply check the box corresponding to their perceived cause / reason why a certain law or ordinance was / is not effectively implemented. Statistical Treatment For interpretation of the data, the following is used: 1. Percentage to describe the data; F _____ x 100 N P= Where: P= percentage; F= frequency ; N= total number of cases ; 100= constant Survey Questionnaire Part I. Respondents Profile Name (optional)_________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________ __ 1. Age ______________ 2. Sex_______________ 3. Educational Attainment : _______________________________ 4. Position / Occupation: ______________________________________ 5.

Name of Establishment / School : _____________________________ 1 2 adequate / satisfactory 3 to a great extent / excellent Part II. Awareness to Fire Safety 1. Have you attended lecture / orientation on RA 9514, otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008? 2. Have you recently complied to any fire safety recommendations? 3. Have you been inspected lately? 4. Were you issued with a notice to comply? Not at all / Poor 5. Were you issued with notice to correct Violation? 6. Were you issued with an Order to Pay Fine? 7. Were you issued with notice to abate hazard? 8. Were you issued with a notice of stoppage of operation? 9. Have you met the required number of fire extinguishers per floor? 10.

Have you complied with the required number of fire exits per floor? 11. Have you met the number of emergency lights? 12. Have you complied with the required signage? 13. Is there an organized In-house fire Brigade? 14. Are exit plans posted on walls per floor? 15. Have you conducted fire / evacuation drills? Part III. Applicability / Effectiveness 1. How well does the provisions in the RA 9514 meet the safety needs of the Mall/School? 2. How well does these safety provisions meet your expectation as a safety officer/ Administrator ? 3. To what extent were the provisions outlined in the RA 9514 met, in application? 4. What is your overall assessment of the new Fire Code of the Philippines or RA 9514? 5.

How well did the scope of the code match what was defined in your safety plan? 6. How satisfied are you with your involvement in the implementation and/ or application of the safety provisions? 7. Was the mall/school safety plan flexible enough to manage changes according to the fire code? 8. Was the prescribed 15 days period compliance to any violation of the fire code adequate ? 9. As the fire code challenged safety cost, were Your estimate effectively revised and the current Future tasks re-scheduled? 10. How effective was the revisions in the safety plan applied during execution? 11. How effective were safety reviews or audits if conducted? 12. Were special sessions for safety audits, necessary? 13.

How related safety audits from the BFP Is to the overall safety of the establishment? 14. How helpful are fire safety training programs for In-house fire brigade in bringing about development and efficiency? 15. According to your safety plan, during drills and audits, is twice a year favorable for such training programs? Comments : ____________________________________________________________ ____ ____________________________________________________________ ____ ____________________________________________________________ ____ ____________________________________________________________ ____ ____________________________________________________________ ____

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