ABELLANOSA: ADD MORE FIRE SAFETY MEASURES

Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa sponsors bill requiring all highrises to provide smoke hoods in case of fire

Due to the recent fires that gutted high-rise structures in the country, a Cebuano legislator has sponsored a bill that requires building owners to install additional fire safety equipment.

Cebu City South District Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa sponsored House Bill 7121 or An Act Mandating the Provision of Smoke Hoods for Emergency Use in All High-Rise Building Structures.

In his explanatory note, Abellanosa said the death of 37 people during a fire in a mall in Davao City remains fresh and most of them died due to suffocation, smoke inhalation and exposure to toxic fumes.

In Cebu City, a huge fire also hit several floors of the Metro Ayala Department Store and Supermarket last month.

“As it is the duty of the State to protect its people’s lives, we must do everything in our powers to ensure that their safety is of utmost importance and that all possible measures are taken to guarantee such. This bill seeks to compel all building owners to make available emergency escape hoods to be placed in visible and accessible areas in the building, especially along escape routes to give those inside buildings enough time and breathable air to enable them to get out of the building in case of fire,” Abellanosa said.

Abellanosa said the bill is also in response to the worries of Mayor Tomas Osmeña on the

As it is the duty of the State to protect its people’s lives, we must do ever ything in our powers to ensure that their safety is of utmost importance and that all possible measures are taken to guarantee such.

RODRIGO ABELLANOSA Cebu South District Representative

fires in high-rise buildings.

Under the Section 2 of the bill, emergency escape hoods refer to a protective device covering the head and neck equipped with an air filter that allows the user to breath without inhaling toxin fumes.

All buildings, regardless of occupancy classification should have emergency escape hoods in a conspicuous area.

The required number will be determined based on the buildings projected number of people it can accommodate.

The compliance of the installation of the fire safety equipment will be a requisite in issuance of an occupancy permit.

At present, the Bill already passed the first reading and was referred it to the committee on public order and safety./