WE ARE
NOT SAFE (?)
IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE
The annual fire drill conducted by First Oceanic property management is just for a show to give the residents and unit owners the impression that our building is safe. The sad reality is, our Condominium operates without the necessary safety permits from the local city government.
The fire safety inspection certificate that the admin has since it operates does not include the four residential towers of our condominium. The only building inspected and paid for inspection by Oceanic is their 5sqm admin office.
The fire exits of the four towers do not conform to the safety standards set by the Bureau of Fire and Protection. Several violations are very obvious.
In case of earthquake, fire usually follows. The fire exits offer little protection to unit owners and tenants.
Through a written request to Quezon City Government, an inspection was done headed by Engr Guaio and SF01 Redentor Rivera last April 2011. The inspection has confirmed that our condominium has not passed the safety standards set by the Office of the Building Officials and the Bureau of Fire and Protection.
Remember the Manor Hotel and Ozone disco tragedies where hundreds of people died due to fire. Both establishments did not follow the safety standards set by the Bureau of Fire. It is not far that the same thing could happen to the us if Empire East Land Holdings, the board members and officers, and First Oceanic remain insensitive to the needs and safety of the residents.
I was present during the inspection and below are the safety violations that I can recall:
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
Door of Main stair at ground floor not swing in the direction of exit travel at tower 4 in violation of rule 3 division 4 sec 3 402 para B (2) of the pd 1185
Fire exit doors not provided with panic hardware latch in violation of rule 3 division 4 section 3.402 para F of the PD 1185
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
Door of garbage chute not provided with self closing device, in violation of Rule 3 Division 6 sec 3.603 para A of the PD 1185
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
No illuminated exit signs in violation of rule 3 div 10 sec 3.1004 para B (5) (b) of the PD 1185
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
The elevators of the four towers do not have the necessary inspection certificate from the office of the building officials. No wonder a lot of residents have been trapped inside the elevators.
Fire exits and stairwells are not pressurized, exit doors have gaps at the bottom where smoke can easily pass through.
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
A lot of sprinklers are not properly installed and are almost buried in the ceiling.
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
There could be more violations and the pictures below can clearly speak for that undeniable fact.
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
Broken fire exit door/window
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
Empire East Land Holdings Inc
I would like to quote the declaration in the fire Safety Inspection Certificate issued by the Bureau of fire:
“Violation of Fire Code provisions shall IPSO FACTO immediately cause this certification to become null and void, and shall hold the owner of the building liable to the penalties provided for by the said Fire Code 2008 (RA-9514)”
I was present during the inspection and I have been asking for a copy of the results since then but first Oceanic property management, the board and Empire East property continue to decline my request.
The president of the Association, oceanic's vp for operations and their lawyer meet with me and promise to do the necessary corrections to make our community safe. They said they need time and budget. In my opinion, our safety should be a major concern and should not be taken for granted. It should be at the top of their priority. Empire East, the board, and First Oceanic should work together and show us specific measures and specific deadlines on how they will address the problem for our peace of mind. Sana ma konsensya sila at wag parang pulitiko na puro pangako.
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