Public Statement of IECEP Inc. on the Manila Central Post Office Fire Incident
IECEP is one with the City of Manila and the whole of the nation in lamenting the damages, reported by authorities at an estimated PhP 300 million worth of assets, brought about by the fire incident at the Manila Central Post Office.
Relative to this, the Institute highlights the critical necessity of ensuring that buildings, moreso important cultural properties, and those declared with historical significance, are equipped with Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS) which may be designed and implemented to provide for integrated notifications, including visual feedback, audible tones and networked alerts to responding authorities, among other features.
Having a functioning FDAS, aside from being compliant with prevailing standards and reference issuances, such as the Philippine Electronics Code, the Fire Code of the Philippines along with its RIRR, and the National Building Code along with its RIRR, contributes to the overall response framework aimed at preserving lives and properties.
IECEP, as the accredited integrated professional organization of Electronics Professionals, including those of whom practicing within the fields of specialization of Building Electronics and Auxiliary Systems, encourages all concerned, building owners, property managers, and facilities administrators to abide by the provisions of the existing codes related to FDAS to promote fire safety.
FDAS remains to be within the scope of electronics engineering practice. It is but one of the myriad of available electronics technologies implemented for the preservation of assets, and the system is expected to be working when the need for an actual alarm means life or death.
In line with this, IECEP finds the subject incident as a reminder that routine maintenance activities based on the approved electronics permits issued by the respective City / Municipality Building Official, duly signed and sealed by Professional Electronics Engineers (PECE), be regularly undertaken.
In closing, while the state of FDAS in the ablazen structure cannot be ascertained at this point, IECEP salutes the front liners of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) along with all the firefighters for their rapid response to the incident.
For concerns/reactions to this statement, please email IECEP Corporate Relations via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .