The Tagbilaran City Fire Station has given a notice to A.H. Shoppers Mart, Inc. to comply with Fire Code requirements after officials discovered a lack of proper fire exit and safety equipment in the establishment last year.

According to Tagbilaran City fire marshal Chief Inspector Raul Bustalino, the notice was issued on October 15, 2016, but none of the fire department’s recommendations have been implemented.

Authorities noted the absence of an automatic sprinkler in the establishment which is on top of the number of violations of Shoppers Mart.

The building also lacks fire extinguishers and a proper fire exit, while some of its emergency lights are defective, Bustalino said.

Shoppers Mart was initially given 15 days to comply with the fire department’s recommendations and six months for construction to meet safety standards, but eight months have passed and the establishment still has not implemented the Fire Code requirements, he added.

As a result of the noncompliance, the fire department is set to conduct another inspection of the shopping center and officials of Shoppers Mart will be given another 15 days to act on the authorities’ recommendations.

According to Bustalino, authorities will be obliged to file a recommendation at the provincial office of the Bureau of Fire Protection which would deem the establishment a nuisance as it poses danger to its employees and customers.

The establishment could be shut down should officials of Shoppers Mart remain unresponsive after the report reaches the Fire Bureau’s central office.

Bustalino had previously expressed concern regarding the establishment’s continued operation despite not having renewed its business permit because of its noncompliance of the Fire Code. (with reports from Allen Doydora)