Structure fire statistics a concern: Fire and Rescue chief

KUCHING: Malaysia has one of the most complete and advanced building regulations in the world, and yet its annual structure fire statistics are something to be concerned about, said Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wira Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.
He cited carelessness, absence of good maintenance of fire protection systems in buildings and poor understanding of fire regulations and of fire management for the statistics.
In his speech opening the Fire Safety Engineering Approach for Modern City Design Seminar 2016 here today, Wan Mohd Nor did not mention statistics on the structure fires and said later that he could not provide the figures offhand.
Some 400 professionals associated with high-rise building management and the construction industry from the state are attending the one-day seminar.
Wan Mohd Nor said the seminar helped participants to have greater awareness of fire prevention and fighting methods, particularly in high-rise buildings, as well as keep abreast of developments in fire safety aspects.
Speaking to reporters later, he said the department would continuously check on fire safety and fire-fighting systems in all buildings in towns and cities.
"While there is the common compliance, we feel the maintenance of equipment can still be upgraded, especially in factories where fire outbreaks can be disastrous in many aspects," he said.
He also said that the department had seven helicopters for use in fighting fires and rescue missions in the country.
"Two are stationed in Miri to cover operations in the state and Sabah. We are in the process of acquiring two more to just cover Sabah alone. Then we will shift the operating base for Sarawak from Miri to Kuching," he said.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Hisham Mohamad said his department had discussed with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry efforts to better fight longhouse or village fires in the interior.
"When the ministry is building roads and bringing piped water into rural areas, we have requested for suitable fire hydrants to be made available in the vicinity of such settlements as well.
"When these are done, the next step is for us to organise and train more volunteer fire-fighters," he said. — Bernama