LAND LORDS MUST GET PRE-FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT BEFORE CONSTRUCTION-GNFS
Property owners have been reminded that it is illegal for them to construct their respective buildings and structures without a pre-fire risk assessment by the Ghana National Fire Service.
The
Obuasi Municipal Fire Commander, Divisional Officer Three Ben Carlis-Paitoo,
who gave the reminder, explained that the Fire Precaution Premises Regulation
2003 mandates the Fire Service to undertake a pre-fire risk assessment of
buildings and structures and design, in quantitative terms a fire engineering
drawing, which stipulates the type, number, location and installation of firefighting
equipment.
He was addressing journalists at a press soirée at Obuasi. D. O. Carlis-Paitoo
noted that the later part of 2015 to date has witnessed and continue to
experience fires which have caused profound damage to communities across the
country.
These events, he said serve as a reminder that fires, whether
commercial, industrial, domestic, vehicular among others are often
unpredictable, which is why it is essential for people to indulge in proper
fire prevention and preparedness.
This then brings to the fore the requirement
and adherence to the law which empowers officials from any fire department in
the country to inspect various premises for onward technical recommendations.
D.
O. Carlis-Paitoo said when fire breaks out, the onus is to prevent the fire
from spreading to other properties.
He noted however that if occupiers possess
the requisite fire prevention equipment, which are extinguishers, smoke alarms
including well established and designed escape exists, it is highly believed
that the impact could be reduced to the barest minimum, when all these measures
are put in place.
The Obuasi Fire Commander said another area that cannot be
glossed over is training and development in fire protection for industries and
other related commercial activities.
D. O. Carlis-Paitoo said more often,
occupants and security personnel do not have firsthand knowledge and skills in
the use of firefighting equipment.
He therefore emphasized the need for
capacity building of especially employees of organizations in the handling of
sporadic fires and corresponding emergency cases.
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