Dept: Only qualified fire consultants can do the job

SHAH ALAM: Plans are underway to create a “fire consultant” registry to ensure better fire safety features of future buildings in the country.

Fire and Rescue Services Department directorgeneral Datuk Wira Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said it was high time that only registered fire consultants are allowed to submit fire safety building plans for approval.

“The department is in the process of listing all fire consultants under a single database. We can then identify those who are competent and those that require improvement in their performance,” he said after launching the Fire Safety In Buildings seminar here yesterday.

He said the practice has been adopted in several countries such as Singapore, where fire consultants are strictly vetted and this was crucial as building plans are usually submitted by civil, chemical, mechanical and electrical engineers.

On a separate matter, Wan Mohd Nor said the department was anticipating a 10% rise in the number of fires during Ramadan and the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season.

“This is because of the likelihood of more kitchen fires coupled with the expected dry spell and lowere rainfall up to September,” he said.

Besides the increase in fires, he said the department will also be on standby for an increase in rescue operations due to higher traffic during the coming balik kampung rush and festive season.