Saturday July 25, 2009
High-rise high priority
By JOLEEN LUNJEW
Ensuring the safety of residents in high-rise properties is not easy but it is a grave responsibility that requires the cooperation of both the property managers and residents.
Teo Swee Ann, senior manager of Burgess Rawson, the company hired by MK Land to manage seven of their high-rise properties, says it requires a combination of good facilities and management to ensure that fire safety measures are in place.
“After the safety plans are approved, and the keys are given to the residents, our company is hired to manage the common areas of the properties to ensure all safety equipment is maintained and everything operates smoothly.
Teo Swee Ann says these doors are built to withstand heat. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star “We oversee the entire property from the control room where the fire, pump, PA and security systems are located. Our system is directly linked to the nearest fire department, so response time is minimised,” says Teo.
Safety and building plans are approved by the local authorities in accordance with the regulations.
Only commercial buildings that comply with certain requirements are required to have Fire Certificates. These properties are required by law to conduct fire drills at least once a year for the certificate to be renewed. High-rise residential properties are not required by law to conduct fire drills but MK Land has made some initiatives to do so.
“We’ve conducted fire drills before in several MK Land properties but residents just don’t care. They don’t see the importance in cooperating and remain in their respective units. Many even curse us for disrupting their day,” reveals Teo.
One of the main problems faced by management is vandalism of fire safety equipment.
“If the fire alarm is sounded twice within five minutes, all the lifts descend to the ground floor as it is dangerous to use the lift during fires. We also have cases of people stealing fire extinguishers and fire hose nozzles, especially in low-cost residential properties. That is why we have security guards who patrol the property. I think education is the most important solution,” says Teo.
Some of the properties are fitted with piped-in gas, and residents need to strictly follow the gas appliance compatibility to natural gas.
“When not in use, close gas safety valves. All gas maintenance must be carried out by qualified and approved gas contractors,” says Teo.
Piped-in gas is generally provided by Gas Malaysia Sdn Bhd with safety measures being implemented from the planning stage. Gas Malaysia or any other NG or LPG provider is required to adhere strictly to the Gas Supply Act 1993 and Gas Supply Regulation 1997, which is regulated by the Energy Commission.
At Metropolitan Square Condominium in Damansara Perdana, every floor is fitted with a fire escape plan, two fire hoses and four fire extinguishers.
“We have two types of fire extinguishers in two areas on each floor. The ABC Dry-Powder extinguisher is used to combat most common fires such as the ones caused by oil, wood and other combustible materials. The Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguisher is used for blue fires from electrical sources or tyres,” says Suresh Kumar, Metropolitan Square Condominium building manager.
Each fire extinguisher is serviced regularly and is fitted with a certificate of approval from the fire department.
The management has also spent quite a lot of money on fire doors.
“Our doors are quality doors built to withstand heat for two hours. The doors cost RM1,800 a piece. We’ve recently changed the locks on our fire doors to make it lock from one side only. This is to prevent thefts and outsiders from entering the building.
“The fire escape route is only meant for one thing: to escape a fire. If you enter a fire escape route from any floor, the only way out is to go all the way down to the ground floor. There are emergency phones on every level within the escape route so that you can call our control room,” explains Teo.
But no matter how equipped properties are with safety measures, every resident must help to ensure that the facilities are not vandalised or misused.
So if you see your son or a neighbour’s kid playing with the fire extinguisher, educate them because you might be saving a life, maybe your own.
Occupants’ opinions
Hasnina Hafiz, 36,
Area director of marketing communications
I’m in the hospitality industry, and it is imperative that employees understand and are trained in fire safety. We conducted a fire drill right after we started operations. I’ve participated in many drills in past companies as well.
To my knowledge, my condo has not had a fire drill. I know where the hose reels and emergency “break glass” buttons are but have never seen any fire extinguishers. There’s a fire escape map on every floor at the lifts, though.
I know for a fact that they test the alarms regularly and have recently put very strict rules on street parking to allow space for heavy vehicles like fire engines to move into the condo area.
There’s always room for improvement. For a condo with medium to high density, it would be difficult to have a drill all at one go or to coordinate one where everyone is involved. They could, perhaps, have a scheduled drill block by block to allow easy coordination.
Nevertheless, it is important that residents be aware of the route or measures to take should a situation arise. We should be updated when there is an inspection of fire prevention equipment for our peace of mind.
Patrick Saw, 35
Business manager
I’ve taken part in fire drills before but not in my condo. It’s been five months since I moved in but I haven’t heard anything about any fire drills here. They don’t have fire extinguishers here either, only a fire hose. I suppose that is not right? I have, however, studied the fire escape plan, which instructs us to use the stairs.
I don’t think my condo management is doing enough to prevent fires as there are no fire drill exercises, no safety briefings and no details or appointments of residential marshals.
In case of a fire, I know enough to use wet towels to cover any gaps beneath the door and lay low on the floor as the air is better closer towards the ground. I have an 80m rock climbing rope with a harness and am trained to handle carabiners. I will know how to strap myself up to abseil down if need be.
Madeline Tan, 24
Account manager
I used to take part in regular fire drills in primary school when the neighbouring fire department held one every year. I’ve been staying at my condo for 11 years now and there has not been a single fire drill.
There are, however, some notices posted by the condo management in the lifts informing residents of what to do in case of an emergency.
I don’t think I would be prepared in the event of a fire as I will panic for sure. I guess I would have to run to a wide, open space like how I was taught in school. I am, however, aware of the location of the fire extinguisher, which is just outside my main door, and the fire escape route, which is next to my unit.
Fire drill exercises are a hassle but if done at least once a year, people would be calmer and more aware of what to do in case of emergencies.
Richard Augustin, 34
Managing editor
My condo has not had any fire drills since I moved in two years ago but I’ve taken part in other fire drills by various organisations. I don’t know how many fire extinguishers there are in my condo but I do know their locations on my floor at least. They’ve done a good job putting that in.
I was a boy scout before, so I think I should be prepared in the event of a fire. It helps that the fire escape route is accessible and maintained well enough. I’ve seen the plans.
So far I have had no complaints about my condo management, but seriously, in this country, no one really acts on anything until something happens.
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