IPOH: A massive operation to check the 400,000 fire hydrants in the country must be carried out to ensure their functionality especially during emergencies, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister said he had instructed the Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohamamad to look into the matter urgently.
He said this exercise is important, especially during emergencies, to avoid instances in which the hydrants were not working or functioning properly.
Nga said there were a total of 351,000 hydrants belonging to the government, and 65,000 which came under the private sector.
“We have enough fire hydrants. In Perak alone, there are 45,000 hydrants. But it is important to carry out checks often to see if the hydrants are indeed working properly,” he told reporters yesterday after visiting the Pasir Puteh wet market near here that was razed in a fire.
Nga said there are scheduled checks being carried out by the 337 fire stations nationwide.
“But from now, efforts must be intensified to make sure that the pressure from the hydrants is adequate.
“I have asked the director- general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohamamad to look into the matter and to carry out the operation,” he said.
Nga also urged everyone to be on the alert about the risk of fires especially with the hot weather these days.
He also suggested that owners of old buildings, especially those that were at least 50 years old, to take measures to ensure that the wiring system is checked regularly.
“Humans need to carry out medical check-up; aged buildings need regular checks as well. After 30 years, the wiring system has a risk of catching fire,” he added.
On the blaze in Pasir Puteh here, he said about 90% of the structure of the 67-year-old market was damaged during a fire at midnight yesterday.
