Johor highlights fire safety compliance

The Star

3 days ago

Mohd Jafni (centre) launching the fire safety seminar in Johor Baru. He is flanked by Ahmad Izram and Johor Fire and Rescue Department director Siti Rohani Nadir. — Courtesy pic
Designated premises without valid certificate face action
JOHOR has 2,288 designated premises that require a valid fire certificate (FC), making it the state with the highest number of such buildings.
That figure was also expected to rise with the state's development, said Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.
Designated premises are listed under categories that include data centres, hotels, factories, shopping centres, libraries, dormitories, places of assembly, and warehouses.
'The state government has received 42 data centre applications so far – 13 are currently in operation and there are strict safety guidelines in place, which includes fire safety compliance,' he said after launching a fire safety seminar in Johor Baru.
On the surge in demand for data centres, which also raises fire safety concerns because of their heavy electricity and water usage, Mohd Jafni said those operating in Johor were mostly in the tier four category, meaning their water usage was at a 'minimum level' but with slightly higher electricity usage due to their water-cooling systems.
He added that as the state continued to receive investment and develop, including under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the number of designated premises requiring an FC was expected to rise.
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman said once FC enforcement starts in the first quarter of 2026, errant owners would be taken to court.
'Upon conviction, they could be fined up to RM50,000, jailed for five years or both, under Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341).'
There were currently 9,321 designated premises nationwide requiring an FC but only 5,881 had done so, he said.
Ahmad Izram said his department was working to ensure compliance by end-2025, and would continue engaging with stakeholders to raise awareness and ensure compliance.
Under Fire Services (Desig-nated Premises) (Amendment) Order 2020, premises requiring the fire certificate include office buildings with a height of 30m, congregation areas with a size of 2,000sq m and above, and hostels or dormitories that are 10 storeys or taller.
To qualify, the premises must appoint a fire safety manager and officers who will undergo a certain amount of training and inspections by the department.
The certificate must be renewed annually.