Latest news with #FireServicesAct1988
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Johor highlights fire safety compliance
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.
The Star
25-06-2025
- The Star
Fire safety lapses plague schools
PETALING JAYA: Over 700 fire-hazard abatement (MBK) notices were issued to schools nationwide throughout 2024 and up until April of this year for failing to meet fire safety standards, says the Fire and Rescue Department. The department had conducted fire hazard checks on 853 schools nationwide, with 144 schools flagged. ALSO READ: Lax attitudes fuel risk of fire A total of 767 notices were issued to the 144 schools for failing to comply with fire safety requirements. It is not known how many of these schools are private and public. 'Pahang had the highest number of MBK notices issued for school premises, with 201 notices, followed by Perak with 82 notices and Kuala Lumpur with 75 notices,' the department told The Star. The department is in the process of commencing legal action to charge three schools under the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) for not complying with the seven notices issued to them. The remaining 760 notices have been heeded and measures were taken to rectify the matter. 'The department has also conducted periodic checks on 'Passive and Active Safety Installations' under the Act 341 as an important enforcement measure to ensure buildings and premises are free from any fire risks,' it said. MBKs are usually issued for defective firefighting tools and the absence of exit signs or emergency lights, among others. Premises that receive an MBK notice must rectify the issues within the stipulated period to avoid being charged in court. Under Act 341 (the Fire Services Act), one can be fined RM3,000 or face a maximum of three years' imprisonment, or both, for these offences. On June 10, the administrative building of SM Sains Alam Shah in Cheras was destroyed in an early morning blaze. This was not the only school fire reported this year. On April 28, a fire erupted at the dormitory of SMK Tinggi Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. Last year, the boys' dormitory of SM Sains Hulu Terengganu caught fire for the second time on June 4, following a previous fire on a different floor on May 12. In November, the same year, a hostel at a school in Bukit Puchong, Selangor, was partially damaged by an early morning fire. The most devastating fire reported to date is the 2017 fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz school at Jalan Keramat Ujung, Kuala Lumpur, which killed 25 people.
The Star
04-06-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Only 62.2% of designated premises have valid Fire Certs, says Bomba
IPOH: Only 62.2% of designated premises nationwide currently possess a valid Fire Certificate (FC), says Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman. The Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) said that that out of 9,321 such premises nationwide, only 5,801 have valid FCs. He added that 8,595 of the designated premises were private while 726 were government premises. 'This shows that there are still many premises that need to take action. We're now in June, so we have another six months to ensure that premises obtain valid FCs,' he said during a press conference after officiating the Fire Safety Organisation (OKK) Seminar here Wednesday (June 4). He added that various efforts have been made to improve enforcement, including the introduction of the ePremis platform and digitalisation efforts to streamline inspections and monitoring. 'We are clear about our focus and the categories of premises that require more thorough inspections,' he said, adding that enforcement is carried out in accordance with the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341), which governs fire safety regulations in Malaysia. 'This Act outlines the responsibilities of premises and buildings to comply with fire safety regulations, including the requirement to obtain a FC to ensure the premises are safe from fire risks,' he added. In Perak, he said that 75.9% of designated premises have already obtained valid FCs. "Of the 349 such premises, 265 are certified, while the remainder are in the process of applying, undergoing inspection, or have been issued notices," he said. Of the total premises in the state, 330 are privately owned and 19 are government buildings. 'Last year, only 244 premises obtained FCs. This year, the number is higher,' he added. On a separate matter, Ahmad Irzam said the department is fully prepared to face the current hot and dry weather conditions expected to continue until early next month. 'All equipment and personnel are ready. We're prepared to respond to any incidents related to the dry season, including forest and bush fires, which are not technically complex for us to handle,' he said. He also said that the department has the support of volunteer firefighter associations across Malaysia who are prepared to mobilise when needed. 'We are always ready, especially since we have anticipated this weather pattern,' he said.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Five PPRs, 147 flats to undergo fire checks after blaze kills boy
MELAKA: The Fire and Rescue Department will conduct full-scale enforcement operations to strengthen fire safety systems across all People's Housing Projects (PPRs) and flats in the state after a fire claimed the life of a four-year-old boy at PPR Krubong here. Melaka Fire and Rescue Department director, Assistant Fire Commissioner Mohd Zaidi Ma'at, said the inspections would identify and eliminate fire hazards at the premises, including faulty fire safety equipment such as hydrants, hose reels and extinguishers, whether due to lack of maintenance or acts of vandalism. "I have instructed officers to carry out thorough inspections at all apartment blocks in Melaka to ensure that firefighting equipment is in good condition and fully operational during emergencies," said Zaidi. "We have identified five PPRs and 147 apartment buildings to be included in the operation. "The inspections will begin this week, and a comprehensive report will be compiled for all premises involved," he said at a press conference after officiating the JBPM Melaka 2025 Fire Organisation Seminar at a resort here yesterday," he added. The event was officiated by Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management senior deputy executive councillor, Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin. Also present was Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (development), Othman Abdullah. Mohd Zaidi said legal action could be taken under Section 8 of the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) for the removal of fire hazards if it was found that residents had vandalised firefighting systems or equipment at PPRs or flats. "I urge Joint Management Bodies (JMBs) and building management to set up community fire brigades or safety organisations to carry out preliminary inspections of fire safety systems at their premises," he said.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Five PPRs, 147 flats in Melaka to undergo fire checks
MELAKA: The Fire and Rescue Department will conduct full-scale enforcement operations to strengthen fire safety systems across all People's Housing Projects (PPRs) and flats in the state. Melaka Fire and Rescue Department director, Assistant Fire Commissioner Mohd Zaidi Ma'at, said the inspections would identify and eliminate fire hazards at the premises, including faulty fire safety equipment such as hydrants, hose reels and extinguishers, whether due to lack of maintenance or acts of vandalism. Zaidi said the initiative followed a recent fire incident at PPR Krubong which claimed the life of a four-year-old boy. "I have instructed officers to carry out thorough inspections at all apartment blocks in Melaka to ensure that firefighting equipment is in good condition and fully operational during emergencies. "We have identified five PPRs and 147 apartment buildings to be included in the operation. "The inspections will begin this week, and a comprehensive report will be compiled for all premises involved," he said at a press conference after officiating the JBPM Melaka 2025 Fire Organisation Seminar at a resort here yesterday. The event was officiated by Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management senior deputy executive councillor, Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin. Also present was Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (development), Othman Abdullah. Mohd Zaidi said legal action could be taken under Section 8 of the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) for the removal of fire hazards if it was found that residents had vandalised firefighting systems or equipment at PPRs or flats. "I urge Joint Management Bodies (JMBs) and building management to set up community fire brigades or safety organisations to carry out preliminary inspections of fire safety systems at their premises," he said.
