| Ishan Ibrahim |
THE Brunei Fire and Rescue Department (FRD), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and the Department of Electrical Services (DES) have announced precautionary measures to prevent hazards and risks to life and property especially in the current festive season, when celebratory events are common.
A press briefing held at the Fire and Rescue Department was led by Lim Hock Guan, Acting Director of FRD; Superintendent Pengiran Haji Abdul Salam bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Ghani, Acting Commanding Officer of the Brunei-Muara Police District; and Pengiran Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Director of Electrical Services.
In their statements, Acting Director Lim Hock Guan said fire emergencies can occur at any time, and the risks are heightened when practices that go against the fire safety guidelines are conducted. Public awareness must be elevated to prevent fire emergencies to life and property.
Twenty-eight emergency calls to the FRD were made from September to December 23 this year, he said. Twenty-two of these calls were due to house fires and six were due to building fires. The estimated losses from the house fires were $2,019,057 and building fires were $11,450. The value of property saved amounted to $735,000.
The records from the Fire and Rescue Department showed that the main causes of house and building fires were electrical fires such as consumption overload, overheating, short circuitry, loosely installed connections, dated wiring connections, cooking left unattended, loosely installed or leaky hose of liquefied petroleum gas tanks, children playing with fire, cigarette butts, lighted candles and lamps.
Lim emphasised that the general public must constantly be aware and prioritise their safety to prevent fires in their homes. This can be done by practicing several safety precautions such as having fire apparatuses such as fire extinguishers, fire blanket or a fire detector available at home, have a plan of action during fire emergencies, monitor the use of electrical apparatuses and others.
A press briefing on safety was held yesterday by the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and the Department of Electrical Services (DES). – ISHAN IBRAHIM
Meanwhile, Superintendent Pengiran Haji Abdul Salam said that the RBPF will constantly conduct patrols especially at homes and residences, and the areas of Kampong Ayer to ensure public safety, and will cooperate with Neighbourhood Watch teams to prevent crimes and monitor the areas.
The Acting Commanding Officer of the Brunei-Muara Police District said RBPF advised the residents of Kampong Ayer to take precautionary steps to prevent any future outbreaks of fire. He also elaborated on the penalties that will be imposed on those that conduct false or inaccurate dissemination of news that can disrupt public order. The offenders can be prosecuted and imprisoned to three years, or fined $3,000 under Public Order Act, Cap 148 of the Brunei Darussalam law.
Members of the public are also urged to channel information they receive to the police at the emergency hotline 993 or at nearby police stations.
Pengiran Jamra Weira, in a statement said that DES has made visits and inspections to 1,152 houses in 35 villages in six mukims namely Mukim Saba, Sungai Kebun, Peramu, Burong Pinggai, Tamoi and Sungai Kedayan.
From these visits, the DES Director said the department has made repairs such as replacements to unsafe distribution boards to 580 houses, replacement to unsafe electrical wirings at 600 houses in Kampong Ayer, and replacement of bare conductors with the length of 18,000 metres to insulated wiring at various areas in Kampong Ayer. All cost installations were borne by the government.
The DES director also mentioned that scheduled inspections should be conducted at domestic dwellings by expert personnel at least once every 10 years. Under the Electrical Act Chapter 71, this is required under the Electrical Installation Requirements guideline to ensure awareness and safety. It is the responsibility of every house owner to ensure every new installation or additional wiring must be conducted by a registered contractor and personnel registered under DES, and conducted under the guidelines of DES with approval from the department prior to usage.
The Electrical Installation Requirements guideline and list of approved contractors can be downloaded at www.des.gov.bn.
He added that the Department of Electrical Services will always cooperate with relevant agencies to ensure safe usage of electricity, and safe installations and wiring.
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