| Lyna Mohamad |
IN VIEW of the two-week school vacation, the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) reminded the public to observe fire safety and take preventive measures before leaving their houses for an outing or on holidays abroad.
Fire incidents are among the unnecessary disasters that cause loss of property, housing and lives.
There is the perception on the part of the local community, or complacent attitude, which leads to carelessness and ignorance on safety matters.
This was said Senior Superintendent Taib bin Haji Abdul Kahar, the Head of Fire Safety, during a press conference yesterday at the FRD headquarters in Berakas.
He also pointed that any circumstance that increases the possibility of danger to life or property by causing fire to spread is an offence under Part 1, Chapter 2, of the Fire Safety Order 2016.
“An offence under Section 56 (1) of the Order is liable to a compound of $1,000 or a charge of General Penalties,” he said.
“If found guilty, the offender is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000, or six months of imprisonment, or both. A fine of $1,000 per day will be imposed, or part of it, should it be a repeat offence, despite warnings by the department.”
The press conference also informed that the FRD, through its branches and stations across the country, is stepping up on efforts to carry out patrols in areas that have been identified as fire-prone, while monitoring the situation closely to ensure unwanted incidents from occurring.
At the same time, the FRD is observing business premises to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and acts, in addition to seeking public cooperation to all suspicious activities with the potential for fire disasters.
ASFR Pengiran Noor Faridahwati binti PSM Pengiran Anak Omar Ali, from the FRD Enforcement Section, meanwhile said that cases of arson could be a way of expunging all evidence of theft, or other criminal acts, at the site.
“In such cases, the Enforcement Section works together with the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) to conduct joint investigations on the fire or crime scene,” she said. Another highlighted aspect of the Fire Safety Order was Section 13 (1) and (2), where causing damage to fire hydrants can result in a fine not more than $5,000 or a minimal compound of $1,000 in accordance to Section 56 (1), where the offender is held responsible for covering the cost of repairs and replacement.
Also emphasised was Section 18 (1), which is the Power to Order the Closure of Premises in an Emergency, whereby the business owner is ordered to close the premises within 72 hours. Failure to do so would result in the owner being charged under Section 18 (9), along with a fine of not more than $100,000, or 12 months of imprisonment, or both.
ASFR Noorazli bin Apong, from the FRD’s Public Relations Office, explained that the Fire Safety Order serves to facilitate the Ease of Doing Business by covering various safety angles for the convenience of the general public and business establishments.
“Through the enforcement of the Order, businesses are more secure by ensuring that all firefighting equipment in a business establishment is available and kept in a safe condition,” he said.