Firetrap nightspots face closure<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso threatened on Monday to close down 70 percent
\nof the capital's 612 entertainment centers if they did not comply
\nwith Bylaw No. 3\/1992 on fire systems, as only 30 percent were
\nknown to maintain active safety measures against fires.<\/p>\n
\"I will announce to the public which entertainment centers do
\nnot meet the compulsory fire safety standards. They will be given
\nsome time to improve their fire systems, but if they do not make
\nthe deadline, I will close them down,\" he said at City Hall after
\na meeting with the Jakarta Fire Department.<\/p>\n
The bylaw includes a clause that allows the city to warn
\nbuilding managements about fire system compliance before it may
\nclose down the buildings and\/or punish the responsible parties to
\na maximum five months in jail and a maximum Rp 5 million
\n(US$549.45) fine.<\/p>\n
Higher fire system standards are stipulated under the bylaw
\nfor entertainment centers and office buildings compared to
\nresidences.<\/p>\n
Fire department also announced that 38 percent of around 900
\nhigh-rise buildings in the city failed to meet the required fire
\nsafety standard.<\/p>\n
\"I will set up a special team led by Assistant to the City
\nSecretary for Administration and Apparatuses Affairs Moerdiman to
\nmonitor the entertainment centers,\" Sutiyoso said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta fire chief Johnny Pangaribuan welcomed the initiative,
\nas the team had a crucial role to play in coordinating city
\nagencies in handling fire safety issues.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is coordination in the field,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Johnny has repeatedly voiced the difficulties firefighters
\nfaced in reaching fires due to narrow access roads and dummy
\nhydrants, mostly in slums.<\/p>\n
In addition, different agencies issue permits that enable
\nhomeowners to convert their houses into places of business
\nwithout altering the buildings' structure accordingly, including
\ntheir fire systems.<\/p>\n
Entertainment centers -- bars, music clubs, discotheques and
\nkaraoke bars -- are considered to be potential deathtraps in the
\ncase of a fire, as most centers' managements do not install fire
\nexits and emergency stairs in the buildings.<\/p>\n
\"Even in developed countries, most fires at entertainment
\ncenters usually claim a large number of fatalities,\" Johnny said.<\/p>\n
With 364 fires in Jakarta this year already that have killed
\n11 people and injured 28, the probability for such a tragedy
\nhappening here is high. Moreover, fire department data shows an
\nincreasing trend of fires in the last three years: 729 cases in
\n2001, 837 cases in 2002 and 854 in 2003.<\/p>\n
.pl
\n.rm
\nFire safety standards for commercial buildings:<\/p>\n
1. Building must be located in an area with proper fire engine<\/p>\n
access. Those located more than 100 meters from a major road<\/p>\n
must provide hydrants.<\/p>\n
2. Flammable items must be stored in secure areas with regular<\/p>\n
monitoring.<\/p>\n
3. Areas of the building prone to fires must have fire alarms and<\/p>\n
automatic sprinklers. Portable fire extinguishers must be available<\/p>\n
at least every 20 meters.<\/p>\n
4. Emergency exits must be made of fireproof materials and must be<\/p>\n
clear of any obstructions, and must be illuminated at all times.<\/p>\n
5. A building and its premises must have at least one hydrant per<\/p>\n
800 square meters.<\/p>\n
6. Buildings more than 14 meters tall must be equipped with<\/p>\n
a ventilation system, especially in emergency exits.<\/p>\n
Source: Bylaw No. 3\/1992<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/firetrap-nightspots-face-closure-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }