Update electrical wiring in markets: Fire Dept.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The City Fire Department has urged PD Pasar
\nJaya, a city-owned market management firm, and the state
\nelectricity company, PLN, to immediately improve the installation
\nof electricity at traditional markets to reduce the risk of fire.<\/p>\n
Suharso, head of the department, said yesterday that most
\nelectricity installations in the markets were outdated and must
\nsoon be replaced.<\/p>\n
\"Worse, many of the stalls have been modified by the users.
\nFor instance, kiosks designed for one vendor have been modified
\nto accommodate two,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Vendors usually just siphon of a power supply for their
\nstalls from electric cables. This kind of action is likely to
\ncause fire, but it is difficult to control\", Suharso said.<\/p>\n
Therefore, parties responsible for the maintenance and supply
\nof electric power to the markets, such as PD Pasar Jaya
\nand PLN, must tighten their control and supervision, he said.<\/p>\n
In a bid to combat the threat of fire in public markets, his
\ndepartment has set up a special action plan to limit the
\nafflicted area should fire break out, Suharso said.<\/p>\n
\"We are working on the details of general procedures so that
\nwe can prevent flames from spreading to nearby areas,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Fire safety in traditional markets is currently very poor. Of
\nsome 136 traditional markets in the city, only 10 percent are
\nequipped with fire fighting equipment such as water hydrants and
\nfoam sprayers.<\/p>\n
Referring to the famous Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta,
\nSuharso pointed out that it is very crowded, has no clear fire
\nexits and has poor fire safety arrangements.<\/p>\n
\"Imagine if there is a fire ... people tend to get panic and
\nthey don't know where to go\".<\/p>\n
It is not only markets which are at risk, or are guilty of
\nneglecting safety procedures.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, every site used for mass gatherings such as malls,
\nrestaurants, entertainment spots, markets and office buildings
\nare prone to fire.\"<\/p>\n
Many high-rise buildings in Jakarta have changed their design
\nduring construction but have not notified the fire department, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"This hinders us. If fire breaks out we can't act quickly
\nbecause the location of water sprinklers or hydrants has been
\nchanged,\" he complained.<\/p>\n
The department has so far discovered that about half of the
\ncity's 700 high rise buildings have an inadequate fire safety
\nsystem.<\/p>\n
Suharso also revealed that some buildings, originally designed
\nfor residential purposes, but which have been converted to
\ncommercial purposes, are ill equipped to deal with fire.<\/p>\n
\"Some discotheques and bars in this city were originally
\nhouses and most definitely do not have fire exits. If fire
\noccurs, it will be a disaster,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Last year, 1,215 fires were recorded in Jakarta, substantially
\nmore than the previous high of 1,082 fires in 1982. In 1997,
\nfires claimed the lives of 38 people in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
In the first two months of 1998, there have been 109 fires
\nrecorded in the city, most of which have caused by careless
\nactions.<\/p>\n
Currently, the department has 168 fire engines and 2,554
\npersonnel stationed at 80 fire stations throughout the city.<\/p>\n
\"This year, we may get some new equipment, but it all depends
\non the budget,\" Suharso said. (edt\/ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/update-electrical-wiring-in-markets-fire-dept-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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