Fire prevention

Fire prevention

Days after 52 people lost their lives in a July 2002 fire that
razed a nightclub in Palembang, South Sumatra, journalists in
Jakarta began interviewing officials about the danger of fires in
public places, including night entertainment establishments.

The conclusion that could be drawn from the reports was that
many public buildings lack the necessary safety systems. "Many
buildings here do not have fire safety systems as required by the
City Fire Agency." According to the chief of the operations
division of the Jakarta Fire Agency, Ishak Sulaiman, that is
mainly due to their owners' deliberate disobedience.

The Association of Nightspot Owners also admitted that many
entertainment centers were neglecting the fire safety
regulations. Public debate and media reports on the danger of
fires were largely ignored, for example, until a massive fire
destroyed the Tanah Abang textile market in February 2003.

No fatalities were reported, but the fire inflicted billions
of rupiah in losses. As could have been predicted, officials
belatedly made various statements about the need for having fire
safety systems installed.

While comments on fire safety systems in public places,
including markets, are appropriate, it was revealed that an
electric short-circuit was believed to have led to the Tanah
Abang inferno. City-owned markets operator PD Pasar Jaya was
blamed for ignoring proper electrical installation and safety
procedures.

A big question was also raised with the state electricity
firm, PLN, which apparently had failed to check the market's
wiring on a regular basis. Also, fire fighters found it difficult
to find hydrants in proper working condition to get the water
needed to extinguish the fire.

This year, a slew of large fires have destroyed a number of
residential areas, leaving thousands of people homeless. The most
recent examples were the fires in Kebon Melati and Sawah Besar,
both in Central Jakarta.

Those examples reveal the extent of the poor awareness that
exists about the danger of fire in the community, including
businesspeople and government officials.

While nothing significant has so far been done to prevent
fires, Governor Sutiyoso warned managers of entertainment centers
earlier this month to comply with Bylaw No. 3/1992, on fire
safety requirements.

The most recent data indicates that only 30 percent of a total
of 612 entertainment centers -- bars, music clubs, karaoke halls
and discotheques -- meet the compulsory fire safety standards as
required by the administration.

According to the same bylaw, a building that is used as an
entertainment center must be, among other things, accessible to
fire trucks. The bylaw also states that the building and its
premises must have at least one fire extinguisher for every 800
square meters of property, and that a building more than 14
meters tall must be equipped with a working ventilation system
and, especially, an emergency exit.

Sutiyoso's move deserves support. However, it is imperative
that the governor also take a good look inside his own quarters
-- meaning that he must step up supervision of his subordinates
before punishing the people who run entertainment centers.

He should acknowledge that some of the officers entrusted with
checking up on nightspots may take bribes to ignore
noncompliance. He should also be aware that many businesspeople
apply for building permits for office buildings, shops or
residences, but later use the buildings for other purposes, such
as entertainment centers. Regular monitoring should therefore be
carried out.

Further, a thorough investigation must be made as to why the
owners of entertainment centers violate the regulations. The
bylaw that calls for relatively light sanctions -- a maximum of
Rp 5 million in fines -- may not be an effective deterrent.

Sutiyoso should also acknowledge that many hydrants in the
capital do not work, and make sure that the hydrants are
operational.

In short, simultaneous efforts must be made at all layers of
the community, particularly within the city administration, to
prevent more fires from ravaging the city.

Jakartans must be made aware that in 2004 alone 11 people have
been killed in 364 fires that caused billions of rupiah in
preventable material losses.