Fire safety standards

It was with interest I read that the Jakarta Administration is to formulate an Indonesian National Standard on Fire Safety. These standards are long overdue for a metropolis the size of Jakarta.

I can sympathize with the Fire Department chief, Johnny Pangaribuan, with the multitude of problems he faces in fighting fires under existing conditions. The adoption of these standards should be given the highest priority to prevent needless loss of life and property.

It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel in formulating these standards, as there are numerous international cities that have excellent Fire and Life Safety Codes available as reference.

The public should welcome and support the efforts of the Jakarta Administration to adopt and implement the national standards on fire and life safety as soon as possible.

After all, buildings can be replaced -- lives cannot.

JACK BUSSERT Jakarta