Fire safety standards

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