Update electrical wiring in markets: Fire Dept.
Update electrical wiring in markets: Fire Dept.
JAKARTA (JP): The City Fire Department has urged PD Pasar
Jaya, a city-owned market management firm, and the state
electricity company, PLN, to immediately improve the installation
of electricity at traditional markets to reduce the risk of fire.
Suharso, head of the department, said yesterday that most
electricity installations in the markets were outdated and must
soon be replaced.
"Worse, many of the stalls have been modified by the users.
For instance, kiosks designed for one vendor have been modified
to accommodate two," he said.
"Vendors usually just siphon of a power supply for their
stalls from electric cables. This kind of action is likely to
cause fire, but it is difficult to control", Suharso said.
Therefore, parties responsible for the maintenance and supply
of electric power to the markets, such as PD Pasar Jaya
and PLN, must tighten their control and supervision, he said.
In a bid to combat the threat of fire in public markets, his
department has set up a special action plan to limit the
afflicted area should fire break out, Suharso said.
"We are working on the details of general procedures so that
we can prevent flames from spreading to nearby areas," he said.
Fire safety in traditional markets is currently very poor. Of
some 136 traditional markets in the city, only 10 percent are
equipped with fire fighting equipment such as water hydrants and
foam sprayers.
Referring to the famous Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta,
Suharso pointed out that it is very crowded, has no clear fire
exits and has poor fire safety arrangements.
"Imagine if there is a fire ... people tend to get panic and
they don't know where to go".
It is not only markets which are at risk, or are guilty of
neglecting safety procedures.
"Actually, every site used for mass gatherings such as malls,
restaurants, entertainment spots, markets and office buildings
are prone to fire."
Many high-rise buildings in Jakarta have changed their design
during construction but have not notified the fire department, he
said.
"This hinders us. If fire breaks out we can't act quickly
because the location of water sprinklers or hydrants has been
changed," he complained.
The department has so far discovered that about half of the
city's 700 high rise buildings have an inadequate fire safety
system.
Suharso also revealed that some buildings, originally designed
for residential purposes, but which have been converted to
commercial purposes, are ill equipped to deal with fire.
"Some discotheques and bars in this city were originally
houses and most definitely do not have fire exits. If fire
occurs, it will be a disaster," he added.
Last year, 1,215 fires were recorded in Jakarta, substantially
more than the previous high of 1,082 fires in 1982. In 1997,
fires claimed the lives of 38 people in Jakarta.
In the first two months of 1998, there have been 109 fires
recorded in the city, most of which have caused by careless
actions.
Currently, the department has 168 fire engines and 2,554
personnel stationed at 80 fire stations throughout the city.
"This year, we may get some new equipment, but it all depends
on the budget," Suharso said. (edt/ind)