Weak city planning blamed for fires

Weak city planning blamed for fires

Maria Endah Hulupi and I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A visitor to Jakarta expressed his disbelief at reading news
about a fire breaking out and spreading in the rain. For
Jakartans, this is nothing new, as the city is indeed prone to
fires, even during the rainy season.

Fire-prone Jakarta, as described by the city Fire Department,
is a city of skyscrapers without proper fire standards, of ill-
planned housing complexes, heavy traffic congestion and limited
water supplies from rivers and hydrants. These surely add to the
problem, and only fuel rampant outbreaks of fire.

For architect Marco Kusumawijaya, however, the core of the
problem lies with city planning, or master planning, and law
enforcement of various regulations on fire control.

Marco said that the Jakarta administration had apparently
failed to plan and build proper fire-control infrastructure for
the city, such as a fire hydrant system and fire stations at
strategic locations throughout Jakarta.

The failure, according to Marco, stemmed from the city's poor
planning. He even doubted if the administration was really
serious about planning.

"We see only temporary measures with regard to spaces in
Jakarta. We see temporary shelters for the poor or temporary
markets for street vendors, and other temporary places.

"This kind of policy obstructs efforts to make proper planning
for Jakarta or build infrastructure for fire control," Marco
explained.

Marco also said that the city administration also failed to
understand the city's characteristics and therefore, it could not
address fire problems in the slums where houses were built neck
to neck.

Data at the Jakarta Fire Department shows that densely
populated slum areas in the capital are more prone to fires. The
city has an average of two to three fires per day, mostly in slum
areas.

Fire hazards in slum areas are often compounded by a lack of
hydrants, small alleys that prevent the movement of fire engines,
and a lack of awareness among residents regarding fire
prevention.

Aside from the problems in slum areas, Marco said, fire
hazards often come in the form of high-rise buildings, which are
not equipped with proper fire controls.

The city actually has a number of bylaws on city planning and
fire control, including those specific to high-rise buildings.
The problem is weak enforcement, resulting in a high number of
casualties whenever a high-rise building catches fire.

Incidents during the May 1998 riots should provide a good
lesson for anyone in fire control. Reports show that at least 258
people died after being trapped inside fire-ravaged shopping
centers or malls, including Plaza Central Klender in East
Jakarta, and Ramayana Plaza and Lippo Karawaci Supermall in
Tangerang.

In fact, the city has a detailed regulation on fire safety
standards for public buildings such as malls or hotels.

Even before construction commences on a public building, the
building owners must get clearance from the city administration
for a fire safety system. After the building has been completed,
its fire system must be checked by a team of inspectors,
including officials from the city Fire Department, to ensure that
the building is safe for the public to visit.

According to the Fire Department, a public building must have
adequate emergency exits that are free of any obstructions and
adequate access for firefighters.

"The problem is that in some buildings the emergency exits are
locked, and in some others, especially at traditional markets,
the exits are used for storing goods," said Suchali M. Ali from
the city Fire Department.

In addition, Suchali said, the building must also be equipped
with a fully operational fire control mechanism that is run by
building management personnel trained in fire management.

He explained further that the management of high-rise
buildings should be able to protect their own buildings by
equipping themselves with fire hydrants, an automatic sprinkler
system, fire alarms and fire extinguishers.

The equipment should be checked regularly, at least once a
year by officials from the Fire Department to ensure that they
are up to standard and are functioning.

Yoni Aryoni, another staff at the Fire Department, said that
any building failing to meet fire management standards would be
given warning letters. If the building management failed to
respond promptly after the second warning letter, they would be
penalized.

"But so far, no one has been fined or penalized," Yoni said.

When a fire alarm rings:

- Immediately grab important belongings or medicines.

- Be calm and do not panic. Leave the room and head straight to
the emergency exit. Do not use elevators or lifts.

- Or, follow instructions from floor wardens or security
personnel who are trained in fire evacuation.

Tips on fire prevention:

- Do not discard lit cigarettes into garbage cans filled with
papers or other combustible objects.

- Do not store goods in stairwells, corridors or near emergency
exits.

- Do not accumulate or stock unnecessary objects in a building,
as it can increase the risk of fire.

- Periodically check the electrical installation for fire
hazards.

- Do not plug too many electrical appliances into a single
socket.

- Do not leave unattended any electronic appliances that are
switched on, or lit stoves and candles.

- Keep flammable objects, chemicals and matches out of children's
reach.