Fire prevention and fighting in shopping centers

Along with the socio-economic development, supermarkets and commercial centers are increasingly built in the province to meet the entertainment and shopping needs of the people. These are places where people often gather with large volumes of goods in high-rise buildings, posing a high risk of fire and explosion; therefore, fire prevention, fire fighting (PCCC) and rescue and relief work (CNCH) are always given attention and placed first.

Firefighting and rescue drill at Go! Thai Binh Shopping Center.

Vincom Plaza Ly Bon Shopping Center, De Tham Ward, Thai Binh City has a total area of ^16,000m2 including 5 floors, 1 basement with many business and entertainment complexes attracting a large number of visitors to visit, play and shop. Therefore, in addition to investing in developing the infrastructure system, the Center also pays great attention to fire prevention and fighting work.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Director of the Center, said: Since its operation in 2016, the Center has strictly complied with the regulations on fire prevention and fighting and rescue according to the instructions of the competent authorities, and the fire prevention and fighting management and operation processes have been standardized. Along with investing in a standard fire prevention and fighting equipment system that operates well, the Center has developed a plan to respond to fire and explosion incidents and handle detailed rescue situations. Based on the number of employees working regularly at the Center, the unit has established a grassroots fire prevention and fighting team with a permanent staff of more than 50 people, closely coordinating with the competent authorities to organize periodic fire prevention and fighting training, inspections, and drills.

Located in Phu Khanh ward, Thai Binh city, Go! Thai Binh Commercial Center integrates dining, shopping, entertainment, learning services... with a floor area of over ^21,000m2 , including 2 commercial floors and a parking area with a capacity of over 2,000 motorbikes and nearly 150 cars. As soon as it came into operation, the Center focused on implementing the legal regulations on labor safety, hygiene, fire and explosion prevention and fighting by equipping modern technology to ensure the safety of customers' lives and the safety of the Center's assets.

Mr. Phan Hai Nam, Director of Operations of the Center, said: The unit has focused on the work of establishing records to monitor and manage fire prevention and fighting activities in accordance with regulations, developing detailed, scientific plans to respond to fire and explosion incidents, suitable for actual conditions, investing in a system of standard fire prevention and fighting equipment, operating well with high sensitivity in fire alarms, effectively supporting the early implementation of fire fighting solutions in case of incidents. The fire prevention and fighting team at the facility ensures sufficient numbers of personnel, is trained in fire prevention and fighting skills and is certified by the competent authority. Propaganda, guidance and inspection of fire prevention and fighting are focused on deploying to all units in the Center, ready to handle on-site situations that occur.

In the province, in addition to 6 large shopping centers, there are also 305 markets, 638 supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, electronics stores... According to data from the Provincial Police, from December 2022 to the end of July 2023, Thai Binh had no fire, explosion, or accident incidents at large shopping centers, markets, supermarkets, department stores... In addition to periodic inspections and guidance, propaganda work is focused on by the authorities. The provincial police have directed professional units and police of districts and cities to organize 369 direct propaganda sessions on legal knowledge on fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue, attracting 7,012 participants, distributing 2,738 news and articles, distributing 5,250 propaganda leaflets, instructing units to hang 475 billboards, posters, propaganda banners, fire and explosion warnings, fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue work at markets, shopping centers...

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Viet Tan, Deputy Head of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, Provincial Police, said: In recent times, the state management of fire prevention and rescue has been seriously and effectively implemented by the police at all levels. In particular, for markets, shopping malls, supermarkets, and department stores, through periodic inspections by functional forces, the owners of establishments have become aware of ensuring fire prevention and rescue safety during their operations and business. Focus on investing in fire prevention and rescue work at establishments, while regularly reminding officers, employees, and those present at the establishments to comply with fire prevention and rescue safety conditions. Fire prevention and rescue drills with the participation of many forces at crowded shopping malls are periodically organized by the Provincial Police.

To promote the achieved results, in the coming time, the Fire Police and Rescue Force will continue to do a good job of grasping the situation, promoting propaganda, strengthening inspections, and providing professional guidance to raise the sense of responsibility and fire prevention awareness of people and businesses, minimizing the risk of fire and explosion in the area.