Strengthening fire prevention and fighting for high-rise buildings

Although there has not been any particularly serious multi-storey house fire in the province, large fires in apartment buildings, shopping malls, and karaoke bars in many other provinces and cities in recent times have been an alarm bell for the issue of ensuring fire safety in multi-storey and high-rise buildings in Bac Kan. According to preliminary statistics from the authorities, in Bac Kan city alone, there are thousands of multi-storey houses (2 floors or more), including 1 high-rise building (10 floors or more) which is the Bac Kan hotel, and 15 houses with 6 floors or more. In multi-storey houses, especially those with 6 floors or more, the risk of fire and explosion is higher and will leave serious consequences.

Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department - Provincial Police practice fire prevention drill at the building
People's Committee of Bac Kan city

Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Tuan Dung - Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, Provincial Police said that multi-storey and high-rise buildings often have high potential risks of fire and explosion, first of all the risk of electrical short circuits. Due to the simultaneous use of many electrical devices with high capacity, it leads to overloading of the electrical system, causing fire and explosion. Along with that, multi-storey houses and buildings often have flammable and combustible materials, especially houses used as karaoke bars. In addition, the awareness of people and owners of facilities using heat sources for cooking not complying with regulations on fire prevention and safety is also a potential cause of fire and explosion in multi-storey buildings.

Another issue of concern today is that if a fire or explosion occurs in a multi-storey, high-rise building, the consequences will be very dangerous. Because a multi-storey, high-rise building is a place where many people gather, when a fire occurs, the fire will spread quickly from bottom to top, developing rapidly according to the height of the building. Fires in multi-storey, high-rise buildings are often accompanied by high concentrations of toxic smoke and gas due to the accumulation of smoke in the escape routes and routes, which greatly affects the rescue of victims and extinguishing the fire. The higher the number of floors of the building, the more basements the building has, the more complicated the nature and level of fire and explosion danger. Evacuation and fire fighting work for the building is difficult and complicated because the number of access routes is limited.

This reality requires special attention to prevention work. On the one hand, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, the Provincial Police regularly disseminates and trains knowledge and skills on fire prevention and fighting, and escape for residents, facility owners, and heads of multi-storey and high-rise buildings; on the other hand, it also strengthens inspection, reminders, and handling of violations of fire prevention and fighting safety. The department has been equipped with a fire-fighting ladder truck with a reach of more than 40 m, an air mattress or a slow-lowering rope to bring victims down.

According to the leader of the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Department, the Provincial Police, in order to effectively implement the work of ensuring fire prevention and fighting safety for multi-storey and high-rise buildings and constructions in the whole province, in the coming time, the Department will promote the work of mobilization and propaganda, attracting the attention and regular direction of local Party committees and authorities and the participation of all levels, sectors, mass organizations and people in fire prevention and fighting; develop and practice plans to mobilize forces and means of agencies, units and localities to participate in fire fighting; resolutely and strictly handle cases of violations or intentional failure to implement the recommendations of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police force. Strive to prevent any major fires and explosions causing serious consequences to people and property in multi-storey and high-rise buildings and constructions in the province./.

Source: https://backan.gov.vn/Pages/tang-cuong-phong-chay-chua-chay-doi-voi-nha-cao-tang-f157.aspx