Proposal to rate commercial buildings in Melaka

Ismail (fourth from left) and Kamarulzaman (third from left) taking a photo with Melaka Fire and Rescue Department officers during his visit to the department’s headquarters in Bukit Katil.

MELAKA: State housing, local government and environment committee chairman Datuk Wira Ismail Othman has proposed that commercial buildings in Melaka be accorded a star-based rating system to reflect their compliance with fire safety standards.

He said the state Fire and Rescue Department can be tasked with the initiative spelt under the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL).

He said the rating system, if implemented, may cause owners of such buildings, including shopping complexes, to be more careful in ensuring their premises complied with fire safety requirements.

“The fire-fighting system at the buildings concerned might be in place but sometimes the system is not maintained properly,” he told reporters after his working visit to the state Fire and Rescue Department headquarters in Bukit Katil.

Also present were state Fire and Rescue Department director Kamarulzaman Malik Abdullah and his deputy Noor Hisham Kamal.

On a related matter, Ismail said property developers in the state should invest in a proper fire-fighting system in all their buildings.

Meanwhile, Kamarulzaman said most building owners tended to ignore the maintenance aspect once their premises received the Certificate of Completion and Compliance.

He said his department would inspect 30 abandoned high-rise buildings across the state beginning this month to assess the safety of the buildings.

“We also wish to encourage building owners in the state to replace the electrical wiring of their buildings once every 20 years,” he said.

This, Kamarulzaman said, will help to reduce the risk of a fire incident caused by faulty old electrical wiring.

He also advised firefighters to stay in shape because of the uncertain working conditions they may face.