KUANTAN: The Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) has emphasised the need to upgrade fire and safety measures for all heritage buildings after the recent Sungai Lembing fire.
The institute said this was particularly important for timber buildings that were constructed in terraced form or in very close proximity, which put it at risk of fire spreading rapidly.
“Preventive measures such as providing sufficient outdoor hose reels at minimum intervals and other active systems can prevent untoward incidents at heritage buildings.
“Upgrading fire safety with passive measures such as improving fire exit solutions and party walls for higher fire-resistance should also be done to enhance life safety conditions in these old buildings,” PAM said in a statement signed by its president Lillian Tay and its heritage and conservation committee chairman Steven Thang.
An elderly couple were killed in the early morning fire on Aug 31 that gutted 31 buildings in the historical tin mining town of Sungai Lembing.
PAM said however, that the addition of new fire safety protection in historical buildings must also be done with due consideration to preserving its original features and authenticity, which give character to historical towns.
The institute urged local authorities and government tourism development agencies to give equal priority to funding and subsidies to help private owners upgrade safety features of old buildings besides cosmetic enhancements.
“As the national professional institute representing architects in Malaysia, PAM calls on relevant authorities, architects, engineers and specifiers to ensure adequate fire safety provisions to heritage buildings or historical towns such as Sungai Lembing and many similar towns in Malaysia.
“PAM also encourages owners and communities to be trained and taught fire safety measures to be taken in emergencies. PAM is in the midst of completing a guideline on fire safety for heritage buildings together with the Fire and Rescue Department and other stakeholders.
“With greater awareness and commitment to improve safety in the old buildings in our heritage towns, PAM hopes that such tragedy will not happen again,” it said.
The institute said this was particularly important for timber buildings that were constructed in terraced form or in very close proximity, which put it at risk of fire spreading rapidly.
“Preventive measures such as providing sufficient outdoor hose reels at minimum intervals and other active systems can prevent untoward incidents at heritage buildings.
“Upgrading fire safety with passive measures such as improving fire exit solutions and party walls for higher fire-resistance should also be done to enhance life safety conditions in these old buildings,” PAM said in a statement signed by its president Lillian Tay and its heritage and conservation committee chairman Steven Thang.
An elderly couple were killed in the early morning fire on Aug 31 that gutted 31 buildings in the historical tin mining town of Sungai Lembing.
PAM said however, that the addition of new fire safety protection in historical buildings must also be done with due consideration to preserving its original features and authenticity, which give character to historical towns.
The institute urged local authorities and government tourism development agencies to give equal priority to funding and subsidies to help private owners upgrade safety features of old buildings besides cosmetic enhancements.
“As the national professional institute representing architects in Malaysia, PAM calls on relevant authorities, architects, engineers and specifiers to ensure adequate fire safety provisions to heritage buildings or historical towns such as Sungai Lembing and many similar towns in Malaysia.
“PAM also encourages owners and communities to be trained and taught fire safety measures to be taken in emergencies. PAM is in the midst of completing a guideline on fire safety for heritage buildings together with the Fire and Rescue Department and other stakeholders.
“With greater awareness and commitment to improve safety in the old buildings in our heritage towns, PAM hopes that such tragedy will not happen again,” it said.
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