KUALA LUMPUR: Fire safety measures in many schools remain inadequate, raising concerns about the protection of students, teachers, and school staff, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said urgent action is needed to address long-standing gaps in fire safety compliance across educational institutions nationwide.
"Several recurring issues, including malfunctioning fire alarms, outdated fire-fighting equipment, and poor housekeeping practices have occurred that could endanger lives in the event of a fire.
“Ensuring fire safety compliance in schools is critical to protecting the lives of students, staff, and visitors. Unfortunately, this vital aspect of school safety is often overlooked or inconsistently enforced," he said when contacted on Wednesday (June 25).
Among the key problems cited were outdated or insufficient fire equipment, lack of fire drills, instructed fire and accumulation of flammable materials, Lee said.
"To address this issue, a set of best practices must be implemented aimed to strengthen fire safety in schools.
"This includes routine maintenance of alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, and signage every six months, appointment of a fire safety officer, conducting regular fire drills and strict housekeeping protocols," he added.
Lee said fire safety should not be treated as a box-ticking exercise, but rather as a moral duty.
“Let us instil a culture of safety so that schools remain not only centres of learning but also safe havens for our children and educators.
"The Education Ministry and local authorities should conduct thorough audits and implement the proposed guidelines as part of a nationwide fire risk reduction effort," he added.
