GEORGE TOWN: Renovations and changes in the use of old buildings without corresponding upgrades to fire safety measures have been identified as among the factors that can increase the risk of fire incidents.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said the situation often occurs when buildings originally constructed as shophouses are later converted into restaurants, hotels, entertainment centres or other commercial premises that attract large numbers of people.
"Based on observations and our operational experience, the fire risk in old buildings is not solely due to the age of the structure.
"What is more concerning is when these buildings have undergone various renovations and changes in use without the necessary improvements to fire safety measures,” he told Bernama.
Shoki was commenting on the safety aspects of old buildings following a fire at an entertainment outlet in the Odeon building along Jalan Penang here last Saturday (May 30), which claimed the life of a Myanmar construction worker.
He said other factors that increase fire risks include ageing electrical wiring, confined building spaces and the close proximity of premises to one another, which can allow fires to spread more rapidly.
According to him, among the most common weaknesses identified during inspections were obstructed emergency exits, malfunctioning emergency doors, inadequate fire detection systems and fire safety equipment that is not maintained regularly.
He said in a fire situation, just a few seconds can determine whether a person manages to escape safely, stressing that building owners and operators should ensure electrical systems are inspected regularly by competent parties and that fire safety equipment is properly provided and maintained.
At the same time, he said employees should be trained on the appropriate actions to take in the event of a fire so that they know how to use the available safety equipment and can respond quickly during emergencies.
Mohamad Shoki said awareness among building owners and operators in Penang regarding fire safety has generally improved, but further enhancements are needed, particularly in the installation of early fire detection systems, maintenance of safety equipment, management of emergency exits and implementation of fire drills.
For heritage sites such as George Town, he said the challenge lies in balancing heritage preservation requirements with fire safety needs, but the safety of occupants and visitors must always remain the priority.
He also encouraged owners of old and heritage buildings to consider installing early fire detection systems, ensure electrical wiring is maintained regularly and pay special attention to emergency action plans and fire drills, particularly for premises frequented by the public.
Mohamad Shoki stressed that old and heritage buildings are assets with significant historical and cultural value to the state, but fire safety considerations must not be neglected or compromised in efforts to preserve them.
In last Saturday’s incident, a 56-year-old Myanmar construction worker, Mohamad Boshi Sabi Ullah, died from smoke inhalation after becoming trapped in a fire at an entertainment outlet in the Odeon building on Jalan Penang, which was undergoing renovation works to be converted into a restaurant.
The building, which once housed the Odeon Cinema, one of Penang’s most iconic cinemas, was originally known as Theatre Royal before being renamed King’s Theatre and later Odeon Cinema, becoming part of the state’s entertainment landscape since the early 20th century. — Bernama
