Strong collaboration needed to enforce new fire safety requirements smoothly

THE Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general announced on Oct 6 that owners of 9,451 buildings across the country designated under the Fire Services Act will be required to appoint fire safety managers (FSMs) and fire safety officers (FSOs) at their premises from April 1, 2027.

This was in line with Section 27A of the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2025, he said.

JBPM has indicated that the transition period will range from six to 18 months, depending on the expiry of the existing Fire Certificate and inspection schedules.

The objective is clear. Fire safety requires competent personnel, effective emergency preparedness, regular risk assessments and a strong safety culture within every building.

JBPM aims to develop 6,000 FSMs and 18,000 FSOs between 2026 and 2030. But with only 13 registered training providers available currently, expanding training capacity and maintaining consistent competency standards will be major challenges.

Useful lessons can be drawn from the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (Act A1648), which came into force on June 1, 2024. Among its key provisions, Section 29A requires employers at workplaces with five or more employees, subject to statutory conditions, to appoint an occupational safety and health coordinator (OSH-C) unless there is already a safety and health officer.

Translating the new requirements into workplace practices has not been easy, particularly for owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who cited training costs, staff availability, operational disruption and limited in-house expertise as their main problems. While such constraints are understandable, these cannot become a permanent excuse for inaction.

Stronger collaboration among regulators, employers and the wider safety community is essential to ensure smooth enforcement of the new fire safety requirements.

First, JBPM should establish structured engagement with employer and industry organisations, such as the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), SME Association of Malaysia and the Malaysian Institute of Property and Facility Managers (MIPFM).

Fire protection associations, accredited training providers and safety advocacy organisations, including Alliance for a Safe Community, should also be involved.

This would encourage constructive collaboration rather than a one-sided approach where regulations are perceived simply as additional costs. More importantly, building owners and property managers should recognise that investment in fire safety is not merely about meeting legal obligations or avoiding penalties.

It safeguards people, protects valuable property and business assets, reduces the risk of costly disruptions and can enhance a building’s reputation, marketability and rental value.

Second, accredited training opportunities must be expanded beyond major cities. Partnerships with universities, polytechnics, TVET institutions and qualified private training providers can improve accessibility, particularly for businesses in regional industrial areas and smaller towns. Flexible learning arrangements should also be considered without compromising competency standards.

Third, JBPM should provide a clear implementation roadmap supported by awareness programmes, advisory visits and mock fire safety assessments.

Singapore provides a useful reference through its established fire safety manager certification framework and accredited training network. Malaysia should adapt the relevant practices to meet its own needs.

Ultimately, fire safety is not solely JBPM’s responsibility. Building owners, employers, management committees, workers, training providers and professional organisations all have important roles to play.

CHIN YEW SIN

Occupational Safety and Health advocate

Shah Alam