Lao Dong newspaper published a photo report "Signs, tiger cages surrounded, many houses become "traps" when there is fire", noting a huge danger in townhouses and residential areas today. Hanoi has many tube houses but there are no escape routes. The sides and back are closed walls, only the front of the house remains.
But the front of the house only has access to the ground floor, while many houses have their upper floors blocked by signs, leaving no space. Many houses have iron and steel frames as fences to protect their houses, but those fences have unintentionally become tiger cages trapping people inside.
In terms of urban aesthetics, it looks shabby and ugly.
When a fire breaks out, as long as the fire breaks out on the lower floor, there is no other way out. A typical example is the fire at a coffee shop on Pham Van Dong Street - Hanoi, the fire broke out below, people upstairs were blocked from escaping, suffocated by the toxic smoke coming from below.
With houses whose upper floors are sealed, when a fire breaks out, people inside cannot escape, and people outside cannot come in to help. Not to mention, with such signs covering the area, firefighting forces spraying water is ineffective because water cannot get inside.
Circular 147/2020/TT-BCA regulates the design and installation of karaoke bar advertising signs, stipulates that the location of the advertising sign must not cover the entire house, building, or cover emergency exits, balconies, etc. Horizontal advertising signs placed at the facade of the building must ensure that each floor can only have one sign, the maximum height is 2m, and the width must not exceed the width limit of the building facade...
However, in reality, few people comply with the regulations.
However, Circular 147 regulates karaoke bars, so what about houses, offices and many other service businesses such as coffee shops and restaurants?
Looking at the streets of Hanoi, you will see many signs that cover the top of buildings, or cover one or two floors.
Furthermore, many houses have tiger cages, although for the purpose of preventing theft, but do not ensure fire safety.
Everyone does their job the way they think, without looking further into the risk of fire and explosion. When a fire breaks out, the damage is immeasurable.
Therefore, it is necessary to add more regulations and standards in the design and installation of advertising signs, signs, making iron bars, house protection nets, ensuring fire safety and urban aesthetics. There are regulations, but they must be implemented correctly, otherwise it is useless.
