One-time miscalculation to ensure fire safety
Located deep in an alley on Le Van Sy Street, Phu Nhuan District, is a house with 5 rooms for rent by Mr. Nguyen Tuan Hiep. He said that in the past few days, he has not eaten well and has not slept well. "Every time I hear the two words " just stop", I get startled" - he said.
Previously, each floor of Mr. Hiep's house was equipped with a mini fire extinguisher. However, Mr. Hiep said that recently, ward police officers have been propagating about ensuring adequate fire prevention and fighting equipment (PCCC) according to regulations. Therefore, he rushed to buy more anti-poison masks, fire alarm bells and rope ladders.
Mr. Hiep said: "I think back, it would be better to spend money at one time to ensure the safety of both myself and the tenant." According to Mr. Hiep, in recent days, the Executive Board of Quarter 1 (Phu Nhuan District) has regularly sent notices in groups to chat via Zalo about being fully equipped with fire prevention and fighting. "They also support households to fully charge fire extinguishers and continuously inform about fire prevention and fighting regulations, so we are very assured of implementing them" - Mr. Hiep said.
As for Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam in Thanh Loc ward, district 12, with more than 150 rooms, he has been aware of the issue of ensuring fire prevention and fighting for a long time. According to Mr. Tam, since the establishment of the rental room, he has always put fire prevention and fighting first. "Because I understand that if I do not take good precautions and do not have a fire or explosion incident, it will be difficult to get around in time" - Mr. Tam informed.
As the lessor, Mr. Tam also regularly finds out more information online and reads fire prevention and fighting documents. After having enough knowledge and experience, Mr. Tam started equipping his boarding house with fire protection equipment (if there was still a shortage). "I bought basic equipment such as fire extinguishers and flashlights, and then installed a simple smoke alarm system myself," he shared.
Mini apartments and rental houses violating fire regulations will be suspended after March 30
At the regular press conference on the socio-economic situation on March 13, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thang Long - Deputy Chief of Staff of Ho Chi Minh City Police, informed about fire prevention and fighting work at boarding houses, mini apartments, and houses combined with business, if fire prevention and fighting safety is not ensured, it will be forced to stop operations after March 30.
Before the Prime Minister's Directive 19, Ho Chi Minh City Police had reviewed more than 60,400 facilities and discovered more than 15,700 facilities violating fire prevention and fighting, including more than 13,900 boarding houses and 930 combined-use houses with high risk of fire and explosion. These facilities mainly lack emergency exits, fire prevention and fighting equipment, unsafe power systems and people lack fire prevention and fighting knowledge.
After having Directive 19, Ho Chi Minh City Police have increased inspection, guidance on overcoming violations and propaganda on fire prevention and fighting.
A representative of Ho Chi Minh City Police said that up to now, Ho Chi Minh City still has 5,155 facilities such as houses, rental room storage houses, individual houses combined with production and business that have not violated fire prevention and fighting. This figure has decreased by 61.5% compared to before Directive 19 was issued. Of which, there are 4,737 facilities in the type of boarding houses, rooms for rent and 418 facilities are houses combined with production and business.
Lieutenant Colonel Long emphasized that facilities need to urgently correct violations, not wait until the deadline of March 30. After this time, establishments that do not ensure fire safety will be suspended according to regulations.
