Adequacy Of Fire Fixtures Doubted

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30176, 6 July 1963, Page 12

Adequacy Of Fire Fixtures Doubted

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 5. The adequacy of fire protection in Government buildings throughout New Zealand was questioned by speakers during discussion of the Public Expenditure Committee’s report in Parliament today. The committee had recommended that the State Services Commission investigate the possibility of the Fire Service Council being given authority to carry out this supervision.

Consideration of the report will be resumed when the House meets again on Tuesday afternoon. The chairman, Mr W. A. Sheat (Government, Egmont), said the committee had been told the Ministry of Works was installing a fire detector system for which the Underwriters’ Association withdrew approval in 1962. The inadequacy of fire protection safeguards had been shown up forcibly in the inquiry into the Aotea Quay buildings fire on July 14, 1961, said Mr Sheat. Mr N. E. Kirk (Opposition, Lyttelton) said some conc.ern had been expressed over the effectiveness of fire alarm systems in post office buildings. The Fire Service Council could well take over control, he said. Mr H. L. J. May (Opposition, Onslow) said he understood the fire alarm system in the Public Service garage, Wellington, also destroyed by fire, had been out of favour since 1930. The Chief Fire Service’s report should be included in the Fire Service Council’s annual report. “An officer of high standing was brought out from the United Kingdom for this position, but his reports never saw the light of day,” said Mr May. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nordmeyer) said the Auditor-General in his report

last year indicated to Parliament the need to protect valuable Government property from fire. “From the evidence I heard much more is needed to be done with regard to this protection.” In general the Ministry of Works had done a great deal but it was not enough. There was apparently a lack of liaision between the Ministry of Works Department and the Fire Service Council. Mr Nordmeyer said he felt that the really important thing was not so much the fire alarm system but provision of a sprinkler system where valuable property was concerned. “Although an early alarm is important, a method of containing the fire must be ensured,” he said. Mr M. Moohan (Opposition, Petone) said the committee’s report on the Aotea Quay fire was alarming. It revealed that detectors installed after a fire in September, 1959, had not been connected when the tnajor fire occurred in July. 1961. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Watt) said the Ministry of - Works fire officer was a competent official but he did not have the organisation to do the job. “There is only one officer and two assistants. Added to this is the fact that the Post Office and Railways Departments afe not compelled to accept this officer’s advice.” Giving the Fire Service Council authority would not result in duplication but would make one body in complete control, said Mr Watt.