Fire-risk awareness a safety factor

Press, 16 May 1985, Page 22

Fire-risk awareness a safety factor

PA Wellington Public awareness coupled with an adherence to firesafety regulations should reduce the risk of major fires in public assembly buildings to a minimum, the Fire Service’s director of fire safety, Mr Kevin Henderson has said.

He emphasised that buildings’ meeting certain requirements was not enough by itself. Management and the public had to be aware of the danger of fire and the speed with which it could spread. This speed had been obvious with the Bradford soccer grandstand fire in which at least 52 people died. New Zealand’s Local Government Act called for the licensing of all public halls and places of assembly. These licences were renewed each year, Mr Henderson said. Before a licence could be issued a Fire Service officer had to provide a report for the local authority. during the 12-month period of the licence an officer of the local authority or the Fire Service was free to inspect the premises and ensure that fire standards were adhered to.

Buildings had to have a certain number of exits, depending on capacity and these had to be clear. Re-

quirements relating to the surface spread of flame along walls, ceilings, and drapes also had to be met. Fire-fighting equipment had to be available and with larger buildings a manual fire alarm fitted.

Places holding up to 300 people had to be staffed by two attendants, 300 to 500 had to have three attendants, and those with more than 500 three attendants and a safety officer.

While it was difficult to generalise, most buildings were expected to be evacuated within three minutes,

Mr Henderson said. But, this was much dependent upon conditions at the time the fire broke out.

People going into cinemas, theatres, and halls should be aware of where the emergency exits were and of the type of environment they were in with relation to fire.

Provided they and the building’s management were aware of how fast fire could spread in unfavourable circumstances and the fire requirements were maintained, risk should be kept to a minimum, he said.