SARAWAK has been experiencing heavy rains and flooding over the past few weeks, causing many people to stay indoors.
During this monsoon season, I have the opportunity to spend quality time with my children and grandchildren.
However, with the continuous rainfall, the festive Chinese New Year celebrations were somewhat subdued, and many people I know and met were affected by the flu.
Despite the weather, I had the chance to meet with veteran politicians and former policymakers. Our discussions revolved around general safety matters, particularly fire safety.
It was then that I realised that many people still misunderstand fire safety.
One of the most striking observations was the confusion surrounding the Fire Certificate and the Occupational Permit.
These documents ensure that buildings are safe for occupation, yet many people are unaware of their purpose and importance.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba Sarawak) enforces fire safety regulations under the Sarawak Building Ordinance (SBO) 1994.
Compliance with these regulations ensures that buildings meet both passive and active fire safety requirements before they are approved for use by the local authorities.
Ensuring fire safety in building construction is not simply about fulfilling legal obligations but about protecting lives, properties, and the environment.
The SBO 1994 is divided into nine parts, each outlining engineering approaches and fire protection guidelines.
Compliance with these guidelines guarantees that buildings are designed and constructed with the highest possible safety standards.
Total Fire Safety is built upon five critical components that must be achieved through systematic compliance in the construction industry.
These components include passive and active fire requirements, the application of standards and codes, a performance-based approach, computer fluid dynamics simulation, and comprehensive fire risk assessments.
Each plays a key role in ensuring that fire risks are minimised in buildings.
As construction technologies continue to evolve, economic demands increase and developments become more complex, Sarawak’s existing fire safety laws, namely the SBO 1994 and the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) 1984, are struggling to keep up.
Although amendments have been made to improve these laws, prescriptive regulations alone cannot accommodate the complexities of modern high-rise and industrial structures.
To address these challenges, Bomba Malaysia has introduced MS 2780:2023 which was adopted from the British Standard.
Developed by the Technical Committee on Passive Fire Safety Design under the National Standards Committee on Fire Safety, this Code of Practice for Fire Safety Engineering (FSE) provides a more flexible and innovative approach to designing fire-safe buildings.
The MS 2780:2023 goes beyond traditional prescriptive regulations by offering a performance-based methodology that evaluates fire risks, smoke spread, structural responses, evacuation efficiency, and firefighting interventions.
This approach allows engineers and architects to design buildings that meet functional safety objectives while maintaining flexibility.
Understanding fire safety engineering is crucial in reducing the probability of catastrophic incidents.
Fire development typically occurs in four stages: pre-flashover, flashover, fully developed fire, and decay.
MS 2780:2023 is a guide on evaluating fire growth, smoke toxicity, and structural response based on fire size and heat flux.
It also outlines measures for early fire detection, activation of fire protection systems, and rapid response interventions by the fire department.
One of the most critical aspects of fire safety is occupant evacuation and behaviour.
Assessing how people respond to fire emergencies, their evacuation time and the loss of tenable conditions within a building is essential.
Equally important is probabilistic risk assessment, which analyses potential hazards, fire scenarios, and consequences.
By integrating these elements, building owners and developers can make informed decisions to enhance fire safety measures.
Fire safety is best approached through the 3P concept: Precaution, Prevention, and Protection.
These three principles serve as a behavioural framework for individuals, businesses, and authorities to reduce fire risks effectively.
Precaution involves identifying potential fire hazards within a building, including ignition sources, combustible materials, and unique structural layouts.
Prevention focuses on implementing fire-resistant construction materials, ensuring proper electrical installations, and maintaining clear evacuation routes.
Protection refers to equipping buildings with fire detection and suppression systems, enforcing regulations, and promoting fire safety awareness among occupants.
Fire safety is a collective responsibility that extends beyond the authorities.
While Bomba Sarawak has implemented fire safety acts, ordinances, standards, best practices, and enforcement measures, compliance from all stakeholders is essential.
Safe practices and strict adherence to regulations will not only ensure personal safety but also protect entire communities and the environment.
Emergency management also plays a crucial role in tackling fire incidents.
Understanding the systematic approach to fire response, especially during the first five minutes, can significantly influence the severity and magnitude of an incident.
A well-prepared response strategy, combined with fire safety engineering, will ultimately minimise casualties and property damage.
Fire safety is a commitment, not an option.
Authorities, developers, businesses, and individuals must work together to make Total Fire Safety a reality.
This requires a comprehensive understanding of building characterisation, fire hazards, environmental influences, occupant behaviour, fire safety management, and firefighting strategies.
A strong commitment to fire safety can prevent tragedies before they happen.
As I often say, we want to see you before the fire, not after.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
