THIS week, I want to delve into a crucial topic that affects the safety and wellbeing of our communities: fire hydrants.
While my recent articles have revolved around the principles of total fire safety, this time, I will discuss the significance of fire hydrants and their role in safeguarding lives and property.
The Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341), which was amended in 2021, lays out the responsibilities of the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), emphasising the importance of extinguishing fires, protecting life and property, ensuring fire escapes, and providing adequate means of exit during emergencies.
Fire hydrants play a pivotal role in fulfilling these duties. They are installations connected to a water main, equipped with connections for firefighting purposes, including pipes, water tanks, and pumps.
These installations provide an immediate source of water for firefighting. To grasp their importance better, let’s explore their significance in our communities.
Under Part IV, Sections 22 to 26 of the Act, it is evident that water and fire hydrants are critical for fire safety. Section 22 underscores the need for adequate water storage on premises for firefighting purposes.
It is the responsibility of property owners to ensure that facilities for water supply for firefighting are readily available.
Any action that may affect the operation of fire hydrants must be carefully considered. There are regulations concerning the placement of fire hydrant location plates and strict penalties for concealing or misusing fire hydrants.
According to the Sarawak Building Ordinance Part VII in Section 215(2), every building must be served by at least one fire hydrant located within 90m of the nearest point of fire brigade access. It is important to note that depending on the building’s size and location, additional hydrants may be required.
In addition to fire hydrants, larger installations must have wet or dry rising systems and pressurized hydrant systems for use at any time. The building codes specify minimum water storage quantities for hydrant system installations.
Malaysia, and specifically Sarawak, follows specific standards for fire hydrants and firefighting equipment. These standards ensure that water reticulation systems for firefighting are adequate.
For underground fire hydrants and surface box frames and covers, BS 750:2012 is referenced, while MS 1395:2011 provides specifications for pillar fire hydrants.
Standards like MS 1489-1-1999 and MS 1489-2-2012 govern fire extinguishing installations and equipment, including hydrant systems, hose reels, and wet and dry firefighting mains.
These regulations and standards are in place to ensure that a reliable water supply system is available for firefighters. Firefighters need sufficient water supply to and from fire tenders, tankers, and firefighting machines to effectively combat fires within 10-15 minutes.
Despite the presence of these regulations, standards, and procedures, there are still challenges. Communities often lack awareness and civic responsibility regarding fire hydrants. This leads to failures in minimising losses during firefighting due to inadequate water supply.
Sarawak Bomba aims to transform communities into champions of fire safety, as outlined in the Dasar Kebombaan Dan Penyelamatan Negara 2021-2030. This aspiration and objective seeks to create safer environments, foster a culture of safety, promote strategic partnerships, and enhance total fire safety.
However, this transformation can only become a reality when communities actively participate in fire safety. Currently, there are 35,096 fire hydrants in Sarawak, distributed across the state. Among them, 33,158 are public hydrants which are painted red, while 1,938 are private hydrants which are painted yellow.
Based on Bomba’s Standard Operating Procedures, fire hydrants must be checked, tested, cleaned, and greased annually, with their locations reported to the local water authority. This year, nearly 92 per cent of the fire hydrants are in good working condition, while only 8 per cent require repair and additional funding.
To safeguard fire hydrants from vandalism or accidental damage, the public is encouraged to adopt fire hydrants under the “Bapa Angkat Pili Bomba” programme. Currently, only 33.6 per cent of 11,121 have been adopted, while 66.4 per cent 22,037 are waiting for adoption.
Those who participate in the “Bapa Angkat Pili Bomba” programme can act as guardians and promptly report any damage to their local teams, ensuring that fire hydrants remain effective during emergencies. They become community caretakers and make a significant difference during crises.
Reducing the tragic outcomes of failed firefighting efforts and creating safer communities are the ultimate goals. This eventually contributes to the department’s vision of seeing the community becoming the owners and champions of total fire safety.
All these efforts are for the benefit of our communities. As such, Sarawak Bomba calls on all Sarawakians to join us in making safety an integral part of our lives. Remember, “You make what you are, your safety is your choice so make it happen.”
