MIRI: People here are receptive to the idea of having fire alarms installed in new houses with some suggesting this should also apply to longhouses.
Plans are afoot to amend the Building Ordinance 1994 to provide for its implementation in the state.
It will be tabled at the next State Legislative Assembly sitting this year, according to Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian earlier.
Devonshire Sikem, 45, a private sector employee here emphasised the importance of fire alarms to home owners.
“I am definitely supporting the upcoming Bill on installing fire alarms in new houses or even existing homes. I believe it is crucial for every household to install the fire alarm mechanism, especially if we have the elderly, children or persons with special needs in our homes.
“I would also encourage the alarm systems to be installed in rural areas, especially the longhouses and areas which are far from water resources.”
Echoing a similar view was Cindy Lai, 38.
“It is a good step by the state government, as it provides an early warning of a potentially deadly fire and could reduce by almost half the risk of dying from a fire in your home … and similar to security alarms, fire alarms also need regular safety inspection and maintenance but will the government give rebates for the maintenance of these fire alarms for home owners?” she questioned.
In this respect she said regular maintenance is essential to ensure these devices function properly when it matters most.
“Good intervention can prevent a lot of unfortunate incidents like loss of lives and property but we have to see the cost of installing and maintenance.”
Batu Niah Lions Club president Andy Jong, 46, is also for having a fire alarm security system.
“It’s an excellent idea to protect and save lives and properties,” he said.
Jong added, the installation of these (fire) alarms is not only crucial for commercial buildings , residential houses in urban areas but also those in rural areas as they too face risk of fire incidents.
Meanwhile , Cecilia Sman, 64 , entrepreneur and former journalist, said this effort by the government will not only save lives and properties but also ensure enhanced quality of life for the people.
“It is very timely and our elected representatives should support the proposed amendment,” she said.
This is very important as recent statistics from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) showed that fire cases and losses to properties are on the rise, she said.
“Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad had on Friday reported that Bomba received close to 35,000 distress calls for fires last year, with losses of up to RM2.6 billion compared to 28,489 calls involving losses of around RM2.2bil in 2022,” she added.
In Sarawak, cases of fire especially in longhouses, are very worrying as entire longhouses have been known to be destroyed.
“Fire outbreaks not only involve lives and properties but the well-being of the victims who lose their entire life-savings or properties.
“Thus, the government should not only make the law mandatory, but also create greater public awareness on fire prevention.”
She hoped the government will ensure the law is effectively implemented and that the people can afford to install fire alarms.
