ME Region need to up-the-Ante
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, May 29 2012:
The recent outbreak of fires region-wide should be seen as a signal for governments, organizations and communities to ensure that world standard safeguards are in place, according to Mr. Yusuf Abdulrahman Fakhro, Director of Bahrain-based, Yusif bin Yusif Fakhro (YBYF).
Safe & Sound, a division of YBYF, has recently joined forces with a leading provider of international standard fire safety systems, Eurotech Fire Systems.
Ajai Datta, General Manager of the Safe & Sound Division stressed the need for public spaces, such as shopping malls to start the fire safety audits and operational measures at the planning stage itself.
Commitment to fire safety training is crucial
"Shopping malls are unlike any other property. Malls have an extremely dynamic environment, changing every minute. They generate a 'guard-down environment' meaning that visitors are relaxed and out to have a good time.
"Potential danger areas in shopping malls are un-accessed or hidden areas, often not monitored by security and fire can start much faster and easier. Such areas can be storage space for packing which contain combustible material."
Datta suggest that fire drills and training is a must to minimize fire risks in malls and surrounding areas.
"Just like a hotel or hospital, all the people working in malls, must receive fire prevention and management training regularly. Most often, such training are organized only for security personnel and rest of the workforce within a mall is left unexposed to know-how on handling fire.
Fire safety and management plans should start at development stage:
The developers and builders must re-look their priorities and make fire safety a part of their core planning. The first step for any mall developer must be to allocate resources for capex (capital expenditure) and estimate opex (Operating expenditure). Capex is at the pre-construction and construction stage. The developers need to have proper risk assessment, strong but flexible design, optimum and integrated system in place.
For Opex they need to have allocated resources for preventive maintenance, re-inspection, re-commissioning, retrofit, training, drill.
Datta stressed that developers and management put a commitment and budget for the safety and prevention and not sacrifice safety for a 'Show me the ROI' (Return on Investment) approach.
Training and monitoring can make the difference between safety and disaster:
"What makes a difference is; the systems, the technology and the preparedness of teams. A simple integrated Fire System with CCTV (Sight), Voice Evacuation System (Speech), Access Controls (Access) and Air Conditioning System (Fresh Air) is critical when it comes to preparation," he said.
Basic Steps to avoid disasters
* Conduct a risk assessment to minimize the danger of fire
* Implement precautionary maintenance measures to reduce the risk of fire.
* Act, Report, log on any possible or near miss situations.
* Include local fire departments and emergency medical personnel in developing and coordinating a written emergency management plan.
* Train security personnel and staff teams on how to respond to a fire emergency.
* Schedule periodic joint drill exercises between mall personnel and first line responders.
* Allocate funds to finance ongoing training programs to improve mall security and communication methods.
-Ends-
About Yusif bin Yusif Fakhro:
Yusif Bin Yusif Fakhro WLL was founded by Yusif Bin Yusif Fakhro in 1945 and has been in family owned hands ever since.
Today, the company employs nearly 100 people, including a team who specialize in appliances servicing and after-sale care. The company has its head office & showroom in Sehla. The company has five main divisions: Home Appliances division, the Project and Communications Division, the Home Entertainment, the Furniture Division and the Kitchen Cabinets division. The group's philosophy is to offer only quality products, assuring premium back-up and post-sales service. This is the foundation of the reputation, built over 65 years.
http://www.yyfakhro.com/
About Eurotech
Eurotech Fire Systems Ltd is a privately owned UK organisation based in Waterlooville,
Hampshire. Eurotech Fire Systems Ltd provides a single branded approved fire detection system, certified to national and international standards.
http://www.eurotechfire.com/
Media contacts
Anu Bhatnagar
0097150 72 86 803
Email: media@strategicsolutionsonline.com
© Press Release 2012
