Only 1% of buildings in city without fire safety features

KUALA LUMPUR: Only a small number of buildings in the city are without security features, especially to deal with fire emergency, Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Fire and Rescue Department director Othman Abdullah said.

He said the affected buildings were mostly old shops and flat units and shop houses which had been renovated into entertainment centres.

"Only 1% of buildings in Kuala Lumpur does not meet the stipulated standard," he told reporters after handing over fire engines and utility vehicles to several fire stations at the Bukit Jalil fire and rescue station here on Wednesday, Dec 8.

Six fire engines were presented and they were for the central fire station, Pudu, Hartamas, Cheras, Pantai and Taman Desa fire stations.

Othman said following inspection carried out, the department was satisfied with the compliance showed by owners of buildings in the city in meeting the requirement for them to install fire safety features at their premises.

"We are not worried about high rise and new buildings like the Menara Maybank because they have their own security features, like the water sprinkler which will function automatically in case of a fire," he added.

He said that last year, compounds totalling RM55,000 were issued to owners of buildings which failed to install fire safety features at their premises. — Bernama