National Fire Authority’s Structural Fire Safety Department has started conducting building inspection in Cities/Towns in order to ensure that all commercial, Industrial and public premises comply with fire safety requirements of the National Building Code of Fiji and Health and Safety at Work Act regulations.
NFA Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Jone Koroi said NFA has started its inspections in municipalities from last month in order to ensure all buildings are compliant with Fiji’s National Building Code relating to fire safety requirements, buildings which do not comply with fire safety requirements and HASAW regulations may face non-renewal of annual business licence.
“NFA has been given the mandate by the Ministry of Local Government to conduct fire safety inspections in all building premises around the country”, Mr Koroi said.
“By the end of December all business premises should have been inspected by NFA Officers to ensure compliance with the minimum fire safety standards in order to renew their annual business license for 2010,” Mr Koroi said.
The intent of the code is to prescribe minimum requirements necessary to establish a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the hazards created by fire. The scope of NFA’s inspections cover the construction, maintenance, general housekeeping, storage of combustibles and flammable materials, electrical safety and access and egress facilities”, Mr Koroi said.
Fiji has adopted internationally recognized safety standards to protect the public from fire and explosion hazards and establish standards for fire safety. The adopted international standards are amended to prevent fire occurrences in Towns/City boundaries.
“Government had recognized the need to prepare for emergencies in order to prevent or mitigate disasters when they inevitably occur. This move will support Government’s plans to boost economic development in the country in order to avoid fire losses which impact our economy,” Mr Koroi added.
Mileta Ting
Corporate Affairs Officer