The Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Service has raised concerns over fire safety in buildings, institutions and businesses in the city, citing electrical faults, blocked exits, poor housekeeping and poorly maintained firefighting equipment.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo said the Fire Prevention Section conducts inspections twice a week in the Central Business District (CBD) to assess compliance with fire safety requirements.
“The Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Service has a Fire Prevention section that deals with inspections. The program is conducted two times a week within the CBD for fire safety compliance within the buildings, institutions and businesses properties. The Fire Prevention Section conducts building inspections that include checking electrical faults,” Moyo said.
He said the inspections covered portable fire extinguishers to ensure buildings had the correct type and adequate number, and that they were properly installed and maintained.
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“The inspection covers a wide array of items within the buildings such as Portable Fire Extinguishers. We inspect the correct type of extinguisher for fire hazards, adequate number of extinguishers, proper mounting height, visible signage, pressure gauge within operating range, current service tag, accessibility which is not obstructed and no physical damage or corrosion,” Moyo said.
The Brigade also inspects fire hose reels and hydrants to ensure they are operational.
“We also inspect Fire Hose Reels and Hydrants. Hose reels must be operational and must have no leakage. We also make sure that the hose length is adequate, the nozzle is functional, hydrant cabinets are unlocked and marked, hydrant valves are serviceable and hydrant pressures are tested,” Moyo said.
Moyo said emergency exits and escape routes were inspected to ensure people could leave buildings safely during emergencies.
“On Emergency Exits and Means of Escape, we inspect to make sure that the number of exits are adequate, exiting doors are open outward, doors are not locked or chained, escape routes are not blocked, corridors are free from storage, exit signs are illuminated, escape routes are clearly marked, staircases are protected and handrails are secure,” Moyo said.
He raised particular concern over the number of people now working at Edgars along Herbert Chitepo Street, saying the building had only one entrance.
“For example, the current state of Edgars Herbert Chitepo Street used to have 10 people on duty but currently its almost 150 people with one entrance compromising safety,” Moyo said.
Moyo also raised concerns over the Duly basement at 11th Avenue and Jason Moyo Street, saying people were not authorised to operate underground.
“We have Duly basement by 11th Avenue and Jason Moyo street which is not authorised to have people underground. They were given vacation notice, however they are still operating restaurants using gas which is so dangerous,” Moyo said.
He said property owners were given inspection results but some failed to address the identified problems.
“The property owners are given results of their buildings but fail to comply or attend to it after giving such comments,” Moyo said.
The Brigade also checks housekeeping and the storage of combustible materials.
“When it comes to Housekeeping and Combustible Materials, we inspect to make sure there is no excessive paper or cardboard accumulation, combustible materials are stored safely, storerooms are organised, flammable liquids are stored correctly and no combustible materials are near electrical equipment,” Moyo said.
He said fire safety signage was also checked, including fire exit, fire extinguisher location, hose reel, no-smoking, electrical hazard and assembly point signs.
Moyo said inspections were conducted yearly, although the Brigade did not cover all properties because some shops were sublet.
“Inspection is conducted yearly but we don’t cover all properties because of subletting shops,” he said.
The Brigade’s fire prevention and preparedness measures include inspections, risk assessments, fire investigations and public awareness campaigns, Moyo said.
“The Brigade is conducting the following measures as fire prevention and preparedness measures. Prevention includes inspections, risk assessments, fire investigations and public awareness,” he said.
He said protection measures included fire alarms, extinguishers, hydrants, hose reels, fire doors and emergency lighting.
“Protection includes fire alarms, extinguishers, hydrants, hose reels, fire doors and emergency lighting,” he said.
Preparedness measures include emergency plans, training, mock drills and evacuation planning, while response measures include fire engines, rescue services, ambulance services and emergency communications.
“Preparedness includes emergency plans, training, mock drills and evacuation planning. Response includes fire engines, rescue services, ambulance services and emergency communications,” Moyo said.
He said recovery measures included fire investigations, recommendations and lessons learned, while the Brigade worked with communities on fire awareness and training.
“Recovery includes fire investigation, recommendations and lessons learned. Community Resilience includes fire awareness, fire-team training and community participation,” he said.
Moyo said electrical faults and unsafe electrical installations were among the most common fire safety problems identified in Bulawayo buildings.
“The most common fire safety weaknesses that the fire Brigade is finding in Bulawayo buildings are usually electrical faults and unsafe electrical installations, overloaded sockets and circuits, illegal or makeshift electrical connections, old and deteriorated wiring, poorly maintained distribution boards, faulty electrical appliances and electrical equipment located close to combustible materials,” Moyo said.
He said blocked or inadequate escape routes were also common.
“On blocked or inadequate escape routes, emergency exits are blocked by furniture or stock, exit doors are locked while buildings are occupied and there are narrow or insufficient escape routes,” Moyo said.
Poor housekeeping was another concern, particularly in the CBD.
“On poor housekeeping in the CBD, there is accumulation of cardboard, paper and rubbish, and combustible materials are stored against electrical equipment,” he said.
Moyo said some buildings had defective or inadequate fire extinguishers.
“Defective or inadequate fire extinguishers include missing extinguishers, the wrong type of extinguisher for the hazard and expired servicing,” he said.
He said some buildings were also inadequately prepared for emergencies.
“On poor emergency preparedness, some buildings have no effective fire emergency plan, no evacuation procedures, no assembly point, staff are not trained in evacuation and there is no emergency contact information. For example at Essex house they struggled to call the Brigade,” Moyo said.
The Brigade also found problems with the maintenance of firefighting installations, including blocked fire risers and hydrants, inoperative hose reels and inadequate water pressure.
“Poor maintenance of fire-fighting installations includes blocked fire risers or hydrants, inoperative hose reels and inadequate water pressure,” he said.
Moyo said access for fire appliances was another challenge during emergencies.
“Finally there is poor access for fire appliances in some buildings. For example it was difficult to access the back of Essex Building,” he said.
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