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Businesses receiving fire hazard warnings more than double last year’s
Channel NewsAsia - Sunday, December 14
SINGAPORE: With the festive season just around the corner, authorities are stepping up checks for fire safety violations.
The number of business establishments slapped with such warnings has more than doubled in the first 10 months of this year, compared to the same period last year. And the major culprit is entertainment venues.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is stepping up its surprise checks by some 20 per cent during this festive season when shopping malls and nightspots are crowded to ensure safety regulations aren’t breached.
An enforcement operation on Friday saw five establishments slapped with warnings.
The biggest violator was Robinsons The Centrepoint. Fire escape routes were blocked and used for storage on the first three levels. This exit on the first floor was blocked by a goods trolley.
In the event of fire, lifts can’t be used so a clear passageway out of the building is crucial to saving lives.
On the second and third levels, similar violations were discovered.
Despite explanations, Robinsons was issued three fire hazard notices and must resolve all violations in the next few days.
And amid the merrymaking at nearby Holiday Inn Park View, the surprise checks uncovered a serious violation.
The hotel has been asked by SCDF to clear out major obstructions which are blocking main escape ways for guests.
As a first time offender, the hotel was slapped with a warning, but was told the obstructions were serious enough to warrant immediate action.
Repeat violators can be fined up to S$10,000 or face a jail term of not more than six months or both.
At some nightspots, exit doors were found latched.
Major Azmi Adam, head, Enforcement Section, Fire Safety and Shelter Department, SCDF, said: "We view the locking of exit doors at entertainment outlets very seriously because locking of such doors would impede the safe evacuation of people."
Over at Clarke Quay, SCDF officers were on the lookout for overcrowding in clubs.
But instead, accompanying policemen uncovered a foreign worker with no work permit.
The 17—year—old trainee waitress was arrested and the club will be issued with a notice for breaching its licensing conditions. — CNA/vm
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Businesses receiving fire hazard warnings more than double last year’s
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