Latest regulations fall short in addressing all fire-safety design issues
This caution comes from ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk, who notes that informal settlements and wildland urban fire interfaces, to mention a few, are not addressed. The acute lack of water and effective options to deal with it are also not included, albeit in commentary form.
“Our latest sprinkler code is in draft format, and is currently in circulation for comment. However, that is also not, to the best of my knowledge, a comprehensive standard like the American NFPA 13 standard for sprinklers,” van Niekerk points out.
Meanwhile, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has collaborated with a coalition of over 70 international organisations to develop a new fire safety global standard. The project aims to bring reassurance to people across the world that the buildings and infrastructure they use follows the best worldwide expertise on fire safety, RICS reported in a statement.
“I believe that international collaboration makes perfect sense, because unlike politics or cultural differences, fire burns everywhere in pretty much the same manner. The development of a standard that includes knowledge, experience and skills from across the globe can only be of benefit to all,” van Niekerk adds.
The International Fire Safety Standards were open for global consultation until 23 March 2020, with the final international standard to be published later this year. The project brought together wide-ranging global expertise, and also attracted the support of the United Nations and World Bank.
“Fire knows no geographical or political boundaries. Along with this, the differing approaches to building fire safety across the globe can be inconsistent, ineffective and, in some cases, non-existent. There is an urgent need to deliver better safety for people’s homes, communities and workplaces,” according to Gary Strong, Chair of the International Fire Safety Standards Coalition and Global Building Standards Director at RICS.
Ends
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About ASP Fire
ASP Fire operates across the entire African continent from its Gauteng base, providing professional, accredited fire risk management and support to its clients. ASP Fire designs, installs and maintains a full range of fire detection and suppression equipment suited to clients’ needs. ASP Fire provides a holistic, proactive and preventative fire solution based on integrated fire risk assessment, training and consulting, with the installation and maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems that meet SABS, NFPA, FPASA, FDIA and SAQCC standards.
ASP Fire Contact
Michael van Niekerk
ASP Fire CEO
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Cell: 083 779 1701
Fax: 086 505 1030
Email: michael [at] aspfire [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.aspfire.co.za
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