Fire and Rescue Department inspected 38 buildings in Miri over its two-day operations. — filepic

MIRI: Many buildings here that are accessed by the public, have breached safety regulations, said Miri Fire and Rescue Department.

This finding is based on the department’s on-the-spot inspections in various areas in the city over the past few days.

Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong said the checks were carried out on all important safety aspects of these buildings such as fire escape exits, safety switches, wirings, fire hydrants, fire hoses and availability of fire extinguishers.

“We also deployed teams to inspect accommodation facilities such as budget hotels and motels.

“Some were sent to check on shopping complexes, restaurants, shops and eateries.

“On the first day of operations, we visited 16 premises. On the second day, we covered 22 premises.

“We found that 28 of them have flouted various rules and regulations.

“We have issued warnings to the management and 11 were fined on the spot,” he said.

Supt Law said the safety breach was mostly pertaining to unsafe wiring and blockages along fire-escape routes and stairways.

He said many of the buildings did not have fire alarms.

“The failure to meet safety requirments will endanger lives in the event of a fire, he added.

Supt Law said Miri Fire and Rescue Department would intensify its safety checks on buildings, in view of the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations, where a bigger crowd was expected.

There are 40,000 buildings in Miri, including residential units.