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| Sunday, 27 April 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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New Fire Service Law 2002 enacted by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE To provide greater protection to persons and property from hazards of fire, a new Fire Services by law act 2002 will be enacted by the Western Provincial Council shortly. The new by-laws would enable the Fire Services Department to function effectively and efficiently, the City's Chief Fire Officer, J. Kannangara told the "Sunday Observer." He said that the Fire Services Department has forwarded recommendations to the Commissioner of Local Government in respect of new provisions to be incorporated into the Fire Services by law 2002. The new provisions once ratified by the Commissioner of the Local Government will then be forwarded to the Western Provincial Council for approval. The process is expected to be finalised by the end of the year which would rescind the by-laws enacted more than half a century ago, he said. Under the new provisions it would be mandatory for all types of buildings to be certified by the Fire Department annually. Dwellings and other designated premises would be categorised under six categories including sleeping accommodation, treatment and care, teaching training and research, where members of public assemble, place of work, where explosives and other highly inflammable articles are stored. Mr. Kannangara said that under the new provisions any alterations to a building have to be notified to the Fire Services Department and anybody violating these provisions would be taken to task. The Fire Services Department would be empowered to issue a prohibition order and subsequently get a closing order from a Magistrate court. There are also provision for a dissatisfied party to seek redress from court. The new by laws requires that every building to be equipped with adequate fire escapes and exists routes and equipment to fight a fire. A warning system to alert of a fire, would be some of the requirements necessary for certification by the Fire Services Department. |
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