Plugging the fire prevention and fighting "gaps" in parking lots

This reality requires timely solutions to limit fire and explosion incidents.

The scene of the fire at the parking lot at 335 Nguyen Khoai Street (Hong Ha Ward), August 30.

Shortcomings in state management.

The fire at the vehicle parking lot at 335 Nguyen Khoi Street (Hong Ha Ward) on August 30 caused serious damage to property and the structure of Vinh Tuy Bridge.

According to the People's Committee of Hong Ha Ward, the fire at the electricity booth outside the road next to the T2 pillar of Vinh Tuy Bridge spread to the vehicle parking area; the fire area was about 300 square ^meters ; estimated damage was about 500 vehicles.

Hong Ha Ward People's Committee said that this vehicle parking lot is not under the state management of fire prevention and fighting according to Decree No. 105/2025/ND-CP of the Government detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue.

According to Decree No. 105/2025/ND-CP, only car and motorbike parking lots are subject to state management of fire prevention and fighting; at the same time, car and motorbike parking lots with a total floor area of 500m² or more are at risk of fire and explosion.

This fire incident shows that outdoor parking areas are "outside" the state's fire prevention and control management, while in Hanoi there are hundreds of licensed outdoor parking areas as well as unlicensed ones, posing a high risk of fire and explosion.

In fact, in Bo De ward, Lieutenant Colonel Do Danh Hue , Chief of Bo De ward police, said that there are currently 6 vehicle parking lots in the area. Most parking lots have complied with regulations on fire prevention and fighting, equipped with fire extinguishers, sacks, sand; arranged vehicles in lots, rows, types; managed fire sources, heat sources, etc. Besides, there are still some problems such as arranging vehicles without ensuring minimum area, not separating the domestic electricity system and electricity for fire prevention and fighting, still violating regulations on cooking and worshiping in the parking lot area, etc.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of Hoang Liet Ward People's Committee Ta Viet Dung said that in Hoang Liet Ward (old) there are 63 large and small parking lots, in addition there are about 20 parking lots from communes in Thanh Tri District (old) imported. Most of the parking lots in Hoang Liet Ward have not been licensed to operate or have expired. Meanwhile, the demand for parking of local people is very large, especially at the HH Linh Dam apartment complex with more than 36,000 people.

“The ward People’s Committee will propose to the city a plan to address the locality’s actual needs. For locations that are deemed not to meet the requirements, the ward government will resolutely close them,” said Vice Chairman of the Hoang Liet Ward People’s Committee Ta Viet Dung.

Correcting awareness and responsibility of facility owners

The above fire raises many issues, among which the state management of fire prevention and fighting at these facilities needs to be focused on. Accordingly, it is necessary to perfect the legal basis to strictly manage fire prevention and fighting at vehicle parking areas. Specifically, it is necessary to include the elements of fire prevention and fighting review and acceptance in the licensing conditions; resolutely not grant business licenses to areas that do not ensure fire prevention and fighting factors...

Based on practical experience in managing the facility, Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Thinh, Deputy Head of the Cua Nam Ward Police, said that the unit has intensified guidance and recommendations to parking lots to regularly maintain and service fire prevention and firefighting equipment; at the same time, arrange vehicles according to the minimum area to facilitate evacuation in case of an incident; prohibit cooking, worship, metal welding and cutting, and smoking in the parking area, and strictly manage sources of fire and heat.

“In the coming time, the Ward Police will continue to advise the People's Committee of Cua Nam Ward to inspect, rectify, and raise awareness and responsibility of businesses providing vehicle parking services in the ward, contributing to ensuring fire safety and protecting the lives and property of the people,” Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Thinh expressed.

In the long term, Lieutenant Colonel To Hong Nho, Deputy Head of the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Department (Hanoi City Police), said that the unit has directed the regional Fire and Rescue Teams to coordinate with relevant units to thoroughly review and inspect fire prevention and fighting work at vehicle parking areas. They require facilities to have complete fire prevention and fighting systems, equipment, and means, and to ensure safety conditions according to current regulations and standards. In particular, they focus on guiding and urging facility owners to regularly inspect and rectify deficiencies in the electrical system; protective devices, wiring, and electrical outlets, to prevent short circuits and overloads that could cause fires.

“Owners of vehicle parking facilities must be fully trained in fire prevention and fighting and have a certificate before they can do business or participate in vehicle parking. The unit will resolutely handle owners who have not been trained in fire prevention and fighting and request the suspension of operations of vehicle parking facilities that deliberately violate the law,” emphasized Lieutenant Colonel To Hong Nho.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bit-lo-hong-phong-chay-chua-chay-tai-bai-trong-giu-xe-715496.html