Need to clarify construction licensing and fire prevention licensing

Nguoi Dua Tin (NDT): Dear delegate, the mini apartment fire in Khuong Ha (Thanh Xuan, Hanoi ) recorded the largest number of casualties in the past 21 years. What are your feelings at this moment?

National Assembly Deputy Pham Van Hoa: The fire at the mini apartment building in Hanoi was an especially serious fire, with a large number of casualties. This is a huge fear for the people.

Investor: The authorities have taken drastic action, with written instructions from the Prime Minister, relevant ministries, the Ministry of Public Security , and the Hanoi People's Committee to review fire prevention and fighting work. What do you think we need to pay attention to?

National Assembly Deputy Pham Van Hoa talks with Nguoi Dua Tin (Photo: Hoang Bich).

National Assembly Delegate Pham Van Hoa: The authorities need to resolutely handle the responsibilities related to the fire that led to this mini apartment building.

A mini apartment building located in an alley, built 9-10 floors but without an exit, this is a very serious issue. I think it is necessary to clarify and review from the construction stage, construction permit to the fire prevention and fighting permit stage, the license to operate and do business, and the permission to stay.

Even if the violation belongs to the authorities, criminal liability, joint liability and implementation can be prosecuted without any prohibited areas.

What are the responsibilities of local government agencies, ward and district levels? This also needs to be clarified.

Investor: In your opinion, are the current sanctions on fire prevention and fighting enough of a deterrent?

National Assembly Deputy Pham Van Hoa: I think the current sanctions are sufficient, but the important thing is whether people's awareness and the sense of responsibility of those performing their duties are handled properly according to regulations or not?

Investor: Regarding the mini apartment fire, although the investor was licensed for 6 floors, he built the building up to 9 floors, with an area of over 200m2. So, do you think it is necessary to review the construction licensing process for this apartment building and other mini apartments that “exceed the number of floors”?

National Assembly Deputy Pham Van Hoa: I think it is necessary to review the licensing process, how is the licensing post-inspection done? Is there a record? Is there any handling or forced demolition? In addition to criminal prosecution of the apartment building owner, licensing cannot avoid joint responsibility.

Although licensed for 6 floors, the investor built this project up to 9 floors (Photo: Pham Tung).

Investor: We have discussed and proposed many solutions to strengthen fire prevention and fighting, ensuring the safety of people's lives and property. So, in your opinion, what additional policies and measures are needed in the coming time to minimize the risks that may occur due to fire?

National Assembly Deputy Pham Van Hoa: The Party, the National Assembly , and the Government have closely directed the granting of construction permits and fire prevention and fighting permits to ensure absolute safety for people's lives. Yet fires and explosions still occur. This continues to be a cautionary lesson.

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there have been many fires that have resulted in fatalities. Therefore, all boarding houses, apartment buildings, houses, hotels, etc. need to consider the issuance of construction permits. The person issuing the construction permit and the fire prevention and fighting licensing agency must also be responsible. Along with that, there must be a model and an inspection to handle responsibility.

Along with that, it is important to regularly check, propagate and persuade people to understand fire prevention and fighting.

I think that tube houses, townhouses, apartments, and hotels must have escape routes and ensure fire prevention. In particular, only people who are aware of fire prevention can minimize the occurrence of fires and explosions.

At the same time, it is necessary to further enhance the responsibility of local authorities and state management agencies on fire prevention and fighting.

I think the issue of fire prevention and fighting is not only "hot" at the ongoing meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee but will also be "hot" in the parliament at the upcoming 6th session.

Investor: Thank you, delegates!

Research and propose feasible solutions for fire fighting

Speaking with Nguoi Dua Tin , Lawyer Nghiem Quang Vinh, Director of Nghiem Quang Law Firm (Hanoi Bar Association) said that through the fire at the mini apartment building in Khuong Dinh, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, he affirmed that the recent policy of the Ministry of Public Security to launch a nationwide fire prevention and fighting movement is a completely correct and appropriate policy.

For apartment buildings, when a fire breaks out, even with on-site fire protection equipment, it is not possible to handle it and more focused solutions are required. According to Mr. Vinh, the authorities need to research compact equipment and small alleys that can be accessed by ladders to save more people. In particular, for mini apartments, there must be a second escape route.

“The Ministry of Construction should have guidelines and allow high-rise buildings to install a second emergency exit outside the space in front of the house, close to the ground (about 5m above the ground so that people below can still walk normally without being affected), so that in case of an incident, people on the first floor only need to hook up the available ladder, and people above will be able to get down,” Mr. Vinh proposed.

According to Mr. Vinh, most apartments and high-rise buildings today have "3 sides facing the house, only 1 side facing the street". Therefore, it is necessary to allow the use of this space, which may not look aesthetically pleasing, but it can save many lives and provide a second escape route for houses on the street or houses in areas built in the style of townhouses.

In addition, in Hanoi, every neighborhood has built “fire safety groups” and public fire prevention locations with fire extinguishers. However, these solutions are only effective for small fires, and are not useful for large fires.

Therefore, the Ministry of Public Security needs to study and propose feasible solutions for centralized fire fighting using State fire fighting vehicles in small alleys, small hamlets, and small roads to be able to use them.

According to Mr. Vinh, people are very afraid of fire, worried about fire but still indifferent, not willing to learn and research. 90% of people do not know how to use fire extinguishers. Accordingly, it is necessary to continue to propagate and mobilize people, especially students, about this issue.

In addition, for households, when leaving the house, all electrical equipment should be turned off and when constructing, electrical wires must be installed with suitable diameters. Do not save, as this will lead to overloaded electrical wires causing heat, fire, etc.

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/chay-chung-cu-mini-can-lam-ro-khau-cap-phep-xay-dung-cap-phep-pccc-a626360.html