Some urgent solutions for fire prevention and firefighting.

Ensuring safe use of electricity

Authorities recommend that homeowners, managers, and users of apartments regularly check the power capacity of their electrical systems to ensure it matches their consumption needs; they should install circuit breakers to cut off power in case of fire or explosion (disconnecting the household power supply in case of fire). The electrical wiring supplying the residential area should be separate from the wiring supplying the production or business area. Each apartment or room must have at least one circuit breaker. Ensure a continuous power supply for the fire prevention and firefighting system in case of fire or explosion. Homeowners, managers, and users of apartments should regularly inspect, maintain, and clean electrical equipment with a high risk of fire or explosion, such as air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators, washing machines, and heaters. Avoid placing flammable items or materials near these appliances.

Regarding electric vehicle charging: During charging, someone must constantly check the vehicle to promptly detect and address any problems; it is recommended not to charge overnight, and charging after 11 PM should only be done with safety precautions in place. Strictly adhere to the manufacturer's instructions: do not charge the vehicle if the charging equipment or the vehicle itself is malfunctioning; after use, wait approximately 20 minutes for the battery to cool down before charging; do not charge immediately after driving; and do not charge for more than 8 hours continuously. The power sources for electric vehicle charging must meet the required capacity. Circuit breakers should be installed to protect the charging power source, ensuring both automatic and manual switching in case of fire or explosion. When charging multiple electric vehicles, a separate circuit breaker should be provided for the charging source. When charging, do not place the vehicle, battery, or charger near flammable or explosive materials, sources of fire, heat, or any equipment that generates sparks or heat.

Strictly manage sources of fire and equip with fire prevention and firefighting equipment.

Strictly manage and regularly inspect flammable substances and materials such as combustible gases, flammable liquids, and other explosive chemicals.

All household members must receive training in fire prevention, firefighting, and evacuation skills in case of fire (knowing how to use rope ladders, masks, and fire extinguishers...).

Equip yourself with portable fire extinguishers and practice using them.

Do not combine business activities with other types of services that pose a high fire hazard (for example, businesses that use or store flammable gases, flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, hazardous chemicals, foam, various types of plastics, and similar flammable materials...).

Avoid finishing walls, ceilings, and floors with flammable, combustible, and smoke-producing materials (especially in small, cramped houses), such as plastic sheets, thin wooden boards, foam panels, or similar materials.

Install automatic fire alarm systems or local fire alarm devices to detect and alert to fires in their initial stages, increasing evacuation time for people; at the same time, fire alarm devices such as bells, sirens, lights, or loudspeakers should be installed in apartments, rooms, and floors.

Equip the building with initial firefighting equipment, rudimentary demolition tools, and personal protective equipment: portable fire extinguishers, localized automatic fire extinguishers, gas masks, etc. If possible, install an automatic fire extinguishing system suitable for the size and intended use of the building.

Some fire prevention and firefighting solutions for traditional houses.

Currently, traditional houses in Bac Kan include one-story and two-story houses. The architecture of one-story traditional houses focuses on two main designs: houses with wooden columns and beams, surrounded by wooden planks, and roofs covered with yin-yang tiles (later replaced with corrugated iron and fiber cement); and houses with rammed earth walls made of carefully mixed and compacted earth and gravel, built in layers, with the internal frame using wooden columns and beams to support the roof. Traditional houses are constructed with columns, floors, and walls all made of wood – a highly flammable material. Therefore, when a fire occurs outdoors, the rate of fire spread is very high, especially in dry and windy weather. Embers from the fire can be carried by the wind, causing the fire to spread to nearby areas.

To ensure fire safety in traditional houses, relevant units and localities need to regularly survey the current state of fire safety in households living in traditional houses for daily life, production, and business; integrate the dissemination of knowledge and skills in firefighting, rescue, and emergency response in case of fire or explosion in stilt houses; promote and encourage people to build kitchens using concrete slabs or non-combustible materials; households need to strictly manage heat sources, extinguishing all embers after cooking; install safe electrical systems, ensuring electrical equipment and wires are not placed directly on flammable materials; absolutely do not run wires directly to wooden posts or walls, or through flammable materials such as mattresses, clothes, or heat-resistant tarpaulins on roofs, etc. The cooking area must absolutely not contain many flammable items or goods; flammable materials such as firewood, straw, gasoline, oil, and gas should not be stored near the house or under the floorboards; if necessary, only small quantities should be stored; there must be a safe distance between houses, and access routes must be convenient for firefighting; proactively prepare water tanks, hoses, and equip fire prevention and firefighting equipment, including fire alarms, to detect and prevent fires early.

Source: https://backan.gov.vn/Pages/mot-so-giai-phap-cap-thiet-phong-chay-chua-chay-fd55.aspx