Tightening fire safety in commercial business

Traditional markets and shopping malls are always crowded places with large quantities of goods and a variety of types. Trading activities take place continuously, especially during rush hours, making the business environment here potentially at risk of fire and explosion. Just a small mistake such as an electrical short circuit, carelessness in using fire sources or untidy arrangement of goods can lead to unpredictable consequences. This reality requires businesses as well as management units to pay special attention to fire prevention work.

Ms. Pham Thi Hop (second from left) and traders are instructed on how to use fire extinguishers.

As one of the long-time traders at Ha Long 2 market (Hong Gai ward), Ms. Pham Thi Hop understands better than anyone the serious damage that fires can cause, especially at night when there is no one watching. For her and many other traders, their life-long assets are all in their stalls, so ensuring fire safety is always a top priority. Responding to the movement "Each business household is equipped with a fire extinguisher" launched by the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police (Provincial Police) in coordination with the Market Management Board, Ms. Hop is one of the pioneers.

Ms. Pham Thi Hop said: “Our assets here are worth hundreds of millions of dong, so we always have to comply with fire prevention regulations and not let objects cover the fire extinguisher box. We regularly check fire extinguishers. Corridors and walkways are always kept clear. In general, everyone has to be careful with electricity and fire prevention.”

Thanks to the self-awareness of small traders like Ms. Hop, the business environment at the market is increasingly safer. Ha Long 2 Market is one of the largest markets in the province, currently having more than 900 business locations with 56 product lines. With thousands of people coming in and out every day, fire prevention work here is always of special concern to the Management Board. The market's fire fighting team consists of 28 members, on duty 24/7, ready to handle any arising situations. In addition, propaganda, guidance and inspection work are continuously deployed to raise awareness among business households.

Fire and Rescue Police officers and the market management board coordinated to inspect and remind businesses in the cooked food area.

Mr. Dinh Van Loi, Head of the Fire Prevention Department of Ha Long 2 Market (An Hung Plaza Investment Joint Stock Company) said: "The market is a place with a large number of people and a large amount of goods, so the Board of Directors of the company pays special attention to fire prevention work. We maintain a grassroots fire prevention force on duty 24/24 hours, divided into 3 shifts. During the duty, the brothers regularly check and remind businesses, especially areas using fire sources such as cooked food stalls, water stalls, squid rolls... These stalls are required to turn off all electrical equipment, check carefully before closing the door to leave, absolutely not allowing any mistakes to happen."

Not only markets, shopping malls, where a large number of high-power electrical equipment is used in enclosed spaces, are also always facing many potential fire and explosion risks. Electrical short circuits, power overloads in parking garages, children's play areas or food stalls can all become sources of fire if not strictly managed. Therefore, fire prevention work in shopping malls is always strictly monitored.

Fire and Rescue Police officers check fire prevention work at the kitchen of Dookki Restaurant, Vincom Center Ha Long Shopping Mall.

At Vincom Center Ha Long, businesses are regularly required to check electrical equipment, arrange work areas neatly, clean and fully equip fire fighting equipment on site. Ms. Hoang Thi Bich Ngoc, Manager of Dookki Restaurant, shared: “The restaurant uses electric fryers and induction cookers, so the risk of fire and explosion is limited. Recently, we have replaced electrical equipment to ensure safety, removed flammable items such as paper and plastic bags, and replaced them with stainless steel items; and regularly cleaned the kitchen area and ventilation fans. The restaurant is always fully equipped with fire extinguishers and periodically checks their expiration dates.”

According to statistics, the whole province currently has 102 markets, 126 supermarkets and 8 shopping centers. With a high density of business establishments, the authorities have been maintaining strict propaganda, professional training, organizing drills and regular inspections. Along with that, businesses and enterprises have increasingly raised awareness, proactively equipped with fire prevention equipment, focused on maintaining electrical systems, installing surveillance cameras, smoke detectors, heat detectors. Many places have boldly invested in automatic fire extinguishing systems, overload-proof electrical cabinets, contributing to minimizing the risk of fire and explosion, minimizing damage to property and life for businesses.

Hang Ngan

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/siet-chat-an-toan-phong-chay-trong-kinh-doanh-thuong-mai-3386010.html