Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Some Government buildings are failing to conform to the rules of the fire service, according to Acting Deputy Superintendent Cardiff Lindo of the Kingston and St. Andrew Fire Division.

The Fire Prevention department recommends that commercial buildings have a fire alarm system, alternate exits, adequate means of escape, fire extinguishers, sprinkler system, and designated place of assembly, among other things.

"Government buildings are the main ones that do not carry out the rules of the fire service," Acting Deputy Superintendent Cardiff said Tuesday during the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) Parish Disaster and Public Health Committee meeting.

Comply with rules

Acting Deputy Superintendent Cardiff later told The Gleaner that his statements were based on observations, noting that the older Government buildings were the main ones that did not comply. He was however, unable to say how many of these buildings were around but told The Gleaner that there were several of them.

Asked what his department does when it is found that buildings do not comply with the rules of the fire service, he said fire prevention programmes are implemented and building managers are encouraged to install alarm systems and other fire prevention devices.

Failure to comply, he noted, could result in the closure of a building.

According to him, all building plans go to the Fire Brigade, where safety measures are added to the plan. He noted that if the fire brigade does not sanction the plan, it is not approved by the building section of the KSAC.

Meanwhile, Cardiff reported to the meeting at the KSAC office on Church Street, that 314 fire calls were received last December.

Of that total, 210 were genuine; 63 were malicious false alarm; 33 were special service and eight were "other" calls.

He also noted that 244 calls were received in November, 144 of which were genuine.