BMA suspends all fire drills, recalls demonstration fire extinguishers for safety checks

[webfact]

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has ordered the suspension of all fire drills at schools, private and government offices until all equipment is checked to ensure safety and all demonstration fire extinguishers are recalled for safety checks.

 

The governor has also ordered a revamp of fire drill protocols. For example, only empty fire extinguishers will be used, no CO2 will be used during the demonstrations and, if the drill is taking place in a school compound, students will watch it from school buildings on the second or third floor for their safety. Instead, a video presentation will be provided so students and the public in general can learn what to do in case of a fire.

 

Governor Chadchart said today (Saturday) that he has instructed all fire stations in Bangkok, district offices and community leaders to check their chemical fire extinguishers for expiry dates and whether they need to be replaced.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bma-suspends-all-fire-drills-recalls-demonstration-fire-extinguishers-for-safety-checks/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-06-26

 

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[webfact]

BMA Removes All Co2 Fire Extinguishers, Temporarily Halts Fire Drills
by TNR Staff

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Deputy Governor Tawida Kamolvej, right, and the school yard where the 12th grader died during a fire drill. Photo: Matichon

 

FOLLOWING the explosion of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher during a drill at a secondary school in Bangkok killing a student Friday (June 23), the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) today ordered the removal of these tanks that are mostly only kept at fire stations and differ from the dry chemical red fire extinguishers placed in various locations across the city, Matichon newspaper said.

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Deputy Governor  Ms. Tawida Kamolvej also halted all fire drills until the equipment had been checked for safety.

 

Next week district chiefs and community leaders will be checking the red fire extinguishers in every neighbourhood with old ones being removed and those up to standard topped up with the required chemicals.

 

Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/06/24/bma-removes-all-co2-fire-extinguishers-temporarily-halts-fire-drills/

 

-- © Copyright  THAI NEWSROOM 2023-06-26

 

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[webfact]

Bangkok freezes fire drills after fatal school mishap, calls for rigorous reform
By Mitch Connor

 

An ambulance car carrying the injured student leaves a high school for a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, June 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

The Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, has appealed for extensive reform of disaster prevention and mitigation systems in the wake of a lethal explosion that occurred during a fire drill at a local school. Fire evacuation exercises throughout the city will remain suspended while safety checks on fire-fighting apparatus are carried out.

 

This update in policy comes in the aftermath, the day after to be precise, of a tragic event that saw a carbon dioxide extinguisher detonation at Rajavinit Mathayom School in the Dusit district. This unfortunate occurrence resulted in the loss of a student’s life and left several others wounded.

 

To avoid further similar mishaps, a trio involved in the execution of the drill have been charged with negligence. Initial investigations indicate that extreme outdoor heat could have been a contributing factor to the blast.

Yesterday, the Deputy Governor, Thawida Kamolvej announce the suspension of all fire drills until safety reviews of all equipment are carried out. According to her, all carbon dioxide extinguishers from fire centres across the city have been withdrawn.

She highlighted that local fire stations and district offices have been tasked with collaborating with community leaders to conduct thorough inspections of all city extinguishers. This directive focuses on identifying any damage, leaks or other potential issues.

 

A significant move, as iterated by Kamolvej, is the development of guidelines to ensure that inspections are carried out adequately. Furthermore, district offices will replace any faulty extinguishers, and residents are encouraged to report defective equipment through the Traffy Fondue website.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/bangkok-freezes-fire-drills-after-fatal-school-mishap-calls-for-rigorous-reform

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-26

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has ordered the suspension of all fire drills at schools, private and government offices until all equipment is checked to ensure safety and all demonstration fire extinguishers are recalled for safety checks.

A good move, considering.

[Skipalongcassidy]

So it takes a death in this case to see that proper maintenance of something as simple as a fire extinguisher is maintained properly... Preventative maintenance would do wonders for this countries well being... start here and then move on to the pumps necessary during the "flood season"... then on to all the other neglected machines and systems