Thailand sees about 9 factory fires a month

[Thaivisa News]

Bangkok – Factory fires happened in Thailand at the rate of nine incidents per month and the authorities are mapping out ways to tighten safety measures.

The authorities have compiled the fire records for the past four years, noting 71 factory fires in 2013-14.

In 2012-13 saw 50 factory fires. From October to February, there were already 43 factory fires reported.

The most common cause of fire is short circuit.

Industry Minister Chakramon Phasukavanich said his office would soon report and make recommendations for the Cabinet approval on how to tighten industrial safety.

The ministry has issued the 2009 ministerial regulations on the factory fire prevention and extinguishing and will look for a better way to enforce the regulations, Chakramon said.

Among fire preventive measures on the drawing board, the authorities plan to promote the factory’s internal safety assessment which would be required to submit report findings.

The safety assessment findings would, in turn, become the basis on the decision whether to renew the factory license with five-year expiry date.

For high-risk factory or old one built for more than 10 years, the assessment would be required every two-year period.

The ministry has found that old industrial places are more prone to fire than new ones.

Factories with more than 11 years in operation account for the majority of fire incidents.

Some 57 per cent of factory fires happened in 133 buildings which were in use for more than a decade.

Fire incidents involving those factories built for less than 10 years accounted for 29 per cent.

Some 14 per cent of fire incidents happened in factory buildings with less than five years in service.

[taony]

I can find no reason to take any action.

[jerojero]

Hmmm.... Seems like a whole lot of fires! And high risk if building is older than 10 years? Yikes.

[h90]

"The ministry has found that old industrial places are more prone to fire than new ones.

Factories with more than 11 years in operation account for the majority of fire incidents.

Some 57 per cent of factory fires happened in 133 buildings which were in use for more than a decade.

Fire incidents involving those factories built for less than 10 years accounted for 29 per cent.

Some 14 per cent of fire incidents happened in factory buildings with less than five years in service."

Did the ministry also consider that there might be much more old factories than new one?

[noahvail]

"The most common cause is short circuit." With the quality of electrical work around, that's certainly no surprise.

[JOC]

Earth, anyone??

[Eric Loh]

Insurance anyone ??

[rubl]

There used to be a relation between factory fires and economical situation. I wonder if that's still the case

[bangon04]

"Factory fires happened in Thailand at the rate of nine incidents per month"

Yes it is good to see the Thai insurance industry so vibrant and healthy and profitable.

[thedude82]

"short circuit"...so who's responsible?

[BSJ]

Are these all Thai owned factories? Would be interested to know how many are foreign owned, if any.

[Pib]

I expect a lot of these so called "factories" are just small and common buildings (like shop-houses) where manufacturing occurs. I think we all know the electrical condition of many such small buildings (and homes) in Thailand...and of course the extremely lax attitude Thais have about safety.