Malta is developing at a rate faster than predicted and fire safety measures have not been keeping up with the rest of Europe. Overdevelopment, with more buildings on the horizon, may increase fire risk but this can be partly counteracted if fire safety is built in at design stage.

In the wake of two separate fires that broke out last week, international fire engineers and consultants addressed a fire safety seminar last Wednesday focusing on overdue regulations for buildings at risk and liability issues.

Most deaths in a fire occur through inhalation of toxic gases from burning materials. The fire in a Marsascala apartment block early last Sunday led to a tragic fatality. Another fire, two days later at  Malta International Airport, was quickly and efficiently contained, although disruption of passenger flow at the airport caused costly delays.

Senior fire investigation consultant Ciara Holland spoke on lessons learned from case study fires at a UK supermarket, hotel and multi-occupancy building.

Both fire engineering consultant Don Scott and assessor Simon Bailey noted that bad application or maintenance of fire prevention measures could lead to failure of fire doors designed to prevent fire spread. A fire risk assessment can highlight flaws that may appear after an extension or retrofit to an existing building.

The Civil Protection Department’s deputy director, Peter Paul Coleiro, told the seminar, organised by the Chamber of Engineers, that UK fire safety officers were in Malta earlier this month to inspect a final draft of new fire legislation before stakeholders are approached in the consultation stage.

He urged professionals in the building industry – contractors, architects, engineers and others – to give their feedback on “raising the bar” for fire safety.

Storage of LPG fuel is being reviewed. Certification is also on the cards, with CPD plans for a register of competent fire engineers and fire safety consultants. The department runs an awareness campaign, visiting schools and educating students on safety issues.

Since 2002, the CPD has been tagged as the competent authority (or ‘directorate’) responsible for fire safety by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority. Yet fragmented legislation had been loosely interpreted by places of entertainment, catering and holiday premises with only a vague reference in the law to the need for “adequate” fire safety measures.

Enforcement could begin with a friendly word but would flare up into full prosecution for those who tried to profit from skimping on fire safety measures

In 2004, a guide book on fire safety for buildings in Malta, based on UK guidelines, was published by the Building Construction Industry Department. Although this seemed a good start, compliance was slow as it was not legally binding and has since become obsolete.

Following an amendment to the civil protection laws last year, the department was empowered to start inspections of commercial establishments, enforcing a version of the reformed 2005 UK fire safety order, with some changes to reflect the Maltese scenario.

Workmen on upper floors of high-rise buildings still under construction must be protected from fire risk by regulation of simultaneous ‘hot work’ (cutting, welding or use of power tools) on lower floors – Civil Protection Department deputy director Peter Paul Coleiro. Photo: Anne ZammitWorkmen on upper floors of high-rise buildings still under construction must be protected from fire risk by regulation of simultaneous ‘hot work’ (cutting, welding or use of power tools) on lower floors – Civil Protection Department deputy director Peter Paul Coleiro. Photo: Anne Zammit

Not wishing to create chaos with sudden changes, the CPD’s deputy director warn­ed that enforcement of the new regulations could begin with a friendly word but would flare up into full prosecution for those who tried to profit from skimping on fire safety measures.

The new regulations will throw cold water on mega-developers who try to save money by gaining a few square metres instead of planning for emergency exit routes where providing a second stairwell would be a better option. Penalties or closure of premises will eventually catch up with those in breach of the law.

Suppression measures, such as sprinklers in buildings, are mainly intended to subdue flames to enable fire fighters to approach an area and extinguish the fire source. Talks with the Water Services Corporation are ongoing to increase the number of fire hydrants.

Underground car parks in Malta require more stringent legislation than in the UK. Fire fighters cannot be expected to enter a space where vehicles are burning at 1,200°C plus.

“We will always do our best to intervene,” insisted Coleiro, describing how fire fighters would likely battle such an inferno “defensively or from a protected area”.  

Lack of manpower to vet a yearly load of planning applications, running at 10,000 or more, has held back the CPD’s efforts to improve fire safety in buildings. For this reason, its range is restricted to developments where the greatest number of people would be affected, such as high-rise tower blocks. Currently there is an opening for 17 new recruits in the department.

In an address to the seminar, Minister Ian Borg acknowledged that the CPD was stretching itself beyond its own legal obligations regarding emergencies. He said that over the years the local building industry had perpetuated “the myth that our masonry buildings don’t burn”, which is not the case when the heat of a raging fire accelerates to flashpoint.  

Chamber of Engineers president Norman Zammit said that with the expertise of engineers working jointly with the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, and the Building Regulations Office, a finalised draft of the building regulations for better fire safety should be in place by the end of the year.

“We have certified installers but need certified maintenance personnel, not just a handyman,” concluded Zammit, inferring that liabilities could ensue.

The seminar was sponsored and supported by the Alberta Group.

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