VIDEO, PICTURES

SCDF enforcement blitz uncovers fire safety violations at Harbourfront clubs and malls

Captain Neo Jin Xiang (second from left), 30, enforcement team leader from the Central Enforcement Department, speaks to a staff from Toys "R" Us at VivoCity about the shelf display objects being stacked too high which affects the path of the fire sprinkler system, during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Captain Neo Jin Xiang (fourth from left), 30, enforcement team leader from the Central Enforcement Department, finds the exit path at Toxic, St James Power Station, blocked by brooms, mops and other cleaning equipment during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

A media photographer seen at a resting area for workers as officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) find change of space issues at the basement carpark of VivoCity during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. -- ST PHOTO: NEO X — A media photographer seen at a resting area for workers as officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) find change of space issues at the basement carpark of VivoCity during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) find change of space issues at the basement carpark of VivoCity during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN — Officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) find change of space issues at the basement carpark of VivoCity during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) find a faulty exit light at the basement carpark of VivoCity during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN — Officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) find a faulty exit light at the basement carpark of VivoCity during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Captain Neo Jin Xiang (extreme left), 30, enforcement team leader from the Central Enforcement Department, leads other SCDF officers and VivoCity security officer Mr Kalwant Singh (in purple shirt) as they find change of space issues at the basement carpark of VivoCity during an enforcement blitz on fire safety. Toy boxes stacked so high that they block water sprinklers; mops and pails piled on top of a fire hose reel; a carpark space being converted into a workers' resting place - these were but some of the fire hazards uncovered during an enforcement blitz the Singapore Civil Defence Force carried out in the Harbourfront area on Friday night, Dec 13, 2013. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Yeo Sam Jo

Published
Dec 14, 2013, 2:29 pm SGT

Toy boxes stacked so high that they block water sprinklers; mops and pails piled on top of a fire hose reel; a carpark space being converted into a workers' resting place - these were but some of the fire hazards uncovered during an enforcement blitz the Singapore Civil Defence Force carried out in the Harbourfront area on Friday night.

A total of 11 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices (FHANs) and four Notices of Fire Safety Offence (NFSOs) were handed out to five establishments, including VivoCity and the clubs at St James Power Station, for violating fire safety regulations.

Some of these violations include obstructing emergency exits, and having expired fire extinguishers.

"During the year-end festive season, public buildings such as shopping complexes and public entertainment outlets may see an increase in patronage. We want to see that fire safety standards are maintained nonetheless," said commander of Marina Bay Fire Station Major Dennis Quah, one of about 20 officers who took part in the blitz.

From January to November this year, 91 FHANs, 25 NFSOs and seven Notices of Composition were handed out for fire-related offences following over 600 enforcement checks on shopping malls, hotels and public entertainment outlets around the island.