Minister Benn says fire prevention inspections target public, private occupancies

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn said that Fire Prevention inspections are being conducted throughout the country by the Guyana Fire Service, targeting both public and private occupancies.
Benn made the disclosure in response to questions in the National Assembly. The minister said during these inspections, recommendations are penned to the occupants of the buildings to install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and construct fire emergency plans and designate an appropriate area, away from the respective premises, upwind as assembly points. Minister Benn disclosed that standards were developed for establishing and enforcing as it relates to building construction in Guyana. He said that such standards for buildings are to ensure that buildings are safe and have means of escape and ample fire emergency systems in place.
He said that the rationale is to have building practitioners, consultants and home owners keep within the framework of the mentioned regulations. The minister was also asked if consideration has been given to establishing a mechanism to examine all aspects related to fire safety, review of existing systems inclusive of building codes, assessment of response mechanisms, and remedial actions, as well as a review of the available equipment and the human resource capacity.
However, in his written response, Benn disclosed that while Guyana does not have standardised building codes, a proposal was prepared and sent to the Office of the President last year for perusal and approval. “The National Fire Advisory Board, which comprises nine appointed members, was given the responsibility to review and further implement standards and regulations to suit our local conditions. The board convened April last and has been active ever since,” Benn said.
The home affairs minister revealed that the Board comprises members of the Guyana Fire Service, National Bureau of Standards, Legal Affairs Ministry, Home Affairs Ministry, Central Housing and Planning Authority, Human Service and Social Security Ministry, Mayor and City Council, Guyana Water Inc, and the Environmental Protection Agency, among other agencies. Benn in relation to training, clarified that members of the Guyana Police Force, as part of their basic training, are trained to respond to emergencies, including those for the occurrence of fire.