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SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 1975
FIRE SERVICES CLARIFIES POLICY ON METAL GATES
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THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS TO FIT METAL GATES IN COMMON AREAS OF BUILDINGS PROVIDED THAT THEY COMPLY WITH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THE COMPLAINTS AND PROSECUTIONS DIVISION OF THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL LETTERS AND VISITORS SEEKING CLARIFICATION ON THE DEPARTMENT'S POLICY ON THE SUBJECT,
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE THREE BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
x THE GATE MUST BE OF THE SWING METAL TYPE
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IT MUST OPEN IN THE DIRECTION OF EGRESS ONLY
NO LOCKING DEVICE OTHER THAN A TYPE, WHICH CAN BE OPERATED FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING WITHOUT THE USE OF A KEY, IS PERMITTED
+THERE IS NO QUESTION OF FIRE SERVICES APPROVAL BEING GIVEN TO THE INSTALLATION OF ANY TYPE OF GATE IN COMMON AREAS OR ON STAIRCASES AT INTERMEDIATE LEVELS+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+IN THE EVENT OF FIRE, RESIDENTS OF A BUILDING MUST BE ABLE TO ESCAPE WITHOUT HINDRANCE TO STREET OR ROOF LEVEL.+
HE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE IDEAL IF ALL COMMON AREAS AND STAIRCASES COULD BE MAINTAINED TOTALLY FREE OF ODSTRUCTION. +BUT THE NEED FOR SOME FORM OF SECURITY IS RECOGNISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT+
HE ADDED: +ANYONE WHO IS CONSIDERING INSTALLING A METAL GATE OR WHO MAY BE IN DOUBT WITH REGARD TO A GATE ALREADY FITTED SHOULD CONTACT THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU FOR ADVICE.+
AS FOR METAL GATES FITTED TO PROTECT PRIVATE RESIDENCES THESE MUST BE OF THE SLIDING OR FOLDING TYPE AND NOT OPEN OUT ACROSS PASSAGEWAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BUREAU WELCOMED COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO MIGHT CONSIDER THAT THE FITTING OF A METAL GATE HAD ENDANGERED THEIR SAFETY. +SUCH COMPLAINTS WILL BE PROMPTLY DEALT WITH, HE SAID.