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TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1976
INSPECTIONS BY FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
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THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT 21,817 INSPECTIONS IN MAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TO 95,018.
MORE THAN 12,950 OF THE INSPECTIONS WERE CONDUCTED AS A RESULT OF COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. OF THESE, 10,921 RELATED TO BLOCKAGES OF MEANS OF ESCAPE IN BUILDINGS.
VISITS WERE MADE TO 376 SCHOOLS, 412 RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTCLUBS AND 122 PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY. INSPECTIONS OF VENTILATION SYSTEMS AND FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS IN BUILDINGS AND INDUSTRY TOTALLED 471 AND 363 RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE MONTH, 199 VEHICLES USED FOR CONVEYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS WERE INSPECTED. THIS BRINGS TO ALMOST 1,500 SUCH VEHICLES EXAMINED SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR.
THE BUREAU ALSO FINALISED 711 NEW BUILDING PLANS AND ISSUED OR RENEWED 287 DANGEROUS GOODS AND TIMBER YARDS STORAGE LICENCES.
IN ADDITION, FIRE OFFICERS UNDERTOOK 191 PROSECUTIONS RESULTING IN FINÉS AMOUNTING TO $96,830 BEING IMPOSED.
THE NUMBER OF FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES ISSUED WAS 508. THESE ARE SERVED IN CASES WHERE A HAZARD IS FOUND, IF THE NOTICE IS NOT COMPLIED WITH WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD, COURT ACTION MAY RESULT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT URGED THE PUBLIC TO REPORT ANY FIRE HAZARD WHICH THEY OBSERVED TO THE BUREAU. HE SAID THE BUREAU MAINTAINED A ROUND-THE-CLOCK ANSWERING SERVICE AND REPORTS COULD BE MADE AT ANY TIME.
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