XN000022-1976-12-07 — Page 5

-

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1976

EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS NEEDED IN PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT PLACES

*****

WITH THE APPROACH OF THE CHRISTMAS AND LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY CALLED ON THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL PUBLIC PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT TO TAKE EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS.

STARTING FROM TODAY, FIRE OFFICERS WILL BE VISITING HOTELS, DEPARTMENT STORES, CINEMAS, THEATRES, RESTAURANTS, NIGHT CLUBS AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS WHERE THE PUBLIC ARE LIKELY TO ASSEMBLE IN LARGE NUMBERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID 1+THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TWOFOLD: TO GIVE ADVICE ON HOW TO PREVENT FIRE AND TO ENSURE THAT FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS IN SUCH PLACES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

+DURING THE VISITS, FIRE OFFICERS WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE MEANS OF ESCAPE AND COMMON AREAS TO SEE THAT THEY ARE NOT OBSTRUCTED.

+AS FOR DEPARTMENT STORES, THE PERSON IN CHARGE SHOULD DEVISE A METHOD TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF ALL EMPTY CARTONS AND LOOSE PACKAGE MATERIALS.+

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT VARIOUS KINDS OF MATERIALS IN PREMISES BEHAVED DIFFERENTLY IN FIRES.

HE URGED MANAGEMENTS OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO RE-EXAMINE AND WHERE NECESSARY, IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF FIRE PREVENTION.

THE SPOKESMAN GAVE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE ON HOW TO PREVENT FIRES :

* ENSURE THAT ALL STAFF INCLUDING THOSE ON TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT, KNOW THE LOCATION AND OPERATION OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.

* EXITS AND EXIT SIGNS MUST NOT BE OBSTRUCTED. EXIT ROUTES

MUST BE MAINTAINED AND CLEARED AT ALL TIMES.

* ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL WIRING SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY

A COMPETENT ELECTRICIAN.

* PROVIDE PLENTY OF ASH TRAYS AND BAN SMOKING IN PLACES

SUCH AS STOREROOMS.

* +FULL HOUSE+ SIGNS SHOULD BE PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED TO

AVOID OVERCROWDING.

15