Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
Zimpapers Business Hub
PROPERTY owners in Bulawayo’s central business district (CBD) have been urged to implement fire safety strategy plans as many old buildings are vulnerable to fire outbreaks due to outdated and dilapidated fire suppression systems.
Responding to questions from Zimpapers Business Hub, Bulawayo chief fire officer Mr Nhlangano Moyo said old buildings often had outdated wiring with poor electrical systems, some of which lacked conduits, thereby increasing the risk of electrical fires.
He said some buildings had been subdivided into small shops, which had resulted in overloaded circuits leading to system failures.
“In the CBD, most of the buildings do not have a fire suppression system such as sprinklers and detectors, that will detect a fire at its incipient stage,” said Mr Moyo.
“Mitigation strategies that can be done to help reduce the outbreak of fires in Bulawayo are as follows: conduct regular fire safety inspections, install modern fire suppression systems or detectors, implement a fire safety strategy plan, and use fire-resistant material in renovations.
“Also, property owners should inspect and maintain electrical systems as these buildings do not have conduit with wiring running in the ceiling, hence they tend to be eaten by rats, and sparks are seen. “
Recently, a fire broke out at the Sterling Plaza building, which some suspect was caused by a faulty electric cable that sparked and ignited a fire at the back of the building.
Mr Moyo said that failure to follow code compliance, older buildings may not meet modern building codes.
He said old buildings also had combustible materials such as wood and dust accumulation that can fuel a fire.
“As the local authority Fire Brigade, we are encouraging the property owners to make some regular checks, although we do have regular
dyton mupawaenda