Dear Editor,
Much has been written on the Mahdia fire tragedy thus it may be superfluous to pile up on the various outpourings of anger and grief, however, my experiences with the concerned authorities has been horrible. All fires are preventable and almost all are caused – except arson – by irresponsible, substandard workmanship. The recent disaster which claimed 19 young lives is ample testimony that there is a dire lack of concern for the safety of people and property in Guyana by the housing authorities. No warning systems like smoke alarms and automated sprinkler systems were in the dwelling. Tragedies like this cannot be attributed to carelessness but, rather, to a don’t care mindset.
In 2017, on a visit to Guyana, I contacted Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, who was in charge of housing, and arranged a meeting. I went to his office but the Minister was not there, nor did he answer his cell phone after repeated calls from his secretary. After a 2 hour wait I left, however, I gave his secretary a valuable document in regards to housing construction, Real Estate procedures, building codes (electrical, plumbing and foundation structure etc.). To this day I have not received any acknowledgement, much less a response. In 2021, I gave the same documents to visiting Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, in New York with similar results! In June 2022, I gave the exact documents to Attorney General at his office, who I met in NY a year earlier, when I gave him the exact documents, some of which are contained in the below suggestions.
Mr. Nandlall later utilized the suggestions at a meeting of Real Estate personnel in Georgetown. In July 2022, I spoke to Vice President Jagdeo in New York and offered free assistance with building regulations and gave him the exact documents. The response: NO RESPOPNSE. My conclusion, as I have stated, is a ‘don’t care, lethargic attitude’. Just last year I indicated in this newspaper that Guyana has poor building codes and non-existent safety enforcement procedure when a residential fire left more than 50 persons homeless. The destruction on the western half of Pike Street and Thomas Street in Kitty is the type of tragedy I have constantly written about in this newspaper.
The fire at Plaisance two years ago and Ms. Joslyn Dow’s Charlotte St. complex together with fires at Cummings Lodge and at the Medical Storage bond in Patentia (West Demerara) bears sad testimony to this. Fazia’s Collection building on Avenue of the Republic fell victim to similar tragedy. The fire at Gafoor’s bond 4 years ago further supports this analysis. The Congenital Super Center in Cane Grove was reduced literally to ashes in Nov 2016 is also a case of non-existent fire safety.
Guyana needs a complete overhaul of its archaic building codes and safety standards, coupled with periodic inspections by Housing and Fire Safety agencies. Presently, many dwellings with their poor electric wiring and overloaded circuits, coupled with inferior (Chinese) fixtures are death traps waiting to claim more victims. Here are some solutions:
1. Buildings in Guyana have no classification. Single family homes are converted into tenant occupied portions so that homeowners can accommodate family members and get some income. The flaw in this is that there is the same original plumbing and electric systems that now have to support more lighting and appliances. As Guyana is entering the technology era, a host of appliances are utilized—almost always, invariably, from one outlet. A microwave oven, an air conditioner and an iron can total as much as 4,000 Watts—enough to induce overloading and precipitate (sparks) fire. Extension cords, most times hidden under carpet, with their multiple connections pose extreme fire hazard. Then there is the scenario where persons break off one of the prongs in three-way plugs to accommodate plug-ins. The earth safety is thus discarded and overloading is facilitated.
2. Single Room Occupancy (SRO) buildings, prevalent in University and Hospital vicinities, need to be registered with the Buildings Department and given a registration number. In this way inspection, say on a yearly basis, can be carried out, safety designs instituted, and complaints taken and investigated. A phone number must be established for this. Thirty-five persons occupying an uninsured building (near the University) borders on insanity.
3. A minimum space between buildings, say 5 feet, is a requirement that needs to be incorporated into building codes and zoning regulations. This facilitates evacuation as well as allows access by firefighters.
4. Commercial buildings need sprinkler systems: a series of road-side connections to connect fire hoses which will distribute water inside a building in event of fire. Automated oxygen retardant systems need to be installed inside where an increase in temperature (say at 110 F) will trigger off the chemical (mostly halogens) spray. As this chemical sucks out the oxygen the fire will be greatly contained. Smoke alarms are cheap and should be installed along corridors which are the principal pathways for smoke.
5. Bonds, regardless of what is stored, need to be sectionalized, much like the compartments in ships such as oil tankers. Concrete separating walls with steel (fire-proof) connecting doors must be the code for storage warehouses. This, coupled with periodic safety inspections, must be the way forward. Storage of cooking gas containers must never be inside a closed building. Propane is highly flammable (after all people cook with it) and needs to be stored outdoors: any leakage/explosion will dissipate harmlessly into the atmosphere.
6. Perhaps the worst aspect of construction in Guyana is the electrical system, material and installation codes. This is in serious need of overhauling. Systems such as 100 Amperes distribution with Fly Back Breakers are the standard for commercial buildings such as warehouses, offices, shopping centers, and night clubs and so on. This is virtually non-existent. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets (with built in overload kick-out) rarely exist while electric wiring is predominantly vinyl coated (easily combustible) copper wire. Additionally, old wiring, coupled with corroded fuses, which do not trip or ‘blow’, poses severe risk of fire – as evidenced in the Cummings Lodge case.
7. Fire hydrants are taken for granted instead as seen as a means of emergency water supply. It is comical that hydrants invariably have little water in the ‘land of many waters.’ Regular water pressure monitoring needs to be instituted.
8. The Bureau of Standards must arise from its slumber and monitor the very poor quality of electrical fittings and accessories (mostly from China) that flood the Guyanese market. And the Housing Authority must determine the safety features and occupancy of commercial buildings. The partitioning of buildings with the mere addition of a few walls to obtain an ‘apartment’ to get rental income has proven to have fatal consequences.
9. Burglar proofing using metal bars can be a feature of being penny wise and pound foolish. Any metal barrier must be of a gate (open & close) mechanism with a metal sliding rod which can only be opened from the inside.
In the final analysis, the Housing Department should install rigid polices to prevent further tragedies. All buildings must carry insurance, have sprinkler systems and undergo a yearly inspection by the Fire Department where pitfalls will be identified and corrected. Fines must be imposed on all forms of non-compliance if Guyana is truly serious to prevent fires.
Sincerely,
Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
