Dear Editor,
The never ending destruction of properties in Guyana is a direct result of poor building codes and feeble material quality, compounded by poor regulatory bodies like the Housing Ministry, and inadequate property inspections.
Mae’s school is a now pile of ashes while a fire on Saturday night at GuySuCo’s sugar terminal at Ramp Road Ruimveldt, Georgetown destroyed rice sacks approximately one ton in weight. On March 06 a three-storey wooden building along Main Street, New Amsterdam, was totally destroyed in the all too familiar incessant inferno that continues unabated.
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, some proposed safeguards can be of great assistance. All fires are preventable and almost all are caused – except arson – by irresponsible, substandard workmanship. The recent disaster which claimed over 20 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; while escape equipment like ladders to climb to the roof were never installed. Tragedies like this cannot be attributed to carelessness but, rather, to ‘ah don’t care’ mindset.
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: All persons who work in both public and private sectors must be cognizant with the five primary methods that are employed worldwide in cases of fire. The acronym RACEE aptly depicts this: R=Rescue anyone in immediate danger, A= Alarm-Call the fire department, C= confine the smoke/fire by closing doors and windows, E=Evacuate all persons, E= Extinguish small fires with portable fire extinguishers.
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 Building 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 barriers 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 Ministry 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
Real Estate Builder
New York