Marina Bay Suites fire: Firefighters had to climb almost 20 storeys

They took lift just to safe level, before working their way up to tackle blaze

Published on Jan 15, 2014
8:50 AM

babe 

• 16 hours ago

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For such high rise building where fire ladder cannot be reached, then automatic fire suppression system such as water sprinkler system installation will help to fight fire for 15 floor and above.

Fire isolation such as fire-rated wall, door, windows etc will be useful to prevent fire from spreading and localised the fire - so that water sprinkler system can concentrate to put out the fire in the isolated fire.

For places that where water is not the best elements to put out the fire, gas system such as inert gas system maybe useful.

But all these come at a cost and residents may have to pay more for their units.

babe  babe 

• 16 hours ago

• −

Having say so, cost aside, installing water sprinkler system at residential units are not without problem.

For eg. 
(1) If a kid decide to be naughty - such as putting a lighted cigarette near a water sprinkler detector and trip the sensor which break - water will gush down - and damage the household furniture, electrical appliances at home. So is it the developer responsibility or household responsibilities?

(2) If a PaPa decide to smoke at home and the smoke - activate the smoke sensor which trigger and activate the water sprinkler system and damage the household's items - then whose fault is it?

(3) If a persion decide to beautify the home and accidentally trigger the water sprinkler system - then whose fault - developer or household?

(4) Is a person decide to cook and the fire trigger the water sprinkler system in the kitchen - then whose fault - developer or household?

(5) The inert gas system need to be tested annually - by releasing the gas to see its effectiveness and then refill - the cost of maintenance is high - who pay?

Thus water sprinkler system and gas system are usually used in office or equipment room or shopping mall - but seldom or rarely in residential units.

But for such high-rise residential buildings where fire engine ladder can reached - probably 10 floor? Then those above 10 floor may need a re-think - whereby an automated fire suppression system maybe needed despite the issues above.