No compromising on building code regulations -Deputy Fire Chief

By Kizzy Coleman

ith the recent fires across the country, the call for the observance of the Building Code has been reiterated.

Deputy Fire Chief Compton Sparman made the call while speaking with Guyana Times at the Gafoors Houston Complex, which was gutted by flames on Monday evening.

According to Sparman, the Building Code is stronger and “has more meat than the Fire Prevention Act”.

The National Building Code of Guyana recommends various loads and resistance factors to ensure safety in structural designs and construction of buildings, while the Fire Prevention Act provides for the inspection of premises in Guyana for the purpose of eliminating fire hazards and connected purposes therewith.

Sparman noted that the Fire Prevention Act was designed on a goodwill basis.

“You don’t have to adhere to it, the only thing that we can do is to prevent you from certifying the place,” he stated.

He divulged that in cases where the Fire Department has sanctioned businesses for not adhering to the Act, there is a Fire Advisory Board that has the authority to restrict the Fire Chief.

The Deputy Fire Chief supported the Building Code. “If you have the Building Codes which consist of strong laws that say that you have to do this, then it is going to be better for both parties – the business people, the Fire Service; and the community at large,” Sparman noted.

According to Sparman, most businesses in Guyana are negligent when it comes to observing the Building Code as it has a cost attached.

“The data would show that most buildings, most times you recommend certain fire safety requirements, some put quarter, some put half and some none at all because as I said there is a cost attached. So the building code will eat down your profit and because you want to maximise your profit, people opt to go to the insurance to insure,” he disclosed.

He further noted that the implementation of fire safety requirements was not at an optimum level as it was mandatory. “How the system is designed in relation to implementation of fire safety requirement, it is not optimum simply because it is not an enforcement, so businesses could do as they please.”

However, the Building Code being implemented to deal with fire safety and occupancy is mandatory.

“It says look if you do not do this in this stipulated period, then you could be sanctioned and only then people will understand. But if you allow a man to make a choice, then obviously he will make a choice that benefits him,” Sparman noted.