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| The Campus Development Supervisory Agency Director of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Ir. Erwin Rommel, M.T. (Photo: Istimewa) |
The Malang Plaza caught fire recently due to an electrical short circuit in early May dawn. The fire even resulted in a loss of 56 billion. The 50-year-old building is potentially risky of catching fire, especially if its building maintenance management runs poorly. Furthermore, electrification maintenance in buildings, such as old lighting cables or electrical installations, can cause an electrical short circuit, as said by the Director of the Campus Development Supervisory Agency of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Ir. Erwin Rommel, M.T.
He continued explaining electrical maintenance, the availability and functioning of fire detection equipment, and light fire extinguishers are one of the steps to prevent fire. “The key is regular maintenance at regular intervals by building managers of electrical installations and systems and the arrangement of spaces and materials that are prone to fire, and so is the maintenance on fire protection system devices that have been installed in buildings,” he added.
In addition to elaborating on the factors that can trigger fires and the preventive measures, Erwin also explained proper fire protection system management for buildings. Five to ten percent of the entire building construction budget should be spent on fire protection systems. “Unfortunately, building management often forgets to procure a fire management system. At least, prepare 5-10% of the total construction budget for this,” said he.
Erwin said that the protection system isn’t enough only from the equipment installed in the buildings but must also be prepared outside. For instance, the availability of fire trucks —both from local governments and the private sector — can reach certain building heights.
In his perspective, public buildings in Greater Malang, like shopping centers, cinemas, and hotels, especially those over ten years old, must be evaluated intensively and periodically, mainly related to feasibility and safety against fire hazards. For Malang Plaza, besides its quite old age of the building, the additional activity centers inside cause changes in electrical installations. It potentially triggers the fire more terrific.
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Last but not least, Erwin advises and suggests the Government of Malang City evaluate buildings — especially for public services — intensively and periodically. “Actually, the regulation for enhancing the quality of building services already exists: a function-worthy certificate. However, it’s only done when the building will function. While after the operation of the building, there is no regulation, including the vulnerability of the building to fire,” he concluded. (imh/*faq/wil)
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