Fire drills to be made mandatory from 2026

Bulk of designated buildings have not been certified, says Selangor Fire and Rescue Dept

STARTING 2026, buildings in nine categories that require Selangor Fire and Rescue Department certification must hold fire drills in order to renew their certification.

“With the Fire Safety Organisation (OKK) Gazette 2020, fire drills will be mandatory for premises classified as designated premises under the Fire Service Act 1988 (Act 341),” a Selangor Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson told StarMetro.

“Premises that fail to comply with OKK rules will be given notice and a period to comply before the re-inspection of the premises.

“It is expected to be fully enforced from 2026,” he said.

He added that there were regulations and guidelines in place regarding fire drills.

Under Act 341, designated premises are required to comply with fire preparedness and safety regulations to obtain a fire safety certificate.

There are several types of buildings including libraries, shops, hospitals, hotels and factories that are classified as designated premises, which require certification from the Fire and Rescue Department.

Earlier this week, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail said about 10% (190 out of 1,900) of Selangor buildings with certificates had failed to meet the requirements, such as conducting mandatory fire drills to determine the building’s preparedness in the event of a fire.

“Some premises were also found to be non-compliant with building renovation standards, further compounding the risks.

Wan Md Razali says 10% of certified buildings have failed to meet requirements.

“The non-compliance issues range from unauthorised structural modifications to malfunctioning safety equipment, all of which can severely hinder effective emergency responses,” he said.

Wan Md Razali said a large portion of the 1,900 buildings had not been certified as some were in the process of application or undergoing inspection.

“The department has taken action against some for not complying with rules under the Act,” he said.

He stressed that fire drills ensured the safety and security of building occupants.

“This flouting of regulations poses a significant risk, not just to individual buildings but also to public safety,” he said.

He said fire safety systems must be maintained in perfect condition to prevent them from being the cause of failures during firefighting or rescue operations.

This, he said, included regular updates and checks on the equipment as well as other systems installed in these premises.

Wan Md Razali was speaking to reporters after launching a fire exercise at Aeon Mall Shah Alam.