Inner-city buildings, businesses and traders are set to face fire safety inspections as Johannesburg emergency services ramp up enforcement before New Year’s celebrations. The city’s emergency management services (EMS) said it will conduct emergency and fire safety enforcement on Tuesday and Wednesday. EMS spokesperson Kagiso Phasha said the operations form part of a broader public safety bylaw enforcement initiative, with officials focusing specifically on: “EMS officials will inspect buildings, businesses and trading areas to identify fire hazards, blocked emergency exits, illegal electrical connections, unsafe storage of flammable materials and non-compliance with fireworks regulations,” Phasha said.
Where immediate danger to life or property is identified, EMS may order evacuations, halt dangerous activities, issue compliance instructions or take enforcement action to prevent fires, explosions or other emergencies. Any unauthorised sale or unsafe use of fireworks will be dealt with in accordance with municipal bylaws. Where immediate danger to life or property is identified, EMS may: Emergency services will work with other departments, such as the Johannesburg metro police, environmental health, development planning and central region urban management.
“Emergency management services urges business owners, residents and the public to co-operate with officials and to comply with fire safety and fireworks regulations,” said Phasha. “These measures are critical in preventing injuries, fires and loss of life, particularly in the densely populated inner city.”
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