Bad Building Task Team: The role of Fire Safety.

Ensure, promote and sustain the safety of life and property according to relevant criteria and standards in order to enable the Tshwane community to prosper by rendering cost effective, efficient and professional service at all times. To accomplish this we make use of the applicable Legislation and SANS standards.

To become the leading international African capital of excellence that empowers the community to prosper in a safe and healthy environment.

Mission

Our mission is to enhance the general welfare of the community of Tshwane, with specific reference to fire safety, fire fighting and rescue services. An important function of the Fire Safety Division is to provide a fire safety service to reduce and prevent loss of life and property. The Fire Safety division identifies, prevents, reduces and eliminates hazards that contribute to the occurrence of fires. It also enforces regulations and standards for static fire suppression mechanisms in buildings and other installations to minimise the spread of fire.

Any building shall be so designed, constructed and equipped that in case of a fire-

a) the protection of occupants or users therein is ensured and that provision is made for the safe evacuation of such occupants or users.

b) the spread and intensity of such fire within such building and the spread of fire to any other building will be minimized;

c) sufficient stability will be retained to ensure that such building will not endanger any other building: Provided that in the case of any multi-storey building no major failure of the structural system shall occur;

d) the generation and spread of smoke will be minimized or controlled to the greatest extent reasonably practicable ; and

e) adequate means of access, and equipment for detecting, fighting, controlling and extinguishing such fire, is provided.

During operations and inspections by the Bad Building Task team, the Fire Safety Officer will determine if any transgression of applicable Legislation occurs on the premises. With the vision and mission of Tshwane in mind when transgressions are found to exist, legal action will be taken against the owner or occupier of the premises to rectify such conditions as to ensure the health and safety of the residents/occupants and visitors of Tshwane.

Applicable Legislation

• Fire Brigade Services By- Laws
• SANS standards
• National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act 103 of 1977),
• Hazardous Substances Act, 1973 (Act 15 of 1973)
• Explosives Act, 1956 (Act 26 of 1956)
• Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987 (Act 99 of 1987)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993)

The photos indicate offences that were made by the owners of the premises that were dealt with by the Bad Building Task Team and the Fire Safety Officer.