Many shortcomings and problems exist in fire prevention work at karaoke establishments.
(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, there have been no fires at karaoke service establishments in the province. However, many large fires causing loss of life and property nationwide are a warning bell in fire prevention work for this type of business. Because in reality, there are still many problems at karaoke service establishments.
Potential risks
At service business locationskaraoke, it is easy to see that these facilities are designed in a box shape, with the characteristic of being a place where many people often gather to have fun and entertain.
Most karaoke rooms are designed to be closed, with narrow corridors; soundproofed with flammable materials such as foam, sponge, leather... Along with that, the use of large power sources, heat sources with sound systems, laser systems operating continuously; the situation of customers using lighters to light candles for birthday parties, smoking... is common, so there is always a high risk of fire and explosion.
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A tangled system of electrical wires in a karaoke room. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
Not to mention, karaoke businesses are often located in densely populated areas, the front of the business is often completely covered by large billboards, so ventilation is limited, so when a fire or explosion occurs, it will cause smoke to accumulate, making it difficult to approach to extinguish the fire and organize rescue.
In addition, compared to newly built karaoke businesses with large scale, synchronous design and often have large campus, in addition to elevator and staircase system in the building, there are also iron stairs arranged outside as escape routes, along with automatic fire alarm system...; in small and medium-sized businesses, many of which are combined residential and business establishments, many shortcomings and inadequacies are clearly revealed.
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The escape route is not properly sized and is obstructed by a barrier at a karaoke business. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
For example, the karaoke business TO in Nghia Dan district with 10 singing rooms, which is also the owner's residence, has not been equipped with a fire alarm system, and the escape route on the first floor is not up to standard. Also in this locality, the karaoke business TN, on the second floor, does not have an escape route.
Or at the TH karaoke facility on Tran Canh Chan street, H.D karaoke facility on Truong Chinh street (Vinh city), the entrance and exit doors in the singing rooms have not been opened in the direction of escape, and there are no tools for dismantling in case of an incident... At the S.D karaoke facility in Anh Son district, the electrical system is not guaranteed, the wires connecting the electrical equipment are exposed, not arranged in the wall.
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The power system is not guaranteed at the S.D karaoke facility in Anh Son district. Photo: CAAS |
Review and handle strictly
According to statistics, in Nghe An province, there are currently 424 karaoke and dance hall businesses under the State management of fire prevention and fighting, including: 421 karaoke businesses, 2 bars, and 1 pub.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hanh - Deputy Head of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department, Provincial Police: From the beginning of the year until now, the unit has organized 215 propaganda sessions, 41 fire prevention and fighting training courses for heads of establishments, members of fire prevention and fighting teams at establishments and people working at karaoke service establishments and dance clubs with more than 1,235 participants; Instructed 100% of establishments to develop and revise fire prevention and fighting plans according to regulations; at the same time, instructed establishments to self-organize 425 fire prevention and fighting plans at dance clubs, karaoke bars and other entertainment establishments in the province.
The Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, the Provincial Police Department has also issued a document to ensure fire prevention and rescue safety for karaoke service establishments, bars, and dance clubs after the Covid-19 epidemic situation is basically under control; Directing the Police of units and localities to conduct a general inspection and review of fire prevention and rescue safety work at karaoke establishments, bars, pubs, and dance clubs across the province.
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Checking fire prevention and fighting work at a karaoke business in Nghia Dan district. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
Currently, on the basis of implementing Official Dispatch No. 792/CD-TTg dated September 7, 2022 of the Prime Minister, the directive document of the Ministry of Public Security on strengthening fire prevention and fighting work for karaoke establishments and dance halls, Nghe An Provincial Police continue to advise the Provincial People's Committee to direct relevant departments, branches and sectors and People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to establish interdisciplinary inspection teams to carry out inspection and re-inspection of establishments with existing violations.
Accordingly, based on the nature and level of violation, the license will be revoked, operations will be suspended, and strict handling will be carried out according to the provisions of law.
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Karaoke establishment located in a residential area (Photo taken on Nguyen Canh Chan Street, Vinh City). Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
Regarding the escape plan in case of fire in karaoke bars, bars, pubs, etc., Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hanh recommends: When coming to these locations, one of the things people need to pay attention to is where the exit is so they can escape when a fire or explosion occurs. Stay calm when there is a fire or explosion, identify the fire area and follow the escape route to the ground or to the roof. Absolutely do not panic, do not hide in closed rooms or toilets. When detecting a fire, follow these steps: Notify people around; Call 114; Escape through the stairs or fire escape; Use a wet towel or cloth to cover your face and wrap around your body; Crouch or crawl close to the ground to get through the fire; When a person is on fire, lie down on the ground, roll back and forth...
Thus, it can be seen that karaoke service establishments, bars, and dance clubs are types of businesses that often gather a large number of people, and at the same time, always contain a large amount of flammable substances such as: soundproofing and insulation materials, fabrics, plastic products, wood, paper, electronic components, gasoline, oil, etc. and use many electrical devices that can generate heat sources, posing a high risk of fire and explosion, affecting security, order, economy, and society.
Therefore, along with the assessment to ensure that all fire prevention and fighting conditions are met before granting an operating license, during the operation, especially through inspections to detect facilities that still have shortcomings in fire prevention and fighting, along with specific instructions on how to fix them and assign a time limit for completing the fix, there needs to be inspection and supervision.
If necessary, it is necessary to suspend operations so that businesses can fix and complete items to ensure fire prevention and fighting conditions before continuing operations. Only then will businesses seriously implement them, contributing to limiting risks caused by fire and explosion.
On the part of business owners, it is necessary to clearly understand fire prevention and fighting, and have a timely fire prevention and fighting plan at the business location as a prerequisite to consider long-term profits, thereby completing the design according to standards, investing in synchronous fire prevention and fighting equipment, as well as arranging on-site forces to prevent fire and explosion incidents from occurring.
