Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Jaafar Sidek Tambi said: “ We noticed many high-rise buildings, flats and apartments and even Government offices as well as the private sector do not maintain good inventory of fire-fighting equipment.”

He said this after presenting medals to 18 fire officers at the department’s State Headquaters in Sembulan near here. Also present were State Fire and Rescue Department director Soiman Jahid and senior officers.

Jaafar said priority should be given to ensuring the safety of occupants in high-rise buildings and to minimizing complications in the rescue process in the event of a fire.

He said the enforcement unit of the department would monitor and carry out inspections from time to time to ensure that building owners comply with the regulations on fire prevention and safety.

He also noted that the installation of grilles in high-rise buildings were unnecessary in light of their becoming “death traps” during fires.

“The Government does not prohibit its use and the department has no directive to disallow them,” he added.