He said the Fire and Rescue Department had been directed to look into the matter. "We will make sure the people are ready for it and that the supply of these gadgets is adequate in the market before we can make their installation compulsory.

"It's not easy to force everyone to comply. In Malaysia we have to take some time. People must realise that the installation of these gadgets in homes is a worthwhile investment," he said.

Ong spoke to reporters after opening the Institution of Fire Engineers International Branch Meet 2004 at the Putra World Trade Centre here. About 1,000 people from within and outside the country took part in the two-day meet.

He could not say when the study would start or when the proposed law would be enforced. Places like Texas in the United States had introduced the law 25 years ago, and enforcement of the law there had reduced the incidence of fires in homes by 56 per cent, he said.

Malaysian Fire Protection Association president Steven Ooi said smoke detectors and fire extinguishers could be acquired at reasonable prices. A smoke detector costs about RM60 while a fire extinguisher fetches between RM50 and RM100. There are also sprinklers which cost between RM30 and RM40 each.

"It will be sufficient for homes to have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers," he said, adding that sprinklers were necessary only for buildings with floor space of 10,000 sq ft or more.

Singapore is also carrying out a study on the possibility of making it compulsory for homes to be installed with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. - Bernama