Question NW917 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
15 May 2023 - NW917
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What is the requirement with respect to the number of checks on fire protection equipment on the Parliamentary Precinct in each year; (2) whether the facilities management at the Parliamentary Precinct adheres to the requirements regarding the number of checks on fire equipment; if not, what steps will he take to address the prescribed requirements; if so, (3) whether he will furnish Ms S J Graham with the report on the fire protection equipment check that was performed in 2022; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether fire panels are checked within the prescribed periods; if not, what steps will he take to address the prescribed requirements; if so, will he furnish Ms S J Graham with the report on the fire panels check that was performed in 2022; (5) (a) what is the total number of fire extinguishers required to be on the precinct, (b) does Parliament comply with the required number of equipment, (c) what number of fire extinguishers have been replaced in 2022 and (d) what are the reasons for the replacements?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1. The requirement with respect to the number of checks on fire protection equipment on the Parliamentary Precinct in each year are as follows.
- Fire extinguishers, fire hose reels and fire hydrants are subject to annual service and monthly visual inspection in all buildings.
- Fire Alarms, have a life of 10 years when used in dry, non-corrosive atmospheres and provided that they are serviced or regularly inspected, tested, cleaned and recalibrated twice a year.
- Routine replacement of detectors after 10 years of service In the interests of safety and the avoidance of unwanted alarms, is recommend.
- The Gas Suppression system, on the mechanical side is pressure tested every 10 years provided no discharge occurred. The pipe network should be pressure tested annually The Gas Suppression system Controls on the Electronic side should be serviced in 6 months provided there are no faults occurring.
- Sprinkler system has a life of 20 years. On fire sprinkler there should be a yearly service conducted, Pumps for should be serviced Yearly, so that pumps are able to supply water at the correct pressure and flow in case of need, and the valves should be tested every three years to ensure that they function correctly and to check any leaks leak.
(2) The latest annual service of fire equipment was performed over the period from mid-November to December 2022 into and until mid-January 2023 and after which monthly visual inspections were performed in February and March 2023. Monthly visual inspections will continue to take place on a monthly basis until the next due annual service of equipment.
(3) The service records of the latest annual service of fire equipment performed by DPW service provider, Messrs Transfire is attached for ease of reference.
(4) Yes, checks are done annually. The following reports are available where the entire building’s maintenance checks were completed in 2022, namely Tuynhuys, Good Hope and NCOP buildings. See the attached service records.
Maintenance checks are ongoing in Marks Building which is 80% complete. The building is earmarked to be completed end of April 2023.
90 Plein Street Building to be completed end of May 2023
120 Plein Street Building to be completed end of April 2023
100 Plein Street Building to be completed end of April 2023
(5) (a) There are a total of 706 fire extinguishers, 277 fire hose reels, 101 fire hydrants/boosters and 4 fire blankets
b) A survey by a qualified fire marshal would have to be conducted in order to determine if the number existing units are adequate or inadequate.
c) The number of fire extinguishers that were replaced in 2022 is unknown. The latest annual service performed by service provider Transfire was a service of all fire equipment that were found on site in their designated positions as recorded. Missing extinguishers were to be replaced/installed with each monthly visual inspection that followed after servicing. Fire extinguishers which were replaced or installed during the monthly inspections will be have been recorded in the inspection records for each month which is still to be received by Transfire.
d) The reasons for replacement of fire extinguishers are when a unit is found to be condemned or damaged. Other possible reasons will be when a unit is missing due to it being taken off its recorded position for improper reasons and not being put back, another likely reason is theft.
___________________________
MR. S ZIKALALA, MP
MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
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