BANGKOK, 9 March 2012 – The Bangkok Metropolitan Council is stepping up measures to ensure safety at high-rise buildings across the capital, following last weekend’s fire accident in central Bangkok.
Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) Chairman Suthichai Weerakulsunthorn said that the latest BMC meeting has resolved to set up a 17-member committee overseeing all high-rise buildings in the city.
The newly set up committee comprises officers from the Public Works and Town & Country Planning, the Department of City Planning, and the Engineering Institute of Thailand.
According to Mr. Suthichai, the committee members will be inspecting all high-rise buildings to collect all information needed for the amendment of the 1992 Building Safety Control Act.
The inspection trip is also intended to remind all building owners and management teams to install appropriate sprinklers, fire escapes and fire alarms.
The BMC Chairman also commented that the planned bill amendment may call for the construction of a helipad for buildings over 7 storeys tall.
Concerning the City Hall’s preparation to handle future fire accident, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is considering the purchase of a helicopter, worth THB200-300 million, to be used in case of emergency.
Mr. Suthichai added that initial findings showed more than 1,000 pre-1992 buildings are mostly located in the inner part of Bangkok.
