Why are over 4,000 Malaysian buildings unfit for occupancy?

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Over 4,000 Malaysian Buildings Are Unfit for Occupancy Due to Fire Safety Deficiencies

Approximately 4,000 buildings across Malaysia have been deemed unfit for occupancy due to an elevated risk of conflagration. These high-risk structures, which encompass government and private hospitals, hotels, factories, and office blocks, fail to meet essential fire safety standards required for certification. The Fire and Rescue Department regularly inspects these designated premises, and many have either failed these inspections or are still in the process of rectifying deficiencies to obtain a fire certification (FC).
Failure to Meet Fire Safety Requirements

A significant number of the approximately 4,000 buildings identified as unfit for occupancy have failed to meet the stringent fire safety requirements necessary for certification. To be issued a fire certification (FC), these "designated premises" must possess a robust and functioning fire-suppression system and establish their own dedicated fire safety management teams. Many of these buildings are either still undergoing efforts to comply with these mandates or have outright failed departmental inspections, rendering them unsafe for public use.
Non-Compliance Post-Certification

Issues of non-compliance extend beyond initial certification, with some building owners neglecting fire safety requirements after initially obtaining their FCs. This often occurs when owners undertake renovations without seeking approval from the Fire and Rescue Department, subsequently deviating from the approved safety standards. The department conducts annual checks on high-risk buildings to ensure ongoing adherence to fire safety protocols, and non-compliance can lead to prosecution, fines, jail time, or orders for the building to be vacated.
Changes in Building Usage and Increased Costs

Alterations in a building's intended use can also contribute to its inability to meet fire safety standards, often necessitating costly upgrades. For instance, converting an office building into a hostel requires adherence to a different set of fire safety regulations, which can be challenging and expensive to implement retrospectively. The Fire and Rescue Department stresses that ensuring people's safety within buildings is a non-negotiable priority, as lives are at stake.

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Why are over 4,000 Malaysian buildings unfit for occupancy?

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