An Analysis of Current Issues in Fire Supervision and Suggested Solutions

The latest amendments to the Fire Protection Law have introduced a dedicated chapter on fire supervision, reflecting the government’s increasing emphasis on the importance of fire safety oversight. This chapter explicitly mandates that the public security fire agencies must conduct regular inspections of compliance with fire safety laws and regulations among organizations, enterprises, and other institutions. As the entity responsible for executing these duties, the fire supervision departments are now facing new challenges and demands.

In this article, we will discuss some of the common issues currently observed in fire supervision enforcement and propose solutions to address these challenges, with the hope of contributing to the ongoing discourse on improving fire safety standards.

Current Challenges in Fire Supervision

1. Insufficient and Underqualified Fire Supervision Personnel

One of the primary challenges is the shortage of qualified fire supervision personnel, which hinders effective oversight at the grassroots level. For instance, in a region with an area exceeding 5,700 square kilometers, there are only 49 full-time fire supervisors, and some districts have as few as four supervisors. This inadequacy is far from meeting the needs for comprehensive fire safety enforcement across the city.

Additionally, many fire supervisors lack adequate professional training and expertise. Most of these personnel have joined the fire supervision teams directly from local universities, and their knowledge of fire safety requirements, regulations, and standards is often insufficient. This lack of expertise results in ineffective enforcement and poor understanding of critical aspects such as fire-resistant construction materials, fire door installation standards, and emergency evacuation protocols.

2. Limited Public Fire Safety Awareness and Increased Household Fire Risks

Public awareness of fire safety remains alarmingly low, especially at the grassroots level. This is largely due to the absence of comprehensive fire safety education in school curricula. As a result, many individuals lack basic knowledge of fire prevention and emergency response. They are often unaware of the proper use of firefighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers, and have limited understanding of essential evacuation techniques during a fire emergency.

With the widespread use of electrical appliances and flammable household materials, such as polymer-based furnishings and high-load electrical equipment, the risk of household fires has significantly increased. Moreover, the improper use and handling of liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas add to the danger. This situation underscores the need for better public education and stricter adherence to fire safety regulations.

3. Inadequate Implementation of Fire Safety Responsibility Systems and Maintenance of Fire Protection Equipment

Effective fire safety management is crucial at the grassroots level. However, the failure to implement fire safety responsibility systems is a common problem. Many organizations neglect fire safety protocols, prioritizing economic gains over compliance with fire safety regulations. This negligence often leads to unauthorized modifications of fire-resistant structures and the use of substandard fire doors, compromising overall building safety.

Furthermore, some companies lack the necessary investment in fire safety equipment, resulting in poorly maintained or inoperative fire protection systems. Even in cases where fire safety facilities are functional during initial inspections, a lack of routine maintenance can lead to their failure during an actual emergency, significantly increasing the risk of fire-related casualties and property loss.

4. Weak Governmental Fire Safety Oversight Impedes Effective Supervision

The rapid development of urban infrastructure, such as high-rise buildings, hazardous chemical enterprises, and residential complexes, has posed new challenges for fire safety supervision. In many cases, fire safety considerations are not integrated into the planning and construction phases of these projects. This oversight has been further exacerbated by the global economic crisis, leading some local governments to prioritize economic development over fire safety, thus compromising public safety.

Some projects have proceeded with construction based solely on preliminary blueprints, without the necessary fire safety design reviews or post-construction inspections by the fire departments. This negligence results in significant safety hazards that are difficult to rectify after the projects are completed and operational.

5. Extensive Scope of Fire Supervision Responsibilities

The scope of fire supervision is extensive, covering a wide range of facilities and regions. From luxury hotels to small-scale establishments, and from densely populated urban areas to rural locales, fire supervision personnel are tasked with conducting fire safety inspections, reviewing building plans, and investigating fire incidents. This breadth of responsibility, coupled with the need to comply with various administrative requirements and performance evaluations, places a significant burden on fire supervisors, making it challenging to maintain high standards of oversight.