More than 19,000 fire extinguishers were found to be damaged in inspections conducted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Following the death of a high school student during a routine fire safety drill, inspections found nearly 20,000 of approximately 44,000 tanks to be damaged, according to Deputy Governor Tawida Kamonwetch.
The process of replacing the damaged extinguishers has begun, with about 10,000 being ordered. For better management, a QR code was placed on more than 3,700 devices to facilitate proper maintenance in the future after one exploded at a Bangkok school.
The codes can be used to identify the units’ type, location, and last maintenance. Officials said it would help them track communities lacking equipment and improve emergency response efforts. A system for annual tank inspections will be established in the future, Tawida added, which will be managed by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, district offices, and paramilitary groups.
The damaged tanks have been disposed of.
Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt expressed regret over last month’s incident in which an extinguisher exploded during a fire drill at the Rajavinit Mathayom School in Bangkok’s Dusit district. The explosion sent a boy flying through the air, killing him. Eleven others were injured.
Chadchart reprimanded school administrators for not conducting regular inspections and maintenance of the equipment.
He urged proactive measures in other areas as well, such as maintaining fire hydrants and better maintaining disaster prevention equipment.
Related
Firefighters who led drill that killed student redeemed 100% by becoming momentary monks
Thailand allays fire extinguisher fears after student killed in drill
Fire extinguisher explodes during drill, killing Bangkok student
Reader Interactions