The department has set up a special joint task force which will focus on “high risk” buildings managed by City Hall.

City Fire and Rescue Department director Leonard Athanasius said this would be the first time that the department would conduct checks on government buildings.

“Our previous efforts were mainly targeted at private and commercial buildings such as hotels, cinemas, shoplots and commercial centres,” he said in an interview.

He said the checks were not meant to “point fingers” at anyone.

“It is to detect fire traps and to check if these buildings have proper fire fighting equipment,” he added.

Athanasius said the department expected the checks to be completed in three months, adding that all divisions in the department would be involved in the exercise. He said the decision to conduct the checks was made during a recent meeting with City Hall.

He said the task force will comprise department officials and City Hall officers.

“It is vital that buildings are equipped with suitable fire-fighting equipment,” he said.

Athanasius said the decision to conduct the checks was made following a fire at the Sri Kelantan flats in Sentul on Jan 15 which claimed five lives.

The department has yet to ascertain the cause of that blaze.

Athanasius said the department planned to seek the participation of flat owners in caring for fire-fighting equipment via an “adoption scheme.”

“Under the scheme, dwellers on each floor are required to adopt part of the fire-fighting equipment, which include fire hydrants and the hoses,” he said, adding that this would help curb rampant vandalism in the flats.

He said the department would also explore ways to attract more participation at its fire prevention seminars.