Plans for early warning system for high-rises

Plans for early warning system for high-rises
The Sun 28/4/2005

KUALA LUMPUR: The Civil Defence Department is studying a proposal to set up an early warning system for disasters in high-rise buildings in the Klang Valley next year.

The system aimed to alert the people to prepare for any eventuality, such as an earthquake or the tsunami, the department's deputy director-general Selamat Dahalan said.

"Initally, the department plans to install the system on high-rise buildings within the Klang Valley at the end of next year before extending it to the whole country," he said at a press conference in conjunction with the department's 53rd aniversary celebration on Saturday.

"At the moment, the proposal is at the planning stage under the 9th Malaysia Plan. We have submitted the proposal to the government for approval," he said.

Selamat said the installation of the system for the Klang Valley alone is expected to cost about RM7 million.

He said the department was still keeping and using the sirens installed in 1960 to alert the people against air attacks.

Each siren could be heard within a radius of 7km to warn residents of an emergency situation.

"As soon as the proposal and budget for the system is approved, the department will form a special committee to cooperate with companies or building owners to allow us to install the system at their premises," he said.