Dear Members and Pupils in Chambers,

RE : FIRE SAFETY MEASURES FOLLOWING RECENT INCIDENT

Perak Bar wishes to bring to the attention of all members a recent tragic incident which occurred at King Street, Penang, involving a fire at a law office that resulted in the untimely passing of a senior lawyer and a senior clerk.

This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety within our professional premises.

In light of the above, Perak Bar strongly encourages all members to take immediate and proactive steps to enhance fire safety measures within their respective offices, including but not limited to the following:

1. Installation of Fire Extinguishers
All law firms are urged to ensure that adequate and functioning fire extinguishers are installed within their office premises. These should be easily accessible and regularly inspected to ensure they are in proper working condition.

2. Regular Maintenance and Safety Checks
Firms, particularly those operating in heritage or older buildings, are advised to conduct regular maintenance checks on electrical wiring, equipment, and structural elements to minimise fire hazards.

3. Fire Safety Awareness and Preparedness
Members are encouraged to brief their staff on basic fire safety procedures, including the use of fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation protocols.

4. Compliance with Safety Regulations
Firms are required to comply with all relevant fire safety laws, regulations, and authority-issued guidelines, and must mandatorily procure and maintain adequate fire insurance coverage at all times.

5. Procurement of Fire Insurance
We also wish to issue a strong reminder to all members to purchase and regularly renew fire insurance policies for your office premises.

Perak Bar emphasises that safeguarding lives and property is of paramount importance. Preventative measures, though simple, can significantly reduce the risk of such tragic incidents.

We urge all members to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and to take the necessary steps to ensure a safe working environment for all.

Thank you.

ILAVARASI A/P THIRUCHELVAM @ SELVAM
Chairperson
Social, Charity & Members’ Welfare Sub Committee