KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Department has set up a special task force in each state to carry out safety inspections on all religious schools, as ordered by the Cabinet yesterday.
Its director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said the inspections will focus on the safety of accommodations at the schools or centres.
“We will be looking at three aspects: escape routes, overcrowding and grille safety.
“As there are also concerns over fire caused by short-circuits, we will (also) be working with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to help (undertake necessary re-wiring),” he said when contacted.
Wan Mohd Nor added that a round of initial inspections had been conducted earlier this year, but in the wake of the recent deadly Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz fire, the Department has received new orders from the Cabinet, and will commence inspections following new guidelines.
“One of the aspects that we will focus on is the suitability of premises used as religious schools. Not all of them are suitable. For instance, if they (were) converted from a shoplot.
“Shoplots are not (suitable for conversion) into accommodations, as the safety requirements are different, based on the capacity that they can take.
“(We will therefore) determine whether each premises is safe for use, and if it needs improvements.
“We will go to the ground to check on both registered and non-registered facilities. Previously, we had only been checking on registered schools.
“Without the approval of the Fire Department, these schools will not be allowed to operate. (And) if the school administrators do not cooperate with us, we will shut down the facilities via a court order.
“We urge religious school administrators to submit their building plans to us to ease our inspection process,” Wan Mohd Nor said.
Since the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tragedy, the Department has conducted safety checks on more than 300 religious schools nationwide.
Wan Mohd Nor said 941 tahfiz schools are operating across the country – a figure which includes 329 that are not registered – with a total of 150,000 students.