In planning the construction of a building, fire safety management (FSM) is one of the crucial aspects that should not be missed. Even so, many buildings in Indonesia are built without considering this aspect because some parties are unaware of the importance of fire safety management for buildings. As a result, many fires eventually became massive and caused huge losses. Recently, on April 11, 2022, there was a fire in the basement of the Bassura Apartment (TribunJakarta.com, April 11, 2022, Bima Putra). The extinguishing process lasted longer (four hours) because the firefighters also had to emit smoke using a smoke removal car. 

This event resulted in IDR2.000.000.000,00 losses. If the fire safety management is adequate (including the smoke control system), the extinguishing process can be carried out faster, and losses can be minimized.

What is FSM?

Out of many management types, fire safety management, or FSM, belongs to risk management. According to the Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language (KBBI), risk management is an effort to reduce the impact of uncertainty elements. That's right, fires are part of the uncertainty, as they can occur anytime and anywhere. FSM is an early management system that plays a role in preventing and controlling fire hazards so that losses in the form of life and materials can be prevented or minimized. This can be done by striving for the readiness of fire protection installations so that they always function and are ready to use.

In Indonesia, there are three laws that become the legal basis of FSM. Those laws are:

• Law No.1 of 1970 concerning Occupational Safety and Health
• Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 28 of 2002 concerning Buildings
• Law No.24 of 2007 concerning Disaster Management

Elements of FSM

Indeed, we need to admit that preparing for FSM is not an easy matter. FSM is composed of several systems that can and must be implemented and explained in detail. The fire safety management system for actively operating buildings consists of seven systematic models or elements. Those elements are:

1. Management Commitment

Management commitment is the basis for the preparation of FSM. The management ranks can steer the organization toward the realization of FSM. Their decisions and behaviors play a crucial role in preventing various disasters or disturbances that may disrupt or even stop the activities in a building. More importantly, this management commitment must also consider the existing human resources (ensuring their safety in the event of a disaster).

2. Baseline Assessment

The baseline assessment aims to provide management with an overview of the latest condition of the relevant building safety aspects, including existing personnel data, systems (or procedures), and equipment.  With these data, the management or building owner can find out the readiness of the building to face fires and use this information to carry out fire planning.

3. Pre-Fire Planning

Pre-fire planning consists of four sub-elements, which are:

- Prevention

We can prevent fires by identifying things that have the potential to initiate fires, both in terms of fuel and fire sources. Once the potential ignition sources are identified, we can make the prevention measures.

For example, an employee who uses the stove in the office's kitchen cannot leave it while it is on. If there is a gas leakage, the employee can have an early identification. Thus, fires due to gas leaks can be prevented or minimized.

- Preparedness

At this stage, the management will design a detailed plan related to the readiness of the building in the face of fire.

Preparations also include providing socialization and training to building occupants in extinguishing fires on a small scale, fire drills, and preparing for fire management cooperation.

- Response

When fires cannot be avoided, the response of the occupants plays a vital role in controlling and stabilizing the situation in the building.  In this process, there must be vivid coordination between the parties in charge of the building.  In addition, the evacuation process must also be carried out as effectively as possible to minimize the number of victims.

- Recovery

Recovery is a sub-element prepared to restore the function of the building. During this period, impact analysis and how to minimize it are required for effective and consistent recovery planning.

4. Implementation

Implementation is the implementation stage of the pre-fire planning that has been made.

5. Control

As long as the implementation is still carried out, supervision is needed to ensure that each element achieves the goals that have been set.

6. Audit

The audit process is carried out to ensure that the system runs in accordance with the provisions and policies of the company.

7. Management Review

Of course, the FSM needs to be reviewed to ensure its contextuality. It is closely related to possible changes in the building function, facilities, or environment.

Hierarchy in FSM

In Indonesia, the minimum standard for the organizational structure of building fire safety management can be seen in the chart below:

Source: https://slideplayer.info/slide/17614308/

Writer: Fitri Endrasari - Fire Engineer Ignis Fire & Risk