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RETAfrica Takes A Look At The Role Of The GNFS In Building As Fires Rage On

RETAfrica Takes A Look At The Role Of The GNFS In Building As Fires Rage On

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heatlight, and various reaction products.  Fire is hot because the conversion of the weak double bond in molecular oxygen, O2, to the stronger bonds in the combustion products carbon dioxide and water releases energy (418 kJ per 32 g of O2); the bond energies of the fuel play only a minor role here.

 At a certain point in the combustion reaction called the ignition point, flames are produced. The flame is the visible portion of the fire. Flames consist primarily of carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce plasma. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the color of the flame and the fire's intensity will be different.

Fire in its most common form can result in conflagration, which has the potential to cause physical damage through burning. Fire is an important process that affects ecological systems around the globe.

Fire has been used by humans in rituals, agriculture for clearing land, cooking, generating heat and light, signaling, propulsion purposes, smeltingforgingincineration of waste, cremation, and as a weapon or mode of destruction.

The positive effects of fire include stimulating growth and maintaining various ecological systems. Its negative effects include hazard to life and property, atmospheric pollution, and water contamination.

In Ghana a lot of people are troubled, rendered homeless and life has become difficult for them through fire outbreak in their buildings.

This has become even critical, regarding the fact that soon after the elections and new year festivities, numerous fire outbreaks have been recorded in major markets and other places.

Anyone who engages in building in the country currently needs a standard in financial status due to cost of materials and labour involved.

The institution mandated to fight fire in Ghana is the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

A functional requirement for the GNFS to achieve its objectives include technical advice for building plans in respect of machinery and structural layouts to facilitate escape from fire rescue operations and fire management.

The Ghana National Fire Service is mandated to examine and make recommendations on only public structure with high occupants to make sure that they meet fire safety measures before construction begins. However, it is not legal for the GNFS to have access to private buildings plans to examine whether or not they meet fire layout requirements when the homes are built.

According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), private buildings constitute majority of buildings that are burnt in the country.

To protect Ghanaians from further fire outbreaks in individual homes, Real Estate Times Africa had an exclusive interview with the Head of Public Affairs of the GNFS, DO1 Ellis Robinson Okoe and shares the insights.

The Head of Public Affairs urged all Ghanaians to at least get smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in each home voluntarily to help fight fire.

According to him, challenges the GNFS faced during firefighting were posed by the style of buildings built. “Most Ghanaians put premium on security than fire safety, we need to think of fire safety too whenever we are building”, he advised.

According to him, blockages of water hydrants in the country delayed firefighting.

He cautioned Ghanaians to fix burglar proofs that would detect fire and could be easily broken during fire outbreaks. “If we can reserve water to drink in our homes its equally good to reserve water in our homes for the Ghana National Fire Service to use to fight fire in case there are fire outbreaks in homes”, he appealed to Ghanaians.

DO1 Okoe revealed that there was an upcoming home fire prevention regulation - LI 2249, which when passed, would mandatory for everyone to get one fire extinguisher and safety gadget free from Government, but would be renewed yearly by individuals in the country.

Jerry Smith once said “Playing with fire is bad for those who burn themselves. For the rest of us, it is a very great pleasure.” Also, there is a proverb that says: fire is never a gentle master.

Real estate times Africa takes the opportunity to also urge every Ghanaian and all in the country to help play necessary roles to eliminate fire out breaks in our homes.

We also appeal to Ghana Water Company to repaire all blocked water hydrants to avoid the bottlenecks Ghana National Fire Service faces in travelling far for water during firefighting.

 

Source: Kwabena Frimpong Manso (Journalist, Real Estate Times Africa)

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