Fire Safety Management in Malaysian Higher Educational Institutions

Most universities and college campuses across Malaysia are engaged in developing policies, programmes, and systems to reduce fire risks, and maintain fire safety. Although the awareness of fire disasters has increased among some parts of the society, the concept of fire disaster preparedness and response in universities has not been sufficiently explored. Therefore, this paper aims to establish a conceptual framework fire safety management plan in Malaysian Higher Educational Institution. The method used by this paper is synthesizing previous articles from selected journals and conference proceedings, reports, standards on disaster risk management, higher institution contingency and fire safety plans, and existing guidelines from authorities. The key elements of fire safety variables from the previous literatures assist this study in developing a conceptual framework related to fire safety management plan. The findings of this paper include the elements of fire safety management like organizational responsibilities (mitigation/prevention), emergency preparedness including emergency facilities, emergency contact details, information, and communication training, and testing and reviewing (response & recovery). The establishment of this conceptual framework of fire safety management can guide the management teams at higher educational institutions in delivering information to Emergency Response Team (ERT) to ensure its effectiveness. Moreover, this framework will help the management team to adopt, validate, and evaluate, which enhances the ability to detect crisis signal that will minimize losses

Fire Safety Management in Malaysian Higher Educational Institutions

Most universities and college campuses across Malaysia are engaged in developing policies, programmes, and systems to reduce fire risks, and maintain fire safety. Although the awareness of fire disasters has increased among some parts of the society, the concept of fire disaster preparedness and response in universities has not been sufficiently explored. Therefore, this paper aims to establish a conceptual framework fire safety management plan in Malaysian Higher Educational Institution. The method used by this paper is synthesizing previous articles from selected journals and conference proceedings, reports, standards on disaster risk management, higher institution contingency and fire safety plans, and existing guidelines from authorities. The key elements of fire safety variables from the previous literatures assist this study in developing a conceptual framework related to fire safety management plan. The findings of this paper include the elements of fire safety management like organizational responsibilities (mitigation/prevention), emergency preparedness including emergency facilities, emergency contact details, information, and communication training, and testing and reviewing (response & recovery). The establishment of this conceptual framework of fire safety management can guide the management teams at higher educational institutions in delivering information to Emergency Response Team (ERT) to ensure its effectiveness. Moreover, this framework will help the management team to adopt, validate, and evaluate, which enhances the ability to detect crisis signal that will minimize losses

Challenges of quality assessment system (QLASSIC) in construction industry in Malaysia

The Construction Industry Standard (CIS 7:2006) on Quality Assessment System (QLASSIC) was developed in November 2006 to evaluate and improve the quality of the building construction work among the Developers and Contractors. QLASSIC sets out the standard for the quality of workmanship for various construction elements of building and also infrastructure works. QLASSIC is not fully implemented and applied by all Developers and Contractors in Malaysia as this element is not a compulsory requirement in getting projects. Moreover, there are only small numbers of Developers and Contractors who are aware on the benefits of the application of QLASSIC in their construction projects. Besides, there are some barriers that cause those parties to avoid using QLASSIC. The aim of this study is to study on the challenges of QLASSIC assessment and its acceptance by Developers and Contractors that register under the CIDB, Malaysia for the construction projects in order to achieve the standard of quality in construction in terms of workmanship. Data was collected from the literature study and from Construction Industry and Development Board (CIDB) by means of interviews and questionnaires. Based on the analysis, most of the Developers and Contractors are still not familiar with QLASSIC. The barriers that contributed to Developers and Contractor refusal to comply with QLASSIC are unfamiliar with QLASSIC system, less of technical personnel during the QLASSIC assessment, less of QLASSIC’s assessors and low reputation if QLASSIC score less than CIDB’s requirement. Most of the respondents in the Developers companies agree with the barrier in which the main reason that stops them from applying QLASSIC is that they are not really familiar with the QLASSIC system