After 50 years in the industry (or is it a profession?) I am tired of the numerous committees that have sat for years - with no apparent reduction in the fire loss account.

Much could be done in schools where arson is rampant. Few industry fires these days are caused by manufacturing processes, but cigarettes are a bogey, as well as fraud associated with claims and poorly maintained electrical installations.

Fire alarms always help, but the best answer is sprinklers of course. The government prefers to squander money rather than expend it on sprinklers in all government-owned buildings.

We had a typical example a year or so ago, where sprinklers had been recommended to the government for a large susceptible building, but it refused to install them .

Fire costs the taxpayers millions, and unfortunately loss of life.

Name and address withheld

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