A fire official has warned that poor access and blocked stairwells in apartment buildings could lead to casualties, during a parliamentary committee meeting discussing new legislation on common-ownership buildings.
Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis told the House Interior Committee that cars are regularly parked in areas that would prevent fire engines from accessing burning buildings.
He also highlighted issues with furniture and other items blocking communal stairwells.
The proposed legislation addresses security matters but makes no mention of fire safety provisions, which Kettis described as “inconceivable”.
He revealed that buildings currently undergo no fire safety inspections after receiving their initial approval for use.
“There is no legislation specifying who should conduct fire safety checks or how they should be carried out”, Kettis told committee chairman Aristos Damianou.
He explained that management committees should be required to obtain and maintain appropriate fire safety certificates based on building specifications.
Highlighting specific concerns, Kettis described stairwells cluttered with furniture, waste materials and wood, as well as issues with fire doors being modified or kept closed.
He warned that smoke-filled stairwells could lead to fatalities by trapping residents.
A Local Government Organisations’ representative responded that they lack sufficient staff to address issues such as removing obstacles or illegally parked vehicles when alerted by the Fire Service, suggesting building management committees should take responsibility.
Committee chairman Aristos Damianou concluded that relevant authorities should have better coordinated their input on the legislation, given its importance to public safety.
