The Cambodian government is beginning to focus on fire security and intervention systems in skyscrapers, which are on the increase in Phnom Penh.

Lieutenant Colonel Neth Vutha, chief of the Fire Station of the Phnom Penh Police Department, said the General Commissariat of the National Police was recruiting staff to be trained in putting out fires in tall buildings in Cambodia, as currently there was only one fire truck in the entire fire department that could spray water into an 11-storey building.

“The General Commissariat of the National Police is selecting and testing many young officials to meet the demand throughout the Kingdom. Training will begin soon. We have much more experienced trainers who can train young officials, and this training will be carried out continually,” Vutha said.

Dith Channa, general director of the VMC real-estate company, said that if skyscrapers do not have security systems and techniques for putting out fires, “they will face high risks.” Owners of skyscrapers should pay attention to this issue if they have not done so yet, he said.

“I think the Cambodian government is seriously thinking about these issues, because many fires have happened in recent years in our country, and installing fire systems and safety is a priority,” Channa said.

Long Sopheak, sales manager of the De Castle Royal building, said the company had installed a safety camera system outside and inside the building, as well as in each room, enabling 24-hour monitoring.

“Whenever a fire happens, we have a security system to be alert, and we can prevent it quickly,” she said, adding that the 392 housing units, six floors of parking and the exit and entry gates had the safety system installed, and it operated automatically.

 

To contact the reporter on this story: Siv Meng at [email protected]