Johannesburg Emergency Management Services officer Collen Machete delivered a detailed presentation on fire safety and the responsible handling of flammable substances, equipping township business owners with knowledge to strengthen compliance and protect communities from preventable hazards.

This was at the recent Spaza Shop and Informal Traders’ Summit and Expo hosted by the City of Johannesburg in Alexandra on Monday.

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Addressing scores of informal and formal business owners, Machete focused on prevention, compliance with by-laws, and practical steps to protect lives and property in high-risk township environments, particularly where flammable substances are used.

He stressed the importance of proper building structures. “You must have a proper structure. Mostly, spazas are run from garages; they are very rarely standalones,” he said.

Machete encouraged operators to separate their place of residence from their business premises, noting that some can be separated by walls. This will ensure that when the actual building burns, the other part of the spaza will not burn, at least for a certain period of time.

He emphasised that buildings that meet key requirements, including fire-resistant walls to prevent spreading, adequate truck access, effective ventilation, and overall safety evaluation, are better positioned to receive a fire permit.

Stressing the importance of ventilation, he warned that smoke inhalation remains one of the biggest killers in fire incidents. “One of the most dangerous things that kills us is the smoke. People die from smoke inhalation,” he said, adding that PVC materials produce highly toxic fumes that can claim lives even while people sleep.

Turning to flammable substances, Machete outlined clear limits. For LPG gas, commonly used for cooking and heating, he said a maximum of 19kg is allowed indoors. While the use of 48kg cylinders is allowed, they should be used only with a manifold system. “You can’t have a 48kg inside a building, it must be outside. If more than (48kg), you must register,” he cautioned.

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He highlighted gas’ silent danger, noting that it consumes oxygen and can be lethal without proper ventilation, such as open windows that allow for oxygen to come in.

On petrol, he said storage is restricted to 40 litres for personal use, while diesel and paraffin allow up to 210 litres for personal consumption, not resale.

When asked about paraffin sales from residences, Machete stressed that paraffin requires formal business rights and is unsafe in residential premises. “It is not a business that you can easily advise a person to go into,” he said, underscoring the serious risks flammables pose to families and communities.

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