Life-saving gadgets help control Plastic View fires
The installation of these smoke detection equipment was aimed at assisting in the early warning and alerting of occupants in a house in case of a fire incident.
There has been a noticeable reduction in the number of fire incidents in the Plastic View informal settlement since the installation of the much-needed lifesaving smoke detector gadgets.
However, according to the Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD), it may be too soon to say if the smoke detectors have made an effective impact in this fire-prone area.
The ESD in collaboration with the Gauteng government and Santam earlier in the year, installed the much-needed life-saving gadgets in about 500 households in the east of Pretoria’s gigantic informal settlement.
The installations were a bid to save lives and safeguard families against roaring fires gutting homes.
ESD spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni said the ESD has noticed a reduction in life-threatening fires at the settlement.
“However it is against this background that it may be too soon to say if the smoke detectors have made an effective impact without considering the general success of this programme in Plastic View and other areas.”
He said the installation of the smoke detection equipment assists in the early warning and alerting of occupants of a house in case of a fire.
“There have only been a couple of fire incidents since the detectors were installed, which might be a good indication that the project is effective as the people are more empowered.”
Mnguni said the project is being monitored, data will be collated and analysed, and a determination will be made about the general effectiveness of the project.
“Taking into account all factors, which may contribute to the reduction of and mitigation of fires in the informal settlement/s in Gauteng, where these smoke detectors were installed.”
He said the main aim of installing the smoke detectors is to save lives by providing an early detection and warning system for the occupants to escape.
“The detectors are part of the overall Public Information, Education and Relations (PIER) campaign that the ESD, working together with other spheres of governments such as the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), is constantly embarking upon to reduce the fires in households.”
Mnguni said Plastic View is one of the most vulnerable areas that were identified by the ESD and PDMC due to the number of fire incidents that have occurred in the past.
“The illegally camped-on land is prone to fires due to the plastic, wood and zinc used as building material in the squatter camps, so the ESD has seen it fit to address the health and safety hazard with smoke detectors.
The project aimed at prioritising the child-headed households first, and then homes with the elderly and disabled. Lastly the homes of those who are unemployed. This is the process that was followed when prioritising the installation,” he said.
He added that this is a work-in-progress pilot project sponsored by the Gauteng government and Santam and is being led by the Gauteng PIER working group of the PDMC.
“It would be of great benefit for the project to expand to other informal settlements within Tshwane to save lives.”
According to Mnguni, there were minor challenges such as the number of available smoke detectors (500) versus the prioritisation and distribution, which were overcome with the help of the community leaders of Plastic View, and Gauteng PDMC working together with ESD.
He said besides smoke detection, “we have taken our device a step further – to create a community-wide response to fire situations”.
“With the devices, there’s potential to significantly reduce the loss of life and property.”
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