Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has ordered the suspension of all fire drills at schools, private and government offices until all equipment is checked to ensure safety and all demonstration fire extinguishers are recalled for safety checks.
The governor has also ordered a revamp of fire drill protocols. For example, only empty fire extinguishers will be used, no CO2 will be used during the demonstrations and, if the drill is taking place in a school compound, students will watch it from school buildings on the second or third floor for their safety. Instead, a video presentation will be provided so students and the public in general can learn what to do in case of a fire.
Governor Chadchart said today (Saturday) that he has instructed all fire stations in Bangkok, district offices and community leaders to check their chemical fire extinguishers for expiry dates and whether they need to be replaced.
He also said that he has instructed all fire stations not to use demonstration fire extinguishers from the other stations or from outside, because they have already have their own.
One student at Rachawinit School was killed and ten students and firemen were injured when a fire extinguisher burst during a fire drill at the school on Friday.
Police said that three fire drill officials are to be charged with negligence.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Dr. Tavida Kamolvej said that a fact-finding investigation is under way, to ascertain the actual cause of the accident, adding that she was told by firemen involved in fire drills that such an incident has never happened before.
