CHIEF Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle, yesterday, described the First Federation Building at the corner of Croal Street and Sendall Place in Georgetown as a derelict building posing threat to life and limb, and a hazard in waiting which should be renovated at the earliest opportunity or dismantled immediately.

His pronouncements came after an inspection visit to the dilapidated edifice by officials from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).
A GFS statement has added that, based on a correspondence received from the Chief Government Electrical Inspector on July 8, 2013 highlighting the many fires and life-threatening conditions there, the GFS conducted an inspection of the building on Friday last, and discovered the following hazardous conditions that are an imminent threat to life and fire safety, and even to the neighbouring properties:
1. The building is being utilized for offices for persons plying their respective trades and professions in a haphazard and unsafe manner.

2. The concrete and timber structure is in a state of disrepair, and has deteriorated to such a state that the timber materials have rotted and the concrete materials have lost their construction integrity and can no longer carry out their engineering and fire-resisting purposes.

3. The electrical wiring throughout the building was found loose and hanging, along with electrical points and outlets that were not properly insulated. Additionally, it was observed that numerous illegal and temporary electrical wiring with unsafe connections were being used to provide electricity from a portable generator positioned near the main entrance. Further, there is no legal connection by the service provider (GPL).

4. A large quantity of garbage, unwanted and unserviceable materials were found throughout the building (on the various floors, corridors, within the ceiling and the vacant offices/rooms).

5. The above conditions warrant deeming this structure as a derelict building.

The GFS made the following recommendations in relation to the building:

1. All occupancy on these premises must cease forthwith.
2. Stringent efforts must be made with regulatory authorities and owners of this building to do either of the following:
(i) The building must be renovated and/or reconstructed to meet the minimum building construction standards and safety requirements; or (ii) The building must be dismantled immediately, and its materials be disposed of in a safe manner.

The Guyana Fire Service has, over the years, been following its mandate through the Fire Service Act, Chapter 22:01, and the Fire Prevention Act, Chapter 92:01, Laws of Guyana in offering fire safety and fire prevention to the populace of Guyana.

(By Michel Outridge)