Estate Living Magazine The Slow Movement - Issue 39 March 2019 | Page 37

P R O P E R T Y
&
I N V E S T M E N T
•
A conduct rule could oblige owners and occupiers to keep fire
extinguishers in the kitchens and next to any open fireplaces,
such as barbecues/braais, in sections or in exclusive-use areas.
Electrical and Gas Certificates of Compliance (C.O.C)
• Old and unsafe electrical wiring can be a major fire risk. All
electrical wiring must be kept in good order and condition, so
as to reduce the risk of fire.
• Prevention is much better than cure, and as such, we recommend
that electrical installations are never compromised.
• The use of gas for both cooking and heating has become more
common. It is therefore imperative that these gas installations
and connections are regularly serviced. Gas receptacles
should be stored and secured in accordance with regulations.
• The provision of a valid electrical and/or gas Certificate of
Compliance provides peace of mind by confirming that the
installation is legally compliant and that it is safe to use.
General housekeeping
• Avoid the build-up of materials that can act as fuel for a fire;
recycling stations with cardboard boxes, papers and plastic
containers, for example, should be kept away from dwellings,
and emptied on a regular basis.
• Smoke detector alarms should be installed because they serve
as an early warning system.
• Choose evacuation points and routes carefully, make sure
there are multiple routes, and clearly communicate routes and
assembly points to all owners/occupants.
I
santam.co.za
As a major fire event can have far-reaching implications for estates,
bodies corporate and trustees are urged to identify what fire
prevention measures, early detection systems and firefighting
capabilities are in place or risk the very real danger of their estates
going up in smoke.