FEMD warns against use of Fake Fire Extinguishers, partners Transport Secretariat
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has raised alarm over the growing circulation of substandard and counterfeit fire extinguishers and has called for the collaboration of the Transport Secretariat to quell the trend.
Acting Director General, FEMD, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed made the call while introducing the inaugurated Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Control (NFEC) and the Gas Explosion Prevention System (GEPS) team during a visit to the Transport Secretariat.
Mohammed noted the manipulative tactics used by some criminally minded individuals, such as illegally pressurizing the expired extinguisher to falsely indicate green gauge or filling them with substandard materials, which can fuel fires instead of suppressing them
His words: “In some cases, these fraudsters use dry chemical powder (0,25kg instead of 0.9kg in a 10kg extinguisher), which constitutes a clear violation of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS)”.
The Acting DG highlighted the importance of NFEC and GEPS in ensuring public safety while emphasizing the need for critical awareness and joint enforcement, particularly in the transport sector, where fire extinguishers are crucial in preventing and responding to emergencies.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Transport Secretariat, Barrister Chinedum Elechi, commended the initiative, saying, “It’s disheartening to see a car burning on the road and people are helplessly watching with their supposed fire extinguishers in their hands but not functional.”
He expressed his willingness to support the team, adding that his office is open to ideas that will promote public safety.
Also speaking, NFEC/GEPS Coordinator, Mr Benson Olatunji, stressed the need for sensitization, joint stakeholders’ enforcement, and vendor training within the fire extinguisher and gas LPG value chain.
” Unsafe practices emanating from these practices pose a threat to national security and public safety. The NFEC and GEPS initiative is a life-saving intervention for all hands to be on deck to achieve a safer society”. He said.
