HÀ NỘI — Developers of high-rise buildings that violate safety codes will not be eligible for future land allocation or land lease, according to the People’s Committee of Hà Nội.

This is part of bold measures adopted by Hà Nội authorities to deal with rampant fire safety violations in construction in the city.

Accordingly, the Hà Nội Department of Fire Fighting and Prevention was requested to co-ordinate with relevant agencies in supervising the implementation of fire prevention requirements to ensure that projects undergo fire safety test before being certified for operation.

The fire fighting department was also told to issue fines or suspend the operation of high-rise buildings if necessary. The department will propose to the local government to intervene by force if investors fail to comply with fire safety regulations.

Investors who fail to comply or deliberately violate the fire safety regulations will have their names publicised and residents will be advised not to move into buildings without proper fire protection.

The Department of Construction was asked to ensure dire safety issues are met before issuing permits for construction and certificates of approval and occupancy. Accordingly, no construction permit will be issued if the project designs have not been approved by the Fire Prevention and Fighting Department; construction projects won’t be allowed to operate if  they fail fire safety tests.

The city’s Department of Justice was authorised to formulate procedures in order to enforce the law in case of prolonged violations of fire prevention regulations.

Failing safety standards

As of May 31, 79 apartment buildings in Hà Nội were found to be lacking in terms of fire safety standards, after the Hà Nội Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department conducted inspections at 8000 high-rise buildings in the city.

Of the buildings found to be in violation of fire safety standards, 78 did not have fire safety certificates while one did not undergo a safety test.

According to the department, many buildings that are considered luxury apartment blocks have problems with fire safety issues.

Hà Đông District has the highest number of such buildings 21, followed by Bắc Từ Liêm, Thanh Xuân and Hoàng Mai Districts with 10, 9, 8 respectively. — VNS