Kuala Lampur:From April 1, 2027, the owners of 9,451 buildings designated under the Fire Services Act will be mandated to appoint Fire Safety Managers (FSMs) and Fire Safety Officers (FSOs) at their locations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this requirement aligns with Section 27A of the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2025, which mandates the establishment of a Fire Safety Organisation (OKK) at designated premises. Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad, director-general of the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), announced this after the launch of the FSM and FSO program.

Building owners will have a preparation period ranging from six to 18 months before full enforcement, depending on the expiry of their existing certificates and the schedule for Fire Certificate inspections. This strategic enforcement aims to reduce the workload of JBPM, particularly in conducting annual inspections.

In the future, annual inspection reports prepared by FSMs will be reviewed by JBPM for the renewal of Fire Certificates, eliminating the need for yearly physical inspections by the department. To support industry needs between 2026 and 2030, JBPM anticipates the appointment of 6,000 FSMs and 18,000 FSOs nationwide.

Currently, JBPM has 13 registered training providers and has issued a tender to increase the number of training providers and instructors. At the launch ceremony, 174 FSMs and 324 FSOs received their certificates, marking the completion of their training.