The Ministry of Labor is conducting a public hearing on the Draft Ministerial Regulation regarding standards for fire prevention and suppression No. 2. This draft aims to replace the previous B.E. 2555 regulation, which has been in place for a long time and may no longer align with modern technology or current legal standards. The rationale behind this reform is to modernize safety measures, resolve unclear legal terminology, and ensure consistency with the Rules on Legislative Drafting and Evaluation of the Outcomes of the Law Act, . By updating these standards, the Ministry intends to increase the efficiency of law enforcement and provide a more transparent safety framework. The public hearing date was open on 22 April B.E. 2569 and will be closed on 21 May B.E. 2569. The individuals mostly affected are employers, employees, and industrial operators who must manage workplace safety risks.
According to the draft, the management of fire safety is streamlined through standardized reporting and planning. Employers must develop a comprehensive fire prevention and suppression plan consisting of six key sub-plans. This addresses the issue of fragmented safety protocols by requiring a unified approach, especially in buildings shared by multiple tenants, where employers have a joint duty to coordinate fire suppression systems.
To ensure the safety of the premises, specific infrastructure and personnel requirements must be met and verified. Testing of critical systems, such as fire pumps and automatic fire suppression, must be performed by licensed professional engineers or registered legal entities. Furthermore, for establishments with ten or more employees, annual fire and evacuation drills are mandatory, with results reported to the Director-General within 30 days to ensure oversight and compliance.
The proposed regulation and its accompanying compliance process include a checklist for safety management as follows:
- Building Safety and Exit Routes: Verification that every floor of the building has at least two exit routes, equipped with standardized signage and emergency lighting
- Fire Suppression Systems:
- Installation of portable fire extinguishers and automatic systems based on updated NFPA and Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) standards
- Calculation of water reservoirs to include modern systems like “water mist”
- Training and Human Resources:
- Proof that at least 40% of employees in every department have received basic fire-fighting training
- Documentation of the appointment of a dedicated internal fire-fighting team
- Annual Drills and Reporting:
- Evidence of a simultaneous fire and evacuation drill for all employees conducted at least once a year
- Submission of the drill plan and subsequent results report to the Director-General or an authorized official
- Maintenance and Engineering Certification:
- Records of regular inspections and maintenance of alarm and suppression systems
- Certification from a licensed engineer for the testing of specialized equipment
Public Hearing on the Draft Ministerial Regulation on Occupational Safety, Health_Bangkok Global Law