Cut down on fire prevention procedures for businesses

Compared to the current law, the number of administrative procedures in the field of fire prevention and fighting has been reduced from 37 to 10. These include two procedures for appraisal of fire prevention designs; two procedures for inspection of acceptance work; and six procedures for granting and re-granting certificates of fire prevention and fighting training.

The drafting committee abolished regulations related to design examination to reduce intermediary steps, creating more convenience and openness for people and businesses; abolished the regulation that fire prevention and fighting services are a conditional business investment. This helps promote the socialization of fire prevention and fighting work, creating more favorable conditions for establishments and businesses in consulting, designing, constructing, manufacturing, importing, and trading fire prevention and fighting vehicles and equipment.

Article 20 stipulates fire prevention for housing, in which housing in centrally-run cities, in areas that do not ensure traffic infrastructure, water sources for fire fighting, and technical standards in fire prevention and fighting activities, must ensure a number of conditions.

Specifically, the house must be equipped with fire extinguishers; fire alarm transmission equipment connected to the database system on rescue, relief and fire alarm transmission. The People’s Committee of the centrally-run city determines the area in this area and implements it according to the roadmap prescribed by the Government. Currently, the country has 5 centrally-run cities, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho.

For houses in other areas, the installation of fire alarm equipment is not mandatory, but is recommended. In addition, houses must have a safe kitchen, a place for worship, and a place for burning votive paper; do not place flammable or explosive objects or substances near fire or heat sources; have fire prevention and fighting equipment suitable to their capabilities; and arrange escape routes and emergency exits.

The National Assembly Standing Committee believes that houses that must be equipped with fire alarm equipment are those in urban areas with very high population density, crowded, in alleys, deep lanes, and do not have guaranteed traffic infrastructure or water sources for fire fighting.

Houses in this group are mainly located in large cities (centrally-governed cities) and due to their previous planning and construction history. To ensure timely deployment of firefighting forces and equipment, the fastest information and fire alarm to the Fire Prevention Police force is very important.

The plan to supply water to serve fire fighting must take advantage of the initial “golden 5 minutes” when the fire has not yet broken out, to protect people’s lives and property. The fire alarm transmitter is an integrated technical device, connected to the database system of the authorities.

In the current socio-economic conditions, the installation of fire alarm equipment must be carried out according to a roadmap, ensuring that it is suitable for the scale and nature of fire and explosion hazards of each type of facility and locality. Therefore, the law does not require all buildings to have fire alarm equipment.

For houses combined with production and business , the new law stipulates that all conditions must be met as for normal houses, with the production and business areas of goods with a risk of explosion being separated from the residential area; there must be fire alarms, ventilation solutions, and equipment to detect leaks of dangerous flammable and explosive gases.

In addition to the above content, the bill also stipulates fire prevention conditions for production and business establishments; for vehicles; specialized forces and mobilized forces in fire prevention and rescue situations.

The State decides on the right to exploit strategic minerals.

On the same morning, the National Assembly passed the Law on Geology and Minerals, stipulating that the State is responsible for investing in and organizing strategic mineral exploration; deciding not to auction mineral exploitation rights for a number of areas with strategic and important minerals; and allowing exploration and exploitation of strategic minerals according to the agreement stipulated in the intergovernmental agreement.

Strategic and important minerals are essential minerals serving sustainable socio-economic development and strengthening national defense and security. The strategy of geology, minerals and mining industry to 2030, with a vision to 2045, states that strategic and important minerals include rare earths, radioactive minerals, rare metals, metals in shortage (gold, tin-tungsten, copper, nickel), industrial minerals, minerals used as construction materials and minerals to replace river sand and gravel.

Strategic and critical minerals are characterized by their high economic value and high global demand. They are often limited in availability and complex to mine. Many of the minerals in this category are essential components of high-tech manufacturing such as lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors and renewable energy.

Localities with exploited minerals will receive a portion of the profits from this activity to invest in socio-economic development, according to the provisions of the law on the state budget. Local people are also given priority in recruitment for positions in mineral exploitation projects.

Provincial People’s Councils have the power to decide on the level of contributions from mining enterprises to invest in infrastructure and environmental protection. These enterprises are also responsible for training workers, supporting people affected by the project and compensating for damages. When the project ends, the enterprises must be responsible for closing the mine and restoring the environment.

According to VNExpress