Fire classification overhaul for enhanced safety

Level 5 fires either kill five or more people, or destroy property worth over VNĐ50 billion.

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire in Hà Nội on mid-August. — VNA/VNS Photo

The Ministry of Public Security has proposed a new fire classification system, aiming to enhance fire prevention and response efforts.

Under the system, fires can be categorised into five levels.

Level-1 fires cause no loss of life or injury and involve either property damage of less than VNĐ100 million (US$4,020) or impact an area of less than 50sq.m, or a scorch a forest or agricultural land of less than 0.5ha.

Level-2 fires cause injury, either to an individual with a bodily injury rate of less than 61 per cent or multiple people with a combined injury rate of less than 61 per cent, or involve property damage of between VNĐ100 million and VNĐ3 billion ($120,600), a fire-affected area of between 50sq.m and 500sq.m, or a burned forest and farm of between 0.5ha and 5ha.

Level 3 fires either cause the death of fewer than three persons, cause injuries to one person with an injury rate of over 61 per cent or multiple persons with a combined injury rate of between 61 per cent and 121 per cent, or involve property damage of between VNĐ3 billion and VNĐ10 billion ($402,000), a fire-affected area of over 500sq.m, or a burned forest and farm of over 5ha.

Level 4 fires either cause the death of between three and five persons, cause injuries to over three persons with an injury rate of over 61 per cent each or a combined injury rate of over 201 per cent, or involve property damage of between VNĐ10 billion and VNĐ50 billion ($2 million).

Level 5 fires either cause the death of five people or more, or blazes which involve property damage of over VNĐ50 billion.

Level-1 fires will be handled through administrative procedures once they are extinguished and there is no evidence of criminal activity.

All fires outside the rated criteria will be investigated as a reported crime.

The responsibility for managing all fire-related data and for classifying fires will be assigned to the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department and its subordinate provincial agencies.