Following a major fire at the Aviator mall in Tashkent, which exposed serious violations in the fire safety and evacuation system, the Ministry of Emergency Situations appealed to shopping malls and entertainment venues, restaurants, cafes and service facilities.
The appeal, voiced by the chief of a Ministry of Emergency Situations department Odil Kuldashev, stated that venue managers are responsible for complying with fire safety requirements, and serious violations could lead to the suspension of operations.
He enumerated a number of current requirements that must be followed to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.
Odil Kuldashev emphasized that emergency exits must be kept open and in good working order at all times, and that buildings must be provided with sufficient, functional fire safety equipment, which must be regularly inspected.
Employees and staff must have the knowledge and skills to properly respond to emergency situations, particularly fires, the Ministry of Emergency Situations representative emphasized.
When leasing a facility, the contract must stipulate mandatory compliance with fire safety requirements.
According to Odil Kuldashev, working groups have been established across Uzbekistan to inspect fire safety compliance at facilities like the Aviator Shopping Center.
"If serious violations of fire safety requirements are identified, the facility's operations will be temporarily suspended until the identified deficiencies are fully rectified," he emphasized.
He reminded of the administrative and criminal liability of facility managers and other individuals for violating fire safety requirements.
"Not knowing of legal requirements does not relieve from penalties," Odil Kuldashev concluded. Strict adherence to the rules "will protect the lives and health of individuals, as well as facility employees, from emergency situations," he noted.
Criminal case was opened in connection with the fire at the Aviator mall under Abuse of power by officials of a non-governmental organization and the Violation of fire safety regulations charge of the Criminal Code.
