Kuala lumpur: Accredited Fire Safety Managers or Fire Safety Officers will be granted full authority to conduct internal inspections and prepare technical reports for the renewal of Fire Certificate approvals, without the need for annual physical inspections by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, JBPM Director-General Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad stated that this initiative is part of a self-regulated enforcement approach under a new accreditation system set to be fully enforced next year. The Fire Safety Manager will be responsible for conducting internal testing and inspections of a building’s fire safety systems and submitting a report to JBPM for certificate renewal. While annual physical inspections will be discontinued, JBPM will still perform periodic audits every two to three years to verify report accuracy.
Nor Hisham emphasized that any individual failing to comply with fire safety governance or violating established standards may face strict actions, including accreditation revocation and fines, under the Fire Services Act effective January 1, 2026. He highlighted the shift towards a self-regulatory system as a step towards industry empowerment in safety compliance while reducing reliance on direct government oversight.
He stressed the importance of accredited officers adhering to set standards and guidelines, warning of necessary actions in case of breaches. The training and accreditation of these officers are being conducted with the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and the Department of Skills Development, with over 600 individuals registered for the program to date.
JBPM has been appointed as an Industry Lead Body (ILB) by the Human Resources Ministry from 2025 to 2027, responsible for developing training standards, recognizing training providers, and coordinating regulatory oversight of accredited fire safety officers. Training for Fire Safety Officers will last three days, while Fire Safety Managers will undergo a five-day course, including technical inspection and building evacuation planning components.