Residents question LRT fire safety

Wong Kin (center)

Several representatives from the group “Areia Preta Park LRT Route Concern Group” have met with officials from the Fire Services Bureau (CB) yesterday afternoon to enquire about the fire safety of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT). They argued that some segments of the LRT are potential fire hazards. Responding to these claims, CB stressed that while they would provide recommendations to the LRT project, it does not need their approval to proceed.
During the hour-long meeting, resident representative Sam Sei Mui pointed out that in one of the proposed routes of the LRT Macau Peninsula Northern segment, the Avenida 1.º de Maio segment, the LRT track would be built alongside a Sinopec gas station.
He said that the way an LRT car is powered will inevitably create sparks, which he believes will be a hazard given its close proximity to the gas station.
CB’s principal chief, Wong Kin, replied by citing a press release from the Transportation Infrastructure Office (GIT), saying that LRT tracks are regarded as being of the same nature as a regular road. This means that the authorities only need to observe regulations over the safety distance between gas stations and roads.
He added that, according to the GIT release, the LRT design has already included features that restrict the omission of sparks.
Moreover, Mr Wong said that his bureau has already submitted their opinions to relevant public departments. He also suggested that their role is only to provide opinions. “If you ask who are the parties to approve [the construction], it is not our bureau. I hope you understand this legal matter,” he said.
The principal chief added that only the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau, along with some licensing departments, has the power to approve and authorize the LRT construction.
Furthermore, Sam Sei Mui claimed that they found the distance between the LRT track and one side of a car park on Avenida 1.º de Maio to be around 2.74 meters. He thinks that this is unacceptable because it is too close and will therefore obstruct public departments such as the CB when they have to carry out rescue operations.
Wong Kin replied that different buildings require different amounts of space and sides reserved for public departments to gain access to them in case of emergency. He said that even if one side of the car park is obstructed, it could still fulfil the legal requirement if other sides are left open.
The principal chief concluded the meeting by stressing that his department cannot judge the safety of the LRT segment by merely looking at the route. The details of the structure must be studied as well.
The resident group is set to meet officials from the GIT today.