Hanoi apartment blocks fail safety standards

Jun 13, 2017 | 04:50 PM GMT+7

Nearly 80 apartment buildings in Hanoi violate fire safety regulations according to the Hanoi Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department.

Hanoi apartment blocks fail safety standards
Sun Square project in Nam Tu Liem District. Photo: dtinews.vn

The department has conducted inspections at 800 high-rise buildings in Hanoi and discovered 79 violations as of May 31, including in 78 buildings where residents already moved in.

According to the department, many buildings that are considered luxury apartment blocks have fire safety issues.

The HH1 apartment blocks on Truong Chinh Street built by Meco Vietnam JSC which has been opened for three years and the Sakura Tower on Vu Trong Phung Street by Vinaconex Company and Hung Tien Kim Son Company which went into operation in 2011 both lack fire safety certificates.

The Diamond Flower Tower of Handico 6 Company and Hanoi Construction JSC No.1’s Times Tower also let the residents move despite not having fire safety certificate.

Social housing apartment blocks and those in the affordable sector also violated fire safety standards. 79 buildings in Hoang Mai, Thanh Tri and Ha Dong districts were named, 13 of which belong to Le Thanh Than, the real estate mogul and director of Lai Chau Construction Company No.1.

Many Song Da group projects also violated the regulations.

The department has applied fines and agencies suspended some constructions that were fire-prone. Hanoi Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department will increase inspections and guide investors on fire safety issues. Investors who fail to comply or deliberately violate the regulations will continue to have their names publicised and may be prosecuted.

Residents are advised to not move in to buildings without proper fire protection.