Nearly 9,500 buildings across Malaysia must appoint fire safety managers from April 2027, Bomba D-G says

Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said 9,451 designated buildings will be required to appoint Fire Safety Managers and Fire Safety Officers from April 1, 2027. — Bernama pic

First Published: Tuesday, 06 Oct 2026 3:09 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — From April 1, 2027, owners of 9,451 buildings across the country designated under the Fire Services Act will be required to appoint Fire Safety Managers (FSMs) and Fire Safety Officers (FSOs) at their premises.

Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the requirement was in line with Section 27A of the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2025, which requires owners of designated premises to establish a Fire Safety Organisation (OKK).

“From April 1, 2027, any building that we inspect within the next one or two years and which is required to obtain a Fire Certificate will have to appoint an FSM and FSO and establish a Fire Safety Organisation at the premises,” he told reporters after the launch of the FSM and FSO programme at Menara Merdeka Maybank here today.

Nor Hisham said a preparation period of between six and 18 months would be given to building owners before full enforcement begins, depending on the expiry date of their existing certificates and the Fire Certificate inspection schedule.

He said the enforcement was a strategic approach to reduce JBPM’s workload, particularly in conducting annual inspections of premises.

“In future, the annual inspection reports prepared by FSMs will be assessed by JBPM for the renewal of Fire Certificates without requiring physical inspections to be conducted by the Fire and Rescue Department every year,” he said.

Nor Hisham said to meet industry needs from 2026 to 2030, JBPM expected 6,000 FSMs and 18,000 FSOs to be appointed nationwide.

He said JBPM currently had 13 registered training providers and had issued a tender to increase the number of training providers and instructors.

A total of 174 FSMs and 324 FSOs who formed the first group to complete the training received their certificates at the ceremony. — Bernama