The role played by the Fire Prevention Section of the Cape Town Fire& Rescue Service in ensuring compliance with fire-safety regulations in commercial and industrial buildings, factories and other premises, is without accolade but is work of major importance to the City, conducted with a high degree of competence.

On average every year:

· 40 000 water hydrants are inspected and tested, and faulty units are reported,
 
· 14 000 premises are inspected to ensure compliance with national building regulations and other by-laws and municipal regulations,

· 4 000 storage facilities for flammable substances are inspected to ensure compliance with fire- safety regulations and authorised stock levels,

· 250 night inspections are carried out at social clubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and other places of public entertainment to ensure compliance with fire-safety requirements, and

· 1 400 plans of building and storage facilities for flammable and explosive materials are scrutinised

· The Section also conducts lectures and demonstrations on fire-safety matters and actively promotes better two-way understanding between the public sector and the Service.

 These activities are seen as contributing to the noticeable falloff in the frequency of investigations into potential fire-hazards, and in the reducing number of summonses issued for non- compliance with regulations and other offences relating to fire safety.