The National Fire Agency said on the 14th it will push a project to distribute "standalone alarm-type detectors" free of charge to 285 households classified as fire-safety-vulnerable living in aging apartments.
Those eligible are fire-safety-vulnerable households residing in apartments that received building permits on or before Dec. 31, 2004, where no in-unit sprinklers or fire alarm systems are installed. Fire-safety-vulnerable households are those where children under age 13, seniors 65 or older, or people with disabilities live.
A standalone alarm-type detector is a device that, when it senses smoke from a fire, sounds an alarm using its built-in power so occupants can detect the fire early and evacuate. It can be installed in living spaces without separate wiring work.
The National Fire Agency plans to provide up to three standalone alarm-type detectors per fire-safety-vulnerable household free of charge. Eligible households can apply through the website of their local fire station or by phone.
The National Fire Agency urged the public to be especially cautious of anyone impersonating firefighters or fire agencies to solicit detector purchases or demand installation fees, noting that this project is carried out entirely free of charge.