PETALING JAYA: Routine maintenance and regular safety audits are critical to preventing equipment failures and hazardous incidents at institutions of higher learning, according to a senior engineering academic.
UiTM Faculty of Civil Engineering senior lecturer Dr Nor Azmi Bakhary said such failures often stem from lapses in inspection regimes, particularly involving mechanical and utility systems such as air-conditioning compressors and gas pipelines.
“When inspections are irregular and not properly documented or when identified defects are not followed up, the risk of leaks, system failure and explosions increases significantly.”
He added that a robust and well-documented safety audit programme allows potential hazards to be identified early and corrective action to be taken before incidents occur.
Nor Azmi stressed that in the event of an incident, campus authorities must move swiftly to secure the affected area, evacuate nearby buildings and isolate damaged systems.
He said emergency responders should also conduct hazard assessments to identify secondary risks such as gas leaks or structural instability.
“Close coordination with fire and rescue teams, medical services and forensic investigators is essential to ensure the safety of students and staff,” he said, adding that prompt reporting to regulatory agencies and transparent communication with the campus community are equally important.
Nor Azmi said universities must prioritise the inspection and modernisation of ageing mechanical systems, conduct regular testing of gas and pressure-related equipment, and install advanced leak-detection and automatic shut-off systems.
He said full compliance with current engineering and safety codes should be non-negotiable.
He added that long-term safety planning should include updated emergency response protocols, regular training for maintenance personnel and building occupants, as well as sustained investment in structural and fire-safety upgrades to ensure older campus facilities meet best-practice safety standards.
The blast on Monday occurred at the fourth floor maintenance area of the university near a cafeteria, causing structural damage to the building.
The sole fatality in the incident was identified as intern Soo Yu Juan, 24, a third-year mechanical engineering student from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman who was due to complete his industrial training on Jan 15.
Others injured included two air-conditioning contractors, a university staff member and two foreign cafeteria workers. They were all admitted to nearby hospitals.
