SCDF reminds Comex organisers to prioritise safety with
massive turnout of 800,000
Some 800,000 are expected at the four-day event, which opened
today.
Given the sheer numbers, the Singapore Civil Defence Force
(SCDF) has reminded the organisers to make safety a
priority.
Lynda Hong tells us more.
The exhibition was to originally occupy 330,000 square feet at the
Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
But organisers bumped it up by another 15,000 square feet due to
overwhelming response from exhibitors.
SCDF officers conducted a routine inspection of the venue just
before the exhibition opened on Thursday.
It has asked the organisers to increase the number of exits at
level two of the exhibition.
Adjustments to booth design and structures were also
required.
General Manager of Eastern Directories, Melvin Koh, is the
organiser.
"We will re-model, in terms of changing the design, like for
example, lowering the height limit of the booth which is affected
to be able to activate the water sprinkler in case of a fire. And
at the same time in the ballrooms, we have incorporated more exit
points and put up more signs in case of emergences. "
Mr Koh says these modifications will be completed before the
exhibition opens its doors for a second day on Friday.
The majority of the visitors are expected over the
weekend.
Some of the 200 security officers hired for the event will man
various entry points, including the new Esplanade MRT station, to
re-route visitors when digital counters register over 40-thousand
visitors at any one time.
Organisers say this is to prevent a stampede during an
emergency.
-- 938Live