SHAH ALAM – The safety distance between gas pipelines and nearby developments should be expanded to reduce the risk of disasters.
Urban planning expert Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman said current guidelines set a minimum safe distance of 30 metres from high-pressure gas pipelines, but questioned whether this was sufficient, suggesting the distance should be extended to between 50 and 100 metres.
"In urban planning, there is indeed a required buffer zone when it involves critical infrastructure such as gas pipelines.
"According to Malaysia’s Planning Guidelines for Infrastructure and Utilities, if the development involves schools, hospitals or areas with high foot traffic, the buffer zone can go up to 50 metres or more, depending on the gas pressure in the pipeline.
"For industrial areas, there’s usually a bit more flexibility, but they still need additional safety systems such as 24-hour surveillance or specialised protective structures," he told Sinar.
Abdul Razak, who is also town planning, development and landscaping consultancy Fourmate Design director said there have been instances where buffer zone requirements were not fully complied with during development phases.
"For example, once a project enters the development phase, some developers start reducing the safety distance because they want to maximise land use.
"This not only violates planning guidelines but also increases the risk to surrounding communities, especially if an incident were to occur," he said.
He added that enforcement agencies and local councils must be firm in ensuring that the buffer zone regulations were adhered to at every stage, from planning to construction.
"We should not compromise safety for the sake of profit. Buffer zones are there for a reason – they are the first line of defence in the event of an emergency.
"It is time to reassess whether our current standards are adequate and consider strengthening them, especially in densely populated or high-risk areas," he said.