This is an English editorial summary of a report published by Nanyang Property. Market figures and observations are attributed to the original report.
Read the original: 9451建筑明年起须委消防经理Key figures
- 9,451 designated buildings must appoint an FSM and an FSO from 1 April 2027 (Bernama, Nanyang Property, NST)
- Legal basis: Section 27A of the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2025, which requires a Fire Safety Organisation on site (Bernama)
- Preparation period of 6 to 18 months, depending on Fire Certificate expiry and inspection schedule (Bernama)
- Bomba expects to need 6,000 FSMs and 18,000 FSOs from 2026 to 2030, with 13 training providers registered so far (Bernama)
- 174 FSMs and 324 FSOs from the first batch received certificates at the 6 October launch (Bernama)
News summary
Owners of 9,451 buildings designated under the Fire Services Act must appoint a Fire Safety Manager (FSM) and a Fire Safety Officer (FSO) from 1 April 2027. Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM, or Bomba) director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad announced this on 6 October at the launch of the FSM and FSO programme at Menara Merdeka Maybank in Kuala Lumpur, Bernama reported. Nanyang Property, Malay Mail and the New Straits Times carried the same building count and start date.
Nor Hisham said the rule comes from Section 27A of the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2025, which requires owners of designated premises to set up a Fire Safety Organisation (OKK) on site. It applies to buildings that Bomba inspects in the next one or two years and that need a Fire Certificate. Owners get six to 18 months to prepare before full enforcement, depending on when their current certificate expires and when their inspection is due.
The aim is to reduce Bomba's workload, especially its yearly inspections of designated premises. Once the system runs, Bomba will review the annual inspection reports prepared by each building's FSM to renew Fire Certificates, instead of sending officers for a physical check every year, according to Bernama and Nanyang Property.
Bomba expects to need 6,000 FSMs and 18,000 FSOs nationwide from 2026 to 2030. It has 13 registered training providers and has called a tender for more providers and trainers. At the launch, 174 FSMs and 324 FSOs from the first training group received their certificates, Bernama reported, and RTM said the affected buildings include sprinklered buildings, shopping complexes, office buildings and large premises.
What this means for you
- Owners and management bodies of buildings that need a Fire Certificate, such as office towers and shopping malls, should budget for trained FSM and FSO staff before April 2027.
- If you own a unit in a strata building, ask your JMB, MC or managing agent whether the building is on the designated list, since the cost of these roles would likely sit in the management budget.
- With 174 FSMs and 324 FSOs certified so far against targets of 6,000 and 18,000, trained staff could be hard to find at first, so early planning helps.
Source published 22 October 2026. This summary is provided for general information and is not financial or investment advice.