Monitoring of churches

In anticipation of the Easter holidays, employees of the Lepel District Department for Emergency Situations conducted inspections of churches and chapels within the district.

"During the Easter holidays and festive services, there is always a large gathering of people in and around religious sites. Therefore, to ensure safety during this period, strict adherence to fire safety regulations is essential," note the Ministry of Emergency Situations employees.

In accordance with clause 4 of the "Regulations on the Procedure for Conducting Monitoring," approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 16.10.2009 No. 510 "On Improving Control (Supervisory) Activities in the Republic of Belarus," the Supervision and Prevention Inspectorate of the Lepel District Department for Emergency Situations carried out monitoring in April of the current year at the following religious sites: Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Unfailing Cup" in Borovka village (rector - Kozhanovsky Vladimir Ivanovich), Church of St. Joseph of Volotsk in Zaslonovo village (rector - Kozhanovsky Vladimir Ivanovich), Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Lepel, Chuykov Street (rector - Leshkevich Sergey Andreevich), Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Yurkovshchina village (rector - Leshkevich Sergey Andreevich), Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in Lepel, Depovskaya Street (rector - Vabishchevich Ivan Valerievich), Church of the Nativity of Christ in Lepel, Budennogo Street (rector - Kolyada Adam Dmitrievich).

During the monitoring, violations of fire safety legislation were identified, specifically concerning the "General Fire Safety Requirements for the Maintenance and Operation of Capital Structures (Buildings, Structures), Isolated Premises, and Other Facilities Owned by Business Entities," approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 7 of 23.11.2017 "On the Development of Entrepreneurship," namely:

Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Unfailing Cup": Borovka village: training of employees on fire safety minimum programs has not been organized, the required number of primary fire extinguishing means has not been provided, and doors on evacuation routes open not in the direction of movement.

Church of St. Joseph of Volotsk, Novozaslonovo village: the use of fire extinguishers with expired recharging dates is permitted, training of employees on fire-technical minimum programs has not been organised, the required quantity of primary fire extinguishing means has not been provided, a pre-furnace sheet smaller than 0.5x0.7 m is laid in front of the heating stove, there are cracks in the chimney of the heating stove, there is no hearth lining for the heating stove chimney, a non-factory manufactured stove has been installed.

Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Lepel town, Chuykov St.: training of employees on fire-technical minimum programs has not been organised, locks (latches) on doors located on evacuation routes in the church building are not provided with the possibility of being opened freely from the inside without a key.

Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Yurkovshchina village: training of employees on fire-technical minimum programs has not been organised, the required quantity of primary fire extinguishing means has not been provided, locks (latches) on doors located on evacuation routes in the church building are not provided with the possibility of being opened freely from the inside without a key.

Church of the Nativity of Christ, Lepel town, Budenny St.: the operability of fire protection means has not been ensured (the fire alarm system is out of order).

Based on the monitoring results, recommendations for eliminating the identified shortcomings were handed over to the church leaders.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reminds that in accordance with Article 17 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Fire Safety", church leaders must ensure fire safety and fire prevention regulations at the respective facilities.