Underground businesses face closure in draft safety proposal

Hazardous hotels, stores and karaoke bars underneath Beijing could be shut down as part of strict new safety rules, it was revealed on Monday.

According to a draft, all basement businesses that fail fire prevention and hygiene checks will be closed, with owners fined up to 1,000 yuan for infringements.

The proposal by the city's legal affairs office, which has been released for public consultation, also details the required standard spaces will need to meet in order for them to be used.

The news comes hot on the heels of plans to clear Beijing's disused civil air defense shelters of roughly 1 million residents, commonly known as the "mouse tribe".

"There are serious problems with running a business or living underground," said Wang Baojin, an inspector with the legal affairs office. "In many basements we visited, there were things piled high in the corridors, which prevents quick evacuations in fire accidents. Poor ventilation in these areas also makes cooking very dangerous."

Beijing has a wide range of businesses based underground, ranging from entertainment venues to restaurants. However, under the proposed rules, only those with good ventilation, water and electricity supplies, clean toilets and fire extinguishers will avoid the cull.

Tenants will be required to have valid legal certificates, while wholesale markets, hotels, nurseries and kindergartens, and hospitals and sanatoriums will be banned from opening below ground.

METRO reporters visited several underground spaces in the northeastern Wangjing area on Monday. The corridors are smelly, dimly lit and so narrow two people would struggle to pass each other. "Exit" signs have almost faded.

"I recently moved here for the convenience of work," said a resident in his 40s in the Lizexiyuan community who did not want to be identified. "I used to live in a bungalow in the suburbs and it took me almost five hours every day to get to work. I felt exhausted, that's why I chose here despite of its poor living conditions."

He added that although "mouse tribe" tenants are banned from using electric devices that can cause a fire, many still do.

Li Tianmin, who sublets underground rooms in Lizexiyuan for 400 yuan, said the basements are "safe as long as people are careful".

However, he was unable to produce a fire extinguisher.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/18/2011 page)