A new study from the Latin American Fire Protection Network (Latam PCI), the Mexican Association of Automatic Fire Sprinklers (AMRACI), and the National Fire Protection Council (CONAPCI) has identified a lack of regulation as a major cause of fire risk across Latin America.
As reported by Chronica, more than half of all global fires occur in Latin America, with Mexico highlighted as having some of the weakest protections.
The study found that Mexico ranks last in terms of occupational fire safety classification and falls behind Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador in fire protection equipment implementation.
The research was presented via live stream across twelve Latam PCI member countries.
It marked the release of the network’s second fire safety regulation study, focused on Mexico and its neighbors.
The analysis emphasized the absence of a shared regulatory system across Latin American countries.
This gap was identified as a barrier to cooperation, information exchange, and implementation of consistent safety measures.
The study included a comparative overview of each country’s progress and current limitations.
The study referenced several major fire incidents that resulted in mass casualties, linking them to regulatory failings.
Examples included the Valparaíso fire in Chile in 2014, which killed 15 people and destroyed more than 2,500 homes, and the 2013 Kiss nightclub fire in Brazil, which resulted in 242 deaths.
Other incidents listed were the República Cromañón Hotel fire in Argentina, the Ycuá Bolaños supermarket fire in Paraguay, the 2019 Amazon fires, and the 2009 ABC Daycare Center fire in Mexico that killed 49 children.
Each case was used to illustrate the impact of weak or absent regulation.
Latam PCI, AMRACI, and CONAPCI are calling on Mexican authorities, including the Congress of the Union and relevant ministries, to collaborate in drafting new legislation.
They propose creating a unified legal framework focused on “Human Security and Fire Protection,” which would be clear, modern, and regularly reviewed.
They also recommend launching large-scale public education campaigns to increase fire prevention awareness and safety culture.
AMRACI and CONAPCI stated their readiness to support institutions and government in this process.
A study published by Latam PCI, AMRACI, and CONAPCI found that over 50 percent of the world’s fires occur in Latin America.
The study ranked Mexico lowest in fire safety regulation across the region.
It identified a lack of unified legal frameworks as a contributing factor to urban fire risks.
Multiple historical fire events were cited to show the consequences of regulatory gaps.
The study called on government entities in Mexico to create updated, prescriptive fire safety legislation.
The report also encouraged education campaigns aimed at raising public awareness.
AMRACI and CONAPCI expressed willingness to collaborate on future regulatory efforts.
