The deadly blaze on Tuesday, which claimed the lives of six patients at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor Bahru, has brought the use of old buildings under the spotlight.

Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, some had pointed to the hospital’s aged physical characteristics.

Founded in 1882, the hospital’s current main building was built sometime in the 1930s.

Just like humans, who, with age, need the necessary health checks, old buildings too require more critical inspection.

This is why the Royal Institute of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) has long called for building surveyors to be given their due recognition.

RISM vice-president Mohd Amin Mohd Din emphasised the need for building surveyors to have their own board and the Building Surveyors Act, just like engineers and architects who have their own respective acts.