Multi Storey Buildings Ignore Fire Safety

Fire safety is an essential component of building safety. Measures taken to Prevent and reduce the likelihood of a fire, which may result in death, injury or property damage are Fire Safety measures.

Life and Fire safety systems installed in commercial, industrial and public buildings for the safety of occupants in the event of fire or emergency are the essential fire safety measures.

Buildings shall be planned, designed and constructed to ensure fire safety in accordance with National Building Code of India. The schemes of buildings shall also be approved by the Chief Fire Officer.

Two important Fire safety measures

Important Fire safety measures are-

• Active measures: Measures implemented after completion of the building.
• Passive measures: Measures included in structural design of the building.

Basic fire safety measures required in any multi-storey building

Following are the basic fire safety measures required in any multi-storey building as per the National Building Code(NBC):

1. Fixed carbon-di-oxide/foam/dco/water spray extinguishing system must be placed and maintained in easily accessible places in buildings.
2. Proper Fire alarm system must be installed at each floor in all buildings of 15m. and above in height, and residential buildings above 24m. Height.
3. Electrical codes shall be complied with to prevent overheating, ignition due to electrical faults, short-circuits.
4. Every building shall have a fire exit at every floor which will be directly connected to ground. It should be an external staircase separate from the main entrance. It should be built with fire proof or non-combustible material.
5. A down comer is a pipe for fire fighting made within a building which is directly connected with the water tank on the terrace of the building.
6. Installation of dry riser to provide water at each floor in the event of fire.
7. Proper storage of hazardous and flammable materials which are needed in the building to avoid fire.
8. Conduct fire drills at regular intervals to understand the evacuation process in case of fire. These drills shall be done in the presence of a qualified fire officer and trained staff.
9. Periodic inspection of buildings by authorised officer for violations, making sure that orders are complied with, prosecution or closure of buildings that are not complying.
10. A meeting point where people can gather or must report to during an emergency or a fire.

Even though NBC makes all the above mentioned measures mandatory, majority of multi storey buildings continue to ignore these. Some buildings lack even basic fire safety systems like a fire extinguisher.

These fire safety measures have been violated by many architects due to poor administration by the authorities.

Though the buildings are required to obtain NOC from the fire department, There is no statutory provision for continued verification of adherence to these requirement which leads to malfunctioning in the structure by the builders.

There is no provision for the inspection of buildings for verification of fire safety measures and their functioning in later years. Builders often change the fire safety structure set up at the time of construction to make additions or for new structures.

Those who purchase apartments and occupy them are usually unaware of the provisions regarding fire safety which have to be maintained by the builders as per NBC.

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