High Rise Fire

In Mumbai, fire in high rise building has become a regular affair. Yesterday also there was again a fire in high rise building, where 4 people lost their lives. It has been reported that, this 5 years old building did not have Occupation Certificate (OC) from Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the fire fighting system was not in operation.

By saying that building did not have OC, BMC has washed their hands off in this case. My contention is  was the BMC sleeping for over 5 years, and as if their official did not know that building has been occupied  without the OC. Why the action was not taken against the developer of the project, say 4 years back. If that action would have taken at least 4 lives could have been saved and many residents would not have suffered  injuries. What is the use of  arresting the developer now, when the lives are lost and so many residents of that building are unable to enter their residences as govt has sealed the building and dis connected the electric supply.

There may be thousands of building who have not received the OC, but still the buildings are occupied. In Mumbai, today it has become a normal practice by developers/builders to delay the OC, because to get the OC they have to complete the certain formalities, before they can call BMC officials for inspection for obtaining OC, and in the high rise buildings Fire Fighting measures is one of the compliance before getting an OC. So the developer allows the inhabitant to occupy the premises with the promise that OC will be received shortly.

Depending on the heights of high rise buildings, different fire fighting systems are prescribed in National Building Code (NBC). All these measures cost money, and many of the developers do not spend money to have proper fire fighting system in the building, and they will just try to do the minimum and eye wash the authorities, and some times even get the OC  by getting in league with Fire Officers. Friends so many times you must have read, that although the building had an OC but its fire fighting measures were not functioning or were inadequate.

I distinctively remember, that few years back in a high rise fire in a commercial building in the suburbs of Mumbai, it was found that there was no water in the tank, which was designated as fire tank, and even pump which is supposed to pump water for fire fighting was not connected in the system, and surprisingly that building had OC from BMC.

Generally in High Rise buildings following fire fighting measures are  prescribed

1. The Hydrant system- the  system is connected with water tank containing water through high pressure pump, and piping network of adequate size, which in the end is connected to different points which are with hose reels and nozzle. In the case of fire water has to be sprayed on the fire with with the help of lengthy hose pipe and nozzle.  Generally these points are provided at each floor near the the stair case. In a bigger floor plate with many stair cases, then more such points will be provided at each floor. Similarly in the periphery of the building the hydrants points will be provided. The piping system is always active with prescribed high pressure water
2. The Sprinkler System- Sprinkler is a device which is connected through piping system and high pressure pump, at the ceiling of the building’s occupied area, including basements.  When sprinkler senses the high temperature because of fire, it’s sensing bulb bursts and thus resulting in releasing the  high pressure water to curb the fire. Generally one sprinkler covers the area of   3 meters in diameter. In case of large fire then more sprinkler will start bursting which may help in controlling the spread of fire.
3. Fire Alarm System- This low voltage system connected  with the network of wires. The fire detectors are installed at the various location in the ceiling of the building in the occupied area. These detectors sense the fire  and generate the alarm in concerned area and also in the control room at the ground floor, informing in which floor or designated zone there is a fire, so that the adequate fire control system are put into operation. This fire system can be connected with Public address system  and in case of fire in the particular zone, the speakers connected to the system will play the recorded message that there is a fire in this area, please evacuate this area immediately.
4. There should be sign and map in each and every  occupied area indicating the exit route to be taken in case of fire.There should be proper signs informing about the use of elevators in case of fire, which  elevator to be used or no elevator to be used  in case of fire.

Now what are the common causes of fire accidents;

a. Electrical short Circuit- Faulty Electrical system and malfunctioning circuit breakers are one of the leading causes of electrical fires.Or heating equipment in contact with combustible material like wood and cloth.

b. Kitchen fires due to unattended cooking of LPG and microwaves.

c.Intentional fires like arson.

d. Careless smoking.

e. Children playing with matches and candles.

Violations of fire safety laws is one of the major causes of fire accidents in India. Every building in the country needs to comply with state fire safety norms, which are generally based as prescribed by NBC.

Please remember fires also damages livelihoods, most often and so in sense can destroy years of having built a business or enterprise.

In our country, unfortunately finding loopholes in the system is easier than compliance. There is laxity at every stage, not just the authorities, but also in general public, who do not take fire safety seriously.

So friends, if you are planning to buy any property residential or commercial, please check with the developer what are fire fighting/safety norms in the project, and whether they all are complied with. And secondly whenever you visit any public place, please always check about the fire exit routes.

In the end , please let me have your views/feed backs/comments.