KARACHI:
Recent fire incidents have heightened anxieties regarding the state of fire preparedness in various buildings underscoring the need for regular fire audits to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of occupants. A fire audit entails a systematic evaluation of a building’s fire safety measures, encompassing assessments of fire detection systems, emergency exits, fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures. The objective is to identify potential risks, ensure compliance with safety standards and implement corrective measures to enhance overall fire safety.
The implementation of fire audits in Karachi is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, these audits identify potential fire hazards allowing for the implementation of preventive measures to mitigate the risk of incidents. Secondly, regular fire audits ensure strict compliance with local fire safety regulations and codes, creating an essential foundation for a safe environment for occupants. Additionally, these audits evaluate the effectiveness of emergency response plans, evacuation procedures and firefighting equipment thereby enhancing the preparedness of occupants and emergency responders. The primary goal is to safeguard lives directly contributing to occupants’ well-being. Lastly, fire audits play a vital role in protecting property and assets by enabling early detection and effective firefighting measures minimising damage in the event of a fire. Timely assessments will not only enhance community safety but also contribute to the overall resilience of our city in the face of fire-related emergencies.
Local authorities in the city have issued instructions to conduct Fire Safety Audits for all high-rise buildings involving various departments such as Deputy Commissioners, Municipal Commissioners, Sindh Building Control Authority officials, Civil Defence, Rescue 1122, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, etc. The Fire Safety Audit Committee must scrutinise approved building plans and assess compliance with building control laws to identify potential fire hazards and implement corrective measures to enhance fire safety. Timely and comprehensive assessments will contribute to the overall resilience of our city in the face of fire-related emergencies.
Dr Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2023.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
