30 shops out of 493 have fire alarms according to survey of commercial establishments in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD: According to a survey of commercial establishments in the Rawalpindi and Islamabad areas, only 30 shops out of 493 visited by a team had fire alarms. This is gross negligence by shop owners and shows a clear unwillingness by them to carry out their legal responsibility to protect the lives of their workers and customers.
According to Rawalpindi Development Authority regulations, it is mandatory for commercial buildings to have a fire alarm, fire extinguishers, escape routes, a detailed escape plan and even smoke masks in store. A collective effort by the government, businesses and civil society is required to launch an awareness campaign about fire safety, which focuses on fire safety training for citizens. Fire safety training must be included in school curriculums as well. Local governments should arrange fire safety training at the union council level.
Furthermore, fire safety measures, such as installing fire alarms and fire extinguishers, laying out clearly marked escape routes and ensuring that staff is trained to deal with such situations should be carried out. The government could employ health and safety inspectors to ensure that businesses maintain fire safety equipment and that staff is trained regularly on how to use them. A national health and safety directorate should be established to monitor and regulate fire safety, along with related health and safety issues.
Fire has been useful for improvement in quality of life since its discovery. But like most other discoveries, it has a harmful side too. Controlling the damage fire can cause should be an intrinsic part of health and safety legislation in Pakistan.
Naseer Ahmed
Consumer Watch Pakistan
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2014.
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