New fire prevention and safety code adopted

Owners of existing buildings will have six months to comply.

ISLAMABAD: A report on building standards for fire prevention and life safety has been formally adopted by the government.

This will give Capital Development Authority (CDA) the power to seal a building or fine its owner up to Rs500,000 if it is found in violation of “The Islamabad Fire Prevention & Life Safety Regulations 2010”.

Owners of existing buildings will be given six months to comply with the new regulations.

Under the new rules, any new building must first be cleared from CDA Emergency & Disaster Management Directorate.

The clearance will be given in two parts: at the time of the approval of the building plan and at the time of
the issuance of the completion certificate by the authority.

CDA Chairperson Imtiaz Inayat Elahi told members and senior officers of the authority of the decision in a meeting in Islamabad on Thursday.

Under the regulations, the directorate has been empowered to survey both public and private buildings and ensure that adequate fire precautionary measures, such as fire exits, fire alarms and fire extinguishers, are in place.

After completion of the inspection of a building or premises, CDA will issue notice to the owner telling them of the safety hazards they need to address to meet the requirements of the safety regulations.

The building standards have been divided into three clauses: fire prevention, life safety and fire protection.

The fire prevention covers design and construction of buildings on passive fire protection measures, describing various types of building material and their fire safety rating.

The life safety provision deals with events of fire and similar emergencies, addressing construction and occupancy features that are necessary to minimise danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic.

The protection aspect covers components and gives guidelines for selecting correct types of equipment and installations meant for fire protection of buildings.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2011.