The Lahore Development Authority plaza caught fire in 2013 and resulted in several deaths. PHOTO: FILE
A survey of 250 high rise-buildings, conducted by Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), reveals that emergency staircases are missing in 29 of such structures, while 12 lack fire doors. In addition, there are no hydrant systems in 24, fire-extinguishers in 152, fire alarm systems in 55, evacuation plans in 33 and response teams in 25.
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A source tells The Express Tribune that all these 250 buildings are occupied and none of them have been comprehensively following fire safety protocols. The Civil Defence Department has declared the presence of a fire detection and alarm system mandatory. Also mandatory are fire extinguishers, hydrants and sprinklers. Such buildings require a fire safety plan, emergency fire control room, emergency exit and evacuation plan as well as ventilation and conditioning systems on the premises.
Evacuation drills at regular intervals and their records are also part of the prescribed safety measures.
The source continue that CERTs have been established at the union council level, under a community safety programme, to promote a sense of awareness and build a liaison with stakeholders to enable the effective dealing of an emergency situation.
The survey was conducted internally and the stakeholders were promised that their building names would not be revealed. He adds that these gaps have been identified on different forums. However, the issue still persists. The shortcoming of fire safety measures persists in buildings varying from plazas, commercial centers to public sector establishments.
He also confirms that fire safety systems in the mentioned 250 buildings are not up to par. The violations of these safety rules were exposed in some fire incidents which occurred in high-rise buildings.
The loss and casualties in the notorious Lahore Development Authority (LDA) plaza fire of 2013 were increased due to the lack of necessary counter measures. The same negligence caused many a hurdle in the rescue operation.
In another incident, several people had to jump off the building to save their lives in the Gold Mines Plaza fire in Ichra a few years ago. One of the victims was reportedly killed after he was forced to jump out despite attempts to make it down to the ground and out of the building. Another major fire was one which took place last in Ali Tower situated in the Gulberg area.
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A community safety officer shares that an idea fire safety system is one which has smoke detectors attached to an automatic alarm system. He says a sprinkler system is a must and should include fuses placed on water taps which automatically erupt when the temperature rises above a certain level.
“This works even if a door is locked and nobody is inside.” He continues that a firefighting system will be automatically enabled with such equipment in place. He emphasises that every building plaza should have its own firefighting system with standby water storage and alternate power supply like generators. The officer points out that these measures are necessary as they do not require rescue vehicles to travel long distances for refilling of water.
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“There should be a proper evacuation exit and plan. These should be marked and visible even in the absence of power. Also, emergency drills, in compliance with the evacuation plan, must be conducted at regular intervals,” he stresses. He suggests that the records of the mentioned drills be meticulously maintained.
The officer reveals that a fire extinguisher system is the least favorable measure or perhaps even the least effective in these modern times. He says fire spreads quickly and extinguishers take time in emergency situations.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2019.
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