Building experts review safety rules

Enactment of the Punjab Community Safety Act 2021, regulations drafted to ensure safe, sustainable development

LAHORE:

Safety and building experts shared their technical input to finalise the safety regulations for over 50-foot-high buildings at a consultative meeting held by the Punjab Emergency Service Department (PESD) on Wednesday.

They reviewed in detail the regulations’ draft, including safety measures and standards regarding emergency exits, staircases, exit signs, hydrant and fire protection systems, fire detection, installation of alarms, clear access, removal of obstructions and general safety of buildings.

They also discussed the functions of the safety manager, application procedure and inspection and certification process for buildings.

The department’s director general said on the occasion that despite having a ‘comprehensive’ system of emergency management, firefighting had become the biggest challenge due to rapid urbanisation and the absence of safety measures in buildings. After the enactment of the Punjab Community Safety Act 2021, the regulations had been drafted to ensure safe, sustainable development of buildings, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2022.