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Carlton Fire - What can we learn?

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Written By Ravi_D - 24 February, 2010

Bangalore byelaws education Safety suggestion Enforcement regulation Others Everything else Building

Earthquake in Haiti showed us results of bad construction practices. A 5.1 Richter scale quake is a distinct possibility in Bangalore per this study.

Separately, Carlton Towers event yesterday reflects results of potentially neglected safety infrastructure.
 
I hardly come across someone who understands the basic safety and structural requirements. So, can we try to understand what is required per existing code and educate ourselves?
 
As applied to independent homes, multi-dwelling apartments, multi-story commercial / office buildings, and large public spaces:
> What building codes currently apply (Structure, Safety and maintenance)? 
> Who is responsible for the as-built documentation?
> Who is the regulator?
> Who is ultimately responsible for any lapse?
 
If we can come up with, or point to, a simple table in understandable language, at least people can ask the right questions. We all know that, in the short term, learnings do not percolate down to regulation and enforcement in our current system. Educating the masses might be our best short-term bet.
 
I volunteer to compile info and create such a table(s) at the end of this debate, after knowledgeable Prajegalu share their expertise. Go ahead. Tell us what you know.

COMMENTS

who failed people at Carlton?

srinidhi - 24 February, 2010 - 08:47

We Failed them!

- We like too much of reality and instead of assisting authorities..the so called samaritans blocked traffic delaying the fire tenders..all becos our phone cameras could capture the tamasha!

- Instead of letting trained professionals handle the situation..asked inmates to make the jump to their death

- The Media was more interested in 'hot news' that their vehicles blocked airport road which inturn delayed the fire tenders..what is media projecting today? The Railway Budjet..no one even bothered about the lives lost..the radio too is running the same fun songs as they were doing yesterday morning..very sad and irresponsible!

- What are the authorities doing about it? Why did they take it so long?

- Now there are reports of stolen property from the office premises there..are we this cheap?

I passed this place at 5PM yesterday and this is a first hand account of what I saw!

This can go on..

No one had to die in this place at all..its a very sad incident!

I will help with replies here on what can be done..

Why basement?

idontspam - 28 February, 2010 - 11:35

The basement floor must be used for car parking purpose only as per sanctioned plan.

Why? Can somebody not build a MLCP and use the basement for something else? Isnt it sufficient if somebody proves they have parking? Why do they have to mandatorily have it in the basement? Isnt it safer if it is not in the basement and was somewhere else seperated from the main building?

Are these kind of rules the reason for non-compliance?

Fire related precautions..

srinidhi - 24 February, 2010 - 09:04

Reqular reviews of saftey mechanisms..for instance the smoke detectors which blink above you in offices have a life of 3-4 years only(they are radio active, if you didnt know). They need to be replaced regularly.

The sprinkler systems should also be tested and maintained regularly.

Regular Fire Drills..Mock drills need to be done mandatorily at regular intervals(half yearly) by authorities in super structures hosting offices/residences.

The fire hydrants(water pumps)  in the buildings should be able to reach the top floor in every building..builders cut corners bribing fire officers by installing low powered pumps..

Building plans should be posted at every entrance/exit indicating emergency exits clearly..lifts dont work in fire emergencies..steps are the only way to get down!

Value for life

idontspam - 24 February, 2010 - 09:48

Simple fact is there has to be more value attached to life in India. In the face of money, life and lifestyle becomes expedient. Simple things like fire safety exits are not understood in concept but are kept as a fancy addendum. Even administrators believe having street cleaning machines, latest fire safety equipment etc is a show off not a necessity.

Building managers must be held responsible for incidents like this. In case of multiple owner tenants there always has to be a single responsible owner. Either a society or a professional building management company which can be held responsible for maintenance and training. How does BBMP collect tax for this building from single ovner or from 100 tenants? In which case they have to start enforcing single management ownership concept.

Also, I have noticed where govt/administrators have taken up enforecment seriously results are there to see. The best example is the towing away of vehicles from no parking areas, I see less violations. Keeping it up for a year or more will force the habit to tip perpetually into one of compliance. Traffic police are showing the way, will the fire and other departments catch up?

HAL Sanitary Board

Naveen - 28 February, 2010 - 13:47

See this  - A majority of these buildings had the original plan sanctioned not by the BBMP, but by a HAL board that wound up in 1995.

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