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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

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.

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!

how can you enforce laws this way?

murali772 - 22 November, 2011 - 15:16

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is authorised to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) for a high-rise building before it is occupied. Verification of whether a building has the required fire safety equipment is the BBMP’s responsibility. What can be said if the BBMP itself starts constructing  a six-storey building on its premises and occupies three floors without even installing a single fire safety equipment? - - - The BBMP is constructing a six-storey building behind its annexe. The construction is yet to be completed even after two years. However, various departments of the BBMP are functioning from this building for the last 18 months. - - - - As if it is not enough, there is not even a single fire extinguisher in this building to douse the fire if a fire breaks out accidentally.

For the full report in the New Indian Express, click here

How can BBMP hope to enforce laws this way? What kind of a (dis)organisation has it got reduced to? How can the so-called IT capital of the country afford such a state of affairs?

 

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