Now, external firemen’s lifts are ‘a must’ for new building projects in Mumbai
[Fire officials said in case of a blaze, what works is a building’s firefighting system—the first intervention and preventive measures adopted by residents.]
A day after the London highrise blaze killed 17 people, BMC officials said several highrises in Mumbai are a fire hazard and they have made installation of exclusive external firemen’s lifts “mandatory”.
Mumbai fire officers told TOI that since last month they have been insisting that upcoming building projects install external lifts; they gave no-objection certificates (NOC) to at least five such proposals only after they fitted firemen’s lifts.
Fire officials said in case of a blaze, what works is a building’s firefighting system—the first intervention and preventive measures adopted by residents. Controlling a blaze takes long if a building’s internal fire-fighting system is not in place.
BMC chief Ajoy Mehta said, “First intervention plays a crucial role in serious fires. We have conducted several programmes to educate residents and provide them with training about fire safety measures.”
Firemen said the external lift can play a crucial role in rescue work as it helps them reach any floor without hindrance. Civic officials said they have also included the idea of a fireman’s lift in the proposed development control rules (DCR).
Fire officials said after examining previous London-like blazes in Mumbai, they concluded that such fires mostly spread because of glass facade and ill-fitted composite panels. A fire official said, “Only fire-rated and tested glass facade and composite panels with ventilators can ensure that fire does not travel rapidly.”
The BMC took serious note of a series of highrise fires in 2015 and started an audit. It served notices to several buildings and put pressure on societies and builders to pay attention to fire safety norms. “We don’t have the power to seal a building for non-compliance of fire safety norms but have pressurized them to fall in line,” said a senior fire official. Chief fire officer P Rahangdale said, “We are fully equipped. We have a 90-metre ladder for fire-fighting operations. We regularly conduct fire audits of buildings and act against violators.”
Courtesy: ET
A day after the London highrise blaze killed 17 people, BMC officials said several highrises in Mumbai are a fire hazard and they have made installation of exclusive external firemen’s lifts “mandatory”.
Mumbai fire officers told TOI that since last month they have been insisting that upcoming building projects install external lifts; they gave no-objection certificates (NOC) to at least five such proposals only after they fitted firemen’s lifts.
Fire officials said in case of a blaze, what works is a building’s firefighting system—the first intervention and preventive measures adopted by residents. Controlling a blaze takes long if a building’s internal fire-fighting system is not in place.
BMC chief Ajoy Mehta said, “First intervention plays a crucial role in serious fires. We have conducted several programmes to educate residents and provide them with training about fire safety measures.”
Firemen said the external lift can play a crucial role in rescue work as it helps them reach any floor without hindrance. Civic officials said they have also included the idea of a fireman’s lift in the proposed development control rules (DCR).
Fire officials said after examining previous London-like blazes in Mumbai, they concluded that such fires mostly spread because of glass facade and ill-fitted composite panels. A fire official said, “Only fire-rated and tested glass facade and composite panels with ventilators can ensure that fire does not travel rapidly.”
The BMC took serious note of a series of highrise fires in 2015 and started an audit. It served notices to several buildings and put pressure on societies and builders to pay attention to fire safety norms. “We don’t have the power to seal a building for non-compliance of fire safety norms but have pressurized them to fall in line,” said a senior fire official. Chief fire officer P Rahangdale said, “We are fully equipped. We have a 90-metre ladder for fire-fighting operations. We regularly conduct fire audits of buildings and act against violators.”
Courtesy: ET
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