The Question of Fire Safety

Deccan Herald » City » Detailed Story

10th Feb 2007
The question of fire safety
Jagadish Angadi
The fire at the Public Utility Building on M G Road last year had raised concerns about the fire safety of highrise buildings mushrooming all across Bangalore.
The following rules and fire safety norms are stipulated by the Karnataka State Fire & Emergency Services (KSF&ES) Department KSF&ES issues ‘No Objection Certificate’ to highrise buildings (of 24 metres and above in Bangalore City and of height 15 metres and above in other parts of the State). Fire prevention, Fire Fighting and Life Safety measures as stipulated in the National Building Code (NBC) 2005 are adhered to while issuing the NOC and clearance certificates.Every high rise building should have an easy access to the fire engines to reach the premises. Height clearance of minimum 5 metres have to be maintained over every point.
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Such buildings should have fire extinguishers, hose reel, dry or wet riser, down comer, yard hydrant, automatic sprinkler system, manually operated electric fire alarm systems, automatic detection and alarm system, underground and terrace tanks.The escape route lighting should be on separate circuits and should be independently connected so that it could be operated by one switch installation on the ground floor, easily accessible to the fire fighting staff.At least of 40 per cent of the occupants should be trained extensively in conducting proper evacuation, operation of the systems and equipment and other fire safety provisions in the building.For all buildings 15 metres in height or above and apartment buildings with a height of 30 metres and above, a fire control room has to be established on the entrance floor of the building with proper communication system to all the floors to receive and communicate the message from different floors.A qualified fire officer with experience of not less than 3 years should be appointed for hotels, business and mercantile buildings with height more than 30 metres. He has to maintain fire fighting equipment in good condition.For high rise buildings above 60 metres in height, provisions for helipad should be made.
HIGHLIGHTS
North Star, Brigade Gateway, Whitefield - 30 floorsJain Swadesh, Banashan-kari 6th stage - 30 floorsUtility building, M G Road - 25 floorsLakeside Habitat Aplha, Hebbal - 24 floors Lakeside Habitat Omega, Hebbal - 24 floorsSouth City Towers, Kanakapura Road B5 - 22 floors , B1 - 22 Floors, B3 - 20 floors, B2 - 20 floors, B4 - 20 floors, C3 - 21 floorsV V Towers, Ambedkar Veedhi - 21 floorsUB Towers, UB City - 20 floorsBarton Centre, MG Road - 15 floors