Our buildings awaiting another fire hazard

Every tragedy teaches us a lesson. Otherwise, it points to the mistakes that paved the way for the disaster. In Kuwait, the reasons that led to the fire disaster that took the lives of 50 people, including 24 Malayalis, are also a great reminder for Kerala. The final investigation information has not been released whether the fire in the seven-storey flat where the employees of the NBTC company lived in Kuwait was caused by a short circuit, or the leakage of gas cylinders illegally kept in the room of the security employee. However, it was found that the building where the employees were staying did not have adequate fire protection systems.

Kerala, reeling from the Kuwait disaster, has many multi-storied buildings without any fire safety guarantees, including huge flat complexes housing hundreds of families and commercial complexes employing thousands of people. The Fire Force does not even have the NOC's regarding fire safety. Even the exact number of such buildings is estimated to be around 1500. Modern fire extinguishing systems for use in emergency situations such as fire, emergency rescue systems including stairs to escape from the upper floors of the building, special lifts and breathing apparatus. There are many safety systems that must be present in multi-storied buildings and these are to be checked and certified by the fire force personnel.

At the same time, it is alleged that NOC is given to many buildings on the recommendation of the higher-ups without these systems costing lakhs. The rule also states that the fire safety NOC of buildings must be renewed once in two years. The only way to ensure all this is to conduct proper fire audits in such buildings at regular intervals and take strict action. However, although fire audits are conducted, the current authority of the fire force is only to issue notices to the building owner pointing out the faults and deficiencies revealed in the inspections. The fire force cannot deny permission to operate or order closure of buildings that do not have adequate safety systems or do not follow instructions despite being given a notice.

However, thr fire force can conduct a review audit to ensure that the hazards identified in the fire audit have been resolved within the specified time frame. The vigilance wing of the force itself can check whether the NOC is being issued by the fire force under pressure or influence. If the review audit finds that the instructions have not been followed, the information regarding such buildings may be forwarded to the respective District Collector and the State Disaster Management Authority. In cases where legal violations and errors are detected, such buildings should be denied permission to operate and legal action should be taken against the owners. Many need a disaster to happen in order to think about such things.