Findings of a state-wide audit of fire safety violations in high-rise buildings has left personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services a worried lot. The audit, done over several months, has revealed that a whopping 14,000-plus buildings in Karnataka violate fire safety norms. Over 13,000 of these are buildings in Bengaluru. Caught in a quandary over the course of action it should now take, the Fire Service Directorate has decided to write to the state government for guidance.
While these 14,000-odd buildings have not obtained sanctions or clearances by the Fire Services during their construction, there are about 2,000 buildings across the city that did obtain clearances initially but violated fire safety norms during the course of construction. Taking a tough stand on these buildings, the directorate has written to the civic utility providers to cut electricity and water supply if they do not comply with the mandatory guidelines within 90 days.
"While builders have built and sold the houses, the occupants have little knowledge about the essential norms. Yet, as we begin to serve notices, they are turning up and agreeing to adopt fire safety norms in their buildings. We are also supporting them by giving them 90 days' time to adopt the safety measures," NR Markandeya, deputy director (fire prevention) of Fire and Emergency Services Directorate told Bangalore Mirror.
"All high-rise building plans have to be approved by us. About 2,205 buildings had obtained initial clearances but failed to adopt our recommendations. All of them will be served with notices to adopt safety measures as per prescribed guidelines," he added.
In the aftermath of the Carlton Towers fire tragedy in Bengaluru a few years ago, the state government came up with stringent safety guidelines and mandatory implementation of National Building Code 2005 guidelines in high-rise buildings that measure over 15 sq mt.
"Following directions of the High Court of Karnataka pertaining to implementation of these guidelines, the department took up spot verification of buildings across the state. Several district officers were summoned to Bengaluru on deputation to assess the umpteen high-rise buildings that have mushroomed here in the past few years. Our officers visited premises of almost every building to verify their fire safety measures. It was only last week that we finished with the first phase of the audit and in the coming few days, we will take up classification of these buildings into residential, commercial and public buildings," explained yet another senior officer of the directorate.
Department in dilemma
While the officials have discovered a total of 14,124 buildings across the state that have fire safety measures, the IT city alone has as many as 13,214 buildings on this list. Of these, 5,142 buildings come under the East division, and 8,072 buildings fall in the West division. "Though it is mandatory for a builder to obtain approval and clearances for any construction, these buildings have just come up over the years in violation of all NBC guidelines and Fire Services Act safety measures.
"The dilemma before us now is whether to demolish these buildings or disconnect their civic amenities till they fall in line or slap penalties on them. As an enforcing authority, we are writing to the state government for further directions," said a senior officer from the Fire Services department.
Major violations that were detected include lack of access roads as wide as 12 mt, lack of driveways that can accommodate fire fighting vehicles, not having water sumps and overhead tanks for supply of water, non-existent water sprinkler system, and unscientific fire exit staircase.
Violations in nos
Bengaluru East - 5,142
Bengaluru West- 8,072
Mangaluru Division - 649
Hubballi Division - 153
Kalaburagi Division- 108
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/others/13214-buildings-in-Bengaluru-lack-fire-safety-Report/articleshow/48312022.cms
While these 14,000-odd buildings have not obtained sanctions or clearances by the Fire Services during their construction, there are about 2,000 buildings across the city that did obtain clearances initially but violated fire safety norms during the course of construction. Taking a tough stand on these buildings, the directorate has written to the civic utility providers to cut electricity and water supply if they do not comply with the mandatory guidelines within 90 days.
"While builders have built and sold the houses, the occupants have little knowledge about the essential norms. Yet, as we begin to serve notices, they are turning up and agreeing to adopt fire safety norms in their buildings. We are also supporting them by giving them 90 days' time to adopt the safety measures," NR Markandeya, deputy director (fire prevention) of Fire and Emergency Services Directorate told Bangalore Mirror.
"All high-rise building plans have to be approved by us. About 2,205 buildings had obtained initial clearances but failed to adopt our recommendations. All of them will be served with notices to adopt safety measures as per prescribed guidelines," he added.
In the aftermath of the Carlton Towers fire tragedy in Bengaluru a few years ago, the state government came up with stringent safety guidelines and mandatory implementation of National Building Code 2005 guidelines in high-rise buildings that measure over 15 sq mt.
"Following directions of the High Court of Karnataka pertaining to implementation of these guidelines, the department took up spot verification of buildings across the state. Several district officers were summoned to Bengaluru on deputation to assess the umpteen high-rise buildings that have mushroomed here in the past few years. Our officers visited premises of almost every building to verify their fire safety measures. It was only last week that we finished with the first phase of the audit and in the coming few days, we will take up classification of these buildings into residential, commercial and public buildings," explained yet another senior officer of the directorate.
Department in dilemma
While the officials have discovered a total of 14,124 buildings across the state that have fire safety measures, the IT city alone has as many as 13,214 buildings on this list. Of these, 5,142 buildings come under the East division, and 8,072 buildings fall in the West division. "Though it is mandatory for a builder to obtain approval and clearances for any construction, these buildings have just come up over the years in violation of all NBC guidelines and Fire Services Act safety measures.
"The dilemma before us now is whether to demolish these buildings or disconnect their civic amenities till they fall in line or slap penalties on them. As an enforcing authority, we are writing to the state government for further directions," said a senior officer from the Fire Services department.
Major violations that were detected include lack of access roads as wide as 12 mt, lack of driveways that can accommodate fire fighting vehicles, not having water sumps and overhead tanks for supply of water, non-existent water sprinkler system, and unscientific fire exit staircase.
Violations in nos
Bengaluru East - 5,142
Bengaluru West- 8,072
Mangaluru Division - 649
Hubballi Division - 153
Kalaburagi Division- 108
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/others/13214-buildings-in-Bengaluru-lack-fire-safety-Report/articleshow/48312022.cms
