Bangalore buildings not immune to fire mishaps, lack safety
Off late, numerous buildings in Bangalore have discarded the fire safety norms and these are just the tip of the iceberg. Going by market reports, numerous buildings in the Garden City are standing on ‘virtual time bombs’ with no adequate fire-safety systems in order. In tune with this, BBMP has pointed out more than one lakh buildings in the city, which have flouted the fire safety norms and are likely to meet an unfortunate end anytime soon.
As per BESCOM reports, more than 90% fire mishaps in the city can be pinned on the sheer negligence of building owners and their ‘thick-skin’ attitude towards fire safety measures. Having said that, in 2011, more than 1553 buildings inspected were flawed, lacking basic fire safety measures. Such buildings are the ones without a NOC certificate.
Electric malfunction-A main reason for fire
Use of low quality, cheap, non-fore and shock proof equipments can be held accountable as one of the primary reasons for electric malfunction in majority of the buildings in Bangalore. Second-rated electrical cables, non-use of circuit breakers and electrical ducts and lack of good quality fuses emerge as the primary reason for the fire breakouts in most of the apartments in Bangalore.
As per housing experts, lack of adequate and proper disposal/storage of inflammable materials can be regarded as one of the key reasons for fire mishaps in most of the business and commercial establishments in the city. Some additional reasons include-unauthorized tapping of power, heavy overdrawal of power beyond the permitted capacity and needless material storage.
High-rise buildings
More than 50% of the high-rise buildings(both residential and commercial) in Bangalore do not follow the fire safety regulations. With minimum 20000 high-rise structures (buildings which are more than 15 metres in height, as per BBMP) in the city, the number of violations of the national building code has touched the roof. To cater a large populace, it is a de rigueur for bigger buildings to have minimum two different means of access point, with a width clearance of 4.5m and height 5m, to facilitate easy movements of fire units.
In Bangalore, certain high risk zones(defense, commercial and residential establishment areas) where big buildings are located include-Malleswaram, Baiyyappanahalli, Richmond Town , CV Nagar, Byatarayanapura and Peenya. Making matters worse, market survey reports confirm that out of 20000 high rises in the city, 40% lack a fire extinguisher or any temporary fire fighting equipment.
