Fire safety measures must at marketplaces

It is disturbing to note that most of the shopping malls and markets in the capital lack fire safety measures, putting lives of people under risk during the time of increased footfall. With shoppers getting ready to throng malls and markets and businesses getting ready their products for display, it is not difficult to catch the vibes of Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the nation. But are these shopping malls and markets well-equipped to combat fire?

A survey conducted by the Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) in 2017 revealed that out of 1,126 small, medium and large-size markets as well as shopping malls in the capital, only 46 had proper fire safety measures, making over 96 per cent of the shopping malls prone to fire risk. Following the tragic fire incident at FR Tower in Banani on March 28, questions have been raised over the issue of fire safety, especially at high-rise buildings. The fire in the FR Tower was devastating in terms of life, because there was no emergency exit in this 22-storied building.

There are some realtors who have made it their business to construct weak buildings. Allegations are rife that they can do this because of a section of corrupt officials at RAJUK or relevant organisations. There is a provision to keep an emergency exit in the extant building codes. But the building owner is getting away with erecting his tower without such an exit route. The country has laws, regulations and codes, but unfortunately these are not followed and enforced as a result of which one after another tragedy is occurring.

Most buildings in the capital do not have any fire extinguishing system and most shopping mall owners do not even know the rules regarding fire safety at their establishments. Every shopping mall or market must have its fire fighting equipment and firefighting team. The team must conduct drill on a regular basis. It must have necessary training to respond quickly when a fire breaks out.

What is needed is strict enforcement of the building codes. If malpractice is not stopped and laws are not enforced, we will continue to see tragedies like Nimtoli, Chawkbazar or Banani fires time and again. The present lax supervision of building codes and regulations while constructing buildings will not improve the scenario.

 

 

Fire safety measures must at marketplaces

It is disturbing to note that most of the shopping malls and markets in the capital lack fire safety measures, putting lives of people under risk during the time of increased footfall. With shoppers getting ready to throng malls and markets and businesses getting ready their products for display, it is not difficult to catch the vibes of Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the nation. But are these shopping malls and markets well-equipped to combat fire? A survey conducted by the Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) in 2017 revealed that out of 1,126 small, medium and large-size markets as well as shopping malls in the capital, only 46 had proper fire safety measures, making over 96 per cent of the shopping malls prone to fire risk. Following the tragic fire incident at FR Tower in Banani on March 28, questions have been raised over the issue of fire safety, especially at high-rise buildings. The fire in the FR Tower was devastating in terms of life, because there was no emergency exit in this 22-storied building. There are some realtors who have made it their business to construct weak buildings. Allegations are rife that they can do this because of a section of corrupt officials at RAJUK or relevant organisations. There is a provision to keep an emergency exit in the extant building codes. But the building owner is getting away with erecting his tower without such an exit route. The country has laws, regulations and codes, but unfortunately these are not followed and enforced as a result of which one after another tragedy is occurring. Most buildings in the capital do not have any fire extinguishing system and most shopping mall owners do not even know the rules regarding fire safety at their establishments. Every shopping mall or market must have its fire fighting equipment and firefighting team. The team must conduct drill on a regular basis. It must have necessary training to respond quickly when a fire breaks out. What is needed is strict enforcement of the building codes. If malpractice is not stopped and laws are not enforced, we will continue to see tragedies like Nimtoli, Chawkbazar or Banani fires time and again. The present lax supervision of building codes and regulations while constructing buildings will not improve the scenario.