Enhancing fire risk management capacity

Although termed as ‘fire accident’, most fire events are far from being accidental. Indeed, most fires are preventable. Industrial units, particularly garments industry, produce deadliest of the fires

A devastating fire killed three persons at a plastic factory at Islambagh in Dhaka city on 25th February 2017. The three-storey building collapsed due to the fire. In another fire incident, at least eight people sustained burn injuries in a gas cylinder blast in an eatery in the city's Lalbagh in the afternoon of same day. At least nine people got injured.
A fire destroyed DCC market in Gulshan-1 in 15 hour duration on January 2017 and, as a result, many well-off businessmen turned impecunious. Only in the month of February 2016 several fires took place in Dhaka and surrounding areas. A factory located in Gazipur is a supplier to retailers like JC Penney and H&M caught on fire at 7 am on February 2. Luckily, most of the factory's 6,000 employees were not yet on the premises, as the fire broke out at 7 a.m.
A fire incident ocurred at TEMPAC, a garment accessories factory in Tongi BISIC industrial area of Gazipur, on 10 September. At least 15 workers were killed and 72 injured in a boiler explosion at the factory.
A fire that broke out at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Dhaka on 21st August 2016 causing losses up to Tk 500 million.
Another fire broke out on the third floor of the five-storey Tropical Knitex Ltd factory building in Gazipur district, at night on 19th August 2016. Referring the statement of the factory authority media reported that goods, machinery, thread and other commodities worth Tk 180 million in all were devastated in the flames.
In 2012, more than 110 people died in a fire at the Tazreen Fashion factory.
All these hazards indicate that safety measures in the factories, establishment and malls are not properly maintained.
Fire is one of the most common hazards. Fire causes huge loss of lives and properties every year. In Bangladesh, garment industry always suffers devastating fire. RMG factories have employed more than four million workers. The worker safety matter is the issue for further improvement.
The leading cause of death
in a fire is asphyxiation, by a
three-to- one ratio over burns. Fire consumes the oxygen in the
air, while increasing the concentration of deadly
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases in the atmosphere.
­­­­­Inhaling carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness or death within minutes. The heat from a hostile fire exceeds anything to which a person is normally exposed. Fire generates a black, impenetrable smoke that blocks vision and stings the eyes.  The damage of utility networks and fire would be the main causes of fatalities if any major earthquakes strike the Dhaka city. The earthquake experts say the entire city would be burnt down due to outbursts of gas pipelines and chemical factories during any major earthquakes.
Although termed as ‘fire accident’, most fire events are far from being accidental. Indeed, most fires are preventable. Industrial units, particularly garments industry, produce deadliest of the fires. Tragically, factory fires are all too common in Bangladesh.
But by taking proper safety measures and training, fire risks could be reduced. Necessary measures should be taken to comply with the Section 62 of the 2006 Bangladesh Labour Act, to ensure the proper safety and security in factories, mega malls and industries.
Building construction, safety equipment arrangement, utilities facilities, furniture settings, etc. within the building, must strictly follow the fire codes to meet safety regulations and guidelines. It is necessary to ensure an alternative exit with a stair connecting all the floors of the factory building and size of stairways and the exit must be adequate.
Exit routes must be sufficient for the number of workers employed in the factory and must remain unlocked during working hours of the factory so that workers can easily escape during danger time.
Industrial fires cause injuries and loss of life and property. Factory owners should take initiative through proper implementation of fire prevention measures. Management should conduct evacuation drills in their buildings each year.
 Factory management should provide immediate and appropriate first aid box in each floor. A well-organized first aid system ensures quick medical treatment that can prevent the loss of many working days.
It is also necessary to review the safety situation within the factory regularly. Besides, managers, supervisors and workers should be properly trained in fire and safety procedures and take responsibility for ensuring the safe exit of the building during or following an incident.
Hazardous materials need a proper storage procedure to minimize the risk of fire, explosion, serious personal injury and environmental contamination. Electrical safety is very crucial as it is closely associated with fire. That’s why regular maintenance and proper electrical installation is very ­­­­­­important.
Most of the time improper electrical wiring and overloaded electricity lead to fires.
Considering the current vulnerability and risk, the responsible authority of any factory and shopping mall should ensure the minimum actions for reducing the risk of fire in their establishment with effective engagement of the working forces. Fire protection measures such as automatic sprinklers, warning systems, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers should be made readily available particularly in housing complex/apartments and market places. In the Dhaka city, the road geometry is not suitable in most of the area for the fire-fighting vehicles.
The routes for fire-fighting vehicles should be earmarked.
Increasing the frequency of monitoring to enforce the highest standards of housekeeping is very important. Also important is basic orientation for surrounding people and local government representatives regarding nature of factories/establishment, risk involved and their responsibilities in an emergency/crisis situation.
The national building code that mentioned detailed instructions for fire prevention is not followed by authorities and individuals properly.
The respective government authorities and duty-bearers should encourage the establishment owners and workers to ensure safety measures with proper technical assistance and guidelines, monitoring and supervision mechanism.
The responsive NGOs and civil society organizations could come forward in assisting vulnerable building owners and dwellers in an organized way.
On the basis of the study, following  recommendations are proposed to reduce the fire hazards in Dhaka.
 In highly hazardous areas, fire safety measures such as automatic sprinklers,  warning systems, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and hydrant should be made readily available.
Hazard preparedness should be developed as a bottom-up approach, by giving due priority to the community level preparedness. Voluntary organizations like 'fire service crops' may be developed for each ward through incorporating local clubs and religious organization.
Bangladesh Fire Service Ordinance should be publicized and enforced  properly.
Warehouses and workshops defined in the ordinance should be  strictly enforced and segregated from residential area. Assessment of fire risk  and protection level should be assessed for building construction which should be included in the approval process by agencies like RAJUK and  DCC.
In the Old Dhaka city, the road geometry is not suitable for the fire-fighting  vehicles.
The routes for fire-fighting vehicles in these areas should be earmarked. Suitable vehicles may also be arranged for the area.
Adequate insurance policy should be developedOn the basis of the study, following recommendations are proposed to reduce the fire hazards in Dhaka.
 In highly hazardous areas, fire safety measures such as automatic sprinklers,  warning systems, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and hydrant should be  made readily available.
Hazard preparedness should be developed as a bottom-up approach, by  giving due priority to the community level preparedness.
Voluntary  organizations like 'fire service crops' may be developed for each ward  through incorporating local clubs and religious organization.
Bangladesh Fire Service Ordinance should be publicized and enforced  properly.
Warehouses and workshops defined in the ordinance should be    strictly enforced and segregated from residential area.
 Assessment of fire risk  and protection level should be assessed for building construction which  should be included in the approval process by agencies like RAJUK and DCC.
In the Old Dhaka city, the road geometry is not suitable for the fire-fighting  vehicles.
The routes for fire-fighting vehicles in these areas should
be  earmarked. Suitable vehicles may also be arranged for
the area.
Adequate insurance policy should be developed.

The writer is a disaster risk reduction expert and a development lawyer

 

Enhancing fire risk management capacity

Although termed as fire accident, most fire events are far from being accidental. Indeed, most fires are preventable. Industrial units, particularly garments industry, produce deadliest of the fires

A devastating fire killed three persons at a plastic factory at Islambagh in Dhaka city on 25th February 2017. The three-storey building collapsed due to the fire. In another fire incident, at least eight people sustained burn injuries in a gas cylinder blast in an eatery in the citys Lalbagh in the afternoon of same day. At least nine people got injured. A fire destroyed DCC market in Gulshan-1 in 15 hour duration on January 2017 and, as a result, many well-off businessmen turned impecunious. Only in the month of February 2016 several fires took place in Dhaka and surrounding areas. A factory located in Gazipur is a supplier to retailers like JC Penney and HM caught on fire at 7 am on February 2. Luckily, most of the factorys 6,000 employees were not yet on the premises, as the fire broke out at 7 a.m. A fire incident ocurred at TEMPAC, a garment accessories factory in Tongi BISIC industrial area of Gazipur, on 10 September. At least 15 workers were killed and 72 injured in a boiler explosion at the factory. A fire that broke out at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Dhaka on 21st August 2016 causing losses up to Tk 500 million. Another fire broke out on the third floor of the five-storey Tropical Knitex Ltd factory building in Gazipur district, at night on 19th August 2016. Referring the statement of the factory authority media reported that goods, machinery, thread and other commodities worth Tk 180 million in all were devastated in the flames. In 2012, more than 110 people died in a fire at the Tazreen Fashion factory. All these hazards indicate that safety measures in the factories, establishment and malls are not properly maintained. Fire is one of the most common hazards. Fire causes huge loss of lives and properties every year. In Bangladesh, garment industry always suffers devastating fire. RMG factories have employed more than four million workers. The worker safety matter is the issue for further improvement. The leading cause of death in a fire is asphyxiation, by a three-to- one ratio over burns. Fire consumes the oxygen in the air, while increasing the concentration of deadly carbon monoxide and other toxic gases in the atmosphere. Inhaling carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness or death within minutes. The heat from a hostile fire exceeds anything to which a person is normally exposed. Fire generates a black, impenetrable smoke that blocks vision and stings the eyes. The damage of utility networks and fire would be the main causes of fatalities if any major earthquakes strike the Dhaka city. The earthquake experts say the entire city would be burnt down due to outbursts of gas pipelines and chemical factories during any major earthquakes. Although termed as fire accident, most fire events are far from being accidental. Indeed, most fires are preventable. Industrial units, particularly garments industry, produce deadliest of the fires. Tragically, factory fires are all too common in Bangladesh. But by taking proper safety measures and training, fire risks could be reduced. Necessary measures should be taken to comply with the Section 62 of the 2006 Bangladesh Labour Act, to ensure the proper safety and security in factories, mega malls and industries. Building construction, safety equipment arrangement, utilities facilities, furniture settings, etc. within the building, must strictly follow the fire codes to meet safety regulations and guidelines. It is necessary to ensure an alternative exit with a stair connecting all the floors of the factory building and size of stairways and the exit must be adequate. Exit routes must be sufficient for the number of workers employed in the factory and must remain unlocked during working hours of the factory so that workers can easily escape during danger time. Industrial fires cause injuries and loss of life and property. Factory owners should take initiative through proper implementation of fire prevention measures. Management should conduct evacuation drills in their buildings each year. Factory management should provide immediate and appropriate first aid box in each floor. A well-organized first aid system ensures quick medical treatment that can prevent the loss of many working days. It is also necessary to review the safety situation within the factory regularly. Besides, managers, supervisors and workers should be properly trained in fire and safety procedures and take responsibility for ensuring the safe exit of the building during or following an incident. Hazardous materials need a proper storage procedure to minimize the risk of fire, explosion, serious personal injury and environmental contamination. Electrical safety is very crucial as it is closely associated with fire. Thats why regular maintenance and proper electrical installation is very important. Most of the time improper electrical wiring and overloaded electricity lead to fires. Considering the current vulnerability and risk, the responsible authority of any factory and shopping mall should ensure the minimum actions for reducing the risk of fire in their establishment with effective engagement of the working forces. Fire protection measures such as automatic sprinklers, warning systems, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers should be made readily available particularly in housing complex/apartments and market places. In the Dhaka city, the road geometry is not suitable in most of the area for the fire-fighting vehicles. The routes for fire-fighting vehicles should be earmarked. Increasing the frequency of monitoring to enforce the highest standards of housekeeping is very important. Also important is basic orientation for surrounding people and local government representatives regarding nature of factories/establishment, risk involved and their responsibilities in an emergency/crisis situation. The national building code that mentioned detailed instructions for fire prevention is not followed by authorities and individuals properly. The respective government authorities and duty-bearers should encourage the establishment owners and workers to ensure safety measures with proper technical assistance and guidelines, monitoring and supervision mechanism. The responsive NGOs and civil society organizations could come forward in assisting vulnerable building owners and dwellers in an organized way. On the basis of the study, following recommendations are proposed to reduce the fire hazards in Dhaka. In highly hazardous areas, fire safety measures such as automatic sprinklers, warning systems, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and hydrant should be made readily available. Hazard preparedness should be developed as a bottom-up approach, by giving due priority to the community level preparedness. Voluntary organizations like fire service crops may be developed for each ward through incorporating local clubs and religious organization. Bangladesh Fire Service Ordinance should be publicized and enforced properly. Warehouses and workshops defined in the ordinance should be strictly enforced and segregated from residential area. Assessment of fire risk and protection level should be assessed for building construction which should be included in the approval process by agencies like RAJUK and DCC. In the Old Dhaka city, the road geometry is not suitable for the fire-fighting vehicles. The routes for fire-fighting vehicles in these areas should be earmarked. Suitable vehicles may also be arranged for the area. Adequate insurance policy should be developedOn the basis of the study, following recommendations are proposed to reduce the fire hazards in Dhaka. In highly hazardous areas, fire safety measures such as automatic sprinklers, warning systems, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and hydrant should be made readily available. Hazard preparedness should be developed as a bottom-up approach, by giving due priority to the community level preparedness. Voluntary organizations like fire service crops may be developed for each ward through incorporating local clubs and religious organization. Bangladesh Fire Service Ordinance should be publicized and enforced properly. Warehouses and workshops defined in the ordinance should be strictly enforced and segregated from residential area. Assessment of fire risk and protection level should be assessed for building construction which should be included in the approval process by agencies like RAJUK and DCC. In the Old Dhaka city, the road geometry is not suitable for the fire-fighting vehicles. The routes for fire-fighting vehicles in these areas should be earmarked. Suitable vehicles may also be arranged for the area. Adequate insurance policy should be developed. The writer is a disaster risk reduction expert and a development lawyer