Deccan Chronicle 03.02.2010
Over 500 buildings not equipped to fight fire
Hyderabad, Feb. 2: There are over 500 multi-storeyed buildings (MSBs) in the city which do not adhere to fire safety norms. Except for issuing notices, neither the Fire Services Wing nor the GHMC has taken any action.
Major accidents have been occurring in city but officials have not ensured that fire safety norms are followed. As per the rules, every commercial building which is over 15 metres in height and more than 18 metres in height in case of residential buildings, should install fire safety equipment and obtain a NOC from fire services. High rise buildings like malls, schools, hotels and theatres are the worst violators of these rules.
In fact, the fire department does not have basic evacuation equipment and there has been no new fire station in the city since 1983.
After the fire in Park hospital, the GHMC commissioner, under instructions from the ministers, Mr Danam Nagender and Mr Mukesh Goud, has announced the formation of two committees. The first will identify all buildings without a NOC that need one and the second will oversee evacuation plans from buildings.
