
Wired for disaster: Unsafe buildings to be left in dark; following the blaze near Gulzar Houz that led to 17 deaths MA&UD proposes fire safety overhaul
Following the fire in a residential-cum-commercial building near Gulzar Houz that resulted in 17 deaths, the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) has proposed the amendments to improve safety. MA&UD has submitted the proposals to the fire department, which will discuss it with the energy department before forwarding them to the chief minister. Once approved, it will be presented in the assembly for amending the Act.
The entire procedure is likely to take a few months.
Under these proposed amendments, all electrical installations must be mandatorily installed under the supervision of a Chartered Electrical Safety Engineer (CESE) appointed by the govt. No certificate of compliance of fire NOC should be submitted on the online portal without attaching a certificate signed by a CESE. The owner or occupier will also have to ensure periodic audit by a CESE.
If the owner fails to comply with the provisions, it will be assumed the building is unsafe and supply disconnected.
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Officials said that only qualified agencies as specified in the National Building Code of India or rules made under this Act will be allowed to carry out work for fire safety.
'A major reason for fire disasters in commercial buildings is old and unsafe electrical installations. We have proposed these amendments to ensure only qualified agencies will undertake fire safety work and apply on behalf of owners/occupiers.
These amendments would help in prevention of fire risks greatly,' said K Ilambarithi, secretary, Metropolitan Area & Urban Development (HMDA limits).
In fact, most commercial buildings are a cause of concern during fire emergencies, primarily due to inadequate ventilation and faulty electrical installations. In places such as Feel Khana Road, Begum Bazar, Monda Market, Panjagutta, Ameerpet, Lingampally and Koti, the situation is particularly alarming, with basements filled with shops. These properties have transformed into serious fire risks owing to the concentration of shops sans appropriate fire safety measures, officials said.
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