Owners of high-rise buildings in Delhi asked to ensure safety measures

With rise in incidents of fire due to mercury shooting up, Delhi fire services has directed owners of multi-storeyed buildings in the capital to ensure at least 12 safety measures or face penalty.
    
Instructions have been given to owners and occupiers of buildings which are 15 m and above in height to ensure that safety measures like six meters wide approach to building and installation of water tank having capacity of 50,000 to two lakh litres are adhered to.
    
"Blocked or obstructed escape routes, unavailability of installed fire fighting systems and absence of regular fire drills are some of the reasons for loss of life and property in fire incidents.
    
"With rise in temperatures, the number of fire incidents have also increased. To prevent such incidents, we have asked occupiers of the high risers to take some safety measures," RC Sharma, director of Delhi Fire Services, said.
    
The mandatory measures also include installation of automatic sprinkler system, portable appliances, auto-matic fire detection or manual alarm system, public address system, exit signs and wet riser.
    
"Those who do not comply with these will be penalised. We will conduct surprise checks to verify the availability and operatability of fire system followed by penal action in accordance with law in case of default," Sharma said.
    
Though it is not made a requirement under the Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, Sharma said, he will suggest installation of smoke management system in corridors and basements which will help in easy evacuation of people in case of an emergency.