The Mumbai fire brigade on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to the management of Wadala high-rise Mount Alps asking it to comply with the fire safety measures within 90 days. A major fire had broken out on the building’s 17th floor on Thursday.
The notice was issued after the fire fighting system installed in the building stopped functioning abruptly, allegedly because of an electrical problem, when the fire brigade was dousing the fire.
“We have issued a show-cause notice to the society asking it to comply with the necessary fire safety measures. We have suggested various measures in the notice,” said a senior fire official.
The measures suggested include installation of extra stand-by pumps and fire extinguishers on every floor, and marking of the escape route. The fire brigade may prosecute the building if it fails to comply with these measures in the given time.
Confirming the receipt of the notice, the society management said it will comply with the measures soon. “The fire brigade has given a list of measures and we are going through it,” said Dilip Oak, chairman of Mount Alps.
The society, which houses 260 families, had installed the fire fighting system in the building a few years back. It also has a maintenance contract for the system and has appointed a consultant for it.
Oak said a meeting of all society members was called to discuss fire safety on Sunday. “The members have approved an amount of Rs15 lakh in-principle for improvement of the fire safety measures in the building. We have also discussed the dos and don’ts and a circular will be issued to all,” he added.
Most of the high-rises in the city don’t comply with the required fire safety measures mandatory as per the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act. So far, the fire brigade has issued prosecution notices to five high-rises in the city.
