In the backdrop of the recent military canteen fire at south Mumbai's Dockyard Road and the one at the Balaji Telefilms set at Chandivli, the Fire & Security Association of India, an NGO representing fire protection, life safety, security, loss prevention and risk management domains, has prepared an analysis report on the incidents.
As per the report, the military canteen did not have a fire alarm system or a sprinkler system, even though a canteen usually houses various types of combustible materials such as cooking oil, liquor and paper products, among other goods. Though there were no casualties reported in the fire on October 25, goods worth Rs70 lakh was reportedly damaged.
"It should ideally have had a Fire Alarm System with special type of detectors (IR) to detect flaming fires, as liquor (alcohol) fire does not generate smoke at incipient stage. The canteen should have been fitted with sprinkler system. Even if the FAS is present, it was kept off. The light fittings inside canteen should have had flame proof enclosed fittings," the report revealed.
Similarly, in case of the fire incident at Balaji Telefilms set at Chandivli on October 24, a serial set is typically made from temporary wooden and coir material with MS support. The NGO, during the audits at Balaji Telefilms &Famous Studios, had observed that a few sets install detectors, but the panel is kept off during shooting, as the director does not want to be disrupted by accidental activation of hooters.
As per the report prepared by the NGO, the source of heat/spark may have been from a short circuit, loose wires running across the length and breadth of the film set, welding, cutting work, LPG cylinder used by local caterers. "Security guards are not trained in fire fighting. No trained fire supervisor is deployed by the studio to ensure all fire systems are maintained to carry out fire fighting when required," it stated.
Chief fire officer Sunil Nesarikar said, "There are a variety of reasons for fire and the major one is illegal alterations. Once the reasons come to our notice, we take the necessary action."
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