’All fires start small’

MiD DAY takes a reality check on how fire safety measures have been stepped up at the ill-fated Carlton Tower

'All fires start small'

MiD DAY takes a reality check on how fire safety measures have been stepped up at the ill-fated Carlton Tower

A year has passed since the Carlton Towers accident and not so without fire accidents in other parts of town. Safety procedures not being upheld and lack of equipment and rescue measures at the site were merely common knowledge.

Work in progress: Most high rise buildings in the city are following fire
safety norms, say fire officials. Pic/Ramesh HS

Stepping up fire safety in the light of the incident has become a prerequisite. Though, the fire department says things have indeed changed.

"Since the accident, we have built one more fire station in Sarjapur. We have also procured a 52 metre ladder since that can cover up to 16-17 floors of a building, and help in rescue and fire fighting operations," said a senior fire official.

"We have also submitted a proposal to the government for amendment of the Fire Force Act and introduce a provision for inspection of buildings after they have been cleared. Carlton Towers was last inspected in the year 1999u00a0-- nearly 11 years before the accident took place," he added.

"Most high rise buildings in the city that house multinational offices are following fire safety norms, especially the single occupancy ones, " he added. Throwing light on what went wrong after the inspection, N V Erappa, Chief Fire Officer (WEST) said, "Most systems at the Carlton Towers were not in good condition.u00a0 The overhead tank was empty and the pump room was in a disastrous position."

The senior fire official also recalls that two out of three staircases were blocked and so was the entrance to the terrace.

"It is the smoke that caused the problem; the fire itself was small. But then, all fires start small," he added.

A fiery 2010
Total fire calls: 734
Major fire accidents: 17
Loss of life: 14
Total injured: 109

Tips to avoid fire accidents

** Electrical lines must not be overloaded. Electric wires must be in good condition
** No staircase should be blocked to aid easy exit for escape
** Regular fire drills to vacate the building should be conducted
** Fire extinguishers must be operated at the earliest and checked when not in use
** Two gates for every buildingu00a0-- an entrance and an exit are a must
** A sprinkler system should be maintained
** Exit signs should be clearly marked