Omprakash, Director-General of Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Karnataka, said that the department had in its discretion recently introduced three fire safety measures, apart from those prescribed in the National Building Code.
Speaking at a seminar on fire safety organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, Mr. Omprakash said that all the three steps were mandatory for buildings taller than 60 metres. The department would take a call on its implementation in existing high rises in the State.
Three new steps
Installing sufficient number of water curtains in basements, smoke screens in lobbies and staircase areas, and installing chutes for every two floors from the terrace to the ground, are the new measures.
While a water curtain would form a hydroshield to prevent the spread of fire, the smoke screens will protect the open lobby area from smoke and facilitate quick evacuation. Both facilities have to be linked to smoke sensors.
The third one — installing chutes made of fire-resistant elastic material — would be of great help in evacuating the vulnerable, including children and the aged, according to Fire and Emergency Services officials.