Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response and Fire Services director general Madireddy Pratap has called upon people to take all requisite precautionary measures to avoid fire mishaps in residential buildings, commercial establishments and industrial units.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, he said that old city areas within major cities are becoming more and more vulnerable for fire mishaps. This is because the ground and some floors have commercial establishments, while the residential quarters are on the upper floors of these multi-storeyed complexes.
In this regard, the director general pointed out that cities like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati are more vulnerable to fire mishaps and people of these cities must realise the importance of taking preventive measures.
He advised that electrical wiring in old buildings must be changed to suit the power demand of electric appliances installed there. This would help avoid fire mishaps due to electric short circuits. He suggested use of flame retardant low smoke (FRLS) wires in both the new and old buildings, to fix micro circuit breakers (MCB) in every room, check the wire capacity while fixing air-conditioners and having a proper earthing for the building.
Madireddy Pratap called for the installation of smoke detectors and exhaust fans in addition to breathing balconies in every house, so that they are more secure from fire.
Referring to the recent fire mishap in the Old City of Hyderabad that claimed 17 lives, he said failing to comply with fire safety norms and having residential quarters above commercial establishments in multi-storied buildings along narrow roads had led to more deaths.
The director general referred to a mishap in Srikakulam, where fire started in a shopping mall. It took nearly six hours for fire personnel to enter the building, as smoke kept billowing from burning dress material. causing people to suffocate.
He said to avoid such problems, they are looking into a proposal to issue an NOC for every apartment before it can be occupied.
