The Big Picture: Fire Safety in India

National Capital witnessed one of the worst fire tragedies in almost two decades when at least 43 people were killed and several others injured in north Delhi's Anaj Mandi on Sunday morning. Initial enquiries point out many glaring negligencies such as locked escape routes , no fire safety equipment and no fire safety clearance from the authorities. Rescue operations were also hampered due to narrow lanes.

This tragedy has once again brought in focus the fire safety norms in India and to what extent are they adhered to.

Anchor: VISHAL DAHIYA

Guest- Dr. Sanjay kumar Tomar, Divisional officer, Delhi Fire Service

Dr. Navin Kumar Bhatnagar, Former DIG, NDRF

R G Gupta, City & Policy Planner

[kumargopi]

Key points-
1. Fire safety acts doesn't apply to older buildings and most fire accidents happen there.
2. Haphazard urbanisation has led to creation of buildings without fire safety.
3. Lack of alternate exits, blocked exits and congested areas, lack of equipments lead to many casualties
4. People must be trained to face such accidents, training of CPR and mock drills must be done. Many deaths and injuries happen due to stampedes, training would reduce it.
5. Stern action must be taken against authorities which are responsible for lapses
6. There should be regular fire safety audits and manadatory fire safety certificates
7. Poor awareness of Firesafety, therefore it should be made a part of school curriculum

[ChhayaChaudharyzeal]

Laws can't be applied in retrospective
No laws for low rise residential buildings
Residential areas converted to commercial
Lack of training to community
Flammable materials in industries
Expanding & crowding cities
Solutions -
Inbuilt fire fighting systems
30% fire calls from low rise residential buildings

[aayushswastik]

Inexperienced members of the debates made the simple topic quite complicated.

[MANISHYADAV-zpiu]

This debate shows the actual picture of our bureaucrats, blame shifting to others. RSTV please do not such panelists for debate otherwise it will just become another 'republic'

[nikhildixit]

Why is he keep asking same question again and

[paapipandit]

You just cannot rely on fire service to save lives during fire ! Elimination or minimization of the risk is they key and the it has to be through legislation related to design and layout of buildings. If the Fire Service in india does not wake up today, we'll be heading towards disaster in the next 20 years ! The rate of construction and the nature of buildings being built in the last 10-15 years and will continue to be build present a whole new challenge to Fire and Life Safety that nobody is thinking about. When these buildings get a bit old and start having fire incidents, they will say the same thing again, 'Oh we cant make laws retrospective!'

[abhisheklalgupta]

Sir u r sitting here and every hr 3 cases of fire coming

[dikshadahiya]

It’s ok! They are old. Stop criticising others! It needs courage to come up and debate.

[AJAY]

Evading responsibility and blaming each other no accountability.. Poor people died but no regret by them.. Shame

[Rahulpriye]

First, why rajya sabha brings such panelists who first don't know how to behave, second they themselves not sure about the reasons for such incidents.
Secondly, everyone is blaming one another instead of taking responsibility & have some accountability.Fire safety norms must be regulated, monitored & checked at regular intervals.For that proper guidelines must be shown.

[ababcvsvjsjamksshhska]

Sir kindly make a separate playlist for Big picture.

[laxmikanthykoluragi]

Block officer need to understand that everything can't be found in law. In older buildings try to enforce maximum safety features, if it's out of the safety standards, government officers can take strict actions by pointing out future tragedies that building can cause. There are many laws which may be indirect, this block level officer says old buildings can't be taken under new safety norms without any concern or thinking about any other solutions to old buildings.

[realjamesbond]

He: " I can help prepare the plan"
Me: I too can help amit shah in kicking out illegal migrants.

[amanagarwal]

As we have water everywhere for household consumption make it use for Fire Extinguishing
Along with Piped Water to every under Jal Jeevan Mission of modi
make it to bear the pressure of water for fire extinguish with high powered motors at water Overhead Substations
along with connect Piped Lines to every colonies for extinguishing chemical fire
for that left we need A Mini Elephant vehicle with ladder and pipe to case.

[vrm_ravi]

Good topic by RSTV but inexperienced panelists. .. .. it seems they just came here to blame and laugh at each other.... last member was laughing all the time and busy with his phone....

[arihanttechcompany]

Sir, still fire safety means keeping equipments in place is the audit done by anyone. I had seen many firefighters been not sent to different schools and colleges to train the students. No fire officer will give No objection without some cuts. Lot of changes is required in public and govt officials mindsets.

[sanaj]

Laws to bhare pade h files main lekin implementation bhi to hona chahiye...har bar incident hota h or 2-3 din main simat bhi jate h..
Still Qualifying person have no knowledge to deal with fire safety situation...Training must be given to each and every citizen if Not then we should learn self