The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Drill tests fire safety officials’ preparedness

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Drill tests fire safety officials’ preparedness

Staff Reporter

Occupants of building evacuated

— Photo: S. S. Kumar

MOCK DRILL: A few occupants of the Thalamuthu Natarajan Building take part in a fire drill in Chennai on Friday.

CHENNAI: The Department of Fire and Rescue Services evacuated around 1,800 occupants of the Thalamuthu Natarajan Building in Egmore as part of a fire drill on Friday.

The drill was part of the statutory requirement for high-rise buildings. Snorkels, sky lift and a posse of 12 fire-fighters simulated the rescue operations. “The pitfalls in the exercise were analysed in order to take corrective measures,” said S.Veeramani, Divisional Fire Officer, Chennai City Central Division. The drill is to test the preparedness of fire safety officials, he said.

A mock fire was created in the 11-storey government building and the alarm was suddenly switched on. Power supply to the lift was also disconnected forcing 1,800 employees and other visitors to climb down the stairs. Then the firemen rescued a few employees, who were trapped on the seventh floor. “The drill would help employees react better to emergencies,” said Mr.Veeramani.

He said the new sky lifts to be inducted soon would make the rescue operations more effective.

The Thalamuthu Natarajan Building houses various government organisations including the CMDA, HPCL, ONGC, HUDCO, Indian Bank and Taico Bank.

The drill was carried out successfully under the direction of CMDA Vice Chairperson Susan Mathew.

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