800 Old city schools lack fire safety systems

July 28, 2014 12:58 am | Updated July 29, 2014 12:30 am IST - HYDERABAD:

Around 800 schools situated in the south of the city lack basic fire safety systems, putting the lives of the students to risk, Fire Department officials say. These schools both government managed and private are situated in Bandlaguda, Bahadurpura, Charminar and Saidabad mandals of the old city. As per the Education Department rules all schools have to compulsorily install fire fighting equipment as prescribed in the National Building Code of India, Part IV Fire Protection. It includes fire extinguishers, water storage tanks, emergency lighting, and fire alarm system amongst others.

But the ground reality is something different. “Most of the schools have no fire safety equipment in place. Last academic year fire broke out in two different schools at Devan Devdi and Gulzar Houz. Luckily these were minor incidents and children were shifted out in time,” a Fire Department official said on condition of anonymity.

The Education Department and Fire Department officials are expected to check for any discrepancies in the school and ensure that the school managements comply with it. “The Education Department teams inspect the schools just for name sake. Hardly do the officials force the managements to install fire safety equipment. Many schools are running alongside eateries and hotels in commercial complexes,” points out S. Q. Masood, a social activist.

“Compared to other areas fire fighting in old city is a challenging task due to narrow approaches and overhead power lines. In such a scenario it is necessary the buildings strictly adhere to fire safety norms,” another fire official points out.

When contacted the District Fire Officer (South) Saleemuddin, admitted to the problem and said that the issue can be addressed only if the school Education Department insists for a No-Objection certificate from the Fire Department while granting recognition to educational institutions.

Lurking danger

*According to Education Department all schools have to compulsorily install fire fighting equipment as prescribed in the National Building Code of India which include fire extinguishers, water storage tanks, emergency lighting, and fire alarm system amongst others.

*Officials do not force school managements to install fire safety equipment and many schools are being run alongside eateries and hotels in commercial complexes: S. Q. Masood, social activist. Lurk

* Compared to other areas fire fighting in old city is a challenging task due to narrow approaches and overhead power lines and in such a scenario it is necessary the buildings strictly adhere to fire safety norms

*The issue can be addressed only if the School Education Department insists for a No-Objection certificate from the Fire Department while granting recognition to educational institutions: Saleemuddin, District Fire Officer (South)

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