Going higher and higher does showcase any city’s glittering skyline. Cities across the world have shown it is possible to live with skyscrapers provided all the regulations of public safety are adhered to and such structures have their own fire fighting and emergency procedures.
With the city’s west going in for more high rises, the Telangana State Disaster Response & Fire Services Department has now requested the Government to help it procure a fire escape ladder capable or reaching for heights of up to 104 metres or 34 floors.
In recent years, it had issued No Objection Certificates (NoCs) to about 110 buildings of up to 54 metres high or 18 floors and had also issued provisional NoCs or a temporary permit based on preliminary drawings to another 350 buildings above 54 metres or more than 18 floors.
New growth regions
Most of these permissions were given or sought in the new growth regions of Gachibowli and environs. “We are issuing NoCs on the assurance and premise that all these buildings would maintain internationally accepted standards as well as the National Building Code (NBC) guidelines on making the building fire proof,” explained senior officials, declining to be identified.
These could include sprinklers, high pressured pumps, smoke detectors, emergency escape mechanism and a whole host of features mandatory for any high rise. Even then, the department would have to be prepared to tackle any emergencies like a fire mishap but the reality is they have two hydraulic ladders capable or reaching up to 54 metres or 18 floors only.
The department does not leave anything to chance considering that thus far only one building, housing a corporate hospital in Gachibowli, had built according to the international safety norms without cutting corners. And, considering that fire safety norms adherence is generally poor in the city, it wants to be ready for any eventuality.
“Anything above 18 floors, we do not have the wherewithal or the means to tackle any fire or emergency hence we sought the Government permission to purchase a fire engine with ladder capable or going up to 104 metres,” said Director General Rajiv Ratan, when contacted.
Cost of the machine to be imported would be about ₹30 crore and a 15-member crew would be required to man it.
