Fire safety is an oft neglected issue in the city, until a major accident occurs, when suddenly there is a flurry to implement norms and ensure safety regulations in buildings. Join us for a web chat on fire safety with Uday Vijayan, managing trustee of Beyond Carlton, today
The Hindu: Fire safety is an oft neglected issue in the city, until a major accident occurs, when suddenly there is a flurry to implement norms and ensure safety regulations in buildings. Today we have Uday Vijayan, managing trustee of Beyond Carlton joining us for a chat on fire safety norms in Bengaluru. Welcome Mr. Vijayan
Chitra Ramani: Welcome, Mr. Vijayan
UDAY VIJAYAN: Thank you for having me and look forward to a good evening chat!
Chitra Ramani: Mr. Vijayan, why is there such little importance being given to fire safety?
Dhiraj: Hello Vijayan. what has changed/improved in fire safety norms since Carlton?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Well, safety in general in India unfortunately has very little attention amongst the average citizen
K.C. Deepika, The Hindu: Good evening Mr. Vijayan, welcome to the chat. It has been almost five years since the Carlton incident. Has much changed as far as fire safety awareness is concerned?
UDAY VIJAYAN: @Dhiraj: there have been a few changes like our PIL that changed the state laws and made it fire safe. The fact that there are more checks by the fire dept is a small testimony to our efforts. But we realise this is a marathon and not a sprint!
King: Dear Sir, There is a mandatory rule that 40% of the occupants in high rise building should be fire-fighter trained. Is that Law still persists? Why there is no action against the builders?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Deepika, awareness is a huge challenge and we are working on that
King: Not even 10% of the 20K approx. high rise buildings in the city has proper fire-safety equippments? What is the solution for this?
UDAY VIJAYAN: We need more inspections by the fire dept has to get innovative on finding ways to overcome staff shortage etc.Also we ned more citizens to comply after all it is their life isn't it?
GN: Good evening, sir. Has the city, i mean both the citizens and authorities, learnt anything since Carlton?
UDAY VIJAYAN: As far as the citizens are concerned there is now at least a small awareness beginning. The authorities are now a lot more vigilant thanks to groups like us who keeo them under pressure, but it is along journey!
Davy Jones: Mr Vijayan, how crucial is inter-departmental coordination to ensure resilience to fire disasters? Is there is disconnect between the fire department and other other civic agencies?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Absolutely necessary as you may know based on our PIL and the notification issued as a result, the fire dept can demand a cut of electricity and water to a building for non-compliance but that seems to be an issue with Bescom AND BWSSB
Pushpa: Hi. Tks much for ur crucial efforts. Considering that many vital laws, rules, etc. aren't implemented, are fire safety rules being enforced? If yes, how?
UDAY VIJAYAN: well, we have a long way to go and our job as citizens is to demand safety and its enforcement. But it is vital, that citizens too realise the need for fire safety and not call the fire dept only when there is a fire.
King: In many foreign companies, Employers or building owners or occupiers must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and keep it up to date. How many IT companies follow this in Bengaluru? They concern only good roads, not life-safety
UDAY VIJAYAN: Good comment King, most large IT companies esp MNC's follow fire safety guidelines because of global mandates. Large Indian Co.s do so because their customers insist on this. The challenge is with the mid to small companies and also multi -tenented properties like Carlton
Guest: Dear Mr Vijayan, What are the new technological advancement in the field of fire fighting? have other methods of dousing fire, other than water developed? have any new age tools like online tools or mobile apps developed for helping fire fighting personnel or victims of fire mishaps?
UDAY VIJAYAN: There are new technologies but we are still a long way from it. We do use mist technologies but the game is to really fight fires from inside a building ie sprinklers,alarms etc. It maybe too late for a fire engine to reach any point in Bangalore most often.
Sindhu: what about the bus which caught fire yesterday at Kempegowda bus stand? who can be held accountable for government agencies not sticking to basic safety rules?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Yes, that was tragic but thankfully no casualities. Clearly, it is the responsibility of the transport system to provide safe transport
Ravi Krishna Reddy: Uday Vijayan, thank you and your team for making Bengaluru fire-safe. There is rampant corruption and nexus to get fire-safety clearances from the authorities. If we can make that clearance procedure transparent and open it up (the buildings that have gotten clearances) for social-auditing, that would help.
UDAY VIJAYAN: A very good suggestion and we do realize this... we would be open to any ideas here to recommend to the govt. Please do get in touch with me if you have a thought.
Davy Jones: Is it true that Bescom has no legal sanction to disconnect electricity supply to a consumer unless he or she has defaulted on bill payments? Do building plan violations or lack of fire safety measures come under Bescom's purview to monitor?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Bescom is clearly mandated by a Govt notification that when informed by the fire dept they have to cut the electricity. You can check out the notification on our website.
Pushpa Achanta: Sir, tks for ur insights. Are u involved in any fire safety training or fire prevention awareness activities with the govt. or independently?
UDAY VIJAYAN: We do go and conduct fire awareness programs at schools, RWA's,Corporates etc ourselves and also work with the fire dept as they have larger resources.
Rishikesh: Dear Mr Vijayan, have there been any scientific advancement in the technique of fire fighting? have any other materials, other than water, been tested for dousing fire? have any new age tools like mobile apps developed to aid fire fighting personnel or help victims or fire accidents ?
UDAY VIJAYAN: There have been globally fair advancement in fire fighting including materials. As regards an App we have launched a first of its kind APP - FIRE CHAMP that is meant for citizens to notify us for violations and we work with the fire dept for resolution. I would request all to download FIRE CHAMP and share it with others, I am not aware of an App that notifies fire men. Our belief is that prevention is key!
King: Yesterday, In KBS, a bus caught fire.(reason unknown) Fire alarms or Fire detectors should be installed to ensure the safety. Is that help?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Well, we need a lot of this and more...
Rishikesh: Then, do you think the state government should lay equal focus on creating awareness and training of house wives or young people to fight fire in their homes, just as it does to equip fire stations?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Sure
Sharath: which buildings or structures are most vulnerable to fire? Is there a facility for people to prevent such buildings from coming up in their neighbourhood?
UDAY VIJAYAN: A fire can happen anywhere and at any time. Most vulnerable are large populated buildings-apartments, hospitals, auditoriums,theatres etc. That is our focus now
Rishikesh: Thank you for the information on Fire Champ App. We will download it right away !
UDAY VIJAYAN: Appreciate it, please get more citizens to to do the same
UDAY VIJAYAN: If any of you would like to volunteer with us and take our message forward, please do join us . Details on our website
The Hindu: You mentioned that safety gets very little attention amongst the average citizen. What are your views about the rule to make helmets compulsory for pillion riders?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Absolutely essential for pillion riders to wear them. I dont have the statistics but Im pretty sure that large fatalities are pillion riders
Rishikesh: pl give details of your website
UDAY VIJAYAN: www.beyondcarlton.org
Sindhu: How can employers not following basic safety guidlines be held accountable
UDAY VIJAYAN: As regards fire safety, if your office has obvious fire safety violations you can use our App and report it. We would get the fire dept to visit and discuss with the employer and issue notices if required.
Harsha: ORGANIZING FIRE AND EVACUATION DRILL http://ndrfandcd.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/folder_in_English_F.pdf
UDAY VIJAYAN: Superb!
K.C. Deepika, The Hindu: Mr. Vijayan, what should the citizens do to ensure fire safety, without having to wait for enforcement from the Fire department? Any basic steps they can start with? Also, how about independent houses or smaller structures?
UDAY VIJAYAN: The most important thing is FIRE PREVENTION in our mind. There is so much one can do with ease for eg. ensuring all fire systems are working 24x7. Do drills regularly so people know how to evacuate themselves. The fire dept and civil defnce can help here. On independent houses some obvious things to dow tih gas and electrical accessories need to be taken
Radhika: With govt. allowing "Self Certification" for the companies... the fires in companies will increase. Dont the govt. think so? If not, why not??
UDAY VIJAYAN: I am not aware of self certification in Bangalore. You have to apply to the fire dept every 2 years for an NOC
Radhika: I think its a central govt scheme for all boiler industry where the PM has said that "Self Certification" from the company will suffice and no inspectors will visit the industries for safety issues. This "Self Certification" will be valid through out country as it is a central govt order. This will increase complacency and cost cutting measures by the private companies. Please do take necessary action.
Harsha: Mr. Vijayan, I am a researcher working on urban planning for fire safety in Bangalore. I was one of the initial researchers that released maps on fire-safety during the Carlton Tragedy. I am currently compiling data with respect to fire safety and fire hazard planning in Bangalore and other cities such as Chennai. I would like to find out how to collaborate with you.
UDAY VIJAYAN: Please do reach out to me
Harsha: Sir, most fire researchers feel that domestic facilities and households have to invest in in-situ fire equipments. Independent houses and the 3-storey domestic houses will need to install capacity for water, fire escapes and alarm systems. The local government can push for certification for houses as well or introduce incentives in property tax. Do you think this line of legislation can push for better fire-safety for the average citizen?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Let's talk on this Harsha
Guest: Sir, you mentioned schools as part of your programs. What kind of basic steps can educational campuses take up to ensure fire safety. Not all schools conduct fire drills on a regular basis so how do we create awareness among students too in such emergencies.
UDAY VIJAYAN: Not sure I can tell you everything on this chat but clearly telling the students on basics is important for a start. Many schools dont even have proper fire exits etc. We also believe the teacher is a key element esp in evacuation. So, we are considering doing a teachers training program with the fire dept.
Anjum: Sir, Many hospitals donot have ramps so that in case of fire, the patients who cant move on their own feet can be carried out on stretchers or wheelchairs. What are ur plans for this?
UDAY VIJAYAN: Hospitals are a vulnerable area, their own body NABH esp after the AMRI accident is taking this up seriously we hear!
The Hindu: We've come to the end of our chat. Thank you Mr. Vijayan for answering all our readers' queries.
UDAY VIJAYAN: Thanks everybody, stay safe and please spread the word on fire safety!
Rishikesh: Thank you
