The Mysuru Palace Board has taken steps for implementation of a fire management for the palace that includes rewiring of the bulbs that illuminate the iconic structure.
A fire audit conducted after a fire broke out near the South Gate of Mysuru palace in May this year had found the wiring system adopted for the illumination outdated and hence recommended among other things rewiring and installation of smoke and fire detector systems.
Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru D. Randeep, who is also the Executive Officer of the Palace Board, has constituted a technical committee headed by the Executive Engineer of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC), Mysuru, to implement a fire management system for the palace based on the recommendations of Chief Fire Officer of Mysuru Gururaj K.T., who had conducted the audit.
Mysuru Palace is extensively wired on the exterior for the purpose of illuminating with more than one lakh incandescent bulbs. During the audit, the fire safety officials found the wiring to be not only old and outdated, but also improperly insulated at several places. The audit report has recommended replacement of the old wires with heat and fire proof wiring. Separate ducts should also be provided for the wiring.
Though the fire broke out near the entry ticket counter at the South Gate, which is more than 250 metres away from the main palace, the outbreak of fire was a wake-up call for the authorities.
The audit report has also recommended installation of automatic smoke detector system on the palace premises where oil paintings are displayed.
The other recommendations made in the Chief Fire Officer’s report include installation of an automatic fire detection system, the power station rooms to be equipped with suitable fire extinguishers, replacement of permanent barricades with temporary barricades, an escape route plan for the occupants of the palace in the event of a fire, construction of an underground tank with a capacity to store one lakh litres of water, new fire equipment including trolley type water mist, and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.
The report has also recommended training in fire safety to 40% of the staff, besides preparation for an onsite emergency plan. The audit has listed not only the available fire safety equipment, but also sought for additional infrastructure.
The Technical Committee constituted by the Deputy Commissioner also includes the Chief Fire Officer, Mysuru, Deputy Director of Mysuru Palace Board, Deputy Director of Archaeology and Museums, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mysuru Palace security, among others. The committee will hold meetings and take steps to implement a fire safety and management system for the palace based on the recommendations.
The committee will also provide technical advice for the purchase of the fire safety equipments as per Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act and for construction of fire safety infrastructure on the palace premises. Also, there is a proposal to set up a fire station on the palace premises. “We can set it up soon after necessary space is allocated for the purpose,” said a fire safety officer.
