| Karachi: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has established a three-member committee tasked with inspecting commercial buildings for fire safety, according to news published in the leading newspapers on November 28.
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In a meeting on Monday, Mayor Wahab decided to conduct fire safety audits for commercial buildings and discussed the plan. The initial phase will focus on auditing buildings along Shahrah-e-Faisal, II Chundrigar Road, and Tariq Road to identify those with proper safety systems.
During the meeting, it came to light that numerous large commercial buildings lack emergency exit routes. In response, Mayor Wahab directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) staff to inspect major buildings in the specified areas. He emphasized the importance of emergency exit routes, highlighting that according to the law, large buildings are required to have both fire safety systems and emergency exit routes.
To address this concern, the mayor instructed the administration to compile a list of buildings with and without emergency exit routes. He emphasized that action would be taken against buildings lacking fire safety systems and emergency exit routes, stressing that it is a matter of human lives and urging cooperation from the management and owners of these buildings.
The relevant officers are tasked with co-opting members from the Fire Brigade Department to undertake the survey. They will assess various fire safety measures, including escape routes, emergency exits, and basic fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire watch guards, fire extinguishers, and fire hoses. Additionally, they will examine the condition of electrical equipment, including meters, switches, and plugs, and investigate any other factors that may pose a fire risk or worsen emergency situations.
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The officers are required to submit the final report within 15 working days. The mayor emphasized the importance of these inspections in ensuring the safety of the city’s residents and urged prompt and effective action. |
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