Fire Hazards and Firefighting in Pakistan

 
 
 
fire hazards and fire fighting

 

fire hazards and fire fighting Fire-related incidents are increasing at an alarming rate all over Pakistan. Keeping in mind the precarious situation, the Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies (IIPS) invited eminent speakers to discuss the causes of fire eruptions in buildings and suggest possible solutions for preventing future devastations. This blog presents preventive measures and discusses how fire hazards can be avoided by following building code regulations. It also highlights the importance of educating engineers, architects and professionals in fire safety and prevention.

Introduction 

The overwhelming number of fire-related incidents raises questions about the sustainability of Pakistan’s infrastructure. A horrific fire in Lahore’s famous Hafeez Center recently gutted hundreds of shops and inflicted heavy losses on traders. Disasters stemming from buildings catching fire have become a routine occurrence. A permanent solution is needed to ensure the safety of human life. Keeping in mind the severity of the issue, the Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies organised a live webinar to highlight the rising incidents of building fires in Pakistan and suggest possible strategies to counter such devastations.

The webinar included expert panellists, namely, Mr Zeeshan Alam, General Manager Fire and Safety at Danish International, Dr Muhammad Masood Rafi, Professor NED University, Mr Imran Taj, President FPAP, Mr Saeed Akhtar Jadoon, Chief Fire Officer KPT, and Mr Khurram Bargatt, Vice- Member, IIPS Advisory Board. The session was moderated by Lt Gen Muhammad Haroon Aslam, HI(M), SBt, (Retd) President IIPS Advisory Board.

Causes and Preventive Measures of Fire Eruption in Buildings 

According to Mr Zeeshan Alam, GM Fire and Safety at Danish International, fire hazards are considered one of the most lethal and common types of man-made disasters. With a pervasive ability to cause damage to life and property, prevention measures must be adopted, and strict protocols must be followed to ensure safety. Thousands of people have died in Pakistan along with billions of rupees lost in infrastructural damage. The Baldia Town fire incident is considered one of Pakistan’s most destructive fire incidents. However, the concerned government authorities have not learnt from the experience.

The misuse of insurance policies to evade fire security costs and blatant disregard for fire safety regulations are the main issues that require immediate attention. Non-compliance with fire safety regulations has been receiving limelight after this incident.  The issue of fire safety should be prioritised as even a small fire can become contagious, spreading to other buildings in the area. Awareness levels are important determinants in assessing the critical nature of fire. A fire incident can be prevented from its origin if the required personnel are educated in fire safety protocols. Rapid response stations installed at nearby locations can help prevent future fire incidents. It is highly recommended that the local governments install and upgrade fire stations in different cities.

Dr Muhammad Masood Rafi, Professor NED University, highlighted how the NED university has been educating its students on dealing with natural disasters such as earthquakes, fire, floods, and tsunamis. Practical education of students in dealing with fire safety will add to their professional knowledge in creating an infrastructure that can minimise future hazards. The probable causes of fire hazards are not only man-made but can also be attributed to natural causes like earthquakes. Evidence of fire safety codes can be found in historical records of infrastructures created thousands of years ago. Fire safety codes started to develop during Hammurabi’s time and later evolved into formal regulations after the London building fires. The safety codes were formalised in America after the fire incident in Baltimore, as a result of which the United States National Fire Safety Code was established.  In Pakistan, architects and civil engineers have not paid due attention to fire safety design in creating infrastructure, making it a much-neglected issue.

In Pakistan, architects and civil engineers have not paid due attention to fire safety design in creating infrastructure, making it a much-neglected issue.

The Challenges of Firefighting in Pakistan 

Mr Saeed Akhtar Jadoon, Chief Fire Officer KPT, highlighted that a lack of recognition of services laid out by firemen in the line of fire hazards deeply affects their morale. Lack of awareness in the young masses affects their ability to choose firefighting as a career. This is a worrisome trend as the work of firefighters is not only noble but also requires the expertise of young and talented people who will bring innovation and diversity to the field.

The effective functioning of firefighting services is highly dependent on a good communication network. However, Pakistan lacks a good communication network for emergency services to respond timely.  Furthermore, a large, well-trained volunteer base that is ready to respond in the shortest possible time is also missing in Pakistan.  There is a need to establish and maintain provincial rescue and fire services to respond to all fire-related emergencies effectively. Furthermore, the training of volunteer services to provide an effective response to large-scale emergencies related to fires must be undertaken.

Building Code of Pakistan: Fire Safety Provision 2016 

Mr Imran Taj, President Fire Protection Association of Pakistan, pointed out that the US National fire safety policy is a state-of-the-art compliance procedure that benchmarks international standards. Pakistan adopted the USNFS policy as its building code in 2016. However, there is a severe gap in implementation which needs to be corrected. The 15-chapter report provides a holistic description of fire safety in layman’s terms. A building being a man-made entity is inherently bound to have problems. In situations such as fire eruption, the means of egress is the single most crucial aspect that can protect the occupants of the building. Apart from that, signage has high value as people in the buildings informed about the exit strategy can be guided through signage. Also, fire doors, and the material with which the building is made, are crucial to prevent the possibility of fire eruption. Since high rise building infrastructure is trending, the exit staircases and integration of exit points are crucial for safety.

Minimising Fire Hazards through Proper Town Planning 

Mr Khurram Bargatt, a Member of the IIPS Advisory Board, advocated that building by-laws are the first step in creating sustainable infrastructure. Negligence on this step leads to complications for the future of the infrastructure. Besides, the absence of implementation and regulation exacerbates the lack of building bye-laws. Fire incidents can become more disastrous if the building bye-laws are not followed. For instance, if bye-laws are not considered during the construction of buildings, it will pose a risk to the fire safety of other structures nearby. Fire safety design is the most common violation in most buildings found on the busiest roads of Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Apart from construction standards, the equipment used in buildings is often substandard. The SOPs followed in case of fire eruption are also not communicated to the occupants of the building in advance. Schools and public buildings like mosques, hospitals and commercial cities need drill management and rescue lines. Fire safety and rescue lanes for free movement for firefighting vehicles on public roads can swiftly help firefighters reach the affected destination.  Installation of a database that keeps a record of the state of buildings and infrastructure is vital for developing related policy. A fire incident can be prevented from its origin if the required personnel are educated in fire safety protocols. Rapid response station installation at nearby locations can help prevent future fire incidents. It is highly recommended that the local governments install upgraded fire stations in different cities.

Key Takeaways  

  1. Fire safety should be included in curriculums, and strict measures should be adopted to implement the Building Code of Pakistan.
  2. Small rapid response stations at closer distances and alarm systems at buildings can greatly improve the situation.
  3. Advancements in research technology were also presented, which would facilitate finding better methods to deal with the fire. Fire safety design must be implemented at the core of building design. This should not be done without paying attention to key human behavioural patterns during hazards.
  4. Specific importance was laid on rapid response and the factors which facilitate it. The problem of neglecting fire safety laws and undermining their importance is a key factor in fire hazards.
  5. Another area of contention in fire hazards pertains to the construction of the building itself and its materials. Combustible material mustn’t be used in the construction or furnishing of the buildings.
  6. Furthermore, there is a need to develop a database that facilitates policymaking. Response times and failure rates should be maintained as a record for future improvements.
  7. The law required clear exit strategies and markings aw to assist people in challenging situations. It is not the response of firefighters that makes a difference, but rather how the people react in such situations.
  8. The use of cheap and low-quality materials in construction and a dismal practice of safety precautions must be addressed.
  9. The lack of recognition of services laid out by firemen in the line of such hazards deeply affects their morale. Lack of awareness in the young masses affects their ability to choose firefighting as a career. This is a worrisome trend as the work of firemen is noble and requires the expertise of young and talented people who will bring innovation and diversity to the field.

Bibliography

Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies. (2020). Fire Hazards and Firefighting in Pakistan. Islamabad: IIPS. Available at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=984274088708480

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