The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : `City buildings ill-equipped to tackle fires'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`City buildings ill-equipped to tackle fires'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, NOV. 2. With faster economic progress, buildings in the city are increasing without adequate fire protection arrangements, according to S.K. Dogra, director, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services.

It is difficult for the Government to expand fire protection services to match the growth of buildings. Hence, there is need for emergence of private agencies to fill the gap , Mr. Dogra said during a meet on fire safety organised by the Association of Licensed Engineers and Architects, Tamil Nadu, Institution of Valuers, Chennai Branch and the Consumer Protection Forum.

Citizens concerned must form a network, interact and work together to solve the problem. They should find practical solutions, he said. The use of thatched roof on terraces and plastic chairs could aggravate a fire. . Engineers should think of developing more fire-resistant materials at an affordable cost, the director added.

Fire-fighting measures

N.V. Arunachalam, state president of the Association of Licensed Engineers and Architects, explained methods to prevent fire hazards and highlighted lapses by civic authorities in the implementation of fire fighting measures as per norms.

M. Namasivayam and Veeramani, assistant divisional fire officers, explained premium buildings, green architecture and zero-risk buildings. C.H. Gopinatha Rao, former president, Association of Licensed Engineers and Architects, said the provision of infrastructure was not keeping pace with real estate boom. The scheme of regularising unauthorised constructions created a negative effect on infrastructure.

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