The Hindu : Front Page : T.Nagar shops still flout fire safety norms

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Friday, Jul 31, 2009
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T.Nagar shops still flout fire safety norms

A. Srivathsan

UNDER WATCH: The direction issued in 2008 to commercial establishments to install fire safety equipment has been flouted in many instances.

Chennai: Many well-known and large multi-storied commercial establishments in T.Nagar which routinely attract large crowds of shoppers and others still do not have mandatory fire safety measures in place, despite the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) having issued notice to them.

These establishments also violate the multi-storied building rules that require sufficient side open space to facilitate firefighting and rescue operations. Following a major fire accident in Saravana Stores in the area in September 2008, the TNFRS issued notices to more than 1,500 commercial establishments in the Chennai South Division, including in T. Nagar, instructing shopkeepers to install measures within 15 days. According to a government source, there has been no satisfactory follow-up action.

Even seven months after the notices were issued, many large shops have not installed either smoke detectors or sprinklers, it is found. At a well-known textile shop, this correspondent found that the fire exit sign led to a garment counter; and behind it was a closed door with an exit sign on it. Another emergency exit led to the toilet. The emergency staircase on the ground floor was restricted for use: a signboard on it read: ‘Entry restricted for staff.’

Garments were spread over fire extinguishers in another shop. Inside yet another popular showroom, not only were the doors leading to the emergency fire exits narrow, they were located at different spots on different floors.

R. Natraj, Director, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, told The Hindu that a drive is on to check the state of fire safety measures in large commercial establishments. Ten areas in the city – NSC Bose Road, Rattan Bazar, Purasawakkam, T.Nagar, Luz, Mylapore, Adyar, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Valasaravakkam – have been identified as vulnerable.

“Teams with members well versed with fire safety norms have been constituted to inspect the mega-malls, shopping complexes, multiplexes and major restaurants,” the senior officer added.

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