Pakistan launches three-phase fire safety audit across government and commercial sites

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionSafety

Pakistan audit ordered for 2,368 buildings

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah ordered a province-wide fire safety audit covering major government, private and commercial buildings, with 2,368 buildings identified for an initial inspection phase.

Business Recorder reported that the order was issued during a high-level meeting at the CM House attended by provincial ministers, advisers and senior officials including Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Sindh Building Control Authority Director General (SBCA DG) Muzammel Halepoto.

Shah said a thorough audit of key buildings is no longer optional: “All commercial, private, and government buildings must be equipped with modern fire prevention systems.”

Scope, locations and compliance approach

The initial audit phase covers 2,368 buildings across the province.

The distribution listed in the meeting record was Sukkur 898, Karachi 562, Hyderabad 540, Shaheed Benazirabad (SBA) 171, Larkano 143 and Mirpurkhas 54.

Shah approved a three-phase implementation plan with a phased timeline for compliance.

Shah said: “The initiative aims to institutionalise safety protocols and better protect public life and property.”

Measures, enforcement and building use restrictions

Immediate inspection measures include checks of fire alarm panels, portable extinguishers and emergency signage.

Short-term measures include installing and operationalising smoke detectors, central alarm systems and hydrants.

Long-term measures include complete rectification of electrical wiring and installing automatic fire suppression systems.

Shah directed the chief secretary to ensure SBCA and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) teams meet building management and set timeframes for immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term measures, with action planned for non-compliance.

Shah said basements and mezzanines approved for parking will be used only for that purpose and not for shops, cabinets or godowns.

The meeting also approved resuming annual safety inspections of commercial buildings that were discontinued years ago.

Shah said: “Electrical and other inspections, including emergency exit and entry points, etc., will be ensured through inspections.”

Hospitals in Karnataka slow to carry out fire safety audit

by Featured NewsSafety

Only 44 out of 166 government hospitals in Karnataka, a state in the south western region of India, have completed a fire safety audit within the two week period set out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as fire accidents have been on the rise sue to summer heat, according to reports.

Modi spoke at a video conference with Chief Ministers on 27 April suggesting that all states conduct fire safety audits. Over two weeks since the Health Department directed 16 district and 150 taluk hospitals to complete the audit, only 27% have completed the exercise. The May 21 deadline has now been extended until the end of the month.

To aid he process, the Health Department approved ₹82 lakh for the fire audits of 166 hospitals (at ₹50,000 each hospital) under the National Health Mission (NHM), relasing the funds on May 18.

State Health Commissioner Randeep D. attributed the slow action to procedural delays: “Funds have been released to the 166 hospitals and the DHOs have been asked to facilitate the audit of hospitals in their districts by the end of this month. So far, 44 hospitals have completed the audits,” he said.

“The recent incidents of fire accidents in hospitals have reinforced the need for compliance with fire safety measures in hospitals across the State,” he added.

Commenting on fire safety in hospitals, C.N. Manjunath, director of the State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, said: “Hospitals have a multitude of flammable materials, each with different degrees of combustibility, each reacting differently to heat and fire.

“It is mandatory for hospitals to have smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, a fire escape route plan, fire exit LED signages with two hours power backup, fluorescent arrow directions and adequate space for fire tenders to operate.”