Public Buildings and Fire Safety

04 May 2021 Current Affairs:There have been fatal fires in hospital buildings in the last year, including those treating COVID-19 patients.

Highlights:
♦ According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 330 people were killed in fires in commercial buildings in 2019. There are 6,329 fatalities in residential or dwelling buildings
♦ The leading cause of fires is said to be electrical faults. State governments have been criticised for failing to enforce building safety regulations and failing to provide new infrastructure in public buildings.
♦ Since they are oxygen-suffused and must follow strict requirements, hospital ICUs (intensive care units) pose a significant fire risk.
♦ The National Building Code of India’s Part 4 addresses Fire and Life Safety. The manual contains design and material requirements and recommendations that reduce the risk of catastrophic fires. Hospitals are classified as institutions in the code.