Old and unsafe: Cities must undertake fire safety audit for their old buildings, Pg8

• Tragic fire in Hyderabad’s Gulzar Houz killed 17 people, including 8 children.

  • Fire occurred in a multi-storey old building with only one staircase and poor ventilation.

  • Packed urban neighbourhoods with historical value are often fire hazards due to narrow lanes, dense occupation, and outdated construction.

  • Firefighters faced difficulty accessing inner areas due to infrastructure constraints.

Detailed Insights:

• Old city areas are hubs of commerce, tradition, and culture, but were built without modern fire safety norms.

  • Courtyard designs with limited ventilation and exits, common in historic neighbourhoods, increase the risk of mass casualties during fires.

  • Rapid increase in electric load due to modern appliances has not been matched with upgraded electrical infrastructure.

  • Lack of community awareness, proper audits, and emergency preparedness aggravates risk.

Key Concepts:

• Fire Safety Audit: A systematic assessment to evaluate fire risks, exit paths, electrical load capacity, and emergency protocols.

  • Building Code Compliance: Ensures adherence to modern safety standards, including multiple exits, ventilation, and firefighting equipment.

  • Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Urban resilience strategy focusing on mitigation and preparedness to minimize human and material loss.

Significance:

• Highlights the intersection of urban planning and public safety.

  • Calls for integrating fire safety into heritage conservation efforts.

  • Encourages community participation and formation of volunteer fire safety groups to foster resilience at the grassroots level.

Mains Mock Question:

“Old city neighbourhoods are both cultural assets and potential disaster zones. Discuss the need for fire safety audits and structural reforms in heritage urban spaces to ensure public safety without eroding their character.”