Malls without fire safety arrangements

OUR disregard for human lives is once again demonstrated by the fact that most of the high-rise malls in the city are without adequate measures to prevent occurrence of fire and have even less capacity of fighting it properly once it breaks out. This we suspect is true of malls as well as most high-rise apartment buildings not only in the capital but also in other major cities of the country.
It is painful to see frequent reports of fire in shopping centres or apartments, costing heavily in terms of money and human lives. Whereas it is mandatory to have sufficient provision for fire fighting tools in all malls and apartment buildings, and no building plan can be passed without this arrangement, such a basic rule is being flouted with impunity. And it is for the RAJUK to ensure that the approved plan is implemented in full, which regrettably is not done with honesty.
Not only that such buildings are supposed to be inspected from time to time to ensure that the firefighting equipments are in place and in good order but also those who are supposed to operate them are well versed in the use of the equipment. And a certificate to that effect is required to be rendered to the building owners. We must keep in mind as well that fire safety measures do not involve fire fighting tools alone, but also arrangement for safe egress out of the building in case of outbreak of fire, which must be an integral part of the building plan. But alas! very few, if any, ever bother to fulfill these requirements, because there are always ways and means to make the inspector look the other way.
We feel that the matter is as much one of awareness as of enforcement. Not only must the relevant rules be enforced, people must be made aware of the need for adequate protection against fire hazards and how to react once fire breaks out in a shopping mall or high-rise buildings. And for this the relevant agencies led by the Fire Service should organise inspection as well as awareness programmes and fire drills all over the country. And the sooner it is done the better for the safety of the public.