Commercial buildings in Dimapur increasing sans safety measures
Dimapur : Fire safety measures are considered one of the essential requirements while constructing houses. Yet, with the number of high rise buildings and commercial complexes increasing in Dimapur, fire safety norms are often neglected. Many hotels, commercial buildings, residential buildings and business establishments in Dimapur are carrying on with their business without making adequate provisions for fire safety.Over 95% of new commercial complexes in Dimapur are not equipped with fire safety devices, while smaller business establishments are running totally unprepared for any eventuality. Some shopping malls like Jack ‘n’ Jill and Vishal Mart in Dimapur are equipped with fire extinguishers but the former has no fire exits – dangerous for a store that sells garments. Perhaps a better equipped Vishal Mart has fire exits on the left side of all floors and five fire extinguishers in each floor. A fire drill was also held last year with its employees and there are plans to have another one this year.
For some of the commercial complexes which do have fire extinguishers, the salespeople do not how to use them. “I have never given it a thought,” a manager in a mall located at Khermahal admitted when asked what he would do if a fire broke out, while also pointing out that his store did not have any fire extinguishers or fire exits. Even government commercial buildings like the one run by Dimapur Municipal Council near Durga Mandir is built without fire safety installations. Although a shopkeeper expressed that the building is spacious enough to “run” in case a fire breaks out, preventive measures can save extensive damage.
Sources in the fire department said that the department in concern which issues permit to construct buildings should consult them in regard to laying down fire safety regulations. However, this is never done, the source said. Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, water sprayers and fire exits are very essential in commercial and residential buildings, he said. The fire department has often been criticised for reaching fire accident spots late. However, the fire department source said, this could have been avoided if houses were not clustered, and expressed fear that with high-rise buildings and commercial complexes the risks are higher due to variety of materials found in such places.
And without proper guidelines on fire safety and stringent measures for its implementation, such buildings will continue to function hazardously.