By IANS,
New Delhi : The Delhi Fire Service last year disconnected essential supplies to 715 high rise buildings in the city for failing to comply with the safety norms, a top fire service official said Sunday.
“We had identified a total of 2,377 high rise buildings and issued notices through the press to those failing safety standards,” Chief Fire Officer R.C. Sharma told reporters on the sidelines of the Fire Service Week April 14-20.
High-rise building is one which is 15 metres and more in height. About 483 buildings were found to be complying with the norms of the total number in city.
“We had to disconnect the essential services like electricity and water supply to about 715 buildings as per the Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act. Other buildings are in different stages, like height verification, court cases and some of them are sealed,” Sharma added.
The 86-year-old organisation is also in an expansion mode.
“Currently, we have 43 fire stations across Delhi and this number will be increased to 70 by the end of this year. In May, about eight fire stations will be ready for inauguration,” Sharma said.
The organisation will also be adding 15 more water tenders to its current fleet of 139 and provide 600 protective suits to its firemen.
The increase in the number of vehicles – mainly cars – catching fire on the Delhi roads has not escaped the notice of the organisation.
“Earlier these were rare incidents. But off late, a lot of vehicles has been catching fire. So far, no vehicle company has come to us and it is something to be looked into technically,” Sharma said.
“The reasons can be anything, ranging from vehicles having fittings other than from authorized dealers to ill-fitted cooking gas cylinders used in the vehicle,” Sharma said.
Like in the past, the organisation will go to schools during the Fire Service Week with their motto – “Fire Prevention – Do it for life”.
“We will be conducting evacuation drill in high-rise buildings, other buildings such as schools, hospitals, cinema halls in different parts of the capital,” Sharma said.