fire safety provisions
Description
Fire safety in buildings is a critical issue that often receives attention only after a tragic fire occurs. “The National Building Code of Canada (NRC, 1995) defines fire safety as the objective to reduce the probability of individuals being exposed to unacceptable fire hazards due to building design and construction” [1]. It is crucial to review the design and construction of buildings, particularly escape routes and safe assembly areas. However, the current practice of installing iron grills on balconies, intended to enhance security, has inadvertently increased the risk of occupants becoming trapped in the event of a fire. Ramachandran (1999) suggests that safety is the opposite of risk, acknowledging that absolute safety is unattainable. However, “a building may be considered "very safe" from fire if it exhibits low fire risk associated with its structure, contents, and occupants. While occupants play a vital role in mitigating fire risk through appropriate evacuation behavior, their actions can sometimes be unpredictable”. Proulx (1995) notes that elderly and mobility-impaired occupants may wait in their units to be rescued during evacuations, posing challenges for firefighters, especially in buildings without fire lifts. In Bangalore, residential buildings are particularly vulnerable to fire incidents, as evidenced by fire statistics showing a significant number of annual cases and victims. The difficulty in identifying the causes of these fires, exacerbated by destroyed evidence, underscores the risks associated with occupying high-rise buildings.
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Fire safety in buildings is a critical issue that often receives attention only after a tragic fire occurs. “The National Building Code of Canada (NRC, 1995) defines fire safety as the objective to reduce the probability of individuals being exposed to unacceptable fire hazards due to building design and construction” [1]. It is crucial to review the design and construction of buildings, particularly escape routes and safe assembly areas. However, the current practice of installing iron grills on balconies, intended to enhance security, has inadvertently increased the risk of occupants becoming trapped in the event of a fire. Ramachandran (1999) suggests that safety is the opposite of risk, acknowledging that absolute safety is unattainable. However, “a building may be considered "very safe" from fire if it exhibits low fire risk associated with its structure, contents, and occupants. While occupants play a vital role in mitigating fire risk through appropriate evacuation behavior, their actions can sometimes be unpredictable”. Proulx (1995) notes that elderly and mobility-impaired occupants may wait in their units to be rescued during evacuations, posing challenges for firefighters, especially in buildings without fire lifts. In Bangalore, residential buildings are particularly vulnerable to fire incidents, as evidenced by fire statistics showing a significant number of annual cases and victims. The difficulty in identifying the causes of these fires, exacerbated by destroyed evidence, underscores the risks associated with occupying high-rise buildings.