Commissioner Karachi Directs Fire Safety Audits for High Rise Buildings
Commissioner Karachi Directs Fire Safety Audits for High Rise Buildings (file foto)
Karachi, Nov, 28,2023: Muhammad Saleem Rajput, the Commissioner of Karachi, has issued a directive to all deputy commissioners and relevant departments to conduct Fire Safety Audits for all high-rise buildings situated in the city.
Chairing a meeting of the Fire Safety Audit Committee, formed by the Chief Secretary of Sindh on the instructions of the Chief Minister of Sindh and under the chairmanship of Commissioner Karachi, Rajput outlined the scope of the audit. Committee members include deputy commissioners, Municipal Commissioners, senior officers from Sindh Building Control Authority, Civil Defence, Rescue 1122, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, KDA, MDA, Cantonment Boards, Pakistan Rangers, Police, KMC, and representatives from K Electric, Abad, and SITE Limited.
The Fire Safety Audit Committee is tasked with surveying Shopping Malls, Shopping Centers, Plazas, and Residential/Commercial/Government buildings. Their responsibilities encompass evaluating the installation of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems, Fire and Safety Mechanisms, Fire Extinguishers, Emergency Exits, and ensuring the use of quality electric fittings in compliance with approved standards.
The committee is also mandated to scrutinize the approved building plans and assess whether building control laws have been effectively implemented. Commissioner Rajput urged committee members to propose measures aimed at reducing fire incidents, aligning with the Committee’s Terms of Reference (TOR).
During the meeting, it was decided that deputy commissioners would establish teams in all subdivisions, supervised by the respective Assistant Commissioners. The deputy commissioners were instructed to conduct meetings with relevant officials and departments to plan and implement the TOR of the committee. A deadline of 25 days was set for the submission of reports by the teams.
Commissioner Rajput emphasized that the commissioner’s office would review the reports and finalize measures and recommendations within 30 days, with the intention of submitting the comprehensive report to the Chief Minister for further action. The proactive approach aims to enhance fire safety measures in high-rise structures across Karachi.
