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Most residential, commercial buildings above-6 floors at risk: No three-tier fire safety in Narayanganj

Most residential, commercial buildings above-6 floors at risk: No three-tier fire safety in Narayanganj

Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

Most residential and commercial buildings in Narayanganj do not have fire safety systems. Hundreds of residential and commercial buildings have been constructed in the city without adhering to fire safety laws. The fire safety law clearly states that buildings above six floors must have a three-tier permanent fire safety system. Additionally, commercial buildings must have this security system from the first floor onwards.

However, most residential buildings in Narayanganj lack this three-tier fire safety system. In many cases, there is no fire suppression system at all. Moreover, the roads in many areas are so narrow that fire service vehicles cannot enter in case of an accident.

As a result, fires cause significant property damage every year. There are also incidents of loss of life. In commercial buildings, it is almost impossible to find one that has its own fire safety system. Housing developers claim they are constructing buildings following existing fire safety laws.

Fire service officials say that the tendency of fires increases significantly during winter. Specifically, from November 16 to March 15, fire accidents are more frequent because the weather remains extremely dry, allowing flames to spread quickly. Therefore, city residents must be vigilant and cautious.

According to Narayanganj Fire Service sources, under the fire law, residential buildings above six floors must have two staircases if the number of residents is between 50 and 500. If the number of residents is between 500 and 1,000, three staircases are required. If the number exceeds 1,000, the building must have four staircases. Additionally, the law mandates that buildings above six floors must have a fire safety lobby on each floor, equivalent to the size of an elevator. Furthermore, residential buildings must have a water reservoir of 100,000 gallons (450,000 liters) at the bottom and 50,000 gallons (225,000 liters) on top.

The law also requires a three-tier fire protection system.

- **First tier:** A fire extinguisher must be placed for every 550 square feet. Each extinguisher must weigh between 5 kg and 8 kg.

- **Second tier:** A hose reel must be installed for every 10,000 square feet.

- **Third tier:** A hydrant cum riser, a diesel-powered pump, and a jockey machine to control water pressure must be installed.

While the first and second tiers are followed in most residential and commercial buildings, the third tier is often ignored due to cost-cutting measures. However, this tier is the most essential.

In various areas of Narayanganj, such as Amlapara, Chashara, Khanpur, Kalirbazar, Ukilpara, Golachipa, Noyamati, and Tanbazar, many market roads are so narrow that fire service vehicles cannot enter. Additionally, there is no water source available to extinguish fires. Yet, these markets house over 2,000 businesses, selling electronics, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and various other goods.

In most markets, storage facilities are located on the upper floors, with some buildings also serving as residences. In many cases, electrical wiring is tangled along building exteriors, posing a serious fire hazard due to short circuits. If a fire breaks out, not only will there be significant property loss, but people may also die from suffocation due to smoke.

Several Narayanganj Fire Service officials noted that commercial establishments are legally required to have fire extinguishers, but most business owners do not comply. Even when extinguishers are present, they are often expired. Many businesses also lack fire licenses. To prevent fires, shopping centers must have fully functional fire safety systems, adequate emergency exit staircases, and safety lobbies on every floor above the sixth. Additionally, electrical wiring must be concealed, main switch boxes must be securely positioned, and smoke and heat detectors must be installed. Business owners and employees must also receive regular fire safety training.

Despite existing regulations on storing flammable chemicals, many businesses do not follow them. According to Abdullah Al Arefin, Deputy Assistant Director of the Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defense, older buildings in the city lack fire safety measures. Moreover, the number of water reservoirs is extremely low. However, modern high-rise buildings now include fire safety measures.

He added that many buildings were approved as residential structures but are being used for commercial purposes. Ground floors house markets, upper floors accommodate restaurants, and people live in between. These buildings often lack emergency exit staircases, increasing the risk of fatal incidents. Although dedicated agencies oversee these matters, the fire service continuously raises awareness. Their capabilities have improved significantly over time.

Narayanganj Fire Service now possesses the world's tallest ladder, which can spray water up to the 20th floor. Additionally, they have ladders capable of reaching the 10th and 14th floors. Special water trucks and remote-controlled fire trucks allow water to be sprayed close to the fire. There is also a specialized vehicle for extinguishing chemical fires using foam and fire extinguishers.

According to Dr. Mohammad Maksud Helali, a former professor at BUET and fire safety expert, Narayanganj’s Old Town is similar to unplanned residential and commercial areas in Dhaka. The Old Town includes areas such as Nitaiganj, Dalpatti, Tamakpatti, Tanbazar, Noyamati, Rallybagan, Paikpara, Nimtala, and surrounding areas. These areas have narrow roads, dense populations, and inadequate civic facilities. Due to their deteriorating infrastructure, poor drainage, unsafe electrical connections, inadequate water supply, and lack of open spaces, these areas are at high risk of catastrophic fire incidents.

Although building construction regulations exist, they are often ignored, leading to the construction of high-rise buildings without proper setbacks for roads. As a result, during a fire, fire trucks and ambulances cannot access affected buildings. Additionally, the absence of open water sources means that fires spread uncontrollably, causing massive destruction.

Narayanganj is a fully industrialized city with numerous factories. Without proper safety measures, the risk of fire incidents is high. In the past year, the majority of fire incidents occurred due to electrical faults and defective gas lines. Electricity-related authorities should inspect power connections every three months, and the state of gas pipelines should be regularly evaluated. However, such inspections are rarely conducted, leading to multiple accidents caused by faulty connections and switchboards.

According to the Fire Service and Civil Defense, Narayanganj is at the highest risk of fire disasters. Being a city reliant on a single main road, its commercial areas suffer losses worth millions of takas every year due to fires, with lives also lost.

**High-Risk (Red Zone) Areas:**

The high-risk fire zone starts from Nitaiganj and extends to Nimtali, Minabazar, Tanbazar, and Noyamati. It also includes areas from 1 No. Railgate Phulpatti to Kalirbazar and extends to Metro Cinema Mor and Don Chamber.

In Nitaiganj, trucks are parked on both the main road and inside storage facilities. If a warehouse catches fire, fire service vehicles cannot enter due to parked trucks and congested streets. The roads inside Nitaiganj are often occupied by oil drums, chemical barrels, goods, and pushcarts. Despite repeated warnings, business owners continue to ignore fire safety guidelines, according to Narayanganj Fire Service sources.

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