Most business bldgs deathtrap

Shahariar Islam Sovon  :
Residents of the city have been living in a state of heightened anxiety due to the lack of fire exits in most commercial buildings, escalating fears amidst frequent fire outbreaks in Dhaka.

Over the last two years, several high-rise commercial structures in the capital have been ravaged by fires, leaving the populace in shock. Experts interviewed by The New Nation highlighted a worrying trend in the city’s commercial buildings: fire exit stairways are often obstructed with stored items, and exit doors are found locked.

Alarmingly, not every commercial establishment is equipped with a fire exit. Farzana Akter, a Construction Law expert and lecturer at the University of Asia Pacific, voiced her profound dismay over the fatalities caused by a horrific fire in a commercial building located in the Bailey Road area of the city.

She pointed out to The New Nation that, according to the Building Construction Rules of 1996, Rule 17(1) mandates the provision of emergency exit gates on every floor, linking them to the floors below.

The rule also calls for the placement of fire extinguishers or suitable alternatives in visible locations within the building, alongside fire alarms to signal the need for evacuation. The absence of fire exits in a multi-story building on Bailey Road is inconceivable and highlights a gross negligence.

“The frequent fire incidents in Bangladesh stem from a lack of proper enforcement and adherence to the government’s rules and regulations,” Akter remarked.

In response to these tragedies, the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) has initiated Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petitions. Akter raises a critical question: why can’t there be a dedicated commission to investigate fire incidents and verify the safety measures in commercial buildings?

To protect justice for fire victims, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petitions in court. She questioned, however, why it is not possible to establish a commission dedicated to investigating fire occurrences and determining whether or not commercial buildings take the necessary safety procedures.

Echoing the concern, Brigadier General Md Main Uddin, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence, emphasized the need to probe the recurrent fire outbreaks in city markets to ascertain their causes.

Data from the Fire Service and Civil Defense Media Cell reveals a staggering number of fire incidents across various divisions: Dhaka Division witnessed 603 fires, Mymensingh Division 63, Chattogram Division 189, Rajshahi Division 225, Khulna Division 132, Sylhet Division 57, Barishal Division 60, and Rangpur Division 248, underlining the pervasive risk of fire hazards throughout the region.