How is the BMC approving building plans with more then 20 floors ? Every new building coming up has more then 20 floors. Expecting the builders to comply with fire-safety requirements is asking for the fox to guard the chicken. Is there anyone who believes this will happen ? I guess with the 100% water cut in future, one can only hazard a guess in the event of an unfortunate fire in the upper floors of a high-rise. Like all things in India, politicians won't face the music unless there is a catastrophic incident. Buyer beware is all one can advise.
DNA India reports.
Mumbai: The growing number of skyscrapers in Mumbai has given the city's skyline a facelift, but it will prove to be a headache for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The civic body is ill-equipped to handle fire threats to most skyscrapers in the city.
The BMC has told buildings with more than 20 floors to arrange for their own fire safety.The civic body has made it clear that it is not in a position to help high-rises in case of a fire, particularly if the fire is on the 20th floor or above. The Mumbai fire brigade is not equipped to douse fire above 20 floors as the tallest snorkel available with it is 60 feet high. Using the snorkel, firemen can climb up to 20 to 22 floors (i.e. 68 meters).
The city, approximately, has 186 tall buildings - which have more than 20 floors - and about 59 under-construction buildings that are expected to be more than 20 storeys. Two of the under-construction skyscrapers are expected to be more than 100 floors.
The BMC is now changing its policy to make sure that all buildings are safe in case of a fire. "BMC will allow the new high-rises to come up only if they are equipped with modern fire fighting equipment - especially on the top floors," Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner, said.
Mhaiskar added that the occupants of the building will also have to be equipped with the fire fighting installations. "It is very difficult to douse a fire which breaks out on the upper floors. There will be another change in the policy, which will hold the residents responsible for any mishap in the skyscraper," she said.
Mumbai: The growing number of skyscrapers in Mumbai has given the city's skyline a facelift, but it will prove to be a headache for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The civic body is ill-equipped to handle fire threats to most skyscrapers in the city.
The BMC has told buildings with more than 20 floors to arrange for their own fire safety.The civic body has made it clear that it is not in a position to help high-rises in case of a fire, particularly if the fire is on the 20th floor or above. The Mumbai fire brigade is not equipped to douse fire above 20 floors as the tallest snorkel available with it is 60 feet high. Using the snorkel, firemen can climb up to 20 to 22 floors (i.e. 68 meters).
The city, approximately, has 186 tall buildings - which have more than 20 floors - and about 59 under-construction buildings that are expected to be more than 20 storeys. Two of the under-construction skyscrapers are expected to be more than 100 floors.
The BMC is now changing its policy to make sure that all buildings are safe in case of a fire. "BMC will allow the new high-rises to come up only if they are equipped with modern fire fighting equipment - especially on the top floors," Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner, said.
Mhaiskar added that the occupants of the building will also have to be equipped with the fire fighting installations. "It is very difficult to douse a fire which breaks out on the upper floors. There will be another change in the policy, which will hold the residents responsible for any mishap in the skyscraper," she said.
