GURUGRAM:
Tulip Orange RWA has decided to take measures such as replacing solid terrace doors with grilles and installing battery-powered emergency lights on the staircase to ensure safety of residents after a 33-year-old woman died of asphyxiation in a fire on Sunday night. Swati Garg had rushed upstairs to alert other residents but choked and collapsed next to a locked gate leading to a terrace.
Binu
Nair, general secretary, Tulip
Orange RWA, said, “All terrace doors in the society will be replaced with grille doors. The gaps will ensure that smoke can pass through these doors in case a fire breaks out again. Moreover, the latch of the door will be at at a height of at least six feet so that kids cannot go through these doors without adult supervision.”
The society has also decided that terrace doors will not be locked and plans to buy high beam torches and manual hooters. A check list on fire safety measures, audits on a monthly basis, providing hammers for breaking glass shields around fire alarms in case of emergency, covering ventilator shafts and staircases with grilles are also on the cards.
On Sunday, the electricity lines supplying power to the staircase had been damaged due to the fire, which had made it difficult for Swati and her husband to reach the other floors to alert residents. “I remember running out of my apartment and it was pitch dark. The power supply had snapped at around 2.15am,” said Girish Garg, the husband.
The society has taken notice of this issue and will install battery-powered emergency lights on the staircase. “There will be emergency lights on each floor to ensure residents don’t face any trouble if the power supply is cut off,” Nair said.
Tulip Orange has 11 towers with 512 flats. In B6 tower, where the fire broke out, there are nine floors. The rest of the towers have 11 floors. “We will hold a meeting with some fire extinguisher companies on Saturday to find out other measures that can be adopted. Every month, we will have a fire drill so that residents know how to use fire equipment,” said Nair.
The management of the housing society has assured full support to the RWA to ensure that fire safety measures are in place in the society. Ashwani Yadav, facility manager, Tulip maintenance facility, said, “We will carry out all necessary measures under the guidance of the RWA.”