Malls face high fire risk

Surat: Fire & Emergency Services of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) recently issued notices to 135 shopping centres and malls in the city with regard to installation of firefighting system on their premises. Fire officials say majority of these malls located on LP Savani Road, Surat-Dumas Road, Parle Point, City Light, Varachha, Katargam, Rander Road and Adajan don’t care about firefighting system and this puts the citizens' lives at serious risk.
“The average footfall in a multi-storied mall having 300 shops is around 8,000 people daily. Hence, fire alarm system is very important in such places,” said a fire officer, adding that the malls must have a robust firefighting system on all floors, a fire alarm system, multiple escape routes and several lifts. Passive safety measures suggested by him, included fire doors, fire lifts, air-conditioning duct with dampers etc.

“The malls install all measures, but once they get building use certificate (BUC) from SMC, they don’t take the trouble to maintain them. The owners don’t care to renew their fire no objection certificate. Electrical fittings are of poor quality in shopping complexes and can cause fire. The owners sell space to anyone. This is why a shopping complex has a hospital, a cybercafé, a tuition class and shops of all categories. They need to take permission from the fire department, but hardly anyone takes,” said Vasant Parikh, chief fire officer, SMC.