PANAJI: The directorate of fire and emergency services has submitted its suggestions to the transport department to make the KTC bus stand and the accompanying commercial building here, a safer place, following a fire safety audit. Haphazardly routed electricity cables, exposed power supply devices and lack of LPG leak detectors were among some of the issues pointed out during the recently conducted inspection of the bus terminus.



“Electrical cables are haphazardly routed throughout shops and offices allotted in the complex. All electrical wiring in the premises and shops shall be in PVC sheathed conductors or vulcanized rubber cables and all joints shall be made with porcelain insulated connectors,” the report signed by assistant divisional fire officer, Ajit Kamat, read.

During the inspection, uninterrupted power supply (UPS) devices and inverter batteries (lead acid) were found in nine shops with the batteries left exposed along with carbonaceous combustible material.

“These accumulators/batteries shall be stored separately in well-ventilated, dust-free space to prevent building up of high temperature in the stored batteries leading to possible fire incidents,” the report suggested.

Also, 16 LPG cylinders were found stored and used in the kitchen of a canteen. “The LPG cylinders shall be connected to a gas bank constructed on the ground floor of the building. LPG leak detectors shall also be installed in the kitchen and the gas bank,” the report stated.

In addition to this, fire protection measures have also been recommended for immediate implementation. These include smoke detectors, an alternate power source, portable fire extinguishers, gas-based detection cum suppression system and designated exit routes among other things. There were also recommendations for an underground static water storage tank of 50,000 litres capacity to be provided at ground level, courtyard hydrants located in the courtyard of the premises at a distance of 45m, among others.