Need for Vertical Fire Fighting Solutions in High-Rise Buildings for Faster & Safer Evacuation
Despite the increasing number of fire accidents in high-rise buildings, Mumbai is still looking for answers to fire safety and evacuation measures. Once again, the city’s vertical development turned the spotlight on evacuation plans in high-rise buildings. Since the 1944 explosions, Mumbai has been a witness to some of the worst fire accidents. Whether it was the July 2014 fire in Lotus Business Park Andheri or the January 2023 fire at R A Residency Tower, the residents of Mumbai’s high-rise buildings have suffered loss of lives and assets.
Data states that the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) receives 6000 to 7000 emergency calls in a year, of which, nearly 90% are fire-related complaints. The manpower and equipment required to manage such rescue operations have become a challenge for the Fire Brigade Department. The main challenge for firefighters to rescue people on time in high-rise buildings is carrying heavy-weight equipment. They have reported that only the first 50 meters of a ladder can be reached with ease. The usual 90-meter ladder can give access to the 30th floor, but as they go higher, the wind velocity makes it challenging. They do not have any option to ascend high-rises; the available fire chutes can only be used to come down and not to go up.
Data states that the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) receives 6000 to 7000 emergency calls in a year, of which, nearly 90% are fire-related complaints. The manpower and equipment required to manage such rescue operations have become a challenge for the Fire Brigade Department. The main challenge for firefighters to rescue people on time in high-rise buildings is carrying heavy-weight equipment. They have reported that only the first 50 meters of a ladder can be reached with ease. The usual 90-meter ladder can give access to the 30th floor, but as they go higher, the wind velocity makes it challenging. They do not have any option to ascend high-rises; the available fire chutes can only be used to come down and not to go up.
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ICCT, JULY-AUGUST 2023