Kozhikode malls shrug off safety concerns

Kozhikode: High-rise buildings in the city, including multiplexes and malls, are still complacent in setting up fire and safety measures. Authorities feel the building owners are reluctantly willing to go by norms only because of the pressure. In July, the district collector had ordered the shutdown of several commercial establishments for failing to install fire management system as per the report of the fire and rescue assistant divisional officer. The stern action has resulted in erring owners waking up.

“Two malls in the city were on the list, and they corrected the fire safety system after the shutdown notice,” said fire and rescue services assistant divisional officer Arun Bhaskar. Though high-rises will have fire fighting system in sight, most of the equipment would be defunct. Besides, the adequate number of fire extinguishers, automatic smoke detector, hose reel, underground sump, etc. will be less. “If we persist, they will put up few sprinklers and fire extinguishers,” said another official.

Rattled by the continuous violation of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, they reported the matter to the district collector, and he acted. The erring buildings included a prominent textile shop located at Pottammal. Another grossly violated area is setback portion which according to norms, require five meters as fire tenders should be able to move around the building freely.

“Mostly parking lot or storeroom items should be encroached upon in this area. Some smart proprietors would act that they did not know about the guidelines regarding setback area,” added the officer, who wished anonymity. Mr Bhaskar said the fire management system is being checked once in three months regularly. Corporation town planning standing committee chairperson M.C. Anil Kumar said the corporation would provide building license only after fire and safety wing okays. “Corporation officials will only have an inspection once we get a complaint regarding it,” he said.