Encroachments, obstructions still not addressed; Questions on whether shop owners have installed fire extinguishers
MARGAO
Has the Margao Municipal Council implemented the host of fire safety measures in the Municipal-owned New Market and the adjoining Gandhi market post-December 26, 2023 fire incident?
After a joint inspection of the Municipal markets, the Fire Services had dashed off a letter dated January 3, 2024, to the Margao Municipal Council with a host of recommendations on the fire safety measures in the two markets, including the recommendation to ensure that the market’s entry and exits are maintained free from all encroachments and obstructions at all times.
The letter addressed to the MMC Chief Officer was entered in the Municipality on January 17 for necessary action, throwing up a moot question whether the civic body has embarked on the exercise to implement the fire safety measures or will the latest letter from Fire Services be confined to the Municipal record books as on previous occasions.
Consider this: The letter written by Deputy Director, Fire Services, Rajan Haldankar had recommended a host of measures in the two Municipal markets. There’s, however, no change in the ground reality. In fact, when The Goan called up Chief Officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar to shed light on the implementation of the fire safety measures, he feigned ignorance about receiving any recommendations from the Fire Services.
He, however, promised to look into the matter when his attention was drawn to the fact that the letter from the Fire Services was entered in the civic body on January 17.
A glance at the fire safety measures recommended by the Fire Services indicates that specific targets have been set for the civic body to comply with and implement in and around the congested markets.
Questions are raised whether the civic body has directed the hundreds of shop owners in the two markets to mandatorily install fire extinguishers in the premises. And, whether the shop owners have been directed to paint fire retardant paint inside the stalls to stop the quick spread of fire.
That’s not all. The burning issue of encroachments and obstructions in the markets seemed to have not been addressed till date.
Recommendations by Fire Services
Directional Exit Signs: The Directional Exit Signs shall be installed internally in the Market at appropriate places for giving proper direction for the people and in Big EXIT Letters at all the gates shall be installed and conspicuously displayed in the market premises for the evacuations of the occupant in time of any eventuality.
Exit Requirement: a) Every Exit, Exit Access or Exit Discharge shall be continuously maintained free from all obstruction of impediment to full use in case of Fire or other Emergency.
b) The internal passage in the both the markets shall provide continuous means of aggress to the exterior open space leading to a street.
c) Exits shall be clearly visible and the route to reach the Exit shall be clearly marked and signs pasted to guide the occupants in the Market. The signs shall be illuminated and wired to an independent electrical circuit on an alternated source of power supply.
d) All the internal passages in the both New Market and Gandhi Market shall be kept free from all obstruction to carry the Fire Fighting equipments in emergency inside the market.
Fire Team Volunteers: The team of Volunteers among the Shop Owners shall be formed from Fire Safety point of view to check surprisingly Electrical fittings and operation of Fire Extinguisher to keep the Fire Protection Measures in the market premises in working condition.
Basic Training and Awareness: The Municipality shall take initiative to depute the Shop Market Association Representative and Municipality employees minimum 15 members at a time to get awareness of the Basic operations and handling of First Aid Fire Extinguishers for use in time of eventuality. Shop Market Association shall be emphasized for adhering to Do’s and Don’ts in the market area and Formulation of Fire Team among the traders to attend the quick eventualities of Fire. The Fire action stickers indicating what is to be done in case of Fire needs to be pasted at various prominent locations indicating Emergency telephone numbers shall be displayed by the Shop Keepers in consultation with the Market Associations in the market to attend the eventuality shall be emphasis through Municipality employees.
Fire Retardant Paint: All shops owner shall be instructed to paint their shop internally with Fire Retardant paint and provide with Fire Curtains of minimum one hour Fire Resistant to avoid quick spread of Fire in their own premises.
Approach for Fire Appliance: Adequate passage way clearance required for the fire fighting vehicles to enter the premises shall be provided at all the gate entrance, the width of such entrance shall not be less than 4.5 mtrs. If an arch or covered gate is constructed it shall have a clear Head room of not less than 5 mtrs.
The compulsory open space around the New Market and Gandhi Market shall not be used for parking
First Aid Fire Extinguisher: The Licensing Authority shall mandatorily emphasis the shop owners for providing minimum two numbers First Aid Fire Extinguisher preferably ABC Type Extinguisher of 4 kgs capacity for shop Fire and CO2 type Fire Extinguisher of 2 kgs capacity for electrical Fire in each shop in the Market premises as Fire precautionary measure.
