�Punishable law on anvil to curb fire mishaps in schools�
Monday August 9 2004 08:58 IST
BANGALORE: Fire Services IG M.N. Reddy said a legal framework to make violation of fire safety rules punishable by law was being worked out and called upon school managements to prepare themselves to deal with emergency situations like fire breakouts.
With the recent Kumbakonam tragedy sparking off a debate on safety safeguards in city schools, Reddy called for schools to install emergency exits, preferably more than one, capable of accommodating a large number of students.
Such exits would have to facilitate easy access and not be kept locked, he said while speaking at a discussion on fire safety in schools organised by the Environment Support Group.
The other important factor was to educate both students and staffers about steps to be taken in case of a blaze. In this context, regular practice of fire drills was a must, he said.
Alluding to the Kumbakonam tragedy, Reddy stressed that fire safety had to be viewed more seriously than as a topic of deliberations only to die down after a while. The issue, he said, has to be kept alive through organised and sustainable activities to ensure that plans were actually put into action.
Outlining the measures adopted by the Fire Service Department to ensure safety, he said a fire safety audit was being conducted, with officials visiting schools to check how well equipped they were to handle fires. |
