Islamabad: Following the instructions of the federal government, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has tightened the implementation of fire and life safety laws in Islamabad. During the action, 5 important buildings that did not meet fire safety requirements were sealed.
The aim of the CDA’s action is to protect the lives and property of citizens, employees and other people in the buildings from possible fire hazards. According to the latest reports, the buildings to be sealed include Shaheed-e-Millat Secretariat, State Life Building, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Building, Beverly Center and Crown Plaza.
According to the CDA, these buildings were earlier informed about the shortcomings related to fire safety, and they were also given time to complete the necessary measures. The action to seal them was taken when the safety arrangements were not completed despite the passage of the stipulated period.
On the other hand, a fine of Rs 5.5 million has been imposed on Capital Hospital, Polyclinic and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for violating fire safety rules.
The CDA has also expanded fire safety inspections in Islamabad. During these inspections, fire-fighting equipment, emergency routes, emergency exits and arrangements for safe evacuation of people are being reviewed in buildings.
The authorities have directed the owners and management of the buildings to immediately rectify all shortcomings related to fire safety. The CDA has made it clear that further legal action will be taken against buildings that consistently fail to comply with basic safety requirements.
The CDA’s action on fire safety has assumed greater importance at a time when the process of checking the safety arrangements in government and private buildings of Islamabad is already underway. This year, the CDA had also surveyed the fire safety arrangements of thousands of buildings and identified the lack of fire safety plans and certificates in several buildings.
Officials say that fire safety measures are aimed at eliminating potential hazards in advance, rather than taking action after an accident. That is why it has been declared necessary to ensure adequate fire-fighting equipment, clear emergency routes and effective evacuation systems in buildings.
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