<p>Home Minister R Ashoka announced on Monday that the government has made it mandatory for all high-rise buildings to obtain clearance certificates, after first proving that they have enough fire-extinguishers to tackle emergencies.<br /><br /></p>.<p> The certificate must be renewed once every two years.<br /><br />Building owners are also required to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Force Department in the event of changes or modifications to the design of the building. <br /><br />The measures were taken after the Carlton Towers fire accident which left nine people dead and several injured, said Ashoka.<br /><br />Previously, there had been no provisions to renew clearance certificates or obtain NOCs. <br /><br />But concerned with public safety in high rises, the government has amended the building by-laws. <br /><br />The fire department has also been inspecting high rises in the City to verify that all safety procedures are being implemented. So far, 98 buildings have been inspected, he added.<br /><br />Sophisticated equipment such as aerial ladder platforms, turn table ladders and motorcycles, which are useful for rescue and fire-extinguishing operations, have been acquired by the department. <br /><br />Fire-fighting stations are also to be set up in all taluks in the State. Ten stations will be set up this financial year, the minister said.<br /><br />Fire accidents<br /><br />As many as 39 people, including 10 from Bangalore, have lost their lives in fire-related accidents in the last six months in Karnataka. In addition, 149 were injured. <br /><br />These figures include casualties in road accidents involving fire and those who have committed suicide by setting themselves ablaze.<br /><br />Property-damage, both public and private, is estimated to be Rs 93 crore, according to Ashoka.<br /><br />According to the fire department, 14,025 calls were made related to fire accidents, across the State since January 1. Out of these, 1,281 originated in Bangalore. <br /><br />Property worth about Rs 520 crore was saved from damage by fire-fighting personnel.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Home Minister R Ashoka announced on Monday that the government has made it mandatory for all high-rise buildings to obtain clearance certificates, after first proving that they have enough fire-extinguishers to tackle emergencies.<br /><br /></p>.<p> The certificate must be renewed once every two years.<br /><br />Building owners are also required to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Force Department in the event of changes or modifications to the design of the building. <br /><br />The measures were taken after the Carlton Towers fire accident which left nine people dead and several injured, said Ashoka.<br /><br />Previously, there had been no provisions to renew clearance certificates or obtain NOCs. <br /><br />But concerned with public safety in high rises, the government has amended the building by-laws. <br /><br />The fire department has also been inspecting high rises in the City to verify that all safety procedures are being implemented. So far, 98 buildings have been inspected, he added.<br /><br />Sophisticated equipment such as aerial ladder platforms, turn table ladders and motorcycles, which are useful for rescue and fire-extinguishing operations, have been acquired by the department. <br /><br />Fire-fighting stations are also to be set up in all taluks in the State. Ten stations will be set up this financial year, the minister said.<br /><br />Fire accidents<br /><br />As many as 39 people, including 10 from Bangalore, have lost their lives in fire-related accidents in the last six months in Karnataka. In addition, 149 were injured. <br /><br />These figures include casualties in road accidents involving fire and those who have committed suicide by setting themselves ablaze.<br /><br />Property-damage, both public and private, is estimated to be Rs 93 crore, according to Ashoka.<br /><br />According to the fire department, 14,025 calls were made related to fire accidents, across the State since January 1. Out of these, 1,281 originated in Bangalore. <br /><br />Property worth about Rs 520 crore was saved from damage by fire-fighting personnel.<br /><br /></p>
