ISLAMABAD: Declaring the existing fire safety preparedness of different offices on Constitution Avenue including upper most offices as more vulnerable than ever, the Emergency & Disaster Management of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) has revealed in its Hazard & Safety Alert issued here on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) Emergency & Disaster Management in a letter titled: “Fire Safety Advisory through Special Messenger” to Director Aiwan-e-Saddar, Director Coordination, Parliament House, Director Parliament Lodges, Director Maintenance, Director E & M (Maintenance), Executive Engineer (PWD),G-9, Executive Engineer (PWD), Prime Minister’s Office, Executive Engineer (PWD), CCD-IV, Pak PWD, Executive Engineer (PWD), CEMD-1, Pak PWD, has pointed out that the buildings of different offices on Constitution Avenue including upper most offices i.e PM Office, Aiwan-e-Saddar, Parliament House, Parliament Lodges, MNA Hostel, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad High Court (IHC), Cabinet Secretariat, Wafaqi Mohtasib Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Diplomatic Enclave, All Pak Secretariat Blocks, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Headquarter, Buildings of the Islamabad Administration & Police including Police Stations etc are much more vulnerable than ever in the prevailing state of preparedness with an old and archaic system of apparatus. And, recommended a complete revamp and overhauling to be able to have these buildings secure, safe and responsive in case of any eventuality etc.
The instant notice may be treated as “Hazard & Safety Alert” and acknowledged to have scheduled inspections and subsequent plan of action afresh for each building in accordance with the Building Standards for fire prevention & life safety 2010 and Pakistan Building Code, fire safety provisions 2016, said Emergency & Disaster Management of MCI letter.
The letter added that the fire incidents (in the past) have played havoc in the capital city, rather entire Pakistan.
Complaining against not acknowledging and complying with desired safety measures to deal with emergency like situation, the MCI Emergency & Disaster Management said that several safety assessments reports (containing explicit recommendations) have been issued for compliance. However, none of the above has since been acknowledged and/or complied with.
“The old and archaic fire prevention, protection and life safety arrangements without technical consultation of the subject specialists and without undergoing regular maintenance/repair is generally prevailing all across these occupancies, whereas procurement/replacements of such apparatuses are highly contrary to the occupancy-wise actual requirements, and thus required to be technically-consulted, surveyed and then installed (afresh), on aforementioned guidelines of the PBC-FSP 2016, regulated under Islamabad Fire Prevention & Life Safety Regulations 2010,” reads Emergency & Disaster Management of MCI letter.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Emergency & Disaster Management of MCI has also offered its advisory /consultancy and expert services, starting with occupancy-wise assessment, along with a third-party MEP consultant(s) /PEC registered fire expert, to subsequently devise supreme fire safety systems and effective plans for each occupancy on war-footing basis, in the interest of the inhabitants of these buildings, primarily for all government buildings at the constitution avenue.
