Fire resistant evacuation lifts must in new building: BMC new policy

By Realty Quarter Bureau

BMC has come up with a new policy to make all the new buildings equipped with fire resistant evacuation lifts compulsory for buildings above 70meters (22floorsapprox) for fire emergencies.

The lifts will have additional power backup, fire-resistant cabins and glass, which will help firemen reach to affected floors and rescue victims.

Residents can use the lifts on a regular basis, which will ensure they are in a working condition at all times, officials said. There have been instances when residents have died due to suffocation, trying to escape fires by using building lifts or staircases.

The fire brigade has 90-metre hydraulic ladders that can go up to 30 floors. Beyond that, it’s difficult for the fire brigade to reach out, so they need an internal mechanism in buildings for fire-fighting and rescue operations on higher floors. The policy is awaiting civic chief Ajoy Mehta’s approval, after which upcoming buildings will have to install the lifts or the fire brigade will not give them an NOC, without which builders will not get the mandatory occupation certificate from BMC.

Fire officials said that for the first time they are coming with specifications for the fire evacuation lifts after meeting lift manufacturers. The fire brigade prepared the policy after consulting all stakeholders and will incorporate in the Development Control rules after Mehta’s approval.

The lifts must be able to carry 1,000kg or 15 persons, and must have at least two hours’ fire resistance capacity; the door should have fire resistance glass, backup power supply and an emergency fire switch.

Civic officials said the national building code states that buildings should have an external evacuation system. BMC development control rules had made a provision of a fire escape chute and lowering devices for buildings above 70 metre for rescue operations. But there are not efficient, so we are suggesting the firemen lift, which not only help rescue people, but also in fire-fighting operations, said fire officials.

BMC will replace the chute and lowering device provision in the rules with the firemen evacuation lift.

Fire officials said the rule will not apply to building already constructed, but many were showing interest to install them.