Chairman Fire Safety Commission Dr Rizwan Naseer has underscored the need for ensuring that all the high rise buildings being constructed in Lahore are made safe with proper emergency exit points to evacuate people safely. He was addressing a meeting of Fire Safety Commission (FSC) held to review the progress regarding the implementation of the orders passed by the Green Bench of Lahore High Court to ensure the safety of the occupants of high rise buildings.
The District Fire Officer said that a joint survey had been conducted of 19 tallest buildings by LDA and Rescue 1122. Out of these, 17 buildings had staircases for emergency evacuation; however, PACE in Gulberg-II and City Tower in Gulberg-III, do not have emergency staircases. Similarly, fire doors are not present in most of the buildings and evacuation plans are also not on display. He further said the survey of the buildings comprising 10 floors or above will be completed within one week. The acting Director General, LDA, Mariyam Kiyani said that in accordance with the LDA byelaws, the LDA is going to seal such buildings, which fail to provide adequate fire safety arrangements.