Mumbai’s skyline is a symbol of progress, but with each new tower, the risk of fire incidents increases. The incidents at Riya Palace, Kanakia Samarpan Tower, and Sky Pan Apartments are stark reminders that fire safety systems are only as effective as their maintenance and accessibility. Preventing future tragedies requires a comprehensive approach involving developers, residents, regulators, and the fire department.
Strengthening Fire Safety Compliance and Maintenance
The common thread in each of the recent fire incidents is the failure of installed fire safety systems – either due to lack of maintenance or inaccessibility during emergencies.
Mandatory Periodic Inspections: Regulatory bodies should mandate quarterly inspections of fire safety systems by certified auditors. This includes checking fire alarms, sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and fire exits to ensure they are functional and accessible.
Maintenance Accountability: Developers and building management should be held accountable for the upkeep of fire safety systems. Non-compliance should result in severe penalties, ranging from monetary fines to suspension of building operation licenses.
Annual Fire Drills and Resident Awareness
Programs: Building management should conduct mandatory fire drills every six months. Residents should be trained on evacuation protocols, use of fire extinguishers, and identifying safe exits.
Public Reporting System: Introduce a digital reporting system where residents can log fire safety concerns, such as blocked exits or malfunctioning alarms, directly to the fire department for immediate action.
Retrofitting Older Buildings A Priority, Not a Choice
Mumbai’s older high-rises pose a significant risk due to outdated infrastructure that was not designed with modern fire safety systems in mind. Retrofitting these structures is both a logistical and financial challenge, but it is imperative.
Government-Backed Retrofit Fund: Establish a state-supported fund to subsidize retrofitting costs for older buildings. This could include the installation of advanced fire systems, reinforcement of fire doors, and creation of designated evacuation zones.
Tax Incentives for Safety Upgrades: Provide tax rebates or reductions in property taxes for buildings that invest in fire safety upgrades, particularly for retrofitting structures built before 2000.
Focus on EV Charging Safety: With the rise in electric vehicles, older buildings must adapt by designating separate EV charging zones equipped with specialized fire suppression systems to prevent lithium battery fires.
Mandatory Sprinkler Systems for HighRises: Buildings over 24 meters in height should be required to install automatic sprinkler systems in common areas, parking lots, and corridors.
Public Awareness and Community Engagement Installing advanced systems is only part of the solution. Ensuring that residents know how to use them is equally critical. Public awareness campaigns can transform passive residents into active participants in fire safety.
Fire Safety Awareness Drives: Conduct workshops and awareness programs in residential complexes, focusing on fire prevention, evacuation protocols, and use of firefighting equipment.
Fire Safety Week: Designate a specific week every year as ‘Fire Safety Awareness Week,’
involving fire drills, educational workshops, and safety audits conducted by the fire department.
Safety Signage and Evacuation Maps: Require all high-rises to display clearly marked fire exits, evacuation routes, and safety instructions in common areas, stairwells, and parking lots.
Leveraging Technology for Real-Time Monitoring and Response
Mumbai’s vertical growth demands that fire safety systems evolve beyond basic alarms and sprinklers. Integrating technology can significantly reduce response times and enhance overall safety.
Centralized Fire Monitoring System: Implement a city-wide digital platform that connects fire safety systems of all high-rises to a central command center. This would
provide real-time data on fire incidents, enabling faster response and better resource allocation.
Smart Fire Systems: Encourage the installation of AI-powered fire detection systems that can pinpoint the origin of a fire, activate sprinklers automatically, and notify the fire department immediately.
Mobile Fire Safety App: Develop a public safety app that allows residents to receive fire alerts, evacuation instructions, and updates during emergencies. The app can also include a direct line to the fire department for quick reporting of hazards.
Firefighter Location Tracking: Equip firefighters with GPS-enabled devices to monitor their locations during high-rise rescues, reducing the risk of getting lost in dense smoke or blocked exits.
Strengthening Fire Department Resources and Infrastructure
Mumbai’s fire brigade is tasked with managing emergencies in increasingly taller towers but is often constrained by outdated equipment and limited manpower.
Upgrading Firefighting Equipment: Invest in modern equipment, including aerial ladders capable of reaching 50+ storeys, thermal imaging cameras for identifying trapped residents, and drones for rooftop evacuations.
Dedicated High-Rise Response Units: Create specialized units trained for vertical rescues, equipped with advanced rescue gear and communication systems.
Recruitment Drive: Expand the fire department workforce to ensure sufficient personnel for high-rise fire operations.
Joint Drills with Developers: Organize joint training sessions where firefighters and building management collaborate to simulate fire emergencies, test evacuation protocols, and assess system readiness.
Legislative Reforms and Policy Integration
To address systemic gaps, Mumbai needs a unified regulatory framework that streamlines fire safety guidelines across all high-rises.
Unified Compliance Framework: Consolidate fire safety regulations under a single
authority, reducing ambiguity and ensuring consistent enforcement.
Fire Safety Certification Renewal: Introduce annual fire safety certification for all highrises, with mandatory renewal only after a comprehensive safety audit.
Accountability for Negligence: Establish strict penalties for developers and building
management who fail to comply with fire safety norms, including suspension of occupancy certificates and criminal liability for severe violations.
Incentives for Green Buildings: Promote the adoption of fire-resistant materials and
sustainable building practices, integrating fire safety with environmental considerations.
Building Safer Cities, Not Just Taller Towers
Mumbai’s skyline will continue to rise, but without a comprehensive approach to fire safety, so will the human cost. The incidents at Lokhandwala, Borivali, and Andheri are not just isolated tragedies – they are warnings. Preventing the next disaster requires more than regulations. It demands a cultural shift where fire safety becomes a priority at every level – from developers and residents to regulators and the fire department. Because in a city where skyscrapers define the skyline, the real measure of progress is not how tall we can build, but how well we can protect the lives inside.
