The building is among many city skyscrapers that were built as per old safety norms, with a podium meant to withstand 28 tonnes, while the new fire engines are of far greater weight
While Mumbai Fire Brigade now has an engine with a 90-metre hydraulic fire ladder that can reach 30 floors -it was commissioned last month -the vehicle weighs a whopping 51 tonnes, and could prove to be a double-edged sword for skyscrapers of the city.
Many skyscrapers of Kemps Corner and Malabar Hill comply with the old fire safety standards, which stated that approach roads and podiums should be built to withstand the standard weight of a fire engine, which in the late 90s was around 28 tonnes. In view of this, the BMC has begun issuing notices to high-rises to ensure they update their infrastructure to meet current fire department norms.
Among the first few buildings to receive a BMC notice recently was Grand Paradi Towers at Kemps Corner. The notice said that a portion of their podium was in a “ruinous condition and dangerous“, and that the society should “take necessary measures to strengthen it“. What's more, it said that if repairs were not feasible, they need to submit a fresh proposal to construct a new podium.
The move has evoked mixed reactions from residents. “How can the podium be changed so drastically? It is not possible to make such changes every time as per the revised requirements of the fire department,“ said one resident.
Others, however, were of a different opinion. “Safety of residents is more important than anything else. Complying with fire norms became an urgent requirement after the 2013 fire in the neighbouring Mont Blanc building. If ever there is a fire, countless lives can be saved if we comply with the fire safety requirements,“ said N M Shah, resident and a retired structural engineer.
In fact, Shah and N N Bhagwati, a resident who passed away in July, had written to BMC, stating that due to `reuse of oldrustedalready stressed steel reinforced bars of 1974... the plaza level slab was defective and will not carry 48 tonnes of snorkel“.
BMC had issued the notice to the society on July 31, giving them a month's time to comply.Devidas Kshirsagar, assistant commissioner, D ward, said, “The notice was issued as per the conclusion of the Technical Advisory Committee.“
Chief Fire Officer Prahlad Rahangdale told Mirror, “It is difficult for fire equipment to enter the Grand Paradi complex, hence we recommended that they strengthen their internal firefighting system. A fire is always fought effectively from the inside. If all equipment is in place, there will be little need to fight the fire from outside the building.“
Jyotsna Tanna, chairman of Grand Paradi CHS, said, “We are working to ensure our building is fire-proof by installing all safety equipment. Our building is 45 years old and was built in compliance with then fire safety norms. Repairing the podium is not going to be easy, but we'll do what we can.“
Meanwhile, Walter Nazareth, a resident of Mont Blanc, has written to BMC alleging that his building has not complied with some conditions set by the fire department while granting a conditional NOC in 1989. A fire in 2013 in Mont Blanc had killed seven people. “The NOC stated that the width of the open space in front must be widened by demolishing part of the car park, which was not done. Moreover, all trees within the internal access road must be either razed or replanted. This too has not been done,“ he wrote.
A BMC official said, “We've written to the society seeking original plans. Once we see them, we will decide on the matter.“
CFO Rahangdale said, “The car park was not an obstacle during the fire, but we recommended relocation of a sub-station adjacent to the building.“
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