Page 45 - Insurance Times December 2023

the rate of flow for evacuation should be 40 persons per have avoided the fire ignition. Or if the wiring had replaced
minutes for door width). by fire resistant wires, even though fire was ignited by short
circuit the high fire spread, smoke and the toxic substance
G. Caralton Tower Office Building Fire Accidents might have been avoided.
It happened on 28 February 2010 at Bangalore in the state
of Karnataka. This incident involved 12 losses of lives. Reasons for Loss of Lives: Blocking of escape routes by the
waste materials, closing of fire escape routes and jumping

Ignition sources: The fire started from basement of the of the staffs from the building failure of precaution for
building by an electric short circuit. breathing problem`s patients, the causes of lives losses,
failure of working condition of fire-fighting appurtenances
Fires spread: From basement floor to top floors reached shows that lack of fire-fighting knowledge and evacuation
rapidly. procedure.

Fire feeding materials: Through the wiring and the electrical H. Saravanastore Commercial Building Fire:
fixtures, computers and other furniture materials. Accident took place on 2nd September 2008 at Chennai,
State: Tamil Nadu where 6 people died in this incident.
Passive and active measures: Both passive and active
provisions are provided properly, but Escape routes are Ignition of fire: Welding work conducted given the rise of
blocked by waste materials, the firefighting appurtenances fire during mid-night in the top most floors.
are not in working condition.
Fire spread: It is a commercial shop having all type of
Reasons for lives losses: Three people jumped from the combustible materials are stored in all floors, due to
higher floors. Nine people lost their lives due to breathing scattering of material continuation fire speeded in all floors.
problem, arising out of huge generation of smoke with toxic Fire feeding materials: Paper records, all plastic materials,
substances while inhaling the same. computer components, wooden furniture, old loose wiring,
all electrical kitchen appliances in that floor.

Reason for lives losses: Dumping of combustible materials,
heavy fire, thick smoke with toxic substances experienced,
being night time all doors were locked out side both top and
main entry. No possibility of escaping from the building to
outside by the night shift staffs.

Photo shows the office building engulfing smoke and toxic
substances from basement to top floor.

Failure aspects: The firefighting appurtenances are not
working, blocking of escape routes and evacuation
procedure was not prompt.

Solution in such situation: If fire-retardant material was used Spot Photo shows, heavy fire, thick smoke and emission of
in wiring, computers, partitions and other furniture might toxic substances coming out from building.

The Insurance Times December 2023 41