The heritage buildings in Capitol Complex, which are nominated for UNESCO heritage status for the year 2015, did not fulfil the fire safety standards.
In a fire safety audit conducted by the Municipal Corporation, glaring violations of fire safety norms is reported at Punjab and Haryana Vidhan Sabha building and Civil Secretariat in Capitol Complex, here. As per the report of fire safety audit of Punjab and Haryana Vidhan Sabha, fire control room has not been established at the ground floor, loose electrical wires were found during inspection and loose lPG cylinders are being used in canteens, which is an open invitation to fire/explosion. Also, automatic sprinkler system has not been installed in the basement floor.
Designed by city”s architect le Corbusier, the Capitol Complex is more than six decades old. The Vidhan Sabha building is more than 15 mtr high and has floors from basement to second. The height of Punjab & Haryana Civil Secretariat is also more than 15 mtr and have 10 floors.
In Punjab & Haryana Civil Secretariat, the fire control room is not equipped with required accessories i.e. search lights, rubber gloves, helmets, gumboots, fire safety layout plans, emergency telephone numbers, gas mask, first aid box, fireman axe etc. Also, warrandah or balconies have been occupied with temporary structure which can create obstruction in fire fighting/rescue operation in case of a fire. Yard hydrants were found non-functioning during inspection, according to the report.
The report reads, “In both Vidhan Sabha and Civil Secretariat, the motorable road, minimum 6 mtr wide for movement of fire vehicle all around the building is not available at the site, which is necessary as per National Building Code (NBC) 2005, part IV. Also, wet riser system has not been installed as per norms in the building, old riser line is found out of order and accessories i.e. delivery hoses, branches were found missing. Hose reels at each floor have also not been installed.”
Sufficient trained fire staff has not been deployed to attend fire emergency round the clock at the buildings. Illuminated exit signs have not been installed in all floors at prominent places and alternative source of electric supply have not been provided and electrical substation/panels have not been protected. Apart from this, some fire extinguishers have completed their life and utility and require immediate replacement with new BIS code fire extinguishers,” stated the report.
Notably, le Corbusier’s designed Capitol Complex in Chandigarh along with his other works in other countries is included in the proposed trans-border serial nomination for UNESCO heritage status for 2015. In the past, several fire incidents have been reported in the Civil Secretariat in the Complex. Though the Administration has suggested constitution of different teams including fire management team, awareness team, communication team, fire fighting team, rescue/evacuation team, medial team amongst the employees at the Capitol Complex, it is yet to be done by the concerned authorities.
Apart from more than 20000 staff working at the nominated property and its buildings, the Complex is visited by more than 8,000 visitors on a working day. The entire complex is under pressure for attracting users and visitors –especially architects, historians and researchers from across the world.