Karachi has completed a fire safety audit survey of more than 800 shopping malls, commercial buildings, and major government buildings, officials announced on Tuesday. The progress of the initiative was reviewed during a meeting chaired by the Commissioner Karachi.
Mobile App Developed for Fire Safety Records
The meeting was informed that a mobile application has been developed to record details and information regarding fire safety measures in all surveyed buildings. The app aims to streamline data collection and ensure accurate tracking of compliance.
It was decided to expedite the remaining fire safety audit survey. The Commissioner directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the survey of the remaining buildings be completed at the earliest.
Dashboards for SBCA and ABAD
The meeting also decided that separate dashboards would be established for the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) to upload complete details of all buildings covered under the fire safety audit. Completion plans of all commercial shopping malls will also be uploaded to facilitate timely response during emergencies.
Sindh Building Control Authority officials assured the meeting that the required completion plans of buildings would be uploaded in phases as soon as possible.
Inclusion of Cantonment Areas
The meeting further decided that shopping plazas and commercial buildings located in cantonment areas would also be included in the fire safety audit, with their details uploaded to the portal. Fire safety audit committees, working under the supervision of Assistant Commissioners, will assist and guide cantonment boards to complete the surveys within their respective jurisdictions at the earliest.
Training Programmes for Building Staff
The meeting also decided that Civil Defence, Rescue 1122, and the Fire Safety Department would conduct comprehensive training programmes for building staff as part of the fire safety audit initiative. Training manuals will also be uploaded to the fire safety audit dashboard.
Attendees and Briefing
The meeting was attended by all Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Municipal Commissioners of all towns via video link, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Sajjad Abro, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) System Analyst Dayal Das Rathore, KMC Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun, and representatives of Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and cantonment boards.
During the meeting, PDMA System Analyst Dayal Das Rathore briefed participants on the progress of the ongoing survey. He said notices had been issued to buildings that failed to meet the prescribed fire safety requirements, directing their managements to address the deficiencies without delay.
