Sri Lanka’s construction industry says laws are being amended to improve safety in dozens of high rises sprouting across the island. This has gained some urgency in the wake of the recent deadly inferno in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in London where 80 residents are presumed dead. But as far as fires in high rises [...]

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Tower builders say safety laws being tightened

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Sri Lanka’s construction industry says laws are being amended to improve safety in dozens of high rises sprouting across the island.

This has gained some urgency in the wake of the recent deadly inferno in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in London where 80 residents are presumed dead.

But as far as fires in high rises are concerned, Sri Lanka’s fire service is woefully inadequate.

The Construction Industry Development Authority last week said regulations were being revised. Builders are required to comply.

CIDA , Director, S. Amarasekera said that several proposals have been drafted and will be gazetted next month after being approved by parliament.

The fire regulation for construction sites was introduced in 1997 and then revised in 2006. It was incorporated under the CIDA Act in 2014.

CIDA director S. Amarasekera said that the changes would apply to projects costing more than Rs 10 million.
Under the new regulations, buildings and structures built for public use should only be carried out by CIDA registered electrical and mechanical contractors registered under the category of fire detection protection & suppression systems.
CIDA has categorised all buildings in different sectors defining those under six floors as low rise, six to 10 floors as medium rise, 10 to 20 floors as high rise and over 20 floors as super high rise.

CIDA has recommended that all high rise and super high rise buildings have a refuge floor for every 10 floors to allow for evacuation in an emergency. High speed lifts are being recommended.

Mr Amarasekara said when architects design high cost complex buildings, the fire professionals should pay attention to safety measures and follow regulations.

When high rises are being built, the time required for a complete evacuation of people should be taken into account. Also the chimney effect between the cladding materials and walls, movement of smoke though the elevator, stairs and vertical shafts causing the rapid spread of fire also should be avoided. CIDA will also insist on automatic water sprinklers on upper floors.

Mr Amarasekera said that over 100 regulations in the current document is being revised by stakeholders including the Fire Services, Institute of Fire Engineers, Building Services Engineering Sectional Committee and other others. The regulation designed in 1997 was revised only once in 2006 and is due to be gazetted next month.

Colombo Municipal Council fire chief Rohita Fernando said about 300 fires are reported a year and there are about 20 calls from high rises.

He said that in the cases of high rises and super high rises, external evacuation is not possible. There is no equipment. “we have to go in and fight.’’

Sprinkler systems on floors could help. Additionally a refuge floor and self fighting methods would help until firefighters arrive, he said.

Meanwhile, a former airforce fire fighter, Captain Kolitha Sri Nissanka said there are weaknesses in implementing even existing regulations.

Fire services should coordinate with the CIDA to inspect buildings before the certificate of conformity is approved. Also, he said, local bodies should consider the terrain when allowing building in the hills. The times it takes for firefighters to reach a location should also be considered.

The Chamber of Construction Industries, president, Dr Surath Wickramasinghe said Sri Lanka should adopt global standards in construction. He said that the sprinkler system on upper floors and a refuge floor for high/super high rise building would be acceptable. But he had reservations about a refuge floor for every 10 storeys. “Internationally, only every 20 floors have a refuge floor,’’ he said.

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