Renovations spark off fire accidents

Alterations, additions and changes inside heritage structures could prove a major risk for fire accidents, say experts. Installing false ceiling for air conditioning, building additional toilets, blocking verandahs, laying electrical cables for computers without safety precautions could be contributing factors in increasing the fire load in an old building. There are no systems to monitor such alterations.Chennai's heritage experts say it is imperative to look into these factors, instead of merely identifying old structures and labeling them heritage buildings. Senior member of Madras high court-appointed monitoring committee of CMDA, M G Devasahayam said the government should formulate a plan to protect heritage structures.The main reason for fire accidents in heritage structures could be the alterations that are being made, said S Suresh of Intach. “A century-old heritage struc of Intach. “A century-old heritage structures being altered incorrectly to allow for modern usage could pose a threat to its very survival,“ he said. For instance, most heritage structures have high ceilings for good ventilation. They were constructed in an era without electricity. Now, heritage buildings are being air-conditioned, changing the character of ventilation. “Unlike new buildings, heritage structures have no dedicated circuit path for electric cables and pipes,“ said Suresh.According to a senior expert working with the government, there should be periodical surveys and maintenance. “A fire safety handbook for heritage structures needs to be circulated among occupants,“ he said.ASI and state archeology department have restricted their responsibilities to conserving centuries-old structures. Little is being done in preparing guidelines to preserve heritage structures that are used for commercial purposes. Compiling a list of hundreds of heritage structures in Chennai may prove a Herculean task for CMDA 's heritage committee constituted. Short-staffed as it is, it could take the authority years to complete the process. Meanwhile, little is being done to lay down safety norms.