Fire officials train pandal volunteers

RANCHI: The state fire department has issued guidelines to Durga Puja organizing committees to ensure fire safety during the festival. All 137 puja organizing committees, many of whom construct huge and magnificent pandals in their areas, have to comply by the directives in toto. The guidelines have been prepared according to the directions of the Union ministry of home affairs.Doranda and Audrey House fire stations have even offered to provide training to volunteers from these puja pandals.
A senior fire official said the department is ready to tackle any emergency situation during Durga Puja. "All four fire stations would be on their toes to tackle any emergency situation," he said. The district administration, in meetings held with the organizers of puja pandals, has in turn asked the puja pandals to ensure that every guideline is followed.
The district administration has thrust the responsibility of checking compliance on some competent officers. Not a single official wished to be named. DG fire services Kumud Chaudhary could not be contacted.
A senior fire officer said that every pandal must have wide approachable roads which can allow fire tenders to reach them. All fabric materials used in the erection of the pandals should be treated with fire retard and solution. No synthetic material should be used for pandal erection. All wiring should be carried out in PVC conduit and all electric joints should be properly taped.
The puja pandals use halogen lamps to light their pandals. This at times sparks fire, said R K Thakur, in charge, Doranda fire office. The puja pandals have been asked to keep halogen lamps at a safe distance (at least one metre) from combustible materials because lit halogens develop heat," said Thakur.
Special instructions have been issued about the entrance and exit of the puja pandals. "Sufficient EXIT doors should be provided in each pandal. All EXIT doors should be free from obstructions," the guidelines said. 'EXIT' should be displayed in neon light at all EXIT doors.
No pandal would be allowed to have cave-like or spiral entrance.
At least four 9kg capacity water-fire extinguisher and four nose 10kg fire extinguishers along with four nose fire bucket full with sand and water should be kept in ready position at every pandal. "This time the puja organizers also have to deploy trained guards. These guards should also be trained in fire fighting and evacuation," said a fire officer.