SHC moved to implement building code to save people from fires

An application was filed in the Sindh High Court (SHC) seeking implementation of the Building Code of Pakistan: Fire Safety Provisions across the province to save the precious lives of citizens in incidents of fire.

Applicant Nadeem A Sheikh said in the application that two people had died and more than 13 others had been injured in a fire at a multi-storey building in Gulshan-e-Iqbal due to inadequate fire safety arrangements.

He said that the federal government had introduced by-laws of the Building Code of Pakistan: Fire Safety Provisions 2016 for fire prevention and life safety in relation to fire and fire protection of building and structures, but these laws are yet to be implemented by the provincial government in letter and spirit.

He also said that the building code and fire safety provisions are necessary for the approval of multi-storey buildings in the city, as it stipulates that any construction or modification of a building in violation of the provisions shall be considered as a violation of professional engineering works and the persons involved in it shall be punished.

The court was requested to direct the Sindh government to implement the Building Code of Pakistan: Fire Safety Provisions across the province in letter and spirit and ensure that all multi-storey buildings have proper fire safety measures.