High-rise buildings are here to stay, thanks to the scarcity of land in urban spaces and also due to the need to use space optimally. Several multi-rise buildings have come up in the City as well as in the suburbs.
In fact, some owners prefer to live in flats rather than bungalows due to various reasons such as hassle-free maintenance, facilities for sports, library, club, gym, swimming pool and security. Often, it is a self-contained set-up in a high-rise complex that houses several flats where such facilities are provided with a monthly maintenance charge.
Even a doctor's services are made available with a one-time lump sum payment.
While high-rise buildings are mushrooming, a few safety precautions need to be taken care of. Fire hazards should be taken seriously. Each flat should have a smoke detector to warn of any smoke that could lead to a fire. It is imperative that each floor has an emergency exit, like in any star hotel, showing the floor plan and the exit.
Fire extinguishers should be placed on each floor at prominent places. It would be useful if at least one member of each family is trained to use it in an emergency. The fire escape stairs should be in a good condition all the time. In case of fire, lifts should not be used to escape but stairs should used in an orderly manner. Everyone should know what to do in an emergency such as a fire, earthquake or any disaster.
Periodic and regular fire drill exercises would prove useful while at the same time, it's important to check the efficacy of the disaster management system.
The option of installing alarm systems to warn of any emergency needs should be discussed with the occupants of high-rise buildings.
As far as possible, fire-retardant material should be used in the construction of a flat.
Storage of inflammable goods should be strictly regulated.
Regular checking of electrical wiring, especially in older high-rise buildings, is useful in preventing accidental short-circuits. Old wires should be replaced before an accident occurs.
Adequate water supply to fight a fire would be needed through fire hydrants, which should be operational and at properly marked locations.
Sufficient space must be available within high-rise complexes for fire engines to move in swiftly to carry out their operations without delay. Lifts are essential for any high-rise building. But these should be of a reputed make, safe and reliable.
Periodical maintenance is necessary to see that the lifts are in good working condition. A separate lift for goods and materials would be desirable.
There should be an emergency drill to see that a lift, if it is stuck, can be brought safely back to the ground floor.
There are several positive features of living in a high-rise building.
However, safety is always an important factor that needs to be kept in mind all the time.
An independent safety audit at regular intervals, perhaps once a year, by a qualified expert consultant or a certified organisation would be useful to check the efficacy of various factors that make life safe and secure in a high-rise buildings.
In fact, some owners prefer to live in flats rather than bungalows due to various reasons such as hassle-free maintenance, facilities for sports, library, club, gym, swimming pool and security. Often, it is a self-contained set-up in a high-rise complex that houses several flats where such facilities are provided with a monthly maintenance charge.
Even a doctor's services are made available with a one-time lump sum payment.
While high-rise buildings are mushrooming, a few safety precautions need to be taken care of. Fire hazards should be taken seriously. Each flat should have a smoke detector to warn of any smoke that could lead to a fire. It is imperative that each floor has an emergency exit, like in any star hotel, showing the floor plan and the exit.
Fire extinguishers should be placed on each floor at prominent places. It would be useful if at least one member of each family is trained to use it in an emergency. The fire escape stairs should be in a good condition all the time. In case of fire, lifts should not be used to escape but stairs should used in an orderly manner. Everyone should know what to do in an emergency such as a fire, earthquake or any disaster.
Periodic and regular fire drill exercises would prove useful while at the same time, it's important to check the efficacy of the disaster management system.
The option of installing alarm systems to warn of any emergency needs should be discussed with the occupants of high-rise buildings.
As far as possible, fire-retardant material should be used in the construction of a flat.
Storage of inflammable goods should be strictly regulated.
Regular checking of electrical wiring, especially in older high-rise buildings, is useful in preventing accidental short-circuits. Old wires should be replaced before an accident occurs.
Adequate water supply to fight a fire would be needed through fire hydrants, which should be operational and at properly marked locations.
Sufficient space must be available within high-rise complexes for fire engines to move in swiftly to carry out their operations without delay. Lifts are essential for any high-rise building. But these should be of a reputed make, safe and reliable.
Periodical maintenance is necessary to see that the lifts are in good working condition. A separate lift for goods and materials would be desirable.
There should be an emergency drill to see that a lift, if it is stuck, can be brought safely back to the ground floor.
There are several positive features of living in a high-rise building.
However, safety is always an important factor that needs to be kept in mind all the time.
An independent safety audit at regular intervals, perhaps once a year, by a qualified expert consultant or a certified organisation would be useful to check the efficacy of various factors that make life safe and secure in a high-rise buildings.
