Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has seen rapid and often unplanned urbanisation since independence. The city's average annual urban growth rate was as high as 8% from 1991 to 2019. The rapid unplanned and unregulated urban expansion has continued to date. As Dhaka is expanding in terms of physical dimension, population, and structural density, the city suffers from diverse problems like water crises, drainage problems after heavy rains, poor solid waste disposal, inadequate infrastructure, fire accidents, etc.

In recent years recurrent fire hazards have claimed many lives and destroyed valuable properties in Dhaka metropolitan areas. Let's look at the existing fire safety regulations, and necessary recommendations to prevent fire hazards and mitigate losses in Dhaka city.

Rules and Regulations Regarding Fire Safety in Dhaka City

The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) have enacted several laws regarding fire safety such as Building Construction Rules 1996, Bangladesh National Building Code 2006, The Fire Prevention and Extinction Act, 2003, and The Fire Prevention and Extinction Rules, 2014.

According to section 4 of the Fire Prevention and Extinction Act 2003, it is mandatory to obtain a licence from the Directorate General of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense Authority (BFSCDA) to use any building as a warehouse or workshop. Section 7 of the Act necessitates the permission of the BFSCDA DG during the approval process of the structural design or layout of a multi-storied commercial building.

The Fire Protection Act 2003 requires all buildings, including high-rises and commercial establishments to take necessary public security measures including storing sufficient fire-fighting equipment, breathing apparatus, etc.

Rule 22 of the Fire Prevention and Extinction Rules 2014 states that an owner has to apply for an occupancy certificate of the building at the end of the construction.

Rule 17(1) of the Building Construction Rules 1996 requires public safety measures, such as fire alarms, emergency exits, installation of fire extinguishers, etc.

The building code prohibits the construction of any building over six stories without an elevator with a standby generator. Moreover, any high-rise structure with 10 stories or higher should have elevators spacious enough to carry patients on stretchers.

Why is Dhaka Prone to Fire Disasters?

Dhaka experienced several disastrous fire hazards, such as Nimtoli, Churihatta, FR Tower, Armanitola, New Market, Moghbazar, Bangabazar Market, Bailey Road, etc. Besides these major fire accidents, many small to medium-scale fire hazards have occurred in the residential and commercial buildings of the city in recent years. Now the question arises as to why Dhaka is prone to fire disasters.

Limitations in Legal Framework and Limited Institutional Capacity

Bangladesh's existing legal provisions regarding fire safety are limited and need to be modified. The fire prevention acts, rules, and regulations are not properly implemented in Dhaka city.

Currently, BFSCDA is working as an emergency service-providing organisation with limited involvement in the planning decision.

The number of fire stations and fire service providers in Dhaka city is still inadequate. Furthermore, long-distance travelling by firefighters hamper the timely provision of support to fire-affected areas in many cases.

The city authorities such as Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), City Corporations, etc. are also characterised by weak institutional capacity.

In the process of getting approval for the building plan, the building owners collect the licence. However, there is a lack of proper monitoring from the authorities over the implementation of the fire prevention arrangements and public safety conditions.

At present, many buildings are being constructed in Dhaka without fire licences or even planning permissions from RAJUK.

The city authorities need adequate numbers of town planners and fire safety professionals to serve the Dhaka Metropolitan Area inhabited by about 23.9 million people.

Unplanned Development

Dhaka city is growing in an unplanned manner. In different areas of the city high rise structures are being built within the old building blocks. Most of these buildings lack essential arrangements for safeguarding people from fire hazards initiated by electric short circuits, gas cylinder explosions, etc.

The narrow road systems obstruct the entrance, movement and manoeuvre of fire service vehicles at the time of emergency. The low vehicle mobility on the road system due to traffic gridlock increases the response time of the fire service leading to serious destruction from minor fire incidents.

The existence of water retention ponds, lakes, and natural reservoirs is gradually decreasing in different areas of Dhaka city due to excessive population pressure, and unplanned urbanisation. Many water bodies and open spaces are being encroached upon by unauthorised uses and getting filled up for the construction of buildings. During fire hazards, the fire service providers often face scarcity of water due to lack of street fire hydrant arrangement and unavailability of natural water sources at nearby locations.

Besides these, proper land use zoning is yet to be implemented in Dhaka City. The intermixing of residential, commercial, and industrial uses in the same location increases the risk of fire occurrences.

Furthermore, in many areas of Dhaka, FAR rules are not maintained properly which makes the city more disaster-prone.

Some Recommendations to Mitigate Fire Hazards in Dhaka City

Fire hazard prevention measures are multi-dimensional. It requires a proper combination of the strong legal and administrative framework, adequate funding, organised institutional capacities, advanced technologies, trained manpower, information dissemination, etc. Let's look at how to enhance the resilience of Dhaka city from some key perspectives.

Raising Public Awareness

Public awareness can minimise the risk of fire incidences and the associated destruction of lives and properties.

During a fire hazard, people usually become very worried and confused. As a result, many people fail to make appropriate decisions to escape from fire. This causes the loss of lives.

Electric short circuits, burners, gas cylinder explosions, etc are the major causes of fire hazards in Dhaka City. Information sharing regarding the causes and preventive measures of fire hazards can raise awareness among city dwellers.

Though some individual buildings have fire fighting equipment, they are inadequate in number. In many cases, the fire safety equipment is located in isolated places and people hardly know how to use it. As a result, the safety equipment can't provide any benefit at the time of a fire emergency.

In many cases, during fire hazards, curious crowds block the roads, as a result, the firefighting vehicles take longer times to reach the target locations during the time of response.

Electronic media and newspapers can serve as powerful and effective sources for awareness generation among general people regarding fire hazards. Educational institutes and community organisations can be involved in the awareness-raising programs.

Encouraging community participation to stay vigilant and proactive to identify potential fire hazards can minimise the loss of lives and properties.

Observation of 'Fire Hazard Week' can undoubtedly make people cautious about fire accidents.

Drills can be arranged in schools and colleges at regular intervals to teach them what to do or avoid during a fire emergency. BFSCDA has taken initiatives to arrange fire drills in the garment factories and industries, which is praiseworthy.

The provision of fire safety training for the employees working in diverse residential, commercial, and industrial premises in Dhaka city can enhance awareness.

The emergency contact numbers of BFSCDA can be displayed on some billboards placed in prominent locations, and street intersections of the city with some messages to make general people aware of fire safety.

Institutional Strengthening

Strict enforcement of the existing legal provisions regarding fire safety should be ensured. The manpower of the associated development control authorities could be increased gradually in order to monitor law enforcement properly.

In 2023, ICT-based smart Emergency Response Control Center (ERCC) systems were applied at 28 fire stations in the city. However, the fire stations in Dhaka City are working beyond their capacity. The number of stations should be increased to ensure better and more effective services. New stations should be established on a priority basis.

BFSCDA can add special vehicles that can access narrow roads of Dhaka city during a fire emergency.Experts should be appointed to supervise and provide modern training programs regarding fire safety, emergency response, rescue service, Medical First Responder (MFR), Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSR), etc. Furthermore, experienced professionals can be appointed to ensure effective management of firefighting.

The city authority should allocate more resources for arranging modern fire fighting equipment such as fire vehicles, pumps, oxygen masks, ambulances, etc. Adequate equipment should be allocated in each station in Dhaka city.

Risk allowance should be given to the fire service providers to encourage them to work with more dedication during the time of response.

City authorities can appoint some monitoring teams in different segments of Dhaka city to supervise the firefighting preparedness of various residential, commercial, industrial, and garment premises.

Engineering and City Planning Measures

Though no building or structure is entirely invincible against fire, engineers can enhance the fire resistance of a building by using fire-preventive construction materials, such as specially treated wood products, concrete, steel, etc. Implementation of strategic designs, and installation of advanced fire safety systems, including fire alarms can also enhance the fire safety of buildings.

During individual building construction setback rules and FAR should be maintained properly to control the structural density of Dhaka City.

Fire hazard management in Dhaka city should be considered as a planning issue as it involves safety concerns of the residents of Dhaka city. These issues should be addressed from the individual building premises to the city planning level.

The natural water bodies of Dhaka city should be preserved. Urgent initiatives are necessary to recover the lakes and rivers encroached by unauthorised users. The city authority should take necessary steps regarding these.

Necessary steps should be taken to repair faulty roads and widen the narrow roads so that fire service vehicles can access the affected locations on time.

Appropriate land use zoning should be implemented in different areas of Dhaka city. For instance, the industries and warehouses should not be allowed in the residential zones. Garment industries should be shifted from residential areas to industrial zones through long-term planning.

The risky areas in Dhaka city should be identified to install street fire hydrants. While establishing fire stations, the locations of demarcated fire risky zones can be considered.

Artificial reservoirs can be constructed on the roofs of Dhaka's public buildings and communal institutions to conserve rainwater. Such establishments will help supply water during a fire emergency in nearby areas suffering from water crises or where natural water bodies are not available.

In Conclusion

Strict enforcement of fire safety acts, rules, and regulations should be ensured at residential buildings, commercial establishments, and industrial zones of Dhaka metropolitan city. Regular inspections and monitoring should be conducted and violators should be held accountable, and punished.

Public awareness campaigns should be arranged to educate city dwellers about fire safety practices. Children and students at educational institutes should be taught about fire safety. Arrangement of fire drills and safety training at public and private offices as well as educational institutes can help raise awareness.

Efficient and timely fire response from the authority and service providers can save lives and minimise damages. The capabilities and resources of the fire department should be increased. Investing in trained manpower, proper training, modern firefighting equipment, and fire service-providing vehicles is essential.

The construction industry should be reformed to build fire-resistant structures, using fire-resistant materials and designs.

All of these fire hazard management initiatives can help reduce casualties and damage to properties.

To continue development as a safe city, Dhaka must ensure the security of the lives and properties of its residents. Besides inflicting immeasurable human suffering, the fire tragedies in the capital city hinder the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh. Therefore, Dhaka cannot afford to wait any longer to ensure a safer, fire-resilient future.