‘No one faces trial for violating fire code’

Professor Md Maksud Helali, a teacher of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology’s (BUET) Department of Mechanical Engineering, was one of the members of the National Fire Code formulation committee. He spoke to Prothom Alo after the Chawkbazar fire that claimed almost 80 lives on Wednesday.

PA: How do you see the Chawbazar fire as a member of the National Fire Code formulation committee?

Helali: The government agencies failed to act. The fire code is part of the National Building Code. There are a number of restrictions, although they have not been elaborated.  

PA: Chemical stores in residential areas are nothing new. Why could not we address this?

Helali: The way the chemicals were supposed to be stored was not followed. There were no security measures either.

PA: No matter how the fire had originated, the storing of chemicals have been identified as the reason for the way the fire spread to nearby buildings.

Helali: RAJUK was supposed to look into the matter. They issue occupancy certificates. 

PA: Who do you think are responsible for this fire? Nobody shoulders the blame.

Helali: The platform of owners of the chemical stores does not care about the laws. The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments are also supposed to inspect the areas. The Department of Explosives, which is under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, were also supposed to look into the matter. 

PA: Do you think this is no exception and other areas of the city are also vulnerable?

Helali: Yes, the security measures are hardly being followed. Traders and establishments using chemicals as a part of their operation do store them. But they do not keep the chemicals in a safe environment. That is where we need to work on. Anyone using chemicals or explosive elements cannot just keep them wherever they want.

PA: Can you please elaborate which part of the Fire Code is related to the Chawbazar blaze?

Helali: We formulated the code in 1993. It was made into a law in 2006. We amended it again in 2015. That did reach the law ministry but I am not sure where that is stuck right now.

In the code, we set a few conditions for an establishment where chemicals are stored. For an example, no other buildings can be there in a certain area around that building.

As one of the members of the code formulation committee, I would expect that the authorities will adhere to the rules now, after such a deadly fire. The agencies cannot also just sit back because the amendments have not been passed in the parliament yet.  

PA: What are the punishments for breaking the code?

Helali: A jail sentence up to seven years. However, I have not heard that someone has been sued, let alone being jailed, for breaking this code.

PA: Can the authorities take some exemplary steps to try the people responsible?

Helali: Of course. I would suggest that the RAJUK officials issuing no objection certificates to establishments should verify the documents of these buildings.

They always look for a loophole. For an example, they issue the certificate saying that they are giving it on the ground that a set of conditions will be met. However, no one goes to check if the conditions have actually been met. 

PA: What should be done after the Chawbazar tragedy?

Helali: I will say this time and again. The officers issuing no objection certificates have to sign the drawing and mention that the establishments have followed the code. They are being paid from the public money. If he cannot do it, he should leave the job.

*The piece, originally appeared in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Quamrul Hassan