The Goan EveryDay: Host of fire fighting measures mooted post-December 26, 2023 fire incident

The defunct fire hydrant in the Margao Municipal market.

The fire services have mooted a host of fire fighting measures at the Margao Municipal markets post-December 26, 2023 fire incident. This isn’t the first time that the fire services have made the recommendations to tone up fire fighting arrangements at the markets. fire hydrant reel

In fact, Deputy Fire Director, Rajan Haldankar has proposed both active and passive fire protection measures, for both the Margao markets for immediate implementation.

Overhead water storage tank: Overhead Water Storage Tank as recommended vide the fire services way back in 2016 has been proposed again by the fire services to be made available on priority.

External fire hydrants: The Ring Main Hydrant incorporated on the Fire Protection Plan, again recommended in 2016 has been recommended for both the New Market and Gandhi Market. The Fire Hydrant should be connected to Overhead Tank with pumping facility for maintaining adequate pressure on the Hydrant point.

Hose reel hose: Hose Reel Hose Confirming to IS.884/1985 Should be provide inside the New Market and Gandhi Market Margao near the shop in the passages specially near all the gates of the markets.

Fire pump: The Water Storage Tank shall be essentially connected to the main Electric Fire Pump capable of delivering 2280 LPM of water giving pressure not less than 7 Kg/cm. at the farthermost hydrant. Another Electric Pump shall be provided as a Jockey Fire Pump to maintain the pressure in the Hydrant Line for better Fire Fighting efficiency.

First aid fire extinguisher: The Licensing Authority (the Margao Municipal Council) shall mandatorily emphasis the shop owners for providing minimum two numbers First Aid Fire Extinguisher preferably ABC Type Extinguisher of 4 kgs capacity for shop Fire and CO2 type Fire Extinguisher of 2 kgs capacity for electrical Fire in each shop in the Market premises as Fire precautionary measure.

Fire retardant paint: All shops owner shall be instructed to paint their shop internally with Fire Retardant paint and provide with Fire Curtains of minimum one hour Fire Resistant to avoid quick spread of Fire in their own premises.

Directional exit signs: The Directional Exit Signs shall be installed internally in the Market at appropriate places for giving proper direction for the people and in Big EXIT Letters at all the gates shall be installed and conspicuously displayed in the market premises for the evacuations of the occupant in time of any eventuality.

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