A Systematic Review of Fire Hazard in Bangladesh Course Code : 6101 Course Title : Introduction to Environment, Hazard, Vulnerability and Disaster Presented by Md. Anwarul Islam Rajeev ID. 1982505 Institute of Disaster Management Khulna University of Engineering and Technology Date: 5th July, 2019 Introduction • Fire hazard incident is very much common phenomenon in Bangladesh especially at densely populated Dhaka city. Every year many people died due to the fire hazards. They lost their lives, wealth, properties and suffer from burn injury for a long time. • The number of fires has increased more than threefold across Bangladesh since 1997; with the year 2018 seeing a daily average of 53. • At least 1,970 people were killed in around 200,000 fires across the country between 2004 and 2018, according to available fire service data. • Most of the cities of this country are unplanned, have many unplanned chemical factories in residential areas and utility service like electricity management, gas lines are not properly set-up or manage and, in most cases, there is no fire management systems Main Causes of Fire Hazard • Electric short circuit • Cooking/ stove • Careless disposal of burning cigarette and match stick • Chemical reaction • Explosion • Mosquito coil • Machine/ Engine • Sabotage • Leaked electric wire • Necked lamp • Thunder • Unawareness CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire Incidents 2009-2018 Major Fire Accidents in Bangladesh in Recent Year FR Tower Fire in Dhaka (2019) • The FR Tower Fire broke out on the eighth floor of the 22-storey building called FR Tower at Banani area of Dhaka city around 1:00 pm BST in March 28, 2019. • 25 deaths and more than 70 others were injured. • Electric short circuit causes fire at FR tower. Continued… Chawkbazar Building Fire in Dhaka (2019) • The fire broke out around 10:40 pm on February 20, 2019 at a chemical warehouse on the ground floor of the five-storey building named Hazi Wahed Mansion. • 44 dead and at least 16 suffered burns while 30 others were injured while trying to escape the blaze. • Fire began at one building from a reported transformer blast, and spread to 7/8 others before being doused. Continued… Dhaka Chemical Fire (2010) • The fire occurred in the Nimtali area of old Dhaka on 3 June 2010 • Killed at least 124 people. • The fire began at a chemical storehouse, at the ground floor of a residential building. Continued… Dhaka Garment Factory Fire (2012) • Fire broke out on 24 November 2012 at Tazreen Fashion factory in the Ashulia district on the outskirts of Dhaka. • At least 117 people were confirmed dead in the fire, and over 200 were injured, making it the deadliest factory fire in the nation's history. • Caused by a short-circuit started on the ground floor of the nine-story factory. Continued… Packaging Factory Fire (2016) • A fire broke out on 06 September, 2016 at a packaging factory in Tongi, Bangladesh. • At least 23 people dead and 70 injured. • The blaze was caused by a boiler explosion, in the four-storey building in the town of Tongi, just north of the capital Dhaka. Continued… Boiler Blast (2017) • The explosion took place in the four- storey apparel factory of Multifabs Ltd early on 04 July 2017. • 13 people have been killed and over 50 others injured. • The survivors blame lack of safety measures for the accident. Preventive Measures on Fire Safety • Accessible Equipment - Make sure all of fire protection equipment are easily accessible. • Proper Disposal - Flammable and combustible materials should be properly disposed. • Regular Maintenance - Schedule regular maintenance services for all of fire protection equipment. • Safe Storage - Keep fire protection equipment for flammable substances near the storage area just in case. Preventive Measures on Fire Safety • Clean Environment - Make sure to keep the inside of building clean and clutter-free. • Precautionary Measures - Make sure to teach building occupants how to react to a fire and how to use a fire extinguisher, along with the other fire protection devices. • Designated Smoking Area - There should be a designated smoking area that’s a safe distance away from the building. • Emergency Plan - Emergency and evacuation plans are important to prevent further damages or issues if there’s a fire. Conclusion • The major cities of Bangladesh are growing unfortunately unplanned and hazardous. To build a secure and peaceful city for its dwellers we have to ensure the all level security. • Fire safety issue should be given priority at first. It would be so difficult for one or two organization to control fire issue and provide all support for its citizens. So, integrated approach should be implemented. • If authority take proper steps to eradicate or reduce the causes, the country will be more suitable for its people. Fire mitigation measures including fire equipment have to standard and increase. Especial attention should give on RMG sector, Slum, semistructured as well as all levels. References • Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence • Zahirul & Khondokar. May, 2018, Fire Hazards in Dhaka City: An Exploratory Study on Mitigation Measures, Volume 12, Issue 5 Ver. I • Annual Report 2013: Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) • MoinulHaque 2012: Over 5000 RMG workers die in factory fires in22 years, New Age, Dhaka, November 28,2012 • Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/ (Accessed on 2.25 pm. 04 July, 2019) • Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/ (Accessed on 2.45 pm. 04 July, 2019) • Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/international (Accessed on 3.32 pm. 04 July, 2019) • Retrieved from https://www.arbill.com/arbill-safety-blog/fire-safety-12-ways-to-keepyour-workplace-safe (Accessed on 5.12 pm. 04 July, 2019)
