Mumbai Fire Brigade to get 2 more snorkels to fight high-rise blazes

Mumbai Fire Brigade to get 2 more snorkels to fight high-rise blazes

It is found that fire fighting equipment in many high-rise buildings is non-functional. So snorkel gives an advantage while saving lives in case of a fire incident or any other disaster.

SHEFALI PARAB-PANDITUpdated: Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 12:30 AM IST
article-image
Representational pic | PTI Photo by Swapan Mahapatra

In the wake of an alarming fire incident in the city, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) will soon have two more snorkels in its armoury to fight blazes in high-rise buildings. The 70-metre and 52-metre snorkels will be procured from Finland; they will be added to the MFB's fleet by the end of this month.

According to the BMC, any building with a height of 30 metres (nine floors) can be categorised as a high-rise. There are over 8,000 high-rise buildings in the city, where carrying out firefighting and rescue operations is always cumbersome and difficult. In the past few years, several buildings above 70 metres have been constructed in the city. Further, it is found that the firefighting equipment in many high-rise buildings is non-functional. So snorkel gives an advantage while saving lives in case of a fire incident or any other disaster.

Mumbai fire brigade has 20 aerial ladders, turntable ladders and hydraulic platforms. Its fleet consists of 27mt, 37mt, 55mt, 70mt, 81mt and 90mt snorkels. The 90mt snorkel was added to MFB's fleet in 2015, and can scale up to 30 floors; it has a turntable ladder and elevated water pumps to conduct firefighting and rescue operations.

"In the past few years, fire incidents in high-rise buildings have increased, so we need more such snorkels in our fleet,'' said a fire brigade official. The new snorkel of 70 metres can scale up to 21 floors.

Hemant Parab, chief fire officer of MFB said, "We have 90mt and 81mt snorkels in Borivali commanding centre, 30mt at Vikhroli and 37mt at Marol. We are upgrading the commanding centres of the fire brigade. Accordingly, after a review, we will decide on the placement of these two snorkels, where it is needed the most.”

RECENT STORIES

Mumbai: BMC Partners With RailTel To Implement Healthcare Management Information System

Mumbai: BMC Partners With RailTel To Implement Healthcare Management Information System

Mumbai Weather Update: Breezy Morning With Rising Temperatures Expected; AQI Concerns Persist

Mumbai Weather Update: Breezy Morning With Rising Temperatures Expected; AQI Concerns Persist

Mumbai Crime: Man Pays Contract Killers ₹3 Lakh To Kill Father-In-Law

Mumbai Crime: Man Pays Contract Killers ₹3 Lakh To Kill Father-In-Law

Mumbai: Man Orchestrates Murder Of Father-In-Law; 4 Arrested

Mumbai: Man Orchestrates Murder Of Father-In-Law; 4 Arrested

Bombay High Court Orders Audit Of Industries Causing High Air Pollution

Bombay High Court Orders Audit Of Industries Causing High Air Pollution