After fire incidents, power panels in condos under lens

Noida: In wake of the recent fire incidents and rising temperature, Noida Authority has decided to conduct fire safety audits of the electrical systems of residential buildings to check for power overload. This comes days after a short circuit led to a massive fire in a commercial complex, Krishna Apra Plaza, in the heart of the Sector 18 market.
Officers from respective work circles were also instructed to carry out inspections of fire safety systems in buildings located within their assigned sectors.
On Friday, a fire safety workshop was organised by the authority at Panchsheel Boys Inter College in Sector 91 for its officials and staff.
Additional CEO of Noida Authority, Sanjay Kumar Khatri, said that fire incidents tend to rise during the summer months. "In many cases, fires escalate quickly due to the lack of awareness and training among those present at the scene. The workshop aimed to bridge this gap by training officials from various departments—including civil, water, sewer, electricity, industry, and public health—on fire prevention and emergency response protocols," he said.
He added that officials were directed to carry out fire safety audits of buildings across the city, and senior personnel from the electricity and engineering departments were tasked with conducting regular inspections of electrical infrastructure. "We also asked the fire department to prepare a comprehensive checklist of essential fire safety measures tailored to different categories of buildings—residential, industrial, institutional, commercial, and group housing. This checklist will be used by the planning department to ensure that all new and existing buildings comply with the required safety standards," Khatri said, adding that establishments will also be required to submit compliance certificates verifying the implementation of prescribed norms.
Chief fire officer of Gautam Budh Nagar, Pradeep Kumar, said most fire incidents during summer are triggered by electrical short circuits. "During the workshop, we trained staff on fire safety protocols. Certain rules must be followed in case of fire—such as shouting ‘fire' to alert others, calling the fire brigade by dialling 101 or 112, and staying low to avoid smoke inhalation. If possible, individuals should use fire extinguishers to control the flames and help injured persons reach safety for first aid," he said.
In large buildings or offices, immediate activation of fire alarms was emphasised, while participants were also advised not to crowd around the fire site, as it could hinder fire brigade operations. For burning materials, the use of sand, water, or foam was recommended, but officials were cautioned against using water in case of an electrical fire.
"If someone's clothes catch fire, they should avoid running, as it can worsen the situation—instead, they should roll on the ground and use a blanket, coat, or thick cloth to extinguish the flames," the CFO said.
The session concluded with a live fire drill supervised by the fire department. With a population of nearly 12 lakh, the city spans 168 sectors and 80 villages, and the city's skyline includes over 100 high-rise residential towers housing thousands of residents.