Fire audit to be carried out in all PU hostels

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 15

In view of the Saturday's fire incident in the girls' hostel, wardens, Dean Student Welfare (DSW), office of Executive Engineer and the PU Registrar decided during a meeting that fire safety audit would be carried out in all PU hostels.

It was decided that the office of Executive Engineer would immediately start the audit and wherever loose wiring or heavy load would be noticed, corrective measure would be undertaken.

Prof Emanual Nahar, DSW, said, "Hostellers and hostel staff will be trained in handling fire extinguishers. The wardens will immediately inform the Power Department about any loose wiring. As per rulebook, heaters, press, water heating rods and kettle will not be allowed. And it is being planned that a common place in hostels should be reserved for using all these electrical appliances."

He added, "We also called for proper cross-ventilation in girls' hostels so that smoke could escape."

Besides room no. 34 of the girls' hostel no. 3 which was gutted, the fire had also affected nearby rooms, including room numbers 35, 36, 37 and 38. It was ordered that except room no. 34, the other rooms would be renovated and handed over to girl students within a week. All wardens have been ordered to carry out regular checks in hostels for high-power-consuming electrical gadgets.

Executive Engineer RK Rai along with his team was also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, president of Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) Jashan Kamboj and PUCSC secretary Vani Sood submitted a memorandum for release of compensation to two affected students. The occupants of room number 34, Rhea Dutta and Uagyi, suffered loss of books, laptops, phone, clothes and certificates in the fire.

Other decisions

• DSW Emanual Nahar said the office of Executive Engineer has been asked to prepare an estimate of setting up the system of tripping in hostels in case of use of high-wattage appliances.
• A committee has been formed, including DSW (Women) Prof Neena Caplash, which would consult the investigating officer to find out the cause of fire.
• Old geysers would be removed from hostels.