Speakers at a programme on Monday called upon all to follow national building codes properly to ensure fire safety issue to reduce fire related casualties across the country.

They also urged regulator bodies, inception department and local governments to play vital role here so that all people build safety establishments for the sake of future generation. 

They made the remarks the interactive session on “Fire-Safe Glazing For Architecture” at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka. Grasshopper Group and FG Glass jointly organized the event to launch Schott fire safety glazing in Bangladesh market.

As the chief guest, President of Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) Ar. Professor Dr. Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed said they witnessed many buildings collapsed and fire casualties like Rana Plaza, Tazreen Fashion, FR Tower, Nimtoli, and Chhurihatta incidents.

“The incidents occured not maintaining building codes and other rules. Each regulator body failed to monitor the building and factories,” he also said.

Dr Sabbir urged all government regulator bodies, inception, and local government Departments to  monitor buildings amply for the sake of next generation.

“Architects have great job here. Standarded factories and buildings should be priority considering future. Though, architects have to meet their clients demand for cost effective,’he pointed out.

Tariq Kachwala, Director of FG Glass gave welcome speech there while Helmut Kugelmann, Director Sales Fire Resistant and Security Glazing, SCHOTT presented keynote on glass and glass ceramics.

During panel discussion, Vice President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shahidullah Azim said they improved vastly fire safety measures in their garments industry after Rana plaza and Tazreen Fashion.

 “Bangladesh boasts over 170 Leed-certified green RMG factories now which is the highest number in the world. Now we follow building codes,” he added 

He also added that the incidents of Tazreen and Rana plaza were turing point for the industry which made a revolution on fire safety issue.

Principal Architect, Shattoto Ar. Rafiq Azam said they have to consider about cost before constructing buildings asper clients demand. High product prices impact here.

Architect & Partner DWM4 Architects Mamnoon Murshed Chowdhury said they always try to aware people on fire safety issue and regulations as well.

Former Director (Operation and Maintenance) Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense Major (Retd.) A K M Shakil Newaz said he led many fire disasters like FR tower fire incidents which were inexpressible incidents.

“However, i urge all to follow national building codes and fire safety regulations to reduce all type of casualties,” he also said.

MEP Consultant Engr. Md. Hasmotuzzaman requested everyone to be on same page and work together for the development of national building code by addressing all the errors of the codes. He said the code should be timely and considering the modern designs of infrastructures.

Prsident of Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) Zahir Uddin Babar said they were facing various problems in customs while they import the safety products.

“However, I request manufacturers to fix low prices maintaining products quality so that people are encouraged to use the products,” he also said.

He added that thier members are playing vital role to develop the sector. They meet 80 percent domestic demand through import.

Managing Director of Grasshopper Group Mahmudur Rashid said “We are very proud to join our hands with FG glass to provide sustainable and safe glazing solution for our industries and buildings” He also thanked FG Glass (India) for become interested to invest in Bangladesh.