Gazipur Clothing Factory Flouted Building Codes’

Industry news

Gazipur Clothing Factory Flouted Building Codes’

Reports by various national and international human rights groups only recently stated that two years since the Rana Plaza accident, conditions have not changed much in the Bangladesh garment industry.

While retailers’ groups are inspecting buildings, and claiming progress, and the government has established a building code, the latest fire incident at Dignity Textile Mills, which had been inspected by Accord, again brings to light the fact that we still have long way to go in ensuring a safe and sustainable garment industry in the country.

The industry is `lucky’ that casualties have been near zero in this latest mishap, where the fire brigade was unable to control the fire even after a 10-hour ordeal. Any casualties this time would have resulted in consumer groups across the world demanding a ban on `Made in Bangladesh’ garments. Workers would be the most affected in such a scenario.

So, inspite of the various inspections and remediations in building structures, what went wrong this time? The fire service’s Director General Brig Gen Ali Ahmed Khan has questioned the approval given to the building structure. “If you’re using steel structure for your building, you have to follow certain steps like concrete jacketing on steel columns and using fireproof paint. But this was not followed,” Khan explains. Sreepur municipal Mayor Md Anisur Rahman claims the building had been approved as per the construction code.

Khan said constructing such a big factory building with steel was an unwise decision. “Such structures pose a challenge during fire fighting above the second floor because steel warms up and melts quickly in the heat,” he added.

The fire at Dignity Textile Mills broke out at a warehouse on the second floor and spread quickly to the top floor. Fourteen fire-fighting units tried to put out the flames. However, their efforts fell short as the steel became very hot due to the fire. They said their lack of experience in dealing with fire in such buildings made the situation complex.

“This factory did not follow rules meant for building high-rise steel structures,” Md Nurul Haq, fire service’s Dhaka divisional deputy director, said. Fire service’s DG Khan blamed the local administration. “I don’t understand how they approved such a big building with a steel structure for a garment factory,” he said.