Experts warn for Istanbul, saying 'Urgent measures are essential!' It could ignite at 500 points...

The Turkish Parliament's Kartalkaya Hotel Fire Investigation Commission continues its work in the Assembly. In the latest meeting, Istanbul's fire risk was addressed in detail.

According to a report by Türkiye Gazetesi, academics from Istanbul University, Dr. Ali Derdar Gültek and Dr. Uğur Emre Temelli, provided important information to members of parliament regarding the fire risk in the megacity.

"FIRES COULD START IN 500 BOXES SIMULTANEOUSLY"

Dr. Gültek emphasized that natural disasters can trigger one another, pointing out that an earthquake of magnitude 7 or greater expected in Istanbul carries the risk of starting fires in 500 natural gas service boxes at the same time.

JOINT PROJECTS FOR HIGH-RISK AREAS

Stating that various preparations and investments have been made in this field since 1999, Gültek expressed that they have been conducting joint studies with the Istanbul Fire Department in areas with a high density of hotels, residences, and business centers, such as Şişli, Maslak, and İkitelli.

AUTHORITIES UNAWARE OF SYSTEMS

Expressing that many fire suppression and detection systems are abandoned to their fate after installation, Gültek stated, "The manager or technical person touring the building with us would react by saying, 'Did we even have such a system?'"

SERIOUS DANGER IN THE HISTORIC PENINSULA

Stating that the wooden building stock in the Historic Peninsula poses a major fire risk, Gültek said that there is a damage assessment simulation developed by Boğaziçi University in collaboration with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for fires that may break out after a potential earthquake.

"THERE IS NOT EVEN A FIRE WALL"

Stating that fires that may break out after a potential earthquake could cause heavy damage to the country's economy, Gültek noted that in inspections they conducted in 60 large factories about 10 years ago, they found that there was not even a simple fire wall.

He also added that in 70 percent of the factories they inspected, detection systems were not working, and almost all of the lighting systems were faulty.

URGENT MEASURES ARE ESSENTIAL

Dr. Uğur Temelli stated that in the event of a fire in historic buildings, intervention and protection become extremely difficult, saying, "The intended use of these structures has diversified. The fire load and risk have increased in each of the use cases such as residences, schools, and museums."

Reminding of the fires experienced in historic venues in Istanbul, Temelli said, "Fire is not a reversible risk in these places. It is a process that requires special attention."

Emphasizing that the establishment of a national fire data system is an urgent need, Temelli said, "The fire regulation should be improved, workplaces and residences should be separated from each other, and a Fire Safety Coordination Center and a National Fire Laboratory should be established."

News Source: 12punto