There has been a rapid increase in the number of high buildings in North Cyprus recently. It has been revealed that there is no obligation to have fire exits in these buildings.
According to Kıbrıs Newspaper, Union of the Chambers of Cyprus Turkish Engineer and Architect, (KTMMOB) and the City Planning Department can approve projects without a fire escape staircase.
KTMMOB President Tunç Adanır emphasized that there are deficiencies in the relevant statute regarding fire exits for buildings constructed other than public buildings.
“Inadequate regulation”
Adanır said that according to the Roads and Buildings Regulation (Chapter 96) each fire escape staircase must be maximum 30 meters apart in distance in public buildings.
Meanwhile, Adanır pointed to the inadequacy of the regulation saying that the fire brigade also regulates and implements legislation within the scope of public buildings.
Adanır gave information about the previous work of the Union on this issue, saying, “They have made arrangements regarding the fire escape staircase, but we do not have a comprehensive legal regulation regarding fire at the moment.”
Adanır noted that although they submitted the law to the Ministry of Interior, it has still not come into effect.
