Experts evaluated fire at Kartalkaya

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.58273

The fire that started at the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort and quickly spread to a large portion of the hotel, causing the deaths of 10 people and injuring 32 others, has been evaluated by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Expert Dr. Rüştü Uçan. Dr. Uçan stated, “In such buildings, the fire load must be correctly calculated, appropriate precautions must be taken, and necessary permits must be issued accordingly. Unfortunately, it seems that these criteria are not adequately met in the current situation.”

Dr. Uçan stressed the importance of using fire-resistant materials for the exterior of buildings where large numbers of people gather, such as hotels, hospitals, universities, and schools. He also mentioned, "The building’s project and evacuation routes should be checked in advance. These checks should not be a one-time event, but should be repeated at least once a year. If necessary, buildings that cannot ensure safety should not accommodate 300 or 500 people."

 

Fire load must be accurately calculated in these buildings

Dr. Rüştü Uçan, who is also a faculty member at Üsküdar University's Faculty of Health Sciences, pointed out that there is a lack of adequate experience with fire safety in society. “During a fire, people often make quick, impulsive decisions due to psychological stress. For instance, people might jump out of windows, which can lead to dangerous consequences. If the room is far from the fire, a safer option is to seal the door with a wet towel and wait for the evacuation teams while signaling from the window. However, if the fire has already spread to the room, options become extremely limited,” he noted. He emphasized that fire load calculation, appropriate preventive measures, and issuing the necessary permits should be done properly, but unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case in this incident.

Safety measures are crucial

Dr. Uçan highlighted the importance of safety measures, especially in buildings with high numbers of people. "Hotels, schools, and hospitals must be designed in compliance with fire evacuation plans approved by the fire department. In places where many people gather, security measures become even more crucial." He noted that the fire rapidly spread from its point of origin to the roof, growing quickly due to the materials used in the building.

The inaccessibility of the back of the building was a major issue

Dr. Uçan explained that using non-combustible materials for the exterior of such buildings plays a critical role in preventing the rapid spread of fire. “In the case of Kartalkaya, the rapid spread was likely due to the materials used, like wood, which can ignite quickly. While it is impossible to completely prevent wood from burning, measures can be taken to delay it. Unfortunately, these measures were not in place, and the buildings were quite old. How was evacuation handled? What safety precautions were taken? We do not know. The inaccessibility of the back of the building was a major issue. The building’s project should have accounted for this,” he said.

What to do before firefighters arrive

Dr. Uçan provided recommendations on how to act before the arrival of firefighters. "If there’s no fire in your room, remove the curtains and push the carpets aside to prevent the fire from spreading. Seal the gap at the bottom of the door with a wet towel to block smoke. Then, go to the window to signal for help and wait for evacuation. Remember, falling from a height of more than three meters increases the risk of death, so avoid jumping unless it's absolutely necessary," he advised. He also stressed the need for at least two fire trucks to be on-site and for hotels to ensure that the appropriate precautions are in place.

Pre-planning access to the back of the building is critical

Dr. Uçan warned against low entrances designed for aesthetic purposes that can complicate fire response. “When firefighters arrive, these low entrances make it difficult to intervene. If they cannot access the area, it might take time to break through and get in. There must be pre-existing plans to ensure access to the back of the building, and suitable routes should be established,” he explained.

Raising awareness about fire and emergency responses is vital

Dr. Uçan emphasized the importance of educating people on what to do during fires and emergencies. “In these situations, people sometimes make the wrong decision, like running back to grab their wallet or bag, which can lead to tragic outcomes. People need to be aware that the priority is evacuation, not retrieving personal items.”

Exteriors must be made of fire-resistant materials

Dr. Uçan also reminded that automatic fire suppression systems must be installed in large public buildings. "Exteriors must be made of materials that can withstand fire for an extended period, especially in hotels, hospitals, universities, and schools," he added.

Buildings that cannot ensure safety should not accommodate large numbers of people

Finally, Dr. Uçan emphasized the importance of checking fire systems and the safety of buildings regularly. “These technological systems can extinguish the fire before the firefighters arrive, which is crucial in preventing significant loss of life. The building's design and evacuation routes should be checked in advance and not left unchecked after one inspection. At least one annual check should be done. If necessary, buildings that cannot ensure safety should not host 300 or 500 people,” he concluded.

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)