Experts, pointing out that the fire in the wedding hall in Mosul, Iraq, which resulted in the death of 115 people, was caused by fireworks used in the hall, emphasized that similar venues exist in our country and necessary precautions must be taken. Occupational Health and Safety Expert Rüştü Uçan warned: “Great attention should be paid to indoor wedding halls in our country. Especially those in basements without sufficient escape routes should be sealed and not used.”
It was determined that fireworks used in the wedding hall caused the fire in Mosul, Iraq, which resulted in the death of 115 people.
900 people invited to a hall designed for 400
Abdurrahman İnce, a Lecturer in the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, stated that in the Mosul incident, it was understood that 900 people were invited to a hall designed for 400, and additional tables and chairs were placed for this purpose.
Composite material melts and drips at high temperatures…
İnce also stated that it was understood that a steel frame, concrete walls, and composite panel roofing material were used in the construction of the wedding hall. He noted that the composite material was seen melting at high temperatures and dripping, causing re-ignition in many places.
Flammable decorations found in the hall and on its ceiling
Abdurrahman İnce stated that there were no emergency exit doors, normal exit doors were small and some were locked, and some survivors were seen breaking these doors to escape. He also noted that there were flammable decorations in the hall and on its ceiling.
Ignited decoration material spread the fire…
Abdurrahman İnce stated the following:
“It is understood and seen in video recordings that 4 fireworks were used inside this enclosed hall, and sparks from them rose up to 4 meters. It is understood that the fire started when these sparks ignited the flammable decoration materials on the ceiling, and the burning decoration materials falling from above spread the fire. It is also understood that the toxic smoke from the fire, the high temperatures generated, and the inability of people to escape the ongoing fire were the causes of death.”
Fireworks should not be used indoors!
Dr. Rüştü Uçan, an Assistant Professor and Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, also made evaluations on the subject and explained the following:
“Fireworks and similar pyrotechnic products (the general name for explosive materials produced to create effects such as heat, sound, smoke, light through chemical reactions) cannot be, and should not be, used in enclosed spaces. This prohibition must be complied with under all circumstances.
In our country too, great attention should be paid to indoor wedding halls. Especially those in basements without sufficient escape routes should be sealed and not used. For those with sufficient escape routes, escape doors and stairwells should always be in an openable position, and this should be checked before every wedding.”
Easily flammable materials should not be used in the making of curtains and decorations!
Dr. Rüştü Uçan also emphasized that curtains and decorations in indoor wedding halls, in particular, should not be made of easily flammable materials, and said, “If fireworks and similar pyrotechnic products are to be used in open areas, all safety precautions required by regulations and user manuals must be taken before they are used safely.”
Drills should be conducted with the fire department before the wedding season
Dr. Rüştü Uçan also explained that the maximum number of tables and participants in meeting and wedding halls should be determined in advance, and seating plans, approved by the municipality, should be displayed at the entrance for everyone to see. He continued as follows:
“Fire extinguishing systems and lighting systems indicating escape routes during a fire should be activated. In such meeting halls, at least one drill should be conducted with the fire department in May (before the intensity of wedding ceremonies begins). Deficiencies observed in these drills should be corrected as soon as possible. Fire extinguishing systems should be installed and fully operational. A sufficient number of fire extinguishers should also be available. Although this type of large-loss fire has not occurred in our country, we know that similar halls exist here. Let's take precautions today to avoid such a grave situation.”
Fireworks Usage Guidelines
The fireworks usage instructions, for which Dr. Rüştü Uçan provided a summary, are as follows:
-Can only be used by authorized individuals who are 18 years of age or older.
-Must be used outdoors and only in open areas.
-Must be at least 80 meters away from people and flammable materials.
-Care should be taken to ensure there are no obstructing elements in the vicinity or in the sky.
-The product should be placed on a hard and flat surface with the arrow pointing upwards and secured.
-When igniting, stand to the side so that no part of the body is over the product, and tear the ignition fuse label.
-Light the fuse at its outermost tip, then turn your back and quickly move at least 40 meters away, which is the minimum safety distance.
-If the product does not ignite or does not fully explode, wait at least 15 minutes. Do not attempt to relight it. The product should be stored safely until returned to the place of purchase.
-This product may only be used with permission from administrative authorities. Legal and administrative action will be taken against those found using it without an igniter's certificate.