Mumbai Fire Brigade Upgrades High-Rise Safety

With Mumbai’s skyline increasingly dominated by high-rise buildings, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) has taken a significant step towards enhancing its emergency response capabilities. The MFB is set to acquire five state-of-the-art fire-fighting vehicles, specifically designed for high-rise fire incidents. The total cost for these vehicles is estimated at ₹17.51 crores. This procurement follows the successful deployment of a similar vehicle purchased in 2022, which has proven effective in tackling fires in multi-storey structures.

The new vehicles, equipped with high-pressure water pumps, can deliver water up to a height of 240 metres, equivalent to around 80 storeys. In addition, these vehicles have arms that can extend horizontally up to 55 metres, allowing them to reach fires in congested urban spaces and navigate narrow streets. Each vehicle also comes with a water tank capacity exceeding 10,000 litres, ensuring a sustained water supply during prolonged firefighting operations. While building regulations mandate that high-rise structures have their own firefighting systems, these systems are not always reliable during emergencies. In such cases, it becomes crucial for the fire brigade to have equipment capable of delivering water to the highest points in the building.

A senior fire official explained the necessity for these specialised vehicles: “Fighting fires in high-rise buildings is particularly challenging due to the need to connect multiple pumps in sequence, a process that is both time-consuming and physically demanding. Each pump weighs up to 125 kilograms, and the challenge becomes more acute for fires above 150 metres. The special-purpose vehicle acquired two years ago has already demonstrated its effectiveness in such scenarios, and the new fleet will significantly enhance our response capabilities.” The versatility of these vehicles also allows them to be deployed in various fire situations, including those occurring in slum areas or congested neighbourhoods.

The proposal for procuring these vehicles has recently been approved by Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. The acquisition is expected to be completed within six months, providing a timely boost to the MFB’s operational readiness as the city continues to expand vertically. The new fleet will complement the existing firefighting infrastructure, ensuring that Mumbai remains well-prepared to handle fire incidents in its high-rise buildings. This move reflects a proactive approach by the Mumbai Fire Brigade to adapt to the city’s changing landscape and emerging challenges. By investing in cutting-edge firefighting technology, the MFB aims to safeguard lives and property more effectively, reinforcing its commitment to public safety in one of India’s most densely populated cities.