Saturday 1 December 2018

The efficient fire alarm

None of the buildings in our University had any fire alarm.  Partly because these were built during the 70s.  But more so because the efficient CPWD, and now the RITES, that build all the public buildings does not believe in any safety procedures.

However, because the wiring in all the buildings are now more than 50 years old and overloaded, fires are very common in the Summer. Finally, after a lot of push from our end the administration decided fire safety.

Fat and thin, large and small pipes were laid through the entire school (of course without spirit level).  Each lab had a smoke detector installed. They assured us that in case of fire, the system will get activated and water, under pressure, will be released.








Well, today my student had an accident in the cell culture lab.  When I went in I could smell the acrid smoke. 

The good news: my student was not injured.
The bad news: the smoke detector did not go off.

Once again proving that L1 is the best.








Note: The Government of India believes in open competition.  That is to say, if I need to purchase an equipment or buy a consumable or if fire safety system has to be installed, then quotations have to be called in.  And the lowest bidder, known as L1, will be awarded the contract. This is to prevent corruption but...