Safety codes for buildings stressed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2025: To ensure safety and functionality, the by-laws/building codes for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems should be followed in the construction industry, said Nongthombam Benju Singh, Chief Town Planner, Town Planning Department.

He made the remark during a one-day seminar on "Importance of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection (MEPF) in Construction Industry" held today at the seminar hall of Institute of Engineers (India) Manipur State Centre located at Government Polytechnic campus, Takyel.

The seminar was organised by IEI Manipur State Centre in association with Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE), Guwahati Chapter.

Speaking as the chief guest, the Chief Town Planner said that a G+15 building (structure with ground+15 floors) cannot be constructed in the State without the installation of crucial MEPF systems.

According to building by-laws, large multi-storeyed structures should be equipped with inbuilt fire fighting systems, he said.

As an example, he pointed out that in case of fire in such large structures, sprinklers are installed in the ceilings which release water and extinguish the flames.

To conform with the bylaws, efforts are underway to install fire safety measures in old buildings and inspections are ongoing to put MEPF safety norms in place.

Meanwhile, Manekshaw Chingangbam, convenor, Organising Committee and Director of Man Engineers, Guwahati spoke about the career prospects for youths in MEPF systems.

As this is an essential part of building construction, he urged engineering students of the State to be proficient in this field while adding that engineers with in-depth knowledge on MEPF systems are rare in Manipur and the North East as a whole.

The seminar was attended by Ngangom Dilip Meitei, Executive Engineer.

Planning and Development Authority; Nayanmani Sharma, president, ISHRAE and RK Nando Singh, Senior Committee Member, IEI Manipur State Centre as presidium members.

During the first technical session, Nayanmani Sharma tackled the topic "About Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers and Basics of Air Conditioning", while Ashim Barman, secretary, ISHRAE spoke about "Basics of Building Insulation" and Moinul Haque, programme chair, ISHRAE discussed "VRF/VRV Project Management" during the second and third technical sessions respectively.

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