Airport fire safety management under question
Probe seeking details on CAAB’s future measures for fire safety, budget for equipment, training, maintenance
Barely a week after securing top marks in a UK aviation security assessment, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is facing sharp scrutiny over its fire safety management following the devastating blaze at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).
Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the airport's sole cargo handler, has formed a seven-member probe committee headed by its flight safety chief to assess the effectiveness of HSIA's overall fire safety ecosystem based on 15 key questions.
Among the issues under investigation are whether the fire detection and sprinkler systems were functional, if a fire hydrant point existed in the cargo zone, and whether firefighting vehicles had adequate capacity.
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Although CAAB insists that the airport complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence has said the cargo area had no effective fire safety system in place.
"Fire safety in the airport's cargo area is completely ineffective. Detection and sprinkler systems were non-functional, and essential protection equipment was missing," a senior fire service official told The Business Standard.
"There are no designated fire zones, exit routes, or smoke ventilation systems. The building is divided into small, compartmentalised spaces like a local warehouse, which made fire control extremely difficult," he added.
HSIA Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad refuted the claims, saying, "The warehouse had around 132 operational fire extinguishers. But no one was present at the point of origin, so immediate action was impossible."
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq also defended the authority, stating: "We were operating under ICAO standards, which can be verified. Firefighting vehicles reached the site within 30 seconds of detection."
He admitted, however, that the affected shed lacked sprinklers at the front and rear. "Most older airports in Bangladesh were not designed with modern fire systems. Nonetheless, we met the approved minimum ICAO standards," he said.
Who was in charge of the courier shed?
The CAAB stated that the fire originated in a courier shed within the cargo village, burning for 26 hours, and according to businesses, the fire has caused an estimated loss of around Tk12,000 crore.
But no one – including Biman, CAAB, or Customs – has taken responsibility for the shed's management.
CAAB Chairman Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq told TBS: "The fire started in a courier office, but it was unclear who controlled it. The office is managed by Biman, Customs, and the courier service. While CAAB owns the building, management and operations are handled by the airline."
He added: "All airport facilities are owned by civil aviation, but day-to-day management falls to Biman, Customs, and other agencies. CAAB allocated the courier shed to Biman, which leases it to courier companies. Ground handling remains the airline's responsibility."
"We provide the fire system as part of civil aviation infrastructure, but maintenance and operation depend on the airline or relevant agency, especially where Customs or courier companies operate," he said.
The chairman noted, "The office was closed on Friday and Saturday. Security was present outside, but no one was inside. Internal activities could not be monitored, and these details will now be clarified through the investigation."
Biman spokesperson Boshra Islam told TBS, "Documents show these facilities haven't been under our supervision since 2013. The investigation will clarify responsibility. The committee has five working days, so we must wait."
Muhammad Kamrul Hassan, joint commissioner of Dhaka Custom House, said, "Our work ended at 1:30pm that day, so we couldn't be responsible for the fire. The area falls under CAAB's jurisdiction, so we don't understand why blame is directed at us."
Where was the fire hydrant?
Questions have been raised over the absence of hydrant points outside airport buildings, particularly in the cargo warehouse area. Sources said the airport has only three firefighting vehicles, designated for Boeing 777 rescue operations, raising concerns about coverage for cargo warehouses and terminals.
HSIA Executive Director Ragib Samad that the cargo warehouse lacked hydrants. "There should've been hydrants in the cargo area. With cargo handling now much higher, every building should ideally have one in front," he said.
He noted that hydrants inside the terminal supplied water immediately through connected piping, and an overhead system refilled firefighting vehicles. "These were operational during the fire, though coordinating multiple units caused a slight delay," he added.
On the shortage of vehicles, he said new units are due under the Terminal 3 project but have not yet been handed over due to pending observations. HSIA's firefighting team is trained with mock aircraft for live-fire exercises.
The investigation committee has questioned why experienced Fire Service personnel are not assigned to such high-risk operations.
In response, Talha Bin Zasim, media officer of the fire service, said, "We don't issue licences or fitness certificates for airports, as these are managed by CAAB. We can't answer all the questions raised."
HSIA's executive director added: "We have our own fire team on standby, and the fire service responds as it does anywhere in the country. If the fire service wants to include this under their KPIs, it could be considered as a new proposal in coordination with headquarters."
When was the last safety audit?
The investigation committee is also probing when the last fire safety audit was conducted and its findings.
HSIA executive director Ragib Samad told TBS, "I don't know the exact date, but audits are carried out regularly. Our fire team trains departments and staff daily, and kitchens and lounges receive routine fire safety instruction. In June, we also conducted fire training in the cargo and courier areas."
The committee is examining whether hydrants, sprinklers, and foam systems are regularly tested and where the latest records are kept.
The executive director said: "All firefighting equipment is tested and maintained in operational condition. To our knowledge, these procedures are followed and records properly kept."
Questions under review include when the fire safety design plan was last updated, whether flammable material limits in cargo warehouses exist and are enforced, who designed the imported cargo village building, when its fire safety certification was issued, and whether the Airport Emergency Plan and Fire Prevention Policy meet international standards.
The committee is also seeking details on CAAB's future measures for fire safety and the portion of its annual budget allocated for equipment, training, and maintenance.
