Acidentes Históricos 003 - Incêndio no Edifício Joelma

Summary

The Joelma Building fire, which occurred in São Paulo in 1974, was a devastating tragedy that claimed 191 lives and left over 300 injured. A short circuit on the 12th floor ignited a fire that spread rapidly due to the building's outdated electrical system and lack of fire safety measures. The disaster revealed serious flaws in fire prevention and safety protocols, sparking public debate about building regulations. Lessons learned from this tragedy emphasize the importance of up-to-date safety installations, regular fire drills, and adherence to fire safety standards to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 A fire broke out in the Joelma building on February 1, 1974, due to a short circuit in an air conditioning unit, which led to widespread destruction.
• 😀 The building's lack of fire safety measures, including narrow stairways, blocked elevators, and inadequate fire escapes, worsened the situation.
• 😀 The fire spread rapidly because of the building's interior, which had wooden furniture, carpeted floors, and synthetic fiber linings.
• 😀 Many victims attempted to escape using elevators, but these became inoperative due to the fire’s damage to the building’s electrical system.
• 😀 Despite the efforts of firefighters, external rescue attempts were unsuccessful, as the building's higher floors were out of reach of emergency equipment.
• 😀 The fire resulted in 191 deaths and over 300 injuries, with most of the victims being employees of the Crefisul investment bank.
• 😀 After the fire, it was discovered that the building's fire hydrants were inexplicably closed, despite a large water reserve being available.
• 😀 The fire highlighted the inadequacies of the 1934 building code in São Paulo, which failed to account for the electrical and safety risks present in the 1970s.
• 😀 The aftermath led to a reevaluation of fire prevention and safety regulations in Brazilian cities, with a focus on improving building infrastructure and fire-fighting systems.
• 😀 The Joelma building fire led to stricter regulations, including regular inspections of electrical installations and fire safety systems, which are crucial for preventing similar incidents in the future.

Q & A

What caused the fire at the Joelma building?

The fire at the Joelma building was caused by a short circuit in an air conditioning unit on the 12th floor.

What were the key factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire?

The rapid spread of the fire was facilitated by wooden furniture, carpeted floors, fabric curtains, and internal linings of synthetic fiber, which were present in the building's rooms and offices.

Why did many people use the elevators despite fire safety protocols?

Many people used the elevators because the stairs, which were located in the center of the floors, were soon blocked by fire and smoke. The elevators were also blocked after the fire caused a failure in the building’s electrical system.

What was the role of firefighters and emergency responders during the event?

Firefighters faced confusion and difficulty in reaching the building due to crowds of civilians, including police, soldiers, and even Boy Scouts. Helicopters were unable to land on the scorching terrace, and the Magirus ladders did not reach the higher floors.

How many people died and were injured in the tragedy?

191 people died, and over 300 were injured. The majority of the victims were employees of the Crefisul investment bank.

What caused the failure of the fire prevention systems in the building?

The building’s electrical system was precarious and overloaded. Additionally, the hydrant registers were found to be inexplicably closed, even though the reservoir contained 29,000 liters of water.

What was the impact of the fire on the investigation and legal actions?

The investigation concluded that the company responsible for electrical maintenance was mainly at fault. The administrative manager of Grife Sul was sentenced to three years in prison, while other individuals involved received lesser sentences.

What changes were made to the building after the fire?

After the fire, the building was closed for four years for renovations. It was later renamed the Praça da Bandeira building upon the completion of the renovations in October 1978.

How did the Joelma building fire contribute to the public discussion on fire safety in Brazil?

The fire, which occurred just two years after the Andraus building fire, highlighted the deficiencies in fire prevention and fighting systems in Brazilian metropolises, sparking public discourse on the need for updated building codes and safety measures.

What lessons were learned from the Joelma building fire, and how can they be applied today?

Key lessons from the fire include the importance of keeping electrical installations up to date, conducting regular safety inspections, ensuring proper fire escapes and evacuation routes, and avoiding improper electrical conditions in buildings.