Getting Metro safety on-track
June 21, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
EDITOR'S Note
Encountering everything from security checks to leaks, the 5 million passengers using the Shanghai Metro daily are reminded of safety issues on every journey.
As Shanghai's government seeks public suggestions on safety in the city, Shanghai Daily reporter Zha Minjie highlights safety concerns on the city's Metro, including the absence of safety doors, emergency evacuation procedures and water leaking into stations.
Public advice is still sought on firefighting, construction, traffic and work safety. Readers can e-mail suggestions to Shanghai Daily at editor@shanghaidaily.com.
Fire hazard
Since the blaze that killed 58 people in a high-rise in downtown Jing'an District last November, emergency procedures in crowded places have come under close scrutiny.
A fire drill was held yesterday at Century Avenue station, a large transit where passengers can take subways on Metro lines 2, 4, 6 and 9.
Firefighters, police and Metro operator Shanghai Shentong Group work together during such drills.
Each station has a crew of between three and five Metro staff trained for fire emergencies. And firefighters should be familiar with station layouts, said the fire department.
There have also been calls for tighter security checks for inflammable and other hazardous goods at stations.Doors and barriersThere have been calls for safety doors and barriers at all 273 Metro stations, following a series of accidents in which passengers fell or jumped from the platform on to the tracks.
Passengers also worry that at some stations barriers - at about half an adult's height - are too low to offer protection once platforms get crowded.
The Metro authority said it is undertaking research on stations that need renovations but that it may take time to upgrade safety equipment without affecting operations.
At some stations, such as on Metro Line 2, the platforms are not suitable for adding doors or barriers.
The operator said it would increase station patrols to look out for risks.
Water leaks
Extra waterproofing and renovations are needed to stop water leaking into Metro stations when it rains, passengers and the operator agree.
During the current plum rain season, leaks have occurred at many stations on almost all Metro lines.
Part of the solution is to widen drains near stations so they can cope with heavy rainfall, say officials.
However, the Metro operator says many problems with leaks at recently built stations are due to subsidence, which will take several years to settle down. Workers usually inject cement into cracks caused by subsidence.
But the authorities are investigating new approaches, such as cladding cement in waterproof material in stations currently being built.
Encountering everything from security checks to leaks, the 5 million passengers using the Shanghai Metro daily are reminded of safety issues on every journey.
As Shanghai's government seeks public suggestions on safety in the city, Shanghai Daily reporter Zha Minjie highlights safety concerns on the city's Metro, including the absence of safety doors, emergency evacuation procedures and water leaking into stations.
Public advice is still sought on firefighting, construction, traffic and work safety. Readers can e-mail suggestions to Shanghai Daily at editor@shanghaidaily.com.
Fire hazard
Since the blaze that killed 58 people in a high-rise in downtown Jing'an District last November, emergency procedures in crowded places have come under close scrutiny.
A fire drill was held yesterday at Century Avenue station, a large transit where passengers can take subways on Metro lines 2, 4, 6 and 9.
Firefighters, police and Metro operator Shanghai Shentong Group work together during such drills.
Each station has a crew of between three and five Metro staff trained for fire emergencies. And firefighters should be familiar with station layouts, said the fire department.
There have also been calls for tighter security checks for inflammable and other hazardous goods at stations.Doors and barriersThere have been calls for safety doors and barriers at all 273 Metro stations, following a series of accidents in which passengers fell or jumped from the platform on to the tracks.
Passengers also worry that at some stations barriers - at about half an adult's height - are too low to offer protection once platforms get crowded.
The Metro authority said it is undertaking research on stations that need renovations but that it may take time to upgrade safety equipment without affecting operations.
At some stations, such as on Metro Line 2, the platforms are not suitable for adding doors or barriers.
The operator said it would increase station patrols to look out for risks.
Water leaks
Extra waterproofing and renovations are needed to stop water leaking into Metro stations when it rains, passengers and the operator agree.
During the current plum rain season, leaks have occurred at many stations on almost all Metro lines.
Part of the solution is to widen drains near stations so they can cope with heavy rainfall, say officials.
However, the Metro operator says many problems with leaks at recently built stations are due to subsidence, which will take several years to settle down. Workers usually inject cement into cracks caused by subsidence.
But the authorities are investigating new approaches, such as cladding cement in waterproof material in stations currently being built.
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