The building contained an extensive fire sprinkler system with standpipes and automatic sprinklers. Building codes were dated, not mentioning standpipes, fire escapes, or sprinklers. Wet standpipes generally already come with hoses so that building occupants may fight fires quickly. The use of standpipes keeps stairwells clear and is safer for exiting occupants. Water access derives from public standpipes stationed throughout the slum. In urban areas, access to standpipes substituted to a large extent to piped water access. There were no gaiters on the standpipes. Residents of informal settlements receive water through public standpipes equipped with prepaid water meters. There was widespread water rationing and public standpipes in some affected areas. Dry standpipes are not filled with water until needed in fire fighting. It is penetrated by standpipes for fuel and control channel assemblies. Rural water supply was mostly through standpipes that provided water for free. Many standpipes have been either broken or obsolete. Fire trucks carry standpipes and key, and there are bars on the truck. Its water was also distributed to residents through standpipes positioned in each district.