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Increasing Fire Incidents, a ‘man-made’ Disaster
Context
Fire safety is a critical issue in India, highlighted by recent tragic incidents such as the Delhi hospital and Rajkot gaming zone fires. These unfortunate incidents, which reveal patterns of negligence and regulatory failures, highlight the importance of stringent enforcement of safety laws and the need for proactive measures to protect human lives and property.
Reasons Behind the Tragic Incidents
- Regulatory Failures: Both the Delhi hospital and the Rajkot gaming zone operated without mandatory licences and safety measures, reflecting a systemic failure in regulatory enforcement. These institutions bypassed essential safety norms, endangering lives.
- Administrative Negligence: There was a lack of oversight from the relevant authorities. In both cases, the institutions had not been inspected or held accountable for their non-compliance with safety standards, indicating a severe lapse in administrative diligence.
- Greed and Mismanagement: Business owners prioritizing profits over safety led to inadequate safety measures. The lack of firefighting equipment and trained personnel in both establishments exemplifies a blatant disregard for human life.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Shortage of manpower and modern equipment in fire service departments hampers effective disaster response, contributing to higher casualties and damage during incidents.
India’s Model Code for Fire Safety
- National Building Code (NBC): NBC is India's central standard for fire safety, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in 1970 and last updated in 2016. It provides detailed guidelines on construction, maintenance, and fire safety for buildings. Part 4 of the NBC specifically addresses fire safety, outlining measures to ensure the safety of occupants.
- Mandatory Compliance: State governments must incorporate the NBC's fire safety recommendations into their local building bylaws.
Key Fire Safety Provisions
- Building Classification and Restrictions: The NBC categorizes buildings into fire zones to prevent hazardous structures from coexisting with residential and institutional buildings.
- Hotels are under Residential ‘Group A’
- Hospitals are under Institutional ‘Group C’
- Assembly buildings (marriage halls, night clubs, tents, multiplexes) are under ‘Group D’.
- Construction Materials: Non-combustible materials should be used in construction, especially for staircases and enclosures.
- Electrical Safety: Wiring should have flame-retardant properties, and separate shafts for different voltage levels are required. Emergency power systems should support critical safety features like exit signage and fire alarms.
- Exit Access and Lighting: Properly identified exits with adequate lighting are essential for safe evacuation.
- Advanced Safety Technologies: The use of automatic fire detection systems, sprinklers, fire barriers, and escape routes is recommended.
Where is the State?
- According to the XII Schedule of the Constitution under Article 243(W), the fire services in India are under the purview of the state and are listed as a municipal function.
- The 'Model Building Bye Laws 2016', issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, guide states and Union Territories in framing their building bylaws. These laws include norms for fire protection and safety.
- Additionally, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) provides guidelines for fire safety in homes, schools, and hospitals.
Challenges in Implementation
- Despite the existence of fire safety rules in all states, compliance is often lax due to the NBC being a "recommendatory document." This means its provisions are frequently ignored at the local level, even when certifications are mandatory.
- Local authorities often fail to conduct regular fire safety audits, leading to tragic outcomes.
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