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Posted 27 May 2024

2 min read

Fire outbreaks in Delhi’s private hospital and Rajkot’s indoor gaming centre have renewed debate over fire safety in India. 

  • In 2022, In India, 7,435 people were killed in over 7,500 fire accidents (NCRB report 2022).  

Challenges in preventing fire outbreaks

  • Absence of uniform safety legislation: Fire Services is a State subject and Fire safety operations fall under municipalities which generally suffer from resource constraints. 
    • National Building Code of India, 2016, has a provision for ‘Fire and Life Safety’ audit but it is recommendatory. 
  • Inadequate Fire Services: According to the Central Government’s reply in Parliament in 2019, there were 5,191 fewer fire stations and 5,03,365 fewer personnel than required.
  • Poor Compliance: For example, 
    • In Delhi hospital’s license was inadequate and expired, while the building was not equipped with fire extinguishers or emergency doors.
    • Rajkot’s indoor gaming centre lacked no-objection certificate from fire safety authorities, and welding work was underway during business hours.
  • Suboptimal government oversight: Inspections are weak, audits after major disasters reveal critical shortcomings, but follow-up actions, are rare. 

Other Initiatives Taken for Fire Safety 

  • Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States: Launched by Centre in 2023 for strengthening fire services in the States for the period upto 2025-26. 
  • Model Bill to Provide for the Maintenance of Fire and Emergency Service for the State: Circulated by the Centre. 
  • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines: NDMA has released guidelines on scaling, type of equipment and training of fire services in the country.
  • Tags :
  • Fire safety hazaard
  • National Building Code
  • NDMA Guidelines on Fire safety
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