All buildings will now need certified fire audit report….Sharvari Patwa
In the wake of the massive Mantralaya fire last month, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planned to tightensafety norms for all residential, commercial and highrise structures in the city. All city buildings will be required to get a certified fire audit report from listed licensing authorities stating the building is well-equipped with safety systems and complies with fire safety norms. The certificate will have to be submitted once a year, in January or July, said civic officials.
The Fire Act states that it is mandatory for each occupier or owner of a building to get a safety check from a licensing authority listed by the state government. In case of a lapse, a notice or other legal action could be taken on these residential and commercial structures, said Manisha Mhaiskar, Additional Municipal Commissioner.
The civic body will initiate strict implementation of the Fire Act in a phased manner from this year, she said.
The fire department will also inspect all state and central government offices by September end to ensure proper fire safety systems are in place. A senior fire official said, There are 80 enlisted licensing agencies that are empowered to undertake fire safety audits in residential and commercial buildings in the city. Owners and occupiers of buildings will now have to approach these agencies to conduct safety audits in their buildings.
Typically, the fire department only undertakes audits in high rises, schools, multiplexes and malls. In case housing colonies and commercial buildings fail to submit audit certificates, the department issues notices and in case of deficiencies, it can also prosecute the building owners, said officials. The buildings also stand to lose their electricity connections if there is a lapse in fire safety norms.
The civic body is planning to spread awareness regarding the rules of the Fire Act amongst residential and commercial building owners and occupiers, said Mhaiskar.
As per the Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Measure Act, 2006, it is mandatory for all buildings with more than six floors to get a fire safety audit done by an agency licensed by Maharashtra Fire Services and submit the report to the fire brigade authorities.
The state government is now insisting on stringent implementation of all Fire Act laws in the city following the Mantralaya fire, the official said.