Not all buildings have NOC from fire services'
On asking about how many cases related to fire do they receive in a month, the fire officer said that on an average about 20-25.
New Delhi: In wake of the recent incidents of roof collapses in Connaught Place last week, highlighting the safety concerns, according to the fire officials, not all buildings in CP have a no-objection certificate from Delhi Fire Services.
Speaking to this newspaper, Delhi Fire Services (DFS) director G.C. Mishra said that the restaurants with a seating capacity of more than 50 come under their jurisdiction, while the ones with lesser capacity is New Delhi Municipal Councils’ responsibility.
“The buildings under the fire department possess fire safety clearances that were issued to them at the time of construction,” he added.
The DFS checks all the fire safety arrangements of the buildings after it receives a letter from the licensing authority which includes the NDMC, MCD, police or any other building authority either for issuing a NOC or for a renewal. However, as per rule, the authorities are asked by the department to send the letter six months prior to the date of expiry of the NOC.
According to a senior fire officer, the heritage buildings are being issued fire safety certificates depending on their building construction and the laws applicable at that time.
On asking about how many cases related to fire do they receive in a month, the fire officer said that on an average about 20-25.
“If we get an application for renewal of old buildings with no change in the structure then we go by the same rules of fire safety requirements at that time. But if the same building has restructured the interior then we inspect and issue them NOC as per the present by-laws,” he said.
However, the DFS used to issue NOCs till 2010 to certify the compliance with the requirement but post 2010, the department has been issuing Fire Services Certificate (FSC), which is valid for three years. Also, those buildings coming to get their NOC renewed, are now issued FSCs but with the same provisions as per National Building Code of India, 2005.
On asking about how many cases related to fire do they receive in a month, the fire officer said that on an average about 20-25. “These are those buildings which do not get their certificates renewed on time. And if they do not get their NOC/FSC renewed even after serving them a notice, we disconnect their water and electricity supply,” he said.