3,018 buildings found flouting fire safety regulations

Mumbai: The Mumbai Fire Brigade’s (MGB) data has revealed that many societies in Mumbai are still not serious about fire safety compliance in their buildings. The MFB in the last four years inspected 5,658 buildings across Mumbai. Of these, 3,018 were found flouting fire safety norms and notices were served to them.

Out of all the defaulters, however, 34 have been prosecuted for not complying with fire safety norms despite being served notices.

“The buildings should take responsibility for fire safety and submit the compliance certificate on time. However, some buildings, even after being served notices, do not comply to norms,” said chief fire officer, P.S. Rahangdale.

The MFB data stated that from January to November 2018, 1,047 buildings were inspected of which notices were issued to 476. While in 2017, 1,832 buildings were inspected of which 1,034 were served notices. In 2016, 1,474 buildings were inspected and notices were issued to 848 and in 2015, 1,305 buildings were inspected of which notices were issued to 660. These buildings included both residential and commercial structures.

Fire safety norms include ensuring that the inbuilt firefighting system is in a working condition and that there are no encroachments in free passages and that there are proper fire exits.

Buildings are also required to submit Form B — the fire safety compliance certificate — to the Fire Brigade every six months, in the months of January and July, under the Maharashtra Fire Safety and Life Preventions Act 2006.

Mr Rahangdale further said, “People should also be self-equipped for fire safety and be prepared. They are required to submit fire the safety certificate of the building, which many fail to do. We cannot visit every building and hence people should also take responsibility for their safety.

Simple actions like ensuring that firefighting equipment is in working condition and putting openable grills on windows make firefighting operations easy.”