Instructions issued to strictly enforce fire safety rules in Odisha

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BHUBANESWAR: Keeping the Delhi fire mishap in mind, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay, director general of police, fire services, on Saturday issued instructions to his officers to strictly enforce guidelines of Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules.
Upadhyay has emphasized fire safety audits of installations of different institutions including hotels, lodgings and guest houses, all educational buildings above 12 meters or built up area above 1000 square meters, cinema halls, multiplexes and all clinical establishments above 12 meters of heights or more than three floors.
Similarly, fire safety audits will be conducted at business or office buildings above 12 meters of height or built-up area more than 500 square meter, places of congregations like auditorium, convention halls above 500 square meters built up area, warehouses above 500 square meters, coaching centres/hostels, factories and industries.
The DG (fire services) has issued instructions for ensuring appointment of Fire Safety Supervisors of buildings enumerated by the directorate. The fire station officers will liaise with concerned supervisors of different establishments for safety. “All field officers of the Odisha fire services have been asked to ensure the displaying of photocopies of fire safety certificates to different establishments of the state, at all conspicuous places in all floors according to the rules,” read the official statement.
All fire officers, deputy fire officers and assistant fire officers have been instructed to inspect the big buildings of the states and then take follow up action. Upadhyay has instructed fire safety audit/inspections of all district headquarters hospitals, collectorates and high-rise government buildings on priority basis by May 21 where the frequent movement of public occurs.
The top cop said all fire station officers have been instructed to take fire prevention and fire safety measures in temporary structures created in fairs (mela), mandaps, jatra and other programmes spread over a 1000 square meter area or having a congregation of more than 2000 people at a place. “The organizers will take safety certificates from local fire officers. The organizers will ensure that they have taken all precautionary measures to prevent fire incidents,” he added.
Besides, fire station officers will coordinate with various market committees for community participation towards fire safety and fire prevention in busy market places/daily markets. Vendors are advised not to use loose or open electrical wiring to avoid short circuiting due to overheating. “In case of any fire related hazard, citizens are advised to dial emergency number 112,” said the official statement.
After the 2016 fire tragedy at SUM Hospital, the state government had framed fire safety rules to conduct fire safety audits and ensure all installations/big buildings conform to fire safety norms.

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