Be Mains Ready

Approach:

• Briefly mention recent instances of the fire tragedy in India with some facts and findings.
• With some examples explain how fire accidents are the result of a lack of preparedness at the regulatory and organizational level.
• Provide way forward highlighting ways to strengthen preparedness at both regulatory and organizational front.

Introduction:

• As per India Risk Surveys 2018, India is the third largest country in terms of fire accidents and had faced numerous fire accidents in the past few years like fire explosion in a cracker factory in Warangal and ESIC Mumbai Hospital, a massive blaze in Lucknow hotel and the recent fire tragedy at a coaching institute in Surat is a clear indication of the lack of preparedness at various regulatory and organizational level.

Body:

Lack of preparedness at the organizational level:

• Poorly stored goods reduce the effectiveness of sprinkler systems.
• Increasing vulnerabilities due to poor planning: Inflammable materials used in interiors, inadequate fire escape routes, narrow bylanes, congested building plans.
• No monitoring mechanism to check fire safety norms, building plan rules are being adhered to by the builders and residents.
• Lack of adequate resources and infrastructural facilities in terms of fire safety:
  
  • Based on a 2011 study, 65 percent deficiency was reported in fire stations.
  • According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, in 144 towns with population over 1 lakh, there is a huge deficiency of fire fighting infrastructure.
  • 78 percent of the budget allocated to buying fire safety equipment and rescue vehicles went unused across the state between 2010 and 2015.
• Public awareness (DOs & DON’Ts), conduct of regular mock exercises and evacuation drills are not conducted regularly.
• Fire safety workforce is not trained on a regular basis and lacks modern techniques, skills and real-time environmental understanding in the absence of fire training institutes.
• Vulnerability analysis is mostly not done.

Lack of preparedness at the regulatory level:

• Unclear provisions of fire safety audit
• Violation of safety norms by high rise buildings
• Lack of Uniform fire safety legislation in some of the states.
  
  • Fire service is a state subject and has been included as a municipal function in the XII schedule of the Constitution.
  • Fire services in some states like Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, etc. are under the respective concerned municipal corporations. In other remaining states, it is under the department of Home Ministry.
• Firemaster plans are not being updated or revamped.
  
  • Only 30% of the cities in India have any master plan.

Laws and Government Interventions:

• The National Building Code of India, 2016: covers the requirements for fire prevention, life safety in relation to fire and fire protection of buildings.
• The Model Building Bye Laws, 2003: Point-specific responsibility for all fire-related clearance rests with the Chief Fire Officer. The Chief Fire Officer shall issue the ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the viewpoint of fire safety and means of escape, after satisfying himself that all the fire protection measures have been implemented and are functional as per approved plans.

Way forward :

• Regular fire safety audit of critical fire prone establishments like (like high rise buildings, multiplexes in congested areas)
  
  • Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA) to be implemented and adhered to.
• Modernization of fire equipment:
  
  • Financial support and assistance in augmenting and modernizing the fire departments.
• Awareness programs:
  
  • Fire fighting workshop and fire safety drills once in six months at the residential colonies, schools, and such other institutions/organizations should be conducted.
• Proper demarcation of entry and exit points in crowded buildings, installation of fire fighting equipment and their regular maintenance, periodic renewal of No-objection certificates by building owners in order to ensure fire preparedness.

Conclusion:

Summarize answer with the recommendations 13th Finance Commission on fire safety and organization.

• All Municipal Corporations with a population of more than one million (2001 census) must put in place a fire hazard response and mitigation plan for their respective jurisdictions
• A portion of the grant allocated by the commission to the Urban Local Bodies may be spent on revamping the fire services in their jurisdiction.
• The ULBs may extend financial support to State Fire Services Department in this effort.