Awareness Campaign on Fire Safety | 15 Apr 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the National fire service day was observed on 14th April, 2024 under the theme ‘ensure fire safety to contribute towards nation building’.

Key Points

  • The day also honors all courageous firefighters who sacrificed their lives during a ship explosion at Mumbai dockyard in 1944.
  • The fire department has conducted an extensive awareness campaign in residential areas, apartments, industrial units, markets, malls, and shopping complexes to educate shop owners and residents about preventive measures to prevent short circuits, gas leaks, or fires.

Current Provision Regarding Fire Safety in India

  • Fire service is one of the most important emergency response services in the country, which comes under the 12th schedule of the Indian Constitution dealing with Municipal functions.
    • At present, fire prevention and fire fighting services are organised by the concerned States and Union Territories (UTs), and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
  • The National Building Code (NBC) of India, 2016: Published by the Bureau of Indian Standards, NBC is a “recommendatory document”, and state governments are expected to incorporate it into their local building by laws, making the recommendations a mandatory requirement.
    • It mainly contains administrative regulations, general building requirements such as fire safety requirements, structural design and construction (including safety) provisions.
  • Model Building Bye Laws, 2003: Under this, fire clearance is the responsibility of the Chief Fire Officer at each point. The concerned Development Authority must provide the building plans to the Chief Fire Officer for clearance purposes.
  • Guidelines by the National Disaster Management Authority stipulates fire safety requirements for public buildings, including hospitals along with design guidelines relating to maintaining a minimum level of open space, exit mechanisms, stairs, and evacuation drills.