Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the devastating fire incident in Lucknow, which killed 15 people, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has directed immediate and comprehensive fire safety audits across all educational institutions, coaching centres, and skill development centres in the state.
Special Relief Commissioner and OSDMA Managing Director SRajesh Prabhakar Patil has instructed all District Collectors and Chairpersons of District Disaster Management Authorities to ensure strict compliance with fire safety norms. The directive stresses that the safety of students, trainees, teachers, and staff must be the top priority, especially as the new academic session begins.
District administrations have been asked to immediately begin field inspections of all campuses, with particular attention to multi-storeyed buildings and densely populated urban areas. Teams will verify the validity of Fire Safety Certificates and No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), check the working condition of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarms, and emergency lighting, and ensure that electrical systems are properly maintained to prevent short circuits.
The storage of combustible materials in classrooms, corridors, or escape routes has been strictly prohibited.
Authorities must also confirm that all exit routes, staircases, and corridors remain clear and unobstructed at all times, with proper signage for exits and assembly points. Doors along evacuation paths should open outward for easy access during emergencies. Institutions have been directed to display emergency contact numbers prominently and conduct regular hands-on training and mock drills for fire safety.
To build a stronger culture of preparedness, schools, colleges, and coaching centres must organise periodic fire safety awareness programmes — ideally every quarter — in coordination with fire services and local administrations. Each institution is required to appoint and train Fire Safety Wardens and Nodal Officers. They must also prepare and prominently display a site-specific Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan, along with updated contact details for fire services, police, health departments, and the District Emergency Operation Centre.
Special emphasis has been placed on institutions operating in rented buildings, commercial complexes, basements, or those with high student density, as well as student hostels and residential facilities.
A multi-departmental team involving officials from Revenue, Fire Services, Education, Higher Education, and Skill Development departments will conduct joint inspections. Any facility found non-compliant will face immediate action and will be given a strict deadline to rectify deficiencies. District Collectors have been asked to closely monitor the implementation of these measures and submit a detailed Action Taken Report within 15 days, including the number of institutions inspected, deficiencies found, and corrective steps initiated.
