Delhi’s Worst Fire Tragedy Rings Alarm Bells In Odisha; DG Fire Services Issues Strict Instructions

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has ordered for fire safety audit of malls, multiplexes, educational institutions, clinics, high-rise buildings and district hospitals against the backdrop of the fire mishap in Delhi’s official complex, which claimed 27 lives.

Fire Services DG S K Upadhyay has issued instructions to all Assistant Fire Officers of the districts, Deputy Fire Officers of all circles and Range Fire Officers of the state to strictly enforce the guidelines of Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017.

The DG also laid emphasis on fire safety audit of hotels, lodgings and guest houses, all educational buildings above 12 metres or built-up areas above 1000 square metres, cinema halls, multiplex, all clinical establishments above 12 metres or more than 3 floors, business or office building above 12 metres or built-up area more than 500 square metres, places of congregations like auditoriums, convention halls above 500 square metres built-up area; warehouses above 500 square metres, coaching centres/hostels, factories and industries.

Fire Officers, Deputy Fire Officers and Assistant Fire Officers would inspect these buildings while field officers of the Fire department have been asked to ensure that photocopies of Fire Safety certificates to different establishments are displayed at conspicuous places on all floors.

Fire Safety audit/inspections of all district headquarters hospitals, collectorates and high-rise government buildings have to be completed by May 21, he said.

Vendors have been advised not to use loose or open electrical wiring to avoid fire mishaps and fire station officers have also been instructed to co-ordinate with various market committees for community participation towards fire safety and fire prevention in busy market places/daily markets.

Notably, 27 people died inside a four-storey commercial building near Mundka Metro station in the worst fire tragedy in the national capital’s recent history on May 14.