The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Court asks Government to notify fire safety measures

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Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Court asks Government to notify fire safety measures

Bangalore: The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the State Government to notify within two weeks the fire safety measures to prevent fire accidents in high-rise buildings based on the action plan submitted by the Fire and Emergency Services and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice H.G. Ramesh issued the direction while disposing of a public interest litigation filed by Beyond Carlton, a group involving families of nine persons who died in the fire accident at Carlton Towers here on February 23, 2009.

The notification will have to be issued under Section 13 of the Karnataka Fire Safety Act, 1964, which empowers the State Government to issue directions to authorities in relation to preventive measures.

The Government has been authorised to modify or change the measures suggested in the action plan. Some of the safety measures recommended in the plan are:

— All buildings 15-m tall and above shall be considered high-rise buildings and the BBMP shall not grant them building plans/licences without obtaining no objection certificate from the Fire Services Department.

— In case of the existing but un-occupied buildings and buildings under-construction, the BBMP shall not grant occupancy certificate unless sufficient fire protection systems are installed.

— Electricity and water supply agencies shall not provide services to high-rise buildingswithout a certificate from the BBMP.

— The owner/association of all high-rise buildings shall get the premises inspected by the Fire Services Department to ascertain the working condition of the fire safety measures installed.

— The officer nominated by the Commissioner, along with a representative of the tenants/residents shall carry out an inspection once in two years relating to deviations and alterations in buildings.

A detailed compliance report shall be filed after inspection.

The officer can also carry out surprise checks on fire safety measures, relating to encroachment of corridors, fire escape routes and emergency exits.

— High-rise buildings in violation of these rules shall not be entitled to benefits under Akrama-Sakrama scheme.

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