Nearly 1,000 highrise buildings in the national capital are flouting fire safety norms, an increase of more than 35 per cent over the figure last year.
“Out of a total of 2,376 highrise buildings, NOC (no objection certificate) has been issued to around 527 as of now. 996 are flouting fire safety norm,” a senior official in Delhi Fire Service told this newspaper on condition of anonymity.
He said, “The rest of the buildings have either just applied for NOC clearance or are in the initial stages of the process. Some have been converted into lowrise buildings and a couple have been sealed by MCD, DDA or NDMC.”
These buildings that are not following fire safety norms are in Amrit Puri, Tughlakabad extension, Kalkaji, Safdarjung Development Area, Munirka, Ber Sarai, Govindpuri extension, Lajpat Nagar, Malviya Nagar, Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk areas in the city among others.
In 2010, notices were issued to 718 highrise buildings for violating or not following fire safety norms, while 215 others were re-notified after they failed to take any action on previous notices.
On being asked as to what action was taken against them after the issuance of notices, the official said, “We have cut the water and electricity connections of many buildings that violated the fire safety norms and the supply will not be reinstalled if they do not put these measures in order”.
The non-installation of fire equipment, congested staircases, narrow entry roads and absence of trained personnel to tackle emergencies are major causes of concern in many multi-storeyed buildings in crowded markets in the city like Sadar Bazaar, Karol Bagh and Gandhi Nagar.
In residential areas, especially “lal dora” areas, illegal constructions and congested roads are the basic problems which could make the situation grim in event of any major fire incident.
Markets which have lowrise buildings are more vulnerable to fire incidents because as per the Building Bye Laws Act, 1983, the buildings which are less than 15 metres in height do not require fire safety measures.
“Though most of the authorised buildings in areas like Nehru Place and Rajendra Place are following the fire safety plan, the buildings which are less than 15 metres in height are not secured,” official said.
He said, “The whole of Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar and many buildings in Karol Bagh does not come under our purview and thus we cannot ensure fire safety measures there”.
According to the Delhi Fire Service Rules 2010 under the Delhi Fire Service Act 2007, the occupier of the building or premises will always maintain the fire prevention and safety measures provided in the building or premises in best condition for use by the occupants or members of the fire service or both.
Under the new rules, the fire safety certificate issued will be valid for five years for residential buildings and three years for non-residential buildings, including hotels, from the date of issue.