Fire cells need chief fire officer’s nod before sealing properties
MUMBAI: Six months after creating 34 special fire cells to monitor the city’s 2.89 lakh-odd buildings for fire safety compliance, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has diluted the powers of compliance officials. This move is likely to extend the time to be taken to act against non-compliant premises and could involve more paperwork.
According to a recent decision, compliance officials will now be able to seal premises or remove hazardous material from a fire non-compliant premise only after receiving a written order from the chief fire officer (CFO). The decision comes after the civic body learnt that those appointed for the post of nominated fire officials were not qualified for the designation.
After the fire at Kamala Mills in December last year, the BMC created 34 fire compliance cells with nominated fire officials to inspect premises for non-compliance to fire safety.
Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta said, “The creation of the compliance cell was strictly done as per the rule book. But we have now put a standard operating procedure in place, and have cleared all confusions pertaining to who can seal the premises. In a sense, the compliance officials now have borrowed powers.”
IA Kundan, additional municipal commissioner in-charge of the fire department, said, “After seeking legal opinion, it is noticed that some officials have not passed an exam that is necessary to appoint them as nominated
official. The officials of 34 compliance cells will inspect premises, but if they need to confiscate hazardous material or seal them, they have to act via the veto power of CFO.”
Recently, the fire brigade union contended that some of the nominated fire officials do not qualify for the position as per the
Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006. As per the Act, a fire official should have a certificate of fire prevention course from the State Fire Academy, Government of Maharashtra, before appointment. The BMC sought legal advice on the matter.