450 high-rises don’t follow fire safety rules, sent notices

CARELESS Gaothan areas in city also fire-unsafe since need-based extensions have left no space for fire tenders to access the houses there in case of an emergency

VASHI: The fire department of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has sent notices to 450 high-rises in the city for failing to implement fire safety norms.

The notices were based on a survey of housing societies conducted by the fire department. The move comes in the wake of the two fires that broke out in high-rises in the city, in the last two weeks.

According to a government directive, buildings that have more than five storeys are required to install a fire protection system. However, of the 1,500 such buildings in the city, may continue to flout these safety rules.

“Although rules require developers to submit a report on the installation of fire-fighting systems in buildings before they are given occupancy certificates, most housing societies don’t bother to maintain these fire extinguishers once they are given the occupancy certificates,” said Jagannath Sinnarkar, deputy municipal commissioner, adding that although people spend lakhs on buying homes in high- rises, they refuse to spend any money to ensure that building’s fire equipment is fully functional.

The department will also publish advertisements in newspapers pertaining to the installation of fire-fighting systems in housing societies.

“Even though NMMC’s fire brigade has the capacity to douse flames up to 22- storeys, residents need to do their bit by ensuring fire extinguishers are functional so that a blaze can be put out quickly,” said an official, on the condition of anonymity.

The official said the situation was especially grave in gaothan areas, where residents have expanded their homes. “There is hardly any place for fire tenders to move. In case of a fire, fire engines can’t even access their homes.”

Besides residential complexes, hotels and other commercial establishments have also failed to implement fire safety norms. The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) market, Vashi, which is one of the largest markets in Asia, too, has failed to meet fire safety norms.