Hsg societies to face penal action if found flouting fire safety rules

Power, water supply to be disconnected, office-bearers may also be arrested, warn officials

CBD BELAPUR: The fire department of t he Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has directed all housing societies in the city to ensure that the fire- fighting system on their premises are fully functional and to furnish documents issued by a licenced agency twice a year, in the months of January and June, certifying the compliance of fire safety norms.

According to a circular from the department, strict action will be taken against the managements of societies if they fail to meet the requisite norms.

The directives come close in the heels of a survey by the civic body, which revealed that 450 housing complexes in the city were found violating fire safety norms. These inspec- tions were carried out by fire officials recently in the wake of two major fires in high-rises.

According to the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 and 2009, it is compulsory for every residential complex to maintain fire extinguisher and submit documents issued by a licenced agency twice a year, in the months of January and June, to the fire department of local body, certifying the compliance of fire safety norms.

“Despite being served with several notices, managements of a number of housing socie- ties have not yet paid heed to these orders. This has prompted the fire department to give written directives in this regard,” said Jagannath Sinnarkar, deputy municipal commissioner.

Sinnarkar added that power and water supply to the residential complexes can be snapped under section 8 ( 2) of the act, in case they are found to be violating fire safety norms, and their office bearers can be punished under section 36. He also called upon residents to cooperate with fire officials, to prevent loss of property because of carelessness.