In the fourth month of random inspections by the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department, four hospitals including the administration block of the newest hospital in the capital, the ESI Corporation’s hospital in Sanatnagar found themselves in the dock for lacking mandatory fire safety infrastructure. The ESI’s new building apart, Paramitha Children’s Hospital at Saroornagar, Srikara (Sanatnagar) and Matrix (Ramanthapur) also got prosecution orders. The exercise is part of a resolve to check buildings coming under the department’s ambit and available in its database for fire safety norms with the computer generating inspection sites and choosing officers too, for the task.
It was taken up once issue of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) renewal was made online and once in five years rather than once a year. Surprise inspections on 116 buildings from May across the State revealed that 23 buildings violated fire safety standards. Educational institutions, functions places and hospitals form the bulk of violators. “There is more awareness and desire among citizens about fire safety and compliance now. There is better clarity too, on the rules and implementation within the department and outside. The message that surprise inspections are a reality has been accepted by everyone,” explains DG Rajiv Ratan.
He says that 93 NOCs were already issued online and claims that permissions and renewals take less than a month, pending random inspections. Weekly mock drills are also being carried out in all hospitals to help spread alertness and responsiveness. “Our focus is on public buildings of hospitals and schools where the old, the infirm and children are vulnerable in case of fire,” he points out. Although there has not been a single case of anyone being imprisoned so far under the Fire Services Act, Mr. Ratan insists that the department is quite serious about taking punishment to the logical end of a month’s imprisonment and fine of not less than Rs. 5,000 if prosecution notices are ignored by building owners.
