GS Paper III

News Excerpt: 

The fire incidents in Rajkot and Delhi reflect the concern regarding upsurge in fire incidents in India.

About Fire safety

• Fire safety is the set of practices intended to reduce the destruction caused by fire. 
• It includes the measures that are intended to prevent ignition of an uncontrolled fire, and those that are used to limit the development and effects of a fire after it starts. 
• It also includes the planning to be done during the construction of a building or implemented in structures that are already standing, and those that are taught to occupants of the building. 
• Threats to fire safety are commonly referred to as fire hazards. 
• A fire hazard may include a situation that increases the likelihood of a fire or may impede escape in the event a fire occurs. Fire safety is often a component of building safety.

Fire incidents in India: 

• Kolkata, March 24, 2010: 43 people were killed when a fire broke out at Stephen Court apartment in Park Street, Kolkata. In the wake of the Stephen Court disaster, a high-power committee was set up to inspect 48 buildings and market places in the city and make recommendations to curb violations of fire safety norms.
• Kolkata, December 9, 2010: 93 people were killed in a fire that broke out in the basement of a seven storey building of the AMRI hospitals at Dhakuria in Kolkata where the fire is suspected to have originated, was meant to be a parking lot but was being used to store inflammable materials, which was a clear violation of building and fire safety norms. Most of the victims choked to death on the upper floors, even as the toxic smoke engulfed the building.
• Sivakasi, September 5, 2012: 52 people were killed and over 50 injured in an explosion at the Om Shakti Fireworks manufacturing unit in Sivakasi, a day after its license was cancelled. An inspection pointed to many deviations including the storage of chemical products more than the permissible levels and there were more employees than allowed. Also, the space meant for safety purposes was encroached upon. 
• Paravur, Kollam, Kerala, April 10, 2016: 111 people died, while injuring nearly 400 others after an entire dump of fire crackers meant to be burst to mark the conclusion of the Meena-Bharani festival exploded at the Paravur Puttingal Devi temple, near Kollam. 
• New Delhi, December 8, 2019: 43 people died, while over 50 were injured after a deadly fire swept through an unregistered bag factory in Delhi’s Anaj Mandi area. 
• New Delhi, May, 2024: Short circuit-induced blast of oxygen cylinders in a pediatric hospital in Vivek Vihar in New Delhi leading to the death of the newborn babies.
• Fire breakout at Rajkot amusement park, May 2024: At least 27 people, including children, were killed as a massive fire broke out at TRP, a private amusement park/ gaming zone, in Gujarat’s Rajkot.

Alarming data of fire incidents:

• Recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed that over 3,375 fire incidents were reported in India in the last two years, with electrical short circuits being a predominant cause. 
• Shockingly, commercial building fires claimed 330 lives in 2019 alone, while residential fires led to 6,329 fatalities nationwide.
• Data from the Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) highlights that an average of 35 fire-related deaths occurring daily between 2016 and 2020. The number of people dying in the incidents was 16,900 in 2016 and 9,110 in 2020.
• Maharashtra and Gujarat collectively accounted for 30 percent of fire-related fatalities, with electrical faults, human negligence, and ill-formed habits cited as primary causes, according to the report.

Challenges associated: 

• Disparity in Fire Service Norms: There exists lack of standardization and consistent safety legislation across various states regarding fire service norms.
• Implementation Challenges of the National Building Code (NBC): The NBC, although intended as a recommendatory document, often faces challenges in its implementation, with many of its provisions being frequently overlooked at the local level. 
  • Obligatory certifications outlined in the NBC are sometimes neglected, leading to potential gaps in safety standards.
• Neglect of Routine Fire Safety Audits: Local authorities often fail to conduct routine fire safety audits to ensure compliance with fire safety regulation which contributes to a lack of monitoring and enforcement of safety standards.
• Critique from National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): The NIDM report 'Fires in India: Learning Lessons for Urban Safety (2020)' criticized authorities for their apathy and lack of action following previous fire outbreaks. It highlights a concerning trend of inaction and insufficient learning from past incidents.

Legislative frameworks: 

Fire services in India fall under state jurisdiction and are delineated as a municipal function, with state governments tasked with enforcing fire prevention measures through legislation such as the State Fire Services Act and building bylaws.

• National Building Code: Fire safety regulations in India, as outlined in the National Building Code (NBC), published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in 1970 and updated in 2016, provide comprehensive guidelines for construction, maintenance, and fire safety protocols in buildings.
• Model Building Bye Laws 2016 issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, offers guidance to states and Union Territories (UTs) in formulating building bylaws to address fire protection and safety requirements. 
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): It mandates specific fire safety criteria for public structures like hospitals, encompassing provisions for open safety spaces, evacuation procedures, and dedicated staircases and evacuation drills. 

Way forward:

• Standardization of Fire Service Norms: To Implement standardized fire service norms across all states to ensure consistency in safety regulations and enforcement.
• Enhanced Implementation of the National Building Code (NBC): It is important to strengthen the implementation of the NBC, emphasizing its importance as a comprehensive guideline for construction, maintenance, and fire safety protocols in buildings.
• Regular Fire Safety Audits: Conduct routine fire safety audits by local authorities to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. Enhance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to address non-compliance effectively.
• Public Awareness and Education: Increase public awareness about fire safety measures and best practices through educational campaigns and outreach programs. Educate building occupants about fire evacuation procedures and the importance of adhering to safety protocols.