NEW DELHI: Maharashtra government on October 11 informed the Bombay high court that it has issued final notifications to enforce fire safety norms for vulnerable buildings in Mumbai and across state.
State government’s fire safety regulations are under scrutiny by the Bombay HC after the Chembur fire incident that claimed seven lives. The court had directed authorities to establish a timeline for implementing stricter fire safety regulations to protect citizens from man-made disasters and warned that if the state government failed to enforce fire safety norms, it might halt all development permissions in Mumbai.
Under the amendment, these buildings would be required to make special provisions for fire towers having a minimum two-hour fire resistance, firemen evacuation lift, and a ventilated lobby as an integral part of the fire escape staircase.
High-rise buildings with heights of 90 meters or above should provide break tanks with fire pumps every 65 meters from the ground. The water tank system may be provided on service floors or the floors having refuge areas.
The notification would include security rules in Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), 2034, for Greater Mumbai and Unified Development Control And Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) for the rest of the state.
After the continuous delay from the government, the court has scheduled further hearings for November 20, 2024 and directed the Brihanmumbai civic body’s chief fire officer to file an affidavit addressing allegations of lax fire safety approvals.
The bench said that these notifications will be published in the official gazette and strictly implemented by all planning and civic authorities in the state.
Background on high-rise buildings fire safety regulations:
The Maharashtra fire prevention and life safety measures act, 2006, outlines fire safety requirements for multi-storeyed buildings, including regular certifications and inspections.
The state has 6,712 high-rise buildings and 378 skyscrapers, with Mumbai accounting for 3,629 high-rise structures and 362 skyscrapers.
In 2018, the fire department, in partnership with the Brihanmumbai civic body and based on recommendations from PEATA and MCHI, mandated that fire evacuation lifts be incorporated as essential safety features in high-rise buildings to facilitate quicker life-saving responses during fire emergencies.
In July 2022, the Maharashtra Energy Department revised the regulations and issued an advisory along with specifications aimed at preventing the fraudulent production of this critical equipment.
