PANAJI
A probable short-circuit that turned into a full-blown life-threatening fire at Berger Becker paint factory has once again triggered discussion for a water-tight implementation of fire safety norms in industrial units.
The laidback approach by some units could prove a much bigger disaster for the State where several industries, factories and companies are operating from the industrial estates located in both districts.
With proactive action by firefighters to tackle every calamity and emergency, the frontline force now needs more teeth to penalise the violators and ensure mandatory enforcement of the fire safety norms.
A proposed amendment to The Goa, Daman & Diu Fire Force Act is, however, caught in red-tapism, despite all queries raised by the government being replied to.
“Most of the industries have fire safety measures in place. By and large, the renewals of NOC are also obtained, but there could be some operating without the mandatory renewals. The government should give us the power to penalise such industries. We will propose the government,” Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) Director Nitin Raiker said, conceding that they do need to acquire more powers.
Former Director Ashok Menon had proposed the new amendment that comprised all the provisions such as including experts as a third-party auditor for fire safety, gap analyses, imposing stringent punishable clauses, mandatory periodical inspections of structures, etc.
“The present Fire Force Act has a penalty provision, however, it was never invoked and is cumbersome. I forwarded an amendment to the existing three-decades-old Act in line with the Model Bill of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The proposed amendment is with the government from 2020,” Menon told The Goan.
He further revealed that every Industrial Occupancies with Low, Medium and Hazardous falling under the National Building Code (NBC) ambit has to compulsorily adhere to Fire Protection System as envisaged in the Code. But it was seldom complied with and neither the former Goa Industrial Development Corporation was serious about the fire safety standards until a few fire mishaps woke them up.
“The only issue is that earlier the Licencing Authority did not insist on Fire Protection measures. However, after many fire incidents, better sense prevailed and the Goa Industrial Development Corporation now sends the Industry Plan for approval of the Fire Protection System by which the DFES issues Initial NOC. This system has been in progress and streamlined for four years,” Menon added as he explained about pursuing the matter until his superannuation in 2021.
Raiker has now decided to go tough on industrial units. As a first step, the DFES has begun the compilation of all the industries with details of fire safety audits and NOC renewals.
The fire department has often been enduring the problem of non-compliance with several buildings including the government-owned failing to abide by the fire preventive norms.
Asked if the industries are lacking responsibility for auditing fire safety norms, Menon, who has served as DFES Director for the maximum number of years, said: "This is debatable until the DFES undertakes periodical Fire Safety Audit of all the occupancies it would be difficult to ensure compliance and periodical maintenance of the installed fire protection systems."
The NBC norms as being recommended by DFES are good enough, however, Periodical Fire Safety Third Party Audit by external agencies and regular maintenance will ensure functional efficiency and efficacy of the Fire Protection Systems, he replied.
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The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has instructed periodical inspection of industries and factories dealing with raw materials and high-combustible products.
“We will carry out the safety audits. Henceforth, all the industries that deal with raw materials and products which are highly combustible will be thoroughly and strictly inspected by the DFES and Directorate of Factories & Boilers,” GIDC Chairman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said.
