PANAJI
Given rising incidents of fires at commercial establishments and concerns over poor compliance with fire-safety norms, the State government has brought shops, guest houses, homestays, bed-and-breakfast facilities, temporary structures and beach shacks under mandatory fire safety requirements, making the installation of fire extinguishers compulsory.
Through Home Department's notification amending the existing fire-safety regulations issued on December 17, 2014, the government has also removed the earlier exemption granted to shops falling within the jurisdiction of village panchayats, thus bringing them within the ambit of the revised provisions.
“The Shops and Establishment/Guest Houses/Homestay/Bed and Breakfast/Temporary Structures/Beach Shacks up to 50 m2 shall install one portable Fire Extinguisher of ABC Dry Powder (Stored Pressure Type) of 4 kg/6 kg capacity or one 4.5 kg capacity Carbon dioxide Fire Extinguisher, conforming to Bureau of Indian Standards-2190,” the notification, released on Thursday, stated.
Establishments measuring above 50 sq m and up to 100 sq m must install two such extinguishers, according to the prescribed specifications.
The government has also prescribed additional fire safety requirements for establishments using commercial LPG cylinders. Those using commercial LPG cylinders of up to 50 kg within an area of 50 sq m are directed to install one additional fire extinguisher over and above the prescribed requirement.
Establishments using commercial LPG cylinders beyond 50 kg are asked to comply with Bureau of Indian Standards requirements governing the storage and use of LPG cylinders. Establishment operators are also asked to obtain a prior No Objection Certificate from the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services.
The amendment has further placed the responsibility for compliance on the respective owners or occupants. “Those covered under the first three categories must submit a self-declaration on Rs 100 non-judicial stamp paper, confirming compliance with the prescribed fire safety requirements, along with their application to the respective licensing authority,” it said.
The revised requirements assume significance against the backdrop of a series of fire incidents in Goa, including the major blaze at Vasco Sunday Market and the recent fire at cane shops in Assagao, which caused damage worth several lakhs of rupees. The Vasco fire also exposed glaring gaps in basic fire safety preparedness, with several shops reportedly failing to install even essential firefighting equipment.
