The recent spate of deadly fires in hospital buildings across India, including those treating Covid-19 patients, has raised serious concerns about fire safety in the country. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports that in 2019 alone, 330 people lost their lives in commercial building fires. Residential structures fared much worse, with a staggering death toll of 6,329.
Leading Causes of Fires
Electrical faults are cited as the primary cause of these devastating fires. State governments across the nation have come under criticism for their lax implementation of building safety laws and their failure to equip public buildings with modern technology. Hospital Intensive Care Units (ICUs) present a particularly high fire risk due to their oxygen-rich environment and the need to meet stringent safety standards.
Fire Safety Provisions in India
Under Article 243 (W) of the Constitution of India, fire services are classified as a State subject and recognized as a municipal function. The National Building Code (NBC) of India, 2016, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards, contains Part 4 titled ‘Fire and Life Safety.’ Despite being a recommendatory document, states are urged to incorporate the NBC into their local building bylaws, thereby making their recommendations mandatory.
Classification of Buildings and Areas of Focus
The NBC categorizes all existing and new buildings by their purpose, covering residential, educational, institutional, assembly, business, mercantile, industrial, storage, and hazardous structures. In particular, it focuses on fire prevention measures during the design and construction of buildings, life safety provisions in case of a fire or similar emergencies, and the classification of various building materials according to their fire rating.
Model Building Bye Laws, 2016
The Ministry of Urban Development introduced the “Model Building By Laws 2016,” detailing the regulatory mechanism and engineering parameters to consider before starting any construction project in India. The Chief Fire Officer holds point-specific responsibility for all fire-related clearances.
Guidelines by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
The NDMA has stipulated requirements for fire safety in public buildings, including hospitals. These guidelines encompass elements of the NBC and mandate the maintenance of minimum open safety space, protected exit mechanisms, dedicated staircases, and regular evacuation drills.
Central Government’s Approach to Fire Safety
In addition to existing regulations, the Central Government circulated the ‘Model Bill on Maintenance of Fire & Emergency Services 2019.’
Continuing Concerns
Despite these measures, fire safety remains a significant concern in India. Notable concerns include the lack of unified fire services, inadequate training and career progression for fire service personnel, insufficient modern equipment, and poor funding. There are also concerns about the absence of training institutions and infrastructural facilities like fire stations and personnel accommodation. Public awareness about fire safety is low, and there are limited mock exercises and evacuation drills. Uniform fire safety legislation is also lacking, with states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala reported as being non-compliant with the NBC.
A Possible Way Forward
To address these issues, one proposal is to enforce mandatory fire liability insurance for all public buildings. This measure could not only protect occupants and visitors but also encourage external inspection of safety measures. Ultimately, improvements in the area of fire safety will require truly concerted efforts from all stakeholders involved.
