The Andhra Pradesh Government will implement fire-safety norms strictly in all establishments.

The Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, has asked the State Disaster Response and Fire Services and other departments to scrupulously implement the fire services regulations in all buildings, exhibitions and public congregation places.

This has come about after the recent fire-mishaps in the State capital as well as other regions in the recent past. In fact, the State secretariat too had witnessed a fire-accident.

In a review meeting with officials of the A.P. State Disaster Response and Fire Services and other departments, Mr Reddy said steps should be taken to put in place proper precautions to tackle accidents.

The industry, municipal administration, fire services, schools , factories and other departments should work in tandem to ensure safety, he added.

Notices should be sent to all factories, hospitals, schools and other buildings to strictly comply with the fire department regulations to prevent any mishaps, he said.

Necessary training should be given in fire-safety measures to the staff at the secretariat, assembly, courts; employees of factories and industries, hospitals, etc, on how to act in times of any mishap, the Chief Minister said.

FUNDS

The fire services department would be strengthened with allocation of additional funds and the finance department has already been instructed in this regard, Mr Reddy said.

Besides conducting mock drills at main buildings like the secretariat, schools and factories, the fire services department should also inspect all high-rises , he directed.

Meanwhile, officials informed the Chief Minister that out of 1,860 schools, only 418 had obtained no-objection certificates. The rest have been asked to comply with the fire safety measures.

The fire services wing has also started prosecuting 375 owners of multi-storeyed buildings for violation of fire safety norms. While 57 owners were convicted so far, the remaining cases are sub-judice.

The department found that the main causes of major fires were electrical short circuit due to overloading and improper and outdated wiring, non-provision of fire safety measures and non-maintenance of available fire fighting equipment at the premises.

>nagsridhu@thehindu.co.in

comment COMMENT NOW