Flouters face up to six years imprisonment and penalty of up to Rs 3,000 under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006
Flouters face up to six years imprisonment and u00a0penalty of up to Rs 3,000 under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006
All buildings over 30 metres (10-storeyed and above) will be required to appoint a fire officer as per the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, which is expected to come into effect in three to four months' time. The responsibility of recruiting and paying the fire officer will rest with the owner of the property.
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Shinde said it is not yet clear what the qualifications and duties of a fire officer would be.
"Mumbai has many buildings that are over 30 metres tall, but not enough people can qualify as fire officers. The state government will soon issue a fire advisory that will underline the qualification and duties of a fire officer soon," added Shinde.
"Many commercial buildings have necessary fire safety equipment, which is not checked or maintained. The state government felt that appointing a fire officer would ensure fewer incidences of fire accidents," said a senior official from the urban development department.
"We don't have any course in Mumbai for fire officers presently. There are, however, some courses at the Fire Academy in Nagpur that could be of help. A month-and-a-half will be given after the act comes into effect for people to comply with the new regulations," said the officer.
New fire safety norms
What the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006 stipulates on fire safety
> Mandatory for buildings to have firefighting equipment and adequate fire safety measures
> Violators face six months to three-years imprisonment or a penalty up to Rs 3,000
> The Act empowers the fire brigade to fix responsibility, demand accountability and u00a0increase the penalty on those violating these norms
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