To ensure fire safety norms are complied with, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is all set to make no objection certificates mandatory for residential buildings.
At present, fire NOCs are required for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.
Taking note of the fact that residential buildings are not equipped with fire-fighting systems, the UT administration has decided to make NOC submission mandatory.
Once the move is implemented, the residents will have to apply for NOCs at the fire department for both old and new constructions and pay the prescribed fee.
Residents would be required to submit the fire protection plan indicating complete fire fighting arrangements and the means of access and escape.
According to the norms, a building must have a staircase for providing access and exit and should be equipped with fire-fighting system such as fire alarm, sprinklers, and smoke or heat detectors.
UT chief fire officer Anil Kumar Garg said NOCs would be required for residential properties on the pattern of other buildings. “It will be made mandatory for all old as well as new buildings,” he added.
Federation of Sector Welfare Associations of Chandigarh chairman Baljinder Singh Bittu welcomed the move but urged the authorities to ensure that the residents do not face harassment at the hands of the officials.
Date: July 4, 2018
Source: Times of India
