Over 4,600 Mumbai Buildings Not Compliant with Fire Safety Norms

Residents feel fire brigade and authorities have not done enough to create awareness about fire safety.

Of all the high-rises that were inspected by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) over the last two years, none of them were found to have adhered to fire-safety norms, as DNA reported. This was published just a day prior to the massive fire that broke out in the Kamala Mills area of the city, which killed at least 14 people and injured 12 more.

The buildings complied with regulations, only after legal notices were sent to them.

The MFB inspected 4,647 residential and commercial buildings, and all were found to be operating without fire safety compliance. The buildings were given 120 days to comply with the notices issued under Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006. Post the warning, 4,637 buildings toed the line, 10 buildings are being prosecuted as per law.

Residents are not serious about fire safety and only install fire safety equipment after we send notices. It is out of fear of prosecution and not safety concerns.

PS Rahangdale, Chief Fire Officer 

“During inspection, we found that buildings flout basic safety norms such as encroachment on common passage, doors to staircases are closed, water from fire tank is used for domestic purposes,” said a senior MFB officer.

Some buildings do not have designated entry and exit gates, and while many buildings have fire-fighting equipment, they are not in working condition. There will be a faulty or missing knob, rusted pipes, or just an inability to operate the equipment.

Residents however, feel that enough has not been done by the fire brigade and authorities to create awareness about fire safety.

It is true that most residents do not take fire safety seriously, but it also the work of the Municipal Corporation and Fire Brigade to create awareness through campaigns. Buildings should have fire-fighting installations and do regular servicing to keep it operational. It also cannot be rejected that authorities sanction building permissions when the locality does not provide sufficient space for fire brigade in case of emergency.

Nita Bajpai, General Secretary, Juhu-Vile Parle Residents Association

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])