Fire safety norms tightened for schools, junior colleges

Telangana Fire Services Director General Vikram Singh Mann on Tuesday stressed that educational institutions must strictly comply with prescribed fire safety standards and ensure that essential fire prevention, protection and life-safety systems are installed, maintained and kept in proper working condition to safeguard students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

Addressing an interaction on ‘Examination of Issues relating to Fire NOC for Existing Educational Buildings’ at the Telangana Fire Services Headquarters, the DG said schools and junior colleges cater to children of different age groups, who spend considerable time on the premises, making effective fire safety arrangements a critical responsibility of the managements.

The interaction was aimed at addressing practical difficulties faced by existing educational institutions in obtaining Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and evolving a reasonable, effective and transparent framework for fire safety compliance.

Vikram Singh explained the applicable fire safety norms, procedures and key requirements for processing Fire NOCs. He emphasised the importance of proactive fire prevention, regular maintenance of fire safety systems and preparedness to respond to emergencies.

Around 30 representatives of schools and intermediate junior college participated in the session and raised issues concerning Fire NOC procedures, compliance and implementation of safety measures.

Discussions covered the applicability of various government orders, particularly to institutions functioning in mixed-occupancy buildings, as well as challenges in existing structures where structural modifications may not be practically feasible.

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