Department of fire and emergency services raises fire alarm on highrises (ToI)

Department of fire and emergency services raises fire alarm on highrises TNN | Jul 13, 2013, 07.04 AM IST PANAJI: The department of fire and emergency services has issued notices to several of Panaji's highrise buildings -all residential-for not obtaining the mandatory no-objection certificate from the department. Three buildings have also been declared unsafe as the installed firefighting equipment was found to be in non-working condition during inspections by fire safety officers. Explaining the department's stepped-up exercise, fire station officer at the Panaji headquarters, Ajit Kamat said all highrise buildings-15m or more in height-should have the NOC from the fire services department. He explained that building proprietors obtain a provisional NOC from the department when the construction plan is approved by the town and country planning department. "Once the building is built though, the owner, in most cases, doesn't revert to the department. This anomaly comes to light only during our inspections," said Kamat. Goa has 265 highrise buildings, of which 116 are in Panaji alone. Of the 258 under construction, 90 are in and around Panaji, said Kamat. He said all highrise buildings have to renew their NOCs every year, but the rule is not always followed in toto. "Compliance is often more by commercial buildings rather than residential buildings," said Kamat. A highrise building is required to have fire hydrants, fire hose reels, sprinklers, smoke detectors, a fire alarm system, portable fire extinguishers, etc. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Department-of-fire-and-emergency-services-raises-fire-alarm-on-highrises/articleshow/21049849.cms