Fire safety audit of hospitals, hotels in JSR from today

Jamshedpur: The fire department will conduct a safety audit of healthcare establishments and hotels across the city after the recent fire incidents in New Delhi and Muzaffarpur in Bihar earlier this week.Fire safety measures at govt hospitals, health centres, private nursing homes will be inspected under the exercise along with hotels.“Every hospital, nursing home and hotel must compulsorily obtain a fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC). Non-compliance with these rules will attract penal action,” said Ram Pravesh Ojha, the in-charge of Golmuri fire station.Fire safety officials said the survey is scheduled to commence on Friday, though it may be pushed to next week if coordination issues arise. Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) will coordinate with the fire department for the exercise. JNAC deputy municipal commissioner Krishna Kumar said random inspections will be conducted under the Jharkhand Municipal Act to verify adherence to fire safety protocols.“All parameters pertaining to the fire safety NOC will be examined, and notices will be served to operators who fail to comply with the provisions,” Kumar said.More than 40 healthcare centres, including 10 major hospitals, operate within the jurisdiction of JNAC. Officials said only about two dozen centres, including all major hospitals, have valid NOCs and regularly follow guidelines, while several nursing homes have lapsed certificates that must be renewed. “The NOC must be renewed mandatorily every year, and failure to do so will invite strict action,” a fire control official said.There are over 80 hotels in JNAC limits. Of them, NOC renewals of around 60 per cent of them are pending. Fire department data shows 88 fire incidents were reported between January and June this year, leading losses to the tune of Rs 1 crore.On May 29, a fire at a sweet shop warehouse in Jugsalai. However, fire engines struggled to make their way through narrow lanes. Eventually, firefighters deployed hoses from rooftops to douse the flames. “Several hotels and nursing homes operate out of these multi-storeyed buildings. The district administration should take decisive action to ensure full compliance.” Manoj Mishra, a resident, said.