PUNE: Chief Fire Officer of Pune Municipal Corporation, Devendra Potphode, announced an investigation into the failure of firefighting equipment in the Undri high-rise, following a tragic incident that resulted in a teenager’s death and injuries to eight others during a fire.
Potphode emphasized that society managements are required to conduct fire safety audits with licensed agencies at least twice a year. If they fail to do so, they bear the responsibility for any accidents. “As stipulated in Section 3 of the Fire Act, it is the owner’s or occupier’s duty to ensure the firefighting system is operational 24/7. Residents should also be trained on its use during emergencies. These systems must be evaluated by licensed and technically qualified agencies, which should provide certification of their functionality. While commercial establishments typically maintain these systems, residential buildings often face funding challenges. The law mandates checks twice a year—once in June and again in December,” Potphode stated.
He noted that while direct punitive measures are not permitted, the fire department can issue a 120-day notice compelling societies to maintain their fire safety systems. “Failure to comply may result in cutting off electricity and water supply,” Potphode mentioned, adding that a public notice regarding fire system maintenance will be released soon.
While some societies have incorporated fire audits into their annual maintenance contracts (AMCs), many neglect routine audits due to high costs.
Ameya Jagtap, chairman of Balewadi’s Perfect 10 Society, stated, “Fire safety is included in our AMC. The fire-fighting system is checked quarterly, including fire extinguishers and hoses. We also arrange for a fire agency demo for new security staff.”
Rajendra Chuttar, president of Baner-Pashan Link Road Welfare Trust (BPLR Trust), emphasized that the responsibility extends to the fire department as well. “They’re issuing fire NOCs without verifying if the systems are operational. Additionally, many residents resist paying for fire safety audits. In my society, fire extinguishers were only refilled after a decade. The civic fire department must take proactive measures to enforce compliance,” he asserted.
Rahul Patil, owner of Radical Engineering Services, pointed out the lack of awareness surrounding fire safety systems. “People are often unwilling to pay for upkeep, not realizing that neglect can render systems ineffective when needed. It’s crucial to verify the validity of fire extinguishers and refill them before expiration,” Patil concluded.
