Strengthening Fire Safety Measures: Mumbai Forms Four-Member Panel for Vulnerable Buildings

News Articles Housing Society Law Date: 11 Mar 2024

Introduction

A four-member panel has been established to enforce and monitor fire safety norms for vulnerable buildings in Mumbai as part of a proactive move to improve fire safety. With the increasing urbanization and number of high-rise structures, city authorities have made ensuring the safety of residents and property a top priority.

The Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court on Monday that it had issued a Government Resolution (GR) establishing a four-member committee to prepare a report on the implementation of draught fire safety regulations in buildings vulnerable to man-made disasters. It is led by Pravin Pardeshi, a former commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The regulations were drafted in 2009 in the aftermath of the November 2008 26/11 attacks in the city. The panel was ordered by the court to submit its report and recommendations within two months. The need for fire safety standards in vulnerable buildings is critical, and it stems from a number of factors that highlight the potential risks and consequences of fire incidents.

Need for Fire Safety Standards

1.Life and property protection:

The primary and most important aspect of enforcing fire safety regulations is the protection of human lives. Vulnerable structures frequently house a large number of occupants, including residents, employees, and visitors. Fire safety measures are critical for reducing the risk of injury or death during a fire.

2. Man-Made Disaster Prevention:

Vulnerable structures are more likely to become the epicenter of man-made disasters, particularly fires. Implementing fire safety standards is a proactive approach to disaster prevention that reduces the likelihood and severity of fire incidents.

3. Infrastructure Preservation:

Fires not only endanger human life, but they can also cause extensive damage to the building structure and surrounding infrastructure. Fire safety measures aid in the preservation of building integrity, lowering the economic impact of reconstruction and repair.

4. Environmental Impact Reduction:

Building fires can contribute to environmental pollution by releasing harmful substances from burning materials. Strict fire safety standards can reduce environmental impact by preventing or reducing the size of fire incidents.

5. Community Well-Being and Resilience:

The resilience of a community is dependent on the safety and security of its residents. Implementing fire safety standards in vulnerable buildings benefits the community’s overall well-being by instilling a sense of security and preparedness.

6. Observance of Regulatory Standards:

Local and national building codes and regulations frequently require fire safety standards. Ensuring that these standards are followed is not only a legal requirement, but also a responsible and ethical commitment to the safety of the occupants and the community.

7. Insurance and Liability Considerations:

Adequate fire safety measures in vulnerable buildings can have an impact on insurance coverage and liability considerations. Noncompliance with safety standards may result in higher insurance premiums and increased liability risks for building owners and stakeholders.

The Panel’s Composition:

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Makarand S Karnik was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by lawyer Abha Singh through advocate Aditya Pratap seeking directions to the state government for the issuance of the final notification on ‘Special Regulations for Building Vulnerable to Manmade Disasters’.

The formation of this specialized panel follows recent incidents that have highlighted the need for stricter fire safety measures in Mumbai’s buildings. Experts from a variety of fields, including fire safety engineering, urban planning, architecture, and disaster management, make up the panel. Their combined expertise is expected to bring a comprehensive approach to addressing and correcting fire safety issues.

The state government had previously informed the bench that a special committee would be formed before the draught rules could be included in the 2034 Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), as the government was in the process of including safety draught rules in the new DCPR. On July 29, additional government pleader Hiten Venegaonkar for the state government informed the bench that a proposal was made to form a committee under Pardeshi with three other members — a representative of practising engineers, Architect and Town Planners Association; N R Shende, retired director of town planning; and the BMC’s chief engineer (development planning), who will also serve as the coordinator.

The state stated in its affidavit that the said recommendations could no longer be implemented due to the passage of time and scientific and technological advancements, and that the government was required to revisit the matter because the related documents were also destroyed in the Mantralaya fire in 2012.

The court was told that since the filing in 2018, there had been many man-made disasters and fire incidents in which a large number of people had lost their lives and the recent fire incident in a high rise building situated in South Mumbai on January 22 was a representation of the same, therefore an urgency as to hearing of the matter. The court has granted 2 months for the regulations to be put in place and further hearing of the PIL.

Aditya Pratap is a lawyer and founder of Aditya Pratap Law Offices. He practices in the realm of real estate, corporate, and criminal law. His website is adityapratap.in and his media interviews can be accessed at http://www.youtube.com/@AdityaPratap/featured. Views expressed are personal.