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and firefighting equipments in order to maintain optimal active fire protection and passive fire protection measures. The Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 1986 was notified by the Government of India December,1986 and rules framed thereunder were in force from 2nd March, 1987 until July 2, 2010. However, the said Delhi Fire Service Prevention & Fire Safety Act 1986 and Rules 1987 stand repeated by a more exhausted act called Delhi Fire Service Act 2007 (Delhi Act 2 of 2009) and Delhi Fire Service Rules 2010 notified respectively. Moreover, a typical fire safety Act includes administrative sections about the rule-making and enforcement process, and substantive sections dealing with fire suppression equipment, particular hazards such as containers and transportation for combustible materials, and specific rules for hazardous occupancies, industrial processes, and exhibitions. Sections may establish the requirements for obtaining permits or licenses and specific precautions required to remain in compliance with a permit or license. Once a license is issued, the prescribed authority or another delegated authority may inspect the site and monitor fire safety, with the power to stop operations, in case of incompliant practices observed. As per provisions of Section 3 of The Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006, the owner or occupier of the building has to certify through licensing agency that the fire prevention and life safety arrangements are maintained in the building. Any new construction or renovation generally requires, obtaining No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire services department. Some typical fire and explosion issues may be addressed in a fire act & rule are • certification for servicing, www.ind-safety.com
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placement, and inspecting fire extinguishing equipments licenses or permits and limitations in various building occupancies (assembly hall, hospital, school, theater, that require a smoke detector, sprinkler system, fire extinguisher, or other specific equipment or procedures. In some states a cross reference of National Building code is also mentioned in this connection. removal of interior and exterior obstructions to emergency exits or firefighters and removal of inflammable and combustible materials permits and limitations in special outdoor applications (tents, puja pandals, etc.) other hazards (flammable decorations, welding, smoking, bulk matches, tire yards) Electrical safety requirements as per Indian Electricity Act & Rules
Generally, State fire prevention and fire safety act and rules, complement the building codes. Hence, many State / City authorities have made National Building Code 2005 as part of the Building Rules / Fire Protection Rules for mandatory effect. As per provisions of Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Measures Act 2006, provisions of Part - 4 of NBC 2005 are mandatory for all upcoming building in the state. Presently, in most of the states, the fire license is issued based on the adherence to National Building Code provisions with respect to fire safety. To ensure safety of buildings and their occupants, the Building Bye-laws were adopted and duly notified by the Delhi Administration of 23rd June 1983. The Building Byelaws are further being up-dated. Some of the sate acts are – • Delhi Fire Service Act 2007 (Delhi Act 2 of 2009) and Delhi Fire Service Rules 2010
• Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Measures Act 2006 • Karnataka Fire Force Act, 1964 and Rules, 1971 • The Andhra Pradesh Fire Service Act, 1999 • The Orissa Fire Service Act, 1993 • The Uttar Pradesh Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 2005 • The West Bengal Fire Services Act, 1950 • The Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985 • The Himachal Pradesh FireFighting Services Act, 1984 • The Kerala Fire Force Act, 1962
A committee constituted by the Gujarat state government had suggested in its report that a Fire Safety Tax be introduced in the state to ensure implementation of fire safety measures in high rise buildings.
Other fire related Acts and Rules
Apart from the state acts and rules, number of new legislations introduced by the Indian government and existing regulations revised. To name a few - Explosives Act, Factories Act and State Rules, Petroleum Act & Rules, The Cinematograph Act, Manufacture Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, Gas Cylinder rules, Hazardous waste management and handling rules, Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Response Rules etc. Very recently on 21st June 2013, Directorate General of Mine Safety (DGMS) through a gazette notification, stated that high pressure storage vessels and hoses, used for firefighting shall conform to requirements stipulated in the relevant Indian standards. Oil Industry Safety Directorate has come out with several directives, e.g., OISD 116 for fire protection system in refineries, OISD 194 for unloading, storage and regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG), OISD 115 guidelines on INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REVIEW | OCTOBER 2013 | 129