Nagpur: Amid growing concerns over fire safety violations and repeated blaze incidents across Maharashtra, the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat has issued a stern warning to hundreds of commercial establishments, making annual fire safety audits and functional firefighting systems mandatory.In a strongly worded public notice, the civic body warned owners and occupiers of marriage halls, private schools, colleges, coaching centres, hospitals, nursing homes, cinema halls, petrol pumps, gas godowns, banks, restaurants, hotels, bars, commercial complexes, and offices that failure to comply with fire safety norms under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, amended in 2023, could invite prosecution under criminal provisions.“The move comes at a time when several devastating fire incidents across the state have exposed glaring lapses in compliance, non-functional firefighting systems, illegal alterations and lack of emergency preparedness in crowded establishments,” said Nagar Panchayat’s chief executive officer Bharat Nandanwar. “It is an annual exercise. There are over 450 establishments under our jurisdiction which require mandatory fire safety audits,” he told TOI.The notice states that property owners are legally responsible for installing fire prevention and life safety systems, obtaining temporary or final fire NOCs, maintaining valid fire protection registrations and ensuring that firefighting equipment remains functional at all times.Significantly, the civic body has made it compulsory for all establishments to conduct fire safety audits at least twice every year between January and July through licensed agencies authorised by the Director of Maharashtra Fire Services, Mumbai.The Nagar Panchayat has also directed all commercial, residential and industrial establishments to immediately rectify shortcomings identified during fire audits and submit compliance reports to the Besa-Pipla fire department to obtain no-objection certificates.Officials warned that any negligence in conducting fire audits, installing firefighting systems or maintaining equipment in working condition would make owners directly liable in the event of loss of life, injuries or financial damage caused due to fire incidents.The public notice was jointly issued by the chairperson, vice-chairperson and chief officer of the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat, indicating a coordinated push to tighten enforcement before the monsoon and upcoming festive-wedding season, when public gatherings sharply increase.Officials indicated that surprise inspections and enforcement drives are likely in the coming weeks against establishments found flouting fire safety norms.
