Fire safety: Norms for issuing NOCs for buildings amended

Orders were issued on Tuesday revising the norms for issuing NOCs for buildings after assessing the fire safety measures.

 For single-storey buildings up to ten metres in height, the NOC will be issued by a committee headed by the Assistant Divisional Officer of the Fire and Rescue Services. The officer in-charge of the fire station concerned, Assistant Station Officer and a Fireman (on rotation basis) will be the members of the committee. The NOC has to be issued within two days if there are no objections.

 For buildings up to 24 metres in height, the nod for the application has to be given by a panel headed by the Divisional Officer. The Assistant Divisional Officer and Station Officer of the area will be the other panel members. The final approval has to be given by a panel consisting of the  Divisional Officer, Assistant Divisional Officer, Station Officer and the Assistant Station Officer.

 The NOC has to be issued within seven days of the building inspection team waving the green flag. If there are objections, the application has to be forwarded to the Fire and Rescue Services HQ within 10 days.

 NOCs for buildings over 24 metres in height have to be issued by a panel headed by the Technical Director (Fire Service). The Divisional Officer, Fire and Rescue, Thiruvananthapuram; Station Officer, HQ, Thiruvananthapuram will be members of the panel. This committee will also inspect the land, building and fire safety equipment.

 It is also this committee that has to take a decision on the applications for NOCs on which scrutiny committee have raised objections within 15 days.