Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
The Home Ministry has asked the authorities not to approve drawing and design of proposed high-rise residential, commercial and factory buildings unless their owners obtain no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence.
It came up with the move after reports of rampant violation of the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) and Fire Prevention and Extinguishing Rules-2003.
“Building owners must be compliant with the rules under which they have to obtain mandatory NOCs from the Fire Service while getting approval of their proposed buildings and factories. NOCs are also must for amending an approved design,” a senior Home Ministry official (Public Safety Division) told The New Nation on Friday, asking not to be named.
He said, “We came to know the owners manage to get approval of drawing and design without getting such NOCs. Their installations fall short of safety due to glaring non-compliance prompting us to come up with the move.”
“We have already sent letters to concerned government ministries, departments and agencies so that they ensure strict enforcement of the NOCs while approving designs,” he said.
The official further said that they have also requested the authorities not to extend bank loan facilities to the building owners who will fail to obtain NOCs from Fire Department.
Proposed buildings must have their individual ‘fire safety plan.’ They shall have a trained officer to prepare a detailed ‘fire safety plan’ for proper enforcement of fire safety rules and for actions to be taken in proper sequence, in the case of a fire.
The plan must be approval by the Fire Department, the official said.
Fire safety plan provides broad guidelines on fighting fires and evacuation system to help minimize possible fire hazards in the building premises. A good ‘fire safety plan’ also help the buildings to protect from any unnecessary loss or damage.
The official further said owners of buildings and employers feel contented about compliance with existing fire safety law by keeping a only few fire extinguishers, and that too without following rules and procedures.
“The existing legislation puts the responsibility of complying with fire regulations on to the building owners. We came out with the move so that regulations are being enforced more vigorously. And this will reduce the risk of fires and prevent property damage from fires,” he said.
