Campaign to focus on fire safety in schools

Joshi said FSAI Pune chapter would also be conducting training programes for fire and security professionals in the city for adopting better technology in design. “ We aim to create a platform where the local issues will be taken up at the national level. We plan to play a key role in removing the ambiguity in various building codes. Workshop on industrial safety for the employees is in the pipeline,” he said.

Pramoud Rao,national president,FSAI said the association is in the revision committee of the proposed New Building Code (NBC) Part IV and on the Mirani Committee for recommendation of Maharashtra Act for Fire and Safety. “The Mirani Committee report was tabled in the Assembly in February and it is in the implementation stage. It stresses on the need for effective surveillance system,evacuation processes,among others. The report points out the need for under vehicle scanning system,number plate recognising system,CCTV cameras at the entrance and exits and perimetre fencing in all government iconic buildings,” he said.

Rao said the FSAI is appointed as the nodal agency by Maharashtra government for registering the contractors for fire installations. “The state government has taken a good step by making a decision that only government registered contractors will carry out the fire installations. For this,the government has appointed FSAI as the nodal agency. This will make fire installations in residential buildings and commercial complexes more safe. The parameters for qualification is all set and it will be audited by a government appointed third party,said Rao.

He said the fire and security industry is worth Rs 2,500 crore and is growing at 25 percent in the country. “The awareness level is increasing about fire safety and security in the country. To spread awareness FSAI is holding various seminars and workshops in various cities,” Rao said.