Bengaluru: It is being alleged that the Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services department is delaying in giving ‘Fire Advice’ to buildings meant for commercial use, hotels and hospitals in and around Bengaluru.
This came to light when Home Minister K.J. George gave a reply on the floor of the House in the assembly. He admitted that before giving ‘Fire Advice’, the department has to examine safety and norms prescribed by the National Building Code regulations.
However, Mr. George admitted that there is a delay in clearing files over this because buildings have not provided the required ‘setbacks’ nor have they adopted fire safety measures.
Mr. George said that there are 6 files seeking Fire Advice which are pending. In 2013-14, the department received 17 applications seeking Fire Advice. As per the rules, 40-year-old buildings must have Fire Advice by the Fire department.
Mr. George dismissed the allegation of JD(S) member S. Chikkamadu about discrimination in issuing Fire Advice to hospitals and commercial buildings by the department.
Several commercial and hotel buildings constructed prior to commencement of National Building Code regulation (1984) still don’t have Fire Advice.
The JD(S) member has referred to Jain Hospital Building and Sheriff Chamber (Fortis Hospital). The department has issued Fire Advice to only Jain Hospital, but it has rejected the application of Fortis Hospital, he alleged.
According to Fire and Emergency Services department, the Jain Hospital building was constructed in 1977 before the implementation of the National Building Code. So the department has issued Fire Advice, they said, but Fortis Hospital building was constructed after the implementation of the National Building Code. The building was constructed for commercial purposes but later it has been given for hospital use. Which was why the department has refused to issue Fire Advice to this building.
K.U. Ramesh, Deputy Director of Technical of Fire and Emergency Service Department, said that the department has not discriminated while issuing Fire Advice. Before issuing fire advice the department has to go through required documents, he said.
