Pune: PCMC Fire Department Launches Extensive Fire Safety Survey in Pimpri Chinchwad
Pimpri Chinchwad, 4th May 2024: The Fire Department of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is currently conducting a comprehensive fire prevention and life safety survey aimed at safeguarding properties within the cities of Pimpri Chinchwad. Owing to past incidents of fire outbreaks in industrial and commercial properties within the cities, resulting in the loss of both lives and property, the Fire Department has identified the underlying causes behind these incidents.
It has been noted that many commercial premises in the PCMC area lack adequate fire prevention measures, with instances of residential occupancy within business premises and storage of hazardous substances being observed.
To mitigate the occurrence of such accidents in the future, the Fire Department has initiated a thorough fire prevention and life safety survey focusing on industrial and commercial properties across Pimpri Chinchwad city. This survey encompasses assessing the fire prevention measures in place within commercial, industrial, educational, institutional, and medical buildings within the PCMC area. Key aspects being evaluated include identifying hazardous premises, ensuring the availability of firefighting systems, establishing safe evacuation routes, and monitoring the storage of hazardous materials on the premises.
Following the survey, property owners have been issued two notices addressing concerns such as residential occupancy within commercial premises. Some owners have taken corrective measures to address these issues. However, despite these efforts, some property owners have failed to respond, prompting the Fire Department to take action by sealing four properties in the Chikhali and Talawade areas, thereby cutting off water and electricity supplies. The Fire Department has reiterated its commitment to sealing properties whose owners fail to address identified safety concerns, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.
Businesses must obtain Section 3(1) of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life. Safety Measures Act of 2006, it is imperative for all building owners or occupants to implement necessary fire prevention measures and ensure their continuous operation. Furthermore, as per Section 3(3) of the same Act, it is mandatory for businesses to obtain a business fire safety certificate from a licensed agency and submit it to the municipal fire department. The responsibility for this lies solely with the building owner or occupant, as clarified by the department.
The primary objective of the PCMC is to prevent any loss of life or property resulting from fire incidents occurring in industrial, commercial, educational, medical, and other public establishments within the Pimpri-Chinchwad city limits. To achieve this goal, PCMC is conducting thorough surveys and inspections. However, it’s important to note that the Fire Department has emphasized that sealing properties belonging to non-compliant business owners is not a preferred course of action.
All industrial, commercial, educational, medical, and other similar establishments in the city are required to install appropriate firefighting systems in their buildings through licensed agencies appointed by the Maharashtra Government’s Fire Services. Additionally, the department encourages business owners to apply to the municipal fire department for the acquisition of a business fire safety completion certificate. This certificate serves as evidence of compliance with fire safety regulations and underscores the commitment to safeguarding lives and property from fire hazards.
