Most city schools are firetraps

Most city schools are firetraps

1,786 Schools Violate Fire-Safety Regulations

New Delhi: Nearly half the schools in Delhi are not sufficiently equipped to deal with a fire incident. According to the records, 1,786 of 4,082 schools in Delhi have not been granted fire no-objection certificate (NOC). These include 650 recognized schools and 645 MCD schools. Fire-safety regulations for schools mandate strict measures, which are not being followed, say fire officers. 
    Of the schools which have been rejected fire-safety certificates, 650 are private or aided recognized schools; 649 are run by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD); and 449 by the Delhi government. Fire-safety arrangements in all the seven schools run by the Delhi Cantonment Board as well as 35 of the central government schools (Kendriya Vidyalayas) are also found to be inadequate. 
    “We are taking up the issue with the managements of these schools to ensure that fire-safety measures are properly followed for the larger good of schoolchildren. We are making a strong pitch for fire-safety drills in schools as children spend their formative years there and these drills will make a positive impression on them. They will remember the drills if taught at a young age,” said director of Delhi Fire Services A K Sharma. 
    While a majority of the schools by the Delhi government and MCD lacked basic measures, such as availability of fire extinguishers and staircases for escape duringfire, some of the schools were not easily accessible in fire service vehicles. 
    Officials said the private schools which were denied NOC did not have adequate fire extinguishers, water tanks, fire-alarm systems, fire hoses and water pumps. “We have pointed out the shortcomings in the firesafety mechanism and asked the school managements to address these issues on priority. Options available to the fire department include cutting off the electricity and water supply if fire-safety norms are not adhered to. If the schools still don’t conform, the premises can be sealed or the education board can derecognize them,” said a senior fire department official. 
    Fire-safety requirements for each school depend on the size and height of the premises and the building. 
    While basic requirements for each school include fire extinguishers, fire hose, water tanks and pumps, a sprinkler system is required in case there is a basement. 
    “Till now, we have rejected NOC to schools violating fire-safety norms. We are hoping that good sense will prevail and the managements of the schools will address the issues quickly for the safety of the children. Otherwise, we will be forced to take strict action,” said a senior fire department official. 
    indrani.basu@timesgroup.com 

Source: Times of India