The home department has announced that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services will remain valid for a duration of five years. Nevertheless, this approval is contingent upon building owners submitting an annual self-declaration confirming that the fire protection systems are consistently maintained and fully operational.
This situation has raised concerns among authorities, as past experiences indicate that numerous commercial establishments fail to properly maintain their firefighting equipment. Recently, the fire department discovered that the fire prevention system at the Panaji municipal market was non-functional.
In order to simplify the NOC renewal process, the government has opted to ease the renewal requirements from the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and extend the renewal period from one year to five years, stated the notification from the home department. This renewal will apply to both low-risk and high-risk buildings.
However, each year, the owner or occupant of a building is required to submit a self-declaration on stamped paper affirming that the firefighting equipment installed within the building is regularly maintained, operational, and can be utilized in the event of an emergency. This is a positive development, but it is essential that they ensure the fire protection system is properly maintained. Neglecting it could lead to inspections at any time, resulting in the revocation of permission, remarked DFES Director Nitin Raiker.
This initiative aligns with the central government’s ease of doing business policy and is therefore a proactive measure. Following the five-year period, the fire department will renew the NOC after conducting a new inspection to verify that the fire protection system is functioning correctly. Frequently, we observe that the hose reel, fire suppression system, and fire extinguishers are not adequately maintained, noted a fire safety expert.
Now, with a five-year interval, there is a risk that they will neglect it. Not every building complies with the necessary standards. A designated officer from the DFES is authorized to perform fire prevention inspections at any time to assess the effectiveness of the protective measures in place.If the fire protection arrangements are found to be non-operational or not in compliance, the designated officer holds the authority to revoke the NOC, after giving a reasonable opportunity of hearing, said the home department notification.
