The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has announced a city-wide fire safety audit covering nearly eight lakh residential, commercial, and apartment buildings to strengthen fire preparedness and identify potential safety risks. The initiative comes in the wake of the recent fire incident in Aliganj and aims to improve compliance with fire safety standards across the city.
According to LDA officials, the authority will appoint a private agency to carry out the inspections. The audit will begin with colonies developed by the LDA before being expanded to other residential and commercial areas in a phased manner.
The comprehensive audit will evaluate several critical parameters that influence a building’s fire safety. These include the condition of electrical wiring, adequacy of sanctioned power load, availability of mandatory setback spaces, accessibility of staircases leading to rooftops, quality of doors and windows, width of approach roads for emergency vehicles, availability of nearby water sources for firefighting operations, distance from the nearest fire station, and the number as well as placement of outdoor air-conditioning units.
The objective is to identify structural and operational shortcomings that could hamper firefighting efforts or increase the risk of fire-related incidents.
LDA Vice-Chairperson Prathamesh Kumar said that every building inspected during the audit will be evaluated using a 10-point fire safety rating system. Based on the assessment, each property will receive a safety score indicating its level of fire preparedness.
A fire safety rating plate displaying the building’s score will be installed outside the premises, allowing residents, visitors, and authorities to easily identify the building’s safety status. The initiative is expected to promote greater awareness among property owners while encouraging timely maintenance and compliance with fire safety norms.
The audit findings will also be shared with the Fire Department, enabling authorities to recommend corrective measures and monitor improvements wherever deficiencies are identified. Buildings found to have significant safety concerns may be advised to undertake necessary upgrades to reduce fire hazards and improve emergency response capabilities.
Fire safety has become an increasing focus for urban authorities as rapid urbanisation, ageing electrical infrastructure, and dense development continue to elevate fire risks in cities. Regular inspections and preventive maintenance are considered essential for minimizing accidents and ensuring the safety of occupants.
