Recent fire incidents have revealed non-operational fire-fighting systems in several high-rise buildings, hindering rescue efforts and endangering lives. Under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, building owners must maintain fire safety measures and submit a 'Form B' certificate twice a year. Despite repeated reminders, some societies have not complied with fire safety regulations, and others have failed to implement necessary changes within the deadlines set by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB). To enforce compliance and improve fire safety, the BMC has proposed to the Director of Maharashtra Fire Services to impose fines on violators through property tax bills.

On Monday, a bed-ridden senior citizen tragically died due to suffocation in a fire at a high-rise building in Andheri West. The fire officials confirmed that the internal fire-fighting system of the three-wing building in Oberoi Complex was non-operational. "The city is rapidly witnessing an increase in the construction of 60-70-floor buildings, where a robust internal fire-fighting system is crucial to combat fires. When these systems fail, the MFB is forced to rely on external firefighting equipment. A major challenge in such cases is physically transporting the equipment to the higher floors, further complicating rescue efforts," said a senior fire official.

As per section 3 (1) of Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, it is mandatory for every owner or occupier, as the case may be, to provide fire prevention and life safety measures in the building or part of the building. Also, as per Section 3 (3), it is mandatory for the owner or occupier to furnish a certificate, i.e, ‘Form B’ issued by a Licensed Agency twice a year regarding the maintenance of existing fire prevention equipment and safety measures. As per MFB, In December 2024, 641 establishments, including 466 hotels and restaurants, 50 orchestra-bars, 9 rooftop hotels, 76 lodges, 21 three-star and five-star hotels, and 19 malls were inspected. Notices were issued to three establishments with non-operational fire-fighting systems, instructing them to restore their systems.

"As per the Act, each housing society is given a maximum of 120 days to repair faults in their fire-fighting system. If societies fail to begin repair work within 30 days, prohibitory action can be taken against them. However, legal proceedings take significant time, so we have requested the Director of Maharashtra Fire Services to make provisions for imposing hefty fines through property tax. This will encourage societies to implement the necessary safety measures," said a senior civic official. Santosh Warick, director of Maharashtra Fire services was not available for comment.

Common violations that are found

Fire Calls : Data Received From MFB

Year...Total Calls...Dead...Injured

2023....5074...30....303

2024....5275...21...176