Building bylaws may be tweaked to boost fire safety

New Delhi: Delhi govt is considering tightening and amending the building bylaws to strength the city’s fire safety norms and reducing casualties in fire incidents. Proposed changes include making fire hydrants, smoke detectors and other fire-prevention systems mandatory in gated homes, independent houses and apartments.Currently, fire hydrants and smoke detectors are mandatory for highrise apartments, generally above 15 metres in height, in Delhi. However, they are not mandatory for individual lowrise houses or smaller apartment buildings.Govt is also examining the possibility of prescribing the use of less-flammable construction materials in buildings to improve overall fire safety.Delhi home minister Ashish Sood said govt is studying existing regulations and evaluating what legal and policy changes may be required to enhance safety standards. He said while 90% of buildings fall under provisions requiring fire NOCs, additional safeguards are needed for structures that remain outside the existing framework.“I am not in favour of a knee-jerk reaction, but if there is a fire in any home, the presence of fire hydrants, smoke detectors or emergency escape ladders can save several lives,” Sood said, adding, “While we are upgrading our fire safety mechanisms, the first responders in such situations are often the people present inside the building. Having these systems in place is beneficial for everyone.”Sood said he has directed the departments concerned to examine building bylaws and identify ways to make safety equipment compulsory in more categories of buildings. “Even in the existing ones where it is compulsory, we are finding ways to ensure the laws are followed,” he added.The move comes amid growing concerns over fire safety following several incidents reported in the city this year. The recent Hauz Rani fire, which claimed 23 lives and raised questions about preparedness, has further intensified discussions on preventive measures and emergency response systems.When asked about the financial burden such requirements could place on low-income households, Sood said in vulnerable areas like JJ clusters, govt will focus on improving access to fire services. “We are increasing our reach in such localities by making our fire response system faster and more accessible,” he said. “For people who can afford these measures, they can significantly improve safety. Our teams are examining different options.”According to a senior Delhi govt official, the administration has received a proposal from Delhi Fire Service (DFS) recommending that smoke detectors be made mandatory in every home. “The department said smoke detectors can drastically reduce fatalities in the event of a fire inside a building,” the official said.The proposal also recommends retrofitting existing buildings with necessary fire-safety systems over the next three years. “The suggestion is under active consideration,” the official added.Sood further said govt has floated tenders for a modern communication system for DFS. The existing network, he said, continues to operate on wireless frequencies introduced more than five decades. “Despite the city’s rapid expansion and increasing emergency response requirements, previous govts didn’t bother about upgrading it,” said Sood.