Fire audit finds lapses at Khan Sir institutions

Patna: A Bihar Fire Service team on Sunday inspected the coaching centre and hospital owned by Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, and found several serious violations of fire safety norms at both premises. The inspection comes amid ongoing police efforts to arrest Khan Sir in a firing case. Officials have given the management seven to 10 days to rectify the deficiencies, warning that action will be taken if the shortcomings are not addressed within the stipulated period.

District fire officer Ritesh Kumar Pandey said, “The audit team of fire services found several serious violations of fire safety norms at both premises. During the inspection, the team found that the G+5 coaching building lacks a fixed fire-fighting system. Against the mandated 25,000-litre overhead water tank, only a 5,000-litre tank was installed. A fire pump with 900 litres per minute capacity was missing, and there was no down-comer system in place. There is also no exit gate at the coaching centre.”

Highlighting deficiencies in the five-storey hospital building, Pandey said an underground water tank with a capacity of 1.5 lakh litres was required but had not been provided. Other shortcomings included inadequate emergency exit signage, the absence of a fire alarm system and an insufficient number of fire extinguishers.

“The audit found a shortfall of 20 ABC-type and six CO₂ extinguishers. Rubber mats for electrical safety were also not available. The building did not meet required setback norms, and only one staircase was present instead of the mandatory two for emergency evacuation,” he said.

This was the second fire audit of the institute. Several recommendations had been made during the previous inspection, but officials found that satisfactory corrective measures had not been taken. The department will conduct a fresh inspection after the deadline expires.

The fire service department has directed the management to complete all upgrades within seven to 10 days. Continued violations could invite penalties, sealing of the premises or cancellation of the no-objection certificate under fire safety rules.

Meanwhile, notices were also issued to five city hotels and a commercial complex, directing them to comply with prescribed fire safety norms.

“Notices have been issued to five city hotels located on Jamal Road and Exhibition Road, while one commercial complex in Salimpur Ahra locality. They have been given a time-frame of 15 days. If they do not fulfil the safety norms during the period, then the sealing process will begin,” Pandey added.