Kerala eases fire safety norms

Alappuzha: Buildings with 15-metre height and 10,000 sq ft built-up space require no no-objection certificate from the fire and safety authorities anymore. Fire and rescue services director-general Tomin J. Thachankary on Monday said that the government was planning to relax rules to promote the state's development. The government will also introduce 'self-attestation' for fire and safety clearance.

"There is no point in sticking to the age-old regulations," he told reporters on the sidelines of the new Aroor fire station opening ceremony. "If the state needs development, there should be some relaxation in rules." The department sources said three-storied buildings would benefit from the NOC relaxation. These steps are part of new fire safety rules of the state being framed, incorporating safety norms of the National Building Code.

There have been widespread allegations of FRS officials demanding a bribe for granting NOC even from small ventures. The reforms will give them relief.  Lack of fire safety standards of high-rises came into focus after former director Jacob Thomas denied NOC to many buildings non-compliance of NBC.