Background
The Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act, 2005 was enacted to strengthen fire prevention, fire safety, and fire-fighting services in the state. The law lays down provisions for obtaining fire licenses, maintaining fire safety standards, and ensuring that buildings and establishments are constructed and operated with adequate fire protection measures. The Act is supported by the U.P. Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2005, which provide specific guidelines in line with the National Building Code of India and local building by-laws. Its main objective is to safeguard life and property by making fire safety compliance a legal necessity.
Applicability
The provisions of the Act are applicable to:
The Act applies uniformly across the state of Uttar Pradesh and covers both new constructions and ongoing operations of establishments falling under its purview.
Compliance requirement under the Act in accordance with the Act
According to the Fire Service Act, any individual proposing to construct a building of more than 15 meters in height for commercial or business purposes must apply for a fire license to the Director-General of the Fire Service. The application has to be duly authorised before submission along with the appropriate building plans to the concerned authority which happens to be the Local Municipal Corporation under the state law.
The minimum standards for fire prevention and safety measures specified for buildings or premises shall be those provided in the building by-laws, the National Building Code of India, or any other law in force as amended, relating to matters covered under Rule 4 of the U.P. Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2005.
Penalty & Punishment
Any contravention of the provisions of the Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both and where the offence is a continuing one, with a further fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day after the first during which such offence continues
Conclusion
The Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act, 2005 places a clear responsibility on builders, owners, and establishments to adopt adequate fire safety measures. While the fire license requirement is a one-time compliance before construction or occupancy of high-rise commercial buildings, the minimum fire safety standards are an all-times compliance for every establishment in the state. Strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines, highlight the seriousness of adherence. Ultimately, the Act seeks to create a safer environment for workers, occupants, and the public at large.
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