Subsequent to Rajkot fire tragedy, Gujarat High Court directed state government to review fire safety compliance in the schools. State government has now submitted an affidavit about fire safety status in schools, including Fire NOC No Objection Certificates. It is painful to know that 11,451 schools in the state are run without Fire NOC. In a detailed report on the fire safety measures in pre-primary to higher secondary schools across the state was presented before high court. Out of 55,344 schools inspected for fire safety, 11,451 schools have No Fire NOC.Additionally, 43,893 schools made self-declarations.Only 9,563 schools had obtained Fire NOC. In government’s reply, these schools lack fire safety compliance, leaving students at risk of fire hazard. State government and authorities have given schools 30 days to implement fire safety equipments. The response was recorded by Chief Justice Sunita Agrawal and Justice Pranav Trivedi of High Court. As per Fire Safety Act and rules, schools in buildings over 9 metres height must obtain Fire NOC.
The government and authorities have instructed schools to ensure they have water tanks, fire safety equipment, and sand-filled buckets. Schools are also directed to:
– Prohibit the storage of flammable materials or liquids inside the premises.
– Avoid gathering large crowds or assemblies.
– Limit excessive electrical load usage.
– Maintain a fire evacuation plan.
– Install a 10,000-litre water tank.
– Equip each floor with fire extinguishers weighing between 4.5 to 6 kg.
– Conduct regular mock drills and inspections.
Private schools also await Fire NOC, As many as 1,117 schools have applied for Fire NOC, 771 schools are getting installed fire safety equipment. For pre-primary and primary schools, out of 43,833 inspected, 31,987 are government schools, 633 are grant-in-aid schools, and 11,213 are private schools. Among 11,511 secondary and higher secondary schools, 1,403 are government schools, 5,064 are grant-in-aid schools, and 5,044 are private schools. In total, 7,517 pre-primary and primary schools still need to obtain Fire NOC, including 2,263 government schools and 5,132 private schools. For secondary and higher secondary schools, 1,039 grant-in-aid and 2,843 private schools still need to obtain Fire NOC.
