According to a recent survey, it has been discovered that a staggering number of buildings in Ghaziabad, approximately 700 in total, are operating without proper firefighting equipment and the necessary no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the fire department. These buildings include a wide range of establishments such as industrial units, hospitals, malls, group housing societies, and hotels.

The survey, conducted by fire officials between January 1 and April 30, involved inspections of 1,587 buildings, out of which 670, or nearly 42%, were found to lack the required NOCs from the department. Additionally, it was noted that more than 40% of the buildings with fire NOCs did not possess standard fire-fighting arrangements.

In response to these findings, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Rahul Pal has taken action by issuing show-cause notices to the owners of the 670 buildings and has directed them to install proper firefighting equipment within a month. The CFO emphasized that buildings with inadequate fire-fighting infrastructure have been given 15 days to comply with the established norms and upgrade their equipment. Failure to do so will result in the department taking further action against them.

The survey data revealed alarming statistics regarding specific types of establishments. For instance, it was found that approximately 63% of the 276 hospitals in the district, including government-run hospitals, were operating without fire NOCs. Similarly, around 66% of the 435 factories in the district and 68% of the 176 hotels and restaurants had not obtained the necessary NOCs.

Further examination of the hospital data indicated that only 100 out of the 276 hospitals inspected during the first four months of the year possessed functional firefighting equipment and NOCs. Some of these hospitals were requested to make minor adjustments to their existing firefighting equipment. Notably, a total of 176 hospitals had not even applied for the fire NOC, prompting the department to issue notices and provide them with a month's time to obtain the required certification.

In relation to hotels, 57 out of the 176 inspected hotels had NOCs and appropriate fire equipment. Additionally, all 25 malls in the district were found to have NOCs and satisfactory fire equipment.

The survey also extended to schools and residential societies within the district. Out of the 345 group housing societies inspected, 297 had fire NOCs, while the remaining 48 received notices that were served to the Apartment Owners' Associations (AOAs) and developers. Among the 355 schools assessed, only 42 were found to lack fire NOCs.

Since the issuance of the notices, the fire department has received 589 applications for NOCs. Out of these, 386 have been issued clearance certificates. The department raised objections or concerns regarding the remaining applications, including 40 with incorrect credentials. It is important to note that the survey is still ongoing, indicating that additional findings are expected.

The urgency of addressing this issue is further highlighted by the significant number of fire incidents reported in the district during the first quarter of the year. Approximately 360 fire incidents were recorded, with the fire department rescuing 70 individuals. Fire officials revealed that over 30% of these incidents occurred in illegal factories, while 20% were reported in hotels and restaurants. Furthermore, 25% of the fire incidents took place in high-rise societies. The leading causes of these fires were identified as short circuits, accounting for 50% of the cases, and garbage burning, responsible for 25% of the incidents.

In conclusion, the survey findings have exposed a concerning lack of compliance with fire safety regulations in various establishments across the district. The fire department has taken immediate action by issuing notices and directing owners to upgrade their firefighting equipment. The situation has also prompted hospitals, hotels, schools, and residential societies to rectify their non-compliance by applying for the necessary NOCs. With a substantial number of fire incidents reported in the district, it is crucial for these establishments to prioritize the safety of their occupants and ensure strict adherence to fire safety protocols.