NEW DELHI: The Goa nightclub blaze that killed at least 25 people on Sunday has renewed scrutiny of fire safety measures at entertainment venues across the country, including Delhi, where officials say lax compliance, crowded interiors and neglected safety systems continue to leave thousands at risk.
A senior additional divisional officer of Delhi Fire Services said the safety framework for nightclubs and bars is already well-defined. It draws from the Delhi Fire Services Act, 2007, its 2010 rules, the National Building Code, 2016, and the Unified Building Bye-laws. "In theory," he said, "every club is supposed to comply with all of these."
Another officer explained that the basics are routinely overlooked. He said DFS checks firefighting arrangements, exit provisions, prevention and protection measures, and whether all firefighting equipment are functioning before issuing a safety certificate, which is valid for three years. But the gap, he added, begins with the layout. Clubs are required to have at least two entry and exit points at the remotest ends of the premises, "but this is hardly followed anywhere."
He said the cramped designs are often dangerous. Narrow staircases should never be part of a public assembly building. Exit routes must be at least 1.5 metres wide with a clear height of 7-8 feet.
Fire hydrants and extinguishers must not only be installed but also work. Eateries that serve alcohol, he said, require stricter standards because liquor is highly flammable. If the interiors are fitted with materials that are not fire-retardant, it "becomes a recipe for disaster."
"Clubs often claim they have multiple entry and exit points, but one of them is usually treated like a service entry for staff. This is often blocked," station officer Nitin said, describing a hazardous firefighting operation about three years ago at M-Block in Connaught Place.
"Most clubs don't have a separate kitchen. It is right next to the main dining space and they use LPG cylinders. Two years ago, I remember being on the second floor and there were so many cylinders. One exploded within minutes. The blast shook the concrete roof slab, and before we could stabilise anything, another cylinder went off. The whole platform felt like it had lifted," he said. Electrical hazards and poor upkeep inside kitchens add to the problem.
LOUD ON MUSIC, LOW ON SAFETY: Goa Tragedy Puts Focus On Violations, Hazards At Capital’s Nightspots
Former Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg said: "One of the most critical challenges in nightclubs and discos is that, even when the fire alarm system and all firefighting installations are fully functional, the environment itself prevents timely recognition of an emergency. High ambient noise from music, combined with strobe lights, laser effects, smoke machines and crowd density, muffle the sound of traditional fire alarm signals."
People inside the building often fail to perceive the alarm, and this gap is one of the major life-safety vulnerabilities in nightclubs and discos. It requires specialised solutions beyond standard alarm systems to ensure rapid occupant response, Garg said.
Another fire officer said that the wiring is often substandard and housekeeping in many bar and club kitchens is "very bad," with no ventilation and storage piled to the brim. "Many establishments operate in extremely dark, cramped spaces. At least during the day one can see where to go," a senior fire officer said. "But these clubs are so dimly lit that nobody will understand where the exit is. Once there is smoke, visibility drops to zero."
Sandeep Anand Goyle, the Delhi chapter head of the National Restaurants Association of India, explained how NRAI only engages with establishments that have valid fire NOCs. "Whenever a restaurant seeks membership, these documents are mandatory to be submitted. There is a clear system of checks and balances. We review their trade licences and NOCs, and a trade licence itself cannot be issued without a fire NOC. Similarly a liquor license cannot be issued without a trade license. And if the establishment is 90 square metres and above the fire NOC becomes mandatory."
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