Fire brigade cracks down on housing societies over safety lapses

Pune: Recent fire safety violations in a Pune housing society have sparked a fresh crackdown by the fire brigade, highlighting a widespread culture of negligence across residential complexes in Maharashtra. The Pune Fire Brigade issued a formal notice to the society for major safety lapses following a blaze in an electricity meter box on May 18.While the fire, allegedly caused by a short circuit, was quickly brought under control, a subsequent inspection revealed a “nightmare scenario” of non-compliance. According to the city chief fire officer, the meter room was so cluttered with obstructions that emergency access was severely hampered. Furthermore, the society lacked basic firefighting equipment, such as extinguishers and sand buckets, which are mandatory under state regulations.“We have begun issuing notices to societies that fail to adhere to safety norms,” a fire brigade official said, adding that electrical repairs must only be conducted by govt-approved licensed contractors.The incident is emblematic of a larger crisis across Maharashtra. SS Warick, state director of fire services, told TOI that despite strict amendments to the Maharashtra Fire Services Act, upkeep remains abysmally poor.“To ensure systems stay functional, the law mandates the submission of ‘Form B’ every Jan and July,” Warick said. “This certificate, issued by a licensed agency, confirms the firefighting systems are in working order. Unfortunately, most owners and occupiers are neglecting this responsibility.”The Fire Safety Act was further strengthened in May 2023, mandating real-time monitoring and audits for buildings taller than 30 metres and residential towers exceeding 70 metres. Despite the availability of over 800 licensed fire safety agencies in the state, compliance remains low.A senior official estimated that of the nearly two lakh housing societies in Maharashtra, a significant number are unaware of these legal requirements. “Many representatives don’t even know these norms exist, let alone how to appoint an inspection agency,” the official said.In densely populated hubs like Pune, Mumbai, and Thane, officials warn that this lack of preparedness could turn minor short circuits into major tragedies. Under the Act, all buildings, including those constructed before the 2008 enactment, are legally required to maintain firefighting systems and submit biannual compliance reports.