Telangana Fire Services to issue practical safety checklist for schools

The Telangana Fire Services has announced plans to issue a practical checklist for fire safety inspections of existing schools and junior colleges. The move comes after consultations with educational institutions, which have highlighted the difficulties of retrofitting older buildings to meet current fire safety standards.

The decision was announced on Tuesday during a meeting at the Fire Services headquarters in Hyderabad, attended by around 30 representatives from schools, junior colleges, and educational associations. The discussions focused on issues surrounding Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and the application of various government orders, particularly for institutions operating in mixed-occupancy buildings.

Director General of Telangana Fire Services Vikram Singh Mann stated that the new checklist would guide officials during inspections of existing structures, where major structural modifications may not be feasible. The meeting also covered life-safety arrangements such as setbacks and means of escape, which depend on occupant numbers.

Participants called for a uniform inspection procedure to ensure consistent scrutiny of applications across the state. The department clarified that institutions may either submit self-undertakings or apply for regular Fire NOCs, as per existing guidelines.

Mr. Mann stressed the importance of maintaining functional fire prevention and life-safety systems, noting that children of various age groups spend considerable time in these buildings. He also warned institutions against engaging with individuals promising to arrange NOCs through unofficial means, stating that such actions could lead to legal trouble.

Senior officials, including District Fire Officers and Assistant District Fire Officers, attended the interaction and took part in the deliberations.