Coaching centres found fire unsafe

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

Many coaching centres in the city are likely to face action after teams of the Fire Department found fire safety norms missing during checking.

At Sector 7, the teams checked seven coaching centres in the morning. A fire official said there was no escape route at almost all the centres. The fire alarm system was missing while there were no water tanks on the rooftop of these centres. At four centres, the hydrant system was also not working. Fire detection system was also missing at many coaching centres.

In a glaring lapse, the owners of some building have installed iron grills in the windows, which would make escape impossible in case of an emergency. 

The Fire Department started checking coaching centres after the Surat tragedy in which over 20 students lost their lives.

Chandigarh is a hub of coaching centres. Most centres are being run from SCOs and SCFs, having single entrance and exit, in Sectors 20, 34, 36, 35, 15, 24, 38, 39 and 40. 

Meanwhile, teams of the Estate Office also checked misuse of basements in showrooms. As per rules, basements cannot be used as classrooms. The Estate Office teams checked coaching centres in Sector 34, 35 and 11. Notices will be issued for violations at these centres. 

Get fire NOC in 30 days, centres told

SDM (Central) Nazuk Kumar stated that notices have been issued to all coaching centres in the subdivision under Section 133 of the CrPC, directing them to obtain fire safety NOC within 30 days. In the event of failure to do so, they would be liable to sealing and action under the law, the SDM added.