Haryana Govt orders fire safety audits of nightclubs, bars

The government ordered fire safety audits of nightclubs, bars, pubs and other establishments that host large crowds. The order was issued by Sumita Misra, Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management, in the wake of the Goa nightclub accident, with the objective of preventing fire hazards and ensuring public safety in the state.

The audits will be carried out by Deputy Commissioners, strictly in accordance with the provisions of the National Building Code, 2016, and the Haryana Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2022. Officials have been given a seven-day deadline to complete the audits and submit their reports.

The venue inspections will focus on verifying the availability and functionality of emergency exit doors, sufficiency of fire-fighting arrangements, validity of licences and permissions and adherence to prescribed fire and life safety codes. Misra said that any violations or limitations found during the audits will invite immediate action as per law.

Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to submit detailed reports of the audits, along with information on action taken or proposed to be taken, within a week. The exercise is aimed at strengthening the state’s fire safety preparedness and ensuring that our public places are not susceptible to avoidable tragic incidents, she added.