Fire NOC: Strict norms create hurdles for industrial units

Micro small and medium sector (MSME) industries in Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh (BBN) area are struggling to get the no objection certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department owing to stringent norms.

Norms like constructing underground water tank and setting up diesel-operated water motors are tough to comply due to paucity of space and large investment. Large chunk of industry here comprises the MSME category which operates from plot sizes measuring 500 sqm to 2000 sqm. These units were constructed years ago when stringent norms for large water tanks to douse fire did not exist. Even the Town and Country Planning Department, the regulatory authority, did not exist in the BBN area at that time.

While giving information in this regard, Rajiv Aggarwal, president, the BBN Industries Association, said, “It’s not practically possible to construct 20,000 litre water tank on the terrace or an underground static 1,00,000 litre water tank in pre-existing buildings on small plots to fulfil conditions of the Fire Department.”

He said, “Moreover if an industry does not require water for manufacturing any product, there is no rationale in storing 1,00,000 litre water. The fire NOC is a pre-requisite for setting up an industrial unit.”

The Baddi SDM had suggested adoption of a cluster model for providing fire hydrants to a conglomerate of 15 to 20 industries. He said a common fire hydrant could be installed on the land provided by the state government and connected with water pipes laid on the premises of nearby factories.

He said, “This will enable industrial units to use common water storage tank constructed on the government land. Since this industrial belt faces grave water shortage, maintaining storage tanks by all industries will aggravate water scarcity in the area.”

“As the Fire Department follows the National Building Code (NBC) to issue NOC it’s not possible to deviate from the laid norms,” said Santosh Sharma, Commandant, Home Guards, Solan, who oversees the firefighting operations in the BBN.

Investors, however, assert that the NBC followed by the Fire Department was only advisory in nature and the state government was authorised to make rules keeping in view the conditions of the local industry.

“Rules can be framed to facilitate small industries as provided in Section 9 of the Himachal Pradesh Fire Fighting Services Act, 1984. Guideline for firefighting can be formulated in the light of the NBC while considering the specific challenges of the hill terrain and unplanned industrial area,” said Aggarwal.