In the wake of a devastating fire at a nightclub in Goa that claimed 25 lives on Sunday, the Odisha Fire and Emergency Services (OFES) has taken decisive action. The department has issued a directive for a comprehensive, statewide fire safety audit targeting all large and independent restaurants with a seating capacity of more than 100 people.
Precautionary Measure to Avert Tragedy
Officials stated that this proactive step is a direct precautionary measure to prevent similar tragedies within Odisha. OFES Director General Sudhanshu Sarangi confirmed that fire and assistant fire officers have been instructed to commence the audit within a week. "We have instructed fire and assistant fire officers to begin the audit within a week. Establishments found lacking in safety protocols will be directed to plug the gaps," Sarangi said.
The audit will meticulously examine several critical areas to ensure public safety. The checklist includes:
- Structural safety and compliance with building codes.
- Availability and condition of emergency exits.
- Functionality of fire alarm systems.
- Readiness and maintenance of fire extinguishers.
Focus on Standalone Establishments and Compliance
According to sources within OFES, while hotels with in-house dining facilities generally adhere to fire safety norms, compliance among standalone restaurants is often uncertain and lagging. The audit aims to clarify which establishments fall under the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules based on their height and floor area.
Director General Sarangi outlined three key focus areas for the inspectors:
- Certification: Determining if restaurants mandated to obtain fire safety certificates actually possess them.
- Equipment Readiness: Checking whether establishments with valid certificates maintain their firefighting equipment in proper working condition.
- Basic Safeguards: Ensuring that restaurants outside the strict ambit of the rules still have minimum safety measures in place.
Enforcement and Industry Response
Sarangi added that violators would be given a reasonable timeframe to rectify any deficiencies. Failure to comply will lead OFES to recommend legal action to district administrations, which could include possible property seizure. He noted that currently, fire service personnel lack direct enforcement powers to seal premises, but they can issue notices and cancel licenses for violations.
"We have been conducting awareness drives among shopping malls, hospitals, theatres, and other commercial establishments, urging strict compliance with safety norms," Sarangi further stated.
The initiative has been welcomed by the restaurant industry. A member of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha acknowledged that visible safety measures are vital for customer confidence. "Most hotels and restaurants already hold valid fire safety licences. We will sensitise those who don’t," the representative said.
