Ahmedabad: In response to three recent fire incidents that occurred last Thursday and Friday, the state government has revised building regulations to mandate the use of standard wiring and require approval of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) plans by designated consultants for all new constructions.
Electrical Short Circuits: A Primary Cause
Most fires in buildings are attributed to electrical short circuits. The existing Comprehensive General Development Control Regulations (CGDCR) lack provisions for inspecting basic elements such as wiring and circuit breakers in new residential or commercial buildings. To address this gap, the new CGDCR will make it compulsory to register MEP consultants who will be responsible for approving these plans.
Ensuring Safety Measures
This new requirement aims to ensure that all electrical safety measures, including the use of standard wiring and circuit breakers, are implemented in every new building. The state government has indicated that the revised CGDCR, which applies to Ahmedabad and other cities in Gujarat, will be enforced soon.
Current Regulations and Missing Provisions
Sources from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) confirmed that the state government introduced the CGDCR in 2017. Part 1, Chapter 4 of the CGDCR defines the responsibilities of building owners. It mandates the registration of several professionals, including an architect on record, engineer on record, structural engineer on record, clerk of works on record, supervisor of works on record, and fire protection consultant on record. These professionals are tasked with implementing safety measures during construction. After completion, obtaining a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) is mandatory, and appointing a fire consultant is also required.
However, the current regulations do not include any provisions for scrutinizing mechanical, electrical, or plumbing plans for new buildings. Under the new rules, development permission and building-use permission will only be granted after an MEP consultant approves these plans.
Fire Official Emphasizes Preventive Measures
An officer from the AMC’s Fire and Emergency Service explained that under the current system, inspections focus on ensuring that fire equipment is installed according to regulations to prevent fires in new buildings. These inspections verify that entry and exit points are adequate and that fire vehicles can move freely. "All these aspects are checked before issuing a fire NOC. However, measures to prevent fires are also necessary," the officer stated. "For example, it is important to verify whether standard wiring is installed in new buildings, or if circuit breakers and ventilation systems are in place."
The officer highlighted that short circuits are the most common cause of fires. "Poor-quality wiring or electrical equipment can be responsible for these short circuits," the officer said. "Therefore, approving wiring, plumbing, and electrical plans in every new building is crucial to preventing fires."
Disquieting Fire Statistics
Data from the AMC reveals a concerning trend in fire incidents within Ahmedabad city limits over recent years. In 2019-20, there were 1,766 fire accidents; in 2020-21, 1,737; in 2021-22, 1,678; in 2022-23, 2,057; and in 2023-24, 2,285. The total number of fire accidents over these five years stands at 9,523.
Breakdown of Fires in 2023-24
The types of locations affected by fires in 2023-24 include: chemical color units (04), residential buildings (454), units with cellulose and kerosene (05), units with electric circuits and decorative items (210), petroleum, oil, and refining units (05), shops, offices, and commercial units (33), theaters, cinemas, dance halls, and hotels (24), showrooms and restaurants (18), railways and vehicles (195), storage, coal units, and warehouses (90), textile mills, industries, and factories (102), shops with cloth and other items (159), printing machine units (01), facilities related to gas cylinders and sewage (141), grassy areas and trees (327), religious sites (05), and other locations (512), totaling 2,285 incidents.
