Pune: PCMC seals four industrial units for operating without fire safety compliance

The fire department had issued notices to these establishments directing them to complete fire safety compliance as a priority. However, after failing to complete the fire safety compliance, the water and power supply were disconnected, and the units were sealed, according to the officials.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) sealed industrial units and warehouses on Friday for noncompliance with fire safety norms, according to officials.

The action targeted four units in the Chikhali and Talawde areas. The industrial units consisted of an aluminum factory, a metal factory, a manufacturing unit, and a scrap depot. The PCMC fire department had issued notices to these establishments, directing them to complete fire safety compliance as a priority.

However, after failing to comply with fire safety regulations, their water and power supplies were disconnected, and the units were sealed, according to officials.

Manoj Lonkar, deputy commissioner of PCMC, stated that several fire incidents have occurred in the past, resulting in property and life losses in commercial and industrial establishments in the PCMC area.

“These incidents can only be avoided if the Fire Act is strictly enforced and followed by these commercial units. The action was taken following the discovery of serious fire safety violations by these units. “A similar action will be taken in the future,” he explained.

Section 3(1) of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 (Fire Act) requires all commercial establishment owners or occupants to adhere to fire safety standards and compliance. According to section 3(3) of the Fire Act, a fire safety certificate from a licensed agency must be submitted to the municipal fire department, and the owner of the building or the occupant using it is solely responsible, according to the officials.

Lonkar also stated that the first phase of the fire safety survey in PCMC has been completed, with over 43,930 commercial and industrial units in the twin city having been inspected.

“We have previously issued notices to these units and requested that they complete the fire safety compliance on a priority basis. “The second phase of the survey will begin soon,” he said.