MSMEs In Himachal Pradesh Hassled By Unrealistic Fire Regulations
Updated: Jan 13, 2025 01:28:59pm

MSMEs In Himachal Pradesh Hassled By Unrealistic Fire Regulations
Shimla, Jan 13 (KNN) Small and medium-scale industries in Himachal Pradesh's Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial area are facing significant challenges in obtaining Fire Department clearances due to stringent safety requirements, highlighting a conflict between regulatory compliance and practical constraints.
The current regulations mandate the construction of large underground water tanks and installation of diesel-operated water motors, requirements that many existing units find difficult to implement.
According to BBN Industries Association President Rajiv Aggarwal, most facilities in the region operate on plots ranging from 500 to 2,000 square meters and were established before the implementation of current fire safety standards or even the existence of the Town and Country Planning Department.
"Constructing a 20,000-liter water tank on the terrace or an underground static 100,000-liter water tank in pre-existing buildings on small plots is not practically feasible," Aggarwal explained.
He further questioned the logic of requiring such large water storage facilities for industries that don't use water in their manufacturing processes, despite fire NOC being mandatory for industrial operations.
A potential solution has emerged from the Baddi Sub-Divisional Magistrate, who proposed a cluster model approach. The suggestion involves installing shared fire hydrants for groups of 15 to 20 industries on government-provided land, with water pipes connecting to nearby factories.
This collaborative approach could help address both safety requirements and the region's existing water scarcity issues.
However, Home Guards Commandant Santosh Sharma, who oversees firefighting operations in Solan district, maintains that deviation from National Building Code (NBC) guidelines is not possible when issuing NOCs.
In response, industry representatives argue that the NBC is advisory in nature, and the state government has the authority to modify rules based on local conditions under Section 9 of the Himachal Pradesh Fire Fighting Services Act, 1984.
(KNN Bureau)