Gujarat Fire Prevention And Life Safety Measures (Amendment) Rules, 2024
Introduction
The Gujarat Government on date June 24th, 2024 released the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures (Amendment) Rules, 2024 for amending the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Rules, 2014 (“Rules”). These amendments focused on the improvement of accountability, compliance, and fire safety standards by exercising the power conferred under section 57 of the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2013 (“Act”). There is a new provision added under Rule 25 of Rules with regards to fire safety certificate renewal.
The newly amended Rule mandatorily obligates the occupier and owner to file renewal of the fire safety certificate at least two months before the expiry of the Fire Safety Certificate. The fire safety officer has the discretion to conduct an inspection to verify compliance with the said Act’s rules and regulations. After the inspection is done successfully the fire safety certificate renewable (in Form-B 13.3) shall be granted which shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance thereof and for the same period thereafter.
The key amendments cover the renewable process for a fire safety certificate, inspection and reporting by a Fire safety officer, insertion of form B 13.3 & rejection of certificate renewal application. To strengthen the fire standard within the buildings in Gujarat these amendments are reinforced which will also contribute to fostering a safe urban environment.
Renewal Process
In the previous regulation there was no specific timeframe mentioned for renewal application. Now according to the latest amendment of the Rule 25(1), the “owner/s and occupier/s individually or jointly as the case may be, at least two months prior to expiry of Fire Safety Certificate, shall apply for the renewal of the certificate in accordance with the manner determined from time to time, by the authorities concerned.”
Process of Renewal Application Approval or Rejection
According to the amended provision, Rule 25(2) the “Fire Safety Officer, Suo-motu, or upon the receipt of the request of renewal for fire safety certificates of its building or premises, shall inspect the said building or premises for which he is appointed under Rule 21, to verify the compliance of the provisions of the Act, rules and regulations and thereafter issue a Fire Safety Certificate Renewal in ‘Form-B13.3’ based on the verification and approval by the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer, as the case may be. A new Form B 13.3 has been inserted for this process for renewal by approval of the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer The validity of the Fire Safety Certificate Renewal shall be for a period of two years from the date of issuance thereof and the same period thereafter.
Conclusion
This new amendment shall enhance accountability since the non-compliance issues will be addressed properly which will eventually reduce the fire hazard risks. The mandatory provision of submitting the application for renewal two months before the expiry encourages compliance by the owner/ occupier of buildings.
References
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