Bhubaneswar: In a major move aimed at strengthening fire safety infrastructure across the state, the Odisha Fire Department has announced plans to implement a third-party verification system for fire safety certificates in large buildings, hospitals, and shopping malls. Fire Services Director General Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi revealed the new initiative while addressing the media, underscoring the urgency of streamlining compliance with fire safety norms.
“We have already issued fire safety licenses to 5,800 buildings in Odisha. But with many more coming up, manual inspections for each, especially for big establishments like hotels and hospitals, take between 10 to 15 days. To enhance efficiency and ensure comprehensive safety, the government has decided to introduce third-party fire safety auditors,” Dr. Sarangi said.
Under this system, certified third-party agencies appointed by the Fire Department will conduct safety audits every six months. These audits will verify whether buildings not only possess valid fire safety certificates but also maintain operational compliance with essential safety measures, including alarm systems, emergency exits, and fire suppression equipment.
The Fire Department will review all reports submitted by these agencies and conduct periodic inspections to cross-check findings. The initiative also includes regular safety evaluations for buildings constructed before 2027 to ensure they meet current fire safety standards.
In addition to this major overhaul, Dr. Sarangi announced the deployment of mobile control vehicles equipped with high-definition camera systems to monitor live developments during major fire incidents. These vehicles will serve as mobile command centers, allowing senior officers to assess situations in real-time and coordinate emergency responses more effectively.
The department is also gearing up to bolster its capabilities with the formation of a specialized K9 squad by May next year. The squad, comprising foreign-bred, specially trained dogs, demonstrated its effectiveness during the Fire Service Week celebrations held at ODRAF, Bhubaneswar.
