Odisha Orders Statewide Fire Safety Audit Across Educational Institutions

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the commencement of the new academic session, the Odisha government has launched a statewide fire safety preparedness drive covering schools, colleges, coaching centres and skill development institutions, directing authorities to conduct immediate inspections and strengthen emergency response mechanisms.

The initiative has been undertaken by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) following growing concerns over institutional fire safety and in the backdrop of the recent tragic fire incident in Lucknow. The state has called for strict adherence to fire prevention norms and a zero-tolerance approach towards safety lapses.

In a directive issued to all District Collectors and Chairpersons of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director of OSDMA, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, instructed district administrations to undertake comprehensive safety reviews and ensure compliance with the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017, the amended 2025 rules and related regulatory provisions.

The review exercise will include extensive field inspections across educational campuses, with special attention to multi-storeyed buildings, densely occupied institutions and facilities operating in urban clusters. Inspection teams will assess whether institutions possess valid Fire Safety Certificates and No-Objection Certificates and verify the readiness of installed safety infrastructure.

Officials have been directed to inspect essential systems including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarm mechanisms and emergency lighting arrangements. Institutions will also be required to ensure safe electrical installations, avoid storage of combustible materials in classrooms and corridors and maintain evacuation pathways free from obstruction.

OSDMA has also stressed the importance of strengthening evacuation preparedness. Educational institutions must provide clearly marked emergency exits, display evacuation plans and emergency contact details and designate safe assembly points within campus premises. Doors along emergency routes should remain accessible and capable of supporting quick evacuation.

Moving beyond infrastructure compliance, the state has emphasised regular capacity building and awareness initiatives. Institutions have been instructed to organise periodic fire safety training sessions and mock drills in coordination with Fire Services authorities. Dedicated Fire Safety Wardens and nodal officers will also be identified and trained to coordinate emergency responses.

Every institution has additionally been asked to develop a customised Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan and establish clear communication channels with Fire Services, Police, Health authorities and District Emergency Operation Centres to facilitate faster action during emergencies.

District administrations have been advised to prioritise inspections of rented campuses, institutions operating in commercial buildings, basement facilities and high-density student accommodation centres including hostels.

To ensure effective implementation, a multi-department monitoring mechanism involving Revenue, Fire Services, Education, Higher Education and Skill Development departments has been activated. Institutions failing to comply with fire safety requirements may face immediate regulatory intervention and will be directed to undertake corrective measures within a fixed timeline.

District Collectors have been instructed to submit a consolidated Action Taken Report within 15 days, detailing inspections carried out, gaps identified and remedial actions initiated across their jurisdictions.