Fire License

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Fire License Registration in West Bengal

In India, there is a distressingly high number of fire-related incidents leading to avoidable loss of life, with approximately 25,000 cases reported annually. Many businesses have suffered catastrophic consequences, including structural failures, due to negligence of safety measures and non-compliance with established regulations. However, obtaining a state-issued fire license can serve as a preventive measure against such disasters by ensuring that business premises are fire-resistant and unlikely to pose a fire risk.

In order to secure a fire license, applicants need to meet particular prerequisites established by the state fire department concerning their business establishment. These stipulations can differ from one state to another, and in West Bengal, the issuance of fire licenses is regulated by the West Bengal Fire Service Act of 1950.

To obtain a fire license, applicants must meet specific requirements set by the state fire department for their business establishment. These requirements can vary from one state to another. In West Bengal, the issuance of fire licenses is governed by the West Bengal Fire Service Act of 1950.

According to this law, buildings with a height exceeding 14.5 meters are subject to fire safety regulations, aimed at ensuring effective safeguards and preventing fire-related incidents. These regulations are endorsed by both the Deputy Director of Fire Services and the Director-General of Fire and Emergency Services. Structures measuring 14.5 meters or higher are subject to fire safety regulations under the WB Fire Service Act of 1950, ensuring their proper maintenance and protection against potential fire-related incidents. Approval for this license is granted by both the Deputy Director of Fire Services and the Director-General of Fire and Emergency Services.

Attachments for Application

The following documents must be attached with the application:

  • Two copies of the Site Plan of warehouse/workshop drawn to a scale of 1 cm: 1 meter.
  • A statement depicting the name and maximum quantity of hazardous materials to be maintained and/or processed in the premises.
  • A statement depicting particulars of fire services, which includes the number of full-time fire personnel and their qualifications, names of fire prevention and fire safety appliances in the building.
  • A statement providing the structure and nature of occupancy within the proposed warehouse/workshop.
  • Fire Safety Certificate (if the building norms mandate this requirement).

Classification of Establishments

Establishments are categorized as A, B and C depending on the operational areas of the high-risk building, among other aspects. The classification is herewith specified for your reference:

Class A – refers to buildings above the height of 14.5 meters or more than 5000 cubic meters.

Class B – refers to high-risk buildings with a minimum height of seven meters and a maximum of 14.5 meters, with a coverage area spanning between 5000-2000 cubic meters.

Class C – refers to buildings below the height of seven meters or below 2000 cubic meters.

Fire Safety Certificate

Fire Safety certificates are issued to ensure that the buildings are built and maintained with essential safeguards, so that fire accident of any kind is abated. This includes all high rise buildings greater than the height of 14.5 meters.

The application for fire certificate (for North Bengal and South Bengal applicants) must be made to the same address as that of fire license.

Documents to be attached

The applicant has to submit the following documents while applying for the fire safety certificate:

  • Two copies of the architectural layout signed by the owner/occupier and the architect. The sketch must comprise of a site plan, key plan, floor-wise plan, section plan, proof plan and floor wise area statement.
  • Plan of the building with its occupancy and use.
  • Structural Plan.
  • Ownership/tenancy documents.

Renewal of Fire Safety Certificate

The fire safety certificate must be renewed upon expiry. Renewal of certificate prompts the requirement of the following documents:

  • Copy of Checklist against FSR (Fire Safety Registration) issued by the concerned personnel.
  • Copy of the endorsed Fire Safety Certificate (FSC).

~ Fire Safety Recommendation ~

A. CONSTRUCTION:

  1. The whole construction of the proposed building shall be carried out as per approved plan drawings conforming the relevant building rules of local Municipal
  2. The interior finish decoration of the building shall be made of low flame spread materials conforming to S. specifications.
  3. Provision of ventilation at the crown of the central core-duct of the building shall be
  4. Roof is used as a refuge area in case of an emergency and it should be clear open to sky for all No permanent or temporary structure will be allowed on the roof.
  5. Arrangements shall have to be made for sealing all the vertical & horizontal ducts by the materials of adequate Fire resisting capacity of service ducts/shafts of Fire rating.

B. OPEN SPACE & APPROACH:

    1. The open space surrounding the building shall be kept clear open to sky and shall conform the relevant building rules as well as permit the easy accessibility and maneuverability of Fire appliances with turning
    2. The floor area exceeds 750m2 shall be suitably compartment by separation walls up to ceiling level having at list two hours Fire resisting
    3. The approach roads & internal drive ways shall be sufficiently strong to withstand the load of Fire Engine weighting up to 45 T.
    4. The width and height of the access gates into the premises shall not be less than 20.0 Mtrs. respecting abutting the road.

C. STAIRCASE:

  1. The staircases of the building shall be enclosed Entire construction shall be made of bricks/R.C.C. type having Fire resisting capacity not less than 4 hours.
  2. The staircase of the building shall have permanent vents at the top and open able sashes at each floor level in the external wall of the building.
  3. The width of the staircases shall be made as marked in the plan. Corridors and the exit doors shall conforming the relevant building rules with up to date amendment.
  4. All the staircases shall be extended up to the terrace of the building and shall be negotiable to each other without entering into any occupied area.
  5. Fire and smoke doors at the entrances of all the Staircase enclosures as marked in the plan at each floor level shall be The F.C.D. shall be of at least one hour Fire resisting wire glass window fitted with self-closing type open able in the direction of escape.

D. Lift:

  1. The walls of the lift enclosure shall be at least two hours Fire resisting type.
  2. Collapsible gate shall not be permitted.
  3. One of the lift shall be designed for fire lift, the word FIRE LIFT shall conspicuously write at ground floor.

E. FIRE FIGHTING WATER:

  1. Under Ground Water Reservoir capacity exclusively for Fire Fighting having 2,00000 Comprising two nos. of (UGWR) and Overhead Water Reservoir 10,000 ltrs. for each block as shown in the plan to be kept full at all time.
  2. The Fire Fighting water reservoir shall be having overflow arrangement with the domestic water reservoir as well as to prevent stagnancy of water.
  3. Provision of replenishment at the rate of at least 1000 /min. preferably from two separate source of water supplies shall be made.
  4. The water reservoirs shall be kept full at all time.
  5. Provision of placing Fire Appliances on the underground water reservoir to be made to draw water in case of emergency.

F. HYDRANT SYSTEM:

  1. The building shall be provided with Wet Riser at internal diameter Pipe Line with provision of landing valves at the Staircase landings / half landings at the rate of one such riser for 1000 Sq.mtr. of floor area. The system shall be so designed that shall be kept charged with Water all the time under pressure and capable to discharge 2850 lts/min. at the ground floor level outlet and minimum 900lts/min. at the top most outlet. In both cases the running pressure shall not be less than 3.5Kgs/Sq.cm. All other requirements shall conforming I.S. 3844 – 1989.
  2. Provision for Hose Reel in conjunction with Wet Riser shall be made at each floor level conforming the relevant I. S. Specifications.
  3. Provision for Hose Reel in conjunction with Wet Riser shall be made at each floor level conforming the relevant S.Specifications.
  4. Yard Hydrant / Ring Main Hydrant with provision of adequate numbers Hydrant shall be installed surrounding the each building in accordance with relevant S. specifications.

Sprinkler Protection IS-15105: – The automatic sprinkler system shall be provided at all floor area except electrical room, panel room, computer room as per IS 9972. The sprinkler system shall be connected with the existing system of the building if required pressure is present at the furthest point.

H. FIRE PUMP:

  1. Provision of the Fire Pump shall have to be made to supply water at the rate-designed pressure and discharge into to the Water based system, which shall be installed in the building. One such pump shall always be kept on stand-by preferably be of diesel driven type.
  2. Provision of Jockey Pump shall also have to be made to keep the Water based system under pressurized condition at all the time. All the pumps shall be incorporated with both manual and auto starting facilities. The suction of pumps shall preferably of positive type or in case of negative suction the system shall be wet riser-cum-down comer with suitable terrace pump with overhead tank.
  3. All the pumps shall be incorporated with both manual and auto starting The suction of pumps shall preferably of positive type with down comer with suitable terrace pump with overhead tank.

I. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION & DISTRIBUTION:

  1. The electrical installation including transformers, Main & Meters and the distribution system of the premises shall be made satisfying the code of practice for Fire safety in general building as laid down in I.S. specification 1946 – 1982.
  2. The vertical & Horizontal Electrical ducts shall be sealed at each floor level by fire resisting material.
  3. The electrical installation shall be adequately protected with CO2/D.C.P. or Medium Velocity /Projector system or Gas base suppression system.
  4. The electrical installation shall be adequately protected with CO2/D.C.P. or Medium Velocity spray Projector system.
  5. Alternative Power Supply:

    Arrangements shall have to be made to supply power with the help of a generator to operate at least the Fire Pump, Pump for deep Tube-well, Fire Alarm System, Fire Lift etc. and also for illuminating the Staircase, corridors etc. and other places of assembly of the building in case of normal power failure.

J. DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM:

  1. Manually operated Electrical Fire Alarm system with at least two numbers of break glass type call boxes fitted with Hooters along with public address system, at each floor of the each building connecting with audio-visual panel board shall be made in Control Room. The Control Room shall be located at the entrance of Ground Floor of the building, other requirements of the system shall be made conforming S. 2189 – 1988.
  2. Hooter will be sounded in such a manner so that an operation of a Detector or Manual Call Point Hooters will sound on the same floor and immediate alternate floor.
  3. Smoke detector shall have to be installed in the all floor area of the buildings.
  4. Public Address System: – Public address system linked between all floors and Control room shall have to be established.

K. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (If any) :

  1. The H.U. shall be separated for each floor with the system Air Ducts for individual floors.
  2. Arrangement shall be made for isolation at the strategic locations by incorporating auto dampers in the Air Conditioning system.
  3. The system of auto shut down of H.U. shall be incorporated with the auto detection and alarm system.
  4. The air handling unit’s room shall not be used for storage of any combustible materials.

L. TRANSFORMER:

  1. In case of oil transformer ester oil shall be provided for cooling purpose of Transformer.

M. FIRST AID FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM:

First Aid Fire Fighting arrangement in the style of placing suitable type of portable Fire Extinguishers, Fire Buckets etc. in all floors and vulnerable locations of the premises shall be made in accordance with I.S. 2190-1992.

N. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

  1. Fire License shall have to be obtained for proposed storing and processing with P.G. and other highly combustible articles.
  2. Electrical room, panel room, computer room shall be protected with suitable type of fire fighting system as per IS-Specification.
  3. Fire Notice for Fire Fighting and evacuation from the building shall be prepared and be displayed at all vulnerable places of the building.
  4. Floor numbers and directional sign of escape route shall be displayed prominently.
  5. The occupancy and security staff shall be conversant with installed Fire Fighting Equipment’s of the building and to operate in the event of Fire and Testing.
  6. Arrangement shall be made for regular checking, testing and proper maintenance of all the Fire Safety installation and equipments installed in the building to keep the min perfectly good working conditions at all times.
  7. A crew of trained Fireman under an experienced officer shall be maintained round the clock for safety of the building.
  8. Mock Fire practice and evacuation drill shall be performed periodically with participation of all occupants of building.
  9. Suitable type of detection system shall be provided at electrical room, panel room, computer room as per IS-Specification.
  10. Each year a certificate is to be obtained from the Director General, West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services certifying about the satisfactory services, performance of all the Life and Fire Safety arrangements and installation of the building.

On compliance of all the above Fire Safety recommendations, the Director General, West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services shall be approached for necessary inspection and testing of the installation before occupancy of the buildings; Fire Safety Certificate in favour of the occupancy shall be issued on being satisfied with the tests and performances of safety aspects of installation of the buildings.

N.B: Any deviation and changes the nature of use of the buildings in respect of the approved plan drawings, without obtaining prior permission from this office, this Fire Safety Recommendation will be treated as cancelled.

High-Risk Classification

Section 2 of the West Bengal Fire Services Act has categorized the following buildings into the high-risk category:

  1. Building or part of a building utilized for maintenance, handling, manufacturing or processing of highly combustible or explosive materials or products which are prone to fire incidents.
  2. Building or part of buildings utilized for maintenance, handling, manufacturing or processing of materials or products which may trigger toxic fumes or result in an explosion.
  3. Building or part of buildings utilized for manufacturing or processing of materials or products by making use of highly corrosive or noxious alkalis, acids or other liquids/chemicals which has the potential to cause an explosion or produce toxic, irritant or corrosive fumes or gases.
  4. Building or part of a building utilized for maintenance, handling, manufacturing or processing of materials producing explosive mixtures of dust, which may risk the splitting up of such materials into fine particles due to spontaneous ignition.
  5. Building or part of a building utilized for storage, when pressurized with a specific percentage of acetylene, ammonia, carbon-di-oxide, chlorine, hydrogen, methyl oxide, phosgene, sulphur dioxide, illuminating and natural gases or gases of any other kinds which has the potential to explode or emit toxic or cryogenic fumes or gases.
  6. Building or part of buildings utilized for the maintenance and handling of hazardous and highly flammable liquids and liquefiable gases.
  7. Building or part of a building utilized for maintenance and handling of hazardous substances other than liquids, which includes wool and cotton.
  8. Building or part of a building meant for the manufacture of ammunition and fireworks.
  9. Building or part of a building meant for the manufacture of artificial flowers and synthetic leather.
  10. Building or part of a building constructed as a housing complex with more than eight dwelling units.
  11. Building or part of a building of an underground structure.
  12. Building or part of a building utilized as a power generation and distribution centre, transformer house, industrial switch-gear room, major electrical installation or telephone exchange.
  13. Building or part of a building utilized as airport terminal/hangers, railway station, car shed and yard.
  14. Building or part of a building constructed as a hotel, restaurant, club with bar facilities, parlour with sauna-bath facilities, guest-house and dharmasalas.
  15. Building that can capacitate multiple persons.
  16. Building or part of a building meant for public entertainment and assembly.
  17. Building or part of a building constructed as a hospital, nursing home, sanatorium or laboratory.
  18. Building or part of a building utilized as library, museum or archaeological/research centre.
  19. Building or part of a building utilized as shopping complex, market, Katra or a fire-work outlet.