Liability of owner or occupiers for approval of firefighting scheme

(1) In compliance with the provisions of Part III and IV of the National Building Code of India, 2016 and any other law of the State of Punjab for the time being in force or bye-laws, as applicable on relevant premises, the owner or the occupier of a building, who is responsible either individually or jointly shall,-

(i) provide firefighting installations and life safety measures; and

(ii) maintain the fire prevention and life safety measures in operational condition at all times.

(2) Any person proposing to construct a building or development of a colony or site, at the time of approval of building plans or completion plan, as the case may be, from the officer competent to approve the same under the relevant law, shall apply for approval of the fire fighting scheme confirming to the provisions of this Act and Part- IV of the National Building Code of India, 2016, to the Director or any officer authorized by him in this behalf, in such Form, along with such fee, as may be prescribed:

Provided that the residential independent floors having height up to 17.5 meter with stilts (stilts to be used exclusively for parking only), permitted under the rules and byelaws, shall be considered as low rise buildings and fire norms shall be applicable accordingly.

Explanation.- The above proviso shall not be applicable if stilt parking has not been provided:

Provided further that the height of the industrial building may be allowed up to twenty-one meters for G-1 and G-2 categories as defined in the National Building Code, 2016, with a condition that no regular or continuous human habitation is permitted beyond eighteen meters height:

Provided further that the Director or any other officer authorized by him in this behalf while approving the fire fighting scheme may impose any additional conditions or fire safety measures, which he deems fit, for the safety of people and safety of the building depending upon the ground situation.