Grant of license to act as Qualified Agency

(1) The Government, with such assistance from the Director or such other officers or body, as the Government may empower in this regard, may grant any person or entity, on the basis of such qualification criteria and upon receiving such fee, as may be prescribed, a license to act as a Qualified Agency within the State of Punjab. (2) Qualified Agencies shall undertake such activities in relation to fire prevention and life safety measures, in such buildings or classes of buildings, and in such manner, as may be prescribed: Provided that the power to issue Fire Safety Certificate shall not be delegated to the Qualified Agency. (3) A Qualified Agency may be revoked by the Director if, after considering a recommendation made by an officer involved in assisting the Government under sub-section (1), the Director concludes that,- (i) it failed to provide such forms, documents, and returns as it may be required to submit as provided in or under this Act without just cause; or (ii) it caused such facts to be furnished which misrepresent the facts or mislead the authority. (4) Notwithstanding any penalty that may be imposed on the Qualified Agency under this Act, no owner or occupier with whom the Qualified Agency liaised shall incur any penalty including but not limited to cancellation of Fire Safety Certificate, except when warranted under any provision of this Act. (5) The Director, or such Fire Officers as may be authorised by him, shall keep track of the compliance history of the Qualified Agency in such manner, as may be prescribed.