Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) Report
According to a report, between the year 2016 to the year 2020, 35 people have died in arson incidents every day.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) releases the report titled ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’.
This report outlines some important facts in the wake of several recent fire incidents in Delhi.
According to this, there has been a decrease in the incidents of fire and deaths due to it in India.
Between 2016 and 2020, there has been a 44% reduction in fire accidents. Also, there has been a decline of 46% in the death toll.
Urban fires occur mainly in cities or towns. It is a major threat to the life, property and public safety of the people.
In the year 2020, 57.6% of the deaths due to arson were recorded in residential buildings.
Reasons responsible for fire incidents
- Natural causes: lightning and earthquake
- Unplanned human causes: urbanization, non-compliance with fire safety standards, etc.
Provisions relating to urban fire safety –
- Under the 12th Schedule (Article 243W) of the Constitution, the fire services have been included in the functions of the municipality.
- The Bureau of Indian Standards has published the National Building Code of India (3rd edition in the year 2016). This code deals with the prevention of fire, safety of life and fire safety.
- The Model Building Bye-laws of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs are based on Building Safety.
- According to this, Chief Fire Officer should be appointed to accept / reject the plans of construction of houses on the basis of fire safety.
Source – The Hindu
