In wake of the Surat coaching fire tragedy that killed 22 students, the Delhi Government has ammended the “Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL) for Delhi 2016” for commercial buildings to include the changes. Following changes have been incorporated through the amendment:
- Under the amendment, kitchens and cooking have been banned in rooftops and basements of commercial buildings. As per the NCR Government, No cooking activity of any kind will be permitted on rooftop or basement.
- No temporary roofing over the roof or terrace using fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) or any inflammable material will be allowed
- Use of inflammable materials such as wooden panels, foam panels and carpets have been banned in passages, corridors or staircases.
- Fire NOC for guest houses will not be issued to buildings, which have more than four floors (excluding basement and stilt floor), as per the amendment.
- It has been mandatory to have carbon monoxide detectors in all rooms and also natural or mechanical arrangements for smoke ventilation in all corridors and passages at each level and staircases.
- There should be doors with fire-resistance rating of at least one hour at the entrance of staircases of each floor if there are more than 10 people living on the floor, according to the amendment.
