Faqs

Dial toll free number 101 & Call your local Fire Station. Note the location and telephone numbers of different Fire Stations.

What are the directives for common citizen during call for fire?

Always mention actual address, name of road/ village etc. Land marks, if any.
Mention the nature of the building/ complex involved in fire
Immediately leave from the place of fire to a place of safety as life is more precious than property.
Call Fire Brigade at the earliest.
Shut down the electric main switch, if possible.
Use first aid fire fighting equipments like Extinguishers, Fire Buckets etc.
Don’t use water during any kind of electrical fire.
Wait for Fire Brigade.
Help Fire Brigade during fire fighting.
Do not destroy any Fire Fighting vehicle and equipments.

Is there any punishment for not taking Fire Safety Certificate?

Yes, owner/occupiers are liable. Violation of rule is an offence which is cognizable and non-bailable offence.

Whether Fire Safety Certificate is necessary for any high risk building ?

Yes it is mandatory, Fire Safety Certificate is necessary for any high risk building.

Definition of high risk building?

Notification No. 279/DS/FS/O/C-1/FIA-3/96- 8th July, 2003- in exercise of the power conferred by clause (hb) of Section 2 of the West Bengal Fire Service Act 1950 (West Bengal Act XVIII of 1950), the Governor is pleased hereby to specify the following building or part of a building as high risk buildings:- 1.Building or part of a building used for storage, handling, manufacturing or processing of highly combustible or explosive materials or product which are likely to burn or be inflame easily. 2.Building or part of a building used for storage, handling manufacturing or processing materials or product which may produce poisonous fumes or may resulting explosion. 3.Building or part of a building used for storage, handling manufacturing or processing materials or product by using highly corrosive or noxious alkalis, acid or other liquids or chemicals which may cause explosion or produce poisonous irritant or corrosive fume or gases. 4.Building or part of a building used for storage, handling manufacturing or processing of any materials producing explosive mixture or dust which may result in division of such materials into fine particles subject to spontaneous ignition. 5.Building or part of a building used for storage under pressure of more than 0.1 N/mm2 and exceeding 70 M3 of ammonia, carbon dioxide, acetylene, chlorine, hydrogen, methyl oxide, sulphur dioxide, illuminating and natural gases and all other gases likely to explode, or any toxic or cryogenic fumes or gases. 6.Building or part of a building used for storage and handling of hazardous and highly flammable liquids, liquefiable gases like liquefied petroleum gas, rocket propellant etc. 7.Building or part of a building used for storage and handling of hazardous substances other than liquids, including wood and cotton. 8.Building or part of a building used for manufacture of ammunition and fire works. 9.Building or part of a building used for manufacture of artificial flowers and synthetic leathers. 10.Building or part of a building used for a housing complex having more than 8 dwelling units. 11.Building or part of a building of an underground structure including underground transit system. 12.Building or part of a building used for power generation and distribution centre, transformer house, industrial switch gear room, major electrical installation or a telephone exchange. 13.Building or part of a building used for airport hanger and airport terminal, railway station, crashed and yard. 14.Building or part of a building used for hotel, restaurant, club with bar facilities, par lour with sauna bath facilities, guest house and dharmasalas. 15.Building with multi-purpose occupancy. 16.Building or part of a building used for public entertainment and public assembly. 17.Building or part of a building used for hospital, nursing home, sanatorium or laboratory. 18.Building or part of a building used for library, museum, archaeological centre or research centre. 19.Building or part of a building used for shopping complex, market, katra or a shop for selling fire works.

Is there any permission required for construction of temporary structure?

Yes, permission shall be obtained under Sec. 23A and temporary structure shall be constructed as per Temporary Structure’s Rules – 2003.

Is there any difference between high rise and high risk building?

Yes, the definition of high risk building laid down vide Notification No. 279/DS/ FS/O/C-1/FIA-3/96 -08.07.2003. High Rise building means all building above 14.5 Mtrs. in height. All high rise buildings are high risk building apart from other categories.

Whether each residential building requires Fire Safety Certificate?

Residential buildings having height more than 14.5 Meters, are required to obtain fire safety certificate. Where ever there are more than eight dwelling units fire safety guidelines are to be followed. Similarly building with multipurpose occupancy requires fire safety certificate irrespective of height.

What are the Fire Safety measures required for high rise building, hospital & school etc.?

Fire Safety measures depends upon height of the building, types of occupancies, types of hazard. However, please see sample recommendation for different occupancies.

What are the documents required for taking Fire Safety Recommendation?

The owner/occupier shall apply to the Director General, W.B.F&E.S. or Divisional Officer of Divisions along with details architectural plan drawing as following manner- 1.Site/ Location plan (Ammonia Print). 2.Floor-wise plan (Ammonia Print). 3.Roof plan (Ammonia Print). 4.Ground floor plan showing side open space, abutting or approach road with width, main exit/entrance. (Ammonia Print). 5.Area statement in meters. 6.Section and elevation plan

Whether offence for not taking Fire Safety Certificate/ Fire License can be compounded?

Yes, if applicant pleads guilty with prayer for compounding the offences before the Director General Fire and Emergency Services West Bengal then the D.G. can compound of offence under Sec. 38B of WBFS Act. by a special or general order.

What are the Govt. fees for compound?

It depends upon the vulnerability of fire hazards and the area of the involvement starting from Rs. 20000/- to Rs. 500000/-.

Whether Fire Safety Certificate and Fire License both are required for any establishment?

FSC (Fire Safety Certificate) is required for all high rise and high risk building which is a condition of granting FSL (Fire Safety License) and FSL are required for storing, keeping processing inflammable articles beyond the limit as prescribes in the Fire service Act.

Is there any training programme for First Aid & Fire Fighting?

Yes, for short duration for one to two days station officers of each Fire Station can do it and for long duration please contact C.I.(I.F.S.), Silpara, Behala.

Whether any awareness programme is organized?

Yes, this department organizes different awareness programme through out the year.

What are the recruitment procedures for different rank?

There are six level of direct recruitments procedure i.e. F.O., S.C.D., F.E.O.D., A.M.O., Sub Officer and Divisional Officers. Please see the recruitment rules.

Whom to complain if people are harassed by Fire Service Employee?

1) D.G., WBFES, 13D, Mirza Galib Street, Kolkata – 16. 2) Director Fire Service. 3) D.O., of concerned Divisions.

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FAQS