Statewide fire safety audit of coaching centres, edu institutes ordered

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the recent fire tragedy in Lucknow, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) on Wednesday directed district administrations to conduct an immediate fire safety audit of all educational institutions, coaching centres and skill development hubs.

The authority has also emphasised fire safety compliance in hostels and residential training centres.In a directive issued to all collectors and chairpersons of District Disaster Management Authorities, and special relief commissioner, OSDMA managing director Rajesh Prabhakar Patil stressed the need for strict compliance with fire safety norms to ensure the safety of students, trainees, teachers and support staff.With the new academic session underway, district authorities have been asked to carry out field inspections and verify compliance with the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017, the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety (Amendment) Rules, 2025, and other relevant regulations.The directive calls for a comprehensive inspection drive, particularly focusing on multi-storied institutions, congested urban campuses, rented buildings, commercial complexes, basements and establishments with high student occupancy.

Joint inspection teams will verify the validity of the fire safety and no-objection certificates, besides checking the operational status of extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarm systems and emergency lighting.Institutions have also been instructed to ensure that exit routes, staircases and corridors remain unobstructed, and that adequate signage indicating emergency exits, assembly points and emergency contact numbers is displayed prominently.

Doors along evacuation routes must open outward and remain easily accessible during emergencies, the directive mentioned.The OSDMA has further directed institutions to conduct regular safety awareness programmes and mock drills in coordination with the fire services authorities. Each institution must designate trained fire safety wardens and nodal officers, and prepare institution-specific emergency response and evacuation plans.To monitor implementation, joint inspections will be conducted by officials from revenue, fire services, education, higher education and skill development departments. Institutions found lacking adequate fire safety measures may face regulatory action and will be required to undertake corrective measures within a stipulated time frame.District collectors have been asked to submit a consolidated action taken report within 15 days, detailing the number of institutions inspected, deficiencies identified and corrective measures initiated.