Haryana sets fire rules for schools

With the Kumbakonam school fire refreshing memories of Mandi Dabwali, the Haryana Government has issued a set of fresh instructions on fire-...

With the Kumbakonam school fire refreshing memories of Mandi Dabwali, the Haryana Government has issued a set of fresh instructions on fire-fighting measures in educational institutions.

It has now made it mandatory for water tanks in schools to have two motors, one run by power and another by diesel, to ensure uninterrupted water supply even during a power cut. The electricity-run motor should be capable of pumping water at the rate of 1,620 litre per minute, while the alternative should be able to pump 180 litre per minute.

The instructions even specify the size of the tank, depending on the area of the institution. Any institution having 1,500 square metre of covered area should have an underground tank of 50,000 litre, whereas the overhead tank should measure 10,000 litre.

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The institutions situated on more than 1,000 square metre and on two floors have been asked to use a house reel while construction. The government has also barred institutions from laying pipelines and using inflammable decorative material on the stairs.

The notification adds that all staircases should go right up to the top floor. The size of the stair and its steps have been specified as well. The stairs should not have a width less than 1/12 of a metre, the tread should be 30 cm and the height, 15 cm. Even the height of the stair’s railing has been specified — one meter.

All rooms that can seat 45 students or more must have two exits, opening into the corridors. Other exits should be 100 cm wide and two metre high. Doors should have no obstructive material.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the designation gives law enforcement “enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation”.

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