PMC safety step for hotels

Chief fire officer L.N. Raut told The Indian Express that major hazards had been caused by leaking gas cylinders. Hotels applying for a health licence ensure that they have adequate equipment to deal with fire hazards, however no follow-up checking is done, Raut said. Several hotels ignore safety measures. Fire extinguishers are not replaced, a quarterly check-up of nozzles is not carried out nor are hydraulic tests undertaken.

Raut said even Amruttulya hotels mainly serving tea joints do not take proper measures to ensure that their stove is repaired. Whether it is a diesel or a kerosene stove, a minor leak is checked by soldering the portion. This is extremely risky, Raut said.

Dr. D.D. Chandakkar, assistant license officer, said due cognizance had been taken of the problem and a meeting of the health, building department will be held on October 20 to decide on the proposal. 8220;We have prepared a list of hotels which have violated norms. In some cases action has been taken by the building department while some cases are in a court,8221; Chandakkar added.