West Bengal fire department is creating a new standard operating procedure to make fire safety rules stricter for hotels, lodges, and guest houses following recent fatal fire incidents. The draft of the new safety guidelines has been prepared and will be mandatory for all hospitality businesses across the state after implementation. Regular inspections will also be conducted to ensure strict compliance with these safety rules.
The new rules place the highest importance on proper emergency exits in every hotel, lodge, and guest house.
All exit doors must remain unlocked and open at all times to ensure the safe and quick escape of people during an emergency. The paths leading to these exit doors cannot be blocked by keeping any kind of goods or materials. Furthermore, exit doors must be made of metal mesh structures so that smoke can easily escape and people can move out smoothly.
Using flammable materials like wood, plywood, or boards to make exit doors will be strictly prohibited. The guidelines also require clear signboards for emergency exits and the deployment of trained staff to guide guests to safe places during a fire.
Strict rules are also being introduced for routes leading to the roof in all hotels and guest houses.
Terrace doors must remain open at all times and must also feature metal mesh structures for proper ventilation.
Stairs and pathways leading to the roof must be kept completely free from any kind of encroachment or stored items. Officials state that the roof can become a safe shelter for guests if the lower escape routes are blocked during a fire.
Adequate evacuation options were missing during the recent hotel fires in Tarapith and central Kolkata, which caused eighteen total deaths and prompted the fire department to tighten these safety measures.
