Private schools seek fire safety norm relaxation from Telangana government

The Telangana Recognised School Managements Association has sought relaxation in certain fire safety norms for affordable private schools. It said urban congestion has restricted fire engine access to older campuses and requested special provisions for institutions established before current regulations.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Recognised School Managements Association (TRSMA) on Tuesday urged the State government to extend relaxation in certain fire safety norms/rules while issuing the No Objection Certificate (NoC) to affordable private schools in the State.

In a representation submitted to HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath here, the TRSMA president SN Reddy and general secretary K Anil Kumar said that at time of schools’ establishment, adequate access roads and open surroundings were available.

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However, due to subsequent construction and urban congestion, many school premises were now surrounded by newly constructed buildings and apartments, resulting in limited movement space for fire engines into the school premises, they said.

The TRSMA said strict implementation of certain norms, especially fire engine access in old congested areas, has become a practical difficulty for long-established schools and may adversely affect functions of the educational institutions.

Stating that schools were implementing precautionary measures, including installation and regular maintenance of adequate fire extinguishers, provision of exits and evacuation procedures, the TRSMA urged him to grant a reasonable exemption in access-related norms for old existing schools, which were established prior to current regulations.

The TRSMA asked the HYDRAA commissioner to consider special provisions for private schools functioning in old municipal/locality areas.