The Fire and Rescue Services Department has submitted to the Kerala High Court that a No Objection Certificate cannot be issued to the 6th, 7th and 8th floors of the Centre Square Mall for assembly purposes considering the fire risk. The floors in the building complex accommodate cinemas.
The affidavit was filed after the mall owners submitted a petition challenging the decision of the single judge who upheld the objection of the fire department.
Though the owners contended that there was no height restrictions for commercial buildings in the building regulations for New Okhla Industrial Development Area (Noida) for cinemas and multiplexes, the enquiry by the Kerala Department proved otherwise. It was understood that fire clearance was not given to assembly buildings of more than 30- metre height in Noida, the department submitted.
The Kerala department accepts National Building Code part 4 as directed in the Kerala Municipal Building Rules and the guidelines regarding fire protection for assembly buildings. The Code insists that assembly buildings above 30 metres in height are not permissible. The 6,7 and 8th floors of the Centre Square are built under the assembly category. Fire risk is identified as one of the major risks associated with these types of high-rise buildings, submitted the department.
On whether it was safe to issue NOC for the floors 6, 7 and 8 for assembly occupation, the department stated that the assembly occupation could involve the safety of a large number of people. The high occupant density on such floors could cause issues in the physical movement and behaviour of occupants. The unfamiliarity of the crowd with the layout of the premises and exit locations could also increase the risk, the department said.
