The government has initiated steps to set up fire stations of the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services in the high-security and sensitive Government Secretariat, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Chala market in the city.
The government is examining the location for housing the fire station in the Secretariat, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in reply to a question by V. S. Sivakumar.
Land identified
The government has found that 10 cents of land identified by Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Vanchiyoor village near the temple premises is suitable for setting up the fire station.
The Executive Officer of the temple has informed the government that the trust is ready to handover the identified land to the government.
In Chala, 25 cents of land had been identified at Erumakuzhi on the Attakulangara-Killipalam bypass for setting up the fire station. The Chief Minister said the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (TRIDA) has demanded 25 cents of land in lieu of the land or compensation for handing over the land for the fire station. The request of the TRIDA is being examined by the Local Self Government department.
Fire officers
In reply to another question, the Chief Minister said the government was examining the amendments in the Fire Force Act 1962 suggested by the Commandant General, Kerala Fire and Rescue Services for appointing Fire Officer in cine houses having more than 1,000 seats, hotels with more than 100 keys and hospitals and nursing homes with more than 500 beds in the State.
The Chief Minister said the government is examining the draft bill submitted by the Fire Force Chief that moots amendments in the issual of Fire Safety Clearance Certificate and posting of the Fire Safety Officers.
Fire Safety Officers had been recommended for multi-storied buildings, multiplex and commercial buildings with more than 10,000 sq m floor area.
The Chief Minister said the officers had been suggested for non-residential buildings having more than 50 m height and residential buildings of more than 60 m height.
25,000 sqm basement
Buildings and underground shopping complexes having more than 25,000 sq m basement area and stadiums with more than 50,000 seating capacity and indoor stadium with more than 25,000 seating capacity should also have to post Fire Safety Officers.
Public and semi-public buildings like railway stations, airport, bus terminals and amusement parks will have to post the officers.
