The Delhi Fire Sevice Act
delhi · 2009
The scanned source for this Act is imperfect — headings or section boundaries may be off. Verify against the official source.
- S. 1Section authorizes fire service officials to remove fire-risk encroachments and report to a magistrate if not done by the owner.
- S. 2Section 2 defines key terms used in the Delhi Fire Service Act, including "appellate authority," "building," "building bye-laws," and "fire zone."
- S. 3Establishes a unified Delhi Fire Service with mandatory postings, excluding private fire services.
- S. 4Section 4 mandates inventory creation and notice issuance for seized goods to be sold if unclaimed.
- S. 5Section 5 establishes the structure, organization, and conditions of service for the Delhi Fire Service.
- S. 6Section 6 classifies Fire Service posts into four groups (A, B, C, D) based on pay and emoluments.
- S. 7Section 7 mandates the Delhi Government to consult the Union Public Service Commission for appointments to Group “A” and Group “B” Fire Service posts.
- S. 8The section appoints a Director of Fire Service to oversee Delhi's Fire Service and authorizes the Director to hire staff.
- S. 9The section allows the government to establish fire zones, divisions, sub-divisions, and stations in Delhi for efficient fire management.
- S. 10Section 10 provides for the issuance and conditions of appointment certificates for sub-officers and below in the Delhi Fire Service.
- S. 11Section suspends a fire officer's powers and functions but keeps them under the same authority's control.
- S. 12Section 12 grants the Director authority to oversee and manage all aspects of the Delhi Fire Service, including equipment, training, and discipline.
- S. 13Calling of returns, reports , statements, etc
- S. 14Section 14 extends Central Civil Services rules to Delhi Fire Service employees.
- S. 15Fire officers are always on duty and can be directed to work anywhere in Delhi as needed.
- S. 16Section extends Central Government's amended Fundamental and Supplementary Rules to all Delhi Fire Service employees.
- S. 17Section 17 declares the Fire Service as an essential community service, with initial six-month validity and mandatory officer compliance.
- S. 18Section penalizes Delhi Fire Service members for duty violations, cowardice, unauthorized absences, or contravening conduct rules.
- S. 19Restriction respecting right to form association, etc
- S. 20The section allows the government to impose a fire tax as a surcharge on property tax for lands and buildings in areas where this act applies.
- S. 21Mode of assessment, collection, etc
- S. 22Section 22 mandates fire service members to pay fees for deployments beyond Delhi limits, with unpaid fees recoverable as land revenue arrears.
- S. 23Section allows the Director to make fire-fighting agreements with other services outside Delhi for mutual aid.
- S. 24The Director can make fire-fighting assistance deals with private entities, with government approval.
- S. 25The section mandates the government to declare high-risk fire occupancies and require preventive measures from owners or occupiers.
- S. 26Section 26 mandates pandal erectors to self-regulate fire safety measures and display compliance declarations, with inspections and penalties for non-compliance.
- S. 27Section 27 mandates removal of fire hazards or obstructions to firefighting in Delhi.
- S. 28Section 28 grants fire service members authority to remove obstructions, close streets, break into premises, and arrest obstructors during fire rescue operations.
- S. 29Section 29 mandates specific large buildings and premises to appoint fire safety officers to ensure compliance with fire prevention and safety measures.
- S. 30Fire safety officers must train at the Fire Safety Management Academy unless they trained elsewhere.
- S. 31Section penalizes defaulters for not appointing fire safety officers, with fines based on building area.
- S. 32Section 32 mandates specific fire prevention and safety measures for multi-storied buildings in Delhi.
- S. 33Inspection of buildings, premises, etc
- S. 34Section 34 mandates the nominated authority to inspect buildings, issue fire safety compliance notices, and report findings to the Director.
- S. 35Section 35 allows the Director or nominated authority to inspect older buildings to ensure fire safety measures and issue notices for necessary improvements.
- S. 36Section 36 allows aggrieved parties to appeal fire service notices or orders to the Appellate Authority within 30 days, with possible extensions.
- S. 37Section 37 penalizes violations of Chapter VI with imprisonment, fines, or both, with additional daily fines for ongoing offenses.
- S. 38The section allows the government to establish a fire training institute to provide fire safety courses and extend training to other fire services on payment.
- S. 39Allows the Delhi Fire Service to assist neighboring areas during emergencies, applying Delhi Fire Service Act provisions temporarily.
- S. 40Section allows employing Delhi Fire Service for rescue, salvage, or suitable tasks due to its training and equipment.
- S. 41Section 41 mandates property owners to compensate others for damages caused by their own or agent's deliberate or negligent fire actions.
- S. 42Section 42 allows the Director or fire officer to request building owners to provide information for fire safety purposes.
- S. 43The nominated authority can enter specified places to check fire safety measures and issue notices for deficiencies.
- S. 44Section empowers the Director to seal dangerous buildings or premises and penalizes unauthorized removal of the seal.
- S. 45Section 45 exempts local authorities from charging for water used by the fire service in firefighting operations.
- S. 46Section 46 exempts water supply authorities from liability for compensation due to water supply interruptions caused by complying with fire service requirements.
- S. 47Section mandates police and agencies to assist Delhi Fire Service members in executing their duties.
- S. 48Section penalizes failure to report fire outbreaks, treating it as an offense under the Indian Penal Code.
- S. 49Section penalizes failure to comply with fire safety precautions with fines or imprisonment.
- S. 50Section penalizes willful obstruction of fire service operations with up to three months' imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹5,000.
- S. 51Section penalizes knowingly making false fire outbreak reports to authorized personnel with up to three months' imprisonment or a fine up to ₹1,000.
- S. 52Section 52 imposes penalties for violating the Delhi Fire Service Act, including imprisonment, fines, or both.
- S. 53Section 53 makes the existing Delhi Fire Service and its members part of the new Delhi Fire Service Act.
- S. 54Section 54 allows the Delhi Fire Service to compound certain offenses, except those related to non-compliance with government notices, after payment of a specified fine.
- S. 55Section 55 bars courts from hearing any legal actions against Delhi Fire Service notices or orders, except through specified appeals.
- S. 56Section 56 mandates that only the Director or an authorized officer can initiate prosecution under the Delhi Fire Service Act.
- S. 57Jurisdiction - no court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate shall try an offence punishable under this Ac
- S. 58Section 58 protects individuals from legal action for good faith actions taken under the Delhi Fire Service Act.
- S. 59The section allows special promotions for exceptional staff based on sports, marksmanship, gallantry, and devotion, subject to government approval and vacancy.
- S. 60Section 60 provides funeral expenses up to ₹5,000 to next of kin if a non-gazetted fire service member dies on duty.
- S. 61Section 61 deems Delhi Fire Service officers as public servants under the Indian Penal Code.
- S. 62Section 62 makes company officers liable for offenses committed by the company, with specific provisions for directors and managers.
- S. 63Power to make rules – The Govt
- S. 64Delegation of powers - (1) The Government
- S. 65Repeal and savings - As from the date of the commencement of this Act – (a) the United Provinces Fire Service Act,
- S. 66The section allows the Delhi government to issue orders to address difficulties in implementing the Act, subject to legislative review.