The Fire Department officials on Wednesday inspected some schools, and checked whether the managements obtained ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from A.P. State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department and following the fire safety norms.
The team led by District Fire Officer (DFO) V. Srinivas, and Auto Nagar Station Fire Officer, K. Srinivasa Rao, visited Akshara International School, located at Ashok Nagar, on the city outskirts on the first day of reopening of schools, after summer vacations.
They observed that the school management has not obtained NOC from the Fire Services Department and has not arranged any fire fighting equipment. Interestingly, it was learnt that the school was running without recognition.
The fire personnel who measured the length of the classrooms, administrative office, and corridors of the three floors said the school management is not following ‘Fire Safety Manual’ posing a threat to the lives of the students. He directed the staff issue notice to the school management.
“The school is running in three floors with 600 students’ strength for the last eight years. But, the management has not applied for NOC. We will visit more schools in the district and serve notices to those who are running the institutions violating norms”, said Mr. Srinivas.
Speaking to The Hindu Akshara International School principal K. Sarada Anil Kumar clarified that the management had applied for recognition in 2011, and the application was in pending. She said that the management would apply for NOC with Fire Services Department.
Fire officials also verified the equipment at Vijayawada’s Ravindra Bharathi School, at Kanuru.
The DFO checked the hose reel, down comer, manual call point, delivery hosepipe and fire alarm system in the school.
School principal Ch. Rajashekar said that the management had applied for renewal of NOC with necessary documents.
Fire Officer Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that NOC would be renewed only after checking the efficiency of the fire fighting equipment.
