STA to enforce fire safety regulations on school buses

Bhubaneswar: The State Transport Authority (STA) has issued a directive to the regional transport officers (RTOs) to ensure enforcement of fire safety regulations in school buses, on Sunday. Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, in a circular to all RTOs, said that all school buses must follow proper fire safety regulations, the state transport department said in a statement. Thakur said that school buses must have Fire Detection Alarm System (FDAS), Fire Detection Suppression System (FDSS) and Fire Alarm Protection System (FAPS).

These systems are crucial for preventing and managing fires and ensuring the safety of students travelling in buses. Compliance with these fire safety norms, as per the provisions of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, is mandatory for all school buses, he said. “To ensure proper implementation, the STA has decided to enhance these measures. There will be strict monitoring of fire safety features of school buses,” Thakur said. Zonal transport deputy commissioners and RTOs have been asked to regularly check these buses. Any school bus found violating these rules will be subject to legal action,” he said. Motor vehicle inspectors have also been directed to ensure compliance in their respective regions and cancel the roadworthiness certificates of buses found to be non-compliant,” he said. “No negligence will be tolerated in the safety of young students. In this regard, a zero tolerance policy is being implemented,” the transport commissioner said. It is pertinent to mention that as per the STA guidelines, school buses must be fitted with grilles at both the front and rear. It was also specified that buses must be equipped with fire-fighting equipment and a first aid kit.

In addition, all bus windows must be reinforced with iron grilles. A speed limiter must be installed in the bus so that it cannot travel at a speed greater than 50 kilometers per hour.