A Comparative Study of Active and Passive Fire Safety Systems in Residential and Industrial Buildings of Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

Fire accidents are a frequent and serious problem in Jammu and Kashmir, often resulting in loss of life and property. This study compares how well active and passive fire safety systems work in both homes and industrial buildings across the region. Data was collected using surveys (127 participants), site visits, and interviews with people involved in fire safety.The findings show that passive fire safety systems (like fire doors and escape paths) are not commonly used in many residential areas. Industrial buildings follow safety rules better due to strict checks by authorities. However, active systems (like alarms and fire extinguishers) are often not well-maintained in both sectors.This paper recommends combining both types of systems and improving awareness to make fire safety more effective and reduce risks in future.

Introduction

1. Background & Problem Statement

• Jammu and Kashmir face high fire risks due to old buildings, crowded areas, and low public awareness.

• Many homes and factories have suffered damage because fire safety systems are either missing or non-functional.

• There are two types of fire safety systems:

  • Active systems: Need to function during a fire (e.g., alarms, extinguishers, sprinklers).

  • Passive systems: Built into structures (e.g., fire-resistant walls, fire doors) to slow fire spread.

Despite national regulations (like NBC 2016), compliance is weak, especially in residential buildings.

2. Research Objective

To compare the real-world condition, availability, and effectiveness of active and passive fire safety systems in residential and industrial areas across Jammu and Kashmir.

3. Methodology

• Mixed-methods approach using:

  • Surveys: 127 responses from residents and industry managers

  • Field Inspections: 26 residential and 18 industrial sites

  • Interviews: With safety officers and local authorities

• Tools: Google Forms, NBC-based inspection checklist, site photos

4. Key Findings

A. Availability of Systems

• Residential buildings are severely under-equipped.

• Industrial buildings perform better due to inspections.

B. Passive Measures

• Passive features are rare in homes and poorly maintained in industries.

C. Maintenance Status

• Fire extinguishers were often expired or locked away, especially in homes.

D. Awareness and Training

• Only 8% of residents and 20% of industrial workers had any fire safety training.

• 72% of participants had no idea how to respond to fire emergencies.

5. Discussion & Interpretation

A. Awareness & Infrastructure Gaps

• Widespread lack of preparedness, especially in residential areas.

• Even where systems exist, poor maintenance and lack of drills make them ineffective.

B. Regional Trends

• Urban centers (Srinagar, Jammu) have more incidents, but rural areas face worse outcomes due to delayed responses and poor infrastructure.

• Older, congested neighborhoods with wooden buildings and narrow lanes are highly vulnerable.

C. Systemic Issues

• Weak enforcement of fire safety laws.

• Lack of regular audits, coordination between departments, and consistent governance.

• Informal construction practices bypass safety norms.

Conclusion

Fire safety continues to be an overlooked yet vital component of infrastructure planning and risk mitigation, particularly in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. This research has comprehensively assessed the effectiveness and implementation gaps of active and passive fire and life safety measures across both industrial and residential sectors of the Union Territory. The findings reveal a stark disparity: while industrial facilities generally maintain higher levels of compliance, driven in part by regulatory oversight and institutional policies, residential buildings lag significantly behind in both system installation and maintenance. The study identified that over 70% of surveyed residential properties lacked any functional fire safety system. Where systems were present, especially in non-industrial structures, maintenance was often absent, with expired extinguishers and non-functional alarms being common. Moreover, a lack of public awareness compounds the vulnerability, with only a fraction of the population particularly in high-density residential areas having received basic fire safety training.The gap between policy formulation and implementation is particularly evident in the frequent bypassing of fire safety regulations, especially in the urban housing sector, where Fire Safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) are often issued without proper inspection. To address these issues, the study proposes a set of context-specific and actionable recommendations. These include mandatory fire safety installations in all residential structures, bi-annual maintenance audits by the Fire and Emergency Services, community-driven fire safety awareness campaigns, and the digitization of compliance monitoring. Furthermore, policy reforms such as stricter enforcement of the National Building Code and linking fire safety compliance to property approvals can help bridge the enforcement gap.This research contributes a practical and regionally relevant framework that can be adopted by policymakers, urban planners, local bodies, and community organizations to enhance fire safety outcomes. The emphasis on both infrastructure-based (passive and active systems) and community-based (training and awareness) measures ensures that fire risk reduction strategies are not only technically sound but also socially inclusive. Based on the findings, several key steps are recommended to improve fire safety in Jammu and Kashmir. Firstly, basic fire safety systems such as extinguishers, alarms, and emergency exits should be made legally mandatory in all residential buildings, including existing ones, with strict enforcement by local authorities. Secondly, biannual inspections by Fire & Emergency Services should be conducted, and results made public to ensure accountability. Thirdly, public awareness must be increased through door-to-door campaigns and regular fire drills organized by resident welfare associations. Additionally, urban development laws must be updated to ensure strict implementation of NBC fire safety codes, with penalties for violators and proper verification of Fire NOCs linked to property services. The use of technology is also crucial; a digital dashboard should be created to track inspections, safety system status, and emergency readiness. Lastly, financial incentives such as subsidies or tax discounts should be offered to households and small businesses that install certified fire safety equipment, encouraging wider adoption and compliance.By implementing the proposed interventions, Jammu and Kashmir can make meaningful progress toward a more fire-resilient future safeguarding life, property, and environmental integrity across both industrial and residential landscapes.

References

[1] Rather, A. H., Rather, J. A., Saleem, S., & Gupta, A. K. Assessment of Fire Safety Knowledge, Perception, and Practices Among Healthcare Workers in Srinagar City, India. [2] Érces, G., Bérczi, L., & Rácz, S. (2018). The effects of the actively used reactive and passive fire protection systems established by innovative fire protection methods for whole life-cycle of buildings. M?szakiKatonaiKözlöny, 28(4), 47-58. [3] Jones Jr, A. M. (2019). Fire Protection Systems includes Navigate Advantage Access. Jones & Bartlett Learning. [4] Salako, A., & Eze, C. J. (2024). Application of Passive Design Strategies for Fire Protection in Office Buildings, Minna, Niger State. [5] Purandare, A. D. (2017). NBC 2016, Part 4-Challenges to acceptance & implementation. Fire Engineer, 42(4), 7-11. [6] Bureau of Indian Standards, National Building Code of India 2016, Part 4: Fire and Life Safety. New Delhi: BIS, 2016. [7] J&K Fire and Emergency Services, “Annual Fire Incident Report 2023,” Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, [Online]. Available: https://fireandemergency.jk.gov.in [8] Bortolini, R., &Forcada, N. (2018). Building inspection system for evaluating the technical performance of existing buildings. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 32(5), 04018073. [9] Rather, A. H., Rather, J. A., Saleem, S., & Gupta, A. K. Assessment of Fire Safety Knowledge, Perception, and Practices Among Healthcare Workers in Srinagar City, India. [10] Bureau of Indian Standards, National Building Code of India 2016, Part 4: Fire and Life Safety. New Delhi: BIS, 2016. [11] Cash, T. A. (2025). Socio-economic development in Jammu & Kashmir: an inter-district comparison. GeoJournal, 90(1), 21. [12] Romshoo, S. A., Rashid, I., Altaf, S., & Dar, G. H. (2020). Jammu and Kashmir state: an overview. Biodiversity of the Himalaya: Jammu and Kashmir State, 129-166. [13] Tesha, D. N. (2018). Fire safety preparedness in building construction sites in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. Jongo, JS, Tesha, DNGAK, Luvara, VGM, Teyanga, JJ, and Makule, ET,(2018), 154-169. [14] Daling, P. M., & Geffen, C. A. (1983). User\'s manual of safety assessment methods for mine safety officials. [15] Shanahan, D. (2024). Disturbed Areas: Literature and Emergency Law in Kashmir and Northern Ireland (Doctoral dissertation). [16] El Khaled, Z., &Mcheick, H. (2019). Case studies of communications systems during harsh environments: A review of approaches, weaknesses, and limitations to improve quality of service. International journal of distributed sensor networks, 15(2), 1550147719829960. [17] Nazar, M. A. S., & Aneesa, S. (2013). Socio-Economic Dimensions of Environmental Degradations A Study of Srinagar City A (Doctoral dissertation). [18] Mtani, I. W., & Mbuya, E. C. (2018). Urban fire risk control: House design, upgrading and replanning. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 10(1), 1-8. [19] Meacham, B. J. (2023). Fire safety of existing residential buildings: Building regulatory system gaps and needs. Fire safety journal, 140, 103902. [20] Tene Nengou, C. B. (2019). Framework for the effective implementation of building regulations and policies–the case of Sub-Sahara African countries (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nottingham). [21] Asomah, F. O. (2019). An Evaluation of Fire Prevention Environmental Management Mechanisms Used at Filling Stations in the Brong-Ahafo Region in Ghana. University of Johannesburg (South Africa). [22] Vincent, J. F. (2022). Interorganizational Collaboration between Countywide Fire Service Agencies in California: A Qualitative Study (Doctoral dissertation, Capella University). [23] J&K Fire and Emergency Services, “Annual Fire Incident Report 2023,” Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, [Online]. Available: https://fireandemergency.jk.gov.in [24] National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), “Guidelines for Fire Safety in Residential Buildings,” Government of India, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://ndma.gov.in [25] S. Akhtar, “Analysis of Fire Risk Perception among Urban Residents in Kashmir Valley,” Rising Kashmir, June 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.risingkashmir.com [26] J&K Disaster Management Authority, “District-wise Fire Vulnerability Profile,” Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://jkdisastermanagement.in [27] Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), “IS 2190: Code of Practice for Fire Fighting Equipment Installation and Maintenance,” 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.bis.gov.in [28] A. Iqbal, “Disaster Preparedness of Fire Services in Jammu Region,” Journal of Safety and Risk Studies, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 22–28, 2023. [29] J&K Fire & Emergency Services, “List of Major Fire Accidents and Response Measures (2020–2024),” Srinagar HQ, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir. [Online]. Available: https://fireandemergencyjk.co.in

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Zakir Rasool Mir, Nishant Singh Kushwah. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.