Flouting of fire norms rampant across Delhi
NEW DELHI: Whether it's residential apartments, exam coaching centres or hospitals, fire safety compliance remains lax across Delhi. Fire officials have repeatedly stressed that non-compliance with safety norms not only increases fire risks but also hinders rescue operations.
High-rise residential buildings present a recurring pattern. At the time of application for the mandatory dire no-objection certificate (NOC), such buildings maintain proper fire-fighting systems and comply with safety regulations. However, over time, the precautions are ignored. "During the second or third inspections, we often uncover numerous shortcomings in high-rise buildings," one fire officer revealed. "The building managers also neglect to renew the NOCs, which can be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire."
Another common hazard in residential structures is outdated electrical wiring. As residents use more appliances and devices, the load on old wiring increases dramatically but there often are no commensurate upgrades. This has become a significant contributor to short circuits and blazes. "In every residential fire, we encounter this common fault. We repeatedly urge residents to upgrade their wiring, all in vain," the officer said.
Till April 6, Delhi reported around 1,045 residential fire cases. Among the causes are construction practices. Use of flammable materials, such as plywood and MDF for false ceilings, allow fires to spread quickly from one floor to another.
Renewal of fire NOCs ensures that safety systems such as fire alarms, extinguishers, hydrants and sprinklers remain functional. So failure to acquire the certification leaves people vulnerable and unprepared during emergencies, the officer pointed out.
In medical institutions, the risks are compounded by narrow staircases and non-compliant building designs. "Many nursing homes have been set up in structures not meant for medical use, like old residential buildings," said an officer. "These spaces lack usable fire exits, so during patient evacuations — especially of critical patients — rescue teams face severe difficulties." In two years till May, Delhi suffered 78 fires in hospitals and nursing homes.
Educational institutions are also plagued by fire risks. Electricity meters are often installed haphazardly and near escape routes, firefighting equipment is often missing or non-functional, buildings are overcrowded and regular electrical audits are rarely conducted. These conditions create situations ripe for disaster. Between Jan 2023 and May this year, Delhi recorded 130 fire-related incidents in schools and coaching centres.
According to firemen, the incorporation of fire safety features during construction is crucial for preventing tragedies. Also, holding mock drills periodically can prove beneficial because it exposes gaps in the system. One small but important step would be to locate the electricity meters in a safe place. "Electric meters should be installed away from staircases and fire escape routes to prevent smoke creation by short circuits," the officer said. "This will also aid safe evacuation during incidents."
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Business Standard
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- Business Standard
Canada needs Indian nurses: Express Entry offers PR without job offer
Are you a skilled registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse looking to immigrate to Canada? With growing demand and systemic staff shortages, the country is inviting healthcare professionals to apply for permanent residency—no job offer required. Canada needs thousands more nurses Canada is short by at least 26,000 registered nurses, according to the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. 'This is what we need to close the gap in the RN-to-population ratio,' said RNAO's Scaini & Zych in their 2024 report. The federal government has begun inviting nurses and social service professionals under occupation-specific Express Entry draws. On June 4, 2025, 500 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency. Nearly 26% of the current nursing workforce is aged 50 and above. With many nearing retirement—the median age is 63—the demand is expected to continue rising through 2033. 'The rising demand for nurses in countries like Canada presents a strong opportunity for India's large pool of qualified professionals,' Mayank Kumar, co-founder and CEO of BorderPlus, a talent mobility platform, told Business Standard. 'Indian nurses are globally respected for their clinical expertise, but many face challenges in adjusting to new care models, meeting certification standards, addressing language barriers, and integrating into unfamiliar workplace cultures. To thrive in international roles, preparation must extend beyond the classroom, focusing on communication, adaptability, and the confidence to navigate real-world patient care in unfamiliar international environments,' he said. How Express Entry works for nurses Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 code 31301, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are eligible for Canada's targeted Express Entry draws. Applicants need at least six months of continuous work experience in the last three years, either in Canada or abroad. A job offer is not required. Common eligible roles include: Registered nurse (R.N.) Registered psychiatric nurse (R.P.N.) Critical care nurse Emergency care nurse Intensive care nurse Community health nurse Occupational health nurse Public health nurse Nursing consultant Nurse researcher Private duty nurse These roles are in demand across various health and community care settings. Job outlook and pay in 2025 Canada's Job Bank reports that employment prospects for nurses are strong in most regions, including Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. Only Quebec reports a moderate outlook, while British Columbia and the Northwest Territories fall in the middle range. Hourly wages for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, according to Canada Job Bank, an official government online portal for job seekers and employers are are follows: National median: $42.00 Range: $29.00 to $51.08 Estimated annual income: up to $99,723 (based on a 37.5-hour work week) Wage variation by region: Nunavut: $64.69/hour (highest) Northwest Territories: $56.00/hour Yukon: $48.30/hour Ontario and Quebec: $40.00/hour How to apply through Express Entry in 2025 Step 1: Check your eligibility You must have: At least six months of recent work experience in your nursing field Language test results meeting the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Foreign education credentials assessed (ECA) Settlement funds if applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program Mention NOC 31301 as your occupation when creating your profile. If selected in an occupation-specific draw, you'll receive an ITA. Step 4: Submit your documents You'll have 60 days to submit: Proof of work experience Language scores Educational assessment Police clearance and medicals Why targeted draws matter Canada's Express Entry has three main categories: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Federal Skilled Trades (FST) In recent months, IRCC has run job-specific draws that give priority to professions like nursing. This approach shifts focus from just points-based selection to occupation demand. Benefits? Better chances of selection even with a lower CRS score No need for a job offer Additional routes through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) What's driving the crisis? The shortage isn't new, but it's now at a tipping point. Canada's elderly population is growing. Between 2023 and 2073, the number of people aged 65 and above is projected to grow by up to 13.4%, according to Statistics Canada. Nurses are essential in areas such as chronic care, long-term support, and palliative services—but their numbers haven't kept pace. Adding to the challenge is the aging workforce itself. 'About 1 in 4 nurses is over the age of 55,' said the Canadian Institute for Health Information in a 2020 report. That means a wave of retirements is on the horizon, and foreign-trained nurses will play a central role in filling the gap/
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Flouting of fire norms rampant across Delhi
NEW DELHI: Whether it's residential apartments, exam coaching centres or hospitals, fire safety compliance remains lax across Delhi. Fire officials have repeatedly stressed that non-compliance with safety norms not only increases fire risks but also hinders rescue operations. High-rise residential buildings present a recurring pattern. At the time of application for the mandatory dire no-objection certificate (NOC), such buildings maintain proper fire-fighting systems and comply with safety regulations. However, over time, the precautions are ignored. "During the second or third inspections, we often uncover numerous shortcomings in high-rise buildings," one fire officer revealed. "The building managers also neglect to renew the NOCs, which can be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire." Another common hazard in residential structures is outdated electrical wiring. As residents use more appliances and devices, the load on old wiring increases dramatically but there often are no commensurate upgrades. This has become a significant contributor to short circuits and blazes. "In every residential fire, we encounter this common fault. We repeatedly urge residents to upgrade their wiring, all in vain," the officer said. Till April 6, Delhi reported around 1,045 residential fire cases. Among the causes are construction practices. Use of flammable materials, such as plywood and MDF for false ceilings, allow fires to spread quickly from one floor to another. Renewal of fire NOCs ensures that safety systems such as fire alarms, extinguishers, hydrants and sprinklers remain functional. So failure to acquire the certification leaves people vulnerable and unprepared during emergencies, the officer pointed out. In medical institutions, the risks are compounded by narrow staircases and non-compliant building designs. "Many nursing homes have been set up in structures not meant for medical use, like old residential buildings," said an officer. "These spaces lack usable fire exits, so during patient evacuations — especially of critical patients — rescue teams face severe difficulties." In two years till May, Delhi suffered 78 fires in hospitals and nursing homes. Educational institutions are also plagued by fire risks. Electricity meters are often installed haphazardly and near escape routes, firefighting equipment is often missing or non-functional, buildings are overcrowded and regular electrical audits are rarely conducted. These conditions create situations ripe for disaster. Between Jan 2023 and May this year, Delhi recorded 130 fire-related incidents in schools and coaching centres. According to firemen, the incorporation of fire safety features during construction is crucial for preventing tragedies. Also, holding mock drills periodically can prove beneficial because it exposes gaps in the system. One small but important step would be to locate the electricity meters in a safe place. "Electric meters should be installed away from staircases and fire escape routes to prevent smoke creation by short circuits," the officer said. "This will also aid safe evacuation during incidents."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Flouting of fire norms rampant across city
New Delhi: Whether it's residential apartments, exam coaching centres or hospitals, fire safety compliance remains lax across Delhi. Fire officials have repeatedly stressed that non-compliance with safety norms not only increases fire risks but also hinders rescue operations. High-rise residential buildings present a recurring pattern. At the time of application for the mandatory dire no-objection certificate (NOC), such buildings maintain proper fire-fighting systems and comply with safety regulations. However, over time, the precautions are ignored. "During the second or third inspections, we often uncover numerous shortcomings in high-rise buildings," one fire officer revealed. "The building managers also neglect to renew the NOCs, which can be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire." Another common hazard in residential structures is outdated electrical wiring. As residents use more appliances and devices, the load on old wiring increases dramatically but there often are no commensurate upgrades. This has become a significant contributor to short circuits and blazes. "In every residential fire, we encounter this common fault. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트, 지금 시작하세요 [자세히 보기] 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo We repeatedly urge residents to upgrade their wiring, all in vain," the officer said. Till April 6, Delhi reported around 1,045 residential fire cases. Among the causes are construction practices. Use of flammable materials, such as plywood and MDF for false ceilings, allow fires to spread quickly from one floor to another. Renewal of fire NOCs ensures that safety systems such as fire alarms, extinguishers, hydrants and sprinklers remain functional. So failure to acquire the certification leaves people vulnerable and unprepared during emergencies, the officer pointed out. In medical institutions, the risks are compounded by narrow staircases and non-compliant building designs. "Many nursing homes have been set up in structures not meant for medical use, like old residential buildings," said an officer. "These spaces lack usable fire exits, so during patient evacuations — especially of critical patients — rescue teams face severe difficulties." In two years till May, Delhi suffered 78 fires in hospitals and nursing homes. Educational institutions are also plagued by fire risks. Electricity meters are often installed haphazardly and near escape routes, firefighting equipment is often missing or non-functional, buildings are overcrowded and regular electrical audits are rarely conducted. These conditions create situations ripe for disaster. Between Jan 2023 and May this year, Delhi recorded 130 fire-related incidents in schools and coaching centres. According to firemen, the incorporation of fire safety features during construction is crucial for preventing tragedies. Also, holding mock drills periodically can prove beneficial because it exposes gaps in the system. One small but important step would be to locate the electricity meters in a safe place. "Electric meters should be installed away from staircases and fire escape routes to prevent smoke creation by short circuits," the officer said. "This will also aid safe evacuation during incidents."
