Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Government may by notification declare that no place within any area, as may be specified shall be used for any one or more of the purposes which in their opinion constitute a fire risk except in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence to be issued by an officer of the service duly authorised in this behalf by the Government (hereinafter referred to as the authorised officer) subject to the payment of such fee as may be prescribed.
16. Application for grant of Licence - The owner or occupier of any place using it for any one or more of the purposes mentioned in the notification issued under section 15, shall, within thirty days from the date of the notification make an application together with the prescribed fee, to the authorised Officer having jurisdiction over the area, in which such place is situated for a licence for the use of such place for such purpose.
17. Grant of licence - (1) The authorised officer, after due verification, shall within a period of sixty days from the date of application under section 16, grant the license with such conditions as he may think fit and necessary, or for reasons to be recorded in writing, reject the application for license. If no order is passed under this sub-section within the time limit specified, the license applied for shall be deemed to have been granted, subject to the application for license being in conformity with the provisions of this Act.
(2) Against every order of the authorised officer refusing to grant a licence, an appeal shall lie to the Director General within thirty days from the date of receipt of the order.
18. Duration of licence - Every licence granted under section 17 shall be valid for a period of three years, or for such lesser period as may be specified in the licence and may be renewed from time to time for a similar or lesser period as may be specified in the renewed licence and may be cancelled for reasons to be recorded in writing.
19. Owner’s or occupiers liability to provide for fire prevention and fire safety measures - (1) The owner or occupier or both, of a building or part thereof shall provide fire safety measures in it and maintain them in good repair and efficient condition at all times, in accordance with the building bye-laws:
Provided that, the owner, or occupier of the building or part thereof, the construction of which was completed on or before the date on which this Act comes into force or which was under construction on such date shall undertake and carry out such additional fire prevention and fire safety measures, required under the building bye-laws in force, as are specified in the notice served on him under section 21.
(2) No person shall tamper with, alter, remove or cause any injury or damage to any fire prevention and fire safety equipment installed in any building or part thereof or instigate any other person to do so.
20. Right of Inspection - The authorised officer or any other member of the service empowered by him in this behalf, may enter any place, which, in his opinion, for reasons to be recorded, constitutes a fire risk, and after service or affixture of a notice in this behalf in the manner prescribed, make an inspection of such place between sun-rise and sun-set in the discharge of his duties under this Act:
Provided that such inspection may be made at any time if an industry is working or an entertainment is going on at such place or if the officer or member of the service considers it absolutely necessary, for reasons to be recorded in writing, to make an immediate inspection of such place.