Tax offices, Customs formations and warehouses ordered to address fire hazards and strengthen emergency preparedness
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed all its field formations to conduct comprehensive reviews of fire safety arrangements at offices and buildings, including rented premises, and immediately address any identified deficiencies.
The directive covers FBR headquarters as well as regional tax offices, Customs formations, appeals offices, directorates, PRAL offices, computer wings, data centres and call centres.
According to the FBR instructions, heads of all field formations must review fire safety systems both internally and in coordination with relevant fire and rescue agencies, building management authorities or other competent bodies.
The review will cover fire-fighting systems, emergency exits, internal electrical installations, fire safety standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency drills and staff awareness, among other safety arrangements.
FBR orders inspection of fire safety equipment
The FBR has directed offices to ensure the availability, proper placement, functionality and regular maintenance of fire extinguishers, fire-fighting equipment, fire alarms and detection systems.
Any deficiencies identified through internal inspections or assessments by relevant fire and rescue authorities must be rectified immediately.
The board has also ordered thorough inspections of electrical wiring, distribution boards, UPS systems, generators and other electrical installations to identify and eliminate potential fire hazards.
Evacuation plans and emergency drills
FBR field formations have been instructed to prepare and prominently display evacuation plans showing escape routes, emergency exits, fire-fighting equipment and designated assembly points.
Officials and staff must be familiarised with these plans, while necessary emergency evacuation drills are to be conducted regularly.
Emergency exits, stairways, corridors and escape routes must remain clear and unobstructed. Offices have also been instructed to ensure adequate emergency lighting and clearly visible safety signage.
The FBR further directed formations to review and implement fire safety and emergency response SOPs and ensure that employees are aware of fire prevention measures, evacuation procedures and the proper use of fire-fighting equipment.
Fire safety focal persons to be designated
Each field formation has been asked to designate appropriate officers or staff members as fire safety focal persons.
Emergency contact numbers for Rescue services, fire brigades and other relevant emergency agencies should also be displayed prominently.
The board has additionally stressed the safe storage of files, records and other combustible materials, particularly ensuring that such items are kept away from electrical installations, generators and fuel storage areas.
Generators and fuel storage facilities must be properly installed and adequately ventilated. They are also required to undergo regular inspections and maintenance, while fuel must be stored safely away from heat sources, electrical installations and other potential ignition sources.
Special instructions for Customs warehouses
The FBR has also issued specific safety instructions for Customs warehouses.
These facilities must have adequate fire-fighting equipment and functional fire detection and alarm systems. Combustible and hazardous goods must be stored safely, while access and exit routes must remain clear.
Regular inspections of electrical installations in Customs warehouses have also been made mandatory.
The FBR directed all heads of field formations to take any other measures necessary to strengthen fire-fighting and fire safety systems.
Compliance report deadline
All heads of field formations have been asked to take immediate action wherever the required measures have not already been implemented.
They must submit a compliance report to FBR Headquarters by September 15, 2026, detailing the status of fire safety arrangements, deficiencies identified and corrective measures taken.
The FBR has also instructed field formations to immediately report any fire-related incident, including minor incidents, to headquarters along with details of the incident and remedial measures undertaken.