(1)The competent authority may, after giving three hours notice to the occupier, or if there be no occupier, to the owner, enter and inspect any building or premises at any time between sunrise and sunset where such inspection appears necessary for ascertaining the adequacy or contravention of fire prevention and fire safety measures :Provided that the competent authority may enter into and inspect any building or premises at any time if it appears to it to be expedient and necessary to do so to ensure safety of life and property.(2)The competent authority shall be provided with all possible assistance by the owner or occupier, as the case may be, for carrying out the inspection under sub-section (1).(3)When any buildings or premises used as a human dwelling is entered into under sub-section (1), due regard shall be paid to the social and religious sentiments of the occupiers; and, before any apartment in the actual occupancy of any woman, who according to the custom does not appear in public, is entered under sub-section (1), notice shall be given to her that she is at liberty to withdraw, and every reasonable facility shall be afforded to her for withdrawing.(4)The competent authority shall, after inspection of the building or premises under sub-section (1), and after taking into consideration -(i)the provisions of the building bye-laws in accordance with which the plan of the said building or premises was sanctioned;(ii)the conditions imposed, if any, by the local authority at the time of the sanction of the plan of the said building or premises; and(iii)the minimum standards for fire prevention and fire safety measures specified for such building or premises as may be specified by rules framed under this Act,issue a notice in such manner, as may be prescribed, to the owner or occupier for the inadequacy in regard to the fire prevention and fire safety measures in it and direct the owner or occupier to undertake measures for rectifying the said inadequacy within such period, as he may consider just and reasonable.
