(1)The Director or any member not below the rank of an Officer-in-charge of a Fire Station as may be authorised by the Director, may, for the purpose of obtaining information for fire-fighting purposes, require the owner or occupier of any building or other property to supply such information with respect to the character of such building or other property, the available water supplies and the means of access thereto and such owner or occupier shall furnish all the information so required.(2)If any information required under Sub-section (1) is not furnished within a reasonable time, or the Director or the member so authorised has reason to believe that any information furnished is inaccurate, the Director or the member so authorised may, for the purpose of obtaining or verifying the information, enter into any such building or any place, with or without assistance, after giving such notice to the owner or occupier as may be prescribed ;Provided that-(a)no such entry shall be made between sunset and sunrise; and(b)due regard shall always be had, so far as may be compatible with the exigencies of the purpose for which the entry is made, to the social and religious usages of the occupants of the buildings or places entered.(3)The Director or the member referred to in Sub-section (2) shall not use any force for the purpose of affecting any entry under the said sub-section, unless-(a)such entry cannot otherwise be effected; and(b)there is reason to believe that any offence is being or has been committed against any provision of this Act or any Rule made thereunder.
