The Urban Development, Technical and Fire Safety Inspectorate (UDTFS) today reported on the activities carried out in 2019 and in the first 8 months of 2020.

Head of the Office for Coordination of Inspection Bodies’ Activities Artur Asoyan advised that the UDTFS was formed through optimization of 5 entities and performs inspection functions in the fields of urban development, technical and fire safety, transport, energy, land use and cartography.

Legislative amendments have been introduced and the scope of the authority’s jurisdiction has been streamlined. As in other inspection bodies, a system of risk-based inspections has been introduced.

Then UDTFS Head Gegham Shahbazyan reported on the work done during the reporting period. Inspections were carried out in some 1,200 schools. Efforts are underway to address the shortcomings identified in the operations of automatic alarm systems and fire-fighting equipment.

According to Prime Minister’s instruction, 135 inspections were implemented in the period under review. About 1200 irregularities were revealed in several economic entities, which were consulted and instructed to address the shortcomings identified. Fire and technical inspections were conducted in all children’s camps and carousels. The follow-up checkups showed that most of the irregularities had been eliminated.

More than 2700 inspections were carried out in the field of town-planning, which exposed 411 unauthorized construction sites. The process of organizing regular passenger transportations, motor vehicle operations, and the activities of technical oversight stations were monitored in the reporting period. Inspections were carried out in the sphere of power engineering.

The affected entities were provided recommendations for addressing the deficiencies and irregularities so identified. In the field of land use, inspections were carried out in 21 regional communities, 339 irregularities were registered, 21 reports were drawn up, and criminal proceedings were launched for individual violations.

Mr. Shahbazyan noted that a number of measures envisaged under the annual activity plan for 2020 had not been completed due to Covid-19. However, inspection functions were carried out continuously in all these areas.

11 task forces have been set up amid the pandemic; daily monitoring is carried out in the field of transport communications in cooperation with the road police; 1,797 statements have already been drawn up. Inspections have been conducted in blast-prone facilities.

After taking note of the report, the Prime Minister touched upon a number of issues. In particular, he inquired about the work carried out after exposing violations of fire safety rules. Explanations were given on the results of studies carried out at risky objects of different significance, and on follow-up action.

The meeting next discussed the expediency of introducing a fire insurance system in the country. With reference to the risks associated with the maintenance of domestic gas networks, the Head of Government stressed the importance of having clear-cut standards and implementing effective oversight measures.

The Premier next touched upon the problem of unauthorized buildings, inquired about the solutions being developed. The officers in charge advised that a package of relevant regulations was developed and put into circulation to this end.

Nikol Pashinyan noted the importance of raising citizens’ awareness of the need to get a permit and a relevant development plan. He emphasized that the availability of clear-cut regulations will help rule out the instances of unauthorized construction. Issues related to the management of hazardous wastes and explosive substances were discussed during the meeting.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Pashinyan gave instructions to responsible persons.

The Food Security Inspectorate and the Nature and Subsoil Protection Authority will next submit performance reports.