The Gurugram administration has made fire safety audits mandatory for all commercial establishments across the district starting Friday, directing the fire department to strictly enforce prescribed safety norms, officials said on Thursday.The directives come a day after 21 people were killed in a fire that ripped through a B&B in south Delhi’s Hauz Rani.The directives come a day after 21 people were killed in a fire that ripped through a B&B in south Delhi’s Hauz Rani.Deputy commissioner (DC) Uttam Singh said the audits aim to strengthen fire preparedness and prevent accidents in commercial spaces.“Citizen safety is the highest priority of the district administration. All commercial establishments must adhere to prescribed fire safety standards to prevent the loss of life and property during emergencies,” Singh said.Officials said the fire department will conduct a phased audit of malls, commercial complexes, office buildings, hotels, restaurants, showrooms and other commercial establishments operating within the district. Officials added that the inspections will assess the availability and functionality of firefighting equipment, emergency exits, fire alarm systems, extinguishers, evacuation mechanisms and other mandatory safety provisions.The DC said the audits will also focus on identifying potential safety gaps that could hinder evacuation or firefighting operations during emergencies. Establishments found violating fire safety norms will face action under relevant provisions of the law, Singh said.“The objective is not merely to identify shortcomings but to ensure that commercial establishments proactively strengthen their safety infrastructure. Fire safety is a shared responsibility and compliance with norms is essential.”The DC added that negligence regarding fire safety regulations would not be tolerated and instructed the fire department to report regularly on the progress of inspections and compliance measures.He added that owners and operators of commercial establishments must immediately rectify the shortcomings and implement the required safety measures within the stipulated period. Failure to do so could invite punitive action as per applicable rules and regulations.The administration has also appealed to business owners, commercial property managers and operators to conduct internal reviews of their fire safety systems and ensure that all equipment remains functional and accessible.