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In an effort to enhance fire safety in industries and commercial establishments, the Telangana Fire Department has proposed amendments to the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999. The amendment seeks to make it mandatory for all commercial buildings, irrespective of height, to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Currently, commercial structures below 15 metres are exempt from this requirement, leading to negligence in fire safety measures. Officials argue that the amendment is necessary to address the growing needs of Hyderabad and Telangana, ensuring that all establishments comply with fire safety norms.
The Telangana Fire Department has put forward a proposal to amend the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999, making it compulsory for all commercial buildings, regardless of height, to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC). At present, commercial establishments below 15 metres are not regulated under the Act and do not require an NOC, which often leads to a lack of adherence to fire safety protocols. Advertisement
Fire safety measures such as sprinklers, alarms, underground water storage, and floor-wise fire extinguishers are recommended for all hazardous establishments. However, many buildings that are exempt from the NOC requirement frequently overlook these essential precautions. Once the amendment is enacted, all commercial buildings will have to comply with safety regulations, with non-compliance resulting in notices issued during inspections.
Under the existing provisions of the Act, individuals constructing commercial buildings taller than 15 metres, residential buildings above 18 metres, and public buildings such as schools, cinemas, function halls, and religious establishments exceeding 500 square metres or more than 6 metres in height must apply for an NOC before submitting their building plans.
Authorities have submitted proposals to amend the Act to better align with the current requirements of Hyderabad and Telangana. Fire Services Director General Y Nagi Reddy highlighted that with Hyderabad emerging as a global city attracting multinational companies and witnessing rapid real estate growth, amendments to the Act are necessary. He referred to past incidents where industrial units and buildings exempt from NOCs lacked proper fire safety measures, leading to severe consequences.
He cited a recent fire at a plastic bag manufacturing unit in Jeedimetla, which was below 15 metres in height and lacked adequate firefighting equipment. The fire department had to spend 48 hours and incur an expense of INR 5 lakh on water tankers to extinguish the blaze. Reddy noted that investing in fire safety infrastructure would have cost approximately INR 60 lakh, whereas negligence led to a financial loss of INR 60 crore for the owner.
The Telangana Fire Department's proposed amendment aims to improve fire safety standards across all commercial establishments by making NOCs mandatory. The move is crucial to ensuring that buildings adhere to necessary fire safety measures, reducing the risk of catastrophic incidents. As Hyderabad continues to grow as a global hub for businesses and real estate, regulatory changes must keep pace with development. The department's emphasis on stricter compliance reflects the importance of prioritising safety to protect lives and property, preventing substantial financial and infrastructural losses in the future.
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