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In Telangana, a mere 7,000 out of 4.5 lakh buildings have secured Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) over the past seven years, primarily due to the Telangana Fire Services Act of 1999, which mandates NOCs only for structures exceeding 15 meters in height. This regulatory gap has led to widespread neglect of fire safety measures in shorter buildings, which account for 99% of fire incidents. The tragic Gulzar Houz fire, resulting in 17 fatalities, has intensified calls to amend the outdated law to encompass all buildings, regardless of height, ensuring comprehensive fire safety compliance across the state.
In the wake of the devastating Gulzar Houz fire that claimed 17 lives, Telangana's fire safety regulations have come under intense scrutiny. The Telangana Fire Services Act of 1999 currently mandates Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) only for buildings taller than 15 meters, leaving a vast majority of structures unregulated. As a result, only 7,000 out of approximately 4.5 lakh buildings have obtained fire NOCs in the past seven years, with 99% of fire incidents occurring in buildings below the stipulated height. Advertisement
Fire department officials have expressed concerns over this regulatory loophole, emphasizing the urgent need to amend the Act to include all buildings, irrespective of height. They have proposed mandatory fire compliance measures, including the installation of sprinklers, alarms, fire detection systems, underground water sumps, and fire extinguishers on each floor, along with periodic inspections and renewals. These proposals have been submitted to the state government for consideration.
The Gulzar Houz tragedy, where a century-old building with outdated electrical systems and inadequate fire safety measures caught fire, has highlighted the dire consequences of lax regulations. Experts have pointed out that many buildings in Hyderabad continue to operate despite being declared structurally unsafe after repeated fire incidents. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has been criticized for its inaction, with officials admitting to a lack of enforcement staff to implement fire safety norms effectively.
In response to the growing crisis, the Telangana Fire Department has decided to engage 50 third-party agencies to conduct comprehensive fire safety audits across the state. These agencies will assess both residential and commercial buildings for fire safety components, aiming to improve audit coverage and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Furthermore, Telangana is set to become the first Indian state to implement an AI-powered system to automate the issuance of fire NOCs. This advanced system will analyze architectural fire safety plans, flag violations, and generate comprehensive reports within minutes, significantly reducing approval times and minimizing manual errors.
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