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The Delhi government is considering amendments to building bylaws that would make basic fire safety equipment mandatory in low-rise residential buildings, a category that currently falls outside compulsory fire certification requirements. The proposal follows a series of fatal fire incidents in the capital, including recent tragedies in Malviya Nagar, Vivek Vihar and Palam. Under the proposed framework, residential buildings below 15 metres in height may be required to install smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and other basic fire protection measures. The Delhi Fire Service has also recommended a phased retrofitting programme for existing buildings. If implemented, the move would significantly expand fire safety compliance across Delhi's residential stock, much of which is currently exempt from mandatory fire safety clearances under prevailing regulations.
The Delhi government is examining a proposal to introduce mandatory fire safety measures in low-rise residential buildings across the capital, following a series of recent fire incidents that exposed safety vulnerabilities in structures not covered by existing fire certification requirements. The proposal, under consideration in the past week, seeks to extend basic fire protection norms to residential buildings below 15 metres in height, which currently do not require fire safety certificates under Delhi's building regulations.
Officials said the government is considering amendments to relevant bylaws that would require the installation of essential fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in smaller residential buildings. At present, fire safety installations including hydrants, extinguishers and smoke detection systems are largely mandatory only for high-rise buildings and structures that require fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Delhi Fire Service.
The proposed changes come in the aftermath of multiple fire tragedies reported across the city. Authorities cited recent incidents in Malviya Nagar, Vivek Vihar and Palam that resulted in significant loss of life and renewed scrutiny of fire preparedness in residential areas. A fire at a hotel in Malviya Nagar claimed 23 lives, while separate residential building fires in Palam and Vivek Vihar led to nine fatalities. These incidents have prompted a broader review of safety regulations governing residential properties.
According to officials, the Delhi Fire Service has recommended making smoke detectors and fire extinguishers compulsory in all homes. The department has also proposed a phased programme for retrofitting existing buildings with basic fire safety infrastructure, recognising that a large share of Delhi's housing stock was constructed without such provisions. The recommendations are aimed at improving early fire detection and enabling residents to respond more effectively during emergencies.
The initiative forms part of a wider effort by the Delhi government to strengthen enforcement of building safety regulations. In recent days, authorities have launched action against properties found to be violating fire safety norms and building regulations, while discussions have also taken place on expanding the use of legal provisions to address unauthorised construction and safety lapses.
Existing regulations classify buildings above 15 metres as high-rise structures requiring stricter fire safety compliance and periodic inspections. Consequently, a substantial portion of Delhi's low-rise residential inventory remains outside the ambit of mandatory fire certification. Officials indicated that the proposed bylaw changes are intended to bridge this regulatory gap and establish a minimum level of fire preparedness across residential neighbourhoods.
The government has not yet announced a timeline for implementing the revised norms. However, discussions are underway on the scope of the requirements, compliance mechanisms and the phased introduction of fire safety measures in existing residential buildings. The proposal is expected to form part of Delhi's broader efforts to strengthen urban safety standards and reduce fire-related risks in densely populated residential areas.
Source - PTI
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