Background
Fire safety in buildings is a critical public concern, especially with the increasing density of urban construction and the growing number of high-rise and commercial structures. Recognizing this need, the Telangana Fire Service Act, 1999 was enacted to ensure robust fire prevention and protection mechanisms are in place across the state.
The Act empowers the Fire Services Department to enforce fire safety regulations, issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) before construction approvals, and monitor compliance with fire safety measures throughout a building’s construction. The provisions of the Act are applicable across Telangana and apply to a wide range of buildings—commercial, residential, public congregational spaces like schools and function halls, and others meeting specific thresholds of height or area.
Applicability
The Act primarily governs:
Anyone proposing to construct such a building must first obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Director General of Fire Services or an authorized officer before submitting the building plan to the local authority. The NOC ensures that the building design complies with fire prevention and life safety norms under the National Building Code of India and applicable urban planning regulations.
Required Compliances under the Act
Under Section 19, the owner or occupier of a building is responsible for:
Uploading of Fire Safety Audit Certificate in High Rise Building/Non High Rise Buildings [Section 19]
Know more: Refer the circular for Conducting of Fire Audit in all High Rise Buildings /Non High Rise Buildings
To obtain NOC, the following documents are essential:
Document/Form | Purpose |
Application for NOC | Submitted before building plan approval, along with site and building details |
Building Plans | Must conform to NBC fire safety provisions and relevant urban planning laws |
Inspection Report | Issued by Fire Services after site inspection |
Notice under Section 21, if any | Served in case of non-compliance or deviations from safety norms |
Compliance Report | Submitted by the owner post-rectification of lapses |
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Telangana Fire Service Act lays down stringent penalties to enforce compliance:
Where the offence is a continuing one, with a further fine which may extend to three thousand rupees for every day during which such offence continues after the conviction for the first such offence
In the absence of special and adequate reasons to the contrary to be mentioned in the judgment of the Court, such punishment shall not be less than one month and such fine shall not be less than five thousand rupees or such daily fine shall not be less than one hundred rupees per day for a continuing offence.
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