Fire Safety Rules Revised: Fire Towers and Command Centres Mandatory in Buildings Above 24 Metres
Telangana has revised its fire safety norms, introducing mandatory fire towers and command centres for taller buildings while removing fire NOC requirements for buildings below 24 metres.
- Buildings taller than 24 metres must have a fire tower and a fire command centre.
- Buildings below 24 metres will no longer require a fire NOC under the revised guidelines.
- The updated rules came into effect on October 7 and apply only to fresh applications.
The Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence Department has introduced revised fire safety requirements for buildings, with the new provisions taking effect on October 7. Under the updated guidelines, buildings exceeding 24 metres in height must have a dedicated fire tower and a fire command centre (FCC), irrespective of whether they are residential, commercial or semi-commercial. The changes are intended to standardise fire safety compliance and simplify the process of obtaining provisional fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
The revised rules also change the requirements for fire NOCs based on building height. Previously, commercial buildings above 15 metres and residential buildings above 18 metres were required to obtain fire NOCs. Under the new provisions, buildings below 24 metres are exempt from this requirement. The updated instructions apply only to fresh applications, meaning their implementation will depend on the applicable rules governing existing buildings and previously submitted applications.
According to the revised guidelines, buildings exceeding the 24-metre threshold must incorporate a fire tower and a fire command centre as part of their fire safety infrastructure. These facilities are intended to support emergency response, improve coordination during fire incidents and strengthen safety arrangements in taller structures.
The guidelines also address the installation of diesel generator sets in basements. Such generators will be permitted in basement rooms provided the walls have a fire resistance rating of two hours. Louvres must also be installed in these structures in accordance with the revised requirements.
The revised provisions were issued by Vikram Singh Mann, Director-General of Fire Services, following consultations with representatives of major real estate and builder associations, including the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI), the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) and the Telangana Builders Federation.
According to fire officials, the changes aim to make the provisional fire NOC process more straightforward, improve ease of compliance for developers and ensure that prescribed fire safety measures are implemented effectively. The guidelines also follow a government decision to revise the height threshold used to classify high-rise buildings from 18 metres to 21 metres.
The changes could affect building approvals, project planning and fire safety compliance across Telangana. Developers of buildings exceeding 24 metres will need to account for the mandatory fire infrastructure when planning new projects and preparing applications.
The exemption from fire NOC requirements for buildings below 24 metres may reduce administrative requirements for some projects. However, exemption from obtaining an NOC should not be interpreted as permission to disregard other applicable fire safety, building and occupancy regulations.
The revised guidelines will be implemented for fresh applications submitted from October 7 onwards. Developers, architects and building owners should review the updated requirements before submitting plans or applying for provisional fire NOCs.
For projects close to the specified height thresholds, applicants should confirm the applicable classification and compliance requirements with the Telangana Fire Services Department and the relevant local building authority. Clarification may also be necessary regarding existing buildings, pending applications and any separate fire safety obligations that continue to apply.
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