Telangana Fire Dept Raises Provisional NOC Limit to 24 Metres for Residential Buildings
In a major regulatory change, the Telangana Fire Department has increased the height limit for obtaining a provisional Fire No Objection Certificate for new residential apartment buildings from 18 metres to 24 metres in Hyderabad and across the state. The revision, which raises the threshold from approximately ground-plus-five floors to ground-plus-seven floors, will take effect from October 7.
According to department officials, the waiver applies exclusively to residential apartments. Other building categories, including schools, hospitals, hotels, hostels, industries, shopping malls, offices, and other public-use structures, will remain subject to standard requirements. Officials noted that the policy change was initiated following discussions with builders' associations and aligns with the National Building Construction Standards 2026.
Fire Director General Vikram Singh Mann stated that the decision aims to simplify building approvals and reduce the compliance burden on lower- and mid-rise residential developments. Department officials affirmed that although a provisional Fire NOC will no longer be mandated for residential buildings between 18 metres and 24 metres, fire personnel will still carry out periodic inspections during the construction phase to verify that essential safety features, such as exit routes, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and safe electrical systems, are installed properly.
However, the move has drawn scrutiny from safety professionals who maintain that building height should not be the sole determinant of fire risk. SP Anchuri, vice-president of the Council for Fire and Life Safety, stressed that safety evaluations must consider factors including building occupancy, evacuation routes, smoke management provisions, firefighting installations, and unimpeded access for fire tenders.
Official records indicate that fire incidents across Telangana have risen by nearly 15 per cent over the past five years, resulting in more than 100 fatalities annually. In 2025 alone, the state registered more than 8,860 fire incidents and over 160 deaths.
Anchuri highlighted that residential complexes between 18 and 24 metres must retain unobstructed escape passages, protected staircases, functional smoke management, and proper detection alarms. He also cautioned against recurring safety hazards in apartment complexes, including locked terrace doors, blocked staircases, common-area storage, unauthorised electrical modifications, and vehicles that obstruct emergency access, noting that regular post-occupancy inspections remain critical to prevent safety lapses over time.
