What types of buildings require fire authorization certificate or FIRE NOC?

With the impact of modernization and the changing need of society, there is a curving trend of high-rise buildings in India. The goal is not only limited to residential purpose, but extends to businesses, communities, and even services. Since the last decade, there has been tremendous growth in the real estate industry and now fully occupied high-rise or multiplex buildings can be witnessed in urban cities in India.

Buildings above 15 meters are called high-rise buildings that are in the form of shopping malls, hospitals, departments, and multiplex cinemas. Sadly, there have been some major accidents in those buildings, which are whistleblowers advocating for an accident-free environment. To ensure security, the Government has provided the armor with the latest standards on the right to information. There are also amendments to the 1948 Factory Act which prescribes provisions related to the hazardous process. Consequently, all types of high-rise buildings must have a fire clearance certificate or a fire NOC.

What is FIRE NOC or Fire Clarification Certificate?

FIRE NOC or fire authorization certificate is a certificate of no objection that indicates that the building is designed according to the rules and regulations that a high-rise building must have to avoid dangerous accidents. It is issued by the Fire Department of the respective state prior to the construction of the building. The construction authority requests the FIRE NOC before construction, attaching the corresponding construction plan. The building plan should have complete details, including the structure, a stair layout, electrical power supply, elevator layout, open space, fire escape, raw material, layout, and should also have provisions for:

1. Fire safety measures, Extinguishers and Fire evacuation measures to be incorporated into the building.

2. Minimize the spread and intensity of fire within the building and any other building.

3. Control the generation or spread of smoke as far as possible.

4. The implementation of the device that can detect the fire and can warn the occupants or the user.

5. Immediate access to the device to control the fire rise.

6. The design must be designed by the registered architect.

FIRE NOC for Hospitals:

The government provided full instructions in the ‘part 4’ of the National Building Code of India-2005, “Fire and Life Safety” for fire prevention and fire safety of hospital building. A hospital construction plan must instill the following Hospital Engineering Service Provision for Fire Precaution as per NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers).

NABH Provisions for Hospital Fire Precautions:

• There must be an approval for the installation of fire extinguishing devices.

• Easy access to the control room location.

• The control panel must be connected to a fire detection or alarm system.

• Availability of pump rooms, including electrical room and diesel room.

• Provisions for the presentation of bids against fire.

• In an emergency, there should be a 4-way fire entrance.

• Forced ventilation

• Easy access to fire resistant tanks

• A fire drill must be conducted.

• Adequate availability of patio and landing hydrants and must be in a strategic location.

• 2-way fire heads.

• Hose reels and landing hydrants

• Wet Riser System

• First aid kit must be in good condition.

• There must be an escape route and an emergency exit.

• An automatic device for smoke or heat detectors.

• Fire alarm system and extinguishers

Regulations according to the National Building Code 2005:

1. All high-rise buildings must have a Fire NOC in accordance with the zoning regulations of the respective jurisdiction.

2. The road must be more than 12 meters wide, especially the hydraulic platform and the revolving ladder.

3. The size of the entrance should not be less than 6 or 5 meters.

4. A minimum of 40% of the users or occupants must be trained to carry out the proper operations of the fire safety devices or the evacuation system.

5. There must be adequate open space and emergency exit stairs on the outside wall of the building in addition to the normal stairs.

6. It must be closed with two-hour fire-resistant swing doors at the exit to the lobby.

How to request a fire clearance certificate:

The preformatted application form along with the business plan and documents should be submitted to the FIRE Service Department of the respective state. The application must be duly sealed and signed by the authority or the authorized civil engineer. You must include the full address of the site and all the provisions mentioned above in the business plan, as well as the documents. Today, many states accept online application forms, but the attachments will remain the same. The Fire NOC issuance process is fee-free.

Required documents:

1. 2 sets of construction plans authorized by the Buildings Authority.

2. Model of the building.

3. Complete drawing of the building and surroundings.

4. Complete plan of the building with the obligatory details mentioned above.

5. The checklist must be certified by the authority.

Time period required for the issuance of FIRE NOC:

If the application is successfully completed with the exact business plan, it normally takes 4 weeks to issue the Fire Department Fire Clearance Certificate.

Is Fire NOC valid?

Under Rule 35, Fire NOC is valid for 5 years for residential buildings and 3 years for non-residential buildings.

All users are strongly advised to strictly follow the provisions and procedures, not only on paper, but in practice. Fire safety and precaution is one of the important factors of concern to everyone in the hospital industry. The main purpose of fire safety design is to ensure the safety of life, continue to function, and adequate protection.

Note: The list of documents and processes may vary depending on state regulations.