Quick answers
Which code governs fire safety in Indian buildings?
The National Building Code, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards, with Part 4 dealing with fire safety. Fire safety is a state subject, so states frame their own building bylaws with fire norms.
What are the NDMA do's and don'ts during a fire?
Prepare fire escape plans, practise drills, raise the alarm and use designated escape routes. Avoid panic, never re-enter a burning building, do not use elevators and open doors or windows cautiously.
Why are fire safety rules poorly enforced in India?
National guidelines are often not mandatory, certifications can have loopholes, and understaffed fire authorities carry out audits infrequently, so hazards persist.
How many people died in fire accidents in India in 2022?
According to the NCRB Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India report cited, 7435 people lost their lives in over 7500 fire accidents in 2022.
Two fires on a single day in May 2024 put fire safety in India back in the spotlight. On the evening of 25 May 2024, a fire at the TRP Game Zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, killed at least 27 people, and the state government ordered a Special Investigation Team probe. Late the same night, a fire at the Baby Care New Born Hospital in Vivek Vihar, East Delhi, killed seven newborns; Delhi Fire Services officials said oxygen cylinders kept in the building exploded and damaged the buildings next door. Both fires raised hard questions about how well fire safety rules are enforced, and why stronger checks and clearer rules are needed.
The Model Code for Fire Safety in India
India’s approach to fire safety is governed by the National Building Code (NBC), which serves as the central standard for fire safety measures. Published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in 1970 and last updated in 2016, the NBC provides comprehensive guidelines on the general construction requirements, maintenance, and fire safety of buildings. Updated 28 October 2026: a Bureau of Indian Standards notification in the Gazette of India dated 30 April 2026 establishes SP 7:2026 (National Building Construction Standards 2026) and withdraws SP 7:2016, the National Building Code of India 2016. Our guide to fire safety laws in India covers the change; read the rest of this page with it in mind. Part 4 of the NBC specifically deals with fire safety and outlines detailed instructions on construction materials, electrical installations, and emergency evacuation procedures.
Despite these robust guidelines, compliance and enforcement remain significant challenges. Fire safety is a state subject in India, and the responsibility for fire prevention and safety lies with state governments. The ‘Model Building Bye Laws 2016’ issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs guides states and Union Territories to frame their respective building bylaws, incorporating fire safety norms.
Data on Fire Accidents
According to the Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report by the National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB), 7,435 people lost their lives in over 7,500 fire accidents in 2022. These figures highlight the persistent and severe impact of fire accidents in India. Past tragedies like the Uphaar Cinema fire in 1997 and the Kumbakonam school fire in 2004 have not yet spurred adequate improvements, as similar incidents continue to occur with alarming frequency.
Key Fire Safety Rules Laid by NBC
The NBC specifies several key fire safety rules:
- Construction Materials: Use of non-combustible materials for construction, with a minimum 120-minute fire resistance rating for internal walls of staircase enclosures.
- Electrical Installations: Flame-retardant wiring and cabling, with proper separation and fire-stop materials.
- Emergency Systems: Mandatory emergency power systems, exit signage, fire alarm systems, and public address systems.
- Fire Zones: Demarcation of residential, educational, and institutional buildings to ensure they do not coexist with industrial and hazardous structures.
NDMA Guidelines on Fire Safety
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) provides additional guidelines on fire safety, emphasizing the importance of maintaining minimum open safety spaces, protected exit mechanisms, and conducting evacuation drills. Key recommendations include:
- Do’s: Preparing fire escape plans, practicing regular drills, raising alarms, and using designated escape routes.
- Don’ts: Avoiding panic, not re-entering burning buildings, refraining from using elevators during fires, and cautiously opening doors/windows.
Compliance Challenges
Several challenges impede the effective enforcement of fire safety rules in India:
- Ignoring Fire Safety Rules: National guidelines are often not mandatory, leading to inconsistent enforcement. Even when mandatory, certifications can have loopholes.
- Underutilisation of Fire Safety Audits: Fire safety authorities are typically understaffed, resulting in infrequent audits and persistent fire hazards.
- Lack of Preparedness: Reports have criticized authorities for their inaction and failure to learn from past incidents, highlighting the need for better urban planning and building code adherence.
Way Forward
Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach:
- Legislative Reform and Enforcement: Enacting a uniform and mandatory national fire safety code, with stringent penalties for non-compliance and mandatory fire safety audits.
- Modernisation of Fire Services: Investing in upgraded firefighting equipment, training, and capacity building.
- Empowering Communities: Launching public awareness campaigns and integrating fire safety education into school curricula.
- Other Measures: Conducting regular mock drills, implementing fire-resistant materials, and encouraging advanced fire suppression systems.
By fostering a culture of safety and resilience, we can mitigate the devastating impact of fire accidents and save lives. Together, let’s prioritize fire safety and work towards a safer India.
For more information and resources on fire safety and emergency preparedness, visit HowToSurvive.in. Stay informed. Stay prepared.
What needs attention
- The Rajkot game-zone fire, the Pune market fire and the Delhi hospital oxygen blast all came back to the same gaps: approvals, checks and enforcement
- The National Building Code, Part 4, sets India's fire and life safety rules, but it is a model code that each state adopts through its own bye-laws
- Fire safety is a state subject, so rules and inspection strength differ from state to state
- Fire services are short of staff, so audits are infrequent and hazards stay in place for years
- Uphaar in 1997 and Kumbakonam in 2004 showed the same failures that keep showing up in newer fires
Controls that reduce risk
- Owners: check that your building's current use matches what the fire NOC was issued for
- Keep staircase walls, doors and lobbies as built; do not cut openings or store goods there
- Make sure the fire alarm, exit signs, emergency lights and PA system all work
- Prepare a written escape plan and run a drill at least twice a year, as NDMA advises
- Societies and markets: ask your local fire station for an inspection or awareness session
Common unsafe practices
- Treating the fire NOC as a one-time paper instead of a condition to keep up every day
- Running temporary structures such as game zones, pandals or tin sheds without a fire approval
- Using lifts during a fire; NDMA guidance says to take the stairs
- Going back into a burning building for belongings
- Storing oxygen or LPG cylinders loosely in wards, shops or corridors
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