In a significant move to enhance urban safety, the Andhra Pradesh government has approved major amendments to the state's Fire Services Act. The reforms are designed to strengthen fire prevention and building safety protocols across the rapidly urbanizing state.
Streamlining Approvals and Expanding Scope
The overhaul is a direct response to the sharp increase in high-rise and multi-storey constructions. The amended law now aligns with the National Building Code and the updated Andhra Pradesh Building Rules. A cornerstone of the reform is the complete digitalization and acceleration of the Fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC) process. Previously taking up to 60 days, the fire department will now issue NOCs entirely online within a streamlined timeline of just 21 days. Officials state this aims to speed up clearances without compromising on strict compliance standards.
Furthermore, the mandate of the Fire Department's NOC has been expanded. All commercial, residential, educational, and industrial structures will now require the certificate, enabling continuous monitoring across all building categories. To ensure rigorous technical scrutiny, the government will empanel qualified third-party agencies to conduct independent fire safety audits of buildings.
A Lifecycle Approach to Safety and Stricter Penalties
The amended Act introduces a comprehensive three-stage certification system to ensure safety throughout a building's existence. This framework includes: a provisional NOC before construction begins, a Fire Safety Certificate after completion, and mandatory renewals at fixed intervals.
According to the Director General of Fire Services, Venkataramana, this structured approach will help identify structural vulnerabilities proactively, especially risks related to collapses during intense monsoon seasons. The government has also introduced stringent penalties for violations of fire safety norms, removing previous ambiguities between the Fire Act and the AP Building Code to grant clearer enforcement powers to the Fire Department.
Immediate Implementation on the Horizon
Following approval by the state Cabinet, the Law Department has issued the official gazette notification. This step paves the way for the immediate implementation of the new regulations across Andhra Pradesh. The reforms represent a proactive effort to modernize fire safety infrastructure and regulatory oversight in line with the state's urban growth trajectory.
