Telangana: Fire Dept. To Overhaul Provisional Fire NOC Framework
The 18-page document would be reduced to a maximum of 6 pages and fire-safety requirements would be made simpler: Reports
HYDERABAD: The disaster response and fire services department is set to overhaul its provisional fire no-objection certificate (NOC) framework by reducing the existing 18-page document to a maximum of six pages and making fire-safety requirements simpler and more compliance-oriented for builders. The new provisional NOC format is proposed to be implemented from September 5, subject to stakeholder feedback.
The proposed changes were discussed at a workshop organised jointly by CREDAI Hyderabad, Naredco Telangana and the Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI), in coordination with the fire services department.
Director-General, fire services, Vikram Singh Mann, said the existing Provisional NOC proforma was lengthy and contained multiple references to laws, clauses, sub-clauses and tables, making it difficult for applicants to understand and implement the requirements. He said the department wanted the new document to be crisp and concise, with clear terms and conditions and checklists. The objective was to ensure that builders complied with fire-prevention, fire-safety and life-safety requirements during construction, instead of seeking additional time to complete pending works when applying for the Final NOC.
Mann said the department was using AI-driven software to process applications and that a Provisional NOC could be issued within 48 hours once an application was cleared by the system. The department is targeting a maximum processing time of 15 days for Final NOCs and seven days for Renewal NOCs. A major proposal discussed at the workshop was a Single Provisional NOC for multiple blocks within a single project, aimed at reducing repetitive approvals and streamlining the process for large developments.
The department also showcased IoT-based sensors capable of monitoring critical fire-safety systems, including fire pumps, water levels and generator readiness, and transmitting real-time information to a fire command centre. Pressure-less aerosol systems were also demonstrated for use in areas such as UPS, battery and electrical/server rooms. Mann said the technologies were being placed before stakeholders for feedback, with the aim of strengthening the fire-safety ecosystem.
Credai Hyderabad president N. Jaideep Reddy said greater procedural clarity would reduce approval delays while ensuring developers remain accountable for fire-safety compliance throughout the project lifecycle. Naredco Telangana president Sreedhar Reddy Koppula said streamlined Provisional NOC procedures would help developers maintain project momentum while adopting modern fire-safety technologies and prioritising public safety.
FSAI Hyderabad chapter president Manoj Wahi said modern high-rise buildings require real-time IoT monitoring, AI-driven detection and integrated safety systems, and stressed the need to bridge the gap between technology providers, developers and regulators.
The department was also working on a revised Fire Act, under which third-party fire-safety auditors could be authorised to conduct periodic audits. The proposed legislation would also define the responsibilities of Resident Welfare Associations in maintaining fire-safety systems after projects are handed over.