Telangana Raises Apartment Fire NOC Threshold to 24 Metres

Telangana’s Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence Department has officially raised the height threshold for provisional Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in residential apartment buildings from 18 metres to 24 metres. Issued by Director General Vikram Singh Mann, the revised instructions took effect on October 7, 2026, and apply exclusively to fresh provisional Fire NOC applications submitted on or after this cut-off date.

Fire NOC Threshold Climbs to 24 Metres

Under the revised Fire and Life Safety specifications released by the state fire department, builders developing residential apartments up to 24 metres in height are no longer bound by the previous 18-metre provisional Fire NOC trigger. The department noted that the move is designed to establish a clear, uniform, and practical approach to processing applications across the state.

The updated framework also introduces technical standards for high-rise infrastructure and basement installations. Any building measuring 24 metres or taller, regardless of its occupancy type, must now incorporate both a dedicated Fire Tower and a Fire Command Centre room. Additionally, basement diesel-generator-room ventilation louvres are now permitted above a fire-rated wall of at least one metre, provided that wall carries a certified two-hour fire-resistance rating.

State officials confirmed that while residential apartments benefit from the relaxed height limit, fire safety mandates for non-residential categories remain completely unchanged. Commercial establishments, healthcare centers, and hospitality projects must continue to comply with their respective existing Fire NOC regulations.

What the Revision Means for Apartment Builders

The revised norms directly alter compliance roadmaps for developers planning mid-rise apartment schemes across the state. Proposals falling in the 18-metre to under-24-metre bracket will no longer require a provisional Fire NOC purely on account of the old residential height benchmark, potentially easing pre-construction paperwork.

For homebuyers monitoring upcoming housing developments, the adjustment primarily impacts procedural workflows and municipal clearances. Those tracking project sanction timelines under Telangana RERA Rules should note that the policy change does not imply an absence of fire safety measures; rather, it adjusts which residential structures need state-level provisional fire department certification.

Developers who submitted provisional Fire NOC filings prior to October 7, 2026, cannot claim retroactive benefits under the order. The fire department has explicitly clarified that prior applications remain governed by the earlier rules in force on their respective submission dates.

Hyderabad Residential Projects Adapt to New Clearances

The statewide directive applies equally to Hyderabad and expanding peripheral municipalities across Telangana. Given the heavy concentration of mid-rise gated communities and standalone apartment blocks in Hyderabad’s suburban belts, projects designed in the 18-to-24-metre band will see an immediate change in sanction procedures.

City developers applying for new sanctions for Telangana RERA Approved Projects must ensure that mixed-use buildings do not misinterpret the notification. Because commercial occupancy parameters remain unaltered, any mixed-use or office development in the city must continue adhering to existing non-residential Fire NOC thresholds.

“The revised requirements are intended to streamline the Fire NOC process, improve ease of compliance, and support effective implementation of essential Fire and Life Safety measures.”

Consultations with CREDAI and Builders Shape Policy

The revision of the Fire and Life Safety guidelines comes after detailed consultations between the state administration and key real estate industry bodies. Director General Vikram Singh Mann issued the revised requirements following deliberations with leadership from the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) and the Telangana Builders Federation.

Industry bodies had previously highlighted administrative bottlenecks in provisional clearances for standard residential buildings. By realigning the threshold, the department aims to focus institutional oversight on higher-density developments while maintaining mandatory safety installations such as two-hour rated basement generator walls.

Developers aligning future schemes with Telangana RERA registration guidelines will find the revised technical parameters incorporated directly into fresh municipal building scrutiny across all municipal corporations in the state.

Mandatory Checks for Applications Near 24 Metres

Project teams and engineering consultants must evaluate architectural elevations carefully before filing building plans. Because the 24-metre mark triggers immediate statutory requirements for a Fire Command Centre room and a Fire Tower across all occupancy classes, building designs hovering near the threshold require accurate measurement.

Applicants with files logged before October 7 must confirm their processing status with local fire service divisions. The department will scrutinize incoming documentation to verify that DG room walls meet the one-metre height and two-hour fire-resistance criteria before sanctioning site layouts.