For buildings in low-occupancy categories, such as schools, hotels, and hospitals, the NBC guidelines require strict adherence to safety standards
The Municipal Corporation (MC) of Chandigarh is working on a dedicated Fire Safety Act for the Union Territory, aiming to simplify the process of obtaining fire safety certificates (FSCs). This new legislation intends to address the unique fire safety challenges posed by Chandigarh’s many heritage structures, which face difficulties in meeting current fire safety standards under the existing Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 1986.
Currently, the Delhi Act requires fire safety certificates for buildings over 15 meters in height, classifying them as high-rises. Chandigarh follows these regulations, along with fire safety guidelines set forth in the National Building Code (NBC) — a comprehensive document that provides standards for construction, maintenance, and fire safety in structures across India. The NBC mandates FSCs for residential buildings housing more than 20 people and covers essential requirements for other building types, including assembly, institutional, educational (over two stories and 1,000 square meters), as well as hotels, hospitals, industrial storages, and hazardous facilities.
For buildings in low-occupancy categories, such as schools, hotels, and hospitals, the NBC guidelines require strict adherence to safety standards. This includes measures like fire extinguishers on each floor, automated sprinkler systems, unobstructed escape routes, natural ventilation and lighting, and furniture made with flame-resistant materials.
One significant challenge facing Chandigarh’s municipal corporation is the large number of heritage buildings in the city, many of which lack fire safety certification due to structural restrictions. Chandigarh has approximately 420 high-rise buildings, many of which are heritage structures, including facilities within the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Panjab University, the Union Territory Secretariat, and the city’s police headquarters. These buildings cannot be extensively altered, demolished, or renovated to meet NBC guidelines, leaving them without fire safety certification and posing potential safety risks to thousands of occupants.
The new Fire Safety Act aims to strike a balance between maintaining the architectural integrity of these heritage buildings and ensuring adequate fire safety. This initiative could provide solutions for bringing heritage structures up to safety standards without extensive structural changes, making the certification process more feasible for these historically significant buildings.
By creating a dedicated Fire Safety Act, Chandigarh’s municipal corporation is seeking to streamline the certification process, address heritage building restrictions, and ultimately enhance the safety of public spaces within the city. This effort highlights the importance of adapting safety regulations to protect both human life and the cultural legacy preserved within Chandigarh’s heritage structures.