The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) website indicates that 43 MSBs lacked NOC from the TNFRS between 2007 and 2015
In light of recent major fire accidents in Tiruvallur, Delhi, and Gujarat, there is a growing call to make the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department (TNFRS) mandatory for all buildings. Additionally, there is a push for more frequent audits and physical inspections by officials.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ fire safety requirements from 2023, an NOC is needed to register multi-storeyed buildings (MSBs) that are 15 meters or taller. This certificate is also required for low-occupancy categories like assembly, institutional, educational (over two stories and 1000 sq m), business (over 500 sq m plot), mercantile (over 750 sq m), hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, underground complexes, industrial storage, meeting/banquet halls, and ‘hazardous’ buildings where there is storage, handling, manufacture, or processing of highly combustible or explosive materials.
Raghukumar Choodamani of the Community Welfare Brigade pointed out that TNFRS approval is needed for new trading licenses, but officials do not inspect every building physically for annual NOC renewal. He questioned the renewal of certificates for high-rise buildings in congested areas such as George Town in North Chennai and the lack of proper fire safety measures in many establishments like popular restaurants in Mylapore and townships in Perambur’s North Town. Mr. Raghukumar also emphasized that the Greater Chennai Corporation must review fire safety in various establishments under its limits.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) website indicates that 43 MSBs lacked NOC from the TNFRS between 2007 and 2015. Recent major fires in Chennai include incidents at the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in 2022, an apartment building in Velachery in 2023, and a mall in Sowcarpet in 2023.
K. Senthil Kumar, former Chairman of the Indian Institute of Architects, TN Chapter, stated that resident welfare associations should also be held accountable for accidents, alongside building owners, promoters, and builders. “Most issues are in schools, commercial buildings, and malls. Kitchens on the topmost floors, such as in some malls in T. Nagar, are also a safety hazard. Physical check-ups by local authorities are not frequent enough, as most license renewals are just paperwork and not even surface-level inspections. Emergency exits and setbacks are often blocked by vehicles, especially in many cinema theatres and shopping complexes,” he said. “The corridor and staircase width is reduced when additional structures come up on the campus – commonly noted in the government’s low-income housing settlements,” he added.
Abhash Kumar, Deputy General of Police (DGP), Fire Services, said that a ‘compliance certificate’ is given for buildings like residential, storage, or low-rise buildings on smaller plots, but it is not mandatory.
