The Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence Department has raised the height threshold for residential apartment buildings requiring a Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) from 18 metres to 24 metres. Under the revised rules, residential buildings below 24 metres will no longer require a Fire NOC, easing the approval requirements for eligible projects. The changes came into effect on October 7, 2026, and apply only to fresh applications for Provisional Fire NOCs submitted on or after that date.

The revision changes the regulatory requirements for residential construction across Telangana by extending the exemption to buildings between 18 and 24 metres in height. Previously, residential apartment buildings reaching the 18-metre threshold fell under the Fire NOC requirement. The updated limit means that buildings below 24 metres can qualify for the exemption, subject to the applicable provisions of the revised fire safety requirements.

The department’s revised framework also specifies requirements for taller buildings. Fire towers and dedicated Fire Command Centre (FCC) rooms are mandatory for buildings measuring 24 metres or more in height. These provisions establish a separate set of requirements for taller structures, where fire safety planning and emergency response arrangements are important considerations.

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The new rules took effect on Wednesday, October 7, according to the announcement. Their applicability is limited to fresh applications for Provisional Fire NOCs filed from that date onwards. This means the revised threshold is linked to the date an application is submitted, rather than being described as a blanket retrospective change to every existing approval or application.

The changes are expected to affect developers and applicants seeking fire safety clearances for residential apartment projects in the State. Raising the threshold could reduce the number of residential buildings required to obtain a Fire NOC, while the specified requirements for taller structures remain in place. However, the supplied information does not detail any additional changes to inspection procedures, documentation requirements or other building safety regulations.

The revised requirements mark a change in Telangana’s approach to fire safety approvals based on building height. Residential buildings below 24 metres fall outside the Fire NOC requirement under the updated provision, while buildings measuring 24 metres or more must meet the stated requirements for fire towers and dedicated FCC rooms. Applicants submitting fresh Provisional Fire NOC applications must follow the revised norms applicable from October 7, 2026.

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