Lucknow: Following a devastating fire that claimed 15 lives in the city, officials from the Fire Services Department have stated that the building involved in the incident, measuring approximately 12 meters in height, did not require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or a fire audit under existing regulations. This assertion comes as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) begins its probe into the tragedy, with the Fire Services Department, Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), and the Electricity Department facing accountability for potential lapses.
A senior official from the Fire Department indicated that the building was not on their departmental records, suggesting a lack of awareness regarding commercial activities within the premises. According to the official, the building owners had not approached the department for a fire NOC in over 13 years. The current owners, who were arrested following the incident, reportedly purchased the property in 2013 when it was classified as a residential building, and its land use was never officially converted for commercial purposes.
National Building Code and Exemption Limits
The official cited the National Building Code (NBC) 2016, which stipulates that residential or commercial buildings up to 15 meters in height with a built-up area of up to 500 square meters do not necessitate a fire NOC. The building in question, standing at around 12 meters with a built-up area of approximately 185 square meters, thus fell below the threshold requiring mandatory fire clearance and inspection.
Furthermore, the official pointed to the NBC 2026 norms, which reportedly have raised the exemption limit for fire NOCs to buildings up to 24 meters. The Fire Department typically initiates the process of issuing an NOC or conducting a fire audit only when a building owner approaches them or when a structure exceeds the prescribed height limit.
Broader Implications and Official Response
The fire has reignited concerns about the safety of smaller buildings that, while exempt from mandatory fire audits due to their height, are often converted into commercial hubs. Officials noted that it becomes challenging for the fire department to track such changes in land use unless new permissions are sought or information is proactively provided.
In response to the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a statewide fire safety audit of various establishments, including hospitals, nursing homes, medical colleges, coaching institutes, malls, and government buildings. Special teams are to be formed in each district to conduct these audits, with an emphasis on public awareness and strict adherence to rules without causing harassment to citizens.
The Chief Minister also stressed that buildings should be used strictly according to their land use designations, with basements prohibited for commercial activities. He called for the registration of coaching institutes, the prominent display of fire NOCs at commercial establishments, and an assessment of electrical loads to identify and address violations.
The review meeting also highlighted the need to reduce emergency response times and enhance the fire department’s resources. Information provided during the meeting indicated that 326 permanent fire stations are operational across Uttar Pradesh, with an additional 26 ready for inauguration and 25 under construction.
The incident has prompted a review of fire safety norms in Uttar Pradesh, with discussions underway to potentially lower the height threshold for mandatory fire NOCs from 15 meters to 12 meters. This measure aims to bring more low-rise commercial buildings under direct fire-safety oversight and address regulatory gaps exposed by the Lucknow fire.
The Chenab Times News Desk