Telangana has relaxed fire safety norms for existing schools and junior colleges, allowing narrower additional staircases and greater flexibility in using available open space under revised guidelines issued by the state fire, disaster response, emergency and civil defence department.
The changes will apply to all occupancy No Objection Certificate applications submitted from November 10. Fire NOCs issued under the revised rules will remain valid for three years.
Under the new guidelines, buildings below nine metres in height with a floor area exceeding 500 square metres on any floor will require a second staircase. Buildings above nine metres will need a second staircase regardless of their floor area.
The width of an additional staircase will no longer be required to meet the earlier 1.5-metre standard in every case. For existing educational buildings, the staircase width will be determined according to the space available at the premises. The relaxation is intended to address difficulties faced by older schools and junior colleges that cannot easily undertake major structural alterations.
The department has also allowed institutions to use their existing open spaces instead of insisting on additional space prescribed under earlier requirements. Where the available open space is below the prescribed level, schools and colleges must install water shower curtains on the deficient sides that do not abut a road. They must also provide a two-way fire brigade inlet to support firefighting operations.
The revised rules follow representations from school and junior college management associations. The associations had cited difficulties in complying with National Building Code requirements in older buildings, particularly provisions concerning additional staircases and open areas.
The guidelines retain several mandatory fire-safety measures. Educational institutions must provide fire extinguishers for every 200 square metres. Depending on the height of the building, they must also install fire alarms, hose reels and overhead water tanks.
Schools and junior colleges will be required to keep escape routes clear and display evacuation plans on their premises. The guidelines also call for the formation of safety committees and training for staff and students in emergency response procedures.
The revised framework therefore combines compliance relaxations for existing buildings with operational safety requirements. While institutions may receive flexibility on staircase width and open-space provisions, they will still be required to maintain firefighting equipment, emergency access and evacuation arrangements.
The department’s next implementation milestone is November 10, when the revised norms will begin applying to occupancy NOC applications submitted by existing schools and junior colleges across Telangana.
