Telangana has raised the height limit for new residential apartments requiring a provisional Fire NOC from 18 metres to 24 metres, a change that will generally cover buildings up to G+7 floors and take effect from October 7. The relaxation is intended to simplify approvals for lower- and mid-rise housing, but fire-safety experts have warned that height alone cannot determine the risk faced by residents.
The change applies only to new residential apartment buildings, according to officials cited by the Telangana fire department. Schools, hospitals, hotels, hostels, industrial buildings, malls, offices and other public-use structures will continue to follow the existing requirements applicable to those categories.
Officials said the decision followed discussions with builders’ associations and was aligned with National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026. Fire DG Vikram Singh Mann said the revised limit would reduce the regulatory burden and simplify the approval process for residential projects below 24 metres.
Under the revised arrangement, apartments between 18 metres and 24 metres will not require a provisional Fire NOC. Fire officers will instead conduct periodic checks during construction to verify basic safety provisions, including emergency exits, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and safe electrical systems.
The change shifts part of the compliance process from an upfront approval requirement to inspections during construction. That makes the timing, coverage and enforcement of those checks important for projects that move ahead without a provisional NOC. The details supplied by the department do not specify the inspection frequency or the penalties that would apply if deficiencies are found.
Fire-safety experts have said that a building’s risk profile also depends on the number of occupants, evacuation routes, smoke management, firefighting systems and the ability of fire tenders to reach the premises. SP Anchuri, vice-president of the Council for Fire and Life Safety, said apartments between 18 metres and 24 metres should have clear and unobstructed escape routes, protected staircases, emergency lighting and signage, smoke-management systems, safe electrical installations, fire detection and alarm systems, and adequate firefighting equipment.
The state’s fire data adds urgency to the compliance question. Telangana recorded more than 8,860 fire incidents and over 160 deaths in 2025, while the number of fire incidents has risen by nearly 15% over the past five years, according to official data cited in the report. More than 100 fire-related deaths have been reported annually in the state.
Experts also identified risks that can emerge after construction, including blocked staircases, locked terraces, storage in common areas, unsafe electrical alterations and vehicles obstructing access for fire tenders. Anchuri said regular checks after occupancy were necessary because a building that meets safety requirements at the design stage could become hazardous through poor maintenance or changes made by residents.
The revised Telangana rule will come into force on October 7. Its implementation will determine whether periodic construction inspections can preserve essential safeguards while reducing approval delays for new residential apartments.
