Sri Vijaya Puram, October 15: Buildings violating fire safety norms in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could face sealing under draft rules proposed by the Administration, which also seek to introduce mandatory safety certification and a fire tax linked to property tax.
The proposed Andaman and Nicobar Islands Fire and Emergency Services Rules, 2026, would cover residential, commercial, institutional and industrial premises, with existing buildings falling under the prescribed categories given six months to obtain fire safety certificates.
The Administration has invited public objections and suggestions within 30 days of publication of the official press release before finalising the rules.
Building safety
Under the proposed framework, buildings would be required to meet fire safety standards depending on their height, floor area, occupancy and potential fire hazards.
Buildings taller than 15 metres would fall within the proposed certification framework. Certain categories of buildings exceeding seven metres in height or 500 square metres in floor area would also be covered, along with industrial and storage buildings exceeding 250 square metres and all buildings classified as hazardous, subject to the detailed provisions.
Covered buildings would require a Provisional Fire Safety Certificate at the planning stage, linking fire safety compliance with construction approvals.
Building owners and occupiers would be responsible for maintaining firefighting equipment, emergency exits and other prescribed safety arrangements.
The draft also proposes allowing registered and empanelled Qualified Agencies to inspect buildings and issue fire safety certificates, subject to regulatory oversight. Such certificates would carry the same legal validity as those issued by the Fire and Emergency Services, provided the prescribed conditions are met.
These agencies could charge ₹20 per square metre of built-up area inspected, subject to revision by the government.
Fire tax and penalties
One of the significant financial provisions is a proposed fire tax calculated at one per cent of the total property tax amount, subject to the rate notified by the government.
Fire authorities would be empowered to inspect premises, identify violations and direct owners to rectify deficiencies. Failure to comply could lead to enforcement action, including cancellation of fire safety certificates and sealing of buildings in specified circumstances.
Obstructions and encroachments that increase fire risks or prevent fire engines from reaching affected premises would also come under scrutiny.
The proposed rules extend to temporary structures such as pandals erected for festivals, cultural programmes and public gatherings.
Organisers would have to submit a self-declaration to the jurisdictional fire station at least 48 hours before an event, confirming compliance with prescribed safety measures.
Fire officers would be empowered to inspect such structures and require corrective action where necessary. The standards would cover construction materials, electrical installations, emergency access and clear spaces around temporary structures.
The draft also outlines the functioning of the Fire and Emergency Services, referring to 24 fire stations across the islands, along with arrangements for emergency deployment, staffing, training and control-room operations.
Authorised fire officers would be permitted to draw water from public or private sources for firefighting when necessary, without payment for the water used.
Technical standards included in the draft cover fire alarms, firefighting equipment, evacuation routes, emergency exits, smoke management and fire-resistant construction.
Public feedback
Residents, building owners, business establishments, institutions and event organisers can examine the draft rules on the official websites of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and the Andaman and Nicobar Police.
Suggestions and objections must identify the specific rule or provision concerned and explain the proposed modification.
Comments can be emailed to spfire.and@gov.in or submitted to the Superintendent of Police (Fire), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, within the prescribed 30-day period.
The proposed requirements will become applicable only after the rules are finalised and brought into force.
