The Delhi government has amended its Fire Service Rules, mandating a comprehensive overhaul of building safety measures in the wake of recent tragedies, including the Malviya Nagar hotel fire that claimed 23 lives.
The updated regulations mandate six-metre fire engine access, protected exits, fire lifts, sprinkler and fire-suppression systems, smoke barriers, emergency power backups, fire control rooms, fire check floors and refuge areas among other key safety requirements that all high-rise buildings should fulfil.
The Delhi Fire Service (Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified by the Home Department on Friday, align building fire safety standards directly with the updated Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL).
The minimum safety standards applicable to buildings will be linked to their height and class of occupancy and governed by the building bylaws.
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood said the revised framework was aimed at making fire safety standards more modern, mandatory and accountable.
“The safety and security of every citizen of Delhi is our government’s topmost priority. By notifying the Delhi Fire Service (Amendment) Rules, 2026, we are aligning our fire safety standards directly with the Unified Building Bye-Laws. These revised rules enforce modern, mandatory safety measures across all buildings — ranging from six-metre clear access routes for fire engines to automated continuous monitoring, sprinkler systems, and dedicated emergency power backups. Furthermore, a standardised auditor inspection checklist will bring complete transparency and accountability to safety compliance. We are committed to building a safer, more resilient, and modern Delhi,” he said.
The rules will come into force from the date on which the amended UBBL-2016 are notified by the Delhi Development Authority. However, the notification clarified that the applications pending on the date of commencement will continue to be processed under the provisions that were in force on the date of application submission.
Under the amended rules, where fire prevention and safety measures for a particular building are not specified in the Building Bye-Laws, the director of the Delhi Fire Service may require owners or occupiers to adopt additional measures in accordance with standards prescribed by the fire prevention wing.
The government may also relax, modify or remove specific requirements for certain classes of occupancy or buildings in special areas, the amended rules state.
The amended rules prescribe 18 categories of fire safety measures to be considered for buildings under provisions relating to fire prevention and fire safety certification and the issuance of no-objection certificates by the Delhi Fire Service and third-party auditors.
Published – August 30, 2026 12:53 am IST
