A fire NOC (fire safety certificate) from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) confirms that a building has the fire safety measures required for its use and size. Without it, the building plan or occupancy can be refused, and running a business from the building can be stopped.
Which buildings need a fire NOC
In June 2026 the Delhi Fire Service published a notice listing the buildings that need a fire safety certificate:
| Building type | Needs a fire NOC when… |
|---|---|
| Residential (not hotels / guest houses) | Height above 15 m, or 5 or more storeys including stilt / mezzanine |
| Business (offices) | Height above 15 m, or 5 or more storeys including stilt / mezzanine |
| Hotels and guest houses | Height above 12 m, or 4 or more storeys including stilt / mezzanine |
| Educational (schools, coaching) | Height above 9 m, or 3 or more storeys including stilt / mezzanine |
| Institutional (hospitals, care homes) | Height above 9 m, or 3 or more storeys including stilt / mezzanine |
| Mercantile (shops, showrooms) | Height above 9 m, or 3 or more storeys including stilt / mezzanine |
| Assembly (halls, restaurants, banquets) | Covered area above 250 sq m on all floors |
| Industrial | Covered area above 250 sq m on all floors |
| Storage | Covered area above 250 sq m on all floors |
| Hazardous | Covered area above 100 sq m on all floors |
| Any building with 2 or more basement levels | Always |
For houses with stilt parking, the Supreme Court has held that the 15 m limit is read as 17.5 m with stilt, in line with the Master Plan – and the Master Plan for Delhi 2047 allows exactly stilt + 4 floors within 17.5 m. A typical stilt + 4 house within 17.5 m therefore does not need a fire NOC, but anything taller (or with two basement levels) does.
How the process works
- At building plan stage – for buildings that need it, the fire safety plans are checked by DFS through the online building permit system before sanction.
- During construction – fire-fighting systems (hydrants, sprinklers, alarms, fire doors, staircases, refuge areas where required) are installed as approved.
- Before occupation – DFS inspects the building and issues the fire safety certificate.
- Renewal – the certificate must be renewed periodically; systems must be maintained in working order.
Common problems
- Staircase width, exit distances or fire tower missing in the design.
- Basement used for purposes other than approved.
- Fire systems installed but not maintained (pumps, tanks, alarms).
The notice and rules can change – check the latest DFS notifications before you design.
Sources: Delhi Fire Service notice, June 2026 (reported by PTI / ThePrint, 16 June 2026); Delhi Fire Service Rules 2010; Supreme Court on 15 m / 17.5 m with stilt.
Need a fire NOC? Design Tech+ designs buildings to meet fire rules from the start and handles the DFS process. See our DFS fire NOC service or talk to us.