A display of 25 firefighting equipment and tools showcased at the 45th meeting of the Standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC) that was organised in Hyderabad from April 9 to 11.
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement
As buildings in Hyderabad continue to soar skywards, so does the need for robust fire safety measures. Officials revealed that plans are underway to procure a 100-metre firefighting platform, which would substantially boost the State’s ability to tackle fires in even taller structures. Globally, the tallest firefighting platforms reach up to 110 metres, with 90-metre units — capable of reaching 27 floors — being the most commonly used.
“After 30 floors, external fire fighting isn’t feasible anywhere in the world. That’s why internal fire systems must function flawlessly,” said Telangana’s Director General of Fire Services Y. Nagi Reddy. All high-rise buildings are required to have smoke and heat detectors, sprinklers, designated fire exits, and a fire safety team in place. Each building association is expected to employ a fire safety officer, trained to initiate response efforts while fire crews arrive.
National building code
High-rise buildings in the city are governed by the National Building Code (NBC), which lays down fire protection standards to safeguard life and property. Officials from the Telangana State Fire Department say that while high-rises are generally well-equipped internally, external firefighting capabilities are being significantly enhanced.
The department currently has two hydraulic platforms capable of reaching 54 metres, stationed at Madhapur and the Secretariat Fire Station. These are suitable for fighting fires in buildings up to 18 floors. Another unit that can reach 30-metres operates from the Secunderabad Fire Station.
The Fire Services Department, in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and other stakeholders, is considering bringing non-high-rise commercial buildings under the ambit of fire regulations. Only commercial buildings taller than 15 metres and residential buildings above 18 metres require fire NOCs for building permissions.
Third party fire audit
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guards has constituted nine sub-committees to address critical aspects of fire safety, including parking issues, electric vehicle hazards, and third-party fire audits. One of these panels, led by Mr. Y. Nagi Reddy, recommended a national model for third-party fire audits and empanelment of fire safety consultants.
These auditors — now open to engineering graduates — will be authorised to conduct stringent checks and send reports to the department, reducing the burden of physical verification.
Another committee led by Mr. Reddy also proposed the digitisation of fire services across India, taking cues from Telangana’s online Daily Situation Reports (DSR) system. This system could become a national model for real-time fire incident reporting and coordination.
Further, the National Building Code is expected to be revised this year to incorporate updated fire safety guidelines for parking areas and electric vehicle-related risks. A recent presentation by the Mumbai Fire Brigade Chief highlighted the need for automatic fire suppression in parking zones, especially where electric vehicles are parked.
With more people living and working in high-rise structures than ever before, fire safety is no longer just a checklist item — it’s becoming central to urban planning and governance, said the officer.
Published – April 12, 2025 07:48 pm is
