6-Metre Access, Sprinklers, Smoke Barriers: Delhi’s New Fire Safety Rules Explained

The Delhi government’s amended Fire Service Rules, 2026, seek to strengthen building safety through a layered system covering prevention, early detection, containment, evacuation and firefighting. Notified on August 28, the rules introduce 18 categories of measures and link requirements to a building’s height and occupancy under the updated Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL).

A key provision is a minimum six-metre clear access route up to buildings, ensuring fire engines can reach premises without obstruction. Buildings will also need protected exits using fire-check doors or pressurisation, along with fire and smoke barriers, fire stops and smoke-management systems to contain flames and toxic smoke.

Depending on the building, mandatory equipment will include fire extinguishers, hose reels, automatic fire detection and alarm systems, public-address or voice-evacuation systems, and automatic sprinklers and fire-suppression systems. Internal and external hydrant networks, fire pump houses, protected firefighter access and captive firefighting water storage are also covered.

The rules strengthen evacuation arrangements through exit signage, floor numbering, reflective corridor markings, fire towers, fire lifts, fire-check floors and refuge areas. Emergency power backups must keep critical life-safety systems operating, including pumps, smoke ventilation, pressurisation, alarms, emergency lighting, fireman’s lifts, public-address systems and fire command-centre lighting.

Another major change is the requirement for dedicated fire control rooms with automated continuous monitoring, allowing hazards to be detected and managed effectively. Fire-safety certification and no-objection procedures will also involve the Delhi Fire Service and third-party auditors.

The framework comes after several fire tragedies, including the Malviya Nagar hotel fire in June, which killed 23 people, mostly foreign nationals. The new measures could address risks exposed by such incidents by improving access, warning, smoke containment, suppression and evacuation.

Where UBBL provisions do not specify safeguards, the DFS director can require additional measures. The government may modify or relax requirements for occupancies or special areas.

However, the rules are not yet operational. They will come into force when the DDA notifies the amended UBBL-2016. Pending applications will continue under rules applicable when they are submitted.