Dr. Madhav Madhusudan Singh
A Fire NOC (No Objection Certificate) is a certificate issued by the local fire department that indicates that a building complies with the fire safety regulations set forth by the National Building Code of India (NBC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In India, a Fire NOC is required for all commercial and public buildings, including hospitals.
The fire safety audit is an important process that helps hospitals in India to identify potential fire hazards, assess the effectiveness of existing fire safety measures, and ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and standards. The audit is a crucial step in obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for fire safety from the local fire department, which is mandatory for all hospitals in India. If you will follow the following checklist for the fire audit and fulfill all points, the Fire NOC will be not a problem.
1 | Name of the building | |
2 | Address of the Building | |
3 | Name and Address of builder/promoter | |
4 | Name and Address of owner/occupiers of Individual Flats. | |
5 | Plot Area a. Title b. Land use (in case of residential building Indicate no. of dwelling units) | |
6 | Covered area (at grade level) | |
7 | Height of the building | |
8 | a. Overall height (from grade level) b. Approved/Provisional set back areas conforming to building bye-laws are as follows : 1. Front- 2. Back – 3. Left Side – 4. Right Side – | |
9 | a. Number of basements (Please Indicate level below grade in each case) b. If basement extends beyond the building line, please indicate the load bearing strength of the roof of basement. c. Area of basement d. Whether any piazza is proposed? If so, details of the level of piazza and ramps etc. be indicated | |
10 | Number of Floors (including ground floor) | |
11 | Occupancy (Use-please mention separately for basement & floors) | |
12 | Covered area of typical floor of bldg. Blocks. | |
13 | Parking areas (please give details) | |
14 | Details of surrounding property features | |
15 | Approach to proposed building, width of the road and connecting roads, if any | |
16 | Please give details of water supply available exclusively for fire fighting. | |
17 | Has wet riser(s) been provided? If so, please indicate the number of risers and internal dia of each. | |
18 | Has any down comer been provided? If so, please give details. | |
19 | Please indicate the present arrangement for replenishment of water for fire fighting. | |
20 | Is a public or other water storage facility available nearby? If so, please give the capacity and distance from your building, also please indicate if it is readily accessible. | |
21 | Please give any other information that you can, regarding available of water supply for fire fighting. | |
22 | Have internal hydrants been provided If so, please indicate no. of hydrants on each floor including basement(s) and terrace. | |
23 | Have first add-hose reels been provided? If so, please indicate: a. No. of hose reels on each floor including basement(s) b. Bore and length of hose-reel tubing on each reel. c. Size (bore) and type of nozzle fitted to each hose reel. d. Is the hose reel connected directly to the riser or to the hydrant outlet? | |
24 | Has fire hose been provided near each hydrant? If so, please indicate a. The type of hoses b. The size (bore) of hoses. c. The length of each hose d. Total number of hoses provided near each hydrant. | |
25 | Have branch pipes been provided? If so, please Indicate a. The type of branch pipes b. Size of nozzle fitted to each branch | |
26 | a. If the basement is used for car parking or storage, has it been sprinkled? b. Whether any cubicals proposed in the basement? If so, the area of each cubical be indicated? c. Whether segregation/compartmentation of the basement has been provided? If so, please indicate | |
27 | Is the building equipped with automatic fire detection and alarm system? If so, please indicate: a. The type of detectors used b. The standard to which the detectors confirm c. The code to which the installation confirms. | |
28 | Have manual call boxes been installed in the building for raising an alarm in the event of an outbreak of fire? If so, please give details | |
29 | Has public address system been provided between the various floors and the fire control room in entrance lobby? | |
30 | Has an intercom system been provided between the various floors and the fire control room in entrance of the building? | |
31 | Has a fire control room be provided in the entrance lobby of the building? | |
32 | How many staircases have been provided in the building? Please indicate in each case: a. Width of the stairway b. Width of the treads c. Height of the rigors d. if the treads are of the non-slip type. | |
33 | What is the average occupant load per floor? | |
34 | How many lifts have been installed in the building? Please indicate in each case. a. The floors between which the lift runs. b. The type of doors fitted to the lift car and at each landing c. Fire resistance rating of lift car and landing doors, if known. d. Floor area of the lift car. e. Loading capacity of the lift car. f. Has communication system been installed in the lift for car? g. Has a Fireman's switch been installed in the lift for grounding it in the event of fire? | |
35 | Have any stationary fire pump(s) been installed for pressurizing the wet riser? If so, please indicate a. The number of pumps b. The size of suction and delivery connection of each pump c. The output of each pump. d. The maximum head against which the pump can operate at the output mentioned at (c) e. Is the pump automatic in action? | |
36 | Has a standby source of power supply been provided? Lift is through a generator, please indicate a. the capacity (output) b. the functions that can be maintained simultaneously by the use of generator, such as operating lift(s) fire pumps emergency lighting etc. c. Is the generator automatic in action or has to be started manually? | |
37 | Has any yard hydrant been provided from the building's fire pump? | |
38 | Where more than one lifts are installed in a common enclosure have individual lifts been separated by fire resisting walls or 2 hours fire rating? | |
39 | Has the lift shaft(s) lift lobby or stairwell been pressurized? If so, give details. | |
40 | Have the lift lobbies and staircase been effectively enclosed to prevent fire/smoke entering them from outside at any floor? | |
41 | Have all exists and direction of travel to each exit been sign-posted with illuminated signs? | |
42 | Has a false ceiling been provided in any portion of the building? If so, please indicate location and also mention if the material used for the false ceiling is combustible or non‑combustible. | |
43 | Is the building centrally air-conditioned? If so, please indicate a. The material used for construction of duct and its fittings. b. The type of tinning used for ducts, if any c. The type of lagging used, if any for insulating any portion of the duct, please alsoindicate how the lagging is secured. d. If false ceiling is provided, please give information as at 42 above e. If plonum is used a return air passage has it been protected with fire detectors? Please give details. f. Has a separate AHU been provided for each floor? g. Whether automatic shut down of AHU is coupled with detection system? h. Is the ducting for each floor effectively isolated or is it continuous or more than one floors? i. Are the fire dampers being provided? | |
44 | Where are the switchgear and transformers located? If inside the building, please indicate. a. If the switchgear and transformer(s) have been housed in separate compartments, effectively separated from each other and from other portion of the buildings by a four hours fire resistive wall? b. What precautions have been taken to prevent a possible fire in the transformer(s) from spreading? | |
45 | I Where electric cables, telephone cables, dry/wet risers/down comers pass through a floor or wall have the spaces (apertures) round the cables/pipes been effectively sealed/plugged with non-combustible, fire resistant material? II Ventilation a. Whether natural ventilation is relied upon? If so give details of the vents for the stairwell, lift shaft. b. Whether mechanic ventilation has been proposed? If so, give details of the proposed system indicating the number of air changes for the basement and other floors. c. Whether mechanical ventilation is coupled with automatic detection system? Please give details of the system. | |
46 | Please indicate the number and type of fire extinguishers provided at various indications and the arrangement for the maintenance of the extinguishers. | |
47 | Please indicate if all fire extinguishers bear the ISI certification mark. | |
48 | Whether the refuge area has been provided? If so, the floor on which provided and the total area provided floor-wise. | |
49 | Are the occupants of the building systematically trained in fire prevention, use of fire extinguishers and emergency procedures? If so, please give details. | |
50 | Does an emergency organization exist in the building? If so, please give details and append a copy of the emergency (Fire) orders | |
51 | Has a qualified Fire Officer been appointed for the building either individually or jointly with other building(s) | |
52 | Has the building been protected against lightening? If so, does the lightening protect confirm to any code? Please indicate details. | |
53 | The work has not been started on site and construction will be started only after final approval of the Competent Authority the position of construction site is given below: |
Owner's Signatures Signature of the Applicant/Fire Consultant
Name-------------------- . Name---------------- .
(in block letters) Designation
Date---------------- Organisation
Mobile No. .................................... Mobile No. .................................................
E-mail ID .................................................
Hiring a consultant can be very beneficial when it comes to obtaining a Fire NOC (No Objection Certificate) for a hospital in India. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Expertise and Experience: Consultants have specialized knowledge and experience in obtaining fire NOCs for various types of buildings, including hospitals. They are familiar with the laws and regulations related to fire safety and can provide expert guidance on the requirements for obtaining a fire NOC.
- Compliance: Fire NOCs are issued based on compliance with various fire safety standards and regulations. Consultants can help ensure that the hospital meets all the necessary requirements and is fully compliant with the applicable laws and regulations.
- Time-Saving: The process of obtaining a fire NOC can be time-consuming and complex. By hiring a consultant, the hospital can save time and effort, as the consultant will take care of the entire process on behalf of the hospital.
- Cost-Effective: Hiring a consultant can be cost-effective in the long run. The consultant can identify potential fire hazards and suggest cost-effective solutions to eliminate them. This can help prevent future fires and save the hospital from potential loss of property and life.
- Liaison: Consultants can act as a liaison between the hospital and the fire department. They can represent the hospital's interests, address any concerns that the fire department may have, and ensure that the hospital's fire safety requirements are met.
Hiring a consultant can be a wise decision for a hospital in India that is seeking to obtain a fire NOC. A consultant can provide expert guidance, ensure compliance with regulations, save time and effort, offer cost-effective solutions, and act as a liaison between the hospital and the fire department.
In summary, a fire safety audit is a critical step in obtaining NOC for fire safety for hospitals in India. It helps hospitals to identify and address potential fire hazards, assess the effectiveness of existing fire safety measures, ensure compliance with regulations and standards, and protect the lives and property of occupants in the event of a fire.
Dr. Madhav Madhusudan Singh MBBS, MHA , MBA , PhD
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