“Building Permissions Without Fire Safety Are Incomplete”
“From Approval to Accountability: Fixing Fire Safety Gaps”
Approved but Unsafe: Why Fire Safety Must Be Non-Negotiable in Building Permissions
Across India, thousands of buildings receive official approval every year. Stamped, signed, and cleared—these structures are considered legally fit for occupation. But a critical question remains: Are they truly safe?
In many cases, the answer is no.
While building permissions rigorously examine land use, setbacks, and structural drawings, fire safety in individual residential buildings is often overlooked or treated as optional. This gap in the system leaves homeowners exposed to one of the most preventable yet devastating risks—fire.
A house is built with years of savings, sacrifice, and hope. Yet, in the absence of basic fire safety measures, a single incident can reduce that dream to ashes within minutes. What makes it more concerning is that such risks are not always due to negligence, but rather lack of awareness and absence of mandatory regulation.
This is where policy must evolve.
Fire safety should not depend on individual choice—it must be a legal requirement.
Authorities granting building permissions must ensure that every approved plan includes essential fire protection provisions. These are not complex or unaffordable additions; in fact, they are basic safeguards that can save lives and property.
At a minimum, building approvals should require: • Installation of fire extinguishers in all residential units
• Dedicated water storage or access points for firefighting
• Clearly planned and obstruction-free escape routes
• Use of fire-resistant materials in critical areas
• Basic fire safety awareness guidelines for homeowners
For multi-storey and high-density developments, stricter systems such as hydrants, alarms, and emergency access routes must be enforced without exception.
It is important to recognize that approval from authorities carries a responsibility. When a building is approved, it signals that the structure meets safety norms. If fire safety is not included in this framework, the approval itself becomes incomplete.
India has made progress in structural safety, especially in earthquake-prone regions. A similar seriousness must now be extended to fire safety. Regulations should not wait for tragedies to dictate reform—they must act proactively.
Urban development is not just about growth; it is about safe growth.
A future-ready city is one where buildings are not only well-designed but also well-protected. Making fire safety a mandatory part of building permissions is not an added burden—it is a necessary step toward responsible governance.
Because a building that is approved but not safe is a risk waiting to happen.
Jehangir Aalam
Managing Director
Concepts Business and Constructions Private Limited
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India