1,244 guest houses in city hold valid fire NOCs

New Delhi: A total of 1,244 guest houses in the city currently hold valid fire no objection certificates (NOCs), according to Delhi Fire Services (DFS) records.

Around 2,600 applications for fire clearances have been received from guest houses over the years, of which 421 NOCs issued earlier have since expired. Another 541 applications failed to meet the prescribed safety norms required for approval. In addition, 233 applicants were directed to reapply after rectifying deficiencies identified during inspections.

The records show that 129 establishments were found to be outside the purview of the department’s NOC requirements, while 30 applications were closed. In two cases, applicants were issued guidelines and asked to fulfil the necessary conditions before their applications could be processed further.

Guest houses and hotels with a height of more than 12 metres, including structures comprising a ground floor and three upper storeys with a mezzanine floor, are required to obtain a fire NOC before commencing operations.

A K Malik, chief fire officer of DFS, said while earlier fire safety certificates issued to guest houses were valid for three years, following recent amendments, compliance with fire safety norms will be audited annually. A private auditor will inspect guest houses every year to verify whether the prescribed measures are being complied with.

During inspections and audits, the officials examine several critical aspects, including the availability and accessibility of emergency exits, ventilation arrangements, width of staircases, evacuation routes, emergency lighting and signage, and the condition of firefighting equipment. Special attention is paid to fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, hose reels, fire extinguishers, water storage tanks and pumping systems, to determine whether they are functional and capable of operating effectively during an emergency.

“During inspections of establishments denied NOCs, we found that several fire safety systems, including sprinklers, failed to function automatically, while hose reels were either missing or not properly maintained,” an official said. The inspections also found fire pumps were not operational, emergency exits were obstructed and firefighting equipment had not been serviced for long periods. In several establishments, staff were either inadequately trained or unaware of basic firefighting procedures, raising concerns about their ability to respond effectively during the crucial initial stages of a blaze.

“If these systems are not maintained regularly, they will not work when needed. In many cases, owners take corrective measures only following a fire, instead of ensuring that safety mechanisms remain functional at all times,” the official added.

Several guest houses still operate without fire NOCs, particularly in densely populated and congested localities, which have narrow lanes and multi-storey buildings, the officials said. These areas pose additional challenges for firefighting operations, as access for fire tenders is often restricted and evacuation becomes difficult during emergencies.

Former DFS director Atul Garg said the process for granting clearances to hotels and guest houses is carried out through a unified online portal. Based on the report of DFS uploaded on the portal, MCD takes the final call on whether to grant an NOC to the applicant.