MP finalises Fire Safety Act 2025 draft:Fire-resistant fabric mandatory for pandals; certificates compulsory for all buildings exceeding 15 metres height

The Urban Administration and Housing Department of Madhya Pradesh has finalized the draft of the Madhya Pradesh Fire and Emergency Service Act 2025. All required approvals have been obtained, and after Cabinet clearance, the Bill will be presented in the upcoming winter session of the Legislative Assembly. As per the draft, every building above 15 metres in height, including schools, hospitals, malls, and factories, must obtain a Fire Safety Certificate. Without this certificate, no building will be issued an occupancy certificate (OC).
For weddings, political events, and religious gatherings, the cloth used in pandals must be fire-retardant, meaning it should not catch fire easily. Pandals and large events will now be treated as self-regulatory, placing full responsibility on organizers. Negligence will invite not only fines but also jail term. Below are answers to eight key questions explaining the need, rules, and impact of the new Act. 1. Why was a new and stricter law needed? Until now, fire safety regulations in Madhya Pradesh were divided across various municipal bodies and departments, causing lack of uniformity and accountability.
Existing rules were outdated, unable to address modern construction challenges, and lacked strict penalties for violations. 2. How will the new Act fix these issues? The Fire and Emergency Service Act 2025 aims to eliminate the fragmented system by creating a unified, modern, and powerful fire service for the entire state.
The authority will be equipped with unprecedented powers to enforce rules effectively. 3. What will the fire service structure look like? Appointments of Commissioner and Director The Commissioner of the Urban Administration Development Department will also serve as the Fire Emergency Service Commissioner.
A Director will also be appointed, experienced and qualified in this field, working under the Commissioner. Fire stations on police station model New fire stations will be set up based on population, industrial zones, and business clusters, with fixed jurisdiction similar to police stations.
Each fire station will have a Deputy Fire Officer or a higher-ranked officer to ensure rapid response. 4. What responsibilities will building owners have? Many commercial and residential buildings have been operating without meeting fire safety norms.
Under the new law: No occupancy certificate without fire certificate Builders cannot sell or rent properties unless all fire safety norms are fulfilled. Biannual maintenance reports Owners must submit fire equipment maintenance reports twice a year to the Fire Department. 5. What rules apply to wedding and religious Pandals? Pandals used for festivals, fairs, social and religious events are considered high-risk structures. They are now classified as self-regulatory, meaning the organizer bears full responsibility for fire safety. Mandatory written declaration Organizers must display a board stating they have complied with all fire safety norms. Essential safety standards Inspection and Penalties Fire officers can conduct surprise inspections.If false declarations or safety violations are found: 6. How will Fire Certificates and NOCs be issued? An ICT-based online system has been recommended for issuing all Fire Safety Certificates and NOCs.
The aim is to eliminate delays and reduce corruption by ensuring transparent, digital processing. 7. What powers will fire officers receive? The new Act grants fire officers more authority than ever before. Key Powers: 8. Will common people have to pay extra tax? Yes. To modernize and strengthen the fire service, a small additional surcharge in the form of Fire Tax will be levied on property tax.
Government buildings will be exempted.