Fire NOC check before buying a flat in Hyderabad or Telangana: Provisional, Occupancy and yearly Renewal
Short answer: in Telangana, a residential building of 18 metres and above needs a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire services department. There are three, taken in order: a Provisional NOC before the plans are approved, an Occupancy NOC after construction once the fire systems are inspected, and a Renewal every year after that. Before you pay for a flat in such a building, ask the builder for copies of all three that apply today.
Does your building need a fire NOC?
The department's FAQ says, word for word, that a NOC is needed for "a building of more than 15 meters height for commercial / business purpose, 18 meters and above height for residential purpose, and buildings of public congregation like schools, cinema halls, function halls, religious place, which are more than 500 sq. Metre in plot area or 6 meters and above in height", and that it must be applied for "before submission of such building plans" to the approving authority.
Height here is a measured figure on the approved plan, not a floor count. Ask the builder for the building height written on the sanctioned plan; we do not convert metres into floors.
The three NOCs, and what each one proves
| NOC | When (department wording) | What it tells you as a buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Provisional NOC | "Before construction, Provisional NOC is issued suggesting what all fire safety systems need to be installed." | The design was cleared for fire safety before the building permit. A building that needed one and has none is a red flag. |
| Occupancy NOC | "Once the construction is completed ... Inspection will be done to check whether the fire safety systems suggested in the Provisional NOC are installed or not." | The systems were actually installed and tested. For a ready flat, this is the one to insist on. |
| Renewal of NOC | "Renewal of NOC is mandatory every year starting with the expiry of one year of obtaining Occupancy NOC." | The systems are still being maintained. After you move in, this usually becomes the association's job; ask who files it. |
What the fire officers check at occupancy
From the department's Fire NOC procedure note, the inspection for an Occupancy NOC verifies, among other things:
- Entry and exit gates of "minimum 4.5m width and 5m head clearance for fire tender access"
- Open spaces around the building (depending on height)
- Means of escape: staircases and ramps
- "Firefighting equipment: the functionality test of each equipment"
- Smoke management and fire safety of air conditioning
- "Emergency lighting and exit signages"
- The emergency evacuation plan and whether occupants know how to use the systems
You can walk the same list on a site visit: is the gate wide and tall enough for a fire engine, are setbacks free of parked cars and sheds, are staircases clear, do exit signs and emergency lights exist?
One line worth knowing. The department's document checklist says: "Deviations or contraventions if any from the approved drawings, would invite prosecution of Builder, Architect and Site Engineer under Sections 31 and 32 of the Fire Service Act, 1999." So ask whether the building as built matches the plans the NOC was issued on.
Questions to send the builder in writing
- What is the building height on the sanctioned plan, in metres?
- Please share the Provisional NOC and the Occupancy NOC (or say why none was needed).
- Please share the latest Renewal certificate and its date.
- Were there any changes to the building after the Occupancy NOC inspection?
- After handover, who files the yearly renewal: the builder or the residents' association?
To verify: whether you can look up a NOC by its number yourself on the department portal (we did not find a public search), and the fees. Contact details are on the department website.
Related guides
- Building permission and occupancy certificate check
- Verify the project's RERA registration
- Flat possession and handover checklist
- Builder insolvency check (NCLT / IBBI)
- Agreement of sale vs sale deed
Buying in Andhra Pradesh? See the Andhra Pradesh guide.
Not legal advice and not a fire safety inspection. This page summarises fire services department pages read on 22 Oct 2026. Rules and thresholds change; confirm with the fire office and a qualified professional before you rely on them.
A free sample from our Hyderabad property do-it-yourself pack for NRIs: which papers to ask for, which official portals to check, and in what order.
Get it free (instant download)FAQ
Does every apartment in Hyderabad need a fire NOC?
No. The Telangana fire department's FAQ says a NOC is needed for residential buildings of 18 metres and above in height, commercial buildings of more than 15 metres, and certain public buildings. Check the height on the sanctioned plan.
Which fire NOC should I ask for before buying a ready flat?
The Occupancy NOC, issued after an inspection checks that the systems from the Provisional NOC are installed, plus the latest yearly Renewal.
Is the fire NOC renewed?
Yes. The department's FAQ says renewal is mandatory every year starting with the expiry of one year of obtaining the Occupancy NOC.
How long does the department take?
Its procedure note gives 7 days for buildings under 15 metres and 14 days above 15 metres after a complete application; the FAQ states 60 days as the outer limit.
Can I check a fire NOC online myself?
We did not find a public search on the portal. Ask the builder for a copy and confirm with the fire department if in doubt.
Official sources
- TG Fire Services: FAQs
- TG Fire Services: Fire NOC procedure note
- TG Fire Services: procedure and documents required
Not legal advice. We don't check properties or certify ads. A lawyer must confirm title, and the Authority's own notices override anything on this page.