NBCS-2026 to bring stricter fire safety rules for emerging infrastructure, says the Chief Fire Officer of Maharashtra Fire Services

Pune: Fire and life safety standards for a range of emerging infrastructure projects, including data centres, EV parking facilities, metro stations, warehouses, and technology parks, are set to become mandatory across Maharashtra under the National Building Code Standards (NBCS)-2026, Maharashtra Fire Services director and MIDC chief fire officer Santosh Warick said on Friday.

The move is expected to bring these rapidly expanding sectors under a uniform regulatory framework at a time when cities are witnessing a surge in high-rise developments, electric mobility infrastructure, and technology-driven facilities.

Addressing a conference on fire and life safety in Pune, Warick said the revised code introduces dedicated safety requirements for infrastructure categories that were either absent or inadequately addressed in earlier regulations.

“Part F of NBCS-2026 lays the foundation for a modern fire and life safety regime. The revised provisions recognise the unique risks associated with data centres, large-scale warehouses, commercial kitchens, advanced parking systems, metro rail infrastructure, and EV facilities. These standards will play a critical role in building safer and more resilient cities,” he said.

Warick emphasised that fire safety must be embedded in project planning from the design stage itself rather than being treated as a post-construction compliance requirement.

“Most modern buildings remain in service for five to six decades. Decisions taken at the planning stage determine how effectively a structure can prevent or withstand fire emergencies throughout its lifecycle. Properly designed and maintained fire protection systems can significantly reduce casualties and economic losses,” he said.

Calling for greater public participation in fire prevention efforts, Warick said Maharashtra also needs to strengthen its fire safety culture through awareness and training programmes.

“In many developed countries, children are introduced to emergency preparedness at an early age. Schools, colleges, and housing societies must become active partners in spreading fire safety awareness. Even if one child in a family is trained in basic fire safety practices, the entire household becomes more prepared to respond during an emergency,” he said.

Maharashtra Fire Services assistant director Kiran Hatyal said the department is pushing for technology-driven monitoring of fire protection systems through IoT-based Automated Continuous Monitoring Systems (ACMS).

“One of the biggest challenges is that deficiencies in fire safety systems often come to light only after an incident. ACMS will enable real-time monitoring of critical parameters such as water levels in fire tanks, pump pressure, and smoke detection systems. The data will be available on cloud-based platforms, allowing immediate corrective action,” Hatyal said.

He added that the state is proposing mandatory electronic monitoring for residential buildings taller than 70 metres and commercial and hospital buildings exceeding 30 metres in height.

The conference, titled ‘NBCS-2026 Decoded: Fire and Life Safety for Modern India’, was organised by the Pune chapter of the Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI) in association with Maharashtra Fire Services, Pune Municipal Corporation, and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).

PMRDA chief fire officer Devendra Potphode and NBCS-2026 drafting committee member Vinod Kapse also spoke on implementation challenges and compliance requirements under the revised code. FSAI Pune chapter chairperson Sujal Shah said rapid urbanisation and changing construction technologies had made periodic upgrades to fire safety regulations imperative.

Industry stakeholders from Easy-IoT, Lehari Valves, KEI Cables, Vighnaharta Technology, BK Industries, and Ezol Water Tank participated in the event.