New Delhi:Even before the implementation of the new system of Fire Safety Certificate in the capital Delhi, a big problem has arisen. The government decided to shift the responsibility of issuing and renewing fire safety certificates from the Delhi Fire Service to a third party private auditor, but not a single qualified private auditor could come forward by the deadline. On the other hand, under the old system, the power of Delhi Fire Service to issue certificates ended on August 24. After this the department has stopped taking applications for new fire NOC.
Slogan – “Fire NOC stuck, businessmen holding their breath; now when will the decision be taken, whose responsibility is it?”
42 buildings got deemed status
According to the information received from the fire department official, a total of 42 buildings have been deemed from 1 August to 7 September 2026. These include 13 commercial, 25 industrial, one educational institution and one residential building. Despite the 'deemed' system in the process related to fire safety, there is confusion among many businessmen and institutions regarding the current situation of issuing new NOC.
Rules changed on 26 May
In order to make business easier across the country and reduce unnecessary regulations, the system of fire safety certificate was also changed in Delhi. The rules of Delhi Fire Service were amended on 26 May 2026. Under this, it was decided that the process of fire safety certificate and its renewal would be done through a third party auditor. For this, qualified private auditors were to be empaneled with the Delhi Fire Service. Applications were invited by the department and steps were also taken towards explaining the process and training the potential applicants.
27 applications came, but no one was fully qualified
About 25 to 27 applications were received for the new system. Applications were scrutinized on 17 August, about a week before the 24 August deadline. Investigation revealed that not a single application was fully eligible as per the prescribed checklist. That is, till the end of the old system on August 24, there was no private auditor available with the department, who could be empaneled under the new system and handed over the process of fire NOC.
File sent to government only on 17th August
According to the fire department, after the situation became clear on August 17, the file was sent to the government the very next day. In this, additional time of three months was sought, so that till the arrangement of private auditor is ready, only Delhi Fire Service can be allowed to issue and renew fire safety certificates. However, the final decision on this file has not been taken yet.
New applications closed after August 24
After the expiry of the old system, Delhi Fire Service stopped accepting applications for new fire NOC. According to the department, the process is going on on the applications received till August 24, but after that there is no position to accept new applications at present. According to the official, earlier around 30 to 40 applications were received daily, which included applications for new NOC and renewal of old certificates.
Restaurant and guest house operators worried
The effect of this system is now visible on businessmen also. According to fire department officials, some restaurant and guest house operators have contacted and complained that they have to face action from the Municipal Corporation regarding the validity of the fire certificate. Some people have also put forward the matter of business being closed or the building being sealed before the department. People from Paschim Vihar have also sought help regarding the situation through phone and email. They were told that the process of issuing new NOCs could not be started until the government restored the powers of the department.
Former Director General said that the new system needs time
According to Atul Garg, former Director General of Delhi Fire Service, sufficient time is required to implement the system of issuing fire safety certificate through a third party. According to him, the process of searching for a private auditor, scrutiny of applications, training, examination and then empanelment will take time. He also suggested that the applicants who had applied could have been informed about the deficiencies in the application and given an opportunity to complete them.
need for interim solution
According to the former Director General, even if the government gives permission for expansion, the new system cannot start from the next day. The entire process, including training and examination of private auditors, is bound to take time. In such a situation, he has suggested considering a system like temporary self-certification for pending cases. Under this, businessmen can get temporary relief by giving self-certification of compliance with the prescribed fire safety standards and in the meantime the government can prepare a new system. However, he also clarified that there should be no compromise on fire safety and it is not appropriate to operate a business without necessary safety standards.
Now keep an eye on the government's decision
At present, the file of Delhi Fire Service demanding additional time limit of three months is pending with the government. The department says that once the permission is granted, it will be able to start the process of issuing and renewing fire safety certificates again. At the same time, it is expected to take some time to prepare a private auditor under the new system. In such a situation, the biggest question is regarding those businessmen and institutions who need fire certificate. The old system is gone, the new system is incomplete and the NOC is stuck in the middle – the permanent and safe solution to this administrative dilemma of fire safety in the capital now depends on the decision of the government. The question is not just about NOC, it is also about the safety of the people. The system should change, but the security system should not stop.