The Government of Tamil Nadu has notified the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Service Act, 2025 (“Act of 2025”). It repeals the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985, but any action taken under the Act of 1985 may be continued and completed under the corresponding provisions of the Act of 2025. The effective date for the new Act of 2025 will be appointed later by the State Government.

Key Highlights:

The new Act provides for various fire prevention and life safety measures including the following:

1. Every building in this State shall be classified as Category A or Category B or Category C buildings.
2. The owner or occupier of the building shall, prior to the occupation of the building, obtain-

• a fire licence for Category A buildings or
• a fire safety certificate for Category B buildings or
• a self-certified fire safety protocol for Category C buildings

and shall renew the fire licence / fire safety certificate / self-certified fire safety protocol within the time as may be prescribed.

3. In respect of any building in existence on the date of commencement of this Act for which a fire licence is required under this Act, the application for fire licence shall be submitted within the date of expiry of existing fire licence or 180 days from the date of commencement of this Act, whichever is later.
4. The owner or occupier of the building shall display the fire licence / fire safety certificate / self-certified fire safety protocol in a prominent place of the premises.

5. To ensure effective fire prevention and life safety measures of the hazardous industry or factory, commercial or public building or premises under substantive fire risk categories as may be prescribed in this behalf, every owner / occupier / an association of such owners or occupiers shall-

• appoint a Fire Safety Officer, having such qualifications as may be prescribed and
• send a compliance report of such appointment to the Director in such electronic form as may be prescribed.

6. The Fire Safety Officer shall undergo training at the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services – State Training Centre as specified by the Government in this regard. However, in case of a person who has already undergone such training at the National Fire Services College, Nagpur or at any other equivalent institution notified by the Government, such training will not be required.
7.  The owner or the occupier, who are either individually or jointly responsible of a building as classified by this Act, shall provide fire prevention and life safety measures therein without prejudice to the fire safety regulations or norms of the following laws-

• National Building Code of India,
• Model Building Byelaws, 2016,
• Oil Industry Safety Directorate guidelines and
• Explosive Act and Rules relating to fire prevention.

8. No events such as live shows, exhibition, carnivals, or festivals, wherein any inflammable or hazardous materials are used or not, shall be conducted without a temporary fire licence.

For a detailed read please refer to the attached document.

Source: Government of Tamil Nadu

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