Only 78 Delhi Hotels Hold Valid Fire Safety Certificates, Fire Department Data Shows
Only 78 hotels in Delhi currently hold valid fire safety certificates, according to official data released by the fire department, highlighting widespread compliance gaps across the city's hospitality and food sectors.
Out of 98 hotels that submitted applications for No Objection Certificates (NOCs), inspection teams identified safety shortcomings in 15 establishments, while five others have yet to comply with required safety guidelines. Fire officials noted that hotels often feature multiple hazards, including banquet areas packed with combustible materials, basement charging areas for electric vehicles, commercial laundry operations, and faulty or overloaded electrical wiring.
Compliance issues were also documented across hundreds of eateries in the capital. While 1,163 food establishments hold valid certificates, 514 have let their certifications expire. Inspections uncovered safety shortcomings in 1,285 eateries, and 838 cases remain under reply or re-application. Another 216 establishments were determined to fall outside the fire department's regulatory purview.
Among guest houses in Delhi, 1,253 premises hold valid fire safety certificates, while 436 certificates have lapsed. Shortcomings were detected in 496 guest houses, 16 certificates were suspended or cancelled, and 251 cases are pending response or re-application. An additional 129 guest houses were found outside the department's purview, and 30 were reported closed.
Chief Fire Officer A K Malik said that widespread installation of smoke detectors and automatic sprinkler systems could prevent up to 97% of fire-related fatalities across commercial buildings. He explained that early detection combined with automatic suppression helps contain blazes in their initial stages, providing occupants with critical evacuation time.
Following in-principle approval from the Delhi government, the fire department submitted a proposal to the Delhi Development Authority to incorporate mandatory safety measures into the amended Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL-2016).
Under current regulations, hotels and guest houses taller than 12 metres—including buildings with a ground floor, three upper storeys, and a mezzanine—must secure a fire NOC before operating. NOCs remain valid for five years for residential-classified premises and three years for non-residential properties and eateries.
