Gandhinagar: The government of Gujarat has in the public interest amended the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Regulations, and issued a notification for the same. The new amendment comes into force with effect from 24 June.

As per the new provisions, upon completing the inspection for the renewal of the fire safety certificate, the Fire Safety Officer shall upload all findings on https://gujfiresafetycop.in/ for review by the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer. The new regulations also prescribe a form for rejection of the fire safety certificate if, after inspection of the building or premises, the appointed fire safety officer is not satisfied with the fire safety provisions.

The state government has also made changes to the Fire Safety Rules, requiring individuals to apply for renewal of the fire safety certificate at least two months prior to its expiry. A new “FORM B 13.3” has also been added to the list of forms required to be filed by the certificate seeker.

The notification about Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Regulations, 2023 states:

In the said Regulations, following new sub-regulations shall be added after sub-regulation

No. 6.1., namely:- “6.1a. Upon enrolment by the Director, the Fire Safety Officer shall register with the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer responsible for the area in which they intend to work, and they will work under the direct superintendence and control of the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer. If the Fire Safety Officer intends to work in multiple areas, they must register with the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer in each respective area with a copy of enrolment certificate issued by the Director.

6.1b. The concerned Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer shall maintain a record of all registered FSOs within their jurisdiction.

6.1c. The Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer will convene meetings at least once in three months with all registered Fire Safety Officers within their jurisdictions and give regular updates to the Director, Gujarat state fire prevention services. During these meetings, they will assess the current situation, provide guidance, and ensure that all necessary corrective actions are taken in accordance with their duties outlined in the FOURTH SCHEDULE of the rules.

6.1d. The concerned Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer can recommend for suspension or cancellation of enrolment of any Fire Safety Officer giving reasons and the supporting evidence to the Director.”

In the said Regulations, after sub-regulation No. 7.2, the following new sub-regulation shall be added, namely:-

“7.2a. Upon completing the inspection for the renewal of fire safety certificate, the Fire Safety Officer shall upload all findings on the https://gujfiresafetycop.in/ for review by the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer. The Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer will verify the on-field data and real-time geotagged photographs submitted by the Fire Safety Officer, and may also conduct additional field checks, if necessary. Based on the verification and approval by the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer, the fire safety officer shall issue the renewal of the Fire Safety Certificate online.”

In the said Regulations, for sub-regulation No. 7.6, the following new sub-regulation shall be substituted, namely:-

“7.6. After inspection of the building or premises, the appointed fire safety officer on being satisfied that owner or occupier has failed to ensure the compliance of the applicable provisions of the Act, Rules and Regulations or has changed the use of building or premises or its part, shall reject the fire safety certificate renewal upon the verification and approval in that behalf from Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer as per ANNEXURE 6 and inform the owner / occupier.”

In the said regulations, the Annexure 6 is replaced by the following annexure, namely:-

The Urban Development and Urban Housing department, via a separate notification, also announced an amendment to the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Rules, 2014, detailing the new provisions in Rule 25 pertaining to the renewal of the fire safety certificate.

The notification states:

1. (1) These rules may be called the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures (Amendment) Rules, 2024.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
In the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Rules, 2014 (hereinafter referred to as “the said rules”)-,

2. For rule 25, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:-

25. Renewal of Fire Safety Certificate. – (1) The owner/s and occupier/s individually or jointly as the case may be, at least two months prior to expiry of Fire Safety Certificate, shall apply for the renewal of the certificate in accordance with the manner determined from time to time, by the authorities concerned.

(2). The Fire Safety Officer, suo-motu or upon the receipt of the request of renewal for fire safety certificates of its building or premises, shall inspect the said building or premises for which he is appointed under rule 21, to verify the compliance of the provisions of the Act, rules and regulations and thereafter issue a Fire Safety Certificate Renewal in “Form-B13.3” based on the verification and approval by the Regional Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer, as the case may be. The validity of the Fire
Safety Certificate Renewal shall be for a period of two years from the date of issuance thereof and for the same period thereafter.”

3. In the said rules, after Form 13, the following “Form” shall be inserted, namely:-