Fire equipment 12 min read

Fire safety equipment list for buildings in India: what each building type needs by height, from extinguishers to sprinklers

Updated October 2026By Flamekite Editorial DeskFacts checked against official sources on 29 October 2026

Fire safety equipment list for Indian buildings from NBC 2016 Table 7: extinguishers, hose reels, risers, hydrants, sprinklers, alarms and tanks by height.

Building types with no extinguisher rule: 1; A-2 houses; every other row needs them; Baseline list
Flats: sprinklers throughout from: 45 m; Below that, only basements over 200 m²; Sprinkler test
Five-star hotel underground tank: 250,000; Litres, the largest in Table 7; Equipment table
Floor area per extinguisher, light hazard: 300 m²; 150 m² moderate, 100 m² high; Extinguisher count

Quick answer

The fire safety equipment a building in India must have is set by Table 7 of NBC 2016 Part 4, which state fire rules adopt: up to 12 kinds of installation, from extinguishers and hose reels through down-comers, wet risers, yard hydrants, sprinklers, manual and automatic alarms, underground and terrace water tanks and fire pumps, rising with height and occupancy. Extinguishers are needed in every building type except one- or two-family houses.

A block of flats under 15 m needs extinguishers, a first-aid hose reel and a 5,000-litre terrace tank; at 45 m to 60 m it needs a wet riser, a yard hydrant, sprinklers throughout and a 150,000-litre underground tank. Hospitals, malls, five-star hotels and big factories need nearly everything at any height. Add exit signs and 90 minutes of escape lighting in every building Part 4 covers.

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Fire safety equipment list at a glance: 10 items and their codes

The installations Table 7 names, and the Indian Standard each is built and kept to.
What	The rule	Source
Fire extinguishers	Every row of Table 7 except A-2 houses; sized and counted under IS 2190:2024	NBC 2016, Table 7
First-aid hose reel	The lowest water installation, alone in small flats, lodges, schools and shops	NBC 2016, Table 7
Down-comer	A dry-at-the-bottom riser fed from the terrace tank, in mid-height flats, schools, small assembly halls and low offices	NBC 2016, Table 7
Wet riser	A charged riser with landing valves on each floor, from 35 m in flats and in most hotels, hospitals, malls and factories	NBC 2016, Table 7
Yard hydrant	An external hydrant ring round the building, from 45 m in flats and in larger non-residential rows	NBC 2016, Table 7
Automatic sprinklers	In basements over 200 m² in most rows, and throughout taller and higher-risk buildings	NBC 2016, Table 7
Manual fire alarm	Call points from 15 m in flats and in most other rows; automatic detection added in hotels, hospitals and tall buildings	NBC 2016, Table 7
Underground tank	From 75,000 litres for flats of 35 m to 45 m up to 250,000 litres for five-star hotels	NBC 2016, Table 7
Terrace tank and pump	5,000 to 25,000 litres, with a 450 or 900 litre a minute pump in smaller rows	NBC 2016, Table 7
Exit signs and escape lighting	Green lit signs within 30 m, lighting lasting 90 minutes, in every Part 4 building (3.4.7)	BIS, NBC 2016 Part 4

Fire safety equipment by building type and height (NBC 2016 Table 7)

The equipment each proof-read Table 7 row asks for on top of extinguishers, and its water storage.
Option	Riser or hose reel	Yard hydrant	Sprinklers	Alarm	Water: underground / terrace (litres)	Source
Flats under 15 m	Hose reel	No	Basement over 200 m²	None	None / 5,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Flats 15 m to 35 m	Down-comer	No	Basement over 200 m²	Manual	None / 25,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Flats 45 m to 60 m	Wet riser	Yes	Throughout	Manual	150,000 / 10,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Hotel under 15 m, floors over 1,000 m²	Wet riser above one storey	Yes	Throughout	Manual and automatic	100,000 / 10,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Five-star hotel, any height	Wet riser	Yes	Throughout	Manual and automatic	250,000 / 20,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
School under 15 m	Hose reel	No	Basement over 200 m²	None	None / 10,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Hospital 15 m to 24 m	Wet riser	Yes	Throughout	Manual and automatic	150,000 / 20,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Mall with cinemas or food courts	Wet riser	Yes	Throughout	Manual and automatic	200,000 / 20,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Office under 10 m	Down-comer	No	Basement over 200 m²	Manual	None / 10,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Office above 30 m	Wet riser	Yes	Throughout	Manual and automatic	200,000 / 20,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Shops, ground plus one, up to 500 m²	Hose reel	No	Basement over 200 m²	None	None / 5,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Moderate hazard factory over 1,000 m²	Wet riser	Yes	Throughout	Manual and automatic	150,000 / 20,000	NBC 2016, Table 7
Warehouse under 15 m, over 250 m², ground only	Wet riser	Yes	Throughout	Manual and automatic	50,000 / 10,000	NBC 2016, Table 7

How to work out your building's fire equipment list in 6 steps

Find the occupancy group
Residential, educational, institutional, assembly, business, mercantile, industrial, storage or hazardous, with the subdivision (A-4 flats, C-1 hospitals, D-6 malls and so on).
Measure the height
Table 7 rows step at 10, 15, 24, 30, 35, 45 and 60 m depending on the group; use the height your fire officer uses, usually to the top floor's level.
Note floor area and basements
Some rows turn on floor area (hotels at 300 and 1,000 m²) and most add sprinklers for a basement over 200 m².
Read across the row
Riser, hydrant, sprinklers, alarm, tanks and pumps. Extinguishers come on top, counted by floor area under IS 2190.
Add the Part 4 baseline
Exit signs, escape lighting, fire doors to stairs, and in high-rise buildings the extra rules of Annex E.
Check your state's schedule
Some states publish their own list, such as Maharashtra's Schedule-I; it prevails where it differs.

Fire safety equipment every covered building needs

Whatever the row, a building that Part 4 covers ends up with these 7 items. Only A-2 houses are left out of Table 7 altogether.

Portable extinguishers on every floor, at least 2 per floor (1 if the floor is under 100 m²), chosen for the fire classes present (IS 2190 cl. 7.2). IS 2190:2024
Green exit signs, lit on an independent circuit, within 30 m of every point (NBC 2016 clause 3.4.7.4). BIS, NBC 2016 Part 4
Escape lighting that comes on within 5 seconds and lasts 90 minutes (clause 3.4.7.1). BIS, NBC 2016 Part 4
Fire doors of 120 minutes into exit staircases, closing by themselves (clause 4.4.2.4.3). NBC 2016, Part 4
At least a first-aid hose reel, or a riser, in every proof-read row except houses. NBC 2016, Table 7
Sprinklers in any basement over 200 m², even where the floors above need none. NBC 2016, Table 7
5,000 litres more in the terrace tank where a basement exceeds 200 m² (Note 6). NBC 2016, Table 7

How many fire extinguishers per floor, by hazard

IS 2190:2024 Table 1 sets the rating, floor area and walking distance for each extinguisher. Use the calculator to count your floor.

	Least Class A rating	Floor area per unit	Walking distance to a Class A unit	Least Class B rating, within 15 m
Light hazard: offices, homes, classrooms	2A	300 m²	20 m	55B
Moderate hazard: shops, workshops, stores	3A	150 m²	20 m	144B
High hazard: heavy storage, flammable processes	4A	100 m²	15 m	233B

At least 2 units on each floor, or 1 where the floor is under 100 m² (cl. 7.2). Class F (cooking oil) units go within 10 m of the hazard (cl. 7.7.2). Electrical rooms need units marked for live equipment (cl. 6.3.7). IS 2190:2024

Does your building need sprinklers? 8 answers from Table 7

Sprinklers are the costliest line on the list, so this is the question owners ask first.

IfFlats or hostels under 45 m
Only in a basement over 200 m²; from 45 m, throughout the building. Sprinkler systems NBC 2016, Table 7
IfA hotel under 15 m
Basement only if floors are up to 1,000 m²; throughout once a floor exceeds 1,000 m². Hotels NBC 2016, Table 7
IfA five-star hotel
Throughout, at any height. NBC 2016, Table 7
IfA school under 24 m
Only in a basement over 200 m². Schools and colleges NBC 2016, Table 7
IfA hospital with beds on ground plus 2 or more, even under 15 m on a plot up to 1,000 m²
Throughout. Hospitals NBC 2016, Table 7
IfAn office or shop building of 15 m to 24 m, or an office above 30 m
Throughout; below 10 m, an office needs them only in a basement over 200 m². Offices NBC 2016, Table 7
IfA mall with cinemas or food courts, or a multi-level car park
Throughout. Malls and shops NBC 2016, Table 7
IfA warehouse over 250 m², or a moderate hazard factory over 1,000 m²
Throughout. Warehouses NBC 2016, Table 7

Fire water tanks and pumps in numbers

Table 7's water columns and the pump notes beneath it.

2,50,000 litres
Underground tank for a five-star hotel, the largest in Table 7 NBC 2016, Table 7
2,00,000 litres
Underground tank for malls, offices above 30 m and flats above 60 m NBC 2016, Table 7
75,000 litres
Underground tank for flats of 35 m to 45 m and small hospitals NBC 2016, Table 7
5,000 litres
Smallest terrace tank, and the extra amount Note 6 adds for a basement over 200 m² NBC 2016, Table 7
2,850 l/min
Largest main pump in the notes; others are 1,620 and 2,280 l/min NBC 2016, Table 7
180 l/min
Jockey pump that keeps the system pressurised NBC 2016, Table 7
900 l/min
Terrace pump in mid-size rows; 450 l/min in the smallest NBC 2016, Table 7

Fire safety equipment names and what each one does

The systems on your fire NOC drawing, each with the page that covers it in depth.

First aid
Fire extinguishers
Portable units for a fire in its first minutes, by class: water, foam, powder, CO2, clean agent. Serviced every year and refilled every 3 or 5. IS 2190:2024
First aid
Hose reels
A rubber hose on a drum, fed from the riser or terrace tank, that one trained person can run out on a floor. NBC 2016, Table 7
Firefighting water
Down-comers, wet risers and yard hydrants
Pipes with outlets on every floor or round the building, for fire service hoses. NBC 2016, Table 7
Automatic
Sprinklers
Heat-operated heads that open over a fire and spray water without anyone acting. NBC 2016, Table 7
Warning
Manual and automatic fire alarms
Call points people press, and detectors that sense smoke or heat, sounding the alarm across the building. NBC 2016, Table 7
Water
Tanks and pumps
Underground and terrace tanks sized by Table 7, with main, diesel and jockey pumps. NBC 2016, Table 7

State fire equipment lists that differ from Table 7

Most states point to Table 7. Some publish their own schedules; where they do, follow them.

Maharashtra, Schedule-I (2023): Its apartment row starts below 15 m: extinguishers, a first-aid hose reel, a 5,000-litre terrace tank and a 450 l/min terrace pump; talk-back and public address from 24 m. MH Act 2023 Schedule-I
Kerala, KMBR rule 5(4): A fire NOC is needed above 1,000 m² or 15 m, assembly buildings over 200 m² and hazardous and multiplex buildings at any size, so the equipment list is checked from those sizes. KMBR amendment 2025
Ladakh, Fire Rules 2025: Its own schedule by class, with glow-in-the-dark exit signs and emergency lights on a second power source in every column. Gazette notification S.O. 140
Gujarat, Regulations 2023, Annexure 12: The inspector's checklist that each certified building's equipment is tested against, including extinguisher hydro test intervals. Gujarat Fire Safety Compliance Portal

Fire equipment mistakes that fail an inspection

Equipment bought is not equipment that works. Five findings and the fix.

If Sprinklers fitted on the floors but not in the 300 m² basement car park.
Table 7 asks for basement sprinklers over 200 m² in almost every row; extend the system. NBC 2016, Table 7
If Terrace tank sized without the basement.
Add the 5,000 litres Note 6 requires where a basement exceeds 200 m². NBC 2016, Table 7
If Only CO2 extinguishers throughout an office.
Class A fires need A-rated units; CO2 is for electrical and B risks. Match type to the fire (IS 2190 cl. 6). IS 2190:2024
If Extinguishers past 10 years from manufacture.
Replace them: service life is 10 years, 15 for CO2, whatever the refill dates (Annex G). IS 2190:2024
If Exit signs that go dark in a power cut.
Wire them to the alternative supply on an independent circuit (clause 3.4.7.4). BIS, NBC 2016 Part 4

Fire safety equipment myths

Four beliefs that cost money or leave a gap.

You may have read
Sprinklers mean you can drop the extinguishers.
Myth
What the sources say
Table 7 lists extinguishers alongside every system; IS 2190 says fixed systems never replace them (cl. 1.1). IS 2190:2024
You may have read
Every building over 15 m needs sprinklers throughout.
Myth
What the sources say
Not flats: under Table 7 they need sprinklers throughout only from 45 m. Offices and shops of 15 m to 24 m and hospitals of 15 m to 24 m do. NBC 2016, Table 7
You may have read
A small house needs fire equipment by law.
Myth
What the sources say
Table 7 sets nothing for A-2 one- or two-family houses; extinguishers are still sensible. NBC 2016, Table 7
You may have read
Any red cylinder is a legal extinguisher.
Myth
What the sources say
Extinguishers sold in India must carry the BIS mark under the Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023. Gazette of India

Fire equipment lists for 4 real-world buildings

Flamekite’s working from the official rules; no government publishes this figure.

Flamekite's reading of Table 7 rows for example buildings. Your fire officer confirms the final list.

Case 1
A 12 m apartment block, no basement
Ground plus 3 flats.
What applies Extinguishers, a first-aid hose reel and a 5,000-litre terrace tank; no riser, hydrant, sprinklers or alarm under the under-15 m row. NBC 2016, Table 7
Case 2
A 50 m residential tower with a 2,000 m² basement
Flats, 45 m to 60 m row.
What applies Wet riser, yard hydrant, sprinklers throughout, manual alarm, 150,000 litres underground and 10,000 on the terrace, plus 5,000 for the basement. NBC 2016, Table 7
Case 3
A 20 m hospital
C-1, 15 m to 24 m row.
What applies Wet riser, yard hydrant, sprinklers throughout, manual and automatic alarm, 150,000 litres underground and 20,000 on the terrace. NBC 2016, Table 7
Case 4
A 600 m² ground-floor warehouse
Storage under 15 m, over 250 m².
What applies Wet riser, yard hydrant, sprinklers throughout, manual and automatic alarm, 50,000 litres underground and 10,000 on the terrace. NBC 2016, Table 7

Questions about fire safety equipment lists

What fire safety equipment is required in a building in India?

NBC 2016 Part 4 Table 7 sets it by occupancy and height: extinguishers in all but houses, then hose reels, down-comers or wet risers, yard hydrants, sprinklers, manual and automatic alarms, tanks and pumps, plus exit signs and 90 minutes of escape lighting.

What is the fire fighting equipment list as per NBC?

Table 7's columns: extinguishers, first-aid hose reels, wet riser, down-comer, yard hydrant, automatic sprinklers, manual fire alarm, automatic detection and alarm, underground tank, terrace tank, and the pumps that serve them.

What fire safety equipment does an apartment building need?

Under 15 m: extinguishers, a hose reel and a 5,000-litre terrace tank. 15 m to 35 m adds a down-comer and manual alarm. From 35 m a wet riser; from 45 m a yard hydrant and sprinklers throughout.

Which buildings need sprinklers in India?

Under Table 7, basements over 200 m² in almost all buildings; throughout in flats from 45 m, offices and shops of 15 m to 24 m, offices above 30 m, hospitals with beds on upper floors, five-star hotels, malls, car parks, warehouses over 250 m² and larger factories.

How many fire extinguishers are required per floor?

At least 2 per floor (1 if under 100 m²), with one unit per 300 m² in light hazard, 150 m² in moderate and 100 m² in high hazard areas (IS 2190:2024).

What fire safety equipment does an office need?

An office under 10 m needs extinguishers, a down-comer, a manual alarm and a 10,000-litre terrace tank. From 15 m to 24 m it needs a wet riser, yard hydrant, sprinklers throughout, manual and automatic alarm and a 100,000-litre underground tank.

What are the names of fire safety equipment?

Fire extinguisher, fire bucket, hose reel, down-comer, wet riser, landing valve, yard hydrant, sprinkler, smoke and heat detector, manual call point, fire alarm panel, fire pump, jockey pump, exit sign and emergency light.

Keep reading

Fire fighting systemHow the systems link up, high-rise and factory rules, cost.
Fire pumpMain, diesel and jockey pumps and the pump room.
NBC 2016 Table 7 in full26 proof-read rows with every note.
Fire extinguisher calculatorCount units for your floor.
Fire water tank capacitySize your underground and terrace tanks.
Fire hydrant systemRisers, down-comers and yard hydrants.
Fire sprinkler systemDesign and upkeep under IS 15105.
Fire alarm systemDetectors and call points under IS 2189.

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Fire safety equipment list for buildings in India: what each building type needs by height, from extinguishers to sprinklers

Fire safety equipment list at a glance: 10 items and their codes

Fire safety equipment by building type and height (NBC 2016 Table 7)

How to work out your building's fire equipment list in 6 steps

Find the occupancy group

Measure the height

Note floor area and basements

Read across the row

Add the Part 4 baseline

Check your state's schedule